Book Review: The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

I wish I had a twin, though mainly cause I want to confuse people.
 
Angelfield House stands abandoned and forgotten. It was once the imposing home of the March family--fascinating, manipulative Isabelle, Charlie her brutal and dangerous brother, and the wild, untamed twins, Emmeline and Adeline. But Angelfield House conceals a chilling secret whose impact still resonates...

Now Margaret Lea is investigating Angelfield's past--and the mystery of the March family starts to unravel. What has Angelfield been hiding? What is its connection with the enigmatic author Vida Winter? And what is it in Margaret's own troubled past that causes her to fall so powerfully under Angelfilds spell?

This was a everyone was raving about a few years ago (and the BBC recently made adaption of it that wasn't that great). It wasn't quite what I was expecting. I thought it was meant to be a scary book but it not really. There is a haunting of sorts and creepy twins.

There is a few sort of themes going on in the books. It deals with child abandonment of the emotional and physical kind. There is whole thing with twins with two sets in the book. There are different sort of sibling relationships none of them healthy which is really the certain of the novel. The main characters are all sort of tragic and comparisons to each other going on. Some of their actions are rather questionable so you not sure if you like them or not.

It written with a slow pace and it not really a book you're rush through. For some reason I get sort of lost when reading Setterfield. I read her new book (and reviewed it) and found myself doing the same thing with it. What I mean by lost is that I'll miss chunks of writing and have to reread the page. That could be my Dyslexic nature showing but I haven't done it with another writer in along time.

There's a lot of book love going on. Margaret grew up and works in old book shop and Vida Winter is a writer with a library. So you enjoy books that feature books then this could be for you.

Overall, I gave it 5 out of stars for scars. Whilst it wasn't what I was expecting, I still enjoyed it. There a small creep factor. It well written books and there are some lovely (perhaps not the right word) scenes going on.

Book Review: My Swordhand is Singing by Marcus Sedgwick

It has way old school vampires and passed the graveyard test so that all you really need to know.

In a bitter winter, Tomas and his son, Peter, settle in a small village as woodcutters. Tomas digs a channel of fast-flowing waters around their hut so that they have their own little island kingdom. Peter doesn't understand why his father has done this, or why his father carries a long, battered box, whose mysterious contents he is forbidden to know. 

But Tomas is a man with a past--a past that is tracking him with deadly intent. As surely as the snow falls softly in the forest of a hundred thousand silver birch trees, father and son must face a soulless enemy and a terrifying destiny.

 This book features old folktale vampires. You know 'your loved one coming from the grave to drink your blood' type of vampire, the ones that actually resemble zombies more than a modern interpretation. There is other mythology as well, like the Shadow Queen. It creepy and tensed. There is this big complex plot building up, it seems more for the benefit of the next book. There is actions scenes and madden runs whilst as having a good plot for all the action to take place in.

Characters are alright, Peter is lonely youth with his only friend
being a horse that's older than him. Him and his dad moved around a lot and the local villagers don't like strangers because you always blame the people you barely know for the blood sucking monsters attacking people. There some sort of romance. I've got to say that I don't really read Marcus Sedgwick for his characters, they do tend to be a bit bland. It the actual story I come for. I think my favourite character was the horse.

Overall, I give 4 out of 5 stars for singing hands. I definitely read next (and I think final) book in the series. Though, I don't feel the rushing need to go out and find it (especially since my library doesn't have the next one). It worth if you like vampires, that are scary, and have interested to read something based on the old mythology.

Janurary Ramblings

Heló peops, so there nothing perpendicular I want to talk about in this week. I've read 16 books so far this month (this year would be accurate too). I've brought so many books that I don't want to think about it. It's not my fault it WhSmith who sell damaged books at full price but had buy one get one half price on their graphic novels yesterday. Brought Kick-Ass and Batman so fun times a head.

Stuff that I didn't say in last week post because of having a post that actually had a point. I'm finally getting a new bed which should come Monday. My room is still not quite ready for it to be built.  I found mould on some of my books the horror, attempting to sort it out. I've been buying things I shouldn't (Here's a hint it starts with a 'B' and ends with a 'K'. I finally moved that bookcase last week, now to move the chest and then the TV. I'll have to move the camp bed out of my room.

