Friday 7 January 2011

Christmas Loot

I know it is a bit late, but I really did want to show you the books I got for Christmas. I didn't get as many as last year and have to admit to not having read all last year's books yet, so I didn't ask for as many this year.   Although 12 books is still quite a lot.
I asked for three Charles De Lint books as I was desperate to read more of his books after reading The Onion Girl last year.  I received A Dreaming Place, which is YA (didn't realise he wrote YA until I found this one).  I also got The Mystery of Grace and Forests of the Heart.

Matched has been on my list for awhile and came to my attention via Amanda from The Zen Leaf who has written a similar manuscript which I hope to read soon.  I finished this book at the beginning of the week and I hope to review it next week.

Angel Time by Anne Rice was a must for an angel fan. I had it in my head, that this book would be tomb like but it is rather slim.  I am sure I have seen it around looking a lot thicker.

The Woman In Black by Susan Hill, an absolute must after reading A Small Hand last November. I love a scary ghost story.

Foreign Correspondence by Geraldine Brooks (Year of Wonder and March) is a non fiction book that finds the author tracking down and catching up with her pen pals from her childhood and seeing how their lives have progressed. Cannot wait to read this one.

Sarah Addison Allen's third magical read was a must. I loved Garden Spells and The Sugar Queen, so I knew I had to have The Girl Who Chased The Moon.

Raven Stole The Moon by Garth Stein. Hubby was most upset to order this one as he said it was second hand. When is he going to realise I love second hand books. This one is set in Alaska and I hope to keep it for when I actually start my American Journey again.

The Anatomy of Ghosts by Andrew Taylor - a murder mystery set in the 18th Century.

The last two books are hopefully destined to make me into a domestic goddess. Hee hee! Kirsty Allsopp's Homemade Home and Nigella Lawson's Kitchen. I bow down at Nigella's feet, as she is my domestic hero.

I didn't only get books for Christmas, I also got a cross trainer,which is still sitting in a box two weeks after Christmas. I also got two exercise games for the Kinect. One which has left me unable to bend my legs after half an hours exercising. I am not kidding, it pulled my muscles, stretched them out and pinged them back, leaving me walking around like an ape with bandy legs. Hubby has found it hilarious and cannot stop making jokes about me. So my new exercise regime has stopped temporarily until sore muscles return to normality.

So instead of exercising,  I suppose I had better put my feet up and enjoy my new DVD's, the last three series of Beverly Hills 90201 - the original ( I kid you not!).  I am so sad.

28 comments:

  1. Awesome xmas loot :D I hope to hear your thoughts on matched soon

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  2. What a great bunch of books you got for Christmas. I'm so curious about DeLint's writing and Matched sound so good.

    I hope your up on your feet in no time. Happy belated New Year by the way :)

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  3. I liked the Addison book and have Raven Stole the Moon on my shelf. I'm a fan of Nigella :-)

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  4. Did I send you an e-copy of my manuscript? I can't remember if I did or not...

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  6. All I can say is that I am totally jealous of your Christmas loot Vivienne! Enjoy.

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  7. I didn't get a single bookish thing for Christmas, although I did give quite a few books. Your stack looks fantastic! I hope they're all winners!!

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  8. You still beat my christmas book total of 10.

    Some great books, I especially like the sound of the Andrew Taylor murder mystery. Happy reading.

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  9. Matched looks really good! I also love Sarah Addison Allen, so that book is also calling out to me. :)

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  10. I had no idea you love B.H. 90210. I loved that show growing up! Your stacks looks awesome. I haven't read any Charles de Lint yet, so I can't wait to read your thoughts on his work. Have a great weekend!

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  11. You are not sad! I love that you're watching old episodes of 90210. It was banned in my household when I was little but I always sneaked it in at friends' homes. ;)

    12 books is pretty good. I got one book--The Baby Whisperer. Written by a British Mum!

    Enjoy the books! I've been meaning to get to Charles de Lint.

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  12. Twelve books will give you a new book each month. Wonderful loot, Vivienne! I read Raven Stole the Moon last year, and look forward to reading your thoughts on it.

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  13. A good haul. Lots of authors I do not recognise. So look froward to the reviews.

    I like Kirstie and her homemade home book. I love her ideas she has.

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  14. Great haul! No books for me this Christmas.... only gift certificates. Loved The Woman in Black and have been looking around for Foreign Correspondence. Enjoy!

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  15. Looks like you got lots of great books for Christmas, lucky girl. I gave more books this year than I received but that is probably for the best as I am currently swamped with reading. I'm sorry to hear about your injury - it is so easy to get carried away when exercising (I myself overdid it at the gym earlier this week and now I'm stuck in bed feeling miserable!). Enjoy your DVDs (and books) during your recovery!

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  16. I am dying to hear all about Anatomy of Ghosts. I love spooky gothic haunts.

    And seriously? 90210? That's AWESOME. My friend at work has the theme song as her ringtone for her cell. it went off yesterday at lunch and she goes, "Don't judge." Haha. I think it's great that we can be adults and still have a spot in our heart for such wonderful silliness.

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  17. What a great pile of books! I'm excited about your cross trainer. Good luck in everything and as always, happy reading!

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  18. Happy belated new year Vivienne! My last book happened to be also a non-fiction book by Geraldine Brooks (Nine Parts of Desire), and I'll surely look for more of her books. I look forward to what you think of Foreign Correspondence!

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  19. Great Christmas loot!!
    The exercise games for the Kinect sound like fun.
    I used to watch 90210 religiously! lol

    http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

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  20. Ohhh: look at the lovely stack! I had been reading my way through de Lint's backlist but I stalled last year; thanks for reminding me to get back to him! :)

    I enjoyed The Woman in Black: that's the only one of your new books I've actually read. :) Anatomy of Ghosts sounds really neat!

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  21. Eek: I think I accidently did the same comment twice Vivienne. Sorry about that. :)

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  22. Great lot of books Viv! I loved The Girl Who Chased the Moon. 90210- I loved that show - the old one that is. I'd love to re-watch them.

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  23. Ooh, I hope you'll enjoy The Woman In Black! And the rest of the books, of course. Happy reading!

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  24. Oh I remember 90210, the original of course :)

    What a great stack of books. I love The Woman in Black, it is so good and spooky. And, I really liked Foreign Correspondence too. A bit different than what I expected but still very interesting.

    Enjoy all your books!

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  25. what a great haul! i've seen matched around-didn't realize it was the first of a series (or trilogy, maybe?). hope you enjoy them all. :)

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  26. I cannot believe I have not seen that Anne Rice one before! Shame on me - call myself an Anne Fan!

    Such goodies and had to laugh at the image of you after the Kinect. I was the same after doing the Wii Fit at Christmas.

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  27. It's never too late to post your Christmas book list. :D

    I saw The Woman in Black performed on stage a few years ago - It was done very minimalist but, ohmygosh, it was soooooo creepy. And scary? Yes! I do believe there were quite a few screams in the audience. Can't wait to see what you make of the book!

    Awww, sorry you pulled your muscles, hun. (Though I can't help but join your hubby - I kind of giggled a little at that ;-) )

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