Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Tuesday Taste: A Court of Thornes and Roses (4)


"The forest had become a labyrinth of snow and ice. I'd been monitoring the parameters of the thicket for and hour, and my vantage point in the crook of a tree branch had turned useless. The gusting wind blew thick flurries to sweep away my tracks, but buried along with them any sign of potential quarry. Hunger had brought me farther from home then I usually risked, but winter was the hard time. The animals pulled in, going deeper into the woods than I could follow, leaving me to pick off stragglers one by one, praying they'd last until spring. They hadn't."

Taken from A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas.

My comment: I have just started reading this, and after finishing Throne of Glass, and loving it, I am expecting great things from this. If you've read this, I'd love to hear what you think about it. Let's talk in the comments :)


Thursday, October 22, 2015

Joe Hill's The Cape by Jason Ciaramella and Zach Howard

Published: October 16th, 2007
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Age Group: 16+
Pages: 132
Format: Paperback
Rating: ♥♥♥


Every little boy dreams about putting on a cape and soaring up, up, and away... but what if one day that dream were to come true? Eric was like every other eight-year-old boy, until a tragic accident changed his life forever. THE CAPE explores the dark side of power, as the adult Eric - a confused and broken man - takes to the skies... and sets out to exact a terrible vengeance on everyone who ever disappointed him. This critically acclaimed, Eisner-Award nominated story, written by Jason Ciaramella, based on the short story by New York Times bestselling author Joe Hill, with art by Zach Howard and Nelson Daniel, will linger with you long after you turn the last page, and force you to ask yourself the question: "What if?"




My thoughts on it:
I don't really know what I was expecting going into this graphic novel, but I ended up finding it entertaining, but in some ways, also lacking. This graphic novel was adapted from a short story written by Joe Hill, and going into it, I guess I expected something that was as great at Joe Hill's Locke & Key graphic novel series, sadly, I ended up being a little let down. I did enjoy this read, and I flew through it once I started reading it, but I think that the story just didn't intrigue me as much as that of Locke & Key, and while I am aware that I shouldn't really be comparing the two, because they are very different, I just can't help myself.

This graphic novel tells the story of a boy that wants to be a superhero, but ends up as a villain. It is about vengeance and it is gruesome at times (most of the time), I found that I didn't really connect with the story in a way that I would have liked to. But I did think that it was interesting to witness the main characters decent into madness. I felt like I got to see this mans physique unravel before me, and that was very interesting.

Overall, I am glad I borrowed this from the library and that I read it. I think that a lot of people could love this, but I'm not one of them. I give it three stars/hearts because I did enjoy it, I just didn't find it to be very memorable. But I do have to say that the art in this is great, I really enjoyed that aspect of it, the story just wasn't for me.


Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Tuesday Taste: Everything Sucks But I'm Still Happy (3)


"This is losing your father and virginity within a month of each other. A sweaty back sticking to the fogged up window of my 16 year old boyfriend's car. The smell. Musty and sweet, and clinical, like running a marathon and having a check up at the doctors office all at once. The pungent latex from the condom, the ammonia-bleach-like semen, and all these things I wasn't really supposed to be smelling in the midst of grief." 


My comment: I have started reading this collection of essays, and there is something very emotional and beautiful about the way Ari Eastman writes. It is brutally honest as well as very relatable. She writes about her experiences, about loss and heartache, and just trying to get trough the toughest days. I see myself in her writing a lot of the time, which is why I think I enjoy it so much. I encourage you to give it a try also.


You can find more information about the book here, and the author here.


Monday, October 19, 2015

The Boy Most Likely To by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Published: August 18th, 2015
Publisher: Dial Books
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 432
Format: Hardback
Rating: ♥♥♥♥ (4,5)

Surprises abound and sparks ignite in the highly anticipated, utterly romantic companion to My Life Next Door

Tim Mason was The Boy Most Likely To:
- find the liquor cabinet blindfolded
- need a liver transplant
- drive his car into a house

Alice Garrett was The Girl Most Likely To:
- well, not date her little brother’s baggage-burdened best friend, for starters.
For Tim, it wouldn’t be smart to fall for Alice. For Alice, nothing could be scarier than falling for Tim. But Tim has never been known for making the smart choice, and Alice is starting to wonder if the “smart” choice is always the right one. When these two crash into each other, they crash hard. Then the unexpected consequences of Tim’s wild days come back to shock him. He finds himself in a situation that isn’t all it appears to be, that he never could have predicted . . . but maybe should have. And Alice is caught in the middle. 

