Hobbies and Crafts

I've applied for and received 5 or was it 6?
Some of them turned out not to be to my taste, but all worth persevering with. They've now been found good homes amongst the family who in turn will recycle them. The authors may not receive any extra royalties but passing them on may promote purchases of new titles.

Interesting review of The Agincourt Bride, Vera. I do tend to take historical novels with a pinch of salt. After all, history is written by the winner. The contemporary scribes on which our knowledge is based, were at pains to show their Masters in a good light.

Yes I agree I think I have had four as well. This one is a hefty tome. :-D

I'm interested in what you have to say Ann as I have also got The Book of Gold Leaves from the Genes Book Club, but I don't think I'll be starting it till after Christmas.

Genes often gets criticised but I've received 4 free books this year which has more than covered my subscription and I've had the chance to read books I might not otherwise have bought. Gold star to Genes.

I have started to read The Book of Gold Leaves by Mirza Waheed. Not sure so far. The names are almost unpronounceable to me so take a bit of remembering who is who. so far it is hard going but it is early days and I am hoping a story will develop rather than what appears to me to be lists of facts and events.
This is the Genes book club read

After seeing it mentioned on this thread I've been reading The Agincourt Bride. I'm in two minds about this book.

On one hand it's an enjoyable read and I think it's an accomplished first book. Treated purely as a novel based on the life of Catherine of Valois it works well, though I did find Catherine came over as a bit too perfect.

My problem is with the historical side of it. I think the author should have had an introduction with some indication of what is evidenced fact and what is her imagination. Obviously the dynastic marriages, the battles and sieges took place as stated but there seemed to be a fair bit that was contentious.

For instance, while I realise the children of nobility often saw little of their parents, I found it hard to believe their physical well being was so neglected so I did a bit of googling. It appears there was a story that Queen Isabeau cruelly neglected her children but there is documentation that this is probably untrue. There are receipts etc that show they did have good clothing and were bought toys and were well educated. As quite a lot of the story hangs on their terrible childhood, I think the author should have put some sort of explanation.

To sum up - a good story, well written, but treat the history with a bit of scepticism.

I Ann I actually have it on kindle, had it for few weeks, I have Amazon Prime so was able to receive edition before it actually came out for free.......

I am really enjoying it :-)

Yes that does sound interesting. If Father Christmas comes up with vouchers, that could be a possibility.

In case any one has missed it, the GR book club have announced this months title

Elizabeth is missing by Emma Healey.

The narrator, apparently, is Maud who is suffering from dementia. She knows that her friend is missing but because of her confusion no one believes her. It's up to Maud to find Elizabeth and along the way find out what happened to her own sister who disappeared after WW2.

I've a suspicion that if someone was close to a dementia sufferer, they may find it upsetting. I could be wrong of course!

Ooh Haven't read that one, I love her books. Is that a kindle one Mersey?

Helloooooooo all you lovely readers :-D :-D ~~~~~~~s

Lots of interesting and different reads being posted which is great, a lovely mix...many thanks for all who post......so much to choose from and gives us a better idea and something different to what we would normally read...... :-) :-)

I am just starting The Amber Keeper - Freida Lightfoot

Set against the backdrop of revolutionary Russia, The Amber Keeper is a sweeping tale of jealousy and revenge, reconciliation and forgiveness.

English Lake District, 1960s: A young Abbie Myers returns home after learning of her mother’s death. Estranged from her turbulent family for many years, Abbie is heartbroken to hear that they blame her for the tragedy.

Determined to uncover her mother’s past, Abbie approaches her beloved grandmother, Millie, in search of answers. As the old woman recounts her own past, Abbie is transported back to the grandeur of the Russian Empire in 1911 with tales of her grandmother’s life as a governess and the revolution that exploded around her.

As Abbie struggles to reconcile with her family, and to support herself and her child, she realizes that those long-ago events created aftershocks that threaten to upset the fragile peace she longs to create.


Happy Reading Bookworms <3 <3

Enjoy Mau! :-)

Helloo Kindle Readers, have finished 'Diary of a Nobody' and it was just as amusing as I remembered it :-D

Now looking forward to reading the Lucy Clarke book you recommended Ann...'A Single Breath'...taking it to bed tonight :-D
Mau XX

Thank you, reading that I am not sure it is for me. I loved her Languedoc (sp) triligy though. :-)

It isn't what I'd call 'Historical' like Citadel etc if that makes sense, but is definitely gruesome in some parts! Part Victorian melodrama, there is a lot of symbolism in the story - the birds, and the rhythm of waves of stormy weather which pass over the area.

There is a pretty accurate review here from the Guardian
http://tiny.cc/uuz8px

I have loved her other books, are you saying this one is not as good?

Bridget - who is the author please? Then we can look it up.
............

The Taxidermists Daughter by Kate Mosse (she of Labyrinth, Citadel etc fame)

It “is set in Sussex in 1912 and filled with grizzly murders, stuffed birds and suspicious villagers.”
Connie lost her memory after a serious fall 12 years previously and now suffers from Petit Mal seizures. These episodes trigger memory recall of various incidents which make her doubt what she had been told of her past.

The Sussex marshland/water meadows south of Fishbourne are threatened with flooding throughout the 3 day action packed period, which adds to the tension as does the unnatural gathering of rooks, crows and magpies.

This book was a gift – I’m not sure if I would have bought it myself, but its still worth a read.

I have read just read Magnolia Street, I recomend this to every one who enjoys
"A beautifully written Atmospheric Tales.

Stephen King and Peter Straub shows how good and evil can be used.

Bridget

Thanks Vera will keep it on the list.

family problems at the moment prevent us fro actually booking or even planning holidays for 2015 but we will bear that in mind for when we are able to go. :-)

Just finished Broken Homes by Ben Aaronovitch, the fourth book in the Rivers of London series. I liked it better than the third book. Good books if you like a bit of fantasy but I think this series is best if the books are read in order - they make more sense if you know the back story.

Ann, I'm sure you would enjoy Sorrento. Six of us went a couple of years ago and we all loved it. Our deal did include transfers from airport to hotel and we did take an organised coach trip along the Amalfi Coast but the rest of the time we used public transport. Organised trips to Pompeii are expensive but we did our own by getting the train from Sorrento and hiring our own licensed guide when we got there and it worked out quite cheap. There are buses and ferries. We loved it and would like to go back

Thanks Det that is useful information. Sister is going there next year but I think her holiday included transfers. Bet the chaffeured car is a white knuckle ride.

When we went to Italy We picked up a hire car in Pisa (OH was there on business), we drove to Florence, located the hotel avoiding mopeds, Parked outside the hotel, unloaded luggage and OH held the keys out and said to reception "You park it". They thought it was hilarious.

OH won't drive when we are abroad, and he's a lot younger.

Fly into Naples
Chaffeured car to Sorrento c E70?
OR
Taxi to Naples station - the airport is v close to the city
Train to Sorrento - can't recall how much, but say E10?
Taxi at the other end to your hotel.

There are loads of bookable coach tours out of Sorrento, and a public bus along the coast to Amalfi. Even if the fares have gone up, they are still considerably cheaper than in the UK