I am reading Ilona Andrews' Kate Daniels series, and I will not stop until I'm done with the fifth book. I don't remember the first book being so good when I read it about four years ago, but - oh my god, these series are close to giving me an orgasm. So delicious. I even postponed reading "City of Lost Souls" until I'm finished with these, that's how much I'm enjoying them.

Also, I decided to give a shot to "Game of Thrones" and find out what all the hype is about. But because I'm so OCD, I need to read the books first, and there are currently 18 holds on the first book at the library. And I am not spending money on a book I'm not even sure I'll like - especially after paying over $25 for CoLS last week. Canadian book prices, you suck.

P.S. I feel like I need to point out that I am also reading more "serious" literature in between of the fantasy and YA: historical fiction, classics, novels from the high school reading list. I've graduated, bitch, and now I can read whatever I want! But, seriously, it feels nice to hold the reigns of my own education after so many years.

"The Parasol Protectorate" series

Funny, witty, and unpredictable - I have not been surprised by a book in a while, but these four mini-novel won me over fully and completely. I am about to begin the newly-released fifth book, but I am procrastinating with reading it, because I know it will be the last of the Alexia & Conall stories.



"Naked Heat" of the Nikki Heat series

The fans of "Castle" will understand my excitement over this one. Even though it is not the best murder mystery on the shelf, and it's written by a ghost writer - it is nevertheless fun to pretend that I'm reading a book written by Rick Castle himself! The library didn't have the first book available, so I started with the second, but it really makes no difference since I watch the show religiously.



Hannah Swensen murder mysteries

Not quite what I expected, but still entertaining enough to read. Although, I have to admit, I do not find these books even one bit believable - starting with a drop-dead gorgeous police detective who likes to hug, and ending with the fact that a bakery shop owner demonstrates better crime-solving skills then the local police department. These mysteries will not keep you up reading at night, but there is something about them that makes these books appealing. Maybe it's all the pastry...

"TEXAS"

My ambitious close-to-a-thousand-pages read that I picked up at the library on the advice of my parents. So far, I'm on page 12, but the size of the book seems very appropriate for its title, so I can't complain...

People often engage in stupidity. I think that's because a lot of people are stupid, but it is not to say necessarily that smart people don't say or do stupid things. Our minds our vulnerable and impressionable, and it up to us to protect ourselves from unwanted influences. Putting it in the way of one of my favourite quotes of all times,

"try to be a filter, not a sponge." (c) "The Perks of Being a Wallflower"

To be honest, I didn't really get this quote until recently. How hard can it be - to filter out the information you don't want, need, or trust? Well, turns out, it's not as easy as it seems. In school, they teach us to think critically. But it is only when we get out of the classroom that we can apply this advice in practice, without a constant reminder of the instructor. It's not easy to do, but it is important - otherwise the long hours you've put into your education will go to waste (not to mention the money you spent on it). I don't think I'm quite there yet, but I am on my way to becoming a filter.

Sort-of-related: this is a blog of a person who's beautiful mind I have been admiring for years. Mike Shinoda is a genius, and it's been almost ten years since I fell in love with his amazing art. He also collects awesome and bizarre things in his blog. I really liked the "One Second At A Time" video. Makes you wanna... live.

Finished "Divergent". Trying to decide which one was worse: this book, or the "Mockingjay". No. "Mockingjay" was definitely one of the worst YA books I've seen in a while. Or ever. Unnecessary long and terribly executed. Or maybe I'm just a bitter Katniss/Gale shipper.

"Divergent", on the other hand... Good concept, but - dear me, it's so plain. I didn't even fall in love with Four, what a waste. And the main heroine did not appeal to me at all. Also, I don't think I've seen a story told in such a plain and simplistic language since I moved on from the children's literature.

On the bright side, now I can go back to my favourite Alexia Tarabotti.

I really need more good movies to watch. The last ones I liked were "In Time" and "Abduction", but I need moar :/

I spent a whole evenning making this - because, well, masquerade ball in CP is one of my favorite scenes ever. This is a tribute to my fascination with dress up and Will/Jem/Tessa.

Please do not use/repost without permission. Do not hotlink!

I would travel back in time and happily endure corsets, demons, and any other torturous devices, just so I could be kissed like that by William Herondale:



*sigh*

Books were invented to break our hearts.

Okay... This. NO. Seriously. ( Spoiler alert if you havent finished City of Glass or Clockwork Prince or if you dont want anything to know about The Dark Artifices (which will be extremely hard for you to do as I will keep posting about it) )