GIVEAWAY: Gripped into Books has become an Amazon Affiliate

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Hi Guys! Let me get to the chase, Gripped into Books has now become an Amazon affiliate. Mainly because I really could use all the help I could get to host more giveaways!
In celebration of this I have hosted a giveaway (of being able to win any book of your choice from Amazon under £10 or $15) in order to spread the news. So to help me out with giveaway, all you have to do is whenever you want to buy a book or anything from Amazon just use the links below!

 If on either of the Amazon websites we reach £10 or $15 by the end of next month or even this month I will hold ANOTHER GIVEAWAY. So make sure to buy your books through Gripped into Books by the above links so then we get a small amount to help with giveaways! I will also put the links up on the sidebar to make it much easier! I'm so nice :D

The Vampire Diaries: The whole ‘Team Stelena’ and ‘Team Delena’ fascination

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For those of you who are unaware of The Vampire Diaries in which I deem very unlikely but hey ho there’s always that small minority...

You don’t know what The Vampire Diaries is? OMG.
The Vampire Diaries is a super super super ah-mazing US based television series aired on the CW every Thursdays at 8/7. It revolves around Elena (Nina Dobrev), a teenager whose life is nothing near normal involving the deep depths of the supernatural with vampires (obviously), werewolves, witches and oh so much more. The most focal point of the series is Elena and her love for the two vampire brothers Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley) and Damon Salvatore (Ian Somerhalder)... (more info on Wikipedia)

Now, that is what I most want to ramble about
This stupid love triangle! Yes, I totally despise it and with good reason! And so this is where I give a full on account on the whys and the hows and the whats and the wheres attached to it.

MARRY ME, STEFAN SALVATORE?
Let’s see at first Elena’s with Stefan a GOOD chuck of the series. I have to admit, I LOVE STEFAN. Damn, I am so attached to this character I love him so so so much. It’s just that he always does what he thinks is best, always trying to save everyone and always being so frickin NICE. Did I mention I TOTALLY LOVE NICE GUYS? CAUSE I DO!!! He’s so brooding especially with those eyebrows haha as well not totally attractive like Damon but he’s so hot. Especially when he's angry. Ripper Stefan is the best! Don’t forget that, okay? And there I was all 'yeah Team Stelena this, Team Stelena that'. Just wanting Stefan and Elena to be together forever and forever and I was all...‘f*** you Delena fans! It’s never happening, dream on dudes!’

AHHH Delena happened
 
In season 4, Elena and Damon got together. At first, I was so friggin pissed. I could kill a werewolf. LOL. WDF though, Elena was meant to be Stefan’s ‘epic love’! Okay I will admit their scenes were much hotter. Like total WOW. But the thing is, I actually came to terms with Stefan not being with Elena. I actually became okay with it.

Because the world brought the truth to my eyes
Well last nights episode did. Because of this particular part...
I've got admit that Nina Dobrev and Paul Wesley are top notch on their acting skills. This is my favourite scene in the entire season. Anyhow, Stefan told Elena he didn’t love her (aww we all know he does really). The b***** made him hurt a whole frickin lot. And her response? Not good. Not good at all.

What I think about Elena
Elena is just so damn selfish. She just thinks about herself well mainly, it’s here that I realised Stefan and also Damon are too good for her. She’s there thinking yeah 'it’s alright I’ll just go out with one of them whilst the other brother pines for me and I’m just going to do stuff to make him love me’ . ‘me’, ‘me’, ‘me’! I used to really love Elena. In season 1, 2 and 3, she was just a really good protagonist. But now that’s changed.

Its all about the bromance
TEAM STELENA, TEAM DELENA? I DONT CARE. Stefan and Damon should not be with Elena. They deserve better! They love each other so much after so much that has gone on. They have survived Katherine (another girl they both fell in love with) which really tore them apart and now (which I don’t think will ever happen) but once again they may part again because of a stupid girl named Elena. And their feelings! What must they be feeling? You can tell in that video how hurt Stefan is. Poor Stefan. Even in the previous episodes, I remember I just wanted to cry. Even Damon not being able to be with Elena, trying to hide his feeling for his brothers girlfriend. Both of them are constantly being played around, constantly being in the dark. It's not fair on them.

