Exams

So I'm deep into the scary, stressful month that is GCSE exams. My days swing between revision, and pancakes for lunch. And then a long, tiring exam.
Expect me back in a cheerful blogging mood and filled with exciting facts to entertain you all with when they are all over, aproximately 20th June. Wish me luck!

A Good Read

I was inspired by the Vlogemotions carnival happening at Fort Thompson to produce a sort of video blog. The list of people there trying out the scary procedure for the first time made me really eager! Combine this with my desire to tell my readers about my bountiful bookcase and personal reading tastes, and you have yourself this post! I was a little nervous and a slight cold didn't exactly help matters, but thanks to a little chopping in Windows Movie Maker it all turned out great.

Books Mentioned During the Video
Red = recommended (by me) for all ages
Starred with blue star (*) = my absolute favourites

Ruby Holler by Sharon Creech

*Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

*Lucas by Kevin Brooks

Candy by Kevin Brooks

*Witch Child by Celia Rees

Sorceress by Celia Rees

Waking Dream by Rhiannon Lassiter

Paralysed by Sherry Ashworth

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

*Feeling Sorry for Celia by Jaclyn Moriarty

Calling Cassie Crazy by Jaclyn Moriarty

Becoming Bindi Mackenzie by Jaclyn Moriarty

Guitar Girl by Sarra Manning

Festival by David Belbin
*Last Chance by Sarah Dessen

*Voices by Sue Mayfield

*This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen

*Before I Die by Jenny Downham

*Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman

Knife Edge by Malorie Blackman

Checkmate by Malorie Blackman

Red Sky in the Morning by Elizabeth Laird

Reckless by Sue Mayfield

Midnight

An idea copied from Anna at LIFE: My Personal, Psychosomatic Playground. Why not write a post on paper and scan it in? I've provided a typed version at the bottom (although that doesn't include the doodles and pictures) if my handwriting proves too difficult to read! Click to enlarge and zoom in on photo.
[It’s the magic hour.
I’ve just slid in the front door, tiptoeing from the cool dark outside to the soft lighting of the indoors. I’m smiling – I love babysitting and I love the freedom and power that the late night has provided. I lock up, excited.
I could do anything right now. The house is my oyster. I could go and eat a yogurt or I could make pancakes. I place the keys on the kitchen table and flick off the light. In the living room my mind flits to the possibility of finishing that programme I was watching, or writing a blog post. It’s so late anyway, and the silence so warm and comfortable that another hour would make no difference. I could just dance – just leap up and throw some noiseless cheerful shapes in the center of this deserted room. The possibilities are endless.
I close the door to the living room and creep up the stairs. How fun it was this evening to laugh with the children, how responsible to smooth the possible disputes with a smile and some carefully chosen, charmingly delivered words.
Once upstairs, I switch the landing light off and stretch in my room. I’m invincible! And now I’m so cosy in my cotton pyjamas. I could stay up and read until even earlier in the morning if I wished. How tempting it is to finish my book right now, by the light from my dusty bedside lamp. What does it matter? Any damage done from a lack of sleep is already done.
But it just isn’t going to happen. I want to relax, to curl up in those winding sheets and I can’t fight my blinking eyes any longer no matter how much power and excitement and infinite possibilities could await. It’s too late, and I am too happy.
Goodnight everyone.]