Sweets Book Tag // Maud

Hey guys!

This is the Book Candy Tag! This is already a thing but I thought I'd change the questions because I liked the ones I thought of! I hope you enjoy! If you do this be sure to inform me and send me the link on Instagram. I will be sure to check out all of them :)

1. Toxic Waste: a book that was hard to get into but then ended sweet.

I chose... Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone by J.K. Rowling.
I wouldn't say that this was extremely hard to get into just that every beginning to the Harry Potters is at the Dursleys and that's not nearly as good as Hogwarts.

2. Liquorice: A book that you like that everyone else doesn't like.
 My answer to this would probably be Paper Towns.
This book is hugely divided. Some love it, some hate it. Personally, I really liked the ending of this book because it wasn't cliché.

3. Blue bon-bons: A book that will stay with you for a long time.
 My answer is The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.
This book is unforgettable, a life-changing read.

4. Chocolate: A book that you often crave...at least once a month.
I would say Harry Potter. Not necessarily reading them as I am not a fan of re-reading but I crave the story so yeah I suppose that counts.

5. Pick'n'mix: A book that you didn't expect the plot twist- you didn't know what you were going to get. 
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children for sure...If you have read the first book then you know.

It wasn't many questions but in all honesty I couldn't think of any more so I hope you enjoyed and I'm also sorry this is late but you know...revision...school...homework...life!
Happy Reading!

Life Update - 26th April 2016 // Emile

This is quite a spontaneous post - I'm writing at 10:30 at night in bed on my phone. 

I'm writing this right now because I feel almost like I've been lying to you guys. I've been gone for a bit without explanation and I feel really bad for that because it happens a lot. The simple truth is that I have been really really busy. I was in two performances last weeks in a dance club, I've been doing a lot of housework because my parents both work full time and the person who normally cleans the house is temporarily away. Also, my Mum has been ill for the past four years (she's having surgery next week, maybe this is a step towards the end of the whole thing) meaning that she's not in any state to come home and do the work. So I get home from school I wash up, do some homework, tidy the kitchen, lay the table, vacuum the hallway, put some washing on, prepare snacks for tomorrow. Then my parents get home and we talk for a bit, I finish the homework I didn't have time to do earlier and then we eat dinner and I go to bed. You can clearly see there is no time there for writing blog posts. I will be even busier in the next few weeks because my Mum will be recovering at home and I will have to help her as much as possible. She comes before this blog. I will try and upload as much as possible. It might not be book related, it might be easy things but when I have some spare time I will try and write as many as possible to upload in the future. I'm not promising anything but I will aim to right one update post and one main post a week. Also,

I am seeing Maud again this weekend , so we can write something together. 

I'm sorry for how rambly this is. Usually I would edit and cut some bits, change them so they sound better. However this needed to be completely raw. This is how it is. 

The End,

Emile xx

My Ultimate Must-Read Reading List // Emile

Hello everyone!

There are loads of reading lists. Books to read before you're 12, 20, 30. The best travel novels, best crime novels, best books for young children. I'm sure you get the gist.

I decided that I am going to make my own reading list. Which is inspired by a list of books I was given by my English teacher to try and read before school year ends (which is ridiculous because we are two thirds of the way through the year and it was only just given to us). My list has no time limit, these are just some books that I really highly recommend. And you could read them anytime.

Also, quickly, I promise that from now on I will get back to the blogging schedule. Apologies for being rubbish recently. Maud and I did create a video to put on the blog when we were together last weekend, but we are having some technical difficulties, so hopefully that will be sorted soon.

1. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
This is such an amazing book, told from Death's point of view. It's the story of a German girl living during World War II and how she experiences the war and the racism of Nazi Germany.

2. The Harry Potter Series by J.K Rowling
If you have not read Harry Potter yet, what are you doing? Read it! I don't think I need to say anything more.

3. The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay
This is another book told from the point of view of a child that deals with racism, but in a very different setting. This story is about a little boy who lives in South Africa during the 1930's and 40's. Watching him grow up is like seeing a little brother grow up. This book has some great character relationships as well, which I really liked.

4. Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
We have a whole group review on this book, which you can read here. It's very sad but gripping and something I think that a lot of different people will enjoy.

5. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
I know that some people really like this book, some people not so much. Give it a go.

6. The Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare
Even if you didn't like the Mortal Instruments, this series is a bit different. I way prefer it to the TMI. It's funny and a little bit heart wrenching sometimes. (Plus it has some great couples).

7. Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas
You will have heard me talk about this time and time again. If you like kick ass female characters that are still relatable, then you will like this. Especially as this kick ass female character loves reading and chocolate. It doesn't get much more relatable than that. There is huge character development throughout this series as well, so if Celaena gets on your nerves a bit, stick with it. She gets much better.

There are so many more books I could add to this list, but I will have to wrap it up for now. See you tomorrow!

The End,

Hamilton Book Tag// Maud

Hey guys!

Ever since visiting Em a week or so ago, I have been addicted to listening to the soundtrack of Hamilton the musical so as I am listening to it right now, I thought I would do it. (spoilers for Harry Potter, Noughts and Crosses, ACOTAR and Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children to follow)

1. The Room Where It Happens- A book world you would live in.

Like Emile, I would love to live in the Wizarding Worlds it's an absolute no-brainer. It is the dream of all potterheads. 

