September Book Haul

 

Hey guys!

As I have only been out at night a couple of times in York since I have been here, I have saved A LOT of money. Which is somewhat surprising considering I have been spending an awful lot on food.

Anyway, I decided to put the money I have saved to good use: a book haul. I've done a few of these before, but it's only today that I have decided to do a post on the books I have bought.

So a couple of weeks ago I paid a visit to The Works, a shop that sells books quite cheaply. I found three books I wanted for £1 each!!!!

 

I've wanted this book for a while. It's recommended for fans of Before I Fall (Lauren Oliver) so I should enjoy it.

 

All These Things I've Done is by Gabrielle Zevin, author of Elsewhere and Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac, which I read a few months ago. Elsewhere and Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac are amongst some of my favourite YA novels. Hopefully All These Things I've Done will live up to my expectations of a Gabrielle Zevin book.

 

I couldn't resist buying Hidden. Although I still have yet to read (and buy) Destined, the ninth book in the House of Night series, I just had to buy Hidden. I mean, it was ONE POUND!!!! It's quite hard to find the books I want for that price.

Onto the books I bought on Amazon...

Looking For Alaska is John Green's first novel. It is described on Amazon as "The unmissable first novel from bestselling and award-winning author of THE FAULT IN OUR STARS", and apparently it "will stay with you forever." Looking For Alaska is "Poignant, funny, heartbreaking and compelling".

This book is EVERYWHERE at the moment. I wasn't sure whether I would like it or not but a friend recommended it to me so that should be a positive thing.

One thing: WHY DIDN'T I BUY THIS BOOK YEARS AGO?!?!?!?!?! (I apologise for the caps)

                                       I'll definitely be reading this book during the summer.

Gossip Girl is great. Typically, I watched the TV series first before I embarked on reading the books. I read the first book around April / May, just before my end of year exams. Obviously, there were a lot of things that were different from the TV programme. I won't go into detail on what these were.


                                     

Sarra Manning (above) and Cat Clarke (below) are two new authors I want to get into. I just LOVE the covers of their books!

Have you bought any books recently? If so, what are they?

 

Hasta luego!

  

Serena

What I Am Reading At the Moment

Hey again!

During the last few days I have been reading two books: Paper Towns by John Green and Awakened by P.C. and Kristin Cast. I'm reading Paper Towns on the Kindle app on my laptop and I've got Awakened in paperback form. Over the summer holidays I have developed a habit of having two books on the go on the same time. Before starting Paper Towns and Awakened I read Anna and the French Kiss (I can't believe I only just got round to reading it) and Before I Go To Sleep. It's just easier to read one paperback book and one online book since there are so many books I want to read and so little time to do so.


Having recently enjoyed The Fault in Our Stars, I was eager to try another book by John Green. I settled upon Paper Towns as it has good reviews and I know it's coming out as a film in the near future. According to IMDB, it should be in cinemas next summer. I'm currently on Chapter 17 and, despite not being as great as the reviews claim, Paper Towns is a fairly good book. Of course, it will never be as amazing as TFIOS. I'm surprised Cara Delevingne was chosen to play the part of Margo. I think someone like Kaya Scodelario or Juno Temple would've been more suited to the role. Speaking of Kaya Scodelario, I am so excited to see the Maze Runner. The book was great!









Anyway, enough pictures...


Around the time of the first Twilight film, I got really into another vampire book series - House of Night. Unlike Twilight, P.C. Cast's books are based around a school - for vampires, of course. A teenage girl called Zoey Redbird gets "Marked" and is sent to a boarding school for people like her. The books falls Zoey as she falls in and out of love, deals with the deaths of people close to her, and tries to stop evil from ruining her life, as well as her friends' lives. Okay, so it's not a very good summary, but I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't read House of Night yet.


Apparently they're making a film of House of Night. I've always been curious to see who they would cast to play the protagonist. I'm thinking Nina Dobrev or Lucy Hale or Shenae Grimes. Angelina Jolie would probably make a good Neferet. AnnaLynne McCord, Dianna Agron, Hayden Panettiere and Britt Robertson are my suggestions for Aphrodite. I'm still not sure about the other characters yet, but Ed Westwick would be great as one of the male leads (Rephaim?), possibly Matt Lanter (Heath?), Kellan Lutz (Erik?) Ian Somerhalder (Kalona?) and Andrew Garfield too. I saw that on one of the forums for the "Ideal Cast" someone said Stark should be portrayed by Andrew Garfield. I think that would work quite well. Another fan suggested Chace Crawford for Stark. Ooo, definitely! ;)



So there you go!


