CHRISTMAS EDITION--BOOK REVIEW: THE CHARM BRACELET AND MY PERSONAL CHRISTMAS PLAYLIST AND CHRISTMAS MOVIE LIST

  Merry Christimas to all my forever wonderful and energetic readers. 

  

  Since today is the first day of Christmas, I decided to do a Christmas edition book review on "The Charm Bracelet" by Melissa Hill and to show you guys my personal Christmas Playlist, which you can listen on during the entire Christmas period, and my personal Christmas Movie List, which you can watch while sipping hot chocolate. I chose to read "The Charm Bracelet" by Melissa Hill because the book also sets around Christmas and also because of that, I decided to review this book with a little bit more of a Christmas tune, which is slightly different than all my previous book reviews. 

  Without any more further distraction, let's get right into it. 

Book Synopsis provided at the back of the book:

"Holly O'Neil knows that every charm bracelet tells a story.

Many years ago she was sent one with just a single charm attached. The charms have been appearing ever since, often at challenging times, as if her mysterious benefactor knows exactly when she needs a little magic in her life. 

As a result, Holly's bracelet is her most prized possession. So when she finds someone else's charm bracelet, she feels she has to try to reunite it with its owner. Even if the only clues she has to follow are the charms themselves.

On a search that will take her all over New York City at Christmas, Holly becomes ever more determined to piece together the details of this other charmed life. But what she doesn't know is that her quest may also lead her somewhere she never, ever expected..."

OFFICIAL BOOK REVIEW:
+ This book consists of 41 chapters, which are all completely wrapped around with bundles of joy. Everything in this book was just so exciting and really addictive; so exciting and addictive till the point I just did not want to put the book down. Too be honest, I'm not the type of reader who will jump right into for a genre like this and it was my mother who chose this book for me because she thought I like books with pretty covers and trust me, I always fall for pretty covers. The good thing is most of the pretty books contain an amazing story inside like "A Court of Thorns and Roses", "Red Queen", "The Bone Season" and many others. And it is also a way to keep my bookshelf constantly looking pretty and interesting. However, when I bought this book, it took me a few months to finally pick it up and read, and I'm really glad I did because it was really good. 
+ This book is like a wrapped-up present with beautiful present paper wrapped all over it and a big red bow on top of it (there is literally a red elegantly-tied ribbon on the front cover) and inside contains full of unexpected and full of wonder. And reading this book is really similar towards opening a present and really excited each time you take a peek inside and the joy inside you when you finally see the gift you always wanted.
+ Melissa Hill is officially my most favourite author and "The Charm Bracelet" is officially my top favourite books of all time. Her writing skills are just so wonderful. I just love how she involved fashion inside it because fashion is my first love apart from reading. After completing this book, I really, really hope she wrote the "Gossip Girl" book series because her writing skills and how she sees life really suits "Gossip Girl", not that I don't like Cecily von Ziegesar. It's just, Melissa would have done a better job with them. I also sense a little "How I Met Your Mother" on-and-off in the book.
+ This is by far the book with least annoying characters. I admit I just don't like Karen and Nick from the first moment they appear, like I could already sense that Karen is a gold-digger and a materialistic girl from the way she talks and reacts. Nick, on the other hand, is one of those douche-bags that doesn't realise they lost something precious until he needs them back. However, I'm still glad Melissa created both of these two characters because without the both of them, it really wasn't an appealing story. 
+ I also can't believe that she could make two complete strangers like Karen and Greg, who's lives are completely different, other than the charm bracelet, intertwined with each other. I mean, I knew immediately that these two characters might meet each other, but the way they met was just so beautiful and special, yet a little shocking. And the romantic relationship like Jeff and Christina she created in this book really made me a little envious, but it also made me believe that true love still exists in a materialistic world like this.
- Although I love a shocking ending that will leave me gasping for months, I hoped the ending could be a little more conclusive and I really want to know more about Holly and Greg's relationship and what the future holds for them. Did they went out on a date after that or something? Are they a couple? Most importantly, do they genuinely have feelings for each other? If they do, does Grey mind Holly has a son? Are their lives truly a happy ending? However, I really hope I could have an opportunity to ask Melissa all the questions personally one day. 

My book cover of "The Charm Bracelet" by Melissa Hill.

Another book cover version of "The Charm Bracelet" by Melissa Hill.

CONCLUSION:
I rate this book a 4.3/5.
  Magical. Wonderful. And simply Addictive. Their the only words I can explain about this book or I'll just let the ratings speak for themselves. This is by far the best book I've read this year.
  Overall, if you like Sophie Kinsella's work and fashion or just simply testing the water with a new genre like I first did with this book, I highly recommend this book. (Now, I can't wait to get "Something from Tiffany's", also written by Melissa Hill.) 

