I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and, hopefully, some well earned rest.
Did you find any book shaped gifts under your Christmas tree? Alternatively, did you gift people books for Christmas. I was lucky enough to receive three books this year, and I gifted books to other people too. I thought you might be interested to see which books I gave and received.
I am going to start with the books which I gave to family members:
I bought a copy of
Aziza's Secret Fairy Door and the Birthday Present Disaster by Lola Morayo for my granddaughter. She is a very keen reader and fly's through books.
From the Blurb
Aziza notices that the Secret Fairy Door in her bedroom is covered in a cute ribbon tied in a very messy bow. It's a sure sign that she's about to go on a new adventure.
Aziza opens the door and finds herself in the Palace just in time for Princess Peri's birthday party. Tiko is organizing the party and wants everything to be just right for his friend. There are party games, delicious food and lots of friends ready to celebrate. It's very exciting! But Peri needs Aziza's help when some special presents go... missing.
My husband is a huge fan of Terry Pratchett so this new official biography was a must for him.
Terry Pratchett - A Life With Footnotes by Rob Wilkins.
From the Blurb
At the time of his death in 2015, award-winning and bestselling author Sir Terry Pratchett was working on his finest story yet - his own.
The creator of the phenomenally bestselling Discworld series, Terry Pratchett was known and loved around the world for his hugely popular books, his smart satirical humour and the humanity of his campaign work. But that's only part of the picture.
Before his untimely death, Terry was writing a memoir: the story of a boy who aged six was told by his teacher that he would never amount to anything and spent the rest of his life proving him wrong. For Terry lived a life full of astonishing achievements: becoming one of the UK's bestselling and most beloved writers, winning the prestigious Carnegie Medal and being awarded a knighthood.
Now, the book Terry sadly couldn't finish has been written by Rob Wilkins, his former assistant, friend and now head of the Pratchett literary estate. Drawing on his own extensive memories, along with those of the author's family, friends and colleagues, Rob unveils the full picture of Terry's life - from childhood to his astonishing writing career, and how he met and coped with what he called the 'Embuggerance' of Alzheimer's disease.
My other half is also a fan of Only Fools and Horses (as am I) so he would have been very disappointed if a copy of
The Twelve Dels of Christmas by David Jason had not been under the tree. He is reading this at the moment and I have heard many a chuckle emitting from the direction of his armchair.
From the Blurb
Amazingly, there are eighteen 'Only Fools and Horses' Christmas specials. It is at Christmas that Raquel moves in with Del, that Peckham Spring mineral water is first marketed, that the world's least likely Batman and Robin duo emerge on a foggy street.
Think of this memoir, then, as a Christmas special in book form, from someone who has been involved in a few of those and understands a bit about the concept. But a Christmas special very much like Only Fools and Horses, in the sense that the stories will be always heading outwards, ranging far and wide and well beyond the traditional festive gags involving giblets left in turkeys.
As I sift through various festive-related episodes in my career, loosening the ribbons, parting the wrapping paper, I'll be doing my best to reach any relevant conclusions about life, work and the meaning of it all that I can usefully pass on to you - baubles of wisdom if you like. Or certainly baubles. You'll learn why I have the perfect face to play Scrooge. And if you're lucky I'll also share what it's like to fly in the helicopter of my old mucker Tom Cruise. Merry Christmas, you plonkers.'
As a newbie metal detectorist my hubby was keen to read something on the subject. So I chose
Permission Impossible by David Villanueva.
From the Blurb
The metal detecting or treasure hunting find of a lifetime starts with obtaining search permission or legally avoiding that obligation. Where can you legally search without permission? How do you find the landowner to ask for search permission? How do you persuade the landowner to give their permission? These are the questions on the lips of most participants in the hobby, be they beginner or old hand. In this groundbreaking best seller, expert metal detectorist, treasure hunter and internationally acclaimed author, David Villanueva, draws on his experience at successfully and painlessly gaining search permission on a wide range of sites both as an individual and club leader to reveal ALL in this fact-packed book.
My grandson is a very keen on drawing, who in my very biased opinion, shows great artistic promise. He was very pleased to receive a copy of
The Usborne Book of Step-By-Step - Drawing Animals by Fiona Watt.
From the Blurb
Complete beginners can discover how to draw lots of different animals with this delightful write-in book. Each double colourful page has step-by-step drawing instructions, space to practise and doodle in, and ideas for colouring in or adding backgrounds.
