The Autumn Reading Tag

I love watching BookTube videos and enjoy the odd tag video, they are fun and sometimes good for inspiration on what to read. One BookTuber (and author) I’ve mentioned here before is Jen Campbell. Her videos are always smart and well informed. I saw her do this Autumn Reading Tag the other day and decided to give it a go myself.

Autumn Reading Tag

1. Is there any books you plan on reading over the autumn season?



I try not to do specific TBRs for a month as I’ll never stick to it! But I do have a few books I’m looking forward to in the upcoming weeks. The first is Empire of Storms by Sarah J Maas, book 5 in the Throne of Glass series. The there’s The Hanging Tree by Ben Aaronovitch, book 6 in the Rivers of London series (which has had loads of different release dates and I didn’t think it would be out until next year but it is this November!). Then there’s Where Am I Now? by Mara Wilson, which came out 2 weeks ago. Finally there’s the latest No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency book called Precious and Grace by Alexander McCall Smith. I listed more books in my two 2016 Most Anticipated Reads post (part 1 and part 2) so hopefully I’ll pick those up too.


2. September brings back memories of school: what book did you most enjoy studying? And what was your favourite and least favourite subjects?



The two big texts I liked studing where Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier and As You Like It by William Shakespeare. When I read The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton is reminded me of Girl with a Pearl Earring, set around the same time in the Netherlands. As You Like It is a comedy and I appreciated that we were studying a lighter text during the Leaving Cert! As for my favourite subjects they were English and Home Economics. My least favourite was probably Irish, I love the language and I use Duolingo to try up my skills but the way it’s taught in schools is dire. Needs a big overhaul.


3. October means Halloween: do you enjoy scary books and films? If so what are some of your favourites?

I’m not a big horror fan in books or films. I don’t like zombie things, slasher flicks have never really done it for me either. It’s not because I find it too scary or anything, they just have never appealed. I do want to try some more horror books though, I have a post about All Hallow’s Read which I did a few years ago (I might do an update).



As for some of the scary books I have read and enjoyed these include The Shining by Stephen King (King is key for any horror books!), Coraline by Neil Gaiman (it’s for a younger audience but it’s still creepy) and Perfume by Patrick Suskind (its been a while since I read this but I do remember the creep factor being high!)


4. For November it’s time for bonfire night and firework displays. What’s the most exciting book you’ve read that’s really kept you gripped?



November does not mean bonfires and fireworks for me, thanks to my Irish upbringing. But November is the perfect time to huddle down with a page turner. The most recent could-not-put-down book I read was The Trespasser by Tana French (which I reviewed here). Though all of French’s books are thrilling! Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel was a great dystopian, set after a big epidemic hits the earth. It was a bit creepy at times too which fits in great with the above question. And this time last year I read Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith. I just remember listening to before work and wishing I had more time to read it!


5. What book is your favourite cosy comfort read?

I do enjoy YA books when I want some comfort reading, they are quick to read, easily relateable and usually feel good. Some of my favourites include Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, When We Collided by Emery Lord and One by Sarah Crossan. At the moment I’m reading the Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger, they are great reads full of fun characters.


6. Curled up with a good book, what’s your hot drink of choice?

I don’t drink tea so I’d probably pick hot chocolate, as it’s easy to make at home. And easy to make a bit more decadent by adding marshmallows! I made this delicious gingerbread hot chocolate last year which I must try again. But if I’m out and about reading I’d probably pick a latte or mocha.


7. Any plans you’re looking forward to over next few months?

I have tickets to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child! So that’s the biggest thing for me. I’m also looking forward to Christmas, I begin to like Christmas more and more as I get older!

And that’s the tag! The creator of the tag is Amy Jane Smith and you can check out the video here. If you’re looking for more inspiration for autumn reading check out my old All Hallow’s Read post here and my friend Chloe from Nurse Fancy Pants also did a post with her autumn reads which you can check out here. If you want more cosy autumn goodness check out my Autumn Wishlist post. And if you do the post let me know so I can look at your picks.

