tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55363248732268388212024-03-05T04:09:34.193-08:00Roses & Violets, Books & TeaReturning to work after twenty years, loving books, tea shops, rose & violet creams and life in the north....Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00040479602649174403noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536324873226838821.post-81618455974239763582015-06-07T11:09:00.001-07:002015-06-07T11:09:49.777-07:00Anniversary Ice Creams<i>Today is my wedding anniversary so we went to the seaside and ate ice creams. I've known him longer than I didn't know him. I hope I know him for much longer....<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljFHgY-RJ6VEfyWUEx4H434o2Tqdwk5Ll9wEzi-nCG5c4uOOJ9iYyovpL80O74wWej-QmXr3wzZlLFV__8_Kj3ybk8ZUnb9Y9N3EzGm7pSsy6_JmmR8amu49y1atq7lhYL3QjiSEhzAI/s640/blogger-image-1268118861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljFHgY-RJ6VEfyWUEx4H434o2Tqdwk5Ll9wEzi-nCG5c4uOOJ9iYyovpL80O74wWej-QmXr3wzZlLFV__8_Kj3ybk8ZUnb9Y9N3EzGm7pSsy6_JmmR8amu49y1atq7lhYL3QjiSEhzAI/s640/blogger-image-1268118861.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYu-b5lNXYx54jqBAGXKe1h34FPplYx5W0K8480g5m7xEgIqOI5cMaZD5UNye9mGut4HmLKytFpgm0uET5HaescjLTfHBGF9hLMRYcIF2bGBKWY95uTpBM18If7EZ09UUnC1sMTWjWjM/s640/blogger-image--722735360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYu-b5lNXYx54jqBAGXKe1h34FPplYx5W0K8480g5m7xEgIqOI5cMaZD5UNye9mGut4HmLKytFpgm0uET5HaescjLTfHBGF9hLMRYcIF2bGBKWY95uTpBM18If7EZ09UUnC1sMTWjWjM/s640/blogger-image--722735360.jpg"></a></div></i>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00040479602649174403noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536324873226838821.post-4991064599840344842015-06-06T10:22:00.001-07:002015-06-06T10:22:42.863-07:00Hey Ho, It's Back To Work I Go!<i>As I have mentioned, my girl went off to University last October. When I became pregnant, we were in the fortunate position, financially, to have a few options about childcare. I enjoyed being a nurse, but did not relish juggling shift patterns with looking after a baby, whilst my husband's career was demanding and involved evenings/weekends/night time call-outs. </i><div><i>It seemed easier all round for me to become a full-time mum, and barring a bit of voluntary work, that's what I have done for the past nineteen years. </i></div><div><i>With the prospect of no-one at home to actually mother ( no jokes about the old man, please!), I began to think about what I should do. I had started volunteering at the Citizens Advice Bureau last spring, but my heart was always with nursing. However, after so long away, I wasn't registered anymore but after a conversation with a lovely friend who I had trained with, many moons ago, I began working as a Healthcare Assistant on the Manchester Health Bus. I loved this as the hours were flexible and the work felt very worthwhile. </i></div><div><i>Unfortunately, the funding for the bus ended so I was back to square one. Then an opportunity came up for a couple of days a week at a health centre, working as a healthcare assistant. Happily, I must have interviewed well, as I got the job and now work Monday's and Thursday's. </i></div><div><i>It is odd to be the new girl at my age! Computers leave me rather stumped and the jargon of the modern health service can be incomprehensible. However, patients are the same, illnesses are the same and being part of a team is starting to feel rewarding. My pay coincidently matches my daughter's monthly rent in Durham almost exactly, which is a help!</i></div><div><i>So, after almost 20 years when I hung up my uniform, I'm back. With the help of my young, and not-so-young, co-workers, I am feeling more confident with each working day. At the age of 49, I feel that I've got a new lease of life. Work should not define us and I have never felt the need to apologise for being a 'stay at home home mum', every family is different and what works for one, may be disastrous for another. However, it feels good to be facing new challenges, learning new skills and becoming part of a team again.</i></div><div><i>So here's to change at any age and although I am an empty nester, I'm far from depressed about it!</i></div>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00040479602649174403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536324873226838821.post-82431664455816857992015-05-30T09:02:00.001-07:002015-05-30T09:02:37.244-07:00Tales From The Tearooms; Fig and Sparrow<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84FAP0NZDGO6N4rOGZsCMnbg8OuUwuutmWNOBKDJnVKYGo0wRDDwkQXQJEQlBlw-XikyvOtgf4jAe83wFLr1l0FwtX7O9Qps1LjDbi772-wrUl5HFx73Rq2vomaGamaUzTGTQfk-1n4g/s640/blogger-image--1583389314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84FAP0NZDGO6N4rOGZsCMnbg8OuUwuutmWNOBKDJnVKYGo0wRDDwkQXQJEQlBlw-XikyvOtgf4jAe83wFLr1l0FwtX7O9Qps1LjDbi772-wrUl5HFx73Rq2vomaGamaUzTGTQfk-1n4g/s640/blogger-image--1583389314.jpg"></a><i>One of the advantages of the teen being back from Uni for a week, is being able to visit a few nice places for lunch. She enjoys a good cafe as much as I do and it's a lot more fun than eating alone. The Fig and Sparrow in Manchester's Northern Quarter is a super little eatery which also sells an eclectic selection of homewares. We had the spinach and feta parcels with salad, which were delicious and an ideal portion size. Some places do enormous portions and I much prefer smaller sizes so room is left for cake. Saying that, we didn't have cake today...again. Being good is almost killing me!</i></div>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00040479602649174403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536324873226838821.post-88521729340640513802015-05-27T11:45:00.001-07:002015-05-27T11:45:12.185-07:00Little Bit of Orla<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMCD_1zQa8QSyDL4fvZvJtDY14biFA4WYxqcc6XONTuxiczwnsSWg1E5nfEprhX-kK1Uw2M5S2IRtj_peUWP84qs_DYw3c-zTXgBmJxHsq8lJqsDm70p0dCx3mnTSo957ASxk7T24YFM/s640/blogger-image-1542803864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMCD_1zQa8QSyDL4fvZvJtDY14biFA4WYxqcc6XONTuxiczwnsSWg1E5nfEprhX-kK1Uw2M5S2IRtj_peUWP84qs_DYw3c-zTXgBmJxHsq8lJqsDm70p0dCx3mnTSo957ASxk7T24YFM/s640/blogger-image-1542803864.jpg"></a><i>I really like rummaging in Homesense for bargains. There are two branches nearby, in Manchester city centre and at the Trafford Centre and I always come away with some really good buys. Today, I bought some Emma Bridgewater soaps, some lovely stationery, an Orla Kiely type mini jug and then I spied a gem...the Orla Kiely "Home" book for only £9.99. Considering it sells in Waterstones for £30, I was very chuffed.</i></div>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00040479602649174403noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536324873226838821.post-31684540417106690562015-05-26T11:33:00.001-07:002015-05-26T11:33:16.555-07:00Tales From The Tearooms: Tinderbox, in Paperchase, Manchester.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Every time I go into Manchester, I intend to visit the top floor of Paperchase after spotting a very cute looking coffee bar on one of my visits. Today, I finally remembered, so me and Isobel ( back from Uni on a post-exam week break) climbed up to the second floor and it was well worth it. The green tea was very good, the goats cheese focaccia was delicious and the actual place was a cool oasis in this part of town..like a little bit of the Northern Quarter had migrated down to St Mary's Gate. The cakes looked gorgeous and very Italian deli-like with delicious looking cannoli on offer. However, we've slightly overdone the cakeage this weekend, so will have to wait for another day.....</i></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDVzUC4O0Zh-8wHxNaP8IMZAMahGaebrYb5NMZ4ada00uavx178bsOUUlvBabMpRKGlqXHbakzjXuBbBzbycdEaGrnU3th3bXEZLPkSKeo8XRwUSZBH4d5UbbUHZYJ7plzDNJ9QOaX8OA/s640/blogger-image-1248810932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDVzUC4O0Zh-8wHxNaP8IMZAMahGaebrYb5NMZ4ada00uavx178bsOUUlvBabMpRKGlqXHbakzjXuBbBzbycdEaGrnU3th3bXEZLPkSKeo8XRwUSZBH4d5UbbUHZYJ7plzDNJ9QOaX8OA/s640/blogger-image-1248810932.jpg"></a></div>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00040479602649174403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536324873226838821.post-82289130128226857862015-05-02T12:01:00.001-07:002015-05-02T12:03:00.398-07:00I'm Baaaaack!<i>Well, I've been away from the blog for quite a while! Since I last checked in, my daughter has gone off to Durham to study classics and I got an actual paid part time job. As the last time I worked was 20 years ago, this is a rather big deal for me! Just two days a week, but enough to keep me out of mischief (and out of the shops of Manchester).</i><div><i>I've been reading a few blogs recently, as well as falling in love with Instagram ( I'm on there as @ecotogni). Rather than getting bogged down reviewing every book I read, I'm just going to dip in and out with things I have like; books, clothes, places etc.</i></div>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00040479602649174403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536324873226838821.post-11269292816670119532014-08-13T12:08:00.001-07:002014-08-13T12:08:57.982-07:00July Reads<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmd5HR2wUcIPf2lmypVG1iVz4Z3QaukeoAElPB6fECINY4yJ9Yx4bDvGoCiaQ-X8gNtNTHcOwuWfhcWxFaBeUldxJRHVE1JMfNB2Bb1mP74bkdvmj4FlUrR9qijnzqgrtrOB899QkvloA/s640/blogger-image-254783441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmd5HR2wUcIPf2lmypVG1iVz4Z3QaukeoAElPB6fECINY4yJ9Yx4bDvGoCiaQ-X8gNtNTHcOwuWfhcWxFaBeUldxJRHVE1JMfNB2Bb1mP74bkdvmj4FlUrR9qijnzqgrtrOB899QkvloA/s640/blogger-image-254783441.