It will come as no surprise to you that I love words. Give me some fabulous wordplay and I will be entertained for hours. So when a trip to a brilliant secondhand bookshop in Hitchin had me fall upon Lost Words: A Feast of Forgotten Words, Their Origins and Their Meanings by Philip Howard, I … Continue reading Just For Fun Friday: Lost Words
Books can be the ultimate mood enhancer. When I find myself facing a tough or particularly stressful time, I tend to turn to light-hearted fiction as an appropriate means of escapism. None can provide this literary relief with quite the same efficacy as comic genius P.G. Wodehouse. I have been a big fan of Jeeves … Continue reading Review: Summer Lightning by P.G. Wodehouse
I cannot believe that I am about to say this, but welcome to the final August edition of The Weekly Reader. Where has the month gone? Yet what a wonderful month it has been (particularly the post-dissertation part.) The British population has had enough barbecues and glasses of Pimms to ensure that summer memories survive … Continue reading The Weekly Reader: 28/08/13
Well, it has certainly been some time since the last Literary Excursion post. Fortunately, my dissertation hand-in proved the perfect opportunity to indulge in a new literary-themed outing. Since starting my studies at the LSE, the Charles Dickens Museum has featured high-up on my list of 'Things To See'. As you may recall from my … Continue reading Literary Excursion: London Part II
For diligent readers of The Book Habit (otherwise known as 'mother'), this review will be noted as out-of-sync with my recent reads. Pat Barker's Regeneration has succeeded in leap-frogging the backlog of books currently awaiting review. There are two reasons for this: (1) It is a truly fantastic work that has earned priority status; and (2) My … Continue reading Review: Regeneration by Pat Barker
Hello all! You may be in for a double round of posts today, as I attempt to make up for my lack of presence this weekend. I am currently in Oxford, catching time with my mum while she is here on a business trip from the US. I will be back this evening (hopefully) with … Continue reading Monday Musing: 26/08/13
My apologies for being a little slow with the posts this week. I have a backlog of books waiting for review and intend to get around to them as soon as possible! Currently, I am finding it difficult to drag myself away from Pat Barker's Regeneration Trilogy. Combined with a few epic day trips (lavender … Continue reading Just For Fun Friday: Book-Themed Music
Hello lovely readers! I am finding it truly difficult to believe that August is almost over. The summer has whizzed by and I am already scheduling in September and October happenings. Lots to look forward to, including my quarter-of-a-century birthday and initiation into the world of the PhD. It all feels a little too grown-up to … Continue reading The Weekly Reader: 21/08/13
Happy Monday! I am entering a week that promises many wonderful things - sunshine, the return of The British Bake-off, and a long weekend in Oxford with my fabulous mum. I hope that some similarly epic plans are on the calendar for each of you. If not, I have a couple of Literary Excursion posts coming … Continue reading Monday Musing: 19/08/13
Well friends, here we are at another Just For Fun Friday, meaning that the weekend is upon us once more! I hope that you all have many wonderful activities planned. And to start you on your way, what better than a short-but-sweet visit from one of my favourite poets. Over to you, Spike... A Silly … Continue reading Just For Fun Friday: Spike Milligan
The Book Habit 