• Books,  Favourites

    Why I cancelled my readathon last year // Why it’s back!

    As you might have noticed by my pinned current tweet on my Twitter, I have advertised my month-long readathon, that I created September last year.

    I came up with the idea while trying to think of a book series I would like to read, along side a children’s series. “The Chronicles of Narnia” does both.

    I decided that over the space of a month it is plenty of time to read the short 7 book series and it will get people reading again as it is a simple level to start back up reading.

    Sadly no one was able to join in or promote my readathon, so I shelved it for the year. But as it’s been a whole year already, I thought I would try and bring it back this year. Hopefully a few if not a lot of people will be interested in trying it this year.

    Not only will it give my blog more publicity. It will also encourage new and old readers. ????

    I hope you join me this year and I look forward to us all completing the NarnAThon challenge by 30th September.


    Here is my original post: NarnAThon #Readathon

    Happy Reading!

  • The Library

    …borrowing library books?

    Borrowing books from the library is a relatively new concept to me. I have always been someone who has always bought books either from charities or bookstores. I also like ordering books online and receiving them, however that way you can’t judge size or whether you will enjoy it.

    In a library and book shopping in stores you can scan through a book judge it’s length and decide whether you like it unlike online when you need to guess unless you have already seen it somewhere.

    The library is handy if you are a speed reader and go through books quickly as you only borrow a book for 3 weeks at a time. You can renew books via the phone and now internet. A library book means you save up from £3-20 borrowing a book (as long as you don’t get an overdue fine!!)

    I have volunteered at my library (post here) for over a year now, i have been borrowing books all the time. It takes roughly a week to receive a book; if it is not from your closest library. as they have a postal system where 6 local libraries transfer books around the area for members to borrow.

    I would highly recommend you check out your local library if you can’t afford to buy the latest book out. It takes roughly 2 months for a book to come into a library after being published and if it’s a popular author there could be waiting lists to borrow the book. I would still choose to do this.

    Please note that a lot of libraries in the UK are closing down or being run by volunteers like me.
    This is due is lack of funding. If you see an event by you
    r local library – please support it!

  • Books,  Favourites,  REVIEWS

    [REVIEW] Animal Farm – George Orwell

    “ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL BUT SOME ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS.” – George Orwell

    As I finish this book I am reminded why I wanted to read it. Not only is it a good commentary on modern sociology but a great book to read. This book follows the liberation & revolution of a farm in England that drives out all humans and establishes a hierarchy of animals in control of themselves. It is a quick read and rather interesting. This is a tale that shows the darker side of human nature through the eyes of animals copying them.

    This book is one of my favourite books of 2018. I thoroughly enjoyed and had a good time reading it (but slightly distressed, due to graphic descriptions within the book). This is a great read that has a brilliant film adaptation.

    George Orwell, the author, is famous over the world for writing both this and “1984” among other less-known novels. Both books have individually stood the test of time & known all over the world for being modern classics.

    Did I see the ending coming? Honestly, Yes as well as watching the film first I could also tell by the way it was written how it was going to end, but that didn’t take anything away from the final few pages when I was reading it.

    Would I recommend this book? Yes, to all ages over 12 (purely due to graphic violence). This is a book that anyone, anywhere can read and if you didn’t know; it is based on the real-life event of the Russian Revolution.

    SPOILERS BELOW…

    Although Snowball is taken out of the equation early on and to be honest you don’t know whether to trust him or not, about 10 pages into him leaving the farm I started to question Why? …and I wanted him to come back.

    My favourite character has to be Boxer, not for the way he is but because he shows how loyal he is to the farm, how his undying devotion eventually is his own demise. He is the best character and lovable throughout the book.

  • Uncategorized

    Short post about Goodreads (2018)

    This post is a short reply to Zoe Collins’ booktube video about Goodreads. I agree with Zoe’s comments about book bloggers and readers alike. This is especially true for people who don’t read as much as others, Goodreads can be demoralising to use.

