So apparently I just check in at the end of the month now. Okay. Hi.
It's finally Pancake Day at least - I can't believe I've had to wait the entire month for it, I'm sure it wasn't this late last year.
We had Valentine's Day which was nice. I think I've mentioned this before but the cards Jack gets me always have dinosaurs on them, but he said he couldn't find one that he liked enough, or that he hadn't already got me in the past. So to make up for it, inside the card he did get me were two postcards from Paperchase, one of which has a T-Rex on it (the other has a turtle). Everytime I go into Paperchase I always look through their postcard rack to see if there's any good ones, and if there are I'll pick one up and stick it on my bedroom wall. Before Valentine's Day I had 4, and when I stuck the two new ones up next to them I was dismayed to see that they weren't the same size as the others. And I mean, postcard sizes are standard, right? The four original ones I had are all the same size. But the T-Rex one is slightly wider and slightly longer than the others, and the one with the turtle is slightly thinner and slightly longer. The size discrepancy has aged me prematurely, and I don't know why it annoys me so much but it does.
Jack said: "You could just cut them."
And I said: "That's not the point."
I suppose there are bigger problems in the world. But still.
It's been another fairly good reading month; not as many read as January but I'm still sitting pretty at 11/40 books read so I'm pretty chuffed. I don't have a least favourite this month as I've liked everything, but my favourite was probably History Is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera. It's not all that long but I finished it in one sitting because it was so painful that I wanted to get it out of my system all in one go. I felt like someone was clenching my heart the entire way through and it stayed with me for daaaaaays.
Finally, Spotify does this thing where every week they generate a playlist of 30 songs that they think you'll like based on what you listen to on there, called 'Discover Weekly' and I've found some new songs because of it that I keep playing on repeat:
Drive by Gretta Ray
Say No More by Fickle Friends
Honey by Swim Deep
See you at the end of March! Or sooner! Or never! Who knows? Not me, that's for sure.
Currently reading: I just finished A Gathering of Shadows by V. E. Schwab so I'm probably going to start A Conjuring of Light next because there was a cliffhanger and I have questions that need answering.
Song of the Day: Honey Bee by Seahaven (I think that you deserve some form of apology/ So here I am, and here it is, I'm sorry)
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
A sort of January round-up
So we all thought that 2016 was bad what with Brexit and the American Presidential election and many, many other reasons, but we all hoped that 2017 was going to be better. It's like we all collectively forgot that this was the year that Trump was actually getting sworn in, and thus the worst was yet to come.
So far he's gone after the Affordable Care Act, re-instated a 'global gag order' on abortion that will basically defund organisations like Planned Parenthood (which are so essential), introduced the horrifying travel ban which will undoubtedly lead to more deportations and families being torn apart, he's had climate change pages removed from the Environment Protection Agency website, and that's just to name a few. That's just a drop in the ocean of insanity. Not to mention he's still going on about that bloody wall. Look, you've all seen the headlines, but here's a couple of links if you want a more comprehensible list.
It's been eleven days, and it's terrifying. This is fascism in action. This is what fascism looks like.
I think it's going to be a very long and very uneasy four years.
But anyway, enough about that. Happy thoughts, happy thoughts.
Near the beginning of January, someone (or some people) broke into our garden shed and took a garden shredder. A pretty hefty thing, too, I'm surprised they thought it was worth the effort. They got into next door's as well and made off with most of their power tools. Which is just such a scummy thing to do, really.
So I rang the police to report it, and at one point the police-lady asked me if I had ever reported a crime before, and I wanted to say, "Why, am I doing it wrong?" but I managed to refrain. Anyway, a few days later I had a phone-call from a friendly neighbourhood policeman who asked if I wanted to sign up to a crime alert email system for the local area. I thought this seemed like a good way to stay informed so I agreed.
It was, in retrospect, a terrible decision. Every time I get an alert and it tells me about burglaries two streets over or cars being stolen off drives really near to where I live I get really paranoid. There's just so much crime. I mean, sure, these crimes would still be happening if I wasn't getting these alerts, but at least I wouldn't know about them. Ignorance really is bliss.
Last year, I aimed to read 30 books and in the end I managed to read 40. I could have read more, too, but I hit my target in August and then slowed down considerably, and re-read a few books instead of just reading new ones. So this year, my aim is to read 40 books, and then maybe I'll read 50 all in all.
I'm off to a really good start because I finished 6 books this month. According to Goodreads, that puts me at 15% of my goal, 3 books ahead of schedule. Go me.
Favourite book of the month: Vicious by V.E. Schwab
Least favourite book of the month: Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas
It's February tomorrow. I like February. Pancake Day is in February.
Currently reading: The Sandman Volume 4: Season of Mists by Neil Gaiman
Song of the Day: I Found by Amber Run (And I've moved further than I thought I could/ But I missed you more than I thought I would/ And I'll use you as a warning sign/ That if you talk enough sense then you'll lose your mind)
So far he's gone after the Affordable Care Act, re-instated a 'global gag order' on abortion that will basically defund organisations like Planned Parenthood (which are so essential), introduced the horrifying travel ban which will undoubtedly lead to more deportations and families being torn apart, he's had climate change pages removed from the Environment Protection Agency website, and that's just to name a few. That's just a drop in the ocean of insanity. Not to mention he's still going on about that bloody wall. Look, you've all seen the headlines, but here's a couple of links if you want a more comprehensible list.
It's been eleven days, and it's terrifying. This is fascism in action. This is what fascism looks like.
I think it's going to be a very long and very uneasy four years.
But anyway, enough about that. Happy thoughts, happy thoughts.
Near the beginning of January, someone (or some people) broke into our garden shed and took a garden shredder. A pretty hefty thing, too, I'm surprised they thought it was worth the effort. They got into next door's as well and made off with most of their power tools. Which is just such a scummy thing to do, really.
So I rang the police to report it, and at one point the police-lady asked me if I had ever reported a crime before, and I wanted to say, "Why, am I doing it wrong?" but I managed to refrain. Anyway, a few days later I had a phone-call from a friendly neighbourhood policeman who asked if I wanted to sign up to a crime alert email system for the local area. I thought this seemed like a good way to stay informed so I agreed.
