Kell

KNOW ME BETTER If someone wrote a book about your life, what would the title be? It would be one of the following: - The SAHM Memoirs or Confessions of a Yummy Mummy (for my life now) - Stitched Up! (For my cross stitch designing) - The Hills Are Alive With the Sound of Losing (Working at William Hills – a bookies) - Dressing Room Dramas (From my acting days) - The Office Offensive (I worked at the local council in the CE’s office, and spent time plotting many ingenious ways of murdering my more annoying colleagues using ofice implements) If you could have a signed copy of any novel what would it be and why? The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas. It’s one of my all-time favourite novels by an author who is no longer with us. Imagine how wonderful it would be to have an autographed copy with a personal message! Can someone please invent a time machine so I can get that? Horror or Romance? Horror – I’ve never really been a romance reader. If you could choose only one time period and place to live, when and where would you live and why? Really, I’m rather pleased I live NOW as not so very long ago I would have been burned as a Witch! If I had to choose a different historical period though, it would be one of three: - Ancient Rome – I just find that whole era so exciting. It has politics, war, invention, everything! - Tudor England – just don’t let Henry VIII take a fancy to me, please! And don’t let Mary burn me as a heretic. And don’t let Elizabeth chop my block off either… - Regency England – I think I’d just really love to have tea with Jane Austen, to be honest. Do you prefer a bunch of small gifts or one big expensive one? Either – I just love that someone has cared enough to put some thought into something I’d like. It doesn’t need to be expensive, just thoughtful. Honestly, I’m elated if someone buys me a pretty pen and notebook, or a novel I’ve thought of reading, or some pretty cross stitch fabric and threads. Even a daisy picked by my son puts a smile on my face!

BOOKING THROUGH THURSDAY Mood Reading Do you find that your mood affects the things you read? Like, if you’re in a bad mood, do you tend to indulge in reading that will support it or do you try to read things that will cheer you up? Do you pick different types of books on dreary, rainy days than you do on bright sunny ones? For that matter, does your mood color what you’re reading, so that a funny book isn’t so funny or a serious one not so deep? I’ve never really noticed if mood affects my reading, as I tend to have several books on the go at once and will just pick up whichever one I feel like reading, which tends to be the one I’m enjoying most at any given time. I’m possibly more inclined to read thicker books in the winter, as I like to curl up on the sofa with them; and perhaps lighter-weight paperbacks in the summer, as I read more outdoors, but even so, I carry a paperback in my bag anyway and read my hardbacks at home. The multiple-books tactic also means I can have completely different books on the go at once. I may have an historical fiction, a supernatural thriller, a crime drama and a humorous book dotted around my home, all partially read. I’m not conscious of seeking out one over the others depending on my mood, but perhaps I do on a subconscious level…

