Fellow book-nerds, please don't hate me!

So, please don't judge me, hear me out, but I've been thinking about saving up for an e-reader or Kindle.

*runs and hides in corner* Please don't hate me! I have a serious reason for this - although, actually, it's just because I'm lazy.

Here's what happened. I had a long day at university yesterday. A two hour class at 9, a two hour class at 4, and a 5 hour gap in between. As I was packing my bag, along with my laptop so I could get some work done (which, by the way, I totally did!) I was considering taking the fictional, non-university book I'm reading at the moment, Good Omens. In the end, I didn't because this one small book apparently made my bag so much heavier! But that got me thinking that it would be easier to have an e-reader, so I could take multiple books with me to campus without weighing down my bag.

So, those of you faithful to the paperbacks will be, right now, not-so-secretly hating me for considering going to the dark side. Trust me, I kind of feel disappointed with myself for thinking it. And yet, the more I think about it, the more I like the idea.

When the e-readers and Kindles first came out, I was simultaneously excited and hurt. Oh, it will make carrying  multiple books so much easier! But how dare they try and get rid of my precious books! It looks so much easier to hold and carry. But I bet I would get a headache from reading off a screen.

Of course, Clarissa would have been so much easier to read on an Kindle! My fellow English students will know what I'm talking about!

So, yeah, e-readers. I'm probably not going to get one because I can't afford it but if I was offered one...? What about you, dear readers? Got one, or want one, even loath them with a passion?

Until next time!

And the Sorting Hat says...

Ah yes, the expected and very repeated Pottermore update. I know Pottermore opened last week but I hadn't had a chance to write until now - well, actually, I kept forgetting but you forgive me, right?

So, yeah, Pottermore. I really did not know what to expect, but I dived right in, although it did take me a few chapters to realise I could double click and zoom in to pick up more stuff.

I flew through the early chapters, loving J.K's notes (because I love her and extra background knowledge) but eager to get my wand and to get sorted. Diagon Alley was amazing - I adore the drawings for each chapter and the shops are brilliant! I picked up my books, wishing I could actually go to Florish and Blotts, bought a black cat, a cauldron and then finally, to Ollivanders. Childishly, I was actually jumping up and down a little on the bed, I was so excited. Average height, blue eyes, even birthday, right to the castle and whatever other questions there were and then... 10 3/4 Laurel with unicorn hair, surprisingly swishy. Cool! I looked up wand cores and woods, because I'm a nerd, and it says that laurel is suited for quests for glory and cannot tolerate laziness and unicorn hair is the most consistent and faithful. While my wand might get fed up with my laziness, I like it!

Then it was off to platform 9 and 3/4, where my increasingly sticky fingers picked up a Prefect's badge and then onto the train to Hogwarts! This is the point where I literally could not stop bouncing with excitement. I was going to get sorted!

Of course, it was a week ago so I can't remember all the questions I answered but I do remember picking wisdom out of power, glory or love and my biggest fear of heights. Then the moment of truth. Would I get put into Slytherin, the one I associate myself with? Or Gryffindor, the one I should be in? But, suddenly - Ravenclaw! YES! I get to be a major book-worm and know-it-all and don't have to put up with bitches and selfless heroes! Whoo-hoo!

I finished the first book in that one day, because even though I had work to do, this was obviously much more important! Most of my friends are on there too - I had to help one through Diagon Alley (she is not the most computer literate) and now she is stuck in Potions!

If you guys want to add me, my username is SwordScarlet26375. But comment me your username, otherwise I won't know who you are!

Until the Chamber of Secrets!

DFTBA Nerds!

As The Boyfriend was buying me my Easter present in the form of Looking For Alaska, the young woman behind the counter said it was a good choice, asked if we had read any of his other works, suggested Will Grayson, Will Grayson - it was her favourite. This, by itself, was awesome mostly because outside my friendship group, I haven't met anyone who knows who John Green is, let alone likes his books. But no. She did us one better. She showed us the bracelet she was wearing that says DFTBA.

