Category Archives: Books

friday questions #8

I’m going to do my best to get Friday Questions going again on a regular basis. If you join in leave your link in a comment or send me a tweet – I’m @girltaristhan on Twitter.

1. What book are you currently reading?
I’m currently reading Chasing The Dragon by Jackie Pullinger, I now have another two books to add to the TBR pile after being to the Girls Night In evening at Putnoe Library last night. Ali McNamara and Christina Jones were both there. There was a question and answer session and then a book signing. It was lovely to chat to Ali especially as we’d spoken earlier via Twitter – thanks to Rickie!!

2. How many films have you seen this month?
I’m not really sure – I think maybe four or five. We started the month with going to see Iron Man 3 at the cinema as part of Our Sidekick’s birthday celebrations. We’re possibly going to see Star Trek: Into Darkness at some point but I’m not sure when. I’ve been watching random films on Netflix. I’ve seen The Family Man on the TV.

3. Do you like to sit in the front, middle or back of the cinema?
I either like to sit right at the back or about half way back, sitting too far forward makes my neck hurt or there’s too much to take in and I can’t see it all. I also try and sit under one of the spot lights so that I can crochet during the films – It sounds really silly but I like to have something to do at the same time.

4. Is there anything really interesting in your family history?
I’m still looking into it, I know that there was a double wedding, Great Grandad got married the same day as his brother, what’s even funnier is that Great Grandad’s brother married his sister (does that make sense? Two brothers married two sisters).

5. If an old TV show could come back onto our screens, which would you choose?
Well I’m not sure, I love The Good Life and could watch it all the time. I love the relationship between Tom and Barbara and also their relationship with Margo and Jerry. Then again I’ve been watching Dawson’s Creek from the beginning. I think it has a flash forward at the very end but I’m on Season 3 so anything could happen.

→ 2 Comments

Posted in #FridayQuestions, Books, Films, Friday, Friends, Stuff to sort

Tagged #FridayQuestions, books, film, Friday, TV/Radio

books: kept by elle field

Posted on April 24 | 2 Comments

A while back I made friends with someone called @ellefie on Twitter. We’d chat about anything and everything – usually books as we’re both massive book worms (just look at our Goodreads pages for that!!)

One of the conversations we have had over the time we’ve been friends is about Elle’s aspirations to become an official published writer. I’ve been a reader of her blog so some how knew that one day she’d reach this goal.

Well the day came, at the weekend I saw a tweet ping up from Elle which caught my eye:

So scared! Nearly ready to hit publish and then I’ll have my first book on Amazon. Meep! #indie #kindle

— Claire ‘Elle’ Field (@ellefie) April 21, 2013

Yesterday morning, Elle told me that her book had gone live, so as I walked from my car to my temp job I quickly got Amazon UK up on my phone and downloaded her book. At about 11:30 last night I finished it and I loved it.

Kept by Elle Field

The blurb from Elle’s blog goes like this:

Life hasn’t quite worked out how Arielle Lockley planned. Becoming the next Coco Chanel, not shopping at Chanel, was always her childhood dream but somehow she’s ended up as a kept woman, living the jet-set lifestyle with boyfriend Piers.

When the recession hits, it’s not just the economy that takes a tumble. Broke and homeless with zero job prospects, can Arielle find her way again in time or will she always have to be a kept woman?

I finished reading it last night – having not done much else all evening! There’s definitely an air of “Confessions of A Shopaholic” by Sophie Kinsella – and I think if you like that, you will definitely like this. This first drew me in, then I wanted to know what happened to Arielle and how her life unfolded. I really liked the “flashbacks” to explain why Arielle is the way she is, and to explain her relationships with the people from her past. By the middle, I wanted Obélix to confess undying love for Arielle but I think it would be too complicated for another love interest!

You can get it here on Amazon UK or Amazon US. If you do download and read it please tweet, FB, review or on Goodreads or Amazon or pretty much anywhere else you can.

