Three Is A Charm

Reading, Writing and Watching

2012-01-22T14:06:00.005Z

What have I been doing since I last posted? Generally reading; my to be read list stands at 90 books, so I'm banned from buying any others at present until I've got it down to a more manageable level.

Also writing. I've spent the last month or so wittering about the fact that I really love writing short stories and how I don't think I'll go forward writing novels, only to find myself looking at my novel once more and finding ways to modify it before it's sent off for another round of agent approvals.

And finally films! Now we have the Love Film app on our TV, we've been making the most of watching. This week alone we've watched, Never Let Me Go, Limitless, The Outsiders and Unknown.

Matchstalk Men

2012-01-08T08:06:00.004Z

After a quick pit stop to a studio in Beeston and a quick hello to a good friend of ours, we decided to spend Saturday afternoon visiting the Lowry exhibition at the Lakeside gallery in Nottingham. In the words of Julia Roberts, this was a big mistake, huge. It seemed most of Nottingham were there so the chances of getting to see the exhibition properly was nil. We managed to see the odd picture up close but had to resign myself that I may just have to go back at a quieter time.

This exhibition focuses on Lowry’s work from the beginning of the 20s to the immediate post-war period and features mostly portrait work but the occasional picture as shown above for which he became most famous for. His view on industrial Britain at that time is fascinating and the skill in which he characterises the people he draws is unique. The exhibition is definitely worth going to but suggest you possibly try to get at anything other than a peak time. http://www.lakesidearts.org.uk/Exhibitions/ViewEvent.html?e=1852&c=5&d=0

And finally, Lowry seems to have been with me for most of my life - my first ever record I bought was Matchstalk Men and Matchstalk Cats and Dogs and for those too young to remember, here it is:-

My New Crush

2012-01-05T19:35:00.012Z

Scounting around the internet on a bank holiday Monday, I came across this programme http://youtu.be/h2abkUwPI5Q, a three part series dedicated to the world of modelling and featuring three models at various stages in their career, one of which was Erin O'Connor, whom I now have a serious girl crush on. Not only does she have a swan like grace and is a complete clothes horse, this girl stays in £60 a night hotel rooms as she would rather save the money she earns and put it to better use. She also flies economy but first, down grades her business class ticket that the fashion houses provide her with and pockets the money. That's my kind of girl.

2012-01-01T13:51:00.004Z

Although there are certain things I want to happen this year, I refused to set myself any new years resolutions as such, although I thought it may be good to set myself some writing goals instead.

1) Enter the Readers Digest 100 word competition http://www.readersdigest.co.uk/magazine/212-Your-RD/1391-Your-Books.html

2) Compile a short story anthology
3) Re write my novel

And if you can spare a few moments through those raging hang overs then read these words of wisdom http://www.bornfree.org.uk/blog/2011/glass-half-empty-or-glass-half-full/ or why not do this http://www.amnesty.org.uk/content.asp?CategoryID=10673

Happy New Year!

Inspirational

2011-12-30T08:33:00.006Z

Every so often there comes along a person that is radical, who totally inspires me and makes me stand still for a moment and think. I came across Ashley Judd's website through twitter - just when I had considered giving up on this, it presents me with a gem. This lady is truly inspirational, turning her back on hollywood stardom to work as an advocate and activist. A dedicated humanitarian, she has travelled around the world visiting programs that focus on poverty alleviation, public health, human rights, and social justiction. Which makes me think, what do I do with my time, do I spend it wisely? Who could I help by just spending a moment and thinking. What better way to start a new year then with a whole new philosophy on life.

http://ashleyjudd.com/

This Is England '88

2011-12-20T16:24:00.004Z

It would be impossible to know where to start with the synopsis of this show. I expected it to be different somehow. Perhaps a more in depth portrayal of one of the main characters; Woody, Milky? Instead we had an internal view of the main characters. Lol struggling with the secrecy of killing her Father and trying to get through life being a single Mum. Woody struggling with the fact that he is becoming his Father and the betrayal of his girlfriend and best friend. Shaun struggling with life in general. Some incredible acting and intense emotional scenes. What it lacked in iconic images it more than made up for in showing raw human emotion. Shane Meadows is pure genius and Woody (Joe Gilgun) and Lol (Vicky McClure) are pure class. There better be a This Is England 1990 or else...

