‘The Land of Stories’ Book Review 📚

🌟 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕃𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕠𝕗 𝕊𝕥𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕤 🌟

By Chris Colfer


ᴛʜɪꜱ ʙᴏᴏᴋꜱ ꜱᴇʀɪᴇꜱ ɪꜱ ᴍᴀɢɪᴄᴀʟ, ᴘᴇʀꜰᴇᴄᴛ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪᴛᴛʟᴇ (& ʙɪɢ) ᴀᴅᴠᴇɴᴛᴜʀᴇʀꜱ ᴀᴍᴏɴɢ ᴜꜱ.

ᴛʜᴏꜱᴇ ᴡʜᴏ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴇꜱᴄᴀᴘᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴀ ʟᴀɴᴅ ᴏꜰ ᴡᴏɴᴅᴇʀ, ᴍᴀɢɪᴄ, ꜱᴛᴏʀʏ, ᴇxᴄɪᴛᴇᴍᴇɴᴛ ᴀɴᴅ ᴀᴅᴠᴇɴᴛᴜʀᴇ.

ᴡɪᴛʜ ʟᴏᴀᴅꜱ ᴏꜰ ʀᴇꜰᴇʀᴇɴᴄᴇꜱ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ꜱᴏᴍᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴇꜱᴛ ʟᴏᴠᴇᴅ ꜰᴀɪʀʏᴛᴀʟᴇꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀꜱ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴀɴ’ᴛ ʜᴇʟᴘ ʙᴜᴛ ɢᴇᴛ ʟᴏꜱᴛ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ Qᴜᴇꜱᴛ ᴡɪᴛʜɪɴ.

ɪᴛ ɪꜱ ᴡʀɪᴛᴛᴇɴ ꜱᴏ ᴡᴇʟʟ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ꜰɪɴᴅ ɪᴛ ᴠᴇʀʏ ᴅɪꜰꜰɪᴄᴜʟᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴘᴜᴛ ᴅᴏᴡɴ ᴀɴᴅ ʏᴏᴜ ꜰʟᴏᴡ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀꜱ ᴀᴛ ᴀɴ ᴀʟᴀʀᴍɪɴɢ ᴘᴀᴄᴇ.

ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀꜱ ᴀʀᴇ ʙᴏᴛʜ ɪᴅᴇɴᴛɪꜰɪᴀʙʟᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ʟᴏᴠᴇᴀʙʟᴇ (ꜱᴏᴍᴇ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴛʜᴀɴ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀꜱ, ꜰʀᴏɢɢʏ.. ᴀᴍ ɪ ʀɪɢʜᴛ!?!) ᴡᴇ ᴀʟʟ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴀᴄᴄᴇᴘᴛᴇᴅ ꜰᴏʀ ᴡʜᴏ ᴡᴇ ᴀʀᴇ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇʟᴏɴɢ. ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ɪꜱ ᴀʟꜱᴏ ᴀ ꜱᴛʀᴏɴɢ ꜱᴇɴꜱᴇ ᴏꜰ ꜰᴀᴍɪʟʏ, ʟᴏʏᴀʟᴛʏ ᴀɴᴅ ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ɢᴇɴᴇʀᴀʟʟʏ ꜱᴛᴀɴᴅɪɴɢ ᴜᴘ ꜰᴏʀ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ɪꜱ ʀɪɢʜᴛ ᴡʜɪᴄʜ ɪꜱ ᴀ ᴘʀᴇᴛᴛʏ ᴋɪᴄᴋᴀꜱꜱ ꜰᴇᴇʟ ꜰᴏʀ ᴀ ᴋɪᴅꜱ ʙᴏᴏᴋ.

ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ɪꜱ ꜱᴏᴍᴇ ᴡɪᴛ ᴀɴᴅ ʜᴜᴍᴏᴜʀ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴀᴅᴅꜱ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴏᴠᴇʀᴀʟʟ ʙʀɪʟʟɪᴀɴᴄᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴇɴᴊᴏʏᴍᴇɴᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ ᴇxᴘᴇʀɪᴇɴᴄᴇ.