A-Z Book Tag #BEDM

I spotted this tag the other day when Kate from Bibliophile Book Club posted it. She has links to other blog posts who've also done the tag. And since I'm a sucker for talking about books I thought I'd do the post myself!

 

Author You've Read the Most Books From

So I checked my Goodreads for this. Not counting children's books, my most read author is Alexander McCall Smith with 21 books. Next was Marian Keyes (11) and J.K. Rowling (10, though if you count her Robert Galbraith books it brings it up to 13!). My most read authors including children's books are Enid Blyton (I've 90 on Goodreads, it's probably more though!), Terry Deary (of Horrible Histories fame, 26 books) and Jacqueline Wilson (21).

 

Best Sequel Ever

If you count A God in Ruins as a sequel to Life After Life then I'd probably pick that. But seeing as it's not really a sequel but more a sister novel, then I'd either go with The Likeness by Tana French (I enjoyed it much more than In the Woods) or A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab (It did a lot of world building and preparing for the epic showdown to come for the final book in the trilogy, like a lot of other 2nd books do, but it was a great story on it's own and didn't feel 'filler' to me, like most 2nd books in series do!)

 

Currently Reading

Oh, while I managed to finish 19 books last month, I haven't finished one book so far this month and I'm like an epic juggler. I'm currently reading Gut by Giulia Enders (audio), Chicken With Plums by Marjane Satrapi (graphic novel), and Euphoria by Lily King (for a book club), as well as a slew of others ones that I have 'on hold' for various reasons. I can never read just one book at a time, I often have several on the go.

 

Drink of Choice While Reading

Usually water, I'm not a tea drinker and if I drink coffee while reading, I usually forget about it and it goes cold or else I'm afraid I'll spill it on my book!

 

E-Reader or Physical Book

I prefer physical books, I just like having it in my hand. I do like reading e-books too though, I read a lot on there as most of my review copies are e-copies and I like the fact that I always have a book (or several) on me on my phone, in case I ever get stuck waiting somewhere and need something to read.

 

Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated in School

Oh this is a tough one! Possibly Levi from Fangirl. Like Cath, I’m an introvert and Levi seemed sweet.

 

Glad You Gave This Book a Chance

Watermelon by Marian Keyes, I had always dismissed Marian as 'just' chick lit and reading this book (and the rest in the series) opened up my eyes not to be a snob and introduced me to a family that I loved reading about. Also in terms of reading genres that I don't usually read, I'm super glad I read Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch (I picked it up thinking it was to do with the rivers of London, but it introduced me to urban fantasy) and Ready Player One by Ernest Cline (made me realise that sci-fi is something I could enjoy too). Lesson learnt, always give something a go as you might be pleasantly surprised!

 

Hidden Gem

I never know what to pick for these kind of topics! Anyway, I   decided to go for a book I’ve read that has under 100 ratings on Goodreads and that’s Sweet As Cane, Salty as Tears by Ken Wheaton. It’s about 50 year old Katherine, a Louisiana native living in New York, who has to go back home after leaving 30 years ago after her siser dies. It’s sort of a coming of age story for someone who’s older, trying to come to terms with the past but figure out the future. I wrote a full review which you can find here.

 

Important Moment in Reading

Getting back into reading during final year of college. While I definitely reading during college (I even signed up for library when on work placement), it wasn’t until beginning of 2010 that I started paying attention to reading and making goals for myself. Another big moment was starting to blog about what I read, which started as a round up of what I read in January 2013. I don’t know why I didn’t blog about reading before then, I just don’t think it occured to me! Even when I started I didn’t think of myself as a book blogger, it was just a way to document what I had read. And probably using Goodreads too! It’s definitely helped me keep track of what I want to read and look for better recommendations.

 

Just Finished

The Idiot Brain by Dean Burnett. I showed on my A Day in the Life blog post that I was reading it and said I’d hope to finish by the end of the day and I did!

