Awakening - Bolton

Final Murder - Ann Holt

Oriental Oddessy

Celtic Art in Cross-stitch

A Walk in teh dark - Giannco Carofilio

Perfect Night - Peter Grimdale

Quilted GIfts from your scrap basket

Veg Patch - River Cottage

True West (play) - Sam Shephard

Retreat

Away on a Buddhist retreat at Taraloka in Shropshire until Wednesday.
Taking 4 Buddhist books to read with me.
Update when back!

73 poems - e.e.cummings

the final murder - anne holt

the nature diary of an artist

Frida Kahlo: The Artist in the Blue House (Adventures in Art) by Magdalena Holzhey

Frida Kahlo: The Artist in the Blue House by Magdalena Holzhey


Genre - non-fiction, art, children's books
Rating - Very Good ****

A great book for children which introduces this wonderful artist and the main themes in in her work.

Challenges - the art history challenge
# non-fiction 2009 - 67

The Cosmos: A Beginner's Guide by Adam Hart-Davis and Paul Bader

The Cosmos: A Beginner's Guide by Adam Hart-Davis and Paul Bader

Genre - non-fiction, science
Rating - Excellent *****

Challenges - Astronomy 2009 Challenge, 2009 Mini-Challenges - A Novel Challenge (outside comfort level)
# non-fiction 2009 - 66

Childhood Favourites Reading Challenge completed

Childhood Favourites Challenge
I read:

1 The owl service 22/1/09
2 The dark is rising 27/12/08
3 The Secret Of Grey Walls 12/1/09
4 Green eggs and ham 22/2/09
5 Peter Rabbit 25/1/09
6 The Secret seven 4/1/09
7 Five Go Off in a Caravan 3/1/09
8 Red Shift 2/4/09

(29th challenge comleted in 2009)

Part II of the end of the World Challenge - completed

Part II of the end of the World Challenge

Finished this challenge today
I read -

1 - Day of the Triffids
2. The Road 4/09
3 - The Chrysalids
4 - Z for Zachariah.

(28th challenge completed in 2009)

The Chrysalids by John Wyndham

The Chrysalids by John Wyndham

Genre - fiction, science fiction
Rating - Excellent *****

Challenges - Part II of The End of the World Challenge.,
# fiction 2009 - 69

The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham

The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham

Genre - fiction, science fiction
Rating - Very Good ****

Challenges - The Guardian's 1000 Novels Challenge, Part II of The End of the World Challenge.,
# fiction 2009 - 68

Valley of Bones by Michael Gruber

Valley of Bones by Michael Gruber

Genre - fiction, thriller, supernatural
Rating - Very good ****

Challenges-2009 Suspense and Thriller Challenge, 999 Challenge,

# fiction 2009 - 67

Dark Hollow by John Connolly

Dark Hollow by John Connolly

Genre - fiction, thriller
Rating - Very Good ****

Challenges - serial readers challenge,
# fiction 2009 - 66

Celtic cross stitch - Anne Orr & Lesley clarke

Celtic Cross Stitch by Anne Orr and Lesley Clarke

Genre - non-fiction, celtic, cross-stitch
Rating - Very Good ****

# non-fiction 2009 - 65

Mexicolor by Tony Cohan, Masako Takahashi, and Melba Levick

Mexicolor by Tony Cohan, Masako Takahashi, and Melba Levick

Genre - non-fiction, interior decorating, culture, Mexico
Rating - Very good ****

Full of great ideas for redecorating my kitchen!

# non-ficiton 2009 - 64

A Rope of Vines Journal from a Greek Island by Brenda Chamberlain

A Rope of Vines Journal from a Greek Island (by Brenda Chamberlain

Publisher - Library of Wales
Genre - non-fiction, travel, Greece, art
Rating: Very good ****

Challenges - orbis terrarum challenge, 21 Cultures Reading Challenge, 80 books around the world challenge, art history challenge
# non-fiction 2009 - 63

Christine Falls by Benjamin Black

Christine Falls by Benjamin Black

Rating - Very Good ****

Challenges: 2009 Suspense and Thriller Challenge (historical)
# fiction 2009 - 65

Rules of Prey by John Sandford

Rules of Prey (Lucas Davenport Mysteries) by John Sandford

Rating - Very good ****

Challenges: Prey Challenge
# fiction 2009 - 64

Busy weekend

Due to a busy weekend I didn't manage to get to participate in the Bloggiesta and update my blog. Instead I will be doing so over the next few days.
I've decided to cut down on a number of challenges, getting rid of those I know I won't get around to finishing e.g. the online reading challenge (as I hate reading books online).

