Back to BookTube!

Hey Everyone!

I had a BookTube channel over on YouTube over the summer, and now, I decided "What the heck? I might as well do it!" So here I am... ENJOY!

Book Haul: Three Months Worth

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Hey Everyone!

If you haven't guessed just by the title, I am deciding to do a Book Haul! Whoo! I am doing a Three Month edition because, well, I haven't read them all yet (oops).

Don't worry, I'll do it in monthly increments so I don't explode your brain. I will link each book to the Amazon or Book Depository web page so you can look at them for your best convenience so you can decide if you want to purchase them!

Key:
[X] Have not read
[O] Have read
NOTE: Reference Guides (Writing books) will not have marks

August:
Well, it was my Birthday month and all I wanted was books, but I only got two then stuff for college. Here are the two books I got:

• The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (Pen name of J.K. Rowling) [X]
  I have always loved J.K. Rowling's writing style ever since I picked up the first Harry Potter book. She is the reason I want to be a writer and I thought I better buy it. I haven't read it just because I got distracted by so many other good books!

• One Direction: Where We Are: Our Band, Our Story: 100% Official by Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, and Louis Tomlinson [O]
  I am probably the oldest One Direction fan (besides author Keira Cass) and I wanted this book so bad. My parents got me this to go alongside the This is Us documentary tickets on my birthday (which conveniently came out the same day). I loved this book, I'll do a full review later! I have so much to say about it. 
• The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien [O]- bought for academic reasons
  I don't know what it is, but I can never seem to get into The Hobbit. I first read this in 5th grade (aged 11) and I couldn't get into it. My teacher is obviously an enthusiast, but I can't seem to get into it. A whole semester worth of Hobbit talk... that is four months. Wow.... 

• Essence by Mandi Lynn [X]
  I purchased this book because I had been following her journey on YouTube since about March. I haven't started it yet because I am reluctant since I know that she is a teen writer. I love her videos and her advice, don't get me wrong, but I don't want to have a bad first impression because of the fact that her book is self-published.
• The Hobbit and Philosophy: For When You've Lost Your Dwarves, Your Wizard, and Your Way by Gregory Bassham [O]- bought for academic reasons
  I bought this solely because it is my class' textbook. I hate the essays, they're confusing and I have not interest in philosophy. My favorite is probably "Big Hairy Feet."

September:

• The Emotion's Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Expressions by Angela Ackerman
  I got this book because it looked so unique and let me tell you, it definitely is! I adore this because it gives you the little things people do when they are in a certain stage of emotion
• The Writer's Guide to Character Traits: Includes Profiles of Human Behaviors and Personality Types (Writer's Market Library) by Linda Edelstein
  I am not going to lie. I absolutely adore this book. It goes through the various stages of life and explains the psychology behind everything. It's so unique and I think any writer should use this!
• Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone: Adult Edition [O] by J.K. Rowling
  I bought this solely on the fact that it was the UK edition of the book. I also love the UK covers, especially the edition I purchased. I love it, it makes my nerdiness smile.

October:

• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: Adult Edition  [O] by J.K. Rowling
• City of Bones by Cassandra Clare [O]
• City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare [O]
• City of Glass by Cassandra Clare **CURRENTLY READING
• City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare [X]
  I am going to just put The Mortal Instrument books together in one big bundle. I love them, let's just put it out there. I fell in love with these books and their world when I read The Infernal Devices Trilogy over the summer. I still have to buy the 5th book and the other mini books. If you haven't been introduced to the Shadowhunter world, I strongly suggest you become acquainted with it!

That rounds me out to 13 books! Wow! My bookshelf at school is already looking pretty full! My books have to be stacked on their backs so I have room to fit them all! Gah!

Until Next Time,

How To: Choose the Perfect Book

Source: deviantart.com user cassiedj

Hey everyone!

I decided that I ought to do a post on finding that "perfect" book to read. I know I have troubles finding a really good book to read when I am absolutely craving something to read.

One of the ways is to pick up the Sunday issue of The New York Times or go on their website and search through the bestsellers. I think this is a great resource that the US puts out to show what are some really good series, Young Adult novels, etc. I look forward to seeing what new books end up on there.

Another way to find books is to go on YouTube and type in "BookTube" which is a small community within the YouTube community that specifically talk about books that they like. If you really enjoy Young Adult books, like myself, this is a really good resource. I have learned about so many books via this resource that I probably never would have picked up if it weren't for them. One of the best ones is Katytastic, she is funny and always talks about books.

Goodreads is the obvious place, but I wouldn't just search for a book. I would try to befriend a lot of people to get a grasp of what they are also reading. It's really interesting to read their reviews. Along with Goodreads, I would suggest going on the best selling option on Amazon. I spend so much time on Amazon searching through the book section and adding to my ever growing Wishlist. You can also do this on Book Depository but they are sometimes slow with delivering your book. I recommend this website if you want a different cover of a book rather than the one you already own.

A final way to find that perfect book is to go on google and type in "Young Adult Blogs" and if you're also on blogger, you can follow those blogs. I have yet to follow any blogs apart from Sprinkleofglitter (a make-up person from YouTube) but I will let you know some of my favorites!

Till next time!
~Amanda