tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63873300260002381632012-02-08T11:41:00.021ZA place for a Norfolk based bookworm to record her feelings on some of the books she reads.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.comBlogger1551100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-73759886739750652492012-02-08T11:41:00.000Z2012-02-08T11:41:00.074Z

I think I've solved a problem......however much I read the piles around the house never seem to get smaller. I do pass books on when I've read them, whether to friends, family or charity so in theory the number of the books should either stay the same or decrease. With my eReader this should be doubly true (we won't talk about how much there is on there that I've not read yet).This isn't the

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-20953932488845028052012-02-02T11:50:00.004Z2012-02-02T12:06:05.727Z

This was supposed to be a review of the first piece of theatre I plan on seeing in 2012 - oh well plans are nice!I think that the trip was doomed from the start as the tickets never arrived (company I ordered them with were great and had arranged for them to be at the box office for me).Today I awoke to the news that there had been a fire next to the rail track which had melted the over head

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-13115716242525539432012-01-30T12:35:00.000Z2012-01-30T12:35:00.217Z

While I know that I am not the most prolific and regular of bloggers I have a feeling that service may get even more sporadic over the next 2 months.But I do have a good reason as I am heavily involved in the planning and running of the first Norwich Crime Festival, as well as being in charge of creating the online content.Crime isn't a genre I generally read a lot of but I am quickly learning

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-14783937744593405902012-01-21T10:47:00.000Z2012-01-21T10:47:00.419Z

Reading RutWith my reading currently being stuck in a bit of a rut - since Christmas I've read just one new book but in the most part have just re-read old favourites such as Little Women - I thought I would try something new. Not just new but a real departure for me.A graphic novel.I think I can count on one hand the number of graphic novels I've read. Looking through my reading journals I can

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-60523010693013091962012-01-16T08:13:00.004Z2012-01-16T08:44:58.930Z

2012 New Year ResolutionIn my round up of 2011 I stated that I wanted to see more films this year. Last year I only saw 4 films at the cinema - already this year I've seen half that many so I am on track to keep this resolution.The two films I've seen so far this year seem to be diametrically opposed at first glance - Martin Scorsese's Hugo and Michel Hazanavicius' The Artist. One is a special

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-65592160626223406522012-01-01T18:18:00.005Z2012-01-01T18:53:10.527Z

The obligatory review of the year post.Hmmm... 2011 turned out to be the year of theatre rather than the year of books, which wasn't something I predicted last January.In fact in 2011 I actually only read 141 books. This is probably the lowest number since I learned to read. More shockingly for those who know me is that I only read 18 books meant for children or young adults.In contrast I saw 19

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-13654012765371421182011-12-12T08:30:00.001Z2011-12-12T08:30:00.804Z

Collaborators, National Theatre Live (encore), Cinema City, Norwich. December 2011Tickets to see this in London appear to be like gold dust and to add insult to injury when I tried to book tickets to see this Live it had also sold out. Luckily my local Picture House cinema put on an 'encore' performance and so I did manage to get tickets.It still feels quite odd to go to the cinema to see a play

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-80937847019906311462011-12-08T11:47:00.006Z2011-12-08T12:17:02.279Z

Roald Dahl's Matilda, Cambridge Theatre London, December 2011This is another performance that I'd been looking forward to for a while, and indeed I'd booked tickets shortly after the box office opened way back in the summer.Now nearly a week after seeing Matilda I am still not entirely sure what I thought of it. There was lots to enjoy.The acting was amazing, the child actors were very good

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-2509618026947811602011-12-02T14:57:00.003Z2011-12-02T15:20:32.875Z

In my current job at the library (and when I worked for Waterstone's) planning events with authors is a routine part of my job and over the past 10+ years I've been lucky enough to meet many authors.However as the person organising the events I haven't always been able to enjoy them thoroughly. I'm on edge during them, making sure that the building stays relatively quiet, that the author doesn't

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-22577819291513833092011-11-25T20:05:00.002Z2011-12-08T12:43:23.175Z

Driving Miss Daisy, Wyndhams Theatre London, November 2011This trip came about almost by accident. My normal theatre going companions and I saw a poster for this on one of our other trips to London and all of us instantly said "I love that film". To think is to act and we quickly booked tickets to the first matinee that all three of us could make.Using Lastminute.com our seats were allocated on

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-32102473991087937302011-11-20T22:32:00.004Z2011-11-20T22:51:51.294Z

War Horse, New London Theatre, November 2011This is a play that has been on my 'to see' list for a long time but as the booking period stretched through until 2013 it wasn't one I wanted to see urgently. However once the film version was announced I knew that I wanted to see the stage show before the film.I've long been a fan of Michael Morpurgo and I've read the novel War Horse several times but

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-51477967900444741882011-11-12T15:20:00.000Z2011-11-12T15:20:00.629Z

The Harvey Girls - Lesley Poling-KempesOne of the first books I remember buying for myself was The Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder - all about the story of an American pioneer family moving West towards the end of the 1800s as America itself spread west.I devoured the whole series of these books and later as an adult read biographies and critical responses to the books and

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-3427113623314486462011-11-10T08:12:00.004Z2011-11-10T08:24:54.468Z

