Random Quote #163

We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude. 

Cynthia Ozick

Random Thought #53 - Lipstick & Soup Don't Mix

This time last week I was at my work Christmas party.

Actually that's not strictly true, it was an afternoon event (started at 12.30pm) so at this time I was preparing to vomit as I had drunk too much in a very short space of time (normally I pace myself a bit better).

But anyway before heading out I had put on make-up including lipstick. It was a reddish lipstick that wasn't too dark but I wanted the lipstick to last so not only was I using a lipstick that claimed to be long lasting but I also used lip liner, blotted and applied powder in order to make it last.

One bowl of soup later and I don't know why I'd bothered with lipstick - every time I put the spoon back in to the bowl a thin line of lipstick appeared in my soup.

It even took the lip liner off. In the past I've used lip liner so it wouldn't be as noticeable when the lipstick wore off.

So it was either my lip liner and 'long lasting' lipstick aren't worth **** or potato and leek are actually fantastic make-up removers.

I don't fancy testing the latter theory by using soup on my eye make-up so maybe I'll just go with the former theory - what do you think?

Merry Christmas!

The Graphics Fairy

Random Quote #162

Life is a beautiful magnificent thing, even to a jellyfish. 

Charlie Chaplin

Christmas Party Nails

As you are reading this I may be preparing to go to my work Christmas party. Or I may be at it... or I may be recovering from it.

Or you may be reading this way off in to the future when I've forgotten about the Christmas party and am preparing for the next one.

Anyway I thought I'd share how I painted my nails for this party.

I used Fantasy Makers by Wet N' Wild in 'Rest In Pieces' as a base. I found it in a discount store and I just had to have it (I also got a glow in the dark top coat that is the same brand - yes it does look like a headstone). As far as I can tell it's black with pinky purple glitter in it - you can't see it very well in the photo.

I put some samples of this on a piece of paper and painted various glitters over it (but I can't show you as I appear to have thrown it away).

But in the end I decided to put this over the top...

To me it looks like Christmas lights in a bottle. It looks better in real life - the photo doesn't do it justice.

It's Barry M but as far as I can tell it is limited edition to Boots - I bought in the last month or so, so they may have some left - you never know.

And this is what they look like together...

This is as good a photo as I could take of my nails - I took several!

My nails look cool but I foresee some trouble getting the glitter back off again - looks like I'll be using the tin foil method of nail polish removal.

Teaser Tuesday

I would have posted a Teaser last week but I was reading a comic book collection... it's kind of difficult to give a 2 sentence teaser from comic books.

But this week I'm back on a regular book.

Taking part is simple, all you have to do is:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Then head over to Should Be Reading and add your link to the comments. 

Here's mine:

A howl split the night, rising on the breeze, sifting through the darkness, and fleeing toward the moon. Not the soulful sound of a lonely animal searching for a mate, but the furious, aggressive wail of a dominant male, which caused the back of my neck to tingle.

Page 11, Blue Moon by Lori Handeland 

This book counts towards my totals in the Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Romance Reading Challenge hosted by Book Chick City and the New Authors Challenge hosted by Literary Escapism. 

Random Quote #161

Lighthouses don’t go running all over an island looking for boats to save; they just stand there shining. 

Anne Lamott

Random Thought #52 - I Don't Know About You But...

I should have posted this yesterday really... but I hadn't actually come up with anything to post about until today so better late than never.

So this advert has been on TV recently... you may have seen it... (this is the full version of the advert)

Anyway as you can see it's for J'adore by Dior and the advert stars famous actresses - past and present.

Now I have nothing against the advert really it's just it runs along quite smoothly and then when it shows Marilyn Monroe it's a bit jarring for me.

It's like... Dior, Dior, Dior, Dior, Dior, CHANEL, Dior, Dior.

Do you see what I'm getting at?

I see Marilyn Monroe I think Chanel not Dior.

That's just how it is...

Random Quote #160

Don’t try to make life a mathematics problem with yourself in the center and everything coming out equal. When you’re good, bad things can still happen. And if you’re bad, you can still be lucky. 

Barbara Kingsolver

Christmas Songs

So far this year I have managed to avoid my least favourite Christmas song (which I dislike so much I will not post it's name).

But I was in a supermarket today and it started playing...

