Kate

I'm listening to Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stower. I'm enjoying it, although I can see why it was banned. It is about slavery in America.

I have finished Chinese Cinderella and the Secret Dragon Society. It wasn't amazing, but it wasn't bad either. The language was very simple but there is a lot of information in it - explaining things such as yin and yang. I found those areas dragged a little bit, but I understood why there were needed in the book and to someone who is interested in that I think those sections of the book will be enjoyable to them. Unfortunately I'm not one of those people! There is some fun action parts and I liked the descriptions of the kung fu - very cool!

I finished Chinese Cinderella and the Secret Dragon Society by Adeline Yen Mah this morning. Now to read What is History by E. H. Carr

How comes it was a let down?

I second that wish! During the night I read half of Chinese Cinderella and the Secret Dragon Society. Currently I'm reading In Defence of History by Richard J. Evans

I couldn't sleep during the night so I read half of Chinese Cinderella and the Secret Dragon Society by Adeline Yen Mah. Might carry on reading it now... This is on my list of books I will read this year from my TBR pile. So far so good

Here is this week's update:

I have to agree Kell, that does sound really good!

Waterstones Synopsis: When her family becomes impoverished after a disastrous financial speculation, Agnes Grey determines to find work as a governess in order to contribute to their meagre income and assert her independence. But Agnes' enthusiasm is swiftly extinguished as she struggles first with the unmanageable Bloomfield children and then with the painful disdain of the haughty Murray family; the only kindness she receives comes from Mr Weston, the sober young curate. Drawing on her own experience, Anne Bronte's first novel offers a compelling personal perspective on the desperate position of unmarried, educated women for whom becoming a governess was the only respectable career open in Victorian society. This is the first Anne Bronte novel I have read, and the first completed in my Bronte Sister's Challenge. I was unsure as to how this would read, seen as Anne's sister's seem to be more successful than her. However, I really enjoyed this book. It was well written and interesting. From the start I was gripped and enjoyed being taken to Victorian society. To be honest, the ending didn't surprise me, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I think I would regard this as female fiction as well as a classic. This book provoked mixed emotions in me. There were times when I really felt for Agnes and her situation, and times when I found her acting superior to her charges, and her self-righteousness annoyed me. However, being the daughter of a clergyman this is probably not a surprise; and some of the children were horrid - although reading about their mischief did make me chuckle. I did like Agnes' mother and sister though - such a lovely family unit and I found myself looking forward to her visits home. I found this an enjoyable book that was easy to get into, and easy to remain involved with. It didn't take me long to get through it and I am glad I started my challenge with this book. I'm looking forward to reading more by Anne Bronte 4/5

Synopsis from Waterstones: 1995, and at a party in Bedford, Mary meets Jack and Neal, a pair of hipsters and self-confessed Beats' stuck (un)squarely in the sixties. After a Beat (not-quite) Happening' at the local library, the three of them (and Neal's cat Koko) set off in Mary's Vauxhall on a road trip to Brighton in search of literary fame and fortune. But, this is neither the time nor the place for free love, uncomplicated sex and unrestrained cool this is 1990s Britain and everything comes with a price When asked what category I would place this book in, I struggled to think of an answer. I think it would just sit in fiction as the book just follows a group of twenty-somethings as they live life as though they are stuck in the 1960s - the era before Dylan had his motorcycle accident. This is not horror or a even a psychological thriller, it is just Mary, Neal and Jack looking for a "hip" time. This wasn't a bad book, but I'm not sure I'll be jumping at a chance to read Litt again. This book did seem a bit random to me. Can people really live their lives as though they are stuck in a decade that they weren't even born in? There were definitely elements of the book I found unbelieveable - like Mary and Jack's trip to America. There were areas of the book that made me uncomfortable. In Brighton Mary loses all inhibitions and partakes in a threesome that is watched. I didn't like reading that at all. I think this could be used as a social study however. One could use this to look at behaviour, what influences people and how beliefs can shape someone's life. I didn't connect with any of the characters. I found they all bugged me. Mary was desperate to fit in, Jack was trying to be "cool" and "hip" and Neal I felt just needed to grow a backbone. If I'm going to be honest, although this wasn't an awful book and I did read it in a day, I only finished it because I was reading it for my dissertation. As I sit and think about this book I'm not overly excited by the memory of it. It will be a book I will probably have forgotten about in a few months. 2/5

I have now finished Dream Makers by Nora Roberts and Sherlock Holmes and the Brighton Pavilion Mystery by Val Andrews. Both were enjoyable. The former contains two short romance stories and the other was good, but not as good as the originals

I finished Dream Makers by Nora Roberts last night. It contained two short romance stories, both of which I enjoyed Carrying on with Sherlock Holmes today

Reading The Pursuit of History again at the moment but going to start listening to The Adventures of Tom Sawyer soon

That is very good Kell

I love this show. Sheldon just cracks me up. Its good to know that the science and comics info is correct. I love it, it just makes me laugh

I'm reading The Pursuit of History by John Tosh at the moment

Its looking really good Kell

Do you think they will release a soundtrack?

How have you managed so many books? I am in awe

Yeah. It seems there is a fair chunk of it that is done in tent stitch. I think the cottage and bridge will be in cross stitch though

I might just bite the bullet and get a lap scroller.... Here is the update on the cottage piece my hubby bought me:

It's looking good Kell. Do people prefer frames or table/lap holders when stitching? I'm considering getting a lap holder but don't know if its worth it?

I have discovered Glee too - very good show!

I finsihed Sherlock Holmes and the Brighton Pavilion Mystery by Val Andrews this evening. Think Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel is next because it is a very in-demand library book

I haven't read it yet, it is a must-read for this year. It has been on my shelf for ages, I'm looking forward to reading it