Reading Challenge of 2018 Part 1


To read or not to read? What a stupid question.

I have to admit I had the "dark years". I lived in England for four years and the room that I rented was simply not big enough for books. This is not an excuse for not reading, trust me, this is my attempt at getting this suffering out of my chest. I had three books and I struggled with finding a space for them. Life was hard. I bought the e-reader for Christmas one year and I downloaded my favourites, but I just didn't enjoy it as much as the classic old school book. So I didn't read and somehow... I survived.

Everything changed last year when I moved from England to the Netherlands and rented a room three times bigger than my "under the stairs cupboard" room. Suddenly there was a built-in bookshelf just above my desk. I always dream
ed of having such a thing. It was absolutely beautiful and so I put those few books on display and realised that I can possibly fit a few more. I started reading again and in the January 2018, I decided to set myself a reading challenge.

I am a slow reader. I used to read one book for six weeks and then not read for three months. My 2017 reading list is embarrassing and with only four books it is not worth mentioning at all. So setting the challenge on Good Reads with twelve books for 2018 was a bold move. But this was something I really desired and wanted to do. I have been feeling like I need to catch up on what I missed during those "dark years". So here is my reading challenge 2018 progress so far...

1. The Fellowship of the Ring 
- I read the Lord of the Rings only once and in the Slovakian language. Let me tell you that the translation of this book is a disgrace! I wasn't courageous enough to start reading Tolkien in English in so I waited. The time has come this year; I felt like my English if finally on the right level to enjoy these books. I purchased a second-hand book that cost me only three euros. It took me almost three months to finish this book. Tolkien is not light reading material but I am pleased and it is an unforgettable experience to read it in English.

2. Caraval 
- After my first book, I needed a lighter read. There was a lot of hustle about Caraval on bookstagram. I bought it simply because other people recommendations and I was curious if it is good; if I can trust bookstagram with book recommendations. Turns out I can. I simply love his community.

3. Midnight Blue 
- This was a blind purchase simply because of the cover. Love on first sight (and the half price) made me pick this little story. I lived in Amsterdam for ten months in 2016 and that is why this book brought a completely new experience for me as I knew the places mentioned really well. You don't get such thing with Lord of the Rings; for example. You can't visit the Middle-Earth but you can visit Vermeer's house in Delft.

4. The Glass Castle 
- Books you get as Christmas presents are always a risk. If your best friend gives you a book, you can be sure it will be a good one though. I couldn't put it down. It was everything the book needs to be, shocking, emotional and real... this one was even based on a true story which made an even bigger impact on me and finally, the book made me cry; what didn't happen since Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince.

5.The Wolves of Winter 
- I was so excited to read a book from my very first book box - the amazing Magic Chest. The theme was Into the Woods and it was perfect for the LOTR fans. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this one as much, it was too predictable and too childish and some parts made me cringe. If that was the goal of the author than mission accomplished.

6. Throne of Glass 
- I haven't heard about Sarah J. Mass until this year... I had no idea about the whole hipe that is on bookstagram and this book was a book club pick. I started reading it with no idea what I am getting myself into. I found myself enjoying the book and I was so curious about what happens next.
A lot of people complain about the main character that she is too girly for an assassin... but I like that about her. Women should be able to be engineers, pilots, drivers and assassins without giving up fashion or beauty... Women are allowed to be themselves whatever that means. I also loved the part about the period. I find that many authors overlook the period of the main female character but we all know how much it can affect the life of a woman.
Rhetorical question: What do you think Twilight would have ended like if Bella actually had her period?

7. Uprooted 
- I love girls from my book club. They pick the most amazing books. Uprooted is so far the best book of 2018. Full review here: BR: UPROOTED BY NAOMI NOVIK - 4/5.


It has only been four months of the 2018 and I have six books on my list already! I can not express how excited and happy I am about this. So what is next?

My Current Read is Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine and I am planning to write a review soon. If you want to stay in touch with me and my Reading Challenge of 2018 find me on GoodReads, send me a friend request.



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Don't be trashy, recycle!


22nd of April is the Earth Day but for me, every day is an Earth Day, so let's talk about the environment for a little while...

"Why? This is not connected to the books in any way... " If this was your first thought; you need to reconsider your lifestyle.

Think of the things you enjoy the most. Do you like listening to music? Or love cats and a cup of tea? Or is it cold beer and pizza that makes you happy? Well, I am sorry to tell you that these things are only on the planet Earth and it will take a long time until we are brewing beer on Mars (if ever).
Every single little thing we do during our everyday life affects our planet and it would be a shame to lose these precious things. For example, books. Books are made of paper (or recycled paper, which is even better), a paper is made of trees. If we recycle more, we make more books from recycled paper and at the end save the trees. Hence: "Don't be trashy, recycle!"

