Biannual Bibliothon: Blog Challenge Day 7

 

 

It is the final day of the Biannual Bibliothon and the host of todays Blog Challenge is Lauras Literary Letters. The challenge is:

 

 

 

MY LADY JANE BY CYNTHIA HAND, BRODI ASHTON & JODI MEADOWS

 

 

PUBLISHER: Harper Teen

DATE PUBLISHED: 07th June 2016

PAGES: 491

GENRE: YA, Historical Fiction, Fantasy

 

 

 

A wild romp through Tudor England.

I thought “The Tudors” was excellent, I didn’t know what I was missing out on. This retelling of the story of Lady Jane Grey is full of sarcastic humour, famous references and shape shifting human / animals.

I am going to discuss my love for this book in three sections:

THE CHARACTERS:

This book is told from the perspectives of three characters. I was hesitant going in. I thought this would be choppy and confusing but it worked seamlessly. These writers were made to write together

Edward: We all remember King Henry VIII only boy son, well now he is King and dying. I loved this character so much; I was invested in him the whole way through his storyline. His motivations are so human and I desperately wanted him to get a happy ending.

Jane: Which reader doesn’t love a bookish character? Is there anyone out there – speak now or forever hold your peace. Jane is strong willed, intelligent and independent in an era when these qualities – let alone her red hair – are frowned upon.

Gifford (G): Oh, G. How I feel for you, being saddled (hahaha) with that awful name. I think G was the character I was most hesitant about hearing from but his chapters were full of humour. I love seeing how his relationship with Jane grows – seeing as the wedding day is their first encounter. I swear, I absolutely adore this character.

THE SETTING:

This setting was like taking a trip back to “The Tudors”. I love this time in history, the fashion, the politics, and the punishments. As long as I don’t have to live there – I like my head where it is, that you very much!

THE PROSE:

I know the prose of this book will not work for everyone. There is something about it that just works for me. Every time I saw a reference I knew I just about leaped out of my chair. I seem to have a thing for sarcastic humour and funny dialogue. My Lady Jane has that in buckets. I have read books before where the narrators have interrupted the story at times and really did not like this. In this book however, I found the style of writing leant itself to being interrupted at times. And they didn’t do it every other paragraph, which was appreciated greatly.

I would love to read another Twisted Historical Tale from these ladies and will be keeping an eye out, maybe Anastasia or Marie Antoinette. Please ladies, I need more!

In conclusion, this book was exactly what I was after. It was long, but I loved every minute of this twisted historical tale.

 

 

Keep Calm and Read On,

Kati

24IN48 READATHON TBR

 

 

The 24 in 48 readathon is exactly as it sounds. Read for 24 hours out of 48. This readathon is running this weekend from midnight 27th of January to 2359 28th of January. I am going to join in this time. I have a preliminary TBR but will just read by ear with the aim to get as close to 24 hours as I can.

 

 

MY TBR: 

 

Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo

 

The Best Kind of Magic by Crystal Cestari

 

iZombie Vol 1 by Chris Roberson

 

Ms Marvel Vol 4: Last Days by G. Willow Wilson

 

Saga Vol 4 by Brian K. Vaughan

 

 

Are you joining in on this readathon?

 

Keep Calm and Read On,

Kati

 

Blog Challenge – Tell me about your favourite read of 2017!

 

 

Day 6 of the Biannual Bibliothon brings about another challenge. This one hosted by A Bookish Girl. This challenge is:

 

Describe your favourite read of 2017

 

 

THE GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO VICE NAD VIRTUE BY MACKENZIE LEE

 

 

This book was so much fun! An entertaining romp across the European countryside and cities with pirates, highwaymen, mysteries, and love. I was smiling as I followed Monty and his company across Europe.

Monty is fraught with imperfections, from his almost constant inebriation to his uncanny ability to find trouble wherever he goes. This just endeared Monty to me with his undeniable charm. I found Percy to be a great juxtaposition to Monty as he didn’t mind fun but knew when to get serious. Felicity was also a stupendous character (truly, they all were). She provided a sense of seriousness and a level head on the journey. She had so much character development in this book I am overjoyed there will be a book about her coming up.

