Lilywhite

Lena Dunham Not That Kind Of Girl: A Young Woman Tells You What She's Learnt Lena Dunham, acclaimed writer-director-star of HBO and Sky Atlantic’s ‘Girls’ and the award-winning movie ‘Tiny Furniture’, displays her unique powers of observation, wisdom and humour in this exceptional collection of essays. “If I could take what I’ve learned and make one menial job easier for you, or prevent you from having the kind of sex where you feel you must keep your sneakers on in case you want to run away during the act, then every misstep of mine was worthwhile. I’m already predicting my future shame at thinking I had anything to offer you, but also my future glory in having stopped you from trying an expensive juice cleanse or thinking that it was your fault when the person you are dating suddenly backs away, intimidated by the clarity of your personal mission here on earth. No, I am not a sexpert, a psychologist, or a dietician. I am not a mother of three or the owner of a successful hosiery franchise. But I am a girl with a keen interest in having it all, and what follows are hopeful dispatches from the frontlines of that struggle.” Started: 28/12/14 Finished: 31/01/14 Rated: 5/5 Comments: Absolutely brilliant. I loved this very candid but funny collection of stories and memories.

Previous Book Logs Reading with Kat 2014 (15) Reading with Kat 2013 (19) Climbing Mount to be Read with Kat 2012 (26) Kat's 2011 Reading (25) What Kat Read Next 2010 (34) Kat's Reading in 2009 (42) Kat's Reading 2008 (44) Kat's Reading 2007 (43) Kat's Reading 2006 (126) Somewhere to jot down books I'm interested in (so I don't forget them!)

To be read (from the bookshelf) 48 Catherynne M Valente ~ Deathless (review) Trudi Canavan ~ Magicians Apprentice Trudi Canavan ~ The Rogue Trudi Canavan ~ The Ambassadors Mission Philippa Gregory ~ The Red Queen (Cousins War Series book 2) Philippa Gregory ~ The Lady of the Rivers (Cousins War Series book 3) Charlaine Harris ~ Dead and Gone (book 9) Charlaine Harris ~ Death's Excellent Vacation Gregory Maguire ~ Out of Oz Christopher Paolini - Inheritance (book 4) PD James ~ Death Comes to Pemberley George Bernard Shaw ~ Pygmalian Susan Hill ~ Dolly Christopher Fowler ~ Spanky (RISI) Jostein Gaarder ~ Sophie's World J M Warwick ~ A Season of Eden (possibly Mum's copy?) Stephen Foster ~ Walking Ollie Gail Carriger ~ Soulless Pen Farthing ~ One Dog at a Time Holly Black ~ Tithe Holly Black ~ Ironside Alison Weir ~ The Lady Elizabeth Trudi Canavan ~ The Priestess of the White Trudi Canavan ~ Last of The Wilds Trudi Canavan ~ Voice of The Gods Kelley Armstrong ~ Waking The Witch (Otherworld book 11) Kelley Armstrong ~ The Summoning (Darkest Powers Book 1) Kelley Armstrong ~ The Awakening (Darkest Powers Book 2) Kelley Armstrong ~ The Reckoning (Darkest Powers Book 3) Kelley Armstrong ~ Men of the Otherworld Kelley Armstrong ~ Tales of the Otherworld Kelley Armstrong ~ Made to be Broken (Nadia Stafford Book 2) Kelley Armstrong ~ Exit Strategy (Nadia Stafford Book 1) Raven Hart ~ The Vampire's Seduction Raven Hart ~ The Vampire's Kiss Michele Bardsley ~ Because Your Vampire Said So! (book 3) Jeanne Kalogridis ~ Burning Times Sue Townsend ~ The Queen & I Jean Plaidy ~ Uneasy Lies The Head (Tudors bk1) Donald McCaig ~ Rhett Butler's People MaryJanice Davidson ~ Dead and Loving It Susan Hill ~ Mrs DeWinter Karen Chance ~ Touch The Dark Freda Warrington ~ A Taste of Blood Wine Torey Hayden ~ Beautiful Child Margaret Atwood ~ The Handmaids Tale Stieg Larsson ~ The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Somewhere in the attic (still) Mitch Albom ~ For One More Day Michele Bardsley ~ Come hell or high water (book 6) Christie Dickason ~ The Principessa Tess Gerritsen ~ In Their Footsteps Tess Gerritsen ~ Stolen Seth Grahame-Smith & Jane Austen ~ Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Vicky Halls ~ Cat Counsellor Mandasue Heller ~ The Pact Karen Moline ~ Belladonna Kate Morton ~ The Forgotten Garden Jean Plaidy ~ Castille For Isabella (Isabelle & Ferdinand Trilogy bk1) Terry Pratchett ~ The Light Fantastic Justine Picardie ~ Daphne Eva Stachniak ~ Dancing With Kings Alison Weir ~ Innocent Traitor

