Chely, They Say The Darndest Things

A few of you (okay, just Diva Booknerd and Cait of Notebook Sisters) requested that the two of us do more posts together. Unfortunately, Chami is still holed in up 'preparing-for-exam land' (it's not a nice place) so I had to get a little bit creative for this post...So, I introduce to you *drum roll* CHELY, THEY SAY THE DARNDEST THINGS! *crowd cheers*

Basically, we're going to show off some of our brilliance (insane-ness) via screenshots of things we've said to each other on Skype/Facebook/Text. Sound amazing? YOU BET IT DOES.

This shouldn't surprise any of you, but the vast majority of our conversations revolve around books. This particular one is from a few weeks back when I was reading The Maze Runner... (Did anyone else do this too?)

'Hoe' is our thing (it's a term of endearment, we promise!), so sometimes things like this happen. Can you guess the real quotes?

Best friends is all about making the other person feel good about themselves, right?

And sometimes...it's about threatening the other person (with love, of course).

Usually, there's a lot of sarcasm...

And sometimes (most of the time), we get a little nerdy and weird. #besthoes

And yes, there's a lot of embarrassing photos of both of us that we've saved for future use against each other. (Mainly for birthdays)

 (The best folder on my laptop, clearly)

 

'Ely blackmail' photos...made public for my 18th.

 

And the retaliation for Chami's birthday. 

We hope you enjoyed this little embarrass-fest! It was definitely fun to put together. If you want to see some more 'Chely' posts, go check out some of these - Best Friend Tag, Chami's Blogaversary post, Ely's Blogaversary post and The Story of Chely.

You're all beautiful, we love you and thank you!

A nice little bonus picture, because who the hell knows what's going on here?

REVIEW: Green Rider by Kristen Britain

Title: Green Rider (Green Rider #1)
Author: Kristen Britain
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure.
Publication Date: April 1st 2011 (first published 1998)
Publisher: Gollancz

Format: Paperback

Pages: 560

Rating: 5/5

Karigan G'ladheon, running away from school, is traveling through a deep forest when a galloping horse pounds up to her, its rider impaled by two black-shafted arrows. With his dying breath, he tells her he is a Green Rider, one of the magical messengers of the King. Before he dies, he makes Karigan swear to deliver the message he's carrying, and gives her his green coat, with the symbolic brooch of his office. Pursued by unknown assassins, following a path only her horse seems to know, Karigan becomes a legendary Green Rider for when given to the right person, a Rider's brooch awakens the magic inside.

Green Rider is one of those books that I usually would have marked as to-read on Goodreads and then never actually read it. Luckily for me, my lovely friend Sarah bought this book for herself during one of our many bookshop adventures together and then passed it along to me, after she read it and lost her mind over it. I’m so happy that Sarah decided to pick it up and extra happy that she let me borrow it.

I should probably mention that this is the first book I took serious notes for (at least one that wasn’t school related) so this is probably going to be a really, really, insanely long review. On that note, let’s start.

My absolute favourite thing about this book are the characters- they’re seriously amazing. I wrote something about pretty much every single character, but I’m only going to mention a few today. Let’s start with our main character- Karigan G’ladheon. Firstly, can we talk about how ridiculously badass her name is? It sounds very Welsh to me which is, of course, seriously awesome. Anyway, Karigan is a great main character- she’s only a teenager but she has this massive weight placed on her shoulders due to this mission. She makes mistakes, but she’s so kickass and incredibly stubborn. She was a lot of fun to read about it and I think she’s taken a special place in my heart.

Now onto some smaller characters- I’m doing this sort of by order of appearance, but not really. Firstly, the Berry sisters- they have a very small part but they are seriously amazing. Secondly, Torne and Jendara – So I actually hate Torne but I really like the fact that they’re a duo and that Jendara is a female (and much more awesome and fierce than Torne). Karigan’s father, Stevic, is also amazing- he’s great father but also a really interesting character. Lorilie – another seriously gorgeous name and an interesting character. Captain Mapstone and Mel are, again, amazing characters and both brilliant in their own right. Alton is just awesome and I really hope there’s more of him in the future (perhaps I’m getting a new literary crush here). King Zachary is…well, I like him but I also don’t know how I feel about him. I can’t really explain why without spoiling anything, but yeah there is definitely some confusion there for me. Next Mirwell…I don’t know how to put this other than he’s a creeeeeeeeeep. Finally, The Horse. The Horse is just amazing, and brilliant, and wonderful and every other good adjective you could use. Basically, every single character is interesting and I can’t wait to see who pops up in the rest of the books.

