a tiny peek inside

So, I'm in Karachi right now.

Its nice I suppose. I've met my best friends and hung out with them a lot and it feels wonderful to be with them again.

But? I do miss Lahore. 

I do. 

When I lived here, in Karachi- as in, went to school here and actually was LIVING here- I never really missed it when I went to Lahore for the hols. Its weird, I guess. Home is where the heart is and my heart is sorta cut up between friends and family. In that case it probably is in other parts of the world too, but only slivers of it. The only really chunks lie within Lahore and Karachi.

I've missed it though.

Lahore and Karachi- they're totally different. And no, I'm not talking about the freakin' beach debate here.

Lahore is homely, comforting. Its a cup of sweet hot cocoa on a bitter cold day, its a soft and sweet smelling grandmothers hug. Its friends who are as un-pretentious as friends can be. Sometimes its adventure but mostly? Its cozy, mismatched, but with a charm of its own.

Karachi, on the other hand is an intellectual career woman in her posh heels and trendy suit. Its haute couture and sneaking out. Its leaping off buildings and loud laughter and the best deals. Its bright red nail polish and thigh high boots. Its a blazing, bright firework of fun and excitement. 

The two can't be compared because they're just so different.

I've bought so many books here, its not even funny any more- stay tuned for a mega book post- eeeh can't wait! I'll also be holding that giveaway sometime next year- I mean next month.

Its funny how a whole year has passed.

Its sad I have absolutely nothing to show for it.

x

Chicklitgirl

my best friend and I at Port Grand- Karachi

Ps: 5 points for guessing who is who!

Book Haul! (2)

So I went to Sunday Bazaar- and tucked away in a shelf at one of the book stalls I found the most beautiful things a YA Pakistani book blogger dreams of: HARDCOVER. ALMOST PERFECT CONDITION. RECENT YA BOOKS!

I died and went to heaven for a bit then.

I bought all four of these for less than 10$.

I've been dying to read them all!
Click on the covers below to know more about 'em.

Now, I shall leave you with a wonderful song and skedaddle.
Misfits is on in two.



x

CLG

Beauty Queens aka best Girl Power book EVAAA.

Beauty Queens
by Libba Bray

4.3 stars out of 5

A plane full of Miss Teen Dream contestants- beauty queens, to be exact, crashes on a dessert Island.

Soon the girls find out, they are not alone, and, that girl power RAWKKZZZ.

Okay, that's obv not the real blurb, but it sucked, so I made up my own.


First of all, I think the rating says it all.

Few, very few books get higher than a 4 star rating from me, and only one book has ever 
gotten a five! (Harry Potter). Good reads are usually3-3.99 stars, EXCELLENT reads get 4 and above that are books which have it all. BQs, has it all.

The Writing: is wonderful, intelligent, easy to read, makes sense, to 
the point and unhurried.


The Dollop of Romance: is sweet and meaning full and sexy and honest.


The Girls: are, like shiny wrapped Easter eggs. Pretty sweet 
looking. And then the wrappers of each individual gets unwrapped and 
their insides are way better than you could ever imagine.
They have their secrets, they have their strengths and if there ever 
was a positive, feminist book- reader, you have arrived.

I wanted to be best friends with these beauty queens, I admired them and was inspired by them.

The beauty queens in this book are the quintessential, powerful and fantastic amalgamation of girl power and girls everywhere.
We are not a pair of boobs, or secret disappointments since boys are 'obv better' but we are fucking fabulous, so suck it up.BeautyQueens was hilarious and did not take itself too seriously, instead of being ambiguous about its message and giving it to the reader in a complicated, complex and 'open for analysis' way, it spoke to you, fully straight faced and head on: we are girls, we are your equals. 

We see right through the new world order, the horrible mind control. 

We are not oblivious, but tolerant. 

We can kick your ass, always- and forever.

It is the kind of book which is silly and straight-faced, both at the same time.
It mocks itself in ridiculous (hot bodacious pirate romance/ending dance number/etc) ways, but for me at least, instead of feeling annoyed about it, I felt that the silliness added to its awesomeness- it was so much fun!
Its insane with some bits cliched, but totally intellectual. Its an oxymoron, but really empowering.
Its Libba Bray's Beauty Queens.

Some of my fav quotes of the book: [These are just 1%, actually, since the whole book is brilliantly quotable].

1. There was something about the island that made the girls forget who 
they had been. All those rules and shalt nots. They were no longer 
waiting for some arbitrary grade. They were no longer performing. 
Waiting. Hoping.
They were becoming.
They were. 

 2. A little footnote in the book, when 'Bridal Death Match' mentioned:

36 Bridal Death Match , the popular TV show about brides who cage 
fight each other in order to win the wedding of their dreams.

3. It had the word bitches in it, which is perfectly fine to use if 
you’re a rapper or a director making a movie about career women, but 
not if you’re a teen girl talking about her homies.”

Good point, Petra. We know that young ladies of the teen persuasion do 
not use these indelicate words. Nor do they have thoughts about sex, masturbation, violence, being competitive, or farting.”

I did not give this book five whole stars because I wish it had been slightly more... Realistic, things 
were a bit too smooth, and sometimes a bit too silly. I suppose its the charm of the book- but still.


Overall? Awesome book.
Read it.

xx
CLG

Truth in cliches.

