Book Review: The Red Palace by June Hur

Disclaimer: This is a spoiler-free review. I bought a copy of this title with my own resources. All thoughts are my own. “When we’re together… it’s as though we are like water in the river,… More

Mini-Reviews Time!

Hello friends! It’s been a suuuuper long time since I’ve posted, and we are nearly in 2024! Life has been super busy (and crazy) with work but 2023 has surprisingly been a solid year od… More

What’s Up 2020~

Hello there friends! Long time no see! How’s everyone going? This year – again I’ve set my Goodreads Reading Challenge to 1 book – and GUESS WHAT – yours truly read her first book in… More

Life as a Medical Student: So far in 2019

Hello friends! Today’s post will be a little different (featured photo is kpop group NCT Dream) – it’s not entirely bookish since I’ll be throwing in bits and pieces about university and life stuff 😀 IT HAS BEEN MONTHS SINCE I LAST POSTED AND HOW I MISSED WRITING ON THIS BLOG! (this post is more like a self-reflection thing and stuff I wanna share 🙂

For those who’ve been following my personal account, you would have noticed my ever growing love for BTS and Kpop music. At the very start of this year, I was quite uncertain about what this year would bring, I also know I went on hiatus on bookstagram for the sake of my studies – and uni life kinda crumbled for me from then on. I wasn’t reading, I was in a depressive slump, I wasn’t looking after myself properly, I felt tired all the time, I was so done with seeing patients. I was just DONE with uni.

I fell into a state where I only went to the hospital for placement during the day, come back home to study, eat and sleep for a bit, and repeat the following day. It wasn’t working. At all. I did binge the k-drama “weight lifting fairy” and gosh that was good.

When I came back to my home site from placement in late March, I was desperate to find something to be involved in that might get me out of whatever state I was in. University sucks, I have no close friends in my cohort, and I dread going to classes. I knew I had to do SOMETHING. Then I heard from my friend who sent me her annual (more like quarterly) invitation to join a dance crew.

After years of persuasion by my friend to join a my uni’s kpop dance crew – I gave in and decided to have a crack. Because why not? A lot of pieces are audition pieces and bruh, it’s not like I had a chance. And guys, my life has been changed since.

I think a lot of us have experienced this: you used to enjoy doing something (a lot), but life changes and you change (and that’s normal and completely okay!) – and the same thing doesn’t bring you as much joy anymore, so you discover other things that bring you joy and you pursue that. That’s kinda what happened – for the first time since age 5 – I danced again. Being one of the most un-coordinated person on earth (no I ain’t kidding about this – I walk into walls) – I JOINED A DANCE CREW.

Life’s much better from then on. I made new friends, kept being active (I danced to NCT U’s Boss and mayt, that dance is a WORKOUT), found new music (not just kpop), I started painting/drawing again, I took up film photography. And I also realised that I started to reconnect with my Asian identity after being lost in the crowd for many years since living in Australia (pulling a Blue Sargent here). I began to talk more to my friends who are back in Asia, become more engaged in international affairs/politics and I reached out to my artist friends to nurture my passion for the arts – obviously that doesn’t mean I don’t study at all (lol I just give up sleep, just kidding… unless???) I think it’s a really good thing to broaden one’s horizon.

Now onto the bookish stuff (YAY!) I managed to read a few novels on my mid year break while travelling. I remember reading “Spectacle” (a YA historical crime novel) – it was really good and I think I reviewed in on Goodreads. The other one I read was “Hart and Seoul” (or something that sounds like that) – it was so-so cute but so unrealistic so I just skimmed the last third. BUT Y’ALL I AM SO EXCITED FOR CALL DOWN THE HAWK BY MAGGIE!!!!!! WHO ELSE IS KEEN?

I also look forward to reading the final book of the Traitor’s Kiss Trilogy (I’m trash for that series and Erin’s writing). Any books that you read and loved? What are some books you’re excited about that’s coming soon?

