Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish. This week I'm sharing the top ten books I meant to read in 2014 but didn't get to. 

1. Even In Paradise by Chelsea Philpot

The majority of other bloggers have liked this one, and I love contemporaries so I'm going to try and find room for it this year. 

2. Manor of Secrets by Katherine Longshore




I did manage to get to Brazen last year which I really enjoyed, so I want to read this Katherine Longshore novel too. 

3. Rooms by Lauren Oliver

I loved Delirium, couldn't get into Panic, but this Lauren Oliver release looks more promising.

4. Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anne Blankman

This is still definitely a must-read for me. 

5. Don't You Forget About Me by Kate Karyus Quinn

This sounds so unique (and I love the cover) so it's definitely going up my to-read list.

6. I'll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson

So many rave reviews. I want in.

7. Made for You by Melissa Marr

This looks really creepy - but it's made me curious and I want to know how it goes.

8. The Cure for Dreaming by Cat Winters

Historical fiction with a suffragist as the main character plus a supernatural edge? I need this now!

9. Learning Not To Drown by Anna Shinoda

Once again, a fascinating cover - and intense family drama which would call for complex characters.

10. On The Fence by Kasie West




Because a cute contemporary should always be on hand.

Any recommendations on what I should prioritise from the list?

Genie's Weekly News (17)

Hi everyone and welcome to my weekly blog feature to recap the week with bookish news and what to expect coming up! So without further ado...

*Reading Right Now*





There has been a lot of hype, and mixed opinions about this one - but it's going well so far for me. 

*Previous Posts*

• Top Ten Tuesday: Most Anticipated 2015 Debuts
• Review: To Love A Sunburnt Country by Jackie French  
• ARC Review: Bad Romeo by Leisa Rayven  
• Loony Blurbs (5)  

*Recommendation of the Week*

I loved Bitter Greens, and this Kate Forsyth novel was just as enchanting.

*From The Interwebs*

• Jess @ My Reading Dress asked the question are we reviewers just bad at maths?
• Cait @ Paper Fury talked about why she loves retellings
• Alana @ Thoughts by J discussed book pushing
• Ely @ A Book So Fathomless posted the first edition of Fathomless Females
• Author Jessica L. Brooks @ Let Me Tell You A Story announced new giveaway theme for the year

*Haul*

I won Under the Never Sky in a giveaway from Danielle @ Love At First Page, and thank you to Hachette Australia for an ecopy of Red Queen!

*Other News*

One of my first cousins got married on Saturday and it was a beautiful wedding! The reception was at The Ivy ballroom which was nice, and it was a great time to catch up with the rest of the family (and there sure was a lot of people!). There was even a photo booth, which is always fun as well :)

How has your week been?

Loony Blurbs (5)

Loony Blurbs is a meme running on every month created by Emily @ The Loony Teen Writer where bloggers create book blurbs only based on the titles! As you can guess, the possibilities are endless. So without further ado, here is what I have created for this week's books:

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Queen Margareta had ruled the kingdom of Kardia for over 200 years...much longer than any normal human could live.

She is the lifeblood of her realm - in a more literal manner than anyone could have thought. And those sacrifices she keeps ordering? Well, there are more sinister reasons why she needs those, not just to 'please the gods' like everybody thinks. But people are starting to get suspicious, and a rebellion is on the horizon. Will her secret be safe?




Eat the Sky, Drink the Ocean (assorted authors - edited by Kirsty Murray)


The Skyfliers and the Seadwellers have always had some friction since the great divide and war which shook both of their empires. Those above the seas have wings, while those below have gills. Each have lives their separate ways, and co-existed for hundreds of years.

But Ella is different - she was born with both wings and gills. A mutation. An ultimatum. A choice. Where will she live for the rest of her life?


Solitaire by Alice Oseman

Valery Kirks always thought she wanted to be a high-flying businesswoman in the corporate world. But, at an internship in one of the most prestigious financial firms in the country, she finds that it's more than just doing a good job that matters. It's all about the suits, and how you play the game.

Suddenly all those games of solitaire she used to spend her time on might just come in handy. She has to learn to play her cards right if she ever has a chance of landing the job of her dreams.



Scrambled Eggs at Midnight by Brad Barkley

'Fooooood glorious foooood!' is what Kayla Grey always thinks to herself every time she opens the fridge. Sure, she may be a bit on the chubbier side, but she's a girl who's always embraced her curves.

Until she starts at a new school. Where every other girl seems to be stick-skinny and eat celery all day long. But does Kayla really want to be like them?

Suddenly all those scrambled eggs at midnight and giving into those food cravings is something she's regretting.

Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff

Eiden controls storms. When he's there, swirling the clouds and orchestrating bursts of thunder and lightning, he's truly in his element. It's a dance of sorts, making sure everything is in time with the music of the seasons and where the weather should be at that time.

