Hello and welcome back!
Usually I have these posts up the last day of the month or pretty soon after that however, I went on holiday and definitely wasn't going to worry about getting anything done other than drinking cocktails and having fun with friends. Now that I have returned I've gotta get straight back to it.


This month was a very good start to the year and I read seven books! I started and finished The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo and dear god, it is now my favourite trilogy (sorry Hunger Games). I am now on a mission to find the perfect fan fiction where I can love the Darkling forever and ever. I also read a few books on my TBR and also finished a book on my kindle that I had started last year!

Here is what I read...

1. Soundless - Richelle Mead
Mead is one of my absolute favourite authors and will always read anything she writes. I picked this up a few months after it was released but on New Years Day I dove straight into it and finished it the next day. This is a creative story in which an entire town cannot hear and some start to go blind and one day Fei wakes up with the ability to hear - and the story goes from there. This standalone novel was easy to read for me though I've read some people found it hard to get through. I thoroughly enjoyed it and honestly don't know why people don't like it. 5/5

2. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children - Ransom Riggs
I picked this up last year after discovering it through Bookstagram as it has an intriguing cover and heard it had great pictures throughout the book. This took me about two weeks to finish as I found it hard to get into and felt like they needed more interesting things to happen to keep it going. The pictures as I had heard are fantastic and really help the story - also my favourite part of this book and why I gave it the rating I did. I will read the next two however, I'm in no rush. 4/5

3. Shadow & Bone - Leigh Bardugo
As I mentioned earlier: new favourite trilogy. I was taken from the start - I remember telling my boyfriend after the first couple of chapters that "this is pretty good" and once I was deep into the book I absolutely had to finish it as soon as I could. I stayed up past my bed time, eyes sore and would not put it down. This fantasy novel is based around the 'Grisha' whom have powers (similar to witches I guess?) and Alina who was once thought a regular human but soon finds she is indeed one of the Grisha and a powerful one at that. I instantly fell for the bad boy (no surprise to anyone that knows me well) the Darkling - my new book boyfriend! It is exciting throughout the entire story and has you feeling all the feels. I ordered the next two the next day and had to wait for them to come in the mail which was agonising. Can I do 6/5 ?

4. A Thousand Pieces of You - Claudia Gray
The first in the Firebird series and it is seriously good. At first it took me awhile to get into it because I had a bit of a book hangover but once I got into it, I finished it fairly quickly. It is sort sci-fi I guess? And the characters travel in different dimensions trying to find the killer of Marguerite's father. The blurb on the book is intimidating as there is a lot there but it is super enjoyable and a bit emotional at times and I can't wait to read book two! 5/5

5. Slaughterhouse 5 - Kurt Vonnegut
I started this on my kindle last year and found it hard to get through simply because it wasn't my type of book, but I was determined to finish it so I could get it off my list. This follows Billy Pilgrim and his life; he ends up being in a plane accident, surviving though he goes a bit wonky and believe he can travel in time to any time of his life. If you're interested in reading this or knowing a bit more, I would find some more reviews or information elsewhere since I didn't really like it. 3/5

6. Siege & Storm - Leigh Bardugo
There isn't much to say about this one other than I freaking loved it (of course). I started it as soon as it came in the mail and had to keep reading and reading until it was all gone. Much like the first, it grabbed me at the first moment and I stayed in the Ravkan world until I had finished this one. I can't say too much about it without giving away the first but oh my god, the Darkling... I love you! 5/5

7. Ruin & Rising - Leigh Bardugo
I finished book two, went to check my mail box and here this beautiful book lay waiting for me to devour it once more. I immediately started reading and then took it on holiday with me to continue to devour. Once again, I was wrapped up with the Grisha world and did not want to leave (sad face) and I think I need a support group now. I am certain I left my heart in the book and I do not want it back!! 5/5 ps - I was hoping for a different ending but we don't all win and it was still brilliant.

