TBR: July 2014

 Reading is something I've always always enjoyed. Each summer I make it a goal to read as much as possible. I think it's simply amazing that at 12:03 you're in your bedroom with a book in hand and then by 13:05 you've visited a different world and are only drawn out of it by a rumbling tummy. I find myself awoken from a book, not knowing the time. Reading relaxes the mind and body and can be done practically anywhere. And who doesn't like the miniature achievement grasped once you've finished a book?
 Not to drone on, but as I'm sure you all know by now, I just finished my junior cert around a week ago, and prior to its completion, I hadn't read a book since animal farm in December. To push myself once more into the world of reading, I read 'the House of Hades' by Rick Riordan, which took me about five days. Now, I think I'm ready to drift through this summer with the aid of one of my favourite pastimes.
 My sister helped me pick out three books which were on her shelf, and I added the solitary book left unread on my own one - unless you count my book of all the Sherlock Holmes stories, which you probably should. These four books are on my 'to be read' pile for the next few weeks! After that, I think a trip to the bookshop is in order.

The Book Thief - Marcus Zusak 

The Razor's Edge - W. Somerset Maugham

The Edge of Falling - Rebecca Serle

Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury

I'm quite excited for each novel. I've already begun The Book Thief, after years of avoiding it in case it was too scary, but the fact that each of my friends on goodreads who has read has given it five stars won me over. I hope it will be as good as promised! The Razor's Edge has been read and loved my each of the members of my household, so again, I decided to read it. I don't really know what it's about but I'm hoping I'll be up for it. The Edge of Falling is a YA contemporary book, which to be honest doesn't seem to have great reviews, but I received it as part of the prize for a school writing competition, so I want to give it a go. Hopefully I'll like it better than the majority of its readers! Lastly, Fahrenheit 451, a much discussed novel on the Internet. Again I don't know much about it, but I'd say I won't be disappointed.

 Have you read any of these books? I'd love to know your thoughts! Do you have any summer reading in mind?

 Anna x

P.S I'd love it if you'd add me as a friend on goodreads!

Smoothies

 I'm writing a blog post. I'm actually writing one. Okay. Long story short I've just finished my Junior Cert exams and just got my iPad back, seeing as from the 1st of May, I 'surrendered' it so I wouldn't get distracted. Anyway, I was determined to get a post up today as one of my summer goals is to get back into posting! Today, I'm just going to let you in on a recent obsession of mine; smoothies.
 I'm sure you can all guess how to make a smoothie. In fact I never measure ingredients, but what I love is how sweet and tasty and healthy they are. I usually freeze fresh berries like strawberries, blueberries or raspberries and keep some in the freezer at all times. Then, when I want a smoothie, I can just take out roughly a handful of frozen fruit, pop it in the smoothie maker (which is literally just a blender with a spout thing that lets you poor your creation easily into a glass), along with one big banana - I used two fairly small ones above and a dash of fruit juice. That's it. 3 ingredients are all that's needed. It makes over 1 tall glass of smoothie. Although if the fruit you use is a little bit on the sour side, using a teaspoon of honey is a great sweetener. Trust me, I hate the taste of honey, but when I add it to a smoothie all I can taste is how sweet it is!
 Smoothies are definitely my 'to-go' drink of the past 3 months and will be for the summer. You really can add any kind of fruit, or even some kale and avacado, but I'm more of a berry fan myself! What's your stance on the smoothie situation?

Anna x

Updated to add: totally forget about the honey and use agave nectar for a fully vegan smoothie which tastes just as fantastic!

New York

 When I was thirteen, my dad surprised me. He came into my bedroom and sat down on my bed. "You know you have Easter holidays for two weeks in April, don't you?" he said. Shakily, I said yes. My mind raced. "Well I'm going to get you to New York or Chicago." Not going to lie, I might have burst into tears. My poor dad probably didn't know what to do with me! I had always wanted to go America, and to visit the American Girl Store as I may or may not have been obsessed. Three days later he booked our flights. It would be just me and him. I was so excited! In my homework journal I made a countdown of the number of days and checked them off as they passed by.

Dear Diary,

Aah! Going to bed... see you in New York.

xxx Anna (4 April 2012)

 The flight wasn't fun. Seven hours is not fun. The cushions they give you just get super uncomfortable the more you sit there. The movies are what keep you going. I think I watched two or three each way! I read a bit too. We arrived and it was great. I had a fantastic time. I had never been to America before and honestly New York just the same as in the movies and magazines. There really isn't too much to say, I enjoyed it very much. We ate out in various places including the American Girl Store itself. Nice.
 We visited a fair few of the attractions in our three days there. As you can see we visited Central Park and the Top of the Rock. Not pictured are Fifth Avenue, Grand Central Station and Times Square. I don't think I stopped grinning once on that trip!

Have you ever visited New York? What did you think?

Anna x

P.S horrifyingly, I'm in the middle of my Junior Cert exams at the moment! Agh! Wish me luck in my second week! Thank goodness for being able to schedule posts months in advance (seriously it's February...)