Well I had a lovely visit to the Cruise Show at Olympia on Saturday 26th March. Entered lots of competitions to win some cruises, and subscribed to a couple of good magazines, one of which is Food and Travel. Looks a great combination for a magazine, with different recipes from around the world and lots of hints and tips for eating when visiting various places.
Hubbie found out where we are going now for our anniversary. Initially he didn't know we were going on a cruise, until he found the bank statement! Now he found the Royal Caribbean brochure and sussed out the day we were going and found out the itinerary. We are going to be visiting, Malaga, Valencia, Rome, Florence, Pisa and Ajaccio in Corsica. I am really excited as I haven't cruised for many years.
After our trip to the show, we took a side trip to Harrods in Knightsbridge and treated ourselves to a lovely fattening, chocolate sundae. Expensive but it was lovely!! Luckily we missed out on all the rioting that was going on in London. Nothing to do with the real protestors, but the cause of the "rent a yob" gangs.
Well off now to continue my reading in bed with my Kindle.
THE RAMBLINGS OF A 50 SOMETHING BOOKAHOLIC WHO TRAVELS THE WORLD
Monday 28 March 2011
Friday 25 March 2011
Currently reading - One Day by David Nicholls
Not knowing what to read next I asked some friends. Everyone seemed to be enjoying One Day by David Nicholls, so I thought I'd give it a try as I had it on my Kindle. So far I'm about 40 pages in and I can honestly say I am really struggling with it! I find it slow, and uninteresting and it's not gripping me. My reading friends have given it 5* on Goodreads, so I'm going to keep going as I don't like to give up. Will update further when I've hopefully got to the end.
The trouble is when I'm not enjoying a book, I think of all the others on my shelf I have to read and think, maybe I should switch to one of those. I also have about 60+ on my Kindle to read too. I will persevere though.
The trouble is when I'm not enjoying a book, I think of all the others on my shelf I have to read and think, maybe I should switch to one of those. I also have about 60+ on my Kindle to read too. I will persevere though.
A few books from my TBR list.
Book Review -- The Uncommon Reader, Alan Bennett
This book, albeit a small one, was so amusing. Just picture it. A mobile library pulls up into the grounds of Buckingham Palace, and the Queen stumbles upon it whilst walking the Corgis. She enters into this strange vehicle and upon the advice of the booklender, borrows a book, just to be nice. There begins the addiction to books, that you and I have. Trying to find secret places to sit and read. Reading in the coach on the way to the State opening of Parliament. In fact everywhere she can, much to the annoyance of family, friends and staff. Then comes the friendship of Norman, who works in the kitchens, who is also an avid bookreader.
A complete joy. Made even funnier by actually picturing the Queen herself as the main character. It made me wonder if Her Majesty herself, had actually read the book, and if she had what she thought of it, and if it made her laugh like it did me.
If you want a quick read and a bit of laughter, then give it a try.
A complete joy. Made even funnier by actually picturing the Queen herself as the main character. It made me wonder if Her Majesty herself, had actually read the book, and if she had what she thought of it, and if it made her laugh like it did me.
If you want a quick read and a bit of laughter, then give it a try.
Monday 21 March 2011
Book Review - My Dad's a Policeman - Cathy Glass
It was narrated by a 12 year old boy, who's mother was a drunk, and he and his younger brother were put into care. He ran away before the first night was over and it tells about his life and the life of his friend Wayne, and his family. He is convinced his father, who he never knew, was a policeman and this stays with him.
I work with children like this in a voluntary role and I could identify with all he was saying and feeling, and I felt that this book was very well written.
I just have to read her website to see how his life continued.
If you want a nice quick read, then I recommend this book. It gives an insight into how unfortunate some children are, and shows how we really must protect the young.
Sunday 20 March 2011
Currently reading
I'm currently reading:-
Cathy Glass - My Dad's a Policeman
Cathy Glass - My Dad's a Policeman
&
The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett
 |
Book Review -- The Child Taker, Conrad Jones
I have to be honest, I had never heard of Conrad Jones (Sorry Mr Jones), and really only bought the book as it was a bargain on the Kindle and I'm open to reading any thrillers from any authors.
