March/April: Books I've Read

So I may have missed my end of March book's I've read post and that is simply because I was naughty and didn't read a whole book last month I only read half of a book whoops. The month kind of ran away with me so I thought I would join March's and April's posts together instead.

Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan

So I originally started reading this back in March after I finished her quick read book. The reason I choose to read this was because its been sitting on my shelf for nearly 3 years since I moved in to the flat and there is already 2 sequels to the book out so thought I better get a move on.

I have to admit when I was reading the first chapter I wasn't 100% sure if I was actually going to like this book or not but as the story progressed and a few chapters in I began to find myself falling in love with Polly and the characters around her. There is one really sad part in this book that I totally didn't see coming at all but it did spice up the story and made things change for the characters.

Summer Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan

After I read the first book in this series I just couldn't not start the next one after how it ended! I finished the first one and the next day I picked up the second book and read a good 8 chapters which is totally unlike me!

I am so glad that I decided to read this book next as I have completely fell in love with the characters and they're stories. Even though things get really tough again for Polly in this book and everything seems to be falling down around her. I am just so happy to see her pick herself back up and get it going again. Also I am so glad Neil was still in the story I love that little bird.

There is a 3rd book in this series but it's a Christmas story so therefore I am going to leave this until November time to read along with the next Rosie Hopkins sweet shop story. I cannot wait to see what happens next for both of them but it doesn't feel right reading a Christmas book in spring although saying that after the way this book has ended I really want to read the next one.
                                         

Harry Potter: Page to Screen 

"I checked this out weeks ago for a bit of light reading" is the quote that always comes to mind when ever I pick up this book because its huge and full of so much detail. Again another book that has been sat on myself for nearly 2 years. When I was given it for my birthday I was over the moon but it was just so much to read that I would often flick through it and read bits here or there.

I finally decided that this month I would take on the mamouth task that is reading this book and actually started from the beginning this time. The book its self is beautiful full of so many sections, interesting facts, photos and designs that made the film but it was difficult to read due to the size compared to normal books and the weight of it as well.

I haven't actually managed to finish it this month but I have made a dent in it so hopefully by the summer I will have finished it. So I shall keep you up to date on my progress each month.

I am actually so surprised this month that I managed to read two 400 page books as for me just reading at the best of times is a real struggle so to actually read two of them is a real achievement for me. I think it does really help if you get engrossed in the story.

Places I've Eaten In So Far This Month!

I cannot believe how many times I have been out for food this month and we are only a week and a bit in to April. Usually I go out for a meal once a month at the most but sometimes not even that but the last few weeks have been so busy catching up with friends and the simplest thing to do is go for food.

Smokehaus - Bristol City Centre
We actually stumbled across Smokehaus one Thursday evening when we had originally decided to go somewhere else but because it was one of the first hottest days of the year we couldn't get in to any of our original choices. After walking around for a good half hour nearly giving up hope we came across here and checked it out online before making the decision to venture inside.

It actually used to be an all you can eat buffet which wasn't very good at all so it was nice to see the place completely revamped. The decor inside was amazing all the different lights and fairy lights on the roof gave it a real nice ambiance.

After having our hearts set on burgers this is what we decided to go for with a side of onion rings and mac n cheese as this is something that me and Joel just love. The food came really quick and the portion sizes were huge, the burger it self was a really nice size and good quality meat which is always a bonus.

We didn't take a look at the dessert menu this time around as we were so full but I did have the most amazing Oreo Milkshake!

 Chiquitos (Two Times)
Two times you ask? I love this place but I wouldn't usually visit here 2 times with in the same week.

One of my trips was with my best friend as she was down in Bristol and gave me a chance to meet her lovely boyfriend. The reason we chose here is because it has a gluten free menu making it easier for her to pick something to eat rather than faff about in other places.

On my first trip I had one my favourites a classic spicy chicken chimichanga which comes on a bed of chips with sour cream, salsa and guacamole to put on top. For dessert I opted for the golden nugget cheesecake as on my last visit they had ran out and it was amazing jam packed with golden nuggets and honeycomb with a little pot of warm chocolate sauce.

My second trip was with my dad and his partner we were originally meant to be going to his but plans changed and they offered to take us for lunch which was nice. Chiquitos for us is the go to place as we all love the food and its somewhere we have been going for a while now although he did say we didn't have to go there I wasn't bothered as I love the food.

For food this time I had the chicken and ribs which comes with onion rings and corn on the cob as I hadn't had this in a while and to this day I still think they are some of the best ribs I've had. For dessert yes I did have the golden nugget cheesecake again as it was so good the first time around that I had to have it again whoops!

The Burger Joint - Bristol City Centre (Clifton)
I've only ever been to The Burger Joint once and that was for my Birthday back in September 2015 and its not that I didn't enjoy coming here but where it is located its a little hard to park up that way but as it was such a lovely day and it was my Brothers girl friends birthday the day before we decided to take the long walk from the centre to go get some food.

She is allergic to Gluten so it was important that where we went offered something she could eat and it was great as they had a booklet with everything she could and couldn't eat in which was really handy. What I love about this place is that you simply fill in the tick sheet and they go off and make your burger making it so simple.

This time around I had a venison burger topped with smoked cheese, onions, mushrooms and pulled pork which was amazing with a side of chips and onions rings. I didn't actually manage to eat all of my food which was a shame because my stomach felt a little off but when I did have I really enjoyed.

No dessert on offer here but I did have a mint areo milkshake as I have been obsessing with anything mint flavoured recently! On our long walk back down we did stop off for a cheeky cocktail which was amazing!

And tonight I am actually of to Nando's with my good friend from collage Jem for a catch up before she heads off to Camp in the US for a while. This will be my last meal out probably for a few months as I have little money left now whoops!

Where have any of you eaten recently that you have really enjoyed?