I have a new cookery book and I love it. First a couple of premises: my children are fussy eaters and their taste don’t match either which makes cooking for them either very boring or very time-consuming. I don’t like doing the same things over and over again and I certainly don’t want to be …
Mary Oliver ‘Upstream, selected essays‘. What can I say about this book. Exquisite. That’s all it needs. Just exquisite. As poetic as her poems. It gives you so much to think about too… I had to read it with a pencil by me to underline all the amazing resonating phrases. This is not a book …
The first book in this year’s challenge is an Italian one. It was a present from my oldest friend when she came to visit last year and what a lovely surprise it turned out to be. ‘Magari domani resto’, loosely translated as ‘maybe tomorrow I’ll stay’, follows a period in the life of Luce (Light) …
Last year, in vain, as it turned out, I attempted to read through the huge basket of books by my bed. I had the brilliant idea of reading books in alphabetical order by author… one book per letter, A through to Z ,and as a boost, I even gave myself the permission of buying …
I didn’t do any knitting or crochet on holiday. I had taken things with me but I knew, even whilst packing, that is was more for comfort rather than a real desire to work on something. Like a security blanket. I was right, I didn’t once got it out of the suitcase and I’m …
The coldest morning of the year so far. Hand knitted socks, Lotta tunic in Nani Iro and big cardigan. Scarf. Before I get started with today’s list I must tell you about the latest book I read: ‘The Essex Serpent”. My sister in law passed it to me because she didn’t get on with it …
I always hit a bit of a mental slump this time of the year. Maybe it’s because of the heightened level of commitments, maybe it the early sunsets and long period of darkness, maybe it’s simply that there are so many ‘things’ to do that I feel slightly claustrophobic. Is there such thing as ‘commitment …
Two more books for you. And yes that is my bookcase. I can say mine because comfortably 90% of the books are mine, Mr M reads every night too but is very slow. Very. V.E.R.Y. In fact I learnt early on in our marriage not to give him as a present I book I also …
First up, my friend Alexander McCall Smith. This is the first one in the long 44 Scotland Street series and it introduces all the characters and their quirkiness. It’s a lovely lovely read. Light hearted, entertaining, lough out loud funny in places and I’m not a laugh out loud person, in fact I hate funny …
… aka ‘the busiest week I’ve ever known… The good thing is that this is the last post about the Literature Festival, the bad thing is that it’s a long one, so I’d suggest you grab a cup of whatever float your boat and get comfortable. (alternatively you can just switch off now, I won’t …
while you're ahead... 