    Goodreads is a site where you can record your reading throughout the year. It is a site which is good for when you want to remember what you have read, want to read and how much you have already read Also you can see your “friends” progress throughout the year. It is very competitive but in general, as an adult, I have chosen not to judge myself against others.

    Goodreads to me personally is a website I use to watch my reading progress. I do not use it to compare how many books others read as I would be embarrassed.  Every year Goodreads hosts a challenge where you set your goal of how many books you are going to read a year.

    Although I use Goodreads and take part in the challenge since 2017 I do not put it high as I want it to be realistic but this year I am already 4 books behind my goal of 24/5 books in 2018.

    This post was not sponsored. The name Goodreads is Copyrighted.

    Are you on Goodreads? Do you track your reading?
    Are you behind on your bookish goals this year?
    Join in the conversation about reading. 

  • Favourites,  The Library

    Libraries in 2018 (part 1)

    A library is an old idea which has been around for centuries. It hold books and recently since the 21st century DVDs and Audio books (tapes & CDs). It is a place where both young or old gather for their love of books & reading. It is a place anyone can go & not be judged. – (tweet this quote)

     

    Adults

    In a library there is the Non-Fiction which house books on subjects from DIY to Cooking to Mental Health guides and everything in-between. It is the section for those of us who want to gather new knowledge.

    In the library there is the Fiction section. This is where the magic happens. You get transported into alternate realities, face dragons and queens, sometimes you even help solve crimes.

    Children

    The other side of the building is for children This is split into fiction & non-fiction.

    Children’s non-fiction includes topics such as history and how animals are born and live. It is a wonderful place where children’s brains are constantly engaged and active.

    The children fiction is a place for fantasies and fun. It is where after a hard day in school they can switch off and read a classic Jacqueline Wilson book or the newest David Walliams book. There are so many books to choose from that it is nearly impossible for a them to decide.

    Picture Books

    There are also books for the youngest library members, the toddlers. There are over 100 books to choose from to keep their minds active. These are the picture books and short and full of pretty designs that engage with the child and the parents who read to them.

    My experience

    As I grew up I loved reading but after I hit high school I decided that reading books wasn’t cool enough and reading was for old people and children. I would read occasionally when no-one was around and when I went home but reading in my teens lost it’s mojo.

    Fast forward 15 years and I joined the local library in 2017. I am still amazed by how many people go there from all ages. I decided after careful consideration that I should start reading again. I forgot how much I loved choosing a book, how I felt after I finished and how enjoyable reading is.

    My recommendation

    I am now unofficially an advocate for reading and for libraries. Everywhere I go and whenever I meet up with friends I like to discuss my latest book I’m reading or which place is the best to get a cheap book if the library doesn’t have the book.

    I love going shopping sometimes as I get to check the book section. The best sellers at half price or the new releases to see if my favourite authors got a new book out.

    I can’t stress enough how important reading is to all ages. It’s not only a hobby it keeps your mind active and some people use reading as a stress reliever after a hard day or week in work.

    Go to your local library and please support them!

    Not many people are aware of this but government cuts have left many libraries struggling to keep open. Just one more person (that’s you!) could be the difference between a library shutting its doors for the last time or staying open for the public for another year.

  • Blogging

    My favourite blogs 2017

    This is a post dedicated to my favourite haunts on the internet that I view regularly.

    I will give you an idea of their content, where to find them and social media links. Some of these are quite new to the bookish community (like I am) but some have been around for years!

    So in no order (as they are all fab bloggers!) …here they are:

    Sarah in wonderland

    • Name: Sarah
    • Blog: www.sarahinwonderland.co.uk / www.fromsarahlex.co.uk
    • Twitter: @Wonderlandblogs / @fromsarahlex
    • Content: Disability, beauty, lifestyle.
    • Note: She has since rebranded to “From Sarah Lex”.

    Writing wolves


    No safer place


    The fiction life | Olivia


    So this concludes my list of bloggers I admire & been viewing their sites often.

    Is there any bloggers that I missed that I could add to my annual list in 2019? Am I on yours? Do you frequently view these blogs?

    Let me know in the comments!