But one day Eiden's powers get out of even his control. And he doesn't know how to fix it.

Time to make a call to Mother Nature. Luckily he has her number.

Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis

Althea is allergic to water. Which is kiiinda awkward when she's living in an underwater city. Every time a leak springs out of the roof, she has to find cover ASAP before she breaks out in hives or can't breathe.

The Cila berry juice is what's kept her alive for so long without having to drink H2O. Unfortunately, this year there was a bad harvest, and her precious berries are running out. Fast.

How will she survive?

The Astrologer's Daughter by Rebecca Lim

Phoebe is looking into her family's history for a school project, not that she expects to find anything different to what she already knows. They're pretty boring really.

But - while looking in the cupboard for some old photos, she comes across an astrology kit. But who on earth in her family would be into...

Oh wait. Suddenly her mum's secret behaviour and ramblings make a lot more sense.

What do you think of my blurb creations?

ARC Review: Bad Romeo by Leisa Rayven

Bad Romeo by Leisa Rayven
Released: 1st January 2015
Series: Starcrossed #1
Published by: Pan Macmillan
Genre: NA Contemporary
Source: Publisher
Pages: 416
My Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Goodreads | Bookworld | Book Depository

While performing the greatest love story of all time, they discovered one of their own . . .

Cassie Taylor was just another good girl acting student. Ethan Holt was the bad boy on campus. Then one fated casting choice for Romeo and Juliet changed it all. Like the characters they were playing onstage, Cassie and Ethan's epic romance seemed destined. Until it ended in tragedy when he shattered her heart. Now they've made it to Broadway where they're reunited as romantic leads once again - and their passionate scenes force them to confront the heartbreaking lows and pulse-pounding highs of their intense college affair.

For Ethan, losing Cassie was his biggest regret-and he's determined to redeem himself. But for Cassie, even though Ethan was her first and only great love, he hurt her too much to ever be trusted again. The trouble is, when it comes to love, sometimes it's the things that aren't good for us that are the most irresistible.

Don't miss the intoxicating romance beloved by more than two million fans online.

Thank you to Pan Macmillan Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Before you even begin to start this book, you may as well know that it pretty much is based on:

And lots of it, people. Be prepared.

I don't read a lot of NA, but the ones that I have tried out have either been really good, really annoying or something in between. Bad Romeo is that in-between, but verging on the more enjoyable side. Filled with witty banter, intense situations and one of the most dysfunctional relationships I have ever come across, even now I'm still not completely sure whether I ship Cassie and Ethan or not.

There was an undeniable something between the two of them when they first met auditioning for The Grove - an elite arts college. Quintessentially Ethan Holt is the shockingly hot and brooding, tall/dark/handsome package that Cassie can't help but notice - and from there is where everything first starts. 

I didn't warm to him at first, and though their relationship seemed to have a whole lot of chemistry on the surface, Ethan was a jerk from the beginning - and continued to be for a whole while longer. One minute, he was really into Cassie and wanted to make things work, while the next he didn't want anything to do with her and was pushing her away. Cassie had her moments of resistance, but inevitably she fell for him every time. Or they fell for each other. Whichever way you look at it. 

The story goes back and forwards in time which was interesting, especially as in the beginning you know how their relationship was beginning in the present day, before going back six years to their time studying as drama students. It was good to get the background info into what had happened between the fated pair, and see how they coped with their highs and lows. Scattered alongside this rollercoaster of a romance was some detail into the secondary characters such as Cassie's roommate Ruby and Ethan's parents. The theatrical details themselves in their classes was fascinating to read about, which broke up the intensity of the storyline in some places. 

Cassie began as the 'good girl' who hadn't ever truly stepped out of line morally, until Ethan came along. From then on she became a lot more...forward with her actions and what she wanted physically out of the relationship. She's no conventional inexperienced female lead for sure, though at times she did seem desperate and hanging onto Ethan's every word - even when it was obvious things weren't going to go her way right then. I don't by any means think that this is a 'deep and meaningful' novel, but I do wish that their relationship was based on more than just the physical side, and had a deeper emotional connection that was sustainable (then again that would have saved them a lot of problems). That being said, Ethan isn't all bad, and I did see some positive character development in him which seemed genuinely sincere. By the end there was somewhat of a resolution, though there is definitely room for the sequel Bad Juliet. 

FINAL THOUGHTS

This is no 'Romeo and Juliet' retelling, but a raw story of two people who are trying against all odds and their own barriers to make the relationship work. Although I may have had my qualms with it, I finished this book in record time - there's something about Rayven's writing style that is subtly addictive. She's definitely an author to watch in the genre, and I'm curious to see what she comes up with in the next book.

