Tag: Ramblings: Bookish Thoughts

Ten Bookish and Not-So-Bookish Thoughts

Posted 17 October, 2013 by Lianne in Miscellaneous / 8 Comments

10 Bookish and Not-So-Bookish Thoughts

Bookish and Not-So-Bookish Thoughts is a weekly blogging event hosted by Bookishly Boisterous. It allows book bloggers (and non-book bloggers) to write about pretty much anything, bookish or otherwise (i.e. share exciting plans for the weekend, rants on things they’ve encountered during the week, etc.). According to her, “Basically, anything goes, and it’s a nice opportunity to let your readers get to know you on terms besides books. I generally do ten items, but there isn’t a set amount- go crazy. Or don’t.”

  1. Thanksgiving was quiet on my end, as always. Entered a food coma twice over the course of the weekend; good fun =P
  2. I should’ve been studying harder this past weekend for my midterms but I was severely distracted from watching old clips of ER. I had started watching the show sometime in late high school and into my undergrad and re-watching the clips reminded me how much I enjoyed the show. I forgot that amidst the intensity of the cases they were working on and the character drama there were funny moments like this:

    And this is why you don’t play an April Fool’s joke in the hospital. LOL. I bought two of the season boxed sets recently so I’ll probably be distracted for a good long while, lol…

  3. Speaking of studying, I’m not looking forward to my practical exam on Monday. Writing an exam is one thing, performing/displaying my skills is another. It seems awkward somehow (and I don’t like people watching me as I carry out tasks). I’d sooner write that Russian translation exam I did a few years ago than do this…(I’m sure I’ll feel better once I practice a bit this weekend *shrugs*)
  4. Meanwhile, I have so many other things I want to do that doesn’t involve studying: write letters to two of my penpals, finalise the posts I want to feature for November’s Sci-Fi Month, catch up on a few book reviews…basically all the fun stuff =D
  5. I may be entering a reading slump =S Not sure what to read next: I would go over the pile of books on my desk that needs to be read and end up going “Not now” or “After my midterms” or “Not in the mood.” O_O So instead I’m reading short stories right now off my Kobo. It seems to be doing the trick xP
  6. Just finished reading Ivan Turgenev’s Rudin. It’s always nice to read Turgenev because he always manages to present some kind of debate or inkling of what’s going on amongst the intelligentsia at the time without sounding dowdy or preachy. It’s also amazing how he manages to make such a simple, straightforward event into a rather interesting story.
  7. I’ve been eyeing a few Alice Munro titles but lo and behold they seem to be out of stock at the moment! Chapters Indigo, The Book Depository…Amazon’s a last resort right now but yeah, wow, talk about the sale of her books going up right now! In other news, this guy seems bitter O_o
  8. Speaking of book prizes, Eleanor Catton won the Man Booker Prize for The Luminaries! There goes my dream of becoming the youngest winner of the prize j/k In all honesty, I’m so happy that she won, it’s quite an achievement for her and the novel sounds really interesting. I might have to buy it for my Kobo though; much as I love big books, I feel like I may sprain my wrist carrying it.
  9. I’m not participating in NaNoWriMo this year but the list of writers doing pep talks this year looks amazing: Lev Grossman, Rainbow Rowell, Patrick Rothfuss, Catherynne Valente…even James Patterson is doing one!
  10. On a final note…what is the point of Tim Hortons at my campus having a menu when they don’t actually serve certain items on it? Saying you have English Toffee but not actually having it is just horribly cruel O_o and disappointing.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Thursday! *goes back to studying and drinking her coffee*


(Not my gif, as always–and no, I don’t look this menacing when I drink my coffee =P)

Ten Bookish and Not-So-Bookish Thoughts

Posted 10 October, 2013 by Lianne in Miscellaneous / 12 Comments

10 Bookish and Not-So-Bookish Thoughts

Bookish and Not-So-Bookish Thoughts is a weekly blogging event hosted by Bookishly Boisterous. It allows book bloggers (and non-book bloggers) to write about pretty much anything, bookish or otherwise (i.e. share exciting plans for the weekend, rants on things they’ve encountered during the week, etc.). According to her, “Basically, anything goes, and it’s a nice opportunity to let your readers get to know you on terms besides books. I generally do ten items, but there isn’t a set amount- go crazy. Or don’t.”