I decided to share with you what I do to save our planet and if I inspire someone to do at least one thing from my list this wasn't a waste of time.

1. Reusable Coffee Cup - I actually have two coffee cups. I prefer the smaller sizes. I don't drink litres of coffee but I enjoy a nice cappuccino on the go; in the train, in the car, while walking into the shops or reading a book in the park. These two cups are the perfect size for a small latte or cappuccino homemade or from a cafe. I haven't been to a cafe that would refuse to make a coffee in my reusable cup, so don't be shy to ask. Bonus point - they fit easily in any of my handbags.

2. Reusable Shopping Bags - People say they ALWAYS have one with them. Well... I am a bit suspicious of those who say that and I don't believe it is true. I don't carry a reusable bag with me but I make sure that if I go to do groceries I stop at home and pick my bag. If I go to the shop without one of these bad boys, I just buy a couple of things that I am ok to drop in my handbag or carry in my arms.

3. Plastic bottles in the fridge - Never-ending story of the plastic bottles. I have 3 in my fridge, for more than a year now. I always fill them up with tap water and put them back in the fridge. We are lucky enough in Europe that we can drink tap water, so why buy it? (And just if you wondering; No, I don't drink Coca-Cola, Sprite or any other sodas, they are not good for you or our planet's health so why bother?)

4. Mooncup - this is the newest addition to the "save the planet" family and I love it! Mooncup is so much better for your body than tampons or pads, and it is super eco-friendly and saves you money too. If you don't have one yet, you are definitely missing out and you are not the cool cat in town. So, check out the webpage or go to your local Boots to get one and then just own your period.

5. Reusable straws - I only have two, but I have seen glass straws on eBay that I am planning to purchase for all those summer garden afternoons with Pimm’s or homemade Ice-Teas and the book.

6. Lunchboxes - this one is a tricky one, I usually make lunch at home and pack a lunch box with me, this way I minimize the packaging of the products. (see the point 7) But also if I buy something that is in the plastic box, I wash the box and reuse it as a storage container or lunch box.

7. Minimize the footprint - this point can be applied in various ways. for example; save the electricity or water but what I am trying to do is mostly connected to the food. I always try to buy loose vegetables without any extra package. I am not vegetarian but I try to eat more vegetables than meat as the production footprint of the meat is so much worse and I am not going to start with animals suffering in the hands of food factories because that is for the full blog article... so maybe next time.


WISHLIST: Bamboo toothbrush.



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BR: Uprooted by Naomi Novik - 4/5




"And once a world is spun the other way around; the sun can't fail to raise in the west."
~ Dragon


The story of Uprooted takes place in the country of Polnya and mentions the neighbouring country -Rosya. Sound familiar? Well; it should, Poland and Russia have amazing mythology and history which are the deepest roots of this book. Since the first line to the last, you feel the culture and the influence of the polish origin of the author, and it is magnificent! It is charming and magical.

Main character Agnieszka is an ordinary young village girl who reminded me, in her insecurities and clumsiness, of Bella. I hate Twilight so I was a little bit annoyed at first but as you continue reading you find out that Agnieszka is so much more... She is exactly what I want to be; what you want to be an essentially what all of us want to be. She struggles through the life and as you finish the last chapters you will look back and realize how much she has changed since the first chapter. It will make you stop and wonder... When did this all happen?
And for me, this is the most beautiful part of the book. This book is like life; tiny change happens from one page to another and you don't even notice until you look several chapters back.

I fell in love with the main male character sooner then Agnieszka did. I have a weakness for this type of men. They are like pineapple; they look dangerous and rough on the outside but you know that under that unfriendly looking skin is a good sweet soul that is worth all that trouble.

Let me also mentioned the unusual character... The Wood. It is a dangerous place full of magical creatures that come from your worst nightmares. This Wood acts as the main evil that has it's own nature and takes action which makes it believably real! I had nightmares for a few nights after reading before the bedtime. I am telling you this Wood has power beyond the pages and you'll find yourself thinking that maybe you can travel to Poland to see this Wood before the logic comes back and you realize it is just a book.

The very essence of this story is magic. It starts with the wizard in the tower who takes a young girl from the village and it goes through the whole story like a thread in a fabric. The magic is weaved in an incredible way and it comes out as easy as breathing. I really enjoyed the type of magic in this book. (Don't get me wrong, I love Harry Potter books and the spells and all of that) This was such natural magic that came from nature and was connected to the wizard's soul and heart. It really made me feel the magic as I was reading and I found myself taking deep breaths so the witch in the book had enough power for the spell... it fell like I was connected to it.

