My life in 100 words

Another creative writing class task. This is the story of my life in 100 words. It's not a conventional autobiography, but I hope you like it!

It started with Spot the Dog. Then came Ladybird. Then I found Enid Blyton and the wonderful Roald Dahl. On I flew to Jacqueline Wilson, followed by Judy Blume. I discovered Sue Townsend and Adrian Mole. Then Harry Potter was born. It all changed with Zadie Smith. I laughed with Helen Fielding and cried with John Boyne. Had fun with Marian Keyes and learned with Alexander Cordell. Now I spend evenings with Alice Hoffman and time travel with Michel Faber. Go detecting with M.C. Beaton and get thrilled by S.J. Watson.

Times have changed, but books will always be there.

My favourite books of 2011

As it's fast approaching the end of 2011 I thought it would be a good opportunity to think of the books I have read this year and which ones were my favourite.

2011 has been a good year for books for me. Although I didn't have much time for reading at the beginning of the year I have so far managed to read 30 books, none of which were re-reads and I discovered loads of new authors.

So in no particular order...

1. The Crimson Petal and the White - Michel Faber

I bought this book after watching the BBC adaptation, which I loved. This was a huge book and took me ages to read but I absolutely loved it. Faber's writing style hooked me completely from the word go. I enjoyed the way it was told and the descriptions in the book which made the story and it's characters come alive. The book brings the seedy side of the Victorians to light and is graphic in places, but what is the point in writing a book about prostitutes if you don't write about their job?

I would recommend this book to those who love historical fiction and reading about the less discussed side of life!





2. A Spoonful of Poison - MC Beaton

This is one of my more recent reads, but was the book to introduce me to MC Beaton and Agatha Raisin.

I am a huge fan of Midsomer Murders and the way it has weird and wonderful murders in the idyllic countryside. This is also captured by the Agatha Raisin series. In this book, Agatha investigates murders caused by LSD being put into the jam at a village fete. For me, there is nothing not to love!

I am now ploughing through this series and hope to buy more of the books in 2012. I also intend to try the Hamish Macbeth books, also by MC Beaton as they sound right up my street! Lovely easy reads with enjoyable stories!





3. Jamrach's Menagerie - Carol Birch

When I started reading this book I didn't know what to expect. And what the few expectations I did have were totally blown out of the water.

I loved the way this book was written and it easily drew me into the story, even though it wasn't a normal choice for me. The story was descriptive and had strong, likeable characters.

This book really suprised me as I could not have predicted the turn that the story took. I was shocked but equally desperate to find out what happened to Jaffy and the others.

This book will stay with me for a long time and I have already recommended it to others.



4. I Capture the Castle - Dodie Smith

I only found out about this book by chance after reading about it on a blog. Since joining Goodreads I have found that this is a really well loved book and is at the top of many people's favourite book list.

I truly loved reading this book and totally understand why people describe it as a "cosy" read. I had never heard this term before but now I have my own "cosy" list!

I wish I had found this book earlier and am already looking forward to a future re-read!






5. The Night Circus - Erin Morgenstern

As soon as I read the reviews of this book, I knew I had to read it! I'm not really a fan of fantasy books generall, apart from Harry Potter, but this book just appealed to me.

I loved the physical book itself as much as the story. The black and white dust jacket with the dash of red covers a bright red hard cover decorated with mysterious symbols and black edged pages. I was excited about the book before I even opened it!

Even though the story itself was quite slow and very descriptive, I got to know the characters and could really picture the word being described in my minds eye.

A lovely book and I would highly recommend it!


All of the above books have really had an effect on me in some way or another, but I have really enjoyed most of the books I have read this year. 2011 was a good year for reading!!

I am looking forward to welcoming 2012 now and hoping that my to-read pile will not only get smaller through me reading what is already there, but will also continue to grow as I discover new books and authors!

There are still 2 weeks left of 2011, and I happen to have 2 weeks off for Christmas so heres to reading that little bit more before I completely close the door on this year!

I've finished!!!

Finally after around 6 weeks of reading I have finished The Crimson Petal and the White! Even though it took me so long to get through it I loved every word of it and can't wait to get The Apple by Michel Faber. The Apple follows some of the characters you meet in The Crimson Petal and the White but gives an insight into both their past and future. I can't wait to get to know them better!! Roll on payday!

I had a bit of a spurt on reading (a bit like my current spurt on blogging!) and also managed to get through Little Hands Clapping by Dan Rhodes in record time. And I have to say I loved it! It follows the story of a German museum curator and also some of the people he comes across in one way or another. I don't want to say too much as the contents have a suprise to them but the style made me think of a mixture between Roald Dahl and Marcus Zsuzak. I would recommend it as I really enjoyed it.

I am getting a bit worried now though as my "to read" pile has diminished down to four books and with this good weather I know I'll get through them in no time! I think I'll have to do some investing this month (I LOVE book investing!) and at least I know what to ask for formy birthday in September!

Books, Dvds and Wishlists

I've spent a lot of the last week or so reading, watching DVDs and making my Amazon wishlist even bigger than it was!

I'm currently reading The Crimson Petal and The White by Michel Faber. It was recently made into a BBC series which was really good and I decided to give the book a go. Its an 850 page tome with fairly small font which makes it a luttle harder to read than an average novel but is really moreish and really well written.

I'm about a third of the way through, but I already know I want to read more of Michel Faber's books. I love discovering new authors, particularly when they write so well. I felt the same last year when I discovered Sarah Waters' work. It is so easy to read and yet so compelling, I had to buy the collection! My favourite book is her latest release, The Little Stranger. I literally could not put it down! I've really enjoyed all her other books and have found that Fingersmith has been made into a drama. This is on my Amazon wishlist as I really want to see how it was adapted.

My favourite adaptation of a book for TV is White Teeth by Zadie Smith. This is one of my favourite books, discovered when I watched it on Channel 4 a good few years ago.I've read the book loads of times over the last 8 years and recently rediscovered the series on 4od. I haven't seen anything new from Zadie since On Beauty. I hope she continues to write.

I have also spent a lot of time watching an American TV series which my friend has leant me on DVD. Its called Fringe and I was a little sceptical when I first started watching it. I am now hooked and have it on my wish list as I want to watch them all!!!

My favourite character is Professor Bishop (The guy in the middle in the picture). He is brilliantly cast and has a definite mad professor feel to him but is also really likeable. His son is played by Joshua Jackson which is nice.

I'm a football widow at the moment so gonna do a bit of online window shopping for random stuff. Then I might read some more of my book. That all depends on how much lager I drink though!! Haha.