Would You Rather

So, this is the first tag I've ever done on this blog and tbh.. I wasn't.. really.. tagged... BUT that doesn't matter, right?! RIGHT? 

Why Do We Read

A question that I have always been asked -and have never known how to answer properly- is: Why do you read?

So I wanted to actually try to answer this question in the form of a blog post. 

1. Many people have gotten into their heads that reading for pleasure is a form of procrastination, a way to avoid doing important things. But that is far from the truth. For me reading time is productive time. I have a tbr list that will take me years to finish and I want to be able to read all the books in it before I die. So, yes. Reading is spending time productively.
2. Basically, as sad or pathetic as it might sound to others, by reading you make friends. Friends who, even though are fictional, help you through hardship and pain, when everyone else told you to get over it. Believe me, when I say, that I have found more comfort in books than in people throughout my lifetime. 
3. For people whose native language isn't English, like me, reading books in English, helps a whole lot. Besides watching movies and TV shows without subtitles, reading books in their original language has helped me so much. It has widened my vocabulary and has made me feel at ease with a language that is not completely my own. And because of English books, I have become so accustomed to speaking and understanding the language, that I have decided that I will be studying in England or Scotland in two years time. 
4. In times, when I have just finished a book and I have no one to spill out my feelings to, I have the chance to go online and talk to other people who've read the book and are willing to talk about it with me. Reading has offered me so much. I discovered the online book community through reading (obvs) and I've met so many amazing people and I've made so many friends. I am honestly grateful for the book community.

I don't think I can describe exactly how I feel about reading. It's not a just a hobby anymore. It's become a huge part of my life that I hope I will never let go of. 

Why do you read? Let me know in the comments.

xox 

Helen

Review: "Girl Online" by Zoe Sugg

Book 9/50 for 2015

☕☕☕.5

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Series or standalone? Standalone (I just learned there may be a sequel coming out at some point?? Let me know.)
Pages: 344
I read the: UK hardback
Began: April 2nd, 2015 // Finished: April 3rd, 2015
Where can I buy this? Here! (via thebookdepository)
Goodreads: Right here!
First Sentence: "Hello world!"
Favourite quote: "'You're not - crazy - are you?' He laughs really loud. 'No. Well, yes, but only in a good way. I've found that life's a whole lot better you get a little crazy sometimes.'" (pg. 119)

Synopsis: I had no idea GirlOnline would take off the way it has - I can't believe I now have 5432 followers, thanks so much! - and the thought of opening up to you all about this is terrifying, but here goes...

Penny has a secret.

Under the alias GirlOnline, she blogs about school dramas, boys, her mad, whirlwind family - and the panic attacks she's suffered from lately. When things go from bad to worse, her family whisks her away to New York, where she meets the gorgeous, guitar-strumming Noah. Suddenly Penny is falling in love - and capturing every moment of it on her blog.

But Noah has a secret too. One that threatens to ruin Penny's cover - and her closest friendship - forever.

Live a Life Worth Reading About!

I have a motto in life. "We're all stories in the end" (yes, I know that's a quote from Doctor Who). So, I try to make it a good one. I'm only 15 (turning 16 next month!) and I don't know what I want to do with the rest of my life yet. 

However, I don't plan on sitting in an office for the rest of my working days. I don't plan on spending my youth on doing things other people force me to or I don't enjoy doing. 

I want to travel, meet new people, have a creative job, read as many books as I can, listen to as much music as I can, take photographs, go on late-night adventures, look at the stars, help people in need.

In my opinion, doing things that are out of your comfort zone, while you're truly alive, is what makes it worth it. I think the best advice I can give, with the amount of knowledge and wisdom that I have at age 15, is: Live a Life Worth Reading About!

xox

Helen

Review: "Red Queen" by Victoria Aveyard

Book 8/50 for 2015
☕☕☕.5

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Dystopian
Series or standalone? Series
Pages: 383
I read the: UK paperback
Began: March 26th, 2015 // Finished: April 1st, 2015
Where can I buy this? Here! (via thebookdepository)
Goodreads: Right here!
First Sentence: "I hate First Friday."
Favourite quote: "Many things led to this day, for all of us. A forgotten son, a vengeful mother, a brother with a long shadow, a strange mutation. Together, they've written a tragedy." (pg. 355)

Synopsis:

The poverty stricken Reds are commoners, living under the rule of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers.

To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from The Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change.

Mare finds herself working in the Silver Palace, at the centre of
those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control.

But power is a dangerous game. And in this world divided by blood, who will win?