House of Silk by Anthony HorowitzI've mentioned before how I keep getting my hopes up when reading sequels to much loved books, and how they keep getting dashed. That notwithstanding I still keep doing it on the grounds that at least once it will have to be a success.The House of Silk is for me that success story - hurrah.I approached the book cautiously, for me, took my time reading it and I

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-72298461018806800892011-11-06T08:23:00.007Z2011-11-06T09:42:14.187Z

Double CelebrationsThis week was one of the best I've had at work for a while. The Forum (pictured, and where the library is situated) turned 10 this week.In 1994 a catastrophic fire destroyed Norwich City Library, lots of books and historical documents. The BBC has a great piece here about the fire.Out of the ashes came the wonderful building we now have, this opened to the public in November

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-37375982995657412342011-10-24T21:37:00.004+01:002011-10-24T21:47:06.976+01:00

The 25 books that have been picked at the 2012 World Book Night titles were announced today and I am trying to decide if I will attempt to read all 25 by the time 23rd April rolls round.The list this year reads:Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen The Player of Games by Iain M Banks Sleepyhead by Mark Billingham Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho The Take by

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-6542557292642521122011-10-22T10:26:00.000+01:002011-10-22T10:26:00.165+01:00

I think that regular readers to this blog know that I work in a library.In fact I work in (currently) the busiest library in the country - in the last year that we have figures for 1,502 449 people came through our doors. Every morning there are people waiting outside the doors to come in. These are people from all walks of life, some come in for advice, others for books, some to use the

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-19262417317894429312011-10-21T21:53:00.004+01:002011-10-21T22:08:03.622+01:00

Ranger Confidential by Andrea LankfordWhile we were in America we actually only went into a couple of bookshops, and they were second-hand specialists not 'new' bookshops. However many of the National Parks we visited had dedicated bookshops within the gift shops and I saw a great many books that I wanted to read.Luggage allowances didn't let me buy too many at all, but free wifi in hotels and

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-64003603152549204712011-10-10T17:58:00.003+01:002011-10-10T18:07:15.912+01:00

No reviews of either plays or books at the moment as I've just spent the last few weeks in the USA on an epic road trip with my parents and Mr Norfolkbookworm.I managed to read 2 books in just over 2 weeks - both good and worthy of a review, but didn't convince anyone to come to the theatre in Las Vegas!The trip was amazing and all of the books about photography that I read before going seem to

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-4536070016340700152011-09-30T11:32:00.000+01:002011-09-30T11:32:00.914+01:00

London's Theatres by Mike KilburnIt can't have escaped readers' attention that I have been to the theatre quite a lot during 2011. It has been wonderful and I have more trips already planned for before Christmas.I think that my colleagues think I am slightly insane for spending so much time traveling to and from London but one was very quick to point out the arrival of a new book to the library,

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-24890270337134451432011-09-22T11:11:00.000+01:002011-09-22T11:11:00.083+01:00

The Genius in my Basement by Alexander MastersBack when I was reading all of the World Book Night books I discovered, and was blown away by, Stuart: A Life Backwards by Masters. A couple of months ago, when reading through publisher catalogues I saw that he had a new book coming, it instantly went on reserve in the library.The book arrived and I duly put aside everything else I was already

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-59251426219765063582011-09-17T07:46:00.005+01:002011-09-17T08:11:03.289+01:00

The Tempest, Theatre Royal, Haymarket, London. September 2011This is the third of four plays that Sir Trevor Nunn is staging at the Haymarket Theatre in 2011 and due to the star one of the hottest ticket around. Thanks to the eagle eyes of a friend we've had seats booked at this for months.In the end we found it a very mixed performance.Ralph Fiennes, as Prospero, is amazing. He has such stage

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-67326229146385978312011-09-12T10:45:00.005+01:002011-09-12T11:10:47.426+01:00

Doctor Faustus, Globe Theatre, September 2011.After having such a good time on two previous occasions I had a look on the website to see if there was anything playing on days that Mr Bookworm and I were both free.It was with great delight that I found a performance of Doctor Faustus that we could both attend. Mr Bookworm read it earlier in the year and proclaimed it 'more readable' than

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-63808312937096573152011-09-08T13:00:00.000+01:002011-09-08T13:00:06.688+01:00

As if I didn't already have enough to read, I've discovered a new source of reading material.There was a small article in The Bookseller a couple of weeks ago announcing that Faber books were going to use a company called Net Galley to distribute their proofs. This is a service that provides the proofs in electronic form to those in the book trade, libraries and bloggers.After having a look at

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-83187063959754151282011-09-05T21:33:00.006+01:002011-09-05T22:06:23.511+01:00

Journey's End, Duke of York's Theatre, September 2011.Literature about the First and Second World Wars has long been a favourite genre of mine. When I heard that the R C Sherriff's play was returning to London this summer I spent days planning how I was going to find the time to go and see the play.I managed it on the last day of the run thanks to LastMinute.com and some rota juggling. I am so

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-25911800472369022772011-08-25T11:11:00.000+01:002011-08-25T11:11:00.434+01:00

Call Me By Your Name - Andre Aciman This was recommended to me by a friend who has very similar tastes to me when it comes to fiction. I read it first last year and then when I saw it on the shelf in the library I knew I had to read it again. It is a love story set during a few crazy weeks in the Italian summer. It doesn't matter that this is an unconventional love story, between a teenager and

