The Reading Tag

I was excited when I came across this tag on Oh! Leona and thought "ooohhhh this is interesting!" :)

Sippin' on Pukka Three Cinnamon Tea while I read on the train

                           

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

I love my sofa. My dream spot would be a window seat in a cosy little fireplaced, room, off a well stocked library in a large house.  Preferably my house.

2. Bookmark or random piece of paper? 
Both.  Whenever I visit a library or bookstore I collect a free book mark.  However, I am adept at making my own or using postcards or something written down that means something to me- a motto or personal reminder.

3. Can you just stop reading or do you have to stop after a chapter or certain number of pages?
I'll finish the paragraph.

4. Do you eat or drink when reading?
Nothing beats a cup of tea when settling down with a book.  The odd glass of wine can be special teamed with a good read.  If I am out in a park some cold and icy if the weather is nice.

5. Do you watch tv or listen to music when reading?
The tv will not com between a good book that holds my interest.  when travelling I will sometimes put my ear phones in to block out the world while I read.

6. One book at a time or several at once?
Several at a time.  As time has gone on I seem to have developed a short concentration span.  So I can jump from one book to another.  It depends what mood I'm in with regards to what I want to read. I try to limit myself to one non-fiction and one fiction at a time.

7. Reading at home or anywhere?
I can read anywhere.  On the train, in parks, libraries, buses, cars...yes anywhere.

8. Reading out loud or silently in your head?
Silently in my head.  If I am having trouble understanding something I will repeat it out loud.

9. Do you ever read ahead or skip pages?
I am not one for long winded descriptions so in parts like these I will skip ahead if I feel the book is worth reading still.  Sometimes you can find a really good story but its packed with useless descriptions and characters feelings so skipping that bit allows you to get back to the regular scheduled programming.

10. Breaking the spine or keeping it new?
Well.  Here's a revelation for you.  I have a kindle but still buy paperbacks. *horrified face*.  I absolutely love my kindle.  I got it for Christmas  just when Kindles made their debut and I was so delighted, because I was running out of room for any more books.  I still have it but I buy nonfiction books in paperback so I can make notes and go back and reference them later.  I buy the odd fiction paper when I spot a good deal, but only if it is cheaper than on Kindle (Kindle books are mostly always cheaper than print).  So, in regards to the question, ha, I don't tend to break the spine...I stretch it: not completely broken or completely new.

11. Do you write in your books?
Only in non-fiction books, for reference purposes.

12. What are you currently reading?
I currently have my nose in Manuscript Found in Accra by Paulo Coelho and The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill.



Picked this up today, and I am thoroughly enjoying it!

                              

I hope you liked reading about how reading makes me feel!  I tag anybody who wishes to take part: if you do, be sure to leave your link below.

Did you know I am now on Facebook?  Check out my page and give it a 'Like'!
www.facebook.com/TheRandomnessofUnicorns

Magic Moments.

This brightened up my day yesterday. 

Once again I spent another long college break wandering around the shops and made my way to the book shop.  Kayla was screaming with delight over a book unknown to me, I actually wandered who had sprinkled her hair full of Unicorn dust!  The book in question was the sixth book in the City of Bones series (totally alien to me). She immediately relayed the plot and used some kind of spell that had me picking up the first book without even reading the blurb.  

However, the only copy of the first book remaining was a movie cover.  Kayla was horrified and I was just disappointed.  When books are made into films, they reprint them with a cover to advertise the movie; I only like buying books with their original covers.  I asked a shop assistant if they had any copies left of the book with the original cover, and his co-worker offered to go into the stick room and look.  Cut a long story short it turns out the books were situated on another shelf. Woohoo! 

This woman was so, so helpful.  I asked her about the City of Bones series and she gave me her honest opinion.  She then recommended all sorts of other novels in the same genre that she had read. She gave the low down on all of them and encouraged us to take our time and pick, and even offered to put one of our choices in a special deal.  I couldn't believe how much she knew about all the books.  It was so lovely to speak to someone who actually had an interest on books and the knowledge of books.  I think you only get that in proper book shops, but even then it depends who you talk to. 

