Ringing in the New Year Book Tag

This tag is such a great way of looking at the new year in a bookish way. I haven’t made any resolutions this year but I want to complete my 52 books on Goodreads like I did last year.  Bookmark Chronicles made this tag back in 2015 if you want to check it out – I’d love to see your answers.

Questions:

Best book/series that you read in 2019 

• My favourite book I read in 2019 was probably This is going to hurt by Adam Kay.

Authors that you’ve recently found and would like to read more of in the new year

I recently read Judith Kerr’s When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit and now I want to read the series, it was such a great MG book. I also read Simon vs… and now I want to read Becky Albertalli’s Leah on the Offbeat.

Most anticipated book turned movie?

• Pet Semetary
• The Woman in the Window

I don’t know many films coming in 2019 but I am also really excited for The Lion King!

Name a character that you wouldn’t mind sharing a kiss with at midnight (if there is one)

I don’t really get crushes on book characters, but I used to love Sirius Black (pre-Azkaban o/c!)

What’s on your TBR for 2019? (Top 5 will suffice if its an extremely long list!)

Mine is just to get through as many of my Goodreads TBR as possible but 5 books I’m looking forward to are:

• Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine

• Nevermoor

• To all the boys I’ve loved before

• The Woman in the Window

• The book thief

How many books do you hope to read in 2019?

I like to average a book a week, so 52.

Will you participate in the Goodreads Reading Challenge (or any others)?

Not a reading challenge specifically but I like doing month-long readathons so I can theme my reading.

Any New Year’s Resolutions? (bookish and otherwise)

• I just want to complete my Goodreads challenge again, which is set at 52. Since I got my car I don’t read as much so I’m just hoping I will finish a book a week!

The Library Lover’s Book Tag

I saw this tag on Flavia’s blog a few months ago (as usual!) – if you haven’t checked out her page please do. She has a cute winter theme that I love!

Libraries are great resources, although in the UK they have seen their funding cut and cut, so I thought I’d take this opportunity to say thank you to my local libraries. As Arthur taught me:

1. How often do you visit your local library?

I go to the library probably once every few weeks to do pick ups and returns.

2. Are you the type of person who checks out more books than you can read or are you someone who checks out the exact amount of books you intend to read before they are due?

Usually I check out far too many books because they all look so good! So I tend to have to renew some books two or three times before they get finished. Oops.

3. How old were you when you got your first library card?

Too young to remember. My parents and grandparents always read to me and I loved going to the library when I was very young (as well as now!)

4. Do you go to your library for a particular book or do you check out anything that piques your interest?

Usually I go to the library because I’ve reserved books rather than to browse. I have so many books on my goodreads TBR that if I see anything in the library that sounds good it usually goes on the end of the list.

5. Do you only check out books or do you also get DVDs, audiobooks, etc.?

I don’t remember the last time I watched a DVD! But I do get a lot of audiobooks especially since I got my car a couple of months ago. I also get e-audiobooks sometimes, which is a great perk of the library.

6. From what section of the library do you check out most of your books?

It’s usually the adult fiction section, although I do also like looking at the non-fiction and YA.

7. What is your favorite part of using your local library?

Libraries in the UK don’t seem as cool as the ones in the USA. In my local libraries at least it’s much more a place to go pick up books than it is a community hub, so I’d just have to say being able to get books for free!

Reading Habits Tag

I found this tag over at Dreamland Book Blog who originally got the questions from TheBookJazz. Unfortunately that original video has been removed from YouTube, so I can’t link it. Dreamland combined the Reading Habits Tag with Readabits tag questions.

Reading Habits

1. Do you have a certain place at home for reading?

I like to read sitting at my desk or in bed before I go to sleep. I also like reading in the bath to help me to relax.
2. Bookmark or random piece of paper?

Bookmark – definitely. I just love having pretty bookmarks.
3. Can you just stop reading or do you have to stop after a chapter/ a certain amount of pages?

I definitely have to finish chapters before I go to bed. Some people don’t go to bed on an argument, I don’t go to bed on an unfinished chapter.
4. Do you eat or drink while reading?

