SOCIAL MEDIA

Thursday 18 August 2016

The My Hogwarts Story Tag - Imagining Life At Hogwarts

Original Tag Created By: Underland to Wonderland

The wonderful Underland to Wonderland created such a fun tag based around Harry Potter, and after seeing it circulating I was super excited to give it a go!

The jist of this is to imagine being part of this world and how your life would be! Basically what I think about everyday because let's be real, Harry Potter is life.

My Harry Potter Story


1. Are you a Pure-Blood, Half-Blood, or Muggle-Born?
I would say Half-Blood. I'd like to think I have an ounce of Magic in me, don't I? Don't I?!

2. Which wand chose you?


3. Did you take an owl, cat, rat or toad with you?
Definitely an owl. I love the idea of such a loyal companion as well as trusted creature who can send and deliver things for me. A snowy owl for sure!

4. Where did the Sorting Hat put you?


5. What House did you want to be in?
I think I was lucky to be sorted in my favourite House. I definitely have respect for all the other houses, but there's something about belonging in Gryffindor that just proves how brave and courageous you are. Or at least I try to be. 

6. Which lessons are your favourite and least favourite?
This is a hard one! Would definitely be a toss up between Transfiguration and Charms because that's pretty much what I thought Magic would be like. Least favourite would most likely be History of Magic just because of how Professor Binn supposedly teaches the class, or probably Divination. 

7. The form your Patronus takes is ... 
I don't have a favourite animal per se, but rabbits or guinea pigs are the cutest! A butterfly would be nice as well. Imagine the Dementors being distracted by them fluttering through the air. Ooo. 

8. When confronted with a Boggart, what does it look like to you?
Cockroach. I have a huge phobia of cockroaches and I would have no clue how to riddikulus it away.

9. Do you partake in any school sports or magical hobbies?
In high school I participated in pretty much every single school sport, so Quidditch is something I would interested in. Otherwise, definitely some type of book club!


10. If you have free time, where would you be found hanging out?
Soo many places to discover but for sure Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley when possible. Still, I'm such a home body so the Common Room would be the best place to lounge with my friends. 

11. You are most likely to get detention for what?
Talking back to the teacher, because that's actually what I would get detentions for. Occasional duels maybe? Or wondering off school grounds. Oops. 

12. What career do you want after leaving Hogwarts?
As any aspiring witch or wizard, being an Auror would be amazing, but something fun like coaching a Quidditch team or being a professor at Hogwarts. Because Hogwarts really is home. 

Have a go at this Tag if you want to, I found it really fun! Leave a link down below for me to take a read as well, I've been reading everyone else's and they're all so unique! 

How Will Your Life Be At Hogwarts?


(Images from Pottermore)

Thursday 11 August 2016

Aussie YA Blog Hop: Sharing #LoveOzYa


Welcome to the Aussie YA Blog Hop that has been making its rounds across various Australian book bloggers. This blog hop is courtesy of Jeann from Happy Indulgence and I am super excited to share with you guys my thoughts on Aussie YA, what to check out and why I think it's important.

There will be a Twitter Chat at the end of the week, so hashtag #AusYABlogChat and join us at @AusYABloggers for some fun!

1. What You Love About Aussie YA
The fact that it's from Australia, written by Australians makes me super proud to talk about Aussie YA. I find that the YA space is predominately dominated by US releases, with very much the same tropes, characters and messages that it really only gives a singular perspective to the Western world. With Aussie YA, I've found somewhat great representations of Australia and it's exciting to have other readers really understand Australians and our views and values.

2. Favourite Aussie YA Authors 
I would have to say Maureen McCarthy was one my favourite authors growing up - I read almost all her books. Otherwise, Melina Marchetta and Lili Wilkinson are great authors to check out as well!

3. The Aussie YA Book You Grew Up With 
Ahh, this is too hard to answer. I read so many! I think the one that stuck with me the most is Scatterheart by Lili Wilkinson. To this day it's still one of my top five reads!
4. Favourite Aussie YA Book Released in 2016
Is it bad of me to say I actually haven't read a 2016 release yet? Uh oh. I'm about to take advantage of a YA sale the local bookstore Dymocks has though, and I'm keen to get onto The Sidekicks by Will Kostakis and The Creeper Man by Dawn Kurtagich

5. Aussie YA Debut You Are Looking Forward To 
Do you guys have any suggestions? I'm terrible at keeping up with any debuting authors. I pretty much assume that anyone who releases a novel is a longstanding author already in the industry. I know, I'm hopeless.

6. Favourite Aussie YA Series
If you're looking for a series to read, I loved Magic or Madness by Justine Larbalestier as I was growing up as well as This is Shyness by Leanne Hall. I've started the Obernewytn Chronicles by Isobelle Carmody, which I really enjoyed. For some reason I haven't read the rest of the series but I definitely recommend it as well.


7. Unexpected Aussie YA Surprise
I think Illuminae was a huge one I didn't expect to fall in love with - I'm not much of a sci-fi reader, but that book is seriously amazing. Finnikin of the Rock was another one that took me by surprise and really made me feel comfortable with fantasy later on. 

8. Aussie YA Book You Always Recommend To Others 
Scatterheart by Lili Wilkinson, Uglies series by Scott Westerfield, Somebody's Crying and Chain of Hearts by Maureen McCarthy.

9. An Aussie YA Book On Your TBR
Definitely Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff, and These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner. Look at me and my sci-fi list, wow.


