Category: Blogmas 2019

The End Of The Year Book Tag

Blogmas 2019: The End Of The Year Book Tag

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I was inspired by Hailey in Bookland’s video to have a bit of fun with this tag so, let’s do it!

1. Are there any books you started this year that you need to finish?
Honestly, I haven’t DNF’ed any books this year, and the only ones that I’ve started but haven’t finished are the ones that I am currently reading…. soooooo…. I guess not!

2. Do you have an autumnal book to transition into the end of the year?

Normally it would be Harry Potter because well, I love it but I’m not sure this year. 🤔

3. Is there a new release you’re still waiting for?

No! Thankfully all of the books I’ve been waiting for are here for me to enjoy!

4. What are three books you want to read before the end of the year?

The Deathless Girls by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

With The Fire On High by Elizabeth Acevedo

A Winter’s Promise by Christelle Dabos

5. Is there a book you think could still shock you and become your favorite book of the year?

I already have so many great books fighting for the top spot so I’m sceptical that anything can knock them off of the top spot but I am working in a book shop so who knows?

6.Have you already started making reading plans for 2020?

Firstly, the fact that it’s going to be TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY in a few weeks is a little disturbing. But yes I do, I’m going to be doing another 100 books a year challenge and I want to make sure that I get through my YALC haul reads in the first half of the year before I go again in the summer!

What are your reading plans for 2020? Let me know below! 👇

Blogmas 2019: Everything I Read In November 2019

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Well, I’m glad November is over! It’s probably the least I’ve read all year with no audiobooks as I haven’t been working at home much! That said, I was impressed with most of the books I read in November, so here they are!


A Winter’s Promise – Christelle Dabos

So, this is one of our book club reads for January chosen by my friend Maddie and I am in LOVE with this book, I can’t wait to read the next in the series and there will be 4 books altogether! This was originally published in France and has been translated so there are some points where it doesn’t flow as well BUT it’s a magical book that I gave 5 stars.

City of Ghosts – Victoria Schwab

My second Schwab book and another Maddie recommendation and it LOVED it, this is at the younger end of teen but it was completely gripping and I couldn’t put it down. Again, this is the first in a series and I can’t wait to read the next one after Christmas! Another 5 star read.

No One Is Too Small To Make A Difference – Greta Thunberg

I’ll admit I didn’t know that much going in but I’ve seen snippets of Greta’s speeches. This little book contains 11 of those speeches which are all pretty similar. I have the utmost respect for her and what she is doing but I much prefer watching her rather than reading her speeches. 3 stars for me.

Full Disclosure – Camryn Garrett

This book is going to be huge, if it’s not then I don’t know what’s going on. An incredible read about an HIV positive teen who’s navigating relationships, friendships and life as a young adult. A 5 star read that I loved and am so grateful I got an ARC of this.

They Called Us Enemy – George Takei

I didn’t really know anything about Japanese American injustice until I heard about it from George Takei. This was incredibly important in current times and I think everyone should read it. 5 stars!

I backed this on Kickstarter because I enjoyed Sarah and Stef’s other adventures, so I got this for me and Ali. It’s a cute book of comic strips about their time in Canada. 4.5 stars.

What did you read in November? Let me know in the comments below!

Blogmas 2019 My Christmas Shopping Tips!

Blogmas 2019: My Christmas Shopping Tips!

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Christmas shopping – you either love it or loathe it. Personally, I am incredibly extra when it comes to Christmas and I get SO excited about getting gifts for the people I love. Sometimes I buy them, sometimes I make them but I just like it being something personal.

Anyway, seeing as we don’t have long to go until the big day here are my top tips to get your Christmas shopping done.

Get it done as soon as you can

The longer you leave it the more stressed you’re going to get. I lost a pretty important contact 6 weeks before Christmas, thankfully I’d already started shopping so most of the important people were bought for.

Know your budget and stick to it

Just putting it out there some of the gifts most precious to me didn’t cost that much, it was the fact someone thought of me and got something I adored that mattered most.

Don’t be afraid of buying something useful

Last year we got my fiancé’s Dad a multi-tool for his bike for when he goes out. It sounds simple and maybe a bit boring but he loved it and was chuffed we’d got him something he can use rather than a smellies set.

But, also you’re allowed to have fun with your gifts!