Currently Reading Read so far * 1. Lena Dunham ~ Not That Kind Of Girl: A Young Woman Tells You What She's Learned * 2. Willy Vlautin ~ Lean On Pete * 3. Bec and N J Pearce ~ Nemesis * 4. Philippa Gregory ~ The White Queen (Cousins War Series book 1) * 5. Amy Poehler ~ Yes Please * 6. Gillian Flynn ~ Gone Girl * 7. Markus Zusak ~ The Book Thief * 8. Philippa Gregory ~ The Red Queen (Cousins War Series book 2) * 9. Caitlin Moran ~ How To Build A Girl *10. Emma Healey ~ Elizabeth is Missing *11. Kathy Lette ~ The Boy Who Fell To Earth *12. Mo Hayder ~ Poppet *13. Mo Hayder ~ Wolf *14. S J Watson ~ Before I Go To Sleep *15. Fiona Neill ~ What The Nanny Saw *16. Truman Capote ~ Breakfast At Tiffany's *17. Zak Baggans ~ I Am Haunted *18. Sylvia Plath ~ The Bell Jar *19. Karen Rose ~ Closer Than You Think *20. Tom Cox ~ Under The Paw: Confessions of a Cat Man

Terry Pratchett Hogfather IT'S THE NIGHT BEFORE HOGSWATCH. AND IT'S TOO QUIET. Where is the big jolly fat man? Why is Death creeping down chimneys and trying to say Ho Ho Ho? The darkest night of the year is getting a lot darker... Susan the gothic governess has got to sort it out by morning, otherwise there won't be a morning. Ever again... The 20th Discworld novel is a festive feast of darkness and Death (but with jolly robins and tinsel too). As they say: 'You'd better watch out...' Started: 08/12/2014 Finished: 30/12/14 Rated: 5/5 Comments: A great way to end the year! Absolutely love Pratchett and Death is one of my favourite characters. This made a lovely change from my usual Christmas read of Dickens.

I would say go for it! Although, it will probably only highlight what I fear men have known for millennia; that women can be crazy! Even I can't answer many of the questions raised but it is very funny I found myself holding in the giggles when reading in public but sometimes it's hard to hide the smile on your face! Can't wait for more of the same in the future.

Caitlin Moran How To Be A Woman There's never been a better time to be a woman: we have the vote and the Pill, and we haven't been burnt as witches since 1727. However, a few nagging questions do remain... Why are we supposed to get Brazilians? Should you get Botox? Do men secretly hate us? What should you call your vagina? Why does your bra hurt? And why does everyone ask you when you're going to have a baby? Part memoir, part rant, Caitlin Moran answers these questions and more in How To Be A Woman - following her from her terrible 13th birthday ('I am 13 stone, have no friends, and boys throw gravel at me when they see me') through adolescence, the workplace, strip-clubs, love, fat, abortion, Topshop, motherhood and beyond. Started: 20/11/2014 Finished: 07/12/2014 Rated: 5/5 Comments: Absolutely loved this book. Caitlin has a fabulous way of connecting with readers and her light and funny style of writing is engaging as well as entertaining. Can't wait to hear more from her.