It was, in retrospect, a terrible decision. Every time I get an alert and it tells me about burglaries two streets over or cars being stolen off drives really near to where I live I get really paranoid. There's just so much crime. I mean, sure, these crimes would still be happening if I wasn't getting these alerts, but at least I wouldn't know about them. Ignorance really is bliss.
Last year, I aimed to read 30 books and in the end I managed to read 40. I could have read more, too, but I hit my target in August and then slowed down considerably, and re-read a few books instead of just reading new ones. So this year, my aim is to read 40 books, and then maybe I'll read 50 all in all.
I'm off to a really good start because I finished 6 books this month. According to Goodreads, that puts me at 15% of my goal, 3 books ahead of schedule. Go me.
Favourite book of the month: Vicious by V.E. Schwab
Least favourite book of the month: Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas
It's February tomorrow. I like February. Pancake Day is in February.
Currently reading: The Sandman Volume 4: Season of Mists by Neil Gaiman
Song of the Day: I Found by Amber Run (And I've moved further than I thought I could/ But I missed you more than I thought I would/ And I'll use you as a warning sign/ That if you talk enough sense then you'll lose your mind)
Just keep swimming
I don't know about everyone else, but I'm currently feeling very anxious and uneasy about the current state of the world. During the last week, practically every day has been a bad news day, filled with events that I just can't wrap my head around. It's times like these when it really is incredibly easy to just lose all faith in humanity, at least if you've been paying attention.
But here's the thing: you have to go through life believing that people, in general and at heart, are inherently good. You have to. Because otherwise, what's the point in anything?
Anyway.
If you don't like what's going on in the real world, dive into an imaginary one instead! That's what I've been doing. I think I said on here way back at the start of the year that I was aiming to read 30 books in 2016. I set it up as an official goal on Goodreads so it was easier for me to keep track of how I was doing, and I actually started off really well. It didn't take me long to get ahead of schedule and I was feeling incredibly chuffed with myself. It didn't last, however, and I ended up in a gigantic reading slump and didn't even go on Goodreads for the longest time. When I finally did log back in it informed me that I was 5 books behind schedule, and I was like, "Whatever, Goodreads, I don't need this kind of negativity in my life," and promptly logged back out again.
For my birthday (I'm 27 now. I'm not all that psyched about it), Jack got me - among other things - 3 comic books. Or graphic novels, whatever you want to call them (I don't care). I read all of these in one day which took me to just 2 books behind schedule. Then I finally finished I Am The Messenger by Markus Zusak, which is fantastic, and then I read The Rest Of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness which I bought with some birthday money. I think my dad might have recommended it to me. He definitely recommended something by Patrick Ness. Either way, I really enjoyed it. But my point is that I am now back on track according to Goodreads! Hallelujah.
I'm currently making my way through the Grisha trilogy by Leigh Bardugo (I'm on book 2) which I initially had no interest in reading, but they were only 99p each on Kindle and I'm a sucker for a bargain, because I am my mother's daughter. I'm actually enjoying them more than I thought I would, although Six of Crows is much, much better. I read very quickly when I'm in the right mood for it, and lately I've been in the right mood, so I'm going to ride the wave while it lasts and see how far ahead of schedule I can get, which will be handy for when I inevitably fall into another slump.
Chins up, everyone. Stay safe.
Song of the Day: Midway by Bad Bad Hats (Midway between the end and the start/ I cried like a baby, I tore you apart)
But here's the thing: you have to go through life believing that people, in general and at heart, are inherently good. You have to. Because otherwise, what's the point in anything?
Anyway.
If you don't like what's going on in the real world, dive into an imaginary one instead! That's what I've been doing. I think I said on here way back at the start of the year that I was aiming to read 30 books in 2016. I set it up as an official goal on Goodreads so it was easier for me to keep track of how I was doing, and I actually started off really well. It didn't take me long to get ahead of schedule and I was feeling incredibly chuffed with myself. It didn't last, however, and I ended up in a gigantic reading slump and didn't even go on Goodreads for the longest time. When I finally did log back in it informed me that I was 5 books behind schedule, and I was like, "Whatever, Goodreads, I don't need this kind of negativity in my life," and promptly logged back out again.
For my birthday (I'm 27 now. I'm not all that psyched about it), Jack got me - among other things - 3 comic books. Or graphic novels, whatever you want to call them (I don't care). I read all of these in one day which took me to just 2 books behind schedule. Then I finally finished I Am The Messenger by Markus Zusak, which is fantastic, and then I read The Rest Of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness which I bought with some birthday money. I think my dad might have recommended it to me. He definitely recommended something by Patrick Ness. Either way, I really enjoyed it. But my point is that I am now back on track according to Goodreads! Hallelujah.
I'm currently making my way through the Grisha trilogy by Leigh Bardugo (I'm on book 2) which I initially had no interest in reading, but they were only 99p each on Kindle and I'm a sucker for a bargain, because I am my mother's daughter. I'm actually enjoying them more than I thought I would, although Six of Crows is much, much better. I read very quickly when I'm in the right mood for it, and lately I've been in the right mood, so I'm going to ride the wave while it lasts and see how far ahead of schedule I can get, which will be handy for when I inevitably fall into another slump.
Chins up, everyone. Stay safe.
Song of the Day: Midway by Bad Bad Hats (Midway between the end and the start/ I cried like a baby, I tore you apart)
A book update that nobody asked for
I really like it when the 1st of the month lands on a Monday. It makes calendars look neater, for starters, but it's not just that. It makes it easier to keep track somehow. I don't know, I can't really explain it very well. And this one has fallen in February, which means that next month will start on a Monday, too.
Well, it would have done, if 2016 didn't happen to be a bloody leap year. Thanks for ruining what would have been a perfect calendar month, 29th February, I hope you're really pleased with yourself.
But in all seriousness, I couldn't be happier to see the back of January. It's just been really rubbish, hasn't it? It's been a really weird month. But February will be good. Valentine's Day is soon, I'll be off to London to see Cirque du Soleil shortly after that, not to mention that the King of all days - Pancake Day - is in February.
In other news, I'm doing fairly well with my book challenge, all things considered. I've read 4/30 books, which according to Goodreads means I'm 2 books ahead of schedule.