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>I went away to the US this month so I always like to take 'lighter reads' I can finish and leave at the hotels. I took five such books with me..</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Linwood Barclay and Harlen Coben write thrillers that are real page turners, their latest books are just the thing for by the pool or waiting around at the airport. 'Never Saw it Coming' was a bit of a thin storyline and according to the sleeve notes, it grew from a short story...and that did show. However, for a quick, exciting read, these authors are hard to beat.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>The three books by women authors were a mixed bag. I really enjoyed Mhairi McFarlane's 'Here's Looking At You'. Anna endured a rubbish time at school and was bullied terribly because of her weight with one boy in particular being very cruel. Several years later, she is now an academic and had shed her teenage weight when she meets her nemesis again. I'm sure you can guess the rest, but McFarlane writes with warmth and humour. I was really rooting for Anna and as a light, holiday read, I can recommend this one.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>I loved the original Bridget Jones books, this one sees our heroine older, with two children, but no wiser and she is now on her own ( no plot spoilers!). However, I was a bit underwhelmed by this, what was kookily endearing is now just annoying. There are a few funny bits but this was no great shakes.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Gill Hornby's 'The Hive' was another annoying read. The plot concerns a year in the life of a group of women whose children attend the local school. All the clichéd characters are here, and although it was very funny in parts, I thought the plot was a bit daft and the extended metaphor of the queen bee, worker bees and the hive, was laboured. Hornby does write well but I think her talents were wasted here.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Our book club choice this month was Ernest Hemmingway's 'A Farewell To Arms'. I had never read any of his books before and I really wanted to like this..but I didn't. I know he was a reporter and his style of rapid prose was revolutionary in the 1920s, but I didn't enjoy it. The language was very dated, the characters were unlikeable and I thought the horrors of war are far better captured in other works of literature. I was assured his later books are better, but I'm not in a rush to read anymore anytime soon.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Finally, we read Colm Toibin's 'The Testament of Mary' as part of our short story group. This novella takes the story of Jesus' life from the viewpoint of his mother. It is beautifully written and did make me think, however I was a bit uncomfortable with the premise that much of what happened actually didn't and nowhere did Mary talk about his birth. So I can see why the Catholic Church didn't enjoy it! I thought the parts that dealt with Lazurus returning from the dead were interesting but in the end I could not separate what I believe from believing Toibin's version. </i></div>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00040479602649174403noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536324873226838821.post-66974669570483371912014-07-27T06:23:00.001-07:002014-07-28T05:21:04.698-07:00Fun times in the USA<i>We had fun in Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Hot weather, lemon Martinis, shopping at J Crew & Anthropologie, Hollywood, Venice Beach, a spin on the roulette wheel, Aunty Ann's Pretzels, the Pacific Ocean and the end of Route 66. Good times indeed.</i><div><i><br></i></div><div><i>Bel soaking up the sun on Santa Monica beach.</i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNU3SPKnWhXnl71g5IXqnzZ-8ECP6C0YxDxu_5NUT4fciZOAbfAm43Gvug5rOY_nEAOBr94yLiWjBIcS2iuomC_g3O7uDbJBWDAjHrQ0tKEdnXZODhRiihbam5_r4UMz47TmHnbXU1txI/s640/blogger-image-1356758315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNU3SPKnWhXnl71g5IXqnzZ-8ECP6C0YxDxu_5NUT4fciZOAbfAm43Gvug5rOY_nEAOBr94yLiWjBIcS2iuomC_g3O7uDbJBWDAjHrQ0tKEdnXZODhRiihbam5_r4UMz47TmHnbXU1txI/s640/blogger-image-1356758315.jpg"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><i>Hurray for Hollywood.</i></div><div><i><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIXNPtR-RLs1mcUjuTLERJowcTsp9IJdLo4cnIi2Bp5RtAXDvBpwAM862rZzJtPVfnz7T1AUFEmMtBRFuHucnAUC4qqSaX7IJvHI1DuC1UQFgFXDrcljumXQnozsAPnGhGg7i8UWAl-Q/s640/blogger-image--557543697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIXNPtR-RLs1mcUjuTLERJowcTsp9IJdLo4cnIi2Bp5RtAXDvBpwAM862rZzJtPVfnz7T1AUFEmMtBRFuHucnAUC4qqSaX7IJvHI1DuC1UQFgFXDrcljumXQnozsAPnGhGg7i8UWAl-Q/s640/blogger-image--557543697.jpg"></a></div></i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><i>Gorgeous beach houses at Santa Monica.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSeblA6pEuqegSKLynyFAO60qZGGVWccuccm8aMq4yNIcCsKUCZ-aRX6qlqcNRzoFffKeidFlLYGfQkvO_kJSqaFFlgVsLZcEzlDxuvzQ7Urfggi6nrVyUfXJp3GQ8HiARgoHI4K4W1-4/s640/blogger-image--827093551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSeblA6pEuqegSKLynyFAO60qZGGVWccuccm8aMq4yNIcCsKUCZ-aRX6qlqcNRzoFffKeidFlLYGfQkvO_kJSqaFFlgVsLZcEzlDxuvzQ7Urfggi6nrVyUfXJp3GQ8HiARgoHI4K4W1-4/s640/blogger-image--827093551.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The Las Vegas Strip.</i></div></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i><div class="separator" style="font-style: italic; clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZIzjT-SoAhX7Mi1soh605Op5InSxyTW0hu8DS9bwe-eAgIECjs6LTm59p9q5pQqyX8RsG5annr4QjNmP6VZga_a6IW8KYcetsuHmW7Y0C8PXTV9uMGvBf3PBuGUfvfkj2EyIaMSBM79s/s640/blogger-image--727045789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZIzjT-SoAhX7Mi1soh605Op5InSxyTW0hu8DS9bwe-eAgIECjs6LTm59p9q5pQqyX8RsG5annr4QjNmP6VZga_a6IW8KYcetsuHmW7Y0C8PXTV9uMGvBf3PBuGUfvfkj2EyIaMSBM79s/s640/blogger-image--727045789.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="font-style: italic; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-style: italic; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Beware of the tsunami....</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i><div class="separator" style="font-style: italic; clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiieXCnLcfwTfp-BbbTuFUETFOOLNKvqnmA4Iud8_KjA3F05sz7a1Px16qPWNxZJvAodZJmqJbsVLy1CO2fWdj40Ova4_uNFzLAYpHvr_p_5-M3rBEGbYwtgWLXFgSlbLsayufTgWH2XKs/s640/blogger-image--1250682450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiieXCnLcfwTfp-BbbTuFUETFOOLNKvqnmA4Iud8_KjA3F05sz7a1Px16qPWNxZJvAodZJmqJbsVLy1CO2fWdj40Ova4_uNFzLAYpHvr_p_5-M3rBEGbYwtgWLXFgSlbLsayufTgWH2XKs/s640/blogger-image--1250682450.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="font-style: italic; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Hollywood Boulevard.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHq4l8Iijon-0QLxQBLiy5-2tcHr3qXvIu9ByQmjnKXbUlGX_44pt01fveGREa7qTbgnNXNY3sa4f7OYFZZveiVUehdcjlIowReiA9vIkIio_lYpNoSxQSQ6Rg0R9qXINvd0B-b2DIV04/s640/blogger-image--1937795258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHq4l8Iijon-0QLxQBLiy5-2tcHr3qXvIu9ByQmjnKXbUlGX_44pt01fveGREa7qTbgnNXNY3sa4f7OYFZZveiVUehdcjlIowReiA9vIkIio_lYpNoSxQSQ6Rg0R9qXINvd0B-b2DIV04/s640/blogger-image--1937795258.jpg"></a></div></i></div></div></div><br></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="font-style: italic; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00040479602649174403noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536324873226838821.post-26702274417234403202014-07-08T13:51:00.001-07:002014-07-08T13:51:30.727-07:00My June Reads<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxOJAjwFHrK5E7VLwCSvHkm833KD308hIj6D0ye5-rKxFP8BxEuAx1NtNLgnq9qtJxnXVtnGGXdQFKBJA-J5Eolayc60QdVLIWtnj60lZyScSpBRIoTyhyphenhyphenMr-4aSufw6Kqh-s86qYQjPg/s640/blogger-image--1851463286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxOJAjwFHrK5E7VLwCSvHkm833KD308hIj6D0ye5-rKxFP8BxEuAx1NtNLgnq9qtJxnXVtnGGXdQFKBJA-J5Eolayc60QdVLIWtnj60lZyScSpBRIoTyhyphenhyphenMr-4aSufw6Kqh-s86qYQjPg/s640/blogger-image--1851463286.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Summer is finally here, my daughter's A levels have finished and she is now a'school leaver'...gulp!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>'The Interestings' by Meg Wolitzer was one of those books I didn't want to end. Six teenagers meet in an American summer camp in 1974, they dub themselves ' the interestings' as they feel they will never be boring but all have dreams and promise. The novel then traces their lives which are intertwined, until the present day. Wolitzer writes beautifully and all the characters feel so well rounded. I really identified with Jules, who always felt like the uncool outsider. I shed a tear at the end, but this was not an overly sentimental story, in fact it was very believable and realistic. It described the inevitable slide into compromise ( in relationships and careers) we all tend to share as we grow into middle-age, and how friendships are tested by envy and betrayal. I highly recommend it and am now eager to read some more of Wolitzer's books.