Had a very hectic ten days - relocating to Gateshead, celebrating my birthday and registering with agencies (can't be unemployed for long!).
However, I have been able to join the gym, which is all shiny and hi-tech now it's been done out. I'm planning to go quite a lot, especially if I'm not working.
I have also finished Black Swan Green by David Mitchell. My boyfriend recommended Cloud Atlas last year, which is a wonderful book. On the surface, Black Swan Green wouldn't seem my type of book - the main character is a 13 year old boy, not a species I was familiar with even at that age, and it's set in 1982, (just) before I was born. But Mitchell writes so evocatively that it's easy to empathise with Jason as he struggles with that awkward transitional age and a difficult home life. 1982 was an important time politically too, and the Falklands provides an interesting, if controversial backdrop to the story. Mitchell also sprinkles the book with some of the same whimsical, not quite real moments which made Cloud Atlas so captivating. I look forward to reading more of his work.
As a birthday present, a friend gave me The Great British Book of Baking - there are so many wonderful recipes, sweet and savoury, that I don't know where to start. In the meantime, I'm off to make a pie with some mince that won't fit in our mini fridge!
Thursday, 20 January 2011
Tuesday, 11 January 2011
Cranford - Not Really my Cup of Tea and Macaroon
I was given a copy of Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell. Apparently, there was a BBC adaptation starring Judy Dench that came out at some point, but I've not seen it.
Anyway, it seemed like it might be a nice, easy read, so I thought I'd give it a go. I'm afraid to report that I wasn't taken by the eccentric old biddies of Cranford. The way they were introduced did not paint them in a flattering light, and I found all the petty concerns with class, appearances and so on dull. I've read Austen and others from the 19th century, so I know that the lives of women were fairly limited in terms of socialising and free time, but I just found it a bit too much.
The women in Cranford are all described as old (although main character Miss Matty turns out to be 58!) and are either spinsters or widows - men are viewed with great suspicion - and spend most of their time worrying about bonnets and playing cards. There are a few stories told of their younger days, mostly lost loves and banished brothers, which is not too cheery! The book reminded me, in a weird way, of John Steinbeck's The Pastures of Heaven, albeit not QUITE as bleak.
In cooking news, I am making butterfly cakes for my work colleagues - we are going out for a leaving lunch (for me!) on Thursday, following our successful leaving meal and drinks on Friday.
I am now less than a week away from the move back up North and the opportunity to join a new gym, so I can't wait for that!
Anyway, it seemed like it might be a nice, easy read, so I thought I'd give it a go. I'm afraid to report that I wasn't taken by the eccentric old biddies of Cranford. The way they were introduced did not paint them in a flattering light, and I found all the petty concerns with class, appearances and so on dull. I've read Austen and others from the 19th century, so I know that the lives of women were fairly limited in terms of socialising and free time, but I just found it a bit too much.
The women in Cranford are all described as old (although main character Miss Matty turns out to be 58!) and are either spinsters or widows - men are viewed with great suspicion - and spend most of their time worrying about bonnets and playing cards. There are a few stories told of their younger days, mostly lost loves and banished brothers, which is not too cheery! The book reminded me, in a weird way, of John Steinbeck's The Pastures of Heaven, albeit not QUITE as bleak.
In cooking news, I am making butterfly cakes for my work colleagues - we are going out for a leaving lunch (for me!) on Thursday, following our successful leaving meal and drinks on Friday.
I am now less than a week away from the move back up North and the opportunity to join a new gym, so I can't wait for that!
Wednesday, 5 January 2011
First Book of the New Year
I finished reading The Silent Land by Graham Joyce earlier this week. It's set in a French ski resort and the action takes place in the aftermath of an avalanche that the two protagonists have escaped. I was hoping for a ghost tale, but this is more of a love story, although it was very well written and atmospheric in parts.
What I'm really looking for is something scary enough for me to need company while I read it. I read Sarah Waters' The Little Stranger last year and found it fantastically creepy - it's one of the few books I've stayed up all night to finish. I'd like something else like that - a story that keeps you guessing and lingers in your mind long after you finish it. I've got a few 'spooky' books on my Amazon wish list so hopefully one of them will fit the bill.
In other news, I have done my first cooking of the year too - a broccoli and courgette quiche. We ate so much meat over Christmas that I couldn't face any more, so I went for a veggie option! Pastry was a little soggy, but tasted great. I didn't get a chance to take a photo before we ate it, so I'll have to make another one soon!
What I'm really looking for is something scary enough for me to need company while I read it. I read Sarah Waters' The Little Stranger last year and found it fantastically creepy - it's one of the few books I've stayed up all night to finish. I'd like something else like that - a story that keeps you guessing and lingers in your mind long after you finish it. I've got a few 'spooky' books on my Amazon wish list so hopefully one of them will fit the bill.
In other news, I have done my first cooking of the year too - a broccoli and courgette quiche. We ate so much meat over Christmas that I couldn't face any more, so I went for a veggie option! Pastry was a little soggy, but tasted great. I didn't get a chance to take a photo before we ate it, so I'll have to make another one soon!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)