  1. Desperately trying to restrain myself but I can feel the resolve slipping…Must keep reminding myself that I have no space on my bookshelves whatsoever. None at all. Nada. *keeps convincing herself of this*
  2. Has anyone read Chrstopher Morley’s The Haunted Bookshop? I’m currently reading it and OMG, I love it so far. It’s one of those books readers should read and would definitely appreciate. Very delightful. There’s some serious trivia, name-dropping and referencing going on here, many of whom I’m not familiar with but am very intrigued about. I wish I had been keeping track of the quotes since I started reading, there’s so many great lines throughout (too lazy to go back on my Kobo…ehh, we’ll see…)
  3. Have you guys heard of this? Alexander McCall Smith brings Jane Austen into the 21st century. And it’s not just Alexander McCall Smith, other authors are re-working/modernising/whathaveyou the other titles as well…I’m on the fence, we’ll see how the re-workings turn out…
  4. Minus the rain, my birthday was pretty good. I mentioned this on Instagram but I’m not much of a cake person–so much so that I missed out on some great cakes while in Austria, but that’s another story for another day–but strangely enough I had not one but two cakes (strawberry shortcake and a fruitcake (that was more like a strawberry cake, really)) and two pieces of cannoli. Not complaining =P And I was perfectly contented with my massive schnitzel and German beer, haha, so yeah, it was a nice way to celebrate my birthday =)
  5. I’m pretty xD that I was gifted Marc Jacobs’ Honey fragrance. I guess I’ve gotten a little more serious about fragrance this past year (partly thanks to reading The Perfume Lover and learning more about perfume) and I’ve been sort of eyeing it since my trip to the mall recently with my Mum and we ended up trying out all of the fragrance, lol. This one stuck out for me, it smelled sweet and fresh and not overpowering or incredibly distinct or anything like that.
  6. Somehow survived the first of a few midterms this semester as well as a case study assignment essay…thing. I’m trying not to think about either, not sure how well I did =/ (darn this tendency for perfectionism *grumble, grumble*)
  7. One of my reading resolutions this year was to do a bit of re-reading and re-visiting some old favourites, post my thoughts here, etc. I think I’ve only re-read two or three books this year. I’m thinking of maybe making it in a reading challenge for next year or something like that…that or host a reading challenge focused on Spanish literature (kind of like the ones I’ve participated on French literature and Italian literature). Thoughts? =)
  8. Thanksgiving is this weekend for us Canadians! Not that we do anything special around this time but I’m hearing wonderful things on the menu for this Monday so we’ll see =D Now if only Daylight Savings would end soon, I’m getting weirded out at how early it gets dark out now *has gotten used to the sun setting at 9 in the evening; darn evening classes for spoiling me like this, lol*
  9. On another note, the winner of this year’s Man Booker will be announced on Tuesday! Sadly I haven’t gotten around to any of the titles that have been shortlisted, even though I’ve been eyeing about three of the six books. What did you guys think about the announcement that the prize is going to be opened to American authors next year? I never mentioned about it here but I’m a little against the idea; I like the notion of the Man Booker as a Commonwealth-centred prize…
  10. This song is stuck in my head at the moment:

If you’re participating in this, be sure to leave a link! I’d love to read what’s going on with you, bookish or otherwise =)

Ten Bookish and Not-So-Bookish Thoughts

Posted 3 October, 2013 by Lianne in Miscellaneous / 9 Comments

10 Bookish and Not-So-Bookish Thoughts

Bookish and Not-So-Bookish Thoughts is a weekly blogging event hosted by Bookishly Boisterous. It allows book bloggers (and non-book bloggers) to write about pretty much anything, bookish or otherwise (i.e. share exciting plans for the weekend, rants on things they’ve encountered during the week, etc.). According to her, “Basically, anything goes, and it’s a nice opportunity to let your readers get to know you on terms besides books. I generally do ten items, but there isn’t a set amount- go crazy. Or don’t.”

