Tuesday, December 25, 2018

My TBR list for 2019

Dear reader,

This year I have been busy, lazy -something, because I only read 19 books (there's still time for one more, maybe... lol Without further ado, I present the first plan of books I intend to read in 2019... I aim to read 39 :)

Re-read every year (try to)

Kitty får en utmaning by Carolyn Keene

Sweet Valley Twins 1-4 in one volume, by Francine Pascal

Anne på Grönkulla by LM Montgomery -the entire series in Swedish

Harry Potter #5 --> as many as possible

Twilight #3 --> as many as possible

The Book of Mormon at least once

Narnia #2 --> as many as possible

...

Those are the re-reads I can think of right now...

New reads:

Possessed by Niki Valentine

Freddie Marcury

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Little Women

Jane Eyre

Wuthering Heights

Hmmm... I will update this list in a later post, I have probably forgotten something vital lol

TA! ;)

Cindy

Friday, November 23, 2018

Svenska böcker... :)

Hello!

Good morning everybody! Today we will talk about Swedish books <3

I moved to Sweden 2001 in January. I lived there until December 2012. In the capitol of Sweden: Stockholm. Well, the first year I lived in the suburbs. Then, in April/May 2002 I moved to Kungsholmen, in the center of Stockholm. My closest bookstore was 2,5 blocks away, what a luxury! It is called Akademibokhandeln. It is awesome! My two favorite bookstores in Sweden are NK Bokhandel and Akademibokhandeln on Mäster Samuelsgatan, both in the very heart of Stocholm, near Sergels torg... I studied English and Finnish at the University of Stockholm on/off for 11 years. The University became my second home in Sweden. Too bad I didn't study Literature too... That is, in Sweden if you study literature, it is of course Swedish literature. LOL. Instead I studied English and Finnish... Well, I love those languages of course a lot too. Swedish just happens to be my first native tongue lol. Sooo... I never got to dig deep into Swedish literature, except in Finnish when we read a few Finland-Swedish authors. I read "Den amerikanska flickan" by Monica Fagerholm and "Drakarna över Helsingfors", they were of course written in a bit different Swedish... And it all happened in Finland. In the Helsinki are too... It is no big mystery but I really do not like the Swedish they speak in Helsinki... I don't like Helsinki that much, just a little. IF I would write a book, it would take place here in Tampere and in Stockholm and in Jakobstad <3 Like my life has taken place lol... That I why I'm re.considering writing a book about my life... BUT!!!! Those things are completely off point sorry!!!

SWEDISH LITERATURE!!!

Back to the point. When I moved to Sweden, I was not so into Swedish literature. Not so much into literature, period. Which is strange, since I started studying English and later on Finnish, which studies required a lot of reading... lol... My old English teacher once said: "Yeah, you can study English but you gotta love reading!" I was like: "Of course! I do love reading!" Now in hindsight I realize what he meant lol. When you study any language, READING IN FUNDAMENTAL. lol Sooo, not just a little, a LOT! Really really really much! I am kinda sad that I wasn't such a huge reader before my time in Sweden... But now I have mended my ways... lol

Swedish literature that I like are mostly in three categories:

Swedish crime/horror
Swedish children's literature
Swedish "religious, old fiction"

Let me explain... My favorite authors from Sweden are all crime, children's and religious fiction writers. I would say that my most favorite books from Sweden are "Låt den rätte komma in" by John Ajvide Lindqvist, "Tordyveln flyger i skymmningen" by Maria Gripe and one I'm still woring on: "Utvarndrarna" by Wilhelm Moberg. Okay, so I just realized I have read mostly crime novels from Sweden... It was years since I read "Tordyveln..." and I have been stuck on page 100-something in "Utvandrarna" for ages. I have seen the musical "Kristina från Duvemåla" and listened to the music a million times, that is based on the novels about the Swedish immigrants going to the Americas, so I know the story well and the musical is pretty true to the books... It's four parts. Thick books. Well, I just also realized that I need to widen my horizons... I need to read other books in Sweidsh, other than Crime, horror, Childern's books and Religious epic fiction stories. One other Religious book is "Jerusalem". It is still on my TBR... :)

So, if you are a Swede or know a lot about good Swedish books, let me know what I should read :)

Hey! :)

Hello there!