However since then I have listened to my favourite Christmas song - Merry Christmas Everyone by Shakin' Stevens.

Start the video at about 0.58 - that's where the song actually starts.

We were decorating the house last week and I wasn't in a particularly Christmassy mood until I listened to that song.

And while we are on the subject of Christmas songs I have a favourite line from another song - The Christmas Song.

I really like the line 'and every mother's child is going to spy, to see if reindeer really know how to fly'.

I don't what it is about that line but it makes me feel all fuzzy :)

You can listen to it at about 1.40 ... or you can listen to Michael Buble sing the entire song :)

Random Quote #159

No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn. 

Hal Borland

Random Thought #51 - A Rhetorical Question About Sandwiches

 Yes I have a rhetorical question about sandwiches.

And not just any sandwiches - store bought sandwiches.

Why do they have to put so much lettuce (or in some cases spinach) in the sandwiches they sell?

I don't know why I'm asking cos I know the answer - to make money.

If they didn't put so much of the green stuff in there then they would either have to put in more whatever else which would cost more to produce (usually meat... or cheese... or something else more expensive than lettuce or spinach).

Or they would have to make the sandwich (or wrap, let's not forget about wraps) smaller and then they'd either not sell or they'd have to lower the price.

Unless of course you go to Subway or somewhere similar... but then that's made while you are stood there and not in a factory somewhere.

Teaser Tuesday

Taking part in Teaser Tuesday is simple. All you've got to do is:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Then head over to Should Be Reading and add you link to the comments.
 
Here's mine:

Cason shakes his head. And that's when the bomb goes off.

Page 11, Gods & Monsters: Unclean Spirits by Chuck Wendig 

This book counts towards my total for the Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Romance Reading Challenge hosted by Book Chick City. 

 

Random Quote #158

Be clearly aware of the stars and infinity on high. Then life seems almost enchanted after all. 

Vincent Van Gogh

Random Quote #157

Life has no meaning. Each of us has meaning and we bring it to life. It is a waste to be asking the question when you are the answer. 

Joseph Campbell

But It's Only A Kettle

We recently got one of those little computer things that tells you how much electricity you are using. Well I say recently, we've had it a while but only just got round to setting up.

Anyway when I go out to work in the morning this thing usually says we are churning out between 100 and 300 watts... per whatever... I don't pretend to really understand it. The closest I knowingly get to physics these days is watching The Big Bang Theory.

So anyway it's a pretty low reading in the morning. Then later on it averages at about 700 to 900 watts when we have the TV or lights on or whatever.

It goes up a fair bit when we switch the cooker on... but the cooker is a pretty big appliance.

But what I don't understand is how it can shoot up from around 750 to 3,500 when we switch the kettle on.

THE KETTLE.

It goes up by nearly 3,000 watts because we are boiling water.

Now like I said I don't really understand much about physics... it's a while since I last studied it (like 12 years)... but how can such a small appliance churn out more than a couple of TVs, a cable box and a DVD player combined (and it's not even a little bit more - it's a lot).

Answers on a postcard... or in the comments box.

Teaser Tuesday

Taking part in Teaser Tuesday is easy. All you have to do is:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Then head over to Should Be Reading and add your link to the comments.

Here's mine:

Is someone behind me? I freeze, still as death, and glance over my shoulder.

Page 15, Forevermore by Cindy Miles

This book counts towards my totals for 2 reading challenges this year:

Book Chick City

Literary Escapism

Random Quote #156

I have never been convinced there's anything inherently wrong in having fun. 

George Plimpton

Random Quote #155

Books may well be the only true magic.

Alice Hoffman

Random Thought #50 - Comments

Yes today's random thought is about comments.

But I'm not talking about comments on a blog. No I'm ranting talking about the comment boxes on surveys.

You know you use a store card or buy something online and they want to know what you think - fair enough they want feedback.

And some feedback/surveys are simple - you put what you want to put and they say 'thanks for taking the time to leave feedback'.

In some surveys you get those comment boxes that ask you why you said what you said or ask if you have any comments.

And sometimes I don't know what to put... so I leave that bit blank and try to move on to the next bit.

But in some surveys you can't do that - you have to put something in that box or you can't move on.

And that irritates me... to the point that in one such survey I put in the comment box that I found such comment boxes annoying. Now I just put a full stop.