November Book Round-Up November was a bit of a bumper month for reading, with another eight books finished – seven of them from the young adult section of the library where I’ve discovered some real gems, and one from my own shelf… RATINGS: 1/5 Dire – don’t waste your time 2/5 OK, but nothing to write home about 3/5 Very good – worth a read 4/5 Excellent 5/5 Superb – read it immediately! BOOKS FINISHED: 73. Stephen Cole – Resurrection (Wereling Trilogy 3) - 3/5 This is the conclusion of the trilogy, and although it was pretty good, the ending was just slightly disappointing – a bit of a damp squib. I wanted the conclusion to resolve everything but it felt like it had been left just a little open in case the author had an idea for a further installment. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t bad – not by a long shot – it just didn’t quite deliver in the way I had hoped it would. Still, over all, the trilogy is a decent enough read and a fun way to fill a few hours if you like young adult paranormal books. 74. Sarah Singleton – Century - 3/5 A young adult novel that is very cryptic and the mystery is rather compelling - I felt like I was being slowly reeled in like a fish and at some point I would realise I couldn’t escape the pull. It was an enjoyable read but there was something about it that left me feeling there was something missing – some explanation as to the origins of the family’s secret. It is, however, beautifully written – Singleton is an author I will be trying again at some point in the future. 75. Julia Golding – Cat’s Cradle (Cat Royal 6) - 3/5 This series of young adult novels has touched on some serious subjects, from slavery to revolution to piracy and fighting for a cause, but this one didn’t really have a “big” theme – just the more personal one of finding one’s family. That said, it was still a warming and endearing story and an enjoyable read, and I look forward to completing the series with the novella which is only available as an e-book. 76. Chris Riddell – Ottoline and the Yellow Cat (Ottoline 1) - 4/5 I adore Chris Riddell’s illustrations, but before now I had only ever seen his work when accompanied by the words of another (Paul Stewart in The Edge Chronicles and Neil Gaiman in The Graveyard Book). This first experience of his own story with his gorgeous drawings is something of a revelation! I love the quirkiness of the characters and plot – Riddell has style and flair which, when coupled with those fantastic pen-and-ink renderings, is a winning combination. 77. Chris Riddell – Ottoline Goes to School (Ottoline 2) - 4/5 The second Ottoline adventure is just as wonderful as the first. Such a sensible little girl in an unusual situation (absent parents who travel the world while she stays home with Mr Munroe, a small, hairy fellow from the bogs of Norway) trying to find some kind of normality but remaining extraordinary. This series has enough charm to appeal to readers of all ages! 78. Erin Morgenstern – The Night Circus - 4/5 When I first got notification of this novel’s impending publication, I fell completely in love with the hardback cover and just knew I had to have it. In the intervening time, I read synopses and then reviews before I bought it and everything pointed towards this being excellent. As a result, I had quite ridiculously high expectations of The Night Circus, but you know what? It pretty much lived up to them, which should have been almost impossible! The writing is just gorgeous and as the plot unfolds and the characters are developed, whilst hopping backwards and forwards in time to tell it, the mystery deepens till the reader is in exactly the same position as the participants – trying to work everything out and make sense of it all. It’s well worth reading this, so if you’re still on the fence, please do hop down on the side of “I’m going to try this book!” 79. Maria V Snyder – Fire Study (Study 3) - 3/5 The final installment of the Study trilogy. Although I enjoyed this one, I wasn’t quite as enamoured of it as I was the others. The first in the series (Poison Study) is definitely the best, but that’s not to say the other two aren’t good – there’s marginal difference in my preference. Fire Study finished the story arc in a very satisfying manner with loads of action, adventure and intrigue between the pages. 80. Sarwat Chadda – Devil’s Kiss - 4/5 Fans of Arthurian legends will recognise a lot of names in Devil’s Kiss – Arthur, Kay, Gwain and Bors are all present and correct to name but a small handful, but they’re not the same old characters we all know and love from the Medieval histories and romances – this is bang up to date! This is a fresh take on the Knights Templar and their role in keeping the Faith. It’s exciting and energetic and will keep readers of all ages on their toes, although it will especially appeal to teenagers (well, it is a young adult novel). Devil’s Kiss is edgy and doesn’t pull any punches. Right from the first page there’s action and mystery in equal measure and you just can’t wait to turn the page and find out what happens next! BOOKS STARTED (carrying over to November): Muriel Marbery – The Elegance of the Hedgehog I’ve only just started on this, so I can’t really comment yet… BOOKS ABANDONED UNFINISHED: Various – Dates From Hell This is the second time I’ve abandoned this book and it’s doubtful I’ll ever try it again, as it feels like such a chore every time I pick it up! Compilation of four novellas by four different authors as follows: Kim Harrison – Undead in the Garden of Good and Evil - 1/5 Absolutely dire. Reading this novella reminded me why I never got past the second book in the Rachel Morgan series. This novella includes the most unsexy and unexciting blood/sex scene I have ever had the misfortune to encounter and the story is both dull and predictable. I will be happy if I never read anything by this author again as long as I live. The Claire Switch Project (PARTIALLY READ) So far as I got it’s pretty decent and a damned sight better than the previous story, but not good enough to make me want to continue. Kelley Armstrong – Chaotic I may read this part at some part in the future, because I love Armstrong and adore the WotOW novels. Lori Handeland – Dead Man Dating Never read anything by this author and it’s unlikely I ever will…

