I started the month by finishing the book that I was about a quarter of the way into it at the end of March, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Next I picked this little book from the shelf to look for a specific recipe ... and ended up reading it all. The recipe I wanted wasn't even in there after all. 😄
It's a good little book and currently only available second-hand.
Next I read this book, I just wanted to read something about food and tight budgets for a change and this fitted the bill nicely.
I particularly liked comparing the prices from 2018 to now, there are a lot of differences!! It was a pity when she brought her second book out that she didn't list the prices in this way again. But this is an interesting book, again one that is currently only available second-hand.
After a couple of recommendations for this book last month when I posted about reading another of Claire Keegan's books, I decided to treat myself to some more more of her works. I'm glad I did, this is a wonderful little book. Her books are written well, no flowery, excessively descriptive paragraphs, just neat and to the point. Getting over all that needs conveying to make the story really good in as few words as possible.
An enjoyable read.
My final read of April, and with a chapter or two still to read now that we are into May, was this very funny book by Alan Denman. To be honest his is a style of writing that took me a while to get into, but it's a nice easy read and one that I am really enjoying. It's divided into chapters and paragraphs that are very self-contained and this means you can pick it up when you have just a few minutes to spare, and in the busy month of April that came in very handy.
All these books will be staying on my bookshelves, well I never know when I might want to have a re-read in the future. Sometimes it's nice to have another read of something that you have enjoyed before isn't it. It's like re-watching a favourite film so that you can drink in more of the details, or maybe spot the clues to the crime before you did last time.
Is this something that you do, or are you ruthless and give away or donate all books once you have read them?
Sue xx
I would just like to point out, that although I provide links to Amazon for all the books that I read each month, not all my books are bought from Amazon. If they are some of them were bought from the Used section rather than full price.
I share the links so that you can learn more about the books that I write about for yourself, or read reviews from others that have read them. Of course most of the books I talk about would also be available from your local library, and if you are very lucky you might even find them in charity or thrift shops.
There are so many ways to bring books into your home if you love reading. 📚
Charity shop books come and go, temporary visitors like summer Swallow. I very rarely buy a new book at full price. Every book has to earn its space on the shelf - but there's a designated shelf for library books/books borrowed from friends and "temporary visitors". Just occasionally a temp gets to stay, but I try and find a book which can leave in order to make space for it. I'm interested in the Jane Ashley book. Must check the library!
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely worth looking out for at the library, or maybe see if they can get it from another branch for you. 🙂 It's currently available at £1.77 on Amazon used books.
DeleteWhen our youngest granddaughter was at primary school and doing a project on WW2, I bought her the Wartime Recipies book. I have some favourite books that I have re-read a couple of times but many of the charity shop or 'phone box' swap books get recycled. Thank you for the book reviews, always interesting to see different books.
ReplyDeleteIt's always good to have a look at the books other people are enjoying isn't it. 😀
DeleteI think I gave the Wartime Recipe book away on a Blog Giveaway and I've seen all the others except the last one but why did I not finish the Jan Benson - the library says I've had it but there must have been something about it that I didn't like.
ReplyDeleteI rarely re-read a book so in theory I don't need to keep any!
I can't imagine you not keeping any. 😄
DeleteSmall Things was an amazing book, I thought. As you say her writing is concise. I do like it when books, or blogs, don’t waffle on.
ReplyDeleteShe is such a good writer, I'm glad I found her work. 🙂
DeleteI find it very hard to part with books even though my sight is so poor now that I rely on my Kindle where I can enlarge the print. But still I have 3 full bookcases. Tall ones. And thanks to you I now have another Kindle book - the "Barging Free" one . . . and I'm already on Chapter three! Loving it. Thank you. x
ReplyDeleteThey just look lovely on shelves don't they, and really make a house a home in my opinion. Yes, I loved Barging Free. ❤️
DeleteI used to have hundreds of books but had a big cull during Covid when you could leave books outside on a table for people to take. I also gave loads to a neighbour who is a nurse and was looking for books for her older people who are in long term care. I use my kindle for all fiction books but buy books about crafting and sewing. Catriona
ReplyDeleteI did that too, at least two big boxes of books were balanced on the wall near my flat during the later Covid days. 🙂
DeleteI often reread favourite books........think it's that thing..........feels like connecting again with an old friend.
ReplyDeleteI do use library books a lot and will often renew them up to the the max. Finding a much wanted title on the shelves of a charity shop is the best, ownership and value for money 😍
Alison in Wales x
Yes, exactly that. 😀 Finding a book that you've wanted for ages, or an original copy of a favourite childhood book, in a charity shop is wonderful.
DeleteI’m converted to e-books; as Rambler says you can adjust the font size!
ReplyDeleteNot so much books but favourite films I can watch again and again. x
I have never gotten on with re-readers. I transferred all the books off my Kindle onto my phone and then sold the Kindle. That way if I ever want to read in a waiting room or something unexpected, at least I could access them.
DeleteI do not buy books but, visit the library down town or use the small pop up libraries which are located on many streets in the city. Most of my reading is done in the Summer months when it is too hot and humid to do anything else. Patricia in Canada
ReplyDeleteReading on a hot day, in the shade with a long cold drink is almost as good as cosy Winter reading ... but not quite. 😄
DeleteSo glad you enjoyed that particular Claire Keegan. Mine was from the library (and yes I could reborrow) but sometimes it’s nice to have a copy for oneself. I haven’t found too many over the years I’ve wanted to read again though
ReplyDeleteMost of our books have been rehomed now - trying to leave less for family to have to sort through - so the library is our best friend.
I’m definitely a ‘book in hand’ person but will accept ebooks at a pinch - audio books don’t do it for me……they are time consuming, not as relaxing as the written word and half the time i forget what I’ve heard😊
I remember when times were really tough borrowing favourite books over and over from the library. They gave me a real sense of comfort when I could afford to buy any.
DeleteI have to admit to never having listened to an audio book. Perhaps in the future I might.
I do love a re-read of books I enjoy. There is always something new to learn.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Definitely, there's always new discoveries when you re-read. ❤️
DeleteI find it especially hard to part with books:( I've purchased several books that you have recommended over the years. A few weeks ago it was Claire Keegan's "So Late in the Day" and now I've just ordered "Small things like these" I really loved so late in the day♥ Many thanks Sue:)
ReplyDeleteLike you I find it very hard to part with books. I have been known to part with some and then actually re-purchase them again when they appear in my line of vision somewhere. Books do jump out at me with alarming frequency. ;-)
DeleteI hope that you enjoy 'Small things ...', I really enjoyed it. I perhaps would have liked one more chapter to continue the story just a touch though.
Hi sue, I actually keep my books with me living in Japan. It looks like a Library, plus if you do find English books in book off and yes that is an actual shop ! It is very expensive, so we tend to fill our boots and buy when we visit home or poor mum gets pestered to death if I want a new cookery book or a new crime reader. Or food I miss .
ReplyDeleteI don’t think she minds really. I have 12 maybe more shelves bulging or books. I keep going back to Kath Kelly’s book on how she lived on a pound a day. I wonder what she is doing now. Also not buying it is a great one. But try that with 6 kiddos !! Love and hugs Allie jane
A 'book off' what an usual, but nice, name. It's like a stand off with books, but everyone wins. 😄
DeleteIt's strange that you mention Kath Kelly's book because I almost re-read that last month, now I'm tempted again. It's a good re-read to keep a frugal mind on track isn't it. 🙂