chesilbeach

Just found out the TCM now has an HD channel, and watching the glorious Around The World In 80 Days with David Niven while attempting to write book reviews

A Carpet Ride to Khiva by Christopher Aslan Alexander is the account of how the author originally travelled to Khiva, a remote city in Uzbekistan to work for a charity, but falling in love with the country, eventually set up a carpet weaving school for those people who would normally not be fit to work and would claim disability benefits. Through his story, we find out not only about the history of this city and country, but the process of searching for the traditional designs and techniques of carpet making, the difficulties of providing a fair wage while avoiding the corruption of the authorities and most of all, the warmth from the local people who embrace him as part of their families. A mixture of travelogue and memoir, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and learned so much about a country I knew almost nothing about. Told with warmth and humour, but recounting the frustrations of a stranger in a foreign land, a genuinely interesting and insightful look at Khiva, conjuring up the colourful and exotic along with the mundaneness of every day life.

I'm not sure about that, but it certainly is enjoyable just picking what book I want to read next and downloading it to start immediately. It was a fantastic book to start a new era with, and I'll hopefully get my review of it done this weekend!

A Carpet Ride to Khiva by Christopher Aslan Alexander is the account of how the author originally travelled to Khiva, a remote city in Uzbekistan to work for a charity, but falling in love with the country, eventually set up a carpet weaving school for those people who would normally not be fit to work and would claim disability benefits. Through his story, we find out not only about the history of this city and country, but the process of searching for the traditional designs and techniques of carpet making, the difficulties of providing a fair wage while avoiding the corruption of the authorities and most of all, the warmth from the local people who embrace him as part of their families. A mixture of travelogue and memoir, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and learned so much about a country I knew almost nothing about. Told with warmth and humour, but recounting the frustrations of a stranger in a foreign land, a genuinely interesting and insightful look at Khiva, conjuring up the colourful and exotic along with the mundaneness of every day life.

I'm still reading Notes From A Small Island and I am enjoying it, although I'm not completely warming to Bryson yet, but he's walking through Dorset at the moment and I'm wondering if he'll go as far as my beloved Chesil Beach and if so, what he'll have to say about it. I didn't realise the book was almost 20 years old, and I'm finding it a bit dated in places. Bought Gods and Warriors by Michelle Paver this morning for my OH, although we both want to read it, but I'll wait for him to read it first. Half price in Waterstone's and cheaper than Kindle version at the moment, so a bargain as both of us will read it. Have quite a few reviews to catch up on, so going to try and get them done this weekend.

Started Notes From A Small Island today for this months reading circle.

I'm not sure that's always the case Amelie, I'm sure there are some authors who have a set story in mind and decide up front where the story is going to go, and how many books they think they will write it in, but there are definitely some, who I suspect are prompted by their publishers, to write a sequel based on the success of their first book. Of course, this may work the opposite way - some authors plan a series of books, but if they're not successful enough, the publisher may decide to pull the plug.

^That's exactly how I feel too, Andrea. Give me a great story written well and I'm happy, but why would I want to read something that may excel in "literary" circles but is boring or lacks any feeling of engagement with the characters or story (which I've had with previous winners). I've come to take the Booker with a pinch of salt now, and rarely bother to even note what's on the list and what isn't. Much happier to make up my own mind about what I want to read.

I think you'd have to count Nicky Byrne and Kimberley Walsh as likely contenders for the final, purely based on their fan base, so even if they're not great dancers, the public vote will keep them out of the bottom two and the dance off (which returns again this year).

Sorry frankie, picked it up and couldn't put it down. Absolutely loved it. Been suckered into the light and frothy at the moment, and am polishing off M. C. Beaton's Regency romance series, and am currently on book five (of six). Funny, slightly silly even, but quite witty and very easy to read.

I've abandoned three this year. The first was The Weather Makers about climate change. The reason was I know quite a lot about the subject and didn't find anything new in it, and some of it was already dated. The second was A Handful of Honey by Annie Hawes. I've loved her previous books but they've been based in Italy, where as this was more about her travels, and I just wasn't enjoying it. I don't think I'll pick up either of these again. The third book was Sea of Poppies by Amitav Ghosh. I did struggle with reading some of the patois and the paperback version was an unwieldy beast making it difficult to physically read. I may get an ebook version instead and try again at some point. I did recently finish Birdsong but I'm not one of those who have loved it, bree. Like you, I didn't connect with the characters as other people have, but I did finish it, as I wanted to find out how it finished.

We almost did the same, but the second half ended up being pretty good, and I enjoyed most of the autumn stories compared to few of the ones in the spring series.

My word of the day was cynosure which in this case meant the centre of attraction, or something that draws attention by being brilliant or beautiful.

I've seen them both and didn't think much of either to be honest. I don't see enough of The Doctor I thought I knew from previous series, and I don't like the dropping off and picking up of Amy and Rory all the time. If you travel with The Doctor, that's it, you don't pop off for an adventure every now and again when it suits him. I initially liked Matt Smith, but he hasn't completely won me over, and I suspect that might be something to do with the characterisation. I also don't like that we only get 5 episodes now, a Christmas Special, then the rest of the series next year. Having said that, it's still better than most of the drama on television, and I'll still keep watching, hoping for something much better each week, but I've not seen anything to compare with the best of the Christopher Eccleston or David Tennant years.

Watched Hot Fuzz again last night - still as good as ever.

I remember crying at The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger so I'd recommend that, and also if you don't mind YA, then A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness had me in floods of tears. Both excellent books.

I'm so excited about Strictly! (I know, I always am ) Johnny Ball is my childhood hero - the man is a legend in our house. I absolutely adored him as a child, because I was fascinated by numbers and maths, and Think Of A Number was my favourite programme. I'm so delighted he's taking part, and hope he stays in for a few weeks at least. Will be lovely to see Zoe interview her Dad on It Takes Two although, they're both as sentimental as me, and I can foresee tears already!

Chrissy, I was just thinking exactly the same thing! I'm not normally very good at the first two rounds on Only Connect (my speciality is the missing vowels round) but I got a few this week, including this connection, although I only knew it as misheard lyrics, and learnt the term mondegreen the same as you!

Started and almost finished The Joy Luck Club today, think I have one chapter left to go.

I would recommend: The Chaos Walking trilogy and A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series by Michelle Paver Momentum by Saci Lloyd Stolen by Lucy Christopher

What a shame Kylie I've just downloaded, and planning to start reading it tomorrow.

I'll be sticking to my keyboard Kindle - if I have to replace it, I'll still only want one for reading, and it will have to be one with e-ink technology as I can't read for long enough on a back lit screen.

I've just finished Rivers of London too, Steve, and your review sums up most of what I loved about it! I've had the Dresden books on my wishlist since you reviewed one ages ago and I looked them up. Hoping to get round to starting them soon

Mine's not going too bad, although quite slowly, but I did have to buy a smaller size jeans this week!