But it looks as though that won't be enough soon. 

I recently went to leave feedback for a product I had bought. And I just wanted to leave some standard feedback - something along the lines of 'as described, quick delivery'.

But I was informed that that wasn't enough - they wanted more. And I almost left them a scathing comment on how my original feedback wasn't good enough for them. But it wasn't the seller's fault it was the host website's fault.

 Comment boxes annoy me... end of rant.

  (please feel free to comment :) )

Happy Halloween!

The Graphics Fairy

Teaser Tuesday

I'm back!

After a few weeks I have returned to Teaser Tuesday - I had a cold and then a falling out with the internet.

So anyway, taking part in Teaser Tuesday is simple. All you have to do is:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Then head over to Should Be Reading to add your link to the comments. 

Here's mine:

And then, without warning whatever, a man reeled out of the hedge and on to the road in front of the car. To stop in time was out of the question.

Page 41,  The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie

Random Quote #154

You're alive only once, as far as we know, and what could be worse than getting to the end of your life and realizing you hadn't lived it? 

Edward Albee

Random Quote #153

Wicked people never have time for reading. It's one of the reasons for their wickedness.

Lemony Snicket

More Costume Looks

Last week I posted some zombie make-up tutorials I had recently come across on YouTube, so this week I thought I'd post some of the other costume looks I had come across.

Firstly how realistic do these spiders look!

Random Quote #152

He never went out without a book under his arm, and he often came back with two. 

Victor Hugo

A Zombie Horde

I meant to post this last week... but then forgot.

As we are in the month of October there are quite a few costume make-up tutorials appearing on YouTube.

So I thought I'd post some of the zombie ones I had come across recently.

Now this last one might divide opinion as some people say that Evil Dead is a zombie movie others say it isn't... but the make-up looks pretty zombieish to me (I have yet to see Evil Dead).

Random Quote #151

Everybody is identical in their secret unspoken belief that way deep down they are different from everyone else. 

David Foster Wallace

Teaser Tuesday

I was AWOL from Teaser Tuesday last week but I have now returned!

To take part all you have to do is:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Then head over to Should Be Reading and add your link to the comments.

 Here's mine:

She would tell Branson that she had followed her training. You didn't leave a hostage with a madman.

Page 83, Unseen by Karin Slaughter

Random Quote #150

What's the good of living if you don't try a few things? 

Charles M. Schulz

An Unusually Funny Subject

As I travelled across the YouTube-o-sphere recently I came across this YouTuber. OK so this video isn't on a particularly pleasant subject but it is a funny video (in my opinion anyway).

Male watchers - this woman speaks the truth. Please pay attention... especially to the bit about burying you.

Female watchers - it's funny cos it's true.

Random Quote #149

In life, finding a voice is speaking and living the truth. Each of you is an original. Each of you has a distinctive voice. When you find it, your story will be told. You will be heard. 

John Grisham

I Went A Little Crazy

A few weeks ago now I was wandering through my local Superdrug and came across some nail polish from a brand I had never tried before - 2true

And the colours were very pretty... and there was an offer on nail polish. And although I only came out with 2 of them, a couple days later I went back and got the other 3.

And yes last year I did have to ban myself from buying nail polish *blushes*

But anyway as I had bought them all I thought I might as well show you them. Now I had difficulty finding information on this particular line as what it says on the bottle does not seem to correspond with what it says on the brand website.

I'm not 100% sure if this is the right page but the photo is of the same polishes as I have it's just the blurb next to it doesn't match. The page says that they are '2true Pro Salon Shine Nail Polishes' in colours like baby pink and tangerine... doesn't match the picture though.

But anyway what it says on the bottle is '2true Pro Metallica Nail Polish as you can see in this photo:

L-R Athena, Aphrodite, Arete, Aglaia, Artemia

The first one I tried out was the pink one (Aphrodite) and to be honest I wasn't all that impressed at first. But I only did one coat the first time. It seemed pretty good coverage for one coat but after a day it looked tarnished (or something similar if that's not the right word).