She looked at him, smiling at Her. He was enthralled by her grace and lightness. The way she flipped her hair, and looked up shyly through her eyelashes, the way she laughed, a girlish caress to the wind, the way she believed in what he did.
Because the beliefs they both had in common were the most important thing. That was the first thing he looked for now. Never again would he make the mistake of falling for the wrong girl.
He pushed away the ugly thought, tinged with just the right amount of discomfort and a pinch of pain.
It was a new day, a new him. He had chosen his path, he had done what was best for him, and he had convinced himself that what he was doing was okay. It was the right thing to do.
For him, anyway.
He took a sip from his non-alcoholic beverage and concentrated on the conversation.
It was, if he was honest with himself, a bit tiring to be constantly chipper and his jaw had developed a bit of an ache due to all the forced smiles. It wasn't that she was boring, it was just that she wasn't that interesting.

She saw his eyes glaze over for a few seconds and the pain in her heart lessened the tiniest bit.
Why could she not be happy for him? He'd clearly moved on, was visibly happy for her and played the cool card whenever they had a chance to catch up.
He was obviously made of tougher stuff than she. She saw him lean closer and point at Her face.
She felt nauseous. The girl laughingly said something, and he gently brushed her cheek with a tissue.
The black mark that she'd taken for a mole fell away, and as they stared into each others eyes, a tear worked its way into the corner of hers.

She stood up.
She had had enough.
She would not torture herself anymore.
He had led her on, made her feel special, then dumped her as soon as the other girl had made an appearance.
He had used her until the better package had come along- and even though she knew she was being unfair- they had technically agreed on everything- she wanted him, like she had all those years ago.
Was in love with him, and did not know how to cure it.
'Love' had been a sharp slap in her face.
Something that bruised her insides and made her crazy.
She knew it existed somewhere, but clearly not for her.
Would she ever feel this way again about someone?
She was afraid of the answer.
She did not want to be a jealous, selfish, shell of a person.
They say time is the best healer of wounds. They probably never had their heart stamped on until it was in smithereens.
She shook her head, dabbing at her eyes.
She reluctantly acknowledged that she would have let him go completely for a while, if she wanted her thoughts to stop doing a horrible dance around his being.
She had to give time a shot.

As she walked out of the cafeteria, he looked up and caught her eye.
She did not smile.
Neither did he.

The rate of change of momentum of a body.

I stared at the paper, clenching my pencil hard in my sweaty hand.
'Define Force.' was the simple question and my brain was thinking hard of its not-so-simple answer.
Force... force... that's mass into acceleration... but whats the definition? 
I looked up yet again, squinting at the large clock some ten feet away from me. Three minutes till I could kiss Physics goodbye forever. Three minutes were all that stood between me and that last precious mark.
I read and re-read the stupid line, hoping for a clue in the repetition.
What had my notebook said about force?
I knew its base units and I'd learned its formulas. The SI units had been memorized and burnt into my retina and brain since Olevels, 2009.
But what about the blasted precise.CIE.definition?
I took a deep breath, scrawled down a cursed sentence and she cleared her throat.
My three minutes were up, she told us.
I was free, was what she meant.


*Of course, in real life, I wrote the wrong definition and I still have a lot of exams left. 

Imran Khan.

That will be all.

Book Review: Wishcraft by Lanie Kincaid

Wishcraft

by Lanie Kincaid

(Publication year: 2011)

Delilah Goodman has spent the past year doing what she does best: casting simple spells and trying to get over the heartbreaking betrayal that left her husband and her younger sister dead. Raised as a witch, there’s a lot she can do, and a lot she can’t, so she spends her time working as a pastry chef. She’s trying to heal, but in the meantime she’s become a regular at a bar down the street. And Brandon is just another night that she’ll remember and he won’t.

Brandon Stewart literally doesn’t know what hit him. He knows he went into the bar with his friends and after that . . . he just can’t recall. He does have a vague recollection of a hot blonde and a craving for pumpkin cake. With spiced whipped cream. And chocolate. Neither of them can fight the force that pulls them back together. As Brandon becomes more important to her, Delilah realizes that what she’s done is so very wrong. Her own sister altered her memories, and Delilah knows how it feels to be played. She has to come clean to Brandon


What I thought


This was a pure romance novel, with a whole lot of witchcraft thrown into the mix.
If I'd judged the book purely by the cover- I'd have never picked this book up- it screams amateur and isn't one bit creative. But, I decided to read it when I got a net galley email about it, the blurb sounded interesting enough and like something I'd enjoy- and I'm glad I did.

Wishcraft isn't terribly original or particularly earth shattering.
But it is a good, well developed romance with MAGIC!
Its also funny, sweet and yeah- magical, with a whole bit of mystery thrown in- a good rainy-day read.

So first of we have a killer protag, Delilah who loves to cook (and is so super awesome at it!) and is kinda, totally messed up because of some heavy stuff that happened to her in the past.
Then we have Brandon, a really sweet and funny guy who fall in love with the wrong bi- I mean- witch. *cough*

I really like how the romance of the novel was built and executed.
The relationship between Brandon and Delilah was sweet and built up over time, instead of the instant-love stuff that's written about so much in novels.
The love story was really sweet and didn't paint Brandon as a knight-who-could-do-no-wrong, but a human guy who had his low moments too, but despite it all, was a positively adorable/hot/sexy and a GOOD, DECENT guy.

