Lello bookstore in Porto, Portugal

How Amazing is this bookstore?...

The Art Noveau facade of Lello Bookstore in Portugal. Photography by pedrosimoes7 Flickr.com

 

 

 

 

The inside of Lello bookstore, open since 1906. Photography by delviking Flickr.com

The stained glass ceiling of the interior of the bookstore. Photography by stukinha Flickr.com

The stairs inside the Lello bookstore. Photography by stukinha Flickr.com

Another Interior view. Photography by stukhina Flickr.com

Where do you get your books from? Volume I

It took my breath away when I saw the pictures of these libraries and bookstores around the world...

the main reading hall, the Rotunde, of the City Library of Stockholm. Photography by arndalarm Flickr.com

The Library Parabola reading room of the British Library. Photograph by Sifter Flickr.com

 

Listed as a World Heritage site, The Library of Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain. Photograpgh by cuellar Flickr.com

 OUTSIDE of - Shakespeare & Co. Antiquarian Books, Paris. Photograph by Simple Dolphin Flickr.com

INSIDE of - Shakespeare & Co. in Paris. Photograph by Toshio Flickr.com

Bookstore in Calcutta, India. Photograph by FriskoDude Flickr.com

El Ateneo bookstore in Buenos Aires. Photography by joesphina- Flickr.com

Photos found at Most Interesting bookstores & Most interesting Libraries.
Photos remain copyright to the photographers.

REVIEW: ANASTASIA'S SECRET by Susanne Dunlap

A fascinating new novel by Susanne Dunlap, Anastasia's Secret is an insight into the last days of the Romanovs, the last Imperial family of Russia.

Step into the life of Grand Duchess Anastasia Nicholavena Romanova, the youngest daughter of the last Tsar of Russia.
Un-noticed by her family, Anastasia watches from the sidelines as she discovers life & love. As her world of the Imperial family slowly comes tumbling down, Anastasia must learn the lessons of life in captivity.


Full of intrigue, suspense, romance and drama, I found Anastasia's Secret to be a fascinating novel that really makes you feel emotionally tied to the characters.

Part fiction, part non-fiction, Anastasia's secret is based around the life of Anastasia Romanova, with a fictional love interest.
I loved this novel, I found it gripped me and plunged me into the world of Anastasia, where I was absorbed by Dunlap's writing. It was highly emotional and made me feel part of the story. As the story came to a close, knowing the inevitable outcome (unless it really was fiction!) I felt myself saddened for the end of the story that Dunlap has reviewed.

I highly reccomend Anastasia's Secret for fans of The Other Countess by Eve Edwards, Historical novels, and girls aged 13-16.

Author Profile: Lauren Child

Born in Marlborough, England in 1965, Lauren Child attended St. John's school until the age of 16 when she attended Marlborough College.

Lauren Child uses mixed media such as collage, magazine cuttings, watercolours, photography and material.

Her first book was published in 1993 and was entitled "Addy the Baddy".

A Television series for kids based on her books Charlie and Lola is now a hit television show, winning the 2007 BAFTA award for Best Children's Show and Best Script.
  
Lauren Child now lives in London.

The Following are all the books that Lauren Child has either Illustrated, Written or Both.

• Clarice Bean, That's me  (1999)
• I want a pet!  (1999)
• Beware of the storybook wolves (2000)
• I will not Ever Never eat a tomato (2000)
• My Uncle is a hunkle says Clarice Bean (2000)
• I am not sleepy and I will not go to bed (2001)
• My Dream Bed (2001)
• What planet are you from Clarice Bean? (2001)
• That Pesky Rat (2002)
• Utterly Me, Clarice Bean (2002)
• Who's afraid of the big bad book? (2002)
• I am too absolutley small for school (2003)
• Clarice Bean spells trouble (2004)
• Hubert Horatio Bartle Bobton-Trent (2004)
• Bat Cat (2005)
• Beware of the Storybook Wolves (2005)
• The Princess and the Pea - Photography by Polly Borland - (2005)
• Clarice Bean, Don't Look Now (2006)

