Love The Little Things | Week 2

My favourite weekly link up, hosted by But Why Mummy Why in which you appreciate the little things that have made up your week.

Read.

I entered the 'Dusting Of The Shelf' Read-A-Thon the other day, and so naturally, I have started to read The Maze Runner by James Dashner. And The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. 

Woop.

Watched.

I have been watching ... The Commonwealth Games. And surprisingly, England are beating the Aussies. 

Woop again.

I feel as if every emotion should be portrayed by a cat gif.

Heard.

P!nk. Her music is incredibly relatable, and she makes tracks with a beat! (so you can run to them!)

Woop for the 3rd Time.

Played.

There are two very annoying, yet extremely addictive apps at the moment, much emulating the sensation that was Flappy Bird. They are called Don't Touch The Spikes, and Ninja Up.

...I've only just realised how demonic that bird looks.

And...

I ran my first 5k this week. And my legs, rather unwillingly, managed to get me round in one piece. This is possibly the most effort I have ever put into something, that isn't sleep or blogging...

Woop for effort.

A rather amusing ending gif. 

Who are you supporting in the Commonwealth Games?

Dusting Off The Shelf Read-A-Thon

I found this little read-a-thon a couple of days ago and jumped at the chance to participate. For one, the topic seemed perfect, as it gave me the excuse to read a few old and neglected reads. The idea is inspired. Also, it only lasted 2 weeks and for once I actually WASN'T LATE TO FIND IT! Plus, the host is only Books & Cleverness, one of my all time favourite blogs!

Who wouldn't want to give it a go?

Here is a post where she discusses the challenges:

Click Me

And here is a post where she discusses the read-a-thon in general:

No Click Me

Challenges.

• Read a book set in the past.
• Read a classic.
• Read a book written before 2010.
• Read at least 100 pages a day.
• And of course…the books must be neglected by you!

MY UTTERLY SPLENDIFEROUS TBR.

• Read a book set in the past: Catcher In The Rye by J.D. Salinger
• Read a classic: I'm gunna have to pitch for The Great Gatsby by F. Scott. Fitzgerald. My sister literally raves about this novel... and I know it's shameful of me to say I have not read or watched it.
• Read a book written before 2010: The Maze Runner by James Dashner. This is the same choice as Emily's, purely because the film is coming out so soon and I need to read it before then. Also my brother raves about this ... we have a very raving family.

I would really love it, and I am sure Emily would too if you could participate in the read-a-thon!

I shall keep you posted on my progress through here and twitter using the hashtag: #dustingofftheshelf 

So what have we achieved in this post? We have learnt of my raving family, my lack in organisational skills when it comes to books as this post is a day before the reading starts, and the shame of me using the word splendiferous in a title.

I'm just that awesome.

Probably the best gif I have ever seen.

Like, Love, Loathe #1

Like, Love, Loathe is a weekly blog meme hosted by Futures and Life in a Break Down. Where we discuss our likes, loves and loathes of the week!

 LIKE 

My like of the week would have to be The Commonwealth Games, mainly the swimming, cycling and athletics! It has (kind of) fixed by Olympics craving and will tide me over until Rio 2016.

The funny thing is I am about as sporty as a carrot so I have no clue why I like it so much!

 LOVE 

The weather, obviously! It is so sunny here in England (what a surprise!) and we have been taking the full advantage of it, with about a thousand barbecues, a freezer full of ice-cream and a sun lounger.

 LOATHE 

Summer animals.

I am pretty sure the garden population of wasps, flies and slugs has tripled this summer. The slugs that wade across the grass in formation are rather amusing though, almost like it's an army.

(Crap I bet it is...)

What have you been loving and loathing this summer?