I had a tiny bit of a set back because after reading The Handmaid's Tale, because I read Carry On by Rainbow Rowell, and it gave me the biggest book hangover I have ever had. I loved it. So much so that I had to re-read it, because I needed to get it out of my system. And then I re-read it again because I have literally no self-control. There are actually a couple of glaring continuity errors in it (nothing that takes away from the plot, but they were still noticeable - well, maybe they were only so noticeable to me because I read it so many times), which would normally irritate the hell out of me, but I just loved the story and the characters so much that I couldn't make myself care. Also I think I've found one of my now all time favourite characters ever in Baz Pitch - a gay vampire magician who is secretly in love with his roommate/mortal enemy. But yeah, I recommend it. I'm a sucker for a good love story, and this is a great one, but that's not all it is.
So anyway, after that, I started to read Dreams and Shadows by C. Robert Cargill that I knew nothing about but Jack got me it for Christmas and it has a beautiful cover. I found it incredibly difficult to get into, so much so that after struggling through three or four chapters I put it down and haven't picked it up again. After a few days passed and I realised I still wasn't ready to dive back in, I moved onto something else instead.
I had some money left on an Amazon gift-voucher and used it to get Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo on my kindle. I haven't read Leigh Bardugo's Grisha trilogy, and I had heard really mixed things about it and didn't really want to, but I had heard nothing but good things about Six of Crows. I had resisted getting it because I knew it was set in the same world as her other books and I didn't know whether I needed to read them or not first. But it's about a heist, and I love a heist, so I caved and picked it up. I really, really enjoyed it. The characterisation was good, and I didn't think I was missing out having not read the Grisha trilogy first (which is good because I'm still not arsed about reading them). The only thing is that I made the mistake of thinking that this was a standalone book, but it's not, it's the first in a series. Just for once, I'd like a cohesive ending. Just once. But never mind, the sequel's out in September.
After finishing Six of Crows, I found that I still had no desire to try and get back into Dreams and Shadows yet, so I started another book I've had on my kindle for a while - Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb. I'm not that far into it but I think I'm enjoying it so far. There's pirates involved which is always a bonus. Only thing is that it's 800-odd pages long so it might take me a while.
Fingers crossed I'll eventually get back into Dreams and Shadows as well - I do want to finish it. But that's actually a good piece of advice I think - if you're struggling to read something and it's making you not want to read at all, read something else instead. Even if it's just re-reading something you've already read.
Song of the Day: Death With Dignity by Sufjan Stevens (Amethyst and flowers on the table/ Is it real or a fable?/ Well, I suppose a friend is a friend/ And we all know how this will end)
Well, it would have done, if 2016 didn't happen to be a bloody leap year. Thanks for ruining what would have been a perfect calendar month, 29th February, I hope you're really pleased with yourself.
But in all seriousness, I couldn't be happier to see the back of January. It's just been really rubbish, hasn't it? It's been a really weird month. But February will be good. Valentine's Day is soon, I'll be off to London to see Cirque du Soleil shortly after that, not to mention that the King of all days - Pancake Day - is in February.
In other news, I'm doing fairly well with my book challenge, all things considered. I've read 4/30 books, which according to Goodreads means I'm 2 books ahead of schedule.
I had a tiny bit of a set back because after reading The Handmaid's Tale, because I read Carry On by Rainbow Rowell, and it gave me the biggest book hangover I have ever had. I loved it. So much so that I had to re-read it, because I needed to get it out of my system. And then I re-read it again because I have literally no self-control. There are actually a couple of glaring continuity errors in it (nothing that takes away from the plot, but they were still noticeable - well, maybe they were only so noticeable to me because I read it so many times), which would normally irritate the hell out of me, but I just loved the story and the characters so much that I couldn't make myself care. Also I think I've found one of my now all time favourite characters ever in Baz Pitch - a gay vampire magician who is secretly in love with his roommate/mortal enemy. But yeah, I recommend it. I'm a sucker for a good love story, and this is a great one, but that's not all it is.
So anyway, after that, I started to read Dreams and Shadows by C. Robert Cargill that I knew nothing about but Jack got me it for Christmas and it has a beautiful cover. I found it incredibly difficult to get into, so much so that after struggling through three or four chapters I put it down and haven't picked it up again. After a few days passed and I realised I still wasn't ready to dive back in, I moved onto something else instead.
I had some money left on an Amazon gift-voucher and used it to get Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo on my kindle. I haven't read Leigh Bardugo's Grisha trilogy, and I had heard really mixed things about it and didn't really want to, but I had heard nothing but good things about Six of Crows. I had resisted getting it because I knew it was set in the same world as her other books and I didn't know whether I needed to read them or not first. But it's about a heist, and I love a heist, so I caved and picked it up. I really, really enjoyed it. The characterisation was good, and I didn't think I was missing out having not read the Grisha trilogy first (which is good because I'm still not arsed about reading them). The only thing is that I made the mistake of thinking that this was a standalone book, but it's not, it's the first in a series. Just for once, I'd like a cohesive ending. Just once. But never mind, the sequel's out in September.
After finishing Six of Crows, I found that I still had no desire to try and get back into Dreams and Shadows yet, so I started another book I've had on my kindle for a while - Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb. I'm not that far into it but I think I'm enjoying it so far. There's pirates involved which is always a bonus. Only thing is that it's 800-odd pages long so it might take me a while.
Fingers crossed I'll eventually get back into Dreams and Shadows as well - I do want to finish it. But that's actually a good piece of advice I think - if you're struggling to read something and it's making you not want to read at all, read something else instead. Even if it's just re-reading something you've already read.
Song of the Day: Death With Dignity by Sufjan Stevens (Amethyst and flowers on the table/ Is it real or a fable?/ Well, I suppose a friend is a friend/ And we all know how this will end)
A New Challenge
The other day I logged into my Goodreads account for the first time in about 3 years. I like that you can keep track of everything you've read (provided you remember to update it) on there, but I find the interface really annoying to use, and the whole site still feels kind of buggy to me. Regardless, I've set myself a goal of trying to read 30 books this year, which I'm pretty sure I can do. I might have even done it last year, but I'm not sure because I didn't keep track. I've made a good start though, I'm already one and a half books down. I haven't picked specific books because I know that won't work for me, it will actually just make me want to read less if I feel obliged to read something specific. So I'll read anything I want, and recommendations are welcome as always.
