An Ode to a Book

Hello!

I'm sure a lot of you know, and can even just see by looking at this blog, that I love to read.

Well, I read a lot of books whilst I was on holiday but right now I'm on an unfortunate book ban seen as I have a lot to read for my uni course - it sucks. Shakespeare, I hate you... No offence.

However, when I implemented the book ban on myself, I said I wasn't to buy anymore books, nothing was said about re-reading...

So, to get around my self-imposed book ban, I decided to re-read some of my favourite books and it has made me realise how much I truly love one book in particular.

Samantha Young is the author who has provided us with the beautifully wonderful book that is On Dublin Street. So you can consider this blog post either a mini-review or my declaration of my undying love for this book. It's up to you. Although it's probably more the latter.

The story follows Jocelyn (a.k.a. Joss), a girl who has just graduated from university in Edinburgh and is looking for a new apartment to live in. However, she's originally from Virginia but when her parents died in a tragic car crash and she was left an orphan she made the decision to leave after high school and head to the University of Edinburgh.

She falls in love with a luxury flat as well as it's one existing occupant, Ellie Carmichael, unknowingly at that point that she has also met and lusted after Ellie's brother, Braden, too. 

Braden has a well-known reputation of being a womaniser as well as a wealthy businessman in Scotland but this doesn't stop the undeniable chemistry that Joss and Braden share from making an impact on their relationship, but both of them are unwilling to commit to anything serious.

Although we get to know most things about Joss's past from the beginning, she keeps her pain from her friends, and now Ellie and Braden too, something Ellie especially doesn't understand due to her open, chatterbox nature but it's easy to see that Joss's character is used to fending for herself, not being open. 

So there are the basics! I could recite ever moment of this book, easily, but I don't want to ruin it for you, so it's just a quick synopsis type thing!

It's no surprise that I'm in love with Braden. Obviously. I'd worry if I wasn't. He comes across as the sultry, sexy businessman with an epic sense of humour but his character develops into a lot more than that as his friendship with Joss unfolds. We find out about his past, his family and why he values his relationship with his sister so much. To a certain extent, I have to admit, the business side of him strikes me as very Christian Grey-esque but better... A lot better. And a lot sexier. Braden's one of those dream characters who you literally end up dreaming about. Fifty Shades was not a book I massively enjoyed though, and I certainly didn't dream about Christian, so don't let that one similarity put you off!

Joss's character is what draws me to love this book so much. The suffering she had to endure at such a young age made her shut people out because she thought that if she loved and cared for people it not only made her weak but it would lead to them getting hurt. As the story develops, we see her character slowly grow in strength and become more confident with her feelings and her insecurities.

A part of this is definitely because of her new flatmate, Ellie. Ellie is one of those characters who you can't help but fall in love with and just want to swaddle in cuddles; she's so sweet and kind that it makes you want to be like her, even if she is a fictional character! She's so open that living with someone as closed as Joss is difficult for her at first but their friendship blossoms and, as it does, so does Joss's confidence to trust people and open up more - it brings a tear to my eye!

One of my favourite quotes is from Ellie's character and seen as it's one of the few that can't be classed as a spoiler, I'm going to share it with you:

""Did you just call me a numpty?"

"Yup. A delusional one."

"What, may I ask, is a numpty?"

"A person demonstrating a lack of knowledge of a situation; a silly person; an idiot; a dumbass. A delusional numpty: Joss Butler's stupid, idiotic, blind misconception of the true nature of her relationship with my brother, Braden Carmichael.""

I don't know why I love that quote so much, I just do. Maybe it's the humour in the idea that, in Scotland/England/UK in general, a numpty is a concept most people know. The best English teacher I ever had had an extreme love for the word, too, so maybe that's why! It's at this point that you remember Joss hasn't loved in Scotland all of her life - it's like a little reminder.

Of course there are the general struggles on the way but it's the twist about three-quarters of the way through that you don't expect that makes it so different. Most books have some kind of 'shocking' (supposedly) twist near the end that's supposed to make you think it's not going to work out anymore but in On Dublin Street it really is an unexpected but expected one at the same time... if that makes sense. If you're observant enough, you'll spot the signs leading up to it but it has effects that you didn't realise it would and, if you're anything like me, it will have you rocking on the edge of your bed...

It's so well written, the characters are so lovable and, for anybody who lives near Scotland or even just in the UK maybe, the setting in this book will seem so familiar to you, it will feel like you're there. 

I only live about two hours away from Edinburgh and there is not a single detail in this book that isn't true when she's talking about the streets of Edinburgh and the castle and all of the lovely fine points about the place - it makes me want to go back there so bad! I've seen quite a lot of reviews where people have complained that the book could probably be set anywhere, Young just says it's Edinburgh, but anyone who knows Edinburgh will know there is only one place this book could have been set and it's already there.

