Top Ten Tuesday – My Bookish Bucket List

By Rachel
Top Ten Tuesday My Bookish Bucket List

Top Ten Things on My Bookish Bucket List

I’ve been following Top Ten Tuesday posts for a while and I’ve finally decided to do my own, yay! My list includes some goals/aims/dreams (delete as appropriate) that are pretty easy to achieve, and a few more “chunky” ones that will take a little more planning (and a lot more money). In no particular order, my Top Ten Bookish Bucket List is:

1. Get new bookshelves and jazz up my “keeper” collection.

How amazing is the bookcase in my featured image? A girl can dream… Long-term I have so many ideas for how I see my book-nook, but short-term I just want to update my shelves and modernise it a little. Currently, I’m using a cheap bookcase I bought when I started Uni, and it just isn’t cutting it any more. I tend to only keep books that fall into three categories; those I know I will read again, those I’m not sure if I’ll read again but they are significant or mean something to me (signed books, coffee table books, gifted by someone special) or if they are part of a series/collection by a favourite author. I’m planning a before-and-after post on my book-nook when it’s done.

2. Do the Harry Potter Studio Tour in London.

Dumbledore Dancing

I’d love to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in the US, but that just isn’t realistic for me (I live in the UK), so the Harry Potter Studio Tour will have to do! I’ve been an avid fan of Harry Potter since I was 9 years old. It was a massive part of my childhood and I hope the Studio Tour lives up to expectations! I should be able to do this in the next year or two.

3. Keep Confessions of a Book Geek active.

I’ve been blogging for just over a month now (it feels like longer) and I’m still very much full steam ahead, so I’d like to think that I can keep this little corner of the Internet alive and kicking. Since I’ve become involved in the online community, either through blogs or Goodreads, I’ve had some great conversations with like-minded Book Geeks, and one of my favourite authors responded to my comments on one of her posts – that gave me butterflies! So, I’m excited to see where this goes…

4. Go to a Book Conference or Book Event.

I see so many of the American book bloggers attending amazing events like BEA and I get super Book Geek envy! Unfortunately, in my small part of the UK we don’t have events on the same scale as this, or anywhere close to it (as far as I know, I did a little research). Even for me to attend an event in London would require a plane ride and hotel stay, and it isn’t cheap! I’m hoping someday there will be a good event closer to home that I can go to, I’m on the look-out!

5. To be “blurbed” in a book.

How great would it be for a snippet of your review to make it on the cover or in the pages of a book?! Especially if it is by one of your favourite authors… If it does happen does the publisher tell you? Do they just do it without you knowing? Are book blog snippets used often? So many questions!!

6. Read more of the “classics”.

I think I’ve got this one under control. I’ve always wanted to read more of the classics, partly to see what all the fuss is about and partly to see if I actually enjoy them. I haven’t exactly done much about this one yet, but I have committed myself to The Classics Club, so that’s a start…

Wall of Books7. Make a dent in my TBR pile and successfully complete my Goodreads 2014 Challenge.

I have a considerable TBR pile and it seems to be ever growing. My TBR pile by my bed has now become affectionately known as my “wall of books”, yes, it is seriously that substantial. Hopefully, #1 will help me deal with this, because once I’ve read them, I need to have somewhere to put them! As for completing my Goodreads Challenge, I’ve set myself a target of 52 books in 52 weeks. I’d like to read more than this (I’d like to read all the books!) but I work full-time and I am also completing a post-grad diploma this year, so it isn’t likely. I fell off the book-reading bandwagon for a while and definitely read a lot less than I did when I was younger, so I’m hoping this blog will inspire me to keep reading.

9. Actually read S. in full.

S. by J. J. Abrams and Doug Dorst

I’m going to devote a whole post to this book, but I’ll introduce it briefly here. I was blown away by the concept of S. by J. J. Abrams and Doug Dorst, and I purchased a copy in January 2014 but have yet to read it. S. has been described as “a love letter to the written word”, it is a fictional book called Ship of Theseus written by a fictitious novelist named V. M. Straka. Within this book (designed to look like an old library book), two college students, Jennifer and Eric, begin a written conversation in the margins.

S. is a book within a book, and a story within a story, where the themes and plot-twists are intricately and subtly interwoven. If that isn’t enough, throughout the book physical elements have been added that make the story come to life in an entirely new way, they include items such as: postcards, handwritten letters and even a hand-drawn map on a napkin. The level of detail in this book is mind-blowing, and I keep putting it off knowing it is going to be a super-intense read and hoping it isn’t a disappointment. Even if I somehow never read this book, I’ll always keep it as a work of art.

10. Have a bookish/literary themed wedding.

I wouldn’t want to go completely over-the-top, but there are some really amazing ideas out there for ways to incorporate bookish themes into your big day, whether it’s having an engagement/wedding photographer open to incorporating quirky literary ideas, naming the tables after literary classics or infamous characters, or having artsy prints of the most romantic and heart-wrenching lines from your favourite books on display for guests to browse and take home… I could happily get lost browsing bookish weddings… I may need to find a fiancée first though…

A Bookish Wedding

About Rachel

Avid reader & #bookblogger. Lover of all things business. A fan of drinks & dancing. Ever optimistic. Feminist.

25 Responses

    1. Rachel

      Hey! I hoped I wouldn’t be the only one with it up there! I’ve seen it go a little literary crazy but when it’s done well I think it really adds to the occasion, a few well chosen quotes to swoon over never hurt 🙂 The book event is a slightly unachievable one for me I think,I wish it wasn’t but where I am in the world is quite small and we don’t have big events like BEA at all 😦 I’m holding out just in case though!

      Thanks for commenting!
      R

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    1. Rachel

      Hi Joey,

      I’ve seen blogs and reviewers quoted inside the first few pages of a book lately and thought that it would be pretty cool. Haven’t seen one on the cover yet though!

