BOOK CLUB TAKEOVER: Lynn Jo from ‘Lynn Jo Chaney’

Here are my thoughts… I LOVE hearing other people’s views and reviews on pretty much anything especially books! Some of my favourite reads are ones that have been suggested by other people. So thinking along those lines,’ The Book Club Takeover’ was born! Hopefully each week I will bring to you a post from one of my lovely and amazing fellow bloggers who will in turn share with you what their favourite book is, why they love it and a review. I hope you enjoy this feature as much as I do!

Hi Lovelies! I’m Lynn Jo and you can normally find me over at lynnjochaney.blogspot.ie!! I don’t really blog about anything specific but I have a nice healthy mix of life, beauty and fashion… the basic contents of my head :P I am a college graduate and was made redundant from my job so I have a lot of time on my hands while I job hunt so this blog is keeping me sane in this gap with nothing happening. I am also moving to London in February so this blog is going to be huge to me then. I’ve wanted to start posting about my favourite books on my blog because I love to read so this is a good way to test the waters. Please let me know what you think.

ALSO, I recommend this book to everyone so get a nice copy, even second-hand and share it around as everyone NEEDS to read it!

 

The Blurb

Callum is a nought – a second-class citizen in a world run by the ruling Crosses…

Sephy is a Cross, daughter of one of the most powerful men in the country…

In their world, noughts and Crosses simply don’t mix. And as hostility turns to violence, can Callum and Sephy possibly find a way to be together?
They are determined to try.

And then the bomb explodes… The Review

Now I had hoped to read this book again before writing this post as it has been about a year since I read it last, but then I said no, I’ll write it based on how much I still love it and recommend it even though it has been a while since I read it. It’s impact doesn’t lessen the more time passes since you have read it.

When I was in Transition Year in secondary school our teachers seemed to be mad into getting us to read really different pieces of literature… between English and Irish the books were definitely different to our normal material.

Noughts and Crosses focuses on the whole idea of segregation and minorities in a society run by a power. It is part of a trilogy and I would recommend reading the whole set as the books are gripping and have n almighty impact on you.

I like the book as it puts a spin on who the minority is, they don’t use typical true to life representations and put into power those that are a minority in our world. The story has the usual star crossed lovers vibe to it but there is so much more to be found in the book. You find yourself fighting for the characters and willing them to get through everything and triumph at the end… I won’t say whether they will or not but be warned it could go either way due to the nature of this book.

 

This book appeals to the masses, it covers everything, romance, action, crime, there is something for everyone in this book. I recommend it to everyone, people with completely different literary tastes to me, and everyone has loved it. In school we used copies of the bought by our teachers and I was so into it that I went home and bought a copy of the book to bring home and read ahead myself as I just could not put the book down, I was always reading ahead in class.

 

I know I haven’t said much on the plot but to be honest I don’t need to. Like I love the plot, it’s a brilliant idea for a book, especially the way the tables of power are turned within the world of the book. But I really think this books message and the way it makes you think is the reason it should be read. My class had the most powerful discussions we have ever had after finishing this book. It changed us all, even those in the class who weren’t the literary sort. Like I would not be the one to get involved in discussion of power or power roles, but I was dying to have my say in relation to this book.

 

I think that is all I am going to say on the book, if I haven’t convinced you to read it then let the blurb. How you could not be curious after reading that I don’t know.

'Shake It Till You Samba' Gelish Toes

 

As I mentioned in last week’s post, I recently went to Butlins for a 90’s themed weekend for a friends hen do. I was naughty and a few days prior treated myself to some Gelish nails, but I didn’t stop there... I pushed the boat out and got my toes done too!

I don’t know if anyone else has feet issues but I am really funny about people touching my feet, mainly because they are INSANELY ticklish! Last time I had a pedicure I managed to kick the guy in the face! However for the want of pretty toes I decided to brave it.

 

I am so glad I did! I love the result! The Gelish shade I went for was ‘Shake It Till You Samba’ which is a fab bright neon pink. It’s also part of the UV range, so under the right lighting I will be glowing! Eeek!

As I’ve mentioned before I love Gelish. If your anything like me and can be a bit rough and ready so you’re always chipping your nail polish, this is perfect! It stays put with no chips for a couple of weeks, it’s also super shiny and just looks great!