Told in Tim’s and Alice’s distinctive, disarming, entirely compelling voices, this return to the world of My Life Next Door is a story about failing first, trying again, and having to decide whether to risk it all once more.

My thoughts on it:
This book was, like all of Huntley Fitzpatrick's books, wonderful. She is one of those authors that make you happy no matter what she writes, and I have enjoyed all of her books. While My Life Next Door, is and will always be my favorite, this one still blew me away, it was so nice to dive deeper into Tim and Alice's characters, to get to know them in this book (it was also nice to read about Jase and Samantha again). I really enjoyed the dual point of view that you get as Tim and Alice tell the story in alternating parts. I found that I felt for Tim and his struggles and enjoyed seeing him grow up quite a lot during the course of this book. I also enjoyed Alice as a character because she develops just as much as Tim does in this story. It was so nice to see a softer side to Alice in this book, and to see them come together and make each other better people.

I enjoyed the storyline a lot as well, it was interesting and kept me engaged in the story, because I just wanted to see what would happen. I won't say more about the plot because I don't want to spoil anything, but this truly is a very cute book, and if you enjoy stories about growing up, falling in love and learning to deal with life, I would really recommend that you pick this up.


Sunday, October 18, 2015

instant moments (4)

This past week I haven't been posting on instagram as much as previous weeks, but it has still been a great week. Days spent with family and friends. I came across a video on youtube this week that kind of stopped me in my tracks, because while it was aimed at americans going to Norway, talking about what Norway and norwegians are like, the video gave me a new perspective on my own country and fellow people. It said that while norwegian people might come across closed off or even rude, it is not because we are but simply because we value privacy and personal space, and I found that to be so true. We also value family and friends and spending time with those people, the people that we love, which I also find to be true, because I am very close with my family. Ever since I was little we have spent every summer together at our family summer house/cabin, and I've never really thought about that not being normal for everyone. So this week I've been more aware of the relationship I have with my family and it has been very nice. A lot of the time I think that I (as well as other people) have a tendency to forget about these things, because they've always been a constant in my life, and now that I've really thought about it, I am so grateful for my family.


Love, H





Friday, October 16, 2015

Friday Reads (16.10.15)


What are you guys planning on reading this weekend? Let me know in the comments :)


Love, H

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Everything Sucks But I'm Still Happy by Ari Eastman

Published: August 14th, 2015
Publisher: Thought Catalog Books
Age Group: 15+
Pages: 98
Format: Paperback
Rating: ♥♥♥♥ (4,5)

Always deeply personal and unapologetic in her writing, Eastman has made a habit of inviting strangers into her life. In this collection of her best essays, she shares intimate bits with readers like: losing her father and virginity within 30 days, her ongoing battle with depression, and various lessons in love. Eastman reminds us the strength in vulnerability and how freeing it can be when we finally decide to tell the truth.

My thoughts on it:

First off, right now I'm going to be one of those cheesy people that starts a review with; this book spoke to my soul, at least better parts of it did. What I've read of this authors writing before (I Promised You I Wouldn't Write This), has been amazing as well, but this essay collection really put words to a lot of what I have been thinking, both lately, and in my 22 years of life. Ari writes about love, loss, loneliness and depression, and in most of the essays in this collection it was like reading something I could have written, but I would not be able to express myself as well as Ari Eastman does in this book.

Almost all of the essays in this book were perfect in my opinion, the only reason why I'm not giving this a full five heart/star rating is because there were a few of the essays that I didn't really connect with, and that is okay by me, because as a whole I think this collection deserves recognition for what it is. Which is amazing. I encourage you to support Ari's writing by picking up a copy of this, it is the type of book you can read slowly, one story at a time, or you can do what I did which is devour it in one sitting. I really appreciate books like this one, because I feel that they drag me into the present moment and forces me not only face what it is saying, but also myself, because I feel so at home in the narrative.

I do think that this is the type of book that you'll either hate, or you'll love, and in my case I love this book and would recommend it to anyone.




Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Bookshelf Tour (part 1)


I hope you like the video, and there are more book reviews to come this week because I just finished reading Joe Hill's The Cape. What are you currently reading?


Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Tuesday Taste: Marly's Ghost (2)


"Marly was dead, to begin with. There was no doubt whatsoever about that. I had been there. When she went off the treatments, she decided she wanted to die at hime, and she wanted me to be there with her family. So I sat, and I waited, and I was destroyed. There are no metaphors, no words for such a feeling. You are left with no doubt, and endless doubt. We stood around the bed, counting her breaths, holding our own. Her father held her hand. Her mother sobbed. Her grandmothers prayed. I felt as if I was being undone one stitch at a time. She was sixteen years old, but there in bed she could have been ninety."

My comment: I can't wait to read this book, I have read, and loved, some of David Levithan's books before, and I have a feeling that this young adult novel, with a Charles Dickens twist is going to be just as amazing as his other books.


You can find the book here and the author here.


Monday, October 12, 2015

Trees, Vol. 1: In Shadow by Warren Ellis and Jason Howard

Published: February 11th, 2015
Publisher: Image Comics
Age Group: 16+
Pages: 160
Format: Paperback
Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

Ten years after they landed. All over the world. And they did nothing, standing on the surface of the Earth like trees, exerting their silent pressure on the world, as if there were no-one here and nothing under foot. Ten years since we learned that there is intelligent life in the universe, but that they did not recognize us as intelligent or alive.

Trees looks at a near-future world where life goes on in the shadows of the Trees: in China, where a young painter arrives in the “special cultural zone” of a city under a Tree; in Italy, where a young woman under the menacing protection of a fascist gang meets an old man who wants to teach her terrible skills; and in Svalbard, where a research team is discovering, by accident, that the Trees may not be dormant after all, and the awful threat they truly represent.


My thoughts on it:
This graphic novel ended up surprising me, I bought it because I thought the cover art was so beautiful, and it has been sitting on my shelf for the past six months, unread and sad. So, this past week, when I was going to be on a bus for hours, I decided to pick it up, and it was one of the best reading decisions I've made this year, because this is firmly planted on my favourite books of 2015 list, for sure. This comic centers around an array of characters around the world, following them 10 years after big metal tube type things have landed on earth, these tubes are called Trees, and they are alien. You follow different characters in their everyday life and discover how their lives and the world has changed.

My favourite storyline was the one set in the  "special cultural zone" in China, which is a place filled with artists, it is also a place where everyone lives openly, wether you're straight, gay, transgender, or anything else, it is a community where everyone is who they want to be. I thought is was so great to follow Tian Changlei, a young artist on his way to self discovery and acceptance of himself. I really enjoyed the other stories as well, but the one set in China is the one that will stay with me I think.

Overall, the story is great, but is is quite a political graphic novel, so if you don't enjoy that, this might not be for you, but I believe that there is something for everyone in this book. It is so well done, the plot, the narration style and the art, make this a joy to read. It does have some adult content, so if you don't feel comfortable with that or if you are younger then I might think twice before reading this. But, if you ignore that fact then this is an amazing graphic novel in my opinion, and a good place to start if you are just now getting into comics.




Have you read Trees? If so, what did you think of it? I would love to hear your thoughts on it, so leave a comment below and we can chat about it ♥


Sunday, October 11, 2015

instant moments (3)

This past week has been filled with a lot of good moments, I got to go on a 2-day cruise with one of my best friends, which was awesome, mostly because I got to spend time with Nina, and also because I got to see a small part of a new city. And while I doubt I'll want to go on a cruise like that again (because I'd rather go to another country and stay for a while), I really had an amazing time, and made lost of really fun memories along the way. I also got to get together with three of my oldest and best friends to eat pizza and drink tea, because, for once, we were actually all together in our hometown at the same time. I got to celebrate my younger sisters 20th birthday, and it was great. Overall, this week has become one that I will cherish and look back on with a lot of joy. Which is all we could ever want, right? 

How was your week?

Love, H


Friday, October 9, 2015

Friday Reads (1)


New video up, I hope you enjoy it and would love to hear what books you are planning to read this weekend. 