I have to finish my room this weekend. Last night I kept knocking this bag of clothing next my bed over. I'm also sitting a top of a pile of books next to be review. The next three weeks of reviews are planned, only one week written or read but that will change soon. It nice to have a plan that falls in with my British Book Challenge.

I really need to stop buying so many books, I have like over hundred books waiting to be read and yes I've read 16 books this year but 11 of them were library or Netgalley a.k.a books that I don't actually own. Yes, some were me catching up to series I've already started and therefore saving me from actually buying them. I  just buying too many. I need to stop for a while. Maybe not stop buying books altogether more sticking to ones that I've wanted for a while.

I kinda only want to buy books by British authors or books that are being relased this year. Maybe I buy one or two books a month (I guess more if its a boxset I decided to buy but then only the boxset). Not like a number I'm allowed to spend, yes I need to save but the number of books I own unread is a issue I would like to reduce.

I plan to not get as many books from the library once I'm done with the Vampire Academy series, there's a few I want to take out as to finish a series or to try a series out that I've heard a lot about. The library does save me some money and its a good source for British books.

I'm starting this Hospiaty course on Monday which will hopefully lead to job so I have more money to save for this holiday. I hope it goes well.

My sleeping pattren as been rather weird lately. I've been trying to turn it so I'm awake during the daylight hours not much success. For instance, last night I fell asleep a 10pm and woke at 1.11am. I got back to sleep at 4 something and woke at noon from probling. It'll probably woke itself out.

I hoping to join this coleb channel but I need to film audition. I've done the main filming but need to extra bits tomorrow (realistic it will happened then) and then edit it. There's a lot of people interested.

I finished reading The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield in the early hours of this morning (a review will eventually appear here) so I watched the BBC Adaption. I'm not sure if I like it or not. I think a good adaption should capture the spirit of the book and I don't know if it did. There are certain changing that I really don't like. 
I guess all for this week so I'll see you in the next.

Book Review: Just One Year by Gayle Forman

Dutch boys never seem interested in me, mainly because I've never met any.

Funfact: Willem is Blonde.

Twenty-four hours can change your life . . . 

Allyson and Willem share one magical day together in Paris, before chance rips them apart. 

The romantic, emotional companion to Just One Day, this is a story of the choices we make and the accidents life throws at us.

But is one day enough to find your fate?

Basically, this fills out the missing parts of the Just One Day by being in Willem's point of view. Also elaborate on things hinted on in the first book about Willem's past.

 The book is separated into two parts with the same titles as the last one and we join Willem's point of view. We find out about Willem childhood and what he was getting up before Allyson finds him.It answer at lot of questions that left unanswered in the first book and it definitely worth it to read it if you're enjoy the book. I don't think the book would much sense if you haven't read the first book at points.

Some character development going, this is like an instant love book but it the realistic kind where they doubt which I love. Meeting each other causes them both to question their lives and relations with other people. Allyson in the first book and Willem in this one. Willem has lovely friends, but he is sort of arsehole to girls. Though, I actually like Willem a lot better after reading this.

Overall, I give it four out of five stars for clueless girlfriends. It was enjoyable read and a good addition to the story. It leaves you wondering but I think the end is promising enough. If you like the first one then you should definitely read this one.

Book Review: Butterfly Grave by Anne Cassidy

What a beautifully title...There's a reason this blog has weirdness in the title.

Death is circling ever closer round Rose and Joshua...

It almost christmas time when Joshua's uncle, Stu, has a near fatal accident, leaving him in hospital with head injuries. Determined to help, Rose and Joshua head to Newcastle to visit.

But even Joshua's uncle has a dark past touched by murder and it looks as though his injuries are anything but accidental. As Rose becomes increasingly preoccupied with the deaths she has witnessed, and Joshua more and more paranoid about who might be watching them, a brutal killing occurs. Somebody really does not want Rose and Joshua to find their parents. But who? And why?

Okay, to start with this the third in the Murder Notebook series so I'm assuming if reading this that you've read the other two books ( if not I did do a review on the second one Killing Rachel). So let start the actual review.