2. The Schuyler Sisters- An underated female character

I was unsure about this one and the only character I could think of was Ginny Weasley. She wasn't exactly underrated but she was seen a lot as mainly the love interest more than the fighter who helped defeat Voldemort. I still love her character though. 

3. My shot- A character that goes after what they want

 and doesn't let anything stop them. 

I'm not sure about this one. I would say Celaena Sardothian. I have only read around 100 pages of TofG but I can already tell that she is a determined, strong willed character. 

Curently Reading; Maud//17.04.16

Hey guys!

This is my first currently reading weeks :/ 

I am planning on now writing a few blog posts for the future because I go back to school Tuesday and my dance classes start again on Monday so I'll be considerably busier than I have been over the last two weeks (and I'm listening to Hamilton right now). 

I have been rather bad at reading recently and I'm really tight for time. I am around 100 pages into Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas and still haven't read Me, Earl and the Dying Girl yet. 

I am also horribly slow which is really annoying but hopefully if I take enough time to read then I will finish it by the end of the month *fingers crossed*. 

Oh and I am also reading Frankenstein with my school so you know that is kind of holding me up and I'm also reading a thick manga book called Wolf Children: Ame and Yuki. 

I have it in English but i couldn't find an image of an English Version. 

Happy Reading (and listening), 

Currently Reading 8.4.16 // Emile

Hello everyone!

I haven't done a currently reading post for a long time. So here we are. I don't think there's much else to say.

Right now I am reading The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater. It's not what I expected, I have to say that. I can't tell wether or not I'm enjoying it. Sometimes it's good and sometimes I get a bit bored. I'll keep you updated on how I feel.

Maud and I have finally managed to meet up after not having seen each other for nine months! She's here for a few days and I'm really excited because tomorrow we are going out for a meal and to go book shopping! Those of you who don't live near your best friend will know how nice it is to see them again :). Yesterday we made loads of watercolour bookmarks, and actually videoed ourselves doing it, but the video file is not uploading to a blog post and I don't know why. Hopefully we will find a way to upload it or we can put it on YouTube.

I'm really happy because Maud has finally started reading Throne of Glass! I love forcing good books on my friends.

The End,

The Hamilton Book Tag // Emile

Hello everyone!

I really like Hamilton. I don't think you understand. I really like Hamilton.

In case you gave been living under a rock (or maybe you just haven't heard) Hamilton; An American Musical is a recently premiered musical about the founding fathers of America, the War of Independence and specifically about the life of Alexander Hamilton, who was one of the founding fathers. It is a hip hop musical written by Lin Manuel-Miranda who incidentally plays Alexander Hamilton, and is told almost entirely through music. I love history and I love music so ever since I was introduced to it by A Book Philosophy I have been listening to the soundtrack on repeat.

Lin Manuel-Miranda is shown here playing Hamilton (the one at the front). Even better he did an interview with Emma Watson about the HeforShe campaign. He seems like a really nice person. Here is the video he did with Emma Watson : Lin Manuel-Miranda interview.

Unfortunately the show is only in the U.S at the moment. Until it comes to Britain I guess I'm going to have to settle on jamming out to the soundtrack while doing the ironing. You can get the music on Spotify, Apple Music or I believe most of the songs are available on YouTube; just search "Hamilton Musical".

Imagine how excited I was to find out that there is a Hamilton book tag! This tag was originally created by Maureen Keavey on YouTube. Click HERE to see her video. To get in the mood I decided I would listen to the soundtrack whilst writing this post. (Currently I am listening to "Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)").

This contains Crown of Midnight spoilers. 

1. The Room Where it Happens; a book world you would put yourself into.
Of course I'm going to have to say The Wizarding World in Harry Potter. It's a no-brainer.

2. The Schuyler Sisters; and underrated female character.
I cannot think of one for this. No matter how much I try. I'll probably think of someone later tonight and I'll have to add it tomorrow.

3. My Shot: a character that goes after what they want and doesn't let anything stop them.
As soon as I read this I immediately thought Celaena Sardothien. She will kill for what she wants. Literally.

4. Burn; the most heartbreaking end to a relationship that you've ever read.
Again. I cannot think. I'm sure there are plenty but conveniently I now cannot remember any of the books I've ever read.

5. You'll Be Back; the sassiest villain.
I know Umbridge isn't technically a villain. But she was pretty sassy in all that pink.

Look at her sassy face.

6. The Reynolds Pamphlet; a book with a twist you did not see coming.
All I can think of is We Were Liars. The twist wasn't completely shocking, but it wasn't exactly what I expected.

7. Non Stop; a series you marathoned.
I marathon most series. I guess I could say pretty much any series I've read. For this I'm going to pick Percy Jackson and the Olympians. My friend and I read them one after the other while we were on holiday together.

8. Satisfied; favourite book with multiple points of view.
I really liked the multiple points of view in All the Bright Places. Finch's POV were my favourite though.

9. Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story; a book that will always be remembered.
The Harry Potter series will be remember by everyone. That series is in no danger of being forgotten.

10. Stay Alive; a character you wish was still alive.
I wish Nehemia Ytger was still alive. I understand the reason for her death, but it still wasn't necessary. There were ways around it. I'm only saying this because I really loved Nehemia. And she let herself be killed.

I'm sorry for not answering some of the questions - I'll fill them in at a later date when my brain starts working again. If you have any suggestions let me know! I want to apologise for my recent absence and to assure you that I am back. I have been so busy the past couple of weeks. I had a break over this week and now I can relax and write you lots of posts for the future!

The End,