Floss wrote about
reading and some of her books the other day, which got me thinking about my taste in books and how varied it is.
When I was young, although I had some really lovely books I wasn't much of a reader so at about the age of seven my parents sent the television back and started taking me to the library on a Friday evening. Glenfield library it was. My Mum used to do the shopping with my younger sister while Dad and I spent some time in Glenfield Shopping Mall and then we would all meet in the library. I have very fond memories of those times and remember carefully writing my borrower number on the cards tucked in the pockets in the books. The excitement of finding a new book to read, especially one of the books that had received an award thrilled me, and hence my unquenchable love of books was born. We also had the scholastic book club come to school every now and again and I remember being allowed to choose a couple of books - all of which I still have - and again the excitement when the books arrived and were handed out. I can still remember the feel and smell of these paperback books.
I am absolutely hopeless at weeding out my books and would keep all of them if I could, indeed I have pretty much all of the books I had as a child. I left many books behind in NZ when I came to England in 1995, but kept the 'special' ones, which were often gifts with inscriptions from either my parents or grandparents.
When I was home educating DS1 I built up an impressive library of books, ranging from history, science, educational and general fiction. We used the Sonlight Curriculum, which is very much book and reading based and as such made a rather large impact on his life as well and DS1 used to be an avid reader as well. Sadly now he is 18, he doesn't seem to read much, gadgets are more his style, but he still has all his books and wants to keep them.
We've never had a television so both boys enjoying reading. I really think this is a result of not having a TV as DS2 couldn't read when he came to us at the age of 5 and apparently was a TV addict 'What will you do without a TV?' was one of the concerns but several members of the adoption panel. However, by the time he was 8 he had the reading age of 16 - so I don't think we did too bad! DS2 will read anything and everything, with history being his speciality. He is able to quote large amounts of information verbatim. Of course his ASD probably helps this ability! ;-)
I've returned to reading after not having really read much for several years. I think studying for my BA Mus and MMus, and reading all the theoretical books, put paid to me reading anything else, and then I just didn't seem to be able to concentrate long enough to read for a while. Of course this means I also have rather a large selection of books on music as well. Fortunately I don't have that problem now - the opposite is more likely - I read and forget about everything else I should be doing!
I have a small collection of books by GA Henty - I just love the pictures on the spines of these books. I have read most of them, still some to read yet.
My husband's taste in books are very much of the technical variety. He is not much of a reader of fiction at all, if ever. He does however enjoy spending time in bookshops and especially browsing second hand book shops. His tastes are very much focused on chess and computer chess and as such he has a rather large collection of such books in his office and some in the lounge.
I love the books by H. E. Marshall - so politically incorrect! So English and just so interesting!
At the moment my tastes are varied and books in my reading pile are by Sebastian Faulks, Colin Dexter and Miss Read, some crafting books and a couple of biographical books on the war. In the past I have read everything from romance, thrillers, detective novels, nature, historical fiction and non-fiction books. The only books I won't read are out and out horrors written by the likes of Stephen King for example. They make me feel ill. I especially enjoy reading some of the children's books written in the earlier part of the Twentieth Century. They have a certain amount of innocence about them that is sadly missing in all the mass produced and written books for today's youth.
For quite a few years I worked in a library and I really enjoyed it, from learning about new books, talking to different people about the books they've read and either enjoyed or not enjoyed and why. I learnt how to cover and repair books and much more. One day I hope to have a house large enough to incorporate a room as a library so I can have all our books out and not packed up in boxes in the loft, shed and various other places in the house.
Up, up and away!
A little parcel arrived in the post for me today from the lovely Dolly Dollop, some more fabric strips for me to continue my string work challenge. My quilt is going to be oh so special when it is finally finished. I love the postcard she included, very apt for me at the moment, especially when faced with a pile of bags to sort through on the kitchen floor late this afternoon.
All sorted now, some clothes in the wash so I can cut them up for scraps, some to go to charity and some for hubby's grandmother. Just as well we looked through all the pockets - we found a £5 note and this lovely unicorn brooch that has found its way onto my new bag.
Yes, it suits the handle perfectly.
A little hand embroidered brooch
and a tapestry cushion given to me yesterday by a lovely lady.
Yes I managed to do some sewing this evening...got to get one's priorities right you know. 
Lots of sewing strings went on around mid day today.
Using 'Sally' my most favourite machine.
Quite a thick handle to lessen pressure on my shoulder.
Then I became inspired to try something else...
I thought I'd make myself a zippered bag to take on holiday.
This is it so far...
Tomorrow I need to make the handle.
Happy Valentines Day!
Some yummy lemon cakes.
~~~
Yes another pile of strings for my string block challenge.
These two blocks I made with Little Gem's fabric
and these are the two string blocks I have made with the strings she sent me.
Doesn't he look sweet?
Cuddling up with my darling hubby who is going to be left holding the fort and attending further meetings re DS2. I do hope he doesn't have too bad a time while I'm away.
When I saw this skirt hanging up in the CS the other day I just couldn't resist - will be perfect for my holiday and of course it is just the right colour!
Continuing the theme, I have another blue skirt for my holiday, again a CS bargain. I've needed some 'new' skirts as... ahem... some of mine don't fit anymore!
So far I've made six string blocks with them. Do you think I've got a theme running today?
