#theyearinbooks January/February

I saw Kelly over at a Place of My Own tweet a link to her first #theyearinbooks post and thought it was a great idea. 

Its the idea of Circle of Pines and the plan is to blog about the book we are going to read that month and then a little on what we have read the previous month. 

As its February tomorrow I thought I would put January and February together and then I would be up to date!  

I only read one book this month it was the Engagements by J. Courtney Sullivan. and you can read my review here. 

I love the idea of planning what I am going to read. I used to read so much and really want to find time to read more.

I am going to read one kindle book and one 'real' book in Bursary (well try to). I have a big backlog of both to read.

Kindle: How to Fall in Love by Celia Ahern

Paperback: Deja Dead by Kathy Reichs

(I bought the first 10 books in the Bones series from the book people for £6.49)

I'll be back in March to tell you have I did and what I am reading next.

Our Sunday Birthday Tradition

When BG was born we started a tradition where we would celebrate her birthday with the family the Sunday after her birthday. My family are not local so it's the best day for us to get together plus OH mainly has a Sunday off work.

We roast a chicken, make wedges , bake bread and cake. Both sides of the family come together.

Today we had the first Sunday Birthday for Little Miss.

Birthday Brownie

We ate, drank gallons of tea, talked and the children played. It was utter bliss and I am glad we do this every year. Its so nice and chilled out and I get to spend time with my family which doesn't happen very often.

I hope that this tradition never ends. I rather our Sunday Birthdays than a big party.

Do you have a birthday tradition?

My Review for The Engagements Blog Tour

The Engagements was released last year in hardback and has just published in paperback.  It is written by J. Courtney Sullivan.

Courtney Sullivan published her first book at the age of 25, was assistant editor of Allure magazine before becoming a staff writer at The New York Times and now writes novels full time and writes freelance for the New York Times Book Review, New York magazine, Elle, Glamour, Allure and the New York Observer, among others. Courtney is the New York Times bestselling author of Maine and Commencement.

The Blurb:

Moving from a Harvard swim-meet in 1927 to the three-martini lunches of 1940s advertising, from the back streets of 1980s Boston to an exquisite Parisian music shop in 2003, The Engagements is a novel about love, marriage, commitment and betrayal; it is as sharp,  as fiery and as beautiful as the stone we have taken to represent our dreams.

What I Thought:

The story starts off by introducing you to Mary Frances Gerety, a young copywriter in an eminent advertising agency. She has to convince the world every woman needs a diamond engagement ring and that she is just as good at her job as any man.

We then jump to a different couple which to be honest really confused me to start with but then as I read on and we were introduced to different relationships at different times in history it then becomes clear that they are interlinked.

It’s a really interesting book and you want to keep ready to find out what happens with each relationship.  

I would say it’s the perfect holiday read.  

Don’t forget to check the other tour posts out. 

Slightly Addicted to Scarves

I have found in my short time of crocheting that I am slightly addicted to making scarves. It started with my daughters and OH's scarves I made.

Then I made some for my nieces and nephew.

Then there was my uber long chunky scarf

I then decided to make one for my sisters birthday. I found a lovely pattern on Fiber Flux for an Arugula Scarf. I made using the most scrummy yarn from Sublime. However once I finished it I thought that looks a bit thin and I realised I have missed two rows off!!

I did really like the way it looked so made more!

I wanted a thicker one for my sister so followed the pattern correctly this time but it still wasn't quite right so I added another row and it was perfect.

Since then I have made even more scarves though I forgot to take pictures of all of them. 

Here are a few I have made.

I am now weaning myself off scarves and have started a new blanket. Its going to be made up of granny squares. 

Here's a sneak peek.

What are you addicted to making?

Blog Tour: The Engagements by J Courtney

As I briefly mentioned yesterday I am reading The Engagements by J Courtney which I shall be reviewing on the 22nd of January as part of the blog tour.

The blog tour starts on the 13th January over at The Bookbag and continues throughout the month. There will be reviews and interviews with J Courtney so I hope you will check some of then posts out.

You can see the complete list of blogs below and come on the 22nd for my review.

Easing Into January

December was a really long month for us. We had a lovely Christmas day but either side of it we were mostly ill and it has really taken its toll on me. We are bug free but I am still quite tired and fragile so January has had a slow start.

I have eased myself into the New Year by:

Eating scrummy food. Not diets or deprivation here. 

Having last minute treats before school starts.

Yarn buying.

Starting & finishing Crochet projects. I finally made myself a scarf after crocheting Christmas gifts (I will blog about them soon) and have started on a new Granny Square blanket.

Reading.

I shall be reviewing the book soon and come back tomorrow for news of a book blog tour.

I have cleared by inbox, unsubscribed from so many newsletters and lists and have a to do list ready for next week.

I think I am ready to conquer 2014!