A230 - Reading and Studying Literature - An A-Z post

Welcome to the first post of this years A-Z Challenge! A huge thanks goes out to Arlee Bird, whose vision has brought us this brilliant annual blogging event. Without Arlee, none of us would have this event to look forward to throughout the year, and I for one am grateful as it was this very challenge last year that kick-started my blogging life.

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A230 Reading and Studying Literature is the full name of the course I'm currently studying through the Open University. It's the first kind of literature study I've done since leaving high school *cough* years ago.

The course itself is broken up into three books, covering six different themes, and focuses on the 18th Century, Romantics and Victorians and the 20th Century.

There are six Tutor-Marked Assignments, of which I have now submitted four, and a final three hour written exam. The thought of the exam terrified me to begin with, but one thing I love about the course is that we get advanced notification of the topics to be assessed. This certainly helps to focus revision, and relieve the worry of the unknown.

Throughout this challenge I'm going to give a brief overview of some of the topics I've been studying, both as an aid to my own revision and also to share with you some of the authors and works I've been introduced to as a result.

I hope you enjoy this journey with me!

             


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This post is part of the A-Z Blogging Challenge. To get involved and check out other blogs taking part just click here. You won't be disappointed!


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The Streamline Book Birthday Bash!

Streamline by Jennifer Lane turns a whole year old this week! To help Jennifer celebrate I'm taking part in her anniversary giveaway and birthday bash tour.

 

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Seems like Leo Scott has it all: looks, brains, and athletic talent. He's captain of his high school swim team with a bright future in college and beyond. But Leo has secrets. His mother's crippling car accident has devastated his family and left Leo to deal with his father's abuse, battered and alone.

Leo's girlfriend Audrey Rose is poised for her own share of success. As one of Florida's top high school swimmers, Audrey dreams of college swimming stardom. But there's an obstacle to her glorious rise to the top. Her number one supporter--her father--is in prison for murder.

Part murder mystery, part tale of young love in a military family, this gripping story takes readers on a journey from Pensacola to Annapolis. Leo and Audrey must band together to rise above the adversity they encounter and find their true selves in the process. When everything's on the line...streamline.

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Once I got to reading this book, I really couldn't put it down. I absolutely loved it, everything down to the cover. The characters were brought to life so vividly you couldn't help but get involved in their story.

The sense of a father's infuence over his children is seen from two different sides, in both Audrey and Leo. I felt so emotionally drawn into the battle between Leo's father and the rest of his family, willing someone to tell the authorities about his treatment of his family.

This book was well written, and all of the characters in it were given equal time at the forefront of the story. There was plenty of time to get to know them all, sympathising with each in their own situation.

The setup for each event in the storyline was brilliantly dealt with. It struck just the right level of hinting at what might be coming without giving it away too obviously. 

The story sees the lives of three military families all intertwined, and it's remarkable the effect that a single person can have on so many people in the name of what he believes to be love. 

I'm not going to spoil any of the details for you, you really need to get a hold of a copy for yourself and read it. 

And here is your chance! To celebrate Streamline's first anniversary Jennifer is giving away a signed print copy and three ebook copies. All you have to do is complete the Rafflecopter form and enter. Go on, you know you want to, you won't be disappointed!

Just head on over to Jennifer's blog for the details.  Go on, do it now!!!

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Friday Celebrations!

               
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This post is part of the 'Celebrate the Small Things' blog hop hosted by VikLit, and is for celebrating even the smallest of victories during the week. Head on over to her blog to check out more people taking part in this hop.

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 This week I'm celebrating:

• Signing up for my next Open University course.  It's on creative writing and I'm very excited! Just two assignments and an exam left for this one, then I can enjoy the summer break before getting to the good stuff.
• Revealing my A-Z Blogging Challenge theme. There's no going back now, eek!
• Finally getting round to sitting down and watching the first episodes of The Killing. My friend has been raving about it and has given me the box set to watch, and it's really good. My husband and I have written down who we think it is and put them in an envelope, to be revealed at the end of the series. We live a wild and crazy life!

What are you celebrating this week? Have a great weekend everybodies!

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The Big Reveal Hop-within-a-hop!

It's not long now until the A-Z Blogging Challenge begins. I really need to get a move on with posts before it descends on us and it turns into a big mad rush.

Who am I kidding? That's probably how it'll end up for me so I might as well just go with it.

So this little hop-within-a-hop here, hosted by Mina Lobo and David Macaulay, is a brilliant place to announce whatever theme you've chosen for the Blogging Challenge. Of course, by announcing to the world what you intend to post about pressure is on to stick to it. I have been back and forth over several things but keep coming around to the same idea.

My theme for this years Blogging Challenge is my Open University course, Reading and Studying Literature.

It's been a brilliant course to study, introducing me to authors and stories I would never have read if not for the set reading list. It's been a complete change for me, having spent six years studying science, but I've enjoyed the challenge.

Writers in the course include William Shakespeare, James Joyce, Emily Bronte and Aphra Behn. Each of my daily blog posts will cover something from the course, hopefully helping with my revision for the exam which is in June.

I hope you enjoy my posts, and good luck to everyone else for the challenge!

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Ninja Captain Alex's Top Ten Movie Countdown Blogfest!

 

The host of this hop really doesn't need any introduction, such is his presence in this here blogosphere. If you've not come across his blog yet you must have been living in a cave. So, welcome back to the world and head on over to the Ninja Captain's blog, you won't be disappointed.

So this fest is exactly what it says on the tin, just list your top ten movies that you love.

Here's mine, in no particular order:

  1. Superman - The Movie

     

 

2. Smokey and the Bandit II

3. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

 

4. Paul

5. Skyfall

6. Back to the Future

7. Pirates of the Caribbean

8.  The Grudge

9.  I, Robot





10. The Young Frankenstein

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It's time to celebrate, it's Friday!

         
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This post is part of the 'Celebrate the Small Things' blog hop hosted by VikLit, and is for celebrating even the smallest of victories during the week. Head on over to her blog to check out more people taking part in this hop.

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 This week I'm celebrating:

• Pub lunch today, nom nom. Lovely beer battered fish and chips with mushy peas. Mmmm, mmmm. A lovely treat after a busy week at work.
• I finally got my assignment finished and sent off. Only two more to go!
• I've made a start on my A-Z Challenge blog posts. Not long to go now folks!

I missed last weeks Friday celebrations, but it's been a good week this week and I'm back on track,

What are you celebrating this week?


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Everybody in for the Blog Blitz!

 

 

In my travels through the blogosphere over the last few days this little blog hop has come up quite a few times, and I just had to get involved.

 

The blog hop has been put together by DL Hammons at Cruising Altitude and is intended to spread the word for bloggers everywhere. All you need to do is head on over to the linky list and sign up your blog, making sure to include your email address.

 

Every so often the host will select a blog, and email the rest of the Blitz Team with the choice and a date. Then we all make the effort to visit and spread the word about the chosen blog, and also hop over to leave a word or two of encouragement in the comments. Brilliant!

 

If you're intrigued and want to get involed just hop on over to DL's and get signed up. You can then post the button on your blog and spread the word too.

 

Enjoy!

 

 

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