Month: March 2018

Awesome Blogger Award

~ cupofbooksblog ~ 19 Comments

Hello blogging friends, I hope you’re all having a wonderful day wherever you may be!

A little while ago, I was nominated for the Awesome Blogger Award by Saanika from Heart of a Dreamer – thank you so much for nominating me Saanika!

Rules

• Thank the person who nominated you.

• Tag it under #awesomebloggeraward

• Answer the questions asked.

• Nominate at least five awesome bloggers.

• Give your nominees ten questions.

• Let your nominees know that they’ve been nominated.

Questions from Saanika

  1. Favourite book? I really dislike this question because I don’t have a definite favourite book, but at the moment I’d have to say my favourite book is November 9 by Colleen Hoover.
  2. Favourite movie? My favourite movie is definitely the first film in the Back to the Future trilogy.
  3. Favourite city? From the cities I have travelled to so far, I would say Bath is my favourite city.
  4. Do you wear glasses and if yes, do you like wearing them? I don’t wear glasses but I have always wanted to (don’t ask)!
  5. What do you like more, dancing or singing? I prefer singing over dancing, however I don’t have the greatest of singing voices.
  6. Favourite song? My all time favourite song is Iris by Goo Goo Dolls.
  7. Favourite season? My favourite season is a mixture between Spring and Autumn.
  8. Do you prefer reading or writing? I prefer to read.
  9. Favourite cuisine? My favourite cuisine is Indian.
  10. Land or water? I prefer water over land.

My Nominees:

My Questions to My Nominees:

  1. Do you prefer hot chocolate, tea or coffee?
  2. Would you rather read under a snuggly blanket by the fire or outdoors in the warm sun with a cold drink?
  3. What is your favourite animal?
  4. What is your favourite movie?
  5. What is your favourite dessert?
  6. What is you favourite book?
  7. Do you prefer reading or writing?
  8. If you could pick any book that you wish you had written, what would it be?
  9. Who is your favourite author?
  10. Which do you prefer, Marvel or DC?

I enjoyed answering these questions and hope that my nominees enjoy answering mine too! If you have already been tagged before, please don’t feel obliged to have to do it again.

Speak to you guys soon,

Claire 📚

Wonder by R. J. Palacio Book Review

~ cupofbooksblog ~ 3 Comments

Book Description (via Goodreads): I won’t describe what I look like. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably worse. August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated an an ordinary kid – but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. WONDER, now a #1 New York Times bestseller and included on the Texas Bluebonnet Award master list, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance. “Wonder is the best kids’ book of the year,” said Emily Bazelon, senior editor at Slate.com and author of Sticks and Stones: Defeating the Culture of Bullying and Rediscovering the Power of Character and Empathy. In a world where bullying among young people is an epidemic, this is a refreshing new narrative full of heart and hope. R. J. Palacio has called her debut novel “a meditation on kindness” – indeed, every reader will come away with a greater appreciation for the simple courage of friendship. Auggie is a hero to root for, a diamond in the rough who proves that you can’t blend in when you were born to stand out.

Continue reading →

Daisy Jones by Mack Mama Book Review

~ cupofbooksblog ~ 3 Comments

Book Description (via Goodreads): DAISY MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND. Gorgeous temptress, Daisy Jones has the power to send men to prison for sexual relations with a minor. She is the epitome of a gold digger and raised to go after rich men by a bitter mother. Mama Jones mad at her fate in life taught Daisy the art of manipulation and how to scheme on her prey. She didn’t warn Daisy about letting her heart get in the way of business, forcing her to fall for a southern rapper and the CEO of a multi-million dollar empire. The story begins in Atlanta, Georgia, travelling to New York City, and enters the notorious crew, the OBGs a gumbo of women hustlers, killers, and drug dealers, who have earned a reputation in the streets for being beyond terrorist. And they’re connected to Daisy Jones, all of them wanting to get their “Daisy” on.

