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A December/January Book and Poetry Haul



Firstly, apologies for the (relatively) long absence! I've just been finishing off some assignments I should have done over Christmas. You know, just the usual. Also, with these long winter nights/short days at the minute I keep forgetting to take photos early in the day while I can still take advantage of some natural light. Legitimate #bloggingstruggles right there.

Anyway, I'm back now with a little book haul. These are just a few books I've gotten recently either for Christmas or just from the other day when I had a little peek into Waterstones on my way around town and decided to treat myself.



W.B. Yeats with poems selected by Seamus Heaney
I've really been enjoying a good poetry anthology recently. It's no secret that I love Yeats, he's among my absolute favourite poets so I asked my mum if she'd get me this anthology for Christmas specifically because the collection had been selected by the late Seamus Heaney and I just feel like this combination couldn't actually get any better. I may have even shed a small tear at the sight of this.

John Keats with poems selected by Andrew Motion
I also asked for this lovely Keats anthology. I haven't read much Keats in the past but I saw 'Bright Star' earlier this year and just fell in love with the film and the story and so have since resolved to read some more of his work. 

'Poems to Learn by Heart' edited by Ana Sampson
Ok so, this is a really nerdy fact about me but I started learning poems off by heart at quite a young age. I'm not really sure why I started, I just remember having to do a comprehension in English class on 'The Lady of Shalott' by Tennyson when I was about 9 or 10 and loving the poem so much I just decided to learn it by heart. Then, throughout my last years of primary school we had handwriting classes where we'd practise by writing out poetry- cue my very first introduction to Yeats through 'The Lake Isle of Innisfree'- and I started learning those off too and since then it's just something I've kept doing. It's strange but I find it really relaxing and it's also been a helpful practice for me especially during times when I've suffered from bad anxiety since it really takes your mind elsewhere. 

Anyway, I spied this anthology, 'Poems to Learn by Heart' and just couldn't not get it. It's separated into chapters by subject matter, which is everything from magic to love to war. I'm yet to have a proper look at it but I'm very much looking forward to having some time off where I can really spend some time looking through. (I've just had a quick look and 'The Lady of Shalott' is in there- this is fate, pretty much).


'The Girl with All the Gifts' by M.R. Carey
Finally, after receiving so many recommendations, I decided to pick up 'The Girl with All the Gifts' by M.R. Carey and 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn. I actually already have 'The Girl with All the Gifts' on my Kindle, but recently I've really been feeling like there's nothing quite like an actual real, physical book. Don't get me wrong, I love my Kindle (especially because e-books are so much cheaper!) but it's just not the same. I just find it so satisfying when you're really getting through a book and you can see the bulk of it getting thinner as you go along. Kindles almost make reading quite laborious in that sense because you're just sort of continually flicking through this endless wordy abyss. And besides, I've pledged to read the printed word!

'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn
I know I'm a little late on the bandwagon with 'Gone Girl'. To be honest I wasn't actually planning on ever reading it just because, despite the hype, I just didn't really think it sounded like my kind of thing. However my friend, Hilary assures me it's an excellent read so I thought I'd finally give it a go.

Have you read either of these books? What did you think?

31 comments

  1. I have to admire your love for poetry, its such a great thing to be passionate about and you must have been your English teachers dream, I know I'd love someone like you in my class haha! I was thinking about getting a kindle but I've kinda been turned off it mainly for the reason you have mentioned, there's nothing like a physical book! I want to read Gone Girl, I wish I didnt see the film first though ! Xxx Sinead | sineaddreamingagain.blogspot.ie

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    1. Haha, thank you! I'm not sure whether I was or not, maybe when I was a bit younger. And yeah, 100%, there's nothing like a real book :) xxx

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  2. I recently bought Gone Girl. I fell into the hype too but I'm hoping it's good!

    janetteamelia.blogspot.com

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    1. It's not something I'd usually read so I'm still a bit apprehensive but we'll see! xx

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  3. I love your poetry books - these are great recommendations that I'd love to get my hands on! I have read Gone Girl and I really liked it. It's dark and disturbing but it's quite a good read.

    Carly xo

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    1. Oh great, I'm glad you thought it was good! I'm excited to start it xx

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  4. I love Keats!!! I've seen " Bright star" many times and it is one of my favourite movie ever! Last year I also bought a book with the letters Keats wrote to Fanny Brawne...gorgeous!!!
    xx
    Martina
    sweetietulip88.blogspot.it

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    1. It's really beautiful, isn't it? Aw wow, that's amazing! I've seen a couple of photos of their letters and things online but it would be nice to have them on paper xx

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  5. I can never resist visiting Waterstones when I visit the city ^_^ I think buying a bunch of books (or borrowing from the library) is one of the most satisfying things ever; for me it's a little like Christmas or a birthday haha! I recently watched the Gone Girl movie and even though I thought it was amazing I'm a bit scared of reading the book as I found it really unsettling!

