Sunday Book Reviews on Wednesday - Rosie's War, Just Me & The Secret River

In the last couple of weeks I have finished another three books.  Two on my Kindle and one hardback I bought for 50p.

First up is Rosie's War, a very good read and interesting book of an English Woman's escape from Occupied France and the trials she went through.  If you enjoy true stories, and another view point of the war then this is a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Next is another Non-Fiction autobiographical read by Sheila Hancock and the experiences she embraces after losing John and how she comes to terms with both herself and her loss.  I really enjoyed this book, her humour and her insights.

Lastly another Kindle download.  The Secret River was another historical novel based on the relocation of criminals/prisoners to Australia and one family's struggles starting with life in London and then in Australia.  I quite enjoyed this book as well, although it really is about their struggles.  What I did find strange, which is not mentioned on any of the reviews on Amazon (including those Kindle edition reviews) is that my version repeated several chapters of the book at the end at around the 80% read stage...The book finished, there was a bit about another book, a sequel of sorts, and then the repeated pages.  I don't know if this is due to just a faulty download, or in fact an error/bug in the kindle edition, but it needs to be fixed.

I am really enjoying my kindle.  I never thought I would but have to say it is especially brilliant for me when reading in bed as I am not having to use both hands and thus can rest my right arm.  Plus I like reading so much that it is perfect in that I can have as many books on there as I want, so have a choice of what to read at my fingertips.  It really is just like reading a page of a book, nothing like reading on a computer at all.  

More Snow Overnight

More snow last night...

Right now need to go and free up some space on my computer as it is grinding to a halt.

Have a good day!

Thursday Stuff

I made a really yummy muesli/seed type bar today.  Forgot to take  a photo, but it was very tasty indeed ;-)  

I am experimenting with recipes so I can make my Dad up a little recipe book of easy to make yummy things as Mum really doesn't do any cooking any more.  She struggles with just basic meals, and most certainly hasn't made any cakes, biscuits etc...in a very long time.

So far I have:

Lemon Drizzle Sponge Cake

Fruit Tea Loaf

Museli Bar

Scones

Things I know my both my Mum & Dad would like to eat. 

Just need to think of a few more and then write or type the little booklet up for Dad in an easy to read and follow format, possibly with pictures, haven't decided yet.

Kitchen was tidied, cleaned and decluttered of all the paraphernalia and paperwork yesterday.

A very quiet day today.  Doctors in morning, a rest due to a very bad headache, some baking this afternoon and a spot of knitting.

A roast is in the oven for the men folk and I'm going to have a vegetable omelet.

Tomorrow I hope to do some sewing and a bit more of the tidying on my list of things to do.

Well done Floss, three years & a Giveaway!

My lovely friend Floss is having a giveaway to celebrate three years of blogging.  I think we have been friends almost from those first posts, incredible how time flies!  To enter her giveaway click here.

A bit of a moan I'm afraid, but some good stuff too.

I'm fed up with taking pills and STILL being in pain.  No motivation, nothing getting done and yet only 15 days to go before I go away which I should be looking forward to.  Right side and arm is on fire today so feeling fed up, fed up, fed up.  There got that out of my system.

 I had to post a couple of letters today to let some friends know I will be over in NZ soon.  I popped in to the CS on the way home (like you do).  After all if you are trudging in the snow, you might as well have a browse as well.  

Now I don't buy Cath Kidston goods, just can't bring myself to pay the prices for what is essentially now mass produced.  However if I see a bargain, that is not to say I won't.

So when I saw this cosmetic type purse for 99p, brand new in the CS, I thought I would buy it.

Now I left some clothes behind in NZ last year, but I am thinking that some of the things might not fit me any more so when I saw this:

I thought it would be just right for the warmer weather.  The lady in the shop had just been talking to one of the other salespeople about bring out some warm clothes (I guess everyone is buying for the colder weather)  and when I took this up to the counter she said, 'Now that looks nice and warm'!  Now I just couldn't hold myself back I'm afraid and came back with the quick reply, 'I don't think so, it is a sleeveless vest with a little bolero cardigan, hardly warm weather clothing!'.  I think I must have then flustered her as she took rather a while to ring up the total on the cash machine...making lots of mistakes.  I didn't mean to be rude, it just came out as there I was thinking of cool summer wear...and she was on a completely different wave length.  I gave her a smile and wished her a pleasant afternoon on my way out.  

Just some photos of my Kidz n' Cats dolls that I bought early last year.  They have been sitting in my sewing studio just waiting for the right moment to come out and have a play!

SNOW

Overnight has seen the the first snow for this winter...several inches in fact!

I don't think I will be venturing out very far today.

Sunday Book Review - The English German Girl

This book intrigued me, having read various books, mainly non-fiction about the World War Two Holocaust, I realised that I hadn’t really read a book specifically about the Kindertransport.   Although this is fiction, it draws on many factual events and people and there has obviously been a lot of research put into the writing of this novel.  It follows the story of a 15 year old girl Rosa as she travels on the Kindertransport from Berlin to England and the trials and stress that lead up to the transport, the journey and her time in England.  The prejudices she and others faced, as well as the courageous people who put their own lives at risk to help.  It is a thoughtful and heartfelt read as you follow her journey. She writes of her struggles, love and heartbreak and also the challenges she faces as she works hard to learn the English language, a new way of life as well as her attempts to get work visas for her family.  You share in her preparations for the arrival of her younger sister, and the trauma of war breaking out and the closing of the boarders which meant her family were then unable to make it out of Berlin.  Rosie decides to undertake nursing training, something she had always hoped to do, as her father was a doctor and as such the book also gives insight into the nursing practices and training of the time which is very interesting.  Jake Wallis Simons writes sensitively with good insight into this subject and I really enjoyed his style of writing.  A book well worth a read.