One of my favourite things to do is go to a cafe with my book and get a slice of cake and a hot chocolate. Books are great for when you want to go to a restaurant or cafe on your own, and don’t want people feeling sorry for you – or at least not caring when they do!
5. Multitasking: Music or TV while reading?

I couldn’t imagine anything more distracting than watching TV or listening to music when I’m trying to read a book.
6. One book at a time or several at once?

One book at a time.
7. Reading at home or everywhere?

I like reading everywhere – on the train, in bed, in cafes. For some reason I can’t read in the car though.
8. Reading out lout or silently in your head?

Silently, definitely. I think I’d look like a nutter reading to myself on public transport
9. Do you read ahead or even skip pages?

I often read ahead when I’m starting a new book. I like doing it at the start of the book because I won’t have any idea who the characters are yet but I know where I’m going in the story, and the characters who are likely to be important.
10. Breaking the spine or keeping it like new?

I like new books, but it’s also nice to see a cracked spine so you know you’ve already read and enjoyed that book
11. Do you write in your books?

No, that would make me cry. I think the only books I’ve ever written in were for university or school so they don’t really count.

Readabits

1. When do you find yourself reading? Morning, afternoon, evening, whenever you get the chance or all the time?

I read whenever I get the chance. If I could get paid to read all the time, I would.
2. What is your best setting to read in?

With a hot chocolate and nothing else to do that day
3. What do you do first – Read or Watch?

I think the only thing I have ever read before I watched was the Harry Potter series. I have met so many authors – Agatha Christie, Suzanne Collins, David Nicholls – because I’ve seen the film or series first.
4. What form do you prefer? Audiobook, E-book or physical book?

Physical book for sure. Although I love Stephen Fry’s Harry Potter readings.
5. Do you have a unique habit when you read?

Like what?
6. Do book series have to match?

Well, it’s nice to look at them on shelves, but I’d rather a good series that doesn’t match, then pretty books that are rubbish

 

The Rainbow Spines Tag

Hey

Today I have decided to do the Rainbow Spines tag as I’ve seen it on a lot of other blogs and it seems a good way to share my book tastes.

TMI Tag

Today I wanted to do the TMI tag and I got these questions from Root Report.

1. What are you currently wearing? A jumper and joggers
2. Have you ever been in love? No
3. Did you ever had a terrible breakup? I have had 2 breakups, and both of them have been bad haha
4. How old are you? 24
5. How tall are you? About 5′ 6″
6. How much do you weigh? More than some people, not as much as others
7. Do you have any piercings? No
8. Do you have any tattoos? No – I’m one of those people who thinks I’d regret it as an 80-year-old
9. What’s your favourite drink? Dr Pepper
10. What’s your favourite song? I haven’t really got one, it changes with my mood
11. What’s your Zodiac sign? Sagittarius
12. How long does it take you to shower? Well, I prefer baths and they usually take about 30 minutes once I’ve read my book and the bubbles have gone haha
13. What’s your favourite show? I like true crime documentaries
14. What’s your favourite bands? Queen, The Corrs, P!nk, and then I just listen to music when I feel like it
15. Something you really miss? Having a job 😦
16. Where do you go when you’re sad? Bed. If it’s a small problem, sleep usually helps
17. How long does it take you to get ready in the morning? If I put makeup, on about 90 minutes
18. Have you ever been in a physical fight? Not a fight really, arguments but nothing physical
19. What turns you on? Someone who is into similar books and movies
20. What turns you off? People who have ever been on the Jeremy Kyle stage
21. Quality you look for in a partner? Understanding
22. What’s your favourite colour? Orange
23. Loud music or soft? Loud
24. Favourite Quote? Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if only one remembers to turn on the light.
25. Favourite actor? Gary Oldman, Warwick Davis, Emily Blunt, Steve Carell, Emma Watson
26. The reason you joined WordPress? I wanted to do something interesting while I’m unemployed
27. Do you have any fears? What they are? The dentist
28. What’s the last thing that made you cry? Probably a book I read
29. Meaning behind your WordPress Name? I like baths… and books.
30. Last time you said you loved someone? I tell my mum every day haha, but the last time I told someone properly was about 5 years ago.
31. Last book you read? The Orphan Choir
32. The book you’re currently reading? The girl on the train
33. Last show you watched? The Simpsons
34. Last place you were? My house
35. Last sport you played? My memory doesn’t stretch that far back
36. Who’s the last person you talked to? My dog (she definitely counts)
37. Last song you sang? I just can’t stop loving you
38. Favourite chat up line? Did it hurt… when you fell from heaven?
39. Do you have a crush? No
40. The relationship between you and the person you last texted?  My mam
41. Favourite food? Risotto
42. Place you want to visit? Germany
43. What’s the last time you kissed someone? Properly?  About 4 years ago
44. Last time you were insulted? Yesterday
45. Favourite flavour of sweet? Blackcurrant
46. What instruments do you play?? Nothing now but I used to play the clarinet
47. Favourite piece of jewellery? My DH necklace 
48. Have you ever used it? Yes
49. Last time you hung out with anyone? I’ m more of a lone wolf
50. Who should answer these questions next? Tag them…… You 😛

