It's London Baby!

Well this week I went off to London and not just 'because' as some curious acquaintances of mine have suggested.

No I actually went to visit the Life And Death In Pompeii And Herculaneum exhibition at The British Museum.

It's hard to believe that not only are the objects in the exhibition nearly 2,000 years old but they have also survived a massive volcanic eruption and subsequent pyroclastic surges (get me with my big words!).

The exhibition was very interesting however as it was a special exhibition that you had to pay to see I wasn't allowed to take photos (not that that stopped some people).

And there was a teenage girl wandering round complaining that everything was confusing... I was confused myself... what did she find confusing exactly? I think the word she was looking for was boring, but given that I found it interesting I'm only guessing that that is what she meant.

So we visited that and spent well over an hour in the exhibit - which surprised me, it hadn't seemed that long.

We had a little something something to eat at one of the cafes in the museum and then I decided we should go and visit a particular room I had glimpsed on our way in before it was kicking out time.

Now this room, it turned out, was called the Enlightenment Gallery. And at first glance it is like something out of a steampunk novel - it was like a proper Victorian library. And given that it was built in the early 19th century it might very well have been filled up in the Victorian period.

I want a library like this (or like the library in Beauty & The Beast - whatever)... in a house by the sea.

The cabinets are filled with all kinds of things - fossils, Hindu Gods, Egyptian artefacts, books, sculpture, a copy of The Rosetta Stone that you are allowed to touch (the real one is in a display case).

I could probably have spent all day in there... but then the museum was closing and we wanted to go and find food before we caught the train home.

Other things we saw in London (which might not seem unusual to some of you but they were to me) included the Barclays Cycle Hire docking stations we kept coming across (which fast became a game of spot the Barclays Bike when we were stood waiting to cross the road - which then became spot the native Londoners i.e. those people who just step out in to the road while we tourists cower on the pavement). And I saw my first ever electric car being charged in a parking space - I've probably seen electric cars before and not realised it but I've never seen one charging before.

And whilst we were eating I found the subtitles on the muted TV very entertaining - trying to decipher what it meant by 'raw raw' was fun. I think it was meant to be rural.

Now a couple of days later I'm still recovering... but it was fun all the same.

Teaser Tuesday

All you have to do to take part in Teaser Tuesday is:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Then head over to Should Be Reading and add your link to the comments. 


Here's mine:

"I'll tell you a family secret," she whispered enthusiastically. "It's about the butler's nose."

Page 18, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

For me this book counts towards New Authors Challenge hosted by Literary Escapism.

Random Quote #145

Sanity is a madness put to good uses. 

George Santayana

Random Thought #49 - Where Does It Go?

 

This might be just me being dumb.

Or maybe it's a phenomena that only occurs in my house (because my mum says she has noticed this too).

But when you have a fountain pen, if you don't use it for a while, the ink in it disappears.

Even if you put a brand new cartridge in it and use it briefly, weeks or months down the line you will come back to use it and the cartridge will be empty.

So where does the ink go?

Teaser Tuesday

All you have to do to take part in Teaser Tuesday is:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Then head over to Should Be Reading and add your link to the comments. 
 
So here's my teaser:

Jace raised his hand and ran it along the banister. It came away wet, streaked with something that looked blackish red in the dim light.

Page 87, City Of Bones by Cassandra Clare 

This book counts towards two of the reading challenges I am taking part in this year:

Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Romance Challenge hosted by Book Chick City. 

And New Authors Challenge hosted by Literary Escapism. 

 

Random Quote #144

Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again. 

C. S. Lewis

A To Z Book Survey

I decided to take part in a survey that I came across - it's originally from The Perpetual Page-Turner, which is a blog I came across via The Aussie Zombie who also had a go at this survey.

Author You've Read The Most Books From:

I had to use Goodreads to check this and I thought it was going to be James Patterson but it turns out I was wrong. I've read more Laurell K Hamilton books. But that includes the graphic novels she has produced.

James Patterson actually came in second.

And third place? That went to R. L. Stine whose books were almost all that I read as a teen.

Best Sequel Ever:

This is was a tough one for me... but looking back through books I have read on Goodreads I think it would have to be Brother Grimm by Craig Russell.

Currently Reading:

 City Of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Drink Of Choice While Reading:

I think it would have to be regular old black tea with milk or good old hot chocolate.

E-reader Or Physical Book:

Physical book. I don't actually own an e-reader. I have got e-reader software on my computer for any short stories that my favourite authors only release in e-book form.

I think one of the reasons that keeps me from getting an e-reader (apart from the fact I prefer physical books from what I have seen of e-readers) is that I would be too scared to take it out of the house in case it got stolen. Someone nicking a paperback out of bag would be less costly.

Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated In High School:

I wasn't really that much in to dating in school... but having thought about this question I have to say that thirteen-year-old Jack Reacher does sound quite intriguing in Second Son by Lee Child. Even if at that age he would already have been a least a foot taller than I was at that age.

Glad You Gave This Book A Chance:

One Shot by Lee Child - it was the first Jack Reacher book that I read even though it is actually the ninth in the series (I have since read all the others including the short stories and can't wait for the next one).

Hidden Gem Book:

I have no idea why but on seeing this question I immediately thought of One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey - awesome book but can't explain why.

Important Moment In Your Reading Life:

I think it would have to be when I progressed from reading Point Horror books in my teens to reading my first Stephen King novel - Salem's Lot.

