The Book Lovers TAG

Hi all! I'm coming to you today with the Book Lovers Tag!! I found the questions on Google, and I thought it would be a fun post for you all! I am going to answer the questions and then tag some lovely bloggers at the end to take up the gauntlet I'll be throwing down!! 

Do you have a specific place for reading?

Not really, I like to read in bed, and I like to read when I'm travelling. A long bus or train journey is probably my most productive reading time, but I can read anywhere. 

Bookmark or random piece of paper?

Preferably a bookmark, however, I have been known to use just about anything to mark my place in a book - from a piece of paper taken from a chewing gum packet, to a hair bobbin, to my phone if things are really bleak! 

Can you stop anywhere in a book or do you have to finish the chapter?

Generally, I can stop almost anywhere. I prefer to finish chapters, but I can stop and start as the need arises. It's usually between paragraphs, if I can help it. I wont continue beyond a paragraph if I wont be able to finish the next one. 

Music or TV while reading?

I can read with anything in the background, I just tune out. I like to have a record playing if I can, but any background noise will do. I guess that is because of my fear of silence. 

Do you eat or drink while reading?

Nothing beats a good book, a slice of cake and a hot cup of tea. I sometimes go to cafes alone to read and eat breakfast. 

One book at a time or several?

Usually several. I have a lot of books in various degrees of "in progress" but I have to admit that I'm more than a bit obsessed with biograhies and I like to read those one at a time so as not to confuse myself. Currently I'm reading "Chase Your Shadow" The Trials of Oscar Pistorious. It's gripping reading, and I don't want it to end, though it will soon, because I'm almost finished it!! 

Reading at home or elsewhere?

Anywhere at all! I don't mind! I like to read, I'm not fussy on the location. 

Read out loud or silently?  

Silently. Though I do read aloud when it's asked of me. 

Do you read ahead or skip pages?

Christ, no! I read the whole book in the right order. I'll skip bits if I'm rereading, but not the first time round. 

Breaking the Spine or keeping it like new?

Broken spine, well worn in, mmmm!!! 

Do you write in your books?

Nope, and I think anyone who does is committing a mortal sin! 

Now for the tagging, my favorite part!

I tag, Kayliegh, Aoife, Chloe, and Colette!!

I hope you liked this tag, let me know some of your favorite books in the comments!!

xo 

Amy

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Spreading The Love

This world is a little too full of mis-directed hate for my liking, and to combat that I'm going to direct some love around t'internet! 

I don't know why we as humans, love to hate others. It's stupid and it doesn't achieve anything. Girls love to hate other girls for the most idiotic of reasons, and as far as I can tell, guys just direct their anger and hate at random objects and make feeble excuses to defend the action. 

So, for your (and my) enjoyment, here are five random things I love. 

1. Books

Image: Google Images

If I have a book in my bag/hand/general possession, I'm a happy bunny. In fact, my bookshelf doesn't contain at least half of my collection! 

Currently I'm still singing the praises of the Divergent trilogy by Veronica Roth. If you guys want, I'll post a full review of the whole trilogy, or book by book if you guys want. I'm also loving Game of Thrones, having got nearly all the books, but I'm only halfway through the first one! 

Other books I would recommend to anyone are The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach, Soulmates by Holly Bourne, and 11 Doctors, 11 Stories (It's a Doctor Who anthology, I wont be offended if it doesn't tickle your fancy!!)

2. Random Acts of Kindness

Last Wednesday (New Years Day) night, Chris and I decided to go to the cinema and see The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug and it was supposed to be my treat, until Chris order the tickets and had his debit card in the chip and pin point before I could take my bag off my shoulder. 

He randomly treated me to the cinema and I thought it was so nice of him. Thanks, baby!

3. Gingers

Karen Gillan
(Image: Google Images)

Safe to say, that if you are a ginger/have any ginger in you (men with ginger beards count) then I'm immediately going to refer to you as "one of my people"; Welcome to the fold, my fellow ginger-nut!