Reading's fun, guys.
Song of the Day: Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd (How I wish, how I wish you were here/ We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl year after year)
Currently reading: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, which is good but I'm finding it so unsettling.
Reading's fun, guys.
Song of the Day: Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd (How I wish, how I wish you were here/ We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl year after year)
Currently reading: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, which is good but I'm finding it so unsettling.
Little Updates
I had a visitor yesterday.
He kindly stuck around long enough for me to grab my camera and sneak outside to take a couple of pictures, and then when I looked up from my camera display, he had vanished. So long, friend.
In getting my camera to photograph my little fox pal, I finally got around to moving photos onto my laptop, which means a select few of the Newquay ones will be up at some point. There's some great ones, Newquay is beautiful. So watch this space for those. Or don't, whatever. I'm not the boss of you.
I recently read the entire Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy by Laini Taylor and I loved it so much (excellent recommendation, thank you Lydia). Here's some mini extracts (non-spoilery).
He kindly stuck around long enough for me to grab my camera and sneak outside to take a couple of pictures, and then when I looked up from my camera display, he had vanished. So long, friend.
In getting my camera to photograph my little fox pal, I finally got around to moving photos onto my laptop, which means a select few of the Newquay ones will be up at some point. There's some great ones, Newquay is beautiful. So watch this space for those. Or don't, whatever. I'm not the boss of you.
I recently read the entire Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy by Laini Taylor and I loved it so much (excellent recommendation, thank you Lydia). Here's some mini extracts (non-spoilery).
"Where I come from, old man, a soul's as useless as teeth to the dead."
"Spoken, I think, by one who still remembers what it was like to have one."
Akiva did remember. His memories were knives, and he was not pleased to have them turned against him. "You should worry about your own soul, not mine."
"My soul is clean. I've never killed anyone. But you, oh you. Look at your hands."
- Daughter of Smoke and Bone
"Mercy breeds mercy as slaughter breeds slaughter. We can't expect the world to be better than we make it."
- Days of Blood and Starlight
The two of them were stoic and stone-faced and ten feet apart, currently not even looking at each other, but Zuzanna had the impression of a pair of magnets pretending not to be magnets.
Which, you know, only works until it doesn't.
- Dreams of Gods and Monsters
They were right up my street, I really enjoyed them. Also they have what is maybe my new favourite fictional friendship in Karou and Zuzanna, I loved their dynamic.
In other news, I've seen a few new (to me - two of them are actually old) films. I watched Love, Rosie on Netflix which is your standard predictable romance, but fairly enjoyable nonetheless. The other two are both Studio Ghibli ones. Firstly, Laputa Castle in the Sky which is adorable and I really loved. The second one was Grave of the Fireflies which I knew enough about to know that it was going to be sad, but holy hell, it is potentially the most upsetting movie I have ever seen. I sobbed. And I am not known for sobbing.
Music wise, I have been listening to a lot of soundtracks, namely from Princess Mononoke and Braveheart. But also, Stevie Wonder and Adam Lambert (I can't get Another Lonely Night out of my head.)
Song of the Day: Soul Meets Body by Death Cab for Cutie (And I do believe it's true/That there are roads left in both of our shoes/But if the silence takes you then I hope it takes me too)
It's nice to be looked after
I love having my parents in the same country as me again because it means I never really have to worry about meals - they will always feed me. That's not to say that when they're not here I don't eat, because that would be silly. I just mean that when teatime creeps up on me, I don't have to suddenly decide what to cook, because someone is already doing the cooking for me.
Yesterday, my parents went to meet friends during the day and so had their 'main-meal' at lunch time, so come the evening they were just going to have something small, leaving me to fend for myself (how selfish of them). But I discovered something new: if I stand in front of the fridge looking sad and pathetic for long enough, my dad will make me cauliflower cheese for my dinner. With chorizo, because I'm fancy.
Don't get me wrong; I'm an adult, I'm perfectly capable of looking after myself. It's just nice when someone else offers.
Also, a few weeks ago when I wrote about wanting to read The Martian, my dad came back from town with a copy of it for me, which is why it's sometimes useful to have parents who read your blog; surprise gifts. I finished it yesterday by they way, and it's really good, I would definitely recommend it. I've never rooted for a character so much in my entire life. Admittedly, it's hard not to root for someone who's been stranded alone on Mars, but still. Next up I'm reading Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, and then after that I think I'm going to start the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy by Laini Taylor because it was recommended to me by my lovely friend Lydia. Yay, books!
Song of the Day: Alive by Empire of the Sun
Yesterday, my parents went to meet friends during the day and so had their 'main-meal' at lunch time, so come the evening they were just going to have something small, leaving me to fend for myself (how selfish of them). But I discovered something new: if I stand in front of the fridge looking sad and pathetic for long enough, my dad will make me cauliflower cheese for my dinner. With chorizo, because I'm fancy.
Don't get me wrong; I'm an adult, I'm perfectly capable of looking after myself. It's just nice when someone else offers.
Also, a few weeks ago when I wrote about wanting to read The Martian, my dad came back from town with a copy of it for me, which is why it's sometimes useful to have parents who read your blog; surprise gifts. I finished it yesterday by they way, and it's really good, I would definitely recommend it. I've never rooted for a character so much in my entire life. Admittedly, it's hard not to root for someone who's been stranded alone on Mars, but still. Next up I'm reading Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, and then after that I think I'm going to start the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy by Laini Taylor because it was recommended to me by my lovely friend Lydia. Yay, books!
Song of the Day: Alive by Empire of the Sun
Books!
I've recently discovered the Throne of Glass series of books by Sarah J. Maas and I'm obsessed. I'd heard good things and so I downloaded the first one onto my kindle to read after I had finally finished Death Cure and I blitzed through it embarrassingly quickly, so promptly got the next two as well. For some reason I thought it was a trilogy which confused me when I started the third one because I didn't see how it was all going to get wrapped up in one book. Luckily, there is another one but I have to wait until it comes out in September which granted, isn't really that long, but I am very upset about something that has happened to one of the characters and so the waiting is torturous. I need to know how it's all going to pan out.
