READARAMA READS!!!

Hiya,

Me, Hikma and my sister Faghra have set up a blog called Readarama Reads.
On this blog we write about a book that we'll be reading every week, and updating on where we are in the book and about it every so often.

So even when I'm not posting here I should be posting over at Readarama Reads so check it out!

It'd be brilliant if you all joined Readarama as well, which is where it all started, maybe you can set up your own blog to!

I'd love it if you could all visit,

Shakira

Eight Weird things about me...

8 WEIRD things about me:

1. I have a phobia of FEET!! Seriously, I can’t stand it when people see my feet, when I see other people’s feet, pictures of feet, videos of feet, that SCARY advert full of feet. OMG! (Even the word though I wrote it quite a few times)!
2. I’m never able to start a conversation without feeling awkward. So it makes people think I’m boring, but I’m not! It’s just that I never know what to speak about until the other person starts off a conversation.
3. I sing everywhere EXCEPT in front of people. I can’t help it. I will try to never sing in front of my friends ESPECIALLY. I sing in my bedroom when everyone else is downstairs and sometimes at school when it just comes out but no other then that. (YES I DO SOMETIMES SING IN FRONT OF HIKMA)
4. I love heights, the further up I am the better I feel. I really don’t understand why people are afraid of high places. Doesn’t it give you that rush of air and that feeling of being higher up then everyone else around you? No?
5. I talk to myself in the mirror, there I said it. That is officially the first sign of madness isn’t it? But I’m not crazy I just do that when I’m extremely bored and I’m supposed to be studying…
6. I enjoy running, maybe that’s not weird, but I was finding it hard to think of another one. I can’t help but run across a road and then start walking normally again. Or run round the corner and then walk normally again. I really don’t even understand why I do that!
7. I’ll pick something out of my cupboard to wear for non-uniform day the day before and make my Mum iron it. Then the next morning realise I don’t actually want to wear those clothes after all…
8. Apparently I forgive people to easily. I never used to, I got angry all the time and could hold a grudge for ages. But now I still sorta get angry (but that’s normal) but not mentioning any names *Hikma* thinks I forgive and forget FAR too easily……

Well that’s all and thanks for this BRILLIANT meme Orli. Can’t wait for the next one!

Shakira! :D

xx

Friends...

Well there's been a few friend related incidents at school, and I just wanted to use this post to explain how important real friends really are:

There's always those friends whom you think will always be there for you. No matter what happens they'll always stick by you. Through your ups and downs there'll be there congratulating or comforting you. Those friends that you'll have mini-fights with but always end up becoming close friends again. Those friends that know your a person they can trust and have every faith that you can keep their secrets.You'll probably have the same likes and dislikes, similar music tastes, similar personality's. That's what makes your best friend your best friend.

But then something happens that changes all of that. You slowly start drifting apart. You get new friends they get new friends. They have new interests, you think you haven't changed, but you have. True they still comfort you when you're feeling down but you don't feel comforted anymore. They can't seem to be able to trust you and you can't trust them. However much you want to tell them something, you're scared, scared that they may tell someone or scared that they won't even care.

These things happen. Just remember sometimes when you tell each other 'I'll always be there for you.' you may have both had different definitions of 'always'.

But sometimes you may think it's your fault that your friend isn't hanging around with you as much as they did before. It probably isn't. People change, it's what life is. I know it's a sad time. Your friend could be feeling the same way as you. Because it's not just them that change you change to.

But of course some friends stay with you whatever the circumstances, so I'm not basing this on everyone, just those with situations like this.

But the hardest things are:
You realize what a truly painful goodbye it was, not full explained, not fully said.
When they turn around and look at you, say nothing, as if the time you were friends never even happened...

But remember try not to be mean to your used to be friend. It's alright to be angry but not full frontal 'I AM NEVER GONNA FORGIVE YOU' mode. Don't think about revenge. Even if you think they treated you like a toy, picked you up and dropped you as soon as newer ones came out. Respect each other, you may not be close friends anymore but you must realise you once were and you must never ever forget those crazily wonderful times you had...

I just wanted to share a few quotes with you:

'Friendship is like glass, once broken, it's never the same.'

'A good friend is hard to find, hard to lose, and impossible to forget.'

Take out the picture blow off the dust. Take off the frame it's starting to rust. Remember the times we had together. What happened to being Best Friends Forever.

And just a quote to two particular people, you know who you are:

'Friends always buy you food. Best friends always eat your food.'

but don't ever think:




Shakira

xx

MEME UPDATE

HI,

Sorry for not posting recently, blame science GSCE's

A few weeks ago I came up with a new meme HERE.
The prizes are staying the same but now you don't need to enter a photograph for each catagory but you can if you want to.