W... W... W... Wednesdays * What are you currently reading? * What did you recently finish reading? * What do you think you’ll read next? What are you currently reading? Melissa Marr – Wicked Lovely (Wicked Lovely 1) Chosen from the young adult section of the library. I know absolutely nothing about this series – I chose it based on the title (which I love!) and the cover (which is rather pretty). I’m not very far into it, but so far it’s OK. Nothing particularly original as far as I can see, but enjoyable enough to keep me going to see if that changes… What did you recently finish reading? Sarwat Chadda – Devil’s Kiss - 4/5 Fans of Arthurian legends will recognise a lot of names in Devil’s Kiss – Arthur, Kay, Gwain and Bors are all present and correct to name but a small handful, but they’re not the same old characters we all know and love from the Medieval histories and romances – this is bang up to date! This is a fresh take on the Knights Templar and their role in keeping the Faith. It’s exciting and energetic and will keep readers of all ages on their toes, although it will especially appeal to teenagers (well, it is a young adult novel). Devil’s Kiss is edgy and doesn’t pull any punches. Right from the first page there’s action and mystery in equal measure and you just can’t wait to turn the page and find out what happens next! What do you think you’ll read next? Muriel Marbery – The Elegance of the Hedgehog After I mentioned it in my Friday Finds, a forum friend said he’d just finished this book and asked if I would like his copy as he was just going to donate it to a charity shop. I took him up on his very kind offer and will be reading it next…

I had what I always thought was my dream job - I was an actor! I was on the stage from the age of 3 and after 20 years in the biz (and finally managing to make a living from it) I realised it was not what I wanted to do after all and I quit. In the end it was the stress of constantly moving around and remembering lines (I have the world's worst memory!) that killed it for me. I've never regretted that decision. Currently I really AM in my dream job - I'm a stay-at-home Mum to Xander who just turned 3. I work 3 evenings a week at a bookie's which isn't the best job in the world, but it helps ends meet and is flexible, meaning I get to stay home with Xan all day and can pretty uch pick and choose my hours, which is very handy. When Xan (and his younger brother or sister if and when they ever arrive!) go to school, I'll go back to day work - pobably back into an office. Till I had Xan, I worked in the CE office at the local counsil and I loved it there. I hope I'll fnid something like that again in the future. Actually, I think I'd like to work in publishing, given the chance . Ithnk I'd make a great editor. I'm currently proofreader and assistant editor for a Pagan magazine (free of charge) and I love doing that. I also occasionally write an article for them. I'd also love to one day make a living with my cross stitch designs, but I think that will only ever be a sideline... PS please excuse all the typoes - I'm typing this one-handed whilst eating before heading out to work - LOL!

TEASER TUESDAYS 1. Grab your current read 2. Open to a random page 3. Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page 4. BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) 5. Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! My teaser: Synopsis: There’s Nothing To Fear But Fear Itself….And Billi SanGreal. As the youngest and only female member of the Knights Templar, Bilquis SanGreal grew up knowing she wasn’t normal. Instead of hanging out at the mall or going on dates, she spends her time training as a soldier in her order’s ancient battle against the Unholy. Billi’s cloistered life is blasted apart when her childhood friend, Kay, returns from Jerusalem, gorgeous and with a dangerous chip on his shoulder. He’s ready to reclaim his place in Billi’s life, but she’s met someone new: amber-eyed Michael, who seems to understand her like no one else, effortlessly claiming a stake in her heart. But the Templars are called to duty before Billi can enjoy the pleasant new twist to her life. One of the order’s ancient enemies has resurfaced, searching for a treasure that the Templars have protected for hundreds of years — a cursed mirror powerful enough to kill all of London’s firstborn. To save her city from catastrophe, Billi will have to put her heart aside and make sacrifices greater than any of the Templars could have imagined. What I think of it so far: For once, I’ve actually just finished the book I’m using for Teaser Tuesday and I can vouch for this being a great one! Fans of Arthurian legends will recognise a lot of names in Devil’s Kiss – Arthur, Kay, Gwain and Bors are all present and correct to name but a small handful, but they’re not the same old characters we all know and love from the Medieval histories and romances – this is bang up to date! This is a fresh take on the Knights Templar and their role in keeping the Faith. It’s exciting and energetic and will keep readers of all ages on their toes, although it will especially appeal to teenagers (well, it is a young adult novel). Devil’s Kiss is edgy and doesn’t pull any punches. Right from the first page there’s action and mystery in equal measure and you just can’t wait to turn the page and find out what happens next! ~***~ Top Ten Tuesday My Top Ten books to be read this winter (all from my Xmas wish list!) are: Simon Scarrow – Praetorian (Romans 11) Kelley Armstrong – The Gathering (Darkness Rising 1) Amanda Grange – Henry Tilney’s Diary Philippa Gregory – The Women of the Cousins’ War: The Duchess, the Queen and the King’s Mother Jackson Pierce – Sisters Red Marissa Meyer – Cinder Kendare Blake – Anna Dressed In Blood Maggie Stiefvater – Shiver Jane Austen and Vera Nazaria – Mansfield Park and Mummies Jane Austen and Adam Rann – Emma and the Werewolves Santa, if you’re reading this, I’d love to get some of these in my stocking this year! I promise I’ve been a very good girl…

