Vogue’s 73 Questions Tag

1. What’s your favourite movie?Love Actually, so many great people in it. 

Love Actually, so many great people in it.
2. Favorite movie in the past five years?

That’s so hard! Star Wars, The Force Awakens

3. Favorite Hitchcock film?

Haven’t watched enough to have a favourite
4. A book you plan on reading?

What happened by Hillary Rodham Clinton
5. A book that you read in school that positively shaped you?

To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee, made me think about race issues.
6. Favorite TV show that’s currently on?

None, Game of Thrones is over.
7. On a scale of one to ten how excited are you about life right now?

About a 7, could be more exciting!
8. iPhone or Android?

iPhone, always.
9. Twitter or Instagram?

Twitter.
10. Who should EVERYONE be following right now?

Me 😛
11. What’s your favourite food?

Pasta, all the pasta.
12. Least favourite food?

Watermelon. Gross beyond gross.
13. What do you love on your pizza?

Meat, lots of meat! Or different cheeses.
14. Favorite drink?

Coke
15. Favorite dessert?

Chocolate Sundae with warm Brownie chunks!
16. Dark chocolate or milk chocolate?

Milk chocolate on its own, Dark chocolate if there’s flavourings in it.
17. Coffee or tea?

Tea, always.
18. What’s the hardest part about being a mum?

I’m not a Mum! Well only to a Hamster.
19. What’s your favourite band?

Paramore.
20. Favorite solo artist?

Ohh that’s tough right now it’s Ed Sheeran
21. Favorite song?

Changes week to week!
22. If you could sing a duet with anyone, who would it be?

Either Hayley Williams or Lady Gaga
23. If you could master one instrument, what would it be?

Guitar
24. If you had a tattoo, where would it be?

I have two but I think my third will be on my shoulder.
25. To be or not to be?

To be
26. Dogs or cats?

Dogs
27. Bird-watching or whale-watching?

Bird-watching
28. Best gift you’ve ever received?

Handmade Harry Potter gifts
29. Best gift you’ve ever given?

Tickets to shows.
30. Last gift you gave a friend?

Chocolate 🙂
31. What’s your favourite board game?

Monopoly
32. What’s your favourite country to visit?

Hmm probably Greece.
33. What’s the last country you visited?

Majorca
34. What country do you wish to visit?

I want to go back to Italy!
35. What’s your favourite colour?

Baby Blue
36. Least favourite colour?

There’s very few I don’t like.
37. Diamonds or pearls?

Diamonds are a girls best friend
38. Heels or flats?

Flats.
39. Pilates or yoga?

Yoga?
40. Jogging or swimming?

Swimming every time.
41. Best way to de-stress?

A long, Lush bath.
42. If you had one superpower, what would it be?

Mind Reading
43. What’s the weirdest word in the English language?

I have no idea.
44. What’s your favourite flower?

Roses
45. When was the last time you cried?

A few days ago, Chronic Pain sucks
46. Do you like your handwriting?

When I have time to write nicely
47. Do you bake?

I do indeed!
48. What is your least favourite thing about yourself?

The amount I over think
49. What is your most favourite thing about yourself?

My perseverance.
50. Who do you miss most?

Ali.
51. What are you listening to right now?

Netflix, The People vs OJ Simpson
52. Favorite smell?

Chocolate
53. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?

My Mum
54. Who was the last person you sent a text to?

Ali
55. A sport you wish you could play?

Football.
56. Hair color?

Redhead
57. Eye colour?

Blue
58. Scary film or happy endings?

Happy Endings
59. Favorite season?

Autumn 🙂
60. Three people alive or dead that you would like to have dinner with?

Sylvia Plath

Ellen Degeneres

J.K Rowling
61. Hugs or kisses?

Hugs
62. Rolling Stones or the Beatles?

The Beatles
63. Where were you born?

Basingstoke
64. What is the farthest you have been from home?

America
65. Sweet or savoury?

Sweet
66. Lipstick or lip gloss?

Lipstick
67. What book have you read again and again?