To fill the void, I'm naturally re-reading them, but after that I'll have to find something new to read I suppose. Sometimes I wish that you could erase books from your memory after you finish them, just so you can discover the worlds inside them again for the first time. Then again that's the nice thing about books; they become familiar, like old friends. And sometimes it's a comfort to know what's going to happen.
I think I might read The Martian by Andy Weir because I saw the trailer for the movie and it looks pretty awesome. Space is cool and everything, but I never, ever want to go there.
Song of the Day: Leaving California by Maroon 5
To fill the void, I'm naturally re-reading them, but after that I'll have to find something new to read I suppose. Sometimes I wish that you could erase books from your memory after you finish them, just so you can discover the worlds inside them again for the first time. Then again that's the nice thing about books; they become familiar, like old friends. And sometimes it's a comfort to know what's going to happen.
I think I might read The Martian by Andy Weir because I saw the trailer for the movie and it looks pretty awesome. Space is cool and everything, but I never, ever want to go there.
Song of the Day: Leaving California by Maroon 5
Let's Talk About Books
I've always considered myself an avid reader, but in preparing for this blog post I've realised that I'm not as well-read as I thought I was. That's something I'm going to have to remedy I think, there's tonnes of books on my 'to-read' list. I'm not going to set myself a target though, because I always fall embarrassingly short and I'd prefer to read without putting so much pressure on myself. It's supposed to be fun, after all.
Anyway, I'm not here to discuss what I haven't read, but what I have read, both in my childhood/teen years, and what I've read more recently. It's a favourites list, sort of.
A couple of the books I'll mention are not pictured, because I have them on my Kindle rather than a hard copy.
Anyway, I'm not here to discuss what I haven't read, but what I have read, both in my childhood/teen years, and what I've read more recently. It's a favourites list, sort of.
A couple of the books I'll mention are not pictured, because I have them on my Kindle rather than a hard copy.
- Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison. This is the first of ten(!) of the Confessions of Georgia Nicholson books. I probably started reading them when I was in my young teens and carried on until the last one came out when I was probably 19 or 20. I'd always finish them within hours of starting as the diary layout is very quick to read, but they were, and still are, hilarious. I don't think I'll ever get rid of them, I'd happily re-read the entire series. The movie (Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging) is well worth a watch too.
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Out of all the books I've ever been forced to read, this is my favourite. I studied it for A-Level English Literature, and I normally end up hating any book I have to study just because you have to go over it in such minute detail that it takes away any potential enjoyment you might have had for it under other circumstances. Luckily, not in this case and I actually really enjoyed it, despite not really taking a liking to any of the characters! Also, it reminds me of this Kate Beaton comic which is hilarious:
- The Road by Cormac McCarthy. I would highly recommend this. It's about the journey of a man and his young son through a barren wasteland to try and find the coast. It's a little (okay, a lot) emotionally draining, but it is so well written. It's post-apocalyptic and I love that kind of book. I haven't seen the movie adaptation yet, I'm not too sure I want to, but you should definitely read the book, it's fantastic.
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. This story is narrated by Death and it follows a young girl, Liesel, who is living with a foster family in Germany during the outbreak of the second World War. She has a penchant for stealing books (hence the title). I don't want to give anything away, but it's beautifully told with an array of different characters, definitely worth a read. Again, I've not yet seen the film but my brother tells me it's good.
- Firesong by William Nicholson. This is the third book in The Wind on Fire trilogy. All three are great but this one is my favourite. It centres around twins Bowman and Kestrel that have a telepathic connection (which would be so cool) and their journey to their homeland. It was one of my favourites as a teenager and I think I'm about due for a re-read.
- Redwall by Brian Jacques. The Redwall books are synonymous with my childhood, I don't think I'll ever tire of them. They're so imaginative and wonderfully descriptive. I just love the idea of mice wielding swords and being great warriors. I think Redwall is the first one but any of them (and there are loads) are worth reading.
- We Were Liars by E. Lockhart. I read this last year, and although it took some time to get into it, I became hooked and just had to find out what had happened. I don't want to say anything about it because I wouldn't want to give anything away. I didn't know anything about it when I first read it so it was very refreshing and surprising.
- Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell. This is a really sweet little love story but it also deals with some pretty serious issues like child abuse and racism. Another fairly easy read, but I couldn't put it down.
Honorable mentions go, of course, to the Harry Potter books, but I thought that would be so obvious and so left them out. Plus everyone's read them already. I'm hoping for some more favourites to add to my list this year, if you have any recommendations please let me know!
Song of the Day: Heal Over by KT Tunstall
2013 Favourites
As we've started a brand new year, I thought I'd do a little round-up of my favourite things from 2013.
Outfit Posts
In general this was quite a disappointing year in terms of outfits because I didn't blog nearly as many as I would have liked to. A lot of my favourite items of clothing from 2013 actually didn't feature on the Emma Wears blog at all. But of the few posts that did go up, these were my favourites.
1. It's still sunny
2. Hey there!
3. Winter's back
4. Maxi skirts
Also, honourable mention goes to The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013). It's fantastic. Obviously, there's extra plot details that are nowhere in the book and it's constantly trying to link to Lord of the Rings, but you've just got to embrace the waffley-ness (definitely a word) and enjoy the ride. Plus Smaug is genuinely quite terrifying.
Outfit Posts
In general this was quite a disappointing year in terms of outfits because I didn't blog nearly as many as I would have liked to. A lot of my favourite items of clothing from 2013 actually didn't feature on the Emma Wears blog at all. But of the few posts that did go up, these were my favourites.
1. It's still sunny
2. Hey there!
3. Winter's back
4. Maxi skirts
Movies
Some of these are movies that came out in 2013, and there's a few others that I just watched for the first time last year. I saw quite a lot, but these are the ones that stand out (for good reasons!).
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013) - I was a little bit wary of this initially because I thought they might move some of the plot into the next film as it's going to be split into two, so I thought it might be really slow moving with not much happening. Happily, I loved it. It was much better than the first film (which I enjoyed anyway). I'm just a bit worried about Mockingjay now though because I didn't enjoy the book as much as the first two!
