The Reader Diaries #13 : When Life Gets in the Way of Reading (and Blogging)

Hello my fellow book lovers! If you are a frequent reader of this blog then you must have noticed that lately, things have been a little hectic... One week I have the time to post lots of content and the next one I only post one thing (or even nothing at all). Today I am here to talk about why that keeps happening (even though I am supposed to be on vacation and have lots of time).
The first reason that comes to mind is my driving licence... well, my future driving licence. I am currently studying in order to try and pass the theory test and I have roughly about one week to show my instructor that I am ready to take it (which I am not). I have to take it as soon as possible because at the end of the month I have a one week national camping week with my scouts group (and those of the rest of Portugal) followed by vacation with my parents. 
I don not know the steps to acquire a driver's licence in the rest of the world but in Portugal you have to phases: the theory and the practical. You are obligated to pass the first in order to be able to even qualify for the second. The theory consists of a 30 questions test in which you are only allowed to fail 3, fail more and you are failed and have to pay in order to repeat it. 
The second reason why I am not posting as much is that I am also studying to take an exam in order to try and raise a final evaluation in a subject at uni. I think you have already guessed that that subject is something I am not particularly good at. So I am studying a lot of hours a day and really not enjoying it.
With all of this, I am not reading as much as I would like to... I would really love to sit down and read through the night but I cannot. When it's night time my eyes are so tired that reading hurts. So I am making really slow progress on the three books I am currently reading. One of those books is particularly challenging because it is in Italian and I have some trouble reading it. I believe my efforts will pay off next semester in Italian class.
The other two are a book I received for review, Enchanters by K.F. Bradshaw and the second one is Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco. I really hope I am able to review both of these books with the next few weeks and move on to other new reads in order to post reviews and advice for you.
I believe you can assume that I am really really tired. Tiredness is something I hate but I've been having to sacrifice some of the things I want to do in order to rest. Resting is essential to keep your mind intact and your thoughts in order.
Please forgive me if I am not as consistent as I should be but I hope that by the end of the next month things will be better and I'll be able to deliver what you deserve.
With Love, Ana

Book News: John Green has a new book!

John Green is one of the best known and more loved authors of our times and he is coming out with a new book! He announced this amazing piece of information at Vidcon. 
The book is coming out this fall, October 10th,  and is called "Turtles All The Way Down". Besides this we only know the synopsis (see bellow) and that the internet relishing in this piece of information.

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Release date: October 10th 2017

Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers
It all begins with a fugitive billionaire and the promise of a cash reward. Turtles All the Way Down is about lifelong friendship, the intimacy of an unexpected reunion, Star Wars fan fiction, and tuatara. But at its heart is Aza Holmes, a young woman navigating daily existence within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts. 

 Resultado de imagem para add to goodreads button
Resultado de imagem para pre order on amazon




Here are some reaction tweets;




And some Instagram photos too:



Review: Uprooted by Naomi Novik



Author: Naomi Novik
22544764
Publisher: Del Rey
Publication Date: May 19th, 2015
Source: ebook (bought)
Rate:



Summary:

Our Dragon doesn’t eat the girls he takes, no matter what stories they tell outside our valley. We hear them sometimes, from travelers passing through. They talk as though we were doing human sacrifice, and he were a real dragon. Of course that’s not true: he may be a wizard and immortal, but he’s still a man, and our fathers would band together and kill him if he wanted to eat one of us every ten years. He protects us against the Wood, and we’re grateful, but not that grateful.
Agnieszka loves her valley home, her quiet village, the forests and the bright shining river. But the corrupted Wood stands on the border, full of malevolent power, and its shadow lies over her life.
Her people rely on the cold, driven wizard known only as the Dragon to keep its powers at bay. But he demands a terrible price for his help: one young woman handed over to serve him for ten years, a fate almost as terrible as falling to the Wood.
The next choosing is fast approaching, and Agnieszka is afraid. She knows—everyone knows—that the Dragon will take Kasia: beautiful, graceful, brave Kasia, all the things Agnieszka isn’t, and her dearest friend in the world. And there is no way to save her.
But Agnieszka fears the wrong things. For when the Dragon comes, it is not Kasia he will choose.

