News and bits

OK I finally finished Enduring Love and watched the film version as well. Bad idea, it was a good film but I kept screaming at the screen 'no that's not in the book!' Oh dear. Anyway I am going away for a couple of days (nowhere exciting:)) and wanted to wish everyone a happy weekend!

Woohoo!!!!!!!

I have finished! Finally! I have literally worked solidly on them for the past week and feel such a sense of relief. Thanks to everyone for their comments, it meant so much to me when I read them. I am now going to sleep but will catch up with everyone tomorrow! Celebration time!

RL Reading group

Well last night I went to my first real life reading group- it was a lot of fun but little chat about the book! this was mainly because noone really liked the choice but it was a nice group and I look forward to our next meeting. The next book up to read is To Kill a Mockingbird which I have wanted to read for ages so I am pleased with that choice!

I have been very good and not bought any books in the past few days although I have swapped some and received some bookrings on BookCrossing so my TBR pile is GROWING!

Many thanks to Dewey who ran a contest which I won! Read their blog here, very fab it is indeed!

And finally one and a half applications written, 2 and half to go. So tired but so want to make them brilliant to get a new job. But must go to sleep now, lovely to catch up with everyones blogs again!

Slow this week

Well I have been a slower reader these past few days, am failing miserably with the Trollope but have to have it read by monday for my new book group. I am really enjoying Shadow of the Wind but trying to catch up on work in the evenings so not getting much reading done. However still finding time to catch up with the world in blog land:)

I have hopefully got one of my old friends interested in bookcrossing, I am really enjoying the whole vibe of BC at the moment, released another book yesterday and will try and release one on the bus in the morning.

But that is enough about BC, hmm other things. Shakespeare's birthday! My favourite Shakespeare is Measure for Measure, I seem to be the only one that finds that my favourite. I must read more of Shakespeare though, it is something I have not read enough of.

I am currently trying to decide whether to stay in teaching or not, I just don't know what to do instead. I do love the kids, its just all the paperwork and jumping through hoops I can't stand. So feel free to suggest alternative careers for me!

Box of free books woohoo- oh and some other ramblings

I got a box of FREE books from freecycle today, I am so happy. The plan was to BookCross them but to be honest the pile on TBR is getting bigger and bigger. I am so happy, and obviously a very sad person for being so happy!

But something else weird today, not related to books I am afraid, went to get a joint account with OH for bills etc and it turned out the lady's niece is in my class at school. Lets hope she doesn't tell her that her teacher is a disorganised person with her finances who seems to move house every year! Argh!

Review- The Brief History of the Dead and random thoughts

Go out and buy this book if you have not got it.

Go home and read this book if it is on your TBR pile.

Personally I thought this was a fantastic read, I know others have had some reservations but i loved the way the stories fitted together, the writing was lovely and ooh it was just great! The story details a place between the living and dead where a population has gathered, caught there while others on Earth are alive to remember them. There existence is at risk when a plague hits the world and the book details the aftermath and how it is dealt with.

I thought the author had considered characterisation carefully, I enjoyed spotting the links between Laura and people from the city. It is a tale that unwinds, no thats not the right word, unravels? so more and more is revealed and explained, but then throws up more questions. I found myself engrossed by this book, torn again by the wish to finish it to see what happens and savour it slowly and enjoy it while I could. In the end I arrived at work this morning having some things to prepare for my class today but sat myself at my desk and finished it hungrily feeling so disappointed when it ended. I was also slightly disappointed (but not in a bad way if that makes sense?) by the ending as there was much left unsaid. However this in no way detracted from the book.

OK falling asleep now so am going to stop although I may add some thoughts tomorrow after a sound nights kip.

Some brief other thoughts-

I am finding it difficult to think of books for the Something about Me reading challenge. I want to include something about teaching, something about living in the UK, something bout my love of History (perhaps The Historian for that one!). Then I have to choose for my dystopian challenge, I have a HUGE long list for that one and I am trying to narrow it down but then I get another suggestion and the list lengthens again!

My class were noisy again tonight but one great moment was when we went down to the library and I could see the transformation in them from the beginning of the year where they were not interested in choosing books, now they bound up to me and ask me if I have read this or that book, show enthusiasm and even say 'Miss book.in.the.life' you MUST read this. Ah its lovely. And one of my SEN children is showing so much improvement in his reading, writing and maths I just want to give him ten million housepoints and stickers to show him how proud I am.

Anyway, toodle-pip hope everyone is ok!

So tired

Real Life seeping in for a moment. So tired. Children horrid. No energy to pick up books. Um actually just a little energy but only after I mark assessment papers. And check everyone elses blogs:)