This may not seem like much. I mean, apart from making me instantly want one, the bracelet did nothing. Nothing but show that there is still hope for the world, the awesome increased and my faith in humanity was restored! Yeah, pretend to read that last sentence like a Winston Churchill speech and you'll want to smack me on the head like I just did.

Anyway, my point was that it made me really, randomly happy to meet another nerdfighter behind the counter of Waterstones - although now that I think about it, where else are you going to find nerds other than book shops? You know, apart from gamer nerds in Game or in the corner of HMV.

In other news, my book review blog is going ok - I don't know what I expected but I've been stuck on 5 followers for the last few months. I've been devouring books lately, as it's the Easter holidays and I have work to do that I'd rather not so I read instead. I read Divergent in two days! If you are interested, or do me a huge favour and pass the word on, here is a link to it.

In other, reality related news, I have a lot of work to do over the next few weeks. I have a 2000 word essay, 2500 word essay, 3000 word essay and 3 more 600 journal entries to write. That is a lot of words! Oh and my CV and PDP (personal development plan) whose only purpose, as far as I can tell, is to depress us with our horrible prospects of the future after university. Yeah, we have to hand in our CV's to be marked. Weird, right?

I think I will leave you with some book-nerd news in the form of the new Jeaniene Frost book coming out in June:

Isn't it pretty? I want it to be June so much! Also because the next Morganville Vampire book will be out, Black Dawn. Already pre-ordered! Whoo, book nerds!

The Hunger Games

Dear readers and fans of the book,
       This review is likely to contain things that you would recognise from the book and therefore may not be considered spoilers but you have been warned! I will mostly be looking at how the movie compares to the book and their interpretations of the parts I love. It will also come to you mostly in bullet points as I cannot be bothered with full sentences.

- District 12 and the Hob were just as I imagined them - they were perfectly depressing, if you know what I mean!
- The Reaping was somewhat grander than I imagined. It was impressive how they all dressed up and Effie looked incredible - I cried a little at Prim and Katniss' obvious love for each other
- The Capitol was incredible - the costumes and the make-up really highlighted the Capitol's need for fashion and colour. Not to mention the extremeness of some of the Capitol's citizens!
- The tribute's entrance was amazing, so much more than I anticipated. And their costumes were just... wow! I have to admit, I really did not get all the other District's "thing", as it were, from their costumes - but I can't remember most of them anyway!
- Oh, the interviews. Cinna really bought out the confidence in Katniss and their relationship was presented really well, especially her searching for his face in the audience. And Peeta was even better than I thought! I don't know if it was the acting or what, but Josh Hutcherson hit the nail on the head all the way through.
- I loved the occasional interruptions by Casaer and Claudius' commentary of the Games - it reinforced that the Games are for the Capitol's enjoyment and it is just reality TV gone wrong - plus it helped to replace some of Katniss' narrative, like explaining the tracker jackers
- Rue was just incredible. She was lovely and small, and her hiding in training was really funny. Her alliance with Katniss was adorable - you can tell Katniss was reminded on Prim, especially when she curled up asleep next to her. I cried at her death and Katniss' reaction was just perfect, not to mention the flowers.
- The cave by the river scene was brilliant and adorable - and Peeta's camouflage was awesome!
- Haymitch - especially loved the little notes he sent Katniss - 'You call that a kiss?' - and seeing him getting them sponsers showed his dedication to them both, which you didn't really get in the beginning
- Oh, the nightlock. I have no words for how amazing Katniss and Peeta was in that scene

Small nitpicks:
- I have no idea why the Capitol pricked the kids fingers at the reaping
- The mutts didn't have the tributes eyes
- Really wanted Katniss to call out Peeta's name at the rule change but that's just me

Ok, I'm running out of adjectives so I'm gonna leave you with my final opinion: film adaptation of the Hunger Games = incredible!

