My Reading List // 2014 Books

Bonjour!

Well considering I have both a mental and physical pile of books that I want to read this year I guess I will be sharing a few with you. Although it shan't be too boring...

Well let's kick things off with a series I am dying to finish!
The Mortal Instruments:

• City Of Ashes
• City Of Glass
• City Of Fallen Angels
• City Of Lost Souls

Having already read City Of Bones I am literally drawn into the books to come and have to say that they are the best books I've bought as a series in a long time. As said before I'm not really one for reading this type of genre and would rather watch the film but to be brutally honest, the book is 100 times better than the film in this scenerio, when I first watched the film (after reading the book) I was built up with excitement and anticipation but only to be met with slight disappointment. The acting is perfectly fine but I feel like too much of the book is cut out and it wasn't centred around the book enough. Hopefully City Of Ashes raises the bar a bit! Or should I say steele for those who have read the book;)

A book by a trio of writers:
Let it snow. One of my favourite authors John Green co-wrote this book with Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle. The reviews of this book have made it sound like a must read to I look forward to reading that eventually. 

Two books by John Green:
Paper Towns & An Abundance Of Katherines.
These two books have both been recommended to me and I have read about both of them. Both their story lines seem different to each other and still as compelling as ever! And obviously I will be buying them in the near future to fill up my John Green collection:)

A recent buy:
Day Of The Dead.
Crime and mystery and two of my favourite genres to read as they really make you think and string you in. I find these books are quick reads for me too as they are hard to put down and I am hoping that this one is no different. It is based on a dream holiday gone wrong basically and looks very promising.

A book popular with teenagers:
It's A Kind Of Funny Story.
I was saddened by the news of Ned Vizzini taking his own life last month as I have been told about many of his books by a friend of mine. This book has been described as 'finding a way to put emotions into words' and as a 'refreshing novel' and I have waited a long time to read it...and still am yet to buy it...

Well once I have read one or two or all of these books I will be sure to blog about it and also write about the new list of books as there are still lots of books I missed out! Let me know what you think and be sure to share this blog, it would really help me out! Thank you!!!

Back on Sunday!
Shannon xx

A Swift Transition // Winter To Spring

Hello back again!

Well, after changing my mind three times and drafting two blogs I have chosen today's blog. Seeing as it is nearly the end of winter and start of spring I believe it is a good enough time to go through the clothes I have been living in for the past few freezing months as well as some spring time favourites. I would just like to add I am not a fashion guru and so these opinions are all basic and in no way professional speaking... If there is such a thing. All images will be attached below.

One item I bought as soon as the sales started was a patchwork cream cardigan with pockets. Although when I bought this I thought it would be a bit more fitted but I think that these types of cardigans look must nicer when slightly over-sized and add some extra comfort.I purchased this from Asda in the sale at half price of £9.00 last month but at the moment I know Primark are doing these exact cardigans in an array of colours for £12!

Aviator boots. My main footwear for the cold weather. These are brilliant because they go with practically every outfit whether it be with leggings, jeans or even a skirt. They are great for wet weather which comes in handy living in soggy England and they are warm.
I bought a cheap pair from Shoe Zone but they are available in all shops.

One item of clothing that I think is perfect for all year round is shirts. Thin shirts are great for under jumpers, heavy cardigans and add a cute look to any outfit. Chiffon blouses are a very popular buy I believe and this material means it's great for summer as it's nice and light but also perfect for colder weather as you can layer your clothing.

A recent buy I am looking forward to wearing in the spring is a Burgundy cotton dress I bought from Primark for £5. This was my absolute bargain of the month! With quarter length sleeves it is perfect to wear under a cardigan or light jacket and looks great with chelsea boots which I also bought recently from New Look for £19.99.

                              

                  

I hope and pray this blog hasn't bored you into the next century and if it hasn't let me know what you thought and if you would want another blog in this style! I have decided that I am aiming to blog on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays...whether that routine sticks who knows!?
I hope you have a great week and will look forward to "up-blogging" on Thursday HOPEFULLY!

Until next time, 
Shannon xx

A Year Of Suspense // 2014

Hello again!

