Tag: book blog

2016 Reading Goals

On By Dearna_MulvaneyIn Reading ChallengeLeave a comment

Hi all! I’m here today to share with you my, slightly ambitious, reading goals for 2016.

I have decided to part take in the Goodreads Reading Challenge but setting my goal at 50 books. I decided to set my goal low so not to make me anxious about my reading next year. Also it’s the first year I will be doing this challenge and I thought this would be a good starting point.

On top on this, I have decided to do not one but two reading challenge! The second challenge I will doing is another Goodreads challenge called, Around the Year in 52 Books. As the title suggests, the goal is to read 1 book for every week of the year. The Goodreads group has set a different challenge for each week – for example, a book with blue on the cover.

Listed below are the books I have hoping to get to next year! It will be fun to check in at the end of the year to see how well I stuck to my plan.

 

 

1. A book you meant to read in 2015, but didn’t: Skin by Ilka Tempke

2. A book set in a different continent: Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Suskind

3. A book from the Goodreads Choice Awards 2015: The Wrath and the Dawn by Renne Ahdieh

4. A book by an author you discovered in 2015: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

5. A book with a title beginning with the 1st letter of your name: The Death House by Sarah Pinborough

6. The highest rated on your TBR: The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
7. A book about books: The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

8. A classic book with less than 200 pages: The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson

9. A book that was mentioned in another book: Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

10. A book by an author you feel you should have read by now: Stardust by Neil Gaiman

11. A book from the Rory Gilmore challenge: The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

12. A childhood classic: The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling

13. Reader’s Choice: The Chimes by Anna Smaill

14. A book with one of the five W’s -or H in the title (Who/What/Where/When/Why/How): Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

15. A book set in the past (more than 100 years ago): The Song of Achilles by Madeline Millwe

16. A book from the top 100 mystery novels: The Women in White by Wilkie Collins

17. A book with a beautiful cover: The Forbidden by F.R. Tallis

18. A book on a summer/beach reading list: Goodbye for Now by Laurie Frankel

19. A non-fiction book: History of the Mafia by Neigel Cawthrone

20. A book with a first name in the title: The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

21. A book from the Goodreads Recommendations page:Insurrection by Robyn Young

22. The first book in a new to you series: Snow Like Ashes by Sara Ashes

23. The next book in a series you are reading: Falls the Shadow by Sharon Kay Penman

24. A “between the numbers” book of a series (0.5, 1,5, 2.5, etc.): The Assassin’s Blade by Sarah J. Maas

25. A book whose main character is in a profession that interests you: Medea’s Curse by Anne Buist

26. A book everyone is talking about : The Dumb House by John Burnside

27. A book with a beautiful title (in your own opinion): After Alice by Gregory Maguire

28. A biography, autobiography, or memoir: Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things by Jenny Lawson

29. A book by an author who writes under more than one name: The Green Mile by Stephen King

30. A fairytale from a culture other than your own: The Tinder Box by Hans Christian Anderson

31. A work of young adult fiction: Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johanses

32. A historical fiction book: The Reckoning by Sharon Kay Penman

33. The 16th book on your TBR : The Paris Wife by Paula McLain

34. A book about mental illness: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey

35. An award winning book: The Poisonwood Bible by Barbra Kingsolver

36. An identity book – a book about a different culture, religion or sexual orientation: Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

37. A book that you’ve seen the movie of but haven’t read: Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice

38. A book about an anti hero: Killing Sarai by J.A Redmerski

39. A poetry collection: No Matter the Wreckage by Sarah Kay

40. A novella from your favourite genre: Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime by Oscar Wilde

41. A book about a major world event (fiction or non-fiction): The Red Necklace by Sally Gardner

42. A top 100 fantasy novel: The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien

43. A book about a thing that goes bump in the night: The Shining by Stephen King

44. A book you’re embarrassed to read in public: The Blood Countess by Tara Moss – purely for the cover

45. A book related to a hobby or passion you have: The Pale Horseman by Bernard Cornwell

46. A crime story: The Godfather by Mario Puzo

47. A book with a type of food/drink in the title: Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Shop Cafe by Fannie Flagg

48. A dystopia: The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

49. A book with a great opening line :The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

50. A book originally written in a language other than English: The Blue Fox – Sjon

51. A short story from a well-known author: Afterlife by Stephen King

52. A book published in 2016: The final book in Conn Iggulden’s The Wars of the Roses series – title not yet released

 

So there is my ambitious reading goals for 2016. Comment down below if you’ve read any of these or what your reading goals are.

