February 25, 2016

BOOK TAG| Library Lover's Book Tag

I was tagged by Kristi over at The Boston Book Reader. Not sure on who created this original tag.

So let's begin:
 
1. How often do you visit your local library?

Actually not that often. I used to when I was little but librarians and library fees have slowly stemmed to become a fully fledged fear. 
*shivers*

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

My library tends to have a strict policy of the amount of books we are allowed to borrow. I think the limit is three? I guess that answers the question?
I don't borrow more than I know I can read.

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

I didn't get mine 'til I was about 7/8 years old. My family were never big on reading so I didn't know what one was until about that age.

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

The last time I was in there was without purpose. I think going to a library is a good way to deal with reading slumps. You sort of pick up a book that subconsciously your body craves-- well that's my thesis anyway.

5. Do you use your library to check out just books or do you also check out dvds, audiobooks etc.?

I've checked our DVD's for my younger siblings before? Not keen on audiobooks.

6. From what section of your library do you check out a majority of your books? ( YA, middle grade, adult, nonfiction.)

YA; Fantasy & Sci-Fi; Historical Fiction...yeah.

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

My favourite?
Well I've already mentioned my fear of librarians and fees, right? "No love loss there if you can believe it." [Mrs. Hudson; The Great Game; Sherlock]
Honestly, I think that they are a great way to introduce kids into reading from poorer backgrounds (like myself) because you don't need to pay anything (until you about my age) so it opens doors. There's not many places like that left.

Who I tag:

Okay, so I'm not really going to tag anyone so please, if you wish to take part than please do. It got me thinking about my library habits.

February 10, 2016

REVIEW| Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Jane Austen, Seth Grahame-Smith




Synopsis:

So begins Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, an expanded edition of the beloved Jane Austen novel featuring all-new scenes of bone-crunching zombie mayhem. As our story opens, a mysterious plague has fallen upon the quiet English village of Meryton—and the dead are returning to life! Feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet is determined to wipe out the zombie menace, but she’s soon distracted by the arrival of the haughty and arrogant Mr. Darcy. What ensues is a delightful comedy of manners with plenty of civilized sparring between the two young lovers—and even more violent sparring on the blood-soaked battlefield. Can Elizabeth vanquish the spawn of Satan? And overcome the social prejudices of the class-conscious landed gentry? Complete with romance, heartbreak, swordfights, cannibalism, and thousands of rotting corpses, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies transforms a masterpiece of world literature into something you’d actually want to read.

My thoughts: 

I've been told by many people that they hold  Jane Austen close to their hearts out of love for the great for feminine wit and sassy charm of her female character. My interest peaked in accomplishing to read of Jane Austen peaked when someone had re-written this classic to include zombies.

Who isn't moved by the idea of bad-ass Elizabeth Bennet kicking Zombie ass in hopes of great affliction of feminism? 

Ha ha ha ha ha ha.

No.

I gave myself to high a expectation and let it drop down low. Because this didn't happen!

Perhaps it's because I haven't actually read the original that this stands alone in my love for this. Grahame-Smith could have taken this and drew all the little witty pieces that Austen had to offer, yet I found it completely lacking and still focused on the aspects of marriage.

Hello? There's Zombies outside. Why are you still nattering away about bloody balls?

Maybe I just missed the heart of this novel? Or perhaps, Grahame-Smith was too focused on recreating this novel for the changing zombie loving audience that he himself lost himself to producing something worth of reading. 

February 07, 2016

Arvon 2016| The Hurst

I'm back!

From one of the most life changing and most fantastic opportunities I will ever get. The experience to work with writers and gain advice on university and the industry.
If you haven't heard of Arvon it's basically: a charity organisation for writers. Offering opportunities for a week long residential series of workshops in a isolated, stress free and technological downfall of an environment.

I was worried that I wouldn't enjoy it. Being with the school and not really talking to many of the other students. But I had a great time. Meeting people I wouldn't normally associate with during school because I'm too shy and anti-social to speak to and learning a great deal about who I was as a person.

This is usually where I tell you what happened but a lot of it has become an inside joke to all sixteen of us... eighteen if you count Bernadine Evaristo and Dean Parkin.

I'm just glad to come back and find that no zombie apocalypse had occured. Gosh we all speculated to much, I blame Joelle Taylor for that 2am conversation.

I'm not going to divulge to much so lets just say, what happened in Clun(ge) stays in Clun(ge).

#SquadGoals