Wonder by R.J Palacio | Book Review

  I bought this book not knowing what to expect. Usually, I buy books at friends recommendations, or because a lot hype surrounded them. But, this book just kept cropping up in my everyday life! It seems Amazon really wanted my purchase- it was a recommendation, and various editors' pick. I've never heard of R.J Palacio, but the blurb really captured my interest! So, I bought it...

  A Ten-year-old boy, Auggie Pullman, starts public school after ten years of being home schooled by his Mum. But Auggie isn't an ordinary boy,  he was born with a terrible face abnormality. The story follows his first year of middle school at Beecher Prep, where he finds both his best friends, and worst enemies.

  However, what I didn't know about this book was that it was told from several different perspectives. This novel isn't just about Auggie, it's about everybody he's close with. What I really found interesting about the story is how the characters all effect each other, how they all suffer hardship and problems, but never complain. They know that they have an easy life compared to those of others.

  Wonder is uplifting, funny, and extremely moving. I strongly recommend it. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I really hope a sequel may appear!

 Go buy it,
Hannah Louise.

Our last Summer Adventure| Camping 2013

 So, Friday saw an new adventure starting. My Dad, Alfie, our lovely Schnauzer, and I traveled up to the Lake District for our last adventure of the Summer.

  Since being young I've always loved camping, and living a very 'wild' life for just a couple of days. This time we went just past Keswick and stayed on a lovely little farm, in the middle of valley. I was sooooo picturesque!

  We'd looked at the weather forecast earlier in the week...it wasn't good. But that made waking up to a blue sky on Saturday morning even better! I was so shocked!

  Bright and early, we headed up along the side of the waterfall- which ran down the side of the valley. Then we got a little lost on the mountain side... Long story short, I fell over more times than I cared to remember, but I loved every second of it!

Home is where the heart is...right?

Double 0 Dad

  However, Sunday was a different story completely. We were rudely awoken in the hours of the morning, by the tent starting to cave in on itself! The wind and rain showed no mercy when we were trying to pack up, but eventually we were ready for off!

  I really didn't want to leave, even the rain can't damage the beauty of the lakes. It was just an amazing feeling to escape the busy reality we're all subject too.

  Talk to you soon!

Hannah Louise 

Monthly 'live-by' #1 | September

 Hello readers!
   
    So, today was 'back to reality'... I just got back from school, and with every first day comes the 'new shoe blisters'. However, I trying not to dwell too much on the start of a fresh, hard academic year, instead I had an blogging idea I'd like to try...

  Some months, especially the cold ones, don't really hold anything exciting, they just seem to drag on, and on. But, I'd like to try something new! Each month I'm going to share a monthly 'live-by', or in other words a small phrase that we should all try to practice more this month. I think it would really be a great way to make me, and hopefully some of you, more conscience of our actions.

  Anyway, enough of the rambling! On to the 'live-by'! This month it is "Be the kind of person you want to meet"

  I really like this quote! Nobody wants to meet someone boring... The type of people I like to meet are friendly, lively, and interesting, but I think sometimes I forget these things. That's why this month, I really want to keep this in mind, and let people see the best side of me.

  I hope some of you will try this too, and hopefully, September won't be such a drag... Also, if you have any more 'live-by's please comment!

 Until next time!
Hannah Louise

Majorca- te amo...

Camp De Mar

Camp De Mar

Andratx market

Sant Elm

Valldemossa

Deia

As some regular readers may know, the last 12 days I've been away.

On 16th August. I headed of to the sunny resort of Camp De Mar, Majorca.... and it was so so lovely! My family and I go there almost every year, and we never ever tire of it, and it seems to of been a looonnngg year! I needed a holiday!