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>I bought 'The Financial Lives of the Poets' by Jess Walter after his, 'Beautiful Ruins' was one of my favourite reads of last year. This is a very funny book that has shades of 'Breaking Bad' about it. Matthew is in all sorts of financial trouble, in danger of losing his home and family, after he loses his job as a financial journalist. After a random meeting with some youths, he gets hold of some dope and is soon hatching a plan to restore his finances. Of course, things do not run smoothly and what happens next is very entertaining. Matthew's father has dementia and his character in particular, is drawn with great bathos. Jess Walter is a very gifted writer, very contemporary and his characterisation is wonderful.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Our book club read this month was 'And the Mountains Echoed' by Khaled Hosseini. I did enjoy his previous two books, but I was a little underwhelmed by this one. It begins in Afghanistan in 1952 as brother and sister Abdullah and Pari, are separated when their father agrees to let Pari be adopted by a rich couple. The story then encompasses many characters in many countries, up to the present day. I won't give away the ending, but I was disappointed with it, I thought, 'was that it'? I thought the story was diluted by too many sub-plots, themes and characters. It might have read better as a series of short stories. Hosseini does write beautifully and his descriptions of Afghanistan's countryside are quite lovely. Maybe because I loved his first two books so much, I'm being rather unkind, most of the book group really enjoyed it! </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Finally, I thought 'Big Brother' by Lionel Shriver was excellent. Pandora's brother, Edison, comes to stay with her family as the jazz pianist is down on his luck. She hasn't seen him for a while and when he arrives at her home in the Mid-West, he is morbidly obese. How everyone reacts and deals with this situation is written about with huge skill and wit. It made me laugh and cry and has a real 'Atonement'-like twist to it that made me gasp. Apparently Shriver's real-life brother died of an obesity related condition, she really writes from the heart at how helpless Pandora feels as Edison refuses all help and is eating himself to death. I really couldn't put this down and I think this is Shriver's best book to date.</i></div>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00040479602649174403noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536324873226838821.post-30179833459426279212014-06-07T08:03:00.001-07:002014-06-07T10:15:37.642-07:00May Reads<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_s-GfK086cxSQUgISQxxxMEVCOjFg4PvPYFoDChuvDOHyTcd1aYkxMzOBnIvP7bKam2mGMvGRtL3WJF_dIl0L-_6Mtphw2FJktt2nTXCH-IZd18ceL_hqfB2Qu3Jjbjl9rHbX_UqFqc/s640/blogger-image-1107438002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_s-GfK086cxSQUgISQxxxMEVCOjFg4PvPYFoDChuvDOHyTcd1aYkxMzOBnIvP7bKam2mGMvGRtL3WJF_dIl0L-_6Mtphw2FJktt2nTXCH-IZd18ceL_hqfB2Qu3Jjbjl9rHbX_UqFqc/s640/blogger-image-1107438002.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>I really enjoyed all my reads this month, so here goes..</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>"Love, Nina" by Nina Stibbe was just delightful. Nina goes to London from Leicester in 1982, to work as a nanny for Mary-Kay Wilmers and her two sons. The book takes the form of letters she sends to her sister who is back home and training to be a nurse. Mary-Kay is the ex-wife of director Stephen Frears and the household is a magnet for the bohemian literati such as Alan Bennett and Jonathan Miller. Nina is blithely unaware of the fame of the frequent visitors, her accounts of Alan Bennett fixing the washer, for example, are hilarious. This is a very sweet book, recounting several years in the 1980s as Nina goes to Polytechnic but remains living amongst an eccentric, but warm and funny family. Highly recommended, it's a happy read.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Talking of happy reads, "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin was a bit different. Rubin contemplates what it means to be happy and how to go about achieving it. Her mantra is " the days are long but the years are short" and this recounts the year she gave herself to maximise her happiness levels. Some parts were a tad too 'new-agey' for me, but some of the issues tackled were very interesting and I've tried to follow a few tips. I'll let you know if I become significantly happier!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>I was really sad to hear of Sue Townsend's death recently, her Adrian Mole books never lost their ability to make me laugh out loud. I bought 'The Public Confessions of a Middle-Aged Woman ( aged 55 3/4) as I wasn't middle-aged when it was first published....but I am now! This is a series of short articles written for a magazine and in true Townsend style, are warm and funny. She reminds me in a way of an English Nora Ephron, clever, funny women who write pithily about ageing and its absurdities. She will be much missed.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>I borrowed 'Into The Trees' by Robert Williams from the library as he was appearing there reading from this novel and I wanted to have some idea of what it was about before I went. From the blurb it sounds as if it is going to be a supernatural tale, the parents of a baby girl can only stop her incessant crying when they enter a forest near their home. However, the story than veers off into something else completely. I liked the characterisation and the setting, based on the beautiful countryside past Clitheroe. The book was certainly a page-turner and I thought the recounting of events from three different characters was a good device. I wouldn't have chosen to read this book myself as the blurb definitely makes it sound a bit Stephen </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>King-y ( not my cup of tea at all) so I'm glad I did and Williams was a very interesting person to listen to.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Finally, 'Frances & Bernard' by Carlene Bauer was an intelligent, elegant novel. Set in New York in 1950s and 1960s it takes the form of letters, primarily between Frances and Bernard, writers whose characters are loosely based on Flannery O'Connor and Robert Lowell. Their musings on religion, literature and love are beautifully written and the period atmosphere is effectively evoked. It is deeply moving at times, with one of the characters grappling with a serious mental health issue, and the ending is not what I hoped for, but is realistic. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00040479602649174403noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536324873226838821.post-28680788176419738792014-05-10T10:59:00.001-07:002014-05-10T11:01:12.171-07:00April Reads<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikD7yD9oQOUzpDFIcQUn2muo35LC7CKb-08RosE_BIQB7Faf6H4UTOAIwmALkIsA-vHCMcCEsChex_u7AjjNfyPmtk6pGaQ1x0A3k9JOS4DseiyBJ0BLHWH0LcEWaA2cMh1jcfUwtK1o/s640/blogger-image--630036544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikD7yD9oQOUzpDFIcQUn2muo35LC7CKb-08RosE_BIQB7Faf6H4UTOAIwmALkIsA-vHCMcCEsChex_u7AjjNfyPmtk6pGaQ1x0A3k9JOS4DseiyBJ0BLHWH0LcEWaA2cMh1jcfUwtK1o/s640/blogger-image--630036544.jpg"></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>My big read this month was "The Goldfinch" by Donna Tartt which I was really looking forward to. Theo Decker faces a catastrophic life event at the age of thirteen, and the novel deals with the aftermath and it's effects on Theo as he grows to adulthood. At almost 800 pages long, this was a lengthy book but I was enthralled from the very beginning. Tartt is a wonderful writer, intelligent but immensely readable and it is little wonder that prizes have been bestowed on this, her third novel. It seems churlish to have a quibble but I did think some bits could have done with a bit of an edit, the parts set in Las Vegas dragged a bit as did the Amsterdam gangster scenes. However, on the whole, this was a great big meaty read and I am so thrilled that a WOMAN is getting the plaudits usually reserved for the likes of Jonathan Franzten et al.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Any book I read afterwards was going to suffer in comparison. I read Mitch Albom's "Tuesdays with Morrie" on a friend's recommendation. It was "alright" I suppose, but felt like an essay stretched out to a book. Albom's old college professor is dying of a progressive neurological disorder and now, largely wrapped up in his career, Albom starts to visit Morrie every week in the months leading to the old man's death. It is full of platitudes and I just felt a bit 'meh' afterwards. I liked his "Five People You Meet In Heaven" but wasn't hugely impressed by this one.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00040479602649174403noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536324873226838821.post-65156857388116128932014-04-19T07:31:00.001-07:002014-04-19T07:31:56.559-07:00March Reads<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQLERqgyME6NkmR-n_fRT7mkzEkRaGsfcZz6SgYVOUca1GpS2xt79r4rop4WA7AlPJs17_8Pz58ymdra5yCTONaXEQHjbw_hqo3gGcZUTey7pVCKfkyOlP2ZByugz6KVQB6gWFrlxOFE/s640/blogger-image--1402091594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQLERqgyME6NkmR-n_fRT7mkzEkRaGsfcZz6SgYVOUca1GpS2xt79r4rop4WA7AlPJs17_8Pz58ymdra5yCTONaXEQHjbw_hqo3gGcZUTey7pVCKfkyOlP2ZByugz6KVQB6gWFrlxOFE/s640/blogger-image--1402091594.