• Addy the Baddy (1993)
• Stand up for yourself! (1996)
• The complete works of Phoebe Flood (1997)
• Dream On, Daisy! (2001)
• I'd like a little word, Leonie (2001)
• Just you wait, Winona (2001)
• What's the Matter Maya? (2001)
• You must be Joking Jimmy! (2001) 
• You're a disgrace, Daisy (2001)
• Dan's Angel: A detective's guide to the
• language of painting  (2002)
• Pippi Longstocking (2007)
• Anne of Green Gables (2009)
• Anne of Avonlea (2009)
• Anne of the Island (2009)

• 1999 Clarice Bean, That's Me won the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize Bronze Award
• 1999 Clarice Bean, That's Me shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal
• 2000 I Will Not Ever Never Eat A Tomato won the Kate Greenaway Medal
• 2000 Beware of the Storybook Wolves won the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize Bronze Award
• 2000 Beware of the Storybook Wolves shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal
• 2001 What Planet Are You From, Clarice Bean? won the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize Bronze Award
• 2002 That Pesky Rat won the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize Gold Award
• 2002 That Pesky Rat shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal
• 2002 Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Book? shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal
• 2002 Utterly Me, Clarice Bean longlisted for the Carnegie Medal
• 2003 I Am Too Absolutely Small for School longlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal
• 2004 Hubert Horatio Bartle Bobton-Trent longlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal
• 2005 Clarice Bean Spells Trouble shortlisted for the British Children's Book of the Year
• 2005 Clarice Bean Spells Trouble shortlisted for the Red House Children's Book Award
• 2005 The Princess and the Pea longlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal

Child was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2010 New Year Honours.

REVIEW: THE OTHER COUNTESS by Eve Edwards

Intrigue, Romance, Drama, Forbidden Love and a delicious plot fill the pages of this sensational novel set in Tudor England.

Alchemist's Daughter, Lady Eleanor "Ellie " Rodriguez of San Jaime spends her life reluctantly accompanying her naive father around the countryside as he strives to make gold.
When Ellie finds herself at the Queen's court with her father, she has no idea what the future holds. 
Her witty vocabulary and spirited personality capture the Queen's court. Ellie finds her self drawn to one and the conquest of another. 
William Lacey, the new Earl of Dorset is in financial ruin and he is destined to marry another.
Will and Ellie find themselves drawn together, but they can never be...


 I immensley enjoyed this novel by Eve Edwards.
You would imagine a historical novel set in 1582 to be dull and lifeless, but The Other Countess is anything but that.
Bursting at the seams with characters that leap off the page, settings that amplify the novel to the max and stunning writing, The Other Countess will leave you breathless and wanting more.

I recommend this book for Women aged 13+. When I say this, in my opinion, even an adult would enjoy this book.

This book encapsulates vivid characters, detailed descriptions and manages to intertwine certain truthful historical events in one addictive, delightful debut novel that should be on anyone's must-read list.

One of my favourite books ever, The Other Countess is not to be missed.

Look out for another book in the Tudor Romance series, The Queen's Lady Out Early 2011.

READ AN INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR EVE EDWARDS (FROM PERNGUIN'S BTL) HERE


READ ANOTHER GREAT REVIEW (FROM AMAZON) HERE

Time Travel Month

From the 12th of October to the 12th of November, Be transported back in time.

Immerse yourself in the world that have been either created or rewritten by authors set in period times.
It can be in the future OR the past.
Challenge Yourself; read at least 3 time travel books this month.

What is Time Travel?
time travel
noun
(in science fiction) the action of traveling through time into the past or the future.

Here are some suggestions that will be reviewed on this blog.

I just received a copy of Anastasia's Secret by Susanne Dunlap so here's a little teaser...

