Put A Ribbon On It #38



Put A Ribbon On is a Feature of mine in which I share the books I have received each week, which is inspired by.. 
The Story Siren's IMM, and is held every Saturday/Sunday



BOOKS BOUGHT
GUYS. You have no idea how long I have waited to buy these books. It is such a relief to finally have them. They did have WOOD ANGEL (which is the UK version of PLAIN KATE) in my local bookstore, but I have always associated this name and this gorgeous cover with the book. And the Aussie cover of 'THE PIPERS SON' is just insane. I reread it guys, and just devoured it. It was so lovely revisiting Tom Mackee and the gang <3 NOTHING is a interesting one. It has received more negative reviews on goodreads than positive ones, but people seemed more conflicted by it and unsettled more than anything else. Also, it seems like it really stuck with them. Those kind of books speak to me. So, I think even if I don't end up loving it, it might be worth giving a go if it ends up being thought -provoking. Jasper Jones and Wanderlove I just have a really good feeling towards. After reading all the gushing reviews, and being contemporaries, I just had that gut feeling that I was going to love them. *fingers crossed*



Books Received For Review  
These are the more recent books I've received for review. Since it's been a while since I've done this, many of my other review books are all over the place. Maybe I'll feature them next week.

Anyway, there are so many I'm excited for. And isn't that Bitterblue cover just badass? Devoured Insurgent. (it's amazing guys) and I'll be reviewing it on the release date. I'm currently reading Earth Girl (the book with the bookmark inside) and I'm super excited to read Bali Rai's new Dystopian Book 'FIRE CITY'. I grew up with his work so to see him explore a different genre is quite exciting!

I'm currently watching Game of Thrones. So the Parody book has me intrigued :)



HAPPY READING EVERYONE! :)

Posted by Blueicegal ♥ at 17:51 Comments
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My favourite book is ruined. Yes, I am sad :(



This is a bit of a random post. But I had something happen to me today that got under my skin. And apart from just venting a little, I wanted to know your thoughts on this.  

A day or two ago I went out with a mate. I came home to see most of my books off my shelf and placed elsewhere. Now my mothers intentions were completely good. She thought my shelf was a little over crowded and thought she'd clear it up. But what she didn't realise was that I had specifically put my favourite books on that shelf; Jellicoe road being right at the front. Apart from being a tad annoyed that I would have to sort my shelf out all over again (which I did today) , I spotted two books stuck behind my bookshelf. They must have fallen in the process of her clearing the shelf out. One was perfectly fine, but when I spotted the other, being Jellicoe Road, I'll admit, I held in a breath. So when I saw what had happened to it, I just stared for a moment and just really felt gutted.  

Look below.





































From afar it doesn't look as bad, but it really is. Like many other readers, I've always been very careful with my books. Every book of mine is in perfect condition. So to have this happen, and ironically to my favourite book of all time, it was quite the blow.  

It's not just about the book. Because I have an extra copy that's in perfect condition. It's more about the sentimental value it holds. This was the copy I held in my hands the first time I read Jellicoe road. It still holds the bits of tissue that I used to bookmark my favourite bits. It was one of the first books I had ever reread. I couldn't bear to part with it so I took it to holiday with me. Being in my bag and suitcase whilst on holiday, and reading it one too many times did take its toll. But only in the sense that the edges of the cover weren't perfectly straight anymore. It was the only book on my shelf that didn't look brand new. But I grew to love this worn out look it had - a  look that a book can only have from being read one too many times.  

The only book I would be OK with looking a little worn. But as you can see above, the damage there can't be fixed. Even the white lines outlining the cover are prominent. As if the creased page weren't bad enough. *sighs*  

It would be easier if it was done intentionally. At least then I would be able to vent to that person and tell them how much they suck for ruining my favourite book that I love so freaking much it's crazy. But it wasn't intentional, and it's also my mother. 
 So 
I just have to suck it up, which is what's frustrating :/  

So yeah, maybe some will think I'm overreacting, but I can't help but be sad. I explained to my mum what happened. But she didn't really understand why it bothered me. So that's that I guess.  

