I didn't have much time to read back in Nottingham but I decided (stupidly) to take on the challenge of reading the first Game of Thrones book because I loved the TV series so much. I thought I was ready to take on the first of seven books the size of Mount Everest, but clearly I wasn't and didn't even make it half way through the first book. I think after watching the show and then reading the books I knew what story lines to expect and reading it almost became a chore and I didn't look forward to sitting down at night with a book. I do hate giving up on books but reading should be fun and, for me, it is an escape to dive in to other stories and get hooked on characters lives.

So I decided to start reading The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins. I've had this book tucked away in my room since my Mum brought it for me for my birthday back in June and knew it would be a perfect companion for my commutes to work. I have wanted to read this book since it was released and have read and heard many good reviews surrounding the story and read only one bad review just before I picked it up, which I tried to block out so I could come to my own conclusion.

Rachel catches the same commuter train every morning. She knows it will wait at the same signal each time, overlooking a row of back gardens. She's even started to feel like she knows the people who live in one of the houses. 'Jess and Jason', she calls them. Their life - as she sees it - is perfect. If only Rachel could be that happy. And then she sees something shocking. It's only a minute until the train moves on, but it's enough. Now everything's changed. Now Rachel has a chance to become a part of the lives she's only watched from afar. Now they'll see; she's much more than just the girl on the train...

During the commutes to work I dived in to this book with such eagerness and really enjoyed reading the story as it developed and getting to know the characters. Hawkins has written the book with each female character having a chapter which allows you to connect with them and their side of the story because, what I found interesting, is she gave each character a slight slant in the way she wrote their way of communicating their side of the story to you. The book was written like a diary with each day being broken up in to morning and evening which ultimately made up the chapters. And when reading each characters story in my head I felt like I was drawn to Rachel, then "Jess", then Anna, then Tom and "Jason" and back again. Due to the characteristic style of writing each persons perspective of events resulted in me liking a character in one chapter and then disliking them in another. It was written in such a way that I had a true image of the characters looks and emotions and the scenes as I read them in my mind. I love it when a book comes alive in your head as it makes it that more enjoyable. With Rachel being the main character you spend more time reading her side of the story and I went through feeling a range of emotions towards her from feeling sympathetic, anger and annoyance. She got so involved in a life that was deeply embedded in her mind which led to her actions having complicated consequences.

I have tried not to read other peoples reviews on the Waterstones or Amazon websites since finishing the book so I could work out how I truly felt about the story as a whole and that ending! Firstly, I think it was gripping as the chapters would be ended with myself asking so many questions about that character or scenario that I needed answering and sometimes wouldn't be answered for at least another chapter or two. This kept it exciting and enjoyable but with a sense of mystery that kept me guessing what was coming next. Lies, secrets, fantasy and mystery are what themes defined this book in my opinion and, with such a combination, you want to join in on the game and try to become detective as you read each chapter.

Without giving away too much of the story and the ending, I was very surprised with how it was finished. It is hard to discuss it in a lot of detail incase some of you reading this haven't read it, but all really wasn't as it seemed and who I thought was "the one who did it" (you'll understand what that means if you read it) was not. I felt the ending could have been different somehow but I was still relatively happy, yet felt relationships with the characters were tied up quickly. However, I am not a writer and it may be the case that Hawkins did not want to drag anything out. Overall, I recommend reading this book if you like a bit of a mysterious character or story, a build up of plot twists and character written chapters.

Have you read the book? What did you think?

- Speak soon, LJ X

P.S. I did try and take my own image for the blog but still suck at using my DSLR and am too poorly to attempt taking another. Credit due to House of Hipsters for the image and I enjoyed your review of the book!

Food // Places To Eat In Nottingham

As I only have a few days left in Nottingham now I am trying to fit in going to all my favourite places in the city centre that I will miss when I move back home. From cake at White Rabbit to fish and chips at George's, Nottingham really has fed us well and most of the time we have been spoilt for choice (and probably ended up in Nandos which will never disappoint). We recently tried Five Guys which was, surprisingly, quite tasty. I was a bit unsure about giving this a shot because it seemed very expensive for "fast food" but in actual fact the food does not taste like your average fast food burger chains at all. For me Five Guys would be an every so often thing and I feel it can be a bit pricey but definitely worth a try if you haven't been yet.
All the places I have written about I will definitely miss as I they are based in Nottingham (and there is no Bills near me) but I guess it is a good reason to try and find not little places to hang out in and get excited over.

Getting on to the actual point, here is my SIX favourite places to eat in Nottingham - 

1. BILLS

Ok so I know Bills is a chain but I have only ever been to the one in Nottingham and I love it. I'm a big fan of going out for breakfast and this is always my first choice because they have such a great variety and its very filling. I normally pick the things I would eat at home every day because they do it so much better than me but, on the next and last visit, I shall be going for something different.

I have tried dinner at Bills which was nice and still worth a try but I much prefer their breakfast menu and (sadly) didn't get round to having a try at the lunch menu.