The Romanov family have been ousted from the imperial palace by the Bolsheviks and exiled to Siberia.  Life as a privileged member of the Russian Royalty has come to a shattering end.
As the debate about their future rages within the ranks of the newly empowered, Anastasia, youngest daughter of the Tsar Nicholas, discovers love – and with it all the secrets and danger this brings into her strange new life.
Will the strength of that love be enough to save Anastasia from her tragic fate?  What happened in the last days of the Romanov family?  And did Russia's last princess live in love after all?
Inspired by the mysteries that have long surrounded the last days of the Romanov family, Susanne Dunlap's new novel is a haunting vision of the life – and imagined love story – of Russia's last princess.

Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen

This new series by Historical author Anna Godbersen is a must read for any fans of The Luxe, or someone that wants to travel back in time to immerse themself in the last summer of the Roaring Twenties.

When best friends Cordelia Grey and Letty Larkspur leave their small town of Union, Ohio to find their fame, fortune and lost relatives in New York, they get more than they bargained for. 
Cordelia finds herself reunited with her long-lost father, Darius Grey, an affluent bootlegger who Cordelia has always wanted to know. Letty is just trying to make it all the way to the fame and fortune of being a star. 
But things don't come with a price, Letty and Cordelia will learn that. The easy way, OR the hard way.

Bright Young things was sent to me, and as soon as I opened the package I started reading. Then enticing cover and the luring plot don't compare to what is held inside. Drama, Romance, Danger, Forbidden Love and gripping plot lines fill the pages of this dynamic novel.

Be transported back in time to the last summer of the Jazz age and lose yourself in the stories that Godbersen has weaved with expert skills.

Bright Young Things captures the desire for glamour inside and shows you the life that everybody dreams of, and the truth behind it.
Plus: It's set in the 20's!!

I recommend this book for girls aged 12 - 16.

Across the Universe by Beth Revis

I received a uncorrected proof copy of Across the Universe by Beth Revis in the mail the other day from Penguin (RazorBill)  and I was very excited when I read the blurb...


Amy has left the life she loves for a world 300 years away.

Trapped in space and frozen in time, Amy is bound for a new planet. But fifty years before she is due to arrive, she is violently woken, the victim of an attempted murder. 
Now Amy's lost on board and nothing makes sense - she's never felt so alone.

Yet someone is waiting for her. He wants to protect her; and more is she'll let him. 
But who can she trust amidst the secret and lies?


A killer is out there - and Amy has nowhere to hide...

 I'm very excited about Across the Universe and I can't wait to read it!


Across the Universe will be released on March 22, 2011.

READ THE FIRST CHAPTER HERE

This October, travel back in time...

Seeing as I am reading Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen at the moment and am enjoying it so much I thought that I would do some time travelling.

This October, travel back in time with the bestselling novels by Anna Godbersen.

Based on the lives of real girls who lived in these era's, Bright Young Things and The Luxe is a look into the culture of the Turn of the Century Manhattan and The Last Summer of the Roaring Twenties in New York. 
THE SERIES':

Bright Young Things

1. Bright Young Things

2. Beautiful Days (coming soon)

  
The year is 1929. New York is ruled by the Bright Young Things: flappers and socialites seeking thrills and chasing dreams in the anything-goes era of the Roaring Twenties.

Letty Larkspur and Cordelia Grey escaped their small Midwestern town for New York's glittering metropolis. All Letty wants is to see her name in lights, but she quickly discovers Manhattan is filled with pretty girls who will do anything to be a star. . . .
Cordelia is searching for the father she's never known, a man as infamous for his wild parties as he is for his shadowy schemes. Overnight, she enters a world more thrilling and glamorous than she ever could have imagined—and more dangerous. It's a life anyone would kill for . . . and someone will.
The only person Cordelia can trust is ­Astrid Donal, a flapper who seems to have it all: money, looks, and the love of Cordelia's brother, Charlie. But Astrid's perfect veneer hides a score of family secrets.
Across the vast lawns of Long Island, in the ­illicit speakeasies of Manhattan, and on the blindingly lit stages of Broadway, the three girls' fortunes will rise and fall—together and apart. From the New York Times bestselling author of The Luxe comes an epic new series set in the dizzying last summer of the Jazz Age.