This past month I have been finding more ways on overcoming reading slumps. :) FINALLY! 

I have listened to audiobooks, re-read old favorites, started some books that have been YEARS on my shelves etc. Now I'm completely hooked! :) Can't stop reading. So many on my TBR that I have decided to only buy books if they are the next one in the series and I have read the previous part and if they are on my TBR, no more "surprise"-bookshopping lol... NEVER AGAIN! I have ended up with sooo many wierd and "bad" books... I used to be so impulsive as a bookbuyer. It was crazy... I went to Gran Canaria a few weeks ago. I found a great book in the hotel's library: "Just in Case" by Meg Rosoff <3 It is such a gem. I really liked it. It completely sucked me in. Thank goodness for books like that! Now I have started a book that I have owned a few years: "Possessed" by Niki Valentine. First of all, I play the piano, as does the main character. And second: I love stories with twins in them... :)

Today it's Black Friday. I'm not going to buy a new book or many new books, I'm going to "shop" on my own shelf lol. There are probably over 100 unread books in my library... I know CRAZY!!! :( I have been an impulsive shopper and a lazy reader... What can I say? I'm bad... lol

More later! :)

Saturday, October 20, 2018

First book read!

Dear Readers,

I have managed to finish my first book during this readathon! I'm so happy! And yet so sad... Because it was an amazing book, I didn't want it to end. But of course, like all books do, they end... Sad. I finished reading The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. It. Was. Spectacular! I read now the last 100 pages and it blew me away. I laughed, I cried. It was really Something with a capital S. I will always wish, the next times I will be reading it, that I was reading it for the first time. It was so awesome. Okay. I have not read such a good book in a looong time. I truly really liked it.

Now I have the noble intention of finishing off some other books lol ... I have 100-200 pages left in a few books. I am going to eat a snack or something, move to another location in my home, because my butt just got numb from sitting in the same position for 1,5 hours and put on some more light, because this is Finland and the light outside is fading as we speak... LOL.

Good luck with your readathon!

Friday, October 19, 2018

Dewey's 24-hour Readathon Oct 2018

Hello there (again)!!!

It is time. Time for another Readathon... I have been planning on watching a bunch of How-to Readathon Guides... Yes, I love me some awesome booktube. My favorite booktuber is Hailey in Bookland. I have been following her on Youtube for years. Yes, years. I'm old lol. Much much older than Hailey too. I'm simply old. Okay. Sorry. I am just so excited!!!

My TBR is a bit easier for me to take on this year. I have this annoying habit of reading several books at the same time, like a little bit of this, and a little bit of that and so on... At last, I come to a point where all those books are almost read! I am in this blessed situation right now. I have maybe 5-6 books which are close to the end. Close to the end for means 100-200 pages from the end, for me. The last 100-200 pages I usually gobble and devour. So, first I creep slowly through the book... Then BAM! Finish off with a sprint! lol It's fun.

On my list of almost-finished books are:

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

ACOTAR by Sarah J Maas

Les Misérables by Victor Hugo

Anne på Grönkulla (Anne of Greengables in Swedish) by LM Montgomery

Narnia #2 (The Lion the witch and the wardrobe) which I will be reading in Swedish too

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

Freddie Mercury ... cannot remember by who...

And ... Then there are the started/in the middle of books:

East of Eden

Wuthering Heights

Hmmm... I believe that is about it. I promised myself I would be updating my reading progress... Let's hope that will work out.... lol Shh... I have a secret! I'm going to start reading and listening tonight! It's almost 6 pm here in Finland now, the sun has set, the last rays of day's light is fading ... etc. lol... So, NOW is a great moment to light some scented candles, whip out a few books, get my audible app ready and start warming up for tomorrow! The readathon starts at 3 pm my time... Sigh!