In a lot of romances you find the guy to be all about the looks. Here we had Brandon, who was obviously good looking with his beautiful green eyes and whatnot, but I was glad that the author didn't keep going on about his killer bod and other manly physical features as a lot of other romance authors do.

Delilah was also not your typical romance-novel girl. She did not swoon and die and over analyze in the beginning of the relationship. Through it all, one can see her always handling everything maturely, without being dramatic and crazy. But she isn't painted as super-woman either- shes properly balanced, with her own personal breakdowns and stuff.
The point I'm trying to make here is, both Brandon and Delilah were made into proper, believable, likable characters and through it all, you couldn't help, but root for them.
The witchcraft arc, was also, surprisingly quite believable, and had a bit of depth to it. It seemed to be a part of the book, instead of just being there to look pretty and fun.

All that being said, Wishcraft wasn't quite lighthearted, even with all its romance.
The slight twists and turns were enough to get a reader hooked and interested for more, and the mystery about Delilah's life was unraveled slowly, bit by bit and managed quite well.
I wasn't dying of suspense, but I really wanted to find out what REALLY went down with Jules and David, and what Delilah's role was, in it all.

Overall, Wishcraft was an entertaining book, with some dark undertones and an overall lovely love story, with  a sprinkling of occasional humor and a ton of magic.

It gets three out of five stars. (= a good read)

Thank you Net Galley for providing me with the review galley!

Note on the cover: It sucks. I'm sorry, but it does. A nice sparkly cover please!

xx
CLG

thanks man, owe ya one.

I lost my iPod.
I know.
It was an iPod touch, first generation.
I know, comparatively, its the crappiest out there- but I didn't care.
Nope.
Not one bit. It was the coolest electronic device that I could call all mine. And as time went on, as time does, I grew to love it to bits.
It had so much stuff in it. So.Much.Stuff.
 And not even bs stuff, like, important, i-cant-live-without stuff.
My own portable Quran, TextPlus which is the best app for free texting to the US/Canada [where my bffs live] and ETC.

The main 'stuff'? A whole collection of fabulous ebooks.
With an awesome ebook-reading app to go along with it.

Forever Alone.

Without my songs, my books and my social apps.

AND STEVE JOBS DIED ON TOP OF THAT.

Thanks Steve, for my iPod and everything else that you've done. It was, actually, truly incredibly awesome.

Here's a link of this really cool speech he did in 2005. Don't worry, its not boring AT all. I thought it might be, but its not.
In his own words: 'Its just 3 stories. No big deal!'



Also, he was ADOPTED? AND FIRED FROM APPLE? And then, RE-HIRED!
I also did not know about him creating Pixar too.
That's like even more special, in a way, than the whole Apple deal, because dude... TOY STORY? A BUGS LIFE?
Best movies ever.

In the words of the (fake twitter) Professor Severus Snape:

xx
CLG

Ps: Please pray for my ALEVELS. Its on like donkey kong- 28th Oct. *heart attack*

in which I talk about life and its meaning.

The days are all blurred into each other- its pretty monotonous- save for some little moments that try to break up the constancy and greyness of life.
For one, I dunno how this 'gap year' is going to work.
At first, everyone was fine with it. But suddenly, over Eid, literally EVERYONE has started having problems with me taking a year off.
My parents, my relatives, my parents' friends even.
Why, I ask them, could they have not voiced said problems before? When the universities I'm interested in were raking in their admissions and  having a jolly good time with the admission tests and all that after-Alevel crap?
Why NOW, when all of them are not taking in new kids, when the time for xyzCAT registrations AND in some cases, testing is over?

They say its because I don't talk to them, don't inform them about my 'plans'.
First of all, I TOLD them my plans. Second of all, they AGREED with the gap year scene, initially.
So why the fuck do they have to make me feel even worse about said plans now?
Why did they not offer the numerous knowledgeable contacts they had, talking about what I should do before it was too late?!
 I'm sorry.
Its their fault, not mine.
I know I screwed the Alevels up, I'm trying to make up for it.
So shut up okay?
Ugh.

Anyway, on a more cheerful note... Bloomsbury-Walker [WELL KNOWN SEXY BOOK PUBLISHERS] actually tweeted about my Chain Reaction book review!
Me=Ecstatic- might as well be an understatement.
AND THEN THEY REPLIED BACK WHEN I TWEETED ABOUT IT!!!

Yeah, to all the book bloggers out there- I know you guys probably think its not such a big deal- but it is to me okay?
I live in Pakistan- have a BOOK blog and awesome international publishers actually call MY reviews awesome?

 In other news, Eid was fun and I got SO MUCH MONEY. *drools*
And then- my birthday was like, exactly a day after Eid, which obviously meant- yeah you guessed it, EVEN MORE MOOLAH.
I can finally get a decent phone now, mine looks like its been stamped on (it has- Dad was mad at me), sat on, and like someone regularly dropped it whenever they forgot it was on their lap (me).
They back cover is MIA and Ibu peeled off a part of the red, once very sexy metallic coating, so now its just- crap.
Not to mention how it hangs quite often and switches of whenever it pleases.
You know, despite it all, I really love my phone.
A very close friend got it for me all the way from Saddar, (in Karachi, a place far far away, where females are usually not encouraged to go to cause of the volatile [read: gross and maila] crowd. Would you label me as snob/ defence ki bachi for saying  that? Probably. But whatever.) since in our regular cellphone shops they all had it in black, not red.
It has over a kajillion texts in it from my best friends, who left me foreva and went abroad, which actually spell into a million memories.
Ima miss it, but I think its served its time. Its been with me since the summer of 2009.