 The Luxe

 1. The Luxe
2. Rumors
3. Envy
4. Splendor

Pretty girls in pretty dresses, partying until dawn.
Irresistible boys with mischievous smiles and dangerous intentions.
White lies, dark secrets, and scandalous hookups.
This is Manhattan, 1899.

Beautiful sisters Elizabeth and Diana Holland rule Manhattan's social scene. Or so it appears. When the girls discover their status among New York City's elite is far from secure, suddenly everyone—from the backstabbing socialite Penelope Hayes, to the debonair bachelor Henry Schoonmaker, to the spiteful maid Lina Broud—threatens Elizabeth's and Diana's golden future.
With the fate of the Hollands resting on her shoulders, Elizabeth must choose between family duty and true love. But when her carriage overturns near the East River, the girl whose glittering life lit up the city's gossip pages is swallowed by the rough current. As all of New York grieves, some begin to wonder whether life at the top proved too much for this ethereal beauty, or if, perhaps, someone wanted to see Manhattan's most celebrated daughter disappear...
In a world of luxury and deception, where appearance matters above everything and breaking the social code means running the risk of being ostracized forever, five teenagers lead dangerously scandalous lives. This thrilling trip to the age of innocence is anything but innocent.



One of my favourite songs, perfect to put you in the mood for reading Bright Young things,
the (coincidentally) suitably named In the Mood by Glenn Miller.



So for this month, travel to the turn of the century and to the Roaring Twenties with characters that come alive on the page as you are sucked in to reading more and more until there is no more.

For more information on books by Anna Godbersen, click here

I am Number Four movie trailer - BTL

As you may have noticed, I love the book I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore, and I was extremely excited when I saw the trailer for the movie that is out soon.

I insist that you watch the trailer, it is sooo worth it, and it's just really cool!

What is a story?

Everybody has their own stories. 

They might be family tales of adventures, or the time that Uncle John came over for a barbecue.

No matter how hysterical, unimaginable or just down right foolish these stories are, they belong to us.

Everybody has their own life, experiences, just waiting to be told, may it be imaginative or if it is authentic.

story 1 |ˈstôrē| |ˈstɔri| |ˈstɔːri|
noun ( pl. -ries)
1 an account of imaginary or real people and events told for entertainment : an adventure story | I'm going to tell you a story.
• a plot or story line : the novel has a good story.
• a report of an item of news in a newspaper, magazine, or news broadcast : stories in the local papers.
• a piece of gossip; a rumor : there have been lots of stories going around, as you can imagine.
• informal a false statement or explanation; a lie : Ellie never told stories —she had always believed in the truth.

2 an account of past events in someone's life or in the evolution of something : the story of modern farming | the film is based on a true story.
• a particular person's representation of the facts of a matter, esp. as given in self-defense : during police interviews, Harper changed his story.
• [in sing. ] a situation viewed in terms of the information known about it or its similarity to another : having such information is useful, but it is not the whole story | many children with leukemia now survive—twenty years ago it was a very different story.

I only recently learned how MANY DIFFERENT types of stories there are. 

For Example:

 I also found how many synonyms there are for the one word: Story

So, when you go to tell the next story at a party or event, think.

Think about how the story is a HUGE part of human life. From the cavemen who drew on the walls of the caves and told stories of how they thought the world was created, to the modern novel, adapted into many forms; plays, movies, comic books, television shows; anime/manga, and many more.

Word has always been a dominant part of life, telling people how to live, how things became the way they were, as well as words of kindness, hate, love, jealousy or sadnesss.

The Words will always be there, You be the one to write the story.