My Personal Goals And Plans For 2017 / 2018

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** Update . Due to my dad becoming terminally ill and sadly dying in March 2017 my blog was on hiatus for 6 months after this blog post and sporadic before this **

A new year. The time to re evaluate and to plan new adventures!

This time last year I was moving out of my London flat and about to go to Italy for 8 weeks :)

What were your goals last year and what are they this year?  'Travel more' is on my list every year!

There are some one off goals here and some than require major input and time and life changes. I have also set myself some business and financial goals (I am self employed) but I'm keeping these between myself and my notebook :)

Move into my own flat (again)

I've been living back in my hometown (Norwich) at my parents house and working part time. This year I want to take on more freelance work and be working full time, and therefore also have my own space to live and work. Maybe not the apartment in the photo just yet! But I'm working on it ;)

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Blog more

I re started this blog in October and managed only 3 blog posts in October and none since. Life has been really unpredictable (a close family member became seriously ill) and although I had the best intentions when I wrote this in October, my personal blog had to be put to one side again. I want to take my blogging more seriously and really get somewhere with this blog and incorporate it into my work a little. I'm aiming for a minimum of 1 blog post a week/52 blog posts this year. I'd love to collaborate with other bloggers, creative people, and possibly some brands.

Adopt a penguin

This is a random goal I know ha ha, but I LOVE penguins and would love to donate to a conservation charity and get updates about my penguin :)

One of the things on my bucket list is to see penguins in the wild but this will have to wait another few years!

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Finish the first draft of my debut novel

This has been on my 'New Year Goals' list for the last 2 years. My intention this year is that once I'm living in my own place again, I'll be more relaxed and have some free time to focus and write. I will mention my writing on this blog and on Twitter but more on my author Twitter which you can follow at @ktjarviswriter .

Write/ direct / produce a short film or music video

I went to Cannes in the South of France in 2014 during Cannes Film Festival week, and wrote first drafts of 2 short film scripts the year before as part of my degree. Visiting Cannes was such a life long dream come true and that trip continues to inspire me so much with my life goals. Since then my writing (novel and screen) has been put on hold but this year I intend to complete the scripts (maybe write some new ideas too!) and make at least 1 into a film that everyone can watch.

Go to a cat cafe

This is also something I've wanted to do for while. Years ago I used to have a cat and so did my parents, and currently neither of us do. As there's no way I can have a cat in the near future the next best thing, other than be a professional cat sitter, is to visit a cat cafe! I know there are a few in London and it will involve some forward planning when I know I'm in London for a few days.

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Buy a ring (or 2) from Pandora

I love Pandora's jewellery designs. This is more a reward I've promised myself when I reach one of my financial goals with my business but I'm including it here to motivate myself :)

Go to a Formula One Grand Prix

or go to a testing weekend, or just see a Formula One car on a track somewhere. I went to the Monaco Grand Prix practice day in 2014 and it was sooo good and I want to experience that again (several times a year for the rest of my life would be great!).

Go on a beach holiday

I want a real desert island, crystal clear water, white sand type of beach holiday. Mauritius or Seychelles or Madagascar. I've never gone to somewhere like this, most of my holidays as an adult have been city breaks, and this is a dream holiday and big goal for me this year. I aim to at least book this holiday before the end of 2017.

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What are your goals / plans for 2017 ? 

~ Katie ~

September Book Haul

This blog is not just a book blog (although most posts are about books) and I've never done a Book Haul blog post until now. Most of the books I've been reading for my reading challenge have been books I already own or library books. Over the last month or so I've treated myself to purchasing 4 books :)

There's a book turned movie theme...

High-rise by J.G. Ballard

This has been made into a movie starring Tom Hiddleston and Sienna Miller. It is screening at London Film Festival on 9th October.

Book Synopsis

Within the concealing walls of an elegant forty-storey tower block, the affluent tenants are hell-bent on an orgy of destruction. Cocktail parties degenerate into marauding attacks on ‘enemy’ floors and the once-luxurious amenities become an arena for riots and technological mayhem.