Now onto some things that aren’t related to characters. The writing in this book is beautiful- it really, really is. There’s something really unique about it, and I don’t know quite how to describe it other to say that it sounds really old but in a way that really suits the story. It’s also full of imagery- it’s like the words actually come out of the book and you get so immersed in the world around you. I found that I was getting completely lost in the story every time I picked up the book- hours could pass and I wouldn’t even realise. The world itself, Sacoridia, is brilliant. There are so many awesome things in the world- like the Green Riders and Intrigue which is sort of like a boardgame, chess-like thing, which I’d probably be terrible at. There are so many layers to the story and it’s a really, really intense ride (see what I did there?). It’s a really marvellous beginning to what I’m sure will turn out to be mind-blowing series.

 I can’t wait to get my hands on the rest of the books- honestly, I’d travel the North Road to get them. (More references, see you should read the book so you get them…) Thank you again to the spectacular, epic, wonderful etc. Sarah!

The Best Friend Tag: CHELY EDITION

This was actually supposed to go up last month for our blogoversary, but we just forgot (as usual). Usually this tag is done in video form, but since we only ever see each other like twice a year, this'll have to do for now! LET'S GO.

1. How and when did you meet?

E - Birth, aka. the internet, 3 years ago

C - We weren't close at first but when we realised that we were fraternal twins, things came together.

E - The awkward moment when Chami gives a better answer than Ely.

C - #LIFE
2. What's your favourite memory together?

E - My 18th. The entire night was amazing, but I think your speech was the best part. I don't think I've ever simultaneously laughed and cried harder than I did then.

C- I don't know if you guys know but Ely and I don't see each other often at all. We could be living in different countries for all you care. So I think our favourite physical memory together would have to be that one time I punched her in the face when we were in the womb.

C- AW HOE.

3. Describe each other in one word.

C- Cacti

E- Babe
4. What's your dream job?

C- In all seriousness, I think Ely would be a great Publishing Agent as well as an author. Perhaps even a professional Fangirl Psychologist.

E- Chami either wants to be a director, or a professional Warner fangirl.

C- OH ELY. U KNOW ME LIKE THE BACK OF MY ELBOW

5. What's your favourite makeup brand?

E - I literally have no clue. But, you really like red lipstick and sometimes you put make-up on for the sole purpose of taking selfies.

C - I have no clue with you either? Lipstick as well? Wait, maybe eye things. She likes eyes.

E - #IGNITEMECOVER

C - #OMG #DATJUSTHAPPENED
6. What is something that annoys you about the other person?

C- Pretty much EVERYTHING. Haaa, I'm just kidding. Mostly her freedom. SHE BE FREE LIKE A BIRD BUYING ALL THESE BOOKS AND I CRY, EVERYTIME.

E- Your inability to spell or use proper grammar :P
7. If you could go anywhere in the world together, where would it be and why?

C - We've planned to live in London with a house made of books. So I guess the England.

E - The world's largest cheap bookstore that'd be filled with beautiful hardback, signed copies of all our favourite books. Preferably, in London.
8. Favourite inside joke?

C - No one will actually know how many inside jokes we have. We have like a billion. Like, I can't even. Cactus was good, Silva also, and so was 9 minutes in every direction. There was always that time we had a fake child named Tom Riddle Sex God.

E - Literally everything we ever say to each other gets turned into an inside joke of some kind. Examples, HEY GIRL HEYY, Turn left at the next Cactus, Nine minutes in every direction.

C – NANDOS. NANDOOOO.
9. Who takes longer to get ready in the morning?

C- Our child. Our child takes longer to get ready in the morning.

E- We've never ever been at the same place in the morning or ever had to get ready to go out somewhere together.

