Friday, December 31, 2010

2011 New Years' Resolutions

I'm so excited to bring on the new year, because come June 14th 2011 my blog will be turning one! I wonder if by then I'll have become a better blogger. There's always a little room for improvement. I wish everyone a Happy New Year, and hope that you've got somewhere to be; relax; enjoy the night; stay up late; party; do whatever you want--heck, even sitting down and reading a book will suffice. Make sure you're with those you love, and I'll be back in a few days with some reviews. :)

Blogger / Reader Resolutions

1. Let some of the blogs that I've been following go so that I may finally comment more on the blogs I actually like to visit, and whose entries I actually read. I also vow not to follow another blog solely for a super awesome contest. At least, not without checking the place out first.

2. Read more! I'm very proud of myself for 2010. I have never read so much before in my life (58), and I hope to read even more in 2011!
3. Keep on top of my reviews and posts. I'm apparently better than some other bloggers on this, but not by much.

4. Continue to be honest in my reviews. Also, not to take review copy requests if the book does not appeal to me initially.

5. Reply to comments and emails without delay.

6. Send out prizes I still haven't yet been able to send. Generally, be better with contests.

7. Spend less time on the computer so that I can get to 100 books!

8. Read a couple classics, as well as books that aren't in my comfort zone.

Personal Resolutions

1. Make friends in university (maybe ones that will actually go out at nighttime. :/), while keeping on top of all my work. Keep in touch with old friends.

For those wondering, I have decided on nursing and my mum has already gone and ordered several textbooks (10>) to guide me to RegisteredNurse-dom. For some reason, I'm excited to be starting university!

2. Be healthier. Not be as picky with my food. Exercise more. Actually sign up for a gym, which I so wanted to do once I graduated high school.

3. Get my Ps by the end of the year! I'm almost at 50 hours, baby! (*sigh* only 70 hours more)
4. Keep my room tidy, opened parcels and mail in the trash/recycling bin, organise my clothes, etc. My room is still in a horrendous state, especially after Christmas, and all blogger freaks and some of my friends would be repelled to even pass the doorframe leading up to my room.

5. Do something to better the community. Maybe volunteer work, or even just dropping "wish coins" everywhere, heads-up, of course (Dash & Lily-style).

6. Get a job. It's going to happen!

7. Help out more around the house.
 

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

FIVE Challenge: Great YA Bloggers

I've been wanting to do some sort of a wrap-up post with 2010, with regards to reading books and blogging. What better way to get started than through Persnickety Snark's challenge? Hope you're a part of this challenge too! If you are, go ahead--comment and link to your blog so I can check out what great reads you picked up in 2010!


Today's 5 is for...
Great YA Bloggers

I've met so many awesome bloggers, and there are so, so many more out there that I'd like to mention, but here's a few people. You'll see me bending the rules again. ;)

Sorry for not editing my post! I always schedule my posts before finishing them. :/

Aussie Bloggers

Nomes
inkcrush
She's so hardworking, and I love that she loves YA the way she does. An amazing person. :)

Holly
Good Golly Miss Holly
Yeah, Holly's pretty awesome. I love her blog tours, unique take to blogging, and that she takes forever to read books, too!

Tina
Book Couture
Such a cute blog layout!


Romy
Lost in stories
I've been in blog-awe since I first discovered her blog. I loved the title, the layout, the reviewing style--everything about it, and everything about Romy!

Lisa
Badass Bookie


International Bloggers
(anywhere else)

Kristi
The Story Siren
Like many others, Kristi is just a phenomenon. I don't know how she does it all, but she's superwoman. :D

Mavie
The Bookologist
I don't know. I've always just been such a fan of her blog. It's so . . . solid. Yeah. This girl's got it all worked out.

Jessica & Stacy
Chapter Chicks
These two chicks are so quirky, and I love their sister dynamic. They may not be the quickest reviewers, but they're just so memorable!

Lauren
Just about the only blog that I follow that is on Tumblr. Lauren is a sweetie, and I'm crazy about her blog and vlogs.

Rachel
My favourite UK blogger. I watch every one of her blogs. I love her accent too. ;)

Honourable Mentions

Steph - My Girl Friday (Aussie)
Polyvore Profiles! Steph's blog is original and has such a homely feel to it.

Jeremy - Novel Thoughts
Awesome guy. Has great taste in books, too. ;)

Alea - Pop Culture Junkie
So very original. I love her comparison posts as well as her "This week in books" segments.

Cindy - Princess Bookie
Very friendly and a blogger I really look up to.

Alex - Electrifying Reviews
Alex is the "typical teenager" to me, and I respect his opinions as a fellow blogger.

Brent - Naughty Book Kitties
I love his personality and eccentric take to blogging. All those haters can just shove it!

