It's Monday!

I have been MIA this weekend, so have lots of catching up to do  blog wise.

Come and join Sheila at One Person's Journey

to find out what other book bloggers are reading

At the weekend, and part of the reason for being MIA, I read

Please don't stop the music by Jane Lovering

You can see my review here.

This week I plan to read The Tapestry of Love by Rosy Thornton

I have a Q&A with Rosy Thornton coming up on Friday this week.

What are your reading plans for the week?

Review: Please don't stop the music - Jane Lovering

With permission from ChocLit

Title: Please don't stop the music

Author: Jane Lovering

Publisher : Choc Lit

Date Published : 1st February 2011

The blurb

How much can you hide?

Jemima Hutton is determined to build a successful new life and keep her past a dark secret. Trouble is, her jewellery business looks set to fail - until enigmatic Ben Davies offers to stock her handmade belt buckles in his guitar shop and things start looking up, on all fronts.

Meet Jemima Hutton - Self employed belt buckle designer who lodges with her friend Rosie and Rosie's young baby Harry.

Whilst searching the streets of York for stockists for her belt buckles Jemima meets Ben Davies - One time Indie Rock Star who now hides in his little out of the way guitar shop.

Add Jason, the resident artist, Saskia, business owner (what is her hold over Jem and Rosie?) and  hubby Alex and you have a mix of lovable characters all with their own secrets.  Some deeper than others.

Ben and Jemima build up a friendship but are they really who they appear to be?

Both want to get closer and delve deeper into each other's past but that would mean sharing their secret.  Dare they open up?

I enjoyed the way each character's story unfolded around a series of events that forced the characters to confront their pasts and, eventually, reveal their secrets.

This Rom-com is a real page-turner littered with funny one-liners.  The clues are there, but not too obvious, making it a gripping read. 

I didn't want to put it down...but the children had to be fed!

Look forward to more from this author.

5/5 for me!

I received a copy of this novel from the Publisher, Choc Lit, for review.

Book hop

Come join in the fun, meet like minded book bloggers and seriously increase your wishlist.

In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word! This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs to read! So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog, and start HOPPING through the list of blogs that are posted in the Linky list below!!




"What book are you most looking forward to seeing published in 2011? Why are you anticipating that book?"

There are several books I am looking forward to, I could not choose just one. The last 2 are already available in the USA.
To The Moon and Back - Jill Mansell

Summer of Love - Katie FForde

The Darling Strumpet - Gillian Bagshaw

India Black - Carol K Carr

WHY? All because I have seen other bloggers review these and I gotta have 'em!

Guest Author: Jane Lovering - Please don't stop the music

I am honoured and delighted to interview Jane Lovering - Author of Please don't stop the music

With kind permission from Choc-Lit Publisher

With kind permission from Choc Lit

Paperback: 304 pages

Publisher: Choc Lit (1 Feb 2011)

Please tell us a little about yourself.


Well, I’m very ordinary, for a start! I’m a mum to five kids (one has left home, although I only noticed this when I realised that there was some food left in the fridge), wife to a lovely Scotsman who I dragged from his native land some years ago, and owner of massive numbers of itinerant pets. I have terrible hair, shocking dress sense and a job in a local school which accommodates both of these peculiarities with good grace.
I write romantic comedies in a feeble attempt to make myself seem more interesting, although, since Johnny Depp hasn’t been in touch yet, I have to conclude that this isn’t working.




When you have a little 'me' time, what do you like to do?

Now that my children are growing up, or, at least, finding out what a washing machine is for and how it works, I’ve discovered that there are more hours in the day than I ever dreamed! I usually squander these spare hours (and a few working ones too) by reading, working on plot ideas, walking the dogs whilst staring at the sky and I’ve recently reassumed my rightful position in the saddle of a bonkers horse



Favourite childhood authors/current authors?

As a child I was in love with Brenda G Macrow’s Amazing Mr Whisper books, and I’m sure my penchant for slightly fey men can be traced back to that early influence. But then, I also read each and every book which had a pony on the cover, so, you know.
Teenage girls, eh? I discovered Tolkien at an impressionable age and still hanker for the Shire, even though I suspect that there’s a Co-Op and an Off Licence there now.


