A Good Read

I first joined Goodreads years ago but never really understood what use it was to me then. Recently I've started using it regularly and, as an avid reader and book geek, it's proving to be pretty good. You can read real honest reviews, get recommendations for new books based on what you like, and see what your friends are reading (great for me as I'm pretty nosy when it comes to books!). Just to point out before I go on, this post is in no way sponsored by the site, I just wanted to share how much I've been enjoying it lately! (Although if anyone wants to pay me, preferably in books, I'd be more than happy!)

One of the things I like most about it is that it lets me keep a really easy record of what I've read and what I'd like to read. I'm terrible at remembering what I've read, and therefore authors I would like to read more from. I've often found myself wandering around the library thinking 'what was that really good book...?' hoping inspiration will spring from the shelves and I'll recall what I read only a few months ago. So, for someone like me with a rather poor memory this helps to catalogue what I've read, and also allows me to add books to a 'to read' shelf if I come across something I find interesting and can look up at a later date.

Why are you vegetarian?

I've lost count of the number of times over the years that I've been asked this question. It seems to happen less often now that being vegetarian is a very much accepted part of society. But even so, it is something that fascinates many meat-eaters - many who think being vegetarian just involves eating vegetables, means you must hate anyone who eats meat and are surprised you can get through the day without passing out from lack of protein. So here's my thoughts about being vegetarian, mainly so I can direct the next person to ask the dreaded question to this blog post and save myself a lot of time.

My first Hen Weekend

Last weekend I attended my first ever 'Hen do'. It was certainly an experience! One person described it as being like a 6 year olds birthday party with added alcohol and I think this is quite accurate! 

Here are a few photos to illustrate the festivities...

My Room 101

I was recently watching an episode of the panel show Room 101 when Richard Osman picked something which I could completely relate to - people telling him he is tall. This got me thinking, if I was to go on the show, what other things would I banish to Room 101. 

For anyone unfamiliar with the premise, the panel on the show pick their pet hates and peeves which are then consigned to 'Room 101' (taken from Orwell's novel Nineteen Eighty Four). I've had a look on wikipedia and some of my favourite things people have chosen include novelty underpants, people who look like cats and the small piece of cotton that holds a new pair of socks together.

So here is a list of a few things I would send to Room 101...

People telling me I'm tall
Copied from Richard Osman I can completely agree with this one. For starters, I don't think I'm actually that tall. At just over 5'9" I am above average height for a woman, and if I wear heels I do tend to tower over many of my girlfriends but I don't think I am an exception. Secondly, what do you expect my response to be when you tell me that I'm tall? Yes, I know I am, I live with it everyday, very good observation. If this is your idea of small talk, I suggest you try harder! And finally, would you tell a short person they are short? I think many people would probably find this rather rude. I like to think by telling someone they are tall you are giving them a subtle compliment, but from the look on many peoples faces I fear it is merely one of those statements that slips out of your mouth before you have really thought about it.

Baking at the weekend - Cherry Scones

I can often be found in the kitchen baking cakes or cookies at the weekend. I'm not the best cook in the world but I've learnt lots from my mum and one of our favourite things to bake is scones. This is our own adapted recipe as I love cherries and they make a great substitute for sultanas (you could use both if you liked!) It's a really simply recipe and quick to make. They can even be frozen for another day - if you've managed not to eat them all that is!

Telly Addict

I don't make it a secret that one of my favourite pastimes is to sit down and watch a good (or slightly questionable) programme on television. I mainly like dramas but I'm also partial to a good comedy show, documentaries and even the odd reality show.

Although I love tv watching I'm terrible at doing it when the actual programme is scheduled to be on! This is why the invention of catch-up tv and recordable devices are a godsend to me. I must have kept iPlayer and 4od in viewing figures during my university years. So some of the things I watch may be slightly outdated and I do tend to have to avoid spoilers, but this means I can skip ad breaks and watch what I want, when I want. 

So here are a few of my favourite shows I've been watching recently.

Homeland
Yes, I know the finale was a while ago but I have only just caught up with it. And wow, I'm glad I did! I know the second season was criticised for not living up to the critical acclaim of the first but I think the third season has been back on top form again. I have no idea where they will go with the next one, but I hope they don't hang around too long with it! Plus, I always have time for a Claire Danes cry-face!

To e-read, or not to e-read...

I love books. And by that, I don't just mean I like reading, I also love physical books. I think there is something quite special about holding a story in your hands, flicking through pages filled with words that someone has so carefully chosen. The smell of a new book can't be recreated and when I step into a bookshop it's the visual image of all the covers and spines that captivates me. This is something I only feel for books - I don't mind about owning physical music or films for some reason.

E-readers are everywhere nowadays and even my Nan has one, but I remain sceptical as to whether I will ever become a convert. I have an iPad (that I won, I hasten to add before I give the impression I am made of money!) so I could feasibly read books on that. I read blogs and the newspaper on it so what's the difference? I know that many people who swore they would never leave behind the traditional hard and paperbacks that have changed their mind and either now solely use an e-reader or mix how they read their books. Despite this I still think I would hate it, and I don't like the fact that I am so closed minded to something so I have decided to draw up some pros and cons to see if I can persuade myself to give technology a try.