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.

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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!

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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:

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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 ♥

I totally forgot to post my new video before I went away on holiday. I’m talking about my Christmas reading list 2011. You can watch it if you like, even though Christmas is soon coming to an end I hope you’re all enjoying the holidays, and that you got a lot of books for Christmas. I did, so I’ll probably make a video on that soon too + a book shelf tour Enjoy!

♥ Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays ♥

I hope your Christmas will be as magical, cozy, relaxing, peaceful and beautiful as you have hoped for. I am on my Christmas-blog-break from today on, so I’ll see you again in 2012.

From all of us to all of you: loads of Christmas love ♥

It’s the day before Christmas, and I am officially on my way home to celebrate the holidays with my family. I am driving home for Christmas so to say. Since I enjoy relaxing and doing nothing during Christmas, I thought it would be nice to give you a few last minute Christmas tips (because tomorrow you should all just stay at home with your loved ones instead of running around town shopping). If you have any shopping left – today is the day to finish!

If you still haven’t bought all your Christmas gifts, here are a few things that should be fairly easy to get a hold of everywhere

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 BOOKS

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens & other Christmas books

I adore giving and recieving books for Christmas. A friend once told me, when people ask her what she wants for Christmas, she awnsers: “Your favourite book!”. I think that’s a genious idea! Imagine how many different kinds of books you’ll end up reading! I also firmly believe in giving away presents that you love yourself (I must admit, some of my loved ones will end up unwrapping some of my favourite books on Christmas day).

If you’re not a reader yourself, you can always ask the people in the bookstore what they recommend. Thay are bound to have a few favourites themselves

SWEETS

Jelly Belly Christmas mix 2011

I’m a big fan of recieving candy for Christmas. It can even be cookies or homemade Christmas treats. Anything will do. Who doesn’t love food, right? What about making a small basket of sweets and treats? You can’t go wrong with some chocolate or a gift certificate for Ben & Jerrys icecream

CLOTHING

Scarf from Forever 21

Some of my friends or family members always get a scarf or mittens for Christmas, and you know what? They actually love it! It’s so easy to misplace a mitten or leave your scarf behind somewhere. That’s why I think asseccories are great gifts. You can’t really get enough of them. You can always personalize them by choosing the colors and patterns to fit the reciever, and they come in all prize ranges.

GIFT SETS

Christmas gift set 2011 – Bath & Bodyworks

I always love Christmas gift sets from The Body Shop, Boots, Bath & Bodyworks etc. A girl can never get enough make-up/body lotions and things that smell good. I personally prefer lotions that smell of different Christmas scents (gingerbread/candy canes/spices). Some of these sets are so beautifulle wrapped from the shop, that sometimes the sight of the box is a gift in itself

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That’s that for this years Christmas shopping tips. Please remeber that it’s not the cost, but the thought behind the gift that matters. Have a lovely and Christmasy day!

Love ♥

As I opened my advent calendar this morning, I realized – we”re only 2 days away from Christmas. I can’t believe how fast December went this year. I guess it’s because I’m busier than last year with work etc. Still…we’ve had many cosy Christmasy December days this year as well.

So how are you guys doing with your Christmas preparations? I’m all finished, I only have to pack my bag for tomorrow as we are going away for the Christmas weekend. I am thinking about the books I want to take with me, and I’ll try to post a Christmas reading list video on YouTube before take-off The safest thing to bring is my Kindle, just in case I end up reading alot all weekend.

How are your Christmas traditions? Here in Norway we celebrate Christmas a bit different than in other countries. December 24th is our big Christmas day. That’s when we eat our main Christmas dinner, open presents (in the evening), get our Christmas stocking and get together with family. Santa Clause comes to visit in the evening (no secret visits down the chimney during the night), and he gives us our presents directly from his gift bag. I have always imagined it to be connected with time zones and the fact that Santa lives closer to Norway than for example the US (and therefore he comes here first) December 25th is just another holiday for us, relaxing and eating lots of food. Isn’t that what Christmas is all about?

I guess that’s it for my Christmas rambling for today. I’m just really looking forward to my Christmas vacation (starting from tonight). I’ll be back tomorrow with some last minute Christmas tips.

Love ♥

If you are like me (a bit slow sometimes), you probably haven’t bought fillers to your loved ones Christmas stockings yet. I have started, but probably have to go shopping for the rest later today. As a last minute try to help those of you who are late, I have a few stocking filler tips

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GIRLS

Socks – Hand sanitizer – Eye mask – Nail polish – Headphones – Necklace – Body lotion – Jelly Belly – Candy cane

BOYS

Jelly Belly – Key cover – Book – Mittens – Candy – Too little sleep survival kit – Robot headphone sharing booth - Paper tweet – Bookmark – Licorice

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I hope you’ve found a few last minute tips! Also make sure to fill up your Christmas stockings with loads of candy

It’s time to round up all the Christmas preparations and start relaxing/enjoying the holidays.

Love ♥