Review: Guardian of Secrets (Library Jumpers #2) by Brenda Drake


Author: Brenda Drake
Publisher: Entangled: Teen
Publication Date: February 7th, 2017
Source: ebook (bought)
Rate:



Summary:

Saving him could end her world.
Being a Sentinel isn’t all fairytales and secret gardens.
Sure, jumping through books into the world’s most beautiful libraries to protect humans from mystical creatures is awesome. No one knows that better than Gia Kearns, but she could do without the part where people are always trying to kill her. Oh, and the fact that Pop and her had to move away from her friends and life as she knew it.
And if that isn’t enough, her boyfriend, Arik, is acting strangely. Like, maybe she should be calling him “ex,” since he’s so into another girl. But she doesn’t have time to be mad or even jealous, because someone has to save the world from the upcoming apocalypse, and it looks like that’s going to be Gia.
Maybe. If she survives.

The Reader Diaries #12 : Some Time For Myself


Uni is almost at the end and it seems that I finally have some time to myself! What did I do these last days I have been gone? Well, I went camping with my scouts group and received my new scarf, I also tried to spend some time with my family (while I don't have to go a re-take an exam) and waited anxiously for my grades to come out (spoiler alert: they did not). I also bought a great amount of book (I think that was expected).
I'm currently trying to think of new posts for you while also trying to improve my reading so I am able to review more books. Reviewing books is something that I love to do but I have to admit that sometimes it is quite tiring. I end up surrounded by various kinds of work and not much will to actually accomplish things.
In a short time, I hope to have at least 2 or 3 reviews and a Lisbon Book Fair Book Haul. I am also thinking of trying to expand to YouTube. It is something I am quite afraid to do. I promise that if I actually able to accomplish that goal, I won't leave this blog behind. Truthfully, this blog allows me to have a voice and speak my mind and for me, that is one of the most important things in the world.
Since it is the beginning of Summer I have to start thinking about how am I going to earn money. I need it so I can put it aside for future projects and to pay for my further education, as well as products in order to be able to create more content. Creating original content is very difficult sometimes but it is something that allows you to grow and "spread your wings".
Sometimes I need to remind myself that no one gets anywhere without effort and a little bit of a struggle. I want to be a self-made woman. I really do not want to be one of those people who live in their parents home for years and years. This is the struggle of my generation and I know that I am starting to ramble a bit but this is something that has to be brought to attention. There are less available jobs every day, the price per square meter while buying a home is also increasing and the number of jobless and penniless people has reached a peak. We cannot forget to support the ones that make an effort and attempt to build something of a career.
Well, I know that I rambled a lot... I hope to be back soon with some quality content that I'm working on (I promise). 
Love, Ana

Previously on "The Reader Diaries":

Review: Haven (Chronicles of Warshard #1) by Katherine Bogle



Author: Katherine Bogle
30119375
Publisher: Friesen Press
Publication Date: May 11th, 2016 
Source: ebook (given by Netgalley)
Rate:




Summary:

Princess Haven was never meant to be Queen.
Her immortality has saved her time and time again, but when the last of her royal family dies at her feet, she is next in line to rule a nation on the brink of war. With no formal training on how to be Queen, Haven must rise to the occasion with the help of her best friends, and personal guard, or risk losing everyone she has ever loved.
With war to the West, and no escape to the East, the evil tyrant Kadia sets her sights on the six kingdoms. Haven’s neighbors are quick to fall under the swords of Kadia’s shadow soldiers, leaving a sea of bodies and a clear path to Haven’s only home.
As Kadia’s obsession with Haven mounts, little time remains, and Haven must make a choice; join together with her fellow Royals, and test her immortality in a final stand against the evil Queen, or flee across the sea to a foreign republic in hopes of salvation. Both choices have a cost. Both plans could go awry. Haven must decide quickly, or she might be the only one left.

