The last week has been basically me studying my brains out for the HSC, interspersed with reading and still managing to do some blog posts as well. While I'll be going on hiatus when my final exams start, by the start of November I'll be free and able to read all I want *YAY*.

*Reading Right Now*

Historical fiction, 1930's setting, mystery - I'm in!

*Previous Posts*

• ARC Review: Dumplin' by Julie Murphy
• Top Ten Tuesday: Books on my Spring TBR
• Teaser Blast: Wicked Restless by Ginger Scott
• {Blog Tour} The Tribe Series by Ambelin Kwaymullina - Review/Guest Post/Giveaway

*Recommendation of the Week*

Showcasing some underrated Australian YA - The Rosie Black Chronicles by Lara Morgan is still my favourite sci-fi series to date. I still remember eagerly awaiting the second book before it was released and reading it in one sitting the afternoon I got it! If you're looking for something dynamic, action-packed and thrilling then I'd definitely recommend giving them a go. #LoveOzYA #bookstagram #favouritebooks #yascifi #bookrecommendations #igbooks #booklover #coverlove #readthisnow #bookish #booklove

A photo posted by Eugenia (Genie In A Book) (@genie_inabook) on Sep 23, 2015 at 8:10pm PDT

I've been looking back on books I love to re-read recently, and this series is definitely one worthy of that!

*From The Interwebs*

• Chiara @ Books for a Delicate Eternity is looking for ARC's from Sarah J. Maas, Maria V. Snyder and Maggie Stiefvater
• Maisie @ Maisie's Marvelous Reviews shared her top 5 Roald Dahl books
• Cait @ Paper Fury talked about how she would improve goodreads
• Kristy @ Booknerd Reviews is doing a brilliant bookish blogs feature
• Emily @ Loony Literate highlighted YA about the senior year of high school
• Jeann @Happy Indulgence did a video on the playlist book tag

*Haul*

Thank  you to Bloomsbury Australia for the review copy!

Flirty Dancing and Love Bomb were both light, fun reads and this one looks like it's heading in a similar direction. I'm looking forward to reading it :)

*What I've Been Watching*

In my searching for a new historical drama to catch my eye (aside from re-watching Downton Abbey from the beginning again), I came across Restless. It's quite an interesting 2-part special which is set in the 1940's and 1970's respectively about a woman who was a spy working with British intelligence and still has some inkling that her occupation during the war is impacting her life in the present. It was first of all interesting to see Michelle Dockery in a very different role than playing Mary Crawley in Downton, and Hayley Atwell played the main role brilliantly. Though I wasn't quite satisfied with the ending, there was a lot of mystery to keep my entertained throughout, and the twist was well played. I'm definitely considering reading the book now to see how it compares. 

*Giveaway Reminder*

Just a quick reminder that my giveaway for 2 sets of the entire 'Tribe' trilogy by Australian author Ambelin Kwaymullina is still going! Closes 9th October and is open to Australian residents only. 

Click the image to go to the entry page!

Have you watched any good historical dramas recently or read any stand-out historical fiction?

Genie's Weekly News (42)

I missed last week's installment, so there are a lot of things happening in this one! With STRAY feels abound, as well as a whole heap of new books to add to my shelves, things have been quite busy over here. So without further ado...

*Reading Right Now*

I'm reading this series in preparation for the blog tour happening this month!

*Previous Posts*

• Review: In The Skin of a Monster by Kathryn Barker
• Top Ten Tuesday: Books on my syllabus if I taught 'how to survive 101'
• Top Ten Tuesday: Characters I Didn't Click With
• Cover Reveal: Wicked Restless by Ginger Scott & Guest Post on 'Flawed Characters'
• {Blog Tour} Stray by Rachel Craw Review & Author Interview
• The Secret Life of a Book Blogger Tag

*Recommendation of the Week*

What can I say? It's historical fiction by Kate Forsyth at her finest. LOVED.

*From The Interwebs*

• Mel @ YA Midnight Reads celebrated her 16th birthday
• Kaylie @ Potterhead Reviews shared her birthday book haul
• Cait @ Paper Fury did the bedtime book tag
• Emily @ Loony Literate shared some 2016 releases she's excited for
• Kaitlin @ Reading is my Treasure discussed coming up with post ideas
• Jeann @Happy Indulgence did a vlog on her August Wrap Up & September TBR

*Haul*

The Tribe series by Ambelin Kwaymullina - I'm so excited to read this series, especially with the 'Indigenous Futurism' influence'

Invisibility by Andrea Cremer/David Levithan and The Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle - I got these through #booksfortradeAU by swapping with Michelle @LovelyGirlReads and can't wait to read them...eventually. In any case, I've been wanting to read The Infinite Moment of Us for aaages so now I finally can.