    The Lucky Patch // an art and lifestyle blog

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    1. Ah, same here! There's nothing quite like a new book! I'm literally going into this completely blind, like I'm not actually very sure of the story so I hope it's not too scary! xx

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  6. I was reluctant to read Gone Girl too as I thought it couldn't possibly live up to the hype but I really loved it so hope you do too! And I totally agree, there is something so satisfying about buying real books and being able to pile them all up in front of you!

    Bxx
    b-jolly.co.uk

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    1. Yes absolutely, I really like to have the physical copy to keep as well. I'm really glad you enjoyed it!! :) xx

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  7. I've heard good things about Gone Girl but I tend to avoid 'popular' books so I've not read it...yet... maybe if I see it in the library I'll give it a go :)

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    1. Oh really? That's cool! I feel like I can be kind of the opposite as in I like to know a lot of people have liked a book before I read it since it takes quite a lot to engage me sometimes. I'd like to read a few more lesser-known books too though xx

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  8. I've heard so much about Gone Girl but never read it. Please let us know what you think! Also, I think it is super neat that you memorize poems. I have dabbled in poetry recitation as a hobby, but have never dived quite deep enough into it.

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    1. I will do definitely! :) Aw thank you so much! I think that's very cool also! I think it's just a nice thing to get into the practice of even just from time to time :) xx

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  9. I hope you enjoy Gone Girl, I think I'm definitely in the minority because it didn't really grip me as much as I was expecting! xo

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    1. Thank you, Jennie! Hmm I could potentially see myself being with you on that one, it normally takes a lot for me to feel really involved in a book xx

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  10. I really enjoyed the Girl With All The Gifts and the loved the main character, Melanie. I think I'm also in the minority about Gone Girl, I found it a little frustrating towards the end!

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    1. Yeah I've heard lots of good things about The Girl With All the Gifts! I don't know all that much about it yet but I think I'll enjoy it :) xx

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  11. I was also really hesitant to read Gone Girl but I ended up getting it when I was going on vacation and needed something for the airport. It's a real page turner - a fun read, for sure.

    xx Kathryn
    http://www.throughthethicket.ca

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    1. Oh good! Great to hear that you enjoyed it! Sometimes the books you buy on a whim turn out to be the best ones xx

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  12. I totally agree with you about the endless wordy'ness abyss of ereaders! I find mine handy for holidays or commuting but nothing beats a printed book for me when I'm not having to lug it too far! I've read Gone Girl and loved it - it had me completely hooked. I haven't read the other book but I await your opinion eagerly :)

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    1. Oh yes, it's SO handy for commuting and they're way more, like, discreet than a physical book too in a public place (I don't know whether it's weird that I like to be a discreet reader?). Well, thank you very much, I'll be sure to let you know what I think! :) xx

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  13. Great buys! I hope you enjoy The Girl with all the Gifts it is really good :)

    Bethan Likes

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    1. Thanks Bethan! Still haven't started it yet but really looking forward to :) xx

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  14. I love your choices here, the poetry choices are perfect! I actually have that copy of W. B Yates' poetry too, it's a lovely collection :)

    Tessa at Bramble & Thorn

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    1. No way! It's lovely isn't it? It's always nice to meet another poetry fan, especially a fan of Yeats :) xx

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  15. I've heard only great things about "Gone Girl". I really want to read the novel and watch the movie! *Hops on the bandwagon* LOL. I haven't been blogging for awhile and I really missed reading your blog (:

    NostalgicTeens

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    1. I'm not sure whether I'm not that keen to see the movie, I've heard the book's much better but maybe I'll really want to see it after I finished reading!! :) Aww thank you so much, Ngozi, I've missed you also! xx

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  16. I adored The Girl With All The Gifts! Like, as much as you can adore a dystopian horror novel...;) It's a wonderful read - can't wait to see what you think of it. Hooray for the printed word! My Kindle's gathering dust in the corner of my bedroom...xx

    Tamsin / A Certain Adventure

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Thank you so much for your comment! They mean a lot to me and I read every single one. Sometimes I can be poor at replying so if you need a faster response feel free to email me at beth_farrelly@live.co.uk or tweet me @alphabethblog

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