#SixforSunday – Children’s Books I’d Love To Read

Happy Sunday Bibliofriends,

We are continuing our Celebration of Children’s Books this November with a post today all about children’s books I’d love to read! We have just rebanded all of our books at school and my class has so many in there that I’d love to read. I’ve given up trying to look at the amount of books on my TBR as I just keep adding and adding and adding to it! I wish I had about 8 heads so I could read 8 books all at the same time! 😂

For those who don’t already know, Six for Sunday is weekly meme hosted by Steph over at A Little But A Lot.


Books That I’d Love To Read

The Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordan

So I must confess that I have “borrowed” these books from our school library because I really need to read them before the new series comes out! Thankfully – and almost unbelievably – I have managed to avoid all spoilers for the series so I really need to hurry up and read them before something spoils it for me!

The Famous Five by Enid Blyton

We recently bought a new house and the lady who lived there had left all of her stuff due to her being in a care home. Amongst the shelves of railway books were the original Famous Five paperbacks. I never really read anything by Enid Blyton as a child but it would be lovely to make my way through this series.

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

I have never actually made my way through all of the Chronicles of Narnia. I’ve definitely read The Magician’s Nephew and I think I’ve read a majority of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe but I really do want to read the rest of the series to see if I can identify all of the religious symbolism in it.

A Pinch of Magic by Michelle Harrison

I thought it best to include a fairly contemporary read and I’ve heard so many good things about this book that it makes me want to see if I can read it and link it to our Curriculum somehow.

Wonder by R.J. Palachio

I haven’t read this yet and feel like it’s one of those Kid’s Lit staples that you have to read at least once. I think it kind of marks some sort of turning point or acceptance to discuss disability/differences in children’s lit that we hadn’t quite experienced before.

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

I recently watched the Artemis Fowl movie on Disney+ and now I have that need to read the entire series! It was really fun!


Which children’s books do you have on your TBR list?
As always, leave your links below or drop me a comment to chat!

T xx

#BookTag – Outstanding Blogger Award!

Hi Bibliofriends,

Earlier this month I was nominated by the wonderful Alicia @ Colourful Bibliophile for the Outstanding Blogger Award. This is a completely new one for me so I’m so thrilled to get my first nomination!

Rules:
  • Link to the creator’s original award post.
  • Answer the questions provided.
  • Create 7 unique questions.
  • Nominate 10 other bloggers. Neither the award’s creator nor the blogger that nominated you can be nominated.
  • At the end of 2020, every blog that ping-backs the creator’s original post will be entered to win the 2020 Outstanding Blogger Award!

Alicia’s Questions:

Good news! You can now communicate with animals, aside from your pets what animal are you talking to first? 

Perhaps a leopard or a panther – some kind of spirit animal rather than something like a squirrel!

You can make any ONE fictional character (books, movies, video game, etc) come to life, who are you choosing?

Just one – from that broad a range of sources?!?! Perhaps James Halliday from Ready Player One by Ernest Cline – just so that he can create the OASIS and I can be a part of it. What a dream!

If you were a God/ Goddess what would you be Patron of?

Books is the automatic answer here right? Either that or something totally out there like Pokémon or waterfalls! 😂

What 3 songs would you use in a soundtrack to your life?

Awesome question!
Florence + the Machine – Shake It Out
Dolly Parton – 9 to 5
Spice Girls – Say You’ll Be There
Such a random mix! Haha!

A new species of animal has been discovered, what does it look like and what is it called?

It lives in the darkest depths of the rainforests so nobody has ever seen it’s real form. Some people think it is made of shadow although lucky eyewitnesses think it may look a little like a Niffler…
It eats lies, justice and inequality (and other general worldwide bullshit really) therefore it has been named Inprobumbra Comedenti 

You’ve found an enchanted doorway that can take you anywhere. Where are you going?

Middle Earth – ASAP please!!! I’d love to tour The Shire, see the elves in Rivendell wander the glistening streets of Gondor.

Space Travel is now available to everyone & the first Space Rollercoaster has been invented. Would you ride it?  

Hell yes! I am such a rollercoaster-junkie! Space Mountain is one of my favourite rides at Disney World so if it’s anything like that then count me in!