Love, H

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Tuesday Taste: No One Belongs Here More Than You (1)



"It still counts, even though it happened when he was unconscious. It counts doubly because the conscious mind often makes mistakes, falls for the wrong person. But down there in the well, where there is no light and only thousand-year-old water, a man has no reason to make mistakes. God says do it and you do it. Love her and it is so. He is my neighbor. He is of Korean descent. His name is Vincent Chang. He doesn't do hapkido. When you say the word "Korean," some people automatically thing of Jackie Chan's South Korean hapkido instructor, Grandmaster Kin Jin Pal; I think of Vincent." 

(Taken from the short story "The Shared Patio" by Miranda July)

My comment: This first story in Miranda July's short story collection is written in a very interesting voice, and from peaking at the stories in the rest of the collection I have a feeling that I am going to be reading stories that all have a distinct voice, but that are all completely different. I can't wait to keep reading this collection, because I think it's going to be great. 


You can find more information about the book here, and the author here.


Monday, October 5, 2015

instant moments (2)

Another week, and more instagram photos as a result. This week has been filled with lots of tea, lots of books and the making of a youtube video, something that I have avoided doing for a while, because I was scared that it wouldn't be good enough.. and lets face it, it's pretty rough, but at least I posted it, and that is an accomplishment all by itself. So, I've decided to start making videos, and I hope you guys will watch, and so starts this youtube and blog adventure all over again. This weekend I'm going with one of my best friends on a 2-day cruise from Oslo to Kiel in Germany, which I think is going to be fun, and I'll tell you more about it later, because right now, I'm on a bus heading to Oslo. I hope you guys had an amazing week and a even better weekend. See you on the flip side.

Love, H










Sunday, October 4, 2015

Future Reads (3)

It's been a while, so here is a refresher on what "Future Reads" is, it is simple really, I'd like to make a list of books that I look forward to reading when they come out, in the future, hence the name. I'd love to know what your looking forward to as well, so it would be awesome to see you make a post (if you have a blog) or a comment with books you want to pick up as they are published throughout the next year. You can pick books that come out within the next year, doesn't matter which month as long as it's within one year. I really would love to hear you guys' thoughts on this, so leave a comment below if you'd like.
Love, H


Publishing date: October 6th, 2015

Rainbow Rowell continues to break boundaries with Carry On, an epic fantasy following the triumphs and heartaches of Simon and Baz from her beloved bestseller Fangirl.

Simon Snow just wants to relax and savor his last year at the Watford School of Magicks, but no one will let him. His girlfriend broke up with him, his best friend is a pest, and his mentor keeps trying to hide him away in the mountains where maybe he’ll be safe. Simon can’t even enjoy the fact that his roommate and longtime nemesis is missing, because he can’t stop worrying about the evil git. Plus there are ghosts. And vampires. And actual evil things trying to shut Simon down. When you’re the most powerful magician the world has ever known, you never get to relax and savor anything.

Carry On is a ghost story, a love story, a mystery and a melodrama. It has just as much kissing and talking as you’d expect from a Rainbow Rowell story — but far, far more monsters.


My comment: I cannot wait for this book, and I might be posting this as this book is on it's way to me, because I obviously had to pre-order it! Can't wait to read more Rainbow Rowell!


Publishing date: October 6th, 2015

Cammie McGovern follows up her breakout young adult debut, Say What You Will (or Amy & Matthew), with this powerful and unforgettable novel about learning from your mistakes, and learning to forgive. Told in alternating points of view, A Step Toward Falling is a poignant, hopeful, and altogether stunning work that will appeal to fans of Jennifer Nevin, Robyn Schneider, and Jandy Nelson.

Emily has always been the kind of girl who tries to do the right thing—until one night when she does the worst thing possible. She sees Belinda, a classmate with developmental disabilities, being attacked. Inexplicably, she does nothing at all.

Belinda, however, manages to save herself. When their high school finds out what happened, Emily and Lucas, a football player who was also there that night, are required to perform community service at a center for disabled people. Soon, Lucas and Emily begin to feel like maybe they're starting to make a real difference. Like they would be able to do the right thing if they could do that night all over again. But can they do anything that will actually help the one person they hurt the most?

My comment: I look forward to reading another book by Cammie McGovern, even though I had some issues with her debut novel I think she is a talented writer and I can't wait to read more by her.



Publishing date: March 22nd, 2016

The heart-wrenching new novel about best friends on a collision course with the real world, from the author of Falling into Place.