My Weekend

2011-12-11T08:42:00.010Z

This weekend, I've been mostly watching This Is England '86 in order to get ready for the next instalment which starts this Tuesday - some wonderful iconic scenes in '86 that I hope will continue in '88. I've also been book purchasing - it doesn't feel like a weekend unless I do... Purchases include The Night Circus which had me at the cover, some Nancy Drew books, although unfortunately they are reproductions of the original covers, a surprise parcel in the post gave me the 100 Poem Challenge by Jen Campbell and some lovely zebra mittens to keep me warm when I spend Christmas in Scotland.

The rest of the weekend will be spent looking forward to collecting my Lowry print from my Mum's and watching my friend Frenchy Phil in his one man show of A Christmas Carol later on in the day.

What Do You Know, Face Of Boe?

2011-12-09T07:06:00.002Z

One of my most favourite scenes from Dr Who, just in time for the weekend...

My Weekend In Pictures

2011-12-04T17:30:00.009Z

So a busy weekend was had, starting with a jaunt to the Peak District and a rummage in the charity/junk shops, which unearthed the old German typewriter, that I nearly had to fight a woman for (I'd just bought it when she barged into the shop stating that she wanted it - too late!). I also managed to purchase some old Enid Blyton books to add to my collection and some welcome additions to my ever extending Library. A visit to an antiques centre saw me purchase an old German love letter dating back to World War II and me regreting not getting a Lowry print which hopefully will still be there at the weekend. And of course Christmas starts early in our house, what with advert calenders, new friends to hang on the tree and the fact that we are now a 2 tree house hold.

Tuesday

2011-11-29T07:23:00.000Z

It's Tuesday and I'm mainly watching this.

My Weekend With Marilyn

2011-11-27T18:41:00.008Z

I decided to take myself off to the cinema today, which is something I don't really do, but considering I worked a 6 day week and had two late night meetings as well, I figured I'd earnt the treat. It was a toss up between My Weekend With Marilyn and Twilight, but Marilyn won and much to my annoyance as the Broadway weren't showing this, I had to take myself down to the multiplex.

Although it provided a good hour and half get me away from everything tonic, I have to admit it was a little too mainstream and I expected something a little different. However, Michelle Williams is uncanningly like the screen icon and it's worth a view even if you only wait until it comes out on DVD.

Writing, Mostly...

2011-11-27T07:47:00.015Z

I stopped for a quick pit stop at Scarthin Books on Friday and whilst I was waiting for my order of soup I began to write on a paper napkin, much to the amusement of the waitress.

I don't know if it was the ambience of the cafe that you have to enter through a bookcase or the fact that I was just in the mood but I managed the first draft of a flash fiction piece that's been whizzing around my brain.

Which brings me quite nicely to the fact that I've now completed the awesome Winning Words course run by the equally awesome Nik Perring. I've been on so many courses for writing, where I've come away feeling so frustrated that I haven't learnt anything new or managed to move on with my writing. This time I came away more positive with the sense of knowing what I wanted to write, to relax more as a writer and not to try so hard and how to edit my work thoroughly (I now can't even write an email for work without analysing it first!) All in all, a well spent six weeks and I would recommend this course to any would be writer - it's one of the best ones that I've been on (and boy have I been on a lot!)

Something For The Weekend

2011-11-19T07:06:00.002Z

So Karen Carpenter.

The Library

2011-11-18T06:55:00.004Z

One of my presents from my hubbie for my recent birthday, was this wonderful room, which started life as a lets dump everything in here when we first moved in and then gradually came the idea to turn it into this - my own library. Just need a few more books...

On My Wish List

2011-11-17T06:20:00.005Z

Why do I always find another book I want, just after a trip to Waterstones? I read about the author in the Daily Mail last night and the book sounds a cross between The Other Hand and The Color Purple. Another welcome addition to the library beckons.

Girl Panic

2011-11-16T07:00:00.003Z

Love, love this video at the moment!

Birthdays

2011-11-10T06:14:00.009Z

So I'm another year older and this time it was a rather special birthday, yes my 21st how did you guess? I elected to have a party at home, don't ask me why because for those who attended my wedding will know that I hate being centre of attention but shomehow it worked. Yes, I was a little bit hyper but my friends were interacting with one another and all went well. We ate, drank and watched fireworks and I got presents even though I'd requested donations to charity, which of course I got as well.

I heart birthdays.

Mostly Writing...