My Questions:

  1. TV networks are down; you can only have access to one streaming service, which are you picking and why?
  2. You are stranded on a desert island and can only have 3 unread books from your TBR – what are they?
  3. If you were Prime Minister / President for the day what law would you pass and why?
  4. If you could dive into the world of any book/film which would it be?
  5. Your favourite beverage to drink while reading?
  6. You can bring back one mythological creature to live on Planet Earth – which would it be?
  7. Favourite thing to do when you’re not reading / obsessing about your TBR / blogging?

I am nominating:

YOU – I am so rubbish at tagging people to take part in things (it gives me such a complex! 🙈). So if you’re reading this and you feel like giving it a go then consider yourself tagged! ☺️

Have a good week Bibliofriends!

T xx

#SixforSunday – Children’s Books I’d Love To Jump Into

Happy Sunday Bibliofriends,

We are continuing our Celebration of Children’s Books this November with a post today all about children’s books I’d love to jump into! One of the biggest reasons I love to read is that ability a book has to make me escape into a completely different world. That’s been a particularly crucial part of my reading in 2020. There are so many fictional worlds I’d love to jump into so it was quite hard to pick just 6 children’s ones for this list this week!

For those who don’t already know, Six for Sunday is weekly meme hosted by Steph over at A Little But A Lot.


Books That I’d Love To Jump Into

The Wizarding World – Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

I can’t make this list without mentioning the Wizarding World – it gave me such a home away from home in a bookish sense and will always remain one of my comfort reads for ever. Muggle be damned, I’d be escaping to Diagon Alley at the first opportunity I got!

Cheltenham Racecourse – The Racehorse Who Wouldn’t Gallop by Clare Balding

As a massive horse-racing fan I’d be desperate to jump into Charlie Bass’s world! This year has been the first time I’ve missed the opening meeting of Cheltenham for the 2020-21 Jumps Season since I can remember. Racing is such a different world at the moment (like most sporting pursuits I imagine) and I can’t wait until we can all be back watching those parade rings again with my Racing Family!

The Hundred Acre Wood – Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne

I absolutely love walking in a forest, particularly during the Autumn when the leaves are a riot of colour. The Hundred Acre Wood must be one of the most famous literary forests but I’d really love to have some tea and ‘hunny’ with some of Christopher Robin’s best friends.

Isle of Berk – How To Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell

Vikings – Check
Dragons – Check
Give me my passport to the Isle of Berk! I can’t imagine a better place for a dragon worshipper like me to spend time!

Narnia – The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

I think Narnia is one of those typical fantasy worlds that I imagine would be featured on a ‘top fantasy places to visit before you die’ series. To eat Turkish Delight with the White Witch and take a selfie with Mr. Tumnus by the lamppost… I imagine it’d be bookish heaven!

The Chocolate Room – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

I have such a sweet tooth that the idea of being able to visit the Chocolate Room or even just the entire Chocolate Factory then I’m definitely jumping right in! It’s one of my all-time favourite settings and one that I love to use as setting descriptions in our KS2 English lessons!


Which children’s books or settings would you want to dive straight into?
As always, leave your links below or drop me a comment to chat!

T xx

#BookTag – Sunshine Blogger Award

Good morning Bibliofriends,

The lovely Ahaana at Windows to Worlds who tagged me in the Sunshine Blogger Award. I absolutely love this tag and the way that it changes with each person’s questions.

Rules
(1) Thank the person who nominated you and provide a link back to their blog.
(2) Answer the 11 questions asked by the person who nominated you.
(3) Nominate 11 people and ask them new 11 questions.
(4) Notify the nominees by commenting on one of their posts.
(5) List the rules and display the sunshine blogger award in your post.

Ahaana’s Questions:

When did you start blogging?
I think I technically started blogging in 2017 when I was using a different blog title and identity called Cotswold Bookaholic. Blogging wasn’t something that really stuck back then and I couldn’t really find my blogging voice or purpose so eventually it fizzled until around 2019 when I relaunched as The Biblioshelf. 

Why did you start blogging? What made you?
I think I started blogging just to become part of a community and get involved. None of my family or friends enjoyed the types of books or even enjoyed reading as much as I did so I had to find other people to share that with! The blogging community has been so wonderful to me and I love that it is such an inclusive place to be a part of and share our love for all things bookish!