So the next time I tried Athena and Aglaia - but this time with 2 coats which lasted longer (the photo isn't that great though):

L-R Aglaia, Athena, Aglaia, Athena

Then I decided to give the pink one another go but this time I teamed it with Artemis:

L-R Aphrodite, Artemis, Aphrodite, Artemis

And then the last one (Arete) ended up being test run on it's lonesome:

They are £4 each, which although I like them I'm not sure whether they are worth £4, given that Barry M's nail polishes are £2.99 and the 2true polishes aren't quite as good in my opinion. Which is why I'm glad I got them when they were on offer. But they are a nice selection of colours, given that most brands when it comes to metallic colours immediately go for gold and silver.

So 2true? Worth a look (their regular range only costs a couple of quid each), although you might want to wait until the 'Pro' stuff is on offer if you are not sure whether or not to try it.

Teaser Tuesday

All you have to do to take part in Teaser Tuesday is:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Then head over to Should Be Reading and add your link to the comments. 
 
Here's mine:

For the D-Day spies were, without question, one of the oddest military units ever assembled. They included a bisexual Peruvian playgirl, a tiny Polish fighter pilot, a mercurial Frenchwoman, a Serbian seducer and a deeply eccentric Spaniard with a diploma in  chicken farming.

Page 5, Double Cross: The True Story Of The D-Day Spies by Ben MacIntyre

Random Quote #148

It is better, I think, to grab at the stars than to sit flustered because you know you cannot reach them. 

R. A. Salvatore

Liebster Award

I was nominated for the Liebster Award in February. FEBRUARY!!!

And I was nominated by Jolie Du Pre. Thank you Jolie!

So I've got some questions to answer and some random facts about myself to give you.

Questions from Jolie Du Pre

1. What is the top item on your bucket list?

Whenever I read other people's bucket lists I always feel that mine seems sort of pathetic in comparison. But I suppose, at the moment, I want to visit Rome/Italy. In fact I'm saving up to go as we speak.

2. What do some people do that bugs you the most?

Where do I start? I think it would have to be impoliteness. Like when you hold a door open for someone and they don't say thank you.

3. What do some people do that you love the most?

I like it when you are driving and you let someone out of a junction and they thank you for it. For instance if you let the bus pull away from the bus stop and the driver flashes his hazard lights at you to thank you. I also like it when I'm a pedestrian and drivers let you cross the road. I seem to have a thing about traffic...

4. If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?

Be more confident and don't over think things - I tend to run things through my mind too much before hand and end up anxious. I make a mountain out of a molehill. A simple conversation becomes a life or death situation in my mind.Although I am working on this... hopefully I won't over work on it.

5. Do you believe in Astrology?

I'm not sure if I believe your horoscope is actually predicted. But I do believe that reading it can have an effect on your day. If it says you'll have a good day you might be more optimistic. Or if it says be careful with money you might decide against any spur of the moment purchases.

6. Do you believe in monsters?

Yes - there are monsters out there in human form, you read about them everyday.

7. Who is your favourite male celebrity?

Alive - that's a tough choice. I think it is a tie between Michael Buble and Robert Downey Jr.

Dead - Cary Grant will always hold a special place in my heart (despite the fact I only started watching his films in the last 2 or 3 years).


8. Who is your favourite female celebrity?

 Alive - I think it would have to be Kate Hudson - I don't know why, she just seems nice.
In fact her whole family seems nice - Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn always seem so happy together. And when they are all together they always seem to be having a good time (and yes I know there are more than just the three of them).

Dead - Tie between Ginger Rogers and Katharine Hepburn

The last two questions do appear to have become more about my favourite actors that anything else (and Michael of course!)

9. Are you doing your dream job?

My day job - no not really

But in my spare time I write and ideally I would like that to be my day job one day.

10. What do you want people to say about you when you die?

I don't really know - something positive I hope.

11. Do you want to live forever?

I don't particularly want to die but the idea of living forever is just as scary.

Random Facts (I May Have Already Told You Some Of These Facts At Some Point - I'm Not Sure)

1. I watch horror films clasping a cushion so I can peek out from behind it during the scary parts... that's why I don't go to the cinema to see horror movies.

2. I am 1/8th French - my Great Grandma (my Dad's maternal Grandma) was French (she met my English Great Grandad during World War 1).