Top Ten Tuesday #2 - Authors I Own The Most Books From

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly bloggish meme hosted by The Broke And The Bookish in which we list our top 10 of a certain topic. This week's topic was 'Authors I Own The Most Books From' and so here it is (... in reverse order because again, I'm not conforming to society's norms #rebel):

4 Books.
I have 4 books by both Malorie Blackman and Pseudonymous Bosch (that name took a long time to write...). 

The Noughts And Crosses series, as of yet, I am enjoying and have a signed copy of Noble Conflict. 
I can literally feel your intense jealousy.

And the 'secret' series I used to read when I was younger; they were actually really good, and I love the titles, and front page of these books.

5 Books.

I don't know quite how this happened, or if it counts but I have 2 books of both Catching Fire and Mockingjay... And because Suzanne Collins is amazing, I decided to allow it as 5 so she could make the list.

I also have 5 books of the Skullduggery Pleasant series by Derek Landy

6 Books.

I'm guessing these are by multiple authors?!

I also have 6 Rick Riordan books. Of which I have probably read 2...

13 Books & 3rd Place.

I have 13 Enid Blyton books from when I was younger. I used to be in love with these mysteries, and my best friend from ages ago bought me the Famous Five book. 

I also have another 13 books from another favourite childhood author - Lemony Snicket (or Daniel Handler, his real name)

15 Books & 2nd Place.

Robert Muchamore and the infamous Cherub and Henderson Boys series. I absolutely still adore these books, and am pretty sure I have read all of them 3 times each.

8 of the books are on my Kindle hence why there are only the 7 in this picture 

20 Books & 1st Place

I'm pretty sure that's some kind of record

Anthony Horowitz. 

My pre-teen writing hero for the StormBreaker series and his horror short-stories, these books have been read at least 5 times each, and remain in the coveted top shelf of the bookcase.

I would love to read your TTTs so comment below the links and I will be sure to check them out! 

Which author has the top shelf of your bookcase?

E-Reader Review | Kindle Fire

My staple holiday pack is my Kindle Fire HD 7", and it always manages to secure a coveted place in my hand-luggage.

The Amazon tablet, not just allows you to read your favourite books, but also play apps, listen to music, and trawl through a plethora of assorted films and TV shows.

You can buy this device for a very cheap price of only 119 pounds, making me believe the buy is worth it.

Pros.

One of the biggest factors I look for in an E-Reader is whether or not it is easy to read on holiday, in the sun - and I think that once the brightness has been turned up, the device passes this test.

The HD is incredible. 

There is so much more to do than just read books on this device,  such as watching a movie, divulging into copious amounts of apps or listening to music.

There are so many books!

Extensive settings, and parental controls; and the whole device is very easy to use.

The speakers, for an E-Reader are fantastic.

Cons.

It seems as if Amazon are trying to plug their name everywhere and trying desperately to get you to buy content.

The device can be sluggish to turn on, and slow at times.

There are other devices (such as the iPad) with a wider range of apps to offer, but I suppose the point of the E-Reader is mainly the books.

The camera isn't fantastic.

Outlook.

I really like my E-Reader, and what can I say? It does the job. I know that there are more flexible devices out there, but the Kindle does what it is supposed to, and offers some fantastic other features. Furthermore, for such a cheap price, I would definitely recommend it!

Do you have an E-Reader?

Love The Little Things | Week 1

Love the Little Things is a weekly blog meme hosted by But Why Mummy Why (I first found it here, by Me, Bookshelf and I) in which we appreciate the little things that have made up our week.

Read.

The Shock Of The Fall - Nathan Filer

And Noughts and Crosses - Malorie Blackman

Watched.

Film-wise: Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes,

And you can read the review of that here.

TV-wise: Nothing in particular ... the Hell's Kitchen finals, Big Brother, the Commonwealth Games, a few re-runs of How I Met Your Mother and The Big Bang Theory.

Heard.

I am raving about the album X (Multiply) by Ed Sheeran at the moment, and have heard every single track copious amounts of times... it's almost an obsession.

