Books etc march 2016
Dear me - I have managed a meagre 2 books this month (for pleasure - although I have read a lot of journal articles and policy documents on risk and recovery in mental health).
Home For The Holidays - Winifred Peck (nee Knox). A memoir about holidays in which she recollects childhood holidays with her illustrious family in late Victorian times together with more recent holidays with her own children. I have often been struck (and was while reading this) by the enormous difference bicycles made to people's lives by literally widening their horizons. Enjoyable enough.
The Button Box - Lynn Knight. I absolutely loved this book, which everybody seems to be reading at the moment possibly because it has been v cheap on Amazon (yes, I know, but sometimes I cannot get to a real bookshop). A rummage in my grandmother's button box was always a treat and Knight uses the buttons in her grandma's Quality Street tin to explore women's lives and in particular their clothes over the last 100 or so years. Highly recommended - it is a book I want to give to lots of people.
Culturally I managed one exhibition but it was excellent. It was Modern Scottish Women Painters and Sculptors 1885-1965 at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. I was particularly taken with the work of Dorothy Johnstone and especially this painting. This lady reminded me of Joey of the Chalet School with her fringe and earphones. There is also a small associated exhibition of Scottish women illustrators and some rather nice surrealism so it made a good afternoon out. It's on until late June and I hope I'll manage another visit.
My TV viewing has petered out a bit with most of my Scandi drama coming to an end. I am quite liking Thicker Than Water and am persevering with Grantchester which should tick my TV boxes but somehow doesn't quite cut it.
The Leftovers Cowl is coming on slowly and I have rashly embarked on The Splendid Sampler despite my sewing machine phobia and ignorance of patchwork. It is a little bit addictive. Photos may follow.
Home For The Holidays - Winifred Peck (nee Knox). A memoir about holidays in which she recollects childhood holidays with her illustrious family in late Victorian times together with more recent holidays with her own children. I have often been struck (and was while reading this) by the enormous difference bicycles made to people's lives by literally widening their horizons. Enjoyable enough.
The Button Box - Lynn Knight. I absolutely loved this book, which everybody seems to be reading at the moment possibly because it has been v cheap on Amazon (yes, I know, but sometimes I cannot get to a real bookshop). A rummage in my grandmother's button box was always a treat and Knight uses the buttons in her grandma's Quality Street tin to explore women's lives and in particular their clothes over the last 100 or so years. Highly recommended - it is a book I want to give to lots of people.
Culturally I managed one exhibition but it was excellent. It was Modern Scottish Women Painters and Sculptors 1885-1965 at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. I was particularly taken with the work of Dorothy Johnstone and especially this painting. This lady reminded me of Joey of the Chalet School with her fringe and earphones. There is also a small associated exhibition of Scottish women illustrators and some rather nice surrealism so it made a good afternoon out. It's on until late June and I hope I'll manage another visit.
My TV viewing has petered out a bit with most of my Scandi drama coming to an end. I am quite liking Thicker Than Water and am persevering with Grantchester which should tick my TV boxes but somehow doesn't quite cut it.
The Leftovers Cowl is coming on slowly and I have rashly embarked on The Splendid Sampler despite my sewing machine phobia and ignorance of patchwork. It is a little bit addictive. Photos may follow.