For those of us who fall in love with books and characters so easily, Samantha Young has kindly provided us with a series which follow different characters from the book whilst still letting you know how your favourites from the previous book are getting on! It's perfect!

This is in my top five favourite books... maybe even my top three, actually! I feel this book deserves all the love and more. A million out of five stars, easily (yes, that is possible)!

If you're looking for a book to read then this is definitely it... unless you're not into the kind of YA fiction genre, although I still think you should give it a go because I think there's something for everyone in this book.

Happy reading!

Katie x

Music Crush #5

Hello!

This weeks song has basically been the anthem to mine and my friends weekend, so I thought it was deserving of being the fifth music crush!

Tiesto

~~~

Wasted (feat. Matthew Koma)

I think this song was on in practically every different club we went to on Friday night and it just became our little anthem of the night!

It's a real feel-good song, it reminds me of what a good night I had with my friends and all of the fun and laughter.

I'm not so sure about the lyrics mind. Personally, I don't like us better when we're wasted - some drunk people do some really stupid stuff and I witnessed a lot of it on Friday - but I get the way it's saying when people are wasted (although please don't get wasted - it's always nice to remember what you did that night!) they let go a lot more, so some people like it... If that makes sense?

Anyway, here is the song, it's a great, up-beat one and if you're having a bit of an I-can't-be-bothered-with-anything, down day then I think this song will really help!

What's your weekend anthem?

Katie x

Just Another Little Shopping Spree

Hello!

If you read THIS post, from yesterday, you will know that my best friend and I took a day out for a shopping trip in Newcastle!

I didn't go crazy (although I really wanted to), due to the whole summer-means-no-student-finance-which-means-no-money situation, but I thought I would share the things I did buy with you!

(Like last time, I'll add a little collage at the end of the clothes being worn because I know how different things can look until you see them on someone).

An essential to any students shopping trip is Primark, of course.

Primark - £8.00

I used to have a bag extremely similar to this which was also from Primark but the clasp finally broke a few months ago, probably because of my extreme over-usage of it... Anyway, I saw this one and thought it was similar, just a different colour, and thought it would do as a good replacement for the one that's gone to handbag heaven (R.I.P. little bow bag). 

I really like this bag and, as you can see, I've already started using it. The only thing is, it's a little bit of a tight squeeze to fit a lot in and I always like to stuff useless and pointless things in my bag, but maybe it will teach me to be more ruthless!

Top - Primark - £3.50
Shorts - Primark - £4.00

How cute are these pj's?!

I have a pajama obsession. I definitely have more sets of pajama's than necessary BUT I only have one set of short pj's, so these were a necessity! Or at least that's what I'm going to tell myself. I know there's not much need for short pajamas in England but we're having a particularly hot spell of weather at the moment (or hot for us English people, anyway) and I can't stand being too hot on a night. So, I bought these. Don't judge. I need pajamas.

Primark - £6.00 each

Two cardigans, one in black and one in navy blue. A bit boring but they were needed - even though it's kind of hot in England at the moment, you still need to take some sort of cardigan or cover-up; the weather can change quicker than you can click your fingers here!

Primark - £6.00

Oh hai there, little bag!

Okay, so I didn't really need another bag. It's cute though, right? I already found a use for it when I went out the other night (also explained in yesterday's blog post, *hint* *hint*). It's actually a really good size. I managed to fit my purse, phone, a small amount of make-up (mascara, lipstick, etc.) a little tin with hair grips and hair ties in it and something else that I can't even remember now in it. So it's perfect if you're trying to be concise and limit what you take out with you.

Primark - £4.00

This one was actually from when I went on a day out with my brother a few weeks ago (I blogged about the day HERE, if you're interested) but I thought I'd just add it to this post, considering it was the only thing I bought that day.

It's definitely not something I would normally pick up, never mind buy, but I was obviously feeling extra brave that day and went for it. It's super pretty actually! The colour and the pattern just scream spring/summer to me. I just need to get used to the round neck, I don't normally wear anything with a high neck but I think the top is lovely. It's a little bit on the big side for me but I don't think it looks bad being a tad too big because it's made of a meshy kind of material. I would wear a vest top under it seeing as it's see-through, but the light material makes it cool for a warmer climate!

Dorothy Perkins - Wallis - £12.75 (with student discount)

Now this was from Dorothy Perkins, or Wallis in Dorothy Perkins, to be exact. The colour is what caught my attention - it's sooooo bright! It's definitely something new for me; I don't normally go for colours this bright but I do love pink so I had to buy it. Once again, it's something good for the warm weather because it's a sheer kind of material and light and airy.