Current authors are equally eclectic. I will read almost any book that I find, although I have found a lot of Terry Pratchett lately. Yes, Terry and Tolkien between them have probably influenced my life thus far, which, given that I write romantic comedy, is worrying when you come to think about it.


What are you reading at the moment?

Jenny Colgan’s The Good, the bad and the dumped, because I read all her books and love them. Oh, perhaps I should have put her in above, as a favourite author?
Well, too late now... Also Justina Robson’s Chasing the Dragon from her Quantum Gravity series, which is fabulous. I’ve just finished Chad Orzel’s How to teach quantum physics to your dog, because , although my dogs already know physics, I thought I ought to know more than them. It looks bad when your dogs understand more about quantum electrodynamics than you.


Where did the idea for Please don't stop the music come from?

I like writing about characters who are less-than-perfect, and I’d had Ben wandering around in my head for quite a while, just biding his time and waiting for the perfect story. When I created Jemima, with her dark past, I knew that this was someone who’d be a terrific foil for my disturbed ex-rock guitarist. I wondered what would happen if a girl like Jemima, with her baggage and history met a man like Ben, with his secrets and horrors and largely beaten addictions. So I wrote the book to find out, which is how I come to write most of my stories. I think I must be some kind of cross between a frustrated peeping-Tom and a mother-in-law; a combination of wanting to see what people are doing with their lives and wanting to influence their every decision.


On the subject of music, what music do you have on your ipod/in your cd collection?

I’ve got... Pendulum, Hadouken, My Chemical Romance, FallOut Boy, some Gregorian plainsong and a Johnny Cash album which I think must belong to my husband. I’m a shouty-music kind of girl (except for the plainsong, which is for those moments when
I’m in mental free-fall).

J.

Thank you, Jane for taking time out from your busy schedule to talk to us

Please don't stop the music is Jane's third novel and is released in the UK on 1st February 2011

Find out more about Jane and her books at janelovering.co.uk


DizzyC

Enquiring minds and news

Hosted by Lori at Dollycas's thoughts

Please pop over and join in with us.

1. What time do you usually wake up each morning?


AJ is my alarm clock.  He is quite good and doesn't usually get me up before half six to seven o'clock.
If we sleep in, my partner wakes me banging on the door of 'Fort Knox' to be let in.


2. What time do you usually go to sleep each night?
I am getting later and later.  I get to about 9pm and I am really tired and ready for bed.  I do take to my bed then as AJ usually asleep by then and the teens sort themselves out. Then I read or go online and before I know it, it is midnight.  I have a little ritual, during the week, of texting my beloved at that time as it is his lunch break.


3. Standing at the foot of your bed, do you sleep on the right side of the bed, left side of the bed, or do you have the whole bed to yourself?
On the right side of the bed.  I believe that is traditionally the side the head of the household sleeps! ;)
I do have the whole of the bed to myself weekdays with partner working nightshift.  Weekends, I don't get much sleep as we are not used to having to share the bed!


Book news!
I have been a little quiet this week.  I have some exciting book projects I am working on that I will share
with you over the coming weeks, including.... 

2 Guest Author Interviews
3 latest reviews

It's Monday, what are you reading?

Hosted by Sheila at One Person's Journey Through a World of Books

Sheila says



It’s Monday! What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.


I have just finished reading The Pursuit of Alice Thrift by Elinor Lipman  Review to follow

This weekend I tidied up my blog a little and changed the header.

This coming week I plan to

Read  Please dont stop the music by Jane Lovering (sent to me by Choclit for review)

           Very Valentine by Adriana Trigiani


Do some housekeeping with my reading materials at home.  At the moment I have two jotters and a Reading Journal. 

Since I have been blogging I find I need to rely on my jotter more for those thoughts I have as I stir AJ's baked beans on the cooker or in the supermarket queue. I also need to record my wishlist in my jotter so that when I am in the sweet shop (WH or Waterstones), I can whip out my jotter and find those books. It is not a good look standing in front of all those books looking very Dizzy trying to remember that latest read I saw reviewed.  I keep expecting someone to direct me towards the easy readers for 5-6 year olds when they see me wracking my chaotic brain.

