A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickons

This is the tale of the solitary miser Ebenezer Scrooge, who is taught the true meaning of the season by a series of ghostly visitors and given a second chance.

This is a really good book. Charles Dickens is an excellent writer and has a great way with words. I love the story. It is a well written, thoughtful one. I had never read it until recently and I am so glad I did. Because of it, I can’t wait for Christmas. I would definitely recommend it and I hope you enjoy it

Links to book:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_4?k=a+christmas+carol&sprefix=a+ch&crid=4P8XKO3UYH5A

https://www.bookdepository.com/search?searchTerm=a%20christmas%20carol%20charles%20dickens&search=Find+book

https://www.easons.com/Search?q=A%20Christmas%20carol

https://www.waterstones.com/books/search/term/a+christmas+carol+charles+dickens

Language, Books and Things

The title is about strange I know but bear with me.

So, I was talking to a friend of mine the other day about language and how it changes.

As it happens we were talking about a guy called Richard Marsh. His book The Beetle was published the same year as Dracula. Turns out it was way more popular than Dracula. And yet it is Dracula that we talk about today.

It got me thinking about books and language. It’s really interesting to me that books that were so popular 100 years ago, no one knows about and yet certain books last for several years/generations.

For example, I wonder what people would think of say Jenny Colgan or Sophie Kinsella in 100 years time. Hell, I read a book by Jenny Colgan recently called Do You Remember the First Time? It was a good book but very dated. I don’t remember the exact details but I do remember thinking that some of the stuff happening in the book wouldn’t happen now.

I also wonder about the Percy Jackson series. Or anything that Rick Riordan writes. He is a teacher in America and writes for the kids in his class. I love reading Percy Jackson and anything to do with that world but I can’t help but wonder if the stuff Riordan has in his books, the language, the technology that is mentioned, etc, will last the test of time.

Either way it is interesting how language can change over time. Even with the books that are out today, I’d love to see what is still popular in 1-200 years time. And if the books that we love today will stand the text of time.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments.

A Season of Ruin by Anna Bradley

Lily Somerset’s plan for the London season is simple: courtship, marriage to a respectable gentleman, then the comfortable existence of a proper Lady. That is, until one tiny misstep leaves Lily on the edge of social ruin, forcing her to depend on a wicked rouge to save her reputation. Robyn Sutherland doesn’t save reputations – he sullies them. He’d rather be drawn and quartered than find himself spending the season as Lily’s escort. But he has no choice but to stay until her tattered standing is mended. What begins as a ruse to deceive London soon flames into an uncontrollable passion. Robyn calls to the wild spirit that lurks Lily’s prim exterior, and Lily awakens the hero’s heart within Robyn. But can these unlikely lovers trust themselves enough to let desire overrule reason?

I really enjoyed reading this. It is so easy to read and the characters are good. This is a great read and perfect for either sitting in front of the fire or on holiday. Robyn and Lily are great characters and I loved reading their story. Anna Bradley is a really good writer and her work (so far) is light, fluffy and good to read in between more serious books. I would definitely recommend it and I hope you enjoy it.

Links to book:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?k=a+season+of+ruin

https://www.bookdepository.com/search?searchTerm=A+season+of+ruin&search=Find+book

https://www.waterstones.com/book/a-season-of-ruin/anna-bradley/9780349410517

Sliverthorn by Raymond E. Feist

A poisoned bolt has struck down the Princess Anita on the day of her wedding to Prince Arutha of Krondor. To save his beloved, Arutha sets out in search of the mystic herb called Silverthorn that only grows in the dark and forbidding land of the Spellweavers. Accompanied by a mercenary, a minstrel and a clever young their, he will confront an ancient evil and do battle with the dark powers that threaten the enchanted realm of Midkemia.

This is the second book in the Riftwar Saga. The first one is called Magician. This is a really good book. I love Raymond E. Feist. He is an amazing writer and he creates worlds and characters that you can’t help but fall in love with. I loved every second of it. I would definitely recommend it and I hope you enjoy it.

Links to book:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?k=sliverthorn

https://www.bookdepository.com/search?searchTerm=sliverthorn&search=Find+book

https://www.easons.com/silverthorn-raymond-e-feist-9780007509171

https://www.waterstones.com/book/silverthorn/raymond-e-feist/9780007509171

Cannery Row by John Steinbeck

Meet the gamblers, whores, drunks, bums and artists of Cannery Row in Monterey, California, during the Great Depression. They want to throw a party for their friend Doc, so Mack and the boys set about, in their own inimitable way, recruiting everyone in the neighborhood to the cause. But along the way they can’t help but get involved in a little mischief and misadventure. It wouldn’t be Cannery Row if it was otherwise, now would it?

I have never heard of this Steinbeck book, but I enjoyed it. It is a very simple book, but there is so much depth to it as well. It also helps that Steinbeck is a really good writer. He makes you really care for the characters. There were parts of it that made you think seriously? But overall an excellent book and one that is worth reading. I would definitely recommend it and I hope you enjoy it.

Links to book:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_8?k=cannery+row&sprefix=cannery+&crid=190OAS3YWVZ4C

https://www.bookdepository.com/search?searchTerm=cannery%20row%20john%20steinbeck&search=Find+book

https://www.easons.com/Search?q=cannery%20row

https://www.waterstones.com/books/search/term/cannery+row

It’s Christmas Time

So.

It’s that time of year again.

Christmas.

The silly season.

I have a few ideas for those who want to buy a present for the bookworm in their life.

For starters, one of the best gifts I got this year was the Personal Shopper from Dubray Bookshop. It’s €80 for an hour, plus you get €60 worth of books, free coffee and cake, a free tote bag and a moleskin notebook.

Another great gift I got was a Fairy Loot subscription. I got great books through that and some good gifts through it. You have an option of giving a single subscription at £26 or 3 months at £76. It’s a really good gift and the books are great.

I found out recently found about another great gift from Dubray Bookshop. They have this thing where you give them €200 and for the year they send you a book a month, based on what you like. Isn’t that amazing? Personally I would love this. I think it’s a great idea.

One thing that people sometimes forget vouchers is good too. Both book tokens and vouchers for specific shops. This way they can choose what they want.

Don’t forget that sometimes non book gifts can be a good idea. For example, Bewleys sell some lovely tea. Books and tea really go hand in hand. Same with hot chocolate. Mugs would good too. This way they can think of you when they read or have that cup of tea/hot chocolate.

Of course, one thing you could give someone your favourite book. It would mean a lot to the person you are buying for.

I hope these help.

If you have other ideas, let me know in the comments.