Just Finished:

The Unpleasantness At The Bellona Club by Dorothy L. Sayers


Kind Of Books You Won't Read:

I think it would have to be what is known as Misery Lit.

Longest Book You've Read:

The Lord Of The Rings by J. R. R. Tokien which, according to Goodreads, the edition I read comes in at 1,077 pages.

Major Book Hangover Because Of:

I think I'm going to have to go with One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey again.

Number Of Bookcases You Own:

Two. A really tall one in my room - full to bursting. A smaller one in the back of my cupboard - also full to bursting. And then there are multiple stacks of books stacked in front of the first bookcase.

One Book You Have Read Multiple Times:

First book that comes to mind is A Walk In The Woods by Bill Bryson.

Preferred Place To Read:

In bed.

Strange but true fact I can't read whilst travelling in road vehicles - it makes me feel sick. I can read on trains no problem, but buses and cars, no way (I have never travelled by plane or boat so I haven't tested out those modes of transport yet).

Quote That Inspires You/Gives You All The Feels From A Book You've Read:

I'm not sure if this is really inspiring but it does make you think.

Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends.

The Fellowship Of The Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien

Reading Regret:

Giving up on The Stand by Stephen King half way through. That book is long (over 1,000 pages) and I wish I had read it all in one go... it sits in the cupboard taunting me now as I know I will read it one day... but I will have to start it again.

Series You Started And Need To Finish (All Books Are Out In Series):

The House Of Comarre series by Kristen Painter. I have just bought the last one (Last Blood). I want to know what happens but I also don't want it to end!

Three Of Your All Time Favourite Books:

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey
George's Marvellous Medicine by Roald Dahl (I so don't care that this is a kids book)

Unapologetic Fangirl For:

Lee Child - as far as I know I've read everything he has had published.

Very Excited For This Release More Than All The Others:

I'm very excited for the release of the seventh Jan Fabel book by Craig Russell. However seen as such a book has neither been announced nor is it rumoured (as far as I know - if anyone knows differently please let me know) I think it will have to be Never Go Back by Lee Child - due out at the end of this month!

Worst Bookish Habit:

This is an odd one but I think it's not being a member of the local library. My membership lapsed as I hadn't been in so long, so I would have to rejoin... and it would be so much cheaper than buying most of the books I read.

X Marks The Spot: Start At The Top Left Of Your Shelf And Pick The 27th Book:

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Your Latest Book Purchase:

Last Blood by Kristen Painter

ZZZ-snatcher Book (Last Book That Kept You Up WAY Late):

The Reckoning by Sue Walker - I was up until 2am finishing that.. and I like my sleep.

Teaser Tuesday

All you have to do to take part in Teaser Tuesday is:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Then head over to Should Be Reading and add your link to the comments.

Here's mine:

Dr Penberthy also appeared abstracted and anxious to get the business over. He made the journey to the cemetery ensconced in the farthest corner of the big limousine, and discussed thyroid abnormalities with Dr Horner, Sir James Lubbock's assistant, who had come to help with the autopsy.

Page 141, The Unpleasantness At The Bellona Club by Dorothy L. Sayers

Random Quote #143

This is my quest, to follow that star
No matter how hopeless, no matter how far
To fight for the right, without question or pause
To be willing to march into hell
For that heavenly cause

The Impossible Dream (The Quest)
(J Darion)

Random Thought #48 - I'm So Over Summer

This week I came to the decision that I am ready for autumn to begin. There's been a bit of a chill the last couple of mornings and although August has only just begun I want to start wearing coats and jumpers again.

And I want to see the leaves change colour.

Every year I mean to take my camera out with me and take photos of the trees in autumn... and never do. It's a bit like how it took me years to actually be there camera in hand when the cherry blossom tree in our garden blossomed.

Roll on autumn! (And then, perhaps with the exception of a white Christmas, we could bypass winter and go straight for spring?)

Teaser Tuesday

 

All you have to do to take part in Teaser Tuesday is:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Then head over to Should Be Reading and add your link to the comments. 

Here are my teasers:

'What is the snag?'
    'Why, don't you see, the old boy never came home that night.'

Page 45, The Unpleasantness At The Bellona Club by Dorothy L. Sayers
 

Random Quote #142

Talent hits a target no one else can hit. Genius hits a target no one else can see. 

Arthur Schopenhauer

Boys & Girls Of Every Age...

...wouldn't you like to hear something strange?

Yes I am well aware that the line is actually 'wouldn't you like to see something strange?' But this post is about hearing not seeing... so there :P

Anyway it isn't Halloween and it's quite a while until Christmas but I've recently had some of the songs to The Nightmare Before Christmas stuck in my head (it probably doesn't help that I have some of them on my MP3 does it?).

My favourite song from the original soundtrack is Jack's Lament sang by Danny Elfman... I even know most of the words.

The song actually starts at about 0.53.

Now some of you out there might not know that there is an 'alternate' soundtrack - Nightmare Revisited. This album is basically the original soundtrack just sang by other people - well known bands and singers. Some of them are a little on the creepy side - yes Korn's version of 'Kidnap The Sandy Claws' I am looking at you.

One of my favourites from this alternate soundtrack is 'This Is Halloween' by Marilyn Manson.

I have another favourite song fromt his film that is sung by someone else... but it isn't on the aforementioned album! On the Nightmare Revisited album 'What's This?' is sung by Flyleaf. But my sister found a version on YouTube by Fall Out Boy which is more my taste.

The song starts at about 0.35.

What are your favourite songs from this movie?