And there lies my heart with the Grisha trilogy - I wasn't lying about needing a support group. I am super happy with my reading this month. I start uni in three weeks and that will take over my life, so I think I'm trying to get in as much reading as I can. I hope you enjoyed my little reviews and I'd love to know if you've read any of these books and what you thought. I intend on finally bringing you my 2016 reading list in the next week or so - a bit late, I know!
Until then, take care!
xx



Contact: erenabennett@gmail.com
Instagram: @erena_b
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Nourish Me Well... I love the name, and it sounds delicious! When I was contacted if I wanted to review a box, I jumped onto their website here and was instantly in love (I then quickly followed them on Instagram @nourishmewell_box).


As of late, I've mainly been blogging about one of my true loves: books, but every now and then you'll see me post something about food and health/wellness - my other loves.

I received this box early in the morning before I went to work, so of course I ripped it open and had to know what I was getting into. The bad news - I had to only look and not take (eat) and head off to work, waiting for home time until I could race back, take some photos while there was still some natural lighting and then I could dig in, and dig in I did.

The Nourish Me Well box is the newest health food premium subscription service. This one is for Australian's only and contains some incredibly yummy goods. Each month contains 5-8 full size products delivered straight to your door, once a month for only $34.95. Now I know this seems quite a bit, but I did say premium. If you can forgo your daily coffee's and bring your lunch to work - this is totally affordable, especially when you're getting full sized goodies!

There are three options when subscribing: you can go month by month, 3 monthly (save $10) or 6 monthly (save $20) and you cancel anytime, no catch!

Now let's take a look inside the box:

1. Naturally Nood Bars: Cocoa Lamington Bars
These great little bars are packed with real food and none of that fake stuff. These are great for on the go, taking them to work or school, or just that 'I need a snack' moment. These are one of my favourite things in this box and would definitely buy them for my future 'I need a snack' moments.
RRP Single 35g bar $2.49, 4x35g bars $6.99

2. Kitz Living Foods: Coconut Dream Classic
I love me some coconut goodness and for there to be minimal and organic ingredients - yes please! Sweetened with brown rice syrup makes it not too sweet (therefore, perfect) and still gives that chewy goodness. My mum gave me a great idea to make my own bounty bars out of them (using the cacao powder later mentioned, I will be doing this!)
RRP 150g $11.60

3. Thinkfood: Pistachio Cranberry/Cashew Sesame Munch
I got the Pistachio Cranberry flavour and holy goodness, let us pray! This was my other favourite of this box and were the first thing I ripped open. A lot of products similar to this are too sweet, but this is the perfect amount mixed in with some salty to savour your taste buds. They come in bite size pieces and you can either eat this all at once or snack on during the day - I took them to work and made sure I didn't get them out in front of people so I didn't feel obligated to share. I will definitely be repurchasing these.
RRP 140g $5.50, 20g mini range $1

4. Byron Chai: Indian Spiced Tea
When I opened up the packet it was such an intense smell; chai will do that to you though. On my info card included in the box, there is a serving suggestion which I sort of followed and it was pretty good! I think it'll taste best with milk so I added almond milk - keeping it vegan and let it sit for a bit. This doesn't come in tea bags, so you need to be able to strain it if you don't have a tea infuser - these are really cheap though! Overall, not too bad - not my favourite but I'm a tea lover for sure.
RRP 100g $5.99


5. Power Superfoods: Raw Organic Cacao Powder
I haven't opened this, simply because I already have an opened one in my cupboard. But I'm very happy it's in this box and I now don't have to buy another one :) Want to know something interesting? This particular cacao powder has over 360% more antioxidants than regular cocoa; cool hey? I know I'll enjoy this as I use it a lot already!
RRP 125g $7.95

6. Sealand Birch: Birch Water
Birch tree sap tapped from the trees to the bottle. This one made me the most curious... When I first took a sip, I didn't really like it - I'm not really sure how to describe it but I know people will definitely like this! Especially the others flavours, which I'm also curious about. How I enjoyed my Birch Water, was putting about 1/4-1/3 of the bottle into my water bottle so it was a little diluted and I found it refreshing and delicious :)
RRP $4.95


Like mentioned earlier, you can find out all the information you need to know here and you should definitely give their Instagram a follow @nourishmewell_box because they are currently holding a GIVEAWAY for their February box! This box was not only delicious, but I love trying new things and I will seriously be purchasing some of these at my local grocery store soon.