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>This month I had a bit of a Sylvia Plath-athon. Our book club choice was a biography of Plath by Andrew Wilson, 'Mad Girl's Love Song'. It covers, in great detail, her early life up until she met Ted Hughes at Cambridge. I liked this book, it was informative and the author had obviously researched the subject very well. Views were mixed ( as ever!) at book club, many felt Plath was such a dreary character and this book was TOO detailed. I disagree, Plath was fascinating, a deeply troubled but tremendously gifted girl who wanted to kick against the path that was still expected of young women of a certain class in America in the 1950s. Wilson's book gave me a real insight into her early life and made me want to re-read her novel, 'The Bell Jar'.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>I first read Sylvia Plath's 'The Bell Jar' when I was a teenager, full of Mancunian angst. I may not have shared many of Sylvia's life experiences but, as with 'Catcher In The Rye', the book captures that feeling of alienation and suffocation that is universal to most young adults. Reading it now, after the biography and as a middle-aged woman, it is still powerful but rather than identifying with Esther (Sylvia) it was fascinating to read Sylvia's thinly veiled autobiography of her slide into clinical depression. The book is over fifty years old now, yet the writing seems still so original and fresh.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Our next book for book club is 'Brave New World' by Aldous Huxley. I have never read this, I'm not a fan of futuristic dystopia ( struggled with 1984 to be honest, so depressing) but it was a fascinating read. Even though it appears very dated at times, it also appears contemporary at others. It was bleak but strangely believable and had powerful points to make about religion, mass consumption and what it means to be happy. Not a easy/simple read but I'm glad I finally tackled it and look forward to the lively debate it will cause at book club night!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Finally, I have heard Natalie Haynes on Radio 4 a few times, she is a comedienne and classicist and 'The Amber Fury' is her debut novel. It was a page-turner, telling the story of a bereaved young teacher who works at a unit for troubled teenagers. She enacts Greek dramas with them and we know that something catastrophic has occurred from the beginning. I could see where the plot was going but I thought the writing was very lively and fresh, with all the characters being effectively depicted. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>I've suddenly realised all my reads this month were on the depressing side! I'm currently gripped by ' The Goldfinch' but maybe some light relief is in order afterwards!</i></div>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00040479602649174403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536324873226838821.post-71096333688877931672014-03-19T09:33:00.001-07:002014-04-19T09:45:11.388-07:00Spring is springing....<div><br></div><div><br></div>The sun is out, the buds are budding, I love the spring!<div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNZ32OfcJDzP6FvG3UXeF45hN1uHaHuoYk9l_zVjw_zLdp3kChW8Y-ZQ7Ch8yjxi4zA9skFOOQ-1tKFjFWQ5QajASiD4QH9A1G7HSpCcLMGoSFEUYE31GUSpf0VmQUPoUnva-vG8zCn0/s640/blogger-image--657380567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNZ32OfcJDzP6FvG3UXeF45hN1uHaHuoYk9l_zVjw_zLdp3kChW8Y-ZQ7Ch8yjxi4zA9skFOOQ-1tKFjFWQ5QajASiD4QH9A1G7HSpCcLMGoSFEUYE31GUSpf0VmQUPoUnva-vG8zCn0/s640/blogger-image--657380567.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I found these lovely little tea lights in Laura Ashley, ideal for my Mother's Day table.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytoRodBVkJuq5X7PGhITYdRHktpdT9xT71f__1TC1MaheKHu8vGpHKrpVZsw4U8eMY4n4VSlOFCRn4NIqNWLGIFvvSYhSb3K8gSiKCwzZrRtjyeK-KigkhH5hWJ_yU-VVwcWQOotAfHA/s640/blogger-image-1734519198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytoRodBVkJuq5X7PGhITYdRHktpdT9xT71f__1TC1MaheKHu8vGpHKrpVZsw4U8eMY4n4VSlOFCRn4NIqNWLGIFvvSYhSb3K8gSiKCwzZrRtjyeK-KigkhH5hWJ_yU-VVwcWQOotAfHA/s640/blogger-image-1734519198.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Pretty pastel cotton jumpers from New Look, not too pricey but just the job for spring-time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5u8GZVHNtc2-7IlgE8_XwVtR8dPRoPvipnkJ__dAq6wG-PKQOSideN7wdmW0SwIZXBLzQDpBSsCsKzgWpsr92cmpILzilDph73Q947CeBdLiD_bnVHa_jNRw_DqZzqfommvzbeQyNxw/s640/blogger-image--830483753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5u8GZVHNtc2-7IlgE8_XwVtR8dPRoPvipnkJ__dAq6wG-PKQOSideN7wdmW0SwIZXBLzQDpBSsCsKzgWpsr92cmpILzilDph73Q947CeBdLiD_bnVHa_jNRw_DqZzqfommvzbeQyNxw/s640/blogger-image--830483753.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Bought this cook book in Homesense for £7.99, it's packed with lovely recipies.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiib9_V-muxVzDI466dceO3ac-m0tTuxVERelKxPZF-R6lJPALwIkqN9pvxFJ7fLFwan6uqch8MLwnsCfZGYJQewmDxQLyoAnQ6SFWCGstdfA8Q_EACwPA54NEAYLTvPQrt43AmNXc047o/s640/blogger-image-315751198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiib9_V-muxVzDI466dceO3ac-m0tTuxVERelKxPZF-R6lJPALwIkqN9pvxFJ7fLFwan6uqch8MLwnsCfZGYJQewmDxQLyoAnQ6SFWCGstdfA8Q_EACwPA54NEAYLTvPQrt43AmNXc047o/s640/blogger-image-315751198.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sunny tulips, cheap as chips from Aldi.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmEbaJ6QIITv8Xy1ynDKJ_nOZzM5xe5K18Hqc7bO0cXbsoXxpXS4WvhoDlwxvUHn67UKUwfMfqFAIkvNmTx3J3XcrGfD_xQsCPiseETmDpii6uTs_EhYM7M36KoseXUwnIOT89Tmafhbw/s640/blogger-image--444891847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmEbaJ6QIITv8Xy1ynDKJ_nOZzM5xe5K18Hqc7bO0cXbsoXxpXS4WvhoDlwxvUHn67UKUwfMfqFAIkvNmTx3J3XcrGfD_xQsCPiseETmDpii6uTs_EhYM7M36KoseXUwnIOT89Tmafhbw/s640/blogger-image--444891847.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Pastel blue glasses from Laura Ashley.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5hnLrAHbcYUOTukGgKXI8RHEj1tAwB0Mw_zAZP094BWzighVWBcN9tyLSq9yTTwBUe1gBTBoM2Cc4wIZjVCz_LY4Tiksy-KOcl42JtOi3yO6gxNYn2zjX_xwCziaT9a-zhAX7K0D000/s640/blogger-image--1427096929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5hnLrAHbcYUOTukGgKXI8RHEj1tAwB0Mw_zAZP094BWzighVWBcN9tyLSq9yTTwBUe1gBTBoM2Cc4wIZjVCz_LY4Tiksy-KOcl42JtOi3yO6gxNYn2zjX_xwCziaT9a-zhAX7K0D000/s640/blogger-image--1427096929.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Going to see Elbow next month, great new album.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxvsUL8N-M4IHkNoCZRf3taPtBU_HpwupdtiERzi4KaZvZhhSyJ0J4ZJuc9uIsBWIjjCGJvoOpWCcWOlYGNjTDv8q1O9TvZy0xiSDtBLVnE0GhmCduDBP-QWw88sdlKuOOO7vhfoP2NU/s640/blogger-image--1378181288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxvsUL8N-M4IHkNoCZRf3taPtBU_HpwupdtiERzi4KaZvZhhSyJ0J4ZJuc9uIsBWIjjCGJvoOpWCcWOlYGNjTDv8q1O9TvZy0xiSDtBLVnE0GhmCduDBP-QWw88sdlKuOOO7vhfoP2NU/s640/blogger-image--1378181288.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The cherry blossom is out..life is good.</div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div></div>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00040479602649174403noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536324873226838821.post-867962334512159922014-03-16T11:06:00.001-07:002014-04-19T09:40:32.521-07:00January/February Reads<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGDGQYhx04kV4MYCxgg6xUlyN7iv3LCwEwY-fGmi-gNd6uuRyTsAPSi3d37pL5Do5sAPyiEe64jdyr1m0LWuo6OVhj7i2G_aztmY4oODRufPN_idejsgMRi1emodT_2bwXakwz4fFeN8/s640/blogger-image-2120237031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGDGQYhx04kV4MYCxgg6xUlyN7iv3LCwEwY-fGmi-gNd6uuRyTsAPSi3d37pL5Do5sAPyiEe64jdyr1m0LWuo6OVhj7i2G_aztmY4oODRufPN_idejsgMRi1emodT_2bwXakwz4fFeN8/s640/blogger-image-2120237031.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Almost up-to-date with my reads now!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>'The Shock of the Fall' by Nathan Filer won the Costa Book prize recently, and for a debut novel, it really is excellent. Matthew narrates an account of his descent into mental illness caused by a great loss. That may sound incredibly depressing, and while it is bleak and sad, it is also very warm, funny and filled with believable characters. It is very contemporary and Filer, who was a mental health nurse, writes with confidence about that world and the effect that cuts in services are having on vulnerable people like Matthew. I cannot recommend this book highly enough, my book club unanimously loved it, a rare occurance! </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>'The Great Lover' by Jill Dawson has been sitting on my shelf for a while now and I did enjoy it. The book is a fictional account of Rupert Brook and his time staying in Grantchester just before the Great War and the effect he has on a young maid, Nell. Dawson has obviously researched the subject meticulously and the whole 'fin-de-siècle' atmosphere is captured perfectly. I felt inspired to re-read my collection of Brook's poems afterwards.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>'Midwives' by Chris Bohjalian is another book that has been on my shelf for quite a while. Sibyl is a midwife working, often against the wishes of the health authorities, in Vermont. A birth she is attending goes tragically wrong and this novel charts the effect on her family and community. I enjoyed the characterisation in the novel, particularly Sibyl's teenage daughter, and I couldn't really predict the ending. In a country where birth is so medicalised due to omnipresent fears of litigation, Sibyl's plight is entirely believable and will have you thanking the NHS for the midwifery-led services we ( on the whole ) enjoy in this country.