Studying Abroad in London: A Very Harry Potter Week

After last week's adventures to another country, I spent reading week in London and Basingstoke. It was a busy week with a lot of different things going on but one thing that definitely dominated was the amount of Harry Potter things I managed to squeeze into the week. I honestly never wanted reading week to end as it was an amazing week but I know there's even more great weeks to come in November. Let's just dive in! 

---

Monday

November 4, 2019

I started off the week by sleeping in late. I was really tired after taking Dramamine for Wales and was still sleeping off those effects well into Monday morning. After waking up, I didn't really do much other than hang out with Isaac until it was time to head to the Harry Potter Studios.

I'm not able to put very many pictures in since I took probably hundreds and don't have enough space for all of those but the studio tour was one of the coolest things I've been able to do as a fan. I went with one of my flatmates, Liberty, and we had an afternoon slot. We got there and ended up exploring for a few hours just fangirling over everything we saw and taking pictures of everything. For those who are friends with me on Facebook, I'll be posting an entire photo dump of just Harry Potter Studios soon!


After that, we (and by we I mean me) shopped a bit in the souvenir shop where I got too much chocolate and some enamel pins. Then we caught the shuttle back to the train station. When we got there, the trains ended up being delayed due to a trespasser on the tracks. What would have been an hour commute all together ended up taking over two hours. Eventually we got home and then I just made dinner and went to bed. 

---

Tuesday

November 5, 2019

Tuesday was a day of being lazy. We slept in and then both worked on homework for a bit. That night, we binged Psych and went to bed. Just a super chill and lazy day.  

---

Wednesday

November 6, 2019

We slept in again on Wednesday and I pretty much just rolled out of bed and straight into my events for the day. I traveled into central London to see The Cursed Child on stage. It was amazing. I wasn't a huge fan of the play when it first came out (since I only read the printed play) but seeing it performed live changed my entire perspective on it. It was so cool seeing how they made it look like magic was happening right on stage. Not to mention the fact that I would absolutely die for Scorpius Malfoy. He's a smol bean who needs to be protected at all costs. Additionally, there were times when I was actually terrified during the show, which I wasn't expected but really enjoyed.

Between parts 1 and 2 I just went to a cheap cafe to get food and do a bit of reading for an assignment before heading to Foyles Bookshop. It was a really cool store that actually had a lot of American editions and other books I hadn't seen at other stores like Waterstones. I definitely want to go back if I'm in the area and have time to explore more.

After that, I just went back to campus and ate quiche with Isaac before staying up late watching Psych and talking. 

---

Thursday

November 7, 2019

On Thursday we woke up a bit earlier than the previous days so that we could go to the library and be a little productive. I got some stuff done but not as much as I would have liked, but I'll accept it as a semi-productive day.

Then we headed into central London to catch a train to Basingstoke, Isaac's hometown. I met the rest of Isaac's family and then we just hung out for a bit and ate pizza before pulling Uno out. Nothing brings people together or separates people more than a good round of Uno. 

---

Friday

November 8, 2019

Isaac and I slept in late again before spending the day being lazy while binging the UK Apprentice. I never really watched it in the US (because of a certain host) but I've really enjoyed watching the UK version.

After that, we made dinner before heading out for a night out in Basingstoke. We started out at one of Isaac's friend's houses playing a few different card games and having pre-drinks. Then we walked into town to a nightclub called Fever. We all danced and had some drinks for a bit before Isaac and I left to get kebabs to take back to the house.

We took a taxi back and then just climbed into bed to eat our food and watch some Psych while trying to warm up a little bit. I'm pretty sure I fell asleep before the episode was over but I do remember the fact that Isaac's dog joined us and was like a space heater. 

---

Saturday

November 9, 2019

We slept in on Saturday, again, before we continued our binge of the Apprentice. We actually ended up getting fully caught up so now we have to wait until we're back at Christmas break to finish watching it.

That night we went to a hockey game at the local ice rink. It was pretty cool but I wish there'd been a fight. After that, Isaac skated for a bit before we headed back to the house and ordered Chinese. It was some of the best Chinese I've ever had and I'm really craving eating it again, though that may just be because I haven't had Chinese in so long. 

---

Sunday

November 10, 2019

It shouldn't come as any surprise that we slept in again on Sunday. We woke up and had a bit of a late breakfast before running to the store to get some ingredients for that day's meal. Isaac's family made a roast dinner and it was to die for. Everything tasted so good and I can feel myself start drooling just thinking about it.