3. My favourite animal is the dolphin.

4. I was (and still am) a huge Teenage Mutant Hero* Turtles Fan - I know I have shared this fact in the past but I just wanted to reiterate it. (*The Turtles were Hero Turtles in the UK during the 80s not Ninjas)

5. Jeremy Brett will always be Sherlock Holmes to me. (Although Robert Downey Jr. was quite good too)

6. I have 2 or 3 pairs of shoes, that I've owned for at least a couple of years, that I have yet to wear.

7. I volunteered in the schools department of Lincoln Cathedral whilst I was at university.

8. I will not eat peas and have spent many years developing the skill of eating around them if they are mixed in with whatever I'm eating.

9. I can watch films with people being killed and not bat an eyelid. A dog dies and I'm practically in tears.

10. Every other fact I tell someone is usually followed by the words 'it was on QI'. (QI is a UK quiz show on TV where basically you discover that most of what you think you know is actually utter rubbish)

11. I don't like lager or whisky (although I'm more likely to try a whisky I've never tried before than a lager - probably because whisky comes in shots and not half pints).


Now this is the point where I'm supposed to list 11 bloggers with less than 200 followers (I think) to pass the award on to and then 11 questions for them to answer.

But seen as it has taken me just over 6 months to answer 11 questions and list 11 facts I think I'm going to have to pass on nominating anyone else... unless you want to wait another 6 months.

Teaser Tuesday

All you have to do to take part in Teaser Tuesday is:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Then head over to Should Be Reading and add your link to the comments. 

Here's mine:

Was that really how this woman talked about her own daughter? Andy instantly felt sorry for Max's sister, wherever she was.

Page 37, Revenge Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger

Random Quote #147

Time is the coin of your life. You spend it. Do not allow others to spend it for you. 

Carl Sandburg

The Return Of Dolly

It's been a while since I posted about something I had bought from Dungaree Dolly's.

Truth be told it's a few months now since I last ordered and I've only just got around to posting about it.

So the reason I took so long to post was partly because part of my order was for my sister... and I gave it her without taking a photo first.

But I did manage to get a photo of it... about 2 months ago... my bad.

So without further ado...

Cosmetic Bag

I had previously bought my sister a cosmetic bag and when I was deciding what to order I asked if she wanted something getting. She opted for another cosmetic bag (even though she doesn't use cosmetics). And like last time I got to surprise her with the fabric choice.

I just love how there are random skulls with bows on this fabric... it is very my sister.

Change Purse

Everyone should have something in some kind of animal print...

Large Tote Bag

This bag is huge!

I could probably live in it. (tiny exaggeration there)

When I first went browsing I knew I had to have something in this fabric... the photograph does not do justice to how bright the colours are.

There are other bags that I've got my eye on... but I may have to have a sort through my other bags first (non Dungaree Dolly bags you understand).

Teaser Tuesday

All you have to do to take part in Teaser Tuesday is:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Then skidaddle over to Should Be Reading and add your link to the comments. 

So here are my teasers:

Not a hint of brimstone, not a wisp of shadow or smoke. Samael had ignored Tatiana's repeated requests for his presence.

Page 41, Last Blood by Kristen Painter 

This book counts towards the Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Romance Reading Challenge hosted by Book Chick City. 

Random Quote #146

If the real world were a book, it would never find a publisher. Overlong, detailed to the point of distraction-and ultimately, without a major resolution. 

Jasper Fforde

It's London Baby!

Well this week I went off to London and not just 'because' as some curious acquaintances of mine have suggested.

No I actually went to visit the Life And Death In Pompeii And Herculaneum exhibition at The British Museum.

It's hard to believe that not only are the objects in the exhibition nearly 2,000 years old but they have also survived a massive volcanic eruption and subsequent pyroclastic surges (get me with my big words!).

The exhibition was very interesting however as it was a special exhibition that you had to pay to see I wasn't allowed to take photos (not that that stopped some people).

And there was a teenage girl wandering round complaining that everything was confusing... I was confused myself... what did she find confusing exactly? I think the word she was looking for was boring, but given that I found it interesting I'm only guessing that that is what she meant.

So we visited that and spent well over an hour in the exhibit - which surprised me, it hadn't seemed that long.

We had a little something something to eat at one of the cafes in the museum and then I decided we should go and visit a particular room I had glimpsed on our way in before it was kicking out time.

Now this room, it turned out, was called the Enlightenment Gallery. And at first glance it is like something out of a steampunk novel - it was like a proper Victorian library. And given that it was built in the early 19th century it might very well have been filled up in the Victorian period.