Initially I couldn't work out where the book was going as in the first 4 chapters, two were dealing with a child taker and the other two were dealing with a secret ops unit in somalia. When it became apparant where the book was going I was enthralled and couldn't put it down.
I cannot believe those that gave the book 1 and 2 star ratings on Amazon, one even saying the writing was childlike! I found the book every bit as a good as those from writers such as Linwood Barclay, Andrew Gross, James Patterson. The book kept me gripped to the end, and boy what an ending.
I would certainly read more books from this author, although not so keen on the terrorist genre of books, but certainly if he wrote more thrillers like this I would buy them all.
Highly recommend it. Give it a try.
Initially I couldn't work out where the book was going as in the first 4 chapters, two were dealing with a child taker and the other two were dealing with a secret ops unit in somalia. When it became apparant where the book was going I was enthralled and couldn't put it down.
I cannot believe those that gave the book 1 and 2 star ratings on Amazon, one even saying the writing was childlike! I found the book every bit as a good as those from writers such as Linwood Barclay, Andrew Gross, James Patterson. The book kept me gripped to the end, and boy what an ending.
I would certainly read more books from this author, although not so keen on the terrorist genre of books, but certainly if he wrote more thrillers like this I would buy them all.
Highly recommend it. Give it a try.
Saturday 19 March 2011
Books released into the wild today.....
Well I have released some more books into the wild again today with bookcrossing. It's such a fun thing to do, leaving them in all sorts of places for people to find them, pick them up and take them home, then journal them. For those who don't know bookcrossing, these are classed as "wild releases" as you are releasing them into the wild.
Today I released, Silver Linings Play Book.
This one was left in a Riekers shoe store on one of the seats, so when someone tries some shoes on they will get a book as a bonus!
I also released, A Compromising Position, by Carole Matthews.
I left this one in The Three Swans Hotel, Market Harborough in the hotel seating area.
I made friends with a lady from The Netherlands, who had on her wishlist a book called "Oranges are Not the Only Fruit". She had been very helpful to me, when setting up my BookCrossing account, so I sent it to her as a gift.
Then I offered what BookCrossing call a BookRing, where you send a book on to one person, and they send it to another and so on, until it comes back to you. I put a little note book in with it, so people can add their thoughts about the book, and this will travel with the book. It is going all around the UK, to France, Netherlands, USA and Canada, so will be well travelled. The book I offered was called Hunting Unicorns.
Quite a different genre of books, all now going to good homes.
If you're not a member have a look at BookCrossing, as I think it's great! Some great giveaways on there too.
Today I released, Silver Linings Play Book.
I also released, A Compromising Position, by Carole Matthews.
I made friends with a lady from The Netherlands, who had on her wishlist a book called "Oranges are Not the Only Fruit". She had been very helpful to me, when setting up my BookCrossing account, so I sent it to her as a gift.
Quite a different genre of books, all now going to good homes.
If you're not a member have a look at BookCrossing, as I think it's great! Some great giveaways on there too.
Friday 18 March 2011
I've won a book! Woo Hoo..... Thank you good reads.
I am really chuffed! I have just had an e-mail to say that I have won a book through GoodReads on the Read First section.
Not Easily Washed Away: Memoirs Of A Muslim's Daughter by Brian Arthur Levene.
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4418398.Brian_Arthur_Levene
Brief Synopsis;
Not Easily Washed Away is the true story of Laila Hassan. Born to a Muslim family in Pakistan,she suffers sexual, mental and physical abuse for fifteen years by her father Abdulla Hassan. Laila decides to take advantage of her father’s incestuous addiction by having him acquire a visa for her to the United States where she feels as if she can rid herself of a putrid past. The book is written from a psychological perspective in first person as Laila shared her painful past with the author/editor, and spares no details of her feelings, actions and outlook throughout her ordeal as a child, teenager and young adult.
As soon as I've received and read it, I'll be posting a review.
Not Easily Washed Away: Memoirs Of A Muslim's Daughter by Brian Arthur Levene.
