Explanation For Unexpected Blog Hiatus and What’s Been Going On With Me

So for those of you who follow me on Twitter you may have seen my tweets about my Grandad. But for those of you who don’t know I decided to do this post with a little bit about why I’ve been MIA from the blog this past month. Basically my Grandad was taken into hospital and doctor’s told us he probably wouldn’t make it through the night. He was put on open order and we expected to lose him that night. My Grandad’s a total trooper though and made it through, however he’s not out of the woods yet and is still in hospital in a critical condition. Honestly, it could go either way at any time, and so my whole family has been on edge in a sort of limbo just waiting for something to happen. That horribly anxious limbo place actually made me quite poorly both mentally and physically and for a while I wasn’t doing that great myself which is why I haven’t been blogging.

In the last week or so I’ve been feeling a lot better and although the situation hasn’t changed we’re all just trying to get on as normally as we can. And so here I am easing myself back into my blogging which is something that I’ve really missed. I’ve never spent this long away from the blog before in my near 2 years of blogging and it actually surprised me with just how much I missed it so here I am. Although I’m trying to get back to normal please understand that if my Grandad takes a turn for the worst I might disappear again or my posts might not be as regular.

That being said though for now I’m back and on a permanent base I’m not going anywhere so no need to worry about that! I might just be a little scattered because of my personal life. I have got some exciting things coming up for you guys which I’m going to list below I’ve had a few requests on Twitter as to what people want to see first (I have a lot of catching up to do!) So if you really want to see something sooner rather than later put your requests for me in the comments.

• Review on the Harry Potter Studio’s Tour in London (Requested)
• The Hunger Games Movie Review
• Reviews for
The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour (Requested)
Fateful by Claudia Gray (Requested)
Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake (Requested)
Fever by Lauren DeStefano
The Calling by Kelley Armstrong
172 Hours on the Moon by Johan Harstad
A Walk in the Park by Jill Mansell
Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard
All These Things I’ve Done by Gabrielle Zevin
Touch of Power by Maria V Snyder
The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Right I think that’s about it, which is exciting I was actually kind of dreading writing this post but felt like I owed you guys an explanation. I’m excited that I can get on to the fun stuff now and start talking about books again. Oh also on a fun side note I’m tinkering around with the idea of doing some Vlogs mainly for In My Mailbox but maybe some other things too so hopefully I can figure that out because it’s something I’ve been wanting to venture into for a while now. Anyway that’s it big thank you’s to everyone for being so understanding you guys are the best! And even bigger thank you’s for those who have sent me lovely tweets and well wishes on Twitter it really means a lot. I’ll be back with some booky stuff soon and remember to get those requests in either in the comments or you can tweet me them @JessHeartsBooks again for anyone who follows me on Twitter I was formally known as @Chicgeekrambles but changed it to the blog name just to make me easier to find on there I guess and to stop any confusion. Right I really am going to shut up now, love you guys, speak soon!

An Apology

Dear faithful blog readers,

Some of you may have noticed that I’ve been MIA for the last few weeks without warning and I apologise for that. Basically my personal life kind of took over everything, first with getting sick, then with it being my birthday, then with going on a mini break, then with getting into a reading slump, into then caring for my dad who has a leg injury. So that’s what’s been keeping me from the blog these past few weeks but I’m hoping things will continue to settle down now so I can get back into blogging, I’ve really missed it!

To get things back on track I’m going to first be concentrating on catching up with all of the reviews for the books I’ve been reading. I can’t believe I haven’t reviewed a single book that I’ve read this year! I’ve been reading some great and not so great books so I’m looking forward to telling you guys all about that and recommending some new 2012 titles! So yeah this is going to be a strictly review zone until I’m up to date, which I’ve got to admit I’m excited about as writing reviews are pretty much my favourite thing to do on the blog! I may also do some sneaky In My Mailboxes if things go well as with going to Oxford- home land of bookish awesome, my birthday, and weeks worth of book hauls missed I have a lot to show you guys although sadly I might not be able to show them all as I really have had SO many make a new home with me these last few weeks.