Hasta luego!


Serena

August 2014 Favourites

‎

Ok, so I know it is the beginning of September, and I haven't really done a post like this before, but here are my August 2014 favourites:
 

1. Portugal

 

Last week I went to Portugal with my family. We stayed in a beautiful villa near Faro. The weather was amazing, unlike England (though apparently it was sunny while I was away), so I was able to use the private swimming pool every day. The only downside to the holiday was that we weren't there for longer. 

 

2. Summer in the City

 

Ah, I will never forget this incredible weekend! I met some lovely people, including Youtubers Hazel Hayes and Tessa Violet. Cross fingers I will be able to go again next summer. 

 

3. Divergent

 

Yes, I know, it's really late, but I FINALLY got round to reading this captivating novel by Veronica Roth. It is definitely a lot like The Hunger Games, but I still enjoyed it nonetheless. 

 

4. Le Touquet

I went to this chic French resort with my mum a few weeks ago. I did lots of walking and explored the endless miles of sand dunes. 

 

5. The Maze Runner

 

Another book I enjoyed reading. James Dashner did a superb job at grabbing my attention right from the very first page. Before I started reading The Maze Runner, I thought that it would be a lot like The Hunger Games. However, it turned out to be very unique. I can't wait to see the film.  

 

6. If I Stay

 

One of the best books I have read this summer, If I Stay is both tragic and uplifting. I cried several times. Hopefully, the film will be as good as the book. 

So that is the end of my August 2014 favourites. Below is a brief list of the things I am looking forward to during the rest of September: 

 

1. Going back to York. I am so excited for uni! It will be great seeing my friends in York again. 

2. The Host. A book that has been sitting on my shelves for a long time. 

3. If I Stay. The movie, of course. I have been waiting to see it for months. 

What were your August favourites? Are you looking forward to anything this month? Let me know in the comments below! :D

Hasta luego!

Serena

My Favourite Songs 2014

Hey guys!


Okay, I am really bad at this whole blogging thing. I'm sorry, I went to France on the weekend and I haven't had much inspiration recently. I guess I'll do a list of my favourite songs so far this year, since I am soooo good at making lists.

                                         1. Happy Little Pill - Troye Sivan

I recently discovered this song, literally straight after Summer in the City. I loved it STRAIGHT AWAY. It's amazing!!! Here's the video:

 

 

 

2. All Of Me - John Legend

I first heard this song in a club and it was the dance version...I thought it was ok...I then listened to the original version and asdfghjkl it's so good!!!

 

 

 

 

3. Let It Go - Idina Menzel / Demi Lovato

I actually really like both versions of this song. It's so catchy and I have to try not to sing along to it! Definitely my most favourite song from Frozen! I'll post Idina's version and then Demi's, so you can see which one you like the best. Or maybe you're like me and like both...

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Rather Be - Clean Bandit ft. Jess Glyne

 

I am officially OBSESSED with this song. I listen to it practically EVERY DAY. No lie. The live version (with Jess Glyne - the other ones are just meh) is great too.

 

 

 

 

5. Extraordinary - Clean Bandit ft. Sharna Bass

SHARNA BASS IS THREE YEARS YOUNGER THAN ME??? NO WAY THAT IS SUCH A LIE. HOW IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE?! Incredible voice though and catchy song...

 

 

 

 

6. Ghost - Ella Henderson

Ella Henderson has an amazing voice. Her new song Glow is good too (though sadly it doesn't come out for a couple more months in the UK).

 

 

 

 

7. Stay the Night - Zedd ft. Hayley Williams

 

I love Zedd. I love Hayley Williams. So obviously I love Stay the Night too.

 

 

 

 

 

8. Rude - Magic!

Magic is a peculiar name for a band but the song is good.

 

 

 

 

9. Boom Clap - Charlie XCX

THE FAULT IN OUR STARS!!!!! (Boom Clap is on the soundtrack, BTW)

 

 

 

10. All About That Bass - Meghan Trainor

No matter what people say, this song has a good message. It is encouraging people to be happy with their weight, no matter how fat or thin they are. Lots of people are calling Meghan fat and having a go at her for putting down skinny people...she's really not!!! And that's to both of those insults.

 

 

Apart from Meghan Trainor, Sharna Bass, Jess Glyne and Troye Sivan, I have discovered a lot of other new singers this year, for example Melanie Martinez (check out her song Dollhouse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcVv9R1ZR84), Tessa Violet (who I was fortunate enough to meet at Summer in the City), Emma Blackery and Lancifer.