Lair of Dreams by Libba Bray - This is a monster of a book (it's huge peoples), but since loving The Diviners I hope I enjoy this one too. Thanks Allen and Unwin for the review copy!

The Last Girl/The Last Shot by Michael Adams - Thanks to Chiara @EternalDelicacy for these books through #booksfortradeAU! Yay for Aussie YA post-apocalyptic fiction - I can tell these are gritty reads.

Where the Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller - Another swap with Chiara, and I've also had this on my TBR for a long time so I'm hoping it lives up to my expectations.

The Next Together by Lauren James - Thanks to Walker Books for this ARC! Two people falling in love throughout time - how romantic. I'm really looking forward to this one!

The River and The Book by Alison Croggon/Atmospheric by Carole Wilkinson - These are more books from Walker Books focusing on human rights and the environment respectively. 

*STRAY Discussion*

For those of you who have read STRAY by Rachael Craw, a quick reminder that there's a discussion on goodreads where you can share how you felt (with spoilers) because OMG SO MUCH HAPPENED.

If you're interested and need an outlet to chat with other fans, here's the link: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/17407677

*What I've Been Watching*

Since I've been sick with a cold, I've been searching on Netflix for things to watch while nursing a cup of tea, and this came up (ironic huh?). I still don't know exactly how I feel about it after watching the two seasons (warning - it can be both comedic, gory and depressing all at the same time), but Daniel Radcliffe was certainly interesting in this role.

So - how has your week been?

Genie's Weekly News (40)

It has been a while since I've blogged (blame my exams coming up *sigh*). Holidays are a distant memory and now it's right back into the frenzy of study notes and trying to not stress out too much about what's coming up. I might not be as active on the blog for these next two weeks as well, but after that I should have more reviews and discussions happening.

*Reading Right Now*





I'm trying to read this before I see the movie - but 20% in and I'm hoping it gets better.

*Recommendation of the Week*



Such a strange book, but a beautiful one.

*From The Interwebs*

• Jeann @ Happy Indulgence discussed the 3 star debacle
• Aimee @ Deadly Darlings did the real neat blog award
• Cait @ Paper Fury talked about when she unfollows blogs
• Emily @ Loony Literate posted about book series amnesia
• Nova @ Out of Time discussed the representation of culture in YA
• Brett @ Brett Michael Orr questioned What is YA?

*Haul*

This is *the* book of the year I've been waiting for! As the sequel to the amazing #SPARK by Rachael Craw, I can't wait to see what'll go down in this book. I can sense it's going to be a 'read this in one sitting' situation already... STRAY releases on 1st September, but there will be an exclusive short story not included in either of the books coming out July 31st from @walkerbooksaus so look out for that! #SparkArmy #STRAY #yalit #yascifi #series #sequel #readyforallthefeels #bookstodevour

A photo posted by Eugenia (Genie In A Book) (@genie_inabook) on Jul 23, 2015 at 12:26am PDT

A photo posted by Eugenia (Genie In A Book) (@genie_inabook) on Jul 23, 2015 at 12:26am PDT

This week's #booksfortradeau haul! I'm really looking forward to reading some more contemporaries and there seems to be some promising ones here. #bookstagram #bookhaul #bookblogger #bookswap #yacontemporary #booklove #coverlove

A photo posted by Eugenia (Genie In A Book) (@genie_inabook) on Jul 24, 2015 at 5:36pm PDT

I'm especially excited for Stray by Rachael Craw - since I haven't been able to get to it this weekend, it's going to be my big reward to look forward to after exams!

*Bookish News*

Author Jessica L. Brooks is looking for expressions of interest for her new 'early reader program' looking at distributing physical ARC's for her upcoming releases - it's generally much easier to read on paper, and this is a wonderful opportunity to do that.



Though the timing is in the middle of exams, I'm still going to endeavour to participate in the 'Excuse to Read' readathon hosted by Jessica L. Brooks and Cheyanne Young, to get a few books knocked off my TBR. Look out for another post on that tomorrow :)



*What I've Been Watching*

Gossip Girl season 5 has been pretty hectic so far - OH THE DRAMA (well, more than usual anyway). Aside from that though, I've been delving back into historical drama:

Sense and Sensibility



I loved this three-part series! Great acting, and of course a wonderful stoyline (who doesn't want a happily ever after?).

The Paradise



I've only seen the first two episodes so far, and while I have a pretty good idea of the 'twists' which may be coming, it's still a pretty good show. It's interesting to think of how far department stores have come!

*GIVEAWAY*

Just a reminder, I have a giveaway for a YA book of choice up to $10AU from The Book Depository running at the moment!

How has your week been?