(no subject)
Have had a very quiet couple of days. Watched some movies and television, finished a couple books. It's just nice not having to go to work. It's the only "vacation" i take where i'm not actually going anywhere or doing anything specific. My nephew gave me an iPod dock/speaker/clock and I got that all hooked up and working and it sounds great. I'm going to leave it in the living room so i can use it as a mini-stereo rather than as an alarm clock in the bedroom. Graham and I will see in the new year online on webcam tonight as we usually do.
Last book post of the year to finish off the 2012 books below the cut
103. The Physician - Noah Gordon
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/469859115
Really liked it. Takes place in the 11th century in England and in Persia. A young boy is brought up by a barber/surgeon and learns the trade. He decides he wants to be a proper physician but must pass as Jewish in order to gain entrance to the best medical university which is in the Muslim east. The book is long but really well written. You really get a good feel for the time period and the various cultures. It's the first of a trilogy, the second being about one of this doctor's descendants, taking place in the 19th century.
104. A Trail of Fire - Diana Gabaldon
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/469864304
Four novellas about Outlander characters, but not about Jamie and Claire. Two are Lord John Grey tales, one is about Roger MacKenzie's parents and one is about Jamie Fraser's nephew Michael Murray and his step daughter Joan McKimmie, Marsali's sister who goes to Paris to be a nun. All quite good, though I think the one about Roger's parents was my favourite.
105. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel - Deborah Moggach
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/477858930
I saw the movie first and then read the book. It's not bad but not really very similar to the movie's characters and I think i preferred the movie, to be honest, as far as the characters and their stories go.
106. A Breath of Snow and Ashes - Diana Gabaldon
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/246484636
Book 6 in the series, I'm rereading it in anticipation of Book 8 due out in 2013. This takes place in the few years just leading up to the start of the American Revolution war where Jamie has to tread the fine line between appearing to be Loyal to the crown and sympathising with the Revolutionaries. Lots of bad things happen to Claire. We get to hear more about what happened to Ian while he was with the Native tribe. There's a mystery afoot over a murder. We end with the story set to go the same way the first half of Voyager did, told in two timelines.
107. Jamaica Inn - Daphne duMaurier
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/480835245
Story of Mary Yellan who goes to live at Jamaica Inn with her aunt after her mother dies. Her uncle is a brutish smuggler and has cowed her aunt and taken all the vivacity out of her. Mary gets caught up in the danger and also falls in love with her uncle's younger brother. pretty well written and fast paced.
108. A Different Witch - Debora Geary
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/484625710
Another book about the Witch Central gang, by my other favourite author. Excellent books, always upbeat and positive.
Last book post of the year to finish off the 2012 books below the cut
103. The Physician - Noah Gordon
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/469859115
Really liked it. Takes place in the 11th century in England and in Persia. A young boy is brought up by a barber/surgeon and learns the trade. He decides he wants to be a proper physician but must pass as Jewish in order to gain entrance to the best medical university which is in the Muslim east. The book is long but really well written. You really get a good feel for the time period and the various cultures. It's the first of a trilogy, the second being about one of this doctor's descendants, taking place in the 19th century.
104. A Trail of Fire - Diana Gabaldon
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/469864304
Four novellas about Outlander characters, but not about Jamie and Claire. Two are Lord John Grey tales, one is about Roger MacKenzie's parents and one is about Jamie Fraser's nephew Michael Murray and his step daughter Joan McKimmie, Marsali's sister who goes to Paris to be a nun. All quite good, though I think the one about Roger's parents was my favourite.
105. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel - Deborah Moggach
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/477858930
I saw the movie first and then read the book. It's not bad but not really very similar to the movie's characters and I think i preferred the movie, to be honest, as far as the characters and their stories go.
106. A Breath of Snow and Ashes - Diana Gabaldon
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/246484636
Book 6 in the series, I'm rereading it in anticipation of Book 8 due out in 2013. This takes place in the few years just leading up to the start of the American Revolution war where Jamie has to tread the fine line between appearing to be Loyal to the crown and sympathising with the Revolutionaries. Lots of bad things happen to Claire. We get to hear more about what happened to Ian while he was with the Native tribe. There's a mystery afoot over a murder. We end with the story set to go the same way the first half of Voyager did, told in two timelines.
107. Jamaica Inn - Daphne duMaurier
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/480835245
Story of Mary Yellan who goes to live at Jamaica Inn with her aunt after her mother dies. Her uncle is a brutish smuggler and has cowed her aunt and taken all the vivacity out of her. Mary gets caught up in the danger and also falls in love with her uncle's younger brother. pretty well written and fast paced.
108. A Different Witch - Debora Geary
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/484625710
Another book about the Witch Central gang, by my other favourite author. Excellent books, always upbeat and positive.