Chase thunder with the volume down

As I mentioned in my previous post, I had lost my blogging motivation, however, right now it is back.. at almost midnight. apologies to my followers who don't have much of an interest for reading as this post is about my challenge i am setting myself and also a review of the book i finished about 5 minutes ago!

I believe it was Kelly (twitter name kelanjo) who mentioned she was doing this, and I decided that I wanted to try it.. this was a while back and I was too poor to be able to buy books.. and so since my birthday I think I have about 12 books I have accumulated that I now have to read.. and so I have decided to attempt to read a book a week. I will do a weekly post.. probably around wednesdays.. about the book I have just read.. I will also tell you my next book and so if any want to join me you could also read the books as I do.

The book that I decided to start off my challenge with really was a task. It is called 'The Lady Elizabeth' by Alison Weir and at 500 pages I was doubting my ability to finish it in time.. but nevertheless I finished it with ten minutes to spare.
 

picture not my own; source: 

http://www.womanandhome.com/articles/travelandentertainment/books/368232/the-lady-elizabeth-by-alison-weir.html
I found this book whilst at Dover Castle last Wednesday and paid about £8 for it.. which I am aware I would of got a lot cheaper elsewhere, however I was so intrigued by it that I had to buy it there and then and started reading it when I was in the 40 minute queue for the wartime tunnels. I have always been interested in the Tudors since I learnt about them in year 3 and so whenever I come across a book whilst I have the money to spare I end up buying them.. and this book has made me want to read about Queen Elizabeth I as a queen.. so if anyone has any suggestions of good books about Queen Elizabeth please comment!!!

The Blurb of the book says; 'England, 1536. Home to the greatest, most glittering court in English history. But beneath the dazzling facade lies treachery... Elizabeth Tudor is daughter to Henry VIII, the most powerful king England has ever known. she is destined to ascend the throne and deferred to as the King's heiress, but all that changes when her mother Anne Boleyn - Henry's great passion and folly - is executed for treason. Elizabeths life alters in a heartbeat. A pawn in the savage game of Tudor power politics, she is disinherited, declared a bastard, and left with only her wits to rely on for her very existence. But Elizabeth is determined to survive, to foil those who want to destroy her - or who are determined to use her as a puppet for their own lethal ambition - and to reclaim her birthright...'

I read the authors note at the end to see how much of this novel has been kept true to history and she assures that majority has.. and that there are few things (which are named but I don't want to spoil the story) which she has built on or practically made up to create a more risky story. however I don't think there is much that hasn't been based on at least rumour! I think that Alison Weir is a lovely writer and I will definitely be checking out other stories by her.. and as much as I rushed to finish this book it definitely wasn't a chore to read and i loved it! if only i had a book on Elizabeth as a queen to carry in with! I recommend this to everyone, for as much as she likes to use as much of the language used in the times (though slightly modernized) it is an easy read and never boring.. and I think that's because she cleverly skips out years where not much would of happened. Also the sectioning of the story into three parts makes it much easier to red because its like 3 books within one.

My next book is 'The Last Song of Dusk' by Siddarth Dhanvant Shangvi and I bought this from poundland for  pound!

Hope this wasnt too rambly... until next time
Laura xxx

Time for your bedtime story...

"Kathy, Ruth and Tommy grew up together at Hailsham, a seemingly idyllic school deep in the heart of the english countryside with a dreadful secret at its heart. Now thirty-one, Kathy attempts to come to terms with her childhood at Hailsham and with the fate that has always awaited her and her closest friends in the wider world."

I have just finished one of the best books I have ever read. It is called 'Never Let Me Go' by Kazuo Ishiguro. It has recently been made into a film which has now been released on DVD (starring Carey Mulligan, Keira Knightly and Andrew Garfield) However, having not watched the film yet.. I recommend the book first. Ishiguro has written this book so well, that even with a rubbish storyline (which it isn't.. at all!) you would be hooked! This book is fictional, and  the later parts appear to be set in Kent, which is where I live so from the descriptions I could guess the places being written about. This aside The book is amazing, the storyline is fictional however it raises ethical issues about science (what a bore... right?) but not in an obvious way.. I cant say much more without giving the whole story away. so I will posts a trailer link ( Never Let Me Go Trailer ) If your not a fan of reading, I recommend the film because it looks amazing and the idea is very good. This gets my thumbs up!