Blogging slump..

I need to finish off the book reviews for Black Rain and Flood, and write a few more, but I'm a little busy at the moment, so I'll be keeping them all for next weekends Bloggiesta event.

Meanwhile I'll just add books I've read to this list here over the coming week, ready to review next weekend:

Rules of Prey
Christine Falls
A rope of vines
mexicolor
Celtic cross stitch - Anne Orr & Lesley clarke
Dark hollow - John connolly
Valley of Bones - Michael Gruber

Bloggiesta Event - 19th - 21st June

Event _ Bloggiesta
Dates - 19th - 21st June
Host - Natasha at Maw Books

The Bloggiesta will focus on blog content, improving/cleaning up your blog or working on your social network profiles.

How to play:
The date is Friday, June 19th beginning at 8am, Saturday the 20th and ending Sunday the 21st at 8am (8am your time, wherever you are). That is a total of 48 hours, of which you should aim high for a total of 18-24 hours spent on the challenge.
The hours spent on the challenge do NOT need to be in a row.

Sign up and more details on the site post here

Black Rain by Masuji Ibuse

Black Rain by Masuji Ibuse

Rating - Excellent *****
Highly Recommended

Challenges - spring reading thing challenge, 21 Cultures Reading Challenge, WWII Challenge, orbis terrarum challenge, 80 books around the world challenge,
# fiction 2009 - 63

Flood by Stephen Baxter

Flood by Stephen Baxter






Challenges - eco reading challenge, 999 Challenge, 2009 Suspense and Thriller Challenge,
# fiction 2009 - 62

4 craft books

Read a few craft books borrowed from the library this week:

Blackwork: A New Approach by Brenda Day

Some great projects in this book - bookmarks, tie backs, pictures etc.
I intend to make the Japanese tree picture
Rating - Very good ****


Compendium of Cardmaking Techniques by Judy Balchin, Melanie Hendrick, Julie Hickey, and Michelle Powell

Step by step guide to various forms of card making - silk painting, embossing, using stickers, sewing, etc.
Rating - Very Good ****

Sewing in No Time: 50 Step-By-Step Weekend Projects Made Easy by Emma Hardy

Great introduction to sewing, with some great and easy projects. From pot holders and tea cosies, to a full quilt.
Great book
Rating - Excellent *****

Wild Women: Great Textile Brooches by Sarah Lawrence

Nice little book with various 'wild women' brooches to make
Rating - Good ***


# non-fiction 2009 - 59, 60, 61, 62

The Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coelho

The Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coelho

Publisher - HarperCollins
Date - 2007

Pages - 297
Genre - fiction, spirituality
Rating - Good ***

Amazon Synopsis:
'This is the story of Athena, or Sherine, to give her the name she was baptised with. Her life is pieced together through a series of recorded interviews with those people who knew her well or hardly at all -- parents, colleagues, teachers, friends, acquaintances, her ex-husband. The novel unravels Athena's mysterious beginnings, via an orphanage in Romania, to a childhood in Beirut. When war breaks out, her adoptive family move with her to London, where a dramatic turn of events occurs! Athena, who has been dubbed 'the Witch of Portobello' for her seeming powers of prophecy, disappears dramatically, leaving those who knew her to solve the mystery of her life and abrupt departure'

This book was well written, but once again I found Coelho's 'point' too esoterical for me.
However, a good story and well worth reading

Challenges - 666 Horror Paranormal Challenge., Spiritually Speaking Challenge,
# fiction 2009 - 61