The Truth
At the end of the day, TVD is all about this love triangle and someones going to be with Elena. Oh Well! I just had to let out this frustration. I don't like Elena anymore, that girl has to do something major for me to have a good opinion on her now
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By the way,
if you haven't realised already The Vampire Diaries is an awesome show. It's my favourite show and it has great writers and I absolutely love it. Apart from this love triangle, there are other amazing elements and plots. Seriously, more hot characters too! So, watch it people! Watch it and be addicted.

There's also the books as well by L.J Smith if you're interested in reading which are awesomeness too! (Buy the books on Amazon here) :D
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So, Let me know what are your thoughts on this love triangle.
Agree or Disagree, I would love to know in the comments below :)

Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter

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Uncommon Criminals
by Ally Carter

Pages: 304
Release Date: 5th July 2012
Publisher: Orchard
Series: Heist Society #2
Source: For Review from Publishers
Add it: Goodreads


Katarina Bishop has worn a lot of labels in her short life: Friend. Niece. Daughter. Thief. But for the last two months she's simply been known as the girl who ran the crew that robbed the greatest museum in the world. That's why Kat isn't surprised when she's asked to steal the infamous Cleopatra Emerald so it can be returned to its rightful owners. There are only three problems. First, the gem hasn't been seen in public in thirty years. Second, since the fall of the Egyptian empire and the suicide of Cleopatra, no one who holds the emerald keeps it for long - and in Kat's world, history almost always repeats itself. But it's the third problem that makes Kat's crew the most nervous, and that is...the emerald is cursed. Kat might be in way over her head, but she's not going down without a fight. After all, she has her best friend -- the gorgeous Hale - and the rest of her crew with her as they chase the Cleopatra around the globe, dodging curses and realising that the same tricks and cons her family has used for centuries are useless for this heist. This time, Kat's going to have to make up her own rules...

My Thoughts
Uncommon Criminals was exactly what I was hoping for in the second book of the Heist Society series! It was just as good as the first book and it just left craving for the next. OMG, I just looooved it so much guys.

Kat is one badass character. She's so one of my favourite literary characters. Ever. When she was on the mission with her crew I was there cheering them on. And when we (I can so see myself pulling off a heist! ) figured it all out oh so very soon into the book, I was like waaaahhhh? But oh no how could I forget that this is Ally Carter's writing? We get a even more suspenseful plot with so many surprising twists and turns and clearly all so very entertaining.

Especially the characters. Guys, the characters! They're so so so awesome with a wave of frickin awesomeness cleverness smartness. Simon is so cool. I kind of had a rough patch with Gabrielle in the beginning but not to worry, she's proved to be a great asset to the team. Err Nick, I could just sense there was something about him. eurgh. It's all about HALE.

Hale. Why oh why couldn't you be more older! I had so much hope,... ha! He's such a nice guy! I love nice guys. Bad boys are so overrated, don't you agree? You can see how much he wants to be there for Kat. He wants to be needed and cares so much for Kat. awwww. It's kinda infuriating at times when their moments come up cause it's all happening really slowly. I love how we get a better picture of Kat's flaws and everything but arghh darn it. Not giving anything else away.

What I will say though, Uncommon Criminals is incredible. Hold on, no... It's safe to say that this entire series is incredible even though I've just read two of the books but you know I have foreseen the other books ahead and i just know they will be just. as. good. I am addicted to this series.
I am addicted to Ally Carters books. I just am.
*content sigh*

Buy it: Amazon
Other books in the series:
Heist Society | Perfect Scoundrels

My Favourite Books and Moments of 2012

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It's the new year, we're already near the end of January so this post is kinda really late, right? But IDC I wasn't blogging then and I really want to join in now sooooo...
Jamie from the Perpetual Page Turner is running an end of year book survey with sucha fun way to talk the best of 2012. I participated last year and loved it so am taking part again, yay :D
best books read in 2012 
1. Best Book You Read In 2012? (You can break it down by genre if you want)
Contemporary YA: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E Smith
Dystopian YA: The Selection by Kiera Cass
Sci-fi/supernatural/paranormal-ish: Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
Fantasy: Tempest by Julie Cross

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?
Storm by Brigid Kemmerer- Don't get me wrong people, I did really really really enjoyed this book but I'm not sure what but there there was something missing. Like, I expected WOW but didn't get it

3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2012?  
Dearly Departed by Lia Habel - only because when I first started reading it I was like bleughh zombies and put it to the side. Then, picked it up again and I'm like zombiess oh yess ;D

4. Book you recommended to people most in 2012?
Lets say books? So, any books by Sarah Dessen! I have absolutely grown to love this women's stories. Magnific I say!