If you have any questions, please comment down below or you can ask me on Instagram (see below) and I'll get back to you as soon as possible. Until next time, take care.
xx


Disclaimer: This subscription box was sent to me to review; all opinions are my own.



Where you can find me!

Contact: erenabennett@gmail.com
Instagram: @erena_b
Bookstagram: @erenareads
Goodreads: @erenareads
Twitter: @erena_bee

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Welcome back!

You probably didn't think you'd see me so soon right? Well, a new year brings countless opportunities for multiple blog posts with everything that happened in the previous year. For myself, the only 2015 post will probably be this one - what I read and especially my top 10. I joined the book community on Instagram (Bookstagram) in September and now have 800 followers and a never ending TBR. With the help of Bookstagram, I read so many amazing books that I would have never come across if it weren't for them (thank you!!)

Way back in 2012, I joined Goodreads and hardly used it. Once again, with the help of Bookstagram, I became active once more and made a reading challenge. I had already 20-30 books at the time of making my goal and decided I wanted to get to 52 - one for each week. I surpassed that goal by two, reaching 54 books read in 2015 - success! So without any more rambling, here are those books...

BOOKS READ IN 2015

1. Son - Lois Lowry
2. Fifty Shades of Grey - E.L James*
3. As Dead As It Gets - Katie Alender
4. Fifty Shades Darker - E.L James*
5. Girl Online - Zoe Sugg
6. Not That Kind of Girl - Lena Dunham
7. Fifty Shades Freed - E.L James*
8. Witch & Wizard - James Patterson
9. The Ruby Circle - Richelle Mead
10. The 100 - Kass Morgan
11. Fangirl - Rainbow Rowell
12. Ugly Love - Colleen Hoover
13. Still Alice - Lisa Genova
14. The Last Time We Say Goodbye - Cynthia Hand
15. All the Bright Places - Jennifer Niven
16. Never Never - Colleen Hoover & Tarryn Fisher
17. Slammed - Colleen Hoover
18. A Game of Thrones - George R. Martin
19. Harry Potter & The Philosopher's Stone - J.K Rowling*
20. Point of Retreat - Colleen Hoover
21. This Girl - Colleen Hoover
22. Hopeless - Colleen Hoover
23. Anna & The French Kiss - Stephanie Perkins
24. Lola & The Boy Next Door - Stephanie Perkins
25. Isla & The Happily Ever After - Stephanie Perkins
26. The Girl on the Train - Paula Hawkins
27. Maybe Someday - Colleen Hoover
28. Losing Hope - Colleen Hoover
29. The Sky is Everywhere - Jandy Nelson
30. Attachments - Rainbow Rowell
31. The Enemy - Charlie Higson
32. The Best of Me - Nicholas Sparks
33. I Was Here - Gayle Forman
34. City of Bones - Cassandra Clare
35. Animal Farm - George Orwell
36. I'll Give You the Sun - Jandy Nelson
37. Throne of Glass - Sarah J Maas
38. A Court of Thorns and Roses - Sarah J Maas
39. City of Ashes - Cassandra Clare
40. To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee*
41. The Selection - Kiera Cass
42. The Elite - Kiera Cass
43. The One - Kiera Cass
44. Go Set a Watchman - Harper Lee
45. The Heir - Kiera Cass
46. Crown of Midnight - Sarah J Maas
47. Happily Ever After - Kiera Cass
48. Percy Jackson & The Lightning Thief - Rick Riordan
49. Clockwork Angel - Cassandra Clare
50. The Assassin's Blade - Sarah J Maas
51. Red Queen - Victoria Aveyard
52. Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda - Becky Albertalli
53. My True Love Gave to Me - Various Authors
54. Snow Like Ashes - Sara Raasch 

*Re-reads

MY TOP 10 BOOKS OF 2015 (In reading order)

