These are a few of my favourite things #16

Books:

Save Your Planet by Ben Hoare

This book aims to educate children about the global environmental crisis. Chapters talk through topics such as climate change, food and farming, pollution, energy at home, etc. It also tells the story of many activists already making a difference to inspire new voices. The book is presented beautifully with striking illustrations.

The Great Food Bank Heist by Onjali Q.Rauf 

This is a story about Nelson, and his family who visits a food bank once a week. It brings up a very important topic, while they solve an important mystery at their local supermarket donation drop off. This book was new to me, and a fairly new release; I would recommend it whole heartedly for its message of empathy and friendship.

Break the Mould by Sinead Burke

This is a book about the power of being different, and celebrating your uniqueness. Written by Sinead Burke who is a well known activist and also a little person. We are taken through chapters such as to dream, to be curious, to be kind, to find your words, etc.

I appreciated the memoir section of this book, and learning more about the authors experiences. Throughout there are also tips and advice for those who also want to break the mould. It’s beautifully written with a strong message about being true to yourself.

101 Morale Boosters by Gael Lindenfield

I first heard of this author after listening to one of her audiobooks from the library. I really resonated with her words so decided to read more of her works. I found this one secondhand, it discusses morale boosters and came at a time when this was helpful. 

Get Fit Walking by Sam Murphy

I picked this up from the library to get some inspiration for walking and I found it to be a surprisingly interesting read. It covers most bases such as training know-how and sticking with it, etc. It would be a good one to pick up if you are just starting with walking.

Our Rainbow Queen by Sali Hughes

Here we are invited to learn about Queen Elizabeth’s colourful style, going through the colours of the rainbow. I thought this might be a bit novelty, but I was pleased to see the idea being executed very well. I learnt plenty about the queen’s looks through history, and insightful things about the royal family.

 

The queen has an eye for bright colours, and it was lovely to see how to style those vivid hues. I also appreciated how the queen thinks carefully about her choice of clothes to make sure it’s appropriate for her event. It’s a beautifully presented coffee table book, with pictures and text along side them.

A Dictionary of Dream Symbols by Eric Ackroyd

I’ve read up on the topic of dreams previously, and wanted to revisit this interest. This book includes an introduction to dream psychology, and then a dictionary of dream symbols. I just dipped into this instead of reading it cover to cover and found it enjoyable.

The Lost Spells by Robert Macfarlane

The Lost Spells is a beautifully illustrated poetry collection for children about the wonders of nature, and how animals go about their day. It’s very aesthetically pleasing to peruse as well as educational; I loved the images and text in equal measure. I actually attended one of Jackie Morris’ art exhibitions, which featured her amazing illustrations from her previous book The Lost Words, and note she is very talented.

Films:

Bewitched (2005)

‘A producer remaking the classic sitcom ‘Bewitched’ unwittingly casts an actual witch in the lead role.’

Originally Bewitched was a TV series in the 60’s but never knew much about it until recently. This film adaption is more current, featuring Nicole Kidman and Will Ferrell. It was a bit of fun, and found myself enjoying it.

Moonstruck (1987)

‘Loretta Castorini, a bookkeeper from Brooklyn, New York, finds herself in a difficult situation when she falls for the brother of the man she has agreed to marry.’

This one was more outside my comfort zone, because of its era, and some of the themes. Loretta is played by a young Cher (the singer), and this was what made me curious to watch it. My favourite part was when Loretta gives herself a makeover.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)

‘A young New York socialite becomes interested in a young man who has moved into her apartment building, but her past threatens to get in the way.’

Out of the recent films I’ve watched, this was a solid highlight. I’ve seen clips of this film around Christmas time, but wanted to watch it all the way through. I loved Audrey Hepburn, and could see why she is a fashion icon.

Have you read any of these books?

Do any of these films interest you? :-) Xx

These are a few of my favourite things #10

 

Books:

Greetings Cards using Digital Photos by Cheryl Owen

This book is packed with creative ideas to use digital photos in card making. I could 

see myself recreating some of the designs and generally I found tons of inspiration.

My Heart by Corinna Luyken

This was a highly anticipated read for me. The meaning of a heart that can grow 

and mend is beautiful. Quite emotional and heartfelt with stunning art work.

Carl and the Meaning of Life by Deborah Freedman

Carl the earthworm explores the question of why he is here and discovers his important 

place in the world. A beautifully told story with a special meaning. A picture book to treasure.

Urban Photography by Tim Cornbill

Extensive information on all aspects of urban photography. I learned a lot 

and gained much inspiration. The book could appeal to beginners or 

experts in photography. I can’t wait to start applying my new ideas!