Paranormal Challenge 2009 - completed

Paranormal Challenge - completed 7/6/09

I read:
1 - Twilight
2 - Working For the Devil

Working for the Devil by Lilith Saintcrow

Working for the Devil by Lilith Saintcrow

Publisher - Warner
Date - 2006
Pages - 416
Genre - fiction, fantasy
Rating - Very Good

Necromance-for-hire Dante Valentine is reluctantly hired by Lucifer, to kill a renegade demon, Vardimal Santio. He sends his most trusted assassin, Japhrimel "Jaf", to collect her and escort her to his presence, and later makes him her a familiar, burning the demon mark upon her shoulder.
Danny is to kill Santino and Jaf is to take the "Egg" that Santino had stolen back to Lucifer. ..
Reluctanly Danny has to work with Jaf, but she too wants to see Santino dead, as he killed on eof her best friends...

A fast paced story, full of twists
Very well written, and addctive reading!
Although not my usual type of reading, I loved this book, so will be reading more of the Danny Valentine books!

Challenges - Paranormal challenge 2009
# Fiction 2009 - 60

The Magical Garden: Spells, Charms & Lore for Magical Gardens & the Curious Gardeners Who Tend Them by Sophia and Denny Sargent

The Magical Garden: Spells, Charms & Lore for Magical Gardens & the Curious Gardeners Who Tend Them by Sophia and Denny Sargent

Publisher - Andrews McMeel
Date - 2000
Pages - 208
Genre - non-fiction, folklore, gardening
Rating - Very Good

From Back Cover:
Ever wonder why people kiss under mistletoe, or why 'forget-me-nots' are called that? In THE MAGICAL GARDEN you will discover curious legends, spells, little rituals, and bits of folklore surrounding the elements and hundreds of flowers, herbs, bushes, and trees - many of which are right outside your door or in your garden! As you begin to explore the physical, spiritual, and magical properties to be found in nature, you will also discover a host of spells to help you nurture your own MAGICAL GARDEN.

A lovely book for anyone intrested in folklore or in gardening!

Challenges - Once Upon A Time Challenge III
# non-fiction 2009 - 58

Every Dead Thing by John Connolly

Every Dead Thing by John Connolly


Publisher - Hodder
Date - 199
Pages - 528
Genre - fiction, thriller
Rating - excellent

Homicide cop Charlie "Bird" Parker's wife and daughter are brutally murdered by the killer known as the Travelling Man.
His guilt at not being there to save them and his obsession with revenge, lead him to resign from the force and become a private eye.
Taking on a new case, he finds it leads him back to his family's killer...
Along with his hitmen friends, and a bright woman pathologist, he begins to unravel the case
Moving from New York to New Orleans and the Louisiana swamplands, this fast aced thriller willhave you hooked.

Recommended

Challenges - Challenge., 999 Challenge, serial readers challenge,
# fiction 2009 - 59

More Celtic Quilting: Over 25 New Projects for Patchwork, Quilting and Applique by Gail Lawther

More Celtic Quilting: Over 25 New Projects for Patchwork, Quilting and Applique by Gail Lawther

Publisher- David & Charles
Pages -
Date - 2006
Genre - non-fiction, craft, celtic, quilting
Rating - Very Good

Nicely illustrated book containing 25 projects from the well known, award-winning quilter Gail Lawther.
Celtic designs - knotwork, spirals, etc. - are used to creat quilts and hangings, as well as a range of smaller projects include cards, needlework accessories, cushions, a table runner and scented sachets
Ideal for more experienced quilter and beginner

Lovely book which I have added to my book wish list!

# non-fiction 2009 - 57

Grow Your Own Drugs: Easy Recipes for Natural Remedies and Beauty Treats by James Wong

Grow Your Own Drugs: Easy Recipes for Natural Remedies and Beauty Treats by James Wong

Publisher - Collins
Date - 2009
Pages - 224
Genre - non-fiction, botany, herbal remedies
Rating - excellent

James Wong is a botanist who trained at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, who now lectures at the UNiversity of Kent.
In this excellent book, companion to the BBC TV series of the same name, he shows you how to make simple herbal rememdies - creams, salves, teas and much more - using the flowers, fruit, roots, trees, vegetables and herbs that are all around us.
Remedies include those for acne, anxiety, cold sores, etc. as well as a few beauty products thrown in to.
There is also a great plant section at the back

Highly recommended

#non-fiction 2009 - 56

The Bodies Left Behind by Jeffery Deaver

The Bodies Left Behind by Jeffery Deaver

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Pages: 448

Date: 2009

One night in a small town in Wisconsin, off-duty deputy Brynn McKenzie drives up to the deserted lake, in response to a call. Arriving on the scene she finds two bodies, and before she can call for backup, she finds herself the next potential victim.
With no phone, weapon and car, she flees the murders, along with the only survivor of the crime. ..