So can you guys forgive me? I’m sorry I’ve been a sucky blogger and forgot to be awesome. But I’m here now, if you’ll have me. Watch this space for the first of an abundance of reviews going up tomorrow; it will be happening, promise.

Happy reading till next time,

Jess x

Holiday Blogging Break!

Just a quick announcement to let you guys know that I will be taking a break from blogging as of today for Christmas and New Year. I'm going to use this time to relax and enjoy the festivities as well as cramming in as many Christmas books and those 2011 must reads before the years over. I'll be returning in early January and will be setting things up on the blog for 2012 with 2011 summaries, reviews for 2012 books and even the first book tour of the year! January will be a month with a lot of conclusions from 2011 and setting up for the year ahead. It's also my birthday month and I know I'm going away late January so please bare with me if posts are a bit all over the place.

February will see things getting back to normal around here and the return of some of my features like Readers Choice and the re-launch of Covers So Lovely We'd Lick Them with the new name Covers So Lovely They're Lickable! As co-creator and my best friend Rachel over at In the Library of LadyViolet has kindly handed the reins over to me solely so I'm bringing it back as I know how many of you used to enjoy those.

So this is goodbye for now my lovelies, I hope you all have a wonderful and book filled Christmas and New Year if you celebrate and for those who don't heck everyday should be wonderful and book filled so same goes to you. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and I'll see you all in 2012 for book news, reviews and plenty of bookish awesome.

Jess x

Update! It’s the END! :-(

So this is literally just a VERY quick update to let you guys know that you can expect few to maybe no blog posts from me for the rest of this week and next because I’m trying to spend as little time online as possible . With the last Harry Potter movie coming out (eek!) I don’t want to risk seeing any spoilers (even though I know how it’s going to end) until I’ve had chance to see it myself next weekend with my best friend Rachel when she’s back off holiday.

I also just started Forever by Maggie Stiefvater last night (OMFGITSGOODSOFAR!!!) I’m super busy at the moment but really want to spend what little free time I have DEVOURING this last book in one of my favourite series and re-watching all of the Potter films before I go and see the last one.

So basically I might post in the next week I might not I just wanted to give you guys a heads up in case you wondered where I was. I’m so excited (and sad) for the end of two huge series that I love. Damn you Warner Brothers for making me grieve for Harry Potter TWICE in my life, I barely survived the first time with the books and now with the films *sniffs*. Anyway I want to keep this short and sweet so I can go and READ FOREVER! *freaks* as book lovers I hope you understand this need for no spoilers comes before anything else even my beloved blog and I’ll see you all when it’s OVER! *crys*

Happy reading until next time,

Jess x

P.S If anyone decides to leave spoilers in the comments I WILL hunt you down and Avada Kedavra your ass.

I’m Guest Posting!

Hi guys,

Just to let you know that today I’m guest posting at one of my very favourite blogs Heaven, Hell and Purgatory. Vicki and Lyndsey are doing a wonderful Summer Series perfect to get you in that summer time mood!

Today I’m doing one of their infamous So I Say Thank You For The Books- Summer Edition! Where I’ll be doing quite a personal post about a certain favourite author, her books, and how they’ve had a huge impact on my life. I’m not going to say anymore than that I just wanted to get you all intrigued so that you’ll stop by HERE! Comment love on the post would be much appreciated and make sure you check out what other fantastic posts the girls have lined up for Summer Lovin’ in their schedule here.

As always much love and happy reading until next time,

Jess x
P.S Don’t forget to stop by my 1st blogoversary giveaway!

Random Ramblings 3: My Top 10 Bookish Peeves and Loves

Hi guys I haven’t posted in over a week because my pups been ill. He’s had to have an operation and since then I’ve been keeping a very close eye on him! He’s on the mend now but just as he’s started to get better I’ve been struck down with a cold! I really wanted to do a post today but my brains not quite functioning well enough to write a review so I’ve decided to do a fun random rambling on 10 of my book related peeves and loves, I hope you enjoy them!

