#AntiBullyReads

So guys!

This November I will be taking part in the Anti Bulling Readathon organised by Sarah over at Clumsiness is a Curse!

I really support Anti Bulling - I was minorly bullied a lot through my school life and now, working in schools, I see far too much of it happening still.

The effects of bullying can be devastating, severely impacting peoples emotional health, lowering their self-esteem and, in extreme cases, result in suicide.

This is not okay.

This needs to stop.

So for the week beginning November 17th I will be reading a selection of books that I feel are linked to bullying somehow.

My aim is to read 4 books - but hopefully it will be more!

I'll be tweeting throughout the week (and probably in the lead up to it) using the #AntiBullyReads on my Twitter. Also, feel free to join the group Sarah has created over on Goodreads.

My #AntiBullyReads TBR List

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Thief by Malorie Blackman

Tease by Amanda Maciel

The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu

If anyone has any other suggestions I'd love to hear them and hope people who read this decide to join in - even if you don't have the time to complete a massive TBR list it's all about raising awareness.

To-Be-Read Book Tag

I wasn't actually tagged in this by anyone because - lets face it - I don't think anyone actually pays attention to what I write on here! I'm doing this as more of a kick up the backside to read the books I've bought and not go buying more. 

I've actually put myself on a book buying ban as my TBR pile is that out of control.

Just to give some perspective - this is a picture of the majority of my books.

How do you keep track of your TBR pile?

I don't! I bury my head in the sand and forget about the books I buy so I can buy more. 

Is my TBR pile mostly print or E-books?

I have 1 e-book to read all the rest are print. I don't actually own a Kindle or anything, though with Christmas coming up you never know...

How do I determine which book from my TBR pile to read next?

I chose whatever takes my fancy, normally one of the first books I spot.

A book thats been on my TBR list the longest

Probably the classics, Thomas Hardy, Jane Austen etc. I've wanted to read them for years but I find it really difficult. I do plan on reading them at some point, when I don't have other books to distract me.

A book I recently added to my TBR pile

I added all of these to the pile when I went birthday shopping in Waterstones Birmingham. It is actually one of my favourite bookshops. I spent the entirety of my birthday money. No regrets.

I'm planning on reading Soulmates by Holly Bourne and Trouble by Non Pratt as soon as possible so that I can go to the event at Waterstones Birmingham and meet them at the end of the month. If you ever get chance to go to a Waterstones event - do it. They are amazing.

A book on my TBR strictly because of the cover

Infinite Sky by C.J. Flood. I found this when birthday shopping - there is no blurb or anything. Its just very, very pretty.

A book on my TBR I never actually plan on reading

Meg Rosoff - What I was. I did try to start reading this but I struggled with it so much. I might go back to it some day. Maybe.

An unpublished book on my TBR I'm excited for

Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Steivater because I'm in love with the series. Especially Blue and Gansey. I cannot wait until it is released in... 11 days?!?! HOW DID I NOT REALISE THIS?! At least it's preordered!

Also Revealed by P.C. and Kristin Cast - the final installment of the House of Night Series that I've been reading for years. The amount of books in this series is crazy. I honestly cannot wait to see how this all ends! This one is released in... 4 days?!! This one I don't have preordered! I think I might cry...

A book on my TBR that basically everyone else has read but me

We Were Liars. All the blogs I read appear to have read it and I want to read it too!

A book on my TBR that everyone recommends to me

The Maze Runner. A lot of people are saying its brilliant and I'm really looking forward to the movie.

A book on my TBR I'm dying to read

Aside from books I've already mentioned above (which are the ones I plan to read ASAP) I cannot wait to get my hands on One Day. I've wanted to read it ever since I saw the film, but I totally forgot I had the book waiting to be read. 

The number of books in my TBR list

Well then. I'm only going to count the physical books I already own, as that makes a huge TBR pile already. On the top are my unread paperbacks and on the bottom are my unread hardbacks. Counting them up, it gets to approximately 90 books. I really need to be on a book buying ban.

So yeah. This is my TBR. I'm slightly depressed at how many books I need to read... But I can't wait to get stuck in!

