Get To Know Me Tag!

As a new blogger to the community I wanted to post something a little different amongst my book reviews that lets you guys know a little bit more about me! I found this tag on one of my new favourite blogs, Jenny in Neverland, so I thought I’d give it a go! Enjoy…

(EDIT: this post ended up much more rambly and chatty than intended, so please do get yourself a brew and a comfy chair before reading!)

1. Tell us five random facts about you

I’ve recently graduated from the University of Sheffield with a 2:1 degree in History (I’m now in that panic-stricken post-study stage of life where I’m frantically applying for graduate jobs!). My favourite author as a child was Jacqueline Wilson, who I will always admire for replying to every single letter and story I sent her no matter how terrible they were. I used to compete as a Ballroom and Latin dancer – and wish I’d carried on! I’m left-handed (which to this day still seems to surprise 90% of the right-handed population). I’m due to become an Auntie on September 12th to a beautiful little boy, who as-of-yet is still nameless! I’m sure I’ll intercept a few of my book posts with updates on the books he starts to love as he gets older.

2. When is your birthday?

My birthday is the 22nd September, making me 21 years old. I’ve always loved my birthday as in the UK we tend to get an Indian summer after the inevitable downpours in the ACTUAL summer months, so it’s usually warm and sunny on my birthday.

3. What is your favourite colour?

My childhood self would say baby pink to this question, but as I’ve gotten older it depends what said colour is referring to! My favourite wardrobe colours are white, grey and lilac, my favourite colour for decor is grey and white, and my favourite colour for cars is white. Okay, I think we’ve all actually just established that the answer to this is white. I’m getting to know MYSELF in this tag!

4. What is your favourite memory?

I went through a really bad period last summer where I found it difficult to get up and had dipped into a pretty low place, so my favourite memory comes at the end of that as it was such a contrast. My family and I took a day trip to Llandudno where we rode toboggans, got ice-cream on the pier and walked along the beach looking for shells. It was so lovely coming out of such a terrible time in my life and spending quality time with the three people I love the most in such a beautiful place. It’s my favourite memory because it was the moment I realised that life goes on no matter how awful you feel, and it made me recognise the value of the little things in life.

5. Describe a day in your life

I’ve just finished university so my daily routine – until I get a job – is pretty relaxed! I wake up and catch up on Twitter and any blog posts I’ve missed, usually with This Morning on in the background. Then I do some mini reviews for Readers First (book lovers, you REALLY need to check them out if you haven’t already!) and apply to any jobs I like the look of that fit my future career goals. On my favourite days, I’ll head over to see my boyfriend in the afternoon where we chill and watch Netflix – we’ve just finished watching Drugs Inc., which was enlightening to say the least.

6. Name five of your favourite songs

Strip That Down by Liam Payne because I CAN’T STOP SINGING IT NO MATTER HOW HARD I TRY. Good Time by J Hus – he’s my favourite artist at the minute. Wild Thoughts by DJ Khaled/Rihanna/Bryson Tiller for the amazing guitar solo (you know which one I mean!). For when I’m feeling a slower one, I’m loving Adele’s When We Were Young, and for a general all-time favourite that never gets old, it has to be Hold on, We’re Going Home by Drake. Yep, quite a mix!

7. If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

Spaghetti Bolognese. I genuinely think I lived off this at university and I can still look at it today without my stomach churning so I reckon its a tried-and-tested safe option for me. (I can happily report my cooking skills have matured a little since then!).

8. What is something you really dislike?

People lying. I just don’t see the point, because in the long run it does more damage than good and it ends up with people getting much more hurt than if you’d told them the truth in the first place. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for a little white lie occasionally (I promise I’m busy seeing my grandma and not actually snuggled up in bed reading my new book, no I don’t know where my sister’s new top went but I DEFINITELY didn’t wear it out last Friday night, etc etc.), but I have no tolerance for anything above that level. I know way too many people who have ‘the-boy-who-cried-wolf’ tendencies, and it really is a deal breaker for me.

9. Summer or Winter?

Winter. I do love the extra sunlight hours we get with Summer, but the humidity and the sudden appearance of thousands of flying insects really doesn’t sit well with me! I love Winter because I can guiltlessly snuggle under a blanket with my favourite book, turn on the fairy lights and watch old classics on the TV. I’m a homebody, so Winter definitely wins!

10. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live and why?

Realistically, I could never move away from my family and I love the feeling of leaving the dreary English weather and stepping on a plane to go on holiday somewhere hot and beautiful once a year, so I’d actually stay in the UK! It has its flaws, admittedly, but it’s home for me and I’d be quite happy living in the English countryside or by the sea. Although ask me again once I’ve retired – I’ll probably be living in Spain!

11. Name your five favourite films

Matilda, Limitless, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, The Fundamentals of Caring, and Boss Baby. I don’t watch films very often, but I liked these ones a lot!

12. If you won the lottery what would you buy?

Presents for everyone first! If I were to win it right now, I’d buy my Dad and boyfriend their dream cars, I’d help my Mum set up her own shop so she could make a living out of her love of antiques and collectables, and I’d buy my sister a gorgeous apartment close-by with a nursery room in for my little nephew. For myself, I’d buy my own apartment, perhaps take a very spontaneous holiday in the Caribbean, and invest the rest in property as a permanent source of income. I’m sure there’d be a few shopping trips thrown in there too!

13. Favourite day of the week?

Monday. Controversial, but it’s a new start and I always feel more motivated at the beginning of the week!

14. What three things would you take to a desert island with you?

I struggled so much with this question! A notebook and pen (that counts as one, right?) so I could write a best-selling novel on my return about my adventure, a solar-powered Kindle so I could read all day every day (my idea of heaven), and a pillow.

15. Sweet or savoury?

Savoury. If I’m snacking, I’d much rather have crisps than chocolate and I usually go for a starter over a dessert.

16. Early bird or night owl?

I’d love to be an early bird and wake up feeling refreshed and productive, but the university lifestyle has definitely made me a night owl! I don’t mind waking up early, but only if I know I don’t have to physically get up (hopefully that’ll change when I start working as I don’t like coffee!)

17. Name five of your favourite books

Lost for Words by Stephanie Butland, The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins, Amnesia by Michael Ridpath, The Empathy Problem by Gavin Extence, and The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North.

Quite a read, huh!? I hope this gave you a little insight into the face behind the beauty of reading. As I’m new to the community, I won’t be tagging anybody specific this time, but do feel free to comment with your own answers or do the tag on your blog – make sure you leave your link below so I can read them!