Hey, I actually finished a book!

It's been a boring couple of weeks where I just have not had the inclination to pick up a book.  This does not happen often, but when it does, it's a real problem. Thankfully, my mum lent me her copy of Nora Roberts new book, Shelter in Place, and that did the trick.  Roberts is an almost guaranteed good read so... 'Thank You, Mum!'.

However, I only picked this up after finishing The ABC Murders by Agatha Christie.  I don't know what it was about this book, but it took me three reading sessions to get through this teeny, tiny, little book of 192 pages.  I know, right.  I've read three books in a day (1000+ pages worth) and done it again the next day!  Yet, trying to get through this Poirot was like pulling teeth.  Which is silly considering I actually liked it, and I can't wait to see the new BBC adapation.

Yes, April to mid June has just been the pits.

Thankfully it looks like that slumpy, grumpy, not-reading time is over and I've been enjoying rereading some old favourites which I will be talking about in my next video.

So until I see you next time,

 

May reading wrap-up

Hello there!

It's been a hot minute since I got my butt in gear and got a video edited and up, but everyday life - and not having read much - might have had something to do with it ;-D

I'm still working on Mansfield Park which is kind of strange since I plowed through the first two volumes in two days, but for some reason the final volume just has me procrastinating.  I've binge-watched both seasons of Wynonna Earp - and started rewatching Charmed!  Anything but pick up MP and finish it.  Grrrrr, very frustrating.

However, I am enjoying the book more than the adaptation.  Edmund is a dick, Fanny is very bland and wishy-washy, and the Crawford siblings are actually not as shitty as the adapations make them out to be.  Maybe Fanny will grow a spine soon because the big fight about her not wanting to marry a certain caddish gentleman has yet to happen, so finger's crossed.

I also mention the couple of new books I have acquired and a great new bookmark that I just could not resist buying.

Anyway, my fingers are freezing off at the moment.  It's the first day of winter and boy, has it arrived right on schedule.  I had all three cats hogging the bed with me last night, and since it's still really cold at the moment I will be heading straight from the computer to the couch and my blankets while I watch some more Charmed (baby W just born), and warm up with some chilli con-carne.

See you guys later,

Book Review || Saying Goodbye to Discworld

 

The Shepherd's Crown
Tiffany Aching #5 (Discworld #41)
Sir Terry Pratchett

Published: September, 2015

Random House, hardcover, 352p. (b&w ill.)
ISBN: 9780857534811

“We are all floating in the winds of time.  But your candle, Mistress Weatherwax, 

will flicker for some time before it goes out - a little reward for a life well lived.”

A Shivering Of Worlds.  Deep in the Chalk, something is stirring.  The owls and the foxes can sense it, and Tiffany Aching feels it in her boots.  An old enemy is gathering strength.  This is a time of endings and beginnings, old friends and new, a blurring of edges and a shifting of power.  Now Tiffany stands between the light and the dark, the good and the bad.  As the fairy horde prepares for invasion, Tiffany must summon all the witches to stand with her.  To protect the land.  Her land.  There will be a reckoning...

Ever since I heard of the death of Sir Terry Pratchett last year, I have been torn between wanting to read the final book in the Tiffany Aching series, and not wanting to read the final ever book of the Discworld.  But all good things must come to an end, and yesterday I picked up The Shepherd's Crown to say goodbye.

I enjoyed being back in the world of the Chalk, following Tiffany around as she struggles with the responsibilities left to her after the death of Granny Weatherwax.  The death of this character was totally out of the blue, but was strangely fitting under the circumstances - and it sets in motion the rest of the story.

Before we got to that though, there were two introductions, if you will.  First we got the backstory of the Shepherd's Crown, and then an interlude with a family that was quite out of the blue.

I wasn't quite sure where we were going when the author introduced us to Lord Swivel and his family.  Swivel was such a despot.  The way he treated his 3rd son as an unwanted, and unnecessary, burden... I just wanted to reach into the pages and punch him in the nose!  However, it did set the stage for a small plot that pays off at the end of the book - the chickens (keep that in mind) and the fateful fox hunt.  This is when the neglected son finds his courage to stand up to his father, leaving home and taking his pet with him - much to his father's fury.  This introduction of Geoffrey Swivel was an unexpected twist - and that goat, Mephistopheles!  What a character.  He's like a Feegle on four legs! Geoffrey is not the usual sort of character that one finds in the Chalk, but his unique type of magic plays an integral part in the upcoming fight against a well known foe - the Elves.