I want a library like this (or like the library in Beauty & The Beast - whatever)... in a house by the sea.

The cabinets are filled with all kinds of things - fossils, Hindu Gods, Egyptian artefacts, books, sculpture, a copy of The Rosetta Stone that you are allowed to touch (the real one is in a display case).

I could probably have spent all day in there... but then the museum was closing and we wanted to go and find food before we caught the train home.

Other things we saw in London (which might not seem unusual to some of you but they were to me) included the Barclays Cycle Hire docking stations we kept coming across (which fast became a game of spot the Barclays Bike when we were stood waiting to cross the road - which then became spot the native Londoners i.e. those people who just step out in to the road while we tourists cower on the pavement). And I saw my first ever electric car being charged in a parking space - I've probably seen electric cars before and not realised it but I've never seen one charging before.

And whilst we were eating I found the subtitles on the muted TV very entertaining - trying to decipher what it meant by 'raw raw' was fun. I think it was meant to be rural.

Now a couple of days later I'm still recovering... but it was fun all the same.

Teaser Tuesday

All you have to do to take part in Teaser Tuesday is:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Then head over to Should Be Reading and add your link to the comments. 


Here's mine:

"I'll tell you a family secret," she whispered enthusiastically. "It's about the butler's nose."

Page 18, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

For me this book counts towards New Authors Challenge hosted by Literary Escapism.

Random Quote #145

Sanity is a madness put to good uses. 

George Santayana

Random Thought #49 - Where Does It Go?

 

This might be just me being dumb.

Or maybe it's a phenomena that only occurs in my house (because my mum says she has noticed this too).

But when you have a fountain pen, if you don't use it for a while, the ink in it disappears.

Even if you put a brand new cartridge in it and use it briefly, weeks or months down the line you will come back to use it and the cartridge will be empty.

So where does the ink go?

Teaser Tuesday

All you have to do to take part in Teaser Tuesday is:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Then head over to Should Be Reading and add your link to the comments. 
 
So here's my teaser:

Jace raised his hand and ran it along the banister. It came away wet, streaked with something that looked blackish red in the dim light.

Page 87, City Of Bones by Cassandra Clare 

This book counts towards two of the reading challenges I am taking part in this year:

Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Romance Challenge hosted by Book Chick City. 

And New Authors Challenge hosted by Literary Escapism. 

 

Random Quote #144

Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again. 

C. S. Lewis

A To Z Book Survey

I decided to take part in a survey that I came across - it's originally from The Perpetual Page-Turner, which is a blog I came across via The Aussie Zombie who also had a go at this survey.

Author You've Read The Most Books From:

I had to use Goodreads to check this and I thought it was going to be James Patterson but it turns out I was wrong. I've read more Laurell K Hamilton books. But that includes the graphic novels she has produced.

James Patterson actually came in second.

And third place? That went to R. L. Stine whose books were almost all that I read as a teen.

Best Sequel Ever:

This is was a tough one for me... but looking back through books I have read on Goodreads I think it would have to be Brother Grimm by Craig Russell.

Currently Reading:

 City Of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Drink Of Choice While Reading:

I think it would have to be regular old black tea with milk or good old hot chocolate.

E-reader Or Physical Book:

Physical book. I don't actually own an e-reader. I have got e-reader software on my computer for any short stories that my favourite authors only release in e-book form.

I think one of the reasons that keeps me from getting an e-reader (apart from the fact I prefer physical books from what I have seen of e-readers) is that I would be too scared to take it out of the house in case it got stolen. Someone nicking a paperback out of bag would be less costly.

Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated In High School:

I wasn't really that much in to dating in school... but having thought about this question I have to say that thirteen-year-old Jack Reacher does sound quite intriguing in Second Son by Lee Child. Even if at that age he would already have been a least a foot taller than I was at that age.

Glad You Gave This Book A Chance:

One Shot by Lee Child - it was the first Jack Reacher book that I read even though it is actually the ninth in the series (I have since read all the others including the short stories and can't wait for the next one).

Hidden Gem Book:

I have no idea why but on seeing this question I immediately thought of One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey - awesome book but can't explain why.

Important Moment In Your Reading Life:

I think it would have to be when I progressed from reading Point Horror books in my teens to reading my first Stephen King novel - Salem's Lot.