Janie and Micah, Micah and Janie. That’s how it’s been ever since elementary school, when Janie Vivian moved next door. Janie says Micah is everything she is not. Where Micah is shy, Janie is outgoing. Where Micah loves music, Janie loves art. It’s the perfect friendship, as long as no one finds out about it.

But when Janie is date-raped by the most popular guy in school—a guy she’s had a crush on for years—she finds herself ostracized by all the people she thought were her friends. Now only Micah seems to believe she’s telling the truth. But when even Micah expresses doubt about whether or not she was “asking for it,” it leads to disastrous consequences, and Janie Vivian goes missing.

Using a nonlinear writing style and dual narrators, Amy Zhang’s astonishing second novel masterfully reveals the circumstances surrounding Janie’s disappearance.

My comment: I haven't read anything by this author before, but I think this book sounds so interesting and I can't wait to get my hands on it so I can read it when it comes out in the spring.

Saturday, October 3, 2015

september favorites ♥

 Full on face make-up has not been my priority this month, or during the summer for that matter, and so I have completely altered my everyday make-up routine by changing it up and going back to what I used to do back in high school; simple with just concealer on the worst problem areas. So here are the products that I've been reverting back to almost every day this month.


To start things off, I have to mention my holy grail skin care product, and it is the Nourishing Night Facial Oil by SuneetaCosmetics. I found out about this brand when I was wandering through Portobello Road Marked on a saturday last year, and I came across a small booth where a man and a woman were selling homemade, organic and vegan products (at least most of them). I was drawn in very quickly and ended up standing there looking at all their products and hearing about them for at least 20 minutes, before spending a fiver (5 pounds), on five different products, but this night oil was an instant favorite. It is basically a blend of different oils and essential oils, and it works like a dream! I put it on most nights before I go to bed and in the morning my skin feels amazingly soft and hydrated. I think this will work for you no matter your skin type, because it is that kind of product, and because it's an oil, it won't strip your skin of it's natural oils, it will just give it an extra boost. And not to worry, this won't make your face more oily, because you hydrate your skin at night you won't notice an oily film or anything in the morning. Another plus is that this stuff also smells amazing. Above I have linked the website as well as the specific product and I highly recommend you go check it out, they also have lots of other products several of which I have tried, but this month the night oil was a big help with my skin.

Secondly I have to mention my two favorite lipsticks this month, which are from a really affordable brand called Revolution, it's sold at Superdrug in the UK for really cheap, about 1 or 2 pounds per lipstick I believe. When I bought them I wasn't really expecting that much, but I was pleasantly surprised by how well formulated they are. The two I love are both matte shades, one is called Divine and the other Nude. I think they're great everyday lipsticks, and I'm not usually that into lipstick, but I have been reaching for these a lot this month.

I am also LOVING KIKO's Eye Marker in Deep Black, it makes putting on eyeliner a dream. It is so simple and easy, and I just really enjoy it, I have therefore been rocking eyeliner most days this month. I'd really recommend this if you're looking for a quality eyeliner that is not too expensive.

Speaking of eyes, I have been very focused on brows this month, because I purchased a bunch of brow products before leaving London this month. I am really enjoying Revolution's FOCUS & FIX Eyebrow Shaping Kit. I'm the color medium dark and I have gotten so much use out of this, I especially love the eyebrow wax that comes in the kit, it does such a good job at keeping your eyebrows looking good and fixed all day. Really recommend this, and it's only about 2-3 pounds, so not bad at all.

The concealer I have been sticking to for the past few months in the RIMMEL: London Lasting Finish Concealer, and it is amazing! It is high coverage, and covers up what ever you need to cover up. I LOVE this product, it's just amazing, and I am definitely buying it again, there is no doubt in my mind.

For warming up my face a little, with highlighter and bronzer, I have, yet again, been sticking to a product from Revolution, and that is the Ultra Sculpt & Contour Kit in Ultra Light/Medium. I love the highlighter in this, because it is a very warm color and the contour works amazingly as well.

Some other products I have been loving is Soap & Glory's mascara Thick and Fast, a nail polish from KIKO in 06, and a glittery nail polish from Monki (the clothing store).


What skincare and make-up have you been reaching for this month?


Love, H

Thursday, October 1, 2015

Collective Book Haul (June - September)



I hope you liked the video and would love to hear your thoughts on these books. Have you read any of them?




Love, H