I did a post like this last week and it was a lot of fun (still working through a few comments–sorry for the delay! Midterms are encroaching and I have a case study paper that refuses to cooperate =S).

  1. I’m so happy to finally be reading The Scar by Sergey and Marina Dyachenko. It’s been in my radar for a few years now and it’s been quite a riveting read so far–I had getting off the train because I just want to keep reading! lol. I think the book cover is my favourite this year too.
  2. Okay, I’m going to admit this right now: I don’t think I’m going to be reading Helen Fielding’s latest Bridget Jones novel. I absolutely love the first two novels and have been avoiding spoilers about the third novel like the plague but from what I’ve heard so far about the far, it’s enough to keep me away (for now) as I was perfectly contented with the happy ending of the second novel. If you do read it, do let me know what you think of it and whether it’s worth checking out anyhow ^_~
  3. So I caved a few days ago and signed up for a BookLikes account seeing as some friends from GR were moving there (still staying on GR though (unless they do something crazy with it)). My shelves have been transferred but they’re all a mess (just like my LibraryThing account) and I’m not really feeling the layout and interface. Do you have one? What do you think of it?
  4. I really want to read Eleanor Catton’s The Luminaries. It’s one of the finalists for this year’s Governor General’s Award for Fiction and it’s also shortlisted for Man Booker. It’s also a massive book so I will likely get it for my Kobo intead…once I get around to it =P
  5. I’m slowly getting through my queue on NetGalley. Whoo-hoo! My goal is just to finish all of the books from there and hold off from requesting (which I’ve been doing well–so far!) as my physical stack is quite big right now, lol. I’ve got plenty of books to keep me busy xP
  6. After hanging out with my best friend from high school last week and buying a few books, I told myself I wouldn’t be buying any more books for the time being. Lo and behold, I ordered a few titles the other day–Rainbow Rowell’s latest novel, Fangirl, was on for 10.99, how could I resist? =P And I’ve been hearing so many good things about it within the last month xD
  7. As a result of my recent book purchases, my desk space is starting to cramp again since a new pile of books have emerged. Ayiyah, how to re-organise them all…*logistics*
  8. I got this pair of boots yesterday. They’re comfy and they look badass. Haven’t worn it yet because it’s been a little too warm outside…

  9. From all of my classes this semester, I’m really enjoying Anatomy and Physiology. It’s really interesting, learning how organs and body parts work and how they all connect.I guess there’s also something balanced about learning how our bodies operate after spending years years studying how people construct societies and interact with each other and build their legacies so-to-speak…I know, I’m such a nerd. Remind me how enthusiastic I am about anatomy and physio when my term tests come around…
  10. Am honestly feeling a wee bit all over the place this week with a midterm and an essay due next week. It’s small potatoes, don’t understand why my brain’s like “Ahhh! Kicking “fight or flight” response now” O_o I have a feeling I’m going to be working a bit on schoolwork on Saturday (which I’ve been trying to keep free as much as possible from any schoolwork…and major amount of thinking, really…

If you’re participating in this, be sure to leave a link! I’d love to read what’s going on with you, bookish or otherwise =)

Ten Bookish and Not-So-Bookish Thoughts

Posted 24 September, 2013 by Lianne in Miscellaneous / 11 Comments

I’m not participating in Top Ten Tuesday this week (or next week for that matter…or the week after. Can’t come up of answers for any of those weeks’ prompts). Instead I’ve put the following list together of bookish and non-bookish thoughts and events that’s happening on my end right now. Snagged this from Christine @ Bookishly Boisterous who does these posts regularly =)