Continue reading →

One Lovely Blog Award

~ cupofbooksblog ~ 26 Comments

I have been nominated by Karen Jo from Sincerely Karen Jo for the One Lovely Blog Award. Thank you so much Karen Jo for nominating me! If you guys don’t follow her, I suggest you click on the link above to check her blog out because it’s wonderful!

Let’s move onto the award!

Rules

  • Thank the person who nominated you for the award.

• Display the banner/sticker/logo on your blog.

• Share 7 facts or things about yourself.

• Nominate up to 15 bloggers that you admire and inform the nominees.

Seven Facts About Me

  1. I used to be a gymnast. When I was around 5/6 years old, I started to go a gymnastics club. Up until the age of around 12/13 I kept this up and thoroughly enjoyed it. Competing in competitions, doing displays for festivals and local events. Sometimes I wish I still did it, but my time got taken up by school work and socialising.
  2. I have an unhealthy obsession with Lightly Salted Doritos and Tzatziki. I can happily eat a whole bag of Doritos with two tzatziki dips whenever! So damn good. Surely it’s healthy right?
  3. My favourite animals are Pandas and Killer Whales (Orcas). The first time I ever saw Free Willy, I immediately fell in love with Killer Whales. Yes, I understand (now) that Willy is not real and that still upsets me, but he was an incredible mammal! I wanted to move to America, marry Jesse and play with Willy. Wow, my eleven year old self was very odd. With Pandas, I’ve always loved their fuzzy ears and have wanted to visit China and have a panda experience day for a very long time!
  4. I am running a half marathon this Sunday 25th March. I ran a half marathon two years ago with my sister and we enjoyed it so much we decided to challenge ourselves and run another one. We are participating in the London Landmarks Half Marathon and are raising money for the Tommy’s Charity to help fund research and raise awareness about miscarriages, still births and premature babies. I am over half way to reach my target goal on my Just Giving page. If anyone would like to contribute to this, you can check that out here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/claireadavis
  5. I love skateboarding. Although I haven’t done it in a few years, I really love skateboarding. My friend, Claire, and I used to go skateboarding all the time and although we were never really good at doing tricks, we liked to cruise up and down the roads whilst listening to our music.
  6. I am a vegetarian. I became a vegetarian last year in January 2017. I have to say, for me personally, it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever done. So if any of you have great recipes for vegetarian meals, let me know what they are or leave any links to recipes in the comments below.
  7. I can’t live without music. I think this saying goes for a lot of people, but I simply can’t. If my boyfriend isn’t staying with me for the night I have to play music to get me to sleep otherwise I feel lonely and won’t be able to sleep as my mind starts ticking and thinking of crazy things. My music taste varies all the time, since primary school I loved rock music and in secondary school I discovered all different genres of metal and screamo music. I don’t think it’s a phase as I still love the bands I listened to all the time then as I do now. However, my all time favourite bands (if I had to pick three) would have to be: LANY, The 1975 and Paramore.

Nominations

I love and admire so many of you blogs and your creative ideas, you’re all inspiring! Whether I have chosen you or not, please feel free to leave a couple of facts about yourself in the comments below if you’d like, I’d love to find out more about my followers.

I hope you all enjoyed reading the seven facts about me, I can’t wait to read the facts about every one of you!

Happy reading folks,

Claire 📚

All That She Can See by Carrie Hope Fletcher Book Review

~ cupofbooksblog ~ 2 Comments

A couple of weeks ago I finished reading All That She Can See by Carrie Hope Fletcher. I’ve wanted to get my hands on one of Carrie’s novels for a while now and I’m so glad when I got snowed in at my sister’s, she had this book so I borrowed it.