In the last book we had issues from Rose's past and now it Joshua turn. So we in New Castle where Josh lived with his uncle till the whole going down to London for uni.

It follows the format of the other books with two crimes having happened with Rose and Joshua trying to find out what actually happened. In terms of the Murder Notebooks, there was development but I feel like we don't learn anything new. Though, there is a reveal in this book and I think it meant to a bigger deal than it is to me. You already knew it and book seems slightly filler on that front.

I'm not emotionally happy with this book because of spoilery things. It probably intended to show how things have got more serious and how life is not fair. It just seem unnecessary to me. There is romantic developments for those who care.

Overall, I give this book  4 out of 5 stars for Angels of the North. It was slightly better than the last one for me. I'm three books in already, so even if this had been terrible I would have still read the next one but I'm looking forward to reading it.

Univeristy Thoughts (I'm so lonely).

My parents have this concern if I go to uni I'll be rather lonely. I don't share this concern that much since there is always phones, skype, Facebook and other wonders of the internet. I mean there lots of ways that I can keep in touch with my family. Sure I might end up being lonely but I'm already lonely where I am.

Family is great and all however none of them really share the same interest with me. I have no real friends down here. Anyone I get friendly with, has this tendency of moving away. Most of my friendships have ended with a moving van (and no none of them were ran over by a van). I still friends with them on Facebook which I would still be able to do if I moved across the country.

I think my parents are so concern I do what my brother did. Sure, I do have a history of avoiding school but most of those times was caused by other factors. I'm applying for something I like, I'm not just settling for being offer to be. Sure, there is university that my parents would be prefer be to go to cause they're closer to home or other family members live near there but I'm not going let geography define what I do for the four years of uni (It might end up being 3 years of uni). Frankly I've already made that mistake.

My parents have this double standard of saying that worry about me if anything was to happen to them because they don't think I'm independent enough. I don't know if they're just lumping me in with young half of their children. One of the reasons I think going to uni would be good for me is that it would force me to be independent. I would have to learn to survive on my own, but in more of a safe environment than just randomly moving to another city.

I know there's not a lot stuff that I do for myself. I don't do the ironing because I suck at it and have no need to learn to be better. I don't do the general cleaning of the rest of the house. Yes, I hover but with 5 hairballs of pets that always going to be a losing battle. I don't how to use a washing machine, the one time I tempted it I dye some of my clothes and probably damaged the others. I also don't buy my own food. Though, I live in a house where food tends to become life for another organism before any humans get to it.

I just hate where I live, I guarantee that I won't be living down here as soon as I can afford to live by myself. Mainly, because there not a film industrial of any kind. Sure, films have been filmed around here but not regularly. Even in terms of writing, this place just makes me unhappy and there nothing here for me but depressing sites. I basically want to leave so I never run into someone from I know every time I go out.

I just hate it here and it feels like I'm always about to spill into depression around here. My parents bring up these points. Going uni is already a scary notion, it been 4 years that I've wanted to go to uni and I haven't backed down. I'm sick of uni seemly like a pipe dream. I know it going to be hard for me to get in because life hasn't been fair. However, I'm not going to stop that from stopping me for going for it.

I want to study Film and English. I don't care if those are hard jobs to get into afterwards. Someone does do them and maybe I'll be one of those people.

Book Review: The Name on Your Wrist by Helen Hiorns

I really want one of those wrist guard things for some reason now.

It’s the first thing they teach you when you start school. But they don’t need to; your parents tell you when you’re first learning how to say your name. It’s drummed into you whilst you’re taking your first stumbling steps. It’s your lullaby. From the moment it first appears, you don’t tell anyone the name on your wrist.

In Corin's world, your carpinomen - the name of your soul mate, marked indelibly on your wrist from the age of two or three - is everything. It's your most preciously guarded secret; a piece of knowledge that can give another person ultimate power over you. People spend years, even decades, searching for the one they're supposed to be with.

But what if you never find that person? Or you do, but you just don't love them? What if you fall for someone else - someone other than the name on your wrist?

And what if - like Corin - the last thing in the world you want is to be found?