ᴀꜱ ᴀɴ ᴀᴅᴜʟᴛ ɪᴛꜱ ɢʀᴇᴀᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇ ᴀᴡᴀᴋᴇɴ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴄʜɪʟᴅ ɪɴ ᴜꜱ, ᴛʜᴇ ᴏɴᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴋɴᴏᴡꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ꜰɪɴᴅꜱ ᴄᴏᴍꜰᴏʀᴛ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇꜱᴇ ᴄʟᴀꜱꜱɪᴄ ᴛᴀʟᴇꜱ. ᴡʜᴀᴛ’ꜱ ᴇᴠᴇɴ ʙᴇᴛᴛᴇʀ ɪꜱ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴄʜʀɪꜱ ʜᴀꜱ ᴄᴇʟᴇʙʀᴀᴛᴇᴅ ʙʀɪʟʟɪᴀɴᴛʟʏ ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇꜱᴇ ᴛᴀʟᴇꜱ, ꜱᴏ ʏᴏᴜ ᴍᴀʏ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ᴛʜᴇᴍ ᴡᴇʟʟ ʙᴜᴛ ʜᴇ ᴀᴅᴅꜱ ꜱᴏ ᴍᴀɴʏ ʟᴀʏᴇʀꜱ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇᴍ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ᴋᴇᴇᴘ ʏᴏᴜ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ ᴏɴ ,ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ᴀꜰᴛᴇʀ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ.

ɪ ᴍʏꜱᴇʟꜰ ᴀᴍ ᴇɴᴊᴏʏɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇꜱᴇ ʙᴏᴏᴋꜱ, ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴀʀᴇ ᴀ ɢʀᴇᴀᴛ ᴄᴏᴍꜰᴏʀᴛ ʀᴇᴀᴅ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴇxᴄɪᴛɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ʙᴏᴏᴛ, ᴡʜɪᴄʜ ɪꜱ ɪᴅᴇᴀʟ ɪɴ ꜱᴜᴄʜ ᴀ ꜱᴛʀᴀɴɢᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴜɴᴘʀᴇᴅɪᴄᴛᴀʙʟᴇ ᴛɪᴍᴇ.

ɪ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴀʀʀʏ ᴘᴏᴛᴛᴇʀ ʟᴏᴠᴇʀ ɪɴ ᴍᴇ ʜᴇʟᴘꜱ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ᴛʜᴇꜱᴇ ꜱᴜᴄʜ ᴀ ꜰᴜɴ ʀᴇᴀᴅ.


ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴀʀᴇ ꜱɪx ʙᴏᴏᴋꜱ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴇʀɪᴇꜱ ꜱᴛᴀʀᴛɪɴɢ ᴡɪᴛʜ ‘ᴛʜᴇ ʟᴀɴᴅ ᴏꜰ ꜱᴛᴏʀɪᴇꜱ: ᴛʜᴇ ᴡɪꜱʜɪɴɢ ꜱᴘᴇʟʟ’.

ᴛʜᴇ ᴀᴜᴛʜᴏʀ, ᴄʜʀɪꜱ ᴄᴏʟꜰᴇʀ ʜᴀꜱ ᴡᴏɴ ᴍᴀɴʏ ᴀᴡᴀʀᴅꜱ ꜰᴏʀ ʜɪꜱ ᴡᴏʀᴋ ᴀɴᴅ ɪꜱ ᴀ ʙᴇꜱᴛꜱᴇʟʟɪɴɢ ᴀᴜᴛʜᴏʀ ᴛʜᴀɴᴋꜱ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴜᴄᴄᴇꜱꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴡᴏɴᴅᴇʀꜰᴜʟ ʙᴏᴏᴋ ꜱᴇʀɪᴇꜱ.


ꜱᴏ, ᴡʜᴇᴛʜᴇʀ ʏᴏᴜʀ 8 ᴏʀ 88 ᴡʜʏ ɴᴏᴛ ʟᴇᴛ ʏᴏᴜʀꜱᴇʟꜰ ᴇꜱᴄᴀᴘᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴇᴍᴇʀꜱᴇ ʏᴏᴜʀꜱᴇʟꜰ ɪɴ ꜱᴏᴍᴇ ᴍᴀɢɪᴄ.