→ 2 Comments

Posted in Adventures, Books, Friends

Tagged Adventures, books, Friends, life

bible…

Posted on April 14 | Leave a comment

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Being A Christian, Bible, Books, Faith

Tagged Bible, books, faith, life

friday questions #5

Posted on March 8 | 4 Comments

1. What book are you currently reading?

I’m trying to finish Dracula by Bram Stoker for Book Club next is Three Men in A Boat by Jerome K. Jerome.

2. Who did you hug today?
Chris – he’s so huggable!

3. Who’s your favourite Dr Who actor (or do you not watch it?)
Ooh! Good question – erm probably David Tennant or Matt Smith – then again I haven’t really watched the older series so it could change.

4. What do you think about school uniform?
I think it’s good to provide a sense of being part of a team but at the same time – who designs school uniforms?

5. How many books are in your TBR pile?
Probably more than I have time for! I think it’s about 50-60 long!

→ 4 Comments

Posted in #FridayQuestions, Books, Friday

Tagged #FridayQuestions, books, Friday

twentysix: what i did today

Posted on January 26 | Comments Off

The crazy weather was set to continue this weekend. The weather was warning that we were going to have rain and snow last night but instead it was a bit of rain and sleet. According to my phone we had an 100% chance of snow around midnight and it was still sleeting. Any snow that we had was gone by this morning. Even as I write this post outside it’s chucking it down so clearly it’s warmer out there – I’ve got bare feet and am not reaching for the slippers so that’s got to be a sign too! I guess unless we have another cold snap it’s going to get warmer from here onwards. (Woah I think we just had some hail!)

This morning Our Sidekick and Chris were both out doing different things and I was heading out too. I’d seen on Facebook at the end of last week that there was a new book club that had sprung up. I had got in touch with the guy who’s organising it and decided to go along – they were meeting at The Ship pub which I’d been to on Thursday for the S&B. It’s called Bedford Books Connections. The book this time was Dune by Frank Herbert. When I was growing up we had a computer game of Dune – I can’t say it was anything amazing but it introduced me to the whole story of Dune – or as I found out by starting the book this week that I actually missed chunks of the story out. We also spoke about what books to do next and we’ve decided to do Dracula by Bram Stoker next which should be interesting – I think a lot of it is linked to Whitby and The Abbey there. Part of the Book Club is to share linked material as well so maybe a film, or in my case for Dune, the game. So maybe writing about The Abbey and Whitby might be handy – although I’m not sure I’ve ever been to Whitby – I will need to ask Mum and Dad about that one (Chris – that might be a choice for a holiday some time!)

Nuntium - Found by accident. #bedford #michellecrowther

When I walk from a specific car park to the hight street in town, there’s an alleyway I often use – it’s quite gloomy and I’m never 100% sure i’m safe so I walk as fast as I can. But I got a pleasant surprise when I walked along the alleyway today - it’s been painted a creamy white colour and there are lights up on the walls to light up the whole alley way and there’s these amazing pieces of art on the wall. I started to read it but it takes some effort especially as it’s backwards and often in other fonts. I guess if i was really clever I could try and mirror it or something to read it but that would be too clever! There’s also this plaque – clearly if the art went up in July I don’t walk through the alleyway very often any more because this was the first time I saw it. “Nuntium” is Latin for a message or annoucement. I think I might have to go and read the wall in more detail – maybe drag the boys with me too!

While coming out of the alleyway, I had a chat to Chris and he was heading over to my parents house to sort out some bits so I caught the bus there, while waiting for the bus to arrive at the stop in town I popped into the Oxfam Bookshop – oh dear what a mistake to make! I ended up purchasing The Winter Ghosts by Kate Mosse, This Book Will Save Your Life by A. M. Homes and another one but I can’t remember the title (it’s all the way downstairs and I’m being lazy – sorry lol!)

The Winter Ghosts by Kate Mosse - Reading at the bus stop

For Christmas, Chris got the box set of the Doctor Who specials (David Tennant ones). Our Sidekick had been watching the episode when Matt Smith’s incarnation meets Richard Nixon. I had to explain who Richard Nixonwas, who did The Doctor mean when he says “say hello to David Frost” (I knew this mainly because of the film Frost/Nixon) and then who the little girl was. We decided to go back to David Tennant’s incarnation so me and Our Sidekick ran upstairs to where Chris was working knelt on the floor and said please like twenty times each then explained why. We watched

Doctor Who - The Complete Specials - David Tennant!!!