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4418398.Brian_Arthur_Levene
Brief Synopsis;
Not Easily Washed Away is the true story of Laila Hassan. Born to a Muslim family in Pakistan,she suffers sexual, mental and physical abuse for fifteen years by her father Abdulla Hassan. Laila decides to take advantage of her father’s incestuous addiction by having him acquire a visa for her to the United States where she feels as if she can rid herself of a putrid past. The book is written from a psychological perspective in first person as Laila shared her painful past with the author/editor, and spares no details of her feelings, actions and outlook throughout her ordeal as a child, teenager and young adult.
As soon as I've received and read it, I'll be posting a review.
Book Crossing goodies
I am so excited. I have just received my Book Crossing goodie bag today. I am addicted to Book Crossing!
I have some plastic bags, in which I can hang my books to fence posts, bus stops or similar things, for people to take their surprise find away. They are good all weather bags, so could put my book in it and leave it on a park bench or something.
I have also got some yellow sticky notes, telling the finder that "Yes it is a free book and it's yours to keep". Plus there's lots of stickers for the inside of the book too.
My last bookcrossing book, I left in a shopping trolley, and the finder actually put a note on bookcrossing against the book ID to say what a surprise it was. They read the book in a day and then sent it on it's travels again.
If you haven't tried BookCrossing then I suggest you try it. It's such good fun!
I have some plastic bags, in which I can hang my books to fence posts, bus stops or similar things, for people to take their surprise find away. They are good all weather bags, so could put my book in it and leave it on a park bench or something.
I have also got some yellow sticky notes, telling the finder that "Yes it is a free book and it's yours to keep". Plus there's lots of stickers for the inside of the book too.
My last bookcrossing book, I left in a shopping trolley, and the finder actually put a note on bookcrossing against the book ID to say what a surprise it was. They read the book in a day and then sent it on it's travels again.
If you haven't tried BookCrossing then I suggest you try it. It's such good fun!
Thursday 17 March 2011
Kindle v Paperback
For ages my husband kept going on about wanting to buy me a Kindle for Christmas, but I kept saying that I loved the feel of having a book in my hand. One of the girls at work had a Kindle and she showed me how it worked and talked through the advantages of having a kindle especially when it comes to holidays!
I wasn't initially convinced, but when she said about holidays I thought that it would be better than carrying 6 or so paperbacks on holiday with me.
So in the end I relented and Santa bought me one. I must admit I am very pleased with it. It's easier to carry it in my handbag and take on holiday. I download all the books I want on it before I go. I have found access to numerous sites like Smashwords and NetGalley where I can pick up free books. They are usually from new or just unknown authors and I have read some better books on there than from well known authors.
I still buy paperbacks/hardbacks though, and when recently in London I visited Waterstones in Picadilly which is on 5 floors and I was in heaven! I could have spent all day there. I did purchase 3 books, so my Kindle hasn't killed my love of "real books". One of them being "The Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch". This book is a mixture of a crime book with modern day policing, versus a Harry Potter type book with Wizards. It looks fun and quirky.
Now I have both paperbacks/hardbacks and my kindle. I have managed to get so many free books or books under £1 for my kindle, and have built my collection up quite quickly. Most of the older books, like Jane Austen, Dickens etc, and now out of copyright, so they are all free.
So I'm still addicted to books but instead of being addicted to two types, I'm now addicted to three! The third also having music on it so I can read and listen to music at the same time!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rivers-London-Ben-Aaronovitch/dp/0575097566/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1300403111&sr=1-1
Due out 21st April 2011
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Moon-Over-Soho-Ben-Aaronovitch/dp/0575097604/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1300403111&sr=1-4
Pre order from Amazon -- currently only £6.49! Bargain.
If you have any questions about the Kindle please feel free to ask me.
I wasn't initially convinced, but when she said about holidays I thought that it would be better than carrying 6 or so paperbacks on holiday with me.
So in the end I relented and Santa bought me one. I must admit I am very pleased with it. It's easier to carry it in my handbag and take on holiday. I download all the books I want on it before I go. I have found access to numerous sites like Smashwords and NetGalley where I can pick up free books. They are usually from new or just unknown authors and I have read some better books on there than from well known authors.
