How To: Survive A Book Buying Ban

I don't know if many of you are aware of book buying bans and the threat they impose upon the sanity of most book lovers but I will tell you now, I have been on one since early this year and the struggle is real.
For those of you who have no idea what a book buying ban is I shall attempt to enlighten you:
A book buying ban is usually when a person spends all (or most) of their money on books and in consequence is forced to refrain from buying any books. In some cases, people go on a massive book hauls and so have no room on their shelves or have far too much to read so they go on a book buying ban until their looming pile of books to be read has been conquered.
The reason as to why I am on a book buying ban is that I spent some of my money on about 5 different people's birthday presents and then spent the remainder of my money on books (around £50...oops)
I did spend my money wisely...? (Well, that's what I tell myself when I realise just how broke I am).
The problem with buying books rather than cosmetics or clothing is that you can trick yourself into thinking that a book is a far better thing to buy then a new top or a new Maybeline mascara. In many ways it is but then again, sometimes it is better to be properly clothed than have another book on top of that looming 'to be read' pile.
There comes a point in your book buying ban when you have read all of the books on your shelves and need more books. By this point, most people have earned more money and so can break free from the tight bindings of the ban and attack their nearest Waterstones, WHSmith or general bookshop with a vengeance. But if you are like me and you have no way of earning money, the ban must continue and it becomes depressing. So, to help all of you suffering in your ban, or if you are just here at this point for no reason. (if you are in the latter category I sincerely applaud you for your loyal efforts!) I shall write out some advice that is essential when being in a book buying ban.

Tip 1: avoid bookshops
This item of advice is pretty self explanatory... if you don't go near the shops, you can't be tempted by any glossy hardbacks or sumptuous reads! This is easier said than done granted, but if you have no money to spend you can't buy a book anyway (you may be dragged out of the shop kicking and screaming, however.)

Tip 2: Get a library membership
Again, a pretty self explanatory tip, but although it is much nicer to own the book, in the meantime most libraries should have what you're looking for! And also, if you love the book, you can always get it after your ban is over. If you hate the book, you've wasted no money on it! It's a win-win situation!

Tip 3: Find a way of earning money
For most people, a book buying ban is quite short and relatively painless, but for those of you like me who don't have any way of getting income, try asking for money when you do chores or getting a summer job. Also, search everywhere for change. I have a jar on my shelf where I collect small change and when that jar gets full I count the money and spend it on books. My parents are always happy to give me their small change from their shopping.

Tip 4: Sell some stuff
if you sell some clothes or even books online or to friends, it gives you some money which you can then save and use on books.

Tip 5: Sharing is caring
Share books with friends! If one of your friends really likes one of your books and you really like one of hers swap for a while! or just ask to borrow a book!

Tip 6: Beg any non-readers
This tip will probably be valued for those people who are at a low in their ban, but sometimes it works! If you know of any friends or a sibling who has some book tokens they are unlikely to use, ask for them. My brother usually gives his to me! (he doesn't read this blog so I can say without him getting cocky that he is actually a very nice brother and cares about saving me from my deprivation, so unless you have one of them or an equal substitute, this tip mightn't be best!)

Tip 7: Discount sites
there are loads of really good discount sites online! AbeBooks is one that I use and appreciate!

So there you are, my tips on how to basically avoid becoming penniless over books! I do hope you enjoyed this post, if you did or if you can relate please feel free to follow me, google plus it or comment below. You can even email me if you feel like a chat or fangirling!

Happy reading

Hebe x

Book Review | The Host

Title: The Host

Author: Stephenie Meyer

Genre: Science fiction, thriller, dystopian, romance

Pages: 617

Series: The host trilogy

Publisher: Sphere

Rating: 4 stars










"Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a species that takes over the minds of their human hosts, and most of humanity has succumbed."

"Wanderer, the invading 'soul' who has been given Melanie's body, knew about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the too-vivid memories. But she did not expect that Melanie would refuse to relinquish possession of her mind.
Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of the man she loves - Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer yearns for a man she's never met. As outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off to search for the man they both love."