Until Next Time

Laura xx

Its not about the money

on tuesday, when the last of my exams was over i took a trip to town planning on not spending much money just to pick up a few basics. I decided I would pop into poundland to pick up a few stationary bits and pieces and stumbled across this book.

I now have a pile of books I am yet to read and should really wait til I have read a few before picking up any more but when a book grabs my attention I have to have it! Im not sure how good the book will turn out to be, however i have seen some well known books in poundland before.. and even some well known films so i don't doubt that it will be some dodgy book that should be avoided.. plus i have a love for anything indian related.

I will let you all know how i get on with it and expect a couple of reviews to come up in the next couple of weeks :)

Until next time, Laura x

I Been California Wishing On These Stars...

I'm sorry for not blogging these past couple of weeks, however exams and revision took control and even when i wasn't revising i was just too tired to be bothered with much else, however my exams are nearly over (with one to go in a couple of week) and I'm determined to get back to blogging.

I decided that since I hadn't really bought much lately that was really review worthy I would write a little book review instead. At christmas my friend bought me the book 'Falling' by Sharon Dogar because I had borrowed a book from her by the same author and loved it. Because of how much I had loved the other book I had high expectations of the storyline and the writing. Safe to say I was not let down, Yet again the writing is lovely and the only reason it took me so long to read is because I was scared of what was going to happen! (yes it sounds sad but i get like that with books.. and films!) 

The Back of the book says...

'Neesha is afraid - haunted by the fragments of a nightmare about a girl falling, far away and a long time ago.

Just when the echoes in her head overwhelm her, a boy unexpectedly comes to her rescue.

Handsome and talented, Sammy finds himself drawn to Neesha - but it's only when they come together that they begin to realise why.

Are they falling in love or being pulled in from the past - fated to replay a love affair that ended in blood?'

At First I imagined this to be a typical kind of love story, and going on the age of the characters (16-17) I would of said thats the age this book is aimed at. However there is definitely a depth to the book which is very dark and it covers very current themes like racism and also mental illness through one of the characters. I think these make it much more readable for older people as well.

Overall this was a lovely book and i love the artwork on the cover! I don't think that Sharon Dogar has many books out and if anyone has read any please comment :)

Laura x

When I walk the ground shakes...

Here is a small collective haul of a few things I have bought over the past month. Sorry (again) for lack of posts but blogging hasn’t been my priority lately, very very sorry. I have used some of the things in this haul an will give you my thoughts on them as I go through.

Clothes

American Flag Racer Back Top: £3 Primark

Sheer T-Shirt style blouse: £8 Primark

Baggy T-Shirt: £6 New Look (I recommend buying this in a couple of sizes larger at least, I choose to wear with one sleeve off the shoulder)

Floral Top: Primark, given to me from my sister.

Accessories

Pink Rose Earrings: £1 Primark

Indian style Dangly Earrings: £3 F&F Tescos

Pack of brown/wood bracelets: £2 Primark

Floral Sunglasses: £1 Primark

Black Frame Sunglasses: £1 Primark

Other:

Fake Tan Glove: £2 Savers

MUA Nail varnish in Shade 5 & Shade 1: £1 each Superdrug

Sainsburys Skin, Hair and Nails Vitamins and Starflower Oil vitamins: Sainsburys (price unknown)

Breakfast At Tiffanys DVD: HMV £3

Alice in Wonderland, Through The looking glass & Jane Eyre: 3 for £5 HMV

The truth about Melody Brown: free in cosmopolitan

Never Let Me Go: Borrowed

I promise I will get back into blogging now, I have so many blog posts lined up. Good luck to all of you who have exams coming up J

Laura x

Make You Feel My Love...

I know its an unusual time to do a 'favourites' style blog post. BUT there are so many things I am loving right now I just couldn't wait until the end of the month to tell you all! This month i have had virtually no money due to a phone breakage and have had to make do with what I already own (not a hard task I know) and not go out and buy anything! so here is everything I love right now!

