This weekend we went to visit my brother in Tønsberg. If you’re not aware – Tønsberg is the oldest city in Norway. It is also the city where I was born and where I went to high-school. I love this city so much – even though I don’t live here, I often come back just to take a look around. This weekend we had lovely summer-like weather as well, so we enjoyed a walk by the marina in the warm sunshine.

As we slowly strolled by the water, we came to this amazing place where they are currently building a viking ship. You see, they found a viking ship named Osebergskipet in Tønsberg in 1903, and now they are making a true copy right there on the marina. It was so cosy walking around smelling the freshly carved timber, watching people dressed as vikings making and selling stuff. There was even a big horse (and I got to pet it)! I bet you wonder what this ship looks like? Well, I was kind enough to take some pictures while I was there:

So, what did you do this weekend? I bet you didn’t get to see a viking ship

Love ♥

What are you up to this weekend?
Tomorrow I’m going to Oslo to have lunch with my good friend from college. We’re having cheeseburgers and milkshake at an American diner. Yummy! Later on I’m going out for dinner at a pasta restaurant. What can I say – I love eating!

This spring weekend is also perfect for having a stroll in the park with my dachshund, watching period dramas on DVD and finish reading this gorgeously cool book. Zombies are cool, I tell ya!

***

While I’m enjoying a bit of nice weather, you can check out these cool thingies:

Do you like the dachshund photo I added? It’s from a Swedish artist named Lisa Bengtsson. I recently ordered 3 dachshund prints. They will rock my hallway big time!

Got hair, but don’t know what to do with it? Look at this woman’s Pinterest board!

Are you a reader who still haven’t discovered the joy of GoodReads? Become a member and add me as your friend!

I adore these photos. They all made me smile

If you’re a fan of fun art like me, you’ll love this photo/sketch project.

And if you’re looking for a cool weekend project, you have to try this crayon painting!

***

Have a lovely, peaceful weekend everyone!

Love ♥

You all know I’m a proud owner of a Kindle, right? I never travel without it. Even though I read mostly paper books, I have a lot of literature on my Kindle as well. My Kindle is my just-in-case-book. If I go somewhere I never know how much reading I will get done, and so a Kindle is perfect: hundreds of books in the size of a slim pocket book.

Today I was endlessly browsing Amazon when I stumbled across the most beautiful Kindle cover I have ever seen. I wish I had a Kindle Fire that would fit this one. Weeeell -  keep dreaming!

And on to other news:

1. I’ve got a new phone. Apparently I was the last person on earth to not own an android phone, so when my lovely, pink phone for 4 years died, I was told I had to get a smartphone. I got this one.
2. In the 10 minutes it has taken me to write this post, 5 horses has passed my window. Random, I know, but I rarely see horses on the street. It’s like living in the early 1800s. I like it!

What random things have you seen or been doing lately?

Love ♥

I have been gone for soooo long – I know. There have been a few book reviews here on the blog, but that’s all. Early February I decided I would take some time off from the social parts of the internet. I almost did it, but I couldn’t stay away from GoodReads, so I decided to upload my GoodReads reviews on this blog while I were at it. Basically…I have had no inspiration or will to update neither my blog nor my YouTube-channel.

But today I’m back. I have no idea what to write about though. I am also making a YouTube video later on today, but I still have no idea what it will be about. Yeah – I’m reeeeeeeally inspired these days

So, what have I been up to since I was last here? Well…I have read an aweful lot of GREAT books. Last year I felt like I couldn’t find any good books to read, but it seems like 2012 has decided to give me 5-stars books all the way. I have already read so many, and I have gotten so many new favorites. Before 2012 I basically had 3 or 4 favorite books; Catcher in the Rye and Harry Potter that I can think of at the moment. But now I have soooo many; Looking for Alaska - John Green, Wonderstruck - Brian Selznick, books by Alan Bradley and at the moment I’m finishing The Road by Cormac McCarthy (oh wow – it’s a great book). I mean…I’ve already read 17 books(!) so far this year, and we just started March!

A few weeks ago I got to meet the man who translated the Harry Potter series from english to norwegian. Torstein Bugge Høverstad is an amazing man! He was speaking at my local library, and I got to talk with him before he went on. I had a brilliant time! We talked fantasy and Harry Potter for half an hour before he had to go. I also got my norwegian edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s stone signed. Not only has he translated Harry Potter, he also did Lord of the Rings, The Secret Garden and so many of my favorite books. He said I should definitely get around to reading George R.R. Martin, so I guess I have to check them out soon.