Good luck!
Huggies, Cindy

Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Boo!

Hi there...

Good news! My reading slump of the century is almost over ! Yay ! :) I just started diving back into my favorite Twilight book: New moon. I have it on audiobook so I am reading and listening to it at the same time. It's really effective .

I have not bought many books this year . Today I bought a Danish crime novel. My Danish isn't strong enough for me to read it in Danish, so I am reading it in Swedish. Close enough lol. It's a book by Danish author Jussi Adler Olsen. It's the first part of the series: Avdelning Q. The first book is called "Kvinnan i rummet " which would translate into "The woman in the room ". My Mom has been recommending it for ages. Only today she said it's really gruesome and horrifying. Lol. Thanks mom!  Better late than never ...

Well,  I will get reading now . No time like the present :)

Monday, August 13, 2018

Books are my best friends

Hi there!

A little over a week ago I finished reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire for the third time. The first three Harry Potter books I have lost track of how many times I've read... The Order of the Phoenix I am re-reading now, this will be my second time, The Half-Blood Prince I've read twice (because Snape...) and the Deathly Hallows only once...

Reading an old favorite is like visiting a dear old friend. Sometimes you don't remember everything about them but they are a comforting presence. Today I went to the nurse at my local health care center to check my memory. Last night I tried to decide what to read. I came to the conclusion, that now that I was worrying about my memory and my health, a good and friendly old favorite book will help me relax. Of course, it might make my mind wander, because of the familiarness of the story, but that's not likely when it comes to Harry Potter, it's written so well...

I kinda hope JK Rowling would win the Nobel Price <3

Thursday, August 9, 2018

Updates and challenges

Hi again!

My reverse readathon didn't go as expected. I pretty much just forgot about it. It's awful, I know ... I'm an airhead. I hope that next time I'll remember .

Last weekend I spent on the beach with my auntie and my Mom . M4y auntie rented a cabin near the beach for the weekend. Three days without electricity. And other conveniences.  Just me and my books . And the beach and food and drink and my Mom and auntie. I read over 200 pages, I finished Harry Potter and the goblet of fire . Started reading a book by Danish author Jussi Adler Olsen . "Selfies". It's gripping and a real page turner .

Now I am starting to re-read Harry Potter and the order of the Phoenix.

Friday, July 27, 2018

Dewey's Summer Readathon 2018

Well hello there!

A few days ago I found out there will be a summer readathon NOW, starting 3.00 a.m. my time, i.e. Finnish time. I decided to start in the morning. BUT, as many things something goes differently than you plan, I woke up by mistake around 2 a.m.... SO, I decided to start 3.00 a.m. anyway. lol

My TBR is not quite set, I'll probably read a little of every or some of the books that I am currently in the middle of... Some of them are:

East of Eden by John Steinbeck

Under the Dome by Stephen King

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

The Neverending Story by Michael Ende

Oneiron by Laura Lindstedt

Lilla Stjärna by John Ajvide Lindqvist

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Cress by Marissa Meyer

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Sooo.... This seems like a lot of books lol. I'll be reading a little in some of these. Probably going to read and listen to HP#4 a lot... I've got maybe 200 pages left of it, I'm reading it for the third time. I'm also looking forward to reading Lilla Stjärna (it's a horror book in Swedish)...

I will try to keep you updated :)

Hugs and kisses,
Cindy

Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Of Mice and Men...

Hello there!

Today I finished Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck... I started it last night. IT IS SUCH A GOOD BOOK!!! I never thought that it would be sooo good! Last night I had to force myself to put it down, because today I had an early start... Today I finished it. I usually don't care for American classics, but that is just a crazy idea I do not know where I got it from... I loved Gone with the Wind, I'm currently trying to read the Scarlet Letter (have not gotten into it really well yet) and now that I finished Of Mice and Men, I immediately started reading East of Eden. I have read maybe ten pages of it... I LOVE IT!!! :) Apparently I am at that age and stage of my life that I really love these kind of good old American Classics lol...

