Reviews!

'Not every book I read will be reviewed'

 
Just a little post on how I structure my reviews and their content!
 
Tone

• My reviews will always be relatively positive. Why? I am genuinely positive about everything in life, even things I don't like! If I can't find anything to like in a book I most likely won't finish it and it won't get reviewed.
• Despite this my reviews are balanced and will include books I didn't enjoy, just not books I couldn't finish or really disliked!

Layout

• I like to display the book cover and blurb of the edition I actually read..
• I always do a little introduction normally with how I came across the book and if I enjoyed it.
• I try to keep my reviews balanced by dividing the content into likes and dislikes.
• I sum up the book in the end and I now have a rating system!
• The use of a rating system is to differentiate between books.

Content

• I focus on the plot and characters more than the actual writing style.
• I always note down my likes and dislikes straight after I finish a book so it's all fresh in my mind.
• I might comment on the genre etc.
• I try my best not to include any spoilers!

How do you review?
Do you like my style?

Much Love
Lettie
Xxxx

Top Ten Tuesday: Travel

I plan on doing a lot of travelling in my 'Golden Year' so these are the top ten places I want to visit! I don't think I'll manage to actually visit all these places between the end of my Golden Year next May but one can hope!

Madrid

I have yet to visit the capital of Spain, which is shocking as I have visited every other Western European capital and have been to Spain and Spanish territories more times than I can count! I'm excited to see all the culture and history Madrid has to offer. I'm planning a nice relaxing sunny city break with one of best school friends in September. Hopefully it will still be warm and less busy than school holidays!

Brussels

A friend of mine is doing a placement in Brussels and promised me a bed in exchange for visiting! I've been to Belgium quite a few times and I really like it as it's such a mixpot country.  I see Brussels as my 'gateway' city to interrailling Europe as I plan to focus on central/eastern Europe it makes sense to head to Brussels first. Plus Belgium is so compact I can use Brussels as a base to explore Belgium too :)

Dublin

Ireland remains the last country of the British Isles for me to visit- ironic as I live closer to Ireland than Scotland! I've heard great things about Dublin and I've thinking a long catch up weekend with a Uni friend would be the perfect excuse! :)

Los Angeles

One of my best friends is doing a year abroad in LA! It would be rude not to visit.... Especially as I have yet to cross the Atlantic :) We are thinking (depending on money) of doing a road trip across country to.... 

 New York!

As a girl obsessed by big cities, fashion and American TV it's no wonder that I have dreamt of New York for years! Road tripping there would be the ultimate dream <3.

Vienna

Another interrail stop! I have been in awe of the beautiful architecture and history of Vienna for years! I want to see it all- I love European palaces and architecture style. My camera will be fully charged for this one!

Budapest

In my mind Budapest and Vienna go hand in hand- possibly because of Austria and Hungary's linked history, possibly because I like pair things up! Either way this is another beautiful city I want to explore! It will also be a relaxing spot as Budapest is the City of Spas! How relaxing does the picture look?

Gibraltar

One of my Uni friends lives here and it looks like such a fun and sunshine place! If you live in the UK you will understand how badly I crave sunshine and beaches right now!

London

I have of course been to London before but there is so much to see! London is having a golden year itself with the Jubilee and the Olympics so I'm excited to go for a long weekend and take it all in- it's only an hour's train journey away!

Zagreb

My friend's boyfriend swears Croatia is the most beautiful European country he has been too! From the pictures it looks gorgeous- I'm including Zagreb on my interrail plan to get a feel for Croatia.

Geneva

I plan on finishing my interrail adventure in Geneva. I really want to see the Reformation Museum and the Palais of Nations- two attractions which frame two very important European historical events. It's an expensive place to stay but I'm hoping it will be a nice last few days before conveniently flying directly home!

I'm so excited to actually travel- let me know if you've been to any of these places or if you have any suggestions!
Much love
Lettie
xxx

Welcome and 3Ws!

Welcome to Above Average Below Special!

Who?
My name is Lettie. I am your average 22 year old girl with lots of passions and lots to say!

What?
Above Average Below Special was planned as a blog haven for my love of shopping, cooking, reading and student life!
However it evolved in to a primarily book based blog filled with reviews, the occasional blog tour and general posts concerning my love of books!

Why?
Like most students I love reading other people's blogs and as a New Year Resolution I decided to start my own.
After a rocky start coupled with personal issues and illness I decided to focus Above Average Below Special on what I had found the most rewarding to blog about... books!
I have no  experience in the Blog world but if you stick with me as I find my feet I'm sure I'll get the hang of it :).

So feel free to drop me a comment and stay tuned. :)

Much Love,
Lettie