Friday 31 October 2014

The world of books...

“That's the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet.”
Jhumpa Lahiri, The Namesake

This summer I have made a conscious effort to read more and this was not a particularly difficult task as I had not finished a book since last summer!  I am wanting to read a book a week, which I know is not much compared to some people, but it is definitely a challenge for me!

I thought I'd tell you a little about the books in the picture above.

 
How I Live Now - Meg Rosoff
I was given this book for my birthday in December and it had been collecting dust on my bookshelf  until recently. When I initially read the blurb this book did not seem to be my type of story however, on one rainy Saturday, I decided to give it a chance. The story features an American teenager called Daisy who moves to England to stay with her cousins, she is enjoying life in the English countryside until a modern day war breaks out and her life is thrown into turmoil. I loved reading "How I Live Now" and I enjoyed the variety Meg Rosoff  squeezed into the 211 pages. I say "squeezed" in a complimentary way as I think smaller books are a lot less terrifying than those giant ones which weigh a tonne because I know I will finish it! 

 
How They Met And Other Stories - David Levithan
I bought this book as I wanted a lighter story to read on hot summer days. This book was perfect for what I required as I was a compilation of short stories - as the title suggests! I loved every story and what I liked about the book was that it was written by the author when he was in high school for his friends which means it has been written from a simple angle that has not been over edited the way some adult stories have been and has not been over complicated. Each story is individual and
memorable and I am sure I will be dipping into to this book again.


 

The Ocean At The End Of The Lane - Neil Gaiman
This is the book I am currently reading, once I finished "How They Met And Other Stories" I was feeling like I needed to read a more challenging book but I wasn't sure what genre I was looking for. Then, when looking around Waterstone's, I spotted this book and remembered Tanya Burr had talked about it in her "What I got for my birthday 2014" video (watch here) and so I got it. I am loving this book, it is the type where it takes an enormous amount of strength to put the book down as you just want to find out what happens next! This book wasn't what I expected but is similar to other books of Gaiman's so if you've enjoyed some of his stories before then give this one a go as its amazingly well written.


Eleanor and Park - Rainbow Rowell
I had not heard of this book before however it seems a perfect holiday books and seeings as I'll be going to Cornwall next week I have picked it up for a beach book. It is a romantic one which is my favourite type for summer! I'm really excited to read the book and hoping it will be a lovely way to relax in the sun on holiday!


What books are you reading at the moment?

Wednesday 9 July 2014

Day Trip To Cambridge

Last Friday I went to Cambridge with my school. We went for the open day at the university and I was really excited for the trip as I knew it would be a really interesting day.

We were allowed to have the whole day in the beautiful city with no restrictions or rules other than making sure we returned to catch the coach back in the afternoon, this meant we had a really relaxing day.

I spent the day walking around Cambridge for a while, listening to a few talks, having lunch in "The Backs" (a cute little park) and being with friends.

Friday was definitely a scorcher, it was something like 28 degrees which for England is boiling(!) and this hot weather meant only one thing - icecreams! Sadly I ate my icecream immediately so I don't have a photo but let me tell you it was deeelicious!!


The picturesque river Cam by Kings College.