I have a friend who I’ve bought Lego for or a silly game regularly over the years, yes he’s a man in his 20s. I’ve also got joke presents for people. Christmas is about fun people! It’s all about the fun times!

Remember you don’t have to be perfect

I LOVE Christmas so I want my gifts to be perfect and nicely wrapped and on time. Things don’t always go perfectly! Gifts arrive late, you might be terrible at wrapping (totally me) or not have the funds to get the gifts you want to. It’s the thought that counts, remember that.

Do what you need to do, seriously

Want to buy premade pigs in blankets? Go for it. Is there a local wrapping station where all proceeds go to charity? Drop off your presents and grab yourself a coffee. A friend has offered to have your kids or dog so you can go and get stuff done? Take them up on it!

What are your Christmas shopping tips? Let me know below!

My Christmas Wishlist...2019

Blogmas 2019: My Christmas Wishlist

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My Mum asked me back in October for a Christmas list, which she then lost about 3 times and I had to keep sending it to her. 😂

I miss the days when I just cut out half of the Argos catalog and stuck it on bits of paper for my Mum. I mean, realistically, I could probably still do that in the Lego section… that Hogwarts set is looking mighty fine.

For real though, I struggled with it – I wanted to ask for things I actually wanted or things I could use. I’m thankful for any gift but would rather it wasn’t something I used once and then it sat in the back of my wardrobe for 2 years, you know?

I did manage to pull together a few things although let me make it clear – I don’t expect my parents to get me everything on the list it’s more of a these things are cool and they’re ideas. Anyway, let’s get on with it.

Ninth House – Leigh Bardugo

This has been all over the internet. I don’t know that much about it apart from it’s meant to be pretty dark has a mystery element. You know, totally in the Christmas spirit. If I don’t get it then I’ll be picking it up as soon as I can get to my local Waterstones.

Serpent & Dove

Another I’ve seen all over BookTube, although this time I know a little more and it has a fantasy element and WITCHES. Ok, there might be a bit of a theme to this list…I really like magic. I’ve seen a lot of good reviews for this book and there’s a complicated marriage – I’m intrigued.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Illustrated Edition

Do I need to explain this one? I have the pervious 3 and I’ve spent a lot of time flicking through while in the bookshop – it’s so beautiful. Jim Kay is a true artist.

Thank U Next Perfume by Ariana Grande

I worship Ariana Grande, I think she has the most incredible voice, a talent for lyrics and seems like a genuinely lovely person. I saw her twice this year and I’m currently wearing my tour sweatshirt – I like Ari a lot.

I absolutely love the smell of this perfume so of course it got added on – I actually prefer celebrity scents most of the time, my current favourite is Fantasy by Britney Spears, I’m a sweet scent kinda girl.

Loungefly Bag

I love Loungefly and Mum surprised me with a R2-D2 bag for my birthday and seeing as I have 2 Star Wars ones I’d quite like one that is Disney or Harry Potter. That said these are super expensive! So I’m ot expecting one!

Hermione Granger Mug

Do I need another mug? No, not at all but c’mon I got a Hermione Granger tattoo this year so of course I want this mug. It’s so pretty.

Lego Hagrid’s Hut

This set looks like so much fun to make, one of my friends has it and while I’m not sure if she’s built it I’m itching to get my own set. Look at Buckbeak – look at him! I could have put LOADS of Potter lego on this list but I restrained myself.

And that’s all of them! As you can see it’s a very grown up and important list of adulty things.

What’s on your Christmas list? Let me know below. 👇

I'm Attempting Blogmas 2019

Blogmas 2019: I’m Attempting Blogmas

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It’s the first of December which means we’re officially counting down to Christmas! Advent calendars have been opened, you trees are going up (or maybe they’re already up) and it’s the start of Blogmas! Yes!

I’ll be honest with you, I kept going back and forward on whether I was going to do Blogmas this year – it’s a lot of work and I wasn’t sure if I could do it again to myself alongside everything else I’m doing at the moment including working my ass off so I can have a break over Christmas! Although, who are we kidding here? Of course I’ll end up doing some kind of work – but I digress.

I’m excited to write about one of my favourite times of the year, a mix of fun and silly posts but also some which might be harder to write or harder to read about some of the struggles that people face. Will it be random? Most likely.

That said I’m trying not to put pressure on myself – if I miss a day because I’m busy, that’s ok. If it gets to half way through and I need to put my health first, that’s ok too.

So, buckle up it’s time to get festive!