5. Best series you discovered in 2012?
The Goddess Test series by Aimee Carter

6. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2012?
Hannah Harrington, Tammara Webber

7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?
Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult and Easy by Tammara Webber

8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2012?
Losing It by Cora Carmack

9. Book You Read In 2012 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year
The Selection by Kiera Cass
Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

10. Favourite cover of a book you read in 2012?

11. Most memorable character in 2012? 
 Kat from the Heist Society series

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2012?
The Fault in our Stars by John Green

13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2012? 
But I Love Him by Amanda Grace, Saving June by Hannah Harrington, The Fault in our Stars by John Green

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2012 to finally read?Out of Sight, Out of Time by Ally Carter

15. Favourite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2012?
“And in that moment, I swear we were infinite.”
― Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower

"I'm in love with you, and I'm not in the business of denying myself the simple pleasure of saying true things. I'm in love with you, and I know that love is just a shout into the void, and that oblivion is inevitable, and that we're all doomed and that there will come a day when all our labour has been returned to dust, and I know the sun will swallow the only earth we'll ever have, and I am in love with you.”
― John Green, The Fault in Our Stars

16. Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2012?Shortest! Hana - A delirium story by Lauren Oliver
Longest! I'm not sure :/

17. Book That Had A Scene In It That Had You Reeling And Dying To Talk To Somebody
About It? (a WTF moment, an epic revelation, a steamy kiss, etc. etc.) Be careful of spoilers!
Clockwork frickin Prince!!!! Guys, you know that major revelation Will was told and then his reaction to that and the other events that followed? HOW CAN YOU NOT JUST CRY!!!

18. Favourite Relationship From A Book You Read In 2012 (be it romantic, friendship, etc).
WILL AND TESSA -Clockwork Prince, Cassandra Clare
The tension is killing me!

19. Favourite Book You Read in 2012 From An Author You Read Previously
The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead, The Killables by Gemma Malley

20. Best Book You Read That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else
Storm by Brigid Kemmerer - OMG the amount of recommendations I got for this book is unbelievable. It wasn't as good as I had hoped but I really did enjoy reading it!

Boo hoo, I didn't read many books last year! It was only a bit over 50 than my normal 100 books a year. Though, it was still a great year of books. Come on 2013 :)


#PenguinChats: Calling all Beautiful Creatures Fans!

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Introducing #PenguinChats, an exciting new project from the publishers of Penguin! YA bloggers and readers like ourselves have a chance to connect with a Penguin author on Twitter at a 30 minute Q&A using the hashtag #PenguinChats hosted by @PenguinUKBooks
 
How amazing is that?
 
What's more, Gripped into Books has become one of the official blog partners! So, today am here to give you some really cool info on the bestselling novels by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl - Beautiful Creatures
 
On Sunday 27th January at 8pm, Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl will kick off the first #PenguinChats during which they will be able to answer all our questions on the series and OMG the upcoming movie too! You can find more details about #PenguinChats on the Penguin Blog.

And now for me to share some exciting content! First of all, If you by some bizzare reason have not picked up the Beautfiul Creatures books, I'm certain after reading this prologue, it will leave you intruiged and running for more ;D

GUESS WHO'S BACK?

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DUH. Me :)
You guys must be and (should be) extremely happy and overwhelmed and jumping with joy. Cause, oh yes, MIA IS BACK! I'm sensing that I'm probably the only person feeling all these feelings. However! What brought this back this seeing as I solemnly swore my non existence in the blogging world bout 6 months ago, you say? Well...
I MISS BLOGGING

the only downfall being I don't have all the time in the world so I will post but infrequently seeing as
I still have college
then there's exams
and also something called uni
boo hoo
 BUT then there's THE RETURN OF GRIPPED INTO BOOKS
nothing can beat that right? LOL
 
Be prepared for awesomeness posts you guys knew once upon a time ;D

P.S- I don't apologise for my extravagant enthusiasm :P