Sorry for my messy word vomit. But I still hope you enjoyed my little random post. I hope to return to Bookstagram in late November. I also hope to post more on this blog soooo – catch you soon!

Happy reading, look after yourself and keep going!

FIGHTING!!!!!!

P.S.: message me on twitter @bibliomeds if you ever wanna chat about kpop (groups I stan: BTS, Seventeen, NCT, ASTRO, Stray Kids) or even medicine haha!

Blog Tour: Enchantée by Gita Trelease (spoiler-free)

G’day book lovers! Today I’ll be reviewing Enchantée by Gita Trelease! This post is part of the international blog tour to celebrate the release of Enchantée! Shoutout to the amazing team at Pan MacMillan for providing me an ARC! As usual, all thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

Synopsis

Paris in 1789 is a labyrinth of twisted streets, filled with beggars, thieves, revolutionaries—and magicians…

When smallpox kills her parents, Camille Durbonne must find a way to provide for her frail, naive sister while managing her volatile brother. Relying on petty magic—la magie ordinaire—Camille painstakingly transforms scraps of metal into money to buy the food and medicine they need. But when the coins won’t hold their shape and her brother disappears with the family’s savings, Camille must pursue a richer, more dangerous mark: the glittering court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.

With dark magic forbidden by her mother, Camille transforms herself into the ‘Baroness de la Fontaine’ and is swept up into life at the Palace of Versailles, where aristocrats both fear and hunger for la magie. There, she gambles at cards, desperate to have enough to keep herself and her sister safe. Yet the longer she stays at court, the more difficult it becomes to reconcile her resentment of the nobles with the enchantments of Versailles. And when she returns to Paris, Camille meets a handsome young balloonist—who dares her to hope that love and liberty may both be possible.

But la magie has its costs. And when Camille loses control of her secrets, the game she’s playing turns deadly. Then revolution erupts, and she must choose—love or loyalty, democracy or aristocracy, freedom or magic—before Paris burns…

January Wrap-Up

Hey guys! It’s been AGES since I’ve done a monthly wrap-up! So here it is: my January Wrap-Up post for 2019! I managed to about 5 books this month, which to me, was a pretty good effort! If you told me that last year I would be super disappointed haha! But this year I’ve decided to set my Goodreads Reading Challenge to 1 book – meaning that I can read what I want, whenever I want. That way I won’t be discouraged when I don’t meet a certain goal every month now that I’m in my clinical years of med school. (I’ve already been back for one week and I’m already so drained haha!)

The books I’ve read this month:

1. The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen (⭐⭐⭐⭐)
2. Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson (⭐⭐⭐⭐)
3. An Illustrated History of Notable Shadowhunters and Denizens of Downworld by Cassandra Clare (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)
4. Enchantée by Gita Trelease (⭐⭐⭐⭐)
5. Stealing Home by Becky Wallace (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Books I bought for myself in January:

I discovered the beautiful editions of novels published by Everyman’s Library – and I knew I had to get a copy of a Jane Austen novel. I also happened to have just watched the 2007 Persuasion movie – so yup, I went ahead and bought myself a copy of Persuasion by Jane Austen – and OH MY – the quality is superb – highly recommend!

Books I received from publishers:

I wasn’t the biggest fan of Black’s The Cruel Prince, but, I will still be reading The Wicked King sometime i the future. Shoutout to the team over at Allen and Unwin for sending me a copy!!!

What I might read in February:

1. Fifth Avenue Artist Society by Joy Callaway
2. The Vanishing Stair by Maureen Johnson (my current read!!!)
3. The Traitor’s Game by Jennifer A. Nielsen
4. Evermore by Sara Holland
5. study notes lol

Book on my wishlist:

THE UK EDITION OF ‘THE BINDING’ HOLY MOLLY THE COVER WITHOUT THE JACKET IS STUNNING!!!!! (The image below is from Amazon UK)

How many books did you manage to read this month? Which was your favourite read? Mine was Stealing Home! What books are on your February TBR? Got any books on your wishlist? (feel free to use my affiliate links to get your copies haha! it really helps me out!) Anyways, Happy Reading lovelies!