I own a lot of them, because when I studied English at the University, I did not like borrowing books from the library, so I always got myself a copy of my own. Yeah, I have actually read another "course literature book" so far this year: Virgin Suicides. It was awesome as well...

Yes, well, I will return later to update you guys with my reviews :)

Have a great day!!! :)

Saturday, June 9, 2018

Currently reading, June 2018

Hello there!

I'm back! Believe it or not, I've read a little more than I usually do, because I'm mostly always in a really bad reading slump, so a little is better than nothing, right? lol Less is more... lol I have been starting many books, feeling around with my reading-tentacles, my reading feelings, what feels like a good book Right Now... I have a few books past the middle, so I hope to finish them soonish... I'm just such a slow, slumpy reader. But everyone has their own reading-style, no one should feel ashamed of how little/much fast/slow they read. I've noticed that when I was younger I read faster, remembered little and was very seldom in a reading-slump. Now I read slower, with more attention to stuff that happens in the book, more focused. It takes longer, but it's worth it.

Currently I'm in the middle of/past the middle of

Mercury -a biography about Freddie Mercury

Les Miserable by Victor Hugo

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (I'm reading it for the third time)

And I'm about 100 pages in

A court of thorns and roses by Sarah J. Maas

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer (I'm reading it for the third or fourth time

IT by Stephen King

These I'm about 30-50 pages in

Anne of Green Gables

Ready Player One

A City of Ashes

At my mother's knee... and other low places

Cress

...

And a few more, I cannot remember them all at the moment, sorry.

Reading is awesome! I have decided to live long! Reading helps, music helps, it keeps the brain working and also working out at the gym, I usually go to BodyBalance class 1-2 times a week, it's a mix of Tai-Chi, Yoga and Pilates.

Bye for now!

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

The worst reading slump ever! :(

Hello there!

Well, the read a thon didn't go well at all. I've been in a reading slump for most of this year... Believe it or not, I've only read 3 books so far this year! :( Awful... It's so bad, it makes me kinda depressed and makes me go into a even worse reading slump... :(

But I'm currently reading many books at the same time! So, when I'll start finishing those, I'll have a lot more finished books. I usually read read read, until there's like 100 pages left of each book, then I marathon the end asap. It's my little trick :P

Except really short books or some books, that I finish faster... Reading is fun! :)

More later! :)

Saturday, April 28, 2018

Dewey's 24-hour Readathon April 28th, 2018

Hi there!

I'm BACK! Today I'm participating in Dewey's 24-hour Readathon :)

I haven't decided my TBR! I am a little late to the party :P

Now I'm going to look for the books I want to read this Readathon...

Some of them might be:

HP #4

Narnia #2

Twilight #2

... Hmmm... I will just have to think a bit about it... I have many audio books and I love to listen and read at the same time <#

More later!

Thursday, January 4, 2018

Helmet reading challenge 2018

Dear reader...

I'm back!

This is my second attempt at the Helmet reading challenge.

Here is the link to the Helmet reading challenge

The helmet reading challenge 2018

Last year I read only 23 books... I was so busy at the end of the year, I didn't check which book would have fitted which category, but this time I am going to be more pragmatic and organised...

I started the Helmet reading challenge yesterday, with The diary of Anne Frank. I also continued with Anne of Windy Poplars and the book thief. I don't know Dutch, so I am reading Anne Frank in Swedish, my first native tongue. Anne of Windy Poplars is one of the few books I enjoy in Swedish, because I used to read it when I was younger. The book thief I only read in English...

My favorite booktuber on YouTube is Hailey in Bookland and her favorite book is the book thief... 😍

Here is a link to her booktube channel:

Hailey in Bookland

Have a great reading evening!