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Book Haul: The Christmas Edition
 

Let It Snow - Green, Johnson & Myracle 

The Magic of Christmas - Trisha Ashley 

Posted by Loaded Shelves at 13:04 No comments: 

Last Breath - Rachel Caine (Morganville #11) No blurb for this book as it has been loaned out! 


The Saga of Darren Shan Vol.1

Art by Takahiro Arai 

Tuesday, 6 December 2011


I have completed the Goodreads 50 Book Challenge - early!

Posted by Loaded Shelves at 16:07 No comments: 

Monday, 21 November 2011

Everlasting - Alyson Noel *Contains spoilers* 

Sunday, 13 November 2011

Dark Flame - Alyson Noel 


An Abundance of Katherines 


The Color Purple

I started reading this book a LONG time ago, but eventually it got put aside for other things. Not because I wasn't enjoying it, just because that's life sometimes. I actually enjoyed it. Well it was as enjoyable as a story it could be.

I hadn't heard anything about The Color Purple or it's author, Alice Walker other than the fact it was "worth reading". So when a friend said she had it, natural curiosity took over and I gave it a go.

The story itself is so sad and tragic. We learn about the lives of Celie and her family/friends through letters written to God, Nettie and even letters to Celie herself. It's definitely something i'm going to look up in my free time as there are a lot of comments on race, religion, culture etc that I understood at a basic level but would love to know more about it.

In hindsight, it wasn't really a book "for fun", as it was more of a challenge than that. The writing was quite hard to get through at first but then after a while it was second nature. As I said before, it took me a long time to read it and I think that actually added to the story. Celie and Nettie go a long time between letters, despite never actually talking to each other, so I guess it felt right to also have to wait to read the next letter :)

If you're interested in literature, and not just story-telling then I would definitely recommend this book, but it's not light-hearted reading and leaves you with a lot to think about.

Currently Reading: An Abundance of Katherines - John Green
Books Read In 2011: 44
Posted by Loaded Shelves at 18:04 No comments: Labels: alice walker, books, reading, the color purple


Heart of Darkness

Generally regarded as the pre-eminent work of Conrad's shorter fiction, Heart of Darkness is a chilling tale of horror which, as the author intended, is capable of many interpretations. Set in the Congo during the period of rapid colonial expansion in the nineteenth century, the story deals with the highly disturbing effects of economic, social and political exploitation on European and African societies and the cataclysmic behaviour this induced in some individuals. I read Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad as part of my English Literature degree.
I have to admit, it's the least favourite book I think i've ever read but not entirely because of the actual text. I struggled a lot to get through this book and honestly, I just don't think that I understand it. The context behind the novella is important in relation to reading it and I haven't had the time to research in depth and i'm no expert on the subject matters.

I also disliked the layers of narrating within the novella. The story is told by an unnamed narrator, who is then relaying a story told by a man named Marlow. Marlow's story is mostly about a man named Kurtz. It was very confusing to read and like I said before, I struggled quite a bit.

I feel a little bad that my first review in a LONG time has been negative but I guess it just shows that not every book is a winner but you should at least give it a try :)

Currently reading: A HUGE list that i'm working through as fast as possible!
Books read in 2011: 43

Posted by Loaded Shelves at 19:13 No comments: Labels: degree, english, heart of darkness, joseph conrad, literature, undergraduate



It's almost 7am and i'm going out with the flatmates (minus Buzz - MISS YOU!) in 6 hours but I felt like I had to update before turning off the laptop.

I'm close to finishing both The Color Purple AND a new book I got as a present (and became top priority) An Abundance of Katherines so hopefully within the next week there will be at least one review on here and tallies will be back in business! I'm gonna get 10 minutes reading in before I finally drop off to sleep anyway. Good night Bookworms.

Posted by Loaded Shelves at 22:57 No comments: Labels: alice walker, books, john green


Recent Book Acquisitions

I've been absolutely awful at reading lately due to my absolutely amazing busy life. So as much as i'd like to write a review for this blog, I can't! However, I can tell you what books i've recently acquired and shall hopefully be reading and reviewing in the not too distant future (MAYBE!).

1. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas - Hunter. S. Thompson
2. The Name of the Star - Maureen Johnson
3. First Born - Torchwood

I also have the complete works of Beckett out of the university library but whether I get around to reading any of it remains to be seen.

If you're interested in knowing more about me other than the books I read then you can go to my main blog which is here :)

If you're more into reading blogs about books and authors then I direct you to Annamarie's Book Blog. She's got some exciting interviews coming up soon with authors i've previously reviewed!

Let me know in the comments what books you've recently bought!

Currently reading: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas - Hunter.S.Thompson & The Color Purple - Alice Walker
Books read in 2011: (Tallies are a work in progress...)

Posted by Loaded Shelves at 17:49 No comments: Labels: beckett, books, hunter.s.thompson, maureen johnson, torchwood


Unintentional Reading Hiatus

There's a very good reason why I haven't updated this blog for a while. I haven't read anything in a while. The few books that I have read since my last review, I didn't want to as they're part of a series and honestly, I was reading so fast that I wasn't enjoying writing about every book read so I have decided that I will just review certain books. Anyway, i'm in the process of packing for university so reading has been put to the back of mind. Ironic really as I study English Literature. I move in 6-ish days and once i'm settled in I will be more active over here! (Tallies will resume as soon as reading does!)
Posted by Loaded Shelves at 14:07 No comments: 
Friday, 19 August 2011


I haven't updated here for a while as i'm usually over on my other blog or doing those pesky real life things ;)

I was getting on pretty well with my reading list as I was completely friendless during the part of summer that has now past. However my friends are now home and we're so RIDICULOUSLY busy for the next two weeks that I don't think i'll get much reading done. (Check out my other blog for info on what i've been up to!)

So this post isn't a review one. I'm taking a break from that for now due to the business.
I just wanted to say I took a trip to the library!
I haven't been in a library in SO LONG as I tend to buy my books rather than loan them (friends don't count).

I picked up;
Serenity: Those Left Behind - Joss Whedon
Wyrd Sisters - Terry Prachett
Beastly - Alex Flinn

I have read the Joss Whedon one already as it's a graphic novel and I absolutely LOVED it. I've now started on Prachett. It was kind of silly of me to get books out if i'm honest. I'm already reading a book and I only have a week to read the Prachett & Flinn books in between all of the real life things because after that i'm not going to be able to return the books until 18th September (when I move!). I will let you know how I get on though. Maybe if I spend less time making my friends watch Spider-man we'll be more productive and have more time :P

Currently Reading: The Color Purple - Alice Walker & Wyrd Sisters - Terry Prachett
Books Read in 2011: 38/39 ish?!

Posted by Loaded Shelves at 17:54 No comments: Labels: alex flinn, beastly, books, firefly, graphic novels, joss whedon, reading, serenity, terry prachett

Thursday, 4 August 2011

Top 100 Books

I found this list on Sanne's blog http://booksandquills.blogspot.com/p/100-books.html
And thought i'd post it here and mark off ones i've read. Hopefully someday I will complete it! :D 
Tuesday, 2 August 2011

Paper Towns - John Green

As a John Green fan and a very proud Nerdfighter and follower of the Vlogbrothers, I have been wanting to read this book for SO LONG. I was a little worried that i'd built it up too much in my head and would end up disappointed but I was wrong. It was everything I had imagined and more.

Q's journey to the end of his senior year and his quest to find Margo is inspiring and touching. Everyone wants an adventure and Q definitely got his. About halfway through I had started imagining that something terrible was going to happen (probably due to reading Looking For Alaska!) but although there was a surprise, it was more heartwarming than anything else. I can't honestly write the review I want to about Paper Towns because there no words for how much I loved it and I wouldn't do it justice.

Currently Reading: The Rainbow - D.H.Lawrence & Blue Moon - Alyson Noel
Books Read in 2011: 36
Posted by Loaded Shelves at 06:00 No comments: Labels: books, john green, nerdfighters, paper towns, reading, vlogbrothers

Evermore - Alyson Noel

Evermore was really easy to read and get into which, for some reason, I wasn't expecting. Before i'd realised, the book was finished. It's always nice to just absorb a book like that. Like Ever, i automatically (wrongly)assumed that Damen and Drina were vampires, so i was pleasantly surprised that this became a completely different story. I don't think i've read a book quite the same as this before and that's definitely a good thing as i've read so many recently.