Until next time, happy reading

Dearna

Dashing Through the Snow Tag

On By Dearna_MulvaneyIn TagsLeave a comment

Hi all! I’m here with another tag. Seeing how it is currently Christmas Eve over here, I thought I’d get into the festive spirt with this Christmas tag!

Thank you so much ro Trisha Ann over at The Bookgasm for tagging me! If you haven’t already, I highly recommend checking her blog out as she posts awesome content.

Now onto the Christmassy questions.

1. Name a book you would like to see under your Christmas tree?

The Gracekeepers

 

This is a diffcult question becuase I really want all the books! But I would be so thrilled to see a hardcover copy of Kristy Logan’s The Gracekeepers under the tree. The hardcover UK edition is a stunning book, one of the most beautiful books I’ve seen. It would be a magaical Christmas if I got this one!

 

2. A book you’ll be reading this Christmas season.

HDM COVERS

This month I’m reading His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman as apart of Booktuber’s Jen Campbell and Holly for Library at the Edge of the World’s read-along.

 

3. Favourite Christmas movie.

This is a tough one for which I have narrowed it down to three movies. The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Rise of the Gardians and The Godfather. I am aware that The Godfather isn’t a traditional Christmas movie; however, there is a christmas scene and in my house we do class it as a christmas movie. Normally mum and I finish wrapping the presents while watching it.

 

4. Do you like snow?

I do! Since it’s the middle of summer in Australia for Christmas, it is on my wish list to have at least one white Christmas!

5. Name a character you would like to spend Christmas day with.

The-White-Queen-the-white-queen-bbc-35053165-1800-1200.jpg

Note: image from the BBC adaptation of Philippa Gergory’s The Cousin’s War Series

In the risk of repeating the same books and since I read a lot of historial fiction, I’m going to go with King Edward IV and his Queen, Elizabeth Woodville. Because in every book I’ve read about them their Christmases’, they just sound opulent. And who would’ve want to spend Christmas in the medival court of a Plantagent monarch – oh just me?

 

6. To give or recive?

I love giving people presents – probably why I’m so broke this time of year! I love seeing the look on their face when they see the amazing present I’ve picked out for them. But least be honest – who doesn’t like receving presents also?

7. What fictional place would you like you spend Christmas at?

Night Circus

The Night Circus peferably somewhere in Europe on a winter’s night. Since it is such a magaical place already I think it would be the perfect place to spend a Christmas!

 

8. Fondest Christmas memory.

Every year around the second week of Novemeber we’d go over to see my Grandparents only to find out that my Granda had brought this year’s Christmas ham. ‘They were going to sell out,’ was his reasoning everytime. The next 6 or so weeks were spend laughing everytime we say the Supermarket’s overflowing leg of ham section. Also we have to find somewhere to store it and every year he managed to buy a bigger one!

 

9. Can you say Christmas tree 10 times fast in a row?

No! Sadly, I get to about 7 before failing every time.

 

 

That’s all for me for today! Merry Christmas to everyone and if you don’t celebrate Christmas I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!

Until next time, happy reading,

Dearna

Top 5 Series I Want to Start in 2016

On By Dearna_MulvaneyIn Top 5 Wednesday5 Comments

Hi all! I’m back again with another Top 5 Wednesday. And this week’s topic is series you want to start next year. This list is full of series I’m ashamed to admit that I haven’t actually read and hopefully this list to make me pick them up sooner.

Before we get onto the books I would like to mention that Top 5 Wednesday was created over on BookTube by the wonderful Laniey at gingerreadslaniey. Also you can check out the Goodreads page for past and future topics.  Now onto the 5 series I want to start next year. The books are listed in no particular order.

 

 

#5 The Chronicles of Ixia by Maria V. Snyder

 

 

#4 The Madman’s Daughter Trilogy by Megan Shepherd

 

 

#3 Daughter of Smoke & Bone Trilogy by Lani Taylor

 

 

#2 Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series by Rick Riordan

 

 

#1 The d’Artangan Romances by Alexandre Dumas

 

 

That’s it for me today, comment down below and tell me which series you are wanting to get to next year.

Until next time, happy reading!

Dearna

The Pastry Book Tag

On By Dearna_MulvaneyIn TagsLeave a comment

Hi all! I thought it was time I got to another tag and this one sounded fun. I was tagged by the lovely Aimal from Bookshelves & Paperbacks. Thank you Aimal for thinking of me and tagging me!