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013) - I was a little bit wary of this initially because I thought they might move some of the plot into the next film as it's going to be split into two, so I thought it might be really slow moving with not much happening. Happily, I loved it. It was much better than the first film (which I enjoyed anyway). I'm just a bit worried about Mockingjay now though because I didn't enjoy the book as much as the first two!
Frozen (2013) - Pixar's latest offering. I absolutely loved it, possibly on a par with how much I loved Tangled (which is a lot!) Just your standard really good fun disney film.
Monster's University (2013) - Well worth the wait. It's the supporting characters in this that make it so great.
Blackfish (2013) - This is a documentary about Tilikum, the Killer Whale at Seaworld who killed one of the trainers. It examines how safe you realistically can ever be when you work so closely with an animal in it's own environment, but even more than that it just shows what a shady company Seaworld is in general. Well worth a watch, definitely an eye-opener if you were ever thinking of going to Seaworld.
Thor 2 (2013) - I love the comic book movie adaptations (well, most of them), and this sequel was great, everything you need from a trip to the cinema really!
Warm Bodies (2013) - I really love zombie movies, and this one is a lovely different take on the standard zombie movies. It's also got a cracking soundtrack.
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2011) - This is cheating a bit because I technically watched this in 2014, but I'm including it anyway. Just a really lovely little film. Plus, Ewan McGregor.
Despicable Me and Despicable Me 2 (2010 and 2013) - I was a bit late to the party with Despicable Me because I didn't get around to watching even the first one until quite late this year, but now it's one of my all time favourites, and the second one is just as good. I've even got a minion phone cover now.
Like Crazy (2011) - This follows the love story of a couple who get separated after Anna overstays her visa in America to be with him and then gets deported. It's not always particularly uplifting, but it's really well written and I really enjoyed it.
Also, honourable mention goes to The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013). It's fantastic. Obviously, there's extra plot details that are nowhere in the book and it's constantly trying to link to Lord of the Rings, but you've just got to embrace the waffley-ness (definitely a word) and enjoy the ride. Plus Smaug is genuinely quite terrifying.
T.V. Shows
Firefly - Just think of it as cowboys in space. I started watching this on Netflix last year and I became hooked, so I was bitterly disappointed when I realised it only ran for one series before getting cancelled. There's a film too, Serenity which kind of gives you some kind of closure.
Adventure Time - A cartoon about a boy, Finn and his best friend Jake, a talking and magical dog. It's wonderfully weird and funny, and if you pay attention properly it also has important life lessons.
Game of Thrones - I fully jumped on the GoT bandwagon in 2013 and cannot wait until the next series comes out. When will that be?!
The Walking Dead - I'm relatively new to this show. I'd wanted to give it a try for a while (because Zombies, obviously) but just never ended up getting around to it. I'm only just over halfway through series 2 so I've got a lot of catching up to do but it really is compulsive watching.
New Girl - This really is one of the best sitcoms to come out in ages. Just really light hearted and funny, and none of the characters annoy me which makes a change.
The Office (U.S) - I feel like if I was to do this kind of a round-up every year, The Office would make it back onto the list every year too. I can re-watch episode after episode and not get bored, I love it so much.
Modern Family - Phil Dunphy. Need I say more?
Books
I'm not going to say anything about these, you should read them for yourselves, so just take these as my recommendations.
The Fault in our Stars by John Green
The Perks of being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Divergent by Veronica Roth
The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan
The Loop by Nicholas Evans
Music
Bands/Artists: London Grammar, Kodaline, Bastille, The Civil Wars, Frank Turner, Gabrielle Aplin, The 1975, Two Door Cinema Club, Paramore, Tegan and Sara, Alex Winston.
Songs:
Shell Suite - Chad Valley
Be The Song - Foy Vance
Close Your Eyes - Young Love
Polaroid Picture - Frank Turner
Flickers - London Grammar
Brand New Day - Kodaline
Flaws - Bastille
C O O L - Le Youth
Another Love - Tom Odell
Two Fingers - Jake Bugg
Home - BriBry
Aaaaaand, I think that will do.
Song of the Day: The Mother We Share by CHVRCHES
Currently Reading: Smoke and Mirrors by Neil Gaiman
Game of Thrones - I fully jumped on the GoT bandwagon in 2013 and cannot wait until the next series comes out. When will that be?!
The Walking Dead - I'm relatively new to this show. I'd wanted to give it a try for a while (because Zombies, obviously) but just never ended up getting around to it. I'm only just over halfway through series 2 so I've got a lot of catching up to do but it really is compulsive watching.
New Girl - This really is one of the best sitcoms to come out in ages. Just really light hearted and funny, and none of the characters annoy me which makes a change.
The Office (U.S) - I feel like if I was to do this kind of a round-up every year, The Office would make it back onto the list every year too. I can re-watch episode after episode and not get bored, I love it so much.
Modern Family - Phil Dunphy. Need I say more?
Books
I'm not going to say anything about these, you should read them for yourselves, so just take these as my recommendations.
The Fault in our Stars by John Green
The Perks of being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Divergent by Veronica Roth
The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan
The Loop by Nicholas Evans
Music
Bands/Artists: London Grammar, Kodaline, Bastille, The Civil Wars, Frank Turner, Gabrielle Aplin, The 1975, Two Door Cinema Club, Paramore, Tegan and Sara, Alex Winston.
Songs:
Shell Suite - Chad Valley
Be The Song - Foy Vance
Close Your Eyes - Young Love
Polaroid Picture - Frank Turner
Flickers - London Grammar
Brand New Day - Kodaline
Flaws - Bastille
C O O L - Le Youth
Another Love - Tom Odell
Two Fingers - Jake Bugg
Home - BriBry
Aaaaaand, I think that will do.
Song of the Day: The Mother We Share by CHVRCHES
Currently Reading: Smoke and Mirrors by Neil Gaiman
Kind of resolutions
I've decided that for me, resolutions are a bad idea. I never ever ever ever stick to them, no matter how good my intentions are, and how determined I am to start off with. This year, I'm just giving myself a vague list; I don't want to get bogged down in anything too specific (like 'I will read 30 books in 2012' - remember that?).