Nineteen Minutes – Jodi Picoult
68. Favorite bedtime story?

None!
69. What would be the title of your autobiography?

Just Keep Going
70. Favorite sound?

Happy Hamster Noises
71. Favorite animal?

Dwarf Hamster
72. Who is your girl crush?

I have many
73. Last photograph you took?

Stuff I’m selling online

A-Z Book Tag!

One of my favourite people to watch on YouTube is Cece over at Problems of a Book Nerd and when I saw this tag, I just knew it was something I wanted to do! So here’s a fun tag all about books, reading and quite a few mentions of Harry Potter…sorry not sorry.

Author You’ve Read The Most Books From:

Probably, Jaqueline Wilson, I devoured all of her books as a kid. I think my favourites were Double Act and Secrets. As an adult Jodi Picoult’s novels. 

Best Sequel Ever?:

I don’t think I have one…so far! 

Currently Reading:

– The Best of Adam Sharp by Graeme Simison

– Nyxia by Scott Reigntgen 

– Diana: Her True Story 20th anniversary edition – Andrew Morton

Drink of Choice When Reading:

Tea, all of the tea. 

E-Reader or Physical Book?:

Both. I love the feel of a real book in my hand BUT I can’t carry loads because of my back. Also, all my ARC copies are on E-Reader. 

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Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated As A Teen:

Ron Weasley.

Glad You Gave This Book A Chance:

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. It made me feel so much better about myself because I’d never read a book like that before. It shaped my time at university. It made me think about how I felt as a woman and about my goals. So much love for this book. 

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Hidden Gem:

The Second Life of Amy Archer – R.S Pateman. Amazing.  

Important Moment in Your Reading Life:

Starting Harry Potter, even if I don’t remember clearly, it started something amazing. 

Just Finished:

Our Super American Adventure by Sarah Graley 

Kind of Books You Won’t Read:

Diet books. I read for PLEASURE. 

Longest Book You’ve Read?

I think it’s Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix or Game of Thrones. 

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Major Book Hangover:
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. I’m still not over it. *sob* 

Number of Bookcases You Own:

Currently 1, I’m going to IKEA soon though…

One Book You’ve Read Multiple Times:

The Harry Potter books. I mean, who hasn’t? 

Preferred Place to Read:

In my bed, with lots of pillows and blankets. 

Quote That Inspires You:

“I took a deep breath and listened to the old brag of my heart. I am, I am, I am.”

 

Reading Regret:

Not going to a midnight Harry Potter launch as a kid! 

Series You Started & Need to Finish:

I’m not really into reading a series of books, I’d quite like to finish A Song of Ice and Fire though because I love the TV show so much.

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Three of Your All Time Favourite Books:

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee 

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath 

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 

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Unapologetic Fangirl For:

Harry Potter. Always. 

Very Excited for This Release:

It Only Happens in the Movies by Holly Bourne. She’s one of my favourite YA authors.  

Worst Bookish Habit?

Buying a pile of books when I have so many already to read! 

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X Marks The Spot; Pick the 27th Book on your Shelf:

Girl Alone by Cathy Glass. 

Your Latest Purchase:

Our Super American Adventure by Sarah Graley 

Zzzzz Snatcher Book (The Last Book That Kept You Awake):

Suicide Notes from Beautiful Girls – Lynn Weingarten 

I tag ANYONE who wants to give this a go, let me know I’d love to see them!

Get to know me a little better – 25 Questions

Seeing as I’ve been lucky enough to get quite a few new subscribers and followers (hello, hello, hello lovely people!) I wanted to let you all get to know me a little better. I found this over on Megan’s blog and thought I would give it a go!

1. What is your middle name?: Francesca, after my aunt.

2. What was favorite subject at school?: Drama and English were my favourites. Anything artistic actually.

3. What is your favorite drink?: Tea, nothing’s better than a good cuppa.

4. What is your favorite song at the moment?: I don’t really have one, I’ve been listening to a lot of Melanie Martinez.

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5. What is your favorite food?: Chocolaaaaaaaaattttttteeeeee.

