December 2016 Books!

December, as a month, has been really hectic and so I haven't had much time to read at the moment. I finally finished the reading for lit theory at the start of this month (thank god)! I also managed to read a couple of books for pleasure and re-read a short story for my assignment.

I Was Here - Gayle Forman
23rd Nov - 4th Dec

I have read a couple of Gayle Forman books before and really enjoyed both of them. This book is similar in the way that death is a major theme as it had been in If I Stay. However, it was a completely different story with a new set of characters. It was quite refreshing to read two novels from an author and it not feel like they were regurgitating the same storyline with different characters. It was also nice that, although If I Stay and I Was Here were so different, I still enjoyed both of them just as much. If I had to liken it to a different book, I would say that it was kind of like Paper Towns by John Green. It had a similar mystery element, with both protagonists trying to find out what happened to their friend.

The Shape of the Signifier - Walter Benn Michaels
1st Dec

I won't bang on too much about lit theory, because honestly I can't really remember what this was about.

The Singularity of Literature - Derek Altridge
1st Dec

Similarly, unfortunately, I can't really remember much about this one either (oops!).

Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption - Stephen King
5th Dec

I re-read this for my assignment. Read more about it in last months blogpost here.

The Jubilee Express - Maureen Johnson
3rd Dec - 11th Dec

This is the first of three stories in the book Let It Snow. I didn't have the chance to read the third one, so that will have to wait until next year. I like this one the most out of the two that I read. I loved the relationship between Jubilee and Jeb. To be honest, I really liked the way how all of the characters were developed and the fact that they were all not just what they seemed.

A Cheertastic Christmas Miracle - John Green
11th Dec - 23rd Dec

In all honesty, I brought Let It Snow in the first place, because there was a story by John Green. I normally really like his stories, but to be honest I didn't particularly like this one. I don't really know why, but I just didn't. I did, however, like the friendship between Tobin and the Duke.

Thanks for Stopping By! :)

Christmas Shortbread!

A lot of my family this year will be receiving shortbread for Christmas. It makes a great gift as it's really easy to bake and everyone tends to love it. The recipe is from the Mary Berry Baking Bible.

Ingredients

175g Self-Raising Flour
75g Caster Sugar
100g Butter

Steps

Step 1

Preheat oven to 140 degrees and line 2 baking trays with baking paper.

Step 2

Mix the flour and sugar together.

Step 3

Rub the butter in. It will go to a breadcrumb consistency, but will eventually become a ball of dough.

Step 4

Roll out the dough and use the cutters to make them into different shapes.

Step 5 

Transfer them onto the baking trays and bake for 10-15 minutes, until they are golden brown.

Step 6

Allow to them to cool and then either pop into a presentation bag or enjoy with your friends and family.

Thanks For Stopping By! :)

November 2016 Books!

Sorry there was no blogpost last week, I literally couldn't think of anything to write about and uni and work are both so busy at the moment!

Anyway, this month I haven't really read much other than lots of lit theory and the rest of my reading for uni.

Northern Lights - Phillip Pullman
28th Oct - 3rd Nov

I read this one for my childhood module at uni and i have to say that I didn't really enjoy it that much. I found it a bit too fantasy for my liking and the topic wasn't something that particularly interested. I was definitely happy when I finished read it as I found it kind of boring!

Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption - Stephen King
4th Nov - 6th Nov

This is short story by Stephen that I read for my adaptations module. I actually really enjoyed this one and I definitely wasn't expecting that I have to say. I actually liked it so much that I am using it as the text for my final assignment.

Kindred Spirits - Rainbow Rowell
8th Nov - 8th Nov

I was going through the Kindle store on the way home from uni, because I had just finished reading Shawshank and I didn't have another book with me, and I stumbled across this. I have read some of Rowell's books and I have loved them, especially fangirl! I really liked this one and it was only 95p, which I thought was quite good.