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© Bibliophilic Med Student 2019. All Rights Reserved. Please do not use without permission. All opinions are my own and you can find me on Instagram @bibliomeds and Twitter. You can also follow me on Goodreads.

 

Ten Most Anticipated 2019 Releases

Happy New Year pals! May 2019 be the year where you get to read all the good books you wanna read, and do the good things you wanna do!

By the looks of it, this year we will be blessed with lots of exciting releases, so now, without further ado, here are my most anticipated releases of 2019!

>> Famous in a Small Town by Emma Mills <<

Release date: January 15th

I am trash for everything written by Emma Mills. After discovering Foolish Hearts around the same time last year, I immediately went and bought her other novels and binged them straight. And I’m sure this one will be epic too.

>> King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo <<

Release date: January 29th 

*throws confetti in the air* Ever since I finished the Grisha trilogy and the Six of Crows duology, I have been wanting more of Nikolai Lantsov (and I know a looooot of people who do as well). Thank you Leigh Bardugo for blessing the world with Prince Nikolai and I can’t wait to get my hands on this bad boy.

>> Spectacle by Jodie Lynn Zdrok <<

Release date: February 12th

This one caught my eye because it’s a YA historical crime fiction set in PARIS so it just happens to automatically fall into my ‘to-request-list’ on Netgalley – and pals, yours truly actually got approved for this e-arc!

>> Enchantée by Gita Trelease <<

Release date: February 5th (26th in Australia)

Another one that’s set in Paris *inserts heart eyes times a million*, and in the year 1789, but this one is a YA historical fantasy involving magicians can you hear me screaming. I’m also thrilled to be partaking a blog tour for this title! I’m so excited to read it!

>> The Devouring Gray by Christine Lynn Herman <<

Release date: April 2nd

“The Raven Boys meets Stranger Things” – UM HELLO COUNT ME IN!!!!!! Family secrets, bodies randomly appearing, new-to-town, woodlands of rural New York – life is kinda dat irrelevant thing I gotta do until I get this book on my hands.

>> Aurora Rising by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman <<

Release date: May 6th

When I went to Jay and Amie’s Obisidio book launch, they spilled the beans about a “Milky Way Series” in the brewing. I’ve been pumped for it ever since. Y’ALL the synopsis looks so epic – IT IS BASICALLY SIX OF CROWS IN SPACE – so even if you don’t do sci-fi, Aurora Rising might jokes it’ll definitely wow you.

>> Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson <<

Release date: June 4th

Believe it or not, I haven’t read An Enchantment of Ravens, not fully anyway. I started it some time a year and a bit ago but I just never picked it up after putting it down for a while. Not that it was bad, I think I was just too busy I kinda forgot about it therefore forgot what the book was about when I decided to pick it up like a month-ish later. I’m gonna pick it up again soon hopefully. BUT BUT BUT, Margaret’s new novel sounds super amazing (words like magical library, alliance with this *cough* sworn enemy *cough: mate, I was sold within a nano second). Just visualise me shouting my lungs out and throwing my money to the book seller’s face right now because I need this book.

>> Darkdawn by Jay Kristoff <<

Release date: September 3rd

After what went down in Godsgrave hahaahahha, and Jay freaking Kristoff had the audacity to delay the release of this book for a whole year, you bet I’m gonna expect Darkdawn to be good enough to knock me all the way to Pluto.

>> Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare <<

Release date: November 19th

Cheers to Cassie for gracing us with a trilogy dedicated to the kids from The Infernal Devices generation. How gorgeous is the cover? Cordelia is gonna be a favourite I’m sure about it. Dang, I miss my children so much, November please hurry up crap that’s when exams are at.

