We got to 1000 views; Maud&Emile

THANKYOU!!!! 🎉🎉🎉

We finally got to 1000 page views! This means so much to us :) 

Maud&Emile xxx

Harry Potter order tag; Maud

This is few days late but this is going to be my main post.
I'm going to be doing an order of favourite to least favourite harry potter books tag. I will also write a mini description of why. Don't get me wrong though, I love them all!
I hope you all enjoy this fun post :)
It will be least favourite to favourite by the way.

 Books 

Least 
1. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
    This is my least favourite book because I just found it really creepy. I read this in Year6 so I might      think a bit differently now?!
2. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
    Lots of people (aka Emile) love this book. I don't really know why this is near the bottom of my         list, I just prefer most of the other books' plot lines.
3. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
    I really love this book as it's the start of this amazing adventure. But I suppose it gets more                   incredible as you get futher into the series.
4. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
    I also loved this one but ya know...There are sooo many up the top of the scale that this ended up         here ;(
5. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
    I really like the Triwizard Tournament and how in this book, us readers to meet other wizarding
   schools.
6. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 
    It was so tough to choose between these last two so they are pretty much equal. I REALLY                 REALLY LOVE this one!
7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
    Although it had a really slow start, the end of this book was life-changing.
    I loved it so so so so sooooo much. I stayed up until 3:30 am to finish it. Yep <----- That is                   dedication right there ;0
Favourite

That is my list of least favourite to favourite.
I tag Emile to do this so you can see our difference of opinion!

QOTD: Which is your favourite Harry Potter book?

Happy Reading!
Maud xxx

Blog Post Schedule Update // November 2015

Bonjour everybody!

Maud and I have decided that it is time for a change in schedule, and I thought that it is only fair that you guys know as well. Here you are:

Monday: This is Life (alternating Maud and Emile)
Tuesday: -
Wednesday: Emile's currently reading
Thursday: Maud's main post
Friday: -
Saturday: Emile's main post
Sunday: Maud's currently reading

As you can see there will be no shortage of posts!

This is Life is a series we are introducing about life issues, a place for discussion and for people to find support in other's situations and just to talk about things that happen in real life. We hope that it helps you out, even if you just like to read it for entertainment. The idea is that most (if not all) the books we read are fiction, and these are things that happen in real life.

Au revoir,
Emile x

Currently Reading 25.11.15 // Emile

So here is another currently reading fail.

I have hardly read anything since last week, this slump is serious. I am really hoping that this will be gone by Christmas because holidays are prime reading time. It's so frustrating wanting to read but not wanting to at the same time. *SIGHS*

Either way, right now I am currently reading Carry On by Rainbow Rowell, which was just released this October. It's not that it isn't good it's that I'm really stressed preparing for my piano exam and end of term tests at school, therefore I'm busy studying and practising leaving me little time to read. By the time I get to bed I just want to go to sleep.

The colours on the cover are lovely. If you would like to see some lovely pictures of books and laugh at my bookish shenanigans check out my instagram account:

https://www.instagram.com/mywordyobsession/

There isn't really much else to say, so I shall end this post here.
Goodnight,
Emile x

This is Life: LGBTQIA+// Maud

Hey guys!

As you already know by the title, this post is very off-topic and probably a lot of you would never think to see this on book blog. But I thought I'd write it because this subject means a lot to me and lots of my friends, LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual +). 

I am not labelled but not straight(well I'm not totally sure, I generally just don't like to label myself. I just know that I am not straight) and I have learnt to be very proud of that. 

I am writing this post for the readers who may be insecure about this topic and are afraid to talk about it. 

I am going to start with the fact that you should be proud of yourself however you are...whatever feelings you may have to whoever. It's a completely normal thing. We are all Human. 

Luckily, I have the most supportive friends who always have my back whatever happens. 

This is why I am writing this post, to create an accepting place for you guys to talk. 

People may think that this post is rather hypocritical because I haven't exactly come to telling my parents yet but this isn't because I don't want to, it's more because I am not great at talking to people. 