C - or Ely's answer. That is also good.
10. Favourite season?

C- I just seriously sat there and wondered what Tv Show this question was aimed at. But now that i get it: AUTUMN. Is it? Because we are twins SO IT HAS TO BE.

*Both of us die*

E - Totally like season 2 of Hana Yori Dango ;) But I actually don't know yours. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING WE'VE EVER TALKED ABOUT.
11. Favourite song?

C- Flavour of Life from Hana Yori Dango, babe ;).

E - Knock, Knock or one of the many raps you've made up over the years.
12. Heels or flats?

E - Heels for you cause you're a midget.

C- Flats for Ely
13. Pants or dresses?

E - WHY?

C- WHAT IS THIS QUESTION? I CAN'T ANSWER THIS

E - I CAN'T EVEN ANSWER THIS FOR MYSELF

C – Sometimes when I’m bored I take imaginary people for a tour of my bookshelves.

*Ely dies.*

C- Do you do it too?

E – Yes.
14. Favorite animal?

E - A Cactus? I don't know. I don't think you like cats, but we talked about having 37 of them and one dog in a house full of books in London...

C- Her Dog, Mara. She be loving her dog. That's the only other bitch she can love that's not me.

E – This is probably a good time to mention to anyone reading this that my dog is actually named Tara.
15. If your house was burning down, and your entire family was sure to be okay, what would you save and why?

E - BOOKS. WE COULD BOTH SAVE BOOKS. Wait, are they family?

C - No, no, I would still save books Ely. Books are life.
16. Comedy, horror, or chick-flick?

C - I have no clue but maybe chick-flick out of those three for my Ely babes?

E - Korean/Japanese dramas, actually. For both of us.
17. Blackberry or iPhone?

C – Iphone please

E - iPhone?
18. Favourite movie?

C - HANA YORI DANGO - NOT A MOVIE BUT A CULT

E - Hana Yori Dango movie, or Harry Potter?
19. What is something weird that you eat?

E - Chami is just plain weird.

C - When Ely just eats her neighbours okay. End of story.
20. Do you guys have anything matching?

C - I'm pretty sure we have matching robot necklaces and toys and souls.

E - Brains. Also, books, yeah necklaces, teddy bear things.
21. What's your favourite TV show?

C - Hana Yori Dango. Do we even have to go through this again?

E - Hana Yori Dango, obviously. But you like The 100 too.

C - And Ely also likes everything.

So that's it- the best friend tag! We hope you all enjoyed it and that you're slowly realising how mental we both are...

DISCUSSION: Most Owned Authors

Hello and welcome back! This is part two of my author discussions. In my first post, I talked about my most read authors and today I’m talking about my most owned authors. In part three, I’ll be talking about my auto-buy/favourite authors.

As well as noting how much books I owned from each author, I’ll also mention how many of those books I’ve read. So let’s go!

Firstly, let's start with authors that I own three books of.

Nansi Kunze - Mishaps, Dangerously Placed and Kill the Music. I've read all of these and unfortunately, these are the only books Nansi has out at the moment. I NEED MORE.

Marie Lu – Legend, Prodigy and Champion. I've read both Legend and Prodigy and I'm currently halfway through Champion.

Cynthia Hand – Unearthly, Hallowed and Boundless. I've only read Unearthly so far, mainly because I LOVED it and I'm scared for the series to end.

Tahereh Mafi – Shatter Me, Unravel Me and Ignite. Same as Nansi. I would happily read anything this woman put out.

Marissa Meyer – Cinder, Scarlet and Cress. I've only read Cinder so far (I KNOW!), but I'm working on it.

Aldous Huxley – Brave New World, Crome Yellow and Antic Hay. I've only read Brave New World, but considering it's one of my favourite books I think that makes up for it...right?

Libba Bray - A Great and Terrible Beauty, Rebel Angels, A Sweet Far Thing. I've read the first two books and I'm about halfway through A Sweet Far Thing- it's 800 pages though, so it's a slow read.

Now to authors with four books...