What’s your favourite part of being in the blogosphere?
Without a doubt, the amazing community and books, books, books! There are so many wonderful books and authors I’ve been introduced to because of the blogging community and for me that’s really the heart of why we’re all here in the great blogosphere!

What genres of music do you listen to? Any favourite artists/songs?
My iPod is so varied that a random shuffle can bring out Bob Marley followed by Dolly Parton, Eminem and Pavarotti. I don’t have one specific genre that I like listening to Florence + the Machine would definitely be my desert island discs or the discography that I’d be saving from a burning building. I’ve been on every tour and have every single album and remix going!

What’s your favourite book genre?
I think it has to be fantasy. It’s the one I gravitate to the most. There’s just something extraordinary about the magic, elves, witches, dragons and mythological creatures that make me wish I really did have a fictional worlds passport to escape reality on Earth sometimes.

Where’s your favourite place to read?
In bed or in the quiet, cosy spaces. I love the ideal of being able to read in coffee shops and things but I always get distracted by people watching so I need somewhere to read with minimal distractions as possible!

What do you dislike about blogging in general?
I sometimes wish I had the creativity to come up with lots of different posts and content rather than just keep posting tags, memes and reviews – that’s more of a personal goal rather than something I necessarily dislike. I wish I had more time to dedicate to it to.

Do you prefer dogs or cats?
I am definitely a dog person! I can’t remember a time when we didn’t have a dog in our house. They’re like family and I’d hate to be without them!

Which book is closest to your heart? Why?
This one is so tough. I have a few books that make my ‘God-Tier’ and they include: Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, The Throne of Glass Series and Ready Player One.
The most recent addition to this tier was The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwa because it absolutely stole my heart. I think it’s the way that Addie and Henry’s personalities, attributes and deepest desires reflected my own. They really resonated with me in a way that not many characters have ever done – so that book would have to be my pick! I love it so, so much!

What other hobbies/talents do you have besides blogging?
I have a large amount of useless knowledge and absolutely love pub-quizzes and gameshows. Before becoming a teacher, one of my hobbies was line-dancing (it’s where the country music influence comes in!) and I did choreograph some of my own dances which were published online.
Hobby-wise nowadays two sports I love watching and am involved in are Rugby Union and Horse Racing. I’m a member of both my local sports venues for those and am also an owner in several horse racing syndicates.

Do you have a pet? Or do you want one? Which one?
I’ve had so many pets over my childhood (chickens, ducks, geese, a rabbit, fish, greyhounds) but my all-time favourites are our dogs! We’ve had Cavalier King Charles Spaniels ever since I can remember – they’re more like family than pets!


My Questions
  1. What is your favourite type of blog post to write?
  2. Are you a mood reader or do you follow a set TBR?
  3. Do you have a ‘God-Tier’ of all-time favourite books and what is on it?
  4. Pick three authors to invite to a fantasy dinner party.
  5. What are your most anticipated reads for 2021?
  6. Do you have any special editions of books/series?
  7. What is the longest book you’ve ever read?
  8. Which season is your favourite and why?
  9. Have you ever DNF’d a book?
  10. Name the best thing you watched on TV/Film recently.
  11. If you had a spirit animal / familiar what form do you think it would take and why?

My Nominees

I’m rubbish at nominating people for things so I’m tagging YOU! If you feel like having a go at my questions for the Sunshine Blogger Award then consider yourself tagged! 😉


Happy Tuesday people!

T xx

#SixforSunday – Children’s Books That Would Make Brilliant Graphic Novels

Happy Sunday Bibliofriends,

We are continuing our Celebration of Children’s Books this November with a post today all about children’s books that would make brilliant graphic novels! Being totally honest, I don’t really read Graphic novels – they aren’t ever a genre that’s really been on my radar until recently so I must apologise to any authors/fans in advance if any of the following are already graphic novels!

For those who don’t already know, Six for Sunday is weekly meme hosted by Steph over at A Little But A Lot.