2011-10-30T06:27:00.003Z

I completed week 4 of my writing course on line this week. I can’t actually believe I’m already on week 4 – it’s flown by, but I’ve loved every minute of it. This week’s assignment was to write about something that had occurred in your life, which was relatively easy as that is how I write. I tend to get ideas about stories from incidents that have happened to me. Sometimes they stay true to the incident, sometimes they get treated with the ‘what if’ factor. So I wrote about the time I fell into a relationship when I’d only just finished a long term one that had knocked me for six and then I had to flip the story and write it from a different point of view, so I chose a nosy neighbour that was keeping her eye on all the comings and goings on the close where he lived – it will be interesting to see my feedback on this.

The other day, I applied to be a giver on World Book Night and spent quite a bit of time filling out my application form, only for the stupid thing to crash. Now I’ve got no idea whether or not it’s taken my application through or not. I decided on Rebecca by Daphne Du Mariner as it’s a timeless classic and the given location would be Nottingham Castle, as I felt the setting was in touch with the book. I have a feeling that I’m going to have to reapply again though :0(

And I guess it wouldn’t be a weekend without buying some sort of reading material. The Guardian very kindly gave away a book of short stories, then the post arrived complete with a copy of Billy and Me by Nicola Streeten and then as I was meeting my cousins for lunch in Nottingham, it would have been rude not to pop my head around Waterstones and pick up a copy of The Tiny Wife by Andrew Kaufman and The Sense Of An Ending by Julian Barnes. I’ve already devoured Billy and Me and The Tiny Wife, both amazing books in complete different ways.

And as for the rest of the weekend, I'll be hopefully making a dent on The Sense Of An Ending and then getting prepared for NaNoWriMo that begins on November 1st. Have a good weekend whatever you are planning to do!

The Bug

2011-10-16T08:56:00.004+01:00

I blame Writing At Rosys. No sooner had I walked out of the meeting on Wednesday, I knew I had to write. Something, anything, I just had to get it down on paper. Of course it helps that I'm on the Winning Words course. I have the excuse to write and boy am I happy after receiving feedback on my week 2 assignment.

I've also baked some of these bad boys tonight, while the husband is away and all that. Just ready to be a RAOK tomorrow.

The rest of the RAOK's are as follows:-

1) Donated some empty jam jars for people to make preserves.

2) Donated food to animal shelter

3) Sponsored cousin for fire walk

4) Donated money for emergency lions

5) Helped someone with the hand heater who was struggling to get it to work

6) Took writing mags to writing group

7) Donated books to Treetops Hospice

8) Donated 2 x bags to Salvation Army

9) Helped blind lady find a shop she wanted

This Week...

2011-10-11T06:50:00.006+01:00

This week started off not so bad, a trip to the cinema to see the new Paddy Considine film, Tyrannosaur. A little harrowing to say the least but very thought provoking and the images and the messages they potray certainly stay in your mind long after the film has finished.

Last night was spent at the Girls High School in Nottingham as part of the Women in Nottingham network, I was invited to a showing of Made In Dagenham with a Q&A with the screen writer, Billy Ivory. Gosh he is so tall, nothing like what I expected him to be like but I could have certainly listened to him all night and the film was definitely better the second time around.

I also received my first critique of week 1 of my writing course. The main comment was that I needed to relax and not try too hard, which I hadn't realised I did until it was said. It was great to get some constructive criticism on my work at long last and I seem at the moment to be quite focused on this.

And tonight, my first trip to Writing At Rosys, which is a writing club set up in Nottingham. Looking forward to meeting everyone, eating cake and getting some feedback on my work. Pphew and it's only Wednesday!

The Teenage Years

2011-10-10T06:29:00.003+01:00

I don't know what's up with me at the moment, but I seem to be hankering after books I read throughout my childhood. My latest acquisition was a copy of Forever by Judy Blume with the original cover that I once had. The publisher, Pan Horizons published a whole set of teenage books that had me enthralled and made me spend my pocket money on each week. Forever was one of those books that I found by accident in the local library but provided quite a good education (for those of you who have read this, you will know what I mean!). Seemingly when I read it back then, I thought it was a love story about two people who had sex for the first time, now when I read it, it reads as if the girl in the story probably just wanted to lose her virginity to someone she liked at the time and then moved on. Funny how things seem so cynical as you get older!