The Schedule

December 21 - 5 Great Debuts
December 22 - 5 Great Covers
December 23 - 5 Great Series
December 24 - 5 Great Re-Reads *facepalm* it seems I've deleted this post...
December 25 - 5 Most Anticipated
December 26 - 5 Hopes for YA in 2011
December 27 - 5 Great YA Movie Deals
December 28 - 5 Great Author Moments *will have to stick this one out--living in Australia has its severe downfalls*
December 29 - 5 Great YA Bloggers
December 30 - 5 Great Miracles that Occurred to Get Me Reading More ______ (choose your genre)
December 31 - 5 Best Titles for 2010 (which I double because 5 was too hard).


Tuesday, December 28, 2010

[Contest] Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins


Anna was looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more.  So she's less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris-until she meets Etienne St. Clair. Smart, charming, beautiful, Etienne has it all . . . including a serious girlfriend.

But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true.  Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss?

Stephanie Perkins keeps the romantic tension crackling and the attraction high in a debut guaranteed to make toes tingle and hearts melt.

'Very sly.  Very funny.  Very romantic.
You should date this book.'
- MAUREEN JOHNSON,
New York Times bestselling author of 13 Little Blue Envelopes and Scarlet Fever


Anna and the French Kiss is one of the contemporary novels of the year! With over 400 GR 5 star reviews, Anna is one hell of a book.

On to the contest . . . 
  • This contest is for an Australian copy of Anna and the French Kiss
  • INTERNATIONAL, though be aware that this is the Australian (PB) edition
  • Contest ends on 13/01/11 (13th January 2011), drawing via Random.org and announcement on blog will be done on the 15th of January 2011.
  • Followers optional
  • Winner will receive some swag. :)
  • Must have a place where you post reviews!! This is just because I received this book for review, so I feel it is just.

    Enter via the FORM

Visit Stephanie's Official Site


I would have loved to have sent off my copy before the Australian release date (4th January 2011), but that's just not going to happen. Thank you to Penguin Australia for sending an extra copy for review. :)

Monday, December 27, 2010

FIVE Challenge: Great YA Movie Deals

I've been wanting to do some sort of a wrap-up post with 2010, with regards to reading books and blogging. What better way to get started than through Persnickety Snark's challenge? Hope you're a part of this challenge too! If you are, go ahead--comment and link to your blog so I can check out what great reads you picked up in 2010!


Today's 5 is for...
Great YA Movie Deals

I'm not that well clued into the book-to-movies department, so I'm certain I will have missed more than a few. In no particular order.

If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Summit Studios / 2011


I have such high hopes for this one. I don't need to say it again, but I loved the book that I'm so anticipating the release of the movie, as well as news of further developments. If the movie is a success, I'm sure they'll do a movie adaptation for Where She Went too! :)



The DUFF by Kody Keplinger
Wonderland Sound & Vision / 2013


I'm really not sure how I'm going to feel about seeing the story in a movie theatre. Maybe I'd be more comfortable watching it on my computer screen. I'm sure there'll be many cringe-worthy moments, considering the book's content. Still, I'm very interested to see how this one goes.


Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
Fox 2000 / 2012


As long as the producers do it right: make Sam & friends a bit more likeable, not make the days too repetitive, keep important plot points--I think this could be a real hit. *crosses fingers*



I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore
Dreamworks Studios


I actually really liked the book. I'm sure this movie is going to be successful, and I can't wait to see the action unfurl on the big screen!



The Dead of the Night (#2, Tomorrow) by John Marsden
Screen Australia / 2012


Unfortunately I have not yet read the books by Marsden, but I watched the movie and found it to be beyond amazing. I was even more astonished to discover that this was Aussie lit! Yeah, but after seeing the first movie, I am more than cnvinced that reading the books will be well-worth my time. :)


Honourable Mentions:


Haven't read the book yet, but I have no doubt that this is going to be one that I'll enjoy.

Matched by Ally Condie (IMDB link?)
I believe that the movie of Matched will be popular, and it's possible I may enjoy it more than the book.


The Schedule

December 21 - 5 Great Debuts
December 22 - 5 Great Covers
December 23 - 5 Great Series
December 24 - 5 Great Re-Reads *facepalm* it seems I've deleted this post...
December 25 - 5 Most Anticipated
December 26 - 5 Hopes for YA in 2011
December 27 - 5 Great YA Movie Deals
December 28 - 5 Great Author (in the flesh) Moments
December 29 - 5 Great YA Bloggers
December 30 - 5 Great Miracles that Occurred to Get Me Reading More ______ (choose your genre)
December 31 - 5 Best Titles for 2010 (which I double because 5 was too hard).


Daily Dose Monday (3)


Daily Dose Monday is hosted by Holly at GOOD GOLLY MISS HOLLY.

She wanders around in fairytales, heart full of hope.
Her feet continue to trawl her body to lands unknown...


Tangles and mess, that is life.
Illustrated life,
Illuminate the night sky.

Love that song--



Sunday, December 26, 2010

FIVE Challenge: Hopes for YA


I've been wanting to do some sort of a wrap-up post with 2010, with regards to reading books and blogging. What better way to get started than through Persnickety Snark's challenge? Hope you're a part of this challenge too! If you are, go ahead--comment and link to your blog so I can check out what great reads you picked up in 2010!