 

CROISSANT: NAME A POPULAR BOOK OR SERIES THAT EVERYONE (INCLUDING YOU) LOVES13519397

For this one I’m going to say the Throne of Glass series by the wonderful Miss Sarah J. Maas. I was weary of the series because of the hype it had received but am so glad that I got pass all that and read the series. I cannot wait for the last two books,

 

MACARONS: NAME A BOOK THAT WAS HARD TO GET THROUGH BUT WORTH IT IN THE END859561

Lilith by George MacDonald. This was a tough read, the language is quite dense as it was written in 1895. However it was well worth the extra time I spent on it. MacDonald is one of the first fantasy writers and is credited as an inspiration to C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. Lilith is a beautiful and dark tale – think Alice in Wonderland meets an Edgar Allan Poe short story.

 

VOL-AU-VENT: NAME A BOOK THAT YOU THOUGHT WILL BE AMAZING BUT FELL FLATVIRGIN SUICIDES

For this I’m going to have to say The Virgin Suicides by Jeffery Eugenides. I had high hopes for this books. I loved the sound of the concept and the opening line drew me in. However the story ultimately fell flat for me. I had some issues with the characters and felt some aspects of the story didn’t equal the consequence or reaction. For more of my thoughts on this book, keep an eye out for my full review.

 

PAIN-AU-CHOCOLAT: NAME A BOOK THAT YOU THOUGH WOULD BE ONE THING BUT TURNED OUT TO BE SOMETHING ELSE17185496

The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly by Stephanie Oakes. I did really enjoy this book it just wasn’t exactly what I thought it would be. This is a retelling of a Grimm’s Brother’s fairytale – the Handless Maiden, I think it’s called. I thought the story would unfold as I read it and that it would be set inside this cult. However the story was told retrospectively as Minnow is preparing for a trial.

 

PROFITEROLE: NAME A BOOK OR SERIES THAT DOESN’T GET ENOUGH ATTENTION

The Moorhawke Trilogy by Celine Kiernan. I still have to read the final book and it has been a while since I’ve read them but even so I adore these books! Our protagonist, Wynter, returns from a 5-year exile to find her homeland in turmoil and the Crown Prince is missing. These books are filled with a fantastical medieval setting, court intrigue, adventure and romance – what more could you ask for?

 

CROQUEMBOUCHE: NAME A BOOK OR SERIES THAT’S COMPLETELY COMPLEXWARS OF THE ROSES

The Wars of the Roses Series by Conn Iggulden. Well any book set during this time period. The Wars of The Roses was a huge civil war in England during the 15 century. Two houses – The Yorks and Lancasters – are fighting for the throne. This series is full of court and political intrigue, betrayal, battle, bloodshed and the fall of the Plantagenet dynasty.

A little fun fact, this period inspired George R.R. Martin’s Game of Throne’s series.

 

NAPOLEON: NAME A MOVIE OR TV SHOW BASED OFF A BOOK THAT YOU LIKED BETTER THAN THE BOOK ITSELFScreen Shot 2015-12-21 at 7.54.56 pm

This is a tough question, since I generally like both the book and the movie. But for this I will say the 2009 adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray, called Dorian Gray. The book is a dense read and is one I want to re-read. I say I enjoy the movie more because I understood the story better than when I read the book – partly because it took me a month or so to read!

 

EMPANADA: NAME A BOOK THAT WAS BITTERSWEET.51VB086Hd7L._SX325_BO1,204,203,200_

The Gracekeepers by Kristy Logan. This book broke my heart, make me laugh, cry and gave me warm fuzzy feelings. Logan has created a beautiful dystopian world where there is limited land left and the people are divided to ‘landlockers’ and ‘damplings’. I loved both protagonists, Callinish and North. The writing is lyrical and beautiful and the way Logan weaves in Scottish folklore is stunning! Please, if you haven’t read pick this up!

 

KOLOMPEH: NAME A BOOK OR SERIES THAT TAKES PLACETHE MAID SOMEWHERE OTHER THAN YOUR OWN COUNTRY

I chose The Maid: A Novel of Joan of Arc by Kimberly Cutter. I live in Australia so this was an easy question with lots of possibilities. The Maid is set in medieval France and follows Joan of Arc’s live.

 

PATE-A-CHOUX: NAME A FOOD FROM A BOOK OR SERIES THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO TRY9361589

I would love to try the chocolate popcorn from The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. Well actually any food for the Night Circus because it all sounds amazing.

 

 

 

I know this is the part where you’re suppose to tag people but I’m not sure who has and who hasn’t done this tag. If you haven’t and you want to, I officially tag you.

Until next time, happy reading!