In this visionary tale of urban disillusionment from the renowned author of ‘Crash’ and ‘Cocaine Nights’, society slips into a violent reverse as the isolated inhabitants of the high-rise, driven by primal urges, create a dystopian world ruled by the laws of the jungle.

AmazonUK  AmazonUS 

Remainder by Tom McCarthy

This has been made into a movie starring Tom Sturridge. It is premiering at London Film Festival on 10th October.

Book Synopsis

Traumatised by an accident which involves something falling from the sky and leaves him eight and a half million pounds richer but hopelessly estranged from the world around him, Remainder's hero spends his time and money obsessively reconstructing and re-enacting vaguely remembered scenes and situations from his past: a large building with piano music in the distance, the familiar smells and sounds of liver frying and spluttering, lethargic cats lounging on roofs until they tumble off them...But when this fails to quench his thirst for authenticity, he starts reconstructing more and more violent events, as his repetition addiction spirals out of control.

A darkly comic meditation on memory, identify and history, Remainder is a parable for modern times.

AmazonUK  AmazonUS 

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

From the same author as Gone Girl, this has also been made into a film starring Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult and Chloe Grace Moretz.

Book Synopsis

Libby Day was just seven years old when her evidence put her fifteen-year-old brother behind bars.

Since then, she has been drifting. But when she is contacted by a group who are convinced of Ben's innocence, Libby starts to ask questions she never dared to before. Was the voice she heard her borther's? Ben was a misfit in their small town, but was he capable of murder? Are there secrets to uncover at the family farm or is Libby deluding herself because she wants her brother back?

She begins to realise that everyone in her family had something to hide that day... especially Ben. Now, twenty-four years later, the truth is going to be even harder to find.

Who did massacre the Day family?

AmazonUK  AmazonUS

Four by Veronica Roth

This is a collection of short stories about Tobias/Four from the Divergent books/films.

Book Synopsis

Two years before Beatrice Prior makes her choice, the sixteen-year-old son of Abnegation's faction leader does the same. Tobias's transfer to Dauntless is his chance to begin again. Newly renamed 'Four' he discovers that initiation is only the beginning...

Four must claim his place in the Dauntless hierarchy. And his decisions will affect future initiates as well as uncover secrets that could threaten his own future - and the future of the entire faction system.

Two years later, Four is poised to act but the course is still unclear. The first new initiate who jumps into the net might change all that. With her, the way to righting their world might become clear. With her, it might become possible to be Tobias once again.

AmazonUK  AmazonUS

~~~

Have you read any of these books? Are you looking forward to the film versions? 

Word Scribbler Reading Challenge - Week 27/28

Hi everyone. I am behind with my reading challenge and updates due to illness so I'm going to include 2 weeks in this blog update, again, and next week too.  This week is actually week 29 of my 52 book reading challenge (1 book per week for a year).

This week:

27. A book set in France.
28. A book with a film industry theme/character.

Book Blurb - When I Fall in Love by Miranda Dickinson

Elsie Maynard never expected to be starting again... 

...but eighteen months on from the biggest challenge of her life, she is doing just that – because she made a promise to the person who believed in her the most. 

Determined to step into her uncertain future, Elsie meets handsome Oliver Hogarth who seems intent on winning her heart and inadvertently founds a choir. 

Then a heartfelt request brings her to Paris – and the final item on ‘The List’ that she never dared complete.  Can Elsie follow her heart and put her past to rest?

~~~

Book Blurb - I Heart Hollywood by Lindsey Kelk (Book 2 in the 'I Heart' series)

Angela Clark can’t believe her luck… she’s an English girl living in New York with a dream job at hip magazine The Look and a sexy boyfriend.

Her latest assignment takes her to Hollywood to interview hot actor and fellow Brit James Jacobs.Thrown in at the deep end she heads west with best friend Jenny dreaming of Rodeo Drive and Malibu beach.

Soon Angela discovers that celebrity life in Hollywood is not all glamour, gloss and sunshine. Despite his lady-killer reputation, the only person who seems genuine is James.