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-41671216016137002762011-08-22T17:00:00.004+01:002011-08-22T17:11:29.643+01:00

Much Ado About Nothing, Globe Theatre, August 2011. I saw this earlier in the year with Mr Norfolkbookworm but seeing it again with friends was no hardship at all. It turned out to be quite a different experience due to the wonderful English weather. The forecast wasn't great but we had hoped that the weather was going to hold off until after the performance. We were very lucky, we had great

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-49013176652621941512011-08-16T21:31:00.004+01:002011-08-16T21:54:07.544+01:00

Behind the scenes tour, National Theatre, London Since my first trip to see a performance at the National Theatre earlier this year I've been keeping a regular eye on their website, whether it is looking at future productions, the shop or photos from past productions. One thing kept catching my eye - the behind the scenes tour. I finally got to go on this last week with a good friend. The

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-61957094295708219772011-08-13T10:26:00.001+01:002011-08-13T10:26:00.480+01:00

I think that I've made it very clear that I am a huge supporter of libraries, and not just because I am employed by one. I am fortunate to work for a council that sees libraries as a high priority but this isn't the case nationwide. Libraries are important for many reasons and I urge every one to make their voice heard and let the government know that even in these times of economic hardship

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-36490101742538396962011-08-11T15:20:00.000+01:002011-08-11T15:20:00.415+01:00

How to Leave Twitter by Grace Dent A few weeks ago everywhere you looked on social media sites this book was being talked about and recommended. I decided I wanted t read the book to see what the fuss was all about but I couldn't be bothered to buy the book so I reserved it from the library. It was obviously popular as I only got a copy to read at the very end of last week. I don't often do

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-27575214801797554972011-08-08T15:02:00.004+01:002011-08-08T15:19:50.955+01:00

Opportunity Knox, Blakeney Village Hall, August 2011. This is a very, very different theatrical experience to the ones I've been having recently but one that I wouldn't miss for the world. The Blakeney Players are an amateur dramatics group on the Norfolk Coast who put on 2 shows a year. Shows that they write themselves and that are full of songs and dances that play to the Players' strengths

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-73299676467796744282011-07-30T09:45:00.001+01:002011-07-30T09:45:01.079+01:00

...even the books I'm reading are about the theatre.Who could resist a book with a title that is such a dreadful pun Something Written in the State of Denmark?This is a blog to book tome that I treated myself to when I was at the National Theatre. It is the account of one season at the RSC by a member of the cast and cover the 10 months that forms 'The Season'. To make it more exciting this is

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-52760383835444168702011-07-28T09:23:00.004+01:002011-07-28T09:45:32.595+01:00

Emperor and Galilean, Olivier Stage, National Theatre, July 2011.I am really beginning to think that I should rename this blog. I assure you that I am reading but as I am working my way through the work of one particular playwright at the moment it would be quite boring to blog/read about that.Theatre on a Sunday is quite unusual but I for one am very glad that the National Theatre had some

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-29289519193909770362011-07-16T19:02:00.004+01:002011-07-16T19:22:17.208+01:00

Being Shakespeare, Trafalgar Studios, July 2011This one man show nearly passed me by, if it hadn't been for a friend blogging about it (here) and then a programme on Radio 4 I would have missed a real treat.Thanks to working part time and Lastminute.com I didn't miss out and instead had a day on my own in London seeing a piece of amazing theatre.While I didn't have quite the same experience as my

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-75325998865396591142011-07-12T20:59:00.003+01:002011-07-12T21:31:48.763+01:00

Sometimes I just don't understand the book world.I've just read a brilliant book and under normal circumstances I'd now be linking exactly where you could find a copy and be urging you to read it too. However I can't.The novel in question is called Looking for Buttons and it was written by a friend of mine, sadly the book can't find a publisher, she's been told by an agent that it is unlikely to

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-88355542739553835002011-07-05T16:30:00.001+01:002011-07-04T22:36:27.816+01:00

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, Theatre Royal, Haymarket, London. June 2011This was a spur of the moment theatre trip in many ways. A friend said shall we? and without knowing anything about the play I said 'sure' and so it came to pass.It isn't a decision I regret at all. As I knew nothing about the play I did read it beforehand just so I knew what was going on and once I'd done this I

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-59975318976501912012011-07-04T15:20:00.003+01:002011-07-04T22:37:35.371+01:00

Caddy's World by Hilary McKayI picked this one of the shelf with some trepidation, I love Hilary McKay's books, and have done for years. Even before the delightful Casson family books there was the Exiles series - what reader wouldn't sympathise with the Conroy sisters when they are sent to stay with Big Grandma and forbidden to read?Then there was the sequel to A Little Princess, which I

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-62644254512427045522011-07-02T08:30:00.001+01:002011-07-02T08:30:01.765+01:00

The Reading Promise , 3218 nights of reading with my father by Alice OzmaI've had this book on reserve in the library for a couple of months, in fact as soon as I read the pre-publication blurb I knew that I wanted to read this book.The jacket reads "When Alice was nine years old, she and her father - a beloved school librarian - made a promise to read aloud together for 100 consecutive nights.

