Love Etsy: Beautiful Bookmarks!

If you've come across Etsy before, you must know by now how wonderful and fab everything on there is. From the handmade to the vintage items, they are all so beautiful. There are especially some really cool bookish things on the site. I get super excited just looking at all the stuff.






Most the time I'm looking at everything on Etsy and I'm kinda like:

Sometimes I sit there and wish I could be as talented and creative as the people who create all the fab items.

I wanted to share some of the awesome bookmarks I found that I hope to get for myself. I'm not sure which one to get because I am constantly tempted to buy every single bookmark I see.

And maybe you'll fall in love with some of the bookmarks that I'm loving too and end up buying them as well.

LINK

Aren't these totally cute, I 

could stare at them all day.

 So colourful and original.

LINK
These basically make me hungry, all those tiny
doughnuts. They look good enough to eat.
Warning: They are not edible. 

LINK

This just seems super badass, the silvery dragon
has been so beautifully designed.

LINK

Bookmarks with your favourite
quotes on them, HELL YEAH!
Do you recognise the quote
in the picture?
*cough*Charlie/Perks*cough*

So those are only four out of the gazillion bookmarks on Etsy that I wanted to share even though I love a hundred other ones. I will have to decide which one I want to buy.

Such a difficult choice.

I've also set myself a challenge:

• Make my own bookmark using bits and pieces lying around the house then share it on my blog.

As creativity isn't my strong point I thought why not make myself do something that is CREATIVE. It will be a totally fun task to complete. So, I think within the next few weeks I'll put up a post with my end product. Fingers crossed it's not a failure. 

I'm already nervous.

Questions:

Do you shop at Etsy or just like to stare at the many wonderful items on the website?

Which of the bookmarks above would you buy?

Have you ever made glam bookmarks all by yourself? 

Review: Legend by Marie Lu

Title: Legend
Author: Marie Lu
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Publication Date: November 29th, 2011
Page Count: 320
Buy The Book: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Rating: 3.5/5


Synopsis

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Favourite Quotes

“Each day means a new twenty-four hours. Each day means everything's possible again. You live in the moment, you die in the moment, you take it all one day at a time.”

Few Wild Words Quickie

Fast paced, hooking and action to keep you on your toes. 

My Thoughts

I picked this book up because everyone seemed to love it so I just had to see what was so amazing.

'Legend' is the type of book that grips you from the beginning till the end and doesn't let you take a breath between. Not that as a reader you'd want to put the book down. The pace is fast and there is no lack of action. It throws you straight into the deep end. 

 Lu does a good job crafting the future that 'Legend' is set in but personally I felt it was a bit vague. I would have loved to have known more background and explore further. I guess I'll have to wait to read the second book to see if that happens. 

 The book is told in two point of views, Day's and June's. I'm not a massive fan of different POVs and I can't completely say I liked it very much in this book. I got bored of Day's POV a lot of the time, I think I prefered it when I was looking through June's, maybe it was because I was more interested in finding out about her. 

I also have to add that the book felt slightly unrealistic especially both the main characters, they were ONLY fifteen. However, I didn't let that bother me too much. Overall, 'Legend' was an entertaining read which really knows how to keep a reader hooked. 

Confession: I liked Thomas better than Day most of the way through the book, I don't even know why. (I think I naturally fall in love with horrible characters, it's a flaw in my character!)

Review: Requiem by Lauren Oliver

Title: Requiem
Author: Lauren Oliver
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: March 5th, 2013
Page Count: 391
Buy The Book: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Rating: 4.5/5

Synopsis

Now an active member of the resistance, Lena has been transformed. The nascent rebellion that was under way in Pandemonium has ignited into an all-out revolution in Requiem, and Lena is at the center of the fight.

After rescuing Julian from a death sentence, Lena and her friends fled to the Wilds. But the Wilds are no longer a safe haven—pockets of rebellion have opened throughout the country, and the government cannot deny the existence of Invalids. Regulators now infiltrate the borderlands to stamp out the rebels, and as Lena navigates the increasingly dangerous terrain, her best friend, Hana, lives a safe, loveless life in Portland as the fiancée of the young mayor.