 

Kind of Books You Won’t Read

I try not to say I won’t try something, as I have been surprised in the past when I’ve tried sci-fi and fantasy. I’m not a big fan of classics but I won’t rule them out. I don’t really read romance like Mills and Boons and there’s always a section in libraries for just Westerns which baffles me. But that’s not to say in the future I wouldn’t give these a go! Never say never.

 

Longest Book

According to my Goodreads, the longest book I’ve read is The Likeness by Tana French with 698 pages. If I remember correctly The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber was longer but I never finished it fully. The book that felt the longest however was Tess of d’Ubervilles. The book itself was 508 pages but oh boy did it feel like double the length!

 

Major Book Hangover

I’d probably go with A God in Ruins, which I read last June. The ending just astounded me! Though in terms of having a big fatigue after reading, I’d say the end of 2013, I managed to get 100 books but I was just nearly over it all by the end! So I’ve learnt not to push myself.

 

Number of Book Cases You Own

Just the one sadly. And only because my friend bought and decorated one for me! I can’t even fit all my books on it (I could but then I won some and I’ll need to rejig everything to make it all fit). I can’t wait to have a house of my own, purely for all the book cases I’ll own. Wall to wall, ceiling to floor!

 

One Book You’ve Read Multiple Times

I reread a lot of books as a child, especially my Enid Blyton and Harry Potter books. I reread The Enchanted Wood for BookTube-A-Thon 2013. The only other book I’ve reread as an adult (that I remember anyway) was The Great Gatsby which I reread May 2013.

 

Preferred Place to Read

I’ll read anywhere; public transport, in waiting rooms, standing in a long queue in a shop, in someone else’s house while waiting for them to get ready, at the beach, at the dinner table. My preferred place though is in my bed, it’s when I’m most comfortable.

 

Quote That Inspires

A library in the middle of a community is a cross between an emergency exit, a life raft and a festival. They are cathedrals of the mind; hospitals of the soul; theme parks of the imagination

Caitlin Moran, Moranthology

 

Reading Regret

Any time I’ve wasted reading a book I hated. Sometimes I will still try power through a book but I’m much more like to just stop. There’s not enough time to read everything I want to read! Also I regret not picking up To Kill a Mockingbird sooner than I did. I only read it last year but I had mentioned in my 2013 Reading Resolutions and it still took me 2 years to get around to it.

 

Series You Need to Finish

Oh there’s a few! But the big one at the moment is the Lunar Chronicles series. I need to read Winter, it came out in November so hopefully I’ll read it soon. I guess you could say Winter is Coming…!

Three All Time Faves

Only 3?! Not fair! Stiff by Mary Roach, A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson and Harry Potter series (that’s right, I’m cheating!)

                                         Unapologetic Fangirl

I LOVE Mary Roach’s books, they’re really entertaining and great non-fiction books. Even if you don’t ‘do’ non-fiction these are worth a try.

Very Excited For This Release More Than Others

Grunt by Mary Roach (yes, the 3rd answer in a row to mention her!). I mentioned in my 2016 Releases Post that it was the one I was most looking forward to. But since then there’s been other releases announced so I think I need to do another post.

 

Worst Bookish Habit

Reading too many books at the same time. As well as buying too many books. Both physical and ebooks. I need to try get through the books I own!

 

X Marks the Spot- Start From Top Left Hand Corner of Book Shelf Until 27th Book

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

 

Your Latest Purchase

A Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers. It’s for the Rick O’Shea book club this month.

 

Zzzz Snatcher Book (the book that kept you up way too late)

Last book to keep me reading and reading was The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson. I didn’t put it down!

And that’s my A-Z! Thanks again to Kate for bringing it to my attention and if you do the tag too, let me know below so I can check it out!

The Book Lover's Tag #BEDN

Paula over at Cornflakegirl's Musings wrote her Book Lover's Tag last month and tagged me in it. I read it at the time, made a note to do the tag and then promptly forgot for a number of reasons. I love tags, especially book ones so here we go!

Do You Have a Specific Place for Reading?