Motivational Monday #27

For once I don’t have much to say about today’s quote. It says it all, it’s how I aim to live my life. I want to see the positives in everything, I want to be happy, I want to live life the best way I can.

Happy Monday! xx

Autumn Clear Out!

So I had a pretty rubbish start to the day, I, like thousands of others spent the morning on the house phone, my mobile, my laptop and the ipad trying to get me some glasto action. Sadly me and Glastonbury Festival weren’t meant to be and I didn’t manage to get any tickets. Heartbroken is an understatement but I managed to pull myself together and have a reasonably productive day for a Sunday!

The last few weekends I’ve had something on and not really had a chance to catch up with things and get organised. Also I don’t know how everyone else feels, and I don’t whether it’s because of the however many years of education we endure, but Autumn always feels like new beginnings to me. It makes me want to clear out my life and start a fresh. So today I decided to start with my wardrobe and get a few bits on eBay. I am on a mission to try and save a few pennies at the moment, and I have so many bits of clothing that I though I might as well see if can sell a few pieces.

 

I am a nightmare when it comes to clothes! I love shopping and have no will power, my wardrobe is over flowing. Seriously I have a pile of stuff on the floor as have nowhere to put it. So enough is enough! I pulled out everything and put them into three piles of stuff I’m keeping, stuff to bin and stuff to sell. I found tops and dresses with the labels still on!

I feel so much better now after having a clear out, it’s a bit therapeutic. My bedroom looks a bit like a bombs hit it now but hey ho! I even started putting a few bits on eBay. Check out my page here, I will be adding more over the next few weeks.

I also caught up on my blog today, and a bit of blog admin. All my emails (well most of them...) have been actioned or replied to. I also wrote a few posts as well as two guest post, which I’m really excited about and I will tell you more about soon.

All in all I’m quite pleased today, I’ve had a pretty productive day. Go me! Hopefully it will mean this week will be pretty cool as I’m sort of up to date for me! For a severely disorganised person I’m feeling pretty together!

BOOK CLUB TAKEOVER: Ffion from 'ThePoorGirlsGuide’

Hi, my name is Ffion, I am a Welsh speaker from South Wales. I am an AS Psychology, Sociology and Business student. My blog is called ‘ThePoorGirlsGuide’ It’s not really a blog about being poor, it’s a blog that every young girl can relate to, not having enough money to buy those new pair of shoes you saw in Topshop or that new dress in New Look. I write personal and lifestyle posts that I think my readers  can relate to. I have also recently started to put some self help posts up for those of you in college or thinking of college next year I think they could help you out. I am as interactive with my readers as I can be and you can follow me on Instagram and Twitter; @FfionGinge and for enquires please e-mail me at ffiongdavies@gmail.com. Blog; ThePoorGirlsGuideTo.Blogspot.com

The Blurb

How I Live Now is the powerful and engaging story of Daisy, the precocious New Yorker and her English cousin Edmond, torn apart as war breaks out in London of a not-so-distant future, from the multi award-winning Meg Rosoff. How I Live Now has been adapted for the big screen by Kevin Macdonald, starring Saoirse Ronan as Daisy and releases in 2013.

Fifteen-year-old Daisy thinks she knows all about love. Her mother died giving birth to her, and now her dad has sent her away for the summer, to live in the English countryside with cousins she’s never even met.

There she’ll discover what real love is: something violent, mysterious and wonderful. There her world will be turned upside down and a perfect summer will explode into a million bewildering pieces.

How will Daisy live then?

The Review

This has always been my favourite book, from when I read it some 3 or 4 years ago. It’s stuck with me, it’s been one of the only books I could ever re-read and I think it’s suitable for anyone aged 14+ I think even my mum would enjoy it! This book has everything mystery, romance, violence, it’s such a good read you’ll never want to put it down. The story is about a Girl called Dasiy who moves to England to live with her cousins where she develops a special bond with one of her cousins Edmond. Without giving too much away (because I want you to read and love this book as much as me) It’s a rollercoaster ride, when the family is torn apart by war and sent to live apart, do they ever meet again? READ IT, I can’t stress enough how exciting this book is, other than to say even someone who hates reading would love this! But read it soon as it’s been adapted into a film that’s coming out on the 4th of October in the UK and as we all know, the film is almost never as good as the book!