I read this book in March and knew that my son would enjoy reading
The Passenger by Ulrich Alexander Boschwitz.
From the Blurb
BERLIN, NOVEMBER 1938.
Synagogues are being burnt, Jews rounded up and their businesses destroyed. Otto Silbermann has managed to evade the escalating violence of the Nazi regime - until now. With stormtroopers battering on his door, he sneaks out the back and begins a desperate race to escape this homeland that is no longer home.
Any of you who have been following my blog for the last year will know how much I love
Matilda Windsor is Coming Home by Anne Goodwin. I just know my daughter-in-law will love this so could not resist buy her a copy.
From the Blurb
Henry was only a boy when he waved goodbye to his glamorous grown-up sister; approaching sixty, his life is still on hold as he awaits her return.
As a high-society hostess renowned for her recitals, Matty's burden weighs heavily upon her, but she bears it with fortitude and grace.
Janice, a young social worker, wants to set the world to rights, but she needs to tackle challenges closer to home.
A brother and sister separated by decades of deceit. Will truth prevail over bigotry, or will the buried secret keep family apart?
If you would like to read my review of this book then you can do so by clicking
here.
I bought this small but highly amusing book,
The Dog Owner's Survival Guide by Sophie Johnson for another of my son's.
From the Blurb
A hilarious, fully illustrated book full of tongue-in-cheek advice for surviving life as a dog parent – the perfect gift for any dog lover
You have the best dog in the world, it’s true. But there’s no avoiding the fact that, perfect and adorable as they may be, there are certain elements of being a pup owner that you could do without. That smell they bring in when they’ve rolled in fox poo. The nibble-marks on your furniture. Their fur stuck to absolutely every black item of clothing you own.
Luckily, this no-nonsense guide is here to teach you all the tricks you’ll ever need to help you navigate life with your furry friend, so you can focus on the positives – like giving them head-scritches and nose-boops every time they prove they’re a good doggo at heart.
With pearls of wisdom like these, you’ll be a pro dog parent in no time:
Remember to check the dog is in the room before blaming it for your fart
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a dog in possession of a healthy libido must be in want of a leg
Start working on your mental toughness – those puppy-dog eyes are enough to break even the iciest of
Books Which Were Bought for Me
The Secret Lives of Dresses by Erin McKean
‘Every dress has a secret. Let me tell you mine...’ Dora is in love with a man who barely notices her, has a job she doesn’t care about, and dresses entirely for comfort, not style. All a far cry from her vivid, eccentric childhood, growing up with her beloved grandmother Mimi. However, when disaster strikes, Dora knows she has no choice but to return to her childhood home and take over running Mimi’s vintage clothing shop. And there she makes a surprising discovery – Mimi’s been writing stories to accompany every dress she sells. Romantic, heartbreaking tales about each one’s secret life before it got to her shop... Dora starts to matchmake these lonely frocks with new owners, but will the stories help her as well? Trading her boring high street clothes for vintage glamour is one thing. What she needs to know is whether she can trade her safe old life – and love – for something better too? A captivating and enchanting novel about vintage frocks and new experiences for every girl who knows that the right dress can change your life, by the author of the popular blog www.dressaday.com.
Sugar Maple looks like any Vermont town, but it's inhabited by warlocks, sprites, vampires, witches -- and an ancient secret. Chloe Hobbs, owner of the popular knitting shop Sticks and String, has a big secret too. She's a sorcerer's daughter in search of Mr. Right, and she's found him in Luke MacKenzie, a cop investigating Sugar Maple's very first murder. The bad news is he's one hundred percent human...
A Curious History of Sex by Kate Lister
'Based on the popular research project Whores of Yore, and written with her distinctive humour and wit, A Curious History of Sex draws upon Dr Kate Lister's extensive knowledge of sex history. From medieval impotence tests to twentieth-century testicle thefts, from the erotic frescoes of Pompeii, to modern-day sex doll brothels, Kate unashamedly roots around in the pants of history, debunking myths, challenging stereotypes and generally getting her hands dirty.'
This fascinating book is peppered with surprising and informative historical slang, and illustrated with eye-opening, toe-curling and meticulously sourced images from the past.
You will laugh, you will wince and you will wonder just how much has actually changed.
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