Saturday 26 November 2016

Stacking the Shelves: November Book Haul

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews. Each week bloggers post the books they purchased or received. These are the books I got in the month of November:

I got one e-book this month:

1. Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco


I already read this book and I'll write a review soon!

I also got five books and one comic this month:

2. Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier 


This one is part of a fantasy series and I can't wait to read it! I have heard great things about Julliet Marillier!

3. Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

I'm currently reading this one and so far I'm enjoying it!

4. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling and illustrated by Jim Kay


Can't wait to read this one! It's the perfect Christmas read!


The next two books came from two different second hand bookshops in Ghent!

5. The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler


This edition looks like a lot of fun! And it's in perfect condition!

6. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

I can't leave a bookstore without buying at least one book! This book was in a reasonably okay condition and I decided to get it, since I've been wanting to read it for quite some time now!

And lastly, I got one comic from the Epic comic store in Ghent!

7. Chew, Vol. 7: Bad Apples by John Layman, Rob Guillory (Illustrator)


I LOVE Chew! I really need to finish this series soon as I believe this is my favourite comic series ever!

Which books did you get this month? Have you read any of the books mentioned above? Or are you planning to? Leave your thoughts down below!

Tuesday 22 November 2016

Gilmore Girls Book Tag

This tag was created by Pucksandpaperbacks, which is a Youtube channel. I started watching Gilmore Girls this year and I completely fell in love with the show! Can't wait to watch the revival!

Lorelai - A character with a witty or sarcastic sense of humor 



Kate Daniels from the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews

Rory - Your favorite classic 


My two favourite classics are Pride and Prejudice and North and South.

Luke - A book you secretly love, but are afraid to admit. 


The Gardella Vampire Hunters series by Colleen Gleason

Lane - A musical character


This is a difficult one, I'm going for Mik from the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy by Laini Taylor.

Dean- Your first book love (character or book you first loved!)


Ron Weasley

Sooki - A book you’ve devoured 


A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

Jess- A book you love, that gets the most hate


I really enjoyed Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge, but there are a lot of mixed reviews out there about this book.

Miss Patty - A book that was ruined by the hype 


Allegiant by Veronica Roth, the ending got spoiled for me.

Emily Gilmore - expensive book


My Folio Society copies of Emma and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen


Paris - An uptight character 



Mr. Darcy or Mark Darcy (Pride and Prejudice and Bridget Jones)

I finished watching Gilmore Girls yesterday and I can't wait to binge-watch the revival! I'm team Jess! Which team are you on? Let me know down below!

Wednesday 16 November 2016

Tome Topple Readathon TBR

I was planning to participate in the Tome Topple Readathon this month. Although, I know now that I'm going to be incredibly busy the coming weeks, I'm going to attempt to read at least one of these books! I have made a selection of tomes that I own and might read. I like to have a big TBR, so I can choose which books to read according to my mood. The readathon starts November 18th and will end December 1st. During this time you’ll have to read books over 500 pages.

1. Daughter of the Forest (Sevenwaters #1) by Juliet Marillier


2. Secret History by Donna Tartt


3. Never Fade by Alexandra Bracken


4. In the Afterlight by Alexandra Bracken


5. Assassin's Quest by Robin Hobb


6. The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson


7. The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith


8. Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon


9. Night Film by Marisha Pessl 



10 War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy




I'm excited about all of these books! Can't wait to read them! Are you participating in the readathon? Which big books do you plan to read? Have you read any of the ones mentioned above? Leave a comment down below!

Tuesday 15 November 2016

Top Ten Tuesday: My Favourite Movies

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by the Broke and the Bookish. Each week bloggers post their top ten on a previously suggested topic. This week's topic is top ten favourite movies! These are in no particular order. Most of these movies have an amazing soundtrack worth checking out!

1. The Untouchables 



I love this movie! Starring Sean Connery, Robert De Niro, Kevin Costner, Andy Garcia and music by Ennio Morricone, you can't go wrong with this one!

2. The Usual Suspects



Quote: "The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist meaning." This movie is one of my favourites because of the quotes, plot twists and thrilling action. If you ask me, one of the best plot twists ever!

3. Pride and Prejudice



This movie introduced me to Jane Austen and other classics and period dramas and I will forever love it because of that!