Joe Hill Horns Ignatius Perrish spent the night drunk and doing terrible things. He woke up the next morning with one hell of a hangover, a raging headache . . . and a pair of horns growing from his temples. Once, Ig lived the life of the blessed: born into privilege, the second son of a renowned American musician, and the younger brother of a rising late-night TV star, Ig had security and wealth and a place in his community. Ig had it all, and more - he had the love of Merrin Williams, a love founded on shared daydreams, mutual daring, and unlikely midsummer magic. Then beautiful, vivacious Merrin was gone - raped and murdered, under inexplicable circumstances - with Ig the only suspect. He was never tried for the crime, but in the court of public opinion, Ig was and always would be guilty. Now Ig is possessed with a terrible new power - with just a touch he can see peoples' darkest desires - to go with his terrible new look, and he means to use it to find the man who killed Merrin and destroyed his life. Being good and praying for the best got him nowhere. It's time for a little revenge; it's time the devil had his due. Started: 14/10/14 Finished: 04/11/2014 Rated: 3/5 Comments: I managed to finish this one just after Halloween but I still can't really say with any surety if I liked it or not. I know I enjoyed the first half of the book but there came a point where it all just got a bit strange(er) and I'm not entirely sure I got what was going on. Having read the other comments on here, I don't think I'm alone in this but when you're not entirely sure you've understood a book and what the author was intending to put across, it leaves you feeling a little underwhelmed

I managed to finish this one just after Halloween but I still can't really say with any surety if I liked it or not. I know I enjoyed the first half of the book but there came a point where it all just got a bit strange(er) and I'm not entirely sure I got what was going on. Having read the other comments on here, I don't think I'm alone in this but when you're not entirely sure you've understood a book and what the author was intending to put across, it leaves you feeling a little underwhelmed.

I've made a start on this today and I'm immediately drawn in by the conversational style of the book. From the first page you are there in the story, no build up, or history, just bang, let's get on with it. The back story just comes naturally as you read on. I'm pretty sure I'll be finished with this one in no time, it's so easy to read.

I have always gone back to Stephen King The Shining. This year I've decided to take part in the group read instead, although I may still pick it up if I finish earlier than expected!

I remember reading The Shining when I was about 11 or 12 which very quickly developed into trying to get my hands on as many King books as I could. I've never looked back from there and still like to re-read this one around Halloween.

Reading or watching scary stuff doesn't really bother me too much, however, my own imagination can get me into a real state of fright sometimes when I'm home alone. I had to stop watching Crimewatch when I was alone because I would work myself up into a tizz! At least if I'm concentrating on a book or film I'm not frightening myself with other things

Definitely The Overlook Hotel for me. And having lived in a hotel some years ago, I found it incredibly uncomfortable when my mind would make links and comparisons. Scary, scary place!

So, I was searching my book shelf for something seasonal to read for October and came across this one hidden away at the back. I believe it is one of O's books but I'm sure he won't mind me reading it. Incredibly happy that I can read it and take part in the group read for Horror Month and it means I don't have to read IT by Stephen King, which I stupidly admitted to not reading or watching before.

Sylvia Plath The Bell Jar Esther Greenwood is at college and is fighting two battles, one against her own desire for perfection in all things - grades, boyfriend, looks, career - and the other against remorseless mental illness. As her depression deepens she finds herself encased in it, bell-jarred away from the rest of the world. This is the story of her journey back into reality. Highly readable, witty and disturbing, The Bell Jar is Sylvia Plath's only novel and was originally published under a pseudonym in 1963. What it has to say about what women expect of themselves, and what society expects of women, is as sharply relevant today as it has always been. Started: 01/10/14 Finished: Rated: Comments:

Martina Cole Revenge Michael Flynn is untouchable in a world of power, money and violence. He fights for what he wants and he takes it, whatever the cost. He learns the rules of the Life from the best and when his mentor, legendary Face Patrick Costello, is taken out, no one questions that Michael Flynn is his natural successor. For Michael, loyalty - and crime - pay. Michael Flynn rises to heights beyond anything the criminal underworld has seen. He owns everyone and he rules his empire with an even but fierce hand. No one would dare challenge him. Then the unthinkable happens. Perhaps Michael Flynn is not so untouchable after all, and he must learn that... WITHOUT THE SHEDDING OF BLOOD THERE CAN BE NO FORGIVENESS OF SINS. Started: 01/09/14 Finished: 05/10/14 Rated: 3/5 Comments: I feel this book wasn't up to the usual Martina Cole level. Whilst I was able to read and enjoy it, I didn't connect with any of the characters, which left me feeling a bit cold about the whole thing. I also felt that the story was a bit thin on the ground, so I wasn't as engrossed as I usually am. On the plus side, it was still a gritty, dark story based around the life of London's criminal underground, where crime and violence are nothing more than a day to day hazard. Martina has a way of telling these stories that make it almost normal to encounter the criminal element and she brings you into their world quite easily and more often than not, you will empathise with them. Unfortunately, on this occasion, this book was lacking that element for me.

