Lilywhite

I love gardening but unfortunately don't have one. I have to make do with my house plants (which grow in number each year ) And according to the Dr's, I'm highly allergic to grass, so I suppose that doesn't help either.

For some reason I was expecting a more Mitch Albom book. I was wholly prepared to cry.

I finished this one on Thursday and really enjoyed it. I probably wouldn't have picked it up without the encouragement I had from here but I'm glad I did, it was interesting in it's setting and very descriptive. With characters that grow on you, you find yourself encouraging them to solve the mystery within. Out of nowhere I've decided to give an Oprah Winfrey recommendation a go, The Deep End Of The Ocean ~ Jacquelyn Mitchard 'Watch your brother,' says Beth Cappadora to her seven-year-old son Vincent. Only minutes later she turns again and asks, 'Where's Ben?' It's the moment that every mother fears: for three-year-old Ben is gone. And no one can find him. Despite a police search that becomes a nationwide obsession, Ben has vanished, leaving behind a family that will be torn apart with anguish. Until, nine years later, the undreamed-of happens: a twelve-year-old boy knocks on their door - a boy who does not know them, but will irrevocably twist their lives a second time...

I picked this up thinking it was something completely different. By the time I realised it wasn't going where I thought it would I was completely hooked. I love the idea behind it as well, the after death places. Two thumbs up from me, I loved it.

I finished this one the other day and realy enjoyed it, although I didn't make my peace with Freud! I really liked the story, the setting was fantastic and the characters came to life for me. It was like CSI in the early 1900's! My only complaint though was it could maybe have been improved by a little less Freud and more elaboration of plot. They seemed to put 2 and 2 together pretty quickly in my eyes.

Tell him they're borrowed, it doesn't count if they're borrowed.... ask my mum

Ive read about a quarter today and I'm quite enjoying it. I don't really like Freud but I never have even before this book, the rest of it is quite interesting though,

The Constant Princess ~ Phillipa Gregory Loved it Loved it Loved it!! What more can I say, brilliant book Now moving on to Jed Rubenfeld ~ The Interpretation of Murder Manhatten 1909 On the morning after Sigmund Freud arrives in New York on his first - and only - visit to the United States, a stunning debutante is found bound and strangled in her penthouse apartment, high above Broadway. The following night, another beautiful heiress, Nora Acton, os discovered tied to a chandelier in her parents' home, viciously wounded and unable to speak or recall her ordeal. Soon Freud and his American disciple, Stratham Younger, are enlisted to help Miss Acton recover her memory, and to piece together the killer's identity. It is a riddle that will test their skills to the limit, and lead them on a thriolling journey - to the darkest places of the city, and of the human mind.

sounds great Nici, nothing better than free wine I've just opened my Blackcurrent wine and I'm pleasantly surprised. It's lovely, however I feel it's a bit too sweet for mr to drink very often.

So far so good Angel I read one last year by Jean PLaidy on Katherine of Aragon and it's amazing how completely different the stories are even though they both used the same facts. Another unputdownable book by Ms Gregory though.

I finished Wee Free Men yesterday at work. The ending was definately some of the funniest stuff I've read in a while. I keep finding myself talking with a Scottish accent though Now I'm reading The Constant Princess ~ Philippa Gregory This is a splendid and sumptuous historical novel from this internationally bestselling author, telling of the early life of Katherine of Aragon. We think of her as the barren wife of a notorious king; but behind this legacy lies a fascinating story. Katherine of Aragon is born Catalina, the Spanish Infanta, to parents who are both rulers and warriors. Aged four, she is betrothed to Arthur, Prince of Wales, and is raised to be Queen of England. She is never in doubt that it is her destiny to rule that far-off, wet, cold land. Her faith is tested when her prospective father-in-law greets her arrival in her new country with a great insult; Arthur seems little better than a boy; the food is strange and the customs coarse. Slowly she adapts to the first Tudor court, and life as Arthur's wife grows ever more bearable. But when the studious young man dies, she is left to make her own future: how can she now be queen, and found a dynasty? Only by marrying Arthur's young brother, the sunny but spoilt Henry. His father and grandmother are against it; her powerful parents prove little use. Yet, Katherine is her mother's daughter and her fighting spirit is strong. She will do anything to achieve her aim; even if it means telling the greatest lie, and holding to it. Philippa Gregory proves yet again that behind the apparently familiar face of history lies an astonishing story: of women warriors influencing the future of Europe, of revered heroes making deep mistakes, and of an untold love story which changes the fate of a nation.

I really enjoyed Out I hope you do too

It's very tasty I may have a sneeky peek at the other stuff they do later. OU is Ok at the moment, I'm having a weeks break after the last essay and then it's straight back into the work again.

It is yes! The Celtic Spirit Company it says. Just had a sip with ice in it and it's reduced the syrupy texture down a bit.

It was very nice Judy, went down well Just having a small drop of a liqueur we bought at a fair today, it's called black mountain and it's an apple and blackcurrent brandy. It's a bit syrupy but the taste is lovely. I also picked up a bottle of blackcurrent wine because it looked tasty. Mmmm

Having a glass of Tall Gum Shiraz, it's one of our best sellers. Not my favourite best ever, but it is quite nice. Mmmmmm

I've seen these books about but just never really paid any attention to them. (I know, judging books and all that) Maybe you can convince me

I've just bought myself a copy of Rebecca ~ Daphne Du Maurier as the last copy I read came from the library. This one will definately be read more than once

I'm about a quater way through it already and I'm really enjoying it. Trying hard not to laugh too loud at work in case they thing I'm weird(er)

It was a great book, I'm glad I picked it up. Now I'm reading Wee Free Men ~ Terry Pratchett as it was given to me by a friend at work and it was sitting there looking at me today after I finished the last book.

I have Wormwood on my shelf to be read, you will have to let me know what you think Tiger

As previously 'blogged' I finished Maggie O'Farrell's book, and it was great. I've never read anything by her before but will definately be making an effort to pick up a few more by her. Since then I have been reading A Brief History of The Dead ~ Kevin Brockmeier which is another book that has turned out to be nothing like I thought it would be. I am really enjoying this one too. So far it is along the lines of Mitch Albom's TFPYMIH, although not too similar if you get me. And i haven't cried once yet as the story is so interesting This spellbinding story about our lives, loves, and memories will be one of the most talked about novels of 2006. Laura Byrd is in trouble. Three weeks ago she and her friends found themselves alone in one of the coldest, most remote places on earth. Her friends set out in search of help, and now Laura realises that they are not coming back. So she gathers her remaining supplies and sets out on an extraordinary journey. Meanwhile in another city, more and more people arrive every day. Each has a different story to tell, but their accounts have one thing in common - it was their final journey. For this is the city of the dead. And the link between this city and Laura's journey lies at the heart of Kevin Brockmeier's remarkable novel. "A Brief History of the Dead" tells a magical story about our lives - about our place in the world, our connections with each other, and what happens to us all after our deaths. It is a story of spellbinding power and imagination, which resonates long after the final page.

A couple of the Martina Cole books, Eragon and The Hobbit have all been re-read, there are a few I know I will eventually re-read, like Rebecca but I have so many books to read the first time round that re-reads will have to wait a while,

we like those rumours

I got The Tenderness of Wolves today as a Valentine's pressie, I've been looking at it for ages but never actually got round to buying it. The story looks so good.