For more information on Melissa Hill's recent masterpiece or on "The Charm Bracelet", click on this link to learn more: http://www.melissahill.info/ 

  I am still currently reading two books at the same time while I am still giving my book review on "A Court of Thorns and Roses" by Sarah J Maas some final touches. I am still currently reading "How I Live Now" by Meg Rosoff and "The False Prince" by Jennifer A. Nielsen.

  As for my personal Christmas Playlist and Movie List, they are not in any particular order, just some songs I have on my IPod and movies I will be watching during the Christmas period. 

MY PERSONAL CHRISTMAS PLAYLIST:

• Frosty the Snowman 
• Santa Claus is Coming to Town 
• Do You Want to Build a Snowman?
• Somewhere in my Memory
• O Holy Night 

MY PERSONAL CHRISTMAS MOVIE LIST:

• Home Alone 
• Home Alone: Lost in New York 
• Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas 
• Gremlins
• A Christmas Carol 
• Batman Returns 

Like always, if you find my blogs, (My Little Book Affairs and Le Blog de Nicole), interesting, do subscribe them by clicking on the buttons beside my blog or you can also read it through your email just simply insert your email address on the column beside this blog. You can also follow me on Twitter (@NicoleWong1998), Instagram (CameraStyleMe), Pinterest (Nicolette 'Nicole' Wong) and Tumblr account (NicoleTheGirlNextDoor) for more updated information. I also signed up for GoodRead. You can search my name (Nicole Wong) to follow me there. You can also add me on Snapchat with the username: QueenieNicoleWong and on Vine: Nicole Wong.

  That's all for now. Thank you for reading this blog post and have a Holly, Jolly Christmas. I'll see you guys very soon.

BOOK REVIEW: LANGDOWN MANOR AND MY RECENT ACTIVITIES DURING THE HOLIDAYS

  Hello to my ever so energetic and wonderful readers.

  Like promised, I have been trying to post more interesting articles onto my blog more often, so I would really appreciate if you guys could suggest more improvements or suggestions on how I could improve this blog. 

  I know I have promised you guys that I will be publishing my book review on "A Court of Thorns and Roses" by Sarah J Maas, which I have finished reading some time ago, and I have been working really hard on it, but until it is perfect for you guys, I won't be posting it any time sooner. However, as promised, I will posting more articles and in this article, I would be reviewing a contemporary novel named "Langdown Manor" by Sue Reid. I would also be talking a little bit about my recent activities during the holidays. 

  Before we get to the official book review, I just want to throw it out there: I am officially in love with Marvel. Even though I have always looked up to DC for creating Batman and Joker (my strangely, yet particular favourite), there was also something about Marvel that I just find it interesting. My love for Marvel started to grow when I first started watching Marvel's "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D" then it just kept growing. Coincidentally, the last name of the main character in the book I am reviewing is Fitzsimmons (To all Fitzsimmons shipper, you're welcome. Maybe Sue Reid is a shipper too?). And now, I am OBSESSED with Marvel's "Daredevil" and Marvel's "Jessica Jones"! I guess, I am constantly drawn to darker and more realistic themes, maybe that is why I am so OBSESSED with Christopher Nolan's the Dark Knight film trilogy. What about you guys? Are you a Marvel Cinematic Universe fan too? Or is there something better than the tv shows I have listed above? Comment in the box below. I would love to hear your opinions and thoughts on them. 

My Love for Marvel starts here in Marvel's "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D". This is also one of my favourite posters of it among the rest.  

Don't forget to catch Marvel's "Daredevil" on Netflix (for US residents only) before its return in 2016.

Don't forget to catch Marvel's "Jessica Jones" on Netflix (for US residents only). However, there is still no confirmation on its release date in 2016, but watch it anyway.

My Two Favourite Gummy Bears--#Fitzsimmons 

  Now, let's get to it..

Book Synopsis provided at the back of the book:

""I felt as if the world was vanishing around me. There was only Fred and me. I could have stood there with him forever. NOTHING ELSE MATTERED."

When Penelope Fitzsimmons arrives at Langdown Manor to live with relatives she's never met, she feels desperately alone and unwanted--until she meets Fred. They are two of a kind: restless, unconventional and daring-wanting more from life than what's expected of them. But she's an upper-class girl and he's a servant. How can they ever be together when society keeps them apart?"

