Secret Santa + IMM (7)

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY

I hope you all had a wonderful day :) 

This year I took part in my first book blogger secret Santa :D Thank you to Bree from The Magic Attic for organising the whole thing; it's a brilliant idea!

So, off my secret Santa I received Across The Universe by Beth Revis x)

I would like to thank my secret Santa sooooooo much. I CANNOT wait to read it and it really made my day :D Thank you thank you thank you! 

If you'd like to reveal yourself, it would be much appreciated :')

Other books I was given by family were:

One Day by David Nicholls

Mansfield Park by Jane Austen 

The Fault in our Stars (pre-order) by John Greene is also part of a Christmas present :D Excited! 

What did you guys get for Christmas? ^_^

Bucket list recap

Okay, so a while back I started to write up a bucket list. I keep going back and adding things onto it, and today I can cross something off. I made my first ever gingerbread house! :D

Ta da!

Here is my bucket list so far:

1. Donate money to charity 
2. Skydive
3. Meet a famous author
4. Visit Niagara/ Angel Falls 
5. Get married
6. Write an article for a newspaper/magazine 
7. Go scuba diving 
8. Learn horseback riding
9. Ride in a hot air ballon 
10. Swim with dolphins 
11. Go to a concert 
12. Go to a weekend festival 
13. Volunteer at a hospice 
14. Hit bulls-eye on a dartboard 
15. Go to Madame Tussauds 
16. Go to Paris 
17. Be an extra in a movie 
18. Kiss in the rain 
19. Fast for a day
20. Go to Hampton Court Palace 
21. Get a part time job
22. Go to college 
23. Get into university 
24. Get a full time job 
25. Own a Canon SLR camera 
26. Go to prom 
27. Play the piano in front of a reasonably big crowd 
28. Live in an apartment 
29. Visit The Pyramids of Giza 
30. Visit Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris 
31. Go to New York 
32. Donate blood 
33. Be Head Girl 
34. Have children 
35. See Mumford and Sons in concert 
36. Go to a midnight premier of a film
37. Be a bridesmaid 
38. Go paint balling
39. Pass my drivers test 
40. Watch the Bucket list
41. Make cupcakes
42. Go to a spa 
43. Go to St Petersburg
44. Kiss under mistletoe
45. Own a pair of Converse 
46. Make a gingerbread house 

I wasn't feeling very festive until today :( But now I am so excited! :)

I hope everybody has a lovely Christmas.

In My Mailbox (6)

Wow. It's been a while. I'm sorry.

I've been so bogged down with school work recently.

My New Year's Resolution is definitely going to have to be to stick to my blog better.

Anyway.

I recently received an Amazon voucher as an RAK :') 

With it I bought The Book Thief by Markus Zusak:

I've only just started reading it and WOW. His writing is beautiful...I'm not entirely sure if that's appropriate word usage being as it's narrated by death. But still, his metaphors are amazing and they are so well thought out. I'll give you a quick preview:  

"The plane was still coughing. Smoke was leaking from both its lungs.

When it crashed, three deep gashes were made in the earth. Its wings were sawn-off arms. No more flapping. Not for this metallic little bird."

I couldn't get over how brilliant this was. It's so clever. 

Another thing I got in my mailbox was my book from my secret Santa! :D Whoever you are, thank you! Don't reveal yourself until Christmas though. I'm not going to open the package until Christmas day, but you have no idea of how nice it was to come home to that :)

One last thing, my parents have pre-ordered A FAULT IN OUR STARS by John Green for part of the Christmas present! I cannot wait for that!

What books are you guys asking for for Christmas? 

Have a nice night :)

I think I need to talk about it...

Someone close to my family has recently become very ill. She's been ill for a while, but it's gotten far worse recently. She's been told that she WILL lose her sight, it's inevitable. Yesterday, she was rushed into hospital because she had collapsed. Apparently she had multiple brain seizures. Today we were told she's just had a stroke. This is where trying to find something positive to say is near impossible.


I can't even imagine what she must be going through and all my prayers are with her. My mum is going to see her tomorrow, but I'm not allowed to go. My mum said this was for 2 reasons: 
1)I'm at school -_- (So mundane it's infuriating ) 
2)She doesn't want me to see her in such state because it would upset me so much


Once, I would have said that the 2nd reason was fair enough, but not anymore. One of the last things She said to me was "I really don't think I want to live anymore." At this point I was on the verge of breaking down into tears myself. When I got home, I did. 
Hopefully I have a full life ahead of me-I know it will be full of both beautiful and tragic experiences (that's life) but I can honestly say that seeing an old lady, quivering in her chair, with no close family left, almost asking for death, will remain to be one of the most heartbreaking things I will ever hear/see. 


This whole situation is so sad. I want with all my heart for her to get better, but what if she does? What kind of life will it be? I know she will never fully recover. So it's just made me think...


if it's kinder to let go of those we love, we do we fight with all our hearts to keep them here with us?


Some may say we are selfish?Others may say it's just incredibly strong love? In the end, I think it's just another one of those things. A stepping stone over a river. 
Sometimes the river is gentle and calm, sometimes we can float. Other days, it's cruel and reckless- pushing us as far and we can go. Sometimes we drown. 
But, whether we drown or not, we all end up in stillness eventually. Together. 


I know this post will bear little meaning to anyone but me, but if you have read it - Thank you. 


Now we must make the choice. Life is limited. Live it. 


S. 

In My Mailbox (5)

Another one so soon? XD

This is rare!

This week I had a bit of a spending spree on Amazon! 

I bought: 

The Hunger Games (boxset) - Suzanne Collins

I've already read it, but I borrowed them from a friend. After finding out how awesome they were I knew I had to have my own copies.

Bloodlines - Richelle Mead 

I can't wait to read this! 

The Vampire Academy Graphic Novel 

The Perks of Being a Wallflower- Stephen Chbosky

I have heard SO many good things about this book... I don't think I'll be disappointed! 

In My Mailbox (4)

(Long overdue) 

Firstly, I bought: 
Summer of Skinny Dipping - Amanda Howells
This is a really good book, and to say I was surprised by it was an understatement. I will say no more...




















You Against Me - Jenny Downham 

This was defiantly a good book and I found myself relating to the characters quite a lot. The only thing that bothered me about this book was the ending; I felt as if it wasn't complete. Sadly,I still had questions unanswered . 

Butterface- Gwen Hayes 
When I bought this book I didn't realise that it was a short story. It wasn't until I looked at my progress bar on my kindle and saw that I had read three quarters of the book in almost no time at all. If I'm honest, this put me off straight away. I don't like putting any negative reviews out there, but I find they always help when deciding whether or not to buy a book. On the whole I felt this book was a bit of a disappointment. I felt it had the potential to be a good story, but it was far too rushed and therefore it felt  clichéd. 

Looking For Alaska - John Green

Having not yet read this book, no spoilers please. I've heard so MANY good things about this book and really can't wait to read it. 






















I also received my first giveaway win in August, which I am VERY late mentioning. (sooorry)
So thank you so much to Danielle- here is her awesome blog Frenzy of Noise
She sent me a signed copy of City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

I ordered some more books the other day, so if they come in time I should be doing another IMM pretty soon! Happy reading everybody :')
P.s If anyone can help me to get rid of all the spaces on the post I would be very grateful. They don't show up until I publish it :/  

Sorry for the delay.

Okay, so I keep telling myself that I'm going to do more to my blog, unfortunately this week it did not happen sorry.
This is where I was...

But in reality it looked a bit more like this...

And I just so happened to bump into this strange bean :)
A very creepy coincidence indeed. Fancy meeting you here. 

 Well yes, anyway, that is my excuse for this weeks absence. I was on holiday in Menorca with my family :) (Where I just so happened to meet my best friend :O) 
While I was there I read 4 books, so I will post about those in a little while. 
I'll try and keep you posted.

In My Mailbox (3)

This week I bought: 

Going Too Far - Jennifer Echols
I've wanted to read this book for a while, and after reading a sample of it on my kindle I decided it was a must have. 

The other book I got was:
The Lying Game - Sara Shepard 

Let me know if you've read either of the books, and if so, what did you think of them? 

Oh Harry Potter :')

No words can describe the new Harry Potter film. I'm not going to give any spoilers, just if you haven't seen it yet- why are you still here?!Go.Now. 

Anyways now that I've seen it, I can finally read the books. I know to some people it may seem like a crime that I haven't already read them, but I grew up with the films. I didn't want to read the books when I saw all of the films not knowing what was going to happen. I hope that makes sense to some people. Tradition or whatever you want to call it.