I love being a red-head and being 2% of the world, I'm hugely proud to be a minority. 


Some of my favorite gingers are: 

• My oldest friend Anna
• The ever lovely and well-manicured Audrey of The Nail Affair
• Tim Minchin
• Karen Gillan (Amy Pond from Doctor Who)
• Rupert Grint (If you don't know who he is then... hmmph!!)

4. "A" Theories

I am a huge Pretty Little Liars fan and was absolutely gutted by the -A reveal in episode 13. I'm a bit addicted to searching for A Theories on pretty much all of my social media platforms, and now I'm beginning to think that it couldn't be anyone else. No spoilers, though! I'm dying for the newest episode, too. Two more days!! 

Eek!!

5. Friendly Starbucks Baristas (or Costa, or Insomnia)

Image: Google Images

On my walk to college of a dreary morning, I have a Starbucks along the way. Every time I pop in, the Baristas are cracking jokes (often before 7.30) and brightening up the mornings of the tired morning commuters. 

I love going in because I know once I step into the warm, comfy surroundings, there will be someone glad to see me and make my morning that bit happier. 

You just don't get that in McDonalds.



There are way more things I love in the world, and if you want, I'll make this a monthly thing. Let me know. 
Spread the love, guys.
Amy
xx

Whats in My Bag?

I think its fair to say that this topic is almost strictly a YouTube phenomenon. All you have to do is search for "What's in my Bag" and you will be inundated with results. Yet I've only seen one blog post on the subject and it made me want to try my hand at replicating the topic here, on my beloved blog.

The Bag Itself

 

My bag is a Living Dead Souls studded tote style bag. Its the biggest handbag I own, and it's one of the oldest too. There is a lot of nostalgia attached to this bag, since it was bought during the height of the awkward Emo phase I had between the ages of 16-19. I purchased this bag in a sale in Showco, that fantastic little shop in Georges Street Arcade that sells socks, lingerie, hats, and a lot of random alternative gear! Its a great place if you can get there during a sale. I paid about €20 for it, but it was originally €50 or €60. It's lining is plain black fabric printed all over with the words "Living Dead Souls". It has two short handles, that cannot be unattached, and one long strap with randomly sized, but uniformly placed studs.

Books, Books, Books!

Anyone who is even remotely close to me should know that I am a book-hoarder to the backbone! It's not really a problem, though, in saying that, when the day comes where I have to pack up and move out on my own it'll be a serious problem. The problem isn't that I'm a bookworm, its not even that I'm a hoarder. The problem at hand is that I am what I like to call "a sentimental book buyer"... I buy most of my books in charity shops or at car-boot sales. My addiction doesn't cost me a lot, in reality. It just takes up a lot of space and annoys everyone around me.

Two weeks ago I stumbled on a charity car-boot sale with my mum and within 5 minutes of arriving, had bought two books; The Narnia series in one volume, and "Tuesdays With Morrie" by Mitch Albom. I actually apologised to her, because she is always telling me I buy too many books. Its not my fault, these books are laying in boxes unwanted and unloved. I think its a "Toy Story Mentality" type of thing. Nobody wants to love them, so it would be cruel to leave them behind.

On Tuesday I bought NINE books, though it was technically twelve, 3 were for my uncle who is a "Grow Your Own" enthusiast. Again, they looked sad and unwanted, so the need to re-home them like lost puppies kicked in with fervour! When I'm book-buying in any kind of charity shops, there's a process I go through, so let me explain:

Addictions

Most of can attest to being hooked on something. Guys usually admit to it being video-games, or music, if they're really into sport, it could be something to do with that. One strange collection I've heard of guys having is beer mats. You know, those little cardboard coasters from pubs?! Bizarre, to say the least!

Girls, on the other hand, are a completely different story. If like myself, you like a nice manicure, then you will have heaps of nail polishes. Or you might well be like my mum and have a shoe collection that would fill a whole room.