The Night Sky and Other Amazing Sights in Space by Nick Hunter

A fantastic starting point if you want to learn about space. Quite 

insightful in places and interesting to read, I enjoyed it very much.

The No-Sugar Desserts & Baking Cookbook by Ysanne Spevack

A thoroughly researched no-sugar baking book. The author knows her stuff for example she includes a break-down of alternative ingredients with pros and cons. The book is beautifully presented providing lots of foodie photography inspiration. Bear in mind I haven’t tried the recipes yet but I liked the look of the healthier gingerbread men and pumpkin pie.

Lifestyle:

Paper High – A Handmade, Fair-Trade & Sustainable Brand

My Dad kindly gifted me this beautiful leather pocket notebook for my birthday. I was impressed by the information I read on the label and later did some research into the brand. Paper High share their story online, including how the fair-trade products are made. I recommend you check out the links if you are looking to buy someone or yourself sustainable gifts. I like the look of the cosy socks and rugs. The postage price is very reasonable too.

https://www.paperhigh.com/

https://www.notonthehighstreet.com/paperhigh

Olympic Games Tokyo 2020

I really enjoyed watching the Olympics as there have been some new, more unusual sports featured. Examples include skateboarding, rock climbing, etc along with the usual dressage, hockey and so on. 

Did any of my favourites interest you?

What things have you been loving lately? :-) Xx

A Celebration of Secondhand Books

Welcome – I have put together a list on why secondhand books are so great including different places they can be acquired from. I hope this makes you consider secondhand books or reaffirms a love for them.

General good things about secondhand books:

Better for the environment in many ways

Each book has a story

Finding miscellaneous items inside books

Finding interesting messages or notes inside books.

The smell of vintage books

Often weathered books have a lovely aesthetic

Supporting authors/books that are less well known

A good way of expanding your reading taste

Buying in charity shops

The money goes to a good cause

You never know what you will find

A sense of community

Potentially buying local

Donations welcome

Buying on eBay

Often very reasonable prices

Potential to support small businesses

Fairly easy to find specific titles

Fun to browse

Borrowing from the library

Mostly free

An opportunity to experiment with genres

Good to support them

Lovely to engage with the librarians

Donations welcome

Free charity book shops

You can take your time with books as they don’t necessarily have to be returned.

Donations welcome

Swapping with friends

A conversation topic

Make new like-minded friends

Easy way to pass on books you have finished with

Have I missed anything worth mentioning?

How do you acquire and donate books? :-) Xx

These are a few of my favourite things #6

Books:

Light in The Landscape: A Photographer's Year by Peter Watson

I enjoyed this because of its autobiographical style, taking us through the 

photographer’s year; I learnt a lot about what to expect from the different

 seasons and gained some tips on different aspects of the field.

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy

There has been quite a bit of hype around this one and I went in thinking it

 wouldn’t live up to my expectations. I was pleased to find a beautifully

 illustrated book about friendship and kindness with a universal appeal.

Winnie The Witch by Valerie Thomas

This was without a doubt one of my favourite picture books as a child. 

We follow Winnie the witch and her cat that blends into its surroundings. 

I found it just as wonderful reading it as an adult.

Peggy and Me by Miranda Hart

I’m a big Miranda fan as well as having a love for dogs, and this book combines

 the two. It reads like a light autobiography, but Miranda includes musing from her

 wonderful dog Peggy. I enjoyed hearing about some of the behind-the-scenes

 stuff and getting to know Miranda that bit better.

Simply Country: Creating Comfortable Style for Cottage Living by Liz Bauwens

I found this book to be just the ticket for something light, and escapist. 

Featuring lots of wonderful photos of cottage style, and tips to recreate it.

Simpsons Comics: Hit the Road! by Matt Groening

I haven’t watched The Simpsons in years, but since getting into comics

 lately, I thought I would try this. I absolutely loved it, the humour, 

the illustrations; it reminded me just how great The Simpsons are!

Films:

The Sound of Music

‘A woman leaves an Austrian convent to become a 

Governess to the children of a Naval officer widower.’

Starring Julie Andrews, this musical is loved by so many. This was 

the first time I watched it from start to finish, and I really enjoyed

 it. I love the song these are a few of my favourite things.

Lifestyle:

A red admiral butterfly on some great hyacinths

The weather has been just beautiful lately so I went in the garden

 to take a few photos. This time of year, is perfect for spotting red

 admiral butterflys, and I found one on some great hyacinths. 

Have you read any of the books mentioned?

Do you like the sound of music too? :-) Xx

These are a few of my favourite things #5

Lifestyle:

Spotting a Broom Plant

I found this bright yellow, happy looking plant in bloom on a recent walk. 

