2014 in review

Seeing as it is the last day of 2014, I thought I might just write a little reflection post on what this year was like for me/it just gives me a chance to post some pictures that I like ;)

All in all, it's been pretty damn good, however there have certainly been low points but I guess that is the same for everybody.

This was the year I've had to grow up considerably I think, what with university decisions, exams (which did not go to plan so I've again had to rethink that I'm doing with my life), health problems caused by stress, having to deal with being forced to quit by my place of work, friendships turning sour but new ones and some old ones being stronger than ever.

I turned 18 in November so I'm offically an adult now.....an adult who wore a Tigger onesie the majority of yesterday and hid in her sister's room for around half an hour in order to make her jump. So while I'm not fully grown up yet (and I'm not sure I ever want to be) I have had to deal with stuff this year that has matured me and hopefully made me a better person for it.

I guess I also want to write a note to my family and friends for this year. I may argue with my family at times but I think 2015 might be rather difficult for us given the health of a grandparent at the moment so I love you all and thank you for always, always having my back. My group of friends are all so wonderful and caring, and I am so grateful I have them in my life. I don't tell them enough because urgh soppiness but I have much love for them too. Thank you to everyone who has made my 2014 excellent or has been there through the awful bits.

To relieve some memories that happened this year, here are some pictures:

Visting Auschwitz, a very harrowing day

Meeting the wonderful and talented Carrie Hope Fletcher

MCBUSTED.

Me, the grandparents, the sister and the cousins on Grandma's 80th

Friends <3

The father dearest

A kitten I wanted to take home with in Devon

Rome

Halloween

Halloween

Birthday hug from the sis

Christmas jumpers with momma and sis

School xmas party

1920's party

1920's party

I am going to apologise for the formatting but I don't have time to make it pretty today I'm afraid :P

Very quickly, my New Year's Resolutions are:

• Eat healthier
• STOP BITING MY NAILS
• Try and be less lazy
• Write down every book read
• Try and read at least 35 books!
• Do more things with my friends
• Blog more
• PASS MY DRIVING TEST!!!
• and you know get the grades to go to Uni and that.

That's it from me for 2014. I shall see you next year! Lots of love Laura x

Book review: The Deaths by Mark Lawson

This week, I finished 'The Deaths' by Mark Lawson - I'm not gonna lie, I was initially attracted to this book because I thought the cover/font of the title were really pretty and aesthetically pleasing but upon reading the blurb, I was intrigued. This book, on the outside, looks to be a "satirical comedy" regarding Britain's upper class and how an "act of violence" opens the book - I do like a good murder mystery so I figured I would give it a shot.

I have to say I was fairly disappointed with this book. It was funny at times, especially regarding supermarket hierarchies, and I did rather like how it wasn't revealed which characters were killed until the last few chapters as the rest of the novel explained possible motives or killers from within the group of characters but other than that, it was essentially a lot of disjointed narratives from different characters none of whom (except maybe the doctor and the police officer) were particularly likeable - in order for me to enjoy a book, I have to connect with at least one character and that just didn't happen with this story. I stuck with it as I wanted to see how did actually get killed but otherwise, I probably would have given up with book halfway through.

My biggest annoyance with this story though was clearly the author had no clue what feminism actually is - he mentions the word 'feminist' identifying characters as so several time but each time was totally wrong. Feminism simply means gender equality. That is it. Mark Lawson, however, seems to take it as women not needing men to get by, that they should be shunned for enjoying sex with their husband and just bleurgh. I do not have time for people who choose to write about a topic that they clearly have no idea about. Mark Lawson, I'm sure you're a lovely man but please do some research before saying your characters are feminists when they are a rather dodgy idea of one instead.

Overall, I wouldn't really recommend this book, giving it only a 6/10 as it was a mildly intriguing story and an easy read but the characters were just too annoying for me to give a rate any higher!
All opinions are my own and stuff like that and give me some book recommendations please! I need a major book haul soon.
Laura x