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>'Bedsit Disco Queen' by Tracey Thorn is a highly enjoyable ( for us a certain age) account of Thorn's life as a pop star. She writes in the same style she sings, wry, dryly humorous and understated. She comes across as an honest, intelligent woman who finds herself in the middle of a crazy time as one part of the successful duo, 'Everything But The Girl'. This autobiography is a complete contrast to the Morrissey book, but I enjoyed both.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>'Sweet Tooth' by Ian McEwan is a highly intelligent novel, post-modern and a delight for lovers of literature. It is set in the 1970s and Serena Frome graduates from Cambridge, is recruited by MI5 and is given a mission, to recruit a novelist. This doesn't go entirely to plan as Serena falls in love with her quarry. The atmosphere of London in the 70s is captured perfectly and I did enjoy McEwan's writing, as I always do. His are never 'easy reads' but I like books that make me think...once in a awhile! </i></div><br></div>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00040479602649174403noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536324873226838821.post-12641399126049159172014-02-25T08:42:00.001-08:002014-02-25T08:42:31.520-08:00Recent Reads ( Part 2 )<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPovHMZZZwCxWfzmWpystNCXuIrGuiq-aBrw1xb-PI3PT7oFj80QYp4iqkvRXOkCChI4DE2_q5yqWs5q-mYiSFQH6eWPxuVIVVjkvKwFo8AXQu5elZyikVIcoABSEr9tu13KSaqVkuBE/s640/blogger-image--1311072964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPovHMZZZwCxWfzmWpystNCXuIrGuiq-aBrw1xb-PI3PT7oFj80QYp4iqkvRXOkCChI4DE2_q5yqWs5q-mYiSFQH6eWPxuVIVVjkvKwFo8AXQu5elZyikVIcoABSEr9tu13KSaqVkuBE/s640/blogger-image--1311072964.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>More recent reads from me. I heard good things about 'The Burning Air' by Erin Kelly and it was a very good thriller. It took me quite a while to realise the narrator's gender, I had presumed wrongly and I'm not sure if that was a deliberate plot device. A child goes missing after being looked after by the girlfriend of a family member, she isn't who she appears to be, but who is manipulating her? It is cleverly written and kept me gripped until the end.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>'The Middlesteins' by Jami Attenburg was rather melancholic. Edie is morbidly obese and is eating herself to death. The book charts her family life, her background and how we are all bound by familial and emotional ties. It is a well written story set in contemporary Chicago but left me feeling so sad.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>'Amity & Sorrow' by Peggy Riley was a strange read. The sisters of the title are spirited away by their mother from the quasi-religious cult they have been raised in. There are hints that Sorrow has been a victim of abuse but she is desperate to return to her father who leads the cult. The landscape of the American mid-west is beautifully described and it certainly is an original plot. The ending was a bit disappointing really but it was still a good read, on the whole.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>My favourite book of this bunch was 'Instructions for a Heatwave' by Maggie O'Farrell. Set in the hot summer of 1976, a man goes out for a paper and fails to return. The plot concerns the effect this has on his wife and three ( very different) children. I loved the characters in the story and it was very funny in parts, and very touching too. Maggie O'Farrell is an excellent writer, I love her style, wit and humanity.</i></div>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00040479602649174403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536324873226838821.post-58098596339943169492014-02-24T07:49:00.001-08:002014-02-24T07:50:17.200-08:00London Town<i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://twitter.com/teacupreview/status/425310424012455937" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal;"><br></a><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Bel and I went to London this week to see 'Matilda', which was such excellent fun. We also visited Notting Hill and the Portobello Market, as well as mooching in our favourite shops. I managed to succumb to temptation in Anthropologie and Orla Kiely, good job we don't visit too often.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Pretty houses in Notting Hill.<br></font><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7KEuV6gQGHlaxgqvMqbaYcB0sqoMEfwPb-xYLu88iRdpCFuLZOm6JWocYxvYZbTA8shnMwZ6igjnwBrbfbfhPr5jRk6TRfz3Sm6UfPLPEJAccYKprWYTK6TqyVyQXQt6iNXpWeKi69NI/s640/blogger-image-1692620218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7KEuV6gQGHlaxgqvMqbaYcB0sqoMEfwPb-xYLu88iRdpCFuLZOm6JWocYxvYZbTA8shnMwZ6igjnwBrbfbfhPr5jRk6TRfz3Sm6UfPLPEJAccYKprWYTK6TqyVyQXQt6iNXpWeKi69NI/s640/blogger-image-1692620218.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Matilda stage.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfNkj1vEBtw6X5cBI1MJNi0x5PZg15FhhzGShGgAIszgiuAT_7LuanxJP_ZR9ZTPdPrIgBmG80rXqNBcZNskNh4AfbR4fL4j2aJH0_kqqW_vtko1P030zv_69C3nehicUgfaUs6MNwsM/s640/blogger-image--1367181572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfNkj1vEBtw6X5cBI1MJNi0x5PZg15FhhzGShGgAIszgiuAT_7LuanxJP_ZR9ZTPdPrIgBmG80rXqNBcZNskNh4AfbR4fL4j2aJH0_kqqW_vtko1P030zv_69C3nehicUgfaUs6MNwsM/s640/blogger-image--1367181572.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Lovely pots at Anthropologie.</div></i></div></i><div class="separator" style="font-style: italic; clear: both;"><font color="#0000ee"><u><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpnmm22ii35xPnQTKjZds-kPFkc2ksx43JbfUQTGMcb1mYjacIpk55RsZi-S_pWwc6rUs0leCQNuI8aOU4D7HDm6VaJS_CLmf4aZkN6FY0xOnHrrb00sBwSILDDKtKKl8auHVSlmpMsk/s640/blogger-image--718238049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpnmm22ii35xPnQTKjZds-kPFkc2ksx43JbfUQTGMcb1mYjacIpk55RsZi-S_pWwc6rUs0leCQNuI8aOU4D7HDm6VaJS_CLmf4aZkN6FY0xOnHrrb00sBwSILDDKtKKl8auHVSlmpMsk/s640/blogger-image--718238049.jpg"></a></div><br></u></font></div>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00040479602649174403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536324873226838821.post-39764775617196834102014-02-10T11:12:00.001-08:002014-02-10T11:14:38.291-08:00Tales From The Tearooms: Selo Deli<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vNCltOoZMGgvtgqOCVYd_CLl-fHaD1I_YougPeCD6y8I_esCgjfVweVKZYxTJ5x-H4nF2WxOQP26r4nHx1T46jIJPUeS8sw15F5F7EgjTgT5YaBO-ugMYNSaF4S5oE5oU7yoPdAwBS0/s640/blogger-image-224704120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vNCltOoZMGgvtgqOCVYd_CLl-fHaD1I_YougPeCD6y8I_esCgjfVweVKZYxTJ5x-H4nF2WxOQP26r4nHx1T46jIJPUeS8sw15F5F7EgjTgT5YaBO-ugMYNSaF4S5oE5oU7yoPdAwBS0/s640/blogger-image-224704120.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiAhwXSVnLSvVyVw83JKr_sJYUSc28tTyXoeoTTNtbdGvsMfZJq9RvMIjDugGjj22kM1eh1V5ffbMg4zCj-ulw4Vr6qhgkvTW8G5mpeE_0sDIfHV5zVZfykEIan0VQSDC7gR0FjbU7P8g/s640/blogger-image-1016236831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiAhwXSVnLSvVyVw83JKr_sJYUSc28tTyXoeoTTNtbdGvsMfZJq9RvMIjDugGjj22kM1eh1V5ffbMg4zCj-ulw4Vr6qhgkvTW8G5mpeE_0sDIfHV5zVZfykEIan0VQSDC7gR0FjbU7P8g/s640/blogger-image-1016236831.jpg"></a>Selo Deli in Monton has been open quite a while now, and for some strange reason I haven't got round to visiting. I went with my mum last week and it was quite lovely. Irina, the owner, is Ukranian and the menu boasts many delicacies from her homeland. Not feeling adventurous, I chose homemade broccoli soup with artisan bread and it was simply delicious. I was looking forward to her famed "Monton Tart" but unfortunately all had been eaten, so I had a perfect cherry scone instead. Service was friendly and prices were reasonable. I will be returning VERY soon.</div>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00040479602649174403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536324873226838821.post-67907699625638942032014-02-08T11:20:00.001-08:002014-02-08T11:20:05.705-08:00A Visit to Brum<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZ52TqUw1I7nfsNH2g4VBCY74nKN6FDdU06dQkSl2ki9S7-5JhukgSDd6E5BmkGvOvY2P0IALapsklHLJ-FLSAETfmY1NFYihJeA0j2dJ7EmTfGfV_aQSYHPt5Q-TNkP_vDHN9m5tHm0/s640/blogger-image-1248471394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZ52TqUw1I7nfsNH2g4VBCY74nKN6FDdU06dQkSl2ki9S7-5JhukgSDd6E5BmkGvOvY2P0IALapsklHLJ-FLSAETfmY1NFYihJeA0j2dJ7EmTfGfV_aQSYHPt5Q-TNkP_vDHN9m5tHm0/s640/blogger-image-1248471394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhStOGU-_XPA0s_yO6edTEcaIoFe1GvKG8VRMFWx2V9rE_2v5XnJPjbSd6ZbOOKMcg7pfRT0JKqjIyzshInNl31JbBGvMOTD0ZmRv4hEn1RasorAG-HKrPKT9_uYnwKDVoCk62sDj3LAmU/s640/blogger-image-1047518901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhStOGU-_XPA0s_yO6edTEcaIoFe1GvKG8VRMFWx2V9rE_2v5XnJPjbSd6ZbOOKMcg7pfRT0JKqjIyzshInNl31JbBGvMOTD0ZmRv4hEn1RasorAG-HKrPKT9_uYnwKDVoCk62sDj3LAmU/s640/blogger-image-1047518901.jpg"></a></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZ52TqUw1I7nfsNH2g4VBCY74nKN6FDdU06dQkSl2ki9S7-5JhukgSDd6E5BmkGvOvY2P0IALapsklHLJ-FLSAETfmY1NFYihJeA0j2dJ7EmTfGfV_aQSYHPt5Q-TNkP_vDHN9m5tHm0/s640/blogger-image-1248471394.jpg"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>I went to the wedding of my friend Pat's daughter recently. She is from Worsley but lives and works in Birmingham and that's where she got spliced. I have never been to Birmingham before and was really excited to visit the new library there. It was a wonderful building, futuristic but filled with floor upon floor of books. The design was breathtaking and we got a brilliant view of the city from the observation deck at the very top. There was a Shakespeare room, a recreation of the original room built at the old library, and I couldn't resist hamming it up for Belinda's photo! It was a lovely weekend, Katy is now married and I finally got to see Britain's THIRD city...