The gripping debut novel from the winner of the inaugural Sony Young Movellist Award.

This book won a contest that I almost entered myself but ended not doing because Stranger was not even finished a first draft and wasn't happy with it anyway so I was intrigued to see it on Netgallery.

I've gotten to say at the start it was bit toilet obsessed. I mean in the opening paragraphs feature wiping and pee. Nothing with those topics, it just really stood out to be.

This is a dystopia but it more character driven than world building. Mostly it's just Corin being critical of the government, her family and just people in general. Her relationships and general frustration at being stuck in the same place for years. Corin is very relatable as nineteen year old (probably because a nineteen year old wrote her). I've been there.

The ending isn't very satisfying. When I really think about the whole book feels a little undeveloped which isn't surprising considering it was the product of a contest. I just wish the ending was bit freshen out more and certain relationships like Corin with her sister. The ending part really annoyed me because it doesn't quite make sense for Corin just stands there and takes it.

Overall, I gave 4 out of 5 stars for nice forced accessories. It could have been better but was still good. I liked the idea. It just would have befitted with some more work. It petty short, definitely worth a read.

2014 Goals

This week has been book heavy as I've been partaking Bout of Books 9.0 Readathon. I've so far read 6 books which if you're counting is one more book than how many days there is. I'm hoping to have read 9 books by Monday Midnight. I also went to both of the libraries I frequent and plan to go again next week to big one.  Though, reading all these library books isn't very good for some of my challenges these years. 

1. To read a book a week. I like reading books at this rate and will need to if I'm to meet my other book goals. (so far I done this and more).
2. Read 100 books. I read 103 books last year but I'm doing stuff this year which I might be busy so I could have read more that easily last year so I'm just going to stick with that goal for next year.
3. I want to finish writing The Stranger a.k.a my June 2012 Camp NaNoWriMo novel a.k.a the novel I've been working on since I was 15. I would really like to have a finished first draft of this novel. Its an aim.
4. To continue with this weekly blog. Maybe even to have blog main topics pre-written and thought out more. I suppose my blog will becoming more like twice weekly. 
5. I think maybe focusing more on Creative Writing. I've got so many ideas that I want to do and I'm planning to something creative writey for a career.*fingers crossed* Also it could be part of the whole weekly post thing. 
6. On the other subject of writing, I want to start keeping a diary every day better than I did last year. I just really want to have a daily record of my life and you know writing everyday should make be a better writer (hell, maybe even a quicker one).  
7. To pass my driving tests. Need to do my theory and practical. I'm back on the insurance this year and I'm seeing about possible fund like I said in last week blog. It would be nice to get this done before May so I'll be able to drive before Open day season as both my parents can no longer cope with long journeys well and you know independence and that. 
8. To write Personal Statement and applied to UCAS (University). I want to get this done in petty of time so I don't have to have a mass panic around December 2014 to get in on time. Applying early is my goal. 
9. To do filming this summer so I have a good portfolio of stuff and not just use something because it all I've got.
10. To do well in my studies of all sort. I've applied to college starting in August, hopefully I'll be accept so I want to do well straight away. The finial exam will actually be next year but I still need to have good predicted grades. If I'm doing well they be less stress to when it comes closer to exam time.
11. To get a job. I'm meant to be going on Holiday this year and so I need spending money. Also saving some money for Uni would be good too. I've never had a job so getting real work experience before Uni would be brilliant as I am going to have to work to support myself realistically. 
12. To read 50 books by British Authors, this is part of the British Book Challenge which I'm doing for the second time this year. I did it last year and managed to 22 British Books in that year (I also won books from doing so you know fun). So I've decided to up myself on this front, also I was shocked by the number of books I read by Americans. I have to read a book and write a book almost every week if I'm to managed that. 
13. To read 60 books from existing book pile. This should be easy as I don't plan to really buy books this year as I own tons I haven't read yet and I have to save money this year. I'm taking part in Mount TBR Challegne which equals to be read piles with Mounts. Who knows I might manage to tackle a higher Mount than I think. We're see. 
14. To finish ten book series. I own/access to a lot of completed series so it would be good to get a lot of them done this year and ten seems like a good number. 