Your parents will love you whatever, ok if they don't completely agree with homosexuality then it might take them a bit of time to get used to. But they will come round. They love you, they created you. NOTHING will change that :)

Another point is that you shouldn't care what others think. This is you and if they don't like it then it's not your problem, it's theirs. I personally have told only a few of my friends but as I'm getting more comfortable with the fact, I am being open to more and more people. And trust me, it feels amazing to have people respect you for who you are. 

It's not the Medieval times anymore, this is something that a huge chunk of the population face. The scorn of others can be absolutely horrible but you just have to get through and the path will become clear. 

I am so extremely happy that I told my friends as I came to find that lots of them felt the same way and it's nice to feel that there's someone to talk to :)

Sorry if this post was kinda sloppy in terms of grammar and stuff but it is midnight right now and I am really tired but can't get to sleep. 

Anyway to finish this post off...

JUST BE YOU! 

Happy Living!

Maud

NaNoWriMo 2015 Update 2 // Emile

Bonjour! 

Today I am doing another NaNoWriMo update! I’m not doing so well, but the whole way through I’ve been a pantser. I also started a week late because I was on holiday and only found out about NaNoWriMo then. Either way, I have written something which is an achievement for me. 

At the end of the month I will upload my whole story, however I will be extremely proud of myself if I even reach five thousand words, there is no hope for reaching fifty thousand, but I’m alright with that. I didn’t expect to get there anyway. Also, the point of NaNoWriMo is to spark your creative writing skills, and have fun, so don’t obsess about reaching fifty thousand. It’s brilliant if you do, but it isn’t the be all and end all. I have really enjoyed myself and written far more of a single piece of w§riting than I have in my whole life. So, without further ado here is chapter one: 

Rosanna watched the waves wash over the sandy shores of the beach. Seawater buried the dunes in swirls of foam, then ran away again, returning to the safety of the deep blue depths. She wriggled her toes in the sand one last time before putting her shoes back on, leaning against a lamppost so she didn’t fall over. It was late evening, and the last rays of sunlight and pink tinted clouds were being lost to the darkness.

She trudged up the steps, out into the clamouring, cobbled street once again. Market stalls selling vibrantly coloured fruits and vegetables, aromatic herbs, spices, and fine cloths were scattered around the statue in the centre of the square. It was a depiction of some wartime military officer, standing tall and proud with a rifle slung over his shoulder and striped medals hanging from his lapel. A few stray cats ambled around, searching for food dropped by restaurant patrons. Rosanna carried on across the square and through the archway at the other side. Her bag was heavy, and she wanted to get home before it got dark. Hauling her load down the streets of Lisbon she finally stopped in front of a house and dropped her bags down on the front step. My goodness that weighed a tonne! The house was white with a red tiled roof and green clapboard shutters, the colour of spring leaves. The window panes were painted navy blue, with lilac and deep purple flowers artfully painted creeping up the walls. She knocked on the door. A gruff voice shouted from inside “I’m coming!” Eventually there was the sound of the bolt being pulled back and creaking hinges as the door opened. An old man stood before her, with fine silvery hair and a stubbly beard. He had striking blue eyes, that were crisp like ice water and wrinkled with age. On his person was a white shirt tucked into some jeans that looked as if they have seen better days. “I must remember to oil that door!” Mateus exclaimed.

“How are you Papa?” asked Rosanna.

“I’m doing fine Rosa, come in before the cold kills me,” said Mateus kindly.

Rosanna stepped into the house, dropping her bag with a jerk of her arm onto the floor. “I got what you wanted Papa,” she said, turning to face him.