</i></div>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00040479602649174403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536324873226838821.post-1937540211109599022014-01-28T12:40:00.001-08:002014-01-28T12:41:56.162-08:00Recent Reads ( Part 1 )<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUnRNHTRmxOUj0N9Afn39OA3HGvjLbeL_CXc0LEl4vtUo-LXTFye9xKe6b1xYtqfCf0-ux23w8-aAwjLHWMSBibS429hboIEa0n12JX-8YT9vtkUm7K8ZIY_NcP-lWAh0HWJDbGo74ybg/s640/blogger-image--2095284846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUnRNHTRmxOUj0N9Afn39OA3HGvjLbeL_CXc0LEl4vtUo-LXTFye9xKe6b1xYtqfCf0-ux23w8-aAwjLHWMSBibS429hboIEa0n12JX-8YT9vtkUm7K8ZIY_NcP-lWAh0HWJDbGo74ybg/s640/blogger-image--2095284846.jpg"></a> <i>I haven't blogged in such a long time, no excuses, just general sloth really. I've read so many books since my last post, I thought I would divide them up or else it would be rather overwhelming. I have joined a short story reading group at my local library. I have never been a huge fan of short stories, but this group has really made me appreciate the skill of producing a story that can intrigue, amuse or baffle, in just a few pages. We are reading from an Alice Munro collection and The Penguin Book of Modern Short Stories, really interesting reads.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>I think I have mentioned I was a big Smiths fan, 'back-in-the-day' and I could not wait to read Morrissey's much hyped autobiography. I thought it was hilarious and the opening chapters describing his upbringing in Manchester in the 60s/70s are quite brilliant. The book is a bit too long, with a great part detailing the court case brought against Morrissey by the former Smiths drummer, Mike Joyce. However, I devoured it in a few sittings, the writing was acerbic and waspish ( like the man himself ) maybe one for the fans only, but I loved it.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>'Burial Rites' by Hannah Kent was a brilliant debut novel and I highly recommend it. I was lucky to find it in a charity shop for a couple of pounds as it isn't out in paperback yet. It is based on a true story of Agnes Magnusdottir who was sentenced to death for the murder of her lover in Iceland in 1829. Hannah Kent writes beautifully, she evokes the wild landscapes and weather with vivid prose and I was drawn into Agnes' world and her fate. There is something of a 'dreamy' like quality to the book, I found it very haunting and it stayed with me long after I had finished.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>'Gifted and Talented' by Wendy Holden isn't my usual choice of book, but I was drawn to the story of Isabel, who is embarking on university life. This may be because my Isobel will be embarking on university life soon ( A level grades willing ) so it struck a chord. It was quite a funny book and I liked the character of Diana, a recently divorced mother who finds work gardening at an Oxford college. However, the rest of the characters were a bit hopeless and cliched. I know I shouldn't have expected Brideshead Revisited, but it did not amount to very much at all. I haven't read any of Wendy Holden's books before, and I'm not in a hurry to repeat the experience.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>'The End of Your Life Book Club' by Will Schwalbe was just lovely. It is a true life account of how Will and his mum bond over books as she is receiving treatment for cancer. It is a true story and extremely moving. Mary Anne was an amazing woman who touched the lives of many, and Will writes about her quite beautifully. The books they read are discussed, many have particular resonance to their situation, some I had read and a couple I have since purchased. This is a lovely read, for bibliophiles especially, and I'm sure Mary Anne would be so proud of the way Will has written about their relationship, his love for her shines through.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00040479602649174403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536324873226838821.post-59980555184939002602013-10-12T11:29:00.001-07:002013-10-12T11:32:20.577-07:00My September Reads<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2EPv8B2PUCjflr1NEOPvpN251R1-CL_e17B3wl1DwciO1sSV_pwMwA7zg-Bg6PoNU3qRnQlQkCcwthO1sJ-Z063HyrNger51HNFybjVQ2fpfBSMPmId12TrfAXnVJYu90rD2Ra4lagTc/s640/blogger-image--275677583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2EPv8B2PUCjflr1NEOPvpN251R1-CL_e17B3wl1DwciO1sSV_pwMwA7zg-Bg6PoNU3qRnQlQkCcwthO1sJ-Z063HyrNger51HNFybjVQ2fpfBSMPmId12TrfAXnVJYu90rD2Ra4lagTc/s640/blogger-image--275677583.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>The nights are drawing in, we are in the midst of university open days and personal statement revisions, and I have read some really great books this month.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Our book club choice this month is "Stoner" by John Williams, first published in 1965. William Stoner is a college professor who spends his entire adult life at the University of Missouri, first studying, then teaching English literature. His life seems to be insignificant, he lives, gets married, retires and dies. However, John Williams writes so vividly and beautifully about his story, we realise that even the most humdrum-looking lives have so much going on under the surface. The relationships Stoner has, with his colleagues, his wife, daughter and lover, are drawn with simplicity but in devastating detail. The blurb on the back of the book says it is "a novel to be savoured" and I would totally concur.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>I first read "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt when it was published twenty one years ago. Since then she has only produced two more books, one of which is on my Christmas wish-list ( The Goldfinch). I decided to re-read her debut novel in preparation but also because it concerns a group of classics students, which is the subject my daughter is hoping to study next year. However, I hope she doesn't get dragged into a murder plot which is what happens to Richard Pappen when he becomes entangled and enamoured with an eccentric group at his New England university. This is a terrific book, intelligently written, darkly funny and with great characterisation. It is now on my daughter's "to read" list, I'm only hoping it won't put her off studying the lives of the ancients!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>"Reconstructing Amelia" by Kimberly McCreight was an excellent, if harrowing, book. Kate Baron is a successful New York lawyer who is faced with an unimaginable tragedy. The central thesis of the novel, is how well do we know our own children, and how Kate refuses to believe the official reason behind the tragedy and her dogged pursuit of the truth, is a real page-turner. It was very well written, and I had enormous sympathy for Kate and Amelia, the ending was not obvious, and I stayed up until the very wee small hours to finish it. I cried at various points too, but maybe I was very, very tired!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Another book that had me in absolute buckets of tears was "The Light Between The Oceans" by M.L.Stedman. Tom and Izzy are the lighthouse keeper and his wife on a remote island off the coast of Australia in the 1920s, happily married but unable to have children. When a boat washes ashore containing a dead man and a very-much alive baby girl, the couple make the decision to keep her. The novel then goes on to describe the consequences of that decision. This is such a haunting book, the reader's sympathies lie with all the characters and the conclusion is so heart-breaking. One for the chilly autumn nights, make sure you have the tissues ready!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>I have enjoyed Salley Vicker's previous books and "The Cleaner of Chartres" is another very good read. Agnes Morel is a a lady with a mysterious past who life is now inter-woven with those in the beautiful city of Chartres. Her story is a sad one, and I did like how all the threads came together to give an almost happy, but realistic, ending. Vickers writes quite beautifully and her description of the cathedral is very vivid. There are some excellent characters, I liked the subversive nuns in particular, and you really do root for poor old Agnes. It reminded me of some of Joanna Harris' novels in a way, no bad thing.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Finally, after such sadness, India Knight's "Mutton" had me chuckling. I wasn't too keen on her last book, "Comfort and Joy" but this was much better, not as mean-spirited. Clara is forty-six and quite comfy in her skin, until her school friend, the impossibly glamorous Gaby, moves in. Being of that certain age myself, I found the book very funny and could recognise a lot of the character's sentiments and traits! India has described some characters very well, I loved the author of "Game of Thrones" type books who had writer's block. A light read, but after all the emotional novels previously read, a bit of relief!