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book pigs

Sunday Diary

Too Much French, Decisions & Chocolate Cake | Sunday Diary

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I tested out a feature called Sunday Diary in September 2014 and, whilst I loved writing it, I stopped after the first post for some reason, but it’s back!!

I’ll be sharing what I’ve been up to in the past week each Sunday – bookish and non-bookish. As I said in the first post, “It’s a chance for me to ramble away and hopefully you’ll learn a bit about me at the same time.”

What I’ve Been Up To This Week:

At school, I’ve had to make the scary decision of choosing my A-Level options. We’ve had taster sessions in the subjects for the past fortnight and I think I’ve finally decided on French, Business Studies, English Literature and Religion, Philosophy & Ethics. So, pretty much, just carrying on the options I’ve been taking for GCSE. I know it will be a massive jump up, but I’m actually really looking forward to it – is that weird?

I’ve also been working on my French writing controlled assessment. When it comes to French, I probably go a bit overboard and so on the day I did feel very nervous, despite having learnt it to within an inch of its life. However, it did go very well and I’m so pleased to have it done with! Hopefully no more writing assessments for me for a while!

At the weekend, I went out to buy my prom dress (I’m sure I’ll share it closer to the time!) and then for cake, as you can see above. And then today I’m planning on doing some pigture shoots for Book Pigs, my guinea pig blog. If you haven’t heard me talk about it before, then probably dedicate a whole day to looking at the pigtures because you could get lost in the cuteness. 😉

What I’ve Been Reading:

I’m in between books at the moment and haven’t read anything entirely this week, but think I’m going to be starting How to Disappear by Clare Furniss next. I loved The Year of the Rat so have high hopes for it. I’m sure it won’t disappoint!

 

Let me know the exciting things you’ve been doing this week, and what you’ve been reading in the comments!

 

Discussion

A 2015 Year In Review

2015 has been an incredible, whirlwind year. I can’t believe we’re now going into 2016! I thought that it would be nice to look back on the year that has passed and share some of my favourite moments!

Starting Book Pigs!

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At the start of the year, I started a blog on Tumblr called Book Pigs, where I share pictures of some of my guinea pigs with books. It’s taken me by surprise just how much people have fallen in love with my piggies and it’s also made me try and up my photography game. It’s one of the best jobs, although there have been some funny moments, like when one guinea pig ran around under my bed for ten minutes!

UKYABA Prize

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It came as a total shock to me when I won Champion of YA in the UK Young Adult Blogger Awards earlier in 2015. It means the *absolute world* to me to be recognised for something I love doing so much and I still can’t believe it, really!!

Visiting the Harry Potter Studio Tour

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It was SO amazing to visit the Harry Potter Studio Tours for the opening of the Hogwarts Express with Holly, C.J. and Josh (and my dad!). It’s so weird, but so great, to feel as if you’re walking around parts of Hogwarts and living in the world of Harry Potter. It’s such a memorable experience because I don’t think there’s anything quite like walking through the doors of the Great Hall for the first time, a place that has inhabited your imagination for years and also a place you’ve seen so many times on your TV screens.

Stonewylde Gathering

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I have discussed my favourite book series many times on my blog, and this year I got to go to the annual Stonewylde Gathering. It was so much fun and lovely to see Kit again. There was also a quiz later on that I’m sure I got very competitive at… It was nice to test my own knowledge on the books (because I’ve read them so many times!) but it also reminded me how you can read a book a million times and return the next time and find tiny details that you didn’t pick up the first million times. And…. I won! I’m pretty sure that is going on my CV now. LIFE HIGHLIGHT!

UKYA Events!

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One of the best things about being a blogger is getting out and meeting like-minded people, and this year I’ve had the pleasure of attending quite a few events – publishing ones, book festivals, and others like the UKYA Extravaganza in Birmingham and the Young Adult Literature Convention. The above picture was taken at the UKYA Extravaganza (full post on it here) and it’s been amazing to see this event flourish this year, especially as it is author run. Emma Pass and Kerry Drewery have put a lot of work in it, so to see it doing so well is a credit to them.

#ukyachat

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Running #ukyachat on Twitter is always the highlight of my week and this year I’ve been lucky to watch it turn from my baby into my child. Being able to talk to such wonderful people, and making lifelong friends out of it, is one of the best parts and I’m looking forward to a year of chats in 2016!

I’d like to take this moment to thank each and every person who has participated and supported #ukyachat in the past year – the authors, bloggers, and passionate readers who take part and have championed it. Thank you!!! You always put a massive smile on my face.

2015 has been one of the best blogging years and I’m looking forward to watching how it develops in the year ahead. THANK YOU to all of you who have made it extra special!

What are your bookish highlights of 2015?

Uncategorized

Book Pigs

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At the start of the month, I created a new blog on Tumblr called Book Pigs. I’ve always wanted to incorporate my guinea pigs into my blog and using Tumblr means I can make it as fun as possible, but still keep it very relaxed.

Today I thought I’d share some of the pictures featured so far, in a little wrap up!

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This is Ruby, who loved posing by Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass series. She’s so friendly and extremely adorable! I’m so in love with her.

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I know it’s wrong to have favourites, but sometimes it really can’t be helped. Hazel is the loveliest guinea pig you could wish to meet, and she’s Ruby’s mum!

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Look how cute Bluebell’s face is! She would have sat for hours – she loved her picture being taken, and she’s so photogenic! She looks so fluffy!!

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And for the final picture we have two INCREDIBLY ADORABLE CUTE babies who I could stare at all day. THE CUTENESS!

I’m so excited for all of the things to come on Book Pigs in the future! You can take a look here at all of the other pictures.

Which guinea pig is your favourite?