Don't tell me any different - they died horrible and torturous deaths - as torturous as the movie was for those forced to watc heven part of it - LOL!

Nope. I'm afraid we switched it off before they even managed to get off the island as it was so bad. As far as 'm concerned, they stayed and died on that island - LOL!

A book by any author, debut or established, that has been published for the first time in 2012.

Musing Mondays Will you be buying books for the holidays, this year? If so, for whom, and why? I buy books as gifts for pretty much everyone every year for Christmas! Seriously – why would I not? For those who already love reading, I choose books I know they will love. For those who don’t read regularly, I try to choose books that will excite them and if the book I give them is the only book they read that ear, then I still feel I’ve done a good job. Obviously, because it’s not yet Christmas, I won’t mention which books I’ve chosen or who they are for, because I don’t want to spoil the surprise. Even our son, Xander, who is only three years old, loves books, so he’s included in my festive book frenzy! ~***~ Cover Crazy What I love: By now you will most likely have realised I like covers that have few colours on them. Especially if they’re contrasting. Especially if they’re black and white. I just adore how clean and crisp monochrome looks and this cover is just a stunning one. The coat of arms intrigues me – such unusual and unlikely images adorn it. There’s a white teapot, a black chess piece (a rook or castle), a black octopus and a white rabbit. The inclusion of a white rabbit and a teapot makes me think of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and the chess piece is reminiscent of Alice Through the Looking Glass, so straight away, I’m thinking this has some “down the rabbit hole” confusion and mystery in it. The font is very stark, but makes the title stand out so clearly that I love its simplicity. All in all, this cover is a lesson in just how beautiful and mysterious a monochrome cover can be. And when you read the synopsis, tell me it doesn’t make you go, “Oh, my Gods, I want to read this book IMMEDIATELY!” Go on. I dare you. If you do, I’ll call you a liar! It just sounds frickin’ awesome! Anyway, you’ll have to wait till next year… Synopsis: ‘The body you are wearing used to be mine.’ So begins the letter Myfanwy Thomas is holding when she awakes in a London park surrounded by bodies all wearing latex gloves. With no recollection of who she is, Myfanwy must follow the instructions her former self left behind to discover her identity and track down the agents who want to destroy her. She soon learns that she is a Rook, a high-ranking member of a secret organization called the Chequy that battles the many supernatural forces at work in Britain. She also discovers that she possesses a rare, potentially deadly supernatural ability of her own. In her quest to uncover which member of the Chequy betrayed her and why, Myfanwy encounters a person with four bodies, an aristocratic woman who can enter her dreams, a secret training facility where children are transformed into deadly fighters, and a conspiracy more vast than she ever could have imagined. Filled with characters both fascinating and fantastical, THE ROOK is a richly inventive, suspenseful, and often wry thriller that marks an ambitious debut from a promising young writer.

Theu would be fantasy - retelling a tale from another point of view. Mash-ups are a total subversion of a story, usually with an addition of a different genre element, such as horror or murder-mystery, etc.