- Eat better - by this I mainly mean that I want to make more things from scratch, and make sure I eat enough fruit and veg. I'm not an incredibly unhealthy eater anyway, but I do want to push myself to make the time to cook better meals. It's fun, too.
- Be more crafty - my brother and his girlfriend got me a jewellery making sort of start up kit with loads of beads and stuff so I'm excited to see what I can do with that, and I do want to try and do more crafty type things as well.
- Find a form of exercise that suits me - I'm terrible when it comes to exercise. I hate gyms, which probably doesn't help. I'd want something I could do on my own, group exercise type things are just not for me, so that's definitely something I'm looking into this year.
And I think that'll do me. Less is more. And at least this way I can fail at less things, haha! I was going to include 'read more' or something, but since getting my Kindle Fire I don't think that will be a problem. So far I've read The Fault In Out Stars by John Green, The Perks Of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky and Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler. Granted, none are particularly difficult reads, but still. I'm pleased.
Song of the Day: Curtain Call by Aiden Grimshaw
Currently reading: An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
Guesswhatguesswhatguesswhat
You're probably not going to believe this but...I finished a book. That's right. A whole book. OK, so it was The Catcher In The Rye which isn't exactly a long, difficult read, but still. I finished it. And I can officially cross it off my list, which you can find here. Although maybe don't click that link as you will then see how horrifically slack I have been. Anyway, as I now seem to have some kind of momentum going with my reading, instead of trying to finish It, On The Road, and A Clockwork Orange, I'm going to read something brand new and not stop until I've finished it. Then I can go back to unfinished books at a later date. I am definitely not going to finish all 30 books by the end of the year but I'm hoping to do over half of them, I'm pretty sure that is do-able at this point.
So that is how I spent the majority of my day, sitting outside in the sunshine reading a book, whilst my mother painted the garden fences. I like to think I was a big help to her.
Song of the Day: Blue Light by Bloc Party
Currently reading: I'm about to start We Need To Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver
So that is how I spent the majority of my day, sitting outside in the sunshine reading a book, whilst my mother painted the garden fences. I like to think I was a big help to her.
Song of the Day: Blue Light by Bloc Party
Currently reading: I'm about to start We Need To Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver
A good day :)
So yesterday was full of surprises. Well, it was full of one surprise at least. The lovely Suzy from Eeep I'm A Blogger recommended my blog along with a bunch of other blogs! It made me feel super awesome, so a big thank you to Suzy (whose blog you should be reading, by the way).
In other news, I've temporarily stopped reading A Clockwork Orange and moved onto On The Road by Jack Kerouac because A Clockwork Orange is incredibly difficult to read, despite not being very long. As I'm very behind schedule with my book challenge, I don't want to spend too long on one book when there are others that I can get through much quicker.
And in even MORE news, remember that time when I failed my 30 day photo challenge? Well I've done another photo for it, because I am determined to finish even though my 30 days are well and truly over.
Movement:
Twirly dresses are the best.
Song of the Day: Blood by The Middle East. If you only do one thing today, listen to this song. It makes me feel a little bit sad but also incredibly hopeful at the same time. If you've seen the movie Crazy, Stupid, Love you'll probably recognise it from the end of that. I've been playing it on repeat.
Currently reading: On The Road by Jack Kerouac
I read a book
In short, I loved it. I only had one tiny niggle with it which I can't tell you about because it's also a massive spoiler. But yeah, on the whole, a fantastic book. I'm not really one for reviews, so just go and read it and judge for yourselves.
It's so nice to be able to sit outside again after all the rain we've had (which is an awful lot of rain). Today whilst I was reading, Daf mowed the lawn and then ate four (yes, four) ice lollies. And now he's complaining that his stomach hurts and I have absolutely no sympathy. I only had one, and I feel great.
Song of the Day: Girls And Boys In Love by The Rumble Strips
Currently reading: I haven't started it yet, but I think I'm going to read A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess next.
Lately I've been...
Reading: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. This was one of the books I was most looking forward to reading out of my 30 books, and so far I haven't been disappointed. It's been a bit slow-going so far (I'm not even halfway yet, oh dear), but when I started it I didn't get a chance to read it much because I wasn't at home, and since then I've only been able to read a chapter or two a night, but I'm going to crack on with it this week.
Watching: Channel 5 have picked up that American show Once Upon A Time and so I started watching that the other night. Initially I wasn't too sure because it just seemed a tad ridiculous, but I persevered and now I'm a little bit in love with it. There's just something so endearing about it, even if it is a bit cheesy/cringeworthy at times. And hey, Robert Carlyle makes a pretty creepy Rumpelstiltskin.
Other than Once Upon A Time, Daf and I are still slowly making our way through Prison Break and The Office (the American version). I love Jim and Pam, they've got to be one of the best written TV couples ever.
Oh, and also, I went to see The Avengers on Tuesday and it is fantastic. Well, it is if you like superheroes, aliens, explosions and stuff. And I do.
Listening to: Nothing obscure, a lot of Blur and The Kooks at the moment. Oooh, and also Two Door Cinema Club, I really love them.
Laughing at: The tumblr blog Sims Gone Wrong. It's basically full of screenshots of glitches in the game that cause some hilarious and also terrifying sims. Check it out for more, but here are some of my favourites.
Frightening stuff.
Looking forward to: My birthday next month, because the Harry Potter studio tour tickets arrived in the post the other day which got me SUPER excited. I hope there is a gift shop so I can buy Harry Potter merchandise.
Song of the Day: Mr Maker by The Kooks
Currently reading: The Book Thief
Watching: Channel 5 have picked up that American show Once Upon A Time and so I started watching that the other night. Initially I wasn't too sure because it just seemed a tad ridiculous, but I persevered and now I'm a little bit in love with it. There's just something so endearing about it, even if it is a bit cheesy/cringeworthy at times. And hey, Robert Carlyle makes a pretty creepy Rumpelstiltskin.
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Oh, and also, I went to see The Avengers on Tuesday and it is fantastic. Well, it is if you like superheroes, aliens, explosions and stuff. And I do.
Listening to: Nothing obscure, a lot of Blur and The Kooks at the moment. Oooh, and also Two Door Cinema Club, I really love them.
