Browsing Tag

clare furniss

Sunday Diary

Too Much French, Decisions & Chocolate Cake | Sunday Diary

Posted on 17 January, 2016

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!

Uncategorized

Wrapping up April!

Posted on 1 May, 2014

So April was quite a busy month for me! I was off school for over two weeks so I got lots of time to catch up on reading, and it was really nice to just be able to relax.

I announced I would be starting a new blog schedule, but, you know what? That’s now going! I’m now not going to have a blog schedule and I’m hoping this will take a lot of weight off my shoulders. I feel pressured all the time and I hate it. Now, I’ll only be reviewing books I want to and at any time too. I won’t be posting on a particular day or scheduling for a particular time – I’ll just be posting whenever I feel like it.

In April month it was my two year blogoversary, which was rather exciting. I celebrated by reading and eating chocolate all day. Can you think of a better way?! Thank you for all your lovely messages!

In April I read:

REVIEW: The Year of the Rat by Clare Furniss

Posted on 27 April, 2014

[book-info]

The Year of the Rat is a poignant and thought-provoking novel that discusses themes of grief and dealing with the death of a parent and how one goes about leading a normal life after that.

After hearing Furniss talk at an event, and hearing part of The Year of the Rat being read, I couldn’t wait to start it. I didn’t know an awful lot about it, but I had an inkling that I would love it, and I really did.

Losing somebody close to you must be one of the worst feelings in the world. For Pearl there is the added factor of a baby sister to look after, a sister who reminds her of her mother who died in pregnancy with ‘The Rat.’

The Year of the Rat is going to be a book I recommend to a lot of people because of it’s emotional depth and ability to hook the reader into Pearl’s story. There are psychological themes within The Year of the Rat – the reader unsure whether Pearl is actually seeing her mother’s ghost or if she is fabricating her to deal with the grief she is going through. The emotional depth really makes the novel stand out because it all felt so real; it was as if Pearl was living inside me and voicing the thoughts I’ve had in the past.

I feel as if there isn’t anything quite like The Year of the Rat released at the moment so if you’re looking for originality this is definitely for you.

Pearl isn’t always a likeable character and I often found myself questioning why she did particular things, but this is what makes the book so magic and, if this even makes sense, makes Pearl even easier to like.

The Year of the Rat is such a good book, and Furniss an author you really need to watch out for. If her debut is this stunning, I can’t wait to read her future novels.