I don't even want to look at it because I know it will just really bother me.  

 I guess my question to you is:  

How are you when it comes to your books? Are you quite easygoing about them or are you all about keeping them in great condition.  

And if you had this happen to your favourite book (or any of your book for that matter) , what would you do or how would you go about it.  

Sulk and blog to let off some steam like me? :)

Posted by Blueicegal ♥ at 00:16 Comments
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BR - Pieces of Us By Margie Gelbwasser


Note: I was really angry, passionate and frustrated when I finished this book. So I do get a little heated and cuss. (Just to let you know.) 


RATED: 4.5

They said it was too dark, graphic, disturbing and edgy.

I just say it's real. 

This book broke my heart. And I know for a fact that PIECES OF US is going to stay with me for a while. 

Gone is that funk that was hanging over my head for weeks. Because when I went out in the middle of reading this book, all I could think about was coming home and finishing it. It has been too long since I have felt like that about a book. Too long since I have been this engrossed.

What do I say about Katie, Alex, Julie and kyle? Well, let's start with Alex. Alex is one fucked up asshole. And Julie is an equally fucked up Bitch. in fact, I'd go as far to say they deserve each other. And that's all that i'm feeling right now after finishing this book. Just a whole lot of sadness and anger. Because although I understand what Alex went through as a child was horrible, he still chose to do the things he did. and although Julie was clearly disgustingly neglected by her mother, it doesn't take away all common sense. Alex, in particular, is very messed up. (maybe the fact that the two actually enjoy watching chickens getting their heads cut off was a bit of a hint, eh?) he's cruel and just made me uncomfortable at times. Because you see the sweet, soft side when he's with Katie but when he's not with her you see how he treats other girls. To him Katie is this saint. She's not like the other 'hos'.

 The problem with this is that - what happens the moment he thinks she is? The moment she's not the perfect Katie that he see's as different to all the other blurry faces that he has hurt, prodded and broken over the years. That's the real question. 

When it comes to Julie, it truly makes me wonder: can jealously really create so much hate, and towards your own sister too? It's just all so ugly. I mean. it was almost, no wait. Let's be honest here. I know for a fact she actually enjoyed watching her sister suffer. and it gives me shivers to say it. but it's the truth. That's how messed up she is. As things go more and more downhill for Katie - to the point where I just wanted to walk away and close my eyes to it all - to make things worse, she just continues judging her, constantly ignoring her even though all the signs are there - even though her sister tries so hard with her. Katie is not perfect, I know that, but god, she's a saint next to her little sister. I can't imagine going through what Katie does. I just can't. And my heart reaches out to her because so many times I wanted to hold her and protect her. I felt her loneliness and sadness and it scared me. Thank god for Kyle. That's all I have to say.

Kyle was a bit of a strange one. The second person narrative always made me feel like there was this barrier that I was constantly trying to push through when it came to him. It didn't help that he was so guarded. But I love how he is so wise and such a great observer. He see's everything around him. Maybe more than he wants at times, because even if Alex see's him as weak, Kyle can never back down when it comes to something he believes in. I admire that about him. I respect him for it.

On the flip-side, it was annoying at times how there was more telling than showing, (especially when it came to certain scenes I really wanted to see) and I did find it a little unrealistic how Katie's mother loved one daughter so bluntly over the other (also the reasons for her behavior just seemed a little meh). and that ending?

I kind of had this WTF moment. It was so abrupt and random that it just didn't seem to fit in with the book. 
A part of me considered knocking down the (.5) because of it, Because even now that ending really pisses me off, but it would be a big disservice to the book. Because it really just was that brilliant.
You have no idea how much I ached in those last few pages. I was so heart-broken and such a mess.

So forget those low stars, guys. Give it a chance. I think you'll find yourself a little changed by the end of it.

oh, and by the way. You'll find yourself really appreciating the cover after reading the book. It's so much more meaningful to me now :) <3

Definitely one of the great highlights, reading-wise, of 2012.  


Out in stores NOW. (RELEASE DATE: 8th March 2012) 

Posted by Blueicegal ♥ at 21:41 Comments
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