Since the last real blogpost, I have also discovered Pinterest! Isn’t that webpage just wonderful? I feel like I’m scrapbooking online. Every single time I pin something I am awestruck by that webpage and how it works. I love it! If you want to follow me on Pinterest, this is where to find me. Make sure to let me know you’re a blog-follower and I’ll follow you back This is one of my favorite Pins:

I have no idea where this banana dachshund comes from originally, but I found him at That Darn Doxie. Cute!

Until next time: have a great day!

Love ♥

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Lia and Cassie were best friends, wintergirls frozen in matchstick bodies. But now Cassie is dead. Lia’s mother is busy saving other people’s lives. Her father is away on business. Her step-mother is clueless. And the voice inside Lia’s head keeps telling her to remain in control, stay strong, lose more, weigh less. If she keeps on going this way—thin, thinner, thinnest—maybe she’ll disappear altogether.

***

How can I explain the 2/5 stars I gave this book… I really liked the main character Lia and how she developed through the story. At first I thought the writing would annoy me, but I quickly got into the fast pacing, short sentences. It’s kind of hard to explain, because I liked the story, but halfway into this book I was rather annoyed by it. I think maybe Lias whining and her controlling mother got on my nerves.

No doubt – this is an important book. The author shows us what happens to Lias body and mind as her eating disorder escalades after losing her best friend. It felt real, and I think a lot of teen girls will like reading about this subject.

Basically, when it comes down to it, I think I was a bit too old to truly enjoy this book. I will recommend it to teens, and I bet they will love it.

View all my reviews

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A boy at school is found dead in the bathroom. Everybody says he killed himself, but his best friend is not so sure.

One night, under a blood red moon, 6 teenagers meet in the local park. They have been forced to meet here; their bodies waked them and carried them to this place. Turnes out they are all witches and the time has come to meet their “guide”. All, except one of the teenagers, have magic powers. It’s time to form a circle and develop these powers to save the world from….something scary.

***

This is the first book in a new triology about witches. It’s originally a swedish book, but I just noticed that it has been released in english as well.

You meet a lot of characters in this book. This confused me a bit in the beginning, but after 70 pages (or so) I got the hang of it. The first half of the book is basically an introduction to all the characters. The real story comes waaaay later. But that doesn’t really matter, because while reading I always knew this story would be good (just a hunch). The language was amazing, the characters were believable and the whole witch thing was not over done (as many witch books tend to be these days).

The second book will be out (in swedish) sometime this spring, and I am really, really, really looking forward to continue this series.

***

View all my reviews

I have no time writing a book review today, so I thought I’d post my latest video. It contains my current reading situation + a tiny review of the book “Saturday” by Ian McEwan.

I also wanted to tell you that I think I’ll make a change in my blog very soon. I feel like books and book talk have taken over my blog lately, so maybe that’s where I’m heading blog-wise: a book blog. Let me know if you think otherwise

So, with this vlog I want to wish you all a happy weekend! My weekend will be occupated by some mini-shopping + getting rid of our old refridgerator (and getting a new one in). That will be a loooot of work!

Love ♥

A few days ago I published my book shelf tour on YouTube. People have requested it so many times, so I decided to do it. I’m also a big fan of book shelf tours myself, and must admit I enjoy looking at other peoples book collections.

Do you know the saying: show me your book shelf, and I’ll tell you who you are? I think there’s definitely some truth to that saying. My book shelf is a mess of all genres, authors and age-recommandated books. I love all of my books, and I’m not afraid to show them off. Some of my books might not fit in, but I promise you they’re there for a reason.

So, here’s my book shelf tour live on video Feel free to leave a comment or videoresponse. I’m dying to know what kind of books you read too!

Love ♥

It’s time for the first Book Friday of 2012. I thought I’d start with a BANG! and give you a review on a book that I know a lot of people LOVE. I recently got this book, but then again I read it in only 1 day (yeah – it was kind of amazing).

I thought I would give my reviews a new look on the blog. New structure in the post + actually start rating the books in stars. So…here we go. The first book of 2012!

***

INFORMATION

Title: The Hunger Games
Author: Suzanne Collins
Pages: 374
Series: Book 1 in The Hunger Games triology
Published: September 14th, 2008
Publisher: Scholastic
Buy it: Amazon

SYNOPSIS

The Hunger Games is placed in future America. America is destroyed, and the new land is called Panem. Panem is devided into the Capitol and 13 other districts, Capitol being the richest, and District 13 being the poorest.