Maybe we are driven crazy by our feelings.

Maybe love is a disease, and we would be better off without it.

But we have chosen a different road.

And in the end, that is the point of escaping the cure: We are free to choose.

We are even free to choose the wrong thing.

Favourite Quotes

“Take down the walls.
That is, after all, the whole point.
You do not know what will happen if you take down the walls; you cannot see through to the other side, don't know whether it will bring freedom or ruin, resolution or chaos. It might be paradise or destruction.
Take down the walls.
Otherwise you must live closely, in fear, building barricades against the unknown, saying prayers against the darkness, speaking verse of terror and tightness.
Otherwise you may never know hell; but you will not find heaven, either. You will not know fresh air and flying.
All of you, wherever you are: in your spiny cities, or your one bump towns. Find it, the hard stuff, the links of metal and chink, the fragments of stone filling you stomach.
And pull, and pull, and pull.
I will make a pact with you: I will do it if you will do it, always and forever.
Take down the walls.”  

Few Wild Words Quickie

A torment to the heart.

My Thoughts

4.5 stars and a bit more.

I am slightly disappointed especially as I wanted to love Requiem as much as the other two books in the series. But I still loved it like crazy (gosh I contradict myself so much)

Somehow Lauren Oliver managed to break my heart, tear me apart, make me cry and somehow leave me disappointed but also in a weird kind of way thinking 'wow did that really happen?'

As always I think Oliver's writing style is what hooks me and keeps me reading. There is something so wonderful about it, the vivid imagery she creates with her words. This has always been a constant throughout all three books and made me come to love Oliver as a writer.

Usually I dislike reading from different point of views but I enjoyed seeing Hana's life and surroundings as well as Lena's. At different points, one became more interesting to read than the other and vice versa, so there was always something to keep you holding onto the book and reading.

In terms of characters, there is definitely a wide cast in this book. Some are memorable and others easily forgotten. Lena is definitely going to be one character that will stick for me, she grew and changed so much from Delirium and Pandemonium, I loved it. However, in Requiem I felt she didn't get a chance to progress anymore and become someone amazing. She seemed to be rather annoying at times but she was still strong so she managed to stay on my good side.

Now the love aspect. This killed me most of the way through. Even at the end I didn't feel enough I had enough closure for it but I think I'll be using my imagination to come up with happens next. More or less the series finishes on a kind of cliffhanger, there is so much you want to know but don't find out. Initially the lack of a solid ending drove me crazy, though now it feels right and makes it all the more unforgettable and beautiful in a way.

The last page of the book was definitely a highlight. It felt so much like a summary of Lena's journey and it was a beautiful parting message with the reader.

All in all, I've loved every moment of reading this series and I won't be letting it slip from my mind any time soon. Now I feel like crying again, please excuse me.

"Always and forever. Take down the walls."

Challenge: Dystopian Reading Challenge 2013

Review: Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

Title: Revolution
Author: Jennifer Donnelly
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: October 12th, 2010
Page Count: 472
Buy The Book: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Rating: 4.5/5

Synopsis

BROOKLYN: Andi Alpers is on the edge. She’s angry at her father for leaving, angry at her mother for not being able to cope, and heartbroken by the loss of her younger brother, Truman. Rage and grief are destroying her. And she’s about to be expelled from Brooklyn Heights’ most prestigious private school when her father intervenes. Now Andi must accompany him to Paris for winter break.

PARIS: Alexandrine Paradis lived over two centuries ago. She dreamed of making her mark on the Paris stage, but a fateful encounter with a doomed prince of France cast her in a tragic role she didn’t want—and couldn’t escape.

Two girls, two centuries apart. One never knowing the other. But when Andi finds Alexandrine’s diary, she recognizes something in her words and is moved to the point of obsession. There’s comfort and distraction for Andi in the journal’s antique pages—until, on a midnight journey through the catacombs of Paris, Alexandrine’s words transcend paper and time, and the past becomes suddenly, terrifyingly present.

Favourite Quotes

Mentioned in the review!