1. The Ruby Circle - Richelle Mead (Bloodlines Series)
2. The Last Time We Say Goodbye - Cynthia Hand
3. All the Bright Places - Jennifer Niven
4. A Game of Thrones - George R. Martin
5. A Court of Thorns & Roses - Sarah J Maas
6. Crown of Midnight - Sarah J Maas (Throne of Glass Series)
7. The Assassin's Blade - Sarah J Maas
8. Red Queen - Victoria Aveyard
9. Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda - Becky Albertalli
10. Snow Like Ashes - Sara Raasch

With special mentions to Still Alice (Genova), Never Never (Hoover & Fisher), Maybe Someday (Hoover) - this should actually be in the top 10, I Was Here (Forman), Animal Farm (Orwell), The One (Cass) and Percy Jackson (Riordan).

Re-reads are not included in my top 10 just FYI.

So basically, a decent reading year. I read so many good books in 2015 and rated so many 5/5's on Goodreads and plenty to come for 2016.

I'll see you soon for my next post which will be something along the lines of what I want to read this year and my reading goal.

Until then, take care.
xx

PS - Currently reading: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs


Contact: erenabennett@gmail.com
Instagram: @erena_b
Bookstagram: @erenareads
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Twitter: @erena_bee

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First off, welcome to the new year. I had a pretty decent 2015 - holidays, applying for uni, hanging out with family and friends and lots and lots of reading. I will write another post (very soon) with my list for 2015, highlighting some of the good books and if there was a thing or two to say about other books I wasn't so happy with.

This post is once again, my mini reviews for the books I read in December and I'm also combining it with my January To Be Read (TBR).

I read four books this month, three of those have definitely made my top 10 of 2015! It'll be obvious by the ratings :)

BOOKS



1. Red Queen - Victoria Aveyard
There were plenty of people raving about this book but I went in with a clear head and not thinking too much about expectations, etc. This is now one of my absolute favourites! First of all, Red Queen is dystopian/fantasy and follows 'Red' girl Mare Barrow whom picks pockets in her poor town. In her world, there are the 'Reds' and the 'Silvers'; The silver blooded beings have all sorts of different powers and live in riches, whereas the red blooded are nothing special and so on. Though Mare and the rest of the royals soon find out she is something different and it goes from there. The writing is spot on, it flowed so easily and I kept reading and reading until it was all gone. Glass Sword is the sequel to come out in the coming months which I am very much looking forward to. 5/5



2. Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda - Becky Albertalli
"Straight people should have to come out too. The more awkward it is, the better." Simon has been emailing Blue - both whom are gay, but don't know the true identity of each other yet go to the same school. Someone finds out about Simon's emails and starts blackmailing him in order to gain what he wants. This was such an easy and funny read that can quite honestly, depict real life. You get to follow this through Simon's point of view and some of the emails between Simon and Blue - which I really enjoy. I won't go on too much but if you're looking for something light and a little funny, this is it. 5/5



3. My True Love Gave to Me - Various Authors, edited by Stephanie Perkins
12 authors, 12 holiday stories. I'm not one to 'season-read' however, a few people were reading this and I decided to give it ago - enticed by the short story concept. They all take place around the Christmas/New Year holiday season and most were pretty good. There were some that were not properly finished - they needed more than a short story so that was disappointing. But there were some stories in there that were just so cute and I really enjoyed. 4/5



4. Snow Like Ashes - Sara Raasch
This book felt like Red Queen combined with combined with A Court of Thorns and Roses but more action added into it. I started off reading this quite slowly - perhaps the busyness of the holiday season slowed me down? Once I got about half way, I just wanted more and more. Meira is from Winter but no one has been there since it was destroyed and majority of its villagers were taken to work in the Spring work camps as slaves. The refugee group have been living in various parts of other seasons working to try gain their freedom and their home back from Spring. Loved, loved, loved this book, I love stories like this! Ice Like Fire is book two and is already out however, I have to refrain from buying it until I read more of my unread books on my shelf. 5/5


JANUARY TBR

1. Soundless - Richelle Mead

2. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children - Ransom Riggs

3. A Thousand Pieces of You - Claudia Gray

4. Shadow and Bone - Leigh Bardugo




These four books are what I definitely want to read this month (and I've actually just finished Soundless!) I will more than likely read on my kindle or iPad at work as it's much easier and maybe pick up one of the books I've put down and try to finish them.