Let’s talk about diversity. If you’re looking for a historical fiction book with fun and adventure but also packed full of diversity, look no further… here it is. Not only is Monty bisexual, but Percy is of a darker complexion (which brings up many a conversation about the slave trade). Not to mention Felicity’s femininity is also broached on the grounds of propriety.

With mystery, adventure, diversity and a truly stellar cast is it any wonder I am awestruck by this book? I would also note that I read and listened (audiobook) to this book at the same time. The audiobook narrator does a fabulous job and just added to my experience. I cannot praise this novel enough.

 

 

Keep Calm and Read On,

Kati

WAITING ON WEDNESDAY

 

 

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, which spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

 

SPOTLIGHT THIS WEEK:

 

 

MY PLAIN JANE BY CYNTHIA HAND, BRODI ASHTON & JODI MEADOWS

 

 

PUBLISHER: Harper Teen

 

DATE PUBLISHED: 26th June 2018

 

PAGES: 464

 

 

 

BLURB: 

 

You may think you know the story. After a miserable childhood, penniless orphan Jane Eyre embarks on a new life as a governess at Thornfield Hall. There, she meets one dark, brooding Mr. Rochester. Despite their significant age gap (!) and his uneven temper (!!), they fall in love—and, Reader, she marries him. (!!!)

Or does she?

Prepare for an adventure of Gothic proportions, in which all is not as it seems, a certain gentleman is hiding more than skeletons in his closets, and one orphan Jane Eyre, aspiring author Charlotte Brontë, and supernatural investigator Alexander Blackwood are about to be drawn together on the most epic ghost hunt this side of Wuthering Heights.

 

 

My Lady Jane was my favourite read of 2016 and I have been greatly anticipating this book ever since. June cannot come fast enough.

 

Keep Calm and Read On,

Kati

Biannual Bibliothon Challenge: Rewrite a Favorite Scene

 

 

The challenge for day 5 of the Biannual Bibliothon is hosted by Reader Rayna. The challenge is to Rewrite a favourite scene.

 

 

Please excuse my writing…

 

 

Well, this is great. Jane thought.

She was perfectly happy with her nose in a book. She didn’t need to be married or even be the Queen. But no, everyone else thought they knew better than her and now she is stuck here… locked up. Going to lose her head at dawn.

Tears prickled at the edges of her eyes and she quickly brushed them away.

Think. Jane looked around trying to find a way out. There was a small window but it was barred. She would not die here, she couldn’t. Could she?

Pacing the room her panic grew as she saw the awful blush of dawn on the horizon. She was out of time. Footsteps grew louder and the rattle of keys had Jane freezing in her place.

As the lock in the door squeaked Jane could’t help but elicit a small squeak herself as her panic overcome her.

Then, a horrible pain overcome her and a bright light filled the room. Jane screamed with her eyes tightly shut.

Upon opening her eyes Jane’s head brushed the roof and she looked down at a stunned jailor who was somehow so small now. Jane lifted her hand to her brow. But, it wasn’t her hand.

A grey trunk brushed her brow and now Jane understood… she was an elephant. In utter shock she began to jump (as much as an elephant can) and tried to run. However, she was quite big now and the room very small.

The jailor was crushed up against the wall as with a groan the floor gave way underneath her and Jane fell down to the ground floor and just like that, she was free.

 

 

 

This was a scene from

 

My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton and Jodi Meadows

 

 

The difference in this scene is that Jane turns into an elephant instead of a ferret. I wondered what it would be like to be stuck in the Tower of London while turning into an elephant and what escape options that would offer.

 

Keep Calm and Read On,

Kati

TOP TEN TUESDAY

 

 

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme that now has a new home with That Artsy Reader Girl. The topic for this week is…

 

Books I Liked But Can’t Remember

 

Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

 

Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton

 

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

 

Shatter Me by Tehereh Mafi

 

A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Grey

 

Ash by Malinda Lo

 

Switched by Amanda Hocking

 

A Week of Mondays by Jessica Brody 

 

My Soul To Take by Rachel Vincent

 

Bone Gap by Laura Ruby

 

 

What is your top book that you enjoyed but don’t really remember.