Free Four - Veronica Roth
9th Nov - 9th Nov

This was another one that I stumbled across at the same time as Kindred Spirits and I have to say I enjoyed this one too. I loved the divergent books and I jump at the opportunity of anything extra that I can read on it.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time - Mark Haddon
12th Nov - 22nd Nov

I didn't quite know what to expect from this one as I knew literally nothing about the plot before I read it. I wouldn't probably be something that I would normally read, but I was definitely thoroughly surprised. It was an interesting book and a very quick read.

Lit theory 

• The Postmodern Condition - Jean-Francis Lyotard
• Simulacra and Simulations - Jean Baudrillard
• Epistemology of the Closet - Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick
• New Ethnicities - Stuart Hall
• Postmodern Blackness - Bell Hooks
• Bodies that Matter - Judith Butler
• Black Skin, White Masks - Frantz Fanon
• Orientalism - Edward Said
• The Location of Culture - Homi Bhabha
• The Postcolonial Unconscious - Neil Lazarus

Again this month I have read A LOT of theory! Seriously, I am so glad that I now have read everything off the reading list now. I find a lot of it quite baffling to be honest, but I did like the week that we did on the postcolonial as I found it the both straight forward to understand this month!

My semester at uni is coming to an end, I only have one more week left. Therefore, next months books blogpost should be a lot more interesting. Also there will be a blogpost rounding up the 1st semester of 2nd year in the next couple of weeks.

Thanks For Stopping By! :)

Rich Tea Biscuits!

I like a good rich tea biscuit and I thought I would try to make my own. Also it gave me a chance to test out recipes for Christmas biscuits!


Ingredients

80g Caster Sugar
180g Butter
240g Plain Flour
1 tbsp Baking Powder
1 tbsp Milk
0.5 tsp Vanilla Extract

Steps

Step 1

Preheat oven to 190 degrees celsius (170 fan oven).

Step 2

Mix caster sugar, flour, baking powder and butter together and rub together until it resembles breadcrumbs.

Step 3

Add the vanilla extract and the milk. Personally I didn't add the milk as I felt it would have made the dough too wet.

Step 4

Roll out the dough (make sure to use plenty of flour) and use a circular cutter to cut out the biscuits.

Step 5

Bake for 9 minutes, until golden brown.

Step 6

Allow to cool and then enjoy!


Thanks For Stopping By! :)

*Original recipe can be found here.

73 Questions!

1. Were you named after anyone?

No, but I really wish I had have been.

2. When's the last time you cried?

Last week when I was ill.

3. Do you like your handwriting?

I don't know really. I don't hate it, but there are definitely people with better writing than me!

4. What is your favourite lunch?

I like a good toastie especially at this time of year.

5. Instagram or Twitter?

Instagram

6. If you were another person, would you be friends with you?

Yes.

7. Do you bake?

Yes, although I definitely don't make enough time for it at the moment.

8. Do you like flying?

I don't mind it.

9. Would you bungee jump?

No!

10. What is your favourite cereal?

I kind of feel like it's really boring, but Weetabix.

11. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off?

Yes!

12. Do you think you're strong?

No.

13. What is your favourite ice cream?

Ben & Jerry's Cookie Dough.

14. What is the first thing you notice about people?

Their smile!

15. Red or Pink?

If you're talking about a colour in its own right then red. If you're talking about lipstick then pink.

16. What is the least favourite thing about yourself?

I hate that I overthink everything!

17. Who do you miss most?

If I was away at uni properly then I would probably say my family. However, with commuting I get the best of both worlds, so I don't really miss anyone.

18. What was the last book you red because everyone was reading it?

The Fault in Our Stars.

19. What film made you cry the most?

I don't really cry at films.

20. What was the last thing you ate?

A rich tea biscuit.

21. What are you listening to right now?

The Fault in Our Stars soundtrack thanks to question 18!

22. If you were a crayon, what colour would you be?

Probably dark blue considering that I wear that colour about 70% of the time.