Books That Would Make Brilliant Graphic Novels

Cogheart by Peter Bunzl

I read this with my Year 6 Class as part of our steampunk topic and we absolutely loved it. Bunzl’s writing gave me such vivid images in my head of the world of Cogheart that I think it would be perfect for a graphic novel.

The Girl of Ink and Stars by Karen Millwood Hargrave

The setting and world-building in this book were so inventive that I’d love to see it in the imagery of a graphic novel.

Spies by Michael Frayn

I remember studying this in High School and I became so engrossed in the whole plot and the storyline. It would be nice to have this as a graphic novel so that I could dip back into it whenever I have time without reading the whole book all over again.

The Whizz Pop Chocolate Shop by Kate Saunders

I cam across the Whizz Pop Chocolate Shop by pure coincidence but it’s another one where the world is so fun-filled and fabulous that I’d love to see someone draw it out in graphic novel form – just to see those decorative chocolate moulds!

Eragon by Christopher Paolini

I think I read Eragon on holiday and became so entranced with the whole idea of dragons hatching from eggs – it really reignited my love for fantasy fiction. The trouble I have is that I haven’t read the rest of the series yet and I can;t quite remember all of the crucial details from the story – having it in graphic novel form would give me the perfect recap so I can finish the Cycle!

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

This is one of those books where I have seen the film but haven’t yet read the book. The whole idea of being able to read a story into existence is so magical and I thoroughly enjoyed the film so much that I’d love to read a graphic novel version of it!


Which books would you want to be transformed into a Graphic Novel? What are some of your favourite graphic novels?
As always, leave your links below or drop me a comment to chat!

T xx

#BookTag – The Netflix Book Tag!

Happy Tuesday Bibliofriends,

I saw this great tag on Witty and Sarcastic Book Club blog and as a recent Netflix convert I thought it would be the perfect post to do for Tag Tuesday! I was going to do a Book answer and a Netflix answer for each prompt but as I’ve pretty much been binging different seasons of the same TV shows, they mostly would have come out as the same!

Things I’ve been loving on Netflix: Money Heist, The Crown and The Umbrella Academy (almost finished that series) and Black Mirror: Bandersnatch (it was so weird but so fun!).

Things I’m excited to watch soon: Emily in Paris, Enola Holmes and finally getting round to watching the Shadowhunters series!

Original credit for this tag goes to A Book Lovers Playlist

Recently Finished- the last book you finished

All the Wandering Light (Even the Darkest Stars #2) by Heather Fawcett – this series is really wonderful and the setting is so unique – loved it! 

Top Picks- A book that was recommended to you based on books you have previously read

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern – I still haven’t read it yet!

Recently Added- the last book you bought 

I bought several if that counts…? I never buy just 1 book at a time! 😂 And by several, I mean 5!
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
The Near Witch by V.E. Schwab
All the Stars and Teeth by Adalyn Grace
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

Popular on Netflix- Books that everyone knows about (2 you’ve read and 2 you have no interest in) 

Two I’ve read are The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue (AMAZING!!! 😍 – review here) and The Queen of Nothing (Folk of the Air Series) by Holly Black.

Two I have no interest in are finishing, these were much harder to pick! To All the Boys I Loved Before series – I only ever managed book 1 but it’s just not a series for me. Then maybe Daisy Jones and the Six – it just just doesn’t call out enough to me to buy it and read it even though I know lots of people have loved it.

Comedies- a funny book

Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. I listened to it as an audiobook and it was made even the more funnier by the incredible narrator Martin Jarvis! Loved it!

Dramas- a character who is a drama king/queen 

Dare I say Rhysand from ACOTAR series… if you know, you know! 😉

Animated- a book with cartoons on the cover

I don’t know if these count as cartoons in the traditional sense by Hag: Forgotten Folk Stories Retold has some freakishly sinister looking pictures on the front cover!

Watch It Again- a book/series you want to reread

Oh my, so many!
The Throne of Glass series – because I love it so much and I feel like I need to read it again slowly rather than just hurtle through it to find out what happens!
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue – because it’s my favourite book of the whole year!

Documentaries- a non-fiction book you’d recommend to everyone 

A Life on Our Planet by David Attenborough. I recently finished this (review to come soon) but I think it’s so vital people read it. Yes there are some holes there and it has its issues and counter arguments like any political/global issue does but I feel that our planet, our animals and our environments need us to be the positive voice that protects them rather than carries on destroying them.