I have to say that I am very late to the party when it comes to the host and I was a bit apprehensive to start it. I thought that with all the hype that this book has generated I would maybe be disappointed so I tried to go into it as blind as I possibly could. I haven't watched the film (which I hear is very good!) and I steered clear of spoilers lurking within the pages of social media I spend far too much of my time scrolling through.
I have to say, I was not disappointed and I actually thought it was a really well written and interesting book.
Firstly, I would like to talk about the cover and overall appearance of the book. For me, the spine is simple yet very effective, as is the front cover. I know loads of people really disagree with the black boring spine but I actually really like it.
The book is pretty big and i think it could have easily been twice the size. I know a lot of people are put off of reading when they see a huge book looming over them but after a few chapters, the pages flew by and I craved more once it was over. I say after a few chapters because personally I found it challenging to get into. The first part was interesting but very factual and a tad complex and confusing. I didn't mind this as it drew me in and made me curious but I know some people would certainly struggle to be hooked by this book.
Now, the other thing that put me off reading this book at first was 'Twilight'. I am a great lover of the Twilight films but... (I shall probably never again say this in all my life) I preferred the films to the books. I know, I know...before you all hate me let me just say that it's not that I didn't enjoy the Twilight books...It's just that they really didn't live up to the hype in my opinion. The first book and the last book were really good...the middle two...they just seemed to drag on for so long! I think that because of my Twilight experience I didn't want the same to happen with the host.
However, I think because the two are so unrelated and that Stephenie Meyer's writing style is different I enjoyed The Host a lot more.
The characters are so so sooooo cleverly done in this book. As the reader, your feelings towards the characters change and flip totally upside down. it was like being on an emotional roller coaster, honestly! I don't want to spoil anyone so it's very difficult to explain but you don't realise how much you love the characters until it comes to 'crunch point' and it hits you like a truck. All the way through the book you are picking sides and even that chops and changes very dramatically throughout the book.
Another thing I really liked about it, was although it had 'aliens' in it and the settings were completely different to any that I have experienced, I found the book incredibly relatable, especially within the conflicts between the characters.
The reason that I gave this book a 4 star rating and not full marks was that I thought that the ending was a little cliche. Don't get me wrong...i love clichés!! I just think that the end was predictable and this disappointed me in that the book so far had been so grown up and pleasantly complex and then resolved to an almost childish ending (although in many ways I did love the ending!)

So overall, a really good read but maybe a little daunting for new readers. I recommend it to anyone above the age of about 13 who is into romance, thriller or sci fi!!

The Perks Of Being A Fangirl

It never occurred to me that I would ever EVER class myself as a 'fangirl'. In fact I didn't really have any clue what one was until I was introduced to Instagram.
One day as I was scrolling through Harry Potter pictures at some ungodly hour when I stumbled across people who shared my love of books and (gasp) were my age too. I thought maybe it was a one off but it soon dawned on me that, yes, there are socially awkward, average looking, slightly nerdy teenage girls who are just as obsessed with books and indeed the awesome characters they contained as I am.
I interacted with a few of them, commenting of youtube videos from 'Booktube', sharing comment banter on Instagram with fellow lovers of all things book and soon I found that not only did a place where my laughter, tears and relationship with books actually exists but that I was welcomed into it with open arms!?
Before you judge me you must know that although I do class myself as a fangirl and I do internally melt into a small puddle of emotional ooze when I read a great book or see anything whatsoever related to my favourite characters or series. This does not make me one of those screaming, tearing their hair out, eating their shoes girls on the telly. (I have never actually seen someone eat a shoe in reality or via the telly but I'm sure some girls have felt the need to nibble on a tasty looking specimen...no fear, I won't judge).
Now, lets get down to the point of this post because I must admit I tend to go off on a tangent (oops).
So what are the perks of being a fangirl? I hear you cry. Well my dear readers there are many and so I shall introduce you to the perks which make fangirl life bearable.

1) No need for excuses.
I don't know if this only applies for me but since assuming the fangirl status, when wearing fandom related clothing or explaining little (or sometimes rather large) dying whale noises that we fangirls tend to emit when something particularly hard hitting strikes (e.g. WHSmith has a sale on Divergent posters) one only has to explain to any questions "Oh, i'm a fangirl." And people generally make understanding nods and mutters. If I had said "Oh i'm really really into books and all things fandom related." they would either give me what I like to call the 'back away slowly before it bites' look or the simple 'is her disease contagious?' look. I mean of course there are the exceptions (some people totally get the dying whale noises thing) but in general for me, assuming a fangirl status is something which people accept more graciously.