OFFICIAL BOOK REVIEW:
+ "Langdown Manor" by Sue Reid is a good contemporary romance novel that sets in the most critical time during the prohibition of master-servant relationship and the uprising of women's rights.
+ I really love Sue Reid's writing in the book. It's really one of those classic yet cliché romance novel, but with a bit of a modern twist.
+ It also has one of the prettiest book cover. 
+ I really enjoyed Penelope Fitzsimmons and Jess' perspectives about wealth and social rankings. It's just really well-described to make the readers to be more understanding of the materialistic society around them. 
+ I also enjoyed how Penelope expressed her homesickness because at some point in our lives, we will be force to leave our home and to go somewhere far away, so the way Penelope described her homesickness just made it really believable and realistic. 
-However, I did occasionally find most of the characters in this book really annoying, especially Fred and Sarah. I think, if you truly love someone, there really isn't any boundaries between them, but Fred just keeps bringing up the whole "I'm a servant and you're a lady" thing and ends their relationship, but eventually reconciles and this cycle begins again. I mean, yes, the journey would be difficult, but when there's a will, there's always a way, right?
-Sarah, on the other hand, is my least favourite character in the book. From the beginning till the end, all I wanted is to strangle her and say, "He never liked you from the beginning, so find someone else that can eventually treat you right, instead of wasting your time blaming on your best friend for this problem". It was really frustrating! 
-Then, there was the inconvenient ending that just sent me went CUCKOO...if only the ending could be a little more conclusive instead of just leaving a massive cliffhanger. (Thanks, Sue, for leaving such a big question mark in my mind.) There was just a lot of question marks on-and-off in the story like what actually happened between Penelope's mother and her sister, and how did the relationship between Penelope's parents resulted their departure to India to start a new life, and did George really helped Ivy out of sincerity or is it out of leisure?
-I also wish the coming-out ball could be a little longer and more interesting since this is one of the major parts of the plot.
-I was also quite surprised when Sue put the involvement of women protesting for their own rights and the plan of marching into parliament. However, I was definitely disappointed that Sue did not involve Penelope in the protest or even in the happenings of the protest, but I kind of understand that Sue doesn't want to involve those scenes or she'll have to change the book title. 

The beautiful book cover of "Langdown Manor" by Sue Reid.

CONCLUSION:
I rate this book a 3.5/5.
  This book is definitely more than just another pretty book cover. 
  Overall, the story may not be fast-paced or exciting compared to the previous books I've read, but I definitely recommend this novel to fans, who really enjoy the romance genre, or to those who's just searching for a light read.  

For more information on Sue Reid's recent work or "Langdown Manor", click on this link to learn more: http://www.suereidauthor.com/

I am currently reading two books at the same time while I am still giving my book review on "A Court of Thorns and Roses" by Sarah J Maas some final touches. I am currently reading "How I Live Now" by Meg Rosoff and "The False Prince" by Jennifer A. Nielsen. I know it is a little bit ambitious, but I assure you guys, the book review will definitely be on my blog tomorrow night, so stay tune on all of my social media for that.  

Like always, if you find my blogs, (My Little Book Affairs and Le Blog de Nicole), interesting, do subscribe them by clicking on the buttons beside my blog or you can also read it through your email just simply insert your email address on the column beside this blog. You can also follow me on Twitter (@NicoleWong1998), Instagram (CameraStyleMe), Pinterest (Nicolette 'Nicole' Wong) and Tumblr account (NicoleTheGirlNextDoor) for more updated information. I also signed up for GoodRead. You can search my name (Nicole Wong) to follow me there. You can also add me on Snapchat with the username: QueenieNicoleWong and on Vine: Nicole Wong.

  That's all for now. Thank you for reading this blog post and I'll see you soon.

BOOK REVIEW: SHADOW AND BONE

  After more than one year, I can finally come back to my precious blog and say, "Hello, my ever so wonderful and energetic readers", so this is what I'm going to do. 

  Hello, my ever so wonderful and energetic readers and welcome back to my blog. 

  I know it has been so long since I last posted, but my schooling days are officially way passed behind me right now, so that means I get to post more articles more often. As you can see, I have updated my blog by adding my Instagram page and Twitter page, so be sure to go check those out and follow them. I will also be doing some change in the articles that I have posted, so it's a fresh new start. 

  Now, without any further dilly-dally, let's get straight to the official book review on the first book in the Grisha trilogy, "Shadow and Bone" by Leigh Bardugo. I recently finished this book and I thought what better way to stage my comeback than posting my first book review on my first book of 2015. 

Book Synopsis provided at the back of the book: 

"'I've been waiting for you a long time, Alina,' he said. 'You and I are going to change the world.'

"The Shadow Fold, a swathe of impenetrable darkness, is slowly destroying the once-great nation of Ravka.

