Tag: blog

Libraries

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

Libraries are places where I generally don’t go to but there isn’t really a specific reason as to why not. I think libraries are a great opportunity to let people read without paying the prices for individual books.

Wills Memorial Library

I remember being in primary school and taking a class trip to the local library. I was always to excited to choose a book and look at all the options. Even if someone in my class didn’t like to read they generally liked to go through the books and choose one. Whether that be a comic style book or a novel style book. I think at that age libraries are great as not only do the kids get out of class they also choose a book that they want to read and can start to see a style that suits them.

I think libraries should be used more often and I am someone who should use one more as well. I admit I should use them more! Not only is there a variety of books there is also staff there to help you. If you’re looking for a specific book and you can help it or you just want some advice on books there is someone there to help you and answer your questions. If you’re not sure how the library organised then just ask and the staff can explain everything you need to know.

However, they are not always up to date with new releases so if you’re looking for a newly published book then this might not be your best option. It also depends the size of the library whether they have as many books on offer. There is also the issue of the book your wanting already having been taken out by someone else.

I would say that overall libraries are a great service and should be used more to allow more people to enjoy reading. It provides books alongside a quiet place to enjoy them. So I hope that more people use them and I will be!

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please comment your opinion on libraries or any alternatives)

Travel Books – Lonely Planet

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

The amount of travel books available to read is huge however in this post I am going to talk about Lonely Planets releases.

I love to read and browse Lonely Planets travel books and see all the different destinations I would want to go to. I think most of these books give you the best photos and the idealistic travels however it does often provide inspiration for your travels.

There are also many different types of books that Lonely Planet has released such as; specific destinations, types of travel and round ups. These can all provide different information and depending what your after can help you whilst at your destination by giving you tips for your travels.

  On  Lonely Planets website you can get loads of information on destinations however nothing compares to having actual pages to flip through and write notes on or bookmark. I think for travel books it is fun to go through and mark your favourite destinations or activities and write notes next to articles. It allows you to be involved and plan your own journey with all you need in one book that’s right infront of you. It is also ideal when you are travelling to carry one with you as you won’t always have access to the internet ad can still get all the information you require.

Books such as ‘Packing List’ and ‘Travel tips’ are also very helpful. I always find that when I go on holiday I write constant lists of what I need to pack to ensure I don’t forget anything so having a specific book for that is great. To ensure you have all the necessities before you make a trip. Tips to help you travel also helps as sometimes you don’t know everything you need to before you travel (which is fine) however they can often make your trip goes smoother.

Due to the vast amount of different travel books I would highly recommend getting one for your chosen destination. Not only will it give you a bit on insight on what to expect but could give you ideas and hints for travelling there.

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(Ps please comment if you use travel books at all!)

Imaginary Friend by Stephen Chbosky

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

‘Imaginary Friend’ is a book written by Stephen Chbosky which is due to be released in October. This is a release I am scored about as Chbosky first novel ‘Perks of being a Wallflower’ was a great read that I loved.

‘Perks of being a wallflower’ was then made into a film which Chbosky wrote and directed himself. Since then he has written screenplays such as The live action Beauty and the Beast.

‘Imaginary Friends’ is his second novel and follows Kate Reese. Kate is a single mother who flees an abusive relationship by moving to a new town and starting over with her son. But Mill Grove, Pennsylvania is not the place they thought it would be… after her son disappears into the woods their life begins to unravel. This disappearance is strangely familiar with a similar occurrence happening 50 years prior. When he returns 6 days later it is a relief to find him unharmed but he isn’t the same as he was before. He doesn’t come back alone and is accompanied with a voice only he can hear.

This book is thrilling and eery with a masterpiece of imagination and emotion.

I was lucky enough to be sent a link to where I could read the first couple of chapters and so far I am liking it and can’t wait till October. As with every post I will say that reading is entirely a personal choice and which books you like could be completely different to other so although I am recommending it if you don’t like it that’s fine too,

If you would like to get an extract from this book follow this link!

http://netgal.ly/CIsH6X

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please comment if you read the extract and your opinion so far!)