The main character of this book is Katniss Everdeen. She lives with her mom and little sister Primrose in District 12. They are poor, but survive on Katniss’ hunting, her moms apothecary knowledge and Primrose’s goat.

Every year the Capitol holds The Hunger Games. 1 boy and 1 girl between the age of 12 and 18 from each district are sent into an arena to fight each other. The last one alive has won The Hunger Games. The game is broadcasted live on television in all districts, and sponsors watching can send the contestants gifts during the game.

This year, Primrose is selected to join the games by a lottery selection. Katniss can’t stand watching her little sister being sent off to die, so she vaulenteers to go instead of Primrose. Together with a boy from the District, Peeta Mellark, she is shipped to the Capitol to prepare for the games.

In the Capitol Katniss and Peeta train for the big game. They are also given a mentor and stylist to make sure they are as prepared and stylish as they can be (since it’s all being broadcasted). Their mentor is Haymitch Abernathy, a survivor of The Hunger Games from District 12. He’s a drunk and doesn’t seem willing to help. He does come up with a plan, but only seems to tell Peeta in on it. Peeta is supposed to be madly in love with Katniss. This will make their story special and hopefully make the viewers, audiences and sponsor love them more than the other contestants.

 The Hunger Games takes place in a huge arena with lakes, forests and fields. Katniss is a trained hunter and things are starting off pretty good. She manages to hunt her own food, and she knows basic survival skills. As people start dying, the contestants hide in the arena and make allies. Soon Katniss will experience that her best allie will be Peeta, the ordinary boy who has a crush on her (or does he, really?). Together they have to fight other strong, smart contestants. There can only be 1 winner in The Hunger Games…they are told.

MY THOUGHTS

I have always heard people on blogs, YouTube etc. saying this book is wonderful. They are all madly in love with it, and I really don’t know why I kept putting it off for so long. Not to spoil any thoughts here, but: this book is AMAZIIIING!!! Yes, that’s true.

Suzanne Collins seems to know exactly who she is writing for. YA’s will adore this book, and I think grown-ups will as well. I have reluctantly been recommending this book to 12-13 year olds, as I though the whole fight-until-death theme was a bit harsh. But after having read it I must say it’s not as violent as it seems.

Katniss is such a strong character, and you realise very early she is bound to become a great heroine. I enjoyed getting to know her, hear her thoughts and read on while she planned her game tactics. Katniss is both vaulnerable and strong at the same time, and I think that’s why we readers love her. When you think she’s making a mistake, she’s really planning out a new move to survive in the arena.

The Hunger Games itself is an already used theme (ever heard about Battle Royale?). Being famililar with that story, I think maybe that’s the reason I kept putting this book on hold. But even though I knew the consept of the story, Suzanne Collins manages to wrap the story together with Katniss’ life, and what you get is a wonderful, heartwarming, suspenseful and action packed story. It somehow feels personal. I felt as if I was spying on Katniss at times when I probably shouldn’t. Katniss gives so much of herself, and I truly felt like I knew her while reading this book.

The language in this book is easy and straight forward. It was an easy, fast read, and since it also was the most exciting book I have read in a very long time, I finished it in just one reading.

One of my favourite parts of this book was its ending. I can’t reveal too much in case any of you haven’t read it yet, but the ending was perfect. Instead of spending many pages on finishing off this story, Suzanne makes it short, but still clear. It wrappes up the story perfectly, but it also makes you wanna run and get book number 2 in the series. Luckily, I got all 3 books for Christmas, and can start reading book 2 Catching Fire right away!

RATING

Plot:    (since it’s not entirely original)
Characters:
Writing:
Pacing:
Altogether:

***

I hope you all run and get this book. Read it this weekend – you’re destined to love it!

Love ♥

and happy new year! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and that 2012 will be a great year for all of you.

My Christmas was as lovely, relaxing and Christmasy as I hoped it would be. I got a few books for Christmas, and I even made a video of it, so if you’re currently looking to spend 3 minutes on doing something, feel free to watch my Christmas Book Haul

I don’t have any new year resolutions planned for 2012. I guess 2011 turned out to be such a great year for me, so I kind of expect 2012 to be just as good and amazing. I don’t really want to change anything. Maybe read a few more books, but that’s bound to happen anyway

What about you, do you make new year resolutions? I’d love to hear about them (maybe you can inspire me a little, and I can do monthly resolutions or something).

I’ll be back tomorrow with Book Friday, where I’ll do a review on The Hunger Games. Yeah! See you all soon.

Love ♥