Nope! I'll pretty much read anywhere. In bed, on the couch, in the car, on buses, trains, and planes, in waiting rooms, in the bathroom! I prefer somewhere really comfortable like my couch or bed. I wish I had a cosy reading nook, I have a few pinned on Pinterest and I'm so jealous of them!


Bookmark or Random Piece of Paper?

Usually I'll save my progress on Goodreads. One as I like to see the percentage bar move along and two while I usually remember where I finished reading, if I forget then it's online and no risk of a bookmark falling out. I do have a nice bookmark my friend gave me though which I love as she thoughtfully sent it when I was feeling bad and it really cheered me up.

Can You Stop Anywhere in a Book or Do You Have to Finish a Chapter?

I can stop anywhere really. Sometimes I prefer to finish at the end of a chapter (more to stop myself from reading too long!) but sometimes the chapters are too long for that, so I'll try at least finish a paragraph. The only time I'll stop in the middle of a paragraph or even the middle of a sentence is if I can no longer physically keep my eyes open.

Music or TV While You Are Reading?

I most likely prefer to read in silence. I can read while someone else is watching TV and I have read lighter books that don't need that much attention with music in the background. Which can be fun actually as I'll associate certain songs with that book when I next hear the songs. But silence is my favourite.

Do You Eat or Drink While Reading?

Yes, at times. Usually just snacks and water but there have been times when I've been so engrossed in a book and needed to eat dinner that I've done both at the same time!

One Book or Several At a Time?

Several on the go at the one time! I'll usually have one I'm concentrating on the most, while reading another at the same time. When I finish the first book, the next book will be the main book I'll concentrate on while I start another. If I have physical book on the go, especially a large one I don't want to carry around, I'll have a Kindle one on the go too and sometimes an audio one as well.

Reading at Home or Elsewhere?

I pretty much covered this in the first question but I'll read mostly at home. Like Paula I'll read in the car and in long queues (yay for Kindle app!), I've brought books if I've stayed over at friends houses, just in case I wake up early or they get distracted doing something else. If I need to collect family members from something, I'll leave a bit early and sit in the car and read, this is so handy especially if they get delayed. But nothing beats my comfy bed and couch!

Reading Out Loud or Silently?

Silently, always. Unless I get muddled by a sentence and find reading it out to try make sense of it.

Do You Read Ahead or Skip Pages?

I'll never read ahead, nor would I purposely skip pages but I might skim something, if it was a long and boring paragraph or if characters are just mindlessly talking about something that's just being repeated from earlier.

Breaking the Spine or Keeping It Like New?

I'm not precious about books,  don't like it looking too tatty or other people staining it, tearing it or writing in it, but unless it was a special edition of something or has sentimental value, then it can be easily replaced.

Do You Write in Your Books?

No, very rarely. Not that I wouldn't but I haven't felt the need for a while. I do sometimes highlight on Kindle.

Yay! I tag Cuti-CLUE-les and Plastic Rosaries. I would usually tag Behind Green Eyes and Nurse Fancy Pants for a book themed post but Paula tagged them already. Yay books!

Confessions of a Nail Polish Addict Tag #BEDM

I saw this tag on Brit Nails and thought it looked like fun. So here we go!

1. What nail polish are you wearing on your nails (and toes) right now?

I have a different colour on both hands! I had planned to take swatch pictures today but got a bit lazy. I put Barry M in Ballerina on my right hand, there was a 3 for 2 when I was in Superdrug the other day and bought these Maybelline Top Coats and Ballerina became my third choice. Today I got a polish I have LONG lusted after in the post. A-England in St. George. I swiftly applied it to my left hand, it’s GORGEOUS!! Swatches of both to follow in future posts. As for my toes? Nothing, I haven’t had something on my toes for ages.