Dearna

November Book Haul – Part 3

On By Dearna_MulvaneyIn Book HaulLeave a comment

Hi all! I’m here with the final part of my November book haul. As mentioned in my previous November Haul posts (part 1 & part 2) these are all used/ex-library books.

This post will be mostly picture as I don’t much about these apart from what the blurb say. I will link their Goodread pages down below as it will describe the books better than I can! I will include who recommended books and interesting facts randomly.

Some of these books are 2nd, 3rd or even 4th in their series but I’m wanting to read the series so am collecting books where I can. Others I’m just trying to collect an author’s published works.

Now onto the books!

 

 

Goodreads pages

 

 

Goodreads pages

 

 

Goodreads pages

 

 

Goodreads pages

 

That’s all for me for today. Comment down below and let me know if you’ve read any of these and what you thought of them.

Until then, happy reading!

Dearna

 

Top 5 Books to Read by the Fire

On By Dearna_MulvaneyIn Top 5 Wednesday2 Comments

Hi all! I’m back again with another Top 5 Wednesday. And this week’s topic is favourite winter or holiday reads. Now since in Australia it is Summer for the holidays I’m going to focus on books I like to read for winter.

Before we get onto the books I would like to mention that Top 5 Wednesday was created over on BookTube by the wonderful Laniey at gingerreadslaniey. Also you can check out the Goodreads page for past and future topics.  Now onto my Top 5 winter reads. The books are listed in no particular order.

 

#5 Northern Lights ~ Phillip Pullman

827970

I sure this is a must for most people during the winter. Not only does the books have the most perfect winter setting but it also as an amazing world and one of my favourite protagonists, Lyra. I so want my own little daemon! If you haven’t read it, I highly recommend you do and if you have, why not read it again?

 

#4 Lilith ~ George MacDonald

859561

This is an amazing novel and one of the first fantasy books written. MacDonald inspired literary giants such as C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. This novel reminds me of a mix between an Edgar Allan Poe short story and Alice in Wonderland. It is a dense read and has more overt religious influence than Narnia but I recommend giving it a go.

 

#3 Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald ~ Therese Anne Fowler

15994634

It’s no secret that I love historical fiction or the 20s and here is a perfect mix of both. It follows the life and marriage of Zelda and her famous husband F. Scott Fitzgerald. No better way to spend a winter day then reading about Paris and New York in a fabulous era.

 

#2 Here Be Dragons ~ Sharon Kay Penman

3656865

This novel is the first in a trilogy about the last of the Welsh Princes. Penman has such a talent of bringing history to life. When you read this you become immersed in the beautiful country side of Wales and pulled into the court politics and delicate treaty between England and Wales in the 13th century. Simply beautiful, I highly recommend.

 

#1 Cross Stitch/Outlander ~ Diana Gabaldon

10992

Another beautiful historical fiction, this time set in the beauty of the wild Scottish Highlands. This book has everything: romance, beautiful setting, time travel, political unrest, accents, action, near death and one the worst villains I’ve ever read – my skin crawled reading the scenes with Captain Frank Randell in it. I’m sure most of you have heard of this one, but if you haven’t read it I recommend that you pick it up. Don’t be intimidated by the size, while it is a chunky book you’ll fly through it.

 

 

That’s it for me today, comment down below and tell me your favourite wintery reads.

Until next time, happy reading!

Dearna

Blog Awards: Versatile Blogger

On By Dearna_MulvaneyIn Tags2 Comments

versatileblogger_1

Hi all! I would like to say a huge thank you to you all for following my blog. I’m overjoyed that people want to hear what I have to say about books. I am very new to the book blog community so thank you again for such a warm welcome.

This is going to be first tag post. I have been tag to do a few tags over the past few days by wonderful book bloggers (A Reading Writer, The Orang-utan Librarian, Bookshelves & Paperbacks and The Bookgasm). I will doing these tags this week and maybe into next week.

Today’s tag is the Versatile Blogger Award! The lovely A Reading Writer tagged me – so thank you again. If you haven’t already, check out her blog! I always love reading her posts.

How does it work? Read on:

  • Thank the person who gave you this award. That’s common courtesy.
  • Include a link to their blog. That’s also common courtesy — if you can figure out how to do it.
  • Next, select 15 blogs/bloggers that you’ve recently discovered or follow regularly. ( I would add, pick blogs or bloggers that are excellent!)
  • Nominate those 15 bloggers for the Versatile Blogger Award — you might include a link to this site.
  • Finally, tell the person who nominated you 7 things about yourself.

 

Now onto the seven random facts!