ᴍʏ ᴏᴠᴇʀᴀʟʟ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴇʀɪᴇꜱ: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

100% ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʀᴇᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴅ


I cannot wait to read these stories to my nephews/niece & any future children I may have because they are just brilliant.

Have you read them? What do you think?


Until next time,

Roseanne 🙂

World Book Day 📚

As a child I always loved reading, but steadily, over the years it has grown to be my most favourite of hobbies.

And there is most definitly one book that I can attribute alot of that joy to…

As J.K Rowling so eloquently put it; ‘I do believe something very magical can happen when you read a good book.’

Never has a story, characters, A LOCATION (because we all wanna be at Hogwarts, let’s be real) captured my imagine like the ones in Harry Potter.

…It’s the comfort of something you know so well… a constant, magical source of enjoyment, imagination, comfort and belonging that sometimes you can only get from immersing yourself in a wonderful story.

So, thanks J.K 👍🏻

& just remember; ‘The stories we love best do live in us forever, so whether you come back by page or by the big screen, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home.’ ⚡❤📚


So, if you havn’t recently, pick up a good book, go to your local library, start that one you’ve been meaning to for a while, read that childrens book they’ve asked you to read 100 times because you never know, it might just change your/their life… and if it doesnt you’ll still have a lovely time in the process.

Until next time,

Roseanne ⚡

Holiblog: Florida edition pt 3


Disney


The other main reason for visiting Orlando, Florida was to go to Disney World.

& if you havn’t been, but love Disney, I would highly recommend it! It’s just so damn magical ✨

My husband went as a child and always said this, but I really think you have to experience it to understand.

If I was to try and describe it to you I would just say that it feels really magical, and you wander around in this magical Disney bubble and it’s just fun and happy and full of colourful mickey ears and characters and people bursting into song as if that’s just normal, because at Disney it is, and it’s just awesome.

Disney has loads of different parks so I will share some pictures and memories from each one for you. I will also include a bit on the parades/shows that we saw as they do them SO well at Disney.

Enjoy!


Disney’s Magic Kingdom


The most magical place on earth!

& it really is.

As soon as you walk in you see Mickey shaped topiary, buildings that look like something straight out of an old school Disney film (think Mary Poppins) balloons, lights, vehicles carrying parades and then right at the end of this upbeat Disney street is a truly magical sight, the Disney castle!

Magic Kingdom is home to loads of great rides such as ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ ‘Its a small world’ ‘Haunted Mansion’ ‘Space Mountain’ ‘Thunder Mountain’ ‘Splash Mountain’ and many more!

They also do fantastic character parades that are well worth a watch. They really do unleash your inner child!

The ‘Happily Ever After’ Fireworks are also amazing and 100% worth a watch! So magical 🎆


Disney’s Animal Kingdom 🦁


Animal Kingdom was probably one of my favourite parks out of all of the Disney parks. They are all so well themed and this was no exception!

The park is split into different continents such as Africa and Asia and the animal attractions are themed accordingly.

It is all set around the tree of life which is at the centre of the park and is quite a beautiful sight to behold! (& a great photo point)

It hosts many AMAZING shows, and FYI the Finding Nemo Musical is not to be missed!! Seriously one of the best musicals I’ve ever seen and it doesn’t take up hours of your life!!

The Safari is also brilliant! Its such an awesome feature for the park and the array of animals that you get to see it fantastic.

Animal Kingdom is also home to the largest Rainforest Cafe in the world. We had our lunch in there and it’s really cool inside. If you’ve ever wanted to experience lunch in the rainforest then it’s definatly for you!


Disney’s Epcot 🔮


Also one of my faves (unexpectedly) was Disney’s Epcot park! Epcot is quite different from the other Disney parks but is so interesting in what it has to offer.

The great thing about Disney World is the variety that all the different parks offer, there really is something for everyone.

Epcot is so interesting because it’s very much about the future and how we can improve the world and build on the world we have using our minds, skills, resources and technology.

This is shown through experiences, games and rides.

One of my favourite rides, Soarin was a fantastic 4D simulator ride over different landscapes and it was phenomonal.

It also has a cool ‘Finding Nemo’ section within the Aquarium which was cool. The different sea life was great to see.

Plus, they did the best mac and cheese that I had the whole time I was in America haha.

