December 2014 Book Haul

From L to R:

The Lord of the Rings (one volume edition) by J.R.R. Tolkien

Katherine by Anya Seton

Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling

When we were staying with my Aunt around New Year we visited an antique centre nearby where she lives which I always love poking around for books! There are rooms with books stacked to the ceiling with books so it can be a bit of a challenge to search through them all but there are some great finds to be had. I picked up a one volume edition of The Lord of the Rings and Katherine as reading copies. I've been meaning to finish off LOTR for a while now so I thought this book would be perfect for doing so as I can just chuck it in my University bag and read it on the bus. Katherine by Anya Seyton is another book I've been meaning to read for a while as its my Mum's all-time favourite book so I'm eager to see if its something I'd like as well.

Finally I also bought this old copy of Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling. My boyfriend found it hidden away in one of the stalls and pointed out that is has swastikas on the cover and spine so it is indeed very old! The cover is also made of a gorgeous buttery-soft leather and it was only £5 so I couldn't resist buying it as a curiosity.

Have you read any of these books?

Currently reading: My True Love Gave To Me by Stephanie Perkins

Currently drinking: Detox tea by Pukka Teas

My 2015 Bookish Resolutions

Here are the bookish resolutions that I hope to achieve in 2015:

1. Read 30 books

This has been my goal for the past two years and I've not reached it yet *shakes fist at University textbooks* but hopefully 2015 will be the year!

2. To not buy anymore books this year (other than a few exceptions)

Despite having another shelf added only a few months ago I'm already running out of storage space for my books! And as over 40 of the books on my shelf are unread I want to tackle some of them first this year before I start buying books again. However I will allow myself a few exceptions such as replacing the rest of my paperback Austens with Penguin's oh-so-gorgeous clothbound editions.

3. Finish at least 3 series that I've already started

SO. MANY. Vampire Academy, the Lux series, A Song of Ice and Fire, The Mortal Instruments, Divergent, If I Stay, The Inheritance Cycle to name a few...

4. Read more classics

I've only actually finished two classics - Pride and Prejudice and Alice in Wonderland so I would like to read a few more this year - particularly Austen, Gaskell & The Brontës.

5. Complete The Lord of the Rings

I've previously read the first half of The Fellowship of the Ring and really enjoyed it but unfortunately I had to abandon it for University. I picked up a one volume version of all three books in a vintage shop the other day so I'd like to finally finish it this year.

What are your bookish resolutions? How many books are you aiming to read in 2015?

Currently reading: My True Love Gave To Me by Stephanie Perkins

Currently drinking: Gingerbread Green Tea by Twinings

My Favourite Reads of 2014

Although I didn't reach my Goodreads goal in 2014 (again!) I did however read some brilliant books:

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
This was long, long overdue as Pride and Prejudice is one of my all-time favourite stories. I'm so glad I finally overcame my fears of classics (I know, I know...) and read this book because it was even better than I had anticipated!

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
I picked this up on a whim from a secondhand bookshop because I recognised the title from Instagram and Twitter and I was very pleasantly surprised. Celaena is such a badass! I'm really looking forward to reading the next book.

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
I'm a huge fan of the television series so this book had been on my TBR list for a while. It took me forever to read but I really enjoyed it, and I'm definitely a bit more clued up with who's-who in Westeros! I hope I get round to reading a few more books from the series this year.

Where Rainbows End by Ceclia Ahern 
[My review here]
This was such an adorable and easy read. I read this just before the film came out and although I've not seen it yet if its anywhere near as cute as this book then I have a feeling I'll love it!

Anna and the French Kiss and Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins
2014 was the first year I read anything by Stephanie Perkins but she is easily one of my favourite authors now. I read all three of the Anna books last year and loved them all. These two have to be my favourites though because PARIS.

Fangirl and Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
These books. These books. Fangirl is probably the most relatable book I've ever read. And Attachments! Swoon. I need to read the rest of Rainbow Rowell's books this year - I have a feeling I will love them all!

Currently reading: My True Love Gave To Me by Stephanie Perkins

Currently drinking: Detox tea by Pukka Teas

Name Change: Girl That Loves Books to Tea avec Books

Hello! Just a quick post to say that I've changed the name of this blog and to apologise for my absence! I've changed the name from Girl That Loves Books to Tea avec Books. I will still be blogging about books primarily although I'm also going to start including a few tea-related posts as well. I'm still in the process of updating the layout so please bare with me!

Also I'm sorry I haven't updated for a while. I was afraid University would take over my life again and it definitely did this term! Next term should be less manic so hopefully I'll be blogging a bit more, but in the meantime I've got a few posts lined up for the next couple of weeks or so.

Thank you for sticking with me!

Currently reading: My True Love Gave To Me by Stephanie Perkins

Currently drinking: Detox tea by Pukka Teas