I was so grateful for her help.  The story was too good not to share :) 

Love to you all xx

30 Day Snap | Day 10

You already know I spend copious amounts of time in the bookshop; today I spotted this little guy on the top shelf looking all fluffy and.....retro?! I brought him down and gave him a little squish, then sat him on the chair for a photo :) He put a big smile on my face.

Are you all enjoying my 30 Day Snap?  I am having a lot of fun doing it.

Much love xxx

Adventures at the Barbican Centre

The Barbican Centre is such a fun place.  They hold exhibitions there; you can watch a play, or a film at their cinema.  There is a restaurant and a mini Costa and gift shop on the ground floor.  What I love most, is the library.  My little people like the library and the fountains best of all.

Who doesn't enjoy a train journey?! Especially with little people.

 

It was a rainy day, but fun to be had nonetheless!

The entrance...

  

There are a few of these fountains.

I enjoy sitting out next to the fountains.  The atmosphere is so peaceful and calming.  We usually sit outside for a while as soon as we arrive at the centre, seems to be a little routine of ours.

 

 

The ducks are usually farther out.  Today they ventured closer to us :)

Sitting out in the fountain area

 

On the edge...

 

Panoramic view.

We all had a fun-filled day!

 

The adult section

In the spiritual section....

 

Another view of the adults section.

 

For obvious reasons I never took pictures in the children's section (which is located at the back).  What would I know about reviewing the kiddies books?! ha!   Here is a little review from one of my little people about the children's library -

" The library is kept is very clean.  It has a big selection of interesting books. I like that there is a big crocodile cushion, which is very scary!  They have loads of books and comics like Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Superman, Batman and Teenage Ninja Turtles.  The library staff can be very helpful.  The room has tables and chairs, and large soft cushions.  You can also buy badges for 20p.  My favourite books to borrow are the fantasy ones.  It is the best library I have been too."

Something I took home.

I started to read Being Positive and Staying Positive by Pauline Rowson on the way home.  I think I may do a review on it as I found it to be a useful book.  I really do recommend you all join the library at the Barbican Centre.  If not just for the atmosphere while you study, then the wonderful range of books they have.  The collection is vast!  There is also a music library which is amazing.  Additionally, you can borrow DVDs, CDs, and scores.  This is honestly one of our favourite places in London!


I hope you have enjoyed the post!  Have you been to the Barbican?  Would you venture there after reading my post?


Much love.
Peachy xx

30 Day Snap | Day 4

Mini Yankee Candle in Cherry Vanilla

I have been absorbed in Twilight all day.  I have read it before but I am re-reading after watching Breaking Dawn Part 1 last week.  After a long day, I find it soothing to offload my thoughts into my pensieve (or diary for all the muggles reading) to make room for important things.  

This is my first Yankee candle and it smells divine.  Now I am relaxed enough for a little meditation :)

 

How do you relax?

 

xxx               

Spending Time is Precious #2

I am one of those people who has their finger in so many pies, that even though they know they have no fingers left they will still buy more pies.  Confused? Me too. 

 

This week, I really want to focus on a couple of things and do them well.  I have so much going on and a to-do list as long as my leg.  But I realise nothing will get done if I do not stop buying pies. 

 

 

Quality over quantity.

 

I will be picking three important tasks to start and finish during this week.  One of them will definitely be coursework, another will be to select a book and finish it before moving on to another - I usually read 2/3 books at a time- but I am not sure what the last task will be.  Everything else will have to wait until next week.  It will be interesting to see how swiftly my chosen task get done while I am not directing my attention to anything else.

 

I have also made up my mind to use my phone less this week.  I have deleted a couple of time consuming apps and turned the phone on silent; in the evening I put my calls on divert while I am studying. 

 

So let's see how this goes!  I am actually looking forward to this.  Hopefully in doing less my mind ill be less cluttered and overactive.