Peeves
1.) Brand new damaged/dirty books. I don’t know how many of you have experienced this but I HATE it when I go into a bookshop to buy a book and there’s one copy left and it’s really dirty. Sometimes there can be a big crack down the spine where somebody’s opened it or the bottom of the pages can be dirty thanks to dusty shelves. When I’m paying for a brand new copy I like it to look just that- brand new! When there’s a gross looking book left over and I REALLY want the book I can get pretty mad.

2.) People talking to me when I read. I hate when people try to strike up a conversation when I’m trying to read my book. Okay so some people read as a pass time because there’s nothing better to do but I’m NOT the kind of person who’ll put their book down when “something better comes up” or someone comes along to talk to.

3.) People who tell other people what or how they should be reading. I’m a big believer in letting people read what they want to read without shame and I really hate it when people try to push books on to other people telling them that’s what they SHOULD be reading. I also hate it when people get onto others about having e-readers or dog earring pages. I personally like to keep my books as neat as possible but if I see somebody dog ear their own books it doesn’t make me cringe like it does some people. I don’t care HOW people read I just care that they read.

4.) Gross second hand books. See above. I’m talking suspicious stains, bound together by tape books. No matter how cheap the deal I just cannot do it *shrugs* personal preference.

5.) Book sellers who know nothing about the books their selling. You know the kind. Ask them for a recommendation and they point you straight towards the charts and bestsellers no matter what books you say you like.

6.) People who smoke whilst borrowing your books. I have nothing against smokers but smoking whilst reading a borrowed book is horrible. Ruins the lovely bookish smell AND makes the pages yellow.

7.) Book snobs. You know the kind of people who make it their mission to read every classic ever written and indulge in obscure literature. I don’t mind if that’s what people enjoy reading in fact I’m all for it but I hate when people turn their noses up at those who don’t read or enjoy the fancy pants stuff.

8.) Mothers/fathers who let their children run riot in bookshops and libraries throwing books everywhere and STANDING on them! I’m all for kids enjoying themselves looking for a new book and deeply encourage it but some kids really push the boundaries on having fun and making the place look like an earthquake hit.

9.) Covers that change! There’s nothing that I hate more than when your half way through a series and the publishers decide to give the covers a makeover.

10.) Series that go on forever. I’m talking 8 books or over, I mean really do we need that many? I’m looking at you Gossip Girl, Morganville Vampires, House of Night and Pretty Little Liars!


Loves
1.) Bookmarks! I’m a huge lover and collector of bookmarks. You’ll never see me cram a bit of paper in to mark my book I even select the bookmark I’m going to use based on the book. I really like it when they match. For instance right now I’m reading Die For Me by Amy Plum and I’m using an I love Paris bookmark.

2.) New book smell. I love the smell of books with a passion.

3.) Relaxing with a book. Reading is definitely my favourite way to unwind. There’s nothing I enjoy more than getting a drink be that glass of wine/ hot chocolate/ diet coke and running a bubble bath/snuggling up in bed/ laying out on the grass and getting lost in someone else’s story.

4.) The anticipation of a new release you’ve been pining for. Whether you receive the book early for review or go to the bookstore and buy it on its release date nothing beats that feeling of holding a book you desperately want and have waited ages for in your hands for the first time.

5.) Talking about books. Especially now that I’m part of the blogosphere there’s nothing I love more than a good book discussion with blogger pals on twitter!

6.) Spreading the book love. I love doing giveaways or swapping or lending my books especially when I have read and loved the book I can’t wait to share the experience with somebody else.

7.) My Kindle. I never thought I would be but I’m a big fan of my kindle, I find it easier to read on there and always enjoy downloading the cheap/free books off Amazon!

8.) This brings me on to my next love cheap books. Whether there from a charity shop, second hand shop, Amazon or special offer in a book shop nothing beats those book bargains!

9.) The feeling after you’ve just closed a really great book where you feel content and happy and the story’s still going through your mind.

10.) Lastly it has to be books themselves. Although I love my kindle nothing for me beats the smells and feel of a book. I love the pretty covers and having them on my bookshelf so I can look and see how many books I’ve read. Books themselves are so special and I treasure every single one of mine :)

So those are just a few of some of my top bookish peeves and loves. Do any of them make your top 10’s? Are there any you think I’ve missed out? I’d love to hear them! Feel free to drop me a comment with some of your own loves and peeves :-)

Random Ramblings (1) You don't read!...do you?