 

Furry Friend Tag

Today I wanted to talk about my beautiful dog with these questions from Youtube Society.

1. What is your pets name?

Her name is Scruffy. I should probably point out that she came to us with that name, but it actually suits her.
2. What kind of pet is it and what breed?

She is a Bedlington-terrier cross, but we don’t know what she’s crossed with.

A pure-breed Bedlington terrier

3. How long have you had your pet friend?

I will have had Scruffy for 8 years this Christmas.
4. How did you get your pet?

My dad brought her home from the RSPCA on Christmas Eve 2009 as a Christmas surprise. Needless to say she’s not just for Christmas, although it is so cute seeing her opening presents on Christmas morning.
5. How old is your pet?

She’s about 9 or 10. She’s a rescue dog who’s had at least 2 previous owners we can’t be sure.
6. What is your favourite memory with your pet?

I don’t have a specific memory, but when we first got her there was a lot of snow and she used to jump around in it and get lost because she was so small. She also likes running in fields and getting lost in the long grass – I’m sensing a theme.
7. What are some quirky things about your pets personality?

She’s incredibly stubborn – she will not do anything she doesn’t want to do. She despises getting her photo taken, meaning we are very lucky to be able to get a picture where she’s actually looking at the camera.

She also loves sunbathing or lying by the fire depending on the season. She has specific ways with each person in my family – my dad is the pack leader and the one she loves going on walks with, my mum is the one who gets cuddles every evening, and I am the one who plays with her and gives her too many snacks.
8. What does your relationship with your pet mean to you?

I’m not sure what I’d do without her – having lived abroad for the past 2 years I really missed her, so she’s one of the reasons I’m glad I’m back in the UK. She is also great for my mental and physical health. Lots of dog-owners say it, but she’s the reason I leave the house most days to take her on walks. She’s my first dog, and I’d wanted a dog for about 15 years before we got her so she’s very important to me.
9. What are some of your favourite past times with your pet?

Well, her favourite thing is going on walks, and we are very lucky to live in the gorgeous Northumberland countryside, meaning we are just a few minutes walk from the nearest fields. She isn’t really able to travel because she gets so stressed in the car, although she has been to the beach a few times and she loves that. My favourite thing is after I have a bath when I’ve got my dressing gown on, she can’t resist getting a cuddle and falling asleep on my lap.

 

10. What are nicknames you call your pet?

Squiff – I think she came to us with that nickname, I’m not really sure how she got it.

Thanks for reading my blog – if you have your own furry (or otherwise) friend, have a go at these tag questions and let me know. Xx

Luna Lovegood Tag

Tonight I am doing another tag. This one is the Luna Lovegood tag which I think was started by Tessa Netting, who is one of my favourite Harry Potter vloggers. She started it in support of Lumos, which is a charity started by J.K. Rowling and works to get children worldwide out of institutions and into family environments.