Holiday Gift Guide: What To Get This Bookworm for Christmas

It's time for Top Ten Tuesday and this weeks topic is:

Holiday Gift Guide Freebie!

That meant I could do a generic gift guide for the average bookworm. Or what books to buy for someone who likes a specific genre. Or gifts to buy a HP fan. Or gifts to buy whatever... So of course I am just totally do all the gifts I would love to receive this Christmas, because I CAN!

1. Funkos

Here are my beautiful Harry Potter themed shelves of my bookshelves, and just a tiny selection of the Funkos I have. There are about 14 new Harry Potter Funkos that are being released or have been released... AND I WANT THEM ALL! Not to mention that there are literally hundreds of others that I want -like the Breakfast Club ones, Disney ones, Friends ones and so many more. I want to just decorate my bookshelves with these adorable things. I am also already eyeing up all the Stranger Things Funkos that are coming out next year... I will be buying them all.

2. Harry Potter Hoodie

This rather incredible Harry Potter hoodie because I am completely in love with it. It is far too much money as I would have to get it shipped to the UK, but it doesn't stop me wanting it. It is available here.

3. This Harry Potter Shirt

I would love to be able to wear it to work every single day, unfortunately it would definitely not be classed as appropriate work attire. It might just be the single greatest shirt in existence. And I want it. It can be found here for anyone that loves it as much as I do.

4. Hamilton Merch

Both designs are by Evie Seo and I would have the designs on anything. I actually already have the Inimitable one as a mug, but I want the pillow. It is one of my favourite lyrics from the musical and is what I use on my bio on social media.

 5. Any & All Evie Seo's Designs

 

 On mugs. On shirts. On totes. On pillows. On blankets. Put it on anything. I just need it!!! Her designs are gorgeous - she even did my blog design and it is flawless. Seriously, her designs are the best and I want them all. She just did a few Disney ones and they AMAZE me! I want them on everything. Not to mention she does Harry Potter, Six of Crows, classics and so many others. You can buy her designs on Society 6 & Redbubble - both of which have sales on that I can't take part in as I have exactly £0.82 left in my bank.

6. Books!!!

Seems easy enough, as I am a bookworm. It is actually bottom of my list for once, as I probably got my hands on hundreds of books this year. I am also in the midst of a giant reading slump that has lasted months. So, whilst I love books, I am less eager than usual to add to my already endless TBR bookshelves. Yes, I have whole bookcases filled with unread books. I stopped counting once the number of unread books I owned reached 700 or so books.

What about you guys? What you hoping to get this year?!?!

I am planning to do a proper post soon about my return to the blog, as I have been absent for quite some time. I plan to hold a giveaway, so felt I might as well just get it all sorted now. The giveaway is for one winner to receive up to £40 of books of their choice from Book Depository. It's a giveaway for my return to blogging and to celebrate 15k followers on Instagram.

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I Think I Adore These Movies A Little Too Much

It's time for Top Ten Tuesday and this weeks topic is:

My Favourite Movies!!!

I am obsessed with films, about the same as I am with books. I own 1,000s of DVDs, which is a lot since I haven't really bought any in 2 or 3 years as I watch everything online now. I have so many favourite films that this topic is so hard. And, come on, there is no way I was ever going to just be able to pick 10. So here are just a small collection of some of my favourite films.

These are three movies that I consider my classics, I love them all and feel they are films everyone should see once. I think Fight Club might be the best book to movie adaptation ever, where they actually improved on the source material. Even the author of Fight Club says he thinks the movie is better. Plus it has amazing performances from Edward Norton and Brad Pitt. The Boondock Saints is soooo iconic to me for so many reasons, such a great concept for a movie. V for Vendetta is the movie me and my fiance watch every single 5th of November, it is an amazing film.

People should not be afraid of their government. Governments should be afraid of their people.

The Lord of the Rings movies are just masterpieces in my opinion. Peter Jackson was a genius when he created these films, I love them so much. I can also watch them over and over again and never get sick of them. I can just sit and binge watch all three and not think about anything else. These films were just soooooooo good. I will admit to being really sad that the Hobbit movies weren't anywhere near as good.

Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.

These are probably my 3 favourite romantic movies,and that is quite sad as they all have really depressing endings! Ooooops. I guess The Notebook isn't depressing, it is a rather sweet ending. The other two are just depressing though! I love Baz Luhrman, he creates some of the most stunning pieces of cinema. I think Romeo + Juliet and Moulin Rouge are his two best films. 

The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.

And here are three of my favourite kids movies, that are totally not just for kids! I adore Anastasia, it has one of the best soundtracks ever. Plus I can still say I have a huge crush on Dimitri, even if he isn't a real person - his sass and sarcasm just speaks to me. Quest for Camelot is hilarious and also has a fantastic soundtrack, I will never get sick of watching that film. The Emperor's New Groove is hilarious from beginning to end, it is probably my favourite Disney movie. 

And some other favourites: 

Can you tell that I LOVE kids films? I am sad that I can't just sit and list every single movie I love, but we would be here all day, Your turn... What movies do you love?!? Do any of mine make your own list?

I am planning to do a proper post soon about my return to the blog, as I have been absent for quite some time. I plan to hold a giveaway, so felt I might as well just get it all sorted now. The giveaway is for one winner to receive up to £40 of books of their choice from Book Depository. It's a giveaway for my return to blogging and to celebrate 15k followers on Instagram.

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Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

Title: Six of Crows
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Publisher: Henry Holt

Kaz Brekker and his crew have just pulled off the most daring heist imaginable.
But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they're fighting for their lives. 
Double-crossed and badly weakened, they're low on resources, allies and hope.
While a war rages on the city's streets, the team's fragile loyalties are stretched to breaking point. 
Kaz and his crew will have to make sure they're on the winning side... no matter what the cost.

Me before and during reading this book!

I hate having to review the last book in a series, especially one that I LOVE! I absolutely adored Six of Crows, it was one of my top reads of 2015 and introduced me to 6 of my new favourite characters. So that made it very hard to read the second and final book in this duology, I was so nervous that I wouldn't enjoy it or it would end badly. It didn't but, if I am being completely honest, it also wasn't my favourite ending to a series either. It was really good, it just wasn't everything I was hoping for. I am going to just give you a spoiler free review of my thoughts about this book.

Yes, I Am Adding More Books To My Ridiculous TBR Pile

It's time for Top Ten Tuesday and this weeks topic is:

Recent Additions to My TBR

My TBR pile isn't a pile, it isn't even a bookcase worth anymore. My TBR pile could be used to build a highrise tower that stretches to the fucking moon. I wish I was exaggerating, but I am pretty sure it is nearing almost 1,000 physical owned books that are now unread. THAT IS RIDICULOUS! I definitely get way more books then I end up reading every year, which is saying a lot as I read over 100 books every year. I am constantly adding to my TBR though, constantly buying books and I can't be stopped. Here are just a few I have recently come into possession of and hope to get to very soon:

    

All of these are review copies that I have recently received, and all ones I am planning to get to asap.These won't be winding up on the never read pile. I am so excited for RoseBlood, even if I didn't do well with the authors last series. I am just always looking for Phantom retellings and so I HAVE to read this one. The Diabolic sounds so good and I have had my copy for a while now, so definitely need to get to it. I have the first two books in the New World trilogy and can't wait to read it, it sounds really interesting. A Quiet Kind of Thunder is a review copy I was so happy to receive, I loved the authors debut novel and can't wait to see what she has to offer with this one. I adore all of Kasie West's books, they are always so adorable and so I will be getting to By Your Side asap.

    

These are a few of the books I have either bought for myself or received in a subscription box. I am curious about Metaltown, as I honestly don't read much steampunk. I have heard really great things about The Problem with Forever, so I definitely want to get to that soon and I hope it is as good as everyone says. I have put off reading Niven's new book because I loved her first YA book, All the Bright Places, and I don't want to be disappointed (I have faith though!). Three Dark Crowns sounds sooooo good, sisters pitted against each other in a fight for the crown... Yes, please! Penny in London just screams COVER BUY and I loved the other three books I read from the author so want to give this a go. 

