Saturday 4 December 2010

On a female kick


I keep starting new books, one book leading me to the next, before having finished anything! I went looking for a book for a Celebrating the Female Bookswop which I orgainised over at bookcrossing, but rather than just finding one to read and then post on I've managed to start three, and two of them non-fiction.
Blonde by Joyce Carol Oates a fictionalisation of Marilyn Monroe's life, I'm about 50 pages in and really enjoying it, though my edition is off putting - the book is super bending and super shiney and as large as a paperback so not all that easy to keep hold of, especially as my hands are all achey at the mo. Having to prop the book up with a cushion on my lap.
The Duchess by Amanda Foreman This is a biography of the Duchess of Devonshire, whose story was palyed out in a film by Kira Knightly a few years ago. I enjoyed the film and I'm enjoying the book, which at the moment is largely centred around her involvement in British politics and the medias damnation of her (nice to know the English press has always been so awful!)
And finally Anything but ordinary: The Nine Lives of Cecile by Cecile Dorward and Ron Davidson an autobiography that I am loving. I'm about 100 pages in, at the moment I'm reading about her marriage, but know that when her husband died she set off travelling the world despite being 60+, I'm really looking forward to those sections.

Other than reading I'm staying indoors hiding from the weather (a trip to the postoffice and library took 4 hours earlier, should have taken 2 as I was walking but the paths were slippy as could be), which is thawing out, and thus horrid and slushy. Cooking sausage caserole and having mulled fruit pie and custard with a friend, whilst we act as if we are way older than we are and stay in watching Strictly Come Dancing and X Factor - no wonder we're both single!

6 comments:

serendipity_viv said...

Our snow has completely disappeared. We got up this morning, and as if by magic, it was all gone. We have had torential rain all day. Your books look great and your casserole sound nice. Enjoy your evening. I am sat with a glass of wine, the Christmas tree is up and we are waiting for The X Factor and I'm a Celebrity.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for visiting my blog. Not much of a snow here in Reading. In fact it rained and snow has melted.

I watched Strictly come dancing two hours ago, did you see how fantastic Kara is?? I hope she wins, but I think the boys did extraordinary well. Matt performance is adorable and Scott (007) performance gave me goosebumps. I thought Pamela was awesome, but not sure why she would score perfect scores though. Maybe I don't appreciate waltz that much.

Then I watched X-factor, I wasn't that blown away, but I must say those little cute boys in One direction may chase some singles blues away!! :)

Anonymous said...

I have Duchess on my shelf for a long time. I can't wait to read your reviews!

katrina said...

Thanks for your comments, this was the first time I'd seen Strictly, I thought Pamela's dance was boring, but thoght Scott was great - he can come dance my way anytime. I do think its strange that after the dancing they are still so touchy feely - they have wives and husbands!
X Factor was ok, love Matt!
Snow here has nearly gone as its been sunny all day, so going to have to face going back to school tomorrow - I sat here and marked all morning feeling guilty about having so much time off!

Anonymous said...

You know what, I actually think the same thing. James Jordan seems to adore Pamela quite a lot. Artem and Kara is probably an item now, but Artem said it very clearly that he can't work professionally and go home and be a lover for the same person he work with.... something to that effect.

If I hadn't check with my friends (I don't follow celebrity scene that much) I wouldn't know Gavin and Charlotte have separated. Now I understand why Katya has her paws all over Gavin! Even if Gavin is married, I doubt if Katya could contain herself. Talk about being professional, I just wish Gavin goes home after this! :(

Eva said...

Is Duchess nonfic? I've been debating whether or not to give the film a go (since I loved Young Victoria)...maybe I'll watch it and then read the book!