 

2. What is one nail product you can't live without?

I have 2 or 3 bottles of Essence Studio Nails Ultra Strong Nail Hardener lying around, I love this stuff! It really helps my weak nails

 

3. What is your favourite nail brand (mainstream and indie)?

Essence is probably my favourite mainstream brand, it’s cheap but good quality, they have lots of colours and change things around quite a bit to keep things interesting. Barry M are fantastic too though. Out of the big three (or what I think the most popular) China Glaze, OPI and Essie, I prefer China Glaze.

As for indie, I don’t have many indies which is a shame. I think the only one I have is a Dollish Polish but I do love it!

 

4. What shape nail do you wear (short or long)?

Squoval mainly. My nails grow quite square shaped but I try to soften them a bit. I wear my nails long. Or long for me anyway! I will cut them short enough every now and again though, either because they are weak or one breaks and I want them all even.

 

5. What is your go-to colour?

I really like purples and teals. Though I do go for white quite a bit with a fun coloured top coat. White was one of my go tos last summer.

 

6. What is your favourite nail polish finish?

I do love a creme finish. Though I also love a crelly (creme and jelly) finish too. I’m a sucker for matte glitter top coats too!

 

7. What’s on your nail polish wishlist?

Where to start! I’m mainly lusting over Candy Lacquer Licorice All Sorts, it’s beautiful. I’d also love Hare Polish Flight of the Flamingos, Butter London Bit Faker and Revlon Whimsical. As well as raiding an American drugstore for stuff we can’t get here!

Clockwise from top left: Bit Faker, Licorice Allsorts, Flight of the Flamingo, Whimsical

 

8. When do you usually paint your nails (morning, afternoon or evening)?

Afternoon or evening time, though I try not to do it too late as I end up with sheet marks! Never the morning, ewww.

 

9. What’s your top nail tip you swear by?

Oh, I don’t really have any! I’ve been trying to give my nails and hands more moisture to improve the quality.

 

10. What nail polish do you regret buying?

I don’t think I have any really. I don’t buy a lot of super expensive nail polish so even if I don’t really like something, it’ll only be a few pounds for me. And I can give them to my sister!

 

11. Neons or pastels? Brights or darks?

I probably prefer pastels over neons but then again, I go through phases like others. Pastels for spring, neons for summer, darks and glitters for autumn and winter.

 

12. What is your holy grail white, black and nude polish?

White is Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine in Coconut, black is from Wet n Wild, no idea if they still do it anymore though, I need to pick it up if I can find it. If it’s black for nail art, I like the Barry M Nail Art Pen. For nude, my favourite at the moment is OPI You’re So Vain-illa but I also love Nails Inc Basil Street.

 

13. What is one brand you want to try but haven’t yet?

Just one?! Don’t think so. Hare polish, KB Shimmer, Candy Lacquer, Deborah Lippmann, Chanel. So many!

I’m going to tag Behind Green Eyes, Cuti-clue-les and Nurse Fancy Pants and whoever else wants to do this!

Tag: The Soundtrack to My Life

I saw this on Sharon’s blog and knew I had to do it myself!

Song You Listen to When Happy
Really depends on what I’m in the mood for! Like Sharon, I’m enjoying Bang Bang by Jessie J & co., every time I hear Shake It Off played at work, it puts me into a good mood! Motown is using pretty good, 80s are a really good bet for me in case you didn’t get that from the music meme I did way back when on this blog! Rio by Duran Duran to name but one song.


Song You Listen to When Sad
Songs from A Rush of Blood to the Head by Coldplay, Elton John (Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word), certain Beatles songs (Eleanor Rigby, Yesterday, In My Life), Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler. Not that I don’t enjoy these when happy either.


What song will you have at your wedding?
I’ve never really been set on certain songs to play at my wedding, it hasn’t crossed my mind that much. Bar one song that I love and don’t wish to divulge here!


What song do you dance around the house to?
Stick on pretty much any Michael Jackson and I’ll dance. Especially Blame It On the Boogie and Rockin’ Robin (complete with chicken dance moves). Actually make that pretty much any disco. Also Let’s Dance by David Bowie, Twist and Shout by The Beatles, Bye Bye Bye by N Sync, Tightrope by Janelle Monae, I did a great rendition of Proud Mary by Tina Turner just before Christmas while tidying the house and packing!