After that, we just watched Psych and messed around the house a bit before packing up and heading back to campus, thus ending a relaxing reading week. 

---

As shown, this reading week was a busy time but also so very fun and great. It was one of the best weeks I've had this entire semester and I know I'm going to look back on it with fond memories for a long time to come.

For past weekly diaries, check out my study abroad page here.

---

Thanks for reading!

xoxo

Lauren

---

You can follow my bookstagram here. A brand new giveaway will be posted soon!

To get more awesome content like this post, click the follow button to the right!

I am a "BookishTextDesign" Influencer! Use my code LAUREN10 for a discount off your bookmark purchases! Check out the shop here

Get free worldwide shipping with Book Depository using my affiliate link

---

Top 5 Wednesday: Favorite Jokesters

We're back on another Wednesday with my Top 5 Favorite Jokesters! I'll be honest, this was a tad difficult but, in the end, I managed to pull together a list. I think the thing with reading mostly high fantasy is that it's more about war than joking around so I did pull in some TV show characters that I absolutely adore. So, without further ado, here are my top 5 favorite jokesters: 

Of course, at number one we have Fred and George Weasley from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. They immediately popped into my head for this prompt because they are the epitome of jokesters. They even opened up a magic joke shop. 

Second, I have Fenrys from the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas. He's not as much of an outright jokester as Fred and George, but in Empire of Storms especially he is always cracking jokes and making quips. It doesn't hurt that he's one of my favorite characters.

Next I have Cassian from the A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas. Oh lordy my baby Cassian. He's definitely one of the funniest characters I've read. He's making quips and jokes all the time, and sometimes at inappropriate times. But he's just an all around funny character.

Fourth we have Stiles Stilinski from Teen Wolf, aka my favorite show of all time. From the very beginning Stiles is a comedic relief through all of the supernatural aspects and drama of the show. There are so many amazing quotes of his that I continue to use to this day. 

Lastly, I decided to go with Kitty from the Lara Jean trilogy by Jenny Han. I absolutely adore this books and Kitty is such a great character. She's the epitome of a little sister and has so many comedic lines and actions. I can't wait to see how she's played in the Netflix sequel to To All the Boys I've Loved Before. 

Well, those are my top 5 favorite jokesters! Honestly this list was a bit hard to form but I'm happy with all the characters I've chosen. Let me know in the comments who your favorite jokesters are! 

---

Thanks for reading!

xoxo

Lauren

---

You can follow my bookstagram here. A brand new giveaway will be posted soon!

To get more awesome content like this post, click the follow button to the right!

I am a "BookishTextDesign" Influencer! Use my code LAUREN10 for a discount off your bookmark purchases! Check out the shop here

Get free worldwide shipping with Book Depository using my affiliate link

---

Truthwitch Book Tag

In honor of Bloodwitch, the third book in the Witchlands, releasing today, I thought I would do something special! I stumbled across this tag a while ago and decided to save it for the release day. This tag was created by Inside My Library Mind and I wasn't tagged by anyone, but I decided I wanted to do it anyway! I'm going to try to pick answers outside of the Witchlands series but I can't promise they won't slip in here or there. 

1. Safiya: A Character That Grew on You

Elide or Lorcan from the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas. Let's be real, when we started getting their POVs I was mostly bored. I didn't want to read new POVs from characters I'd never met or didn't particularly like. I will say that they both grew on me but I'm still not as obsessed with them as some people are. Art by Taratjah

2. Iseult: A Character You Relate to the Most

Willa Knight from the Curse of the Gods series by Jaymin Eve and Jane Washington. Since the day I finished the first book in this series, I knew that if I was a book character, I would be her. She's clumsy, she's got my brand of humor, she's everything. 

3. Nubrevna: Favorite Setting

Honestly, I'm not quite sure for this one. If I'm being honest, I don't really picture vivid settings in my head when I'm reading. But I think I'm going to go with Velaris from the ACOTAR series by Sarah J. Maas just because I've seen so much fanart for it and it's so beautiful. Art by GrinningArtist. 

