Book Review: Jamrach's Menagerie

I finished reading Jamrach's Menagerie yesterday and really enjoyed it, even the sad bits.
The story is about Jaffy Brown and his life. He starts working at Mr Jamrach's menagerie after deciding to stroke a tiger on the nose when he was 8 as he has an obvious talent with animals. When he is older he goes on an expedition on a ship to find a dragon for one of Mr Jamrach's customers. The story follows his voyage and what he encounters on the way.
I loved the way the book was written. I could really imagine the scenes in Jaffy's life. Because of this, the reader feels a real affinity with the characters. This story will stay with me for a very long time and is a real story of bravery.
It was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize this year, but did not win. I've got another four books from the shortlist to read, including the winner so I'll see if I agree with the judge's choice!

Mushroom Soup

I made some mushroom soup today. I've never made it before but based it on a recipe that my aunt gave me.
Soup is one of my favourite things and have recently started making batches myself and eating it with some lovely crusty bread! I just have to learn to make the bread now!

Picture perfect

I've found the perfect picture for my kitchen wall and can't wait to order it and decorate my kitchen around it!
Pretty beautiful eh?

Book Review: Pigeon English

I've just finished reading Pigeon English and really enjoyed it. I found it easy to read, but very enveloping and I could barely put it down!
It was shortlisted this year for the Man Booker prize. Although it didn't win I can understand why it was nominated for a prize as it reminded me in some ways of White Teeth by Zadie Smith.
Pigeon English is the story of a few month of Harri's life, told in his own words. Harri has moved from Ghana to a London tower block with his mum and sister while the rest of his family are waiting to join them. The language of the book reflects Harri's african origins but also the language spoken by his new friends and also some mis-understandings of English slang. The area he lives in means he inevitably has contact with gangs, but he also wants to do the right thing.
I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it. It is modern and current but could also become timeless.

Be water efficient...

I saw this and had to get it for my desk in work!

Chick lit

I'm not sure how other people feel about chick lit but I've become quite partial to reading a bit of chick lit now and again. It didn't used to be my type of thing, but I quite enjoy the stories and they are generally a bit of easy reading. I like to think of chick lit as a bit of a palate cleanser between reading more full on books.
I'm not into mills and boon or Jackie Collins or other "bonkbuster" type books. I prefer Marian Keyes and Jo Carnegie and other similar authors.
I've just finished reading Sleeping Arrangements which was written by Sophie Kinsella but published under her real name, Madeleine Wickham. It was enjoyable enough but the storyline was a bit weak. It was a good mind clearer before starting on my next pile of books - the Man Booker shortlist.
I have uploaded a picture of my cat Bruce sitting on top of Sleeping Arrangements whilst he was watching tv. He's a cutie but a pain in the bum!

Winter is in the air

I've been on leave for the past few days after going to see Katy Perry in concert on Wednesday. I forgot to take my camera so the ones from my phone aren't too great. Also because I'm so short I couldn't see the stage too well so I've basically only got pics of the screens.
It's been so cold the last few days, particularly after our mini heatwave a few weeks ago and it's making me not want to get out of bed or go out! I just want to stay cwtched up indoors watching tv and reading!
I've signed up to the Goodreads.com website and am finding that it is really inspiring me to read. Particularly as my friends don't read much so we can't share recommendations. My plan for the winter is to do lots of reading, drink lots of hot chocolate, eat lots of soup and get back into blogging! I haven't written a blog for months but I haven't been very well recently and really think it will help if I get back into it. Maybe even sharing day to day things will help me! I've downloaded an app for my phone so have no excuse!
Anyway, I'll stop being boring now! :)