Sunday 23 February 2014

TMI Tag

Hey guys! I thought I'd do something a bit different for this post, so I decided to do the TMI (Too Much Info) Tag. Hope you enjoy!



1: What are you wearing? 

  •  I'm not doing anything today so I'm in my comfy jeans and Little Mix tour T-Shirt. And bed-socks...

2: Ever been in love? 

  • I'm a firm believer that if you're in love you know it, and you can't deny it, no matter how much you might want to. So going by that logic, no I've never been in love.

3: Ever had a terrible breakup? 

  • All breakups are going to be bad to some extent, but I'm lucky that (so far) I haven't had any terrible ones.

4: How tall are you? 

  • Technically, probably about 5' 4", but I tend to say I'm 5' 5" (shhh, don't tell!)

5: How much do you weigh? 

  • I'd prefer not to answer this, but I'll say that I think I weigh a bit too much and so I'm try to lose a few pounds.

6: Any tattoos? 

  • Not yet, but there are a few tattoos I'll get sometime in the future!

7: Any piercings? 

  • I have my ears pierced twice (once in the normal spot on the lobes, and then again above the first holes). The only other thing I'd ever get pierced is my belly button - if I ever get toned enough to make it look good!

8: OTP? 

  • I have so many it's absolutely unreal! I think my current all time OTPs are Hugustus (Hazel/Augustus), Wolfstar (Sirius/Remus, either romance or friendship), Janto (Captain Jack Harkness/Ianto) and Scorbus (Scorpius/Albus Severus).

9: Favourite show? 

  • Primeval, Torchwood, Doctor Who, Sherlock, The Big Bang Theory, Friends, Being Human...there's so many I can't even list them all...

10: Favourite bands? 

  • One Direction, Union J (my guilty pleasure is boy-bands), Taylor Swift, Blink 182, McFly, Busted, Westlife and Martina McBride to name but a few.

11: Something you miss? .

  • My best friend when I don't see her for a while. And reading and writing when I don't have enough time.

12: Favourite song?

  • I like Concrete Angel by Martina McBride, Beautiful Life by Union J and Adam's Song by Blink 182.

13: How old are you? 

  • I'm 17, but 18 next Saturday!

14: Zodiac sign? 

  • I'm a Pisces. 

15: Quality you look for in a partner? 

  • I like people who are honest, funny, who won't judge me for fangirling sometimes. Just a nice, genuine guy. Of course, cute doesn't hurt either!

16: Favourite Quote? 

  • I love the quote "It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live". To me, it's a reminder that life is what you make it, and if you want something you must go out and get it.

17: Favourite actor? 

  • Emma Watson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Emma Roberts, Isla Fisher, Jennifer Laurence, Logan Lerman, Ian Somerhalder and Anna Kendrick are my top ones.

18: Favourite color? 

  • Purple and gold.

19: Loud music or soft? 

  • Depends on my mood I guess. I usually have my music turned up loud though, no matter what kind it is.

20: Where do you go when you're sad? 

  • I sit in my room and either watch some of my favourite shows or films, or I read, or I write. It doesn't matter where I am, it's doing one of my favourite things that calms me down and makes me happy.

21: How long does it take you to shower? 

  • Probably about 30-40 minutes.

22: How long does it take you to get ready in the morning? 

  • Including all the time I spend in the bathroom brushing my teeth and all that, and doing my hair and makeup, probably about 45 minutes usually. I take more time if I'm going out somewhere and want to make more of an effort.

23: Ever been in a physical fight? 

  • No, and I'm hoping I never have to be. I don't really like confrontation of any kind, but I think I'd be useless in a fight.

24: Turn on?

  • A really nice personality, and someone who understands why I'm passionate about certain things.

25: Turn off? 

  • People who are arrogant or self-centered.

26: The reason I started a blog? 

  • I wanted to try something new, and thought this would be a good thing to do. Also, I spend a lot of my life fangirling about things so I was excited about meeting others who felt the same!

27: Fears? 

  • I can get quite claustrophobic at times, but I think the only real fear I have is of letting people down, and not being who I want to be in the future.

