Tag: book

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)

Bookish Apps

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

The majority of people have a smart phone or tablet that has the capacity to download apps and there are many book related and reading apps that would be perfect for the avid reader. They can come in many forms for example, an e-reader or an app that keeps track of the books you read. Here are a few that you may be interested in;

READING APPS:

When it comes to reading apps they are essentially e-readers on your phone/tablet. This is ideal for those who like to read throughout the day and like to keep all thier books on one device without having to buy a seperate e-reader. This can be cheaper as you can get published books at a better price without having to bu a seperate device. There are also loads of apps that share stories and books from individuals that are not published. Examples of reading apps are as follows;

  • Apple/Google Play books
  • Kindle
  • Aldiko
  • Wattpad
  • WordPress
  • FBReader

And much more!

AUDIOBOOK APPS

Audiobooks are a hugely popular way to read on the go. Whether your on your way to school/work or travelling. You can listen to a book and experience it through sound rather than physically having to have that book with you and reading it. You can listen to audiobooks whils you are doing something else such as painting, gardening or anything really! Some example of audio book apps are as follows;

  • Audible
  • Google Play books
  • LibriVox
  • Kobo
  • Kindle
  • Audiobooks.com

OTHER:

There are a huge variety of book apps that can be anywhere from shops, to review sites to blogs. a few examples of some I like are as follows;

  • GoodReads
  • Waterstones (Bookshop)
  • Litsy (Share and discover new books, create an online library to keep track of what you read.)
  • Snaptell
  • Scribd (like Netflix for books)
  • InstantPoetry

These are just a few of the many different apps you can get on your app store so take the time to explore and see what fits best for what you want/need.

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please comment your favourite book apps or if you have anything different to the ones above)

Pop-up Books

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

Pop-up books are an artistic way to share stories using 3-D illustrations.

These are typical for children’s books as they are more immersive and fun for a child to experience. Children often rely on the imagery to keep engaged in the book and making it 3-D just adds another layer to the excitement. It allows the story to be brought alive.

This may then help with improving reading skills as they are interactive and can generate more excitement to see what happens on the next page. They are also combined with the words of a story so children can link the words to the images and gain a better understanding of vocabulary and language. This way for reading provides them with the images that go with the story but as they begin to read books with less images and more words then they can understand about the visualization of the story.

Although pop-up books are predominantly for younger audiences there are some out there for adults to enjoy. These tend to show art and dsplay photos in a more exciting way in order to experience them in a different way. Having a 2-D picture can often lead to people being dinsengaged but if it then made into a 3-D shape within a book it adds excitemetn and allows you to have the ability to look at it from different angles. Many artists also decide to only work or focus on art in 3-D and this is a great way to display this art in a portable way.

Pop-up books have also been good for teaching including science. In order to learn about human anatomy in an effective way pop up books were used to help to understand.

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please feel free to comment your opinion on pop-up books)

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 )

Bookmarks vs Folding

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ 3 Comments

When it comes to marking your page when your in the midst of reading a good book do you use a bookmark or fold the corners of the page?

Personally, I tend to fold the pages of my book as when starting a new book I walkways forget my bookmark or they fall out when I’m carrying it about. I used to always use a bookmark as I was quite picky about keeping my books in pristine condition however I feel it unnecessary these days. It shows that the book has been read.

I don’t mind borrowing a book where the pages have been folded over as I do it myself but I know some people who would hate to see that. If you ever get a book at your local library it is doubtful it’s going to be in the best condition so do be aware of this if you are picky about keeping your books at their best! Often when studying people bookmark multiple pages at time. This is often done with sticky notes or bookmarks however I have seen many with folded corners.

I have a large collection of bookmarks as well so it isn’t that I don’t have any! I understand why people use bookmarks and occasionally I still do. When you want to keep your book in good condition with no damaged pages then bookmarks are the way to go. I very rarely have a book that is in perfect condition!

So if your ever out and start a new book without a bookmark there’s a choice to made: it’s either carry a bookmark at all times in case you ever forget yours or sacrifice your perfect pages!

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please comment which you prefer: bookmark or folded page.)

Book Box Club – January

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

THEME: Storytellers

This months theme was Storytellers. I was really excited to receive this box as I was intrigued to see what would be included in this months box.

Included this months box was a bunch of bookish goodies to enjoy. There is a Bronte Notebook by Literary Emporium to note down all your great stories and ideas. It a great little pocket sized book perfect for carrying with you on all your adventures. A magnetic storytelling kit by Book Box Club so you can write to your hearts content. Writers tips postcards are also included so you can send advice from famous storytellers all around the world. A patch that says ‘Born to Write’ is featured which was created by Wild Sally on Red bubble.

A great writers pencil case by Laura Crow from Not on the High Street is included also which has a great illustration on the perfect sized pouch. Alongside, all these goodies are a couple extras. A sample of ‘Outside’ by Sarah Anne Juckes alongside an extra postcard.

The featured book this month is ‘Monsters’ by Sharon Dogar. That follows the story of Mary, the daughter of a revolutionary author destined to write her own masterpiece. But before she can become the famed author of Frankenstein she will be swept away by scandalous storytellers and philandering philosophers.

I am excited to read this book as it would have never been something I would have generally considered yet I can’t wait to start reading.

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please comment if you have ever read this book or are subscribed to a bookish subscription box.)

Ways to Make Time for Reading

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

Many people’s excuse for not reading is that they don’t have time, a common excuse for more things. I don’t believe that people don’t have time for reading however.

If you look at how many of the people making this excuse use social media for hours a day or sit and play games on a console, I would guess pretty high. I am not saying to cut this out completely however if you have any spare time why not read a little. If it’s a sentence or a chapter it doesn’t matter because its progress. If carrying an actual book isn’t ideal use an e-reader or an app on your phone.

Before you go to sleep, put your phone out of your sight and read something. I find it relaxing to read before I go to sleep and if I haven’t read something that day I feel that I haven’t accomplished what I set out to do and it annoys me. If I literally only read a sentence or a page it’s something.

I also think we need to get rid of the mindset that you need to finish a book in a day or a week. It doesn’t matter how long it takes you what matters is that you are doing it. You’re making progress.

Instead of watching one more episode of your favourite programme that you have already watched 20 times pick up a book. In the time it would have taken you to watch that programme you could read a fair amount.

There are also audio books. Instead of listening to music on your commute to work or in the background at the weekend put on an audio book and listen to a book. Audio books are underrated also. People think that to read a book you have to literally read a book but audio books are a great alternative.

Overall, I would say that saying you have no time is not a credible excuse and that you can always make time to read. As I have said above, it doesn’t matter how much you read, anything is progress.

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please comment if you have any tips for finding time to read)

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)