6. What is the last thing you bought?: Some readymeals for work this week because I didn’t have time for a big shop. 

7. Favorite book of all time?: Hmm, that’s a really hard question. I’d probably go with Order of the Phoenix off the top of my head.

8. Favorite Color?: A nice turquoise will always be lovely.

9. Do you have any pets?: Hamski 🙂

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10. Favorite Perfume?: Fantasy by Britney Spears.

11. Favorite Holiday?: Florida!

12. Are you married?: Nope but I hope to be in the next 5 years.

13. Have you ever been out of the country, if so how many times?: So many times I can’t even remember.

14. Do you speak any other language?: Nope, I have tried but not been successful.

15. How many siblings do you have?: Just the one little sister

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16. What is your favorite shop?: Waterstones

17. Favorite restaurant?: Cosy Italians

18. When was the last time you cried?: A few days ago about missing Noodle.

19. Favorite Blog?: I can’t choose just one!

20. Favorite Movie?: Love Actually

21. Favorite TV shows?: Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, Friends. Just American comedy in general.

22. PC or Mac?: Mac

23. What phone do you have?: iPhone.

24. How tall are you?: 5’0

25. Can you cook?: I can bake but I’m not a good cook at all, I leave that to Ali.

Remember to tag me in your replies below, I’d love to read them!

The I Love Sleep Tag!

Lately, I’ve found myself even more in love with sleep. My weekend lie-ins are one of my favourite parts of the week, particularly after getting up at 6.30 every weekday (and that’s the latest it can be *sob*).  So I thought I’d give this a go, partly because it’s fun and partly because my brain has turned into a sleepy mush. I found this over on Dreaming of Spoons, go take a look!

1. What time do you go to bed?
Usually between 10 and 11, got to get some shut eye!

2. What’s your routine before sleeping?
Set out my clothes for the next day, check on my Hamster, go and pee, brush my teeth, set my alarm and curl up.

3. What do you do when you can’t sleep?
Try and tense and then release muscles if I know I need to sleep, if it’s the weekend I might get up and do something.

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4. What is your favourite sleeping position?
On my front, facing the wall.

5. What is something people may wake you up for?
Ali wakes me up on a regular basis to tell me to stop snoring…whoops.

6. What time does your alarm clock go off?
6.30am

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7. Snoozing or getting out of bed immediately?
Normally I just get up, I start work a while before Ali does so I don’t let it keep going as I don’t want to wake him up, top girlfriend award over here!

8. Do you sleep in late on the weekends?
I try to, it doesn’t always work but when I can I’ll let myself have a lie in, particularly in the winter.

9. Are there any strange things you do while sleeping?
According to Ali I chew in my sleep…I have no idea when or how this started.

10. How many pillows are there in your bed?
Four, two for me, two for Ali. Although occasionally I get to steal all of them 😛

11. What do you wear in bed?
Character PJs.

12. Do you sleep with your socks on?
Nope. I like feeling my feet against the sheets.

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13. How big is your bed?
It’s apparently a double but it feels a LOT  smaller than my last one.

14. If I wake up in the morning, the first thing I do is…
Switch off my alarm and convince myself to leave the warmth.

15. Do you dream every night?
Not that I can remember.

16. Which dream or nightmare is still in your memory?
I had a nightmare about Smurfs when I was a kid…still don’t trust Smurfs.

17. What’s your biggest dream?

To be happy and successful.

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The 50 Bookish Questions Tag!

50 Bookish Questions Tag

Hello, hello, hello! I absolutely love tags and want to expand the bookishness of this site, so what better than a bookish tag! I found this over on My Little Book Blog so definitely go and check her out! Now, on with the questions.

1. What was the last book you read?

Baby Doll by Hollie Overton

2. Was it a good one?

So good, incredible for a debut novel.

3. What made it good?

It went deeper than most and made the characters real. It was also interesting to see the captors perspective after their victim escaped.

4. Would you recommend it to other people?

Yes! I text my friend almost immediately after finishing saying she needed to read it.

5. How often do you read?

Every day if I can.