28: Last thing that made you cry? 

  • Probably a book or something like that. I'm incredibly sentimental, so I do cry at most things like that.

29: Last time you said you loved someone? 

  • Probably my best friend or a member of my family yesterday.

30: Meaning behind your blog name?

  • Feathered Quills and Heartbreak Feels came about because I love how those old fashioned writing quills look. And the feels part? Well, I'm sure you've all been there.

31: Last book you read? 

  • The last book I finished was Bog Child by Siobhan Dowd.

32: The book you're currently reading?

  • I'm like halfway through so many at the moment! I'm almost finished with Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce and The Fault in our Stars by John Green. A list of the others I'm currently reading can be found here.

33: Last show you watched? 

  • I'm watching How I Met Your Mother right now!

34: Last person you talked to? 

  • My cousins and aunt, who just stopped by to wish me a Happy Birthday.

35: The relationship between you and the person you last texted? 

  • One of my best friends.
36: Favourite food?
  • I love cake (I find baking therapeutic), pasta and chocolate. Basically, the stuff you're not really supposed to eat!

37: Place you want to visit?

  • I really want to go to New York and stay at The Library Hotel. I want to do a road trip through every state in the USA. I basically want to go everywhere, far too many places to list.

38: Last place you were? 

  • Like, on holiday? I went to Gran Canaria last year, which was really nice.

39: Do you have a crush?

  • Yes I do. (Wait, it doesn't have to be a real person, right?)

40: Last time you kissed someone? 

  • Romantically, a long time ago (too long). Family-wise, my aunt when she came over today.

41: Last time you were insulted? 

  • Erm, I don't actually remember. That's good, right?

42: Favourite flavour of sweet? 

  • I don't really eat sweets, but I like vanilla and orange flavoured things I guess.

43: What instruments do you play?? 

  • I used to play the Violin. I want to learn to play Piano and Acoustic Guitar when I go to university this year.

44: Favourite piece of jewellery?

  • I have a necklace that was custom made and has my favourite quote on it. I love it so much.

45: Last sport you played? 

  • I don't really play sport. But I like dancing.

46: Last song you sang? 

  • I sang along to some Westlife songs on my iPod (in the safety of my room, of course) this morning.

47: Favourite chat up line?

  • If a guy ever came up to me and used one of those chat up lines based on one of my fandoms, I wouldn't even have to think about going out with him.

48: Have you ever used it?

  • I've never attempted to chat someone up (yet!)

49: Last time you hung out with anyone? 

  • A few days ago I went out for a meal with friends.

50: Who should answer these questions next?

  • All of you amazing readers! Do a blog post like this and link me or something and I'll come read! Have fun doing it and I'll see you guys next time.

Sunday 16 February 2014

February's Ongoing Books

Hey guys! Sorry, there was a REALLY big gap between this post and the last one, but I've been busy with revision and college and all the boring real world stuff and much as I would like to spend all day on the internet, it's just not possible. Boo. But anyway, I thought maybe it would be a good idea to do a post about the books I currently have on the go. Now, there is quite a lot (8 I believe) so bear with me.

The Fault in our Stars by John Green

11870085 Cover and description from Goodreads
Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

I have this book on Kindle, and I'm about halfway through. I realise I was a little late on the bandwagon, but I am enjoying this story so much. In fact, I don't think a book has ever made me cry so soon into it on the first reading (and I'm a huge emotional wreck, guys). It's taking me so long to finish it because I was to savor it, not rush through it, and so I only read it when I have the time and concentration to dedicate to it. I almost don't want this book to end, and I'm not quite sure what I'll do when it does.

 Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

6357708 Cover and description from Goodreads
Scarlett March lives to hunt the Fenris--the werewolves that took her eye when she was defending her sister Rosie from a brutal attack. Armed with a razor-sharp hatchet and blood-red cloak, Scarlett is an expert at luring and slaying the wolves. She's determined to protect other young girls from a grisly death, and her raging heart will not rest until every single wolf is dead.
Rosie March once felt her bond with her sister was unbreakable. Owing Scarlett her life, Rosie hunts ferociously alongside her. But even as more girls' bodies pile up in the city and the Fenris seem to be gaining power, Rosie dreams of a life beyond the wolves. She finds herself drawn to Silas, a young woodsman who is deadly with an ax and Scarlett's only friend--but does loving him mean betraying her sister and all that they've worked for?

This is a library book that I took out for one of my challenges this year (the Fur and Fangs challenge, read my sign up here ). It's about two sisters who hunt werewolves, and I've only just started it but so far it seems pretty good. I'm hoping to finish this within the next few days because it seems quite a fast paced, quick, easy read.

The Terrace by Maria Duffy

15783306 Cover and description from Goodreads
Nestled in the heart of Dublin city, St Enda's Terrace is like any other close-knit community: warm, colourful, looks after its own.
But behind closed doors lie secrets . . .
In Number Eight he wants a baby, she doesn't. The guy a few doors down just wants to find love. Across the street a single mum struggles to cope. While the people next door might appear to have it all, their mortgage holder knows different.
When the street syndicate wins the National Lottery, it seems that things are looking up. Enter a New York production company on a mission to document a 'quintessential' Dublin community - just as it becomes clear that the winning ticket is nowhere to be found.
Facades begin to crumble in the scramble to uncover the missing ticket and, as the gloves come off for the once unremarkable residents of St Enda's, it's game on with everything to play for.


This book is also for a challenge (the Ireland challenge, on the same sign up sheet as above) and I borrowed this from my gran. I'd never heard of it before but from the few chapters I've read, it seems to be quite fun. This one is on the backburner for a little while though, while I finish my library books first.

The House at Riverton by Kate Morton

1278752  Cover and description from Goodreads
Summer 1924

On the eve of a glittering society party, by the lake of a grand English country house, a young poet takes his life. The only witnesses, sisters Hannah and Emmeline Hartford, will never speak to each other again.

Winter 1999

Grace Bradley, ninety-eight, one-time housemaid of Riverton Manor, is visited by a young director making a film about the poet's suicide. Ghosts awaken and old memories - long consigned to the dark reaches of Grace's mind - begin to sneak back through the cracks. A shocking secret threatens to emerge, something history has forgotten but Grace never could.

Set as the war-shattered Edwardian summer surrenders to the decadent twenties, The House at Riverton is a thrilling mystery and a compelling love story.
 


I've been reading this one for quite a while now as, despite really loving it, I find I can only read a little at a time most of the time. I seem to alternate between not wanting the book to end (and therefore not reading any), and being desperate to know what happens (and so reading 100s of pages in a day). However, this one too is on the backburner because of those pesky library deadlines.

Eyewitness Travel Guide to London

No other guidebook series can boast as many beautiful photographs and illustrations as DK's Eyewitness series. Packed with color photographs and maps, this bestselling series covers a wide range of global destinations. With listings of great hotels, restaurants, and shops, as well as historical information, travelers will find it easy to plan an exciting itinerary using these beautiful guidebooks. A special feature of DK's travel guides is the stunning three-dimensional views and cutaway models of significant landmarks. These guides also include easy-to-follow sections on making sense of foreign currency, transportation, and communication systems. Balancing an elegant format with comprehensive information, DK's Eyewitness guidebooks are both practical resources and great souvenirs of your trip.

Description from Goodreads

This book fits nicely into my Nonfiction challenge (on the same sign up page as the other two) but I'm also reading it because my best friend and I are thinking about going to London this summer. We've been before a couple of times, but only for a few days and we've only really visited the shopping parts. I thought reading this might give me some good ideas about what else we could do. I did borrow this from said friend so I should really try to finish it this week.

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

6514 Cover and description from Goodreads
Sylvia Plath's shocking, realistic, and intensely emotional novel of a woman falling into the grips of insanity. 

I took this out of my college library because, being an aspiring Psychotherapist, anything that deals with the mind or mental states interests me a lot. I'm halfway through this so hopefully I'll finish it this week so I can give it back when I go back to college.