Also George Ezra's new album 'Wanted On Voyage' is pretty darn incredible.

Played.

I am now a master at MarioKart 8. You're all jealous.

Wore.

I have practically lived in my chino shorts this summer. I have a fair few pairs (namely 7), with a good mixture of pastel and bright colours. They tie in with any outfit and are perfect summer wear in my mind.

A few of my favourite colours. Going down they are:

Mint Green

Light Grey

Coral

And due to the adversely sunny weather here in the UK at the moment, I am also loving my SuperDry Sunglasses.

And.

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade and instagram it.

I want to know what you've been reading this past week? Any decent recommendations?

If you want to join the tag, just post on your blog and link to Butwhymummywhy; also comment the posts down below so I can check them out too!

Bookish Question Tag

What's better than bookish questions? Unnecessarily long lists of bookish questions! 

I first saw this list at The Notebook Sisters, but it is believed to have originated here.

The list originally consisted of 55 questions, but because I'm lazy and I know you wouldn't want to trawl through all 55, I condensed the list to just my favourite 27 questions!

1. Favourite childhood book?

The Tiger Who Came To Tea (a rather unusual subject looking back on it)  or any Dr. Seuss book ever.

2. What are you reading right now?

I have two books on the go at the moment: Noughts And Crosses by Malorie Blackman which I have heard great things about, and a rather impulse buy yesterday of The Shock Of The Fall by Nathan Filer.

3. Bad book habit?

Not giving books a chance, and putting them down in the first couple of chapters. In my defence, who really wants to read a boring book?

4. Do you have an E-Reader?

A Kindle Fire, my staple holiday pack.

5. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or multiple?

I would say that I could read 2 or 3 at once. Any more and my brain leaves my head.

6. Least favourite book you've read this year?

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe 

A tad extreme but still...

7. Favourite book you've read this year?

Easily The Fault In Our Stars, or Black Friday, or Ready Player One.

8. Do you usually read out of your comfort zone? What is it?

I would say I read a good variety of books, but my comfort zone is definitely dystopian type novels.

9. Can you read in the car?

Can you?

10. Favourite place to read?

Wherever and whenever.

11. Do you ever dog-ear or write in your books?

Who do you think I am?!

12. Favourite genre?

Dystopian - hands down.

13. Genre you rarely read but want to more.

I used to love reading thriller/horror type books,, and really want to get into them again.

14. Favorite biography?

15. Best reading snack?

Anything sweet.

16. Do you often agree with critics when it comes to books?

I usually don't agree with what the critics say. You know  - be different and all.

17. Most intimidating book I've read?

Probably something weighty like Dickens, or Austen. 

18. Most intimidating book I don't want to read?

I do not want to read The Lord Of The Rings. Persuade me if you want.

19. Favourite Poet?

Spike Milligan (and not just due to his pretty awesome name).

20. What distracts you most when reading?

The TV in the background. Weirdly, I can read and listen to music at the same time though.

21. Favourite film adaptation?

Probably Catching Fire (I liked the book the least out of the trilogy but the film was amazing) or The Fault In Our Stars.

22. Most amount of money spent on a book haul?

I have never really noticed how much I have spent, but  probably around the 40 pound mark.

23. How often do you skim your books before reading?

I don't like skimming as I always manage to read the most important twist of the book.

24. A book you have been avoiding?

Again, The Lord Of The Rings. I have seen the films and am not the biggest fan *sorry*. I don't really want to trawl through the novels.

25. Book you didn't except to like but did?

The Lord Of The Flies by William Golding. Wow this book is brutal.

26. Book you expected to like but didn't?

Insurgent by Veronica Roth. I wouldn't say I didn't like it but in my opinion it wasn't the best of reads.

27. Favourite 'easy' reading?

Anthony Horowitz.

Try answering the questions on your blog and then comment the link down below because I would love to check them out!

But for in the comments, who are your favourite poets, authors and people you read without much effort?