Just Finished:

The Unpleasantness At The Bellona Club by Dorothy L. Sayers


Kind Of Books You Won't Read:

I think it would have to be what is known as Misery Lit.

Longest Book You've Read:

The Lord Of The Rings by J. R. R. Tokien which, according to Goodreads, the edition I read comes in at 1,077 pages.

Major Book Hangover Because Of:

I think I'm going to have to go with One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey again.

Number Of Bookcases You Own:

Two. A really tall one in my room - full to bursting. A smaller one in the back of my cupboard - also full to bursting. And then there are multiple stacks of books stacked in front of the first bookcase.

One Book You Have Read Multiple Times:

First book that comes to mind is A Walk In The Woods by Bill Bryson.

Preferred Place To Read:

In bed.

Strange but true fact I can't read whilst travelling in road vehicles - it makes me feel sick. I can read on trains no problem, but buses and cars, no way (I have never travelled by plane or boat so I haven't tested out those modes of transport yet).

Quote That Inspires You/Gives You All The Feels From A Book You've Read:

I'm not sure if this is really inspiring but it does make you think.

Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends.

The Fellowship Of The Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien

Reading Regret:

Giving up on The Stand by Stephen King half way through. That book is long (over 1,000 pages) and I wish I had read it all in one go... it sits in the cupboard taunting me now as I know I will read it one day... but I will have to start it again.

Series You Started And Need To Finish (All Books Are Out In Series):

The House Of Comarre series by Kristen Painter. I have just bought the last one (Last Blood). I want to know what happens but I also don't want it to end!

Three Of Your All Time Favourite Books:

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey
George's Marvellous Medicine by Roald Dahl (I so don't care that this is a kids book)

Unapologetic Fangirl For:

Lee Child - as far as I know I've read everything he has had published.

Very Excited For This Release More Than All The Others:

I'm very excited for the release of the seventh Jan Fabel book by Craig Russell. However seen as such a book has neither been announced nor is it rumoured (as far as I know - if anyone knows differently please let me know) I think it will have to be Never Go Back by Lee Child - due out at the end of this month!

Worst Bookish Habit:

This is an odd one but I think it's not being a member of the local library. My membership lapsed as I hadn't been in so long, so I would have to rejoin... and it would be so much cheaper than buying most of the books I read.

X Marks The Spot: Start At The Top Left Of Your Shelf And Pick The 27th Book:

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Your Latest Book Purchase:

Last Blood by Kristen Painter

ZZZ-snatcher Book (Last Book That Kept You Up WAY Late):

The Reckoning by Sue Walker - I was up until 2am finishing that.. and I like my sleep.

Teaser Tuesday

All you have to do to take part in Teaser Tuesday is:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Then head over to Should Be Reading and add your link to the comments.

Here's mine:

Dr Penberthy also appeared abstracted and anxious to get the business over. He made the journey to the cemetery ensconced in the farthest corner of the big limousine, and discussed thyroid abnormalities with Dr Horner, Sir James Lubbock's assistant, who had come to help with the autopsy.

Page 141, The Unpleasantness At The Bellona Club by Dorothy L. Sayers

Random Quote #143

This is my quest, to follow that star
No matter how hopeless, no matter how far
To fight for the right, without question or pause
To be willing to march into hell
For that heavenly cause

The Impossible Dream (The Quest)
(J Darion)

Random Thought #48 - I'm So Over Summer

This week I came to the decision that I am ready for autumn to begin. There's been a bit of a chill the last couple of mornings and although August has only just begun I want to start wearing coats and jumpers again.

And I want to see the leaves change colour.

Every year I mean to take my camera out with me and take photos of the trees in autumn... and never do. It's a bit like how it took me years to actually be there camera in hand when the cherry blossom tree in our garden blossomed.

Roll on autumn! (And then, perhaps with the exception of a white Christmas, we could bypass winter and go straight for spring?)

Teaser Tuesday

 

All you have to do to take part in Teaser Tuesday is:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Then head over to Should Be Reading and add your link to the comments. 

Here are my teasers:

'What is the snag?'
    'Why, don't you see, the old boy never came home that night.'

Page 45, The Unpleasantness At The Bellona Club by Dorothy L. Sayers