Then a paparazzi snaps them in an uncompromising position and suddenly Angela is thrust into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons…

Can she convince all those close to her – especially her boss and her boyfriend – not to believe everything they read? And will Hollywood ever win Angela’s heart?

If you want to join in with my reading challenge this week you can read the same book as me (info/purchase links are on the right), or choose from your own book collection or local library/bookshop. If you do want to join in please leave a comment below this blog post with the book you're reading and/or tweet your chosen book tagging me @word_scribbler . Share this blog post with other readers, tell them what book you're currently reading and discover new books to read :) 

As well as my reading challenge list I'm currently reading After The Red Rain by Barry Lyga/Peter Facinelli/Rob DeFranco which was released yesterday.

Book Blurb - After The Red Rain 

A postapocalyptic novel with a cinematic twist from New York Times bestseller Barry Lyga, actor Peter Facinelli, and producer Robert DeFranco.

On the ruined planet Earth, where 50 billion people are confined to megacities and resources are scarce, Deedra has been handed a bleak and mundane existence by the Magistrate she works so hard for. But one day she comes across a beautiful boy named Rose struggling to cross the river--a boy with a secretive past and special abilities, who is somehow able to find comfort and life from their dying planet.

But just as the two form a bond, it is quickly torn apart after the Magistrate's son is murdered and Rose becomes the prime suspect. Little do Deedra and Rose know how much their relationship will affect the fate of everyone who lives on the planet.

1. A book with 'Winter' in the title.  I READ Winter Wonderland by Belinda Jones. REVIEW
2. A book set on or by the sea/ocean.  I READ The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen. REVIEW
3. A book with a red cover.  I READ Waking the Witch by Kelley Armstrong . 
4. A book with a colour in the title. I LISTENED TO the audiobook of The Red Necklace by Sally Gardner (read by Tom Hiddleston!) :) 
5. A book with 'Love' in the title. I READ A Very Accidental Love Story by Claudia Carroll. 
6. A book that has been made into a movie or tv show. I READ Insurgent by Veronica Roth AND Paper Towns by John Green.
7. A book recommended by a friend. I READ Looking for Alaska by John Green.
8. A book set in a place you want to visit. I READ The Apartment in Rome by Penny Feeny AND The Travelling Tea Shop by Belinda Jones.
9. A classic. I READ Far From The Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy.
10. A book set in a city. I READ A Week In December by Sebastian Faulks.
11. A book with an orange cover. I READ Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury.
12. A book with 'Spring' in the title. I READ Promises of Spring by Jenny Lane.
13. A memoir / autobiography or similar. I READ On Writing by Stephen King.
14. A book written by a UK author. I READ Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch. 
15. A collection of short stories. I READ LOL (a romantic comedy anthology).
16. A book with food in the title. I READ Ketchup Clouds by Annabel Pitcher.
17. A book set in your favourite place. I READ Paris for One by Jojo Moyes.
18. A book your mum loves. I READ Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.
19. A book with a yellow cover. I READ Catch Me If You Cannes by Lisa Dickenson.
20. A trilogy. I READ The Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare.
21. A book with 'Summer' in the title. I READ A Summer to Remember by Victoria Connelly.
22. A book with a music industry theme/musician character. I READ Made in Nashville by Mandy Baggot.
23. A book that was originally written in a different language. I READ The Red Notebook by Antoine Laurain.
24. A book everyone has read but you. I READ Allegiant by Veronica Roth.
25. A book where the main character has your dream job. I READ The Secret of Happy Ever After by Lucy Dillon.
26. A book with a green cover. I READ Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell.
27. A book set in France. I'M READING When I Fall in Love by Miranda Dickinson.
28. A book with a film industry theme/character. I'M READING I Heart Hollywood by Lindsey Kelk.
29. A book set in your hometown.
30. A book by one of your favourite authors.
31. A book set in Italy.
32. A book with a blue cover.
33. A book set in London.
34. A book about a road trip/journey.
35. A book with a one-word title.
36. A book set in the countryside.
37. A book with 'Autumn' in the title.
38. A book with a purple cover.
39. A book set in New York.
40. A book with a number in the title.
41. A book with an animal on the cover.
42. A 'banned book'.
43. A book that was published the year you were born.
44. A book set in Los Angeles.
45. A book with a black and white cover.
46. A book with 'Chocolate' in the title.
47. A book published this year.
48. A book set at Christmas time.
49. A book by an author with the same first name as you.
50. A book with snow on the cover.
51. A book you learned about because of this challenge.
52. Reread your favourite book.