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-39469640257456970392011-06-24T21:26:00.006+01:002011-06-24T21:57:26.081+01:00

Lady in the Van, Theatre Royal Norwich, June 2011.I first came across Alan Bennett when I was studying for my GCSEs. A unit of my English course was all about monologues and I recall it being a real joy to watch all of the 1988 Talking Heads series. At that age I'm not sure I was really aware who the author was, I don't think I'd come heard of Beyond The Fringe at that point.Up until the end of

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-11094410029256428082011-06-20T17:41:00.004+01:002011-06-20T18:01:20.013+01:00

The library can be bad for (my) reading health.There I've said it and now before you all scream at me let me explain...Part of my job lets me look through the supplier catalogue each month to highlight some of the new non-fiction published. You might not agree with my choices but you can find them here. Now when I am reading the catalogue I find lots and lots of books that I want to read.So I

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-44105898914862390582011-06-06T10:53:00.000+01:002011-06-06T10:53:00.219+01:00

I realise that currently I don't so much review on this blog but more talk generally about my impressions of what I have read or seen. This is because I live in fear of the dreaded spoiler.There is nothing worse than reading a review and all of a sudden a major plot twist is revealed. There has been a lot written about this recently as the current chief writer for Doctor Who was very

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-73620821265337445882011-06-04T10:45:00.000+01:002011-06-04T10:45:01.015+01:00

Focus on Composing Photos by Peter Ensenberger.In my job I get to look through all of the forthcoming publicationsfor each month and every month a startling number of new books on photography are published. As I work in a library many books are ordered for the county and I tend to borrow many of them for extra hints and tips. It is quite rare that I get excited by a new book, so many of them

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-53160490662781545242011-06-02T16:29:00.003+01:002011-06-02T16:29:01.298+01:00

Sometimes you just need a vent for emotion - whether it is a happy emotion or a sad one.I have a pile of trusty books for such occasions. There are some I turn to when I am ill - these are books I've read time and time again and it doesn't matter how often I fall asleep when reading them because I already know them word for word.There are others that I read when I am excited and can't concentrate

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-90077204001336401882011-05-31T10:26:00.001+01:002011-05-31T10:26:00.302+01:00

Flare Path, Theatre Royal, Haymarket, May 2011I can't entice Mr Bookworm to London that often and so having planned a weekend in the 'Big Smoke' I thought I'd make the most of it and as well as seeing Much Ado About Nothing at the Globe I decided that we should see something else.I read Flare Path recently without knowing that there was a London performance and then got very excited when I

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-10989055759204957022011-05-30T16:30:00.001+01:002011-05-30T16:30:02.695+01:00

Much Ado About Nothing, The Globe Theatre, May 2011There is much buzz about Much Ado as there are currently 2 versions playing in London. One in the heart of the West End starring David Tennant and Catherine Tate and one at The Globe. You can guess which one is attracting most press attention...We saw the RSC version at the Globe and had a great time. It isn't a play I knew before hand. I'd

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-65745315355843624612011-05-23T16:00:00.005+01:002011-05-30T15:52:46.020+01:00

Jan Gabarek and the Hilliard Ensemble, St John's Cathedral, NorwichI discovered the famous Gabarek/Hilliard work Officium thanks to a clip on You Tube about 2 years ago and so when I saw they were coming to Norwich as part of the NNF11 I was very excited.The concert was held in the Catholic Cathedral here in the city and we had seats in the choir stalls which were actually behind the stage area.

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-68164996816339174862011-05-18T22:01:00.002+01:002011-05-18T22:15:05.875+01:00

Penguin Cafe, Norwich Theatre Royal. May 2011The beginning of May sees the Norfolk and Norwich Festival and this year I was actually on the ball and booked for some of the events before they all sold out.Mr Norfolkbookworm has been a fan of the Penguin Cafe Orchestra for years and when the music is on my toe has been tapping so I was pleased to book tickets to an evening with this group.It was a

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-8132396297647952022011-05-11T19:00:00.000+01:002011-05-11T19:00:03.291+01:00

2011 was declared the year of books by the BBC and there have been many wonderful book programmes on the various channels - some adaptations, some histories and some documentaries. What there isn't however is a television book review show.Sky Arts however has such a programme. Each week three authors are interviewed about their newest books, we get sneak peeks into the places that authors write

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-4186895915365632012011-05-05T10:42:00.002+01:002011-05-05T11:21:49.671+01:00

As has become clear from my blog entries in 2011 I have started going to the theatre a lot more, and this has changed my reading habits somewhat too.In some ways I am reading more as a lot of the plays I've seen have been in London and so I get about 4 hours of reading time on the train, well except when I go the roundabout route so I can travel with friends - then not so much reading gets done!

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-13969641633475600982011-04-22T08:35:00.004+01:002011-04-22T08:54:35.617+01:00

...Or is it just fantasy?I have a very funny relationship with fantasy novels. There are a few authors that I adore and read and reread regularly and then there are the rest.Just recently I have been reading books by Trudi Canavan, I love the books that she sets around the Magician's Guild. The characters come to life in a wonderful way and it makes me want to believe in the world of magic.