4. Aeduan: Favorite Anti-Hero

I'm going to go with Kaz Brekker for this one. He's not necessarily a bad guy, but he uses his wits and skills to do heists and run a gang, so he's definitely not a stereotypical good guy. I've only read Six of Crows so I haven't yet moved onto Crooked Kingdom, but I have a feeling I'm going to enjoy reading more of his character. Art by Whimsical Illustration

5. Merik Nihar: A Loyal Character

Ron Weasley from Harry Potter definitely fits this category. Even when things aren't necessarily the best for him, he always sticks by Harry's side or comes back in the end. He's truly the definition of a loyal Gryffindor. 

6. Safi and Iseult: Favorite Female Friendship

I'm going to have to go with Safi and Iseult from Truthwitch by Susan Dennard. I tried thinking of some other friendship that I liked more than theirs but I just couldn't. Everything about these two is amazing. Their loyalty, their selflessness for each other, etc. Their relationship is just the best. Art by alexisc_art

7. Threads that Bind: Favorite Book Relationship

I'm not going to go with a romantic relationship, but rather, another book friendship. (Small spoiler for Lord of Shadows). I just love seeing Kit and Ty's budding friendship. It's such an interesting relationship being formed and I can't wait to see where it goes next. Art by Unknown--please let me know if you know who made it!

8. The Puppeteer: Favorite Villain

The Volturi from the Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer. They're definitely not good people, erm...vampires, but they are such interesting characters to read about. The roles they've played in this series have been quite good and I think that they definitely help raise this series up. 

9. The Mountain Bat: Favorite Animal/Creature

I'm going to have to go with Buckbeak for this one from the Harry Potter series. I can't really explain why, but he was the first that popped into my head. 

10. Vaness: An Intimidating Character

Can I just say literally any high fantasy character? I feel like most of the characters I read would intimidate the hell out of me if I ever met them in real life. It would be the part-scared, part-awed feeling of intimidation.

---

Truthwitch Review
Windwitch Review
Sightwitch Review
Bloodwitch Review

---

Thanks for reading!

xoxo

Lauren

---

You can follow my bookstagram here. A brand new giveaway will be posted soon!

To get more awesome content like this post, click the follow button to the right!

Beacon Book Box: use the code BOOKSHELF5 for a discount on your order or subscription! 

I am a "BookishTextDesign" Influencer! Use my code LAUREN10 for a discount off your bookmark purchases! Check out the shop here

Get free worldwide shipping with Book Depository using my affiliate link

---

Unboxing: Beacon Book Box's "Spellbound Stories"

Hey guys! I'm here to bring you another exciting unboxing. Today, I'm showing you Beacon Book Box's January box which was themed "Spellbound Stories." This box was full of exciting goodies and, not one,  but two books so I can't wait for you all to see what was included. If you like what you've seen, you can use my discount code BOOKSHELF5 for a discount on your order! February boxes are sold out but they have a past items shop and a waitlist for March! But, without further ado, let's go ahead and dive into the unboxing now! 

When you open the box, you're greeted with the spoiler card with that month's art on it. As I said, this month was themed "Spellbound Stories." The first item that I noticed was a jar of Molly Weasley's Homemade Hot Chocolate. I'm not a big tea or coffee drinker, but I do love me some hot chocolate so this will definitely be getting used! 

The next item was a Caraval themed candle that smells absolutely divine. This was created by Novelly Yours and smells like "sea mist and magic." I cannot wait to use it in photographs! After that we have a set of ACOTAR-themed postcards. These have a painting of Feyre and Rhysand with the stars in the background and I'm absolutely in love. They're so beautiful.

Then we have a signed bookmark from Olivia Wildenstein for A Pack of Blood and Lies, which was also the bonus book that was included this month. This book comes out in April so it's pretty exciting to be getting it so early. It was also exciting to get a signed bookplate with it! 

 

Then we had this beautiful snowflake booksleeve. It's pretty durable quality and it's a good size for smaller hardbacks and paperbacks, which I'm excited about. There was also a gorgeous tapestry themed after The Winner's Curse which I'm super excited about. I'm just wondering if I can find a space for it on my walls! 

The book of the month was Echo North by Joanna Ruth Meyer which came with a signed bookplate and a letter from/Q&A with the author. This one sounds pretty interesting and, though I haven't heard much about it, what I have heard has been good feedback. 

---

Thanks for reading!

xoxo

Lauren

---

You can follow my bookstagram here. A brand new giveaway will be posted soon!

To get more awesome content like this post, click the follow button to the right!