Okay, so I keep switching back and forth between the blogger window and my desktop.
MOM, PLEASE LEAVE ME ALONE.
*face-desk*x1002029

My birthday sucked, in a way. I slept the whole day, in a half hearted depression state. Feeling sorry for myself and all that. At night though, it got better, when my mom/grandma/sisters took me to the new Frozen Yogurt place thats opened up on MM Alam Road and then I had a special mini surprise- all thanks to the loveliness that is Sallz.
She'd somehow managed to get me a cake/card/present, all the way from Karachi!
It was super adorable and so unexpected!
After that, I had this huge silly smile on my face the whole time we were there.
The omg-someone-really-cares feeling was kinda awesome.
 Best friends like that = win.

Pictures? Yes, of course.

Ibu, strolling down zi driveway- like a bauuusss

My wonderful birthday surprise.

The frozen yogurt birthday sundae- complete with 3 scoops of ice cream (mint choc chip/butter pecan/rock road), whipped cream, topped with crushed brownie bits and waffle- with the cliched cherry on top.
Yes, I ate it all.
Yes, I'm a fat ass.

Me showing off the cute Bday card

Two lovely books given to me by another awesome friend of mine. *sigh of content*

double choc chip cupcakes- I baked for Eid

My sister's mehndi, this Eid

Me, this Eid.

I'll probably once again not be blogging as much as usual- exams in October!
RATE/COMMENT/SUBSCRIBE!

Hugs,

ChickLitGirl

Ps:

Life: Something everyone goes through.
Its meaning [as defined by Google]: The condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death.

NOW YOU KNOW THE MEANING OF LIFE!!!!

A Long, Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan (in which there are- emotional emotions)

A Long, Long Sleep

by Anna Sheehan

4/5 stars!

This book.
THIS book.
It is emotional.
It made me cry.
Its exciting and bitter and sweet and horrifying- and really, REALLY good.

You need to read this book.

It should have been a short suspended-animation sleep. But this time Rose wakes up to find her past is long gone— and her future full of peril.
Rosalinda Fitzroy has been asleep for sixty-two years when she is woken by a kiss. Locked away in the chemically induced slumber of a stasis tube in a forgotten subbasement, sixteen-year-old Rose slept straight through the Dark Times that killed millions and utterly changed the world she knew. Now, her parents and her first love are long gone, and Rose— hailed upon her awakening as the long-lost heir to an interplanetary empire— is thrust alone into a future in which she is viewed as either a freak or a threat. Desperate to put the past behind her and adapt to her new world, Rose finds herself drawn to the boy who kissed her awake, hoping that he can help her to start fresh. But when a deadly danger jeopardizes her fragile new existence, Rose must face the ghosts of her past with open eyes— or be left without any future at all.

My Thoughts:

I love fairy tales and I thought this was just going to be a nice dystopian-ish retelling of Sleeping Beauty.
Well.
It is that, but unlike all other dystopians out there- This is so very different.

The beginning of the book was boring- don't expect to fall in it at once. Its boring, but not so much as to put you off.
The author, because of the whole future element managed to keep you interested enough, though you do find yourself face-walling at how pathetic Rose is behaving like, and at first, she seems like a spineless wishy washy girl- and not very likeable.

But wow, do things do a complete 180 midway through!
All the insignificant and weird childhood-y things Rose has been through, and everything else, comes together in a most breathtaking way!
Rose's ordeal was so very painful, and bittersweet and in some parts so emotional, and brilliantly written that yes, I cried.
I applaud any author who can get under my skin and actually make me feel.
This book, this author, did exactly that.
*cue: applause*

The emotions, the feelings of love and loss are absolutely vivid and shockingly precisely written.
The relationship between Rose and Xavier- it actually made me cry.
And the mystery and the huge twists?
I did not, at all see them coming.
Mysteries which can knock you off your feet?
Wow.

I know this review may seem a bit haphazard, it might suck even- but I was not at all anticipating this book to be so good!
I probably judged the book by its cover, [I know. *cringes*]which isn't very outstanding. And I thought it would be an okay read, even with the interesting blurb, and I am so glad to be proven wrong!
 
This book was breathtaking- the mystery and tender love of it all.

Most books usually don't leave me hungry for sequels, and usually, I'm glad there are none, since the novel isn't so profound that I'll remember every detail a year later when the sequel finally makes a show- but A Long, Long Sleep is the kind of book that leaves a mark on you.
Yeah its a tiny mark, minute even, but you wont be forgetting this anytime soon.
I want a sequel.
A sequel would be awesome.

I love NetGalley for providing me with a review ebook. Simply love. Thankyou!