“Thank you dear, come into the kitchen, Isabel has almost finished dinner,” he replied. Indeed the scent of lemon and thyme wafted down the hallway, enticing Rosanna’s empty stomach, which grumbled hungrily. Taking care to push the bags into a cabinet cupboard so that Isabel wouldn’t see them, she made her way down the hall to the kitchen at the end. It was homely, with yellow walls and wooden counters along one wall. A table and four chairs sat in the centre of the room, scattered with papers, mail and things that were casually left there and never tidied away. Pots and pans, boxes of herbs, spices and kitchen utensils covered the work surfaces. In the middle of it all was Isabel, the housekeeper. She was a middle-aged woman with a kindly face and big bosom. Her mousy coloured hair was pulled back in a messy knot, and she wore a striped apron over her sky blue tunic and trousers. “Hello Isabel,” said Rosanna.

“How are you doing dear?” asked Isabel sweetly.

“I’m good thank you,” Rosanna replied.

“Sit down darling, dinner’s almost ready,” Isabel said.

Rosanna sat in her regular seat on the side of the table. Mateus shoved all the papers to one side, then joined her, sitting at the head of the table. They ate quietly, occasionally making polite conversations. Everyone was hungry, and they never spoke very much at dinner anyway. When they were finished, Mateus excused himself, wished everyone goodnight and retired to his bedroom. Rosanna helped Isabel clear the table, washed the dishes and then retired herself. She picked up her bag on the way to her bedroom. 

Au revoir,

Emile x

Currently Reading; Maud

Hey guys!

This is going to be a really quick post just mentioning my currently reading!
I am reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak at the moment.
I'm about 80 pages in and it's AMAZING.
Read Em's review to find out more :)
P.S. I am also, like Emile, in a bit of a reading slump because of how long
it took to finish HP.

QOTD: How are you guys doing?
Comment answers down below.

Happy Reading!
Maud

Currently Reading 18.11.15 // Emile

Bonjour mon amie!

Here is another weekly instalment of what I am reading. I hope you enjoy. I went on holiday recently (yes, holiday in November) and that gave me a chance to do quite a bit of reading. I read The Night Circus, Goose Girl, The Wrath and the Dawn and some of Let Sleeping Vets Lie by James Herriot. I finished that yesterday and now I am reading Carry On by Rainbow Rowell. So far I am really enjoying it. I am a big fan of Rainbow Rowell's writing.

I am in a sort of light reading slump at the moment and I am hoping that Carry On will get me out of hit. Hopefully. 

That's all from me today,

goodnight,

Emile x

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows brief review; Maud

Hey guys!
I stayed up late the other night and I finally finished the Harry Potter series :)
This is going to be a no spoiler review so whether you have or have not yet indulged yourself into this book, keep reading.

For me, this book had quite a slow start. That for me is the ONLY downfall of this series. I feel like in all of the Harry Potter books, whether it's at the Dursleys' or not, it has some sort of a slow start.
Fortunately though, as you get into the book, it gets quicker paced and is more enjoyable to read.

The first 220 pages of this book took me FOREVER to read, unlike the last 380 which took me around a day.
My favourite quotes from this book are

"After all this time?
Always."-- Severus Snape

"Not my daughter you BITCH" 
-- Molly Weasley

"Of course it is happening in your head, Harry,
but why on earth should that mean that that it is not real?"
--Albus Dumbledore 

That'll be all for now as this is only brief. Now I have to go and book for
my Parent's Evening :( I'm terrified.

QOTD: Which is your favourite Harry Potter book?

Happy Reading!
Maud 

NaNoWriMo 2015 Update 1 // Emile

Bonjour everybody,

Sorry for my recent break, I have been on holiday and very busy lately. I also have a piano exam coming up in a couple of weeks. Foolishly, I decided to take part in NaNoWriMo, which is ridiculous for three main reasons:

1. I can't write novels.
2. I don't have the time to write a novel.
3. I don't have the inspiration to write a novel.

Apart from that everything's fine. I've only written one chapter, but here is what I have so far.

Chapter 1

Rosanna watched the waves wash over the sandy shores of the beach. Seawater buried the dunes in swirls of foam, then ran away again, returning to the safety of the deep blue depths. She wriggled her toes in the sand one last time before putting her shoes back on, leaning against a lamppost so she didn’t fall over. It was late evening, and the last rays of sunlight and pink tinted clouds were being lost to the darkness.