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-79783628136259774972011-04-17T20:44:00.003+01:002011-04-17T21:08:44.864+01:00

Bracelet of Bones by Kevin Crossley-Holland.A new book by Kevin Crossley-Holland has always been a treat and this one is no exception.This is a book about a Viking girl's quest to find her father after he breaks a promise to her, and even in the time of great Viking exploits this stands out as an incredible journey. Solveig follows her father from Scandinavia through the inland waterways of

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-67079788888894607822011-04-14T20:51:00.005+01:002011-04-14T21:29:18.049+01:00

Cabin Pressure recording (Drill Hall, 11th April)I'm still not doing so well with the reading, well no I am doing fine with the reading - there are about half a dozen books that I am half way through - it is the finishing that is a problem.My excuse this time is that I spent 6 hours traveling to and from London just to hear a 30 minute radio show recorded. And I wouldn't change that for the world

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-27053119485404777012011-04-10T17:47:00.005+01:002011-04-10T18:17:07.319+01:00

Frankenstein (National Theatre, 9th April)Some might think that seeing one production 3 times in less than a month is a tad excessive, especially when there are so many good productions out there at the moment. In some ways I can see that point but I do feel that I have seen three different performances with this play.This time it was live at the theatre, rather than on screen. The casting had

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-45704971747761817622011-04-07T17:48:00.004+01:002011-04-07T18:01:37.355+01:00

I almost read myself to a standstill during February and March and so consequently don't have a lot of books to blog about at the moment. In addition to this I was reading a lot of more academic books about All Quiet on the Western Front in preparation for the April meeting of the International Fiction group. It was a great meeting and I discovered that some of my reactions to All Quiet when I

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-69529244534525755292011-03-27T22:19:00.002+01:002011-03-27T22:41:04.244+01:00

The BBC's year of books is making me think about books on TV and film.It is great that literature is getting so much exposure, Faulks on Fiction and My Life in Books were most enjoyable and thought provoking (as well as tripling my 'to read' lists) but my internal jury is still out on adaptations of books for the screen.I know that Mr. Bookworm doesn't particularly enjoy watching adaptations of

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-75428508399002822682011-03-25T20:49:00.005Z2011-03-25T21:27:52.738Z

Frankenstein (National Theatre Live at Cinema City) 17th and 24th March.This play is one of the biggest hits in London currently and in recognition of this the National Theatre filmed the stage production and made it available in cinemas world wide. Twice.They did it twice because there are two versions of the play. In some shows Creature is played by Benedict Cumberbatch and Victor Frankenstein

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-6252989689768639512011-03-21T09:57:00.002Z2011-03-21T10:19:05.290Z

One Dog and His Boy - Eva IbbotsonI've been a fan of Eva Ibbotson for years, since I was a teenager in fact, and I was very sad to hear of her death last autumn. She is one author I always wanted to meet but never managed to. Journey to the River Sea is one of the books I would take to my proverbial desert island. I was so excited to win an advance copy of this, Ibbotson's last novel, thanks to

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-31072041847311079372011-03-19T09:26:00.004Z2011-03-19T09:41:05.653Z

Avenue Q (Theatre Royal, Norwich) March 2011Reading has taken a back seat this week as I've been out quite a lot, including 2 theatre trips.Mr Bookworm and I went to see Avenue Q on Tuesday night. We both knew we wanted to see it - a good friend had recommended it a long time ago but we never did manage to get to London before it finished - but neither of us really knew what it was about.It turns

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-86270451508839445552011-03-14T08:30:00.000Z2011-03-14T08:30:02.825Z

Well I've had over a week now to think about all the books I've read during my (insane?) challenge.I'm not sure what conclusions that I have come to, and my thoughts on the whole WBN project are muddled - I think Sam, and the people who have commented on his blog post sum it up best so head over there for thoughts on that.My thoughts on my challenge are clearer. I can't say I've loved every

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-61282605820707155022011-03-12T15:33:00.000Z2011-03-12T15:33:00.862Z

Agent Zigzag - Ben MacintyreI decided to read this book last in the challenge for 3 reasons:1)Mr Bookworm also wanted to read it so saving it for holiday made sense.2)Mr Macintyre was the guest at the library's World Book Night celebrations and as I couldn't be there on the night I thought I would make sure I was there in spirit3)I loved Operation Mincemeat and hoped that this would be as

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-66340131054257499442011-03-12T09:24:00.001Z2011-03-12T09:24:00.973Z

Fingersmith - Sarah WatersThis was a book I'd left until towards the end because I was really looking forward to reading it, but as so has often happened with my WBN reading that wasn't quite how it happened!I was so disappointed in this book, the characters failed to hold my attention, the plot was (IMNSHO) silly and I discovered the downside of my Kindle - skipping the dull bits is really

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-61139892129016427062011-03-11T16:00:00.000Z2011-03-11T16:00:10.215Z

Half of a Yellow Sun - Chimamanda Ngozi AdicheI think that this was the book that I was least looking forward too, I've avoided it since publication for some reason and then after hearing several radio programmes about it really dreaded reading it.Well how wrong could I have been?It was fantastic. Again set in a time and place that I knew nothing about, Nigeria in the last 1960s at the time of

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-31326380849979822672011-03-11T09:07:00.003Z2011-03-11T09:14:09.279Z

I suppose that it is all a bit passe now - after all WBN was nearly a week ago - however I do still have 3 book reviews to go and a quick update on my progress.I finished the 25th book at 11.20pm on Saturday 5th March.Since the 25 titles were announced I have read 22 of the novels. 1 I gave up with over half way through (Beloved), one I am still slowly reading (A Fine Balance) and one I didn't

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-42772672439005480222011-03-05T13:00:00.000Z2011-03-05T13:00:08.540Z

Happy World Book Night!I hope that everyone swapping books and attending events has a great time.Don't forget that however good it is to get a free book you local bookshops and libraries need your support.A book is for life - not just World Book Night.