Unmade - Sarah Rees Brennan

"Kami has lost the boy she loves, is tied to a boy she does not, and faces an enemy more powerful than ever before. With Jared missing for months and presumed dead, Kami must rely on her new magical link with Ash for the strength to face the evil spreading through her town.

Rob Lynburn is now the master of Sorry-in-the-Vale, and he demands a death. Kami will use every tool at her disposal to stop him. Together with Rusty, Angela, and Holly, she uncovers a secret that might be the key to saving the town. But with knowledge comes responsibility—and a painful choice. A choice that will risk not only Kami’s life, but also the lives of those she loves most."

The amazing conclusion to The Lynburn Legacy. I have been dying to get my hands on this book since I finished reading the first two books in the series and the fact it was released on my birthday just made it even better.

Sadly I had to wait a few days so I could finish The Darren Shan Saga and give my full attention to this book. However, when I did finally start it the other day I could not put it down. I was hooked straight away. I wanted to know what was happening to Jared, how Kami was coping being linked with Ash and ultimately, how they were going to defeat Rob and his cronies. Its the first book in a long time that I've finished in 24 hours. It would've been finished in 12 but I had to put the book down not far from the end to sob. Not cry. Sob.

Not many books have done that to me!

I would do a general overlook of the plot but I think you should just read the series. Like now. It's amazing!

With most YA novels the love story/ romance aspects tend to bore me after a while but all the varying relationships in this series were part of what makes it so special. I have shipped Kami and Jared since the first book. Ash was just too good, too golden, too righteous. And I love the ship name - Jami! Though, if Kami and Jared weren't to be my second choice was Rusty. He is just such a lovely character and has been one of my favourites since the first book.

Someone who really came into their own for me was Jon Glass, Kami's dad. With his comments and various names for Lillian he kept me giggling all the way through. He was also a real parent. Worried and scared for his family, desperate to try anything to save them. Though he didn't really get in the way either.

I'm trying to think of something I didn't like in this book and I really, really can't. I absolutely loved this book. The only thing I didn't like was a certain spoiler filled event which I know was entirely necessary and it was brilliant. It just broke my heart.

So yeah. Sorry this hasn't been much use but I really beg anyone who reads this to read this series. And follow Sarah Rees Brennan on Twitter. She is hilarious and seems to thrive off of our heart broken tweets.

TMI Tag!

I've seen friends and others doing this on youtube and decided to give it ago on here. Seeing as doing a youtube video would make using an alias entirely pointless!
Okay - the questions...

1. What are you wearing?
Green dress that my nephew thinks I look pretty in.

2. Ever been in love?
Yes.

3. Ever had a terrible break up?
Not really - they've always ended reasonably well.

4. How tall are you?
Erm, about 5ft 5/6 I think.

5. How much do you weigh?
Too much haha. Erm somewhere between 10-11 stone.

6. Any tattoos?
One. Deathly Hallows on my wrist.

7. Any piercings?
Just ears twice and cartilage in the top of my left ear.

8. One True Pairing?
Oooh this is a hard one. At the minute its Jared and Kami from Sarah Rees Brennan's Lynburn Legacy.

9. Favourite show?
At the minute its Once Upon A Time. It changes regularly.

10. Favourite band?
Simple Plan. I love their music!

11. Something you miss?
I miss a lot of things. I'll go with my dog. Haven't seen him in over a week!

12. Favourite song?
Again changes regularly - at the minute it's Simple Plan "I Can Wait Forever".

13. How old are you?
20-something. I'm not actually going to tell you my age am I?

14. Zodiac sign?
Libra

15. Quality you look for in a partner?
I don't look for anything in particular. Probably part of why past relationships didn't work out. Now I'm making sure any guy has an interest in books and makes me feel comfortable around them in any situation.