Rating: V ery Good
# fiction 2009 - 58

The Ornamental Kitchen Garden by Geoff Hamilton

The Ornamental Kitchen Garden by Geoff Hamilton

Published in 1995, this is still one of the best gardening books.
Great tips on preparing your plot, sowing fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers, to create a kitchen garden.
Companion planting tips, month by month guide etc.
Recommended

# non-fiction 2009 = 55

The Thrifty Gardener: How to Create a Stylish Garden for Next to Nothing by Alys Fowler

The Thrifty Gardener: How to Create a Stylish Garden for Next to Nothing by Alys Fowler

Excellent gardening book - with tips on how to make a great garden without spening lots of money.
Alys Fowler features on BBC Gardener's World
Recommended

# non-fiction 2009 - 54

Monday - Mailbox, Musings, Short-Story

Mailbox Monday

Received this book in the post this week - a review copy form the author.
Can't wait to read it.

The Texicans by Nina Vida







Musing Mondays (jUNE 1ST)

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about sticking with it…
How much time (or how many pages) do you give a book that you aren't really enjoying before you'll set it aside? If you're reading it for a book group discussion, or for review, will you give it more of a chance then, say, a book you're reading for your own interest? Why, or why not? (courtesy of MizB)

I'll give it the first chapter - or a bit longer if the chapters are short.
If it doesn't grab me by then - that's it.
Life is too short - and books to many to waste time!


Short Story Mondays

Big Operation on Atlair Three by Josephine Saxton


in Despatches from the Frontiers of The Female Mind edited by Jen Green & Sarah Lefanu
Women's Press Science Fiction

On Altair Three, a planet far removed from Earth, a female advertising executive is considering a new career after the latest advertising campaign - selling cars - leaves her wondering just how women have to choose between careers and motherhood, and how after a certain age women are 'on the shelf'.

I first read this story over 24 years ago - the date in the book is 1985!
It was interesting reading it again. Sadly the themes of the story - women's struggle with work / motherhood, haven't changed that much in 24 years!!!

The Spy Who Came for Christmas by David Morrell

The Spy Who Came for Christmas by David Morrell

Publisher: Myrmidon Books
Date -2008
pages - 256
Genre - thriller spy
Rating - OK

Synopsis:
It's Christmas eve in snowy Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Paul Kagan, is an undercover spy,running from the Russian mafia with a baby who he is trying to protect.
Wounded, he seeks refuge in a house on the outskirts of town. Inside are a woman and her 12 year old son, about to flee from an abusive husband.
Kegan's persuers track hi mdown, and what follows is a tense stand off, as he sets traps through the house in preparation for the attack that he knows will soon begin.
To calm the woman and child he tells a spy's version of the Nativity story of the magi.

This book was ok - but too corny and cliched for me.

Challenges: 9 books for 2009
# fiction 2009 - 57

The Kommandant's Girl by Pam Jenoff

The Kommandant's Girl by Pam Jenoff

Publisher - Mira
Date - 2007
Pages - 400
Genre - fiction, WWII, Jewish, Poland, Resistance
Rating - Good
Synopsis:
Krakow, Poland, 1939. Newly married 19 year old Jewish girl Emma Bau's world is turned upside down by the German invasion of Poland. Her husband Joseph goes off to join the Resistance and she and her parents are herded into the ghetto. After her husband arranges for her escape she goes to live with his Catholic aunt, and assumes a new identity as Anna.
Offered work in the Nazi headquarters, she becomes secretary to the charismatic Kommandant Richwalder.
Vowing to help the resistance, Emma / Anna does what is necessary .... the consequences of which have a devastating effect on her life.

