Personal readathon

This week I only have 12 hours of work, so I am going to try and make a dent in my TBR by doing my own personal readathon. I've never done one before, but I figure now is as good a time as any to start one. I just hope my Netflix doesn't get in the way too much. I don't really have a TBR for the week though, I wrote them all down a week ago, so I am just going to get my fiance to pick a number then I will read the book that matches the number. I do have a couple of other commitments aside from work, but I'm sure I can make a dent.

Book fangirling award

I'm really grateful to say I was nominated for this award from Sinead. It amazes me, all thoe big fancy bogs are out there, and my little baby blog gets chosen, so thank you for that. I'm also glad to say any time I get nominated for anything I should be able to do it, as I finally have a laptop - no more frustrating iPad posts for me! Unless I'm away from my laptop and feeling lazy that is. Anyway, on with the questions!

What's your favourite thing about blogging?

I find most of my friends tend to shut off or accuse me of shouting when I start to get really excited/annoyed about something happening in books, so I love blogging because then I can just vent all my feelings with the screen, and usually if someone is reading my post it's because they have similar feelings to me, so I can  have a nice chat with someone who is actually interested, and my friends don't have to listen to me going on and on about something they've never heard of. 

Which book series do you fangirl over the most?

This is probably the most stereotypical answer you could think of, but for me it has to be Harry Potter. I have been in love with the series since it first came out, and it will be there until I die. Other books may come and go, but this series will forever have a special place in my heart.

Who's your favourite person to fangirl with?

Probably the internet. The only person I really have that understands how enthusiastic I get is my fiance, but he's not read most of the books I have, so he doesn't really know what I'm going on about half the time. He is halfway through Clockwork Princess though, so that's a bonus.

What series got you into reading?

I honestly don't know. According to my mum I learnt to read when I was about 3, so it could be literally anything. First books I can remember are The Babysitters Club, Malory Towers, Famous Five, and basically anything by Jacqueline Wilson. Oh, and Animal Ark by Lucy Daniels, anyone remember them? I loved them! 

Which book character do you love to hate?

Hmm, there are a few, but I think my number one hated character would have to be Bella Swan from Twilight. You think of all the things that feminists used to have to do just to create the lives we have now, and she threatens it all by moping around because some guy she has literally met twice seems to hate her, then her existence seems to completely revolve around him. It's just not right.Even when she's not moping about him, there's something else wrong, usually the weather.

Questions

What is your favourite book to screen adaptation?

Who is your number one OTP?

Which series would you read if you were only ever allowed one?

Who is your favourite villain?

Which books are you most likely to hand down to your children?

Nominations

Cody-Leigh Duffy at Literary-ly Obsessed

Alex Ang at  The Book's Buzz

Unfortunately I can't think of anyone who hasn't already been nominated right now, so I will just leave it here for now. 

Rules:
1. Create a blog post to accept your award
2. Add the blog award button into your post and put it on the side of your blog as a widget
3. Answer the questions I have above
4. Nominate between 5-10 book bloggers who you think also deserve this award
5. Come up with your own 5 questions for your nominees
6. Link me to your answers so I can see your answers :)

Autobuy authors

So we all have those authors, we hear they have a new book out, and we rush out to buy it, without even knowing what the book is actually about. So here are a few of mine, in no particular order.

So first we have the beautiful, the magical J.K Rowling. I have never read a single book by her that I haven't liked, and her writing just captures me and steals me away. She is my number one all time favourite writer, and even if she one day publishes her shopping istt I would probably buy it. From the second Harry gets dropped off at the Dursley's doorstop, to everything she's written as Robert Galbraith I am in.

Next up we have Maggie Stiefvater. Her writing is incredibly poetic and absolutely beautiful, and she definitely knows how to intrigue a reader. She has a really quirky sense of humour, and I am yet to be disappointed by a book of hers. Ok, so The Raven King is taking about a zillion years to come out (come on, March 2016!) but I'm sure when it does come out it will be majestic.

Ok, girly moment first. I had no idea what Julie Kagawa looked like until I pulled up this picture, but her hair is absolutely amazing, and I love it. But onto her books, I started with The Iron Fey series, and have never looked back. I am actually yet to finish the series, but that's more due to lack of funds than anything. Her Blood of Eden trilogy was out of this world, and I am really enjoying her Talon series. Again, there is a good quirky humour behind her stories, and the plot and writing style make it such a quick and fun read.