READITITITIT.
And love it.

xx

CLG

Lemons

She sipped her triple chocolate frappuccino while I thought it over.
'So apart from the whole control thing, do you like him? Like you know, like like?'
It was sort of funny how we'd gone back to seventh grade talk when we clearly were mature (shut up),  nineteen year olds, taking a mature (shut up) gap year, trying to find the 'real' us.
'I don't know! Two weeks ago I thought he was stupid but then he says things like 'I'll give you my months salary so you can buy yourself a birthday present.' Forty thousand rupees! And my heart just... melts man!'
At the fucking seriously? look on my face she added with a sigh 'I know, I know. But it feels good to at least hear someone say it you know.'
I bit into a french fry as i looked at my best and very crazy friend.
'You know what you guys would be? If you know, you were somewhere abroad, in a western country and wernt all good and muslim?'
'What Em? What would we be?'
She rolled her eyes but despite herself, laughed.
'Fuck buddies.'
I dipped the fry in barbeque sauce.
'Thats what you would be.'

Chain Reaction by Simone Elkeles (in which I swoon and love)

Chain Reaction
By Simone Elkeles

3.5/5 stars

Luis Fuentes has always been sheltered from the gang violence that nearly destroyed his brothers’ lives. But that didn’t stop him from taking risks—whether he’s scaling a mountain in the Rockies or dreaming of a future as an astronaut, Luis can’t stop looking for the next thrill.

Nikki Cruz lives her life by three rules—boys lie to get their way, don’t trust a boy who says “I love you,” and never date a boy from the south side of Fairfield. Her parents may be from Mexico, but as a doctor’s daughter, she has more in common with her north-side neighbors than the Latino Blood at her school. Then she meets Luis at Alex’s wedding, and suddenly, she’s tempted to break all her rules.

Getting Nikki to take a chance on a southsider is Luis’s biggest challenge, until
he finds himself targeted by Chuy Soto, the new head of the Latino Blood. When Chuy reveals a disturbing secret about Luis’s family, the youngest Fuentes finds himself questioning everything he’s ever believed to be true. Will his feelings for Nikki be enough to stop Luis from entering a dark and violent world and permanently living on the edge?

My Thoughts:


Chain Reaction is like one of those good, slightly dramatic drama-y books- what with the dead bodies, steamy romantic moments, the Latino Blood gangs and its share of light hearted, warm bits.
This was just as good as the other two books in the series- Rules of Attraction and Perfect Chemistry.

As far as the romance goes... Well, sizzlingfreakinsexylicious, might as well be an understatement.
It was hot you guys. With all the right bits of chemistry to make it work, and not seem like a cheesy mills and boon story. Loved it.

Luis was as usual, another one of Simon Elkeles's totally crush worthy characters, with his sexy looks and wonderful kind hearted-but-bad super intelligent boy personality.
Nikki was a strong, wounded girl who emerged fixed and changed for the better. I liked her, though sometimes, I found myself being a bit annoyed at her somewhat always whining self.
But then I took a moment to put myself in her shoes, and yes, Simone Elkeles drew up her characters quite believably. I would have probably been more messed up than Nikki.
I think my favorite though, (out of the three love interest girls) has to be Keirra, from Rules Of Attraction.

Chain Reaction is action packed with talk about gangs and people getting killed and a few twists to keep things plenty interesting!
However, as far as the action goes, it was slightly less intense than the others two books, but nonetheless, very enjoyable.
One of the really great things about this last novel in the series is that it also features the other Fuentes brothers- who actually have a small role in how the events play out.
We also see how far they've come along with Brittany and Keirra and its so heartening, because (if you've read the other two books) you have this sort of connection with them and you know where they're coming from and its like reading about some old friends you once had, who you were really close too.
The Story of the Futenes brothers is neatly wrapped up in this book, and the epilogue was, as usual perfect!
Hopefully we'll get to read about they're children one day, I would lovelovelove that.

Over all, Chain Reaction is another great Elkeles novel.
Its an awesome feel good book- making you feel all smushy inside after you finish the last page and you don't even need to read the other books to understand whats going on- its perfect as a stand alone novel too!

So seriously... What are you waiting for?

Read this book.
Sooooo good.
*sigh*

xx

CLG

Curly haired guy with pretty blonde: Alex and Britt
Girl in shorts with hot guy: Carlos and Keirra
Almost-bald but-not-really guy with brown haired pretty girl: Luis and Nikki

Alex, Carlos and Luis.

This is for you, Sallu.

(props to you if you know which cake this is!)

Happy Birthday Sallu Butt.
I love you.
Thankyou, for being there for me 24/7.
For sticking with me, and up for me no matter what.
Even when they said you had no opinion of your own.
Because you did, Sallu, its not your fault it matches with mine, right?
RIGHT.

Anyway, moving on.

Sallu, you were one of the reasons I started blogging.
You were the main reason I did not self combust after the two loves of my life left the country.
I know we started off on rocky ground, with the whole bitch thing, and your faindu sneakers and neck dhaga.
But you're cooler now, and its okay, I forgive you.
[Lol jk, Im sorry for the bitch thing]

 Thankyou for not judging and always judging.
Thankyou for sticking around and not getting tired of the singular stupidity that my life revolves around, even though I wish it didn't.

Thank you for ALWAYS understanding. ALWAYS.
I mean, there hasn't been a single moment when you haven't understood, and that, in my opinion makes you pretty fucking awesome, because you know how crazy-stupid I can get.