Action and Adventure- an action-packed book

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline – The pages are packed with 80s references, Easter Eggs and pop culture. It’s one of my all-time favourites and could so easily have been in my ‘Watch It Again’ list! I’m eagerly awaiting Ready Player Two which is hopefully coming out later this month!



TAG – you’re it!! Feel free to have a go at this tag yourself and link it back to my blog if you want! Drop me a comment and let me know which Never Have I Ever you’d be most guilty of!

Have a great week friends!
T xx

#SixforSunday – Books From My Childhood

Happy Sunday Bibliofriends,

It’s a brand new month and a brand new theme today on Six For Sunday and this November we are celebrating all things Children’s Books! As a child I loved kids’ books, as an adult I still love kids’ books and as a teacher I still love and use kids’ books to try and inspire the children in my class to love reading as much as I did. I think it’s amazing to see the differences of how the whole genre has changed and adapted with the developments in our modern-day societies compared with the type of books that were about when I was a child.

For those who don’t already know, Six for Sunday is weekly meme hosted by Steph over at A Little But A Lot.


Books From My Childhood

The Witches by Roald Dahl

This was one of my favourite children’s books ever. Clearly my love of fantasy was trying to show itself early! The way Roald Dahl convinced you that ‘real witches’ were just ordinary women mixing around you so you had to look super closely to spot them – pure childhood horror! I thought the 1990 film with Angelica Housten as the Grand High Witch was so uber scary that it would give me nightmares, especially the witch with the purple eyes who tried to lure Luke out of the treehouse with the snake. I have such fond memories of it that I’m still not entirely sure how I feel about the new The Witches movie coming out soon – even if Anne Hathaway does look freakishly incredible as the Grand High Witch. Watch this space!

The Wizziwig Series by Gerladine McCaughrean

I wrote in a previous post about how I would spend some time after-school sat in the children’s section of the library whilst my Mum was doing some research for her coursework. Whilst sat in that beautifully colourful, amazing space, I came across a set of books by Gerladine McCaughrean about a witch (another witch…!) called Wizziwig. Those books were so enjoyable. There was one about a crazy cooker, one about a wacky weather machine, one about a singing car but my absolute favourite that I would read again and again was Wizziwig and the Sweet Machine. I loved Wizziwig so much I wanted to grow up and be her when I was an adult! 😂

Care of Henry by Anne Fine

Another one of my childhood library loves! This books was so adorable – it’s about a boy who has to choose which neighbour or relative to stay with whilst his Mum is in hospital having a baby. He practically interviews each one to see who will look after him and his dog the best. It really showed the boy’s love for his dog and was such an endearing read.

The Demon Headmaster by Gillian Cross

When we were in Y6 at school, we were able to spend out lunchtimes in the ‘common room’ which was a drama studio doubling up as our music room and library. It was right at the top of the school so was fondly named The Treetops and it has this WALL of books! I’d often sit there an enjoy picking my next read. One of the series I loved reading was The Demon Headmaster. I loved school so much (clearly as I now still spend my day-to-day life in them!) and the idea of reading a series about life in a school was so fun. We also had a headmaster who could be pretty demonic at times so we would sometimes try and work out whether he was the Demon Headmaster in disguise! I’m also pretty sure I’ve been to Gillian Cross’ house but my memory of it is getting much hazier the older I get!

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

So asides from becoming Wizziwig the Witch, another childhood ambition was to go and live in Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory just like Charlie Bucket – I mean… The Chocolate Room is absolute heaven on earth right?! I’d never have to live anywhere else again. The mentions of snozzcumbers and drinks that can make you fly, ever-lasting gobstoppers!! This book was a sweet-tooth’s dream and I think it was the first time I’d ever read something by Roald Dahl as an independent reader. It really does hold a special place on my bookshelves.

Heckedy Peg by Audrey Wood

As a child, I was so fortunate to have a Dad who would read me a bedtime story every single night. The one I remember the most was Heckedy Peg. It’s about children who get kidnapped by a witch when their mother goes to market to get more food. The witch turns the children into food and make the mother guess which of her children is which food to try and break the spell. It’s quite a clever story and I loved the illustrations.