My Mum told me its name, and I did some research into it when I got home.

‘Broom plants golden vanilla-scented flowers appear for a couple of months from late spring to early summer. As an evergreen, it should be planted more often in gardens, as it is easy to grow and beneficial to local wildlife. It is a bright and cheery plant that gives pleasure to onlookers with its beautiful yellow flowers, in stark contrast to the rough windswept places where it is often found growing, such as moors and heaths.’

Books:

Vintage Fashion by Emma Baxter-Wright

This is a stunning coffee table book, taking you through different eras in fashion from 

the 20’s to the 90’s. The information included is very extensive, yet the writing is kept 

readable and interesting. If you appreciate the topic of fashion history, this is a must read.

The Usborne Book Of Pop-Ups by Ray Gibson

It was a wonderful surprise when a friend lent me this as it was one of my 

childhood favourites. The crafts are fairly straight forward, showing different 

ways to create pop-up cards. One of the nicest card-making books I know of.

Joy by Corrinne Averiss

A beautifully told and illustrated children’s picture book about Fern, a young girl 

who is worried about her Grandma, and wants to capture some joy to give it 

back to her. Lovely, heartfelt, and perfect for family reading time.

Hello, is this planet Earth? by Tim Peake

Written by Tim Peake the astronaut, he shares his experiences while on 

the international space station and the collection of photographs 

he has taken of earth from above. This is one of those books that 

really makes you appreciate how wonderful and fragile planet earth is.

101 Ways to Save the Earth by David Bellamy

This is a picture book introducing environmental topics to children in the style 

of a friendly magazine, with lovely illustrations. I found the tips helpful in 

making positive changes around the home, garden and beyond.

Films:

Dan In Real Life

'Comedy starring Steve Carell as advice columnist Dan Burns. In his column, Dan appears to be an expert on relationships, but in real life he struggles to succeed as a brother, son and single parent to three precocious daughters. Things get even more complicated for Dan when he discovers the woman, he has recently fallen in love with is already in a relationship with his brother.'

This was a really interesting film, and I enjoyed the look into family life on a vacation. At times it felt a bit melancholy but there were bursts of hope as the main character finds his way. Steve Carell is a good actor; I’ve seen him in a couple of other films.

Have you picked up a good book recently?

What have your favourite things been this month? :-) Xx

These are a few of my favourite things #4

 

Books:

Wallpaper by Lachlan Blackley

This is a graphic design book focussing on innovative ways to 

produce wallpaper. I found both the text and images fascinating. 

The Thrifty Forager by Alys Fowler

This was one of the most interesting books I’ve read this year so far. 

The author talks us through living off your local landscape by foraging. 

A surprisingly accessible read, that looks into the basics as well as 

how to set up a community orchard and more.

Much Loved by Mark Nixon

Nixon developed a project to photograph and document stories of very loved teddy 

bears. Initially it might come across a bit weird, but the stories included were so 

heart-felt and his photography really captured something amazing.

Films:

The Wedding Planner

I was short of things to watch, so I gave this a try to pass the time. I was pleasantly surprised to find it to be funny and heart-warming. It’s a feel-good film that I would recommend.

‘Mary Fiore (Jennifer Lopez) is a successful wedding planner whose creative ideas make her clients' weddings a dream come true. She is unlucky in love and is desperate to meet the perfect man, before it is too late. When she meets Dr. Steve Edison (Matthew McConaughey) Mary is instantly smitten. But there is one problem, he is about to get married and his wife-to-be wants her to organise the wedding. This causes problems as the more time she spends with her clients organising their big day, the more she falls in love with the groom.’

The Three Amigos

I have memories of watching this as a child, and finding it funny. I re-watched it this month, and found it to be both clever and entertaining.

‘Steve Martin, Chevy Chase and Martin Short travel a dusty road to adventure in this zany mix of sharp one liners and clever sight gags. The Three Amigos are a silent screen comedy act who have seen better days. So has a remote Mexican hamlet, which is being threatened by a fierce bandit gang. Finally, in desperation, a naïve villager sends the actors a telegram asking for help. Thinking they’re being offered a fortune for a personal appearance, the hapless trio arrives in Mexico, only to discover that this time they’re facing a real rival!’

King Kong (2005)

This film was out of my comfort zone, but I warmed to it as I got into it. It’s a very well-made film that I would recommend.

‘Epic remake of the adventure classic from acclaimed director Peter Jackson. In Depression-era New York, unscrupulous filmmaker Carl Denham (Jack Black) is desperate to find a leading lady for his new picture. After a chance encounter, naive actress Ann Darrow (Naomi Watts) takes the role, and travels with Denham and sensitive scriptwriter Jack Driscoll (Adrien Brody) to the mysterious Skull Island, deep in the Indian Ocean. 