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00040479602649174403noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536324873226838821.post-30687754573260830572013-09-09T11:21:00.001-07:002013-09-09T11:21:45.824-07:00My August Reads<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpAK-Z5FeY-Jg3GXHyx3eMTI8OKBmZvPKsTgZ58prmqS5OmCWSejRneSLB0lThyphenhyphen3f3sYBhoWUlaUcrbWvpYhVLb8qS1lfHJKAG3jyr7Tx5zleWBrBMKq66bxK2IrCjXuDeKOgBAka5psU/s640/blogger-image--1189922676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpAK-Z5FeY-Jg3GXHyx3eMTI8OKBmZvPKsTgZ58prmqS5OmCWSejRneSLB0lThyphenhyphen3f3sYBhoWUlaUcrbWvpYhVLb8qS1lfHJKAG3jyr7Tx5zleWBrBMKq66bxK2IrCjXuDeKOgBAka5psU/s640/blogger-image--1189922676.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>The nights are definitely drawing in, the teen is back at school and soon the lazy, sunny days of August will be a distant memory.....</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>I found "The Shops" by India Knight in Oxfam and at £1.69 I thought I'd give it a go. India loves to shop and this book is full of her recommendations interspersed with vignettes from her ( very interesting) family background. Although its ten years since it was published, it still seems relevant and most of the shops are still around! I like India's chatty style of writing, and I do prefer her non-fiction to her novels.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Book club choice this month is "Miss Savidge Moves Her House" by Christine Adams. I didn't really fancy this book about a lady who, when faced with her medieval house being earmarked for demolition in the 1960s, dismantled the whole thing and moved it 100 miles to Norfolk. However, I could not put it down. May Savidge spent the rest of her life putting the house back together and left the unfinished project to her ( initially very unwilling) nephew and his wife, Christine. This is a book about resilience, love and loss, family ties and a very remarkable lady who literally never threw anything away. Christine becomes intertwined with May's world and I won't give away the ending, but it is a delightful tale and all the more remarkable for being true.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>I really can't make up my mind about Sophie Hannah. I've read all her books now, and some I really enjoy and others leave me a bit cold. This is her latest psychological thriller and I'm sure if you hadn't read the others you wouldn't have a clue who all the police characters are. This book follows Amber Hewerdine, who is accused of a crime she did not commit after seeing a psychologist and muttering the words "kind of cruel" which were written on a note at the scene of an unsolved murder. The book is a good read, the character of Amber is well written and I didn't really guess who had "dunnit" until near the end. However, I am getting a bit tired of the same setting and police characters in all her books, they are just very uninteresting and as I say, could put off someone who picks up her books as a "one-off".</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>I enjoyed "The Weird Sisters" by Eleanor Brown, a tale of three sisters who grow up as passionate readers with a Shakespearean scholar for a father. In adulthood, they all follow very different paths but after their mother falls ill, they return home to their small mid-western American college town. This reminded me in some way of Anne Tyler in that nothing much happens but the characters are very well written and do elicit our sympathy. I loved the tag-line on the book's cover, "there is no problem a library card can't solve", I totally agree!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Finally, "A Secret Alchemy" by Emma Darwin was a book I was really looking forward to as it intertwines a modern day plot with the story of Elizabeth Woodville, the subject of the recent BBC series, "The White Queen". However, I was rather disappointed. The modern day story concerns a family who own a threatened printing press in London, Una returns to London following the death of her husband and is researching the lives of Elizabeth and her brother, Anthony. I simply could not engage with the plethora of characters who popped up in the present day story, there were so many I lost the thread of who was who. I preferred the subplot of what happened to Anthony, but I do like that era of history very much. Anthony's tale is deeply tragic and I did like the way it linked to Una in the end. This was not as densely written as a Hilary Mantel historical fiction nor as light as, say, Philippa Gregory, but I thought the modern day plot could have been a lot better and so I can't really recommend the book overall.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00040479602649174403noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536324873226838821.post-81898286963301330922013-09-07T10:22:00.001-07:002013-09-07T10:23:27.272-07:00Very last "first-day-back-to-school"<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3hTTO3DjsLi0c7TtGrs5cg7BZbNxcXMgnfBt7zHF_3c3KzkWZ5Y_2QMOjwBXQyWoYfFSn93e2GlaWo7gOUJNky57C5iJdIxymx8e72t_RBq0nLJESMb4YPiGBafEx-NHRyugiOGAe7ZI/s640/blogger-image-1846993262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3hTTO3DjsLi0c7TtGrs5cg7BZbNxcXMgnfBt7zHF_3c3KzkWZ5Y_2QMOjwBXQyWoYfFSn93e2GlaWo7gOUJNky57C5iJdIxymx8e72t_RBq0nLJESMb4YPiGBafEx-NHRyugiOGAe7ZI/s640/blogger-image-1846993262.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpc6cLz_hjvLm8fb-O0bH7-7V5FAJwC6dJHPgmPrsWNYERmLNmsXR5HlyYylNx3QbSqTyX9K53DYZC_Z3R1dDhgqncGNRmWd0kUeixJkMQfQ-Ic7-EM127eZ7OX8RrQB-rPwYfWHOyoEA/s640/blogger-image-104912819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpc6cLz_hjvLm8fb-O0bH7-7V5FAJwC6dJHPgmPrsWNYERmLNmsXR5HlyYylNx3QbSqTyX9K53DYZC_Z3R1dDhgqncGNRmWd0kUeixJkMQfQ-Ic7-EM127eZ7OX8RrQB-rPwYfWHOyoEA/s640/blogger-image-104912819.jpg"></a><i>It was back to school for my daughter this week and as she set off into Year 13 ( Upper Sixth in my world) I took my usual photo. She started school at the age of three and I now have fifteen pictures of her setting off at the start of the school year. However, this is the last "first day", next year she will have left school behind forever. Oh heck, I appear to have something in my eye.......</i></div>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00040479602649174403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536324873226838821.post-16544220260412155702013-08-09T14:08:00.001-07:002013-08-17T10:41:22.511-07:00My July Reads<div><i>I have read some really good books this month, there is nothing nicer than a sunny patio, a cool glass of something refreshing ( have you tried Fentiman's Rose Lemonade, it is utterly divine ) and a great book.</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i>"Where'd You Go Bernadette" by Maria Semple was a quirky delight. Bernadette Fox was once an award winning architect, now a reclusive Seattle resident with a husband engrossed in his work at Microsoft, a precocious daughter and a highly annoying neighbour. This is an account of how Bernadette disappeared, gleaned from documents given to her daughter. This is a highly original, very funny and oddly moving book from a very gifted writer. Her descriptions of the "tiger moms" and the Microsoft geeks are hilarious, but ultimately it is a book about the strong bonds that shape us and I cannot recommend it highly enough.</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i>I read Bernardine Bishop's "Unexplained Lessons in Love" after coming across her obituary in the paper. This is a beautiful book about two women who have both had cancer and consequent colostomies. It was very refreshing to read about older characters with these, frankly unsexy, conditions and as someone who has had colon cancer, I found it absorbing and searingly honest. It is a story of family, of love and loss, never cloyingly sentimental, very funny and wonderfully written. How sad that the author is no longer here.</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i>Our book club selection this month was "The Sisters Brothers" by Patrick DeWitt. Eli and Charlie Sisters are notorious killers for hire in the Wild West who go after a man who claims he has invented a potion that can show gold up if it is thrown in creeks. A few people in my group didn't like the violence in the book, it is very violent in parts but I thought it was quite entertaining, funny in parts and it did keep me turning the pages until the rather satisfying ending. I can imagine Quentin Tarantino adapting this for the big screen.</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i>My vintage read this month ( and my choice for book club later in the year) was "Little Boy Lost" by Marghanita Laski, written in 1949, and republished by Persephone Books. This is a beautiful book, set in post-war France as Hilary Wainwright returns to find his young son, lost as a baby five years before. Hilary is an exasperating character at times, he vascillates and makes odd decisions but he is honest and does hold the reader's sympathy..just. He is lead to a boy in an impoverished orphanage who may or may not be his son and the scenes are full of pathos. The descriptions of the shattered countryside and people are very powerful and I won't reveal the ending, but it made me gasp aloud. </i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i>One of my favourite books of the year has to be "Beautiful Ruins" by Jess Walter. I have seen a lot of people rave about this on twitter and I must agree with them. The action occurs in Italy in 1962 and modern day America and begins when a beautiful American film star arrives at a run down Italian hotel in the middle of nowhere, fifty years later the hotel owner turns up in Hollywood at the home of a sleazy film mogul, looking for his lost love. It is such an original story, very funny and I love how all the strands of different stories came together at the end ( which moved me to tears). This is the perfect summer read, especially as I was on holiday just south of the Cinque Terre region where a lot of the action takes place.