I still buy paperbacks/hardbacks though, and when recently in London I visited Waterstones in Picadilly which is on 5 floors and I was in heaven! I could have spent all day there. I did purchase 3 books, so my Kindle hasn't killed my love of "real books". One of them being "The Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch". This book is a mixture of a crime book with modern day policing, versus a Harry Potter type book with Wizards. It looks fun and quirky.
Now I have both paperbacks/hardbacks and my kindle. I have managed to get so many free books or books under £1 for my kindle, and have built my collection up quite quickly. Most of the older books, like Jane Austen, Dickens etc, and now out of copyright, so they are all free.
So I'm still addicted to books but instead of being addicted to two types, I'm now addicted to three! The third also having music on it so I can read and listen to music at the same time!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rivers-London-Ben-Aaronovitch/dp/0575097566/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1300403111&sr=1-1
Due out 21st April 2011http://www.amazon.co.uk/Moon-Over-Soho-Ben-Aaronovitch/dp/0575097604/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1300403111&sr=1-4
Pre order from Amazon -- currently only £6.49! Bargain.
If you have any questions about the Kindle please feel free to ask me.
In the aftermath of the earthquake and the tsunami
I know this is going off track from books and holidays, but I have just watched a documentary on TV and it has affected me more than any footage I have seen.
The programme itself was about Man V Mother Nature. They were talking about how in most instances Man can do nothing to survive the wrath of Mother Nature. They showed you rescue workers, working through all the rubble and the water.
What then hit me was that they dragged a car from the water, and it was obvious that there were bodies inside as you could see someone slumped in their driving seat. That made me cry and that has never happened before when watching something like this. Not that I am a hard person; far from it.
It is terrible what these people have gone through and are still going through. Such a proud nation.
It makes me glad to live in the UK, as although we have had earthquakes in the past few years we have not experienced anything like these people are having to indure now. My heart goes out to them.
The programme itself was about Man V Mother Nature. They were talking about how in most instances Man can do nothing to survive the wrath of Mother Nature. They showed you rescue workers, working through all the rubble and the water.
What then hit me was that they dragged a car from the water, and it was obvious that there were bodies inside as you could see someone slumped in their driving seat. That made me cry and that has never happened before when watching something like this. Not that I am a hard person; far from it.
It is terrible what these people have gone through and are still going through. Such a proud nation.
It makes me glad to live in the UK, as although we have had earthquakes in the past few years we have not experienced anything like these people are having to indure now. My heart goes out to them.
Blogging about bloggers!
Wow. I have discovered what a lovely group of people bloggers are! I joined as a member of Book Blogs. See my link at the side of my blog.
They are a great bunch of people and I have learnt alot in the short time I have been blogging.
If you're having a bad day then look at the inspirational messages on http://www.thewritetomakealiving.com. This is a great blog. A mixture of books, life and motivational messages. I love it.
So thank you to everyone so far who is helping my blog to grow. I promise to keep it clean; keep it friendly; and keep it fun.
Thanks for looking. xx
They are a great bunch of people and I have learnt alot in the short time I have been blogging.
If you're having a bad day then look at the inspirational messages on http://www.thewritetomakealiving.com. This is a great blog. A mixture of books, life and motivational messages. I love it.
So thank you to everyone so far who is helping my blog to grow. I promise to keep it clean; keep it friendly; and keep it fun.
Thanks for looking. xx
Me and Mickie James
Someone recommended this book to me and said it's a really light hearted, fun and amusing read. So I thought I'd buy it from Amazon.
It arrived this morning and I am gobsmacked as I found out it's author, Drew Gummerson, works with me! I never even knew he wrote books! Funny how you can see someone at work often, although I only know him in passing, and not even know something like this, which to me is a big thing.
Can't wait to read it to see if it is the sort of book that I would associate with him as a person.
http://drewgum.wordpress.com/
It arrived this morning and I am gobsmacked as I found out it's author, Drew Gummerson, works with me! I never even knew he wrote books! Funny how you can see someone at work often, although I only know him in passing, and not even know something like this, which to me is a big thing.
