Sunday 27 January 2013

52 books 7

7. The great hunt  by Robert Jordan

Book two in the wheel of time series as recommended to me by my sister. As you can see by my posts I read this very quickly, as once I started I had to keep reading to find out what happened next.
I consequently now have a huge pile of ironing to do!!

Tuesday 22 January 2013

52 books in a year 6

The Eye of the World  by Robert Jordan

This is book one in The wheel of time series. Epic fantasy. A master story teller weaving threads in the pattern of a complex world which is battling against all encompassing evil. I loved this book .782 pages

Friday 18 January 2013

52 books in a year 5

The Redeemer by Jo Nesbo

Another Harry Hole thriller. Complex, gripping and tense. A great read.

Saturday 12 January 2013

52 books in a year 3 and 4

3.  The devils star by Jo Nesbo

This was on my Christmas wishlist. I have read and loved Stieg Larsson's trilogy and also really enjoyed this book. You need to read the first two books about Harry Hole to fully appreciate the story. The tension and action builds and it combines the different threads of the story very well. More Jo Nesbo books will follow.


4.   Fifty shades of grey by EL James

On reading some of the 5,000 plus reviews on Amazon, I was fascinated by the polarization of opinions about this book. Written originally as fan fiction with stereotypical characters and annoying repetition, it was however a somewhat compulsive read, but not in any way a literary masterpiece.

Thursday 3 January 2013

52 books in a year; 1 and 2

1.  An apple a day by Emma Woolf

This book was on my daughters wishlist. She read it in one day after Christmas.I also read it in one day on January 1st. A book of hope, detailing the long road to recovery from Anorexia. A very personal and very brave account.My cousin died a year ago after a very long battle with anorexia and a sad history of abusive relationships.Her brother and sister  and her children were all devastated. This is an illness which causes fear and suffering both to the person and to all those who love them.

2. The perks of being a wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Another book given to my daughter. Again we both read it in a single day.I love the way this was written.The story of a fifteen year old boy struggling to find his way through life, love and adolescence.
Charlie is a very special boy. I would not be the target reader for this book but found it fascinating,very sad ,engaging and very cleverly written.

Please note, reading two books in two days is very unusual for me and will not continue! These were both fairly short and very engrossing books. 50 books to go!

Wednesday 2 January 2013

2013 blog resolutions

Read and review 52 books this year.

Craft resolutions

1. Knit lace patterns ( at least three)
2.Finish my cross stitch kits.( two lavender pouches,which I bought from museum selection in the Autumn. My first attempt at cross stitch.)
3.Embroider Chinese designs on felt using my Chinese embroidery design book transfers.
4.Finish two owl puffs,knitted but not completed.
5. Knit a flower
6.Learn to crochet and crochet a flower
7. Knit some more squares for the blanket project started two years ago.
8.Knit a bag or purse.


Improve scrabble score(Online, currently 50%)
Try Zumba toning.

Films and books 2012

I have seen five films I would recommend in the last two weeks


1.   The Hobbit.   As a big fan of the Lord of the rings and having read all the books I loved this film and can't wait to see the next one. I do wish now I'd seen it in 3d as other people have commented that the 3d effects were brilliant.

2. Life of Pi.  I hadn't read the book but now intend to.In 3d the visual effects were stunning.Thought provoking, emotion stirring and with thrills and laugh out loud moments.

3.Love actually.  Watched this for the second time on DVD .The ultimate feel good movie.

4.The best exotic Marigold hotel.  This was aChristmas present from my wish list and lived up to my expectations.Loved it!

5.Julie and Julia. Women's lives, love, blogging and cookery, flaws and all. Very good film.


As an avid reader, I read a lot of books last year, mainly fantasy- Raymond Feist, George Martin,
L. Modesit Jr and Anne Mc Caffrey but a sprinkling of other Genres. The last book I read was' The Help' which I would highly recommend as a book everyone should read.

Tuesday 1 January 2013

2012 Review

New activities in 2012

Zumba gold  Loving my zumba gold class. Great fun and laughter and I lost 12lbs!

Hula hooping Tried this and despite spending most of the first classes picking the hoop up from the floor, it is also a lot of fun.

Crafting projects completed this year

one owl puff
nine washcloths
one cowl
one felt embroidery picture
two scarves


New web experiences

Fifteen minutes of fiction    I joined this writing community in January and love this site. 71 short writing pieces submitted this year and have read some great writing.

Pinterest    Electronic hoarding. A great way to save and share recipes, craft ideas ,knitting and crochet patterns, music and images of whatever your current interests and obsessions are.

Postcards connecting     I love this site too. I've been a member for six months and have sent 49 and received 54 cards from countries all over the world all with short messages of greetings or interesting comments.

Memrise   Great way to learn and teach languages and now greatly improved site.Currently learning Mandarin and Cantonese