I'm sorry to hear that you have been so badly affected Anna. Although it's a relief to hear that the cost to life has been so minimal. By the sounds of it, it could easily have been much, much more. I can't even imagine how terrified you all must have been. Congratulations to you and Coran, Talisman! Your honeymoon sounded like the perfect retreat. I wish you both many happy years together

Thanks guys! We've managed to go two days now without breaking anything/having any accidents, so I think this may be the last of it. On the up side, I did manage to read more in three days than I have in three months, so there's always a silver lining.

Os and I seem to be stuck in a bit of a bad luck rut at the moment and I'm hoping that we are now, finally, coming out of the other side of it. I know these things usually come in threes but we are well passed three now and it's starting to be a little tiring. We have had everything from a family member passing away, another getting sick, to broken laptops, bicycles and cars. The journey to Norway for the funeral was probably the most stressful thing I've had to deal with in a very long time. Due to an unexploded WWII bomb at the airport, we missed our connecting flight and had to spend the night in Frankfurt and after a further delay on the next flight, only made it to the funeral in Norway with 15 minutes to spare before the ceremony! We were also delayed, again in Frankfurt, coming home on Thursday night and whilst on the motorway, I hit a pot hole and burst my tyre. I feel like I've run some sort of obstacle course in the last three weeks, and if I hadn't had such a horrid time with flights, I would be contemplating a holiday to get over it. I will, however, just be grateful to be sleeping in my own bed

My immediate favourite would be Mrs Doubtfire but the more I have thought about it, the more films have come to mind. One Hour Photo, Hook, Patch Adams, Flubber, Good Morning Vietnam, Aladdin, Jumanji, Toys. This man was such a large part of my childhood and for that I will be forever grateful. RIP

I've changed my mind and started reading this instead. Ransom Riggs Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of very curious photographs. It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive. A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows. Started: 10/0814 Finished: 20/08/14 Rated: 3/5 Comments: I really enjoyed this book for the most part. It's punctuated throughout with old photographs which correlate with the story and I felt gave it extra depth. Once again, I had trouble pinpointing which market this book was aimed at. For the most part I would say young adult but occasionally there were phrases included which led me to think, perhaps not. As I only seem to have this difficulty with Young Adult books, I would think it's safe to say that it probably is! The story is about a young boy who witnesses his grandfather's death in strange circumstances, however, nobody seems to believe his story. His Grandfather's last cryptic words and the discovery of an old letter from a friend, set our main character off on a path of discovery about his grandfather mysterious life and the strange stories he was told as a child. The book was incredibly fascinating and easy to read. It held my attention throughout and I'm very happy to see that there is another book to follow this one, which I will be on the look out for.

George R R Martin A Clash of Kings (A Song of Ice and Fire book 2) Throughout Westeros, the cold winds are rising. From the ancient citadel of Dragonstone to the forbidding lands of Winterfell, chaos reigns as pretenders to the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms stake their claims through tempest, turmoil and war. As a prophecy of doom cuts across the sky - a comet the colour of blood and flame - five factions struggle for control of a divided land. Brother plots against brother and the dead rise to walk in the night. Against a backdrop of incest, fratricide, alchemy and murder, the price of glory is measured in blood. Started: Finished: Rated: Comments:

It's my day off tomorrow and I was planning on doing the usual boring housework and giving the carpets a quick clean. ( I know, I'm so rock and roll!) But the more I hear about how lovely the weather is going to be, the less I want to do it. It's going to end up one of those days where I get everything done super quick and reward myself with a long sit in the sun with a book. At least I'll get a bit of housework done then