Have you read any of these? What did you think?

I am planning to do a proper post soon about my return to the blog, as I have been absent for quite some time. I plan to hold a giveaway, so felt I might as well just get it all sorted now. The giveaway is for one winner to receive up to £40 of books of their choice from Book Depository. It's a giveaway for my return to blogging and to celebrate 15k followers on Instagram, which is why you have to be a follower of both.

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Six of Crows: A Fantasy Heist At Its Finest

Title: Six of Crows
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Publisher: Henry Holt

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone...
A convict with a thirst for revenge. A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager. A runaway with a privileged past. A spy known as the Wraith. A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums. A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes.
Kaz's crew are the only ones who might stand between the world and destruction—if they don't kill each other first.

It feels so weird to finally be reviewing Six of Crows, especially since I read it for the first time over a year ago. But I finally get to just fangirl over this book and how much I love it. The release of Crooked Kingdom meant that it was finally time to reread Six of Crows and prepare myself for what was bound to be an excellent sequel. I would think most of you have already read Six of Crows, if you haven't then I highly recommend that you do. It is one of the best books I have read, filled to the brim with incredible characters that I can't help but love, more twists and turns than you could ever predict and the most perfectly paced heist novel ever.

Six of Crows takes place within the Grishaverse, so the same fantasy world that Bardugo's Grisha trilogy took place in. But this time we are leaving Ravka and exploring Ketterdam. Before starting this book, I was so nervous as I hadn't really enjoyed the Shadow and Bone series. I felt they got worse with each book and I just didn't love them the way I was hoping. My biggest problem was the pacing, which was really off with that series and I find pace so important. I was nervous to read Six of Crows, but I am so glad I took the chance. It shows just how much Bardugo has grown as a writer. I felt Six of Crows was utter perfection. It had fantastic characters, perfect pacing, a brilliant plot and all the ships that I could want.

"No mourners.
No funerals."

One thing I did love about Shadow and Bone was the setting, the Russian feel of it all. I love Ketterdam, which is a busy city that just seems to be filled to the brim with criminals. We follow Kaz Brekker, part of the criminal gang the Dregs, and one of the best anti-heroes I have ever met. This book follows Kaz as he takes on an impossible heist, to break into the supposedly impenetrable Ice Court and get back a hostage who holds the secrets to Parem, a drug that can enhance a Grisha's power to unbelievable levels. To pull of this heist, Kaz knows he needs a crew with a wide range of skills - which is where the other incredible characters came in: Inej, Nina, Matthia, Jesper and Wylan. All adorable, squishy babies in their own right, I loved each and every one of them. This book sucked me in from the first page and became an instant favourite. If you haven't given Six of Crows a shot yet, you really should.

I really wish I could just find one thing to moan about when it comes to this book. At least that way I wouldn't feel like this review is just endless gushing. I'm sorry, it will be. There isn't even one tiny part of this book that I didn't absolutely love. So you will have to deal with the endless gushing. Sorry, not sorry. This is one of those books that I found impossible to put down. It sucks you in from the very first page and you become caught up in the characters and their story. Bardugo gives us many different POVs in this book, which works perfectly in this heist novel. She never reveals too much, only enough to give you the general idea of what is going on, but hides enough that it all feels unpredictable, with so many twists and turns along the way. I loved the fact this book kept me guessing and surprised me so much as it went on.

"I will have you without armour, Kaz Brekker. Or I will not have you at all."

The greatest part of this book is its characters. Bardugo has written some of the most fascinating characters, each with such interesting back stories that we slowly get to learn as the book progresses. I don't want to spoil anything for you guys but will just speak briefly about each of the characters, as they are what I adore the most.

Kaz Brekker - The leader of our motley crew and one of the greatest anti-heroes that there ever was. He is dark and complex, he's not the glittering hero here to save everyone. He is a man on a mission, with a thirst for revenge that has controlled his life for years. He can be ruthless, and hurt anyone that gets in his way. But I adore him. I really do. I feel he is just so adorably and squishy, especially with his determination to act like he cares for no one and nothing, when it is so obvious that he does. I ship him and a certain other character so much that it hurts. I am just waiting for Kaz to wake up and realise that he's in love!

