An A-Z of Me: B is for...

B is for Books!

Ahh, books! Who doesn't love the crisp sound of a turning page, or the musty smell of a well-read favourite? I am a bit of a series lover, myself. One book is never enough, and even at the end of a series I still find myself feeling empty with the loss of cherished characters. When I am reading a good book, it is all-consuming. The story and the characters trickle into every aspect of my life, feeding my over-active imagination with pictures which, over time grow to include my own image in them. Anyone else do that? Find yourself dreaming that you are in the book you were reading before you fell asleep, glasses still on, drooling on the page? I must admit, I even day dream about the fantasy worlds I am reading! Shocker!

Anyway, here are a few of my favourites, in absolutely no order whatsoever (that would be comparable to picking a favourite child! Or chocolate flavour! Unspeakable!):

Harry Potter

Ahh, my sweet, sweet babies! Betcha didn't see that one coming, eh? There's no way you could tell from my Harry Potter related crafts that I am obsessed! Honestly though, I think these are the stand-out books of my generation. In writing these books, J. K. Rowling (that clever, clever woman) united the world! People old and young alike have read and enjoyed these books and watched the subsequent movies countless times. I know I have read them something crazy like 5 times and am planning on reading them again this winter, curled up on the couch with my Harry Potter mug full of steaming hot chocolate. Plus, not a week goes by that one of the movies isn't played in my house, and quoted line for line! I don't know what it is about this magical world which J. K. Rowling created, but I just cannot get enough of it! She is brilliant and so are the books. And if you haven't read them, what are you even doing on my blog?

Wuthering Heights

I know it's a stretch away from Harry Potter, but honestly - I am head over heels in love with this book! I first picked it up in year 11 to use as an extra text in Extension English. I wasn't expecting much - it was just a dusty, old book on the list of recommended readings, after all! But I have since read it three times and still would read it again! This is by no means an easy book to read (in fact, you'll probably have to read it twice to understand it) but once you get used to the language, it is clear that Emily Bronte is a literary genius! I can't even describe the way that Wuthering Heights makes me feel - all I know is that it is the most intense, passionate and enthralling love story I have ever read! I often think about a few of the quotes in it, "I cannot live without my life, I cannot live without my soul" “If all else perished, and he remained, I should still continue to be; and if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the universe would turn to a mighty stranger.” “He's more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.” and think, wow - did Emily Bronte jump into my brain and pick out exactly how I feel about Jake and put it on paper? The intensity of Cathy's love for Heathcliff, and Heathcliff's for Cathy is something I know all to well, being the hyper-emotional person that I am, and that, I think, is what so lures me into this story. 

The Da Vinci Code

This might be a bit of a controversial book to put on here, or maybe even an eye-roller, but this book literally changed my life. You see, I went to a Catholic primary school where I was basically brain-washed into thinking that Catholicism was the only religion there was and hat all atheists would go to hell when they died and burn in a pool of hot lava for all of eternity. Not a very great concept for a kid to be fed day-in-day-out in the peak of their mental development. A friend of mine, when we were in year 6, gave me this book to read and immediately my eyes were opened! Not only did I love the story in the book, I loved the idea of other religions and of atheists not actually being horrible, demonic people, and of Christianity actually being a religion which borrows all its bits and pieces from other religions. It lead me to research different religions a little more thoroughly and make my own decisions on my beliefs. Decisions which have changed slightly over time, to bring me to the position I am currently in as far as "the big questions" are concerned. Many people aren't into ths book, I know, but I am and it has led to some great things happening in my life. 

Cloudstreet

Cloudstreet is one of the best Aussie books ever. It follows the lives of two families, the Lambs and the Pickles, who share a great big house. These two families could not be more different, but the ways in which Tim Winton weaves their lives together are absolutely awe-inspiring. Set in the time of Robert Menzies' Prime Ministership in Australia, Cloudstreet gives a voice to the minority groups in Australia. This book, while possessing a deeper meaning, retains an entirely raw entertainment quality which is greatly appreciated by the reader. I would recommend this book to anyone, but think that it would especially strike a chord with fellow Australians.

The Millenium Trilogy

This is another series by a literary genius who sadly passed away long before his time. If you like a good mystery/thriller, then I strongly recommend that you read these books. They will not disappoint! I also strongly recommend that you do not watch the American version of the film under any circumstances. It is terrible. Absolutely terrible! I have the Swedish versions here ready to watch (I gave them to dad for Christmas. Gotta love a present which everyone can enjoy!) but I haven't gotten around to it yet. Promise I'll give you all the verdict when I do though! Oh, and another thing - if you are sensitive to issues such as domestic abuse and rape, you will want to pass on this one. It is quite graphically detailed and not at all for the feint-hearted! If you can deal with that stuff though, read them1 You'll thank me for it!