Review: To Love A Sunburnt Country by Jackie French

To Love A Sunburnt Country by Jackie French
Released: 1st December 2014
Series: The Matilda Saga #4
Published by: HarperCollins Australia
Genre: Australian Historical Fiction
Source: Publisher
Pages: 464
My Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Goodreads | Bookworld | Dymocks

The year is 1942 and the world is at war. Nancy Clancy is 16 and left school to spend a year droving, just like her grandfather Clancy of the Overflow was famed for. Now Nancy's family has sent her to Malaya to bring home her sister-in-law Moira and baby Gavin. Moira is British and married to Nancy's brother Ben, who is now a soldier. Malaya is under threat from the Japanese, but despite the warnings Moira has resisted leaving as she wants to stay near her husband.

When Malaya is invaded, Nancy, Moira and Gavin are fortunate to get out before Singapore falls. When their ship is bombed they end up stranded on an island where they, and some other colonial women, are captured. There begins the nightmare and horror of internment in a Japanese camp. Back home at Gibber's Creek families are doing their bit for the war. They worry constantly about their men who are fighting - and now those who are missing after Singapore falls. Powerful, compelling and confronting, this is a book that pulls no punches.

Filled with emotional truth and heartfelt agony, this unforgettable fourth book in The Matilda Saga continues the journey that started with A Waltz for Matilda.

Thank you to HarperCollins Publishers Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 

It seems that my appreciation for Jackie French's novels knows no bounds. With each and every story she writes, I find myself even more captivated by her insight into the essence of human nature in some of the most trying times in Australia's history. Though To Love A Sunburnt Country is ultimately a work of fiction, the characters within it may as well be real - because that's what they seem when you read this book. This is a captivating, emotional and heartfelt story which offers us readers a glimpse into how Australia's people were affected by WWII. 

The Nancy who returned home now - and she would return, she must return, and Gavin and Moira too - would not be the urchin who wagged school to go adventuring in tatty moleskins. I know how to dress and behave for the Melbourne Cup or a drover's camp, she thought. I am Nancy of the Overflow and I can do anything...
Including survive.

Although this book could potentially be read as a stand-alone because it does provide a lot of background into the previous three novels of the Matilda saga, I loved seeing all of the past characters make an appearance. Seeing where Matilda is now, with a family of her own, along with Flinty McAlpine from The Girl From Snowy River and Blue from The Road to Gundagai once again showcased Jackie French's talent in weaving together so many different characters from times gone by into one cohesive piece. Of course, the new addition of Nancy as the main character in this novel was the focal point - and what she goes through is nothing short of heart-wrenching. Yet, as always, what I found in this book were strong women who despite facing the impossible, are ready to beat the odds. Their men may be fighting in a war, but 'keeping up the side' is what those who are left behind must do, and that they do well. 

He wondered if this was the real reason women gathered in their precious 'free' hours at night to roll bandages, wrap comfort packages, or organise fundraisers. There was comfort in being together.

Indeed, every character in this novel is admirable, for their bravery and courage manifested in many different ways. There was a real sense of camaraderie which I picked up on, and resilience which can be nurtured when people stick together even when morale hits rock bottom.  Nancy's experience in Pulau Ayu Prison Camp, along with the other women there, including her sister-in-law Moira and her nephew Gavin, was an eye-opener. The way that everybody banded together there and how complex their situation with their Japanese captors were was fascinating. On a wider scale, there is a myriad of perspectives offered by other characters as well, giving the novel a multifaceted perspective into the 1940's in Australian society. From the Drinkwater estate to even the Kokoda Track - the author has captured almost every aspect of what life must have been like for the individuals she has created. 

Tommy smiled at her, his beautiful wife. His handsome son. People of integrity. People who cared about a man they hadn't met, and his family, not to condemn him out of hand. Good people. I have been blessed, he thought. So blessed, a family and a job and a land to love. 

As usual, the historical detail is excellent and you can just tell how much research must have gone into creating a masterpiece like this. The excerpts from the 'Gibber's Creek Gazette', though fictional - offered a unique method of reflecting the attitudes of the time, whereas the letters which the characters wrote to each other were able to convey the events as they unfolded with an emotive clarity. Still, don't be fooled and think that this book is simply going to offer you a history lesson. No - this book is more than that. It is the most emotional of the series, and yes - I cried. In times of war there is bound to be sadness, and some of the tragedies which occurred in the story were shattering. So many innocent lives were touched by things that happened in far-away lands, and this is the reality of war which Jackie managed to so artfully capture. 

Five years ago her life had changed its course, as if in flood, uncontrolled, impossible to stop. Now, suddenly, it was in its banks again. She knew where she was headed, just like the river. 

FINAL THOUGHTS

In reading this book, I have wept at the tragedies and suffering that war brings, yet been in awe at the gleaming hope many were still willing to grasp onto. Jackie French is a renowned Australian author for a reason. She is able to write amazing stories of our country and the tribulations that those before us have faced - maintaining the delicate equilibrium of fact and fiction. It's without a doubt that I can't wait to see what she writes next, because To Love A Sunburnt Country is definitely her best novel yet.