23. Favourite smell?

Probably chocolate. I love getting off the train and being able to smell chocolate from the Nestle factory in York as I walk to uni!

24. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?

My dad.

25. Mountain hideaway or beach house?

Beach, of course!

26. Favourite sport to watch?

Probably swimming.

27. Hair colour?

Blonde.

28. Eye colour?

Blue.

29. Puppies or Kittens?

Puppies!

30. Favourite food?

Pizza!

31. Scary film or happy endings?

Happy endings!

32. Last film you watched?

Love Rosie, for about the millionth time!

33. What book are you reading now?

Victoria by Daisy Goodwin.

34. Summer or Winter?

Summer.

35. Hugs or Kisses?

Hugs.

36. Favourite dessert?

Chocolate brownie.

37. Favourite room in your house?

My bedroom.

38. How long have you been on Facebook?

Nearly 4 years.

39. What is your favourite country to visit?

Probably America.

40. What was the last country you visited?

America, about 3 years ago.

41. Do you have a sibling?

I have an older sister.

42. Favourite sound?

Sound of the sea!

43. Rolling Stones or The Beatles?

Beatles.

44. Do you have a special talent?

Baking and singing.

46. Where were you born?

Yorkshire.

47. Where are you living now?

Yorkshire.

48. Favourite Hitchcock movie?

Vertigo, it always reminds me of first year of uni!

49. What book have you read again and again?

The Gallagher Girl series by Ally Carter.

50. Favourite TV series that's on now.

The Crown on Netflix.

51. Dark chocolate or milk chocolate?

Milk.

52. What's your favourite drink?

Pepsi.

53. Who is your girl crush?

I honestly have no idea!

54. What was the first film you saw at the cinema?

The Incredibles.

55. Heels or flats?

Flats, I hate heels!

56. Favourite bed time story?

The ones my mum used to make up when I was little!

57. Bath or shower?

Shower.

58. What's the hardest thing about being a mum?

IDK!

59. Favourite band?

I can't think of any I really like!

60. Favourite solo artist?

James Bay.

61. To be or not to be?

To be.

62. What would be the title of your autobiography?

Probably something about my life being incredibly dull!

63. Best gift you've ever received?

Probably my laptop.

64. Best gift you've ever given?

I remember saving up my pocket money and buying my mum a hairdryer when I was about 8!

65. Favourite fruit?

Banana.

66. What was your first pet?

My cocker spaniel Poppy.

67. Favourite board game?

Cluedo.

68. How do you have your coffee?

I don't drink coffee.

69. Best invention?

Probably self driving cars.

70. Diamonds or pearls?

Neither?

71. Blow Dry or Air Dry?

Air dry.

72. Cheap or expensive shampoo?

Neither expensive or cheap.

73. How Difficult was it to answer these questions?

A bit difficult.

Thanks For Stopping By!

P.S. Got the questions here http://www.runninginlavender.com/73-questions/

Visit to the Children's Archive!

This morning as part of a module I'm studying about children's literature, we went across to my uni library's children archive. We spent about two hours looking through a lot of Victorian and Edwardian children's books.  To be honest I think we spent a good amount of that laughing at how truly sexist some of them were.

I definitely want to go back there as I actually only really saw a small portion of it. The portion I was in mostly had a lot of fairytales. It was really interesting to read some of the fairytales I grew up with, as well as discovering some that I had not heard of before.

It was also interesting to read some of the tales from the Brothers Grimm. This was something I had partially studied in relation to Angela Carter's The Bloody Chamber during second year of A-level. It was interesting to see how different they were to the fairytales that everyone thinks of. They are so dark!

It was also interesting to see the inscriptions at the start of different books. It was interesting to see that I lot of them had been given as prizes for good behaviour at school. One of them even had a crushed flower in.

All in all it was really interesting to go along and see a resource that I didn't know about before. It also helped to confirm to me that children's literature is definitely something that I want to talk about for my dissertation. The Children's Archive is also something that I definitely want to go back to in the future.