 

 

 

So that's enough of that! What are your favourite songs from this year?

 

 

 

Hasta luego!

 

 

Serena :D

 

 

 

 

The Fault in Our Stars Review

Hey guys!

Sorry I haven't posted for a while, I went up to Cheshire last week and I had no access to a computer. #sadtimes But anyway, a couple of weeks ago I went to see The Fault in Our Stars, after reading it the previous weekend. I am so glad I saw it - I would definitely recommend it. 


I am sure you can think of at least one film that stays true to its origin as a novel. Well, The Fault in our Stars is exactly that. Funny, thrilling and moving, Michael H. Weber and Scott Neustadter's adaptation of John Green's bestselling novel is the one film that you simply cannot miss this summer. 





The Fault in Our Stars follows sixteen year old Hazel Grace Lancaster. Known for her previous roles in Divergent and The Spectacular Now, Shailene Woodley shines in her portrayal of this wonderful character. Diagnosed with cancer at the age of thirteen, Hazel has to live every day as though it is her last. She remains hooked to an oxygen tank, which she names Phil, because her lungs 'suck at being lungs'. Hazel occupies herself with books and reality TV, in particular America's Next Top Model, as well as studying. This all changes when she turns seventeen...

After deciding that her daughter is depressed, Frannie (Laura Dern) sends her to a local support group to meet other young people in similar situations. It comes as no surprise that Hazel is reluctant at first - she would rather go out partying like "ordinary" teens. However, she soon realises that the support group is not as bad as she initially thought and takes an instant shine to Augustus Waters (Gus), played by the gorgeous Ansel Elgort. As with Hazel, Gus is a cancer survivor himself. It is their shared interest in literature that brings them closer together and makes them soon fall in love. Hazel introduces Gus to her favourite novel, An Imperial Affliction. Gus fulfils Hazel's wishes and the pair successfully embarks on a journey to Amsterdam in attempt to find the author. Much to the teens' disappointment, meeting Peter van Outen turns out to be too good to be true. He is rude, arrogant and unwelcoming, refusing to tell the star-crossed lovers what happens to the main characters once the story has finished. 

What I love about The Fault in Our Stars is the excellent acting and the utterly convincing chemistry between Hazel and Gus. It avoids the clichés of most young adult drama, therefore appealing to all age groups. Woodley is great at depicting a sarcastic and vulnerable teenage girl, while Elgort is undoubtedly perfect for the role of the guy who will capture the attention of all the female members of the audience. Though they are an eccentric couple, viewers will grow attached to Hazel and Gus, who are both relatable and lovable. 








Like all great love stories, this one ends with a heartbreaking twist. It makes you realise just how valuable life is and that you should make the most of it. So grab your tissues - The Fault in Our Stars is guaranteed to make you cry. 

Summer To-Do List

Hey guys!

I have some exciting news...THE FAULT IN OUR STARS BOOK HAS ARRIVED. I can FINALLY read it and see what all the fuss is about!!!

 

                                                 The other books I got with TFIOS:

So anyway, I know it's nearly the end of the fifth week of the summer holidays (fifth out of sixteen!!!), but it's only my second week in London and I think it's about time I do a summer "to-do" list. Basically, it's a list of 10 things I want / need to do before I return to York.


1. Catch up with a few friends I haven't spoken to during the last few years.

I've already started this so I'm guess I'm halfway there...


2. See my best friend.

Of course. That is a must.


3. Get a haircut.

Got that done yesterday so can tick that one off the list.


4. Write at least 2 blog posts per week.

I think that is fairly easy, as long as I don't get writer's block and have access to Blogger.


5. Go on holiday.

Will hopefully be going to Italy at some point before uni resumes. Yay! :D


6. Go to the beach.

Let's go to the beach beach, let's go get away...Well, this is an obvious one. The summer holidays are not complete unless you go to the beach.



Ahhh, I wish...


7. Write at least 3 articles for Nouse.

That's the student newspaper for York, in case you were wondering.


8. Get a job.

Another one to tick off.


9. Get my laptop fixed.

Because, seriously, using a laptop that is over 3 years old and keeps freezing every FIVE minutes (okay, slight exaggeration) is NOT fun.


10. Go to a concert.

Hm, I should. Ahh I would LOVE to see the Kaiser Chiefs!

A little treat for all you lovely people since I'm in a happy mood right now (idek why).



Oh, yeah, before I forget, here are the pictures I took on my Boredom-Busting Walk Around Campus:

                                      

This reminds me off Narnia ^^

Hope you like my photos!

Hasta luego!

Serena