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-77963044538837193622011-03-03T10:00:00.001Z2011-03-03T10:00:05.024Z

A Fine Balance - Rohinton MistryThis is a real tome,a doorstop, at over 600 pages and not a book I want to spoil by reading too fast just in order to complete my self imposed challenge.I've got about 100 pages in so far and I am really enjoying the book. I can't yet see where it is going, it is set in a country that I know little about (India) in time that I know little about (the 1970s). All I

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-27253871088659141612011-03-02T08:30:00.001Z2011-03-02T08:30:00.244Z

Love in the Time of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez.This was a book I had to read for two reasons, as well as being a World Book Night title it was also the book chosen for my International Fiction Group. That instantly made the title problematic to me.I have a bad bad habit of finding *any* book that I have to read for a book group impossible. I don't mind setting myself reading challenges but

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-82264972113562419392011-02-28T18:00:00.000Z2011-02-28T18:00:01.317Z

The Blind Assassin - Margaret AtwoodThis book leads me to another confession. I haven't actually re-read this one for World Book Night.I only read this one last summer and I found it such a struggle then that I just couldn't face reading it again.I'm not sure why I found it so hard going, usually I find Atwood's historical novels gripping - Alias Grace is a book I have read more than once and

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-26533588192719886062011-02-26T09:00:00.000Z2011-02-26T09:00:08.529Z

Northern Lights - Philip PullmanThis was one of the books that I wasn't really looking forward to (re)reading. It is a book that I have read before, and heard as an audio book, but that has always left me a little cold.I'm not sure why this should be, I like a lot of fantasy and science fiction novels and I like Mr Pullman immensely.This time around I did enjoy the book more. I remembered the

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-44205357173822370312011-02-24T17:58:00.002Z2011-02-24T18:09:55.955Z

World Book Night on a reading level has been great fun so far but from a work point of view a little more stressful.Organising such a huge project must be a nightmare if just working out how the library is going to celebrate is anything to go by.However today everything seems to have fallen in to place. People are coming in to collect their books and our big event is organised.On March 5th Ben

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-88330970479362792742011-02-23T08:30:00.000Z2011-02-23T08:30:03.985Z

Dissolution - C J SansomI wasn't sure what to expect with this one at all. I like historical fiction but dislike crime fiction - which stall would this fall in to?To my great delight I found this brilliant. I've read a lot of fiction set in Elizabethan age but not so much from the time of Henry VIII and this made a great introduction.Set at the time of the Dissolution Mathew Shardlake, a

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-68188128621582720642011-02-20T21:35:00.003Z2011-02-20T21:47:16.127Z

Wicked (Apollo Victoria, London) February 2011I read the novel that this musical is based on many years ago and really wasn't impressed, then about 2 years ago I heard the a couple of songs from the musical on some television programme or another and was hooked. Since then I've listened to the full sound track many times and looked forward to seeing the stage version.It didn't disappoint at all.

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-88773003074726244582011-02-19T09:00:00.001Z2011-02-19T09:00:05.095Z

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time - Mark HaddonI read this book when it was first published back in 2003 and while I remember it being an okay book I was surprised when it won so many awards.9 years on that remains my main thought about this book.I admire the way that Haddon seems to create the world of a young adult male with autism but neither being male nor (fortunately)

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-13872802236432315992011-02-17T10:46:00.001Z2011-02-17T10:46:00.316Z

Case Histories - Kate AtkinsonI wasn't sure if I was going to like this book at all, blind prejudice on my part for this thought - my library book came with the letters CRI on the spine saying that this was a crime fiction novel. One of my least favourite genres.Happily my first impressions were wrong. Or perhaps the classification is wrong?The novel opens with three crimes that have taken place

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-72679943892190595532011-02-15T12:00:00.002Z2011-02-15T19:02:33.515Z

Beloved - Toni MorrisonI have to admit my first failure in the challenge with this title.This isn't the first time I've tried and failed with the book. Back last autumn this was one of the 10 books we featured at the library's Banned Book event. I got to about page 60 that time.I've had a copy out of the library now for the maximum time possible (3 renewals or 9 weeks) and this time I've made it

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-18878339723076973132011-02-12T16:00:00.001Z2011-02-12T16:00:07.508Z

Life of Pi - Yann MartelThis was another eBook read, in fact at Christmas my mobile phone provider gave away lots of free gifts and a copy of this was one of them (in fact it was the only one I took advantage of) but due to format it was a book I read on the iPhone and not the Kindle.I'm sure that we have a physical copy of this somewhere around the house and I know that Mr Bookworm read it many

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-43821602521849323792011-02-10T11:00:00.002Z2011-02-10T11:00:03.496Z

Killing Floor - Lee ChildLee Child came to give a talk at the Library last April and he was a very nice guy. He was entertaining and when he read from his books he really sold them to me. In short this was a book that I'd never normally even look at but when I saw it was on the list I was pleased.Oh dear. I really must stop having these expectations. I came very close to not finishing this one,