 

Keep Calm and Read On,

Kati

Holiday/Winter Fantasy Bucket List

 

 

The Blog Challenge for Day 4 of the Biannual Bibliothon is hosted by The Bookworm in Me.

The challenge is:

 

 

Here is my list:

 

 

1. Attend the Yule Ball – Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

2. Make Fictional Boyfriend Gingerbread Men with Cath – Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

3. Attend a New Years Eve party hosted by Magnus Bane – City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

4. Have a Snowball Fight with Rose and Lissa – Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

5. Attend a holiday party hosted by the Peltiers at Sanctuary – Dark Hunters by Sherrilyn Kenyon

6. Build a Snowman at Camp Half Blood – Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

7. Trim a Christmas Tree with Blue, Gansey, Adam and Ronan – The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

8.  Enjoy a hot chocolate and good book with Kelsea Glynn – The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

9. Open gifts with Monty, Percy, & Felicity – The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzie Lee

10. Enjoy a Christmas feast with Jane and G – My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton & Jodi Meadows 

 

 

I loved creating this list. What would be on your list?

 

Keep Calm and Read On,

Kati

MEMORABLE MONDAY

 

 

Memorable Monday is a meme hosted by Escape in a Good Book. I’m excited to join in on this one because I love quotes, which was the driving force behind the creation of Memorable Mondays.

So… how do you participate? It’s simple ~

1) Share a quote that has captured your interest lately in a Memorable Monday post on your blog.

2) Come back here and leave the link to your post in the comment box below. If you don’t have a blog, I’d still love to read your quote. Leave it in the comment box instead of a link to a non-existent blog.:)

3) Visit other participants if you have time. It’s always nice to have visitors. There’s no overstaying your welcome this way, and they don’t have to offer the obligatory drinks. Or clean.

4) If you tweet your posts, feel free to use the hashtag #MemorableMonday.

The quote for this week is:

 

 

I love the Throne of Glass series and this quote has me nostalgic and needing to continue the series.

 

Keep Calm and Read On,

Kati

 

UNBOXING: MARK THE PAGE “TOWER OF DAWN” BOX

 

 

Mark the Page is an Australian Bookish Subscription service that I have come across. This box is based out of Australia. I received the August 2017 box today and so am ready to do an unboxing! The theme was:

 

 

TOWER OF DAWN

 

 

When the box is first opened, this is what you see.

 

The first item in the box is a reversible book sleeve from Blurring Pages.

 

The second item is a candle themed after Chaol created by Novel Scents & Co.

 

The third item is a sachet of bookish tea to help you get into the novel. This item is from Bookish Teas.

The fourth item is this beautiful bookmark with an image of Fleet Foot from Till and Dill.

 

The fifth item in the box is in honour of Aelin’s first love, Sam. This soap themed after Sam Cortland was created by Behind the Pages.

 

The sixth item is a tote bag from Ink and Wonder.

 

I love tote bags and use them for everything. There is a collection I take out when I do shopping.

 

This tote has a quote from the Throne of Glass series.

 

The seventh and final item is this stunning art print of Aelin and Rowan from Jo Painter.

 

 

The book in this box was, of course…

 

TOWER OF DAWN BY SARAH J. MAAS

 

The final item in the box is the spoiler card for the box listing all of the items.

 

 

This was a jam packed box full of amazing Throne of Glass themes items. I just cannot pick my favourite item.

 

Keep Calm and Read On,

Kati

Biannual Bibliothon Blog Challenge Day 3 – Favourite Winter Scene

 

 

The Blog Challenge for Day 3 of the Biannual Bibliothon is hosted by Fire Wiskey Reader. 

The challenge is:

 

 

 

I feel like this may be a stereotypical answer, but when I think winter… I think Harry Potter.

 

My favourite winter scene would be sitting around Griffindoor tower with Harry, Ron and Hermione while Harry and Ron open their gifts. I would have a hot chocolate and good book and be sitting by the fireplace while snow falls past the window.

It just sounds nice and cozy to me. It is Summer here when its Christmas time. So, I’ve never had that cozy, cold Christmas. Not that my Christmases are not great. But, this would be a Winter Scene I would want to be a part of.

 

 

Keep Calm and Read On,

Kati