      R

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  3. kainzow

    That bookcase is truly amazing.I remember when I was looking for ideas how to arrange my books,I stumbled upon this bookcase and I was mesmerized.I think I will have to buy many books before being able to make a colour degradation with them.

    You’re lucky you live in a country which is very well developed.In my country,there are only the ordinary and conventional bookcases available.I wish one day to have a circular bookcase! There likewise is barely any event about literature in where I live.

    And I hope you will keep the blog active as I’m very interested in the things you post and I come here very often.

    All in all,I wish you all the best for your future projects! 🙂

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    1. Rachel

      There was a great article on a site called BuzzFeed that talked about reader personalities and how the way you arrange your books gives an insight into you as a person… I’ll find you a link. It does look amazing but I’d never be able to arrange my bookcase like that, I do it by author and genre and sometimes book size. I’m in the process of re-doing my book-nook and I’ll post some pics when it’s done, though I would LOVE floor to ceiling bookcases along a whole wall I haven’t the space for it just yet.

      We could have circular bookcases but they would be very expensive! It would definitely be a different way to display them! But I guess we’re lucky to have stores that offer a range of styles at reasonable prices. My dad is building my new bookcases, he’s a furniture maker, so they’ll have a lot of personal value to me too.

      I’m really pleased you enjoy my posts! I think I’ll be sticking around for a while 🙂 Which classic are you on at the minute?

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      1. kainzow

        Good!
        Hmm,I finished Anna Karenina yesterday.I’ll write some things about the book,then move to Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro.It is a book from the post modernist era,thus is not usually deemed a classic.However it is considered one of the best books of our century,so I’ll give it a go!

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    1. Rachel

      Oh dear, I know three bloggers who haven’t managed to finish it and I know of no one personally who has! Doesn’t sound promising, does it? I’m determined to give it a go, but either way it’s such a beautiful concept.

      R

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    1. Rachel

      Hi Rebecca, I’ve been wanting to go to a Harry Potter themed “something” for a while now, anything would do really!! But I’ve heard the London Studio Tour is really good so now it’s just sorting out the how’s and when’s… I have an opportunity to maybe go in a few months, so fingers crossed that works out! I’ll link up to the original, thanks!

      R

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      1. Rebecca Scaglione - Love at First Book

        I hope you LOVE the HP London tour. It’s just so amazing, and the people were so friendly. One of the girls I met who worked there is actually in a video that’s on the HP castle ride in Orlando – but she said she’ll prob never get to see it! Isn’t that cool though? I hope you get to go soon!

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      2. Rachel

        I love the HP series so much I don’t know how I couldn’t love the tour! I think I was just worried it would be gimmicky and not all that impressive for a big fan, I know the American version has basically built Diagon Alley whereas the UK version doesn’t have anything that grand from what I cam tell, but I definitely have to see it when I get the chance. Hopefully if finances work out ok it’ll be sooner rather than later! What did the girl do on the video??

        R

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      3. Rebecca Scaglione - Love at First Book

        It is soooo not gimmicky! I hate gimmicky crap, and a teensy bit is gimmicky, like you can “fly” on a broomstick, but in general, there’s a ton of stuff from the sets, which is super cool to see, and you can sit on Hagrid’s motorcycle. . . It’s awesome!

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  6. Amanda

    Amazing list!! I didn’t even think of the Blurb thing. That would be so awesome!!! & I’m actually getting married in October and while the whole theme isn’t books, had to mix up, I am doing some book themes! Each of my tables will be title by my favorite book couples! SO excited about that! It would be freaking awesome to do the whole wedding in books! But alas i have to compromise with my husband, lol.

    New Follower 🙂
    My TTT
    -Manderz @ Escaping Reality WIthin Pages

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    1. Rachel

      Hi Amanda, thanks for your comment!

      I love the idea of having tables named after titles of great love stories or well-known literary couples! I’ve seen people give personalised wedding bookmarks as keepsakes to all guests and I love the idea of having snippets of prose done up as prints or on canvas, just dotted around the place for guests to have a nosy at. Unfortunately, it’s the compromising bit that’ll get you every time, isn’t it? Is your husband-to-be booky at all?

      R

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  8. bellarah

    I went to the Harry Potter studio tour when I was in the UK in March! Amazing, was totally thrilled with it. I spent wayyy too much in the gift shop though, so dangerous to a Potter nerd!
    I need those bookcases *sigh*

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    1. Rachel

      I was supposed to go in May this year, but it fell through! 😥 I definitely 100% have to do it at some point. Is it a permanent attraction??? Oh, I’m fully prepared to bring a months salary and my overdraft with me for the gift shop! Has to be done! What did you get?? I’ve seen people with House sweaters, scarves, WANDS, bookmarks, etc.

      I’m getting new bookcases built for me soon (I hope, my dad’s building them, he’s been at them for months and I’m tempted to just go to Ikea, but I’m holding off because I’d rather have ones with sentiment!). I’m going to do a before and after post because it will be hilarious. R x

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      1. bellarah

        Yes it’s permanent! I wasn’t going to go, thinking it wouldn’t be as good as I hoped, but decided that since my chances of going back are low right now I may as well when I was there! Ohhh you’ll need it 😉 I got key rings, wands, every flavour beans, house scarf and a few other things I forget. The wands were £25 each but worth it, I got two 🙂
        Oh awesome! We got new ikea ones, they’re a bit on the wobbly side though. Sentimental ones will always be better.

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      2. Rachel

        I definitely want to go!!!! I need to put a plan into action… Ikea stuff can be a little wobbly but it’s great for the price. I’d prefer sentimental ones but that’s only if they’ll ever get built!!

        R x

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