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-64924063686475939642011-02-09T09:00:00.001Z2011-02-09T09:00:03.043Z

Hairspray (Theatre Royal, Norwich) February 2011In addition to my reading challenges for the year I am also making more of an effort to see more films and theatre this year.I live in a city that was a close runner up for the 2013 City of Culture, and only 2 hours from London, and so this year I plan on deciding what to see at the cinema and theatre and then booking the tickets and going, rather

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-73825235813621409642011-02-08T11:00:00.000Z2011-02-08T11:00:01.247Z

The Reluctant Fundamentalist - Mohsin HamidThis is a book that I've picked up, looked at and then put down again on many occasions but I wish I had read it a long time ago. It blew me away.The story telling style is so intimate, two men sitting in a restaurant in Lahore as one tells his life story to the other. One is a native Pakistani who has lived, studied and worked in America. The other is

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-27768470412429229792011-02-06T10:00:00.002Z2011-02-06T10:00:00.561Z

Cloud Atlas - David MitchellI feel that my challenge reading may now slow down as the books left are either ones that I've avoided for years or ones that I've started in the past and not enjoyed. I know for certain that without this one being a World Book Night title there is no chance that I would have persevered with it.I'm not sure if I found the book clever or pretentious. It is comprised

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-87610614665486592242011-02-04T15:00:00.001Z2011-02-04T15:00:07.630Z

All Quiet on the Western Front - Erich Maria Remarque.This was another re-read for me but it has been a very long time since I last picked a copy of this up and apart from the bare bones of the story I had forgotten what an incredible piece of literature that it is.I have read many novels set in the First World War, some for adults and some for children but it is this one that really emphasises

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-70701012880363828592011-02-02T13:00:00.000Z2011-02-02T13:00:24.153Z

Rachel's Holiday - Marian KeyesThis is pure chick-lit indulgence and for me was another re-read. I haven't read any Marian Keyes for a while as I found her books started to become very samey but it was a pleasure to go back to this one.Rachel is Irish but living in New York when she accidentally takes a drug overdose. Concerned friends and family think that she has an addiction problem and she

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-92072420406352239692011-01-31T10:00:00.000Z2011-01-31T10:00:00.434Z

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold - John le CarreThis is one from the list that I had been looking forward to reading. Thrillers and spies are not usually my subject matter of choice but since reading Operation Mincemeat by Ben Macintyre last year the whole concept of espionage has been intriguing me. The Cold War setting was also an added bonus.I don't think that I've read any le Carre (sorry

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-46126789333018441032011-01-29T10:00:00.000Z2011-01-29T10:00:07.533Z

I've been quite open and honest about my enthusiasm for the whole eReader phenomenon and the experience of reading on either an iPhone or a dedicated device.However the BeBook and the iPhone haven't been without their problems. To upload books to the BeBook you have to plug everything together in a very specific order otherwise Adobe doesn't recognise it and several times it appears that books

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-27698416411218520402011-01-26T15:14:00.001Z2011-01-26T15:14:00.209Z

The World's Wife - Carol Ann DuffyI approached this second poetry volume on the list with not quite as much trepidation as the first and I'm not sure if this paid off or if more of the poems appealed to me.I'd not read any Duffy before this and apart from being aware that she is the current poet laureate I knew nothing about her works at all. Like I said a few posts ago I really do tend to avoid

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-85644018658297735652011-01-22T09:00:00.000Z2011-01-22T09:00:09.024Z

Toast - Nigel SlaterThanks to the adaptation of this book being shown on UK television over the Christmas period there was a huge waiting list on this book at the library so I decided to read the Kindle version of this, making it one of the first contemporary books I've read solely on my iPhone.I'd read this book before, shortly after it first came out and I remembered it being an enjoyable read

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-45387294091890627572011-01-19T13:27:00.000Z2011-01-19T13:27:00.322Z

Another confession here. This was a book of which I barely even knew the plot before I started it. Oh and I only thought I should read it because I am going to see it at the theatre. All I knew was that Frankenstein wasn't the monster...Even once I'd got a copy of this, and had it recommended it to me by several people I avoided reading it. All part of my mental block about classic novels -

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-53939212278378816742011-01-15T13:18:00.000Z2011-01-15T13:18:00.496Z

New Selected Poems 1966-1987 - Seamus HeaneyThis is one of the books I was dreading reading for the challenge. I never read poetry through choice and I think that I can count the number of poems I like on my fingers. It is a running joke in the family that the BBC radio programme Poetry Please is known as Poetry No Thanks!I can't say that I liked many of the poems, and there were dozens that I

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-63965549222684973962011-01-11T16:05:00.003Z2011-01-11T16:05:00.149Z

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie - Muriel SparkIt has been a week since I finished reading this and I am still not sure what I thought of it. I suppose that as I am still thinking about it then there was something special about it but I really can’t put my finger on exactly what it is. Once more I found this a book where I didn’t care for any of the characters and a book where very little

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-68236991145698247732011-01-09T09:00:00.005Z2011-01-10T13:17:08.292Z