I can personally admit to having a few obsessions.

Mani-Q No.1 - The Fault in our Stars

Some back story...

Before Christmas, I went to a nail salon with one motive, and one only. To get some help to stop biting my nails. 


TFiOS Nails

I Like A Lot of Books....

...And so I want to share my "Top 5" books that I enjoy... This could become a nerd-out, but I will do my best to contain it. And also, I am not including the Harry Potter books, Lord of the Rings, or The Hunger Games Trilogy because, a) that's 13 books, and b) they are in their own league!

In no particular order, I give thee...

1. Now is Good (Before I Die) by Jenny Downham. 

I have a blog-post about this. I wont go into the plot, but I will say this: I sobbed like a baby during this book. It broke my heart!!

Have tissues on hand for this one!



2. Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt.

I have read this half a dozen times since I was 12 or 13.

Its the memoir of Franks own life and childhood. You will laugh, cry and it will have you reminiscing on your own childhood after you close the book...




3. The Fault in our Stars by John Green.

Forgive this one, I'm still in TFioS mode from Wednesday night. But the fact remains that this book is amazing! Another book to go along with a giant box of Kleenex.

Okay?
Okay.



4. One Day by David Nichols. 

This chronicles Em and Dex, the same day, every year for 20 years. I was skeptical when I read it but it was amazing! It has a great twist at the end that you are absolutely not expecting.

A great book, and very engrossing! :D



5. Assassins Creed: Brotherhood by Oliver Bowden.

Technically it shouldnt be on the list because I havent finished it, but I am enjoying it so much I think I can tell you that this book, is indeed the novel of a video-game. I am unashamed to say this. It follows Ezio Auditore DiFirenze as he attempts to take down Borgia forces who are destroying Rome.

Buy it. Read it.
Love it.

What are your Top 5 Books? Leave a comment and let me know! 

Le Grá,
Amy.
xo

Book Review: Now Is Good

So...Books!

I love books. I always have. I go in and out of phases of reading but lately I'm all about buying books.

Don't get me wrong, I have a Kindle and I love it, but its nice to hold a book in your hands, get the smell of the pages and have the motion of actually turning a page, rather than clicking a button... With that said, the Kindle has its positive points too, such as, when I have it in my bag, I have 70, 80, 90+ books in one place without it ever gaining one single ounce!

I was thinking of reviewing the books I read, to see what interest is out there for it. I am currently reading "Assassins Creed: Brotherhood", but I have recently finished "Now is Good" and "Beastly" so I may review them in due course.

Actually. Screw it. I'm going to review "Now Is Good", right here, right now!

Da da da da da daaaaaaaa!!!

Lets Get Started!!

So, Um... Hi, Everyone!! *waves*

Lets start with the introductions, I suppose. I'm Amy, I'm 20, though nearer to 21 at this point, and I'm...well, I'm just me. Always have been. I'm the walking, talking, living embodiment of someone who is just themselves and no more.

I enjoy things, and I loathe things, as do most people, I guess. I love the little things, good tea, mature cheese, a catchy beat, expensive sports, and being in love. I also love the big things; Friends, family and the value of a smile.

But, for every good, there is a bad. I hate being made feel bad, I hate liars, bigots (and for both of those certain people spring to mind!) and people who seek to take away another persons right to do the things they want to do. Unless its illegal! I hate Barry's Tea. Hate. It. I cannot abide the stuff. I hate fighting with people, or people fighting with each other. Making people happy is something I strive to do.

So now, the random things. I am ginger, a clean freak, happy, sad, madly in love, an admirer of fashion, a worrier, a lover, a hugger, a giver of pet names, into music, a huge fan of HIM and generally an open book!

I will talk about almost anything, and that includes face to face. So, hopefully on this I will be able to do the same.

Look out for book reviews, movie reviews, fashion, make-up, life and everything else in between!

Oh! And here's a picture of me (and my boyfriend, Chris)!!

Le Grá,

Amy