A Different Way of Reading

So as may of you know i have a massive massive massive TBR pile, currently it stands  nearly 400 books, which is a massive amount of reading material. Of those 120 or so are e-books and that total is ever-growing.

This year ive been tending to read more e-books than actual tree books and to be honest im pining for them rather a lot. On the other hand, i don’t want to neglect my kindle and have that pile grow massively either.

So ive decided that im going to read one tree book and then one e-book. If i do this i should be reading my books a bit more evenly and wont end up neglecting one or the other.

wish me luck 🙂

Booking Through Thursday – Conversions

Booking Through Thursday is a weekly bookish meme held over on Booking Through Thursday!

Do you find yourself thinking that the books you read would be good on film? Do you wish the things you watched on TV or in the movies were available as book?

Some really can’t be converted, of course, but some definitely can (and it’s not always the ones you think will work). There’s something to be said for different forms of media, but a good story is universal … or is it??

To be honest i don’t really make the connection between the two very often. I’m not a big fan of movie versions of a book as really that’s just one persons view on how the book shall look. I do watch them, don’t get me wrong but i don’t expect too much of them and the idea doesn’t excite me too much.

I think this is because I’ve seen a couple of book-to-movie films that are so different to the books that it’s really put me off, My Sisters Keeper by Jodi Picoult for example. That is so different that it might aswell have a different title.

If i watch a film and its a book too i do normally read the book and end up enjoying it more. Some films are good that are based on books, for example The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. I’m not saying that books shouldnt be made into films, just that its not my cup of tea and id rather read the book.

WWW Wednesdays (29th August)

WWW Wednesdays is a weekly meme held over on Should be Reading. To play along just answer the following questions.

What are you currently reading?

I’m currently reading Notes From A Small Island by Bill Bryson. This is the choice for the September reading circle over on the BCF. It’s about an Americans views on all things British. This book is very good and so funny in places too.

What did you recently finish reading?

I havent finished anything, I’ve been chopping and changing through books this week and havent been able to finish a thing!

What do you think you’ll read next?

Next up I’m returning to Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell. I have already read some of this, I think I’m about a third of the way through and I’m really enjoying it, its a fantastic story and i cant wait to pick it up again!

JLS!

I thought recently that i dont actually post all that much about me and life. So, I’m going to start posting a bit more about things i like every now and again.

My favourite band is JLS! The four piece boy band first found fame on The X Factor in the UK and have been a firm favourite of mine ever since i first saw their first audition.

The boys, Aston, Marvin, JB and Oritse, have had several top ten hits and also some number ones!

Its Monday! What Are You Reading? (27th August)

Its Monday! What are you Reading? is a weekly bookish meme held on Book Journey by Sheila. It’s a great place to discuss your week in reading and see what others are reading too.

I’ve not had a brilliant week, me and my boyfriend split after four and a half years together through his behaviour, so my whole routine is different now. It does mean that my reading habits will change a lot though.

Books Read

I read one book in the last week, The Queen’s Secret by Victoria Lamb. I got sent this by the publishers Transworld and I really really enjoyed it. It’s about a young girl in the courts of Elizabeth I. This is a very good book and i would highly recommend it.

 

Reading Now

At the minute I’m reading Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell. I was a little bit uneasy about starting this as it is such a big book, but I’m really getting into the story. To start with i really didnt like Scarlett i thought she came across very spoilt by I’m starting to warm to her now.

Next Up

Next up is a book on my kindle, Alana Weatherbee by Jack Sorenson. I have read a little bit of this book but so far im not sure if im going to like it or not. It’s very similar to Harry Potter in ways and im not too sure if that’s a good thing. The HP are my favourite books ever so its a big ask for me!

Synopsis – Fifteen year old Alana Weatherbee leaves home for the first time to study at the School of Shines of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Finding herself the school outcast, she gains acceptance by becoming champion of the Labyrinth Games in spite of her teammates, the school bullies. Then Alana meets Logan, another outcast and, together, they fight to save their world from the evil Book of Spells.

Books Brought

I brought one book last week, The Chocolate Lovers Diet by Carole Matthews. I read the first book in the series a couple of months ago and really enjoyed it so i thought i had better read the next. I always enjoy this authors books so im hoping this one is as good.

Synopsis – Lucy Lombard thought her ‘Happily Ever After’ was all sewn up when her gorgeous boss Aidan declared his love for her, but she’s just caught him in bed with another woman. As always, she’s not the only one with problems – Autumn’s new boyfriend has yet to meet her parents, Nadia’s husband swears he’s given up gambling but she just can’t trust him, and Chantal is hoping to save her marriage, but not in quite the way she’d expected. It’s not surprising that these girls are going to need a lot of chocolate to see them through the challenges that lie ahead…

So, What are you reading?

 

Reading More and More!

At the begining of the year I set myself a goal of reading 75 books. While I’ m not there yet i have beaten the ammount of books that i read in 2010.

During 2010 i read 56 books, this was the year that i really got back into reading and was reading anything and everything. As i have now read 58 books i am now well past that goal.

As it stands I’m currently well ahead of my goal for this year. I’m charting my progress over on Goodreads and this chart has really spurred me on to achevie my goal.

2012 Reading Challenge

Lauraloves has
read 58 books toward a goal of 75 books.