Which books are some of your childhood favourites?
As always, leave your links below or drop me a comment to chat!

T xx

#SixforSunday – Scary Stories / Characters

Happy Sunday Bibliofriends,

With Halloween just around the corner, we’re continuing the ‘Pumpkin Spice Goodness’ theme for October’s Six For Sunday by thinking of scary stories and characters. Most of my list this week is focused on the classics as I don’t tend to read many contemporary horror novels – however I did read a brilliant article by Silvia Moreno-Garcia on Buzzfeed Books called 10 Creepy Horror Books From Around The World which has me itching to click that ‘Want To Read’ button on Goodreads.

For those who don’t already know, Six for Sunday is weekly meme hosted by Steph over at A Little But A Lot.


Scary Stories

Dracula by Bram Stoker

One of the most well-known vampire tales, I’m definitely counting Dracula in the ‘scary story’ camp.

Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

Again, another one of the original Halloween monsters, Frankenstein is both scary character and scary story for me!

The Turn of the Screw by Henry James

This is one of those truly classic gothic horror stories. The whole seance thing I find incredibly intriguing yet really scary. My Nan did a Ouija board once and was adamant that it told her she was going to marry me Grandad – and obviously, she did!

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Amazing Amy definitely showed her darker side towards the end of this gripping novel. When my friend saw Rosamund Pike’s portrayal in the cinema he said it was enough to put him off women for life! 😂

The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sherlock Holmes

I have to admit, the whole idea of big hounds across the moors glowing with phosphorous kind of creeps me out. I definitely wouldn’t have wanted to be running into those characters.

The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones

I have heard so many good things about this story that the more I hear, the more I want to read it – hopefully I’ll get around to adding it to my TBR at some point.


Which scary books or characters have you trembling beneath the bed?
As always, leave your links below or drop me a comment to chat!

T xx

#BookTag – The Never Have I Ever Book Tag!

Happy Tuesday Bibliofriends,

Thanks to Cherelle the Bibliophile for tagging me in the super fun Never Have I Ever Book Tag. It almost feels like some sort of naughty, bookish confession post and I’m so pleased to be doing a book tag again as I haven’t had chance to do one over the past few weeks!

This tag was first created by Madame Writer.

Rules

  • Link back to original creator.
  • Link back to the person who tagged you or the blog where you first saw this tag.
  • Answer all prompts.
  • Add one more prompt of your own.
  • Tag at least 5 people.
  • Don’t lie.
  • Have fun!

NEVER HAVE I EVER…READ A LATER BOOK IN A SERIES BEFORE READING THE FIRST BOOK

I was about to adamantly start shouting “No, no, no!” until I realized that as part of our Crime Fiction module at University we had to read a book called The Fire Engine That Disappeared which was the 5th book in a Martin Beck crime series – so I guess I have! Also, does it count if you start reading a series than an author brings out a prequel at a later date…? Because that has also happened too many times to count…

NEVER HAVE I EVER…BURNED A BOOK

Not unless you count High School exercise books as part of a ‘finishing school’ ceremony – but not real books… never, never the real books! Haha!

NEVER HAVE I EVER…READ A BOOK I KNEW I WOULD HATE

Probably only as part of a university module (again – it’s turning out that my English Literature degree is starting to come across as a bad reading influence!). I think one of them would have been a play called The Man of Mode. I have zero recollection of it now but I do remember knowing that I wouldn’t enjoy it before I read it.

NEVER HAVE I EVER…WROTE A FANFICTION ABOUT MY FAVOURITE BOOKS

I absolutely have done this! It was a Harry Potter fanfic but there’s no way you’re getting any more info than that – it’s totally top secret! 😂

NEVER HAVE I EVER…LOVED A BOOK WHEN I WAS YOUNG, YET HATED IT WHEN I GOT OLDER

I wouldn’t say that I hate any books now that I loved when I was younger… However (unpopular opinion alert!) I remember loving the Twilight novels so much when they first came out but I don’t think I’d really enjoy them if I read them again now. I think it’s possible that you can grow out of love with a book but I wouldn’t say it has to mean that you hate it.