Laughing at: The tumblr blog Sims Gone Wrong. It's basically full of screenshots of glitches in the game that cause some hilarious and also terrifying sims. Check it out for more, but here are some of my favourites.
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| demon cat |
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| demon lady |
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| demon baby |
Looking forward to: My birthday next month, because the Harry Potter studio tour tickets arrived in the post the other day which got me SUPER excited. I hope there is a gift shop so I can buy Harry Potter merchandise.
Song of the Day: Mr Maker by The Kooks
Currently reading: The Book Thief
Day Eleven: My stuffed animals
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Two: This little platypus (who I called Platy) was bought in the gift shop at Taronga Zoo in Sydney. My dad and I had really wanted to see the platypuses (platypi?), but when we got to their enclosure, they were nowhere to be seen, so we came to the conclusion that they don't really exist. Then I bought Platy because he's probably the closest I'm ever going to get to seeing a real platypus.
Three: Sid the zebra!
Four: Bear (left) and Duncan. Daf bought me Duncan the first Christmas we were together (awww), and we got Bear a couple of years ago because he's really cool with his little scarf!
I'm a big fan of my cuddly toys, I don't think I'll ever be able to get rid of any of them.
Anyway, moving away from my photo challenge for a moment, I'm now genuinely concerned that I won't finish my 30 books challenge this year. It's just a lot more books than I thought it was going to be. I'm wishing I had made it only 10 books, then I'd be almost finished by now! I'm going to persevere with it though, because either way, I've already read more books so far this year than I did in 2011 (not counting re-reads). The whole point of this was to get me reading more books that I haven't read before, so at the very least I'll have accomplished that. Reading this back, I seem so defeatist which I don't mean to be. I'm not giving up yet, I reckon it's still just about do-able!
Song of the Day: Blame It On The Weatherman by B*witched. Because it is absolutely tipping it down.
Currently reading: Need you even ask? I Dreamed of Africa
Day Nine: What I'm reading
I worked the day shift today, then washed up and tidied up when I got home, then had a shower, then ate, then watched Prison Break and then South Park and then I finally remembered I hadn't done a photo today. So that's why this is so late.
One and Two: What I am currently reading.
Three: What I will read next. I love the cover, it's so pretty.
Four, Five and Six: What I have read.
Song of the Day: Renegade Cavalcade by Ash
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Three: What I will read next. I love the cover, it's so pretty.
Four, Five and Six: What I have read.
Song of the Day: Renegade Cavalcade by Ash
Success!
On Sunday afternoon, whilst sitting out in the garden soaking up some of this gorgeous weather we've been having, I finally finished The Hobbit. Don't clap all at once. Despite me taking forever and a day to read it, I did really enjoy it. If you're planning on seeing the film when it comes out in December, you should definitely read it.
But yeah, anyway, this weather is amazing. It's good for gardening, it's good for ice-lollies, it's good for reading. Tomorrow I may even wash the car. I've already made a summer playlist for my i-pod. Too soon? Whatever, I'm rolling with it.
Enjoy the sunshine while it lasts folks. Wear a hat.
Song of the Day: She Bangs The Drums by The Stone Roses
Currently reading: Starter For Ten by David Nicholls
But yeah, anyway, this weather is amazing. It's good for gardening, it's good for ice-lollies, it's good for reading. Tomorrow I may even wash the car. I've already made a summer playlist for my i-pod. Too soon? Whatever, I'm rolling with it.
Enjoy the sunshine while it lasts folks. Wear a hat.
Song of the Day: She Bangs The Drums by The Stone Roses
Currently reading: Starter For Ten by David Nicholls
I am still bad at reading
I still haven't finished The Hobbit. The problem is I've only been reading a chapter or so before I go to sleep, and not every night, so whilst I am technically close to finishing, I'm not getting very far by rarely picking it up. Come on Emma, sort it out.
Daf and I went to see The Hunger Games yesterday, I'd really recommend it, it's so good. Probably one of the best book-to-movie adaptations I've ever seen, whilst at the same time not being confusing for anyone who hasn't read the book. (Although if you haven't read the books you totally should).
I've got a little photography challenge in the pipeline for April which I'm pretty excited about, plus that would mean that I would blog everyday in April. Anyway, I'll say more about that when I've finalised everything about it.
Song of the Day: Broadfields by Young Guns
Currently reading: The Hobbit
Daf and I went to see The Hunger Games yesterday, I'd really recommend it, it's so good. Probably one of the best book-to-movie adaptations I've ever seen, whilst at the same time not being confusing for anyone who hasn't read the book. (Although if you haven't read the books you totally should).
I've got a little photography challenge in the pipeline for April which I'm pretty excited about, plus that would mean that I would blog everyday in April. Anyway, I'll say more about that when I've finalised everything about it.
Song of the Day: Broadfields by Young Guns
Currently reading: The Hobbit
Dipstick is a great word
I went to the cinema today with my Mum and Daf. Mum and I watched One Day whilst Daf opted for The Inbetweeners (which I still really want to see - wasn't too sure what Mum would make of it though!). Apart from a problem with the picture at the start (it was too big for the screen and the top and bottom of the picture was cut off), One Day was really good. I read the book (by David Nicholls) in near enough one day, ironically enough. I only got it on Wednesday and really wanted to read it before we saw the film, and luckily I managed to finish it - I'd definitely recommend it.
After the cinema, we went into town to a Thai restaurant, which was lovely. In the car on the way home, as my Mum was overtaken on a residential street for the third time, she said: "Another dipstick! That's three dipsticks today!" Dipstick is her favourite word to describe other drivers. I love my mother.
Anyway, I've now got five days of work in a row to look forward too. Maybe everyone will feel sorry for me working Bank Holiday weekend and tip really generously. One can only hope...
After the cinema, we went into town to a Thai restaurant, which was lovely. In the car on the way home, as my Mum was overtaken on a residential street for the third time, she said: "Another dipstick! That's three dipsticks today!" Dipstick is her favourite word to describe other drivers. I love my mother.
Anyway, I've now got five days of work in a row to look forward too. Maybe everyone will feel sorry for me working Bank Holiday weekend and tip really generously. One can only hope...