Aside from these things it also boasts a MASSIVE lake that is surrounded by buildings and eateries all themed around different countries, so you can take mini tour around the world as you walk around the lake. It’s like nowhere I’ve ever been to before and it is really well done.

& not forgetting the Epcot fireworks which are hands down the best I’ve ever seen. It was an absolutely fantastic show and the fireworks, lights and music were so impressive! Again, not one to be missed.

Epcot was also epic because I got another character photo with Goofy (my fave) in my Goofy hat & he signed my hat! Awesome.


Disney’s Hollywood Studios 🎬


This is one of the newer parks and is home to lots of the Star Wars action.

Again, this was really well themed.

The streets looked like old style American New York sidewalks with skyscrapers, theatres, gas stations, diners and so on.

The main stage always played host to a show or performance which was cool to stop and watch as you walked around.

We turned up just in for the ‘March of the first order’ of Stormtroopers. Even as someone who isn’t a fan of Star Wars I thought this was really cool. It was so realistic and you just get so swept up in it all that you kind of forget it isn’t real.

Hollywood Studios also has great features and rides such as ‘Frozen’ the ‘Indiana Jones Stunt show’ ‘Tower of terror’ ‘Rockin Rollercoaster’ and loads more.

It’s also home to the brand new ‘Toy Story Land’ which is so cool. Everything in this part of the park is seemingly made out of toys, Knexs for the fences, giant Jenga pieces, building blocks, and so on.


Disney’s Blizzard Beach


Disney also plays host to two different water parks. Again these are really well themed and lots of fun.

The one we made it to was Blizzard Beach.

I was really glad we managed to see one of the water parks however, our day didn’t turn out as planned as a storm hit as we arrived and we were unable to go on any rides. Eventually we had to give up and find something else to do for the day which was a shame.

We did get to walk around the park and see all the themeing for a little bit before the storm struck but, we didn’t really get to experience it in its full glory.

However, this was where I had my first photo with Goofy so every cloud!

The other park is called ‘Typhoon Lagoon’.


I’ve always been a big fan of Disney films but I was never that fussed about visiting Disney, however now that I have been all I would say to you is GO!

Disney truly is SO much more amazing and magical than I could have ever imagined and so much fun, for all the family! It really does have to been seen to be believed and experienced to be appreciated. I’ve definatly got the Disney bug now so next stop Disneyland Paris haha 🎢🎡🏰

Until next time,

Roseanne 🙂

Harry Potter Gobstone Alley box ⚡

One of the coolest gifts that I got for my birthday in May was a Harry Potter box of goodies. I recently received this from my friend and had to share it with you guys.

There are loads of Subscription boxes out there that are Harry Potter themed and they are also available as a one off box too, which is what I received.

So let’s take a look!

I love the detail that’s on each item, packaging and the box itself…

Inside the box…

You get a Umbridge proclamation with a list of all of the items in your box…

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• Wooden, Dumbledores Army coaster

•Cosy Elves Umbridge themed tea

•Umbridge pocket mirror

•A box of Bertie Botts beans

•Incendio Sherbet lemon candle

•Deathly Hallows pin badge

•Dragons Blood vial prop

•Prefect bathroom bath salts

•Harry Potter trading cards

•Chocolate frog card ~Severus Snape

• Order of the Phoenix Tshirt

The attention to detail, cute packaging and super cool items are perfect for any Harry Potter fan! These boxes make a GREAT gift ⚡

I love it.

Until next time,

Roseanne 🙂

A very Harry Potter Christmas: Blogmas day 9 ☇

Hi guys!

So, this is very exciting!! Well I think so anyway haha. For any of my fellow Harry Potter fans out there, this ones for you…

I have seen many photos over the years (thanks Pinterest) of Harry Potter Christmas trees, and with an extra tree in our flat this year, well it seemed rude not to give it a go finally.

I’ve got plenty of Harry Potter memorabilia to create such a masterpiece and so I set about decorating my most magical Christmas tree yet.

I already had lights and fittingly (excluding the pink ) they are red, green, yellow and blue lights, the same colours as the four Hogwarts houses.

I used two Hogwarts ties that I had as tinsel, A red and gold Gryffindor one and a blue and silver Ravenclaw one. The Ravenclaw one is actually my sister Sarah’s, so if your reading this, thanks for your contribution haha.

