Monday, 18 August 2014

So long, farewell.

It's announcement time here on The Adventures of Fi, hooray! Today I'm very excited to announce my brand new blogging venture: This and That Blog

So yes that's why I've been a bit rubbish at blogging here recently, it's been quite a busy time getting a new blog set up and designed and finalising plans! But I think we're finally there - doesn't it look pretty? 

The new blog is something I've been thinking about for a while as Lau and I realised that there was a LOT of overlap on the three blogs that we had between us. So it only seemed sensible to amalgamate (I LOVE that word) them all into one pretty spot! So if you like my brand of natterings about books, films, London life, food, fitness, crafty stuff and holiday plans why not head on over to This and That. You'll even get the additional brilliance that is Lau!

See you over there and thanks for being awesome whilst The Adventures of Fi existed! xxx

Saturday, 9 August 2014

July's super brilliant reads!

Hello friends and happy August! As we're now well in to a new month it's time to look back on what I read in July, which just happened to be a bumper month for reading. I think it's all the time in the park and chilling in the sunshine that made this possible!


So let's start at the beginning and go straight into my thoughts on book one: Eva Ibbotson's Journey to the River Sea, which I'd never even heard of until a couple of months ago. In classic marketeer style I fell totally for the gorgeous underground posters featuring this book and a strap line about it being an absolute classic. A kid's classic I hadn't read? This needed rectifying asap. My verdict? This is most certainly a children's classic, one I wish I'd have read as a child as it's glorious. Through the brilliant descriptions of the flora, fauna, sites and smells I was transported to the Amazon as I read this tale of a little orphan and her evil family. It was fascinating to read about the Amazon tribes as well as the European settlers and I grew to loath Maia's cousins as much as she did. As for Maia, she's one of my new favourite people with her bravery, curiosity and resourcefulness. I was so pleased that she finally got what she wanted and a place to call home. I cannot recommend this book enough it really was a five star read and one that I can't wait to press in to the hands of my (hopefully) future kids. Now I need to get my hands on another of Eva's wonderful books. Which would you suggest I read next?


The second five star read of the month belongs to Katherine Rundell's Rooftoppers which was absolutely marvellous. It's a beautifully written story, full of charm, imagination and characters you want as friends. You're pulled into the story instantly and straight away you're rooting for Sophie to find what she's searching for. Coupled with such personable characters the author paints the most beautiful scenes on the rooftops of Paris and you feel like you're actually there, seeing what Sophie's seeing. This Parisian set tale is most definitely a must read, it's stunning and sure to be a future classic.


So another month and there's another Roald Dahl book to be discovered, this time it's Danny the Champion of the World, which has possibly the best father character ever, in any book. Seriously isn't he amazing? Never mind that he's technically a thief, he's just such a good Dad. I loved this book and I'm ashamed that I've not read it before - what a mistake!

I was lucky enough to win a copy of the brand new David Nicholls (of One Day fame) book Us on Twitter and obviously had to get reading straight away. I was super concerned it wouldn't live up to my high expectations but I needn't have worried as it's an absolute gem. I now want to go on my own European road trip and read more about this fabulous cast of characters. I can't wait for more people to read it - I need to discuss things!


The final three books for July were: Right ho, Jeeves by P.G.Woodhouse, Charlotte's Web by E.B.White and Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden, all of which I read as part of the August edition of a Blogging Good Read. So check out Alex's post from a few days ago to see what I thought about these three. Hint: I LOVED one of the books and wasn't so keen on the others. I wonder which was which?? 

So, tell me, what gems have you read this month? What do I NEED to add to my TBR list? 

Tuesday, 5 August 2014

Lest we forget

Last night I was one of the many you took part in #lightsout. I know for a lot of people it didn't make sense to turn off the lights and commemorate the start of World War One in that way, but for me it felt like a small way of showing my appreciation to all those that fought 100 years ago. I know my actions last night won't have been worth anything in monetary terms but it was a nice way to show support.

With all the commemorations happening at this time it got me thinking about the fact that in just a few years there won't be anyone at our First World War memorials who was actually there, who actually experienced the horrors. We won't be able to show our appreciation and thanks to any of the soldiers who fought for us. Likewise there won't be anyone who worked in the munitions factories, who treated the wounded, who made the decisions or who followed the orders.  No one to say thank you to for giving us the freedom and way of life that we now take for granted. I think that's incredibly sad and also puts us in a position where we have to show them now how we feel before it's too late.

I wonder if these memorials will have less significance in ten, fifty, one hundred years from now? Will we forget about what our families suffered and what they went through without the living reminder at these events. Will we feel differently and forget that we should care when we don't see the old men proudly sporting their uniforms and a chestful of medals. I really really hope that's never the case as what they did for us is far too important for us to just cast off and forget about as the time passes. We must ensure we continue to remember their sacrifices.

Do they sit there and look at what is happening in the world and question what was it for? Why didn't the world learn from the First World War. From all that loss, devastation and senseless death. Do they ask why are we still allowing wars and senseless deaths to continue? And when is enough, enough? What have we really learnt from World War One if it's not stopping such atrocities today.

So that's why I took part in #lightsout yesterday and while I'll endeavour to show up at as many commemorations as possible over the next few months. After all it's not something that's hard to do, I'm not risking my life and it's a small way to honour their sacrifice.