 

Thank you to Gemma for letting me share my favourite book with you!

 

Tiki Tiki Gelish Neon Nails

 

A couple of weekends ago, it was a good friend of mines hen do. So a group of 7 of us travelled across to Butlins for a 90’s themed hen weekend. I’ve never been to Butlins before and I’m not sure it’s my particular cup of tea, however when your with a group of good friends you can always make it work! Plus Chesney Hawkes was headlining and who doesn’t love a bit of the ‘one and only’!!

Embracing the 90’s theme on the Saturday night, still feeling almighty rough from the night before, we got out neon on and dressed up as cheesy quaver ravers. Give me glow sticks and I’m like a kid high on blue smarties!

Using any excuse to treat myself to a bit of pampering, I felt the need for neon nails. Before we went I headed to my local beauty salon and treated myself to some Gelish nails. I went for their UV range, as felt glowing nails totally fits within the raver theme!

I went for ‘Tiki Tiki’ which is a bright neon coral and I’ve had so many complements for it! I highly recommend Gelish, it stays put for ages, doesn’t chip and has a fab hi-shine finish. If I wasn’t so skint I would love to have this done regularly but for now it’s just a once in a blue moon treat!

September Round Up

WHOAH! How is it the last day of September already?! This month feels like it’s gone so fast. On my first ‘Motivational Monday’ post of the month (check it out here) I stated a few aims for this month which were the following....

‘start looking at my future, make plans, start figuring out where I want to go what I want to do’

‘Learning something new’

‘Attempt to do a blog post every day for the month.’

Err so I kind of failed miserable at all of these, in terms of making plans I still have no idea how to get to where I want to be. Although I know I want to write, I want to travel, I’d love to meet Mr Right instead of Mr Oh So Wrong.... I just have no idea how to do any of these three!! I lack confidence in my writing, I have no money at all so travelling is out unless some amazing person would love to pay for me to travel and write about the experience??? And as for prince charming, how the hell do you meet hot single boys these days?!

I don’t think I’ve learnt anything new and I failed miserable at blogging every day! However the week where I did manage to blog every day, I’m not sure I enjoyed it that much. Don’t get me wrong I love blogging and have post ideas coming out of my ears but when I put pressure on myself to blog each day I didn’t get the same buzz out of it. Therefore in a good way it’s made me realize I love blogging and I will blog when the mood takes me. No pressure, no ‘I have to post’, no mass commitment. I think this is then reflected in my writing, if I’m happy I think my writing improves.

Do you blog? Do you like to read/write posts daily? I’d be really interested in people’s views on this.

On the plus side, this month’s been pretty awesome, I may not have achieved my aims but I’ve still had a blast! Works been crazy busy but I’ve managed to catch up with so many of my amazing friends. I feel so lucky that I’m surrounded by some pretty talented, lovely, funny, crazy people. As you get older it sometimes feels harder to see people and have regular catch ups, due to the daily grind of life getting in the way. But when we do see each other, it’s like no times past, and I love it. There’s something about good friends that just make you feel so awesome. It may also be due to the large amount of cocktails and dancing that’s taken place this month!

 

I’ve also done a bit of moon lighting this month, I was very lucky that I got the chance to write a piece for FETED Magazine about my homemade face mask and scrub. It’s so exciting to see my work someone else other than my blog! I also did my first ever guest post for the lovely Gabriella at Brighton Girl Blogger, which you can find Here. I also recommend you check out here bucket list! It’s inspired me to start my own. I’m not sure I’m as brave to put it in the public domain though!

Favourite product...

For September it’s definitely got to be my Moroccan Oil! It ran out about a week ago, but it’s lasted me for months! I’ve been using it most days and since I’ve run out I’ve definitely noticed my hair is more knotty and isn’t as soft at the ends. I’m trying to be good with money at the moment but I’ve got a big argument in my head to order some more. Oooh the dilemma!

Top Tune for this Month...

Please forgive me for such a word heavy post!  I just feel that even though I didn’t quite do what I set out to achieve this months, it’s still been refreshing and fun and I feel like I’m making massive strides down a positive happy path! It’s also been really nice to write this post, to be able to sit down and reflect on things. I think we are all guilty of not taking the time to do that, and it’s so important.

Happy Monday Lovelies! xx