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58 of 75 (77%)

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The Queen’s Secret – Victoria Lamb

Started – 6/8/12

 

Finished – 21/8/12

 

Format – Hardback Book

 

Synopsis – July 1575

 

Elizabeth I, Queen of England, arrives at Kenilworth Castle amid pomp, fanfare and a wealth of lavish festivities, laid on by the Earl of Leicester. The hopeful Earl knows this is his very last chance to persuade the Queen to marry him.

 

But despite his attachment to the Queen and his driving ambition to be her King, Leicester is unable to resist the seductive wiles of Lettice, wife of the Earl of Essex. And soon whispers of their relationship start spreading through the court.

 

Enraged by the adulterous lovers growing intimacy, Elizabeth employs Lucy Morgan, a young black singer and court entertainer, to spy on the couple. But Lucy, who was raised by a spy in London, uncovers far more than she bargains for.

 

For someone at Kenilworth that summer is plotting to kill the queen. No longer able to tell friend from foe, it is soon not only the queen who is in mortal danger – but Lucy herself.

 

My Thoughts – I read this book as part of the Hardback Historical Challenge from the Transworld Publishers. I really had a craving to read a book from this time period and this book really fitted the bill for me.

This book is set in the time period of Queen Elizabeth I and is about Lucy, a girl in the courts. She starts off by being an entertainer in a big group, but ends up being one of the Queens favourites as the time goes on. There is also a big love triangle between the Queen, her cousin and a man, Robert. Along with spying and lots of other things this book had the premise to be a very good book.

I really enjoyed this book, especially the part where a young Will Shakespeare makes an appearance. As her is part of the climax of the book i was really surprised to see him in there, however this really made the book a lot more enjoyable for me.

I also enjoyed the big love triangle. This for me was really good and I couldn’t help but think how long it would be before they all got caught and it all became unraveled.

I’m not sure how historically accurate the book was as this time period is not my strongest, but i really enjoyed reading about it. I really want to learn more about this time period and read more books set in it.

I loved this authors writing and having a look there is a follow-up book to this one, due out next year and i will definitely be wanting to read that when it is released.

A great book that is highly recommended by me
Rating – 5/5

 

 

Booking Through Thursday – Discuss

Do you like to talk about what you read? Do you have somebody to talk WITH?

 

(Because not everybody does. I haven’t had someone to really chat about a book with since college.)

 

I love to talk about what I’m reading. It is normally met with very blank faces and sighs, but i still talk about it.

I love talking books with my mum and sharing my own books with her too. Its a lovely thing to be doing and i love how much we talk books!

WWW Wednesdays (22nd August)

 

WWW Wednesdays is a weekly meme held over on Should be Reading. To play along just answer the following questions.

What are you currently reading?

In book form I’m currently reading Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell. I am enjoying this book at lot, i just wish i had more time to read it. It’s definitely the biggest book that i have read.

On my Kindle I’m currently reading Alana Weatherbee #1 by Jack Sorenson. I’m in two minds about this book, its got the promise to be really good, but so far im not liking it too much.

What did you recently finish reading?

I finished Shrinkage by Luke Young on my kindle. This book was about does size really matter and it was very good, laugh out loud in places. It’s quite a rude book though!

I also finished The Queen’s Secret by Victoria Lamb. I got sent this book by the publishers Transworld as part of a reading challenge and i really enjoyed it. It’s about the reign of Elizabeth I and it has definitely made me want more!

What do you think you’ll read next?

Next up off my massive TBR pile is Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult. I am a huge fan of her books and they never fail to disappoint. I cant wait to start this book.

Shrinkage – Luke Young

Started – 12/8/12

Finished – 19/8/12

Format – Kindle e-book

 

Synopsis – Is it in yet? It’s the phrase that no man ever wants to hear. Luckily, Tim Garrett has never heard those words. At least he has never heard them out loud despite being on the wrong side of the bell curve in the male endowment department.

It has taken many years, but Tim has finally come to terms with being slightly below average below the belt. His life isn’t bad, he doesn’t hate his job, his girlfriend Jill is hot and doesn’t seem to mind his physical attribute. Things are good. That is, until the day Jill dumps him and his world comes crashing down around him.

That’s when Tim decides to make some changes in his life; big changes. When a bizarre mixture of pills combined with a not-as-directed, inventive use of an electronic device prove incredibly successful, Tim’s life begins to change for the better both in and out of the bedroom. But when things grow a little too much, everything spins out of control and the words be careful what you wish for begin to take on an entirely new meaning.

SHRINKAGE is a somewhat raunchy and completely funny comedy, which is intended for contemporary mature audiences only. (Whatever the hell that means…)

My Thoughts – I downloaded this book as it was free for a day on Amazon and after reading the synopsis i thought it might be a book that i would enjoy. Before i start to say what i thought of this book ill just say that it is not a book for the faint hearted, its a book about the age old male question, does size really matter?

 

This book is about Tim, a man who isnt as average as he would like, and after being dumped by a girlfriend because of it he takes matters into his own hands. Using a combination of pills and other methods he tries to improve himself. But will he get the results that he wants? and will it really make him happy.

 

I liked the plot to this book, it was very funny in parts and very rude too, but with a book with this subject matter i felt that it was justified. I also liked the little side plots particually with Tims parents and also with Rob. I also liked the sub plot with the houses on the street, i felt like this part of the book added a bit more normality to it.

 

I’m not sure if i was the intended target audience for this book, being a twenty two year old female, i did wonder if it was more aimed at the male gender, but in fairness i did enjoy the book. Its not one to leave on the coffee table when your nan is round, but at the same time i didnt find it overly crude. All in all a good book.

 

Rating – 4/5