Comments Off

Posted in Bedford, Bedford Book Connections, Blogs and Sites, Books, January, one whole year, Reading/Books, Writing

Tagged Bedford, Bedford Book Connections, blogs, books, Friends, reading

seventeen: onehundredwords #73

Posted on January 17 | 6 Comments

You can get more information and join in here.

The prompt for this week is
…the notes from the piano….

I felt the warmth of the sun across my face through the window. Lying in the middle of the floor and drifting off to somewhere distant was one of my favourite pastimes. The notes from the piano invaded my consciousness. Why was it that as soon as I got comfortable and relaxed someone would come and interrupt. I’d spent most of the day dealing with grumpy people why couldn’t I just have some space to chill.

“Now I’m not relaxed” I thought to myself as I sat up grumbling and muttering. I may as well go find something to do instead.

→ 6 Comments

Posted in 100 Words, Blogs and Sites, Books, one whole year, Writing

Tagged 100 Words, Blogs and Sites, writing

ten: epic review

Posted on January 10 | Comments Off

2012 - epic review

I’m sure this is the kind of post that you’d write at the end of the year but it’s taken me this long to get my head around blogging again given how unproductive December was!

Favourite Songs (in no particular order):
I Will Wait by Mumford and Sons
I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance by The Black Kids
We Are Young by Fun
Shake It Out by Glee Cast
That’s How You Know (from Disney’s Enchanted)
The Best of Both Worlds (from Hannah Montana)
Just The Way You Are by Glee
I Won’t Say (I’m In Love) (from Disney’s Hercules)
The Cave by Mumford and Sons
Twenty Seven Million by Matt Redman & LZ7
Escape by Chantilly
Roll Away Your Stone by Mumford and Sons
Theses Words by Natasha Bedingfield
Heaven by Emeli Sande
Set Fire to The Third Bar by Snow Patrol and Martha Wainwright

Favourite Concerts / Live Events:
Dave Gorman’s Powerpoint Presentation (Cambridge)
Hairy Bikers (Cambridge)
Phantom of The Opera (Milton Keynes Theatre)

Favourite Movies:
Skyfall
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen
Brave
Love, Wedding, Marriage
Crazy, Stupid, Love
Pitch Perfect

Favourite Books:
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
City of Bones (Mortal Instruments) by Cassandra Clare
You Had Me At Hello by Mhairi McFarlane
Labyrinth by kate Mosse
Flash and Bones by Kathy Reichs
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Mist by Kathryn James
The Host by Stephenie Meyer
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

This Year’s (Well LAST years) Highlights:

—-

Image Source

Comments Off

Posted in Books, Films, Movies, one whole year

Tagged 2012, books, life, Movies, Review

three: review – december

Posted on January 3 | Comments Off

Books
About Falling In Love by Yaritza Garcia
Bah, Humbug! A Romantic Comedy Novella by Heather Horrocks
The Girl in the Converse Shoes by Yaritza Garcia
City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments) by Cassandra Clare
You Had Me At Hello by Mhairi McFarlane

Films
The Hobbit
Pitch Perfect
Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part Two
Home Alone 2
Home Alone 3
Shrek Forever After
Santa Claus: The Movie
Priceless
Miracle on 34th Street
Pitch Perfect

TV
Warehouse 13 (Season 3 via Netflix)

The Month in Bullets

I finished my Christmas shopping – although I thought I finished it the things that I actually needed for across the Christmas period I finished on Christmas Eve – thankfully town wasn’t that busy when I needed to nip into one shop
I have watched far too many films and too much TV in December. Probably explains how I didn’t complete my Goodreads Reading Challenge.
Got to catch up with Brains before she disappears to her new job, thankfully via FB and Skype we can keep in touch when she moves.
Because everything was so busy we ended up putting up our tree really late. Chris and Our Sidekick ended up putting the tree up and saving me a bauble to put on when I got home. I think in the end I put my bauble on the tree on Christmas Eve or possibly Christmas Day!
Spent lots of time with family and had eight and a half straight days off work. Was good but then on the first day back I didn’t want to go back!!

