Reading Challenge – The Story So Far

2016So I’m one month into my Goodreads book challenge and my little widgety thing says I’m ahead of schedule!   I’m enjoying having this behind me to give me an incentive to pick up my tablet and read.

I really enjoyed reading Mary Portas’ autobiography, Shop Girl.   Her early life was definitely eventful.   So much has been chucked at her that she’s had to deal with, so you can see where the brazen, strong woman on today’s TV screens has come from.   I thought it ended far too quickly though, so hopefully she’s busy writing the next stage of her life story.

I’ve selected a few more books to fit my categories now.   Eldest Craftyguidelet selected my children’s book, and my twitter friend (and fellow Elf on the Shelf aficionado) @HamertonSally who just happens to be a librarian, gave me a few more choices.

  1. An unfinished book – Helen Fielding – Mad About the Boy – finished
  2. A new author to me – Kate Thompson – Secrets of the Singer Girls – currently reading
  3. A classic read – possibly a Brontë or a Jane Austen
  4. A book recommended by a librarian – Mary Shelley – Frankenstein
  5. A book that’s been adapted into a film.
  6. A celebrity autobiography – Mary Portas – Shop Girl – finished
  7. A book written by/about a historical figure – Lord Baden-Powell – The Wolf that Never Sleeps
  8. An award winning book – Kate Atkinson – A God in Ruins
  9. A children’s book – Jacqueline Wilson – Best Friends
  10. A celebrity book club read.
  11. A book I should have read at school rather than just the York Notes – (loads of choice for this category unfortunately – might be one of my French A-level literature reads)
  12. A Goodreads recommendation.

If there are any recommendations to fill in any of my gaps, please feel free to leave a comment!

Reading Challenge 2016

2016The Craftyguidelets love to read.   My eldest can be in the middle of 3 or 4 books at a time, but still knows exactly what is going on in each.   I used to devour books when I commuted into London.   But now my commute is from the kitchen to the living room or the office, and my volunteering has expanded, the time I allocate to reading books has reduced considerably.

With a queue of books on my Kindle app and a pile of books in the cupboard, I decided to set myself up on the Goodreads 2016 Reading Challenge.   As well as keeping my list short with a realistic target of only 12 books, I thought I’d try and find books from different categories to mix it up a bit.

  1. An unfinished book – Helen Fielding – Mad About the Boy – finished
  2. A new author to me.
  3. A classic read.
  4. A book recommended by a librarian.
  5. A book that’s been adapted into a film.
  6. A celebrity autobiography – Mary Portas – Shop Girl – now reading
  7. A book written by/about a historical figure.
  8. An award winning book.
  9. A children’s book.
  10. A celebrity book club read.
  11. A book I should have read at school rather than just the York Notes.
  12. A Goodreads recommendation.

I am one book in and it’s only 8th January – go me!   My little widgety thing at the side of my blog keeps the tally, and hopefully I’ll read more than my target.

Are you doing any reading challenges this year?

Craftingspiration – Craft Books

Craft and recipe booksI love craft and cooking books.   They give me inspiration, techniques, ideas, instruction, patterns, recipes, hints and tips.   Some have been recommended to me.   Some are from TV series I’ve enjoyed.   Some are gifts.   Some are swaps.   Some are prizes.   Once they are in the house, I won’t let them go.

I’ve found that I either just use the same couple of pages over and over again, or don’t use them at all after the initial look through when they first come to me.   Looking at some of these afresh, I am determined to use them, and in doing so, I might clear some of my crafty stash as well.

I’ve decided to start with cake.   Ingredients are ordered.   Ready, set, bake!

Are any of these on your shelf?