I have given All That She Can See by Carrie Hope Fletcher four out of five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Description (via Goodreads): Feelings are part of life – feelings are life. If you take away what people feel, you take away anything meaningful. Wanting to diminish the evil in this world is a good cause, one I have fought for the majority of my life, but not like this … Cherry has a hidden talent. She can see things other people can’t and she decided a long time ago to use this skill to help others. As far as the rest of the town is concerned she’s simply the kind-hearted young woman who runs the local bakery, but in private she uses her gift to add something special to her cakes so that after just one mouthful the townspeople start to feel better about their lives. They don’t know why they’re drawn to a Cherry’s bakery – they just know that they’re safe there and that’s how Cherry likes it. She can help them in secret and no one will ever need to know the truth behind her gift. And then Chase arrives in town and threatens to undo all the good Cherry has done. Because it turns out she’s not the only one who can see what she sees … A story of love, food and a little bit of magic, All That She Can See is an enchanting and beautiful novel that’s guaranteed to be the most magical story you’ll read this year.

Continue reading →

The Liebster Award

~ cupofbooksblog ~ 15 Comments

Thank you so much to Luna for nominating me for The Liebster Award, I really appreciate it! If you haven’t checked Luna’s blog out already, I suggest you do so, it’s awesome!

The Official Rules

• Link to this blog post in your Liebster Award blog post

• Answer the questions given to you

• Create more questions for your nominees to answer

• Comment on The Official Rules of the Liebster Award 2018 blog post with a link DIRECTLY to your Liebster award.

• Thank the person who nominated you, and put a link to their blog on your blog.

• Display the award on your blog

• Write a small post about what makes you passionate about blog posting.

• Nominate 5 – 11 blogs

• List these rules in your post

• Inform the people/blogs that you nominated

Why I am Passionate About Blogging

I am passionate about blogging because I like being able to share my own opinions about anything, not just about books in this blogging community. It feels so good, to be able to read everyone’s opinions, listen and share. It’s something that I created for my own headspace and I’m so glad I took the plunge because it’s so nice to be able to write book reviews, participate and to be nominated in book tag/awards. A couple of nights ago, I hit 300 followers on my blog and I couldn’t be more grateful! As I said, I created this for my own headspace but for others to enjoy my content and read what I have to say is an added bonus, so thank you all for being a part of my blog.

The Questions

1 What books has the most sentimental value for you?

It would have to be the big book of Thomas the Tank Engine: The Complete Collection and The Complete Tales of Beatrix Potter. I treasured these books so much as a child, especially the illustrations; they were gorgeous! They were huge books which are most likely in the loft collecting dust which makes me quite sad, I really want to find them now and re-read what I used to when I was little! I’ve found images from Google of what the books looked like:

2 What does your dream bookshelf or library look like?

I would definitely want a cosy book book to relax in, so I feel it would definitely need to have a window seat with lots of natural lighting. Blankets and cushions for extreme comfort, with a special holder for any hot or cold drink. I’ve found some pictures from Google which best describe and look like what I’d love:

3 Have you had a pet that you gave a bookish name? If not, if you did get a pet what bookish name would you give them?

Surprisingly I haven’t given a pet a bookish name, then again I don’t think I’ve ever had that chance to …apart from my fish I had which I ended up calling him fish. Guys, come on, I was only nine! If I had the chance to name my pet after a bookish name, obviously depending on what they look like, I would choose Neville or Hagrid for a boy and Minerva or Luna for a girl. Harry Potter fan alert!

4 Have you ever DNF’ed a book? What book was it and why?

I haven’t DNF’ed a book as I need to have closure on each book, even if I’m not enjoying it as much as I wanted to. I simply can’t just put it down and never come back to it. Sometimes it can feel like torture, especially if I’m not keen on the book in any way, shape or form.

5 Do you reread books? Please explain because I am very curious.

I have re-read books in the past when I was a child. It’s definitely something I would consider doing when I’m a bit older, but for now I love discovering new books to read.

6 What is your reading routine?

My reading routine normally consists of making a hot drink, read a couple of pages whilst the kettle is boiling, then go upstairs to my bedroom. Put the sidelight from my bedside table on and get Cody under my duvet and blankets.

7 What was the first book you remember reading?

Oooooh. Now this is a tricky one, because I definitely remember reading the Animal Ark series and Jacqueline Wilson books, but I also remember loving my big children’s book of Thomas the Tank Engine and Other Stories Book. I don’t think I managed to finish the book because I’d always re-read the same stories that I loved over and over again.