I have also decided, part way through my current reading journal (my first reading journal to be precise), that it could do with a change of direction. 
At the moment I just review books with the date read and at the top of the page may be a comment about my life at that time. 
I want to change the format, to reflect our blogging ways, and include a weekly wrap up of my reading , what new books I have and what books I have added to my wishlist.  I want to add a little more personal detail about family life and how I am feeling at the time too, after all this is my personal reading journal.
Oh, yes, the reviews will still be very important too.

What are your reading plans for the week?

Slow Sunday

Following Saturday's hurried posting entitled No time to blog, I can take my time  a little
this morning.

Apart from the usual chaotic household, I had online searches that were keeping me from
blogging. 

I thought I would share some of my finds.

Thank you to Annette  and Donna for the Crockpot recipes.


A few sites I have found featuring Crockpot * recipes.

Channel 4 slow cooker recipes   Including recipes for Red Cabbage, Pheasant, Mackeral, Maple Syrup and mustard Gammon

uktv slow cooked recipes  Including Lancashire Hotpot

slowcookerclub  with forum



*It is called a slow cooker here in the UK but my version is an Original Crockpot and I love that name.

Enjoy your Sunday.

No time to blog!

I have not posted since Thursday.....and just thought I would add a quick post to
explain why.

• I have been following fellow bloggers taking part in the Bloggestia hosted by Maw Books.    They got a real big party going on there!
• I am searching for crockpot recipes for my new crockpot.  Any recipes gratefully received. :)
• I have been fiddling with the content and title of my page.  I am happy with the title now and I do love the colour of my blog, lilac being my favourite colour, just not sure it is user friendly.
• I am searching the net for a reasonably priced double size throw for my bed.  I have an old fashioned candlewick bedspread that is almost threadbear.  I kid you not.  The pattern is almost not there.
• I am catching up with my handwritten reading journal.
• Oh, and I am catching up on blog posts from my follow list.  I am sure I follow way too many blogs, but there are so many good ones out there!

How is your weekend going?

Mummy is having a good day by AJ

Check out the cool signature Mummy made for me!

Mummy is having a proud day today.

M my big brother had a great report from his teachers at school this evening . He is having some health problems at the mo and not getting to school all the time, so he is doing well to get good grades.

C made a delicious Tart au Tatin for her GCSE Catering course. Teacher gave her an A grade.  Mummy said it was delicious! Daddy didn't comment but cleared his plate so he must have enjoyed it.

C's version of Caramalised Onion and Tomato Tart Tatin.

C says you can see mummy's old lady hands!

Some of my favourite saying this week

"Mummy, what time is it?" 

"It is half past Eight, AJ" came the reply

"Oh, well done Mummy!"

"No, I don't want a yoghurt it is too wobbly!"

"It's my latest invention!"

"No, I dont want to go home!"  daily when mummy comes to get me from playschool.  I try to hide, or take my coat off (I dont go out without my coat on) or just sit on the floor til mummy carries me out crying.

Award time

Thank you, Thank you.
I have received an award from Mary Ann at tributebooksmama

 

The rules for these awards are:

 

 

 

Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them in your post

 

Tell us seven things about yourself

 

Award 15 recently discovered new bloggers

 

Contact these bloggers and let them know they've received the award(s)

7 things about me

1. Only this morning I discovered I must be getting old, as I stood in freezing temps, de-icing the car, I said to myself  "what a lovely crisp morning."  When did I start appreciating frozen mornings?
2. I have a  new love for the Wii.  Just Dance 2 especially.  Am I trying to hold onto my younger days?
3. Am hoping to go to The Highlands in Scotland for our hols this year. Do they have internet or electricity up there?
4. I love Marmite! 
5. I am a chocoholic! But not to be eaten with the Marmite
6. I spent 2 years of spare time researching our Family Tree. Fascinating hobby, but very time consuming, hence my files are now collecting dust on top of the wardrobe. I uncovered a few skeletons too.  It is by no means complete.
7. I used to have time to cross-stitch but now my only hobby is reading.  With 2 small children I cannot remember how I used to manage to stitch large projects like Mirabila's and Lavender & Lace.  I loved starting with a blank aida and producing a finished scene.  I cannot draw very well so stitching a beautiful picture made art accessible to me

 

I would like to pass this on to the following selection of newly discovered blogs

readingreviewsrecognition

teensntoddlers

sugarbeatsbooks

hottbooks

facing50withhumour

comacalm

thedayafteryesterday

acraftykindoftruffle

please pop over to check out these recent additions to my follow list.