"When everyone knows you're a monster, you needn't waste time doing every monstrous thing."

Inej Ghafa - Throughout the Barrel, Inej is known as the Wraith. She's a trained acrobat who can sneak up on anyone and into anywhere. She has lived a tough life since she was kidnapped from her home and sold into slavery. Kaz and the Dregs were her way out and she is working to earn back her freedom. Inej is the definition of a strong female character. She is both mentally and physically strong, and knows what she wants and will go after it. She doesn't settle and she won't be played. She is just incredible. 

Nina Zenik - Nina is the kick ass Grisha of the group. She is a Heartrender from Ravka, she is hilarious and she is daring and not one to be easily shamed. She has a wicked sense of humour and loves to tease. Her endless barbs back and forth with Matthias were utterly hilarious and you can't help but love those two squaring up to each other throughout this book.

"It's not natural for women to fight."
"It's not natural for someone to be as stupid as he is tall, and yet there you stand."

Matthias Helvar - Matthias is a Druskelle, or Grisha hunter as it is also known. He has basically spent his whole life training to kill Grisha, thinking them to be less than human. He is cold at times, and takes everything so very seriously. He has a past with Nina and you already know that I adore their back and forth throughout this novel. I liked watching as his character softened over the course of this book.

Jesper Fahey - Jasper is originally from Zemeni and he is the worlds biggest flirt. I think he should be crown King of innuendos and making poor boys blush. I loved how he seemed to make it his mission to make Wylan blush and to tease him relentlessly. Those two together... they are too much! I am not sure how Bardugo manages to write six fantastic characters and three completely shippable ships, but she does it.

Kaz leaned back. "What's the easiest way to steal a man's wallet?"
"Knife to the throat?" asked Inej.
"Gun to the back?" said Jesper.
"Poison in his cup?" suggested Nina.
"You're all horrible," said Matthias.

Wylan - Wylan is just the squishiest of the squishies, and adorable in every way. He is the newest edition to Kaz's motley crew, a runaway who has no clue what he has just got himself into. He is so innocent when compared to the rest of the gang. He also embarrasses easy and watching Jesper make him blush just gave me life.

The crew together are just the perfect cast of characters, I loved them all. The constant back and forth, the jokes and the teasing, it is everything I want from my characters. They also gave me all the ships, which gave me all the cutesy moments. Not to mention the dark moments and moments that made me want to vomit up into my own mouth (that eye scene!).

5/5 Butterflies

I absolutely loved this book, if you couldn't already tell from my endless gushing. I'm not sure how to even sum up in words how fucking awesome this book is. All I can do is recommend that anyone who hasn't read it goes and does just that as soon as they possibly can. It is a book that you can't seem to put down and will leave you desperate for the sequel.

Creepy Covers: Halloween Freebie TTT

It's time for Top Ten Tuesday and this weeks topic is:

Halloween Freebie
Creepy Covers

This was actually last weeks topic, but I missed it. Plus, Halloween was only yesterday so I feel like this is totally okay to do the topic this week instead! And I am excited to share some creepy covers!!!

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness / The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff

Anna Dressed in Blood & Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake

 Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiary Children, Hollow City & Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs

 Asylum, Sanctum & Catacomb by Madeleine Roux

Rot & Ruin, Dust & Decay, Flesh & Bone, Fire & Ash and Bits & Pieces by Jonathan Maberry

I think these all have some super creepy covers, perfect for Halloween. I own quite a lot of these, but I actually have read zero of them. Have any of you read any of these? If so, what did you think?

I am planning to do a proper post soon about my return to the blog, as I have been absent for quite some time. I plan to hold a giveaway, so felt I might as well just get it all sorted now. The giveaway is for one winner to receive up to £40 of books of their choice from Book Depository. It's a giveaway for my return to blogging and to celebrate 15k followers on Instagram, which is why you have to be a follower of both.

a Rafflecopter giveaway