Hey everyone,

I was wondering if you could all lend me a hand?

As part of my current art research, for my 'Big Brother' project, I need people's opinions on art, yesterday, I posted a status on facebook asking 'What is Art?' People on facebook were amazing, I got about 34 responses, which is quite a few. But now I need to ask another question, a question that sparks a much bigger debate, where there is no right answer, but lots of strong opinions. And I shan't express mine or I'll end up ranting.

So here's the question:

I need as many responses as possible for my project, primary research is very impressive.

Please don't feel the pressure of social desirability bias, everyone is entitled to their own opinions and I desperately need honest opinions, any examples of artists you can give either would be amazing!

So please please please, comment away!

So remember, each day, live a little, laugh a little and love a little. ♥

This is a book that I have wanted to read for a very long time. I first spotted it when I was in the local Library, but it was on the reserved shelf and every time I went back is was always taken out. But then I spotted it at the Glacial Arts Studio, I think they had done some advertising work for the book campaign so they were given a signed copy of the book before it was even published in the UK.

Because I wanted to read this book for so long I had pretty high expectations and I will tell you now that I was not dissappointed at all. I have slightly fallen in love with this book, in may now be one of my favourite books (kind of a shame that I have to give it back).

It is a story of a poor childless couple, who move to Alaska to escape the conventional life they feel they have failed at. Already heartbroken over the loss at her only chance at being a Mother, Mabel begins to feel hopeless when her fantasy of her life with Jack in Alaska doesn't turn out they way she thought.

But when the first snow begins to fall Jack and Mabel are caught up in the magic and decide to create a beautiful snow girl. When they wake in the morning, the snow girl is gone along with the mittens and scarf they had given her and mysterious tracks lead away in to the forest. It is a story of magic, love and the longing to be part of a family.

I can't even explain how much this book pulled at my heart strings; I may not be a mother, but I'm very maternal for my age and I cried my poor little eyes out when I read about Mabel's loss. I know what it's like to loss someone who is very close to you, but that compare to the pain of losing your child.

I love magical books, they transport you to a world very different from your own. The setting was just enchanting, the characters very relatable and the little snow girls is one of the most fascinating characters I have ever read about.

There was so many time that I wanted to cry reading this book, I could feel my eyes watering but I had to stop myself because I was reading on the train on the way home and I wasn't going to start crying in front of 60 odd people. One of the reasons I wish I could keep it for a little longer and cry my eyes out when I want to so that I can relate the characters more. The author's writing skills enabled me to feel everything the characters felt, their pain, their happiness, their longing, everything. It truly is a brilliant read and I encourage anyone who likes a little bit of enchantment to read this book!

So remember, each day, live a little, laugh a little and love a little. ♥

I first got this book when I was about 10 years old, but never actually read it until I was about 14. When I was younger, I was never a very good reader, it was only once I got to high school that I fell in love with reading (the first novel I ever read was Harry Potter and the Order of The Phoenix). When I finally got around to reading this book, I loved it, although at some points it was difficult for me to follow, but it was constantly exciting.

One diamond- a world of spies, death and deception.

In Venice, the diamond promises wealthy and prestige to greedy Bernado Pagliarin.

At the court of the Great Moghul in Agra, in holds the key to the throne itself.

For Filippo and his family, the stone is worth far more. It could bring their father back from the dead.

This is a very exotic book including many different countries and extreme environments on Filippo's quest to find his father. This book can be a little difficult to follow as it can move from event to event rather quickly and the foreign names can make it hard to remember who each character is. But I found as a reader I became rather attached to Filippo as you follow him on his journey. I also think that the book comes to a rather nice conclusion, despite all the loss and hardships through the rest of the story. 

Definitely a book for teenagers or adults, I can't imagine it would be an easy read for anyone below the age of 13, unless they are a very adept reader. If you enjoy adventure stories then this is a great book, as it's tinted with an air of fantasy and mystery.

So remember, each day, live a little, laugh a little and love a little. ♥

I first read this book when I was either 14 or 15 and I loved it. I never got to study European history and this book gave me a slight insight into what I had missed as it's based in France during the 16th century. More specifically the time of the Religious Wars. Although the novel is fictional it includes many real character from history, such as Nostradamus, King Charles IX and Catherine de' Medici. The author makes an effort be keep history in place by creating events within history so the reader won't take the novel as a history book (although if this was really what happened it would be rather cool).

The story follows thirteen year old Melisande, who after the death of her sister and imprisonment of her father, must escape the castle, leaving the intriguing Melchoir behind. She then seeks the help of Nostradamus so that she may rescue her father. But instead he bestows a massive task on her. She is forewarned of the great massacre that will be a big part of her future. 

Her life continues as she journeys over the country trying to find who she is and how she will be reunited with her father. She is faced with danger, inner-conflict and important choices that will all lead her to play her part in the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre.

I absolutely love this book; it is extremely well balanced with romance, action, conflict and culture. Afterwards I couldn't help but research Nostradamus more; as well as being a prophet he was an Apothecary, using his knowledge of natural remedies to help the people of his area and support his second wife and their 6 children.

I would recommend this book to anybody really. It's not difficult to read and it's constantly exciting. I'm going to be lending to it Kerry soon, so yes, it's good!

I also think this novel would make an excellent film!

So remember, each day, live a little, laugh a little and love a little. ♥

I've only just realised that it's nearly half way through May and I haven't done a book post for April, uh oh!

To be honest I never read a full book, I tried starting about 4, including 'The Winter Ghosts' by Kate Mosse and 'White Teeth' by Zadie Smith. But I just wasn't into them. There is always a point when you're reading a book that you become completely captivated and you hate the realisation that at some point you'll have to put the book down and go to sleep. Well I never got that feeling about these books.

So instead I shall tell you about one of my favourite books.

This is the story of a girl who would seem to have a perfect life; in the sense that she had everything she needs, however she believes her existence is boring, mundane and worthless so she decides to end her life.

However she wakes up in a mental institution as her suicide attempt fails. She is the told her excessive pill taking has left her with a fatal heart problem and she has only days left to live.

"This story follows her through these intense days as she starts to question all her ideas about life. Soon she comes to realise that every second of existence is a choice we all make between living and dying. This is a moving and uplifting song to life, one that reminds us that every moment in our lives is special and precious."

This book definitely simulates your thoughts making you feel grateful for your life and the time you have as Veronika begins to realise how much she had decided to give up as the time she has been left with runs out.

For me the reason I love this book so much is because, as I study Psychology the setting of the book is very thought provoking as it makes me question my own knowledge of mental disorders (although my knowledge exceeds my Mum's; who is a nurse, really proud of myself). There is also characters within the book that make some very philosophical arguments about mental illnesses and questions what is meant by insanity,the labels it gives people and the mark these labels leave upon the individuals.

Please, please, please read this book. I promise you will not regret it!

In fact, I'm going to have to reread it at some point, purely because I love it and I really need to find my favourite quote.

"I would say that if someone only has a short time to live and decides to spend that time sitting beside a bed, watching a man sleeping, then that must be love."

So remember, each day, live a little, laugh a little and love a little. ♥