A good book, showing the complexities of war. The story line is good, but the writing sometimes lets it down.
Worth reading

Challenges: WWII challenge
# fiction 2009 - 56

Shakespeare's Sonnet LXIV

LXIV

When I have seen by Time's fell hand defac'd
The rich proud cost of outworn buried age;
When sometime lofty towers I see down-raz'd,
And brass eternal slave to mortal rage;
When I have seen the hungry ocean gain
Advantage on the kingdom of the shore,
And the firm soil win of the watery main,
Increasing store with loss, and loss with store;
When I have seen such interchange of state,
Or state itself confounded to decay;
Ruin hath taught me thus to ruminate
That Time will come and take my love away.
This thought is as a death which cannot choose
But weep to have that which it fears to lose.

Reading in Order challenge

Challenge - Reading In Order Challenge
Host - Andi at Tripping Toward Lucidity
Dates - perpetual challenge
Goal: To read through one's stacks (a bookcase, several bookcases, the entire "to be read" pile, etc.) alphabetically.
The rules: Read alphabetically by author or book title. Make allowances as you see fit.

So - I'm going to read alphabetically by author - from my shelves - as a seperate challenge (i.e. I'll be doing other reading too for other challenges / my own desires)

A- Allcot - Little Women
B - Bronte - Wuthering Heights
will add the rest as I go along ....

GLBT Challenge 2009.

Challenge - GLBT Challenge 2009.

Dates - July 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009
Host - Amanda of The Zen Leaf .
Other info:
Read 6 books that fall under the GLBT umbrella.
The GLBT umbrella includes, but is not limited to:
Classics, ,Young Adult, Romance, Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Erotica, Memoirs, Biographies, Nonfiction, Non-GLBT books written by GLBT authors
Really, the definition for GLBT literature for the purpose of this challenge is very broad.

I've decided to raid my bookshelves for this challenge and will be reading / rereading:
1. Daughters of Darkness - Lesbian Vampire stories
2. Lesbian Gothic - by Paulina Palmer (non-fiction)
3. Patience and Sarah - Isabel Miller
4. The Wanderground by Sally Miller Gearhart
5. Extra(ordinary) People by Joanna Russ
6. we who are about to ... by Joanna Russ

These last 4 I haven't read for over 25 years!!!! It will be great revisiting them after all this time and life experience!!!!!!

Non-fiction 5 challenge - completed

Non-Fiction Five Challenge 5/5 - done!
May - Sept

I read:
1. Gardener's World Top Tips 4/5
2. Green Living for Dummies 4/5
3. Silverand 15/5
4. It's not easy being green 28/5
5. The Hot Topic 29/5

The Hot Topic: How to Tackle Global Warming and Still Keep the Lights on by David King and Gabrielle Walker

The Hot Topic: How to Tackle Global Warming and Still Keep the Lights on by David King and Gabrielle Walker

Publisher - Bloomsbury
Date - 2008
Pages - 309
Genre - non-fiction, eco, climate change
Rating - excellent

This book is extremely well written.
It spells out clearly the issues of global warming, in a way everyone can understand. No jargon, no spin, just clear facts and evidence.
Once you've read this book, you can be in no doubt that we need to act now.
It also explores what each nation is / isn't doing to tackle the issues
And of course there is a section on practical ways we can do our bit to help, including lobbying our MP's and MEP's - especially relevant with next weeks elections.
If you're in any doubt about who to vote for in the European Elections next week, read this book and I guarantee you'll be voting Green Party.
Highly recommended.

Challenges - eco reading challenge, Worthwhile Reading Challenge,Non-Fiction Five Challenge,
# non-fiction 2009 - 53

It's Not Easy Being Green: One Family's Journey Towards Eco-friendly Living by Dick Strawbridge

It's Not Easy Being Green: One Family's Journey Towards Eco-friendly Living by Dick Strawbridge

Publisher - Cheek
Pages - 240
Date - 2009
Genre - non-fiction, environmental, eco, green living
Rating - Very Good

Having watched the BBC2 series on television about this family's attempts to live green, I was interested in reading more details in this book.
Dick Strawbridge and his family move from the Midlands to New House Farm in Cornwall, and take on an attempt to live as eco-friendly and self-sufficient as possible, while still maintaining a comfortable, modern 21st century lifestyle.
Their main aim is to have as little negative impact on the planet as possible by reducing their waste and generating their own electrify and food
The book charts their interesting journey to do just that.
It's also full of tips and ideas how we can make a difference in our own lives, without such a completed lifestyle change.
Gadget buffs will love it!
A good read - recommended.