Were versus Vamp

Yes, this is another "versus" post, and for that I apologise for the bad timing but this story? Completely true and worth it.

Last week, my boyfriend and I were watching Van Helsing, and I was interrupting with comments on its similarities (or not) with the books, and his little brother came in and watched parts of it with us. At some point, little brother asked me whether I'd rather be a werewolf or a vampire. Without even thinking, I answered vampire. He groaned, knowing I have a slight obsession with the mythological creatures of the night and we argued for and against vampires.

I said that, being a woman, I would be the ultimate seductress - I love that about vampires - but The Boyfriend had to ruin it by saying that male vampires are like that too. I am aware of this, but I don't care so much because I want to be the vampire, not just meet and be seduced by one.

I also argued that being a werewolf, you would have to transform painfully into another creature. The Little Brother said that being a girl, I would have two painful experiences a month. I had not thought of this - who would? - but it actually made me cringe and laugh because it is very true and another reason why, given the choice, I would never be a werewolf!

This leads me onto another quick story about vampires. One of my modules this year is on the Gothic genre and we have just started studying Dracula. You can see where this is going can't you? The few of my friends who read my blog can attest to this: my teacher is weird. Like really, genuinely insane. But in a good way. He is slightly obsessed with the Gothic, with vampires and blood, sexuality and innuendos. So our seminars are always good fun! Anyway, it Tuesday morning. 9 o'clock start, I hadn't woken up properly yet, and we were discussing the meaning and symbolism of blood in Dracula. Always a fun topic, especially when we go off on one and argue about the route of the phrase 'blue blood' and bring Trueblood and Harry Potter into this - you know, vampires and pure bloods? Keep up!

We talk about the greatest things with Bill in Gothic but seriously? We discussed Arthur's double meaning of Lucy's blood transfusions - he wanted to be the first one inside her, dammit! - and repeated "That's so" so much it was beginning to sound weird. It was fun and slightly gross but at least it woke me up!

Next time: I'm going to see The Hunger Games on Sunday so hopefully a review of some kind will follow in the next few days.

Slytherin vs Gryffindor

According to Wikipedia, Slytherin's are typically 'ambitious, shrewd, cunning, strong leaders, and achievement-oriented'. They also apparently think before acting. Albus Dumbledore thought that Salazar chose students that showed cleverness, resourcefulness, determination and 'a certain disregard for the rules'.

While I might think I show most of these traits, truth is I am a good and nice person (usually) and have more of a conscience than the typical Slytherin student and therefore could not sell out another student for my own safety. Saying that, I am incredibly selfish and jealous so... does that make up for it?

On the other hand, you have Gryffindor. Gryffindor traits include bravery, chivalry and daring. And even though Gryffindor's are into pointless heroics and Slytherin's actually think with their heads, the two houses are quite similar. They are both passionate in what they believe in, willing to bend the rules, clever and determined. Thus, when Pottermore finally opens to the public, I think I will be sorted into Gryffindor.

I think this is because while I know what the right thing to do is, I will not do it, for whatever reason. Usually this is because I am not stupid enough to sacrifice myself, however heartless that may sound. So while I think of myself as a good person, I am not reckless like certain Gryffindor's. And I am of course drawn to Slytherin, not just to be different, but because when I want something I fight for it, and while I am not career-driven or back-stabbing, I am jealous and bitchy and have a sick sense of humour.

Anyway, I've already a Slytherin tie - I'm not backing out now!

Now that I've said all that, I'm not sure what the point was of this! Until next time, what house are you in on Pottermore and do you think it's right?

Fail of an adult?

The nerds out there reading this will probably be aware of a YouTuber called Charlieissocoollike. Yes? I feel like I need to warn you, or something, that I don't actually know him, I just watch his videos. It would be awesome to know him and Alex but unfortunately, I don't.