You must still sign up for my meme by clicking the page called 'My Meme' above.

The closing date is 10th February BUT if i get too few entries I don't think I'll be able to carry on even hosting a meme.

Thanks,

Shakira

Chris Higgins Interview

1. What inspired you to write your books?

 All my books come from my imagination with a few subconscious memories thrown in.

2. Have you always wanted to be an author, or something else?

I wanted to be a cowboy, a writer, an actor or an artist in that
order when I was 6. My teacher told me I couldn't be a cowboy because
I was a girl so I decided to be a writer instead.

3. If you could use a time machine for one day what would you use it for?

To move forward 50 years when I won't be around anymore to see what
my children and grandchildren are up to.

4. A lot of readers of this blog aspire to become a writer what could you tell them? Any Tips?

Read, read, read, write, write, write. The two go together.

5. When you're not writing, what do you do?

Am outside in the fresh air on beautiful Cornish beaches and
clifftops. I'm a beach bum by heart.

6. Who's your role model or inspiration?

My mum. She loved books and was a great mum.

7. If you could meet a character from a book who would it be?

Lady Macbeth. I know "Macbeth" is a play not a book but she's such
an interesting and much-maligned character.

8. What was your favourite childhood story?

Anything by Enid Blyton. Such adventures! even though they were far
removed from my own experience.

9. Have you eve had writers block?

No- I can't afford the luxury of writer's block. I don't have time
to sit here doing nothing.

10. What would be your ideal holiday?

Snorkelling on the Ningaloo Reef, W. Australia. I've done it and
it's perfect.

Quick-fire.

Paperback or e-reader?
Paperback

Chocolate or sweets?
Chocolate

Facebook or Twitter?

Facebook

Fish or Chips?

Fish

Reading or Writing?

Aargh! They go together. Do I have to choose? Ok then, writing.

Thanks Chris for the Great interview!

Shakira

New Challenge for my Meme!!

Hi,

UPDATE: THE MEME IS NOW CLOSING ON 10TH FEBRUARY!
UPDATE: YOU DON'T NEED TO ENTER EACH CATEGORY BUT TO ENTER YOU MUST AT LEAST PICK ONE!

<IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY PLEASE SIGN UP FOR MY MEME ON THE MY MEME PAGE!>
This months challenge is a photography one.
What you'll be doing is taking four different photos (one for each category).

You'll need to send your photos to bookblogcompetitions@hotmail.co.uk OR create a blog post showcasing photos that you took and give me a link as a comment on this post (its hard to get a MrLinky up right now)

Remember:

• You must have taken the pictures
• no inappropriate content can be shown in the pictures
• if you're taking a picture of a person please get their permission
• Send only one picture per catagory.

So now for the Category's:

1. Scenery- Any type of setting.
2. Animals-Picture of any animal
3. Humour- A funny moment you've captured.
4. Home- A picture you've taken somewhere in your house.

The winner will get a Copy of Chris Higgins NEW book 'The Day I met Suzie which is actually out in March 2013 and a signed bookmark, temporary tattoo and Character trading cards from Rachel Harris. UK ONLY for Chris Higgins Book. If the winner is international you'll get the Rachel Harris stuff but the Chris Higgins book will then be kept for a runner up.

The closing date for this is 23rd January.

Thanks,

Shakira

100 followers competition Winners!

Hi,

Hopefully you will have won something from my 100 followers giveaway's!!!!
Before I announce the winners there is still 1 Sarah Webb bookmark up for grabs. And 16 Hattori Hatchi Bookmarks so if you want to have any of these please email bookblogcompetitions@hotmail.co.uk

I've emailed all the winners:

1- THE KILLABLES BY GEMMA MALLEY- Marwa 
2- Suzanne LaFleur book-Fatima
3- Rachel Harris stuff-Morgan
4- Keris Stainton books- Nadia
5- Signed Frances Hardinge drawing-Zohra
6- Hattori Hatchi Book- Mia Hattori Hatchi bookmarks-Zohra, Emily, Nadia. Remember there are more available.
7- Ally's world journal and bookmark-Hawwa.
8- Original proof of Silenced by Simon Packham- Hikma
9- Sarah Webb bookmarks-Zohra and Hikma Remember there is still 1 available.
10- Signed Kate Maryon Book-Isapop

Well done to you all!!
Don't despair if you didn't win, I'll have more giveaway's and competitions soon.
And Thank you all for entering!!

Shakira
xx