NEVER HAVE I EVER…DRESSED UP AS ONE OF MY FAVORITE LITERARY CHARACTERS

As a teacher, it’s practically engraved in our contract that dressing up for World Book Day is compulsory so I’ve dressed up as book characters many times. My favourites are Professor McGonagall or Where’s Wally!

NEVER HAVE I EVER…HATED A BOOK BY AN AUTHOR I LOVE

Again, I feel hate is too strong a word for this but…
I adored Alexandra Christo’s debut standalone novel To Kill A Kingdom because her writing style was exquisite. When I read her second novel Into the Crooked Place, which was the start of a brand new series, it felt to me like it was written by a completely different author than To Kill A Kingdom and I was a little disappointed that I didn’t love it as much I hoped I would.

NEVER HAVE I EVER…GONE INTO A BOOKSTORE TO BUY ONE BOOK AND COME OUT WITH MANY MORE

Oh… is this an actual possibility, people actually do this? I applied the #ruleof6 to book-buying before it was ever a Covid thing!

NEVER HAVE I EVER…READ THE ENDING OF A BOOK BEFORE READING THE BEGINNING

Ok, so I kinda have this thing where when I start a new paperback, I have to flip to see which page or chapter the story actually finishes on (I have no idea why!) – and one time I may have ended up reading the final page and being completely spoiled – and for those that “know 😉” one of those times was ’19 years later’… I’ve never shut a book so fast in my life.

NEVER HAVE I EVER…READ I BOOK WITHOUT THE DUST COVER

All the time!! I can’t actually read a hardback with the dust jacket on! It keeps flapping around or slipping off and annoying me, then I always worry about it getting creased or crumpled!

NEVER HAVE I EVER…SKIM READ NEARLY HALF A BOOK

Yes! The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger – I realized last minute that I had to read it for school so I skim read practically the whole thing just before class.

NEVER HAVE I EVER….PRETENDED TO HAVE READ A BOOK THAT I HAVEN’T.

Guilty! I think I’ve claimed before that I’ve read Animal Farm by George Orwell when in reality I’ve only ever seen a snippet of the cartoon film!

NEVER HAVE I EVER…SAW THE MOVIE BEFORE THE BOOK.

Several times, with lots of different films! Sometimes it’s the film that makes me want to read the books! I’d seen all the Lord of the Rings films before actually reading the books – the same with Bridget Jones’ Diary, watching the Bridget films definitely piqued my interest to see if the books were just as good.


TAG – you’re it!! Feel free to have a go at this tag yourself and link it back to my blog if you want! Drop me a comment and let me know which Never Have I Ever you’d be most guilty of!

Have a great week friends!
T xx

#SixforSunday – Books That Gave Me All The Feels

Happy Sunday Bibliofriends,

Continuing the ‘Pumpkin Spice Goodness’ theme for October’s Six For Sunday post this week, we’re thinking all about books that gave us feels. Some books immediately sprang to mind – one in particular 😉 – and it was quite easy to put this list together. I’ll try not to say too much about each one to avoid all of the inevitable spoilers that just pour out when a book gives you those massive feels!

For those who don’t already know, Six for Sunday is weekly meme hosted by Steph over at A Little But A Lot.


Books Which Gave Me Feels

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas

If you know, you know! 😉

Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J Maas

I think I’m officially crowning her Queen of the Feels since I can’t seem to get through any books of hers without bawling my eyes out at the end… and what an epic finale to the Throne of Glass series this was! 😍

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

Yet again…! I know I cannot seem to make a post or a list without mentioning this book. I love it! Sorry, not sorry!

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Now I’m not swooning at this one but I am in absolute awe of the amount of pop culture and easter eggs one man can fit into 374 pages.

Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks

I remember reading this for one of my A-Level English classes and it was so tentative and moving that it definitely deserved its place here.

Romanov by Nadine Brandes

I’ve always had a soft spot for Anastasia, but even more so after reading Nadine’s portrayal of her. She really managed get me invested into the lives of the characters in her historical fantasy novel.


Come on, fess up! Which books are giving you guys all the feels?
As always, leave your links below or drop me a comment to chat!

T xx