Lisbon Book Fair - My Book Fair Essentials

The first of June marked the first day of the 87th Lisbon Book Fair! Since it is one of my favourite events of the year I'm going to try to write some posts about it. Unfortunately, this time, since I am now studying at University it occurs side by side with finals. I know, I know, it is bad and sad but what can a girl do?
The first Lisbon Book Fair was in May 1930 and since then it is held annually in the city of Lisbon (Portugal). It is managed and planned by the Associação Portuguesa de Editores e Livreiros (Portuguese Association of Editors and Book Sellers). Most of the books in this fair are in Portuguese but there are many publications in English and other languages distributed along the fair.
Resultado de imagem para feira do livro lisboa 2017

In this post, I am going to talk about what are my essentials for when I go to this fair. I think one of the main things to have in mind when going to this fair is that it is in a garden (Parque Eduardo VII) so you have to dress weather appropriate. Currently, in Portugal it is very sunny with some light wind so I have to be careful, also it might rain so a water resistant jacket that folds itself to almost nothing is useful (Decathlon is amazing).
If you are trying to produce less waste like me then something you definitely have to bring is some kind of tote or backpack to carry all of your amazing purchases. With this trick, you won't have to take those awful plastic bags  - that often break with the weight of the books - and you will be saving the planet!


One thing you should always remember is to look for coupons and discounts. You can search on the internet or on the Sunday paper. Having this little pieces of paper with you might be really helpful since you will be able to pay (a lot) less for much more books.
Also, do not forget to bring a backpack to take all of your things with you! Even when you have a canvas shoulder bag the books are really heavy. It is better for you back and your shoulders if you carry them in a sturdy backpack (you can thank me later).


Some things that I always carry in my backpack to this book fair are:

  1. tissues: you never know when you might need to blow your nose or clean your mouth after eating.
  2. a notebook: notebooks are amazing, you can not only take notes but also write your thoughts and plans - and maybe your spending budget - so I always make sure to carry one.
  3. a water bottle: do not forget to stay hydrated. Not only because of your skin but water is the main part of our body and we need to replenish it. Besides, if you are going to walk around all day - or afternoon - in the Sun you will want to drink water.
  4. my wallet: if I am going shopping I need my wallet, besides I always carry my I.D. and my student card. 
  5. a pen: carrying a notebook without a pen does not really make sense, so make sure to carry both.
  6. my sunglasses (in their case): even having dark coloured eyes it is very important to use your sunglasses. They will protect your eyes and make you more comfortable throughout the day. 
  7. some baby wipes: we humans are dirty people so make sure so carry baby wipes, even if it is just so you won't have to use public water paper to clean yourself. Besides baby wipes, I also try to carry disinfectant. After riding the underground and the train you'll want to clean your hands or even just before eating something.
  8. some sunscreen: we have to protect our skin! So it is very important to put on sunscreen at least every 6 hours. This my Ávene sunscreen that is specific for acne prone skin.
Besides my backpack essentials and the coupons and discounts, I always make a plan of the books I really need to buy. This is how I organise them in my Word document:


  1. the cover: it will be easier for the person on the store to find a specific edition of a book if you provide a cover.
  2. the title and the author: obviously this is an essential so you won't get lost in your thoughts and forget the actual name of what you need.
  3. the publisher: in Lisbon, the fair is divided by publishers and independent bookstores so having the publishers name lets you know where you need to go.
  4. the normal price: usually all the prices of books on book fairs are lower than normal but it never hurts to check. Always check the real price of the book, you might be able to purchase it at a lower price with your store credit.
I hope you liked my tips and tricks on what to bring to a book fair! I'll try to post more things like this one. 
Love, Ana

Book Highlight #2: Reckless Treasure by Cecily Wolfe