Sant Elm

Camp De Mar

Port d'Andratx

  This year we wanted to do something different. We tried to find new places, have new adventures, after all there's only so much sunbathing you can do (well...). This year we went to the highest town in Majorca, Valldemossa. It's beautiful, traditional and very Spanish! Then to a little town called Deia, the quietest and most remote town in the world, I'm pretty sure of it. We also visited a small beach resort called Sant Elm, it was post card perfect!

 Overall, it was such a good holiday, and hopefully the memories will get me through September! I was so lucky, with great company and a great location.

 Till next time readers!

Hannah Louise 

10 things that made me happy this week...

I saw somebody do this post, and thought it was so cute, so here we go...

1. Seeing my Nanna finally settle into her new house (which is lovely by the way!)

2.Going out for lunch with my Mum and sister. Ladies that lunch...how fancy!

3.Spending time with friends.

4. Seeing that people are actually enjoying my blog, no just me. Its an amazing feeling!

5. Having my sister move out my room while she was having her bedroom redecorated. Honestly, it was a tip!

6. Then seeing my sisters room looking lovely, and lying on her new mattress (its memory foam, and it was SO comfortable...)

7. Going round to my Grandparents house for dinner, usually I go every week but since the holidays started I've been so busy! So it was nice to have a little catch up with them both.

8. Seeing Alfie's (my miniature schnauzer) happy little face. Aww he makes my day!

9. Lots of horse riding with a new horse. Murphy is just a big friendly giant.

10. Rereading my favorite book, 'The Fault in our Stars' by John Green. So far, I've only read the happy part.

Also, three things that will make me happy...

1. Seeing my Dad, who's been on Holiday this week, I've missed him.

2.Going to friends in Nottingham later.

3. I'm going on holiday at the end of this week, which unfortunately means I won't be able to blog for the next couple of weeks. However, I will tell you all about it when I get back.

Stay tuned!
Thank you,
  Hannah Louise xx

Birthdays, Burgers and Cocktails

On 18th August, a few years back, Rebecca was born! So to celebrate we had a little get together, and nowhere says 'Happy Birthday!' quite like TGI Fridays!

 But whenever one of my friends have a birthday, I always have the same problems... "what shall I get them? What can I wear?" Finally I decided to wear my bargain white lace dress, which I hadn't had chance to wear yet, but I had so much trouble finding the perfect gift! Then I had a light bulb moment! I gave her a sparkly box, and filled it with some of her favorite and some essential things (of course chocolate was included!)

Me and Birthday girl

  As always, TGIs never disappoints! We had a great time, and didn't stop laughing (especially at Becky's standing on the chair) Then, somehow we ended up sitting at a bar having a 'Son of a Peach' cocktail, non alcoholic of course!

  So, I had an amazing night, with amazing company! Becky, I hope you have the best birthday ever Chum Chum!!

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

 I was, at first, reluctant to read this book. The blurb is really off putting, as all I thought was "oh no, not another Vampire book." But, after my friend couldn't stop talking about it, I had to see what all the fuss was about.

 The book is written in third person, but Cassandra Clare mainly focuses around the character Clary Fray. Clary believes she is just an ordinary teenage girl, until she meets Jace, Alec and Isabelle, who happen to be Shadowhunters. Shadowhunters protect the Human race (Mundanes) from demons who enter the Human World. But as they get to know each other, lots of devastating complications arise.

 Clary is extremely easy to relate too, and takes the whole plot within her stride, not waiting for a Prince in shining armor to protect her. However, I think what makes this book exceptional is the plot. Clearly Cassandra Clare really delved into the 'Shadowhunter World'. Almost every chapter holds a twist, that brilliantly connect at the end. Even though the ending to the story is quite devastating, I really commend Clare on bringing her unique aspect to the book, it really made it stand out from the rest. I read City of Bones so quickly, and I'm truly hooked on the sequels!

  I have really high hopes for the film, which is set to be released on the 21st August in the UK (only 12 DAYS!!). I would recommend  this book to anyone who loves fiction or the Supernatural, it's a masterpiece! Cassandra Clare is a genius.