Comments Off

Posted in Books, Films, Monthly Reviews, Movies, one whole year

Tagged Monthly Review, one whole year

364: Resolutions and Goals

Posted on December 29 | 6 Comments

Each year people make resolutions. They decide to quit smoking, to stop biting their nails, to drink less alcohol (usually while under the influence of a NYE hangover) or they decide to loose those stubborn ten pounds that won’t go away.

But what about me? Well I don’t make resolutions. I hated that first post-Christmas English lesson when the teacher decides that it’s a great idea to get people to write resolutions, mainly because I broke them within the first week. Give up chocolate – well I think my upper school diet consisted of chocolate and cheese toastie pizza things from the canteen or the interesting attempt at a chicken burger. (Probably explains the start of my current waistline lol).

I imagine that if I had someone to physically drag me to the gym and refuse to let me out until I’d achieved that days goal then I’d be skinnier – no guarantee I’d be happier but we can put the idea out there – could I be skinnier and happier? Yes more than likely I could but id have to quit eating junk, chocolate and cake.

Last January I kind of gave in and set a goal rather than a resolution. I love reading but needed a goal or a deadline to achieve something other wise I end up with 20 books on the go and none completely read. I challenge myself to read a classic and get bored and go back to other “newer” writers.

Well it’s the 29th December. I’m on book 27 of 30 and I’m writing this blog post rather than getting on reading. I know I know. I won’t achieve a goal by procrastinating doing something else but I seem to have become the worst person at achieving goals and the best at procrastination. Why focus on a task 100% when I can multitask and have no focus.

So yeah I am kicking myself in the butt I scheduling this for a Saturday which is uncharacteristic of me in the hope that you my lovely reader will come out of the woodwork and tell me that I can do it. I just have to focus and maybe you can tell me about the goal that I can kick you in the butt about. We can be butt kicking buddies together. So lets do it. Bring on book 27 – it’s The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien by the way. Let me know if you’ve read it too.

→ 6 Comments

Posted in 26 Before I'm 27, Books, Reading/Books

Tagged achievements, books, Goals, life, reading

263: Guest Post: Desert Island Books

Posted on September 19 | Comments Off

Sometimes an idea starts one way and transforms into something else and this is that idea. I asked Sally-Jayne via Twitter “Which five books would you take with you to a desert island”, I don’t listen to BBC Radio 4 but there is a whole show based on the premise which records would you take with you to a desert island (Can I just take my iPod and a generator?) so I thought about books – I love reading, I know quite a lot of people who also like reading so let’s do this thing.

Which five books would I take to a desert island?

Tough one! I’m not really one for reading books again – there are so many books in the world that I haven’t read yet, that I never want to waste time reading books for a second time. So….I’d need to take five books I’ve never read that I know I would read. With only five there is no room for anything that might turn out to be a bit of a turkey.

The first one I would take is Révélation, which is the 4^th book in the Twilight series (in French). It took me a long way to plough my way through the first three because I kept putting them on one side to read something faster paced. If I took it to a desert island I would have no excuse not to get on with it!

I think my second book would be Stephen King’s 11.22.63. I’m a big fan of Stephen King, and although some of his books have turned out to be disappointing, he has written some great ones and I have been told that this is one of his best. It’s on my TBR pile and it looks quite a chunky one so it should last me a while.

I’m going to cheat with my 3^rd one and claim all of The Vampire Diaries as one book. Well, my biggest fear is having nothing to read, and you don’t want me having a panic attack now do you? I have Las Crónicas Vampiricas (in Spanish) on my shelf and I’m guessing they will be as slow-paced as Twilight so I’d need to be away from other reading material to stop myself putting them off.

After that I’d need something fast-paced again, so I’d pick up a Harlan Coben maybe. I have Miracle Cure on my TBR pile so that would do just fine.

For my last book I’d want something I could be confident would last me until I got rescued, so I think I would have to go with the OED.

To see what else I like to read, and for recommendations for books for all the family why not pay a visit to my blog?

Comments Off

Posted in Books, Desert Island Books, Friends

Tagged books, Desert Island Books, Friends, reading, Twilight