10. Favourite Aussie YA Bloggers! 
This is such a hard question because I love every single blogger that I read from, but huge shoutout to Jeann from Happy Indulgence for being an amazing blogger and supporting Aussie YA. This blog hop was all due to her. Also the sweetest person ever, Kelly, from DivaBookNerd. Kelly's an amazing person to talk to and her blog motivates me to work harder on mine. Other people to check out are:
Antee at Read At Midnight, Cait at PaperFury (who is hilarious) and Eugenia at Genie In A Book!

There are so many other Aussie bloggers to check out, so take a peek at this list to see who else is taking part in this Blog Hop! 

Tuesday 9 August 2016

Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish Facts About Me

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and The Bookish, where we list our top ten according to a topic of the week. Check out future topics here!


Top Ten Bookish Facts About Me
I know this topic is an old one, but this week's Top Ten Tuesday is to do a catch up post and I figured it'd be fun to let you guys know a bit more about me! 

1. I've been reading since I was in Primary School 
Exactly at the age of 8 or 9, and since then I've never looked back

2. I read a lot more adult fiction than young adult when I was younger 
Only recently, say in the past 2 years, did I immerse myself in the YA world courtesy of blogging and booktube

3. I once nearly received a suspension slip for reading a book in my lap whilst the teacher was teaching in class 
I don't really regret it that much TBH

4. My record for books read in a year is ... 103
And I'm super proud of myself for it 

5. Book buying is a serious problem for me
There are three shelves in my room, and I don't plan to stop 

6. On average, I rate books at a 3 stars
I don't like to be harsh with reads, so long as I enjoy it even the slightest then it'll be a 3 stars from me

7. I don't like to DNF a book unless necessary
And by necessary I mean, every moment reading this book is killing my brain cells and will bring me closer to my grave - looking at you ACOMAF 

8. Physical Books > E-Books 
This is a no brainer for me. I've struggled to read e-books, unless they're easy, one sitting reads a.k.a New Adult

8. I'm more of a one book at a time reader
But props to those who can read multiple at once. That's some skills.

9. The only book that's made me cry is The Time Traveller's Wife
When I was in Year 11, and to now I still don't know why it was the saddest thing I read when there have been so many other books that have been equally as sad, or worse. 

10. I really hope my children will grow up loving to read 
Reading is such a fascinating hobby to me, I've grown up with a strong imagination and a love for words and if my kids could share that with me it would be amazing.

Share A Bookish Fact About Yourself

Monday 8 August 2016

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Carries J.K Rowling's Name But None Of Her Flair


Title: Harry Potter and The Cursed Child
Author: John Tiffany, Jack Thorne and J.K Rowling
Publication Date: 31st July, 2016
Add to Goodreads | Buy from The Book Depository

It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children.

While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places


Review


There's no denying Harry Potter and the Cursed Child was one of the most anticipated releases for this year, albeit it not being an actual book. Due to the fact that it's play, I do think it's not fair for me to give it a rating only because I'm not a huge play reader. It's also not fair to compare it to a book reading experience, because of the differences in structure and elements, especially if I'm comparing it to reading the actual Harry Potter series. 

I explain how I felt about the play in a spoiler free review for the first half of the video and then delve into the things I liked and didn't like in the latter half as part of my discussion. Check it out!



I am definitely curious to see what everyone else has thought about this. I'm a huge Harry Potter fan so there was no doubt in me reading this, and I'm pretty sure that would be the same for many other readers out there.

What Do You Guys Think of This Release?

Tuesday 2 August 2016

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Want To Buy Right Now!!

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and The Bookish, where we list our top ten according to a topic of the week. Check out future topics here!

Top Ten Books I Would Buy If Someone Gave Me A Loaded Gift Card
This is pretty much torture! How to choose 10 books when I want to buy an entire library?! Here we go!
1. The Rose & The Dagger (The Wrath & The Dawn #2) by Renee Ahdieh
For someone who absolutely loved and raved about the first book, it's surprising that I haven't sought out the second and final one yet. Fingers crossed it soon!

2. East West Street by Philippe Sands
This is somewhat out of my comfort zone, but I saw a customer reading it and it piqued my interest. It's a non-fiction recount of genocide and crimes against humanity, which I want to learn more about.

3. The Kiss of Deception (The Remnant Chronicles #1) by Mary E. Pearson
YA Fantasy, with a massively high rating on Goodreads. I think what's interesting about this is that the readers are kept out of the loop in regards to who the assassin and who the lover is. Sounds thrilling!

4. Learning to Swear in America by Katie Kennedy
I'm just here for the swearing bit tbh. On other note, I expect this to be as hilarious as I think it is.


5. The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
I've seen this around but by gosh is it huge and expensive. What a better time to use a gift card then to buy this!

6. V for Vendetta by Alan Moore
I'm not a huge graphic novel reader but something like this is, I think, a must read even if I never read any other graphic novels.

7. Maus Complete Collection by Art Spiegelman
Same goes for these graphic novels as well, although I'm more curious as to how Spiegelman portrays the Nazi period through drawings.


8. Of Metal & Wishes Series by Sarah Fine  
I have a huge fan of the Phantom of the Opera and to have a YA series take influence from that just sounds super exciting to me. It's been on my "To Buy" list for so long, some day I will have to.

9. The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater
There is so much hype around this I feel like I should give it a go again. Also doesn't hurt that the covers are gorgeous.

10. Series of Unfortunate Events Series by Lemony Snicker
Now this is probably cheating considering the series has so many books. But to own the entire collection would actually be amazing.

What Would You Like To Buy Right Now?