My first foray into Cassandra Clare books was the wonder that is Clockwork Angel. I'd never heard of the series, but then my book club suggested it, I saw it in Waterstones a day or so later and thought why not, and from the first page I was hooked. From that I went straight onto The Mortal Instruments, and I am now (im)patiently waiting to get my teeth into Lady Midnight. I will still be lamenting the lack of Will Herondale, but am hoping there are other certain characters from The Infernal Devices in this series. 

Sarah J Maas is a new add to this list, what with the fact that she has 4 books out right now, but I will never not buy one of her books based on the fact that it was her writing it. Her characters are just so badass yet loveable, and her worlds are so easy to get lost in. I was so excited to buy and attend a signing for A Court Of Thorns And Roses without knowing a single thing about it, and my lovely signed copy is beautiful. I pre-ordered Queen of Shadows last week, and I am absolutely dying for it to come out! And, as you can see, she is absolutely gorgeous.

So there are a few of my autobuy authors. What are some of yours? Any books you are waiting for from any of your favourites?

Design confession

So you might have noticed that my blog has a pretty basic design, and there is just one reason for that. I'm not making a statement, this isn't one of those "it doesn't matter hat it looks like, as long as the content is good" kind of things. It's this... I am practically computer illiterate. I've looked at about a million tutorials on how to create a good design, and work through all the HTML and stuff, yet even the ones stated to be the easiest just make my brain go...

I get serious design envy too. There are some people I follow who have the most amazing looking blogs, full of pages upon pages of information about them, with gadgets and widgets I could only dream of having on mine. I know some people pay others to design theirs for them, but unfortunately I am also pretty skint most of the time, probably because any spare money tends to go on about a million books!

So is it just me, or does anyone else find even the idea of doing your own design make you want to live under a rock?

Tired reading slump

The last few days I've been really wanting to read, but every time I try my eyes and brain go all fuzzy and I give up after a few pages. I have 58 books to read, yet none of them are grasping my attention because also all I want to do is sleep. I'm still listening to Clockwork Princess on audiobook, but when I'm out, which is usually when I listen to audiobooks, my internet keeps dropping out, making it difficult, and frustrating me so much I give up and listen to music instead.
I have read I think already more than I did last month, but it still seems like barely anything. I wanted to get back to how much I used to read, but once again my work has been so busy that I haven't had time to eat or drink, let alone read. Only a couple of weeks left until I leave, really excited to start my new job soon!
So any recommendations for books to get me out of my slump? I really want to read something but I just don't know what!

The Selection review

Book: The Selection
Author: Kiera Cass
Rating: 4*
Blurb: For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined. 

My Thoughts

I have to say, I was really pleasantly impressed by this book. Yeah, the dress on the cover is absolutely gorgeous, but aside from that it sounded really stupid. But then everyone started raving about the series, so I had to give it a try really, and when I found it cheap it seemed like a perfect time, then happened to coincide quite nicely with a reading challenge.

I've never really been into reality TV, but it was made to be such a fun and enjoyable book that the time flew by while I was reading it. I wanted to know who was leaving, and even found myself cheering along for certain characters, and really despising others. Maxon himself was a really interesting character, but then I also really love Aspen, so I really don't know who I want her to end up with, even though it's already pretty obvious who she will marry.

America herself was a complete surprise. I've spent all the time since this book came out hearing from everyone how selfish and annoying she is, but I found her to be the complete opposite. Everything she does is for her family, and in the beginning Aspen, and yes, sometimes she does and says the wrong thing, but on the whole, she was selfless, kind and a real loveable, down to earth character and I really liked her.

I will definitely be reading on in this series, the titles themselves are slight spoilers, but I want to know how everything gets to the point. 

Confessions of a bookaholic

1. I have bought 11 books in the last 10 days
2. I have 58 books on my TBR case
3. It's not uncommon for me to forget about eating when I get caught in a good book
4. I have about 2 friends because all I ever do is stay at home, reading
5. The name Jonathon still makes me want to cry
6. I refuse to watch a film based on a book unless I read the book first
7. I have rejected guys in the past on the grounds that they don't read
8. Some of the most devastating deaths in my life have been fictional
9. I have books in literally every room in my house
10. The best present anyone could ever give me would be Belle's library from Beauty and the Beast