Currently Reading ~ Emile 26/8/15

Bonjour!

I'm afraid this is going to have to be short and snappy because I have had a very busy day and I am exhausted.

Right now I am reading The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay. I've only read about 12 pages but I am already enjoying it. The book was recommended to me
by my aunt; it's one of her favourites.



I think it will make quite an interesting review so that will definitely be happening. I believe it contains rather serious topics but at the same
time it still makes me laugh. 

Au revoir and good night,
Emile x


How I Read Book Tag 2015 ~ Emile

Bonjour!

This is a pre-written post because I am on holiday right now! Yay! Who doesn't like going on holiday. Anyway, I saw this tag going around YouTube and I really liked the idea of it, which got me thinking "there's no reason why this can't be a blog post". So here we are.

When do I read?
The majority of my reading is done at night, lying in bed. It is a time of day when I can guarantee that I will have time to read, and just relax and enjoy the book. My bed is right next to my bookshelf (I mean I literally use the bottom shelf as a bedside table). Especially in winter I like pulling the covers up to my chin and just diving into the world of a good book.

Where do I read?
The other places I like to read are in the living room armchair by the window facing out onto the garden, the rumpus-room sofa (the rumpus room is like a second living room/playroom) and on my beanbag in the corner of my bedroom.

How long does it take me to read a book?
I am a moderate speed reader, so I can read just under 70 page in an hour. Obviously it depends on the book and the size of the font etc. During term time I usually read 2-3 books a week. During the holidays sometimes I can read a book per day. If a book is really good, like Harry Potter, I can read it very quickly even in term time. I read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in 2 days during the school term.

What is my favourite genre?
I like modern/contemporary classic, young adult and fantasy genres the most. I realise that that is rather an eclectic mix, but so be it. Other genres I read the most are contemporary and dystopian.

How do I treat my books?
Personally I don't deface my books. I don't write in them, or dog-ear the pages. I tag my favourite parts with post it notes so that I can read them again. There are parts of Clockwork Princess I have read tens or times, and I cry every time. I'm one of those people who like to keep their books perfect, however I do like the look and feel of a well-thumbed, well-loved book.

What is my favourite reading format?
I prefer reading floppy paperbacks. What I mean by that is books that stay open when you just hold the spine. I do own a Kindle paperwhite, which I do love dearly, but I only read on that when I don't own the physical copy, I can't find it in the school library, and I can't borrow it off of a friend. I also tend to read long series on Kindle as supposed to buying them because a 6 book series can cost up to over £50, which I don't want to pay.

If you like this type of more personal post, tell me in the comments or on twitter!

Au revoir,
Emile x




Currently Reading ~ Emile 19/8/15

Bonjour!

Right now I am currently reading The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan, the last book in the Heroes of Olympus series. I have spoken about this so much already even though I haven't technically finished the series. There shall be a series review, I promise! It's going to be up either next Monday or the Monday after.



I am reading this book on my Kindle, so far I am 60% of the way through the book. I am kind of nervous to read because I don't want the series to be over. I really love Percy Jackson as a character and his book series. It was Percy's 22nd birthday yesterday, so happy birthday Percy!

These currently reading posts are turning into chat style things, let me know if you like that or not. Would you like small life updates in these posts?

Peace out, (I appreciate that's not very French but I just did it anyway)
Emile x


The Books I am Taking on Holiday with Me ~ Emile

Joyeux Lundi!

Unfortunately, I haven't yet finished the Heroes of Olympus series, so that review will have to wait until next week. In the mean time, I am going to share with you what books I am going to take on holiday with me.

This week my family and I are going to stay in the woods for a week, a sort of Centerparcs style thing. For those of you who don't know, Centerparcs is a holiday company where you can stay in a rented cabin and participate in activities like archery and rock climbing etc. As of this moment I am feeling in a major fantasy mood, so bear that in mind when I tell you which books I am taking.

1. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
It is about time I read this, it has such high praise.



2. The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johanson
Ditto. Plus I got it on Amazon yesterday for just £3.85! Click here for the link.