My chosen books for weeks 27 and 28 are - When I Fall in Love by Miranda Dickinson and I Heart Hollywood by Lindsey Kelk.

What are you reading for weeks 27 and 28? 

27. A book set in France.

28. A book with a film industry theme/character.

I'd love some recommendations for my 'to read' list! 

Word Scribbler Reading Challenge - Week 24 - A book everyone has read but you

It's week 24 of my 52 book reading challenge (1 book per week for a year). This week is:

24. A book everyone has read but you. 

The book that I'm reading this week is the final book in the Divergent trilogy. I love books 1 and 2 and the world that Veronica Roth has created. Most of my friends and twitter timeline read this final book the instant it was released. I've been reading the books along with the films. I enjoy the films more not knowing what's going to happen 2 films ahead. But this book was controversial/shocking to many and major spoilers were posted online. Many fans were not happy at all with how this book series ended. Less than 2 weeks after the book was released I unavoidably read a rant from a fan. Many people still hadn't read it or finished reading. It still annoys me that I found out this way. With so many 'omg' reactions I was about to concede and buy/read the book as soon as I could. Instead, I still haven't read it. 

I still only know what happens to who, not how or when. As a writer myself, I think Veronica Roth is a brave author to write this book and this ending to the series. The fan uproar was predictable. At the time I was shocked but not upset or feeling cheated like some fans. Re-reading Divergent and then reading Insurgent already knowing this major spoiler has made me hyper aware of the foreshadowing and this ending now to me is the only one that makes sense. Anything else wouldn't be true to the character. 

I watched the second film Insurgent without seeing many film set photos and avoiding most press interviews. I only read the book the week before the film was released. The film version of the third book Allegiant is being filmed right now. Once I've read this book I'll be able to join in discussions and look at set photos :)

Book blurb - Allegiant by Veronica Roth.

The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered - fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she's known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories.

But Tris's new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningliess. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend to complexities of human nature - and of herself - while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.