8 What format do you usually read?

I normally read in a physical book format.

9 How many books are currently in your TBR?

I don’t really have a TBR list, I would like to make one maybe later on in the year, but for now I’m just reading any books that I have bought in the past and am trying to read them before I decide to buy any more (which is so difficult!!!).

10 What book are you most excited about reading this year?

The book I am most excited about reading this year has to be Invitation to a Bonfire by Adrienne Celt. Here is the link to the Goodreads page of this book where you can find the book description.

I Nominate:

My Questions

  1. If you could only read one book series over and over again for the rest of your life, which one would you pick?
  2. What was your favourite childhood book growing up?
  3. If you could be any character in the Harry Potter series, who would you choose?
  4. What is your guilty pleasure book?
  5. Do you organise your bookshelves in any particular way?
  6. Which do you prefer best: paperback, hardcover or eBook? And why?
  7. If you could have any super power, what would it be and why?
  8. What is your reading routine?
  9. What book are you most excited about reading this year?
  10. What is your favourite post you have written and why?

If I haven’t tagged you to this post, feel free to make a blog post about The Liebster Award if you’d like to join in and copy me into a link in the comments below so I can check your answers out!

I had so much fun answering these questions and trying to think up new ones for you guys to answer!

Until next time, happy reading,

Claire 📚

It Only Happens in the Movies by Holly Bourne Book Review

~ cupofbooksblog ~ 7 Comments

I have given It Only Happens in the Movies by Holly Bourne five out of five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Description (via Goodreads): Audrey is over romance. Since her parents’ relationship imploded her mother’s been catatonic, so she takes a cinema job to get out of the house. But there she meets wannabe film-maker Harry. Nobody expects Audrey and Harry to fall in love as hard and fast as they do. But that doesn’t mean things are easy. Because real love isn’t like the movies… The greatest love story ever told doesn’t feature kissing in the snow or racing to airports. It features pain and confusion and hope and wonder and a ban of cheesy clichés. Oh, and zombies… YA star Holly Bourne tackles real love in this hugely funny and poignant novel.

Continue reading →

The Sunshine Blogger Award #2

~ cupofbooksblog ~ 24 Comments

Hi everyone! I was nominated a couple of weeks ago by the lovely Rachel over at Musings of a Coffee Addicted Bibliophile. Thank you for nominating me!

The Sunshine Blogger Award is given to those who are “creative, positive, and inspiring, while spreading sunshine to the blogging community.”

Rules:

• Thank the blogger(s) who nominated you in a blog post and link back to their blog.

• Answer the 11 questions sent by the person who nominated you.

• Nominate 11 new blogs to receive the award and write them 11 new questions.

• List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award logo in your post and/or on your blog.

1 What was the worst book you ever read?

The worst book I’ve ever read was Crossed Stars by Christy Blow. I won this book via Goodreads Giveaway a couple of years ago. Click here to see my review about this book.

2 If you could meet any author or character who would it be?

This is a difficult question. I’ve decided I would love to meet Colleen Hoover. Although I’ve only read one of her books (so far) I would love to ask her lots and lots of questions about Ben and Fallon from November 9. I would love to know what happens to them in the future.

3 Have you ever learned something new from reading?

I’ve definitely added more than a few words to my vocabulary from reading.

4 What do you love most about blogging?

The blogging community. All of you guys are so lovely and supportive! I love sharing my content and reading everyone else’s blog posts.

5 What’s the story behind your blog name?

Honestly, I was drinking tea at the time when I was creating my blog and I put the two things I love in life: a cup of tea and books!

6 What distracts you most from reading?

My mum when she tries to talk to me when I’m reading. Besides that, hunger distracts me from reading and I won’t be able to carry on until my tummy is fulfilled.

7 Which book/series makes you happy?

There are so many books/series’ that make me happy, but I’ve decided to choose a fun, romantic, erotic contemporary series called Crazy Beautiful by Jessica Serra Huizenga. I love her writing so much and her books are filled with erotic, romantic scenes to hilarious laugh out loud moment scenes. If you’d like to check her out, click here for her Goodreads Author Profile.