1. Brown satchel bag - New Look £25

I LOVE THIS BAG! it is gorgeous, i love the reddish/brown colour and the fact its one of the only satchels i have found which i could carry on my arm! its very very roomy and is ideal for everyday!

2.The Undomestic Goddess - Sophie Kinsella (borrowed)

This book is one of those typical girly books about a romance... which I love! it was a bit slow to start but a few chapters in and I just wanted to carry on reading and not put it down! even if it is slightly predictable!

3. Grey Ankle Boots - New Look £10 (sale)

I was looking for a pair of boots like this for ages, and none of them that i tried on seemed to look right until I tried these on, and at £10 what a steal.

4.MUA lipstick in shade 7 - superdrug £1

It is a gorgeous vibrant coral pink colour, i have been looking for one of these for ages, who would of thought I would find an ideal one in the MUA section of superdrug!

5. Maybelline Lash Stilletto Mascara (present)

I have naturally long eyelashes so a lengthening mascara doesn't normally make too much difference but i love the volumizing effect, even though thats not what it's aimed at, it just gives me lovely lashes!

6.Max Factor sample lipgloss 'Vibrant Curve Effect' in Majeste

This lipgloss has absolutely no staying power whatsoever, and the special wand its advertised with is no different to any other lipgloss BUT I do love the colour!

7.collection 2000 Hot Looks Nail Polish in Parma Violet (present)

This is always on my nails (saying that it isn't right now) but these nail varnishes are excellent quality or their price and this colour is a fabulous purple/navy and I love layering my Barry M Pink Iridescent over the top!

8. ELF eye brightening quad in Blue Moon - ELF website £1.50

This is One of my favourite quads from ELF, i love the pigmentation and the fact they are such everyday colours. the two darker colours are matte, and the two lighter colours are slightly shimmery (the cream colour is an excellent highlight!)

Not buying make-up this past month has definitely allowed me to find some hidden treasures in my small but growing make-up collection :)

This is no Bridget Jones... well it is!

January.. famous for being one of the most depressing months of the year.. back to work, back to school after spending the Christmas holidays eating and drinking far too much. but there is one thing that is managing to get me through this down time. Bridget Jones Diary.. and nope I don't mean the film, I'm currently reading the book. and safe to say I LOVE it. Helen Fielding is amazing.. she captures life so well in her writing and makes it so relatable to all ages! it has inspired me to start writing my own diary which one day I will love to look back on, iI just wish iI had started on earlier! I recommend this book its almost better than the film!
comment your thoughts or book recommendations below :)

Christmas Haul

first blog post and i know its a week and a bit late but i wanted to do it as many of the things i got for Christmas i plan on reviewing or using somehow in the future and its a little insight into the things i like :)
well heres the list.. i guess you will have to try and match everything up and a couple of things on my list may have been used already so sorry about that!

My christmas presents!
-IPOD TOUCH (main present not in picture)
-The Wanted Book
-The Wanted Album (not in picture)
-The princess Diaries 1&2
-Avon Advance Techniques brush and comb (only brish in picture)
-Montagne Jeunesse Face Masks  in passion peel off and green tea.
-Superdrug pomegranate and cranberry peel off mask.
-Collection 2000 nail varnishes in fruit salad, parma violet and show off
-Max Factor Nailfinity nail varnish in Ruby Fruit
-Charlie red body spray and 100ml fragrance
-Avon Perfume Incandescence
-Maybelline Lash Stilleto mascara
-Avon double ended eyeline (silver &black)
-Falling by Sharon Dogar
-Glee eye shadow palette
-St Ives Apricot scrub in blemish fighting and superdrug flannel
-ColourTrend (Avon) eye palette in tempting twilight and lip palette in pink passion and glitter eyeline in silver
- Collection 2000 Dazzle Me! in Magical.
-and other various lipbalms, nail files, and lots of CHOCOLATE

i hope you all had an excellent christmas and new years (or other holiday if you dont celebrate christmas) comment below with what you got. :)