Well this year I've made it my aim to have a more optimistic year and hopefully it will work.
The main thing I am so excited for is "The fault in our stars" film which is in cinema's June 6th I believe!!!!!! (Can you feel my excitement!!!!) As mentioned in my previous blog I am hoping to read the book a second time, just before I see the film. I'm just hoping it's not as heartbreaking reading it a second time!


As I'm in year 11 I'm doing my GCSE's in the summer and although I am slightly dreading them it's exciting to think that I won't have to study half of these subjects again. The best bit about ending year 11 will hopefully be prom! I started looking at dresses months ago; although I won't be buying it for ages. I have to say some of the dresses however look disastrous, especially the yellow ones which may I add would make you look like a lemon meringue! 
 There is definitely a resemblance!

By summer I will have a bigger room which means more room for books, guitars and more books! Speaking of books I currently have 9 books sitting on my bedside table longing to be read. As well as these books I still have more to buy and read; there just isn't enough time and space for books in my life!

Some smaller things I hope for:

A job. When people say it's hard finding a job they are not joking, I have been looking now for at least a year and nothing! There were a few close calls but nothing. By the end of this year I want to be earning money no matter how small (well not that small because money is money and you need a lot to buy things...).

Either a professional or  Polaroid camera. There is a big price difference between these two products but having both would be awesome. Both for capturing some great moments and for practicing photography which I grow to love more and more each day.

Lastly, The Vamps. Well not actually them obviously, I can't have them... but by the end of this year there will be an album and hopefully a headlining tour which I'd have ticket to. 

Well hopefully 98% of these turn out amazing or at least like 10%... I don't know, let's just hope something amazing happens this year. 

I hope this was worth your while reading and if you have any suggestions for a blog then fire away! I would love to try something new this year too so do leave some ideas, Thank you!

Until next time,

Shannon xx

My Top Five // Books of 2013

Hello again!

Well 2013 was definitely an amazing year for books including those being made into motion pictures. Links to all of the authors book will be below.

~ The first book on my list is of course "The Fault In Our Stars" by John Green. This book received an amazing response and was widely recommended so I decided I would read it. Best decision of 2013; this book is compelling and really hits home. This is the fastest I have ever read a book and I am planning to read it a second time before seeing it in theaters! I would actually recommend any book written or co-written by John Green as from experience they have always had a feel good effect on me or made you appreciate the small things in life.

~ The second book I recommend strongly is "Blood Loss" by Alex Barclay. I picked up this murder mystery whilst in a supermarket as I wanted a change of genre to read and it was one of the most mystifying and insightful stories. Although I wouldn't recommend it to those under the age of 13, it is definitely a book that makes you think and question the way peoples minds work.

~ An additional book that truly puzzles the human brain is "White Crow" by Marcus Sedgwick. This book was recommended to me by a friend and I have never felt to tied to a book before; this story really has a way to rope you in and keep you guessing the story line which is never truly revealed. The end of the book leaves you in pure confusion and frustration but also a real sense of respect for the writer as he has written such a mind boggling book with such simple words and questions. Even months after reading this book I am still trying to work out the exact plot but maybe some things are best left undone. 


~ Another book I recommend (which is now a film) is "The Mortal Instruments: City Of Bones" by Cassandra Clare; this is book one of a five book series which is still being added to. Although I don't normally read books with themes of mythical creatures, I found this book hard to put down. The story-line is brilliant and just when you think it cannot get any better there is a huge plot twist near the end which leaves you longing to read the rest of the series. I look forward to reading the rest of the series and hope they live up to the reputation the first book has set.

~ The next book I have chosen is "Wreck this journal" by Keri Smith. Although this book was published in 2007 and is not a novel or an actual book with a story, I bought it in 2013 and it has been a great book to pass time. There seems to be something slightly satisfying about wrecking a book, although I hate cracking a spine on a normal book, this was some what relaxing and when you notice the book slowing becoming a mess it feels like an accomplishment. I think this book is a truly amazing idea and recommend this book as well as other Keri Smith books.
   
Links to these authors books are all here:
John Green - http://johngreenbooks.com/
Alex Barclay - http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/b/alex-barclay/
Marcus Sedgwick - http://www.marcussedgwick.com/
Cassandra Clare - http://www.cassandraclare.com/
Keri Smith - http://www.kerismith.com/

I hope this has given you some ideas on books to read and if you've read any of them then let me know!
Shannon x