6. Do you like to read?

Nothing better than a good book.

7.What was the last bad book you read?

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – a play in book form.

8. What made you dislike it?

The plot was ridiculous and took away so much from the original series.

9. Do you wish to be a writer?

Yes I’d absolutely love to, working on it!

10. Has any book ever influenced you greatly?

There are so many and each for a different stage of my life.

11. Do you read fan fiction?

I’ve read a few Harry Potter ones but I’ve never really been into it.

12. Do you write fan fiction?

No, personally I don’t see the point, why not create something original.

13. What’s your favorite book?

How do I choose? Probably 19 Minutes by Jodi Picoult I could read that over and over.

14. What’s your least favorite book?

I’m really not sure. Wasn’t a fan of Gone Girl, the twist just pissed me off.

15. Do you prefer physical books or ready on a device (like a kindle)?

Kindle’s are great to travel and get discounted reads but there’s nothing like a good book.

16. When did you learn to read?

When I was really small, I think I could read by the time I was 5.

17. What is your favorite book you had to read in school?

To Kill a Mockingbird, still my favourite classic.

18. What is your favorite book series?

Harry Potter OR The Normal trilogy by Holly Bourne

19. Who is your favorite author?

I don’t have a favourite! I have favourites like J.K Rowling, Jodi Picoult, John Green, Caitlin Moran.

20. What is your favorite genre?

Probably YA, followed by autobiography/biography.

21. Who is your favorite character in a book series?

Hermione Granger.

22. Has a book ever transported you somewhere else?

Often, Game of Thrones is doing that right now.

23.Which book do you wish had a sequel?

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

24. Which book do you wish DIDNT have a sequel?

The Hunger Games – could have been done in one long book and not had THAT ending.

25. How long does it take you to read a book?

Really depends how busy I am and how much I’m enjoying the book. If I’m left alone I can easily do a book a day unless it’s something like GoT, then not so much.

26. Do you like when books become movies?

Definitely depends on how it’s handled, I always get a little nervous though.

27. Which book was ruined by its movie adaptation?

Twilight.

28. Which movie has done a book justice?

The Colour Purple, that was a brilliant movie to match a brilliant book.

29. Do you read newspapers?

If there’s one laying around but normally I read the BBC and the Guardian on my phone

30: Do you read magazines?

Not really, I read The Vagenda and it completely made me rethink what I consumed.

31. Do you prefer newspapers or magazines?

Newspapers but ones that have opinion pieces too, like The Guardian

32. Do you read while in bed?

Of course, who doesn’t?

33. Do you read while on the toilet?

Yes, it used to drive my parents mad :’)

34. Do you read while in the car?

Yep, have done since I was a kid.

35. Do you read while in the bath?

No. I’m not keen on having baths often and even then I’m too worried I’ll drop it in the bath…I’m super clumsy.

36. Are you a fast reader?

Yes.

37. Are you a slow reader?

Nope.

38. Where is your favorite place to read?

Curled up with lots of cushions and a fluffy blanket.

39. Is it hard for you to concentrate while you read?

If I’m into the book and not in a slump I will fall into a book and not resurface for hours.

40.Do you need a room to be silent while you read?

It helps but I don’t need it to be.

41. Who gave you your love for reading?

No one, I just kind of started and didn’t stop.

42. What book is next on your list to read?

Haven’t set a final choice yet, I’ll see how I feel once I’ve finished this one

43. When did you start to read chapter books?

Pretty young with as many Jaqueline Wilson books as I could get my hands on.

44. Who is your favorite children’s book author?

Jacqueline Wilson.

45. Which author would you most want to interview?

Jodi Picoult.

46. Which author do you think you’d be friends with?

Holly Bourne

47.What book have you reread the most?

Probably the Harry Potter series. When I was younger I read it every summer.

48. Which books do you consider “classics”?

The Colour Purple, To Kill a Mockingbird. I’m not keen on a lot of canon stuff.

49. Which books do you think should be taught in every school?

A big mixture! I think that there should be books on wider issues and not just ‘classics’. There are some great novels on mental health for example that young people could relate to instead of being forced to read Dickens or Austen again and again.