So that basically my plan of action for 2014. Wish me luck. Now I'm off to read and go see The Desolation of Smaug (wish me luck again).

Book Review: Pawn by Aimée Carter

I would totally be an VIII.

Are you more than the number on the back of your neck?

For Kitty Doe, it seems like an easy choice. She can either spend her life as a III in misery, looked down upon by the higher ranks and forced to leave the people she loves, or she can become a VII and join the most powerful family in the country.

If she says yes, Kitty will be Masked—surgically transformed into Lila Hart, the Prime Minister’s niece, who died under mysterious circumstances. As a member of the Hart family, she will be famous. She will be adored. And for the first time, she will matter.
There’s only one catch. She must also stop the rebellion that Lila secretly fostered. The same one that got her killed…and one Kitty believes in. Faced with threats, conspiracies and a life that’s not her own, she must decide which path to choose—and learn how to become more than a pawn in a twisted game she’s only beginning to understand.

 Basically, Kitty agrees to something without knowing what she was getting herself into (not that she had much choice in the matter) and the real plot takes off from there. Kitty gets chosen to be masked because she has the same eye colour as Lila which is apparently rare. The government is corrupt (but what dystopia is not). When you seventeen, you take a ability test and results indicate where you work for the rest of life. Its I to VI, Kitty is gets a III which means she get manual labour and because she has no family she meant to be get sent to different city far away. It very dark world Carter has made. Nothing about Kitty life is fair. She finds herself in a family that just scheming against each other which might involve murder.

Kitty is actually quite smart but she can't read. It never actually stated in the book but she obviously Dyslexic which made me realise that I think this is the first book that I've read that has a dyslexic character as the Protagonist. I know the frustration of failing a test/not doing as well as hoped due my dyslexic nature. Running out of time before you're finished always sucks. Obviously, I could retake the test but also marked down for failing in the first place. I like her, she has spunk. I also likes the fact that Kitty might do something stupid but knows it stupid so you don't to shake her till she get sense. She backed into a lot of corner in this book so some of them can't be helped.

The characters that Kitty comes in contract after becoming Masked are complex bunch. She never really sure if she can trust any of them because their motivation ain't always that straight forward. There are some gems there and of course because this YA so there is three teenage boys involved that I know from the other reviews that they is shipping going on. Though, if you don't like sort thing much (like me) you can ignore it and focus on the plot (which is really good by the way). There is some romance but it not overbearing and actually goes with the plot and its friendship romance so it nice.

There's is one thing I don't get. Why is it a Prime Minister if there no King/Queen? The Harts are basically old fashion Royal family in that the oldest rules the country and has done for the past three generations. They do have a vote but it only ever one name on the ballot. It small thing, just why did American swapped from a president in the first place?

Overall, I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars for stolen oranges. This the first of a series and I'm looking forward to the next one which is meant to be out sometime this year but Pawn just came out so going to be good few months. I think it promising series and I'm very intrigued with what happens down the line. If you like dystopia or people swapping life with each other I recommend this book to you as it good on both fronts.

I got this book off Netgalley for Review. Published by Mira Ink. 

Bout of Books 9.0 Read-a-thon (6th to 12th January 2014): Goals and Updates

I've decided to take part in week long Read-a-thon and for those unaware of Bout of Books:

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, January 6th and runs through Sunday, January 12th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 9.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team.

I'm just going to put my goals here.

My Goals

• To finish reading all the books I've got currently out of the library.
• To start the Uglies Series by Scott Westerfeld (Maybe even finish)
• Check out the challenges, chats and that. I'm not really sure since I've never taken part in Bouts of Books before so we see.
  

Books to Read

• Pawn by Aimée Carter
• Butterfly Grave by Anne Cassidy
• Such Wicked Intent by Kenneth Oppel
• My Swordhand is singing by Marcus Sedgwick
• Uglies Series (Uglies, Specials, Pretties, Extras) by Scott Westerfeld

Time Devoted to Reading 

I plan to read 5 hours a day most of the week.