The writing style that Naomi Novik used in the book wasn't making it easy for me. She is using vocabulary that I (not native English speaker) struggled with. I found a lot of sentences that seemed unusual to me in their structure and I was not sure if it was the editing mistake or different type of literary language. I got used to it after several chapters as the plot of the book dragged me in. What I really enjoyed were the descriptions of the magic and Agnieszka's internal monologues.

I really enjoyed this book. I feel that the Slavic influence was a fresh air into the fantasy and the story as a whole felt easy and smooth. I would love it if this book had chapter thirty-three as well. I missed some kind of a promise of the future for the main characters... what will happen next? Did they live happily ever after?

Here is the synopsis: 

Agnieszka loves her valley home, her quiet village, the forests and the bright shining river. But the corrupted Wood stands on the border, full of malevolent power, and its shadow lies over her life.
Her people rely on the cold, driven wizard known only as the Dragon to keep its powers at bay. But he demands a terrible price for his help: one young woman handed over to serve him for ten years, a fate almost as terrible as falling to the Wood.
The next choosing is fast approaching, and Agnieszka is afraid. She knows—everyone knows—that the Dragon will take Kasia: beautiful, graceful, brave Kasia, all the things Agnieszka isn’t, and her dearest friend in the world. And there is no way to save her.
But Agnieszka fears the wrong things. For when the Dragon comes, it is not Kasia he will choose.


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April Bullet Journal



Let me start by saying that Bullet Journal is a great way of organising your life in a very creative style and without any help of electronics. I like how it takes me back to basics and gives me the space to be free and make a custom journal and diary hybrid that suits my needs perfectly.

As far as I remember; I always kept some kind of notebook close by. I used to write short stories in one, favourite quotes into another, the third one I kept as a diary... a few years ago I received a "My life story" book which is kind of a scrapbook/diary so I am keeping that up to date since 2015.


I picked up bullet journal because (I am not going to lie) it is cool. I wanted to know what all that fuss is about and why it is such a boom! So far I am enjoying it. I am not using my bullet journal in the same way as most people do, I am using my phone for planning and for calendar.... but I guess that is the point... this dotted book can become what you want it to be.

I learned on trial and mistake when I started. I tried a few things and then glued pages together because I didn't like what they looked like. I gave up on my Reading Progress than created different one... but none of that matters as long as I am happy with what my Bullet Journal looks like and what it helps with.


I am three months in and I think I have little experience to share with you in a hope of inspiring each other. The plan is to make a live stream each month about my new Monthly Spread so if you are interested hit "follow" on my Instagram.

My February theme was pink, my March green and for the April I chose a blue colour. It perfectly matches my Instagram feed and I am currently obsessed with everything that is blue. 
All of my pictures for the Bullet Journal come from magazines; I go through them and cut interesting pictures out. For the first page, I chose little blue Instagram photos and I created a calendar so I can imagine what a month of April looks like. This page is mostly about the visual interpretation than practical.


Next comes my Mood Tracker section. I really LOVE the mood tracker. It is very nice to look back at the whole month and see how I felt. And I am a huge fan of the circle Mood trackers. I decided to make a blue sun for this month and every day I will colour one of the rays. The dark blue stands for a horrible day while the light blue is for positive and happy days. (Hopefully, the whole sun will be bright blue).
I also made a little box for Books, where I write titles I read during the month. I usually read two or three so I don't need a lot of space. 





I mentioned before that I keep track of my appointments on my phone so I don't need a lot of space for the calendar. But I like to keep simple one in my Bullet Journal to look back at as it helps to explain why some of my days were dark blue. I also added a section called "Blog Ideas" for the first time this month. My blog is very new so I decided it would be good to write down some article ideas as I go through the month. 

There will be a quote next to the party pictures but I haven't found one that would fit for this month yet. Please let me know your ideas, they are more than welcome.


The last page of the April Month is dedicated to reflexion. At the end of the month I will look back at what this month been like; what were my achievements and how I felt. The page on the right is still left blank as I am not sure how to use it just yet. I will publish an update about the last page on my Instagram.

Here are the pens I used:



I get inspiration from amazing accounts on Instagram, my favourite one is @piesandprose. This girl makes amazing things with her journal, so I recommend that you have a look at her account. Another great bullet journalists are @joeybean @lisaborgonovi.





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