I found it both funny and sad - I even cried at one part! It's a series and i'm looking forward to reading the next one.

Posted by Loaded Shelves at 05:52 No comments: 


Marshmallow Magic and the Wild Rose Rouge - Karen McCombie

Lemmie Ferguson loves her eighteen-year-old sister Rose more than you can imagine. To Lemmie, Rose is everything - a best friend, hero, goddess.
Rose Rouge is impetuous, wild and arty.
Rose Rouge is FUN.

Thanks to the remarkable Rose, and Lemmie's own special marshmallow magic - her rainbow-coloured, vanilla-flavoured, sugar-spun way of looking at the world - Lemmie's life is bright and glittery and gorgeous.

But Lemmie's trying to forget that life hasn't always been so sweet. And then bullying, bossy Sian starts at school, and threatens to rub the sparkle off everything once and for all. Lemmie needs extra marshmallow magic now. She needs Rose Rouge. But where is she?

Marshmallow Magic..isn't the type of book I would usually read at all. Though with it being summer and the next university year coming faster than I imagined, I wanted something simple, sweet and fluffy to read before the big books come out. (I swear I will finish The Rainbow this week!)
It's definitely aimed at pre/young teens and so i'll review it as that. It was absolutely lovely.
I was bullied as a child myself so instantly I could relate to Lemmie (as most kids could, I imagine). Throughout the book Lemmie is sharing secrets and discovering who she really is, and how important relationships are.
I wasn't expecting the bombshell about Rose at the end of the book at all (no spoilers from me) but once it was revealed I felt even more protective of Lemmie. As a bullied child myself I had the same fears as her. How would I ever make friends? What if my friends decided to believe all the bad things people said? Why don't my parents realise what's going on?

Lemmie's story tells of a girl who faces her fears and comes out better for it. It shows that truth is important, especially when you're being true to yourself. It also shows that real friends stand by you no matter what, and the people who aren't there at the end were never worth bothering about. It's inspiring and a real feel good book.

Currently Reading: The Rainbow - D.H.Lawrence
Books Read in 2011: 34
Posted by Loaded Shelves at 15:14 No comments: 
Dating Hamlet - Lisa Fiedler

It isn't easy dating a prince, especially when that prince is Hamlet. In fact, it drives Ophelia to madness... Or does it?

Was hamlet's father murdered by King Claudius?
Is Polonius truly the father of Laertes?
Who can be trusted as a friend, and who are enemies?

Ophelia has to find a way to save her prince and herself in this gripping novel full of romance, ghosts and a touch of alchemy.

Could it be that Hamlet ISN'T the great tragedy we've believed it to be for all these years...?

I bought this book a fair few years ago for 25p at an old bookstore. Being a big Shakespeare fan it interested me but until now I never really felt like reading it. I wish I had read it sooner!
Despite all of the bad reviews i've read about Dating Hamlet, I loved every minute of it. The relationship between Hamlet and Ophelia was so touching to read. I actually got emotional at how sweet they are together!

My favourite part in particular was definitely the ending. Hamlet and Ophelia lived and went on to Verona - the setting of Romeo and Juliet. The mention of a schoolfriend of Hamlet's by the name of Romeo and an apothecary that would be very interested in Ophelia's death-like sleeping potion made me laugh! How excellent would it be if Hamlet and Romeo were actually friends? Now THAT is a book I would read!

Obviously, it is not meant to follow the plot of Hamlet like it was scripture, and for that reason, I thought the book was fabulous and well worth the 25p I paid. A great find and just another reason why it's good to snoop around little bookstores rather than buying from places like Amazon (as wonderful as Amazon is!)

Posted by Loaded Shelves at 15:04 No comments: Labels: books, dating hamlet, hamlet, lisa fiedler, reading, shakespeare


Stefan's Diaries Vol 1 - L.J.Smith

Stefan and Damon weren't always fighting or succumbing to their bloodlust. Once they were loving siblings, who enjoyed all the riches and happiness that their wealthy lifestyle afforded them; loyal brothers who happened to both fall for the same beautiful woman. Once they were alive...