Updates

Monday 6.1.14 (wrote 10.58pm)
What I read today: Pawn by Aimée Carter

Total of books read today: 1
No. of books started today: None

No. of pages read today: 239 pages
Books Finished:1
Thoughts: I had a busy day and never got enough sleep yesterday so I'm happy with what I read today. However, I would like to read more tomorrow so I'm just going to call it quits early, get some proper sleep and get a good start.

Tuesday 7.1.14 (wrote 2.57 am Wednesday)

What I read today: Butterfly Grave by Anne Cassidy 
Total of books read today: 1
No. of books started today:1
No. of pages read today: 212 pages
Pages read total: 451 pages
Books Finished Today: None
Total Books Finished: 1
Thoughts: I actually read less today, I was out all day and when I got home I had a five hour nap so not the best way to read. I kinda want to read a book a day so slightly disappointed with myself but I'll might make up for during the week.

Wednesday 8.1.14 (wrote 12.20am Thrusday)

What I read today: Butterfly Grave by Anne Cassidy, The 100 most Pointless Argument in the World Solved by Alexander Armstrong & Richard Osman, Such Wicked Intent by Kenneth Oppel.
Total of books read today: 3
No. of books started today: 2
No. of pages read today: 670 pages
Pages read total: 1121 pages
Books Finished Today: 2
Total Books Finished: 3
Thoughts: So I made up for not finishing a book yesterday. I finished 2 books and managed to get half way through another one. I think if I keep this rate up then I should be able to finish the Uglies series (assuming I can get into it). I did push myself to finish Such Wicked Intent because began to annoy me so much and not just the fact it meant to be a prequel to Frankenstein but the characters were generally annoying and it square romance in it. I mean Triangles can be bad enough. IT GOES SO MUCH AGAINST THE CANON IT PAINS ME! Hm, em I didn't really enjoy today challenges but I think that because I read such a wide range genre that I have no perpendicular loyalty to one. In summary, a good day of reading (even if what I was reading wasn't that good).

Thursday 9.1.14 (wrote 12.05am Friday)

What I read today: The 100 most Pointless Argument in the World Solved by Alexander Armstrong & Richard Osman, My Swordhand is Singing by Marcus Sedgwick, Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
Total of books read today: 2
No. of books started today: 2
No. of pages read today: 419 pages
Pages read total: 1538 pages
Books Finished Today: 2
Total Books Finished: 5
Thoughts: I'm very happy with my process so far if I keep this pace up I can finish the Uglies series and maybe get another book in.

Friday 10.1.14 (wrote 12.14am Saturday)

What I read today: Uglies by Scott Westerfeld, Petties by Scott Westerfeld
Total of books read today: 2
No. of books started today: 1
No. of pages read today: 512 pages
Pages read total: 2050 pages
Books Finished Today: 1
Total Books Finished:6
Thoughts: Petty certain I'll finish the Uglies series, not sure about another book after that. I forgot that I'm going to see a 3 hour long film tomorrow (Yes, its the second Hobbit film). So hopefully finish Petties and started on Specials before I leave to see it.

Saturday 11.1.14 (wrote 12.44am Sunday)

What I read today:Petties by Scott Westerfeld, Specials by Scott Westerfeld
Total of books read today: 2
No. of books started today: 1
No. of pages read today: 356 pages
Pages read total: 2406 pages
Books Finished Today: 1
Total Books Finished:7
Thoughts: Not a lot of reading done today, but going to see the Desolation of Smaug took away almost four hours worth of reading so it not surprising that today wasn't as good. I think I probably have finished 'Specials' if it hadn't been for that. I'm tempted to just read into the night now.

Sunday 12.1.14 (wrote 12.am 13.)

What I read today:Specials by Scott Westerfeld, Extras by Scott Westerfeld, Name on your wrist by Helen Hiorns
Total of books read today: 3
No. of books started today: 2
No. of pages read today: 444 pages
Pages read total: 2850 pages
Books Finished Today: 2
Total Books Finished:9
Thoughts: To be honest I spent a lot time thinking about reading. I was kinda fed up with the Uglies series so I finished Specials and got 50 pages into Extras before giving up and read The Name of your Wrist which was alright. The ending isn't very satisfying.