As I said, I used lots of different bits of my Harry Potter memerobilia to decorate the main body of the tree and it was really fun adding all my little Harry Potter trinkets onto the tree, from baubles to characters, pictures and more.

The tree topper, like many Ive seen online had to be my sorting hat that I got from the Warner Bros studio tour, it brings it all together really well.

Lets take a look…

 

Here is the finished tree…

 

Until next time,

Roseanne 🙂

12 months, 12 books!

Hi guys!

I LOVE to read, I would even go as far as to say it is my favourite hobby. So, I thought I would share this hobby with you guys.

So this is basically my guide to a good read. All of these books I have read and thoroughly enjoyed! Its one book for each month of the year. As I’ll explain along the way, I have put certain books and months together just to make it a bit more tailored to those months and to myself (It is my guide after all haha)

I hope you guys find this useful and are drawn to a few of these brilliant books, maybe you could pop them onto your Christmas list! You may even know someone who would enjoy one of these, or failing that they would make great stocking fillers,

Lets take a look at the books I’ve chosen…

Bridget Jones Diary By Helen Fielding.

Because we all need a bit of cheering up in January! & Bridget is a very endearing character. January is probably when most people would start writing a new diary, a new year, a new chapter.

Billy & Me By Giovanna Fletcher.

A brilliant and cosy love story, wonderfully written. You will fall in love with the setting, its characters and the story of a young couple in love.

Blood sisters by Jane Corry.

I really enjoyed this book and found the twists really keep you on your toes.

After I’ve gone By Linda Green.

This book is SO gripping. With social media being at the forefront of todays culture this novel really makes you think. (+ its full of Harry Potter references!!)

Is it just me? By Miranda Hart.

May is my birthday month and I received this book for my birthday a few years ago. It is full of laughs. Miranda Hart is my favourite comedian and this hilarious book of anecdotes and stories is just fab! Sure to put a smile on your face. Almost halfway!

The Notebook By Nicholas Sparks.

“Every great love starts with a story.” This book is beautiful, true love personified, it made me cry!! (All the feels!!) and during what is a special month for me and my husband I thought this was a rather apt choice.

“I am nothing special, of this I am sure. I am a common man with common thoughts and I’ve led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten, but I’ve loved another with all my heart and soul, and to me, this has always been enough..”
― Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook
“I love you. I am who I am because of you. You are every reason, every hope, and every dream I’ve ever had, and no matter what happens to us in the future, everyday we are together is the greatest day of my life. I will always be yours. ”
― Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook

Lying about last summer by Sue Wallman.

Since July is the start of the summer I thought that this would make a good choice. This one is a teenage read (technically, but don’t let that put you off adults!!) It is super easy to get into and is just a lovely story about overcoming fears and letting go of guilt.

Change of heart By Jodi Picoult.

I was on holiday when I read this, hence the choice of months! and this is by far one of my favourites of all of Jodi Picoults books. It is SO gripping you honestly won’t be able to put it down, 10/10.

Harry Potter and the Philosphers Stone By J.K Rowling

Because was I ever going to do a book review without getting a Harry Potter book in there?? (NO, No I was not) This book is so MAGICAL and if your anything like me you’ll be dreaming of boarding that train to Hogwarts on September the 1st.

The Ice cream girls By Dorothy Koomson.

Take yourself back to Summer time with this seaside set novel. Heart breaking but brilliantly written by another one of my favourite authors.

Mince pies and mistletoe at the Christmas market By Heidi Swann.

This is a lovely easy reader with an awesome festive feel to it. If this doesn’t get you into the festive spirit I don’t know what will!!

Tanya’s Christmas By Tanya Burr

This is a fantastic book to get you feeling super festive, but also prepared for all the merriment. Its not a story, its more of a guide to Christmas and Christmas prep. Its full of brilliant crafty ideas, tantalizing recipes that will make your mouth water and make up, gifting and wrapping ideas to get those festive juices flowing, perfect.

 

These books are all quite different so I’m hoping there’s something in there for all of you guys to get your teeth stuck into,

What’s your favourite book? Favourite Author? Any recommendations?

 

Until next time,

Roseanne 🙂