>> The Toll by Neal Shusterman <<

Release date: unknown

Look Neal, if you want another med student to make it through another year and later become a doctor serving rural Australia to address the discrepancy between Indigenous Australian and non-indigenous Australian’s health, please give us a synopsis and a cover AND a release date pretty pretty please with a new robe on top?

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And that’s it! You are likely to catch me eating porridge for the next few months because I need to save dollars for these beauties. Do you spot anything on my list that you’re also keen for? If not, do tell me about your most anticipated 2019 releases!

Wings out.

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© Bibliophilic Med Student 2018. All Rights Reserved. Please do not use without permission. All opinions are my own and you can find me on Instagram @bibliomeds and Twitter. You can also add me on Goodreads.

 

 

End of the Year Book Tag 2018

It’s nearly the end of 2018!! Now is the best time to reflect upon this year and perhaps start planning for the year 2019. I saw Brianna (from Brianna the Bookworm) did this “End of the Year Book” tag and it looks pretty fun, so I tagged myself :D! I tag all of you that wishes to do the tag!

 1. Are there any book you started this year that you need to finish?

I started The Queen of the Tearling I think a few months ago, but for some reason (probs university), I dropped it after only reading the first 100-ish pages. It wasn’t because it was bad or anything, but I just needed to study. But I’m determined to somehow finish it!

As for 99 Percent Mine, I think I’ll read it sometime before the new year, and that’ll count as the entirety of all things romantic that has happened to me this year.

I’m currently STILL reading Vicious… I know….. I’m such a disappointment to Mama Schwab,

Book Review: The Traitor’s Ruin by Erin Beaty

Hello friends! Long time no see! It’s been several months since I’ve written anything solid besides revision notes. Now that exams and uni is over for the year, I’m officially half-a-doctor! Since I am technically a free elf, I can finally kick back, relax and most importantly – read the books I’ve been dying to read since I got them in the mail many months ago. One of these books include one of my most anticipated sequel of 2018, The Traitor’s Ruin by Erin Beaty (book #2 in The Traitor’s Circle, check out my review for book #1 The Traitor’s Kiss here). A massive thank you to Hannah from Pan Macmillan Australia for sending this gorgeous book my way, and for your patience since I took forever to read and review this. This review is my own honest opinion, and will contain mild spoilers for book 1.

Guys, this book SHOOK me alright. I thought I knew what I signed up for after loving Beaty’s stunning debut, alas, I thought I knew and was so wrong. 

Synopsis

After proving her worth in book one as a deft spy and strategic matchmaker, Sage Fowler is now comfortably positioned in high society as the royal tutor. When she’s called upon to teach his majesty’s soldiers how to read and write, she jumps at the chance to serve her kingdom of Demora—and to be reunited with her fiancé, Captain Alex Quinn. 

During a skirmish, Sage and Alex are separated. She watches him die before he can deliver important military intel—or so she thinks. She escapes from the enemy and makes an unlikely alliance with a mysterious soldier from a third nation. As Sage tries to rally their support against a common foe, the important political alliance is plagued by secrets and betrayal. 

Can Sage complete Alex’s mission and save her kingdom once more?

July Wrap-up

Hey guys! It’s been sooooo long since I’ve done a monthly wrap-up! So here it is: my July Wrap-Up post for 2018! I managed to read quite a bit this month!

The books I’ve read this month: (click on the title to see the book on Goodreads!)

1. The Kiss Quotient (⭐⭐⭐⭐)
2. A Gathering of Shadows (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)
3. Onyx & Ivory (⭐⭐⭐⭐)
4. A Different Blue (⭐⭐⭐⭐)
5. Small Spaces (⭐⭐⭐⭐)

I managed to read 5 books last month (poor effort in my opinion haha since I was on holidays)!!! I’m so happy that I enjoyed most of the books I picked up this month! Did you read any books that I read?