Two Weeks

2011-10-02T06:55:00.005+01:00

It's been a while since I posted - I blame my cold and my heavy work schedule personally but when it boils down to it, ultimately I have to blame myself. I know, I know I've not only let myself down, I've let you down, I've let the country down etc, etc. Never let it be said that I'm not a Drama Queen.

So, what have I been doing since I was last here?

Well, I went to cake club, which I think everyone in Nottingham turned out for (it certainly felt like it when I was queuing to put my cake on the table, queuing for a drink and then queuing to get some cake). I also successfully avoided the tv cameras that were there - the not making eye contact seemed to work a treat.

Had a trip to the big smoke, but unfortunately had very little time to shop other than the Cath Kidston store at St Pancras, where I purchased a brand new bag to help carry my growing book purchase addiction. I also managed to read most of book club read on the train - Tess Of The D'urbervilles - just under 50 pages to go on that one!

Also purchased this merry lot from the car boot - I've no idea where to put them, hence the fact that stage 1 of the Library construction should start today.

Oh, and I'm also starting a writing course on Monday http://winningwords.org.uk/ which is run by the Jedi Knight of Flash Fiction, Nik Perring.

RAOK - donated my steamer to the local charity shop, donated a bag of books to the Notts Hospice, babysitted my nephews, gave my sister in law some vouchers for the cinema, sent a thank you card, donated food for the local animal shelter, pushed post that was sticking out back into the postbox.

Life List #8 Appear In The Guardian

2011-09-21T06:22:00.002+01:00

My staple diet is reading The Guardian, I can't get enough of it. I read it online during the week and then have the proper mccoy at the weekend. If I don't get the Saturday edition for whatever reason, then it just throws my weekend off completely. About 2 months ago I put forward myself for the Pleased To Meet You Section and several (well about a dozen!) emails later and a few missed phone calls and I finally got interviewed by one of the reporters and appeared last Saturday.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguardian/2011/sep/17/good-to-meet-you-janette-martindale?INTCMP=SRCH

Not a bad little piece, apart from the fact that it states that I'm at Notts County in the picture, well the red should give it away as I'm actually at Nottingham Forest!

Randoms & Books

2011-09-18T09:00:00.004+01:00

So another week has passed and I've managed to complete another set of randoms, but only just. Not sure if it's because I was run off my feet or feeling pretty grim but I found this week a bit of struggle.

Randoms completed:-

1) Gave book mags to book group members - therefore helping with my great decluttering

2) Gave dog food to animal shelter - my local Tescos collects this, so I happily purchased a couple of tins of dog food only to find once I'd paid for them, that they were actually collecting for kittens this month...

3) Gave foreign coins to Age UK - cleared out another drawer and found a load of Japanese coins that we probably won't use again.

4) Gave cupcakes to Sister - took some of the cupcakes I made yesterday to my sis.

5) Sent recipe cards to a friend - decluttered my receipe books/cards, have a big bag of books to go to Oxfam again but I thought my friend would appreciate all the papers/cards I've collected.

6) Kept a charity dress at home - we took possession of a dress donated to the charity I work for and as our office is a little grim, said I would hang it up at home to keep it pristine.

7) Swapped my search engine on my computer to 'Click Now' - this will raise money for Action For Kids.

I also managed a couple of book purchases:-

Again I seem to be entranced by the covers, I'm such a sucker for those. I also seem to buy the same sort of books together - The Sea Room, Musungu Jim and A Risk Worth Taking are all about people that decide to leave their ordinary lives behind and do something completely different.

I also managed to complete the first item off my Life List but more of that to follow later...

Cakey Saturday

2011-09-17T17:28:00.001+01:00

Vanilla Cupcakes

9/11

2011-09-15T08:32:00.004+01:00

I thought long and hard about posting this, after all everyone has their own memories of that day and like the JFK moment for the generation previous to us, everyone can remember where they were when they heard the news. I remember like it was yesterday. I was sat on the sofa watching MTV and the ticker tape announcement ran at the bottom of the screen asking people to turn to a major news channel, so I did and couldn't believe what was happening before my eyes.

Would it make it more surreal if I told you that I had just returned the day previous from a trip to the USA - my first ever trip there? How about if I tell you that on the 6th September we got off the ferry from the Statue of Liberty and one of the girls in our party said she quite fancied going to the top of the Twin Towers. Ignoramus that I was then I'd never heard of them and I can remember walking up to this huge buildings that seemed to block out the sun. I was torn whether or not to go up - there was a clothes shop nearby that I read about in all the fashion magazines and I really wanted to go there. Our time was limited, so I could only do one. But I remember thinking, well I may not get the chance to go to the top of this building again and so I went with them.