3. The Power of One by Bryce Courteney.
I have been meaning to get around to this. It just hasn't happened yet.



Given that some of these books are of a rather substantial size, I think they'll last me through the week. Also, I probably won't actually have much time to read. I have been reading on my Kindle for a while, so I am excited to hold an actual paperback again.

Au revoir,
Emile x


Currently Reading ~ Emile 13/8/15

Bonjour!

Apologies that my currently reading is a day late, I am adjusting the schedule for blog posts. I'll keep you updated on that.

Right now I am reading the Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan. I am on the fourth book, The House of Hades. I am loving this series even more than the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, and that's saying something. The Heroes of Olympus is based around a world where Greek and Roman gods still exist. It is a follow up series to the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series.



So far, I have given all of the books 5/5 stars. I'll write a review for the series when I am finished. Probably next Monday.



Au revoir,
Emile x

Why are you crying over a book? ~ discussion

Bonjour everybody,

Today we are talking about something that I feel rather strongly about. If you are an avid reader like myself, you've probably cried at a book at some point. You've probably laughed and cried tears of happiness and pain. It's all part of the experience.

Personally, I judge the book I read by how strongly I care for the characters and how emotionally connected to the book I am. Countless times it's been 1 am and I've been sobbing over the end of my book. Usually over a character's death or a tragic incident. Sometimes I don't even know why I'm crying, I just love the book that much.


(Hidden Harry Potter quote there for good luck)

What really grates on my nerves is when you are reading a book in public and you start tearing up, and someone comes up to you with a worried expression. That part itself is not annoying, in fact it's very sweet. What's annoying is when you explain you're crying over the book and they say something like "Don't worry, it didn't actually happen," or, "It's just a book".

I don't care if you didn't experience the emotional trauma I am going through at the hands of a novel; but it matters to me. I don't care if to you I am crying over some words on a page. It is so much more than that. It happened to me so I have every right to cry about it. The best feeling though is finding someone who understands this, and will hold you as you bawl about the death of your favourite character.

So to those of you who cry over books all the time, you're not the only one. I do it too. And I think it makes up part of who I am. Let me know what you think about crying over books in the comments r on twitter.

Happy reading!

Au revoir for now,
Emile x

Percy Jackson and the Olympians series review ~ Emile

Bonjour mes amis!

How are you all doing today? Honestly, I feel awful. But hopefully that's just me. 

My latest book-ish obsession is the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan. Unless you have been living under a rock you have probably heard of this series. It is a 5 book collection about a boy call Percy Jackson (obviously). 

Percy is a demigod and after a strange turn of events ends up living at Camp Half-Blood, a camp for demigods. Demigods are the children of gods and humans, because of this they attract monsters which means they do not often survive without help from the camp. On the way he meets new friends and enemies and heroes and villains and it is epic. I love it. 

The books are as follows:

1. Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief
2. Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters
3. Percy Jackson and the Titan's Curse
4. Percy Jackson and the Battle of the Labyrinth 
5. Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian 



There is also a follow-up series featuring the original characters as well as some new ones called the Heroes of Olympus. This series incorporates Roman gods as well as Greek into the world of Percy Jackson. Here are the books:

1. The Lost Hero
2. The Son of Neptune
3. The Mark of Athena
4. The House of Hades
5. The Blood of Olympus 


I highly recommend this for people of all ages. 5 stars! 

Au revoir,
Emile x

That is all if you have not read the entire Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. If you have read them, then this next section is for you. If you haven't, then open at your own risk. 

Review on Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince; Maud

Hey guys!
A few days ago I finished Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince! It took me a considerable amount of time to get through but overall it was amazing!

This is one of the slower paced Harry Potter novels...especially near the beginning! This made it slower and harder for me to get into. I loved the ending as it got more upbeat and fast paced making it quicker and easier to read! Rowling's writing is absolutely phenominal to read! I really recommend the Harry Potter series to EVERYONE, people of all ages! Don't you find it extremely annoying when people say that the Harry Potter series is for kids 😒 Anyway, I really recommend and everyone should give it a go!

QOTD: What is your biggest pet peeve?

Happy Reading!
Maud :)