Happy Christmas!

Just popping in to wish everyone who reads my ramblings a very happy Christmas (I promise to keep this short). Thank you for sticking with me and for your kind and generous comments.

I don't have any particularly festive pictures, but I like this one of four of my grandchildren (there is a fourth one buried in there) having a cuddle with Olaf. "Why is he so big?" one of the smaller ones asked. "Because he's eaten too many mince pies," I said to which I got a long suffering look, a groan and, "Don't be silly, Grandma. He's a snowman."

Happy Christmas!

Lots of Love,

Teresa xxx

Books, books, books...

  

As we’re hurtling towards the end of the year, I thought I’d write a post about some of the terrific books I’ve read this year.

When I was a child, one of my favourite books was one I inherited from my sister called The Girls’ Book of Heroines. I don’t have many books that I’ve kept from childhood, but that is one of them. I used to read it over and over and still have an occasional dip.

This year Debbie Blake’s, Daughters of Ireland: Pioneering Irish Women was published by The History Press. I treated myself to the paperback and oh my! I planned to dip in and out over time, but ended up reading it cover to cover over several days. I had the same feeling reading that as I did my sister's heroines book, this sense of discovery about amazing women, but in much more depth of course.

I found myself reading bits out to my husband. A truly inspirational and eye-opening read about fascinating women. As a footnote you can find out more about #Distractingly Sexy  posted by female scientists on Twitter.

Most recent book read was Milly Johnson’s Afternoon Tea at the Sunflower Café. Another one I couldn’t put down. I love Milly’s books and have enjoyed every one, but I think this is her best yet.

Here is a list of some of the other books I’ve read and enjoyed (I'm too lazy to write reviews, but you can check them out on Amazon and "Look inside"). There are more, but I can’t get to my notebook where I write down every book I read as it is buried under a pile of presents so I’ve had to rely on my memory (not very good as I know I’ve read far more than this). I’ve put links to the books on Amazon and Author blogs/websites where known.

A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler

The Birds, The Bees and Other Secrets by Frances Garrood

Short Story Secrets: Turning Words Into Money by Hettie Barton

Not A Drop To Drink by Patsy Collins (You can also find Patsy at Womagwriter)

Tying Down The Lion by Joanna Campbell

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khalid Hosseini

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty (And it's going to be on screen! Can't wait!)

Edwins Baby & Other Stories by Susanne Ross Jones

Dreaming Big & Other Stories by Susanne Ross Jones

Elizabeth is Missing by EmmaHealey

Poison (87thPrecinct) by Ed McBain

Wolf Hall & Bring Up The Bodies by Hilary Mantel

The Axe Factor by Colin Cotterill

The Positively Productive Writer by Simon Whaley

Give Up Ironing: A Writer’s Guide to Time Management by Kathleen McGurl

Ghost Stories and How to Write Them by Kathleen McGurl

The King’s Curse by Philippa Gregory

Edit is a Four Letter Word by Glynis Scrivens

I’m always on the lookout for book recommendations, so if anyone has any ideas, I’d be grateful!

Update on Dusty. Four weeks now since his op and we have at last dispensed with the lampshade. Next week he goes for his first hydrotherapy session – as he loves swimming I’m hoping he’ll enjoy it! It will be nice for him to have a change of scene. He’s getting very bored and regularly empties my paper recycling bin for me!

And in other news, while I am sleeping downstairs with Dusty, someone else has taken over my side of the bed. I just hope she moves over and gives me some room when I can finally go back to my bed!