 

Winnie The Pooh Day

Today is Winnie the Pooh Day to recognise the birthday of the English author A A Milne who was born
18th January, 1882.  He is best remembered for his creation Winnie the Pooh.

He graduated from University in Cambridge in 1903 and published many plays and poems before he created Christopher Robin, Pooh bear and friends.

Winnie the Pooh was first published in 1926 followed by Tales from Hundred Acre Wood in 1928.  Originally Winnie the Pooh stories were brought to life with illustrations by E.H. Shepard.  A A Milne wrote the stories named after his own son Christopher Robin Milne and his soft toys.

Pooh Quotes

My spelling is Wobbly. It's good spelling but it Wobbles, and the letters get in the wrong places.



To the uneducated, an A is just three sticks.
 
When you are a Bear of Very Little Brain, and Think of Things, you find sometimes that a Thing which seemed very Thingish inside you is quite different when it gets out into the open and has other people looking at it.


If you live to be 100, I hope I live to be 100 minus 1 day, so I never have to live without you.Winnie the Pooh




 
 
DIZZYC

It's Monday - What are you reading?

Hosted by Sheila at Book Journey  

Pop over and join in!

Have just finished

 A Tiny Bit Marvellous by Dawn French.

The adventures of Mo, 50, child psychologist and her family.  Funny read, but be warned, if you don't like swearing, this is not for you.

Library stash....my reading for the next few weeks.  Have been at my party trick again.  I reserve a few titles and then they all come along at once like buses!

Wild Romance by Chloe Schama  Current read

Mr Rosenblum's List by Natasha Solomons

Midnight Girls by Lulu Taylor

What are you reading this week?

Do you have problems with Frizzy hair!

I know the problem well  :)

This is too cute not to share

Cute pictures of baby gorilla with frizzy fur - mirror.co.uk


Dizzy (Frizzy hair) C

Blue Monday

The 3rd Monday in January is known as Blue Monday, the most depressing day of the year, according to psychologists.  This year it is today Monday 17th January.

Christmas is over what was all the rush?

There are 11 months until next Christmas  Too early to start the shopping

We are still contemplating those unachievable New Year's resolutions that is why I don't say them out  loud

There is still over a week until pay day!!!!  Why is there so much month at the end of the money?

Here in the UK,  we are getting used to VAT rises from 17.5% to 20%.  20% is a nice round number - now I know I can't afford it!!

So come on folks,  let's spread some cheer. 







What made you smile or laugh recently??

Who makes you smile??

What will you be doing to cheer yourself up on this Monday morning??

Saturday Snapshot....a little late!

This is my first time with a Saturday Snapshot.  Hosted by Alyce at At home with books

Does my bum look big in this?

AJ just checking that there isn't anything left in his Santa sack.

DizzyC

Friday book hop and follow friday

This week's question comes from Barb who blogs at Sugarbeat's Books:


"Why do you read the genre that you do? What draws you to it?"

I have 3 main genres I read....

General popular fiction - books I have seen reviewed, recommended or in the book charts within my
comfort zone.

Historical fiction - I loved history at school and this genre fills my need for history but with a twist.
There more historical fact that an author uses and creates their story around the facts the better for me.

Chick-lit - I love a good love story - boy meets girl, they marry, get divorced etc, etc .   :)



 Hosted by Java  Over 40 but feeling good cos I have the high score on some of my daughter's Just Dance 2 Wii game!!  :)  Well, for now! Enjoy your weekend  

Jack of all trades...master of none

Anne Dickens  at  thedayafteryesterday   had a posting ( not for the squeamish)  that got me thinking about my own scrapes.

I am not safe in the kitchen.  I do not have a complete set of plates, bowls, or mugs in my house.
Something gets broken on a weekly basis.  Just before Christmas we had to buy new glasses or otherwise we would be sharing one wine glass (me first!) and three tumblers with our guests.