Emile Zola - Germinal, The Dream, L'oeuvre and...Germinal. I seriously adore Zola, and while I haven't technically finished any of these...well, I WILL! Also, the reason I own two Germinal's is because one is in French and the other is English.

Becca Fitzpatrick - Hush, Hush, Crescendo, Silence and Finale. I've read all of these, and really enjoyed them.
Maureen Johnson - The Last Little Blue Envelope, The Name of the Star, The Madness Underneath and The Keys to the Golden Firebird. Wow, Maureen Johnson has really long titles...Anyway, I've only read The Name of the Star out of these.
F. Scott Fitzgerald - The Great Gatsby, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Beautiful and the Damned and Tender is the Night. I've only read Gatsby out of these, though I have read it twice!

Now onto five books!
Maggie Stiefvater - Shiver, Linger, Forever, The Scorpio Races and The Raven Boys. I've read all of these, except Forever (which I'll probably never read).
John Green - The Fault in Our Stars, Looking for Alaska, Paper Towns, An Abundance of Katherines and...The Fault in Our Stars, again. I've only read TFiOS and Looking for Alaska, plus half of Paper Towns.
Charles Dickens - Dickens at Christmas, Great Expectations, David Copperfield, Oliver Twist and The Pickwick Papers. Dickens is one of my favourite authors, though I've only read Great Expectations and the first 150 pages of Pickwick so far.
Jessica Shirvington - Embrace, Entice, Empower, Disruption and Between the Lives. I've read Embrace, Entice and Empower but I haven't quite got to the other two yet.


Now authors with six books.
Cassandra Clare - City of Fallen Angels, City of Lost Souls, Clockwork Angel, Clockwork Prince, Clockwork Princess and The Shadowhunter's Codex. I am slowly getting rid of these, at least The Mortal Instuments series (I'm keeping the Infernal Devices). I've read all of them but the Codex.
Cecelia Ahern - P.S. I Love You, The Gift, The Time of My Life, One Hundred Names, How to Fall in Love and The Book of Tomorrow. I haven't actually read any of these...I blame the library.

Now with seven books.
Eva Pohler - The Gatekeeper's Sons, The Gatekeeper's Challenge, The Gatekeeper's Daughter, The Gatekeeper's House, The Gatekeeper's Secret, The Purgatorium and Gray's Domain. I've read all of these, but two.
Rick Riordan - The Lightning Thief, The Sea of Monsters, The Titan's Curse, The Battle of the Labyrinth, The Last Olympian and The Lost Hero. I've only read the first three Percy Jackson books so far, but I'm working on it!

Now with ten, eleven, twelve and thirteen...
Richelle Mead - Vampire Aacdemy, Frostbite, Shadow Kiss, Blood Promise, Spirit Bound, Last Sacrifice, Bloodlines, The Golden Lily, The Indigo Spell and Gameboard of the Gods. I've read the entire VA series, plus the first two books in the Bloodlines series.
Virginia Woolf - A Room of One's Own x 2, To The Lighthouse, Between the Acts, Three Guineas, Mrs Dalloway,  Jacob's Room, The Waves, The Years and Orlando. I haven't ready of these... *dies of shame*
Daphne Du Maurier - Rebecca, Jamaica Inn, Frenchman's Creek, Don't Look Now and Other Stories, The Flight of the Falcon, Mary Anne, The Parasites, Julius, I'll Never Be Young Again, Castle Dor and The Rendezvous and Other Stories. I've only read Rebecca and Jamaica Inn, but they are two of my all-time favourites.
J.K Rowling - The entire Harry Potter series, Quidditch Through the Ages, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Tales of Beedle the Bard, The Casual Vacancy and The Cuckoo's Calling. I've read all of these, except for the last two.
Lemony Snicket - All thirteen books from A Series of Unfortunate Events (except book six) and The Unoffical Autobiography. I've read all of these, including book six and I love them.

Finally, my number one most owned author is....

*drum roll*

AGATHA CHRISTIE, with a total of 24 books. (This is crazy!) I think I've only read about 4 of the books I own because I always end up borrowing her books from the library.

That's it for this part! I hope to see you all next time with the third and final part of this little discussion series. See you all then!