Thank you for always proving to me one of my favorite quotes: Where theres a will, theres a way.

You always find a way Sallu.
Always.
(well. almost always)

You're funny, witty, hilarious, snarky, trendy in your own way, creepy, sexy, adorable and so much fun to hang with!
You're my best friend, sister, TF-er, pedo-lover and more.

I miss you so much Sallu.
I hope that one day we can go to the Harry Potter theme park together, and then take a road trip to Salzberg.
And you know, be cool and aloof and fun and iNaTlekchUal.
You'll be some big shot women's-rights-feminist-lawyer person, and I'll be the girl with the library/bookstore/university lit teacher degree and sexy book deal and we'll ditch all the losers and have the time of our lives.

[WE CAN DREAM RIGHT? FC KALIJ FTW :C]

Anyway.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SALLZZZZZZZZZ!
YOU'RE A BIG GIRL NOW SO BETTER STOP EATING THAT CHICKEN SUPREME YOU'RE CHOWING DOWN ON SKYPE.
Your metabolism isn't the same as it used to be.
[Remember how we don't want BigMama hips?]


K BAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIII

LUFF YOU.
HAFFFUN. <3


Your bff

CLG

thug lyf- 4 lyf
<3

Sallu's blog: pinkofag.blogspot.com
[Follow me first, then her]

A HUNDRED FOLLOWERS?!

Todays the day you guys.
The day I've been waiting for since I hit ninety followers and since SAL BEAT ME TO IT.

But, whatever.

As of now, 9:45pm, August 17, 20011 (in case someone tries to burst my bubble by unfollowing)... I have A HUNDRED FOLLOWERS?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!??????!!!!!!!!!

Wow.

Thanks for following guys.
Seriously, it means a LOT.

Would you like me to have a giveaway to celebrate?
If yes, leave a comment and if I have enough interest, I'll have one soon!
FREE BOOKS FOR ALL!
Well, okay, not all, but you know, whoever wins.

Love each and every one of you.
Even the creepy anon types.

xx
CLG

One Night That Changes Everything by Lauren Barnholdt (4 stars!)

One Night That Changes Everything

by Lauren Barnholdt

Rating: 4/5 starts.

 Eliza is in a full-blown panic. Her notebook has been stolen—the one that lists everything she wants but is afraid to go after. And the absolute worst person in the world has it: her ex-boyfriend, Cooper.

Like it’s not enough Cooper was lying to Eliza for their entire relationship, now he and his friends are blackmailing her. They’re giving her just one night to complete the most humiliating tasks on her list or they’ll post her secrets online—including the ones that aren’t just about her.

Eliza’s sure of only one thing: she isn’t going down without a fight. Cooper may have what’s left of her dignity, but she’s not the only one with something to hide …

My Thoughts:

This is such a lovely, hilarious book.
I loved it so, so much!
Eliza reminded me of myself sometimes. I loved her! She could totally be my best friend.
Her best friends made me miss mine, the lessons she learned in just a night were very real to believe and the romance was imperfectly perfect!
I loved how themes of sisterhood (Big sister and little love each other! No fighting or hate!) and friendship were so beautifully incorporated into the book, so light, but so nice and different from all the family problems and usual drama of most of todays YA books.

The best part? I was crying before reading this book because of some shit, but once I started reading, I caught myself smiling and actually laughing out loud several times!

Books that draw out real emotion from me are rare.

One Night That Changes Everything was lighthearted, so much fun and a very lovely read. One of the awesome books which leave you content, and with a smile on your face!

Highly recommended.

xx

CLG

Awaiting Chain Reaction with freakin' Droooool worthy Swag

This book is number one on my Wishlist.
I want to read it so BAD.
Its out on the 16th.
Heres what its about.

Luis Fuentes has always been sheltered from the gang violence that nearly destroyed his brothers’ lives. But that didn’t stop him from taking risks—whether he’s scaling a mountain in the Rockies or dreaming of a future as an astronaut, Luis can’t stop looking for the next thrill.

Nikki Cruz lives her life by three rules—boys lie to get their way, don’t trust a boy who says “I love you,” and never date a boy from the south side of Fairfield. Her parents may be from Mexico, but as a doctor’s daughter, she has more in common with her north-side neighbors than the Latino Blood at her school. Then she meets Luis at Alex’s wedding, and suddenly, she’s tempted to break all her rules.

Getting Nikki to take a chance on a southsider is Luis’s biggest challenge, until
he finds himself targeted by Chuy Soto, the new head of the Latino Blood. When Chuy reveals a disturbing secret about Luis’s family, the youngest Fuentes finds himself questioning everything he’s ever believed to be true. Will his feelings for Nikki be enough to stop Luis from entering a dark and violent world and permanently living on the edge?

Um, I found these pictures on goodreads, and heres the latest book trailer.

Safe to say, these are the hottest, sexiest and HOTTEST young adult novels EVA.
You can read them in any order, doesn't really matter, very mild spoilers.


Without further ado:

Drool, drool and yeah- drool.

Yup thats them with their respective love interests!
Or how the wonderful Simone Elkeles imagined 'em anyway.

The book trailer is kind of cheesy, but looks hot with all the kissing, so whateves.
Maybe you'll like it, though I like the book trailer for Rules of Attraction the best.