These days no-one in the house comes running when they hear a crash or bang in the kitchen.  They wait for my cries or cross words and then call out casually "Are you ok?"

The most spectacular in recent times followed an eventful day of housework, washing and ironing.  I was pleased with myself getting so much done.  A productive day.
I was dishing up dinner for myself, partner and our youngest AJ.
I came through the kitchen to the living room with my partner and AJ's plates full of food. 

CRASH, BANG, WALLOP!!!

I slipped on a rouge plastic hanger that was lying on the floor from the ironing session, skidded towards the fridge/freezer, flinging two hot dinners up the fridge/freezer and onto the living room carpet.  My dinner was safe on the counter.
I had a twisted ankle from all this but nothing more.

I managed to break the glass turntable in my microwave whilst warming my wheat bag.  I dragged the wheat bag out of the microwave bring the turntable with it. It did not bounce!

Then there was the time the recliner sofa ate my arm! 
Unfortunately I had to share this one with the doctor as I damaged my wrist only soft tissue, not a break!

I was on the said sofa with my feet up surfing the net, safely. My battery was dying so I grabbed the charger.  I had not put the recliner back to upright as I was about to sit back down. 
I lent over back of sofa to plug charger in, lost my balance and put my left hand on recliner, thus making it recline fully and trapping my other arm down the back.  At this point my full weight was on the recliner trapping my arm and I could not right myself. 
X rays and physio and several weeks of pain followed.

The one that caused me the most trouble was when I was working as a lunchtime assistant at school.  I was in a hurry to get the tables cleaned and I overstretched.  Put a disc out in my back!

2 weeks bedridden, valium and other prescription drugs, physio, not sitting down for months and 5 months off work! 
The best thing to come out of that one was it kickstarted my love for reading.  Honestly.  That was all I could do flat on my back for many weeks.

Are you accident prone?

DIZZYC

Review - Magnolia Wednesdays by Wendy Wax

Magnolia Wednesdays by Wendy Wax

Chosen after seeing it reviewed online.  My copy is quite battered unfortunately, due to a trip across the pond, as not available in the UK.

A novel about families, loyalties, secrets and friendships.

Vivien Armstrong, a journalist, has a life changing turn of events which begin wither her being shot covering her latest expose.  Along with the humiliation of it being broadcast on Youtube, being replaced at work by a younger model and finding herself pregnant at 41, Vivien decides to leave town.

She heads for the home of her widowed sister, Melanie and her children to hide out for a while and decide what to do next.  She lands a job as columnist writing incognito as Scarlett Leigh.

Whilst there Vivi develops friendships and a relationship  she has been lacking with her sister. 

Vivi being the journalist that she is uncovers more than she expects when she starts investigating secrets that maybe better left buried.

A very enjoyable read with some lovable characters, each with their own stories and some with secrets. 

Mel and her children, Trip and Shelby. 

Clay, JJ's right hand man who seems to trying to take JJ's place. 

Ruth and her husband Ira who is resisting retirement.

Angela, the bride to be with a secret from her past.

I didn't take to Vivien at the beginning of the story but warmed to her as she developed and grew up in the loving comfort of her sister's home and lifestyle, awaiting the birth of her baby. 

4.5/5 for me!

It's Monday - What are you reading/In my mailbox

Hosted by Sheila at One Person's Journey

This weekly meme can seriously increase your wishlist.  Pop over and check out what fellow bloggers are reading this week.

Last  week I finished Magnolia Wednesdays by Wendy Wax and will be reviewing it here sometime this week.

I have just started reading The Palace of Strange Girls by Sallie Day.

Only a little way in on this one but am loving it so far.  Set in England 1959 and following the Singleton family on their annual British holiday. 

Reading this one for my UK and Ireland Challenge.

In my letterbox this week (mailbox to my blog friends from over the pond)  I was excited to receive

Welcome to My World by Miranda Dickinson.   

A big thank you to Mel at High Heels and Book Deals .  I won this book in a giveaway on her blog and after much trouble with the post I have received my book.

Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik.