What also attracts me to Bills is the interiors and the way they present their food. Everything is presented on lovely plates or wooden trays, with the tea coming in coloured tea pots with a tea cup and saucer. The wooden walls are urban with "Tumblr" lights hanging from them, chairs are a little miss-match and (my favourite thing of all) is flowers come in teapots for the exterior decoration. The place just makes me feel like a kid in a candy store I get that excited about going.

I recently visited Bills for breakfast with fellow blogger Kassie who was just as excited as me and ready with iPhone at hand to snap for an Instagram picture. 

Visit the Bills website to find a restaurant near you.

2. WHITE RABBIT TEA HOUSE

I've been to this beautifully decorated tea house a few times now and I just adore this place. It's like stepping in to a vintage, Alice in Wonderland inspired cafe. They sell delicious cakes and sandwiches, with tea coming in vintage tea pots and cakes served on vintage plates (which I need to buy). There are two here in Nottingham but I have only been to one of them (the one of Bridlesmith Walk) so it's a good excuse to check out the other one - just to make sure it is just as tasty! I could (and probably have) spend a good couple of hours there sipping my tea and eating my cake with a vintage cake fork, admiring the photos on the wall and the William Morris inspired wallpaper. If you fancy a tea afternoon with your friends this is the perfect place to go.

Visit the White Rabbit Teahouse website for more information.

3. 200 DEGREES 

"We are small batch coffee roasters based in the heart of Nottingham. We supply wholesale coffee, equipment & training to the nation. Sample us at the 200 Degrees Coffee Shop in Nottingham city centre".

I've only been to 200 Degrees twice (so far) and have never really been in to coffee that much, but since sipping away at a cappuccino after receiving a voucher I am hooked on theirs. I'm not lying when I say that their cappuccinos are the best I have ever had and is served so nicely. I'm raving about this place to anyone that will listen and, if ever you're in Nottingham and you need a good caffeine hit, then you have to try this place. 

Cosy and cool interiors is something I like in a cafe also and with wooden walls, round tables, square tables, a fire place and a velvet row of seats at the back with low lighting this place gives that sense of urban coolness. I personally like how calm the place makes me feel. The first time I visited I sat at the back (the velvet seats drawing me in) with my cappuccino and felt so hidden from the world and just let time go by without too much of a care. Any cafe that can do that is a winner in my books. I will certainly miss this new favourite place of mine!

Visit the 200 Degrees website for more information and to find out about their Barista School. 

4. PUDDING PANTRY 
The interiors, the breakfast, the presentation and the service - tick, tick, tick! I went here recently post-gym with my friend Jess, who was equally excited about this place as I was so we decided to go all out for our breakfast date ordering pancakes, granola, croissants and cheese on toast (yes we ate a lot but we did earn it by working out unit we hurt). 
The quality of this food is quite hard to explain as it is just that great! Normally granola can taste quite sugary but theirs tasted great and the croissant and pancakes were so light and you'll never be able to make cheese on toast taste like theirs at home. It all tasted so well prepared and healthy. 
The presentation was to die for and by the end of our visit Jess and I had become so inspired on how to present food for our guests in our future grown up lives (and even wondered about opening up a cafe, which I would quite like to do if it could be reality). When I come up to visit Jess I definitely know where we'll be heading too!
Visit the Pudding Pantry website for more information. 

5. FOX CAFE

The first thing I can say about this place is how amazing and tasty their paninis are and, secondly, how kind their service is because they are so friendly and welcoming as soon as you come through the door. With a selection of tasty lunches and cakes this place is hard to resist when you want a good lunch. With an interior of knick-knacks and vintage signs it has a calming and relaxed vibe to the place. They serve a variety of hot and cold drinks but, with the weather being quite nice every time I have gone, they have me hooked on the Belvoir Pink Lemonade. They also serve macaroons sometimes which I aim to get my hands on before I leave. As many know me for my love of that French favourite. Also, they cater for gluten free if this suits you which is great as I haven't spotted anywhere in Nottingham who do gluten free menus thus far in my quest of cafe/restaurants. 

They don't have a website so visit their Twitter page. 

6. GEORGE'S
George's - a place with seaside huts to sit in, candy floss for pudding and the best Scottish fish you could get here in England. I've only been here a couple of times as it is quite pricey (for me) to go all the time but have never been disappointed. Firstly, the interiors are just amazing and very wow! Seagulls, beach huts, seaside rope, white tiles and more. I think I was on interior love overload when I first went. The fish and chips are very tasty and served seaside style with paper and a little chip fryer for the chips with mushy peas too if you like! The desserts are quite out there and I remember having the donuts and candy floss just to add something to our first experience of going. Their desserts are fun and humorous but also tasty and make a great food Instagram picture (as lets face it, that can be important sometimes). I couldn't recommend this place enough for a date night, celebration night or a treat night but make sure to book as they do get quite full. 
Visit the George's website for more information and to book a table.

Have you tried any of these? What was your favourite? Which one do you fancy trying?

Speak soon - LJ X