Book Review - "Plain Truth" by Jodi Picoult

Dear Book Lovers,

Yes, I have another book review for you all. I've found out another book by Jodi Picoult, the author of "My Sister's Keeper" as people loved the story so much. I love the books by this author, she holds your attention, asking questions we might not think about, questioning what is right.

The Blurb reads:

A shocking murder shatters the picturesque of Pennsylvania's

Amish country - and test the heart and soul of the lawyer who

steps in to defend the young woman at the centre of the storm...

The discovery of a dead infant in an Amish barn shakes Lancaster

County to its core. But the police investigation leads to a more shocking

disclosure: circumstantial evidence suggests that eighteen-year-old Katie

Fisher, an unmarried Amish woman believed to be the newborn's

mother, took the child's life. When Ellie Hathaway, a disillusioned big-

city attorney, comes to Paradise, Pennsylvania, to defend Katie, two

cultures collide - and, for the first time in her high-profile career Ellie

faces a system of justice very different from her own. Delving deep

inside the world of those who live 'plain', Ellie must find a way to reach

Katie on her terms. And as she unravels a tangled murder care, Ellie

also looks deep within - to confront her own fears and desires when

a man from her past comes back into her life. 

This is another beautifully gripping story by Jodi Picoult which will have you questioning what next. Giving an insight into Amish life, Ellie need to help young Katie, but unsure how to when she doesn't understand her beliefs or way of life. Ellie must fight to save this young girl, who doesn't understand or believe what has happened to her. But with Katie hiding some of the truth of Ellie will the answers become clear? This is a fascinating inside into Amish life, which I myself don't really know much about, but seems clearer on after reading this book. This page turner will have you wanting to know move are you travel into this world.

Let me know you thoughts on this book, or any others you think I need to read by this author.

Love Lolly
xoxo

Book review - "A Walk to Remember" Nicholas Sparks

Dear Book lovers,

As I have a bit of time, I thought I'd share with another book for my collection of favourites. Before I reading this book I had already seen the film, so I knew what I was getting involved with. (The film is in my top 10)

The Blurb reads:

Landon Carter would never have dreamed of asking Jamie Sullivan

out, but a twist of fate throws them together. In the months that

follow, Landon breaks down Jamie's natural reserve and begins to get

to know her - and to fall in love. But then he discovers that Jamie has a

reason for not letting people close - a secret that will break his heart.

An incredible read that will have you reaching for a tissue to dry your eyes. It shows not everything is as it seems. The story is told from Landon's point of view, looking back to when he was seventeen and his life changed for ever. It wonderfully moving with page you turn and a story that will stay with you forever.

You must read this book! Even if you have seen the film or know the story, because reading this book really tells the whole story, one that will have you weeping at the joy and tragedy of it all. Just don't finish the book like I did, on a packed plane while a waiting take off - I'm sure people thought I was crazy, but I couldn't help the tears.

Let me know your thoughts,

Love Lolly

xoxo

Getting ready for Reading Festival 2012

Dear Friends,

This year, in the summer of 2012, I'm going to be heading to Reading Festival. This shall be my first festival, so I'm trying to make sure I have everything I need. I've been hunting the shops to make sure I'll survive. I'm a bit of a girly girl, so sleeping in a tent isn't something I'm used too! But there are so many artists I want to see who will be at Reading, including Paramore and Foo Fighters that I'm risking it all to go.
Here's what I've collected so far:

Bright Pink Wellies, From Primark £12

Perfect for all my make-up £1 from Poundland

My phone is going to need protection too - £1 from Poundland

A waterproof bag, Pack of cards, Water Carrier, Bum bag,

Disposable Ponchos - Each £1 Poundland.

So far I've collected a few bits, found some great stuff in Poundland as you can see, didn't know they would have stuff like that!! I've already got a four person tent - I'm sharing it with friends it not just for me!! I've got some clothes sorted. However if anyone who has been to a festival before can give me any tips I will be thankful.

Also I'll update you when I've collected more stuff including clothes, to what I'm taking.

Love Lolly

xoxo



Book Review - "My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

Dear Friends,

I am writing this post as so many of my friends on Sunday watched the film "My Sister's Keeper" and wanted to know if they should read the book and they loved the film. The film stars Cameron Diaz and Abigail Breslin, and they tell the story of their daughter and sister who has leukaemia, the family have a strong bond until the youngest, Anna, decides to sue her parents to the rights to her own body as she doesn't want to give blood to her sister anymore.
Now I must tell you, you do need a box of tissues while reading this book!

The film cover.

The Blurb reads:

SARA FITZGERALD'S DAUGHTER KATE IS JUST TWO YEARS OLD

WHEN SHE IS DIAGNOSED WITH A RARE FORM OF LEUKAEMIA.

Reeling with the helpless shock of it, Sara knows she will do

anything - whatever it takes- to save her child.

