The only reading challenge I set for myself in 2015 was the Goodreads challenge. I pledged to read 100 books and successfully completed that in December, yay! This year I have a few goals in mind to try and keep things interesting. 

1. Read 50 books. I'm aiming for a smaller number this year so I'm not always thinking about numbers. I just want to be able to chill and enjoy the books I want to read when I want. 
2. Re-read the Harry Potter series. This is something I've wanted to do for a long time as I haven't read the series properly since I was a kid. It's my favourite series and I'm excited to see what I can get from it as an adult.
3. Only request an ARC if it's a book that I really, really want to read. I've had a bad habit of requesting books that sound interesting and end up falling behind with reviews. As with goal one, I'm really aiming to be more chilled this year. 
4. Read more of the books that I already own rather than focusing on new releases. This is going to be tough considering all the new releases I already want to read! 
5. Read the series' that I've had my eye on for a long time. I really want to read Falling Kingdoms, The Raven Boys, The Young Elites, Snow Like Ashes and The Sin Eater's Daughter. They have been patiently waiting for a while now!
6. Take part in more buddy/group reads. I've enjoyed the ones I've done before as I love having other people to discuss the book with so I hope to do a lot more this year.

What are your reading goals for 2016? Let me know!

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National Read a Book Day | Childhood Books & Books to Read in Bed

 

As today is National Read a Book Day, I thought I would celebrate by reminiscing on some of my favourite childhood books. These are books that I grew up loving and staying up past my bedtime to continue reading. Some of these books were read more than once (and are still read now!) and one is a book that I always attempted to read but could never finish. And I still haven't finished it to this day. (It's on my list!)

The books I can remember most from my childhood are:

1. Books by Jacqueline Wilson 
2. Sabrina the Teenage Witch (series) 
3. Goosebumps (Series) 
4. The Wind in the Willows
5. Disney's Aladdin (Illustrated Classic Series)
6. Peter Pan (Illustrated Classic Series)
7. Harry Potter (Series)
8. A Series of Unfortunate Events 
9. Stargirl

The collage features covers that I remember with the exception of The Wind in the Willows which I couldn't find. Speaking of which, the book that I've never been able to complete... The Wind in the Willows. I think I had a standard paperback edition as well as a fancy illustrated hardback but I just couldn't do it. I loved the physical books as well so it's a shame. I'd definitely like to complete it one day.

There's something about all of these books that's really comforting and I would happily read them all again now. I think it's books that are comforting that are really great books to read in bed. Books that you can read wrapped in blankets, read on lazy Sundays, in winter, at Christmas. My favourite comfort read for such occasions is still the same as it was when I was younger: Harry Potter. I'm already planning my winter reread!

What books can you remember from your childhood? I'd especially love to know if you grew up in the 90s like I did as I have a feeling I've missed loads! Do you have a favourite comfort or bedtime book? 

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This post was inspired by Casper who provide a great sleep with one perfect mattress. Casper are helping to spread the word about Read a Book Day by spreading the joy of reading at bedtime. Join in the conversation!

Harry Potter Book Night 2016

Hosted by Bloomsbury Children’s Books, Harry Potter Book Night is returning on February 4th, 2016!

I missed the 2015 event so I'm really looking forward to it next year!

You can sign up to receive an event kit on the Bloomsbury Harry Potter website here:

http://harrypotter.bloomsbury.com/uk/harry-potter-book-night/ 

Don't forget to join in the chat on Twitter via #HarryPotterBookNight

It's National Stationery Week!

It is National Stationery Week (#NatStatWeek) and as I absolutely love stationery I have taken the opportunity to find some amazing book related stationery. 
(Not that I need an excuse!)

Here are some of my favourites:

Sticky note bookmarks with owls.

I actually own these and they are even cuter in real life!
If you like to take notes whilst you're reading then these are really handy. There's enough room to write quite a few notes on each bookmark and you have the bonus of cute little owls sticking out from your pages.


Source: Paperchase

Your very own personal library kit!

 

If you worry about lending out your favourite books then this is for you. There are cards to keep track of what you have sent out and a date stamp so your borrowers know when to return your book. So. Cool.

Source: Waterstones 

Memo bookmarks are super handy things to have. They come in really useful when there are certain things in books you want to go back to. (e.g. quotes) There are so many designs out there now from patterns to animals. 

I also really recommend them if you are a student. I used them during my degree to bookmark sections of textbooks and it made life easier!

Source: eBay

I love reading in bed but it's no fun getting comfy and warm only to have to move to switch the light off.

That's where the handy book light comes in! It clips to the back cover of your book and can be angled to the perfect position to shine light on your pages. I've used one of these and they are great!

Source: Waterstones

This is one of the greatest things I have seen!

A Harry Potter Sorting Hat pen display. Need I say more?!

Okay, so it's a bit extravagant and it's not cheap (the cost of the case & house pens (sold separately) is £100+), but I would still love one on my desk!

 

Source: greatgearstore.com

And as National Stationery Week is about getting people to write more handwritten notes and letters, here are some of my favourite writing products:

Pens: Staedtler Triplus Fineliner. 

Notecards: from Paperchase.

I love these pens as they are really fine so you can write with them like you would with a normal ballpoint pen. The bonus being that you can easily add colour to your letters!

I'm also a huge fan of note cards that are blank inside. They give you the benefit of a great design but with the room to write your own message instead of something generic.

 

What are your favourite stationery items? :)