Overall Thoughts: I enjoyed this Readathon, took part in most of the challenges. I did up feeling a tad fed up but that might be part in with reading the Uglies book after book. I think next time I would have some separate if I ever try read full series in a readathon again. I did finish the Trilogy, if not all the books in the series. Well, I'm happy with the amount I read through.

2013 Summed Up (and the start of 2014)

Happy New Year, we 4 days into this year and I bet it gonna suck and be awesome because that's life bitches. We brought the 2014 with food and blue liquids. Okay, I was only one drinking blue WKD, everyone was champion and that. My sib actually sat and drank a full bottle of Captain Jack Strawberry & Cream by herself almost. You're meant to drink it as shorts. It tastes like strawberry milk with alcohol in it. My sib thought it tasted like favoured medicine. So we both agree its a taste of childhood with booze in it. So perfect to drink a year away.

I also exchanged gifts with my sister one Hogmanay as it was the first time we had seen in each other in the Christmas sort of time. I gave her and her husband scales and board with words on it for their kitchen. I suggest he use it to weigh his head to see how small his brain is. She got me jewellery, M&Ms and £25 gift card for Waterstones which will be fun to spend on Monday.

So far I've spent most this actual year sleeping, eating junk and reading the first book of the year.

Because this is the first post of the year it probably best that I reflect over the goals I set myself  last year which were:

1. To read a book a week (one or two misses will be forgotten).
2. To up 2012 book total so read 100 books
3. I want to finish writing The Stranger a.k.a my June Camp NaNoWriMo novel a.k.a the novel I've been working on since I was 15.
4. To continue with this weekly blog.
5. I think maybe focusing more on Creative Writing.
6. On the other subject of writing, I want to start keeping a diary every day.
7. To read more classics/great works of Literature for reasons. 
8. To pass my driving tests. Need to do my theory and practical. 

1.  This was a fail, I kinda stopped reading for a while. No particular reason. Just did. I just stop doing anything for a few months. That life for you.
2. I managed to read 103 books this year. Ew, I know odd number but I did try to read another book before the end of the year. It just didn't happen. So I read little more than my target. I also read a lot of comic books and if i had included them then I would have well past my goal.
3. I wrote a tiny bit of Stranger this year. Just trying to make the middle fit with the end is hard. Like I have the solution worked out and have for years but having the characters figure out is hard when they so focused on their parent issues. This is why Orphans are much easier to work with. I know I could just throw the parents out the window like so many YA writers before me but that just wouldn't work for the story. Moving on.
4. Well, I am writing this post ain't I?
5. Er...no. Not a lot of creative writing happen. Maybe more than 2012 though, I supose not since I wrote out most Stranger during 2012.
6. The diary kinda fell apart during the time I did nothing for months.
7. This started out great but then once again fell apart during the months of nothing. Damn those months of nothing.
8. LOL. I actually stop being on the insurance and gave up my lessons in a fit of frustration some point in the beginning of the year. I had been basically thinking of getting a new instructor for months before that. I was just not learning anything and there was no improvement at all. I'm going back on the insurance and hoping to get some sort of funding because I'm Carer and sometimes my parents are too ill to drive.

Overall, 2013 year was petty dull year. There were no new developments. Some drama was added to other things. I didn't apply to Uni due to Panic/laziness. I earned petty pointless qualifications. Music was alright. TV was alright. It was just alright year which is petty disappointing considering how cool a number 2013 is. I left my Teenhood behind which was kinda sad.Twenty just feels so old and I could go into Quarter life crisis any day now.

I'm going to do this year's goal next week as this a lot text already, for now I'm off to attempt to tidy my bedroom.

2014 Mount TBR Challenge

I'm taking part of Mount TBR Challegne this year. I will be aiming for a  Mt. Kilimanjaro (60 books from
your TBR pile). I had thought about doing Mt. Ararat (48 books) but I own a lot of books that I haven't read so I thought I would properly challenge myself.

1. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
2. Petties by Scott Westerfeld
3. Specials by Scott Westerfeld
4. Extras  by Scott Westerfeld - Series Review
5. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
6.  Dead Jealous by Sharon Jones
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