The Smell of Ink/Lukten av Trykksverte

A few months ago I recieved an ARC of the novel Barnhill by Norman Bissell through Netgalley. I read it shortly afterwards and today I'll post my review. Description from Goodreads George Orwell left post-war London for Barnhill, a remote farmhouse on the Isle of Jura, to write what became Nineteen Eighty-Four. He was driven by a passionate desire to undermine the enemies of democracy and make plain the dangers of dictatorship, surveillance, doublethink and censorship. Typing away in his damp bedroom overlooking the garden he created and the sea beyond, he invented Big Brother, Thought Police, Newspeak and Room 101 – and created a masterpiece. Barnhill tells the dramatic story of this crucial period of Orwell's life. Deeply researched, it reveals the private man behind the celebrated public figure – his turbulent love life, his devotion to his baby son and his declining health as he struggled to deliver his dystopian warning to the world. " He sometimes though...

Earlier this year I was fortunate enough to recieve an ARC of the historical novel The Woman in the White Kimono by Ana Johns through Netgalley. I read it shortly afterwards and today I'll post my review. Description from Goodreads Japan, 1957. Seventeen-year-old Naoko Nakamura’s prearranged marriage secures her family’s status in their traditional Japanese community. However, Naoko has fallen for an American sailor and to marry him would bring great shame upon her entire family. When it’s learned Naoko carries the sailor’s child, she’s cast out in disgrace and forced to make unimaginable choices with consequences that will ripple across generations. America, present day. Tori Kovač, caring for her dying father, finds a letter containing a shocking revelation. Setting out to learn the truth, Tori’s journey leads her to a remote seaside village in Japan where she must confront the demons of the past to pave a way for redemption. Inspired by true stories, The Woman in the White ...

I came across The Autumn Book Tag over at  The Book Dutchesses  and I decided to play along as it looked like a fun tag. What is your favorite thing about Autumn? Apart from colder weather and the excuse to wear knitted items, I love the colours and the possibility of snuggling up inside with a blanket, a cup of hot chocolate and a good book. I can admit that autumn is my favourite season of them all, so I do love "everything autumn" really. What book reminds you of your school days? Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J. K. Rowling What cover reminds you of Autumn? A cover that certainly reminds me of autumn is The Charm of Lost Chances by Lucia N. Davis What is your favorite horror or Halloween story? Dracula by Bram Stoker, what else? :-P What is your favorite horror or Halloween movie? I'm going to say two; Beetlejuice and The Addams Family Values. What autumn book release are you looking forward to? The Grave Digger ...

It's Friday and time for a new Book Blogger Hop post, courtesy of  Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer . The question of the wek was " Have you ever wished that there were official government bookish holidays, and that, by law, employers HAD to give their workers a paid day off? If so, what kind of bookish holiday would you like to have? ". Book Blogger Hop Having an official government bookish holiday sounds nice. I might be accused of dreaming small on this one, but it would be nice to have a bookish holiday in the autumn, were we could curl up under a blanket all day, while drinking coffee/tea/hot chocolate, eat sweet treats such as cookies and chocolate while reading books. Of course where would be the added bonus if it was pouring rain that day and one is fortunate enough to have a fourlegged buddy to keep us with company.

Earlier this year I was fortunate enough to recieve an ARC of the cosy mystery novel And Then They Were Doomed: A Little Library Mystery by Elizabeth Kane Buzzelli through Netgalley. I read it shortly afterwards and today I'll post my review. Description from Goodreads Zoe Zola is one of ten invitees to an Agatha Christie symposium. Tempers flare…and then there are nine. Can Jenny Weston save Zoe from murder on the Upper Peninsula? Little Person author Zoe Zola believes that one of the unluckiest things in life is to receive an invitation—in the form of a letter edged in black—to an Agatha Christie symposium at an old Upper Peninsula hunting lodge. Her reluctance dissipates when she learns that the organizer is named Emily Brent—the name of a character poisoned by cyanide in Christie’s And Then There Were None. As a dreary rain soaks the U.P., Zoe and nine other Christie scholars—each of whom bears a vague resemblance to one of the classic mystery novel’s characters—arrive at ...

Earlier this year I recieved an ARC of the book The Little Book of Forest Bathing: Discovering the Japanese Art of Self-Care by Andrews McMeel Publishing through Netgalley. I read it shortly afterwards and today I'll post my review. Description from Goodreads Discover the Japanese mindfulness practice of Shinrin-yoku—and the emotional, physical, and spiritual benefits of slowing down and taking in the natural world. What’s an easy way to lower your blood pressure, combat anxiety and depression, and boost your immune system? Shinrin-yoku. The Little Book of Forest Bathing is all about finding strength, peace, and beauty in your surroundings. Drawing on recent research, Forest Bathing maps out the mental, physical, and spiritual benefits of immersing yourself in natural surroundings. It then goes on to provide a how-to guide to forest bathing, with methods ranging from hiking to traditional meditation to literal tree hugging. Interspersed in these informational tidbits are brill...