16. Favourite quote?
I have hundreds. Mostly from books. My top three at the moment are
"Where one burns books, one will in the end burn people" Henrich Heine
"I'm on a rollercoaster that only goes up my friend" Augustus Waters - The Fault in Our Stars
"I fell in love the way you fall asleep. Slowly, then all at once." Hazel Grace - The Fault in Our Stars

17. Favourite actor?
Morgan Freeman. He is God.

18. Favourite colour?
Purple and Orange, but the proper rich deep colours. None of this pastel crap.

19. Loud music or soft?
Loud!

20. Where do you go when you're sad?
Somewhere I can see the stars. Normally the beach or the mountain.

21. How long does it take you to shower?
Erm anywhere between 10 minutes to 45. I like to daydream and play the "What if...?" game while I'm in there.

22. How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?
Once I'm out of the shower about 20 minutes

23. Ever been in a physical fight?
No. I like play fighting but that's the closest I've ever gotten.

24. Turn ons?
Making me smile and laugh, loves books, and looks good in a shirt.

25. Turn off?
Being a tool when drunk. It's not funny and I don't want to have to spend my night looking after you rather than having fun.

26. The reason you started blogging?
So I had somewhere to rant and rave about books. Lets face it - no one actually reads what I write!

27. Any fears?
Several. I hate any form of bug but especially spiders and daddy long legs. I'm not a fan of the dark, I fear being rejected to an extent and I am a creature of comfort and familiarity so I'm scared of the unknown and trying new things.

28. Last thing that made you cry?
Chopping onions for tea last night. No joke, tears were streaming down my face.

29. Last time you said you love someone?
I tell my friends and family that I love them all the time so it was probably fairly recently.

30. Meaning behind your blogs name?
Well Ellie Jay is my alias and its a book blog... Sorry. No hidden meaning there!


31. Last book you read?
The Saga of Darren Shan Book 12 - Sons of Destiny. I loved this book. It is seriously one of the best series endings I've ever read. Any fan of fantasy should go read it.








32. The book you're currently reading?
Lynburn Legacy 3 - Unmade. I'm coming up to the halfway point and there are all ready so many feels!

33. Last show you watched?
Does this mean TV show or stage show? TV wise it was Friends. Its on constantly at the minute (not that I'm complaining!). Stage show last one I saw was Derren Brown's Infamous. What a show. Wow. Just wow.

34. Last person you talked to in person?
That would be my dad.

35. Whats the relationship between you and the last person you messaged?
Best friend.

36. Favourite food?
At the minute its a toss up between Chicken Fried Rice and Jamaican Chicken.

37. Place you want to visit?
There are many places I want to visit, most of them purely to appease the history geek in me. One thing I'm desperate to see are the ceramic poppies in the Thames in London, and on the way back call into the Warner Brothers Studio Tour.

38. Last place you visited?
Currently on a visit to Birmingham.

39. Do you have a crush?
On fictional characters yes, quite a few.

40. Last time you kissed someone?
Too long ago.

41. Last time you were insulted?
Between my brother and Best Friends it happens at least 3 times a day.

42. Favourite flavour of sweet?
I don't like sweets. Is that odd?

43. What instruments do you play?
I have attempted to play many instruments including violin, clarinet, keyboard, guitar and bass. I failed miserably at all of them.





44. Favourite piece of jewellery?
My rings. I was given the criss cross one for my 5th birthday and I've worn it virtually everyday since I was 9 and it could fit on my thumb. The diamond for my 18th from my family and friends. Again I've worn it pretty much everyday since.




45. Last sport you played?
Ha. Come on. Be serious.

46. Last song you sang?
John Legend - All of me

47. Favourite chat up line?
Its a toss up between "How you doin'?" and "Haaaaave you met Ted?"

48. Have you ever used it?
No - though if anyone tried them on me I'd have a drink with them just because.

49. Last time you hung out with anyone?
Currently hanging out with the family pretty much constantly. Last time I was with friends was almost a week ago.

50. Who should answer the questions next?
Anyone who fancies having a go!

To anyone who has read this all the way though - well done! Don't know why you did but I feel loved.

Darren Shan Saga Books 10-12

So this is it. The series dramatic conclusion. There were still lots of questions to answer, and even more questions were created. But man, it ends well.

Book 10 - The Lake of Souls follows Darren and Harkat as they go on a journey to find out who Harkat was before he became a Little Person. And they did not expect to find what they did...