  1. Err, so I may have gone on a bit of a book-buying spree last week (which has nothing to do with point #2). It started with purchasing a copy of Jonathan Smith’s Summer in February (long story of debating between getting it for my eReader or getting a physical copy–which Elena kindly resolved for me ^_~) but then I added John L. Williams’ Stoner (been seeing Vintage Books on Twitter post a lot about it a few months ago; the premise sounds like my kind of read), Graham Greene’s Monsignor Quixote and Almudena Grandes’ Frozen Heart (recommended by Isi! Again, sounds like my kind of read =)) Also found out today that 2 of the 4 books I pre-ordered shipped (Ken Follett’s Winter of the World and the final volume of Yukako Kabei’s Kieli novels (at long last!)) so I am going to be experiencing book galore in the post for the next two-three weeks xP

    Edit: Add another book to the above list–got an email from Chapters Indigo telling me that my copy of Catherynne Valente’s The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There just shipped as well (!!!)

  2. My best friend from elementary reminded me of this when she called last week but my birthday is in less that two weeks. I’m pretty low-key when it comes to celebrating my birthdays but it amuses me that this year I seem to be more preoccupied about food than anything else–I totally forgot that a cake must be chosen! lmao. In the end I’ve decided to go for German food again this year, though not from this place as per usual; I love the Little Bavaria restaurant but it’s just so friggin’ far from where I live. Trying a different spot this year that’s a little closer to home; regardless of how that goes, German beer will definitely be involved as will this lovely pizza.


    (Or it will be come the 5th…gif not mine, as always (the sons of Denethor *tear*))

  3. It has occurred to me while I was in my practical labs today that I may have underestimated this course load I took this semester. Or maybe it’s just because a) I haven’t quite organised myself yet and b) I was overwhelmed by the number of things I need to know for my practical component of my labs midterm =/ No wonder my heart rate seemed a little speedy earlier during practice xP But in all honestly, I’m sure it’s just nerves–it’s how I get through programmes xP
  4. I’ve sort of hit a bit of a lull with my writing project =S I had put a deadline of September 30th to have this current draft done but with my classes picking up steam with midterms coming up (ugh, I forgot how midterms have a tendency of rearing their ugly heads shortly after my birthday) there’s no way I can make that. Elements are there but not everything is meshing together yet, hence the lull. So I’m not participating in NaNoWriMo this year, choosing instead to polish this story. Fingers crossed! I can feel it coming together but I just need that extra oomph now–
  5. So that business with GoodReads changing their review policy and how they’re going to delete users’ shelves and reviews that are negative to the author without even notifying the user…thoughts on this? I’ve noticed some bloggers I’m following are contemplating of or are in fact moving from GoodReads. I still like using GR (and am not affected by these changes) because it’s so easy to organise what I’ve read outside of my blog but I don’t know, I don’t like this vibe that’s coming from their management since Amazon bought them, and their responses to users’ concerns are just so…not helpful (for lack of a better word here). Ehh, I guess we’ll see…
  6. Betty Who is awesome <3 My favourite song from her EP:

  7. I keep track of my to-read pile (the physical pile anyways; the ARCs from Netgalley has its own list) in a notebook and I still don’t know what to read next. Kate Morton’s The Secret Keeper? Patricia McKillip’s In the Forests of Serre? M.K. Tod’s Unravelled (that needs to be read soon anyways because of a blog tour I’m participating in)? Hmm…
  8. I didn’t watch the Emmys but there were a few surprise winners I did not expect. Pleasant, I suppose, if I watched their shows, but kudos to them. Still however pressed that Tatiana Maslany from Orphan Black and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau from this season of Game of Thrones were overlooked for noms though.
  9. Speaking of television…has anyone here watched House of Cards? I finally decided to check out the trailer after hearing the series around the web and I’m intrigued…
  10. I changed layouts here a few days ago (ta-da!). Still sort of working on it though–realised the colours (minus the header because Perugia always reminds me of autumn now <3) are slightly more spring-like than autumn-like =P

How is everyone’s week going? Happy Tuesday! =)


This will be me…as soon as I figure out which book to read next =P Not my gif, as always