And since this post is going way too long, honourable mentions to John Marsden's The Tomorrow Series and The Ellie Chronicles, which are great Aussie books about a group of teenagers trying to survive in the Aussie bush after Australia has been invaded, to Anne McCaffrey's Dragons of Pern Series, and to Jean M. Auel's Eath's Children series which al history-lovers would enjoy immensely! As well as any other people who love a good story!

"I hate books," he said,

"I hate books," he said, as he wrapped me in his arms. "They always steal you away from me."

I kissed his mouth and smiled. "It's only for a few hours. I've missed you. Come and snuggle."

As this conversation played out the other night, I couldn't help but feel bad. I hadn't seen Jake in a week, and here I was with my nose in a book. I felt selfish.

But then I remembered the following quote which I had read one day on the internet, and my guilt was diminished. Jake has always known, and loved, my nerdy side. He knows that books are a massive part of my life, just as motocross is a massive part of his. With how much of a hold the literary world has on my life, how could it not make up a huge part of what he loves about me?

I think this quote (by Robert Pattinson of all people) sums up and explains mine and Jake's situation pretty well:

"If you find a girl who reads, keep her close. When you find her up at 2 AM clutching a book to her chest and weeping, make her a cup of tea and hold her. You may lose her for a couple of hours but she will always come back to you. She'll talk as if the characters in the book are real, because for a while, they always are. Date a girl who reads because you deserve it. You deserve a girl who can give you the most colorful life imaginable. - Robert Pattinson, redeemed

I screenshotted this when it popped up on my pinterest again tonight and sent it to Jake with a message reminding him of something. "You may lose me for a few hours while I'm reading a book, but I will always be yours and I will always be much the better for reading. One day, you will come to treasure the way I can get lost in a book. My eyes will light up as I animatedly discuss the character, just as though he is a real person, and you will look at me and smile, because I'm passionate, I'm inspired and I'm yours." 

Friday's Finds: Burleigh Haul

Yesterday I took the bus up to my Uni for a meeting with the student success adviser. It was my first time catching the bus all that way and the first time I'd had to make a transfer (in a suburb I didn't know, to top it off). I was extremely nervous about making that cross over and getting to the meeting on time. As my first engagement with the University, I thought it was incredibly important that I be there on time. Fortunately, my plan to get there 15 minutes early was the best forward-thinking I have ever done, because it saved my butt when my first bus was running late and made me miss my second bus and have to wait around for a further 10 minutes for another. 

The meeting was incredibly helpful, and I feel much more confident about starting this new chapter of study now I have met with the success adviser and learned more about what my first year in the School of Humanities is going to be like, what resources are available to me and where I can go if I ever need help with anything. 

I was much more relaxed on the trip back, having made my deadline and learned a lot of helpful stuff, and so I decided to take the bus I was on all the way to Burleigh Heads before changing, rather than changing at the designated stop. Boy am I glad of this little brainwave, because opposite the bus stop is a great Salvos store, and look what I found!

My first ever pieces of vintage Pyrex! Ooh, it is a happy day for this little blogger where I could tick "Pyrex" of my "to find" list at $2 a piece!

These books are what the TV series Bones is loosely based around. The writer is a forensic anthropologist and all the science is real, as in the show (which she produces). The books are basically a reflection of Kathy's life, and I can't wait to read them! If you're a Bones nut like me, you will be interested to note that the author's name "Kathy Reichs" is the name of the character in Brennan's book on the show! How is that for a cool Bones nerd fact?

I just love the chipper patterns on my pyrex! They're very "me".

I almost didn't buy this dress, because it was $6 and not something I would usually wear, but I kinda love the tie up front and am starting to crush on the khaki trend wayyy much lately, so bought it anyway. I think it would look great with a cute, lacy cami peeking through the ties, and will layer great for autumn and winter here in Australia. 

Have you had any simply amazing thrift store finds recently? I'm so glad I stopped at Burleigh on my way home. The fact that I now own vintage Pyrex has me absolutely bouncing with joy!

First post!!!!

Hi guys, if you're reading this I'm eternally grateful because I have this weird feeling that blogging without readers is akin to talking to oneself - something which I am starting to think I do a little too much of already, lately!

My name is Sunae, and I'm a crafty 18 year old from  a small town called Woodburn, not far from Byron Bay in Australia. I guess I'm starting this blog as a sort of time-filler because I am on a gap year and don't have much use of my brain without anything to study, but I am also starting this because I have recently taken up sewing, and would like to (eventually) start selling what I sew on Etsy, which is absolutely the best website EVER, and at a few of the local markets where I live.

At this stage, I don't think this blog will completely be about sewing, as I also do a bit of other craft and cooking, a lot of op-shopping which I get super excited about, and I love to read so i'm guessing you'll hear a bit about books too! In a way, I guess you'll hear a far bit about different aspects of my life. I hope you enjoy what I write about if you read it, and I hope you'll comment on my posts because I'm quite a friendly person who loves to chat and connect with other like-minded people!

I think this shall do for an introductory post, and I'll try to post something exciting later!