 

  1. I am a Music Graduate and I majored in Music Performance. And because – apparently – I love university so much I’m still studying. I’m currently studying Professional Writing and Editing.

editing.png

credits: MyCityWeb

 

  1. A part from books, I also collect vinyl and CDs.
credits: The Guardian and The Guardian

 

  1. I’m addicted to the Animal Planet channel on Foxtel – Dogs 101 and My Cat From Hell are my faves but I could seriously watch that channel all day.
credits: Gawker and dailydelights

 

  1. I’m a History buff – if you haven’t guessed from the books I read haha. But seriously I have Richard III’s motto tattooed on my foot and it is my favourite tattoo! It means, Loyalty Binds Me

Foot Tattoo

[Note: dismiss the horrible angle of this photo. It’s surprisingly hard to take a  photo of your own foot!]

 

  1. I owe my love of reading – also music and writing – to my Mum. I grew up listen to her tell me tales about The Trojan War, Greek Gods. King Arthur and The Plantagenets. So thank you Mama!
Membrane with genealogy of the kings of England.
credits: wikipedia, wikipedia and wikipedia for something different

 

  1. My favourite, non-Animal Planet, TV shows are Supernatural, Criminal Minds, Code Black, Penny Dreadful, The White Queen and The Last Kingdom. You should check them out they are all amazing!
credits: imbd, imdb and imdb

 

  1. Lastly, I will admit that I’m horrible at Math – borderline illiterate when it come to numbers and equations. I just don’t get it!

Math Meme

credits: Little Learners Blog

 

I know this is the part where you’re suppose to tag people but I’m not sure who has and who hasn’t done this tag. If you haven’t and you want to, I officially tag you.

Until next time, happy reading!

Dearna

November Book Haul – Part 2

On By Dearna_MulvaneyIn Book Haul5 Comments

Hi all! I back with part 2 of my November book haul. As I mentioned in my first haul post, this haul is the result of my library having one of two book sales. So all books still have the stickers on them as I’m not sure how to get rid of them – if you know comment down below, it will be much appreciated!

This post will be mostly picture as I don’t much about these apart form what the blurb say. I will link their Goodread pages down below as they will describe the books better than I can! I will include who recommended books and interesting facts randomly.

Some of these books are 2nd, 3rd or even 4th in their series but sounded interesting enough that I am willing to hunt around for the first book.

On to the books!

 

 

 

Goodreads pages

 

 

Goodreads pages

 

 

Goodreads pages

 

 

Goodreads pages

 

 

Goodread pages

 

That’s all for me for today. Comment down below and let me know if you’ve read any of these and what you thought.

I’ll be back tomorrow with my Top 5 Wednesday. Until then, happy reading!

Dearna

 

 

 

 

 

 

December TRB

On By Dearna_MulvaneyIn TRB5 Comments

Hi all! I’m back again with my December TRB. I haven’t picked too many books this month as I hoping to ease back into my writing and being the holiday season I might not have that much reading time. Also I might be getting books for Christmas or at the Boxing Day sales and will want to read them right away.

I haven chosen 5 books this month and I might drag over 2 from my November TRB – The Lies of Locke Lamora and Skin – as I really want to read them before the year is out

Now onto the books!

 

#1 His Dark Materials Trilogy ~ Philip Pullman

HDM COVERS

This month I’m taking part in the His Dark Materials Read-along hosted by Jen Campbell and Holly from Library at the Edge of the World. I am exciting because I haven’t read this series – I have only read half of the first book around the time the horrid movie adaptation came out. I love the concept of this world and I can’t wait to dive into it!

Goodreads

Book Depository

 

#2 Room ~ Emma Donoghue

ROOMI found this one on BookTube, I can’t remember who recommended it, but I just loved the concept of this one. It’s told from the perspective of a five-year-old named Jack. Jack and his Ma live in a locked room. Room is home to Jack, but for his Ma it’s the prison she’s been held in for 7 years. It sounds dark and creepy and the fact it’s told from a child’s point of view makes it more interesting. And I think it was short listed for the Man Booker so I’m exciting to get to this.

Goodreads

Book Depository

 

#3 Epitaph for Three Women ~ Jean Plaidy

THREE WOMENI picked this one up from the library as a) historical fiction and b) about Joan of Arc. I’m fascinated by Joan of Arc and want to read more about her life. I haven’t heard about the other women mentioned in this story – Katherine de Valois and Eleanor of Gloucester. But it’s set just before the Wars of the Roses with the death of Henry V which is a favourite time period of mine. I think i should enjoy this one.

Goodreads

Book Depository

 

That’s all for my tiny TRB, comment down below and let me know what you’re planning to read this month.

Until next time, happy reading

Dearna