Boots - Benefit - £15.50

Alas, the £15 eyebrow pencil I told you about yesterday (it was actually £15.50). It's by Benefit so obviously it was going to be expensive but Benefit are normally a great brand so I splashed out. 

I really didn't want to use it once I bought it - all I could think was "don't ruin this, Katie. You paid £15 for it - don't be your usual clumsy self with it!". I did finally bring myself to use it though and it's amazing. It's the best eyebrow pencil I have ever used. I'm not much of a make-up person but, if I'm going out somewhere, I'll always at least use concealer, mascara and an eyebrow pencil (there's my little tip of the day!). It's the perfect colour for my eyebrows, stays on incredibly well and it has a little spooly thing (is that what you call it?) on the other end to tidy them up! As my friend said when she convinced me to buy it - it will last at least twice as long as any cheap one you would buy because you don't have to top it up and it's amazing quality.

And that's everything!

It was a lovely little day out and who doesn't love a bit of relaxed retail therapy?!

I hope you liked this little shopping insight, let me know what you thought or if you've bought any pretty summer-y things lately!

A candid moment of me falling over mid-twirl to end - I'm so graceful - thank god the bed was there, or that could have been more painful than it actually was!

Katie x

Exciting Days!

Hello!

Sorry for the lack of a post yesterday but the day suddenly got really busy, really quickly!

I thought I'd give you a little update of what's happened over the past few days because I've been a busy, buzzing bumble bee!

I feel like I've done nothing but run around since Wednesday, when I went to see my great aunt. It all started to get super hectic Thursday though.

I had to be up at 7AM on Thursday morning and, can I just point out, I don't think I've gotten up that early for about a year now, considering most of my lectures were after 10AM - it nearly killed me (of course I'm not exaggerating)! Anyway, I had to be up early for an orthodontist appointment, then I was meeting my best friend, Feef, so we could go to Newcastle for the day and have one of our epic and wonderful shopping days! We literally only made the train with seconds to spare but hey ho! What fun would it be if we were always organised... 

We did nothing but chat the entire way to Newcastle, and the whole time we were there. And the whole way back, actually. We just talked. A lot. We have one of those incredible friendships where we can talk about anything and everything without even thinking about it, and we can make fun of each other but if anyone else does it, they're dead meat (not literally, obviously, I don't advocate violence... Seriously though, we always have each others backs). Our day in Newcastle started with a lovely meal in Pizza Hut; it was yummy - I'm one of those awful people that goes to somewehre called Pizza Hut and gets pasta because what's the point in going with the flow, right? It was delicious though, without a doubt, one of the best pasta dishes I've ever had. 

We also had a lengthy discussion about tattoos (something I'd love to know your opinion on, by the way, I know not everyone is a promoter of tattoos). I personally wouldn't mind a tattoo, I'm just not sure if I could handle the pain, and I wouldn't know where to get it either. I like tattoos as long as they're not too big; I don't really like the whole cover-your-body-in-tattoos-because-it's-so-cool look and, I'm not meaning to be sexist here but I know everyone will say it sounds like that, I don't think girls suit having heavy tattoos, like sleeves or a whole leg covered etc., I do love to see other peoples tattoos though and get to know the meaning behind them.

We spent over an hour and a half in Primark and I'm sure over half an hour of that was spent in the fitting rooms! Of course, we needed a coffee break after that (any excuse). A trip to Boots ended up in me spending £15 on an eyebrow pencil - don't ask - after Fee persuaded me I was in desperate need of it, which I'm sure I am... Maybe. It's okay though, we went to New Look after that and I told her that the denim jacket she was looking at was a necessity and a bargain, plus, every girl has a denim jacket in her wardrobe; it's a staple. Apart from me, oops! We went other places too but our feet were killing by this point and we were knackered and now I'm struggling to remember everywhere else we actually went into, and I need to stop saying 'and'. 

Before we went to wait for the train (we actually had to wait for this one, rather than jump on it at the last minute) Feef went and bought one of the smallest Machiato's I've ever seen - her whole hand could cover it, and she has tiny hands!

We had a great, girly day, now we just wish we hadn't spent all of our money so that we could go back and do it again!

(I had to put all of the pictures into a collage, there was that many!)

We made an impulse decision the next night for us all to go out, like a mini reunion for those of us who are back home from uni. Only problem was, I'd already arranged to go and see the Megan, Sophie and Daisy, so I had to pay a flying visit to their house (I pretty much did fly in and out of the door, too!). The night resulted in a lot of alcohol and a lot of pouting - I'm not even sure why we were pouting so much, we're obviously just too cool for school! I don't drink that much either, so I guess there wasn't that much alcohol for me. Every picture I have from the night was what we found on Snapchat the next day - some of us were definitely drunker than others, I'm proud to say I was not one of those - It was an phenomenal night full of laughter and a whole lotta new 'drunk jokes'.