Prozac Nation by Elizabeth Wurtzel

 227603 Cover and description from Goodreads
A harrowing story of breakdowns, suicide attempts, drug therapy, and an eventual journey back to living, this poignant and often hilarious book gives voice to the high incidence of depression among America's youth. A collective cry for help from a generation who have come of age entrenched in the culture of divorce, economic instability, and AIDS, here is the intensely personal story of a young girl full of promise, whose mood swings have risen and fallen like the lines of a sad ballad.

This is also from my college library, and I took it out because, again, it deals with mental issues and was compared to The Bell Jar, which I am enjoying so far. This is also going to count for my Nonfiction challenge, as it's a memoir. I'm hoping to finish this one this week as well, as when I pick it up I can't seem to be able to put it down!

When God was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman

8874743 Cover and description from Goodreads

This is a book about a brother and a sister. It's a book about secrets and starting over, friendship and family, triumph and tragedy, and everything in between. More than anything, it's a book about love in all its forms.

In a remarkably honest and confident voice, Sarah Winman has written the story of a memorable young heroine, Elly, and her loss of innocence- a magical portrait of growing up and the pull and power of family ties. From Essex and Cornwall to the streets of New York, from 1968 to the events of 9/11, When God Was a Rabbit follows the evolving bond of love and secrets between Elly and her brother Joe, and her increasing concern for an unusual best friend, Jenny Penny, who has secrets of her own. With its wit and humor, engaging characters whose eccentricities are adroitly and sometimes darkly drawn, and its themes of memory and identity, When God Was a Rabbit is a love letter to true friendship and fraternal love.

This is the final book I'm reading right now, and it's also from my college library. I've heard a lot about this one over the years, so when I saw it I thought I'd give it a go. I read the little prologue thing at the start and thought it sounded really intriguing and now, a few chapters in, it's just as good as I thought, maybe even better. This one is officially my bedtime reading material right now.

I know this seems like a lot of books to have on the go at once, but most are so vastly different from each other that the plots all keep straight in my head. I'm pretty confident I can finish quite a few of them in my halfterm break this week. 

Hopefully, my next post will come quicker than this one did, as I'm off college for a week so I have a little more spare time. In the meantime though, why don't you guys comment below what you're currently reading? Are you enjoying it? Or are you just thankful you're almost at the end? 


Evening Outfit Inspired by Frozen's Elsa

Read a Good Book on a Cold Day

Read a Good Book on a Cold Day

Etnies footwear
bluebanana.com

Adelta bubble furniture
$5,840 - madeindesign.co.uk

Gold lamp
$240 - alexanderandpearl.co.uk

Sunday 9 February 2014

Book Review: Bog Child by Siobhan Dowd

Hey guys. So, my next book review is of a book called Bog Child, and I read this for the Ireland Reading Challenge, hosted by http://booksnyc.blogspot.co.uk/ (read my challenge sign up page here). Bog Child is written by an Irish author, set in Ireland and features the charming Irish characters, most notably Fergus and his family, and Cora, Fergus' friend-turned-crush-turned-girlfriend type thing. The book cover and Goodreads description of Bog Child can be found on my Library Haul post so I'm just going to jump straight into the review.

Whats the deal?

Bog Child is primarily about a boy called Fergus, who is hoping to pass his exams so that he can get out of Ireland and escape the troubles to become a doctor instead. Fergus finds the body of a girl in the bog up in the mountains near his home, and the book follows what happens from then on. But it's not just the bog child that affects Fergus. His brother, who is a political prisoner, goes on hunger strike, Fergus makes friends with a Welsh soldier (who he's not actually supposed to be friends with) and Fergus is asked to do something he would rather not do by a man with connections to his imprisoned brother. Poor Fergus. There is a bright side though! Cora, a girl who comes up from Dublin with her archeologist mother to look at the bog child, seems to send Fergus' heart a flutter. And of course, we have the delightful Mel, the bog child, the curse, the abomination (but shhh! No spoilers).

How does it work?

