T.G.I.F. Friday, Dec. 2nd - Writing Reviews 101

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Friday, Dec. 2nd - Writing Reviews 101: What's your process for writing book reviews? Any tips or suggestions you would recommend to other bloggers?

I don't really have a process per say...

If I'm on a reading streak and have read 3 or more books in a weekend (It has happened!!) then I will write mini post it notes with random words and phrases that have popped into my head while reading. I try to sit with a note book next to me as I read but then I find myself writing the review before I've even finished reading the book!

I try to just use the small little notes as prompts and mainly go off my main instincts and thoughts on a book. I try to be critical but sometimes you cant just help gushing about certain books and I know I'm the worst at it! 

Any hints people can give me so that I have a more organised reviewing process?

T.G.I.F. Friday, Nov. 25th - When You're Not Reading

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Friday, Nov. 25th - When You're Not Reading: What occupies your time when your nose isn't stuck in a book?

Recently I have been doing a whole lot of nothing! Or at least it feels that way!! 

I've actually just been on holiday and before and after that I've been cleaning, packing, sorting out stuff at my office and then cross stitching! 

I am currently cross stitching Christmas cards for my nearest and dearest and then will begin to get on with all the cooking I do for Christmas (I make lots of chutneys and cakes as presents)!! 

Mainly I'd say if I'm not reading, I'm watching TV,  cuddling my cats, watching the partner play whatever new game he has, or cackling with my Girls...but I always come running back to reading!!

T.G.I.F - Friday, Oct. 28th - Spooktacular Reads

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Friday, Oct. 28th - Spooktacular Reads: Which books do you consider festive Halloween reads? Which stories have chilled you to the bone?

I currently can't think of anything that was scary to read yet. I know there's lots on my pile to read that people have said are scary. I think I'm going to read Practical Magic again, all the witchyness will satisfy my need to read something Halloweeny!  

Any books people can advise?

Hope you all have a spooky Halloween!!!

Steffikins xx

T.G.I.F. Friday, Oct. 14th - Show & Tell

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Friday, Oct. 14th -Show & Tell: Where do you grab a book and get lost in it? Show us your favourite spot you like to read at.

Anywhere!! However my most common place is here:

Yep..Plain old (very, very comfy) sofa with my phone, my ashtray & cigarettes, and usually a cat or two jumping on me. The kitten (pictured) has a habit of hitting the book as I'm reading it as she wants attention!

I also love to read next to an open fire, or lying on the floor however I don't have a fireplace in my house (booo) and if I lie on the floor then the cats have to be locked out the room. I also try to make sure I have random paper/receipts/vouchers for bookmarks lying around as I never end up using the same bookmark again! 

As much as I love to read outdoors, my only problem is that I end up getting distracted and people watch...or pretend I'm reading while hearing random conversations or watching people and that's not good when trying to read something really interesting!

Where do you like to read?

Steffikins

xxx

T.G.I.F. - Friday, Sept. 30th - Banned Books

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Friday, Sept. 30th -Banned Books: How do you feel about the censorship of the freedom to read? Do you think the education system needs to be more strict on what children are exposed to in books?

I don't think any books should be banned at all!


Half the books that were banned before are now read continuously and no-one can see an issue with why they were banned in the first place!! It also meant the books that were banned were more popular and more people wanted to read them...complete mistake banning them really!


I also think attempting to ban books nowadays, with the mass use of the internet, would fail dramatically! You can get hold of anything online so if a book was banned I'm sure there would be someone somewhere who had a copy and would put it on the internet!

There are some books which kids shouldnt read at certain ages...I remember stopping my 6 year old sister reading a LGBT novel I had, but that was more I didn't want to answer her questions, or have to explain to my mum what the book was about or why I had it!

But I know she read it a few years later and that doesn't bother me, I think there are books with some topics that young kids shouldn't read but as you get older its a persons choice and right to read what they want!

What do you think??

Steffi

xx

T.G.I.F. Friday, Sept. 23rd - Reading Challenges

TGIF is hosted by Ginger from GReads!

Friday, Sept. 23rd - Reading Challenges: Did you sign up for any this year? How has your progression been? 

I came to the blogging party half way through the year, so I've missed out on joining any large reading Challenges.

I did set one up through my Birthday Challenges and am currently on book numbers 24 and 25 out of 100. I'm also trying to make sure I review at least 50 (currently written 10!), though this has now changed into at least do a blog post about as some are a bit too hard to review or I don't feel I can do the book justice!

I think I will start seeing what new challenges start towards the start of the next year and join in, I'd love to try and look at all the books that are based on computer games, or Zombies. I think these are an awesome niche market!

Any Reading Challenges people can advise that I should take part in? Or where I will be able to find a list?

Thanks! 

Steffikins xx

T.G.I.F. Friday, Sept 16 - Book Disappointments

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Friday, Sept. 16th - Book Disappointments: Have you ever come across a book you were so stoked to read, but it failed miserably in your eyes?

Part of me really wants to respond "No, of course not!!" but somethings stopping me posting that reply..

I think part of what I'm internally disagreeing with is that I'm never disappointed with a full book, it's always just a section which then continues through the rest of the book. I think the book which failed the most to me recently was "Not My Idea of Heaven" by Lindsey Rosa (Review here) and I think it was because I was so excited, so hyped, and then it all came crashing down. 

Lots of small things disappoint me within books, but I can't think of any in particular...I try to ignore them or forget them!

What do you think??

Steffi xx

T.G.I.F. - Friday, Sept 9th - Books to Television

TGIF is hosted by Ginger from GReads!

Friday, Sept. 9th - Books to Television: Which books would you love to see made in to a tv series? or movie? 

So many books have made me wish to see them being acted out...but so many have come across and failed!

Currently I am in love with the Gallagher Girls Series (Reviews here for book 1, and here for book 2) and I would love to see them do a series...however there's a deep sinking feeling inside when I think "They will kill it". Stormbreaker was the same. Both are about spies, teenagers and the cross between and I always thought it would be amazing as they are so full of action. HOWEVER...within 10 minutes of Stormbreaker being on I was close to crying.

Alex wasn't how I imagined him. Looks wise they'd made him too good looking, sounds very odd but as I read it I imagined a quiet boy who blended in, and in the film they'd made him popular, super good looking, lots of charm and I wanted to just cry or yell at the people.

So I think making books into movies is a hard thing and any director/producer/writer/actor that takes it on must have to know somewhere in the back of their mind they have all these fans of the books to keep happy!

And I know I've just rambled how much it upset me...doesn't me a small part of me wants a Gallagher TV series/movie!!

What do you think??

Steffi

xx