Today's 5 is for...
Hopes for YA

Hmm...this one should be easy. We'll see. And this post will be short, since I'm going out soon.

1. Less series. I want more books that are finished in one go! Luckily, there are not as many series with contemporary novels. :)

2. More contemporary. I can never get enough of it!!

3. More characters with flaws! Ones that we can relate to.

4. More independent female protagonists!! Strong, bold, unafraid. I hate Mary Sues and weak, useless, frail girls. Please authors, hear my pleas! Also girls who are able to carry on and be strong, even if "her guy" walks out on her.

5. Hmm...books that teach lessons. That remind us of things that we might otherwise forget, but are just so important. Yeah. But don't preach.

The Schedule

December 21 - 5 Great Debuts
December 22 - 5 Great Covers
December 23 - 5 Great Series
December 24 - 5 Great Re-Reads *facepalm* it seems I've deleted this post...
December 25 - 5 Most Anticipated
December 26 - 5 Hopes for YA in 2011
December 27 - 5 Great YA Movie Deals
December 28 - 5 Great Author (in the flesh) Moments
December 29 - 5 Great YA Bloggers
December 30 - 5 Great Miracles that Occurred to Get Me Reading More ______ (choose your genre)
December 31 - 5 Best Titles for 2010 (which I double because 5 was too hard).


Friday, December 24, 2010

FIVE Challenge: Most Anticipated


I've been wanting to do some sort of a wrap-up post with 2010, with regards to reading books and blogging. What better way to get started than through Persnickety Snark's challenge? Hope you're a part of this challenge too! If you are, go ahead--comment and link to your blog so I can check out what great reads you picked up in 2010!



MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
May 2011 be an even more prosperous year than this one was, and I wish you all a healthy and safe holiday. Thank you for visiting/following Words on Paper, and I will resume normal posting over the new year.



Today's 5 is for...
Most Anticipated

This one is difficult, but for different reasons than some of the others. I am anticipating so, so many great titles for 2011. I don't even know where to begin! And, I will be having many Honourable Mentions...because I need to include as many titles as I can!

First Books / Standalones


Entangled - Cat Clarke - January 2011
Rival - Sara Bennett Wealer - February 2011 *
Delirium - Lauren Oliver - February 2011 *
Between Shades of Gray - Ruta Sepetys - March 2011 *
Divergent - Veronica Roth - May 2011


Sequels


Beautiful Days - Bright Young Things #2 - Anna Godbersen - August 2011
All You Desire - The Eternal Ones #2 - Kirsten Miller - ?? 2011
Where She Went - If I Stay sequel - Gayle Forman - April 2011 *
From Bad to Cursed - Bad Girls Don't Die #2 - Katie Alender - June 2011
The Power of Six - I Am Number Four #2 - Pittacus Lore - June 2011

EDIT: How did I forget Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins?

Honourable Mentions



Clarity - Kim Harrington - March 2011
Like Mandarin - Kirsten Hubbard - March 2011
In the Shadow of the Lamp - Susanne Dunlap - April 2011 *
Future Imperfect - K. Ryer Breese - April 2011
Forgotten - Cat Patrick - June 2011

Asterisked (*) are books I have either pre-ordered, read or received an ARC for.

Check back tomorrow for my 5 Hopes for YA in 2011!


Thursday, December 23, 2010

FIVE Challenge: Great Series

I've been wanting to do some sort of a wrap-up post with 2010, with regards to reading books and blogging. What better way to get started than through Persnickety Snark's challenge?
 
 
THIS IS A RE-POSTED POST, SINCE SOMEONE ACCIDENTALLY DELETED THE ORIGINAL. :P I wonder who that was...




Great Series

Uh oh. I'm not good with series. This one is open for any series in which at least one of the installments was released in 2010.

PRETTY LITTLE LIARS
Sara Shepard
Book 1 Goodreads



Plus the extra four books. I'm not sure whether I'm even going to get past the 6th book!
I'm thinking I'll just buy the first four, because I really liked them.

KAILMEYRA
Elizabeth Isaacs
Book 1 Goodreads



Despite the lackluster covers, this fantasy series is actually really good. And this is coming from me, and I don't warm to fantasy novels or series that often.

BRIGHT YOUNG THINGS
Anna Godbersen
Book 1 Goodreads






I loved Bright Young Things and only expect great things out of the next books in the series.

STORK
Wendy Delsol
Book 1 Goodreads






Just, sigh.

THE ETERNAL ONES 
Kirsten Miller
Book 1 Goodreads


Mystery mixed with romance and murder and tragedy and doubt and a seamless society, the Ouroboros Society, that rules over New York, both of present day and in past generations. A bit rocky, but definitely worth the read, and can't wait to keep reading!

Honourable Mentions:

MINDER by Kate Kaynak

I told you that series wasn't my area of expertise. There are so many series I haven't started yet. I pretty much listed all the series I've read with releases in 2010.
Related Posts with Thumbnails