Indeed - a mash-up is usually a classic novel which has been given an unusual twist. In many cases it's a horror/supernatural twist (as in Pride and Prejudice and Zombies; or Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters), but sometimes it's a re-working of a classic in a slightly different way (for example Murder at Mansfieild Park, which turns all the characters topsy-turvy). They're a lot of fun. Some mash-up titles to consider might be: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters Mr Darcy; Vampyre Queen Victoria; Demon Hunter Abraham Lincoln; Vampire Slayer Android Karenina Mansfield Park and Mummies Murder at Mansfield Park The Meowmorphosis Jane Slayer Little Vampire Women Little Women and Werewolves I Am Scrooge - A Zombie Story for Christmas Actually, looking at this list, I've already read quite a few of them! I have to say I've enjoyed them all (some to a lesser degree than others, but they've all been enjoyable romps!). In the case of the Austen and Bronte mash-ups, they remain particularly faithful to the original story and they work suprisingly well with the supernatural additions!

My hubby told me a great joke today... What do you call a fear of giants? Fee-Fi-Phobia!

Many of King's books mention events from other books he's written, but I've never found they ruin those books as future reading material. For example, the back story of Gerald's Game features the same eclipse that is a part of the storyline in Delores Clayborne, and it even alludes the events of that eclipse event in Gerald's game, but it doesn't actually contain any actual spoilers (he's very clever that way!). I think you'l be safe to read them I nwhatever order you fancy as they all stand alone (apart from those that are part of a series such as The Green Mile or The Dark Tower) and he's adept at linking things without ruining it for readers who haven't made that connection yet. That's why King is the King!

Thanks, Julie - I'll update the blog challenge page with a link to your thread.

ROFLMAO - I'm glad it tasted good.

The Tea Rose by Jennifer Connolly is an historical romance / saga set in the East end of London and is very good. The fact that I do not read romances as I pretty much hate them, yet enjoyed this one, should indicate just how good it is!

She took your cooker away??? What kind of a monster IS she??? If your flat is supposed to come with the basics of kitchen appliances (check your lease) then she is under obligation to replace it if she needs to remove the existing one for any reason at all. Did she say why she was removing it? Was it faulty and she intends to replace it? If so, depending on how long you've been without, you may be due some of your rent back in compensation to cover the increased price of feeding yourself without any cooker to properly cook food - a sandwich toaster and microwave are not decent substitutes.

No stove??? How do you cook anything??? *dies a little inside at the thought of having no stove*

To be honest, scrambled eggs only take a couple of minutes to cook on the stove, so you're not really saving any time doing them in the microwave, and you get a much better flavour and texture on the hob. Melt a little butter in a pan, crack in your eggs and stir. (I tend to "fold" them slowly, rather than vigourously stirring, as I like the looser texture and larger pieces of egg). When they're done, add a tiny drop of milk and stir in to stop them cooking, then serve immediately. Takes no longer than 5 minutes tops and they're delicious. Just add a little salt and freshly ground pepper to taste, and maybe a small pinch of herbs if you like that. I promise you, if you do it this way, you'll end up with delicious scrambled egg every time. With all the stopping and starting you'd have to d ointhe microwave, it would probably take the same amount of time and they'd be nowhere near as good... Please promise me you won't ruin your eggs doing them in the micro!!!

That's the one I saw - I don't actually watch TV - LOL!

What great books did you hear about / discover this past week? Share with us your FRIDAY FINDS! By following links to blogs taking part in various memes, I’ve heard about so many great books it would be impossible to list them all. I’m also a regular visitor to our local library and am always eagerly awaiting newly published books by my favourite authors. However, here are the ones that really stood out for me this week and for which I’ll be looking out on future book acquisition expeditions: - Elle Strauss – Clockwise (unfortunately, currently unavailable) - Cate Tiernan – Immortal Beloved (Immortal Beloved 1) - Alison Weir – Mary Boleyn (non-fiction) - Daniel O’Malley – The Rook (out next year!) - Elizabeth C Bunce – Star Crossed (Star Crossed 1) - Maria V Snyder – Touch of Power (Avry of Kazan 1) - Maria V Snyder – Storm Glass (Opal Cowan 1) They’ve all gone onto my wish list!

I detest that coffee advert! I do, however, love the new John Lewis advert, with the wee ld and "Please let me get what I want..."

I think it's The Twelve Days of Christmas [Correspodence] by John Julius Norwich and illustrated by the wonderful Quentin Blake. You can find it HERE.