Thanks For Stopping By! :)

October 2016 Books!

I've read a lot this month, but most of it was for lit theory! However, I did manage to do a bit of reading for pleasure as well.

Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
23rd September - 6th October

I don't normally like the classics, but I make an exception for Charles Dickens. I find that his writing still stands the test of time. It did however take me what felt like three years to read!

Enduring Love - Ian McEwan
7th October - 12th October

I quite enjoyed the book and definitely enjoyed it more than the film version. I found it interesting with the psychology theme. It was really easy to read and didn't take me too long to finish.

The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
13th October - 18th October

I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought and again it did not take too long to read. I definitely think I will use it for one of my assignments. It was quite close to the film adaptation I watched a few years ago.


Adaptation and Appropriation - Julie Saunders
13th October - 13th October

A Theory of Adaptation - Linda Hutcheon
17th October - 17th October

Adaptations: From Text to Screen, Screen to Text - Deborah Cartmell
17th October - 17th October

I used a bit of these three book for one of my assignments. I found them quite interesting, but didn't use a lot of quotes from them.

Holding Up The Universe - Jennifer Niven
18th October - 20th October

I was really looking forward to reading this and I definitely wasn't disappointed. It has an incredibly similar structure to All the Bright Places and also deals with some very interesting issues. The male protagonist has a condition called prosopagnosia. This is something that I learnt about in A-level Psychology and it was interesting to read about it in the medium of fiction.

Don't Look Now - Dauphne Du Maurier
21st October - 21st October

This is a short story and was only about 50 pages. Therefore it did not take me too long to read. I quite enjoyed it even though I did find it slightly odd! The film version was also quite interesting and the fake blood was something else!

How Not to Disappear - Clare Furniss
22nd October - 27th October

I didn't quite know what to expect with this, but I was quite pleasantly surprised. I quite enjoyed the mirroring between the character and was pleased with the ending.

Modern Criticism and Theory: A Reader - Nigel Wood & David Lodge
Throughout the Month

• An Introduction to the Structural Analysis of Narrative - Roland Barthes
• The Object of Study - Ferdinand de Saussure 
• The Culture Industry: Enlightenment as Mass Deception - Theodore Adorno & Max Horkheimer
• The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction - Walter Benjamin
• Lecture 6 - Sigmund Freud
• Lecture 7 - Sigmund Freud
• The Insistence of the Letter of the Unconscious - Jacques Lacan
• 'Fantasy as a Political Category' - Slavej Zizek
• 'What is an Author?' - Michel Foucault
• Writing and Difference - Jacques Derrida
• The Ethics of Linguistics - Julia Kristeva

I've read enough lit theory to last a lifetime this month! Some bits I quite enjoyed and understood, other bits I didn't enjoy and understood next to nothing of. I quite enjoyed the reading on Marxism and Freud was quite interesting. However I didn't really like or understand structuralism or post-structuralism.

Thanks For Stopping By! :)

Studying English Literature!

Sorry this is a bit late, work has been manic.

In today's post i'm going to talk about some of the common misconceptions about studying English Literature at degree level.

1. So you're just gonna read books for three years then

When I first said to people at sixth form that I was going to study English Literature at uni, I first discovered what people really thought of it. A few people, mainly those going off to do science, said to me "oh, so you're just gonna read books for three years then". It was so annoying, like my degree was being reduced to that of a book club. Yeah that's what we do, we turn up to seminars say whether we enjoyed it or not and then just leave! Seminars would literally last about 5 minutes if that's all we did.

When I studied a module called Contemporary Writing last semester, I literally wanted to drag along all of the people that said that we just talked about books and see if they could understand a word of it. In that module we talked about history, psychology, philosophy, economics, science, politics etc. Seriously, one week we had a lecture in which the lecturer just basically said money doesn't exist. Seriously it was my weekly mind-blowing session.