2) Good conversation
Now this might sound ridiculous but this is a major perk of being a fangirl. Not only does reading so much mean that we have memorised quotes for every occasion known to man (apart from situations where one must appropriately be socially awkward) but adults and indeed some teens love talking about books if they're into them. I once had a 5 hour conversation with my friend over books and it was never dull. Fangirling to someone can not only pass time and be a source of good conversation but it can also provide humour to a situation.

3) You are a bookstore/Library's dream
Ok, ok sometimes we fangirls are disliked by libraries and bookshops by our renowned whale noises that usually take place within their walls, but generally I find that with my frequent visits to both, the people there respect how our minds appreciate the books. Also, if you are like me, you will understand how irritating it is when someone borrows a book and either doesn't return it or it comes back with damage. Because of how this gets to me, I always treat other people's books with extreme care and tenderness. I think the shops and libraries appreciate this act of loving from us fangirls. (and also the  customers we provide).

4) Family
prepare yourselves readers to be plunged head first into a vat of gorgonzola in this next perk. (not literally...I am talking about the cheesiness of this next part I am afraid.)
The fangirl community is much like a family or a close-knit sisterhood. We all have something in common (fangirling and books), we all look out for one another, and we all have a common enemy (The purposeful spoilers). Not only does this always give me someone to talk to, but it also gives me something to look forward to returning to at the end of each day.

5) Gifts
Gifts are also a huge perk in being a fangirl. If anyone gives me a book or any merchandise that is fandom related then I am happy as Larry. So for everyone out there, you never have to deliberate what to get your fangirl friend for her birthday, you're sorted.


So there we are...a little insight the life of a fangirl. I hope you enjoyed this post and managed to battle your way through until the end . (You may arise and applaud your true gallantry if you feel the urge)

Happy reading
Hebe x

Book Review | A Monster Calls

Title: A Monster Calls

Author: Patrick Ness

Genre: Fantasy/ Children's literature

Pages: 215

Publisher: Walker books

Rating: 5 stars



"The Monster showed up at midnight. As they do.
      But it isn't the monster Conor's been expecting. He's been expecting the one from his nightmare, the one he's had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments, the one with the darkness and the wind and the screaming...
     This monster is something different, though. Something ancient, something wild. And it wants the most dangerous thing of all from Conor.
    It wants the truth."

The first thing I shall mention about this book is that although Patrick Ness wrote it, it was based on the final ideas of Siobhan Dowd, a fantastic author who sadly died prematurely of Cancer before she could write it herself.

Beautiful. That just about sums up this book.
The book, at first appearance looks like a child's book with it's short length, thick pages and illustrations; however, I was amazed at how deeply the illustrations and text moved me, as a teenage girl. 

I not only love the idea of the monster helping the main character Conor, but I loved the simplicity of Conor's thoughts, showing that he is after all, only a child. Somehow Patrick Ness manages to turn this childish, simple thought pattern into a grown up, deep and almost complex, dreamlike story about a boy coping with his mother's illness. I think this story gives an important insight to the minds of not only the victims of terminal illness but of the family and indeed children affected by it. 

The characters in the book were not described in too much detail, which allows your imagination to do the work for you and really focus on other details and the illustrations. 

What made the book so damn good for me was just the sheer beauty of the text. At first glance, the language used is not too different to any other book. What makes it stand out is how Ness uses the language within strong imagery and also how he really puts himself into Conor's shoes. not many authors have the skill of using the same language and tone that a child might use when their protagonist is younger, but Ness does this fluently and I think the innocence of the Childish thoughts gradually growing up and learning it's lesson and indeed the truth at the end is relatable to most people, adult and child alike. 

The mixture of fantasy with reality really appealed to me and I am happy to say that in terms of presentation, writing style and storyline, I have never read a book quite like this one.

And so, for the sheer beauty of the writing, morals and indeed illustrations in this book I gave it a 5 star rating. This book had me hooked in a strange and unexpected way and brought me to tears. 
Beautiful.