Having seen this reviewed online I sent off for a copy for myself.  Looking forward to it.

What are you reading this week?

DizzyC

.



My week by AJ

I gotta get my own Avatar thingy....Thomas will do for now!

I haven't been to Playschool for the longest time. 

Mummy says "next week!" 

Why not now!  C has been going to school this week.  How come she gets all the fun?  She is sitting her GCSE mocks.

Mummy says I am going to Playschool 4 mornings now instead of just 2.  That will give her more time for reading or is that housework! It means I get tuna/mayo sandwiches in my lunch bag 4 times a week now.

So bored I have had to invent a new games like banging door and emptying my puzzles all over the floor.  Mummy says I am usually very good with my toys but I have my moments.  I am 3, it is expected of me.

Santa was very good to me and brought me not one fire engine but two!  I got cars, puzzles, books and games. I love getting puzzles and books alongside toys.  Cannot understand the little boy in the YouTube clip who got annoyed that a book wasn't a proper present. Of course it is.

 My favourite present was a shopping game where I have a list and we take turns (I am really good at this) turning over cards with our items.  I get anyone I can to play it with me. It has been a real hit.

I have invented a new word - "buh".  I call Mummy "I want a buh!".  I have good speech but this one really gets her attention.  She then lists everything from drink to fruit to sandwiches to sweets. Great way to find out what I can get from Mummy.

Today I have been Magic Painting.  Nana got me this great set. I just brush water over the picture and my brush knows what colour I need.  Now that is Magic Painting!

Note for Santa

Next year you can save time by leaving all my presents  here as both Nana's tell me you stopped by their houses and left presents for me!

AJ

Friday socials

Today is Friday, the weekend is almost here.


AJ had me up at 4.30 am this morning!  I was a bad mummy and put the TV on for him to watch.  Don't panic....it was Cartoonito. It is now almost 7.30 am and he is full of beans. 
Is it nearly bedtime?

This weekend will be a quiet one, me thinks.



My partner is still in bed with the flu....swine flu, influenza B or Man flu......not confirmed.
I am half expecting AJ or myself to go down with it.  My daughter, C, has been a trooper, she was in bed a the beginning of the week, but dragged herself to school to start her mock GCSE's. Bless her!
I am a little nervous about AJ getting it now or when playschool returns next week (which is more likely with all those runny noses and crusty sleeves), but hoping that his seasonal flu jab he had in October will cover him.




If you are a new visitor, please comment and then if I have missed you on the hops I can come and visit.


My blog is a mix of books and family life.  I am not sure I have enough content to divide the two at the moment.


Today I am joining in with




 Pop over to see Java and help her celebrate her first blogiversary!  





I love this blog and it has some great tutorials.
Question for today....

Do you make any New Year's resolutions? If so, do you ever keep them?

I make resolutions in my head but not out loud.  Does that count?
I will share with you my thoughts for changes to my life this year......
I want to find more time for my friends.  Just a cup of coffee or half  hour chat on the phone. 

I have been bogged down with family stuff for the 2nd half of this year and I am just not catching up with my mates.  My mates keep me sane.  We stumble through the maze of parenting, relationships and general life and when it all gets too much we can call on each other to 'throw a tantrum', 'throw our rattle outta the pram', 'scream n shout' and know that our mates will listen, put us straight and give us a good talking to.
Much better response than from the kids or partners.  They just don't soak it up like mates do.



What are your plans for the weekend?
Enjoy your weekend, folks!

Richard & Judy Spring 2011

The Richard & Judy Book Club here in the UK is usually a very good source of reading material for the coming season.

I still have some of the last season's books on my shelf to read but here is the Spring 2011 reading list.....

The Postmistress by Sarah Blake   I read this last year and really enjoyed it.
The Blasphemer by Nigel Farndale
Trespass by Rose Tremain
You're Next by Gregg Hurwitz
Room by Emma Donoghue
This Perfect World by Suzanne Bugler
Hothouse Flower by Lucinda Riley  On my TRB shelf...this was a Christmas present
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson  Have heard good things about this one


The Channel 4 TV Book Club list for this series is......