After the death of you know who (trying not to spoil you!), Tiffany is run off her broom.  Trying to be everywhere, and do everything herself.  She wants to do everything right, but has to learn when to delegate.  Not something she embraces in a hurry.  Roland is there once or twice, usually putting his foot in it, and we see more of Tiffany's family.  The Nac Mac Feegles are ever present as they try to help their 'big wee hag'.  Still love the Feegles.  They are so adorable, rough, loyal, and funny.   Oh, and there are plenty of quick cameo's by well known figures from the Discworld as news gets out about 'that death', and Tiffany.

Yes, life is changing on the Chalk.

I found reading The Shepherd's Crown to be a strangely sad experience.  It was funny in places, and yet there was the sense that the book was not quite finished.  There was so much more that could have been done with the story... all these little untied threads that now hang uselessly from the Discworld tapestry. 

Until next time,

 

Mini book haul

Hi there, my lovelies!

Today I've got a few new books to show you.  I bought these either at Book Depository, or at my local Big W (now the only source of new books in town!).  

Books 1-3 : Book Depository

Books 4-8 : Big W

I was so excited to get Alice in Wonderland and Gone with the Wind in the post last week.  As an AiW fan - I have 8 adaptations so far ;-D - and I have been coveting this edition since I saw it on BookTube last year thanks to Jean Bookishthoughts {watch video HERE}.  It is quirky and colourful, and the illustrations are just gorgeous.  

Then we have GwtW. This book was recommended to me a few years ago, and I could never find a used copy, never in the library when I go, and has generally been a pain in the butt to find.  I didn't really want to borrow it from the library as I don't want to keep having to renew my loan.  Then, I saw this gorgeous copy on Book Depository.  I've had it in my wishlist for about 9 months now and when I got an email telling me that the price had dropped (I'm on a book budget, ok) I snapped this puppy up.  It also happens to be my 2016 challenge for myself.  I'm giving myself a year to read this... wish me luck.

Then Going Postal arrived in the mail . . . 'nough said ;-D

Yesterday I picked up The Martian by Andy Weir {yippee!}.  I've been haunting Big W this week - still waiting to see if they will get The Shepherd's Crown! - and just as I was about to leave, I noticed they had tucked 4 copies of The Martian on the very bottom shelf.  I almost missed it as I have been keeping an eye out for the orange covers. Very tricksey.

On Friday I'd picked up this lovely copy of Mr. Holmes (can't wait to see Sir Ian McKellan as Holmes), plus rescued a copy of The Secret of Crickley Hall (I didn't know this was a BBC mini-series!) from the bargain bin.  The Miles Franklin omnibus was an unexpected bonus buy.

The Great Gatsby came into my life 2 weeks ago . . . I think?, however they are all lovely to have.

So many books, and still not nearly enough!

Until next time,

 

T5W - Favourite Fictional Cities

Yah, I'm actually getting a topic posted on a Wednesday!  This hasn't happened in quite a while, so I will enjoy the buzz while it lasts.

This week we are delving into our bookshelves to find out top fictional cities (or towns).  I found this a tad tricky as most of my books take place in either an alternate history/parallel world, or are set in actual places.  So, after much contemplation - and only a little bit of crazed panic - here are my top 5 fictional cities.

"A sprawling city of marble and glass spread out in every direction; its elegant lines exquisite under the razor-sharp burn of the sun.  Dark-leafed trees provided soothing patches of green on both sides of the gorge that cut a massive divide through the city, while snow-capped mountains ruled the skyline.  There were no roads, no high-rises, nothing to disturb the otherworldly grace of it."

 As soon as I read this description of the Refuge, I just wanted to visit.  It sounds so beautiful, full of ancient buildings, and artworks.  It appears in the second book in the Guild Hunter series by Nalini Singh, and is a wonderful introduction to the secret stronghold of the angelic race.

Welcome to St. Mary Mead, home of the deceptively benign Miss Jane Marple.  I do love a good English murder mystery, and have been in love with this quaint little village since the 80's when I used to watch the Joan Hickson movies with my mother.  Since it such a treasured childhood memory, I couldn't not include St. Mary Mead in a T5W list somewhere.

PS - Don't eat or drink anything during your time in St. Mary Mead... just to be sure ;-D

Follow the yellow brick road... follow the yellow brick road... follow, follow follow....

Okay, got a bit carried away there.  Such happy memories as I've read the book, and watched the 1939 movie more than a few times ;-D  Loved the Emerald City, and after watching the most recent adaptation, OZ Great and Powerful, their interpretations of the Emerald City are amazing.   