Can't wait to read it to see if it is the sort of book that I would associate with him as a person.
http://drewgum.wordpress.com/
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
I am thrilled to find that this book, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
has been made into a film. It is one of my most favourite books and hopefully the film will do the book justice. I can't wait to see it! Dont think hubbie will join me on this one, so any friends who like the look of the clip are free to join me instead!
Wednesday 16 March 2011
Eating out and Dog Racing
Well I feel really bad, because yet again I am not cooking.
Last night, we met up with the lady who we are renting our apartment from in Crete and she was telling us about the village, and the typical Greek tavernas, and the colourful locals. It has made us even more excited about it, to be living in a typical Greek village and not in a place full of tourists. Apparantly the tourists turn up in the daytime as it was the birthplace of El Greco, the painter & sculptor (Δομήνικος Θεοτοκόπουλος) Thats his full name in Greek,Doménikos Theotokópoulos. He was born in Fodele, Crete at the time it was part of the Republic of Venice. Therefore we are going to be out during the day, and go back to the village when all the tourists have gone home and mix with all the locals. My Greek isn't very good though!
Back to the subject of not cooking. We met her in the pub and stayed for the carvery, which at £5.99 is a bargain.
Tonight we are going Greyhound Racing in Peterborough with a gang from work, and we are eating there as well. I could get used to not cooking! I only bet £1 a race, not being a gambler, and always go for the dog with the nicest name. Its a great night out for a gang of friends. So no more booking reading for me tonight, although I am really getting into my book now and am about 60% of the way through it.
Will update with my winnings, or more likely my losses tomorrow.
Last night, we met up with the lady who we are renting our apartment from in Crete and she was telling us about the village, and the typical Greek tavernas, and the colourful locals. It has made us even more excited about it, to be living in a typical Greek village and not in a place full of tourists. Apparantly the tourists turn up in the daytime as it was the birthplace of El Greco, the painter & sculptor (Δομήνικος Θεοτοκόπουλος) Thats his full name in Greek,Doménikos Theotokópoulos. He was born in Fodele, Crete at the time it was part of the Republic of Venice. Therefore we are going to be out during the day, and go back to the village when all the tourists have gone home and mix with all the locals. My Greek isn't very good though!
Back to the subject of not cooking. We met her in the pub and stayed for the carvery, which at £5.99 is a bargain.
Tonight we are going Greyhound Racing in Peterborough with a gang from work, and we are eating there as well. I could get used to not cooking! I only bet £1 a race, not being a gambler, and always go for the dog with the nicest name. Its a great night out for a gang of friends. So no more booking reading for me tonight, although I am really getting into my book now and am about 60% of the way through it.
Will update with my winnings, or more likely my losses tomorrow.
Tuesday 15 March 2011
Now Reading
I am now reading Child Taker, by Conrad Jones. I'm only about 4 chapters in, and it's quite interesting. The 1st and 3rd chapters are about The Child Taker himself, and the 2nd and 4th chapters are about a female in the forces on an undercover assignment. I am sure they will meet somewhere and I'm intrigued to find out where. So far it's like I'm reading two separate books, but it intrigues me.
Will update more when I've finished reading it.
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/j/conrad-jones/child-taker.htm
Will update more when I've finished reading it.
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/j/conrad-jones/child-taker.htm
Just finished reading
Just finished reading a Quick Reads book by Ian Rankin called "A Cool Head". If you haven't read it I wouldn't bother. I have always struggled with his books and his style of writing.
I found this book very disjointed, and kept moving around a lot. I ended up forgetting who was related to who, and who fit in where and it was only a "Quick Read". I have read books from relatively unknown authors like Simon Gould, and their books were 10x better than this one.
http://www.bookcrossing.com/title/44186
Its funny as I loved the Rebus series on TV but just can't get into his books. I wont try again.