That's all today! I'll see you soon for my full 2015 book list.

Take care!
xx

Where you can find me

Email: erenabennett@gmail.com
Instagram: @erena_b
Bookstagram: @erenareads
Goodreads: @erenareads

Follow me with Bloglovin' !

While you can still channel the inner kid in you and get your chocolate advent calendar, you should also treat yourself to a different kind of advent for those 24 days prior to Christmas.

HELLO!

I've been absent as of late as I have been super busy and I should've pre written blog posts but did I do that? No... My bad!

November was a good reading month with a total of six (6) books read. Four of these books I rated 5/5! I collected quite a few books this month: Red Queen, Snow Like Ashes & Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda I won from a giveaway; Magnus Chase x 2 - one I bought on special, a signed copy I won at Penguin Teen Australia Live event in Brisbane; Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children full priced and a box set of six classics from QBD for only $15! So, I didn't spend too much money but I'm definitely going to need to pick up my reading game!



Anyways, here are my November reads...

1. The Heir - Kiera Cass
The fourth novel in The Selection series moves on to Maxon and America's sassy daughter Princess Eadlyn, the future queen! I was sad to read it wasn't America's story however it was still an enjoyable and easy read. It finished on an emotional cliffhanger which I feel like Cass hasn't really done in the other books. 4/5



2. Crown of Midnight - Sarah J Maas
I was so ready for Crown of Midnight after reading the first in its series: Throne of Glass, last month. In this story, the true and ever so badass Celaena came alive with an incredible assassin scene which I loved! There was also crazy emotional chapters in Crown of Midnight as well though and pulled on the heart strings. This book is definitely in my top 5 of 2015! 5/5 plus another 100

3. Happily Ever After - Kiera Cass
This is a selection (no pun intended) of novellas from The Selection series. It includes The Queen (Amberley), The Guard (Aspen), The Prince (Maxon) and a few other scenes. I enjoyed reading from others point of views especially Queen Amberley. I think this is a good way to have other point of view novels - a collection of different characters in the one book. 4/5



4. Percy Jackson & The Lightning Thief - Rick Riordan
I've finally got myself into this series, if it wasn't for the Bookstagram community I don't think I would have. If you don't know what I'm talking about, Percy is a demi-god finding himself on a mission to find Zeus' lightning bolt which he apparently stole and return it - along with fighting off creatures of the Underworld. Suitable for a wide range of people; this was such an easy read and I enjoyed it immensely. 5/5



5. Clockwork Angel - Cassandra Clare
I took a break from The Mortal Instruments and gave The Infernal Devices a go instead. It took me a while to get into but I love it much more than Clary's story (Clary annoys me a bit too much). I loved how it is set in the 1800's and of course Jem and Will! I am still trying to warm up to Tessa but I definitely prefer her story and interesting background. I am keen to read Clockwork Prince and hopefully will get to it in the next couple of months. 5/5



6. The Assassin's Blade - Sarah J Maas
This is a collection of novellas set before 'Throne of Glass' however, it's pretty much one whole story with a couple of gaps in between. You get to meet and know Sam Cortland and if you've read Throne of Glass you will pretty much have anxiety issues whenever he's around. You get the badass Celaena again in The Assassin's Blade which I loved! I don't think it really matters when you read this book along with the Throne of Glass series, though I've only read the first two. 5/5 !


And there you have my little reviews for my November reads. Sorry it was late... I'll try better next time. If you have any questions or thoughts on this post please comment below or message me on my Bookstagram. Stay tuned for my 2016 reading list!



Currently Reading: Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Email: erenabennett@hotmail.com
Bookstagram: @erenareads
Instagram: @erena_b
Twitter: @erena_bee
Goodreads: @erenareads

Hello everyone!