Twice a week to once

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

Not really a blog post but I though that I would let you all know that from now on I will be posting a blog once a week instead of twice.

I have made this decision as I am going to have a busy summer with a time difference to contend with. I also sometimes can struggle to find blog inspiration when I am posting two days apart

I will now be posting on a Friday only.

Many thanks, Caitlin X

(PS please comment how you feel about this change and if you are a blogger what your posting schedule is like)

Why do I blog?

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

I started to blog purely because I wanted to share my love for books and that still stays the same.

I love sharing what I have read and my opinions on them. Hopefully my words could inspire others to take up reading or read a certain book.

I love to read book blogs and it inspires me to not only wrote but to explore new genres and authors.

I currently blog twice a week but in June I will probable be making it once a week. I often struggle to think of the second post of the week as it is only two days later and I likely haven’t finished another book .

I love to write blog posts and I don’t get hung up on the number of views and reads.

If I was to say anything it would be that. Don’t look at the numbers and worry about them. Write for yourself. If only one person reads it then that’s good. If no one does it’s fine it allows you to express yourself.

Many thanks, Caitlin X

(PS please comment if you have a blog or would like to have one )

The importance of viewpoints

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

There are masses of viewpoints that authors can use especially if they have a lot of characters. This can be vital in making a story engaging and realistic.

If you are looking at a crime novel, viewpoints are important. You can look at the criminals view which can tell you why they are doing what they are doing, the police view to show how they are trying to solve the problem as well as the victims view. Those are just a few and you can look at many different people in the book to shed a new light on the events. A good example of looking at different viewpoints is All The Hidden Truths by Claire Askew. I found this book that shared a different point of view with a lot of the book being focused on the parents of both the victim and the criminal. To show how crime effects those that surround those individuals involved.

It is also important to ensure the correct viewpoint is chosen so that it suits the story. Whether the book is written in first, second or third person it need to be write for the story. Most books are written in third person, past tense but that doesn’t mean your book should be!

You also need to make sure that you stick to these viewpoints. To ensure you are staying in the characters head and the book stays in first, second or third person unless for a specific reason. Continuity is also incredibly important and key for viewpoints especially if you have multiple in one book. You need to ensure that if one character knows something but another doesn’t you need to ensure that these are stuck to.

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please comment your opinion on viewpoints)

Monsters by Sharon Dogar

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

The passion and loss that created Frankenstein.

Monsters follows the story of Mary Shelley and how this young woman who defies tradition and society and her experiences which created the most famous monster of all.

Having just finished this book I have mixed opinions of it. I liked the story it told and the characters being based on real people however it seemed too long and during the book I lost interest. I did regain this interest but I feel as though it could have been condensed ever so slightly.

This may be a completely personal thing and I get that every individual has different thoughts so I would recommend this book but only if you have determination and interest in the people of the book.

However, I did like this book as the characters were so developed throughout. I knew nothing of the people in the book before reading and therefore I learned everything with it. I got to know these characters and what drove. A need to be as revolutionary and determined as her mother. I found Mary to be very inspirational. She defied being the traditional woman of the time who got married off to a man. Claire learning to want to be herself and admiring Mary’s passion is also inspirational. She learned to become herself rather than another version of Mary.

The book shared a lot of Mary’s various experiences and opinions of society which all helped her to create one of the most famous monsters of all. Her determination to be as good and famous as her mother and leaving something more than rumours in her legacy. To create something that she would be remembered for.

I would recommend this book but make sure you have the focus. It is a good book but do be prepared for it too seem long at places.

Many thanks, Caitlin X

(PS please feel free to comment your opinion if the book or anything else !)

Rapid Fire Book Tag

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ 3 Comments
  • Ebook or Physical Book?

I would have to say physical book. There is something much more satisfying about seeing your progress and finishing a physical book.

  • Paperback or hardback?

Paperback. It easier to carry with you and cheaper!

  • Online or in store book shopping?

In store for sure. To physically browse and flick through books is much more enjoyable. To be able to be surrounded by books and the smell of new books is so much better.

  • Trilogies or series?