Room by Emma Donoghue
The Long Song by Andrea Levy
The Junior Officers' Reading Club by Patrick Hennessey
Tiger Hills by Sarita Mandanna
The News Where you Are by Catherine O'Flynn
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

I have not looked into the TV Book Club picks yet but there are a couple that catch my eye.
Last series I read The Help and Ellis Island  from their list.  I still have The Legacy from last list to read too.


DizzyC

It's the 1st Monday of 2011 What are you Reading?

Hosted by Sheila at Book Journey

Sheila says....It’s Monday! What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I love being a part of this and I hope you do too! As part of this weekly meme I love to encourage you all to go and visit the others participating in this meme. I offer a weekly contest for those who visit 10 or more of the Monday Meme participants and leave a comment. You receive one entry for every 10 comments, just come back here and tell me how many in the comment area.

I have just finished

From Notting Hill with Love...Actually by Ali McNamara
You can see my review here on the blog
A fun read for those winter evenings.

I have started

The Empty Family by Colm Toibin
A collection of short stories by the award winning author. 
Very short stories and the only thing I am struggling with is that the stories
finish when I am left wanting more.  

What is next
I plan to start on my personal challenge of reading books through the ages set in the UK and Ireland.  Of course, my current read can be the first on that list.

What are you reading this Monday?

You know you have a toddler.....

You know you have a toddler when........
you can't wait til their bedtime so you can fall into bed too

You know you have teens when........

you go to bed and ask them to turn off the light and the tv when they go to bed

You know you have a toddler when....
you can sing the theme tune to Postman Pat, Fireman Sam and many more

You know you have teens when.....

you cannot understand a word Tinnee Tempha or Rhianna is singing



You know you have a toddler when....
you cannot watch you favourite programme because the toddler is watching Postman Pat or Fireman Sam for the tenth time
 
You know you have teens when.....
you cannot watch your favourite programme because a teen is watching Glee or Phsyc for the tenth time




You know you have a toddler when.....
you go to the wardrobe and find little hoodies and trousers hanging next to your favourite little black dress that you don't get the chance to wear so often as nights out are rare
 
You know you have teens when.....

you go to the wardrobe and find your favourite little black dress is not there cos the girl teen has borrowed it for an 18th birthday party


You know you have a toddler when......
your handbag contains baby wipes, pull ups, as well as your purse, keys, mobile and lipstick


You know you  have teens when...
your handbag contains the teen's purse, mobile and lipstick as well as your purse, keys, mobile and lipstick (no wonder I have a bad shoulder!)

You know you have a toddler when....
he laughs when you are being silly with him or dancing around the room

You know you have teens when....
they think everything you do is embarrassing including being silly or dancing around the room

but all this toddler/teen chaos is happy chaos most of the time and I wouldn't change it at all.

Book Review - From Notting Hill with Love...Actually

With the festive film season on TV showing all the Rom-coms from Notting Hill to Music and Lyrics and more this was a great time to read this book too.

The Blurb

Scarlett loves the movies.  But does she love sensible fiance David just as much?

With a big while wedding on the horizon, Scarlett really should have decided by now......

When she has the chance to house-sit in Notting Hill - the setting of one of her favourite movies - Scarlett jumps at the chance. But living life like a movie is trickier than it seems, especially when her new neighbour Sean is so irritating.  And so irritatingly handsome, too.

Grab your popcorn and soft drink.....or a glass of wine and the chocolate box for the Rom-Com of the year!

This story has all the elements of a great romantic comedy just like the films Notting Hill, Bridget Jones, Pretty Woman, Sleepless in Seattle and more. It is all there and you won't be disappointed. 

I loved all the characters...

 Scarlett the movie fantic who wants life to be like the movies -sometimes we all wish it could be more like the movies, eh girls?

Sean, the neighbour who befriends Scarlett whilst she house-sits next door in Notting Hill.

David, the dependable fiance back home

Will Scarlett's story have a happy ending just like the movies?  I won't spoil it for you, read it for yourself.

With facts and a quiz as an added bonus at the end of the story for all Rom-com fans.

I was lucky enough to interview Ali McNamara last month here

This book was voted Chick Lit Reviews Book of the Year

Great way to start my year of reviews.....

5/5 for me!