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

Argh, weekend reading interrupted

Weekend reading interrupted by ceaseless charity work (raising the monies for the Big Issue Foundation - a really amazing charity - so I don't mind too much.) Although, I have still managed to get some reading done (if not, I would have gone complete fruit loopy by now,) just not as much as I normally do.

Luckily, I also have a reading light now (y'know, one of them things you clip to the back of the book/a couple of pages which provides enough light to read by but keeps the lighting in the room nice and low to help you wind down a little.)

Have to admit, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest is taking me a while to get through, just not as much plot driving it forward as with the previous two Millennium books.

Things I've been reading this weekend:
Times Newspaper
Shakespeare on Toast by Ben Crystal
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest by Stieg Larsson

Books on a budget

Ok, so, if you're skint (like me) and a complete and utter reading addict (like me,) your gonna need a way to get your hands on a load of reading material without running out of money for things like food and rent (you know, the stuff that comes after books in the list of priorities.)

So here's a little list of 5 ways to grab reading stuffs without breaking the bank:

1. Second-hand books; usually cheaper than their new counterparts, these can be found in such interesting places as car boot sales, online stores (e.g. Amazon, eBay, Oxfam,) charity shops, and second hand book shops.
2. Swapping; find a family member or friend willing to give you their old books and magazines (though you may have to give them yours in return.)
3. Bargain hunting; sometimes books can be found cheaper in supermarkets, or on sale, or shops such as The Works - so be prepared to hunt out a good deal.
4. Play the waiting game: That must-have new book? If you can bare to wait a few weeks it'll be significantly down in price. Avoid going on pre-order lists (usually) - it's actually usually cheaper to pick up a copy of the book on the day of release.
5. Take advantage of special offers: A 2 for 1 deal where you can get the book you want and also buy your friend that book she's been harking on about all ready for Christmas/her birthday? Sold!

Welcome to my world!

Hi, I hope you enjoy what is to become a pretty book-obsessed blog (with the occasional bit of fangirling chucked in a lot when I think you won't notice.)

Generally speaking, it's just going to be about everything to do with reading and books, and what I'm reading, what I'm planning to read.... etc. etc. Hopefully with a lovely dollop of nerdiness and humour slapped in for good measure, and the occasional ramble.

Readers everywhere welcome!


What I've been reading today:

 - Glamour Magazine (a couple of issues back - man do I need to catch up on my magazines!)
 - The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest by Stieg Larsson