Bookish Problems (and how we deal with them)

Okay so I found this tag on WordPress about problems we have as bookworms, and I decided I should post about it here!

I'm going to be listing 10 bookish problems and how I, personally, deal with them.

1.You have 20,000 books on your TBR! How on Earth do you decide which one to read next?

I use a TBR jar. They're cute and it's a really fun way to find your next book!

2. You're halfway through a book but not enjoying it that much. Do you stop or force yourself through it?

Unless I really, really don't like it, I carry on. If I've started reading a book, even when I don't really like it, I tend to want to find out what happens, and have an overall opinion. Throughout my entire life, I've only ever not finished two books.

3. The end of the year is approaching but you're no where near your Goodreads target. Do you attempt to pick up the pace or give up?

I try and pick up the pace. I joined Goodreads about 3 months ago, so I did a measly target of 15 books before the end of the year. I've done over that, but I think I'd try and finish it regardless.

4. The covers of a series you love do not match. How do you cope?

I actually haven't come across this yet. But if I do, I will give the un-matching book(s) away and purchase the matching ones.

5. Everyone and their mother loves a book you really don't like. Who do you bond with over shared feelings?

Sophie, my friend Emma or my mum. She usually understand my hate for books that are way too over-hyped

6. You're reading a book and you are about to start crying in public. How do you deal with it?

I can usually hold back the tears if forced, and just do an awkward choked cough and hope it goes away.

7. A sequel of a book you loved just came out, but you've forgetten a lot from the prior novel. Will you re-read, skip the sequel or just hope you remember?

I would re-read. If I really can't remember what happens, then I'd like to have it fresh in my mind.

8. You do not want anyone, ANYONE, borrowing your books. When they ask, how do politely decline?

I would either 1) force them (in a joking way) to look after them, or just flat out decline. After all, if they can't understand my love for books, how can we be friends?

9. You've picked up and put down 5 books in the last month. How do you get out of your reading slump?

I don't often get into them. Normally, I force myself through them and I end up loving the next book just as much as the past one.

10. There are so many new books coming out that you're dying to get and read! How many do you buy?

I normally don't buy many. I just simply don't have the money. Unless I find books really cheap that I've wanted for a long time, then I have no choice but to be controlled.

-Beth

NaNoWriMo: How To Write a Novel

Hey guys!

I would firstly like to say a massive sorry to Sophie for not being around more. Yes, we're all busy, but that's no excuse.

So, I'm back! With a post about NaNoWriMo, which I'm sure many of you have heard of.

NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month, and it's an online based November project, for anyone to join.

The overall goal is to write 50,000 words in 30 days, or 30,000 words if you're in the YA NaNoWriMo.

Now, writing is not for every person, but it's not for every bookworm either...yes, we all love reading, and I'm sure many of us have written a little something at some point, but it takes a LOT to write 50,000 words in a month, that equals 1.6k every day.

But sometimes, it's a challenge that we need. And in the end, it doesn't matter if you don't finish on time, because YOU have still achieved something massive, something amazing. You have written a 250 page novel. And that is certainly something to boast about.

And if you think your novel is a load of crap? That's fine! There's no one there to read or judge your book, unless you want them to. Plus, if it really IS crap (which I'm sure it isn't) it's all practice. There are many years of NaNoWriMo to come, so if you don't manage to write a full novel this year, it's fine. If you do, you deserve an enormous pat on the back! Congrats!

Before I finish off, I want you all to know, this is my first year participating in NaNoWriMo, so I am a complete greenie. But from what I've gathered, all we need to complete this challenge is coffee (or tea, tea drinkers, we can DO THIS.), comfy clothes, a hell of a lot of stamina and just enough time (doesn't have to be a lot, but having a lot can definitely help).

At the end of this, guys, at the end of this torture. We are going to be authors. Remember that. Let it sink in.

And write.

-Beth

Post-Its and Prismacolors

Hi, bookworms! How have you been? School has been super busy, made it through the first month! I haven't had much time to blog but I have been reading  After Let's Get Lost I read All the Bright Places and wow was it beautiful. I'm just going to take a moment here and compose myself. It was beautifully written.

Here's an overview:
Violet Markey should not have been on the bell tower. Theodore Finch is there contemplating the possible ways of death. Somehow they seem to save each other that day on the edge. From that day forward, they develop a sort of relationship. Finch helps Violet rebuild her life. He shows her how to move on without forgetting. She teaches him the beauty of life and gives him reasons to stay. But then one day something snaps and Violet's world is shattered for the second time. She must carry herself and be her own best friend.

My opinion:
I LOVE THIS BOOK IT WAS BEAUTIFUL. I got so drawn in by the characters. Though I haven't felt the same exact way they have, Niven brought them to me. Violet is a beautiful character. I love how strong and independent she is. Her guilt is palpable but we learn a lot from her second tragedy. Finch reminded me of a mix of two people I know. (They don't exactly match up but his general disposition is on point.) I loved their little quirks and have began to take some of them on (post it notes on the walls? Yes please!) I highly recommend this. I regret waiting so long to actually read it and it definitely deserves all the hype it gets. I love how Niven advocates for the teen in this novel. Beautifully written and heart wrenching.

Happy reading!
Sophie