Song You Play on Your Headphones When Out and About
I have a playlist called Happy and I put it on shuffle, it’s songs that make feel good. Most, if not all, the songs already listed are on there, as well as a mix of songs like I Turn to You by Mel C, Madness songs, Dance Wiv Me by Dizzee Rascal, Toxic by Britney Spears, Micheal by Franz Ferdinand, I Bet You Look Good on the Dance Floor by Arctic Monkeys, Rip It Up by Little Richard, Greenlight by Beyonce, I could go on and go!


Song You Listen to When Angry
I probably go to rock, something that I can thrash away to. First It Giveth by Queens of the Stoneage helps to diffuse anger in me. I also like Winter by Vivaldi, it’s the violins. If I could play the violin I’d play this when angry and channel all my anger into that.


Song That Makes You Lose Your Shit at a Party
Hmmm, I can’t think of the last time I was out in a situation with this! I do remember however Gasolina by Daddy Yankee being one of those ‘OMG!!!’ moments at my secondary school graduation, due to a friend and me hearing it in London a few months earlier, not hearing it ever back home until that moment and running to find each other on the dance floor to go ‘OMG, IT’S THAT SONG!!’



The Last Song You Listened To
I put on a random Michael Jackson playlist when I started this post, starting off with Blame It On The Boogie. Currently on though is Scream by Michael and Janet Jackson.


Song You Want to See Live
I’m not a massive concert goer, I’ve been to a few before and while I’ve enjoyed them I haven’t been to one in years and years. I would love to go to a Madness concert though, I grew up listening to them thanks to Mum and I think it would just be a great concert to go to. On the flip side, I’d also like to see Prodigy live but my boyfriend reckons that I’d never cope at one, I’d be jostled around and I’d be miserable!


Your Karaoke Song
Wake Me Up by Wham! J-j-j-jitterbug!

What songs do you work out to?
I used to have a playlist on my phone with songs but it got wiped. I do like dancey stuff actually, which is surprising as I’m not a massive dance genre fan. Things like Hey Boy Hey Girl by Chemical Brothers, Adagio For Strings by Tiesto, Prodigy songs, Bonkers by Dizzee Rascal.


Song with most memories attached
You can’t help but attach memories to songs. There’s is no one song that holds the most memories. Toxic reminds me of being in Prague on school tour in TY, Monster by The Automatic reminds me of being at Oxegen music festival in 2006, It’s Raining Men by Geri Halliwell reminds me of my 1st year school tour, Tipsy by J Kwon of my 18th birthday party, Maneater of the debs, SOS by Rihanna of dancing on the bed with a friend after a night out in college, Bright Lights Bigger City by Ceelo Green  of driving to early every morning to my first proper job after college, Never Enough by Roisin Murphy reminds me of the day I handed in my final year dissertation, Uptown Girl cover by Westlife reminds me of when my sister was born. I could go on and on and on! If I was to attach an album though to memories, it would be 2002 in London staying with my Nana, going to my cousin’s confirmation and watching Ireland play in World Cup and that album is The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.



Song that Makes You Cry
Somewhere Over the Rainbow. It was played at my cousin’s funeral 7 years ago and it still tugs at my heart to this day and brings tears to my eyes. Danny Boy and Brown Eyed Girl always have the same effect. Annie’s Song by John Denver makes me well up as well for some reason.


Guilty Pleasure Song
No such thing. NO SUCH THING AS A GUILTY PLEASURE! If you want me to list songs that fall under cheesy, then I’ll go with bands I liked from childhood to teenage years, like Spice Girls, S Club 7, Steps, Vengaboys, you get the picture! Still enjoy listening to them to this day.

Zigazigah!