I remember going through secruity and the guard laughing at the fact that I had something written on my t-shirt and remember standing at the top and my friend taking a picture of the tower with the aerial attached to it - I remember watching that tower fall later on.

Would it make it even more surreal if I tell you on that same trip that we visited Washington, stopping outside the pentagon as we'd lost our bearings and I stayed with my friends in Pennsylvania - it felt like a Twilight Zone moment as I watched the planes fall in those areas and I half expected something to land on my house it felt so weird.

The day after I stood in WH Smiths in Nottingham and watched as someone pulled out a paper which front cover depicted one of the people that had chosen to jump from the twin towers. The girl thought this photo was incredibly funny and I think that's the nearest I've ever been to punching someone.

I thank my lucky stars that I so narrowly missed that fateful day, but for the security guy that laughed with me and for the others that worked there, that I saw on that day, they may not have been so lucky. It has also passed through my mind if anyone from Al-Qaeda would have been there and did they pass me as I wandered around, but I guess I will never know. For now my heart is with those that lost their lives and I hope and pray nothing like this ever happens again.

Book Haul & RAOK

2011-09-11T08:45:00.008+01:00

So since arriving back from sunny Venice, it has to be said that I've done relatively little. My random acts of kindness for this week include:-

1) Donated mobile phone to Born Free Foundation - one of my favourite charities

2) Told a bar maid that someone had spilt beer all over the pub floor and was a little concerned that someone may slip over

3) Donated magazines to my local Doctor's surgery - receptionist was very appreciative

4) Took props to work for one of my colleagues to use on a photo shoot

5) Took another bag of books to the Oxfam Book Shop in Nottingham

6) Stacked plates in a restaurant to help waitress clear table easily
7) Saved magazine on weddings to give to friend

I've also managed a few book hauls

I can't tell you how much I love Maggie O'Farrell at the moment and I fell in love with the cover of A Hidden Life as soon as I saw it.

I'm also loving 90 Classic Books as told in cartoon form. I love it when you unearth books like this.

I try to spread my love in book purchases ranging from brand new/Amazon/car boots and charity shops. The best charity shops I've found so far are Help The Aged shop in Eastwood and the Cancer Research shop in Nottingham and I usually hit the car boot in Awsworth. I worked out the other day that I've got enough books on my to be read shelf to last me a year, but does that stop me purchasing more? What do you think! At least my husband is happy. I used to have a serious Paul Smith habit, but now I'm quite content with a bag full of books.

Venice and everything else...

2011-09-08T17:05:00.005+01:00

So I'm back from Venice with a bump, back to the old British weather and missing the shouts of the gondliers from my bedroom window and the sound of water lapping up the side of the hotel. Venice was a complete dream, everything you would wish it to be and much more besides. Apart from being dumped in the middle of a square at midnight and told our hotel is somewhere over there on our first night, the rest of the holiday was surreal. A hotel right by the canal, with a spacious room. Eating pizza and pasta until it came out of our ears. A very romantic Gondola ride and walking for miles through the tiny streets. We even managed a little bit of culture with a visit to the Leonardo Da Vinci museum.

I managed to finish all four of the books I took with me. The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry, I just couldn't get into at all. The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak, I thought was a good story, but I just didn't like the execution and I thought The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas was a much better book. All quiet On The Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque - again a good book but not one that I would certainly read again. I saved the best to the last - The Hand That First Held Mine by Maggie O'Farrell was exquisite. I love how her writing slowing draws you in to the point where you literally can't put the book down, or in this case, couldn't wait to get back to the hotel to finish the rest of the book. I've read three of her books now and all three have had the same effect on me.

Also had chance to do a RAOK#15 - donated a mobile phone to Born Free

Holiday Reading

2011-09-04T08:01:00.005+01:00

So I leave for Venice in approx 10 hours to celebrate Mr M's 40th birthday and where as I quite admire this gentleman for going on holiday bookless http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2011/sep/01/joys-random-reading-robert-mccrum that wouldn't be me. I'm going for 3 days, so I figured 4 books should do it. Hopefully I won't be caught short, but if I am there's always the Italian fashion mags to read. Ciao Bella!

A Week Of Randoms

2011-09-03T14:15:00.003+01:00

Another fun packed random week!