4. The Silence of the Lambs



Also some great quotes in this one! Anthony Hopkins is chilling as Hannibal!

5. The Shop around the Corner



Have you ever seen You've Got Mail with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan? Well, that movie was based on The Shop Around the Corner and is a must see for fans of books and You've Got Mail.

6. Inception



Christopher Nolan is amazing! Enough said.
Also, brilliant soundtrack and ending!

7. Educating Rita



Quote "Assonance is getting the rhyme wrong." This is my father's favourite movie and especially since I'm an English literature student it's one of my favourites as well! The soundtrack of this movie continually pops up in my mind for months now.

Childhood favourites:

8. Mary Poppins




9. Mulan



10. The Hunchback of Notre Dame



Yeah, I even got a homemade Esmeralda costume. She was one of my favourite characters growing up!

Which movies do you love? Have you seen any of these and what did you think of them? Leave a comment down below!

Tuesday 1 November 2016

Review: Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries


Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries is about a lady detective in 1920s Melbourne. You can watch the trailer of the first season here. Phryne Fisher is quite a feminist figure and does not let anything stop her from getting what she wants. Each episode follows Miss Fisher solving a murder, as is probably evident from the title. The series sets itself apart from other murder mysteries by the choice of a female detective in 1920s, Australia. I really found that refreshing as I haven't seen many series set in Australia and the time period is really interesting and has not been explored a lot in television. Miss Fisher's costumes alone are worth watching the show! They are incredible! 



Even though they definitely remind you of the 1920s, the clothes would look stunning on women in this day and age as well! It is not surprising then, that there was an exhibition in Australia solely focused on the costumes worn in this series! I for one, would have really liked to see that!



The main cast consists primarily of four amazing characters, starting with Miss Fisher, of course. In the first episode we are introduced to most of the recurring characters. Miss Fisher's helps out a maid accused of murder and hires her as a companion.  



Dorothy Williams, nicknamed Dot, is a catholic girl who has to overcome a lot of her fears and assumptions in order to work for Miss Fisher. However, the two form a band of friendship that will remain throughout the series. Whereas Phryne is outgoing, Dot lacks confidence but the characters develop nicely throughout the seasons.



On her first case, Phryne Fisher comes into contact with detective inspector Jack Robinson. She worms her way into his investigation, but not without Jack's attempts to prevent this. They quickly become a team solving the murders on the show, as Jack reluctantly lets her in on his investigations as it would take a lot of time and effort to keep her out of it. 




Their chemistry cannot be denied however at the beginning of the show, Jack is married and Phryne is portrayed as a modern woman, who enjoys the pleasures of being with men while not wanting to form a permanent attachment to anyone. Jack is a man with more traditional views and finds it sometimes hard to cope with Miss Fisher. Just like for example Booth and Bones, Phryne and Jack have a sort of will they, won't they? relationship that lasts throughout the entire three seasons.



The main cast is completed by constable Hugh Collins. A gullible police officer who works with Inspector Detective Jack Robinson. It is usually through Collins that Miss Fisher is able to find out more about the case. Hugh and Dot develop a slow burning relationship that can only be described as cute! All the romantic relationships in the show are slowly developed which is exactly how I like it! All the characters are so loveable that this is one of my favourite feel-good shows, even though it usually involves murder.



Other colourful characters are Cec and Bert, Mr. Butler, Dr. Mac and Phryne's aunt Prudence. Aunt Prudence is played by the amazing Miriam Margolyes. Prudence is a rich woman who is almost always offended by Phryne's sleuthing as it is not how a lady is supposed to behave. Her often indignant countenance towards everything makes for great comic relief. 



I absolutely LOVE this show! I'm so sad I don't have any new episodes to watch especially because it's not clear if we are going to get more Miss Fisher as the show has not been officially cancelled nor has it been renewed. There has been some talk of a movie and a fourth season but nothing has been confirmed. I really hope Miss Fisher continues! The show has stolen my heart and I already miss the characters very much! I NEED MORE!



The characters, the fashion, the music, the relationships, the mood, just everything fits perfectly in this show. Go watch it right now!

Have you seen Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries? Or are you planning to? Leave a comment down below!