There the filmmakers discover a secret, civilisation that time forgot, and that worships a terrifying, gigantic ape called Kong. When Ann is brought to Kong, the ape becomes obsessed with her. Denham uses this obsession to help capture Kong and transport him back to New York, where he hopes he can make a fortune from exhibiting the creature. But after Kong escapes, the ape unleashes his awesome power against the city in an attempt to find Ann, the woman he truly loves, leading to a tragic conclusion atop the Empire State Building.’

Lifestyle:

Sand dunes on the beach

On a recent visit to the beach, I was amazed to find a large sand dune. I took a photo and did a bit of research into how they form. Link here for an interesting article.

Did you find anything mentioned interesting?

What have you been loving this month? :-) Xx

Recent Reads Reviewed #9

The Code Girls by Daisy Styles - 5/5

I haven’t previously delved into historical fiction before in my spare time, so I felt this book was a really great starting point. I surprised myself with how much I enjoyed reading about World War two in the form of fiction. Although some of the topics were heavier than I was used to, the author still managed to make it easy reading most of the way through. The whole feel of the book had a cosy and warm hearted vibe to it, even though the setting wasn’t so uplifting.

The title suggests that there will be a lot of content about being a code girl which there was but the plot seemed to take a different direction for a good chunk of the story. Despite this, I liked where Styles went with the girls being employed to cook for the code girls, mainly because I loved learning about rationing, and this was done well in my view. The food descriptions for the time period seemed to set the mood, and made the book for me.

I Was Jane Austen's Best Friend by Cora Harrison - 4/5

I thought the concept of this book was a really good one, and I was keen to see as a reader if the author pulled it off. The book was set in the seventeen hundreds and focuses on Jane Austen in her adolescence, and her family at that time. The protagonist and narrator is Jenny, best friend of Jane Austen who tells the story in the form of her personal journal. Illustrations were included by Jenny’s character to make the book more accessible to children, but important topics were introduced to open up a discussion.

 

There was definitely a way about how you were supposed to behave in this period relating to gender roles. Much of this was interesting to learn about, but I felt with it being a children’s book, the author could have focused on the strength of the women more. Friendship plays an important factor, Jenny and Jane had a strong bond as they develop into maturity however it was very much centred on finding them a suitable man. Overall it was a different read for me, which opened my eyes to something new. I recommend this book if you would like to read about Jane Austen from a different angle or have an interest in the time period. 

Tales from Titchmarsh by Alan Titchmarsh - 4/5

Titchmarsh’s personality comes across really well in this book with his dry wit, passion and in depth knowledge for gardening. It took me a little while to gel with the writing style but I certainly enjoyed hearing about his tales. I found the philosophical themes inspiring too. It’s quite a cosy read, with added helpful tips to get into the garden for yourself. This book encouraged me to keep going with my hobby and enjoy the process.

On Beauty by Zadie Smith - 5/5

This was probably one of the most accomplished books I’ve ever read and I look forward to rereading it again in the future. It’s the kind of novel, where you can get different things out of it every time you read it. Zadie’s wonderful writing style jumped off the page, and I cherished the reading experience. The plot was mostly character driven, and as a reader, these are the most enjoyable kind of books to me. This is the first book I’ve read by Zadie Smith, and I’m hoping to be captivated again by her.

The Time of Our Lives by Jane Costello - 4/5

I love Jane Costello because she is a reliable author and your always know what you are getting with her. I’ve read many of her books now and this one was one of my favs along with All the Single Ladies and Summer Nights at the Moonlight Hotel. Imogen and friends go on holiday to Barcelona but things keep going wrong with some laugh out loud moments. I knocked it down one star because Imogen’s work stresses cropped up often making it a less relaxing read. This was an addictive, humorous and fun book that I happily got lost in all the same.

What is your favourite book genre? 

Do any of these books interest you?

Recent Reads Reviewed #8

One Christmas in Paris by Mandy Baggot – 4/5

This book was quite difficult to review because there were elements I thoroughly enjoyed yet there were somethings that frustrated me a little. While the development of romance seemed too quickly paced overall, the spark between Julien, and Ava, felt natural, their narrations were well written and heart-felt.

Photography features quite a lot in the book, some of my favourite moments were when Julien was taking photos of Paris, everything seemed to come together, and the descriptions of what he was photographing worked very well. Ava became Julien’s muse from their first encounter, taking photos of her without her say-so which I didn’t agree with. But as photography is a fond hobby of mine, Julien’s passion for it, kept me interested.

