23/5/12- Reading Rainbow

Anyone remember that show- I used to love it!

Sharing what I am reading is my favorite blog to write, so glad to have some new books to chat about. 

The first one was suggested to by Wendy in a previous reading blog post. It's a playfully written book about 11 year old Flavia, and her interest in all things science and investigation. In this book she is trying to solve a murder. There are a few more books in the Flavia series which I look forward to reading.

\

I am just finishing up this Margaret Atwood book (a charity shop purchase at 2.5o!). I enjoy Atwoods writing. (And of course have an affinity towards her as a fellow Canadian). There is no fuss about it, and its pretty blunt. A good book which stirred up memories of being a young girl. Any suggestions of other good Atwood books to read?

And finally this book. I will be honest and say I didn't really enjoy this book whilst I was reading it. It's short (only 150 pages) which made it fast read, but the instant I finished it, I wanted to read it again. By the end of the book the story finally came together and I had that "ah ha" moment. (I also tend to think that any book that wins a prize must be good- am I alone in thinking this?).

29/3/12- Thoughtful Thursdays. The cost of words

Books can be expensive or cheap. You can get first editions that cost thousands, or go to a charity shop to get a book for 50p. Certain classics seem to be a dime a dozen at second hand shops, whilst sometimes your best bet is to get to the bookstore to get the newest release. 

I read Hunger Games last week which I enjoyed, it was a fast read, and a quick escape. I ordered the next two books on Amazon and couldn't believe the difference in price. 

If I were to buy the second and third books in Waterstones (chain bookstore) they would be around 7.99 (12.70 Canadian) each. However, I purchased them on Amazon and they were 7 pounds for two! How can you argue with that?

There is discussion that companies like Amazon are killing local bookstores as they just can't compete with those prices. But what's a girl to do? We have a few small independent bookshops in town, but how long will they be around? And can Waterstones compete with Amazon prices?

Oxfam's book shop (charity shop) in town has lots of books to choose from, and lots of new ones as well. I just bought "Room" from there for 2 pounds. However, its hard to find new releases or popular books. 

What are your thoughts on this? Where do you get your books? The cheaper the better? Or if you can, do you support the independent stores?

Reminds me of Shakespeare & Co in Paris. Source.

14/3/12- Page turning

I think blogging about books is one of my fave parts of this blog- not only do I get to share what I am reading, but most importantly I get to hear what YOU are reading which I love.

I've just put in an Amazon order with a few books that you, my lovely readers, have suggested. In the meantime here is what's sitting on my shelf. 

I've not started reading this yet, but I am very interested to see what its like. 

I've just finished 'Watching Willow Watts' by the lovely Talli Roland. I've had the chance to 'meet' Talli via twitter and her blog, so it was delightful reading one of her books. 

Really interested to get stuck in with this book as I've heard a lot about it.

This months Oh Comely mag- YAY! I mentioned this mag in my last post here. 

One of the illustrations in this months Oh Comely. How cute (and true!). 

So tell me- what are YOU reading?

23/1/12- What are you reading?

Christmas put a bit of a hold on my reading, I couldn't even get through one book! 

Now that the holidays have passed, and life is a bit more regular here are my two reads for this week. First this Lonely Planet book... It's interesting so far. Nice to read about people moving to a new country- I can relate. 

The second is not a book, but a magazine. A friend suggested I have a flip through her 'Oh Comely' mag over Christmas and I loved it. It's a British mag (So, you can get it in Canada but its a bit pricy), 4 quid at your local WH Smith. It's an interesting mix of artsy/domestic/unique/warm your cockles sorta stuff inside. 

What are you reading?

10/9/11- Page turners

I've not posted a 'reading' update in a while. One main reason for this is because I've been working my way through 'Gone with the Wind'. Well I finished it on friday and loved it. If you've not read it, I suggest you invest some time and give it a chance. Such a great story. Thanks again to my cousin for suggesting this one to me. This week I am going to find four hours to watch the movie...