Random Ramblings is a new feature I’m starting on my blog. They may sometimes be book related, sometimes they might be personal. One thing for sure is there all going to be my thoughts and opinions on things and it should help you all get to know me better. So let’s get on with it! I hope you like them and I would really appreciate some feedback in the comments letting me know your thoughts on the feature as a whole or about the subject matter.

The other day I got to thinking about stereotypes and snobbery when it comes to books and reading. I still remember the day I bought my first serious boyfriend home. We’d been going out for 3 weeks and were still in that less talking more can’t keep our hands off each other new relationship faze. We really didn’t know much about each other at that point, anyway he came into my room and stared bug eyed open mouthed at the pile of books on my bedside table. His shock soon turned into confusion as he asked “ you don’t read!...do you?” in an amused voice. Truth was I wasn’t that surprised. I’d gotten it since high school. I went on to tell him that yes I loved books and reading and why should he be so surprised? He then answered that I didn’t look like the kind of girl who read books for fun. As I said this wasn’t the first time someone had said that to me but it’s the one in my memory that most stands out. As you can probably tell from my blog I’m very much a girly girl, always have been although it really came to a height of constantly wearing pink and loving anything glittery in high school. I was never one of the popular crowd but I wasn’t exactly a misfit either. I was in a fairly respected clique and whilst I wasn’t right at the top of the high school popularity chain I was still fairly high up. The popular girls would invite us to parties and things so I guess we were considered “cool” to some extent. So because I was one of “those girls” people always found it shocking when they learned that I was a big time nerd behind the perfume and pink. I had a brain and liked to exercise it regularly by reading.

Another time that stands out to me was when we were waiting for an English class to start, I noticed this girl who was considered really uncool reading a Harry Potter book. That kind of stuff never mattered to me and of course being a book worm I was hugely excited and went right up to her and had a good old natter about good old Harry and Hogwarts. It wasn’t until I got up to leave that I realised that *everybody* was staring at us, whispering, wondering why I was talking to this girl. Wondering what on earth we possibly had in common.

Although since high school my extreme legally blond faze has calmed down, I am still at heart a very girly girl. So even to this day if I meet a reader 90 per cent of the time they’ll look down their nose at me. Because I enjoy YA and Chick-lit there not “proper” books and so I’m not really a serious reader. How dare I try and talk about a classic? Surely I’ve only watched the TV adaption? Go back to your vampires little girl and let us real readers discuss books. I’ve been stereotyped my whole life and as a teenager that was hard. I never felt like I quiet fit in with any group of people. The “serious readers” would snob on me for not reading “proper” books and my friends just wouldn’t get why I liked to read full stop. People have never really understood how I could be into so many different things and I think it hurt a lot of peoples brains trying to figure out a label to put on me. It wasn’t until I found the world of book blogging that I discovered people who got me and didn’t turn their noses up at the fact that yes I read chick-lit and preferred YA to other genres but I also love historical fiction and classics and fantasy too. I’ve found people who love books from all over the world. Who have different races and interests and personalities, who read all kinds of books completely busting the geeky stereotype that goes along with a reader.

I feel that these days since the popularity of twilight reading has definitely become more accepted and I’m glad of that. I’m glad that more and more people are discovering why reading is awesome and that people are embracing the types of books they like to read without fear of judgment. It may sound trivial but not feeling like I fit in made a big difference to my confidence in high school and it makes me want to use my blog to change people’s perceptions on reading. Reading is fun and you should never feel ashamed for reading what you like to read. Read Young Adult and hold your head up high, heck read Mills and Boon and don’t try to hide the cover at the beach! Support the books you love because if you don’t show your love for them how is anybody else going to discover them? So here’s a note to anyone who’s ever asked me why I liked to read, who’s ever been either shocked that I could possibly enjoy a book or that I enjoy reading a certain type of book. I LOVE books! And you should really try it some time. Because it truly, freakin’, ROCKS.