As a Christmas novel, I can see the plot and characters will be a little fluffy and light-hearted. But the story was compelling, and I genuinely couldn’t put it down, I felt gripped. I’ve come away in good spirits from the book, as the story is memorable.

The Hungry Student Easy Baking by Charlotte Pike - 5/5

This has become my favourite and most used baking book I own. Nearly all the recipes I have made from this book have been amazing and very reliable. The recipes are actually fairly simplified, with short descriptions and a minimal feel to the illustrations. I particularly enjoy the cookie section as there are so many interesting variations. Even if you are not a student, but you want to try baking, this is the book for you!

One Minute to Midnight by Amy Silver -  5/5

Going into this I expected it to be a really fluffy chick lit book, but the storyline had a fair amount of grit to it which I liked. The characters were believable, rough around the edges and troubled in a lot of ways. There were a few cultural and political references which is unlike a lot of chit literature. There was quite a bit of travelling to different parts of the world too, which added a unique element.

The chapters jumped about from different time lines, which usually I don’t take too, but the author did this very nicely. I researched the author and book afterwards and I was stunned to see Amy Silver is a pen name for the famous Paula Hawkins, writer of The Girl on The Train. I’ve read this too, and the chapters do the same thing within the more famous book.

The writing style was very entrancing, it was easy to get lost in the book, and I finished it remarkably quickly. I enjoyed the few major plot twists which came out the blue. One Minute to Midnight is actually very well written. I was deceived by the pretty cover, as it was definitely not your typical kind of read. If you like Paula Hawkins writing, I would give this one a go.

The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking – 5/5

I was delighted when I saw this book available to buy second hand in one of our local coffee shops. I picked it up immediately and donated some change to charity. This book interested me because of all the hype I’ve seen in the blogging and booktube community, but also I really love the idea of learning more about how to be cosy, relaxed, and appreciate the simple pleasures.

The chapters vary on different themed topics about hygge, my favourites were the ones about how to enjoy hygge for yourself, with really cool tips. The short chapter about introverts really captured my attention too, and I resonated with what had been said. 

The illustrations were excellent, they created a wonderful ambience to this coffee table book. The only small element I disliked was I found there were too many statistics which were less interesting, this wasn’t enough to knock it down a star. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it.

Us by David Nicholls – 5/5

What a marvellous book, after reading One Day, I felt a bit underwhelmed but Us swept me away. I really wanted Douglas to succeed with his holiday plans and for him to reconnect with his wife and son. I enjoyed the family’s both physical and emotional journey. The protagonist Douglas, came across likeable even though he was someone with imperfections. Although Connie irritated me at times, I thought she was written well, and I could imagine her being a real person. It was nice to see characters that were rough around the edges and the dialogue created an unease and tension for the reader as there were many quarrels along the way.

There were some very interesting observations into art, as the family toured famous art exhibitions, both from those who did and did not have an understanding of it. I was surprised to find I liked the structure of the book and the way the narrative jumped from timelines. The journey of the holiday really grounded the way the story was told. The conclusion was unpredictable yet I felt satisfied in the way it ended. I believe this novel could appeal to a wide range of people and I fully recommend it.

Have you read any of these? 

What book are you currently reading? :-) Xx

August Used Book Haul

Thanks for joining me for a new blog post, today I’m back with my mid-summer book haul. The theme for this one seems to be beach reads, and so far already I’ve read a few that would fit into this category over the summer months. Also I began a Maeve Binchy book a few weeks back and unfortunately it just didn’t resonate with me, it was not what I was expecting, and I got the impression the authors audience was much older than me. Despite this I was pleased with the other titles I found. How to Walk in High Heels: The Girl’s Guide to Everything has been on radar for years, it’s definitely not a new release but I’m excited to dip into this one, and its non-fiction too which interests me.

So far this year I’ve read two more Jane Costello books, and I only have a couple from the author I haven’t read now including this title The Love Shack so it might be a good one for Valentine’s 2019. The Little Kiosk By The Sea appears to be the ultimate beach read, and hopefully I’ll have time to pick it up this summer. Lastly Always Dakota by Debbie Macomber struck me as an escapist read which looked like it might be fun. Again all these books are secondhand!

Titles I picked up:

How to Walk in High Heels: The Girl's Guide to Everything by Camilla Morton

The Little Kiosk By The Sea by Jennifer Bohnet

The Love Shack by Jane Costello

Always Dakota by Debbie Macomber

Nights of Rain and Stars by Maeve Binchy

A Few of the Girls by Maeve Binchy

Have you read any beach style reads this summer? If so which one? :-) xx