She trudged up the steps, out into the clamouring, cobbled street once again. Market stalls selling vibrantly coloured fruits and vegetables, aromatic herbs, spices, and fine cloths were scattered around the statue in the centre of the square. It was a depiction of some wartime military officer, standing tall and proud with a rifle slung over his shoulder and striped medals hanging from his lapel. A few stray cats ambled around, searching for food dropped by restaurant patrons. Rosanna carried on across the square and through the archway at the other side. Her bag was heavy, and she wanted to get home before it got dark. Hauling her load down the streets of Lisbon she finally stopped in front of a house and dropped her bag down on the front step. My goodness that weighed a tonne! The house was white with a red tiled roof and green clapboard shutters, the colour of spring leaves. The window panes were painted navy blue, with lilac and deep purple flowers artfully painted creeping up the walls. She knocked on the door. A gruff voice shouted from inside “I’m coming!” Eventually there was the sound of the bolt being pulled back and creaking hinges as the door opened. An old man stood before her, with fine silvery hair and a stubbly beard. He had striking blue eyes, that were crisp like ice water and wrinkled with age. On his person was a white shirt tucked into some jeans that looked as if they have seen better days. “I must remember to oil that door!” Mateus exclaimed.

“How are you Papa?” asked Rosanna.

“I’m doing fine Rosa, come in before the cold kills me,” said Mateus kindly.

Rosanna stepped into the house, dropping her bag with a jerk of her arm onto the floor. “I got what you wanted Papa,” she said, turning to face him.

“Thank you dear, come into the kitchen, Isabel has almost finished dinner,” he replied. Indeed the scent of lemon and thyme wafted down the hallway, enticing Rosanna’s empty stomach, which grumbled hungrily. Taking care to push the bag into a cabinet cupboard so that Isabel wouldn’t see it, she made her way down the hall to the kitchen at the end. It was homely, with yellow walls and wooden counters along one wall. A table and four chairs sat in the centre of the room, scattered with papers, mail and things that were casually left there and never tidied away. Pots and pans, boxes of herbs, spices and kitchen utensils covered the work surfaces. In the middle of it all was Isabel, the housekeeper. She was a middle-aged woman with a kindly face and big bosom. Her mousy coloured hair was pulled back in a messy knot, and she wore a striped apron over her sky blue tunic and trousers. “Hello Isabel,” said Rosanna.

“How are you doing dear?” asked Isabel sweetly.

“I’m good thank you,” Rosanna replied.

“Sit down darling, dinner’s almost ready,” Isabel said.

Rosanna sat in her regular seat on the side of the table. Mateus shoved all the papers to one side, then joined her, sitting at the head of the table. They ate quietly, occasionally making polite conversations. Everyone was hungry, and they never spoke very much at dinner anyway. When they were finished, Mateus excused himself, wished everyone goodnight and retired to his bedroom. Rosanna helped Isabel clear the table, washed the dishes and then retired herself. She noticed as she walked along the hallway that the bag she had put in the cabinet was gone.

End of Chapter

It's not exactly a masterpiece but writing isn't one of my skills. As I mentioned earlier. Good luck to all of you doing NaNoWriMo this year. I hope you are doing better than I am. 

Au revoir,

Emile x

Autumn Book Haul 2015 // Emile

Aloha!

Here is a lovely book haul for all of you to enjoy. Just a quick disclaimer that I am not trying to brag, or show off in any way, I just thought that you guys might be interested in the newest additions to my personal collection. Also, these books have been purchased over a series of months, and they aren't all new, and I appreciate that not everyone can afford to buy lots of books on a regular basis. 

So without further ado:

1. The Queen of the Tearling by Erica Johansen

2. Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

3. Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

4. The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

5. The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett

6. The Light Fantastic by Terry Pratchett

7. My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga

I love adding books to my own little library. I think you know the feeling.

Au revoir for now,
Emile x