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Showing posts with label reading. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reading. Show all posts

Summer Book Reads & Reviews....



Back here I shared my "Summer Reading List".
I went on holiday in August and read 14 books in 21 days....sheer bliss!

I saw someone recently that they didn't dip into books, they dived into them....and I knew just what they meant, I am exactly the same.

I find it really hard not to finish a book and only ever read one book at a time, I never have more than one on the go.
I love most books that I read, each one is a different experience and I always feel I get something out of it.
I wanted to follow up on the books that I have read over the summer so here goes....my one sentence reviews :)



"The Slap" Christos Tsiolkas
I heard somewhere this was the "definitive Australian novel"(any thoughts on that from my Australian readers?) ....it's a great book group novel, everyone is going to have an opinion on it, easy to relate to, about a group of friends and an incident which affects all their lives - I loved it.

"One Moment, One Morning" Sarah Rayner
Set in England, the main characters are three very likeable females who are connected by one single event....a very enjoyable and easy read.

"What is the What" Dave Eggers
Truly an incredible read, a true story of "The Lost Boys" who somehow walked across Ethiopia and Sudan before some of them eventually ended up in the US....a humbling and moving account of life as a refugee, this stayed with me a long time after I had finished reading it, this book was an experience.

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" John Berendt
A hugely entertaining book, great characters and so visual that I made me long to visit Savannah (the setting for the novel)....one of those books where you feel you have entered a whole new world.

"When God Was A Rabbit" Sarah Winman
This was also the most recent read for my book group, I enjoyed it but not everyone did....an original and unusual story, what spoke to me most was the sibling connection between the main character and her brother.

"Sarah's Key" Tatiana de Rosnay
I finished this on the beach in France and cried at the end of it...it's a fascinating story of a true event and the book alternates between two stories, one set 60 years ago and one in the present day, set in Paris....a really moving read, I loved it.

"To My Best Friends" Sam Baker
Chick lit but good chick lit...a fun and easy read.

"Dress Your Family In Corduroy and Denim" David Sedaris
Brilliantly funny, this is the second book by the author that I have read, so good that it made me snort with laughter. In public ;)

"This Perfect World" Suzanne Bugler
Recommended to me by lots of friends and I wasn't disappointed....I couldn't put this book down.....a must-read for anyone who is a school mum!!


"Paris Was Ours" Jennifer Rowlands
A collection of stories from writers who have lived in Paris....beautifully and honestly written accounts of living in a city that so many yearn for but even after many years living in it, it still doesn't feel like home, a great read!

"The Hand That First Held Mine" Maggie O'Farrell
Really liked this book....I am in the process of writing a review of it for the Tesco Books Blog so I will tell you more then :)

"The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake" Aimee Bender
Such an original story about a Californian family, absolutely beautifully written and very moving....would definitely recommend this book, this was my most recent read.

"Salem Falls" Jodi Picoult
I've read most of her books and this wasn't one of my favourites, nevertheless an enjoyable read.

"Gather Together In My Name" Maya Angelou
I love Maya Angelou as a writer, she uses words and language brilliantly and colourfully, this is a short read and is the 2nd ( I believe) in the series of 5 books about her life, highly enjoyable.

"No and Me" Delphine de Vigan
Set in Paris, an original and charming story about a young girl who spends a lot of time alone and the homeless girl she befriends....a lovely book, I really enjoyed it.

"Starter for Ten" David Nicholls
It would probably be impossible to be as good a read as the fabulous "One Day" (also by the same author)but it definitely captured a particular era and reminded me so much of my University days, it's a very entertaining read.


Most of the books above were recommended to me, many of them people who read my blog - thank you!


Another Reading Post....and a Giveaway!



When I mentioned the other day that I had read a lot on my recent French holiday, a few people have asked for some book recommendations.

I have always loved to read but like a lot of mothers - and a lot of grown-ups too I guess! - I often lack the time I need to do all the things I love.

I wrote here back in July about my plans for a "Summer of Reading"....a mixture of recommendations, books I have been wanting to read for some time and some new books/best sellers

Out of my list I have read 12 and am half way through my 13th - "The Book Thief".....

My favourite so far has to be "One Day" by David Nicholls....
....but I also loved "The Glass Castle", "The Secret Scripture", "The Help" and "Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet"....I laughed til I cried at "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by the brilliant David Sedaris....and was inspired by "The Last Lecture" and "Eat, Pray, Love"....

I totally lost myself in reading....and loved it!

My Giveaway will be 5 paperbacks - maybe some of the books above - or any of your choice.
Just be a follower of my blog and I will announce the winner on Monday.
Good luck!


I must also mention my good friend Meredy's new book blog......check her out here .... 

Book Giveaway Winner!!


Thank you very much to everyone who entered my Summer Reading Book Giveaway and for all the lovely comments.

The winner of all 16 books on my list is:



Runners up of 4 books each are
Cindy Swanson of Notes in the Key of Life
and

Please email me with your addresses - and for Cindy & Caroline, your choice of books :)

Happy Summer Reading!!


Giveaway, 500th Post & Summer Reading List....


Blogger is driving me nuts today!!!!! Grrrr!!!

My 500th Post/Giveaway/Summer Reading List is here but for some reason it is not showing up and Blogger will. not. help. me!!!


500th Blogpost & Summer Reading List

 

When God Was a Rabbit: A NovelMidnight in the Garden of Good and Evil


A Prayer for Owen Meany [Mass Market Paperback] Cutting for Stone


Paris Was Ours Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption


A Fine Balance (Oprah's Book Club) Sarah's Key


Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim    What Is the What (Vintage)

THIS PERFECT WORLD   Life of Pi

Salvation Creek 


(images via Amazon, you should be able to click on the book to read reviews/description etc)


So, here it is.....Blogpost No.500!!!!

I started blogging in May two years ago and had no idea where it would lead me.....
I write simply because I love it, about anything and everything...
sometimes about myself and my life....
but mostly about the things I love and enjoy...
style, London, fashion, travel. reading. And a little George Clooney. 
Sprinkled with a dash of positivity and a sunny outlook...hopefully! 

I had no idea where it would go when I started....I couldn't have imagined it as it is now though - or known how much I would love doing it!!
And through it, I have done some fun things and meet some lovely people.

I always receive the most wonderful, heartfelt and supportive comments and I must thank some bloggers who have been with me since the very beginning.....
Kim, Ziz, Lori, Millie, Tracy, Jackie, Cathi and Deej.
And Caroline (who found me by accident when our blogs were listed next to each other but has stuck with me!) for always having the right words and hitting the nail squarely on the head ;) 
Thank you to everyone.

And so, for my Giveaway.

Last summer I compiled My Summer Reading List - made up of follower recommendations, new fiction and books I had always meant to read but hadn't got round to it.

I have done the same this year, having asked you for your recommendations last week .
Thank you to everyone who contributed, I now have a lovely new pile of books on my bookshelf - some of them authors who aren't necessarily familiar to me and books that I wouldn't possibly have chosen myself.


I have loved to read since I was very small and I was that child who could be found in a quiet corner reading to my heart's content. I also love to give books as gifts.....and so my Giveaway is this.....
a copy of ALL sixteen books listed above for One Lucky Follower.

To win:
Be A Follower.
Twitter and/or Blog about it for one extra entry.
Just leave me a comment.
That's All.
The winner will be announced next Wednesday.

I don't foresee any mailing issues, so this is open to anyone, anywhere in the world :)

Good Luck!!



Happy Thursday!!