Anyways I'm off to see it again tomorrow with my friends, this time in 3D. Haha, I can't wait. Opinions of the film everybody?

S. 

In My Mailbox (2)

I got my first RAK this month, and if you don't know what this is then head over to here! :)

I was kindly sent: 

The Boyfriend List by e.lockhart 

My friend recommended this book to me, and said it HAD to be read. So I'm excited to read this and it is definitely going to the top of my tbr pile :) 


Thank you so much to Stephanie from http://stephlikesbooks.blogspot.com/ for sending me it :') 

Waiting on Wednesday (1)

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead 


Release date: 
August 23, 2011


Description: 
BLOOD DOESN'T LIE. Sydney is an alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of human and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives. When Sydney is torn from her bed in the middle of the night, at first she thinks she's still being punished for her complicated alliance with dhampir Rose Hathaway. But what unfolds is far worse. Jill Dragomir - the sister of Moroi Queen Lissa Dragomir - is in mortal danger, and the Moroi must send her into hiding. To avoid a civil war, Sydney is called upon to act as Jill's guardian and protector, posing as her roommate in the last place anyone would think to look for vampire royalty - a human boarding school in Palm Springs, California. But instead of finding safety at Amberwood Prep, Sydney discovers the drama is only just beginning...

What are you waiting for?

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

In My Mailbox (1)

I bought:

Passion by Lauren Kate

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

My mum also happened to meet the author Anne Watts, who was lovely by the way, and so she got me a signed copy which Anne wants me to review :') eeep.

I love this :) ^

Basically that's it :D A few weeks ago I bought Anna And The French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins which I had very high expectations for, and of course I wasn't disappointed. It's a fantastic book and Stephanie Perkins' writing is amazing :) 

Hmmmm. I'm quite behind.

Right today should be day 15...but I've been rather busy...again.

Day 9- A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most

I would have to say this coool bean :') She's a bit of a special one. Thankyou :) <3

Day 10- A picture of the person you do the most ****** up things with

Hmm this is a hard one, it depends what is meant by ****** things :L I'll just say all of my friends :) 

Day 11 - A picture of something you hate

And no, before you judge me, I don't hate children with folks... 

It may be typical, but I will never EVER like brussel sprouts. 

Day 12 - A picture of something you love

Reading :') No matter what the situation, no matter how bad things get, reading is and always will be a peaceful escape.

 Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist

I found this hard to choose, but after seeing them in concert last year, I HAD to pick them. They were AMAZING. If I could have picked more Kings of Leon would definitely be near the top, as would Mumford & Sons XD

Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without

I think it would be Jessica again ;D Gets me through it all she does. Of course my family as well <3

Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die

Skydiving is a definite. Preferably for charity :)

Oh yay I'm up to date again now! 

S. 

The 30 Day Photo Challenge and more :)

Yes I know I missed a couple of days :( I'll make it up to you now XD

Day 4 - A picture of your night 

Day 5- A picture of your favourite memory 

I found it hard to choose, but this is one of them.

Day 6- A picture of a person you would love to trade places with for a day

Jennie Garth- because that would make me Mrs Facinelli :')

Day 7- A picture of your most treasured item 

My nanas ring which I wear on a chain around my neck <3

Day 8- A picture that makes you laugh

^ never fails to amuse me

On a different note

I had my first ever giveaway win today! I'M SOO HAPPPY :) 

GIANT shout out to http://www.frenzyofnoise.net/ 

Check out her blog now :') 

One last thing

Today in English we had to write a piece of charity. I found it really hard to put it down in words, the whole concept of it and more.

So: 

What does charity mean to you? 

S. 

The 30 Day Photo Challenge & RAK :')

Day 3-A picture of the cast from your favourite show

I was feeling indecisive so it's a draw between One Tree Hill, 90210 and The Vampire Diaries 

Also, off the subject of The 30 day photo challenge, I confirmed my first R.A.K today :) And yes, it's made me feel really good about myself. Random Act of Kindness is such a great idea and more people should definitely get involved. So if you don't know about it- go over to the Book <3 Soulmate's blog and have a loook :) 

Even the tinniest thing can make a difference. 

Think about it. 

S.