Book 11 - Lord of the Shadows - back on the hunt for the Vampaneze Lord Steve Leonard, Darren ends up in the one place he'd thought he'd left behind forever. He is going Home.

Book 12 - The Sons of Destiny - The epic conclusion, all questions answered. Who will win the War of Scars and become the Lord of Shadows - destroying man kind in the process?


OH MY GOD THESE BOOKS. Darren Shan really knows how to conclude a series!

The Lake of Souls started a bit slow for me, as some of the others did, but the end of it made up for everything. I cannot believe I did not see it coming - both who Harkat was when he was alive and where they were. Now everyone knows what is to come when the Lord of the Shadows reigns - and it's not a pretty sight!

I was expecting to go back to Darren's home town at some point since the very first book but by the time I got to Lord of Shadows I'd forgotten all about his family and hometown. I loved seeing Annie again all grown up. And with a kid! And for those of you who've read the books already, my cynical mind guessed that part straight away. I thought it was great seeing the Cirque again - Evra and his family are some of my favourite characters in the series. The end of this book really upset me. Killing Mr Tall was one thing (and his big secret totally shocked me!) but the other death was awful.

The last book picks up right where Lord of Shadows left off and all the secrets and plots are revealed, and it has a truly fantastic ending. I'm not going to say anymore about it aside from read it.

The only thing that annoyed me about these books was, again, Debbie. I don't know why she annoys me so much. She is pretty much there just to be a damsel in distress and distract Darren. Alice I think is awesome. But Debbie just deeply irritates me.

I really, really enjoyed this series. I'm so glad I finally got around to reading it and I'm hoping The Saga of Larten Crepsley will entertain me just as much!

Darren Shan Saga Books 7-9

I've now completed the series but due to my laptop being poorly I haven't been able to post in weeks! Anywho - the next three Darren Shan books. My friend told me after I read the first couple that they just keep getting better and better - and I didn't believe him in the slightest. But boy - they go from readable, to enjoyable to OH MY GOD I CAN'T PUT THIS BOOK DOWN very quickly!
Again, sorry for the spoilers but it is getting increasingly difficult! I'm hoping most of you guys have read them though, or at least plan to ASAP!

Book 7 - Hunters of the Dusk - Now that the Vampaneze Lord has been found, Mr Tiny informs the Vampire Princes that there are 3 hunters with the power to defeat him. Darren and Mr Crepsley must travel together to find the third hunter and band together to defeat the Vampaneze Lord before it is too late...

Book 8 - Allies of the Night - After one failed attempt Darren and co. find themselves back in Mr Crepsleys hometown - and some familiar faces make a return.

Book 9 - Killers of the Dawn - On the run from the police our hunters have to find a way to face off with the Vampaneze Lord for the third and final time - but what must be sacrificed?

Again I found the first of these as more of a scene setter. It had good moments but the book overall felt like it moved quite slowly. We did however, get to meet Evanna (who most definitely is not a witch!). I think she is an absolutely fabulous character - and I love the reason behind Mr Crepsley's scar!

Allies of the Night and Killers of the Dawn were two parts of the same story and I do not envy people who read these as they came out - as soon as I finished one I had to pick the next straight away!
The return of some friendly (and some not-so-friendly) didn't surprise me overly. I knew we would see Debbie and Steve again, but I didn't imagine seeing R.V.! Loved the hands though. Debbie's return was too convinent for my taste and the sort-of rekindling of her's and Darren's romance was weird. I know technically they're the same age or near enough, but Debbie is in her late twenties while Darren still looks 15. But that may just be my cynical cold heart. And we did need someone to be a damsel in distress.

Steve - I totally expected everything that happened. I said it from the first moment I read about the Vampaneze Lord (not that my friend would give any spoilers!). But the end of Killers of the Dawn upset me. Especially the way you're given amazing hope and it is snatched from you in one little sentence. My face went from gobsmacked, to a big cheesy grin to utter devastation. I was not happy with Darren Shan for writing it. I was even more upset with my friend for making me read a series that seemed intent to tear my soul into little pieces (which it did).

So yeah. 3 more to go. Not gonna lie, I didn't want the series to end! But the end is so worth it!