The Gift

Recently, I set myself a task!!

Amongst so many things to do, on my never ending list,

I decided that, whilst Nich was away, I would read, 'Around the World in 80 Days' by Michael Palin ...and finish it by Nov 7th...(a date that I will not forget as I will be at Plymouth Docks at 5pm, with a pint of Carling in one hand and a box of tissues in the other!)

It seemed rather apt, although Nich is only away for half that time and only in Europe.

So, I snook into Nich's room and I borrowed it.

Mind you, it was quite a hard choice as he has so many quality books, being an avid reader.

Anyway, I am loving this book!

Each night, once in bed, I snatch fifteen precious, reading time minutes and I travel.

I've reached Egypt!

As soon as I finish that one, I am going to read this version again.

But I really have to get a move on with my reading, because, having recently enjoyed this...(oh I loved it and oh I so want to have a day like Miss Pettigrew had!)

Persephone books are such a treat!

'Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day' by Winifred Watson

and this next one ... (a storyline quite similar to part of my own life. How I cried!) ...

'Someone at a Distance' by Dorothy Whipple.

...I now have yet more to read!

Whilst purchasing the CK 'Make' book,' I found two more Persephone books on my list,at a well reduced price too!

(Into the basket they went, to give me my free shipping!)

'Mariana' by Monica Dickens

Amazon says..'This is a funny, intensely readable 'hotwater bottle' which is a great Persephone favourite.This 1940 novel is the touching and often extremely funny story of a young English girl's growth towards maturity in the 1930s. We see her at school, on holiday in Somerset, her attempt at drama school, her year in Paris learning dressmaking and getting engaged to the wrong man, and finally the arrival of Mr Right. '

And this...

'Little Boy Lost' by Marghanita Laski

The story of a man's search for his son, lost in France during WWII

(The sobbing woman of the house will need shares in Kleenex for this one, methinks!)

Finally, I've had the next book earmarked for ages! Persephone have also published it but I was lucky enough to win this on ebay for ...(wait for it!) 50p!(In very good condition too!)

Books..who'd be without them?!

2008 will soon be at an end. I remember back in January, when I read Nich's blog, he wrote :

''My main New Year resolution for 2008 is to read more books for pleasure. I have seen the pile of books grow constantly in my room, as more and more novels, short stories, and autobiographies are added that I, although having the will, have never found the time to read. I find reading is one of the most relaxing and worthwhile things you can do with your leisure time and so, in order to rectify this situation, I am declaring 2008 the Beer, Football, and Mr Peanut Year of the Book''

But it was this next bit that has been ringing in my ears ever since...

''The ability to read is a gift, and it’s one that I am no longer willing to waste.......''

And I think that says it all,doesn't it?!!