Favourite Song from a Musical
Again, no such thing as just one favourite! Love the entire Chicago soundtrack, as well as the Annie one too. There’s Singin’ in the Rain, El Tango de Roxanne from Moulin Rouge, My Favourite Things from The Sound of Music, Electricity from Billy Elliot, Hey Big Spender from Sweet Charity, Part of My World from The Little Mermaid (I’m counting Disney films!).


Song by an Irish Artist
Seeing as I don’t listen to Irish radio anymore, I’m not really up to date with Irish bands. I do still really like Encore by Wallis Bird though, such a rousing song.

Favourite Song to Play on an Instrument
I can’t remember the name but I loved playing a ballad song on the tin whistle, I could make it sound quite melancholy. I should pick up the tin whistle again really or learn to play another instrument.


Song You Hate the Most
Still hate those Coronas songs, as well as that ‘I got soul but I’m not a soldier’ bollox by The Killers


Your Favourite Song of All Time
Don’t have one. Can’t pin it down to one, no way. I love most of the songs mentioned here and many more. I will say though, I love so many different covers of I Put a Spell on You. Screaming Jay Hawkins, Nina Simone, Bette Midler in Hocus Pocus, Annie Lennox, and Tim Curry. I’m sure if I looked up more versions on YouTube I’d like them too!

Please feel free to do this post if you’re interested, I always love seeing posts like this myself!

The Goodreads Tag #BEDM

I was tagged by Chloe over at Nurse Fancy Pants to do the Goodreads Tag. I was going to follow her example and do a post about why I use Goodreads (check out her post HERE), but I’ll do that for another day. For those that don’t know, Goodreads is a site that lets you keep track of what you’ve read, what you’re currently reading, explore genres and see what your friends are up to as well. I’m a big fan of it.

What was the last book you marked as read?

Off the top of my head, I thought it was The Diamond Thief by Sharon Gosling, but it was actually Cress by Marissa Meyer. I’m so forgetful these days!

What are you currently reading?

I keep a few books on rotation, I’m not one for reading only one book at a time. Currently I have The Second Book of General Ignorance by John Lloyd and John Mitchinson, This Is Improbable: Cheese String Theory, Magnetic Chickens and Other WTF Theories by Marc Abrahams, Electrified Sheep by Alex Boese and Britty Britty Bang Bang by Hugh Dennis. All non-fiction, all information heavy, which is probably why I’m getting through them so slow. Though I only pick up the first two books every now and again as they are that kind of book. I do have Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and The Gathering by Anne Enright on my iTunes to listen to but I haven’t started them yet. I also have Who Is Tom Ditto? by Danny Wallace on my phone but again I haven’t started it, mainly as I’m trying to plough my way through all the physical books I have.

What was the title of the last book you marked as ‘To Read’?

The Tale of the Dueling Neurosurgeons: And Other True Stories of Trauma, Madness, Affliction, and Recovery That Reveal the Surprising History of the Human Brain by Sam Kean. What a title! In terms of fiction, it was The Hive by Gill Hornby, after reading Beth from Plastic Rosaries rate it on Goodreads.

What do you plan to read next?

Well, I’ll start that Danny Wallace book next I think. After that I’m not sure. I have slowed down on ordering from the library so I can concentrate on reading some book I own. Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and The Men Who Stare at Goats by Jon Ronson are the ones looking most appealing to me on my bookshelf!

Do you use the star rating?

I do but honestly I wish sometimes there was half stars. Voting something 3 stars can mean a variation of things for me. If I read a book and liked it but wasn’t crazy about it, I’d probably want to give it 2.5 but since I can’t I’ll rate it 3 instead of 2. It can be frustrating at times but I do appreciate seeing star ratings of others, especially if I know we have similar tastes in books, as it’s helpful for me to decide if I want to read that book.

Are you doing a 2014 Reading Challenge?

I am! I did 100 last year and just about hit that goal. Towards the end, I felt like I was more reading for the sake of reaching the goal instead of enjoying it and it felt like such a chore. I set my challenge at 30 originally, which I’ve already hit, so I put it up to 50. If and when I reach 50, I’m unsure if I’ll move it again, I guess we’ll see!