Here it is:




Cannot.wait.

Would you want to read this?


xx

CLG

DELETED SCENE - The Iron Queen

From wonderful-amazing author, Julie Kagawa's blog, here we have a really hot, and totally swoon-worthy deleted scene, from the third book of the Iron Fey series.

(Read my review of (some parts of) the incredible series here.)

Before I copy-paste the scene though, I just want to say:
OMGOMOGMGOGM ASSSHHHH <3


Ahem.
Here you go:

Deleted Scene: This is from THE IRON QUEEN, so spoilers ahead for those who have not read it yet. It takes place at Glitch's base, right after Ash has stormed off after having a small spat with Meghan, and she goes to the balcony to find him.

Remember, this is a DELETED scene, one that didn't make it into the final book. Please don't ask me what comes next, because I don't know, lol. (Also, this is YA, just throwing that out there.)

Okay, here we go:

***

Extended Balcony Scene


I stepped close and slipped my arms around his waist, hearing his quiet intake of breath as I pulled him against me. “That was a long time ago,” I murmured, pressing my cheek to his back, listening to his thudding heart. “You’ve changed since then. That Ash wouldn’t protect a silly human girl with his life, or become her knight, or walk into exile with her. Every step of the way, you’ve always been there, right beside me. I’m not letting you go now.”

“I’m a coward.” Ash’s voice was subdued. “If I cared for you as much as I should, I would end my life and the curse along with it. My existence puts you in danger. If I were no longer here—”

“Don’t you dare, Ashallyn’darkmyr Tallyn.” I held him tighter, even as he flinched at the sound of his True Name. “Don’t you dare throw your life away for an unknown superstition. If you die—” My voice broke, and I swallowed thickly. “I love you,” I whispered, fisting my hands against his stomach. “You can’t leave. You swore you wouldn’t.”

Ash’s hands came to rest over mine, twining our fingers together. “Even if the world stands against you,” he murmured, bowing his head. “I promise.”

For awhile, we just stood like that, content not to move, as the wind howled around us and tugged at our hair and clothes. Ash, true to form, was perfectly still. I closed my eyes and lost myself in his quiet breathing, in the rise and fall of his chest, in the beat of his heart. It was hard to believe, sometimes, that this—this beautiful, solemn, immortal prince in my arms—was mine.

“Meghan.”

His voice rumbled in my ear, low and hesitant. “Yes?” I whispered, and he shifted around to face me, taking my hands in his. For a few moments, he gazed at our interlocked fingers, running his thumb gently over my skin, as if gathering his thoughts.

“Be patient with me,” he said at last, furrowing his brow. His gaze finally shifted up to mine, bright and soulful. “It’s…difficult sometimes, to watch you fight, to see you throw yourself into danger again and again.” One hand came up, long fingers gently touching my cheek. “I can’t bear the thought of anything happening to you,” he murmured. “I wish I could protect you from everything.”

“I know,” I said, smiling up at him. “But, it’s my turn now. You’ve done so much already, Ash; now it’s my turn to protect you. You and Puck and the Nevernever, and…and everyone.” I sighed and looked past him, at the clouds sweeping over the iron realm. “If I could just figure out a way to do that.”

“I’m sure you’ll think of something.” Ash’s voice was resigned, and he drew me closer, wrapping his arms around my waist. Sighing, he lowered his head, soft strands of his hair brushing my forehead. “Just…try not to give me a heart attack when you do.”

“I can’t promise anything,” I whispered back. “But, I’ll try.”

His expression twitched in a faint smile, and he gave a tiny shake of his head. “I suppose that’s all I can ask for—” But before he could finish, I slipped my arms around his neck, leaned up, and took his lips with mine.

He made a faint noise of surprise, before his eyes fluttered shut and he leaned into me, pulling us closer. I savored the feel of his lips against mine, breathing in his scent, that sharp mix of frost and peppermint. He breathed my name, just one simple word, and it turned my stomach inside out and set my whole body on fire. It made me desperate to get closer, made me bolder then I’d ever been. I pressed forward, pushing him against the railing, standing on tiptoe to trail kisses down his neck. He groaned, tilting his head back, hands sliding up to tangle in my hair. I couldn’t get close enough, it seemed. Never close enough.

Ash ducked his head, meeting my lips again, his kisses suddenly crushing, devouring. One arm snaked around my waist, the other cupped the back of my head, pressing us together, like two puzzle pieces that finally clicked. I held him as tightly as I could, feeling the hard, lithe muscles of his back, shifting through his armor. Wishing it was suddenly gone, that I could feel his cool skin under my fingers. His cloak fluttered around us, like the edges of tattered wings, cocooning us both, and I didn’t want to be anywhere else in the world.

Ash drew back suddenly, breathing deep, trying to control himself. I felt his heart beneath his armor, hammering in his chest. He dropped his gaze, shoulders heaving, though his arms didn’t loosen their grip, and resisted my attempt to pull back.

“Ash?”

The look he gave me was almost frightening in its intensity. “Command me,” he whispered, bringing his face close to mine. His eyes seared into me, challenging and pleading all at once. “Tell me to stop, and I will.”