Challenges; Non-Fiction Five Challenge, eco reading challenge, Worthwhile Reading Challenge,
# non-fiction 2009 - 52

The Spell by Alan Hollinghurst

The Spell by Alan Hollinghurst

Publisher - Vintage
Date - 2006
Pages - 272
Genre - fiction, gay
Rating - Good

Synopsis:
Set between windswept Wessex and London, the story centres around 4 men - Robin and his young lover Justin, and Alex (Justin's ex-lover) and Danny (Robin's son).
Love and life are explored through the characters, as each go on a journey of self discovery.

I quite enjoyed this book, but had expected something different.

Challenges: M/M Romance Challenge, 2009 Mini-Challenges - A Novel Challenge,
# fiction 2009 - 55

Take A Chance Challenge

The Take A Chance Challenge
Dates - June 1 - November 30, 2009
Host - Jenners at Find Your Next Book Here
Number of tasks - 10

The Tasks:

1. Random Book Selection. Go to the library. Position yourself in a section such as Fiction, Non-Fiction, Mystery, Children (whatever section you want). Then write down random directions for yourself (for example, third row, second shelf, fifth book from right). Follow your directions and see what book you find. Check that book out of the library, read it and then write about it. (If you prefer, you can do the same at a bookstore and buy the book!)
2. Random Word. Go to this random word generator and generate a random word. Find a book with this word in the title. Read the book and write about it.
3. Birth Year Book. Find a book that was published or copyrighted in the year of your birth. Read the book and write about it.
4. Judge A Book By Its Cover. Pick out a book based SOLELY on the cover. First, write about what you expect the book to be about based on the cover art. Then read the book and write about how the book was different from and/or similar to what the cover art led you to expect.
5. Phoning An Author. Pick a random last name out of the phone book. Find an author with the same last name and read a book by them. Write about it. (I'm flexible ... if the first random name you pick is Xprxyrsss, you can pick again!)
6. Public Spying. Find someone who is reading a book in public. Find out what book they are reading and then read the same book. Write about it.
7. Random Bestseller. Go to Random.org and, using the True Random Number Generator, enter the number 1950 for the min. and 2008 for the max. and then hit generate. Then go to this site and find the year that Random.org generated for you and click on it. Then find the bestseller list for the week that would contain your birthday for that year. Choose one of the bestsellers from the list that comes up, read it and write about it.
8. Lit Riff (inspired by the book Lit Riffs by Matthew Miele.) Choose a song and then write a brief story that is inspired by or further explains the lyrics of the song.
9. Poetic Review. Write a book review in three different forms of verse: haiku, limerick and free verse. (You can pick any book you want to write about.)
10. Movie/Book Comparison. Find a book that you haven't read that has a movie based on it that you haven't seen. Read the book and watch the movie within a few days of each other. Write about your reactions to both the book and the movie and compare the two.

Mailbox Monday 25/5/09

Mailbox Monday

My brother bought me these books this week

Victory Cookbook: Nostalgic Food and Facts from 1940-1954 by Marguerite Patten





Allotment Gardening by Kevin Forbes

VPR Poetry Challenge 2009

Challenge - VPR Poetry Challenge 2009
Host - Regular Rumination
Dates - May 16, 2009 - May 16, 2010
Number of books - there are 3 levels to choose from

The Rules:
Pick any book of poetry (Regular Rumination has provided the VPR list on the post about the challenge for some ideas.)
It has to be contemporary poetry!
Published in the 20th or 21st century

I'm going for level 3.
Dive in to the Deep End! – 11-15 books of poetry

One book of poetry a month .. how hard can that be???!!!