50. Which books should be banned from all schools?

I don’t think any book should be banned, they should just be age appropriate.

If any of you guys would like to do this take don’t forget to let me know!

Harry Potter Spells Tag!

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I found this over on my friend Becky’s new blog (check her out here) it combines three of my favourite things, Harry Potter, books and fun tags. So, here we go! Remember I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

  1. Expecto Patronum – a childhood book connected to good memories

 

Lola Rose – Jacqueline Wilson

This was the first time I met an author I really admired and got a book signed. It was the first time I saw an author as a real person and she signed in pink pen. Pink. Pen.

2. Expelliarmus – a book that took you by surprise

How to Be a Woman – Caitlin Moran

I tried reading this initially when it was first released, but I was too young to get it and thought she was a bit mad. I read it again last Summer before starting a Writing Women class and it changed my life and made me embrace feminism. I never thought it would become one of my favourite books.

3. Prior Incantato – The last book you read

Radio Silence by Alice Oseman. So freaking good.

4. Alohamora – A book that introduced you to a genre you hadn’t considered before

Star Wars Moving Target made me realise I might like Sci-fi and give it a go.

5. Riddikulus – a funny book you’ve read

Why Not Me? – Mindy Kaling. Kaling’s second book was MUCH better than her first and had me in stitches.

6. Sonorous – a book you think everyone should know about

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath.

I cannot describe what this book means to me, or how much Plath means to me as a writer. There are few books that deserve the title of classic, but The Bell Jar really, really does.

7. Obliviate – a book or spoiler you would like to forget having read

The Storyteller – Jodi Picoult, that spoiler was incredible.

 

8. Imperio – A book you had to read for school

To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee

Most people hate the books they’re forced to read, I on the other hand fell in love with TKAM. It started my love for reading novels about and based in the civil rights era and the treatment of African Americans.

9. Crucio – a book that was painful to read

I’m choosing to see this in the light of a book that was so GOOD it put you in pain emotionally.

The Fault in Our Stars – John Green.

My heart still hurts. Still.

 

10. Avada Kedavra – a book that could kill (interpret as you will)

 

Maestra by L.S. Hilton

Sex, Scandal, Murder. Don’t give this book to your Nan, could induce a heart attack.

As always if you’d like to do this tag then go right ahead! Drop me a link in the comments as I’d love to read your responses!

Image from Pinterest.

Reading Habits Tag

I found this on the lovely Rachel’s blog and decided to give it a go too. Definitely go and give Rachel a read for some absolutely fantastic posts! I don’t usually get tagged for things I just pick them up and throw them on my blog for you guys so if you’re not tagged but want to give this a go then go ahead! 

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

I like to curl up in my bed with a lot of pillows, if I’m feeling a little more social then I’ll curl up with pillows and blankets on the sofa. Pillows are essential to thought out reading time.

2. Bookmark or random piece of paper?

I’m trying to build up my bookmark collection but there isn’t one I’ll use anything I have around.

3. Can you just stop reading or do you have to stop after a chapter/ a certain amount of pages?

If I absolutely have to I’ll stop but I prefer to stop at a chapter or at an exact point in a book, like half way.

4. Do you eat or drink while reading?

Not really, I like just getting absorbed.

5. Multitasking: Music or TV while reading?

Not usually, I get too distracted.

6. One book at a time or several at once?

I’m usually reading at least 2 on the go.

7. Reading at home or everywhere?

Everywhere and anywhere.

8. Reading out loud or silently in your head?

Silently, I’ve never been someone who liked reading out loud.

9. Do you read ahead or even skip pages?

Only if I’m really bored of a book. When I was younger I used to get impatient and skip to the end.

10. Breaking the spine or keeping it like new?

Keeping it like new, my family don’t like to borrow books from me because I’m so careful with my books.

11. Do you write in your books?

No! The only time I would write or underline was for uni but even then I’d buy a second copy to do it in 🙂

12. Who do you tag?