Do you have a wishlist?

Does my To Read list of books count?! I do have an Amazon wishlist but I don’t put every book I want to read on there, just ones that I’d really like. Though not many people use my wishlist anyway (which is why it frustrates me when my boyfriend complains that he doesn’t know what to get me, yet he knows I have a wishlist!).

What book do you plan on buying next?

As much as I’d love to buy loads of books, I can’t really afford it. Though after the huge debacle to get my hands on The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith from the library last year, I think I’ll buy The Silkworm, the next book that is out soon.

Do you have any favourite quotes? Would you like to share a few?

“But luxury has never appealed to me, I like simple things, books, being alone, or with somebody who understands.” Daphne du Maurier

“The closed mind is a disease. You need to have an open mind; otherwise life will just pass you by.” Danny Wallace

“It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.” J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

“A library in the middle of a community is a cross between an emergency exit, a life-raft and a festival. They are cathedrals of the mind; hospitals of the soul; theme parks of the imagination. On a cold rainy island, they are the only sheltered public spaces where you are not a consumer, but a citizen instead” Caitlin Moran

Who are your favourite authors?

You can find my most read authors here, though a lot of them are children’s authors. Though if I were to pick my favourites I’d say Mary Roach, Danny Wallace, Dave Gorman, Ben Aaronovitch, Jon Ronson, Marian Keyes, J.K. Rowling, Rainbow Rowell and Jenny Colgan.

Have you joined any groups?

Yes, I have! I’m part of the Booksplosion Read-Along, The Rory Gilmore Book Club (though I don’t really participate in this one, it’s more so I can remember the Rory Gilmore book list) and another group for a forum I’m on.

And that’s it! If you’d like to do this tag, please do, it’s great fun if you like books and reading. You can check out my Goodreads page here, add me if you’d like.

Tagged!

So I got tagged the other day by Random Ramblings and Musings. The idea is easy, just answer the questions that you’ve been asked and then tag some more bloggers and write some questions for them to answer. Simples!

1. If you could introduce one new law what would it be?

Free cupcake day! Ok, so seriously there would probably be a few current laws I’d like to change but I can’t think of any new law (I’m so boring!).

2. What book do think everyone should read at least once, you know the one you read, fell in love with and have since taken to recommending it to people at every opportunity?

I honestly don’t think I have one. I’d recommend the Harry Potter, but then again most people have read it! The only thing that comes to mind is a book I got years ago with J-17 magazine. It was called Last Chance by Sarah Dessen (but now seems to go by the title Keeping the Moon). It’s the story about a 15 teen year old who goes to live with her aunt one summer and it’s all about images and fitting in. Or rather about being yourself, regardless of what others think. I read it about once a year or so.

3. If you could wake up tomorrow anywhere in the world, where would you be?

London, with the sun shining, my boyfriend next to me and a job I love to go to.

4. When was the last time you did something that scared you?

Well, I get such a fear of ringing people to make appointments etc. and I did that last week! I try force myself to do the same things that scary me like that. But in terms of facing a fear, probably getting back into a car and driving after my crash last year.

5. Are you a believer in always telling the truth, no matter what the consequences, or are there times when it’s best to keep your mouth shut?

I do think there are times when a white lie is called for. As I think the truth usually comes out after the reason for the white lie has been fulfilled and the good intentions can be seen.

Phew! That was kinda tough I must admit. And now for the really hard part, thinking of questions to ask back!

1. What’s your signature dish to cook/bake?

2. If you could see one band live, who would it be? (Regardless of if the band is still together, or if they split up, or if a member is dead)

3. What songs are you guilty pleasures?

4. Being too hot or being too cold?

5. Where did you first go abroad? (presuming you’ve been abroad!)

6. Was there any particular reason why you were given your first name?

Ok, and now to tag people!

Ate By Ate

winipedia

Labhaoise Ni Dhuibhir

Views from a tin bin

Feel free to answer but if it’s not your thing, no worries! Just a bit of fun!