Anything interesting been happening elsewhere?

Katie x

Cup-Coordination-Genius!

Hello!

Last night, on my midnight internet browse, I found this amazing cover of Lorde's Royals!

I'm not the biggest fan of Lorde or her music - no particular reason, I just never really caught onto her music like most people - however, this girl, Sarah Stone, has done an absolutely, freaking amazing version of the song.

Want to know what makes it so unique? She does the backing music with a cup! It's basically her own rendition of Royals by using a cup and, I have to say, it's genius!

I have no idea how long it took her to perfect this but I'm guessing it wasn't an easy task that she did in a day - I still struggle with just the simple cup song (I have zero coordination... it sucks), never mind this!

Honestly, I don't even have words to describe how awesome this cover is. You're just going to have to watch it and see for yourself!

On a scale of 1 to freaking genius - how incredible is this?!

Katie x

A Mid Week Pick-Me-Up #4

Hello!

Today's little quote kind of links in with yesterday's post (HERE) but I love it because it's from one of my favourite books.

"Be brave." - Divergent (Veronica Roth)

Anybody who's read the book review I did HERE, on Divergent, will know just how much I love this book trilogy and this is definitely one of the quotes that stood out to me the most from it.

It's so simple. Just two words. "Be brave". I think it's perfect though. Those two words can mean a lot. It's so easy to be scared but it's not as easy to be brave; it only takes one scared person to make a brave person (oh, the irony).

Being brave can be as simple as saying yes or no to something you weren't sure of, or something you've never felt brave enough to do.

Be brave.

Katie x

Have you read the previous Mid Week Pick-Me-Up's?

A Mid Week Pick-Me-Up

A Mid Week Pick-Me-Up #2

A Mid Week Pick-Me-Up #3

A Little Story

Hello!

I decided today was another day to take a risk and post a snippet of a short story I wrote. This was a task we were once given in a seminar, but it's not only been very expanded from its original hundred-word-long version since then, it's also been completely redrafted and changed.

Let me know what you think (in the nicest way possible) and I'm completely open to constructive criticism!

(I posted a short story I'd written last month, too, if you're interested, just click HERE)

Quick warning - it's not explicit but some people might consider it a little scary towards the end...

The Boy

It’s not slippery like a slide should be; it just feels like I’m walking on normal ground, but I’m not. I’m walking straight down the glowing, red helter skelter, my feet barely touching it. It’s what I imagine walking on air to be like… or clouds, but Jane and Tom say that’s not possible; they’re my foster parents, not my real parents. Everybody thinks I’m being silly when I tell them I can walk on anything, anything, but I can. Even the lady at the bottom of the slide told me to stop telling fibs and that’s why I’m up here; to show her that I’m not telling fibs. Mummy and daddy are gone now but they would have believed me, I know they would have. Daddy always used to tell me that nothing is impossible. He wouldn’t have called me mean names. Tom sometimes calls me nasty things, like “freak”, or sometimes worse… A lot of the time they’re worse.

I’m half way down the slide now, just on the curve in sight of the bottom. The lady in the yellow shirt at the bottom is staring at me with her mouth wide open. Now she has to believe me; I’m not lying. Her bright red hair stands out as she shakes her head and looks back at me but I just carry on with my even-paced walk down, eager to talk to her… If she’s still there, that is.

When I reach the bottom she comes running towards me. The rest of the park is nearly empty with just a few people dotted around in odd places, but I know none of them have noticed me. I’m good at reading people. Apart from this lady; I don’t know what she’s thinking. I think that’s maybe why I chose to show her what I can do; she might be special like me and maybe that’s why I can’t tell what she thinks.

“Kid, how’d you do that?!” She still looks shocked and I can see the strain in her forehead as she tries to figure it all out, figure me out.

I try to make words come out of my mouth but nothing happens. I don’t talk much normally. I don’t ever talk, actually. Jane and Tom don’t like to hear what I have to say, so I don’t ever say anything. In fact, nobody really likes anything I have to say. Mummy and daddy would have listened to me. They used to love to listen to my stories.

“Come on Kid, you’ve got to tell me how you did that.” She stares at me, her gold-y, brown eyes looking me up and down every few seconds. “At least give me your name, Kid.”

The lady kneels down so that she’s roughly the same height as me. She wears a name badge that says “Elle” on it, obviously her name. I know I can’t tell her so instead, I grab both sides of her head, pressing my fingertips into her hair. She jerks before falling completely still as I let my story seep into her brain.

When I move my hands back to my sides she falls to the floor, staring at me.

“What’s wrong with you?” She whispers, shaking as she slowly starts creeping away.

Turns out she’s not like me. It’s a shame, really. I would have liked a friend. My hands move back to her hair and move down to press the blue line on the side of her neck until she goes limp. There’s nothing wrong with me.