Told from a riveting dual perspective, ALLEGIANT, by #1 New York Timesbest-selling author Veronica Roth, brings the DIVERGENT series to a powerful conclusion while revealing the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in DIVERGENT and INSURGENT.

~~~

If you want to join in with my reading challenge this week you can read the same book as me (info/purchase links are on the right), or choose from your own bookshelves or local library/bookshop. If you do want to join in please leave a comment below this blog post with the book you're reading and/or tweet your chosen book tagging me @word_scribbler . Share this blog post with other readers, tell them what book you're currently reading and discover new books to read :) 

1. A book with 'Winter' in the title.  I READ Winter Wonderland by Belinda Jones. REVIEW
2. A book set on or by the sea/ocean.  I READ The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen. REVIEW
3. A book with a red cover.  I READ Waking the Witch by Kelley Armstrong . 
4. A book with a colour in the title. I LISTENED TO the audiobook of The Red Necklace by Sally Gardner (read by Tom Hiddleston!) :) 
5. A book with 'Love' in the title. I READ A Very Accidental Love Story by Claudia Carroll. 
6. A book that has been made into a movie or tv show. I READ Insurgent by Veronica Roth AND Paper Towns by John Green.
7. A book recommended by a friend. I READ Looking for Alaska by John Green.
8. A book set in a place you want to visit. I READ The Apartment in Rome by Penny Feeny AND The Travelling Tea Shop by Belinda Jones.
9. A classic. I READ Far From The Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy.
10. A book set in a city. I READ A Week In December by Sebastian Faulks.
11. A book with an orange cover. I READ Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury.
12. A book with 'Spring' in the title. I READ Promises of Spring by Jenny Lane.
13. A memoir / autobiography or similar. I READ On Writing by Stephen King.
14. A book written by a UK author. I READ Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch. 
15. A collection of short stories. I READ LOL (a romantic comedy anthology).
16. A book with food in the title. I READ Ketchup Clouds by Annabel Pitcher.
17. A book set in your favourite place. I READ Paris for One by Jojo Moyes.
18. A book your mum loves. I READ Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.
19. A book with a yellow cover. I READ Catch Me If You Cannes by Lisa Dickenson.
20. A trilogy. I READ The Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare.
21. A book with 'Summer' in the title. I READ A Summer to Remember by Victoria Connelly.
22. A book with a music industry theme/musician character. I READ Made in Nashville by Mandy Baggot.
23. A book that was originally written in a different language. I READ The Red Notebook by Antoine Laurain.
24. A book everyone has read but you. I'M READING Allegiant by Veronica Roth.
25. A book where the main character has your dream job.
26. A book with a green cover,
27. A book set in France.
28. A book with a film industry theme/character.
29. A book set in your hometown.
30. A book by one of your favourite authors.
31. A book set in Italy.
32. A book with a blue cover.
33. A book set in London.
34. A book about a road trip/journey.
35. A book with a one-word title.
36. A book set in the countryside.
37. A book with 'Autumn' in the title.
38. A book with a purple cover.
39. A book set in New York.
40. A book with a number in the title.
41. A book with an animal on the cover.
42. A 'banned book'.
43. A book that was published the year you were born.
44. A book set in Los Angeles.
45. A book with a black and white cover.
46. A book with 'Chocolate' in the title.
47. A book published this year.
48. A book set at Christmas time.
49. A book by an author with the same first name as you.
50. A book with snow on the cover.
51. A book you learned about because of this challenge.
52. Reread your favourite book.

My chosen book for week 24 is - Allegiant by Veronica Roth.

What are you reading for week 24? A book everyone has read but you. 

Word Scribbler Reading Challenge - Week 9 - A classic (aka Tom Sturridge week)

Week 9 of my 52 book reading challenge (1 book per week for a year) is A classic. This could be many books. A classic romance or just a book that's more literary than what I/you usually read. This challenge is all about discovering new books to read. It doesn't have to be Austen or Bronte. This week I am reading Far From The Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy. Although this is a very well known book this will be my first time reading it. As well as this weeks choice my 'to be read' pile includes A Room Of One's Own by Virginia Woolf and The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. Far From The Madding Crowd has recently been made into a film and is on my top 10 films to see in 2015 list . It stars Tom Sturridge (yay!) and Carey Mulligan and is released on 1st May. The picture above is the official film poster.

Book blurb - Far From The Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy

Independent and spirited Bathsheba Everdene has come to Weatherbury to take up her position as a farmer on the largest estate in the area. Her bold presence draws three very different suitors: the gentleman-farmer Boldwood, soldier-seducer Sergeant Troy and the devoted shepherd Gabriel Oak. Each, in contrasting ways, unsettles her decisions and complicates her life, and tragedy ensues, threatening the stability of the whole community. The first of his works set in Wessex, Hardy's novel of swift passion and slow courtship is imbued with his evocative descriptions of rural life and landscapes, and with unflinching honesty about sexual relationships

If you want to join in with my reading challenge you can read the same book as me or choose your own from your own collection or local bookshop/library. If you do want to join in please leave a comment below this blog post with the book you're reading and/or tweet your chosen book using #WSreadingchallenge and tag me @word_scribbler too. Share with others what book you're reading and maybe find something new to read :) 

1. A book with 'Winter' in the title.  I READ Winter Wonderland by Belinda Jones. REVIEW
2. A book set on or by the sea/ocean.  I READ The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen. 
3. A book with a red cover.  I READ Waking the Witch by Kelley Armstrong . 
4. A book with a colour in the title. I LISTENED TO the audiobook of The Red Necklace by Sally Gardner (read by Tom Hiddleston!) :) 
5. A book with 'Love' in the title. I READ A Very Accidental Love Story by Claudia Carroll. 
6. A book that has been made into a movie or tv show. I READ Insurgent by Veronica Roth AND Paper Towns by John Green.
7. A book recommended by a friend. I READ Looking for Alaska by John Green.
8. A book set in a place you want to visit. I READ The Apartment in Rome by Penny Feeny AND The Travelling Tea Shop by Belinda Jones.
9. A classic. I'M READING Far From The Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy.
10. A book set in a city.
11. A book with an orange cover.
12. A book with 'Spring' in the title.
13. A memoir.
14. A book written by a UK author.
15. A collection of short stories.
16. A book with food in the title.
17. A book set in your favourite place.
18. A book your mum loves.
19. A book with a yellow cover.
20. A trilogy.
21. A book with 'Summer' in the title.
22. A book with a music industry theme/musician character.
23. A book that was originally written in a different language.
24. A book everyone has read but you.
25. A book where the main character has your dream job.
26. A book with a green cover,
27. A book set in France.
28. A book with a film industry theme/character.
29. A book set in your hometown.
30. A book by one of your favourite authors.
31. A book set in Italy.
32. A book with a blue cover.
33. A book set in London.
34. A book about a road trip/journey.
35. A book with a one-word title.
36. A book set in the countryside.
37. A book with 'Autumn' in the title.
38. A book with a purple cover.
39. A book set in New York.
40. A book with a number in the title.
41. A book with an animal on the cover.
42. A 'banned book'.
43. A book that was published the year you were born.
44. A book set in Los Angeles.
45. A book with a black and white cover.
46. A book with 'Chocolate' in the title.
47. A book published this year.
48. A book set at Christmas time.
49. A book by an author with the same first name as you.
50. A book with snow on the cover.
51. A book you learned about because of this challenge.
52. Reread your favourite book.

My chosen book for week 9 is -  Far From The Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy

What are you reading for week 9 ? 

A classic.

My Top Ten Films to See in 2015

I watch A LOT of films every year at the cinema and at film festivals. Here are the top ten films I'm looking forward to seeing this year (and their UK release dates):

Avengers: Age of Ultron  (24th April)

You all knew this would be on the list, right?  I LOVE Marvel films, especially Avengers. Superhero films are just so enjoyable to watch. Also, they filmed at the university in my hometown (UEA, Norwich) for a few days !

Far from the Madding Crowd   (1st May)

Tom Sturridge, Carey Mulligan, beautiful scenery and romance. Perfect :) 

Insurgent  (20th March)

There are many Young Adult books being adapted into films. Confession. I haven't read this book yet. I've only read the first book Divergent and seen the film and loved them both. I haven't watched the trailer or read much about this film as I don't want to be spoiled. You can see the trailer on YouTube . I plan to read this book in week 6 of my 2015 reading challenge here. 

Jupiter Ascending  (6th February)

I'm a big fan of Mila Kunis and Eddie Redmayne who are both in this film, plus it was partly filmed in Norwich / Norfolk. It's by the same creators of The Matrix films, I love sci fi and the special effects look amazing! See the trailer here

Fifty Shades of Grey  (13th February)

I don't need to tell you anything about this film do I? Everyone knows? Good :) The books are fun to read and I'm always interested to see how books translate into film. Also Jamie Dornan is the lead actor so this is a major plus point! The trailer is on YouTube here .

Life  (25th September) 

Life tells the story of Life Magazine photographer Dennis Stock (played by Robert Pattinson) and one of his most famous subjects, James Dean (Dane DeHaan). There's no official trailer for this yet but from what I have seen of filming this is going to be great.