The book is mostly centered around Fergus, the protagonist, and what is happening in his life. HOWEVER, in Fergus' dreams, we flashback to Mel (the bog child) and her time. Mel tells us all about her life and what is happening there (and then), which draws parallels between the Iron Age (Mel) and 1960s Ireland (Fergus). The flashbacks lead up to what happened to Mel that left her in a bog to be discovered hundreds of years later. It was an interesting setup, flitting between Mel, and the different parts of Fergus' life - hanging out with Cora and discussing Mel, visiting his brother, talking to Uncle Tally, making friends with Owain.

The book isn't fast paced, but neither is it so slow it gets boring. The scene is set pretty much from the start and, as the story progresses, you are able to picture more and more of the landscape and events, good and bad. You pretty much get a feel for what's happening from a few chapters in, and there's an event that happens somewhere around the middle that ties in with the task that Fergus has been set (see how much I'm trying to keep all spoilers away?) that makes you think "I know exactly what's happening here". No. You don't. You don't know anything. In fact, about 3 chapters before the end, everything you know is flipped upside down. Let me just say this - the bad guy isn't necessarily the bad guy, nor is the good guy necessarily the good guy. Cryptic? Read the book and you'll see what I mean.

Completely Loved:
  • The topic of the book. Although I'm not overly interested in politics, the theme winds through the book in such a way that I couldn't help but be interested. Seriously guys. I finished this book and thought "right, I think I'm gonna find another book and learn more about the Irish troubles". It's the kind of book that feeds you enough information about a topic to make you interested, without shoving it down your throat. And I loved that.
  • Owain. Oh my Lord, Owain! He was so sweet, and amazing, and adorable and OH OWAIN! But seriously. This is a character who is supposed to be a "bad guy" (he's one of the British soldiers who everyone in Ireland hates just for being there) but actually he is, as Fergus finds out, human just like all the rest of them. Owain had a choice to make back home (he's from the Welsh Valleys) and he made the choice to run free from home. Ultimately, he's no freer than the rest of them. But he was funny and uplifting even in serious situations and I get the feeling that, if circumstances were just slightly different, he and Fergus would have been ever greater friends than they got to be.
  • The Flashbacks. These were, I think, incredibly well done. The parallels between Mel's time and Fergus' own beautifully enhanced the story because they were clearly drawn and yet subtly interwoven all at the same time. I loved it.
Not so much:
  • The cover of the book didn't interest me, and the blurb didn't pull me in at all. Maybe it's just because I don't usually read books like that but, I don't know, it just didn't make the book seem interesting enough. In fact, if I wasn't participating in the challenge (and panicking over whether I'd find any Irish books) I probably wouldn't have picked it up which is a shame because I really enjoyed it. As for the story itself, I can't think of anything I disliked enough to put in here. That's pretty good, right?
Quotes

I found a few quotes that I liked enough to share.

'We suffer more from the sins of omission than the sins of commission' ~ Felicity. I think this is a pretty nice way of saying you regret the things you don't do far more than you will ever regret the things you do actually do.

'Death is not a reaper, like they say, nor even a friend. It is dark, fierce water, an inundation' ~ Mel, in a flashback.

'The studying, the books, exams, arguments, theories. The jokes and pints, laughter, kisses and songs. Life was like running, ninety percent sweat and toil, ten percent joy' ~narrator, at the end. I think this part and the death part (see quote above) kind of look nice together; work hard and play hard in life so that death may not be so scary and dark.

'The summer of the bog child was over' ~ narrator. Although this line is simple, the way it is slotted in at the end of the book, makes you feel like it's the end of an era (which it kind of is), not just for Fergus and Cora, Owain and Mel and Joey and Tally and all the rest, but for the reader too.

Final thoughts

I would give this 4/4.5 out of 5. It was an enjoyable read, very funny and entertaining, but also serious as well, and I think Dowd got the balance perfect between the two. It was warm yet heartbreaking, and I grew to love the characters so much that the end was completely bittersweet. Completely. I would definitely recommend this to anyone, not just those who are interested in Irish history. Because I think that's part of the beauty of this book; it takes a topic that some might say is interesting and some might say isn't, and handles it in a way that makes it accessable to all, regardless of your level of knowledge or interest in history or politics.