1) Bought a Harry Potter book for a work colleague's daughter - now managed to purchase the entire set for her through various charity shop and car boot finds.

2) Reversed down a road to allow a car to get through - although it was a taxi, it made it easier for him to get down the road.

3) Registered to give blood - a little apprehensive of doing this but it's one of those things that I've been mulling over for a while and you never know when a friend or loved one may need it!

4) Sent a friend a magazine and paper he may like - a copy of the Good Food magazine and a Guardian article on eccentric things to do in Britain is on it's way to Frenchy Phil.

5) Took hubbie's old printer to charity shop - A printer/scanner just not compatible to his new computer, so took it to a charity shop where all the money raised goes into the local community.

6) Bought a pregnancy book for a work colleague - saw it in the charity shop and looked brand new so thought she may appreciate reading this as it's her first.

7) Took all my old magazines to my sister - who's currently off work at the moment so thought she would appreciate reading through this lot and it helped declutter my house as well!

Bank Holiday Reads

2011-08-31T17:29:00.009+01:00

Since I discovered the joy of buying second hand books, my taste buds have been a little all over the place - thought I share a couple of my more recent reads with you.

Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo - although deemed as a child's book, don't underestimate what comes out on the page. A young soldier looks back over his childhood as he sits in the battlefields of the First World War. An excellent introduction to any one wanting to learn about the First World War - certainly wish this guy had been around when I was younger.

The Light In The Window by June Goulding is the true story of a young nurse sent to work in an home for unmarried mothers. Set in Ireland in the 1950's, this is a truly horrific tale of how these women were treated for making the one fatal error of falling pregnant. What touched me more than the endless stories of the teenagers that ended up in the home, were the tales of the elder women that also found themselves 'caught'. I think it's one of those books that everyone should read to be made aware of what actually happened in those times.

The Exmoor Files by Liz Jones - Although this looks from the cover like chick lit, which I don't do as a rule, this is a humourous look at what happens when you suddenly decide to abandon your life for a home in the country, that perhaps doesn't live up to previous expectations. Give me this woman any day over Caitlin Moran!

Cakey

2011-08-29T10:20:00.003+01:00

Chocolate and vanilla marbled cake - what a great way to start a bank holiday!

Random Acts Of Kindness

2011-08-29T08:46:00.003+01:00

Followers on my previous blog will know that I always like to set myself a few challenges along the way. None more so then my latest one, which is to try and do a random act of kindness every day for the next year. So far I've:-

1) Bought someone a drink when I was at the bar
2) Donated a bag of books to Oxfam
3) Opened a door for someone in a shop
4) Posted the next book club read to someone I met at book club
5) Bought my Mum some flowers
6) Sent my sister in law a voucher for Legoland

Today's one will be to donate my old glasses to Vision Aid.

Here's hoping that this challenge will spread a little love amongst our messed up society.

The Library

2011-07-03T11:07:00.000+01:00

I have a pretty bad obsessive book habit at the moment - both new and second hand. Luckily when we moved into this house there were fitted bookshelves in nearly every bedroom, which I seemed to now have filled. In fact it's got to the point that if I purchase any more books, then I may just have to start piling them up on the floor, which isn't a good thing. I also don't like the fact that all my book collection seems to be spread over two rooms - ideally I wanted all my books together in one place.

this weekends haul

So I had an epiphany the other day. We've got a sun room that is half sitting room/half exercise room at the moment, one of those rooms that you don't quite know what to do with, until I saw this http://www.flickr.com/photos/g_travels/4552198774/in/pool-mybookshelves and I knew instantly what I wanted to do. The exercise equipment is being moved out, the place is being decorated and a new floor fitted, then I think it's a hop, skip and a jump to Ikea for some Billy bookcases to fit down one wall and then voila - my library will be complete! Photos to follow...

Lowdham Book Festival Part One

2011-06-25T15:55:00.000+01:00

So another year passes and another Lowdham Book Festival is upon us. God, I love this place. I love the ambience, I love that it's full of so many books (obviously!) and full of so many people that love all different genres. I also love that all the lectures/interviews are free on the last Saturday. Last year I got to see if Byron is a rock star and an interesting discussion on the art of the short story. This year I got to see if Shelley was a punk.

If you ever get chance to see these people then I urge you to do it. They mix historical figures with a modern day twist and are incredibly entertaining as well - can't wait to see what they are going to do next.