I found this book very disjointed, and kept moving around a lot. I ended up forgetting who was related to who, and who fit in where and it was only a "Quick Read". I have read books from relatively unknown authors like Simon Gould, and their books were 10x better than this one.
http://www.bookcrossing.com/title/44186
Its funny as I loved the Rebus series on TV but just can't get into his books. I wont try again.
Countdown to Fodele, Crete
Well only a couple of weeks to go, before we go off on our winter travels to Fodele, Crete.
http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-east/fodele.htm.
We are staying at a fantastic apartment belonging to a friend.
http://myholidayhomeincrete.co.uk/default.aspx
I can't post any photos as they are all copyrighted, but will have plenty of my own to post when we get home.
I also discovered at the same time, that one of my schoolfriends who I'd been corresponding with, lives about an hour or so down the road from the village. I am so excited to be going to see her. I thought she lived on mainland Greece. We were friends for many years.
We're meeting my friend who's apartment it is, at the pub tonight, to go over final details as she is off there next week. I'm hoping she leaves us with some nice weather. It's about 20' there at the moment.
http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-east/fodele.htm.
We are staying at a fantastic apartment belonging to a friend.
http://myholidayhomeincrete.co.uk/default.aspx
I can't post any photos as they are all copyrighted, but will have plenty of my own to post when we get home.
I also discovered at the same time, that one of my schoolfriends who I'd been corresponding with, lives about an hour or so down the road from the village. I am so excited to be going to see her. I thought she lived on mainland Greece. We were friends for many years.
We're meeting my friend who's apartment it is, at the pub tonight, to go over final details as she is off there next week. I'm hoping she leaves us with some nice weather. It's about 20' there at the moment.
Book Giving continues
My next part of book giving, took part at the Lakelands Hospice Respite Day Care Centre, a centre for people with varying cancers. I gave the books to patients, volunteers and staff. One said "ooh thats a raunchy lesbian book. I've read that before!" But she still had a copy. That made me laugh. I don't quite think I would class the book with that catch line.
From there I went to Marlow House Day Care Centre in Desborough, which is a centre that provides food and a meeting place for elderly people. One man when given a book, said I'd made his day. This book giving is good fun, putting smiles on peoples faces.
The following day I went to Desborough Library. Some book givers had found that their local libraries weren't very supportive and didn't want people giving books away on their premises. I can honestly say that Desborough library, Julie and her staff, were fantastic! There is a council office on site and I gave the books to people waiting in the queue rather than giving books to people who were already reading. Also gave one to a delivery driver who turned up at the library, who was more than pleased to give it to his wife and daughter to read, and said it felt like Christmas!
My last copies went to a friend and other book givers, swapping for the books they were giving away. Maybe that wasn't really the ethos behind the whole book giving thing, but I can still pass mine on when I've read them.
From there I went to Marlow House Day Care Centre in Desborough, which is a centre that provides food and a meeting place for elderly people. One man when given a book, said I'd made his day. This book giving is good fun, putting smiles on peoples faces.
The following day I went to Desborough Library. Some book givers had found that their local libraries weren't very supportive and didn't want people giving books away on their premises. I can honestly say that Desborough library, Julie and her staff, were fantastic! There is a council office on site and I gave the books to people waiting in the queue rather than giving books to people who were already reading. Also gave one to a delivery driver who turned up at the library, who was more than pleased to give it to his wife and daughter to read, and said it felt like Christmas!
My last copies went to a friend and other book givers, swapping for the books they were giving away. Maybe that wasn't really the ethos behind the whole book giving thing, but I can still pass mine on when I've read them.
Monday 14 March 2011
The Sanctuary Homeless Shelter
Part two of my book giving journey was at the Sanctuary Homeless shelter in Rushden, Northants, UK. Again with the support of my Husband Dave, we visited on the Sunday after World Book Night, just as they were cooking Sunday dinner for everyone. We met with the Minister Mark who ran the place. It was a great set up.
They had cooking facilities and were able to feed many people, with the help of donations from the public and the supermarkets. They had a clothes rail for the homeless people and I donated a sack of clothes. They had a shower room and a utility room, and temporary bedrooms for the homeless, whilst they were being helped along and given an address so they could move on with their lives.