Alina, a pale, lonely orphan, discovers a unique power that thrusts her into the world of the kingdom's magical elite--the Grisha. Could she be the key to setting Ravka free?

The Darkling, a man of seductive charm and terrifying power. If Alina is to fulfill her destiny, she must unlock her gift and face up to her dangerous attraction to him. 

But what of Mal, Alina's childhood best friend? As Alina contemplates her dazzling new future, why can't she ever quite forget him?" 

(*Spoilers Alert! I will not be doing a brief summary on this book. This book review might give away some things that are not mentioned in the brief synopsis of the book, so you have been advice.)

OFFICIAL BOOK REVIEW: 
+ The story really drew me in from the beginning and immediately held my heart. I was holding my breath on several scenes; I was kicking and almost threw my book against the wall on several scenes; I swooned on several scenes. This book did take me on this emotional-filled roller-coaster ride. It was just that good. 
+ I also enjoyed Leigh Bardugo's writing. In my perspective, although the storyline is being controlled by the author, but the readers are still allowed to have different perspectives and different opinions that sometimes might differ from what the author originally had in mind, and that is what I like particularly about Leigh Bardugo's style of writing. It's always brief, but detailed, so it gives you the opportunity to go free roaming with your creative ideas. 
-Now, for the characters. I would say Alina, the main protagonist of the story, isn't my favourite in the book. From early on in the book, you can definitely sensed that Alina is a damsel in distress, only the fact that she has extraordinary powers of her own, she knows how to hold a knife, but definitely a damsel in distress. However, that doesn't begin to cover up what I'm about to say. What really got me disliking this character is when she first arrived in the Little Palace and especially during those training scenes. I mean, if it were up to me, knowing the fact that I have so much responsibility on my shoulders, I would definitely step up my game and try twice as hard as everyone else. I mean, come on, the lives of the entire nation of Ravka sets on my shoulder. But no, Alina just complains and how she would always say that she can't and how she needs a break. I mean, seriously? A break when the entire nation is depending on your powers, which you still need much more training on, to be finally freed of the fear of the Shadow Fold and you need a break? Yeah, it was just that frustrating. However, by the end of the story, Alina still had some redeeming qualities. At least, by the end of the story, she no longer views herself as the lonely and weak orphan anymore, but someone who finally has the power to help the people she cared about and hopefully, the entire nation of Ravka. 
- As for the Darkling, I was in love with him in the beginning. Too be honest, I was really pining for his appearance and when he finally came out in the story, he just captivated me and made me swoon right from the beginning. However, when he revealed himself to be the main antagonist, that was when I don't like him anymore, especially after he recaptures Alina and Mal. The Darkling literally went from dark and powerful guy to some really immature guy. I just didn't appreciate those conversations he made with Alina and to his soldiers because they were just plain meaningless. Leigh Bardugo, the author of the book, just stopped portraying his "the most powerful Grisha, who lived for over a hundred years" aura, but instead, gave him a childish and immature personality, so I was definitely disappointed. I mean, even though Alina is the main protagonist of the story, but really, we have been pining for the Darkling's appearance, so it definitely let me down a little bit. 
+ The only main character that I really liked in the entire story was surprisingly...Mal. He just reminded me a little bit of Gale from "The Hunger Games" trilogy, but with a better sense of judgement, he always think before he acts and he doesn't yell at Alina for doing something right through a totally crazy and insensible way. I just felt like Mal was the only one, who was really in control of his own destiny and his own goals. Instead of being jealous over Alina's relationship with the Darkling, he uses his love for her to be better and to get ahead of himself. He was also constantly focused onto the mission, like he doesn't allow his love for Alina to be a distraction for him. I just really like his character's personality establishment and he is the only one I am really looking forward to see in the sequel. 
+ My two other favourite characters of the entire book is actually Genya and Fedyor. I just love these two characters so much (even more than the main characters of the story). I just want to cuddle them to sleep, especially Genya. In the beginning of the book, there was just something about Genya that got me wondering when I'm reading scenes with her in it, like who is she really? Is she on the good side or is she on the bad side? Is she on Alina's side or is she on the Darkling's side? If she's on Alina's side, just how far will she go to protect her from danger? If she's on the Darkling's side, will she approve of the methods he is using to gain power? But that's only the beginning, it was by the end of the book that I was really intrigued by the character. She literally threw me under the bus and that was when it got me thinking: If she has been on the Darkling's side this entire time, was she faking the friendship she had with Alina? Or was there never a friendship, but merely a way for her to be on the Darkling's good side and to finally get what she has always wanted--Power? 
+ As for Fedyor, I just enjoyed all the scenes with him in it, especially the scene he shared with Alina in the carriage ride to the Little Palace. I just felt like he was a humorous soldier with a good heart. And for that, his appearance in the book was just not enough. I was kind of hoping he would appear at the end of the book, but he didn't. I really would have wanted to know the outcome if Fedyor was there when the Darkling's treachery has been expose because there was something about Fedyor's personality that resembles to Alina, so I think he would not have approve of the Darkling's methods, but will he fight against the Darkling for Alina? If he will, I got a vision those scenes with him and Alina joining forces with each other won't be pretty for the Darkling, but it will be pretty for the book and the readers, especially in my mind (*creepy laugh). However, if he did not appear by the end of the book, does that mean he knew of the Darkling's plan the whole time and opposes his idea of destroying their enemies for power and control? Regardless, I still feel he is going to be Alina's new best friend in the sequel...if he appears.
+ Last but not least, Ivan. Ivan was a good supporting character in the story. In this book, I just felt like there were two different perspectives; one is from Alina's perspective and one is from Ivan's perspective. Through Alina, she sees no difference of the Darkling enslaving the innocent lives beyond Ravka like how they have been living for years, but through Ivan, he sees the Darkling's method as a way to stop all future wars and really start a new era of peace. So, I definitely felt through Ivan's perspective, the reader is left conflicted with these two freedom-fighting ideas because the truth is, there is no wrong in the Darkling's idea of stopping all wars and start a new era of peace, but it's really how he did it that makes it wrong. 
-Then, there was this whole love triangle between The Darkling, Mal and Alina, which I absolutely hated because it made Alina appeared exactly like a typical teenager. I just feel like she is the Sun Summoner, so her responsibility should be big and she should be focusing onto the problem, not conflicting her romantic feelings between these two guys. However, I understand that every author needs to add in a love triangle to make things more interesting, but I just felt like the entire love triangle is just so unnecessary. I mean, Leigh Bardugo, the author, did a great job with the story, but the love triangle kind of ruined it...a bit. 
-However, maybe I anticipated much more than what this book has to offer. When it first got released, this book immediately gained lots of recognition and this book really got me up hyped up. Don't get me wrong, this book definitely drew me in from the beginning and it was just so captivating...until the winter fete, which is also halfway across the book. My feelings for this book just went straight down to the sewer. After the winter fete scene, the story just shifted off to something different and it was not exactly a good different because I definitely anticipated much more after that. 