Either to be honest. If I had to choose I would say a series. More time to develop the characters and the plot.

  • Hero’s or villains?

Hero’s. considering I love to read police procedural and spy books I would have to say heroes. In these books the heroes are not like superman or batman but real people doing their bit for example detectives or doctors.

  • A book you want every one to read

The Other Side of Lost by Jessi Kirby. It’s a very inspirational and powerful read!

  • Recommend an underrated author

Jessi Kirby, Kayla Olsen, Claire Askew, Helen fields, Mick Herron… so many.

  • The last book I finished

All the Hidden Truths by Claire Askew

  • Used book: yes or no?

Yes of course. At least I new someone had read and loved it before me. A way to recycle books that are no longer wanted.

  • Borrow or buy?

I tend to buy my books because I like to own them and have them on my bookshelf but I am not adverse to borrowing!

  • Character or plot?

If you have read my blogs before you will know that a vital part of a book for me is characters. If the characters are not well deserved or realistic for the book then I often don’t like it as much.

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(Ps please feel free to comment your answers)

What I would love to learn

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

Where it comes to reading many would think that there isn’t more to read once you can successfully start and finish a book your done. I disagree with that however as there is so much to learn about reading.

Source: https://www.peoplematters.in

You can you learn through the medium of books. There are an abundance of educational reading materials available to help broaden your skill set and knowledge.

You can also learn a lot about reading habits. How different people read and figure out what to read. You can see I’m different cultures that they read ‘backwards’ from right to left rather than the opposite which I know. I find it incredibly interesting to learn about these different reading habits and how that can influence me as a reader’s.

I can learn about a different way that someone picks a books and it influences me to do it in the same way to explore more authors and genres. For example I learned that some people go straight to the section of a bookstore that they wouldn’t typically go to and restrict themselves to only that are an this forces you to step out if your comfort zone and delve into something new.

I hope that you take the time to learn more about others reading habits and how that can influence you!

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please comment any reading habits your would like to share )

Only the Ocean – Natasha Carthew

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment
Source: http://www.goodreads.com

Only the Ocean by Natasha Carthew is a young adult book that focuses on a young girl who is trying to survive in a dark and scary world. You follow Kel who plans to kidnap a girl in order to fund her trip to America to receive help for her heart. Whilst doing this not everything goes to plan and they both end up stranded in the middle of the ocean with only the hope of surviving. Due to this time spent together they grow close and become friends which is unusual for someone from the ‘swamps’ and the other from the ‘towers’.

There are two main characters in this book, both young girls named Kel and Rose. They are from completely different world and you can see that throughout the book. The way that Kel talks in comparison to Rose show the difference in class and education alone. They are an unlikely friendship however as the book goes on and they learn more about one another you can see they begin to bond. I did like these characters and did feel as though they fit the story well even if it want my favourite book.

I did find it took a little while to get into the book as the dialogue takes some getting used to. The writer used a lot of slang and phonetic words. This can become confusing at times however the narration in between the dialogue cleared things up and you could follow the story.

I wasn’t a huge fan of this book, this is just a personal opinion however as many others do love it. I feel it lacked action for me and didn’t necessarily keep me engaged. It also seems unrealistic in a way. I know it is a fictional book however I find it hard that they did survive on the sea for so long when it was described as being so wild. I also felt that the baby being in the book was pointless. I didn’t feel it added to anything and that at times I felt the writer had forgotten about it. I know the premise was that Kel didn’t like the bay however I feel as though the baby wouldn’t have survived these events. At one point when they come across a ship that they went aboard to look for food the baby seemed to just disappear for a while.

 The characters went through a lot however everything went back to normal very quickly. For example, Rose suffered a bad injury on her leg after their raft capsized yet despite spending days with an open wound on an island then on the sea it seemed to just be fine.

Overall, I would say that this book wasn’t for me. I liked the characters and felt the fit the story however I personally didn’t enjoy it. I felt that it was long and drawn out with a few events along the way with a disappointing ending.

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please comment your opinion of this book if you have ever read it or if there are any other comments you want to make)