So, he has recently moved into a house with Alex Day. They are, what, 22 years old or something? Not entirely sure, but my point is, I am only a year or two younger than them. I still live with my parents and little brother. I have not moved away for university. I have not even moved house at all. The fact that most, if not all, of my friends and people I know my age have moved out in some form or another kind of makes me feel like a fail of an adult.

Yes, I am only 20, which does mean that technically, I've been an adult for two years, one of which I was still in sixth form. So, I'm not sure where this sudden feeling of fail has come from, but hit me it did. Hard.

To be honest, I'm not entirely sure where I'm going with this post. I don't want sympathy, or pity, or bitchiness over my so-called "sob stories". Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining about my life; I don't have to pay rent, I don't have to fuss over the washing machine, half the time I don't even worry about what I'm eating for dinner! Yet, I do get the feeling that I am missing out on this little thing called "independence". I can take care of myself, I can dress myself and everything, but that feels somewhat redundant when you are still living with your parents.

I apologise for this random rambling of a post. Hopefully I will make more sense when I have recovered my brainpower after writing two essays in the last few weeks. Until next time. 

A Loving Character

Anyone who loves reading will have experienced this at one point or another. It is surprisingly easy and half the time, you don't even realise it's happening to you.

I am of course referring to the phenomenon of falling in love with fictional characters.

Being an avid reader for as long as I can remember, this has obviously happened to me. Many times. My most recent obsessions include Shane Collins from Morganville, Draco Malfoy, Frank from Cat Royal, Bones from Night Huntress Series and oh God, so many more!

You may wonder why I am talking about this. Well, I think I safely blame Sophie for this, as all we ever seem to talk about are books. And the books I need to read. And the characters we are in love with. And then we realise that there are a lot of them. And that it is probably a bad thing. Or least very sad. Either way, surely we can not be the only people that suffer from this... thing, to fall in love with a fictional character. Someone who seems too lovely or caring or brave or simply brilliant that even though they don't exist, you cannot stop thinking about them.

And of course, it doesn't necessarily have to be with character's from books. I am very much in love with the Doctor and Capitan Jack Harkness and Tony DiNozzo and Seeley Booth to name but a few!

I wonder why this happens. I suppose more than likely it is due to the quality of the writing, whether it be prose or script. A character who has the best lines, is adorably comforting at the right time, knows when to hug and when to fight, well how can you not love them? So I guess, really, it's the writer's fault. I mean, why create such a character and not make him real? It's playing with reality and it's just cruel. Tugging on our heartstrings like that.

I think the hardest hit I have suffered is the Doctor. Especially the Tenth Doctor. Despite the fact that he is gorgeous, he has the best lines, mad and brave, running around the universe and saving people. How can you not love him? Many moments have been lost when I have been dreaming of running awway with the Doctor. Any fangirl will admit to this: it is a common fantasy.

In books? A similar character: Shane Collins from Morganville Vampires. I share this fascination with my friend Sophie. We often waste hours discusing his character, his motives and actions, how jealous we are of Claire! He is brave, fearless and a little bit silly, charming and adorably tough, if you can have such a combination!

Also Draco Malofy and Severus Snape from Harry Potter. Personally I am intrigued by the motivations of both these characters, espeically Severus. 'The Prince's Tale' is my favourite chapter of any book I have ever read; it is also quite possibly the best love story ever written. In my opinion anyway.

I could go on about fictional characters I love, but I think I'll stop there. It's a little bit depressing actually, thinking that these wonderful people don't exist. I suppose really they are too good to be true anyway.

Dreaming of the Doctor

I know I blogged yesterday but I feel I have to share this. And no, it's not about Halloween. I'm sure you are already aware of the date but I don't particularly care about Halloween. Don't get me wrong, it's a great holiday but being British, I see it as an American thing and generally can't be bothered with it. Especially when I have essays to write and journal articles to read.

