In The Pink

This is my friend! AND, this is my friends debut novel. Louise Jensen has been an author for years writing for various publications and now has her first novel in print. As a friend I could not be prouder, except that I am because she is truly talented. I have my copy on pre-order (I wont let her give me a copy as I want to buy my own, that seems fair) and cant wait for it to grace my bookshelf. Louise writes under the genre Crime and Psychological Thriller, if that's your bag, or its not usually but you just fancy something a little different, I urge you to pick up a copy and slip between the covers, you will not be disappointed. Louise Jensen Website

My current book and precious possession - History of the Kings of Britain, Geoffrey of Monmouth

Well I have mentioned a time or two before that is has been a slow blogging year for me, all for good reasons, but since term started again there has been even less time! I am back to thinking about lots of potential posts but not having the energy or time to create them! Teaching is so much fun, I am currently doing pests and diseases, woodland management, business management, forest and woodland skills, investigative project, commercial experience, tree biology, taxonomy, soil science and woodland ecology...phew! The rest of my time is made up of dog walking, house keeping, sleeping and devouring the current series of books I am reading: A Song of Ice and Fire by George R R Martin (On TV as Game of Thrones). His books are those odd ones you come across that mean so much you cannot wait to finish them but dread them ending! The first book was just shy of 800 pages, the second marginally longer, I am on the third and there are 5 in total! So fellow bloggers my plan for this eveni...

I went to the library in my local town today to return some books and get some new ones out. I tend to get 4-5 out in one go, dependant on what catches my eye, but I always return them as I read them so that someone else has the chance to take them out and also for the experience of visiting. It is such a peaceful and quiet place and despite my recent decision to get a Kindle at some point I will never loose my love of being around books. I like to wonder round and view the shelves, searching for a title or cover that attracts me, and I came away today with some great books. I got the next Giles Brandreth mystery book featuring Oscar Wilde, and two books by Ian Mortimer AKA James Forrester, centred around the Middle Ages which is a favourite historical period of mine. Its an odd time. I always fantasise myself living happily in that period given the simplicity of life but from reading about it know that the reality was quite a different story and I would have been lucky to surv...

I have just finished a really good book, but for the past three years I have really stepped up my reading and have read so many good stories. I also watch a lot of films but what has struck me recently is although I think I've seen some really good films they never touch me in the same way books do. Its not just the way that books can convey so much extra detail and supporting information, or that they allow your own imagination to put faces to the characters, perceiving them in your own unique way: its that they so very often impart pearls of wisdom, ideas or thoughts, phrases and sayings, that really hit you hard and make a posative difference to how you see the world and your life. There have been very few films that have had that affect on me, but many, many books. At the beginning of last year I read Dan Browns latest book 'The Lost Symbol' which introduced me to Noetic Science. I took so much away from that book, and know I need to read it again as there were...

Well I have made my decision...sort of! My current book is now on hold and I have started another one! I have loads of great books to read at the moment and am starting with one of my all time favourite stories, that to date I have only enjoyed in movie form, The Princess Bride. ' What about the ROUS's?' ' Rodents of unusual size? I don't think they exist.' I can no longer remember who first introduced me to this film although I have a suspicion it was one of my family members who I have to thank for many excellent movie and music introductions. 'Is this a kissing book?' So I am now enjoying the classic tale of true love and high adventure care of William Goldman, who as it turns out is responsible for an interesting collection of books, plays and screen plays, including surprisingly enough the screen play to Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. 'Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.' Actually I don't really ...

I am really disappointed with my current book. It sounded good in summary and started fairly well however I am now finding it slow and a little dull. Also my mind wanders while I am reading which is not a good sign and defeats one of the objects of reading! I have been somewhat spoilt having read brilliant books in the past 18 months, none of which have been a struggle, and this one is a real let down. I have lots of good books waiting to be read, including two I picked up for pennies at a May Fayre today, but I do hate not finishing books. It does not seem right. I am already a third of the way through and as such a little effort over the next two nights should see me through it but it is a chore not a delight. I can remember the books I have started reading in my adult life and not completed and feel a sense of failure at the memory. I usually keep hold of them to revisit at a later date; thankfully there are not many. Anyway, I will plough on with this one for a little while longer....

Ok I know that is a cruel way to treat such a beautiful phrase as the last line from Hamlet's famous soliloquy, and I use it in a literal sense, but it suits my needs perfectly. I cannot sleep! It does not happen to me often and has occurred much more in recent years, predominantly as a result of worrying about work, but when it does happen I am very soon aware that while the bed may be comfy and my eyes may be closed, my brain is not going to switch off! I hate lying there for hours, as the time passes both quickly and slowly, and bed (one of my favourite places to be) becomes a slow torture. I usually give myself a certain amount of time to try and relax and shake of my train of thought. I try focusing on the story of my current book, or daydream off to lands I have discovered through favourite TV programmes or books form my past and this is often successful. However every once it a while it proves futile and my only other proven treatment is to get up for a while, have a cup of ...

I am reading two books at the moment which I try not to do. I do not like switching between two books and as I usually read fiction I find it best to complete one story before I loose myself in another however, I have recently decided that my knowledge of history needs improving and as such am reading History of the World by J M Roberts. So far it has proven to be a riveting read! The book is just over 900 pages long however obviously much more intense than a novel and as I want to retain as much of the information as I can I am pacing myself and reading it thoroughly. Even if I only manage 2 pages a day just think how much I will know in the two and a half ish years it will take me to complete it! After history I am planning to move onto mythology and philosophy! Image Credit: Mid State Mutual

Following on from my last post regarding the books that Stephenie Meyer has written about Vampires, the first of which was a Christmas gift to me this year, I have discovered that there are three more! I devoured the first book finding myself almost obsessed with the hero of the story and while on holiday last week managed to procure the remaining three! I had thought it was a trilogy however found the third, in hardback, hiding in a stack of books yet to be displayed, and hastily made my way to the till with it! I have now read the first three, Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse, the last of which I finished at 12.45am this morning. It had one of those last thirds that grips you all the way and had to be finished before I gave in to sleep. The fourth and final book, Breaking Dawn, is sitting beside my bed waiting for me. I am holding off a little. I have read through them so quickly I am not in a hurry now for it to be over. I am not going to review them here as I do not want to give too ...

I am reading a great book at the moment which my nephew bought me for Christmas. He always gets me excellent presents, often dog orientated, however this time I think he took some good advice from my sister with regard to my other tastes and got me Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. The book is about vampires. It is out in film version at the moment and I am avoiding any contact with the film, it's cast and obviously the story line given that I am still only half way through! I do not want to give anything away to anyone who has not seen or read it and is planning to but I just wanted to record my impressions so far as I think everything is about to turn upside down in the story, its got that edge of chaos feel to the chapter I am reading! I, like many others I assume and hope, have a small obsession with vampires. Don't get me wrong I do not want to be one, or meet one for that matter, but I love stories about them, am an avid fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and dream about them wi...