January Favourites| CarenzaOnBooks

We're officially into the second month of 2018 and it's a bit scary how fast it's going. For me, 2018 is a big year and it's going to be filled with change, so if it could slow down a bit, that would be great. But, with it being a new month, it means I can reflect on all the things I loved in January. January was a good month. I did lots of reading and really got my mojo back.

Books

I read a whopping 10 books in January, but the standout book for me was Turtles All The Way Down by John Green. I picked this up for £1.99 in my local Waterstones and flew through it at the start of the month. I loved it. It was such an incredible representation of anxiety and opened me up to a whole new side of anxiety that I knew nothing about. The relationships between the characters were amazing. I am going to be writing a full review at some point soon. 5/5 stars from me. 

Culture

January was the month I finally saw Hamilton. I had been waiting to see it for almost a year and I finally saw it. It was amazing. It lived up to all my expectations. King George still remains my favourite character. I have some Hamilton merch and am very happy about it.

I also finally went to the Harry Potter exhibition at the British Library. It was phenomenal, but then the exhibitions at the British Library always are. I'm so excited to get to go back and finish the rooms I didn't get a chance to because I had to rush off to Hamilton.

I saw the amazing film that is Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. I really enjoyed it and it definitely has some important issues at heart.  I would highly recommend it.

Bits'n'Bobs 

As I've already touched upon, I saw Hamilton in January and therefore I acquired some Hamilton Merch. I got a programme, as is my custom when I go to the theatre. I also got the King George t-shirt, which I adore. Lastly, I got the poster as I am a poster hoarder.

So, that concludes my January favourites. I think January was a really great month for me and I hope the rest of the year is as well.

Carenza x

Monty and Harry's Story- an original short piece by Carenza Bramwell

In my Creative Writing Class, we were given the task of writing a short story inspired by Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater. Here is my short piece about Monty and Harry.

It was a wet, winter’s evening. Rain lashed down on the cars flashing past and people ran to shelter themselves from the torrent falling on their heads. Monty slinked through the passers-by, being careful not to bump into them. His black coat was soaked with rain. He wondered when Harry would be home. It had been a long day and he wanted to see Harry. The rain poured even harder and a passing car drove through a puddle and soaked him. He howled at the car, his coat completely drenched. He found shelter under a tree and waited for the rain to subside. Gradually, it began to lessen. Occasionally rain would fall from the leaves, bowing under the weight of the water. Monty hopped around looking for a dry patch. He saw Harry’s car pulling into the driveway and waited. He wanted to be sure it was Harry. When he saw Harry’s head pop out of the car, he ran over and stood by the door, waiting. Harry acknowledged him and opened the door. They both darted in, glad to be out of the rain. Harry embraced Monty and began to make dinner.

Driving home from work, Harry was glad to be inside his car. His windscreen whippers danced back and forward, pushing the water away. He thought of Monty, out in the rain, and felt sad. He knew he should have let him stay inside, but Monty had wanted to go out and who was he to refuse. He imagined him, his black coat soaked with water, huddled by the back door, looking at him with big green eyes. Soon Harry was pulling into his driveway. He had seen Monty under the tree, sheltering himself from the down pour. He waited a few seconds, then got out of the car. Monty appeared, hanging his head and scratching at the door. Harry opened the door and let him in first, as was their custom. Harry picked up Monty and cuddled him. His coat was soaked, but Harry didn’t mind. He put Monty down, and began to make him dinner. By the time Harry had finished, Monty was curled up asleep under the radiator, his stomach rising and falling in a slow rhythm. Harry placed Monty’s food next to him and watched him sleep.