Anyway, just a little mini post this morning, literally just to tell you the dream I had last night. Before you start, it wasn't anything scary or weird or dirty... in fact, as my dreams go, it was pretty normal.

In my dream, I met the Doctor. Following on from my previous point, for a dream, not that weird. I mean, I've had dreams where I've had to stop Harry Potter from running over a cat in my garage! And following on from yesterday's blog, dreaming about the Doctor? Way nerdy!

Anyway, it was a short dream. I saw the Doctor walking along the path on the other side of the road. I crossed the road and called his name, he turned around and I gave him a big hug. My arms around his neck, I said "Thank you Doctor. Thank you for all the times you've saved the universe, even when we didn't know it." All he did was tighten his arms around my waist and bury his head into my shoulder. "And you're not alone Doctor. You have all this friends, all over the world, all through the universe and you don't even realise!"

And that was it. I think he might have let me go at some point and said something like "No one's ever said that to me before", in a kind of cute and pathetic way that made me want to hug him again. Kind of boring from a neutral context but when I remembered it when I woke up, it put me in a really good mood.

God, I watch too much Doctor Who! But I love it and I love him and even though he's a fictional character and it was my dream, just telling him he is wonderful made my day.

Closet Nerds

As quite a shy young woman, I do not broadcast my nerdiness. In fact, on the outside, I probably look quite normal. Until I open my mouth. But definitely not if I'm wearing my purple skinny jeans. Although I have been praised on my choice of trouser colours. Case in point, I don't look like much of a nerd. I wear normal enough clothes, listen to normal enough music, read normal enough books to appear normally average. But under this cover, I am a nerd. A proud one at that. I wear All Caps and Doctor Who t-shirts, I listen to Chameleon Circuit and The Parselmouths, I am obsessed with the Harry Potter books.

Yet, unless someone gets to know me, actually gives me a chance to talk freely about what genuinely interests me, most of the world would never know. And when I find that one of my friend's is also somewhat secretly nerdy, I love them even more. And looking around campus, I notice things. There is a lot more nerdiness out there than I thought. Some examples include a girl sitting on the bus in front of me, listening to All Caps, and a girl walking past me on campus wearing a shirt that says 'Keep calm and it will be totally awesome!' I didn't even get made fun of for knowing the name Buckbeak's would-be executioner! All this is making me think that there is a lot more nerdiness in most of us than we think.

Specifically, I am an English Nerd, so being good friends with Sophie is awesome! In fact, I have a blog because of her! Being her friend gives me a chance to discuss books. Because despite most of my friends at university doing an English degree, we don't generally talk books. So me and Sophie... yeah, it's probably not a proud thing to admit to but we have major in depth discussions on characters and plot lines from books that are not only not on our reading list but are probably too young for us anyway. By the way, I am talking about the Georgia Nicholson Confessions series and the Morganville Vampires series. And sometimes Harry Potter.  You know, when we're not talking about Glee or Bones or how much of a fool her housemate is.

At this point I would like to just ask if anyone knows what Minecraft is. Some do, some don't. Ok, so I got hooked because The Boyfriend plays it and even though I have been playing, ooh, at least a year, I am not very good. And by that I mean, I get blown up by creepers and shot by skeletons. A lot. I like to play on peaceful mode and build things. Generally it's little villages made of pine wood or cobblestone. But last week, like the huge nerd I am, I made a new world purely to recreate Hogwarts.

Yeah, feel free to laugh at me. I am even re-reading the books and researching Harry Potter Wiki just so all the rooms go in the right place. Oh God, I just realised how pathetic that is!

The point of this blog was to highlight that nerdiness is everywhere and in most inevitable. Pretty much all my friends are nerds in some respect and most are hardly aware of it. If anything were to come from this blog, it would be this: don't hide your nerdiness, don't be afraid to show it. Because chances are, there are people out there that are just as nerdy as you and you don't even realise.