The Reading Habits Tag

Hi! Today I am going to do a book tag because I think that would make it easier for you to get to know me better. It is called The Reading Habits Tag and I found it on Youtube, therefor I am not sure who created this tag. 

The Reading Habits Tag

1. Do you have a certain place at home for reading?
My bed. Sometimes I can sit in the couch as well, but I get easily interrupted if there is noise around me, so that's why I like reading in my room.

2. Bookmark or random piece of paper?
Bookmark of course. But sometimes you don't have a bookmark for some reason and you have to use a piece of paper. That is still better than dog-earing a page, in my opinion.

3. Can you just stop reading or do you have to stop after a chapter/a certain amount of pages?
I want to stop after a chapter, but when I am reading on the buss I usually have to stop just like that. I hate when that happens, which is like everyday, because I just want to finish the chapter. Sometimes when I am reading I set a curtain goal, like "now I am going to read this amount of pages". 

4. Do you eat or drink while reading?
Usually no, unless it is tea. I love tea.

5. Multitasking: Music or TV while reading?
I would rather sit in quiet and read, because as I wrote earlier I have difficulty concentrating. But if I have to choose, then classical music in the background. Something like Beethoven or Bach. 

6. One book at a time or several at ones?
I try to read one book at a time because I prefer that. But now I am currently reading 4 books so as you might notice that plan is not working out. I am focusing on one book at a time though. 

7. Reading at home or everywhere?
I like it at home, it is cozy and warm but I can read almost anywhere unless there isn't too much noise. In the summer I usually read a lot at the beach for example.

8. Reading out loud or silently in your head?
Silently in my head of course. But I like reading books for children as well. 

9. Do you read ahead or even skip pages?
No, I can't skip pages. I feel like I would miss something important if I did that. But it happens that I glance at the next page. The eyes just wanders around and I can't control them. Yeah, it happens.

10. Breaking the spine or keeping it like new?
I like keeping it like new. But most of the time that spine will break, especially since I prefer paperbacks over hardbacks. 

11. Do you write in your books?
No. There is nothing wrong with it, but I just can't. I add some sticky notes instead if I want to annotate.

That's it. Hope you like it. Have a good reading day! 

Confessions of a Reader | #1

- The Have-Not-Read List -

• Percy Jackson series. I really want to read this though.

• Jane Austen. I have some of her books on my shelf... I promise that I will read her books eventually.

• The Mortal Instruments. It's so long. I think I will read it but I probably won't have time this year. We will see.

• Sarah J. Maas. A lot of book tubers love Maas but I still have not read any of her books. The Throne of Glass series looks so long, but I might read The Court of Thrones and Roses series this year. 

• Just a bunch of classics. I am very behind on classics. I will try to work on that this year.

• The Divergent series. I know, I know. Everyone knows what happens in Allegiant except for me. I have bought the books now, so I will read them...soon.

• Harry Potter. I saved the worst for last. I need to read this. I feel like I can't call myself a Harry Potter fan if I have not read the books. But I have decided to dedicate this fall to reading this series, because it's a must. 

I hope you don't hate me now.  But I think every reader feels like there are some books they have not read yet that they have to read soon. I don't know about you, but I can get stressed out about it. But the key is to remember that you are reading for you and not for anyone else. 

Escaping from Houdini cover!

I know the cover was released a while ago now, but this is an old post from my other blog. Can we just take a moment to appreciate this magnificent cover! I love it! I can't wait to hold this book in my hand. I love this series so much! I can't believe I still have not read Hunting Prince Dracula.

Book Recommendations | #1

Hi! If you haven't noticed the date in the end of my posts so far, the dates are so far back because I am currently changing blogs..sort of. I have had a Swedish blog for a while but recently I have been wanting a separate blog for bookish posts only and since I created an English Instagram account I did the same for this blog. So my first posts are from the other blog. I hope this makes sense. 

Here follows 5 books you have to read!

- The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1943, 112 p.)
5/5
This book taught me that children's books also can be poetic and beautifully written. I recommend reading the actual physical book instead of listening to the audiobook, because you probably want to annotate some parts or look at some picture that are referensed in the audiobook. 
Goodreads Description

- All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven (2015, 416 p.)
5/5
A tragic and beautiful YA book that easily makes your eyes tear up from time to time. It flirts both with life and death. 
Goodreads Description

- The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris (1988, 367 p.)
5/5
A thrilling detective story that keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time. You don't have to read the first book before, i think..? I didn't, but after reading this I probably will. I wanted to read it all the time, but school made me put it down for a couple of hours a day. It was hard. But after only a few days I finished it.
PS. The book is so much better than the movie, just saying...
Goodreads Description

- Lord of the Flies by William Golding (1954, 208 p.)
4/5
A story about adventure and tragedies that mirrors realities cruel and animalistic behavior in normal human beings, normal young boys. A masterpiece, that should be appreciated by more youngsters as myself. Just because you are forced to read a book in school, does not mean it is bad. My favorite character, if anyone wonders, is Simon. He says the most brilliant quote in this book: "Maybe... maybe there is a beast, maybe it's only us." On point!
Goodreads Description


- Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline (2015, 361 p.)
5/5
When I revived this book at my birthday I had no idea what it was about or if it was any good. But after reading it I can't stop thinking about it, even though it has been months. It is based on a true story. It is one of those books I could re-read several times. Although nothing beats the first read. It is tragic, happy and brilliant. It made me think about my own grandparents and all of the stories they must hold. So many undiscovered tales that are just waiting for you to ask for them. And the best thing, they are being contained by the people that are the closest to you.
Goodreads Description

The 5th Wave Trilogy | Book Review

Author: Rick Yancey
Pages: 1 115
Series: The 5th Wave 
My rating: 4/5 

Goodreads beskrivning (book 1)
After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it's the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth's last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie's only hope for rescuing her brother-or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up...

My thoughts
This trilogy took me a while to read, but that is mostly because I reade multiple books in between. I started the series the fall of 2017 and finished it this January. 

I discovered this Si-Fi story on BookTube, although I do not remember from who. Before this series I had not read that much in english and this was the first book series that I finished after getting into the world of books again, after several years of not reading. It was not an easy start. The story was amazing, don't get me wrong, but the language was not simple for someone not born with english as a first language. I had to look up some words, but that's fine. Yancey also makes you think a lot, so I usually got a headache reading this book. But it was totally worth it.

The characters are utterly charming and develops with the story. You feel for them, especially Cassie since she is the first perspective you get familiar with. There are also a lot of twists and turns in these books ad they get more and more intense and astonishing. 

I highly recommend this series. I have learned a lot of english from the books and they are not only Si-Fi. You actually get a lot of humor every now and then to break the severity. Action and adventure describes these thrilling books as well. An alien invasion is not something that happens everyday, especially not one like this.

2018-01-15

Stalking Jack the Ripper | Book Review

Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Pages: 326
Series: Stalking Jack the Ripper, book 1/2 (so far)
My rating: 5/5 

Goodreads Description
Presented by James Patterson's new children's imprint, this deliciously creepy horror novel has a storyline inspired by the Ripper murders and an unexpected, blood-chilling conclusion...

Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord's daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life.

Against her stern father's wishes and society's expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle's laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world.

The story's shocking twists and turns, augmented with real, sinister period photos, will make this dazzling, #1 New York Times bestselling debut from author Kerri Maniscalco impossible to forget...

My Thoughts
This was so freaking good. I am blown away. The Goodreads description fits well with the actual happening and feeling of the book. Kerri Maniscalco will not be forgotten. And not this series either. It is a thrilling, dark and victorian story that takes place in the 1800's England. 

I discovered this book thanks to BookTube, especially from Sasha Alsberg. And that was lucky, since it was perfect for me. It was actually along time ago since I read something like this. If I had the time I would definitely have been able to read this in a day. 

Jack the Ripper is interesting and I have always consumed information about him. Maniscalco presents true facts about this serial killer, like the actual victims and the letters that he sent, togheter with the fictive parts. Also, the twist in the end is startling. 

I love the characters and Audrey Rose Wadsworth and Thomas Cresswell are such a good match. I can't wait to read more about their adventures. The nest book, Hunting Prince Dracula, is standing in my bookshelf, waiting to be read. I want to wait a little longer, because the third book is set to release in september. But honestly I don't think I can wait that much longer. I miss Audrey Rose and Thomas. 

To sum up this is truly an amazing book that only took me a few days to finish. It was hard to put down and it left me wanting more. 

2018-01-12

The Doll's House | Book Review

Author: M.J Arlidge
Pages: 374
Series: Helen Grace, book 3/5
My rating: 5/5 

Goodreads Description
A young woman wakes up in a cold, dark cellar, with no idea how she got there or who her kidnapper is. So begins her terrible nightmare. 

Nearby, the body of another young woman is discovered buried on a remote beach. But the dead girl was never reported missing - her estranged family having received regular texts from her over the years. Someone has been keeping her alive from beyond the grave. 

For Detective Inspector Helen Grace it's chilling evidence that she's searching for a monster who is not just twisted but also clever and resourceful  a predator who's killed before. 

And as Helen struggles to understand the killer's motivation, she begins to realize that she's in a desperate race against time...

My Thoughts
I actually found this book in a supermarket in swedish (Dansa min docka) and was drawned to the cover right away. When i read the back I desperately wanted to read it. Although I missed that this is the third book in the Helen Grace series and I have not read the other books. They are fortunately independent, but I think I would understand Helen and the other police officers background, personalities and conflicts better with more information from the earlier books. I have bought the first book now and will read it soon.

M.J Arlidge is an amazingly good author who has written this thrilling detective story who makes you feel discomfort, in a good way, and despite a lot of changing in perspective you get a closer look at the main characters. I think that it is a good thing with the different perspectives because, in this case, it drives the story forward.

In conclusion I want to say that the book feels just like a TV series about solving crimes, like Criminal Minds (such a good show!). I highly recommend reading The Doll's House, but also to be more observant than I was and actually read the series in the correct order. 

2017-11-14