Beacon Book Box: use the code BOOKSHELF5 for a discount on your order or subscription! 

I am a "BookishTextDesign" Influencer! Use my code LAUREN10 for a discount off your bookmark purchases! Check out the shop here

Get free worldwide shipping with Book Depository using my affiliate link

---

Unboxing: Owlcrate's "Lost In a Bookstore"

Hello everyone! I sure hope your month has been good so far. Mine has been going great! I've read so many books, written so many blog posts, and am doing well in my courses. Today I'm here with a super exciting blog post: my October Owlcrate Unboxing! I haven't gotten an Owlcrate in over a year but when I heard their theme for this month, I knew I had to get it! I snagged one just as they sold out..woohoo! Anyway, it was definitely hard to avoid spoilers since a lot of people I follow had gotten theirs already and I have little self-control once I'm made aware of the fact that I can go ahead and sneak a peek. However, I made it through and am so excited to be unboxing this for you all today! 

---

So we start off opening the box to this view. On top we have the spoiler card. This is a beautiful print that follows the monthly theme and on the back has a listing of all the items and vendors that are included in the box! Very informative for bookstagrammers like me who like tagging the vendors in my pictures! Later on, we had this beautiful monthly pin that matches the spoiler card. At the very bottom of the box, we also have the little magazine which includes interviews with authors and vendors, information on photo challenges, puzzles, and more!

The next item is this gorgeous pair of socks from Out of Print and Underlined. I got an Owlcrate box a couple years ago and they included a pair of socks from Out of Print so I'm super excited to have another pair! These have open books all over them and they spell out BOOK NERD on the soles of the feet. I can't wait to wear these when I'm in my cozy chair reading the rest of this fall.

The next two items were a bag of tea and a heart and arrow shaped tea strainer. I cracked the tea open just to smell it and oh lordy does it smell amazing. I'm not a huge tea drinker but I've been getting more and more into it lately, so I'm pretty excited to get to try this blend. The strainer is also pretty cute, although I'm wondering how I'm going to effectively clean it whilst living in a college dorm. The tea was from The Tea Spot whilst the strainer was created by Team Owlcrate.

Following, we have a gorgeous Mirror of Erised, Harry Potter themed print. There's something so simplistic and beautiful about this print and I can't wait to put it on my HP shelf next to all my other merch. This print was designed by Michelle Gray, who also had input on the tea strainer!

This month's box included two books, which was a huge reason that I resubscribed this month. The first book was Pride by Ibi Zoboi, a Pride and Prejudice retelling set in Brooklyn. Not only was this cover an Owlcrate Exclusive, but the book itself was signed by Ibi and came with a letter from the author and matching bookmark.

The second book this month was Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagwa, a newly released fantasy inspired by Japanese folklore and culture. This book also had an Owlcrate Exclusive cover, was signed by the other, came with a letter from Julie, and came with a matching bookmark.

The last item was actually underneath the books but is probably my favorite item in the entire box: a canvas clutch purse designed by Bookworm Boutique. I love all of Bookworm Boutique's designs and this time is no exception. The quote is awesome and the purse is sized to be able to fit most books. I can't wait to use this!

On the very bottom was the theme reveal for next month's Owlcrate: Rise From the Ashes as well as a sneak peek at one of the items: a wax seal set. I, unfortunately, am not getting next month's box because I already know what the book will be and I don't need two copies as well as the fact that I don't have a way of fitting this box into my budget for the next few months. However, I'm super excited to see what they come up with next and I hope that you'll all consider subscribing! If you do, use this link and the code BKWORM10 for a discount on your first box!

---

Thanks for reading!

xoxo

Lauren

---

Follow my bookstagram here. New giveaway will be posted very soon!

I am a "BookishTextDesign" Influencer! Use my code LAUREN10 for a discount off your bookmark purchases! Check out the shop here

Subscribe to Owlcrate using this link and use code BKWORM10 for a discount on your first box!

Get free worldwide shipping with Book Depository using my affiliate link

---

Top 5 Wednesday: Favorite Villains

Hello everyone! We're back with another Top 5 Wednesday and I'm so excited about this one. The topics this month are pretty awesome and this week is no exception. For this wonderful day of October the 10th, we're discussing our top 5 favorite villains.

At number five, I decided to go with Corien from Furyborn by Claire Legrand. We don't see as much of him as some of the other characters in this first book, but I love him already. He's like that villain that you hate to love.