Then of course there were the book purchases:-

Not as many as I first thought I'd purchased when I un packed them all at home but definitely my wallet feels lighter!

From top to bottom:-

The Treasure Hunters by Enid Blyton - I collect childrens books is my only excuse!

One Day by David Nicholls - only 50p so couldn't resist - think this deserves another read at least.

An Object Of Beauty by Steve Martin - free from Lowdham Book Shop

The Broken Token by Chris Nickson - just read the kindle edition but prefer the proper thing

Gemma Bovery & Tamara Drew by Posy Simmonds - both first editions and fancied reading something that I don't usually read.

And of course I got a bunch of leaflets and brochures to also work my way through. Oh Lowdham Book Festival, how many ways do I love thee?

Feeling Decadant!

2011-06-25T15:38:00.001+01:00

I spent Wednesday evening in the company of these babies, amongst other equally as wonderful cakes courtesy of the Nottingham Cake Club held at The Cape Bar in town. Concept? Just bake a cake and then bring and share with a room full of cake loving people. Will I be there next month? Just you try and stop me!

This Week

2011-06-19T08:46:00.000+01:00

This week has mainly been incredibly busy. I missed the deadline for the Guardian short story competition, which was a bummer, but I need a few 36 hour days at the moment to cram everything in that I need to do, as I’m sure there are a few more of you out there the same. I joined a fat club in the last week, although I’m not supposed to call it that apparently but I do, ‘cos it’s kind of funny especially on my first meeting, after getting weighed and turned round to see the majority of the people there were stuffing their faces with food. Anyways, all is going well in that department, lost 4lbs in my first week and eating incredibly healthy at the moment, which in turn is giving me more energy. So, you never know, I may at some point get chance to do some writing, stranger things have happened!
It was also my book club this Saturday. Numbers are dwindling at the moment, which I find a little frustrating. People seem to come and go and I’m not sure what they expect a book club to actually do, as they always bemoan that they never have time to read the books and that’s why they can’t continue coming. This month’s book was My Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger. Unfortunately I appeared to be the only one that loved this book. I loved it for its quirkiness and its originality, but the others just didn’t seem to get it. That’s what I love about book clubs though, the fact that everyone has so many different opinions on the same book. Just finished A Watermelon, A Fish and A Bible by Christy Lefteri for my other book club, which I couldn’t get to grips with at all, it will be interesting to see what the others think of that one.

And finally, a few more book purchases to end the week with:-

Remember Me - is the next book to be read for my book club

The Blind Assassin - heard so much about this one so I'm dying to see what it's about

The Blind Side - loved the film, so will be interesting to see if the book is better

Half A Yellow Sun - hopefully this is going to be one of our book club reads for later in the year

Casino Royale - just because I fancied reading some Bond

Sun hat - courtesy of Tescos for all those lazy summer weekends I intend to spend in the garden reading.

Yum Yum

2011-06-09T06:38:00.001+01:00

Yesterday's book purchases - if I could eat a book it would definitely be the Rob Lowe autobiography.

People Watching

2011-06-07T06:22:00.001+01:00

Spent all day on Saturday at Wembley watching a very dire football match, but in between the game, I got to people watch - loving this girl's outfit and the shoulder bag.

Good Girl

2011-06-03T19:49:00.000+01:00

Don't know how I managed it but only one book purchase made today - The Shadow Of The Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

The Man In The Pillar Box Hat

2011-06-03T06:20:00.000+01:00

Yesterday was just an ordinary day like any other, except whilst I was waiting for my lift in the morning, I saw an old guy walk down the street wearing a woman's pillar box hat. My imagination ran over time and before I knew it, I had the basis of a short story, which inspired me to write another. Funny how you get inspiration from the simplest of things, isn't it?

Book Porn

2011-05-29T09:07:00.000+01:00

Having started my own book club, I've found it's re-enlightened my passion for books, in ways that some would say would be a little obsessive. I now can't walk past a shop without diving in to have a quick look at the books and begin to get withdrawal symptoms if I don't buy at least one book per week.

My books have to even sit on the shelf a certain way.

Pic 1 - all my Jodi Picoult books are together

Pict 2 - As are all my signed copies, although some of the Jodi Picoult books are signed

So imagine my delight when The Guardian starting run this:-

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2011/may/19/book-shelf-flickr-group-photos

"Book porn!" I excitedly told my husband, nudging his arm as I showed him the pictures. "Hmm," was his reply.