Ah, the Green Dragon

Who would pass up an opportunity to visit any of the places from The Lord of the Rings/Hobbit world?  I picked out Hobbiton and Rivendell because they are the places that I find the most interesting - as well as appeal to me because I have trouble visiting big, loud, noisy, smelly cities (allergies).  I loved the Peter Jackson sets, and if I ever get the chance, I'm going to go over and visit the Hobbiton set ;-D

Perhaps the most amazing, and imaginative world after Middle-Earth.  I am only a recent convert to the Discworld series, but having grown up in a household where there were more than a few books in the series floating around, I was no stranger to it.  Ankh-Morpork sounds so interesting, and crazy, that I'm always fascinated whenever I watch the DVD's {Hogfather, Going Postal, Colour of Magic}, and I love the Dickensian feel to the Discworld. 

Can't believe that there is going to be no new Discworld adventures.

And on that slightly depressing note, thank you for checking out my T5W post for this week.  Did I include your favourite fictional city in my list?  Let me know in the comments ;-D

T5W was created by the lovely Lainey over at GINGERREADSLAINEY and I'll include a link to the Goodreads group {HERE} if you would also like to participate. 

Until next time,

Four thrift stores in two days

This week has been a mixed week.  Had a few health snafu's, and am still trying to come to terms with the closure of the only bookshop within 100kms!, but on the plus side, had amazing thrift shop finds this week.

It's been weeks since I last set foot in most of the thrift shops around town - we have 4 - and usually I come away with a few books, perhaps one that is currently on my Book Depository wishlist.  However this week I had amazing luck.  It all started with wanting a bedside table so I could once again see the time on my alarm clock...

I went into the first thrift shop, which is opposite a gym that pumps out the most annoying perky (and loud) music, but within 30 seconds I had my first book (Jason by LKH).  I knew that this was going to be a good day.  I browsed for as long as I could stand the music, but found two Agatha Christies for $1ea.  They are in an edition I like, and I don't have them yet.  Then I found a copy of The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham.  This has been on my wishlist for ages, but I could never find a cover that I liked.  However, this edition is so 80's and funky that I wasn't going to quibble over the $1 price tag.  Even though this was a great haul so far, I'm most excited about the poetry anthology that I picked up just before I headed for the cash register.

Top 5 Wednesday - Fictional Schools

Welcome to another Top 5 Wednesday.  This week we have to list our Top 5 Fictional Schools, and let me tell you this was hard!  I'm not a huge collector of YA, so I had to hunt through piles of books to find any references to schools that I would consider list-worthy (or at least intersting).  It took me about an hour, but I finally managed to put together a list, so without further ado, I give you my Top 5 Fictional Schools...

 Hecate Hall

This is the setting for the interesting YA book (and series) Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins.  I remember reading it and thinking that this school was not the best place to be, yet I would love to wander around and take a peek ;-D

Unseen University

Nunc id vides, nunc ne vides.  Now you seem me, now you don't.  

With a school motto like that, how could you resist?  From the Discworld series created by Terry Pratchett, Unseen University is a weird crazy place to be.  I haven't read any of these books in years, but I have a recollection that this would be a cool place to visit.  Must find and re-read soon ;-D

Guild Academy

The Guild Academy features in the Guild Hunter series by Nalini Singh.  It is not just a school for children, it is also the place where Vampire Hunters learn their skills, and come back and teach.  I'd love to sit in on an advanced class with Elena - and perhaps getting a peak at the Archangel Raphael.

Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality

This is the school that features in this YA Steampunk series by Gail Carriger.  I came to this series because I loved her Parasol Protectorate books so much that I couldn't resist revisiting the world she created.  In this seemingly innocent bording  school, the girls are taught how to become master spies... steampunk spies ;-D  Awesome!  Miss Carriger is an amazingly talented author who creates some of the best toys... did I mention that there are dirigibles? ... and werewolves?  Sign me up now!

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Seriously, could the number 1 choice be anything but Hogwarts?!  Yes, I'm sure nearly everyone has this listed as their #1 so I'm not really breaking the mold here.  Hogwarts is awesome.  End of story ;-D

So those were my Top 5 Fictional Schools.  There are probably a few that I just can't think of as most of my YA books are still in the family home, but I hope you've enjoyed this post anyway.  If you want to leave a link to your Top 5 post in the comment section down below I'd love to see what your favourite fictional schools were.  

If you want further information on the Top 5 Wednesday - started by the wonderful gingerreadslainey - then head on over to Goodreads {here} and join the fun!

Until next time,