If a month starts on a Monday it inevitably makes me totally positive about it, probably because of the symmetry or something . Anyway, I’m glad about writing my 5th monthly recap and although I’ve been pretty much absent this past month I haven’t lost my pleasure for writing. To be honest I hit something like a writer’s block. You would think that by being on summer holiday and having so much free time I’d write twice as much. I’ve only managed the half amount of posts compared to last month and I’m not quite pleased about it. If truth be told, I’ve had guests over for the past 2 weeks and on the first week I was in Croatia. Yes, I know there was still a week, but until now that was my only true week off. Enough complaining and let’s start this recap already.
Movies I’ve Watched
#554 Me Before You (2016) Score: 9 14.07.2016
There is rule out there that says you should probably not watch a movie after you just finished the book it is based on because of 2 reasons. It will break your heart into a million pieces again and you will probably end up hating it (or parts of it). I’m a logical person, but after reading the book I decided there is nothing better that I can do than letting the story break my heart for a little longer. That being said I recommend watching this movie (and reading the book duhh) because it touches a very sensitive subject and unlike many movies today it is not about a love story. It’s so much more. I know I couldn’t have sounded more vague, but trust me I cannot say more without spoiling it.
Will Traynor: Live boldly, Clark. Push yourself. Don’t settle. Knowing you still have possibilities is a luxury, knowing I might have given them to you. So, this is it. You are scored on my heart, Clark. You have been the first day you walked in with your sweet smile and your ridiculous clothes and your bad jokes and your complete inability to ever hide a single thing you felt. Don’t think of me too often. I don’t want you getting sad. Just live well. Just live. I’ll be walking beside you every step of the way. Love, Will.
#553 The Polar Express (2004) Score: 9.5 10.07.2016
I know it’s not Christmas, ok. Have you never experienced the crave for something Christmas-y in spring or summer? Maybe even heard a couple of carols? No? Than I must be a really weird person but I don’t mind it. This is going to be one of my favourite movies to watch on Christmas with the family. It pictures the true meaning of Christmas, believing!
Hero Boy: At one time most of my friends could hear the bell, but as years passed it fell silent for all of them. Even Sarah found one Christmas that she could no longer hear its sweet sound. Though I’ve grown old the bell still rings for me, as it does for all who truly believe.
#552 Zootopia (2016) Score: 10 09.07.2016
Zootopia, Zootropolis, Zoomania or whatever you wanna call it. A movie that teaches us a little bit about life and what we can do to improve it. Seeing animals instead of humans dealing with bullying, racism, sexism and pretty much our constant daily life does make us see things straighter. The whole movie was fun and very enjoyable, but I’m sceptical on its impact. With all that being said, I still gave it a 10, because up until now it has been one of the best and original Disney animated movie. All the judging came later.
Chief Bogo: Life isn’t some cartoon musical where you sing a little song and all your insipid dreams magically come true. So let it go.
Judy Hopps: Life’s a little bit messy. We all make mistakes. No matter what type of animal you are, change starts with you.
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TV Shows
As far as TV shows go, I’ve been watching plenty of it the past 4 weeks. I’ve finally managed to watch the 3rd season of DaVinci’s Demons (2.5 stars) which was agonising. The first season and the first half of the second season were so breathtaking and wonderful I could have easily given the show 5 stars just for those parts. After that though the show took a weird turn, weird in like too much science fiction for me and an entirely unexpected story for Leo that would have made me choose not to watch the show at all from the start. On the brighter side I’ve finished one TV show and one anime that I rated 5+ star and those are Once Upon in Wonderland and Sword Art Online. I can talk about things I don’t like for hours, but when it comes to things I love I often find it hard to find the words. I apologise for that, but do search these 2 beauties and maybe also decide to watch them.
I am also up-to-date with the following shows: iZombie, Pretty Little Liars and Beauty and the Beast; and also continued watching Doctor Who, where I am currently halfway through season 8.
Books I’ve Read
I realised that in the previous recaps I never talked about the books I read, probably because I was planning to review them later on and since that didn’t really happen I decided to comment a bit about them each month. This month I read 6 books in English and 1 in German.
1. Paul van Loon – Das Gruselhandbuch (English: The Spooky Guide) (25.07.2016) 
Following my history teacher’s advise to read more in German, I picked this lovely children’s book about vampires, werewolves, witches, monsters and ghosts. I didn’t learn many new things, but I enjoyed the writing style. What I learned was that Frankenstein’s castle is just 2 hours away from me, where the best Halloween parties take place, that there are cultures that believe in werebears, weretigers, werepanthers and werecrocodiles. I’ve also learned about the witch huntings in the previous centuries which shocked me. I heard of them, but never took much interest in learning more.
If your teacher has gone notably paler recently and you are under the impression that her canines are becoming more pointed, then I advise you to immediately start with the chapter about vampires.
2. J.K. Rowling – Harry Potter And The Chamber of Secrets (July 17) 
No introduction needed. Before starting the series I was afraid I’d knew how it goes as I watched the movies. Once, my bad memory has proved to be a good thing. I was thrilled to keep on reading and it really felt like I heard the story for the first time.
3. Louis Sachar – Holes (July 16)
I remember reading the blurb and thinking “this sounds really interesting!”. I was a bit sceptical when I learned it had only 233 pages, but afterwards happily surprised to have fallen in love with the story.
4. Jojo Moyes – Me Before You (July 14)
I already talked about this so I’ll just give some more quotes.
Sometimes, Clark, you are pretty much the only thing that makes me want to get up in the morning.
Some mistakes… just have greater consequences than others. But you don’t have to let that night be the thing that defines you. You, Clark, have the choice not to let that happen.
5. Paulo Coelho – The Alchemist (July 9)
This book is gold! My highlight this month. I’ve mentioned it already, but I’ll say it again. This book teaches about to never stop pursuing and believing in your dreams and to keep on fighting for them. If you ever feel down this is the best book for you to get back on your feet.
At a certain point in our lives, we lose control of what’s happening to us, and our lives become controlled by fate. That’s the world’s greatest lie.
The secret of happiness is to see all the marvels of the world, and never to forget the drops of oil on the spoon.
6. Stephen King – Bag Of Bones (July 6)
7. James Finn Garner – Politically Correct Bedtime Stories (July 3)
I’ve read 2248 pages is total, 72 pages a day.
Newest Additions To The Bookshelf:
As you can see, I couldn’t keep myself from buying books this month ‘again’. 
Notable Mention:
Pokémon GO! As you can see bellow I’ve also got the Pokémon fever. I live in a small village so there aren’t many Pokémons around, but every time I go to a nearby city I play this game so hard that my parents are starting to worry. Let me know in the comments if you play it too and how far you got.
I’ve also got Dratini
On Friday I fly to Romania for 3 weeks, which means I might not write so much or maybe write more. I don’t know yet. As for reading, I guess I’ll finally start reading my digital copies.
P.S. I just realised I forgot to mention that I got my first subscription box this month from LootCrate.
-Demi xx
bookstraveller 