Most disappointing books of 2011

Following my post on my favourite books of 2011, I thought it would only be right and flip it on it's head and write a post about the most disappointing books I've read this year. It has been an amazing year for books this year, so there are only two books in this list.

So, in no particular order:

1. The Sense of an Ending - Julian Barnes

I am really disappointed to have to put a book from the Man Booker shortlist on this list, let alone the winner. This was the third book I read from the shortlist and I was hoping for great things, following reading Pigeon English and Jamrach's Menagerie. Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be.

I really didn't enjoy this book. I found the characters and writing style pompous and the story was pretty boring. Even though it was such a short book, I had to force myself to get through it. I knew there was no point in me putting it to one side and trying again another time as I just didn't like it!

However, I put it onto Read It Swap It and managed to swap it the very same day for Atonement. I have read Atonement before a long time ago, but think I was too young to appreciate it, so a fair swap I think!




2. A Tiny Bit Marvellous - Dawn French

I was given this book for my birthday and was really looking forward to reading it as I had heard good things about it. I really wish I could say I had enjoyed it, but I can't. I thought it was badly written and the characters had no depth, were terrible stereotypes and were totally unlikeable.

The story itself was pretty poor and didn't grab me at all. I won't read this again and will probably try and swap it.

I have Dawn French's Dear Fatty on my to read list so I'm hoping it is better than her stab at a novel!

Vintage decorations

This glass bird was given to me by my grandmother and it was her mother's before that. It's from around the 1920's and has a little metal clip to attach it to the tree. It's so old it has lost the hair that it used to have as a tail and is very fragile. It is my favourite decoration and each year I lovingly wrap it up in tissue to keep it safe. I've seen some similar birds in the shops this year but would never replace my little bird!

This is one of a pair of 1950's trees also given to me by my Nanna. They are both starting to look a little sorry for themselves, but I still love them. I used to work in an open air museum and there was a pair of these trees in the collection there and were used to decorate one of the houses at Christmas time. I was given these as a child to decorate my bedroom, and even though I am now in my mid twenties and own my own house, they still come out every year.

I'm not sure how old this Father Christmas is, but I got him from my Nanna, via my Mum. I used to hang him up in my bedroom at home and he is made of a moulded, hollow plastic. I've now got him hanging up in my kitchen and love the vintage feel that he gives the room. I love old decorations, they somehow feel more Christmassy than new ones. Maybe this is because they remind me of the magic of Christmas as a child.





It's starting to feel a lot like Christmas

I've been busy today preparing for Christmas (only 7 more sleeps to go! Eeek!) and thought I'd post a few pictures.

I've been preparing my pigs in blankets which I have frozen ready for the big day, and have also been baking mince pies. They exploded a bit in the oven but at least I know they are deep filled!!

I have also finished wrapping all my presents, including presents for my cat, Bruce. He always has a little stocking so he doesn't feel left out of the celebrations. Look at the cute cat nip filled gingerbread man he has this year.

I've also taken a few photos of my favourite Christmas decorations. I have quite a few vintage decorations that I have inherited, but I have saved these for a separate post.

Sunday brunch

As I've got a lot to do today I thought I would have a hearty Sunday brunch!

I decided on a sausage and cheese omlette and I reckon it looked pretty good! More on what I've been doing today later! X

Baby it's cold outside

Brrrr it's a cold one today! My plan for the day is to stay indoors, watch TV and read! Here is my reading pile for the day:

I obviously don't expect to get through all of it, but I have a good selection to keep me happy!

I have this weeks celebrity magazines, including the Christmas bumper edition of Heat (eek!), a few self help books which I am reading a bit of now and again, the Agatha Raisin book I am currently reading and a Marian Keyes book which I intend to read next! So quite a selection.

I have decided that there is nothing to be ashamed of with my self help books, and will add them to my "read" list on Goodreads when I finish them, although I won't add them as "currently reading".

I am also having a bit of a rest from reading the Dovekeepers as I am finding it quite hardgoing. I have been enjoying it, I am just finding it quite hard to follow. I may read a bit now and again and read it over a long period, or just put it to one side and try it another time. I have had to do this with a few books which are now my favourites. I suppose that's just the way it goes sometimes!

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!

Book Review: Kissing Christmas Goodbye

Another enjoyable Agatha Raisin mystery.

This time, Agatha is approached by the murderee (whilst still alive) as she believes one of her children is out to murder her before she can get a chance to change her will to cut them out.

Lo and behold, Mrs Tamworthy is suddenly found dead and super-sleuth Agatha is put on the case by her daughter in law.

This book is a fun romp to find the wrongdoer and has an impressive body count of 6, although not all are related to the main plot.

My only disappointment with this book was that the title was slightly misleading. I was expecting a festive murder but the Christmas scenes had no relation to the main story and seemed to be tagged on at the end. Still a fun and enjoyable read!