Most people who know me, also know that i'm not a fan of L.J.Smith's writing. However, being a big fan of the TV series The Vampire Diaries, I made my way through the books. This one however was different. I found that her writing was exciting and the story was fabulous. Katherine was finally portrayed as I imagined her to be and the relationship between the brothers was tender and enjoyable to read. This book was realistic whereas I found her previous works to be too farfetched and occasionally laughable. I am so glad that I continued reading her Vampire Diaries books and i'm very much looking forward to reading the next volumes in Stefan's Diaries.

Currently Reading: The Rainbow - D.H.Lawrence & Dating Hamlet - Lisa Fiedler
Books Read in 2011: 32
Posted by Loaded Shelves at 09:38 No comments: Labels: books, ljsmith, reading, stefans diaries, vampire diaries

Wintercraft - Jenna Burtenshaw

When Kate Winters' uncle is taken by the wardens of war-torn Albion, just as her parents were ten years earlier, she is determined to rescue him.
But Kate is being hunted by a far more dangerous enemy. Silas Dane - a killer with a haunted past - has recognised Kate as one of the Skilled who have the rare ability to see through the veil between life and death. He's determined that she'll help end his own personal nightmare; unfortunately, she isn't the only one with plans for her...

As the Night of Souls approaches, a secret hidden deep beneath a graveyard city holds the key to the fate of Kate, those she loves and even Albion itself...the lost book of Wintercraft.

Wintercraft was one of a pile of books that my cousin had told me to read. I picked it up because the cover was pretty, despite the fact I shouldn't judge! I loved the story and immediately felt a connection between myself and the characters in the book. Silas may be the bad guy but I really felt for him and by the end of the book I was desperate to know more! The storyline hooked me straight away. I loved that I was reading a book where the main quest was to find a book! The only bits I didn't really enjoy were the lengthy descriptive sections. They weren't bad but I felt that they slowed the story down quite a bit and I was desperate to get back to Kate's adventure. As a whole, I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it. It's the first book in the Wintercraft series and hopefully i'll be able to read the next one soon.

Currently Reading: The Rainbow - D.H.Lawrence & Dating Hamlet
Posted by Loaded Shelves at 09:28 No comments: Labels: books, jenna burtenshaw, reading, wintercraft

Thursday, 21 July 2011

Birth of a Killer - Darren Shan

As a fan of 'The Saga of Darren Shan', this was a must read for me.
I really enjoyed it, though I was a little disappointed that I finished the whole book in three hours. I would have liked more detail but as it's primarily for children, I understand why it doesn't. The story moves fast and kept my attention solidly.
It was great when I came across characters like Seba Nile, Vancha March, Mr Tall, and Mr Tiny from the Saga of Darren Shan.

I really liked the fact that you don't need to have read The Saga of Darren Shan to enjoy or understand the book. It's a prequel so it can be read as a stand alone book. I've read that it's a series of 4 books, and book 2 is available now in hardback.

Currently Reading: The Rainbow - D.H.Lawrence & Wintercraft - Jenna Burtenshaw
Books Read in 2011: 30
Posted by Loaded Shelves at 07:26 No comments: Labels: birth of a killer, books, darren shan, larten crepsley


Write or Die

I was thinking about the writing competition I wrote about in a previous blog, and as I was looking up writing tips I came across this website: http://writeordie.com/

I haven't yet used it myself but if anyone has or does, please let me know what it's like! I plan on using it over the weekend as I make my first attempt at an entry for the competition :)

C x
Posted by Loaded Shelves at 18:24 No comments: Labels: competition, motivation, write or die, writing


I've recently started re-using a website called Good Reads. It's a place to keep track of books that you've read, want to read, find new books, follow your favourite authors and even make new friends!
I absolutely love it so if you want to check it out: www.goodreads.com

Feel free to add me as a friend, here: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4320856-caragh

Posted by Loaded Shelves at 17:47 No comments: 

Writing Contests

My best friend sent me a link to a writing contest and i'm seriously considering entering it! I thought i'd post the link here incase anybody is interested, and so i'll remember where to find it.


Books Read in 2011: 29
Posted by Loaded Shelves at 17:29 No comments: