Literary Tattoo Ideas

August 31, 2018August 31, 2018 ~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ 2 Comments

Tattoos have become very popular in recent years and therefor I would share a few literary tattoo ideas. I, myself have two literary themed tattoo. My first one is an open book line tattoo at the back of my neck and a tea cup on my arm. These both inspird my blog name as it shows my love for books and tea!

A book Tattoo – a simple yet effective tattoo that depicts a single book or a stack of books.
A literary quote tattoo – a tattoo of your favourite quote from your favourite book.
Le Petit Prince Quote
A book scene – a tattoo that shows your favourite scene from a book
Hogwarts
personality – a tattoo that shows how you feel about books and how books represent you. Shows your relationship with books.
A symbolic tattoo – a tattoo of your favourite books symbol
Silence of the Lambs Tattoo
A landscape – The landscape from your favourite book.
Hogwarts Skyline
A comic Book Tattoo – Comic book related tattoo

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please comment if you have literary tattoos or would want one )

John Green Books

August 29, 2018August 28, 2018 ~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ 1 Comment

I have previously read three of John Greens books and I really liked them. I have read ‘The Fault in our Stars’, ‘Looking for Alaska’ and ‘Paper towns’. John Green has released many YA novels that look at teenage life in many ways.

‘The Fault in our Stars’ is a very well known book and has had a film adaptation made from it. I read the book after the hype of the film came about. Everyone seemed to be raving about the film and I never watched it for ages and decided to read the book instead. I think the book is very well written in a way that it talks about a serious illness yet it isn’t complicated and is romantic. I was sat on the couch one night and read the book in one sitting as I couldn’t put the book down. This book both tackles the highs and lows of being a cancer patient whilst being a novel about teenage romance. I have to admit I did cry upon reading the ending as it was so powerful. This book was very well received with high ratings on websites such as good reads and YA Book Central. It is an emotional rollercoaster that made you laugh, cry and smile and a book I would highly recommend. (PS I never did get round to reading the film)

looking for alaska

‘Looking for Alaska’ was also a great book and one that I would highly recommend. It looks at a teenage boy is dragged into the world of the new girl at school. It is a well written teenage book and I think it is realistic and easily comprehensible. The characters are interesting and well developed which helps to add to the realism. It is written in a way that is easy to understand and is not complex in a way that would make you think of anything but the intended storyline. It really explores teenage life at a boarding school with a mysterious new pupil.

‘Paper towns’ shares the story of two teenagers who go on a midnight adventure and soon one of them becomes a mystery. The one who disappears and left the other trying to find her. But what will he learn along the way? It is well written and does keep you engaged in the story as well. I love the characters however I do feel as though they were a little predictable as they reminded me of the characters in Looking for Alaska, A teenage boy who is trying to reach out to the girl who is unattainable. Saying that they are well developed and intriguing even although they are similar. I think that upon reading other reviews it is not just my opinion that both Looking for Alaska and Paper Towns seems to follow the same formula and although they are different stories they seem to based upon the same plan. However, I would recommend this book but I would just warn you that it is a good book, I would read it again but it is similar to Looking for Alaska.

Overall, I would say from what I have read that John Green is a very good YA author and writes books that do appeal to the target audience and I would recommend the books I have mentioned. I would like to read more of his novels in the future.

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please comment if you have ever read one of John Greens novels or intend to)

Bookish Places I would love to visit

August 24, 2018August 24, 2018 ~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ 1 Comment

1. Shakespeare & Company Bookstore, Paris

This bookstore was established in 1951 and it is a must-see for booklovers. It is a beautiful and cozy book shop and cafe and if you visit at night you may even stumble across one of its many events.

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2. Hay Castle Bookshop, Hay-on-Wye, Wales

In this picturesque town there are a multitude of bookshops worth the visit but specifically the open aired one at Hay Castle. The town is especially worth visiting during Hay Festival of Literature & Arts, held between May and June.

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3. Livraria Lello & Irmão Bookstore, Porto

This bookstore is considered one of the most beautiful bookstores with it grand staircases and floor to ceiling books. Since it opened in 1906 and has since become an inspiration for any famous writers.

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4. The Brattle Book Shop, Boston

This was established in 1825 and is one of the oldest and largest antiquarian and used bookshops in the USA. In addition to the 3 story building you can also find books outside the building.

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5. Georgian House Wizard Chambers, London

This is a 5-star hotel with both rooms for muggles and wizards. The wizard chamber are however the main reason people stay. These rooms give Harry Potter the chance to sleep in a Hogwarts type dormitory.

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Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please comment if you have ever visited these places or would like to)

Book Box Club: August

August 22, 2018August 22, 2018 ~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

Augusts installment of the book box club has been released and I am excited to share its content with you. I love this idea as I have previously stated and I would really like to recommend this box.

This months box had the theme of Tech Tribes which I was really excited to see what this box contained.

Upon opening the box you are presented with the months leaflet sharing all the information on what is within the box.

This box had multiple bookish goodies that were related to the theme. It contained a BB8 magnetic bookmark by Rachel Norline Art on Etsy so you can keep your page in a fun way. It also had a pair of robot sock by Joe Cool to keep you cosy while you read. There is also a great Lunar Chronicles coaster to keep your new Invent the Future Mug on. The mug features artwork by Alicia Jo with the coaster by the box company, Book Box Club. There is also an Ada Lovelace sticker by Victorian Store.

A Jinx Necklace also by Book Box Club so you can keep your own Baku cat with you at all times. This is a great addition as it links to the features book.

Alongside these goodies and the features book there are also two bookmarks in order to keep your page. One with the book artwork and a special bookmark from C.K Robertson. An extract from Are we all Lemmings & Snowflakes by Holly Bourne is found within the box as well as an exclusive 4 chapter sampler of Colour Me In by Lydia Ruffles.

The featured book in this months box is Jinxed by Amy McCulloch. This book is based upon engineer Lacey Chu and her discovery of Jinx, a high-spec, high-maintenance robot cat Baku which helps her dreams seem possible once again. Bakus are state of the art robotic animals that function as a smartphone whilst being the perfect pet.

Again, I would highly recommend this service and I hope you enjoyed this months Book Box Club unboxing !

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please feel free if you are subscribed to Book Box Club or have ever read the featured book ‘Jinxed’ )

What I am Currently Reading

August 17, 2018August 17, 2018 ~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

I am currently reading Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie. I have been wanting to read this book for a while now but the recent release of the film adaptation really made me go out and buy it. It had been recommended to me a lot as it is a crime book however it is written in a great way. The story is a great mystery. How did this crime happen and who did it?

I have read about half of the book so far and I really like it. The format of the book really helps to keep you intrigued as it is split into sections of the investigation. Chapters based off of how they are completing the investigation. Each interview is given its own time to be said and explored. The idea of the crime is also so very exciting. It seems like an impossible crime and being able to read on the find out all the clues and discoveries is very exciting.

It is a very intricate storyline with the ‘impossible’ crime having to be explained and figured out. I am surprised the book is as small as it is due to this and how they managed to fit this investigation into that amount of pages.

I am really excited to finish reading this book, I would say more than usual as it is a story I have become invested into. I am looking forward to exploring who commited the crime and how they did it.

I know this is a short blog post but I Just wanted to share what I am reading currently and how I would recommend to anyone who haven’t read it to do so. It is a great book and I have heard great things for the rest of the book.

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please feel free to comment if you have ever read this book or would like to)

‘The Lost Witch’ By Melvin Burgess

August 15, 2018August 14, 2018 ~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

The Lost Witch by Melvin Burgess was part of a recent subscription box service I received that I have written a previous blog post on and I have just finished reading it. It is based upon a young girl, Bea, who discovers she has powers. These powers are something that she has never experienced before and she has to come to terms with this alongside a witch hunt headed straight for her. The book is a young adult fiction and one which I enjoyed reading.

This is a book that I generally would not have chosen and I am glad it was a part of this subscription box as I really liked the novel. It has a good balance of character development, mystery and magic to create a great novel. I liked the structure of the book as well as it is chapter based with each chapter being reasonably small in length which allows for easy progression and targets.

The characters in this book are a real strong point as all of the main characters are extremely well thought out and developed. The main character of Bea is likeable and realistic even although she is a witch. She has a real innocence about her as she tries to come to terms with the new discoveries she makes every day and you see a real vulnerable side throughout the book which would be expected with a young teenager. The other witches you meet throughout the book are also very well developed. This is something I didn’t expect however as there are a few of them and they are not necessarily the main character. Each witch is explained and met in a concise yet informative manner which allows for an insight into who they are and why they are that way. However, I feel as though when we meet back up with Bea’s dad his mental state wasn’t explored enough and I didn’t comprehend fully how he got to that stage.

I found the storyline intriguing and it kept me wanting to read on however I felt as though the ending didn’t do the rest of the book justice. The whole novel is leading up to a climax where it is the witches versus the hunt however I felt as though it was very anti-climactic. It was expected to be a big immense battle which it wasn’t. I also felt as though it was rushed. A lot of time was spent building this moment up but when the ending occurred I felt kind of disappointed. I feel as though even although there was a conclusion it wasn’t one that left me feeling as I had completed this book. I think the ending would have been a lot better if it had a few dedicated chapters specifically to it to be able to explore the possibilities and why it had ended in the way it had. Either that or chapter dedicated to what happened after the moment between the hunt and the witches and to see how Bea handled it alongside the other witches.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book as it is a great read with a great adventure. It has a young female lead and a great storyline. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and would love to read other books by this author.

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please comment if you have ever read this book or would like to in the future)

What would make me give a book a 5/5 rating?

August 10, 2018August 10, 2018 ~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

Well-developed characters. To me this is the most important part of a book. If a character is not well-developed then they can often be unrealistic or hinders the intended storyline. You may be more focused on trying to understand the character rather than exploring the storyline and events.
It has to be well structured. This can mean different things to different people so it is completely personal. I prefer having shorter and a larger number of chapters rather than one continuous prose or large sections as it allows me to see progress much easier and provide myself with reading targets. For example to read a chapter before I go to sleep. Even although this is preferred I have read book that are more of a continuous prose and enjoyed it however it has to be written in an engaging way to keep me reading.
It stimulates your brain. A good book has to engage your thoughts and allow you to regularly form your own opinions and feelings for the book and its characters. You must be fully invested into the book and want to continue reading in order to fully enjoy the storyline.
Well-written. The book has to be well-written in an engaging way. This completely depend on the genre and target audience but if, for example, your boo is aimed at a younger audience or children then you have to write it in a way that engages them. Easy to understand language and quick sentences. Whereas crime novels may focus on the correct terminology and language. A book that I have read that was extremely well-written was ‘Call Me by Your Name’ by Andre Aciman. It is written in a beautiful manner that is almost like poetry in the way it flows throughout the pages.

These are a few important factors that I judge a book off of but this isn’t what everyone would prioritise. I personally prioritise character development whereas others may choose the structure. This is my opinions and I hope it helps you to find yours.

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please comment what makes you rate a book 5/5)

5 Reasons to start reading !

August 8, 2018August 8, 2018 ~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

These are my top 5 reasons for getting into the world of books and imagination!

WARLORD by Chris Ryan

August 3, 2018 ~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

warlord

Warlord by Chris Ryan is the fifth installment in the Danny Black series and is a great read. I have just finished reading this novel and absolutely loved it. It is at times brutal and quite gruesome however, I do feel this adds to the realism as it something that would actually occur. As it is the fifth installment and I hadn’t read the previous books I initially thought I would struggle to keep up with the characters. I do not feel as though I did struggle however as the characters and story line was well developed. There were certain small references to the previous books but not enough to confuse the story line of this book. As a whole this book is one in which reading the previous installments are not vital.

It features SAS team member Danny Black and his team who try to fight the world of drugs, violence and cartels in Mexico. This novel features a fair amount of violent scenes and shocking events so do be prepared for that if you are going to read the book.

I feel as though Danny Black is a likable character. He is a very serious and determined man however he does show his fear and grief. His reputation is portrayed as a trusty and brave man who has been through a lot but has yet came out the other side. The characters are all well developed and understandable even though it is the fifth book. The characters are all portrayed excellently and are very realistic.

This novel is fast-paced and filled with action that keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout. The book is very well written and you can see how Chris Ryan’s personal experiences influenced and aided this as it felt as though you were there with the characters and within the story line throughout.

I would highly recommend this book however you should be prepared for gritty and violent events within as well as a multitude of emotions. It is an emotional roller coaster which sticks with you even after reading.

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please feel free to comment your opinion on the Danny Black series or other books similair)

Book Box Club

August 1, 2018August 1, 2018 ~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ 2 Comments

Book Box Club is a subscription service where a box is sent to you monthly which contains a book and other goodies related to the chosen theme. It is run by Libby Harris and Kate Morris-Double who are friends who both live everything book related. I stumbled upon this whilst on social media and loved the idea. I immediately purchased my first box which happened to have the theme of Witchcraft. I really liked all the items I received which is also a bonus!

When I first opened the box I saw the leaflet with all the information about the items that were in the box. It tells you all about what you received and the theme the box was based upon.

Some of the goodies that were in the box are above. First thing I noticed upon opening the box was the potion bottle filled with bath salts with mystic scents of mint and jasmine. This item was created by Midsummer Child who has a shop on Etsy where you can but this product. The next item I noticed was the Luna Lovegood Candle by Madame Fiction who also has an Etsy shop under that name. It is an exclusive plum and rhubarb candle inspired by the whimsical witch Luna Lovegood. On top of this you also received Hocus Pocus earrings by Fairy Fountain Gifts (Also on Etsy) which are little earrings featuring a broom riding witch. You also received A Spell for Wildflowers so you can grow your own little garden. I loved all these items and especially liked how they are all by individual and small companies.

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However, my favourite item that I received (excluding the book) was the Portable Magic Book Pouch by Tea Cake Art to keep your books save whilst you take them around with you. It features a Stephen King quote on the back ‘Books are uniquely portable magic’ with a spell bounding illustration on the front.

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The book that was included in this months box was The Lost Witch by Melvin Burgess which features a story in which an impending war and vicious witch hunt will take Bea away from her innocent summer and cast her into the dark and dangerous world of Hocus Pocus. As her powers grow and enemies closing in she questions if she can’t trust herself who can she trust. I am really looking forward to reading this book and the fact it is something I wouldn’t necessarily be drawn to myself is another reason why I think this subscription box is a great idea. It takes you out of your reading comfort zone and allows you to explore other authors and themes. It also comes with a signed insert from the author. It also features an exclusive invite to an online book club with the author.

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This subscription service is a great idea as you get to receive a new book every month without the hassle of looking around for one yourself. It also takes you out of your comfort zone which is always exciting. The box is available to purchase on https://www.bookboxclub.com/ and if you order before the 6th of every month you will receive your box by the end of the month. Next months box theme is Tech Tribes.

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please feel free to comment your opinion on this subscription box or have other recommendations)

(PPS this post in not sponsored)