Few Wild Words Quickie

My Thoughts

“It goes on, this world, stupid and brutal.
But I do not.
I do not.”

Lyrical, engaging and most of all beautiful.

The part of this book that kept me most hooked was the history weaved into it throughout. The French Revolution is definitely not something I've looked too much into, but the detail in which Donnelly presents it made me feel as though I was right there in the middle of it all. The gruesome description was something I wasn't expecting and the life of Alex was laid out like a mystery, letting the reader slowly discover more about her life.

There is a lot of musical references in Revolution, half the time I wasn't completely aware who the musicians Andi was talking about. However, this didn't bother me much as it was interesting to learn about history's different musicians and find out about why Andi loved music so much.

“I'm wishing he could see that music lives. Forever. That it's stronger than death. Stronger than time. And that its strength holds you together when nothing else can.”

The writing style is totally hooking, it keeps you turning the pages because there is so many emotions splashed throughout the book.

The main character Andi is the love/hate kind of person. Her loss makes her weak but also strong. There were so many points I could understand her pain and even relate. Other times it was like the black cloud over her head would never go away and it just made me depressed too. By the end of the book I came to admire Andi's strength and how far she'd come. Other characters like Virgil captured my heart and it interesting getting to know him.

Revolution was not something that I'd usually pick up to read but it attached itself to me.

It was a beautiful read. That's all.

“Turn away. From the darkness, the madness, the pain. Open your eyes and look at the light.”

Review: Confessions of an Almost-Girlfriend by Louise Rozett

Title: Confessions of an Almost-Girlfriend
Author: Louise Rozett
Publisher: Harlequin
Publication Date: June 18th, 2013
Page Count: 288
Buy The Book: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Rating: 5/5

Synopsis

Rose Zarelli has big plans for sophomore year—everything is going to be different. This year, she’s going to be the talented singer with the killer voice, the fabulous girl with the fashionista best friend, the brainiac who refuses to let Jamie Forta jerk her around...

...but if she’s not careful, she’s also going to be the sister who misses the signals, the daughter who can only think about her own pain, the “good girl” who finds herself in mid-scandal again (because no good deed goes unpunished) and possibly worst of all...the almost-girlfriend.

When all else fails, stop looking for love and go find yourself.

Favourite Quotes

“I did the wrong thing, and I lost him for real.

But did you do the wrong thing? Jamie thinks it was the wrong thing. But do you?

No. I don't.

I didn't do what Jamie would have wanted me to do, but that doesn't mean it was wrong.”  

Few Wild Words Quickie

Realistic and true to the perspective of a teenager and full off ups and downs throughout.

My Thoughts

This series is basically a lot of fun to read.Confessions of an Almost-Girlfriend was just as awesome and fun as the first book. Same as the first one, I finished it in one sitting and nothing could tear me away from it. This book is definitely not to everyone's tastes, personally I love how it's such a light and engaging read.

I was extremely happy to be reunited with Rose again, it's fun to be in her head with her random and angry ramblings. She does many things that make her unlikable in so many ways, but I think all the drama that is created makes it interesting and easy to get into. 'Rose 2.0' is much more confident and can speak for herself which I liked a lot. But there is still that scared and insecure girl, I hope to see her grow in the future and slowly mature (hint: more confession books please!)

The other thing that I like about this series is how the author introduces many teen issues and you get to see how different characters respond to them. The therapy sessions with Rose and her mother were entertaining (I'm so bad for laughing at other people's pain).

Moving onto Rose and Jamie. Like what am I even meant to think anymore? I can't quite make up my mind about these two. One minute I'm completely shipping these two and the next I am angry at Jamie for being so badass and Rose for being so caught up in his mess. Secretly I want them to get together though.

The ending...

All I can think is OMG. Did that actually happen? My heart stopped for a second reading it. If I don't find out what happens next I will go crazy. WHAT A WAY TO END THE BOOK!

I love this series mainly because of all the drama but also the reality that some teens face is presented so truly. Do I have to say that I love it yet again?

THIS SERIES IS TOTALLY WORTH GIVING A GO!