Book I bought for myself last month:

1. The Great Expectations

 

Books I received from publishers:

1. Just Breathe

Possible (and likely) books that are on my August TBR:

1. Reaper at the Gates (I’m still trying to get into it >_<)
2. The Queen of the Tearling (buddy reading with a new pal)
3. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (why not get on with the hype hehe)

How many books did you manage to read this month? Which was your favourite read? Mine was obviously A Gathering of Shadows by Queen Schwab! What books are on your August TBR? Got any books on your wishlist? (feel free to use my affiliate links to get your copies haha! the little commission really helps me out!) Anyways, Happy Reading lovelies!

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© Bibliophilic Med Student 2018. All Rights Reserved. Please do not use without permission. All opinions are my own and you can find me on Instagram @bibliomeds and Twitter. You can also follow me on Goodreads.

 

Book Review: Five Years From Now by Paige Toon

 

A MASSIVE thank you to Emily from Penguin Random House for sending me this gorgeous copy of Five Years From Now by bestselling author, Paige Toon. I have never read Toon’s works before so I was beyond excited to read it! But due to uni commitments, I didn’t get the chance to read it until very recently. So here’s the overdue review! Enjoy!

Synopsis:

Vian and Nell are thrown together at the age of five when Vian’s mother and Nell’s father fall in love. At first wary of each other, they soon become the best of friends. But five years later, they are torn apart and Vian moves to the other side of the world.

Fast-forward five more years to when Vian comes to visit, and Nell discovers that the boy she once knew is now ‘Van’ – a wild and carefree teenager. Chemistry crackles, but once again, they’re separated.

For the next two decades, Nell and Van meet every five years, but life and circumstance always intervene. Will they ever find true happiness? And will it be together?

Book Review: The Smoke Thieves by Sally Green (spoiler-free)

Thank you to Penguin Random House Australia for providing me a review copy of The Smoke Thieves by Sally Green! All thoughts and opinion in this review are of my own.

Synopsis:

A princess, a traitor, a hunter and a thief. Four teenagers with the fate of the world in their hands. Four nations destined for conflict.

In Brigant, Princess Catherine prepares for a loveless political marriage arranged by her brutal and ambitious father. In Calidor, downtrodden servant March seeks revenge on the prince who betrayed his people. In Pitoria, feckless Edyon steals cheap baubles for cheaper thrills as he drifts from town to town. And in the barren northern territories, thirteen-year-old Tash is running for her life as she plays bait for the gruff demon hunter Gravell.

As alliances shift and shatter, and old certainties are overturned, our four heroes find their past lives transformed and their futures inextricably linked by the unpredictable tides of magic and war. Who will rise and who will fall? And who will claim the ultimate prize?

Reading Tour: Save the Date by Morgan Matson

Thank you to the amazing team at Simon and Schuster Australia for providing me the opportunity to be on the Save the Date Reading Tour! For my Aussie and Kiwi pals, I’ve got a giveaway for you over on my bookstagram (@bibliomeds) that will be launched on the 1st of July! And as per usual, all thoughts and opinion in this review are my own.

 Synopsis: 

Charlie Grant tries to keep her life as normal as possible. Hanging out with her best friend, pining for Jesse Foster – who she’s loved since she was twelve – and generally flying under the radar as much as she can. 

But sometimes normal is just another word for stuck, and this weekend that’s all going to change. Not only will everyone be back home for her sister’s wedding, but she’s also juggling:

– a rented dog that just won’t stop howling
– an unexpectedly hot wedding-coordinator’s nephew
– her favourite brother bringing home his HORRIBLE new girlfriend
– fear that her parents’ marriage is falling apart
– and the return to town of the boy she’s loved practically all her life…

Over the course of four days Charlie will learn there’s so much more to each member of her family than she imagined, even herself, and that maybe letting go of the things she’s been holding on tightest to can help her find what really keeps them together.