2. English is an easy subject

Ha ha ha, no. Read 20 pages of literary theory and then some back and try and say it is easy. Seriously literary theory has got be the hardest module I have had to do so far. To be honest, I still don't fully understand half of it. Never before have I wanted to bash my head on the table than when trying to work out what the heck the Structuralists were going on about! As with every subject there are easy bits and there are hard bits.

3. You'll never get a job with that

One of the good things about English Literature is that you can do pretty much anything with it. One of the reasons that I chose to do it was because I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do. English allows me to keep my options open. Also just because I'm studying English does not mean that I want to be an English teacher!! Seriously if I hear that one more time, I'm going to scream!

4. You're hardly ever in uni!

Yes that's right! I only have nine hours contact time, but that doesn't mean that the rest of the time I simply sit there and do nothing. With English Literature there is only so much that they can teach you and a lot such you have to do independently. The rest of my time is taken up with reading, researching, writing essays etc.

5. What's your favourite book

It is another one of those questions that Literature students hate being asked. How people think that because you read lots of books you will suddenly know what your favourite book is I will never know. By favourite this month will not necessarily be the same as it was last month and it definitely won't be the same as this time next year! Also, this is usually an icebreaker at the start of the semester and honestly every time we have to do it, I forget every book I have ever read!


6. So you've read every classic book

Normally they look horrified when you say that you've never read Wuthering Heights or Jane Eyre. Personally I don't normally like classics, the only one I've liked so far is Great Expectations. And quite frankly, after reading Northanger Abbey, I decided that I'd read enough Jane Austen to last a lifetime! I am of the very unpopular opinion that once you have read one Jane Austen novel you have pretty much read them all! Seriously, it's like assuming that all history students love studying Romans or that all psychology students love Freud.

7. So you want to be a writer

As well as not wanting to be a teacher, I also don't want to be a writer! I like writing the odd short story every once in a while. However, that does not been that I am the next Dickens, I'm not deluded. I'm never going to be able to produce an international best seller, I'll leave that to somebody that actually knows what they are doing!


So hopefully this has given you a view of what it's really like to study English Literature.

Thanks For Stopping By! :)

Favourite Places in York!

Studying in York means that I spend a lot of time there and I enjoy getting away from university and work. I love going to these places just to get away from the stress of assignments.

Minster Gardens

I can't really say that one of favourite places is the minster itself as I have never actually been in it. However, I do love to go to the minster gardens. It is a great place to read when the weather is nice. Also it gives you an amazing view of the minster. I've lot count of the number of times I have taken photos of it!

Museum Gardens

I first went into the museum gardens in first semester of first year at uni. It is lovely and the right mixture between being busy and quite peaceful. I went there a lot in second semester of first year as the weather got better. It is another great place to go to read. Also it's great because you see a lot of squirrels!


River Ouse

It is another place that I like to go to sit. It's lovely, especially during the spring and summer, when you can watch the rowers going by. It is another place that I love to read when the weather permits it.

Thanks For Stopping By! :)

Southwold

A few week ago I went with my family on holiday to Southwold. This is something we have done every year for the past 5 years now. I love it!

Gun Hill

Gun hill is a really nice place to go. You often see children climbing on the old guns for a photo opportunity. However, mostly we go down there for the cafe. It is lovely, has lots seating, is dog friendly and you get a lovely view of the sea.

Church

As weird as it sounds the church in Southwold is a real good place to visit. It is a nice quiet place to get away from other tourists and is nice to walk through and explore.

Lighthouse

The lighthouse is iconic to Southwold. A few years ago I went on the lighthouse tour and although the stairs were at times terrifying, it was really lovely. You get to learn more about the lighthouse and Southwold in general and offers some great views.

The Pier

The pier in Southwold is great for exploring. It has some cute little shops and a cafe that does great cake. However, I must say that the thing that I loved the most when I was a kid was waiting for the waterclock to start. But for some reason I didn't take a picture of it!

Thanks For Stopping By! :)