Clouds of Sils Maria  (15th May)

This stars Juliette Binoche, Kristen Stewart, Chloe Grace Moretz and Johnny Flynn. An aging actress (Binoche) is asked to star in the revival of the play that made her famous, this time playing the older role, not the younger (Moretz) and is confronted with an unsettling reflection of herself. She rehearses with her assistant (Stewart) in Sils Maria, in the Alps. Every review I've read has been positive. As it's already been shown at many festivals and been released in many countries I feel like I'm the only person who hasn't seen it! See the trailer here .

Lost River  (24th April)

This is the director debut of actor Ryan Gosling and stars Matt Smith. It's had mixed reviews at festivals but it looks weird and surreal and definitely my kind of film. The synopsis from the http://www.imdb.com/ page reads "A single mother is swept into a dark underworld, while her teenage son discovers a road that leads him to a secret underwater town". It was previously entitled How to Catch a Monster. Click here to see a clip from the film.

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens  (18th December)

I grew up watching the original Star Wars films on repeat. I used to know the dialogue word for word. I CANNOT WAIT for this!

Peanuts  (21st December)

Snoopy. Woodstock. Charlie Brown. Oh yes. 

Deciding on a top ten list was almost impossible so here are the rest of the films in my top forty ! High-Rise, Remainder, The Sound and the Fury, Wild, Furious 7, Minions, The Age of Adaline, Tomorrowland, Still Alice, Into the Woods, Song One, Walter, Pitch Perfect 2, Ex Machina, Tracers, Ant-Man, Pan, Blackhat, The Longest Ride, Queen of the Desert, Yosemite, We Are Your Friends, Crimson Peak, Trainwreck, White Bird in a Blizzard, Equals, American Ultra, Anesthesia, Victor Frankenstein, Hotel Transylvania 2.  There are some films with no UK release dates but expected to be released this year *fingers crossed* Even with this crazily long list I'll have missed some out ha ha.

Which films do you want to see in 2015? 


image sources
Madding Crowd poster Insurgent poster Jupiter poster Fifty poster Life poster Sils Maria poster Lost River

My New Years Resolutions

It's a new year and this is the first blog post on my new blog. Hello!

As everyone does this time of year, I'm going to start with my New Years Resolutions. I think that New Years Resolutions that include doing something on a daily basis are doomed to fail. My resolutions are weekly or monthly to make them more achievable and there is still time to catch up if I get behind!

* With all the required reading I had to do as part of my degree, including non fiction books and analysing almost every novel I read, this year I want to read more fiction. I want to read for fun, not to study or because I have to. I want to enjoy reading again. I have set myself a reading challenge on www.goodreads.com of 52 books in 2015. I hope to read even more than this. The 2 books that Goodreads says that I've read this year I actually read over Christmas. To make it fun I have set up a reading challenge on the blog for anyone who wants to join me --> here!

* I want to finish writing the first draft of my debut novel. I'm not aiming for so many words per day or week.

* I plan to enter 1 writing competition a month. These may be flash fiction, short stories, novel chapters, scripts or plays. This gives me something regular to work on and a feeling of accomplishment just by entering. If I win anything that's a bonus :)

* This is probably a bit of a contradiction to the first resolution but I want to work on my screenwriting more and therefore read and study more screenplays. I'm going to aim to read 1 screenplay a month to make this easy to achieve.

* I'd like to edit/rewrite the short film scripts I've already written to a final draft/complete stage and get at least 1 made into a film.

* I'd like to edit/rewrite the short plays I've already written and get at least 1 play performed.

* I love live music but I didn't get to go to as many gigs last year as I was hoping to. This year I want to improve on last year.

* I love watching films, whether at home online/on dvd or at the cinema. I missed many films at the cinema this year, mainly due to study commitments. I want to go to the cinema more this year. At midnight on New Years Eve I was at the cinema (The Hunger Games; Mockingjay part 1) and I went to the cinema again on the 1st January in the evening (The Theory of Everything). I'm starting 2015 in the right way!

* Ditto Theatre.

* When I moved to London 5 and a half years ago I took so many photos and I really enjoyed it. Over the last couple of years this dwindled to hardly taking any and it's something I miss doing, I rarely use more than 2 or 3 settings on my camera and I'd like to learn to use every setting and experiment with photography more,

* Be more creative and go to more events. Writing, photography, embroidery, art etc. Go to more art galleries and photography exhibitions. Go to more book events.

* Get better at tech stuff - Photoshop, HTML, Windows Live Movie Maker.


What are your New Years Resolutions?



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