I am now excited to move onto my bookshelf to see what's next. I am taking it easy with a couple short reads, before hitting another longer more intense book.

Started this one yesterday, I love Paris so am really looking forward to learning more about it. 

Sent to me from a friend, looks like a cute story.

A book about the color, and the scandals associated with color and getting pigment. I am an art geek, so this is useful info for me.

Ya, this book is still waiting to be read. I mentioned it my last book post, but this month I am finally going to read it. 

Books, beautiful books... 7/7/11

I think book posts are one of my faves to include on this blog. Friends always comment who have great suggestions of new books to read, and great conversation.

Sadly I am STILL reading the Berlin Wall book. As mentioned before, it's a large book with a heavy subject matter, therefore taking me a while to finish. Almost done though. To balance out that heavyness I am also reading "Meet me at the cupcake cafe", a light read I bought en route to Paris. It's light and fun and actually has more of a story than I expected.

Below that you will see the next three reads I have planned. "Kafka on the shore" was given to me by my cousin who just finished it, and I look forward to reading that after her review. She also convinced me to read "Gone with the wind" saying it was amazing! I also can't wait to read 1984. It's seems so relevant to what our world has become today- or at least thats what I've heard.

So as always- what are you reading right now?

18/5/11

It's that time again- book time!
I enjoyed your comments from last time about which books you are currently reading, so make sure to comment again all you blog fans out there ;)
I'm currently reading the top two books, "One Day" and "The Berlin Wall". The other two books look interesting, but they are just on the shelf waiting. "One Day" is taking me forever to read, but so far I am enjoying it. It's a book I've seen many people reading on the train lately- so it must be worth reading right?
After seeing the Berlin wall I was interested in learning a bit more about it all. I took this book out from the library, and its pretty huge. So far so good. How ever I've not even got to the wall bit yet, just the many years leading up to it.
So.
What are you reading?

12/3/11

It's that time again, what are you reading?
Here is the stack of books I am currently reading, have just finished, or am about to read. I won't give a big book review or anything, but will say a few words about each. So, my next question is tell me what you've read lately that I should pick up.

1. One of us: Like the Matrix meets Inception.
2. Marriage Bureau for Rich People: Look inside the world of arranged Indian marriages.
3. The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous: Pure British smut.
4. Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: Have not read it yet, about one womans life as a mennonite.
5. Though Thick and Thin: Mid read, Gok's autobiography. Really interesting and sad.

13/1/11

Lets talk about books. I should do a post like this more often cause I love talking about which books I am reading, and getting comments back on which books you are reading (hint hint). I think those e-books are cool, and great for travel- however saying that, I don't think I could tear myself away from a real book in my hands. The different font, cover images, paper smell. They are special.
These are three books that I have going right now...


A bit of Canadian content here. Almost done this one, fantastic writing however a gloomy book the whole way through.(My photo will not rotate, sorry friends!)



A beautiful book my Mom gave me for Christmas. Just finished this one, really nice story and meaning within.



That hedgehog book, my friend gave me this one at Christmas. I've just started it, its interesting. However, not a book that you can doze off when reading as the language is pretty thick.

Day 255- 13/6/10

How about another "What are you reading?" post...So tell me?
These are the books I am reading now. Well not all at the same time, but the Hornby one currently, and then onto the others.

Whilst you are answering that question tell me what else you would like to see photos of! It's taken me a couple days to get these last few posts up which I apologize, but am also looking for new photo subjects. Like I've said before, life is life over here, and some days when I am at home, or working there isnt much crazy and exciting to take a photo of! What do you want to see?

Day 114- 25/1/10

Today I went inside that bookshop I had mentioned here. It's four floors with two tiny rooms on each floor, packed top to bottom with books. The building is old, with creaking and loose floorboards, walls that were shifting, and a staircase that felt as if it were to fall apart in seconds. It sounds quite dangerous actually, but what a little treasure!