For number four, I picked the Volturi from the Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer. For me, there's something just so timeless about the Volturi and this series. It's been such a staple of my life for so long that the Volturi have always been a set of villains at the back of my mind.

Number 3 I'm going with Voldemort from Harry Potter. He's just a classic villain that I had to go with, and, as opposed to Umbridge, I don't hate hate him. I enjoy him as a villain even if I don't particularly love him. I still think he's an asshole with a weird obsession with Harry, but I also find him to be an enjoyable antagonist. 

For number 2, I'm choosing Sebastian Morgentstern from The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare. Another staple of my middle school years, this series was so amazing to me and I always loved Sebastian no matter how many terrible things he did. (Also cue me being behind on the Shadowhunters show and not realizing that this gorgeous person was playing Sebastian)

And, at number 1, we have AIDAN from the Illuminae Files trilogy by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff. How can I not love AIDAN? It's a killer monster AI yet it develops feelings and I just love AIDAN, ok? Its character development is just on point and I only wish we were getting more books set in this universe so that I could get more AIDAN in my life! 

Who are your top 5 favorite villains? Do we have any of the same ones? Let me know down below! Also, feel free to join the Goodreads Top 5 Wednesday Group to keep up to date on the latest topics and see everyone's posts! 

---

Thanks for reading!

xoxo

Lauren

---

Follow my Instagram here. New giveaway will be posted very soon!

Get 10% off your first order, plus 50 rewards points, when you use this link to purchase a personal aromatherapy diffuser from Monq

Get 10% off your first order on A Court of Candles when you use this link.

Subscribe to Owlcrate using this link and get a discount off your first box using AVIREADS

Get free worldwide shipping with Book Depository using my affiliate link

---

Top 5 Wednseday: Favorite Magic Systems

Wow it's been a while since I've done a top 5 Wednesday! Between work, school, and studies, I've been using my free time to try and squeeze in reading and Netflix and a social life. Add in that Wednesdays are the busiest time of the week and I'm pretty much never available to do it anymore. However, I'm making a vow that this month I will do at least 3 Top 5 Wednesdays, starting with today.

This week's theme is all about your favorite magic systems. I don't know about you, but I love fantasy and magical books. This just seems so fun and definitely brings in nostalgia about all these books and movies that I've read or associate with fall. So here we go with my favorite books with awesome magic systems! 

Coming it at number 5, we have the magic system in The Bone Season. I love how unique the clairvoyant system is and I only wish that could be in that world with them all. It's quite a complex system yet I think Samantha Shannon does a good job of presenting it to us on a need to know basis. We're never in the dark but we aren't overloaded with information when we don't need it. Overall, I just can't wait to get back into this world.

For number 4, I thought I would talk about Furyborn. This book was one of my favorites of the beginning of the year and I still love it. The magic that's in it is so different from most of the things I've read recently that it really stuck with me. We have time and distance traveling, elemental-esque magic, and so much more. Everything about the magic in this world appeals to me and I can't wait for the sequel!

I had to pick the A Court of Thorns and Roses series for number 3. Not only is this series one of my top 2 series of all time, but it also had such interesting magic. Everybody has different abilities and a lot of it depends on the court they're in, which I love so much. It provides interesting contrasts when we go and see characters from different courts and it's like a new fresh moment. Personally, I'd like to be like Feyre but I would settle for Rhysand (insert winking emoji here).

At number 2, I had to go with the magic in the Throne of Glass series. Like ACOTAR, you think you have the magic system figured out but then it goes and adds something new in. I love it. There are still plenty of rules that magic follows, but it's when a character discovers a new type and you have that "oh shit" moment that I really enjoy.

And of course, at number 1, my top magic system is the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. HP was my favorite series as a child and went uncontested until I read Throne of Glass. I just love love love everything about it. Maybe it's just because it was my first experience with reading about magic, but it feels so nostalgic and whimsical every time I think about it.

---

Thanks for reading!

xoxo

Lauren

---

Follow my Instagram here. New giveaway will be posted very soon!

Get 10% off your first order, plus 50 rewards points, when you use this link to purchase a personal aromatherapy diffuser from Monq

Get 10% off your first order on A Court of Candles when you use this link.

Subscribe to Owlcrate using this link and get a discount off your first box using AVIREADS

Get free worldwide shipping with Book Depository using my affiliate link

---