</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i>Anita Shreeve is an author who I like, her latest book "Rescue"was a tad underwhelming really. A young paramedic is called to the scene of an accident and he falls in love with Sheila who has crashed her car in a drunken haze, escaping an abusive relationship. Sheila is an alcoholic who cannot cope with motherhood and leaves Peter and their baby daughter. The action then jumps forward to where the now teenage daughter begins to go off the rails and Peter tries to do the right thing by reuniting mother and child. Nothing much actually happens really, a bit of a "meh" read, very nicely written though, but still rather disappointing, especially compared with the rest of this month's books.</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBf8pfDxyVfmx7Bg0HtxYqr6e1yKurEvCHjnnAwJl5CGSLfCsdrZE8OLywnOzONs1wGfgNGoqe-XSRMiF3d6AEyRr2tuzPRUwt1gG_aA76hvPWc9RkcimOVrcFC16dVsbkSupcXWH1FmA/s640/blogger-image--721023842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBf8pfDxyVfmx7Bg0HtxYqr6e1yKurEvCHjnnAwJl5CGSLfCsdrZE8OLywnOzONs1wGfgNGoqe-XSRMiF3d6AEyRr2tuzPRUwt1gG_aA76hvPWc9RkcimOVrcFC16dVsbkSupcXWH1FmA/s640/blogger-image--721023842.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsU1iLdet6aRhNBB_k-08JkOl7K2ixNIlKzV7y7tXkiV3R-NCjsl_3AYNxe9z_nzOqCeK6Y_9_SSfhwBB6dSdjVigl7N0sY6fL7xCbZ7h5CMipgfY1UYKkMzjaT_jdXm_vipmYc_GzQBs/s640/blogger-image-1480779866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsU1iLdet6aRhNBB_k-08JkOl7K2ixNIlKzV7y7tXkiV3R-NCjsl_3AYNxe9z_nzOqCeK6Y_9_SSfhwBB6dSdjVigl7N0sY6fL7xCbZ7h5CMipgfY1UYKkMzjaT_jdXm_vipmYc_GzQBs/s640/blogger-image-1480779866.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>I read two thrillers on holiday which I take then leave in the hotel ( if you ever at the Hotel Mirabeau in Forte dei Marmi, you are very welcome!). </i><i>Harlan Coben and Linwood Barclay write excellent page turners that are not very demanding but nevertheless are good reads, worth taking because its not a disaster if they get covered in sand and sun cream!</i></div><br></div>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00040479602649174403noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536324873226838821.post-30136629693415835432013-07-24T11:40:00.001-07:002013-07-24T11:40:10.240-07:00My June Reads<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitD4ye1FACCyScQB-605cPkdPn2LY5awsHbOjV-rfiAoRU7hN5PxMSR9CI0uCLYoLoVx62mBA8cNO-xqwtr0LwjTi6lXZXDFH5jPqD1bEPChD4ACfBVD4oYkzMSbCFfiMIB01trmQ7ZD0/s640/blogger-image--1073534314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitD4ye1FACCyScQB-605cPkdPn2LY5awsHbOjV-rfiAoRU7hN5PxMSR9CI0uCLYoLoVx62mBA8cNO-xqwtr0LwjTi6lXZXDFH5jPqD1bEPChD4ACfBVD4oYkzMSbCFfiMIB01trmQ7ZD0/s640/blogger-image--1073534314.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>I thoroughly enjoyed the four books I read this month ( makes a change!), must be the summer sun making me a little less critical!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>My lovely friend Jo lent me her copy of 'The Book of Human Skin' by Michelle Lovric and I could not put the book down. The action is set in the late eighteenth century Venice and Peru, with the dastardly Minguillo Fasan plotting terrible things against his sister, Marcella, who is set to inherit his beloved palazzo. Some of the action is definitely not for the squeamish, in many ways it reminded me of 'Perfume' in its graphic details. The portrayal of the mad nun, Sor Loreta, is excellent, she and Minguillo are equally depraved and you are gripped with the hope they will receive their retribution. The story is told from various character's points of view and I highly recommend it.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>I haven't read any of Michael Frayn's novels before and as 'Skios' was a Booker long-lister and in Oxfam, I thought I'd give it a whirl. Oliver Fox arrives on the Greek island of Skios and on a whim, decides to pose as a visiting academic, Dr Norman Wilfred. The absurd plot had me chuckling away and Frayn certainly is a master of farce. His depiction of those attending 'self-improvement' holidays with the exceedingly bored guest speakers going through the motions, is very funny as is the pseudo intellectual rubbish spouted by Oliver being lapped up by the unsuspecting audiences. The action zipped along, was very well written and I now have 'Spies' by Michael Frayn on my 'to be read' pile.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Our book club book this month was ' The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry' by Rachel Joyce. Harold receives a letter from an old friend who is dying in a hospice in Berwick on Tweed. He goes to post a reply from his home in Hampshire on the south coast, but decides that by walking to Berwick, he can delay her death. What could have been rather a twee idea, is nothing of the sort. It is poignant but also gritty and funny. As his walk continues, he attracts followers and the input of social media and the once well-intentioned 'followers' of Harold almost manage to de-rail the whole journey. I loved the ending, as it was beautifully under-stated and 'real', not a Hollywood-style reunion and denouement. The last few chapters had me in tears, and it was Rachel Joyce's lightness of touch, that made it so moving.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Finally, you MUST read 'Heft' by Liz Moore, one of my favourite reads of the year so far. Arthur Opp is a housebound recluse in Brooklyn, who is terribly over weight and socially awkward. He receives a phone call off a former student, this sets off a train of events that has life-changing consequences for Arthur and Kel, a seventeen year old boy who may or may not be Arthur's son. This was an utter delight from beginning to beautiful end, I truly cared about the characters as Liz Moore has written them so wonderfully. Again, the book moved me so much, it is a tale of being an outsider, of rejection, of trying to find your place in the world. I loved the ending and wished I hadn't read it, so I could discover it again for the first time.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00040479602649174403noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536324873226838821.post-36668664104062475022013-07-21T05:44:00.001-07:002013-07-21T05:44:00.068-07:00The Masque of Anarchy<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho1qPFREkAC-dX-skYiuj6bykYSvx-3JrD1JhNpTVgnwmG2UGrmRPI_6HLYggk-uIZOVLusjR40tQHKrLvvznvL2CDcVmPOHEIDEIORQZebBlfboxSuYhznb6my2LSG2v4ybvZ_oKWZxo/s640/blogger-image--1766693667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho1qPFREkAC-dX-skYiuj6bykYSvx-3JrD1JhNpTVgnwmG2UGrmRPI_6HLYggk-uIZOVLusjR40tQHKrLvvznvL2CDcVmPOHEIDEIORQZebBlfboxSuYhznb6my2LSG2v4ybvZ_oKWZxo/s640/blogger-image--1766693667.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Manchester International Festival is in full swing, I did try to get tickets for Kenneth Branagh's "Macbeth" but I was in hospital when they went on sale, so I wasn't successful. I was luckier in getting hold of tickets to see Maxine Peake perform "The Masque of Anarchy" and I am so glad I did.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The poem was penned by Percy Shelly in response to the Peterloo Massacre, the events in 1819 where the militia charged on a peaceful gathering in Peter's Field, Manchester. The crowd of over 60,000, listening to calls for democratic reform, were charged upon by Hussars on horse back after the local yeomanry had tried to arrest the speakers. Fifteen men, women and children died and many more were injured. Shelly was in Italy when he heard of the appalling events and, outraged, he wrote the response that was banned from being published for twelve years.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The recital of the poem by Maxine Peake took place in the Albert Hall, very close to the site of the massacre. Above a bar area, currently being renovated, is an old Methodist chapel which has been closed to the public since 1969. Hundreds of candles flickered as Peake took to the platform in a ghostly white dress.</div>The recital was mesmeric, Peake perfectly captured the outrage, the pathos and the hope the poem brings. The final lines...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">'Rise like Lions after slumber</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In unvanquishable number-</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Shake your chains to earth like dew</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Which in sleep had fallen on you-</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Ye are many - they are few'</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">..echo across the centuries and are as fresh today as they were in 1819. It was a truly spine-tingling night and I felt privileged to have been there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Ellenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00040479602649174403noreply@blogger.com0