Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts

Sunday 28 December 2014

Oops - I think I did it again

I may have forgotten to post again. (Bad Reading Addict!) To be fair, there was Christmas, much Christmas - and you all know how hectic that gets. On the plus side I got some muy awesomeful books for Xmas - City of Fallen Angels (Cassandra Clare,) some Darren Shan, and Clariel (Garth Nix.) You wouldn't think I was in my 20s, sigh.

I have finished The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins (which is a bit more grown up) - and what a very random book that is. I do recommend it though, but be prepared for 19th century battiness.

Merry Xmas, Happy New Year, and Happy Reading!!!

Tuesday 18 November 2014

The 5 Best Xmas Gifts for Readers

So, if that reading addict you have to buy for has pretty much every book you've ever heard of - what do you buy them? Here's a little list (in no particular order) of 5 of the best ideas.

  1. Vouchers - these can be book tokens, or vouchers to wherever sells books (for example, Amazon vouchers,) it may seem like a bit of a cop out but they'll thank you for it.
  2. Little reading light - if they don't already have one, this is a fab gift. It means they can read in the night, in a tunnel on the train - wherever, without the light being too harsh. Plus, they come in a variety of colours, and are typically between £4 and £7, depending on where you buy them from.
  3. A magazine subscription - keep them in reading material even when they can't afford books, but keep it to a subject they like. They're not going to like it if you get a fishing magazine for a vegetarian, for example.
  4. Book-ends/shelves - books take up space and you may find this is just what they need, plus you can get some really interesting/cute designs for small shelves and/or book-ends.
  5. Book-themed goodies - reading addicts are a funny bunch (I should know) and will love book-themed presents. A mug with their favourite book cover/quote printed on it? Perfect for snuggling up with, book in hand, on a cold winter's day. A bag, large enough for library books, with 'I <3 books' on the front? Perfect. If all else fails, try something with Penguin classics vintage spines/covers printed on it - usually makes a pretty good gift. There are plenty of these things out there - try typing into Amazon 'book gifts,' 'book mugs,' or the name of their favourite book followed by 'gifts' 'merchandise' 'merch' or 'themed,' for example, and see what comes up.

Little warning - if you're tempted to buy an eReader, firstly make sure they haven't already got one/their old one needs replacing. Then make sure they like them - if anyone ever buys me a Kindle (shudder) I'm likely to grimace and attempt to feign gratitude while wondering how to safely dispose of it in a ecologically friendly way which still means it will never be used.

Tuesday 4 November 2014

Xmas Shopping - best 5 general books

Call me crazy, but the best Christmas gifts are usually books. But what book/s do you get for people? Well, for a start, it's a question of age appropriate (you wouldn't want to get 50 Shades of Grey for anyone an eight year old - it just wouldn't be right.) Then, you've got to think about their interests - no good buying a detailed book about golf for anyone people who have no interest in the sport. Also, there's no need to buy the latest book - as most book lists will direct you to do - when a slightly older book will be far more appreciated.

So, here's my list of the best 5 general books you can buy someone for Xmas (obviously use your judgement - what you know about the person will affect what's best to buy for them.)

  1. The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak - suitable for young and old, a heart-breaking yet somehow uplifting story of the Holocaust written beautifully and sincerely, and narrated by Death.
  2. Live By Night by Dennis Lehane - a tale of gangsters set in the 1920s and written by the spellbinding Dennis Lehane. Suitable for a lot of dudes and a fair few chicks, anyone who's ever liked Boardwalk Empire, Shutter Island, or The Shawshank Redemption will love it. A follow-up to The Given Day, you really don't have to have read the previous book to love this one.
  3. The Mystery of Edwin Drood by Charles Dickens - annoyingly unfinished, this is an unfortunately often ignored classic, but in my opinion one of Dickens' best. A moody gothic tale of lust and opium.
  4. Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison - the tale of a young witch detective, this has sass, magic, and humour. Awesome urban fantasy perfect for anyone who reads vampire novels - particularly vampire romances.
  5. Angels and Demons by Dan Brown - I know, it's never going to be a masterpiece. But this is perfect for reluctant adult readers, or those who just don't read that often. It's also one that blokes will enjoy and not feel too macho to read in front of other people.


What I've been reading today:
The Big Issue magazine
Shakespeare on Toast by Ben Crystal
Othello by William Shakespeare
Some random bits and pieces of poetry