Stuart a life backwards - Alexander MastersThis is a book that I've been aware of for a very long time, but probably would never have read had it not appeared on the World Book Night list. I always seemed so close to being one of the 'misery memoir' books that I'd have avoided it on principle.It just goes to show that you really shouldn't hold these preconceived ideas for this book is another

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-17297739536320728992011-01-08T16:15:00.004Z2011-01-10T13:14:32.302Z

My self set challenge to read all of the 25 books chosen for World Book Night before March 5th is going well, and even if the books aren't the best I've read I'm mostly enjoying them so far.However there is a problem. Because a lot of these authors are new to me I'm finding that I want to read more by these authors. I know that I read fast but the rate by to be read pile is growing is

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-19892826848921705652011-01-04T07:00:00.000Z2011-01-04T07:00:05.666Z

One Day - David NichollsA lot of people I know are either reading this, or have just finished it and that did influence my choice to read it next as they all seemed so positive about it. I've also been wanting to read it since hearing snippets on book at bedtime a few months ago.I loved the idea, two people finally get together on their graduation night at uni, realise that their lives are about

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-23888728603064485482011-01-02T09:32:00.007Z2011-01-02T10:05:39.745Z

I am a couple of days late posting this because I wanted to finish the books that I was reading just in case they became contenders for that coveted place of top book of the year.They didn't - they were good and I will probably write about them later but they weren't BotY (for me).I read 194 full length books in 2010, I obviously found the mojo that vanished in 2009! A lot of these books took me

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-36517114771553784492010-12-19T17:34:00.005Z2010-12-19T18:00:15.418Z

Alan Bennett - A Life Like Other People'sThis wasn't the first book from the 25 that I intended to read, but when I got to work yesterday I realised that I had forgotten the book that I was actually half way through. No problems as I work in a library but it was serendipitous to find this one on the returns trolley just as my break started.I've long admired Bennett for his plays and screen plays

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-91740500399900718832010-12-10T16:24:00.003Z2010-12-10T16:46:33.719Z

Ever since I started working in the book trade, far too many years ago to count, I have been a fan of World Book Day. I thought it was odd that we in the UK celebrated it on the 1st Thursday in March when the rest of the world did so on April 23rd but never mind - free books for children that's all that mattered.This year the scheme has changed slightly and grown ups can get involved, and get

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-25367949223326795772010-11-13T09:30:00.000Z2010-11-13T09:30:00.345Z

I love reading books in letter or diary form. I'm far too dull and lazy to keep my own diary but the format is one that I adore in literature.I'm not fussed if the diaries are fictitious (Adrian Mole), real (Anne Frank) or edited like the Mass Observation projects I am just drawn to the format. I wonder if it is the nosiness coming through again. It feels 'naughty' to be reading a diary and

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-9779108917240861442010-11-10T10:00:00.000Z2010-11-10T10:00:01.073Z

I've always loved being read to. I know that my parents read me bedtime stories long after I could read for myself, the books that really stick in my mind are The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian and Voyage of the Dawn Treader. I think we also got half way through The Silver Chair too.I also remember having a tape player and lots of books on tape as a young child. Even then I

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-70268339576945155152010-10-27T15:23:00.004+01:002010-10-27T15:46:44.320+01:00

...and no I'm not blonde!I've not been well over the past 10 days or so and I've not simply lost my reading mojo, I've actually been finding reading nearly impossible. As anyone who knows me will understand this is not a happy place to find me in.I've found the solution though - short stories. I've never been against the format as such but being a fast reader I've always preferred a longer story

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-11947442985210555312010-10-15T15:36:00.005+01:002010-10-15T16:58:34.973+01:00

...the shops are full of s'lebrity autobiographies!I've just walked through the city centre and while I wasn't actually shopping I couldn't help but look at the bookshop window displays. Even without looking at a calendar I could tell we were in the run up to the PGP* - the posters and windows were full of celebrity (auto)biographies.All of them looking the same.Last year the look was sitting

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-17780873056057825092010-10-03T21:36:00.005+01:002010-10-03T22:12:04.199+01:00

I have to confess that I haven't been reading a lot of fiction recently. I recently dusted off my camera and have been forcing Mr Bookworm to drive me around Norfolk and Suffolk so that I can get my hand (and my eye) back in.We've been quite lucky with the the weather during my weekends off and I've had great fun taking loads and loads (and loads) of pictures and then spending my days off editing

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-16485354409828162502010-09-13T21:53:00.003+01:002010-09-13T22:00:44.468+01:00

I've just been to the cinema to see Stephen Fry Live, sort of. He was performing at the Festival Hall and it was beamed into provincial cinemas.We'd cut it a little fine for taking our seats and so when I saw that books were for sale at the event I thought 'oh good I'll get a copy at the end' (I'd already downloaded the free sample from iBooks and decided this was a book I wanted).The event was

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387330026000238163.post-35747317287467859772010-08-26T07:00:00.000+01:002010-08-26T07:00:01.603+01:00

Meme.Mt friend Sam over at Books, Time and Silence posted this meme which he had found at Booking Through Thursday and I couldn't resist having a go myself.1. Favorite childhood book?My real favourite was a book called The Learning Tree. I got very excited when I found a copy at bootfair recently but when I tried to reread it I found it dire. It had a good environmental message but was so

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840181498781795054noreply@blogger.com0