 

Any ideas of how I can ensure my attention span does not sway from the tasks at hand?  Any ideas welcome!

Have a wonderful week everyone xxx

 

P.S The pies are cherry flavour.

 

 

10 books you must read!! #1

Hey guys! Happy Monday to you all.  I hope you are enjoying your Bank holiday weekend (for all my UK viewers).

I was in the book shop Waterstones the other day, and although I'm not currently reading fiction, I was walking around recommending some books to my friends.  It was suggested I write a post about my recommendations so here I am! 

This is what I also got up to in the bookshop...

(For those wondering, I'm the one in the middle, that's Kayla on the left, and Jazz on the right)

Last year, I challenged myself to read 100 books.  This proved very difficult to work around college work and family life.  However, I did read a fair few.  Reading is my greatest pleasure.  I will pledge to make more time for it this week.

So!  From my catalogue of read books over the last year or so I shall make some recommendations.

1. Before I go to Sleep by S.J. Watson.

A married woman who has an accident, wakes up everyday to find she has forgotten her life.  How does she remember to function and what is her life like?  This book had me mouth open shocked by the ending.  I found it to be amazing.

2. Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler

Inspired by a true story.  Set in Kentucky 1939, a young rich white girl called Isabelle becomes attracted to her black house maids son.  Many years later, as an old woman, Isabelle travels to Ohio for a funeral where the results of her actions becomes apparent.  How far would you go for love?  I shed a few tears over this book.

3. Apple Tree Yard by Louise Doughty

Yvonne is a respected scientist who one day decides to begin a passionate affair with a man she meets in the houses of parliament.  Little does she know that as she loses herself in him she loses the ability to see what is right in front of her.  Her carelessness lands her on trial for murder.  I read this in two days because I could not put it down!

4.The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini 

The story of two Afghan boys who are the best of friends, and how their friendship is torn apart by jealousy, hierarchy and war and political influences.  A very touching read.

5. Sycamore Row by John Grisham

This is the sequel to A Time To Kill.  If you have not read that before I don't think it really matters.  The only link between these books is the characters.  But Grisham does give you a little detail about them, which is perfect for those who have not read the first book.

Jake Brigance is back! This time he has been left the will of a white man who wishes to leave everything to his black maid.  As always with Grisham books the legal storyline is superb.  And the drama surrounding the court is typical for Brigance.  Really enjoyed this one.

I'll leave it there for now, but I will post another 5 next week.  Is there anything you could recommend to me? Let me know in the comments, or tweet me! 

Much love everyone <3

Peachy x

Throw out the fiction and get real!

Today's affirmation is "I will throw out the fiction, and get real!"

Most of my free time is spent reading fiction, fiction, and more fiction. Occasionally I find myself holding a beautiful non-fiction book about spiritual progression, finding oneself or synchronicity.  I start these books with the best intention, but find myself side-tracked, leaving them half read. 

However, I am now pledging to finish them!  Not only that but I will review each one I read, for you guys (see, I'll have to read them now haha) :) 

I've recognised that my life needs some guidance at present and I've got some wonderful titles that hold the most magical material- 

1. Loveability by Robert Holden

2. The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield

3. Synchrodestiny by Deepak Chopra

4. The Magic by Rhonda Byrne

5. The Tenth Insight by James Redfield

6. The Celestine Vision by James Redfield

7. The Ultimate Happiness Prescription by Deepak Chopra

8. Manuscript Found in Accra by Paulo Coelho (I'm sure this is non-fiction, but the story is told by way of fictional witting)

Three of the above I have already read but I have no problem re-reading and studying them again.

As we speak, (as I type) I am collecting up my library fiction to return tomorrow.  Only to be checked out in the event I complete my new book list.  

So, look out for my up coming review posts!  Let me know what you think of my new venture. Maybe you will read a couple of titles with me, or you may have already?

Happy Tuesday people. 

And much love as always.

Peachy xx