The book cover of  "Shadow and Bone" by Leigh Bardugo.
(I decided to shoot my own copy of books now, instead of taking it from the internet, so I hope you guys enjoy it.) 

Another book cover version of Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo.

Another book cover version of Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo.
However, this is called "The Gathering Dark", instead of Shadow and Bone.

EXPECTATIONS FOR THE SEQUEL:
* Hopefully, there will be improvement in the characters' development, especially Alina and the Darkling.
* More Mal, Genya and Fedyor scenes.
* Maybe even a kick-a*s scene with Alina and Fedyor joining forces with each other. 
* More a*s-kicking fighting scenes.
* More mature conversations. 

CONCLUSION: I rate this book a 3.9/5. 
  I felt connected to the story right from the beginning and through Leigh Bardugo's AMAZING style of writing, but as you get to the ending, the suspense and all your hopes for a better chapter just kept declining. The main characters were too underdeveloped, even though there are still pretty AWESOME supporting characters. 
  Overall, if you are a Russia-inspired Fantasy fan, I highly recommend this book, but don't say I didn't warn you, the characters might set your fire a little bit off. 

For more information on the Grisha trilogy or Shadow and Bone in particular, click this link to the author, Leigh Bardugo's page: http://www.leighbardugo.com/index1.html

I am currently reading "A Court of Thorns and Roses" by Sarah J. Mass and I'm already halfway through and I'm already loving it. I should be able to post another book review article by the end of this week, so keep an eye out for that. 

Like always, if you find my blogs, (My Little Book Affairs and Le Blog de Nicole), interesting, do subscribe them by clicking on the buttons beside my blog or you can also read it through your email just simply insert your email address on the column beside this blog. You can also follow me on Twitter (@NicoleWong1998), Instagram (CameraStyleMe), Pinterest (Nicolette 'Nicole' Wong) and Tumblr account (NicoleTheGirlNextDoor) for more updated information. I also signed up for GoodRead. You can search my name (Nicole Wong) to follow me there. You can also add me on Snapchat with the username: QueenieNicoleWong and on Vine: Nicole Wong.

 That's all for now. Thank you for reading this blog post and I'll see you soon.