Then the test results come back time and again to show that

no one in their family is a match for Kate. If they are to find a

donor for the crucial bone marrow transplant she needs, there

is only one option: creating another baby, specifically designed

to save her sister. For Sara, it seems the ideal solution. Not only

does Kate live, but she gets a beautiful new daughter, Anna, too.

Until the moment Anna hands Sara the papers that will rock

her whole world. Because, aged thirteen, Anna has decided

that she doesn't want to help Kate live any more. She is suing

her parents for the rights to her own body.

This is such a gripping story, keeping you involved with all the members of the family. Sara - The mother - story is told from the day she finds out her daughter is ill, through all the feels and doctor appointment up to the present day in the book. She shows true emotions in this book. You follow Anna as she fighter her parents, showing the cracks in the family, making you feel for a little girl who has had to grow up quick. Brian's (the father) view is always explained as well as the other child, son Jesse, who seems to be forgotten by the rest of the family. You get to see how the decision of one child affects the whole family. This is an excellent story which will pull at your heart strings. The end is the saddest part ever, I felt like doing a Joey from friends and pulling it in the freezer!

Here's a taster of the book, this is the every beginning:

In my first memory, I am three years old and I am trying to kill

 my sister. Some times the recollection is so clear I can remember

the itch of the pillowcase under my hand, the sharp point of her

nose pressing into my palm. She didn't stand a chance against

me, of course, but it still didn't work. My father walked by,

tucking in the house for the night, and saved her. He led me back

to my own bed. "That," he told me "never happened."

As we got older, I didn't seem to exist, except in relation to

her. I  would watch her sleep across the room from me, one long

shadow linking our beds, and I would count the ways. Poison,

sprinkled on her cereal. A wicked undertow off the beach.

Lightning striking.

In the end, thought, I did not kill my sister. She did it all on

her own.

Or at least this is what I tell myself.

Let me know your thoughts on this book. As it is one of my favourites.

Love Lolly

xoxo 

Father's day - Crafts

Dear readers,

For father's day this year I made my Dad and Grampy a card each. I had to make them the morning of as I had run out of time in the week!! I had already got their presents, a Mug for my grampy with golf on it as he's always playing golf. For my dad a board game all about golf!!! Yes, he loves playing golf too, so I thought this game would be perfect. I have also pre-ordered the new Everton away kit for my dad, however it doesn't come out till the end of this week, so it will be a bit late...Oh well.

I thought I'd share with you the two cards I made for them.

Both of these cards are 3D, and show their own hobbies. They both smiled when they opened their cards, so I must done something right.

Hope you all enjoy your day

Love Lolly
xoxo

Presents

Dear readers,

Yesterday my brother arrived home after spending nearly two months working in Amercia. Its nice to have him home, however he is forced to bring back one thing.... A box of lucky charms. Yes, that's right, the cereal. As a child I loved this cereal, however it isn't sold in the UK anymore. I don't really know why!! Neverless, knowing he was going to America I forced him to buy me some.

I'm so excited to have these, I'm like a little child! Bring on breakfast each morning.



My grandparents have also been away, and as my Nan loves to shop she brought me back a little present.

How cute!! Just so me, it also has a little chocolate - Excellent to go with my tea.

So next time you go off on holiday, why don't you buy a little something for someone close to you. I'm sure it will put a smile on their face.

Love Lolly
xoxo

Items I Brought this week

Dear Everyone,

I've been out and about this last week, and popped into my local Dunelm. Now they have had a sale on this week so couldn't miss up the chance of these beautiful storage boxes:

The smallest priced at £1.99

These are great for me to keep bits and bobs in, also go perfect with my room! I've already filled them up!

I also got this little cake stand, it is such a pretty colour and only £3.99 in the sale. Now I just need to make some cakes to decorate it all.

Now these next items I didn't buy this week, however I just wanted to share them with you as they are so pretty!

A pretty metal wall sign, which you can write on and is magnetic. The cakes were so pretty, I just had to have it. I'm gonna use it to write notes that I need to remember. I got when I was on a trip to Kent, it was in a nice garden centre.

On a trip to Leighton Buzzard with my Mum and Nan, I collected this item, it still needs hanging on my wall, but its a ribbon holder! Perfect for someone like me who uses ribbon for my craft work. It is an off white colour with a pretty heart design on the top. It is made by Sass & Bell.

This next set I've collected ready for when I move out, however a disappointment to my parents I don't think that will be anytime soon, but I knew if I didn't buy them when I saw them I wouldn't find anything like them again.

Union Jack set for the kitchen!!

Tea Pot

Two mugs, so I can drink the tea.

Small jug and Sugar set.



And a Large Jug, perfect for Pimms O'clock.

After getting these items ready for when I more out, I think when I do, I'm going to have to paint my kitchen red.

So I've been busy buy a few bit, however I'm running out of space to store it all.

Love Lolly

xoxo