I gazed at him, well aware that my own heart was doing its best to crash through my ribs. Ash watched me, silver eyes blazing with desire, and love. I reached up and touched his face, and he closed his eyes, putting his hand over mine, pressing it to his cheek, before his gaze flickered to me again.

Waiting. He wouldn’t go any further unless I told him to. He was letting me decide, like he’d promised. I could walk away from him now, and he wouldn’t follow. Or I could tell him to go, and he would. We could stop this, right now, if I wasn’t completely ready.

I swallowed hard, pulled his lips down to mine, and whispered:

“Stay.” 

Click here to go to the goodread's page for it.

xx

CLG

Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder

Inside Out

By Maria V. Snyder

Rating: 3.6 / 5 } Combined for both Inside Out & Outside In

The Australian Cover

(doesn't she look a bit like Miley Cyrus?)

    As I crashed to the floor, I pulled my body into a protective ball.
I kept a fetal position as waves of pain pulsed up and down my legs. I braced for the cry of outrage from the occupant of the room and the call for the Pop Cops.
  

Instead, a concerned face came into my view.
“Are you alright?” he asked. His blue eyes held a touch of awe as he stared at me with parted lips.
No immediate threat.

What its about:

Keep Your Head Down.
Don't Get Noticed.
Or Else.

I'm Trella. I'm a scrub. A nobody. One of thousands who work the lower levels, keeping Inside clean for the Uppers. I've got one friend, do my job and try to avoid the Pop Cops. So what if I occasionally use the pipes to sneak around the Upper levels? The only neck at risk is my own…until I accidentally start a rebellion and become the go-to girl to lead a revolution...

My Thoughts:

This is a two book series, consisting of Inside Out, the first part, and then the sequel- Outside In.

So far, Maria V. Snyder, the lovely author has said she has no plans to continue the series [source: This Author Interview] which sucks, but there might be hope!

So, after I re-read the awesome Hunger Games series I was very, very sad.
It was the what-do-I-do-with-my-life-now-that-this-awesome-series-has-ended?!?!? feeling.
I'm sure HP fans know what I mean.

Anyway, I didn't want to read light hearted book after such an intense and lovely trilogy but wanted something intense and gripping. Something fast paced and a complete page turner.
I wanted to read a book which would keep me hooked till the very end, and would obviously include romance (because duh-whats a book without it?!) and would be basically filling the hunger games void.

And Inside Out, along with its sequel proved to fulfill all above expectations and even took them a step further and left me with that amazing gooey feeling inside me and a smile on my face.

These books.
They're really good.

Lets start off with what its about.

So basically, Trella lives in a world known as 'Inside'. Its basically a gargantuan metal cube, with people living in it.Theres a sort of cast system there- shes a part of the slaves known as the Scrubs, working for the rich Uppers.
Life is tedious and frustrating for the scrubs, as they're forced to work in horrible, crammed conditions, making sure dust and rust stay away from the metallic inside, and the Uppers are satisfied. If anyone tries putting a toe out of line? They're fed to the chomper. Some believe nothing can be done- but others, like Trella's best friend Cogan believe otherwise.
Rumors have it that a Gateway leading to the mysterious Outside exists. A place where they pile all their hopes on.
And so we follow Trella on her incredibly brave adventure, as Queen of the Pipes, as she travels inside Inside, to search for proof of this supposed myth.

What I loved: 

-Trella is brave and strong, and a really wonderful heroine.
Shes also plucky and loyal, and it was a pleasure reading from her perspective.

-The mystery about the Outside, the Gateway and the Controllers, has you guessing until the very end, and there are so many twists and turns! You're forever thinking of how its all going to play out and whats going to happen next.

-The writing flows, and the book is very fast paced and very hard to put down as Trella gets into quite a bit of trouble.

-The romance, is sweet and gives the book that softness it requires from all the intense things happening.

-THE SEQUEL WAS BETTER THAN THE FIRST BOOK!

What wasn't so great:

One thing I thought was lacking in the book though- emotion.
The love story and over all, Trellas feelings seemed a bit too fast paced, a bit too hasty.

I wanted to see more happen between Riley and Trella, but probably it wasn't because of any 'author's shortcomings' but because of their way of life in the Inside. But still, I wish there had been more!

And I would love to know Riley better, he seemed so adorable with all the talk about a certain stuffed animal and about caring about Trella.
 

And also, after reading Outside In [spoilers ahead!]

-What happens when they reach Outside?!?!??!?!
-Why were the Outsiders exiled??!?

The above two questions leave me wanting more.

It would be awesome if Maria V. Snyder wrote another book explaining this stuff.
Maybe Trella and Riley could have children and it would be their story?

Contains:

Inside Out:

Mild mild kissing/ talk about 'mating' / over all, nothing graphic.

Violence.

Outside In:

Slightly graphic 'shower' scene, kissing and sex, though not graphic at all.
Violence.

----
 

Over all, though, I loved this book, and thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
It was exactly the kind of book I was looking for to read, and it kept me up way past 3 in the morning!

Read both these books [Inside Out, and the sequel, Outside In] if you want something with a dystopian society, something fast paced and intense, something above the usual fluff and ultimately a really wonderful read which leaves you happy and with a smile on your face.

And here's a book trailer to make you even more excited about these books, if the review and teaser passage weren't enough:

So, what do you think?

Happy Reading!

xx

CLG