I hope you enjoyed my review, and I hope I encouraged some of you to read this! If you have read it (or are going to) please comment your thoughts below. Hopefully, I'll post quite soon (within the next few days), workload permitting, so I'll see you then!

Monday 3 February 2014

Book Review: Gypsy Wedding Dreams by Thelma Madine

Hey guys! So, I've fixed up another review for you all, and I'm really excited about this one because it's my first book that I've read this year that fits into one of my challenges! I read Gypsy Wedding Dreams for the Nonfiction Reading Challenge, hosted by http://www.theintrovertedreader.com (go sign up if you're interested). Also, check out my Reading Challenge post. I borrowed this book from the library.

16100234 Cover and description from Goodreads

Thelma Madine, star of Channel 4's Big Fat Gypsy Weddings and fairy godmother of extravagant wedding dresses, reveals the drama, secrets and surprises involved in ten incredible traveller weddings. Through the tales of ten elaborate gypsy wedding dresses, Thelma Madine, trusted confidante and dressmaker extraordinaire, offers a window onto the world of traveller brides and their unbelievable celebrations. For Thelma's young brides, a wedding dress is more than just a pretty white gown. For some it is a symbol of their fairytale-like hopes and dreams for the future, for others a mark of a long-standing friendship with a non-traveller they have welcomed into their community, and, for one small group, it is a sad reminder of day they know will never come. With each chapter based around the secrets and incredible truths hidden behind each different dress, Thelma's second book is packed full of fascinating new stories. More drama, more dresses, more gypsies. By turns laugh-out-loud funny and achingly sad, and brimming with hilarious anecdotes and larger-than-life characters, Thelma's book will amaze, amuse and entertain. Beautifully designed and fully-illustrated throughout, it is crammed with glossy new photos, revealing never-before-seen dresses adorned with thousands of Swarovski crystals and hundreds of LED lights - an ideal gift for fans of Channel 4's Big Fat Gypsy Weddings and Thelma's Gypsy Girls.

What's the deal?

This book is written by Thelma Madine, the dressmaker behind the fabulous creations on Channel 4's Big Fat Gypsy Wedding series (I don't know if this airs anywhere outside the UK, so if you know, please let me know in the comments). It basically chronicles some of her most memorable dresses, and also the most memorable girls who ordered the dresses. Some of the anecdotes are set before the C4 documentary, when Madine's shop was less well known, and some are set after.

How does it work?

The book is made up of 10 chapters and each is about a different wedding and bride (or, in some cases, about a different topic with several brides under it) that Madine worked on. All the chapters are detailed and entertaining recounts of vastly different experiences. At around 225 pages long (but some pages are photographs), it is a very easy read for when you want something not too challenging, something you don't have to think about, to read at night. There are also beautiful photographs of the dresses, accessories and brides scattered throughout the book, which has lovely page designs too. 

Completely Loved:

  • The photographs. The beautiful photos of various dresses and details really just break the text up and make the book a bit more fun to read.
  • The people. Most of the characters are really sweet and the stories are genuine, warm and funny. A lovely little read to wile away a few dull hours. 
 
Not so much:

  • There isn't actually anything I particularly disliked about this book, maybe because it's just one of those books you might read just to pass the time.
 Quotes

This wasn't a quotable book, so instead I'm just going to say that the chapters I enjoyed the most, for various reasons, were The Game Changer, The Family Rivalry and Me and My Big Mouth.

Final Thoughts

Overall, this was a simple book, satisfying enough to read when you're bored or just want to relax a little and not over-do the thinking. It was sweet and funny and simple too - you don't have to worry about following along with a plot or anything. I'd give this book 3.5 out of 5.

So I hope you enjoyed my review! Let me know in the comments if you've read, or want to read, Gypsy Wedding Dreams, or if you watch Big Fat Gypsy Weddings.