Also, click here for the book review, I did a couple of years ago for the first book in the series Crazy, Beautiful.

8 What’s one of your favorite quotes?

I decided to choose one of my favourite book quotes, which is:

Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are.

–Mason Cooley

9 Is there a new hobby you hope to try sometime?

They are not new hobbies because I’ve done them before, but I’d really love to get back into Badminton, Hockey and Archery. I loved Badmjnton and Hockey when I was in Secondary school and used to go to the after school clubs for both of them too. I’m looking to play Badminton when I go to Center Parcs in May with my family as they have lots of different activities available and I know Badminton is one of them. My mum bought me Archery lessons when I turned 16 years old and I enjoyed it so much that I decided to join their club, but I believe after a few months I became detached from wanting to do this hobby and quit altogether.

10 What’s your favorite time of the year?

The end of the year is definitely my favourite, when the seasons go between Autumn to Winter. It’s the perfect weather to snuggle under a blanket with a delicious hot beverage. Plus, Halloween falls into the end of the year which is one of my favourite occasions.

11 If your life, as it is up to this point, was made into a film what song would be playing during the end credits?

Now this question is pretty difficult and I’ve had to really think about this. I’ve concluded that the song would be: Dancing With Myself by Billy Idol. I have so many lovely people around me including my friends and family but I feel quite lonely in myself. So minus the other lyrics of the song and just focusing on the ‘dancing with myself’ part – that is why I have chosen this song to be played during the end credits of my life right now, because I feel like I’m dancing with myself. Woah. Deep moments on a Saturday afternoon.

The nominees I have chosen for this award are:

If you have already been nominated for The Sunshine Blogger Award, please don’t feel obliged to do it again if you don’t want to.

I really enjoyed answering these questions, I have taken some questions from the above mixed with my own:

  1. Who was your favourite author as a child?
  2. Which book/series makes you happy?
  3. What do you love most about blogging?
  4. What’s your favourite genre of book?
  5. If you could meet any author or character who would it be?
  6. How many books are you hoping to read for 2018?
  7. Do you prefer to read on holiday out in the hot sun or inside on a cosy winters night?
  8. What was the worst book you ever read?
  9. Who would you rather be best friends with: Ron Weasley or Harry Potter?
  10. If you could only read one book again and again for the rest of your life, what book would you choose?
  11. If your life, as it is up to this point, was made into a film what song would be playing during the end credits?

I look forward to reading your answers!

Happy reading,

Claire 📚

February Wrap Up

~ cupofbooksblog ~ 9 Comments

In the month of February, I completed reading three books. I was hoping to read more books but unfortunately it didn’t work out that way.

The books I completed were:

  • Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
  • Murder at the Mill by M. B. Shaw
  • It Only Happens in the Movies by Holly Bourne

I gave Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend five out of five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really enjoyed this book as you can probably tell by my rating! I look forward to reading the second book in this series when it’s released. For fans of Harry Potter and The Hunger Games, you need to get your hands on this magical book. Click here if you want to read my book review for Nevermoor.

I gave Murder at the Mill by M. B. Shaw three out of five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really liked the plot concept for this book but unfortunately I found it very long winded and I found it difficult to connect with any of the characters. Click here if you want to read my book review for Murder at the Mill.

I gave It Only Happens at the Movies by Holly Bourne five out of five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ such a great, realistic contemporary book which I’m so glad I got to read. Trigger warnings: mental health, self harm and drug abuse. I loved Bourne’s writing, it really drew me in and I could barely put the book down. I loved the topics this book covered: friendship, family, romance and heartache. I could relate to a few of these which made it all the more realistic. I will be writing a book review for It Only Happens at the Movies this week.

I started All That She Can See: Every Little Thing She Bakes Is Magic by Carrie Hope Fletcher yesterday. I’m excited to finally pick up one of Carrie’s books and I hope I get to read more than three books this month.

How many books did you read in February? Which one was your favourite? Let me know in the comments below.

Happy reading,

Claire 📚