I donated toiletries and washing powder too.
I gave several books to the staff, volunteers and homeless persons. It was a matter of pride for them to have something of their own.
A very worthwhile cause and some lovely people. It helped remove my previous impressions of a homeless person. They all have stories to tell, some are very sad. They can be from all walks of life, including the armed forces.
We met a lovely man called Paul who had a real tale to tell. If you are interested in hearing his story, he has set up a website so have a look.
http://www.homelessbob.org.uk/editorshistory.htm
They had cooking facilities and were able to feed many people, with the help of donations from the public and the supermarkets. They had a clothes rail for the homeless people and I donated a sack of clothes. They had a shower room and a utility room, and temporary bedrooms for the homeless, whilst they were being helped along and given an address so they could move on with their lives.
I donated toiletries and washing powder too.
I gave several books to the staff, volunteers and homeless persons. It was a matter of pride for them to have something of their own.
A very worthwhile cause and some lovely people. It helped remove my previous impressions of a homeless person. They all have stories to tell, some are very sad. They can be from all walks of life, including the armed forces.
We met a lovely man called Paul who had a real tale to tell. If you are interested in hearing his story, he has set up a website so have a look.
http://www.homelessbob.org.uk/editorshistory.htm
Books and Beaches
My blogging is quite new. I did make an attempt at doing one before but I got too busy and stopped doing it. My renewed interest in pursuing all things book like, and my many travel plans for 2011 have made me want to do a new blog about the two loves in my life (apart from my husband and my cats of course). BOOKS & BEACHES!
Not just beaches though, I love all holidays, and have made plans so far for 3 this year, not counting my weekends away in London and wherever else takes our fancy. Hoping to fit in a visit to our friends in Northern Ireland and Devon & Cornwall too.
So this blog will be all things travel and all things books and anything else that takes my fancy.
I hope you enjoy reading it, but if you dont I will enjoy doing it. I do welcome comments good and bad!
Not just beaches though, I love all holidays, and have made plans so far for 3 this year, not counting my weekends away in London and wherever else takes our fancy. Hoping to fit in a visit to our friends in Northern Ireland and Devon & Cornwall too.
So this blog will be all things travel and all things books and anything else that takes my fancy.
I hope you enjoy reading it, but if you dont I will enjoy doing it. I do welcome comments good and bad!
WORLD BOOK NIGHT 2011
Well there's no better time to start my blog than around the time of World Book Night 2011.
What a fabulous night we had, my husband and I, in Trafalgar Square, London. I was fortunate enough to be chosen as a "book giver", and gave away "Fingersmith, by Sarah Waters", being a book I myself, really enjoyed. It was great to hear so many famous authors, actors and the Mayor of London reading from either their own or their favourite books. With the addition of the hilarious Graham Norton as the evenings host, despite it being very cold outside, the evening was great.
I gave my first book to another book giver at the event, and then my second to another lady who was visiting the event, but not a book giver herself.
We then went to the Strada Italian Restaurant just around the corner and gave a copy to our waitress who was really helpful. She seemed really pleased to receive a copy and went off to show her colleagues. My next copy of the night was given to an American Tourist from New York, who we met whilst in Covent Garden in a small pub up a little side street.
That was all stage one of my book giving.... More was to come.
What a fabulous night we had, my husband and I, in Trafalgar Square, London. I was fortunate enough to be chosen as a "book giver", and gave away "Fingersmith, by Sarah Waters", being a book I myself, really enjoyed. It was great to hear so many famous authors, actors and the Mayor of London reading from either their own or their favourite books. With the addition of the hilarious Graham Norton as the evenings host, despite it being very cold outside, the evening was great.
I gave my first book to another book giver at the event, and then my second to another lady who was visiting the event, but not a book giver herself.
We then went to the Strada Italian Restaurant just around the corner and gave a copy to our waitress who was really helpful. She seemed really pleased to receive a copy and went off to show her colleagues. My next copy of the night was given to an American Tourist from New York, who we met whilst in Covent Garden in a small pub up a little side street.
That was all stage one of my book giving.... More was to come.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)