I wanted to do a Top Five Tuesday today in addition to the Top Ten Tuesday. The topic of today in regards of the Top Five Tuesday, courtesy of  Bionic Book Worm , is top five autumn reading recommendations. Here's five suggestions from me. Crypt Suzette by Maya Corrigan The Legend of Decimus Croome: A CHalloween Carol by Kevin Purdy The Seventh Life of Aline Lloyd by Robert Davies The Death Chute by Amrbose Stolliker The Hocus Pocus Magic Shop by Abigail Drake

It's Tuesday and time for a new Top Ten Tuesday post, courtesy of  That Artsy Reader Girl . The topic of the week was easy enough, which was books on my autumn TBR. Here's my picks; Death by Café Mocha by Alex Erickson Molded 4 Murder by J. C. Eaton Vladimir's Diary by Martin M. McShane The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen by Ada Bright & Cass Grafton Earth: Giants, Golems and Gargoyles edited by Rhoda Parrish Cooper's Loot by Rick E. George Searching for Black Confederates by Kevin M. Levin Scent of Betrayal by Denise Carbo Blues in the Dark by Raymond Benson The Teacher at Donegal Bay by Anne Doughty

A while ago I read Dead Poets Society by N. H. Kleinbaum. Today I'll post the review. Description from Goodreads Todd Anderson and his friends at Welton Academy can hardly believe how different life is since their new English professor, the flamboyant John Keating, has challenged them to "make your lives extraordinary! " Inspired by Keating, the boys resurrect the Dead Poets Society--a secret club where, free from the constraints and expectations of school and parents, they let their passions run wild. As Keating turns the boys on to the great words of Byron, Shelley, and Keats, they discover not only the beauty of language, but the importance of making each moment count. But the Dead Poets pledges soon realize that their newfound freedom can have tragic consequences. Can the club and the individuality it inspires survive the pressure from authorities determined to destroy their dreams? My Thoughts On The Book It's obvious it's a movie-to-book novel as ...

Earlier this year I was fortunate enough to recieve an ARC of the non-fiction book Celtic Tree Rituals: Ceremonies for the Thirteen Moon Months and a Day by Sharlyn Hidalgo throught Netgalley. I read it shortly afterwards and today I'll post my review. Description from Goodreads Celebrate Celtic Symbolism, Mythology, and Magic throughout the Wheel of the Year Enjoy phenomenal healing and spiritual teachings from the trees with this powerful book of rituals. Sharlyn Hidalgo presents multi-faceted ceremonies for all thirteen moon months--and the final day of the Celtic year--from a practice she developed using the Celtic tree calendar and the Celtic tree ogham. These ceremonies will enhance your life, helping you build a deeper connection with nature and become a better steward of the planet. Celtic Tree Rituals leads you through each tree month, providing step-by-step instructions for the ritual, as well as group activities, song and dance suggestions, chants, and a guided ...

I came across the Finally Fall Book Tag over at  MeAsIShouldBeBooks  and I decided I wanted to do this tag as it looked like a lot of fun. The tag itself is originally made by  Brittany . Now, over to the questions. 1. In fall, the air is crisp and clear: name a book with a vivid setting! The Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy by Laini Taylor 2. Nature is beautiful… but also dying: name a book that is beautifully written, but also deals with a heavy topic like loss or grief. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness. 3. Fall is back to school season: share a non-fiction book that taught you something new. I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai. 4. In order to keep warm, it’s good to spend some time with the people we love: name a fictional family/household/friend-group that you’d like to be a part of. I would love to be part of the Weasley family. 5. The colourful leaves are piling up on the ground: show us a pile of fall-colored spines! 6. Fall is t...

It's Friday yet again, which means it's time for another Book Blogger Hop post, courtesy of  Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer . The question of the week was " How long does it usually take you to finish a book? ". Book Blogger Hop In my case, it all depends on the book. It could take me perhaps two hours finishing a 100 page novella, but close to a week, if not more, to finish a doorstopping 600+ pages Victorian novel by Charles Dickens.

I forbindelse med Non-Fiction Reading Challenge, endte jeg opp med å lese Hvis jeg forsvinner, ser du meg da? av Kristine Getz og i dag kommer omtalen. Beskrivelse fra forlaget Sommeren 2010 sto 27 år gamle Kristine Getz fram i et debattinnlegg i Aftenposten og fortalte om sine 10 år med spiseforstyrrelser: "Ti år med spiseforstyrrelser tilsvarer 3650 dager fylt av selvhat, selvsabotasje og skam." Vendepunktet kom da Kristine begynte å blogge. Ved å sette ord på sine innerste tanker og følelser, og ved å blottlegge seg, kunne egenterapien begynne. Kristine klarer å beskrive en spiseforstyrrelse slik at vi faktisk forstår hva denne ubegripelige sykdommen går ut på, og hva den gjør med en. Hun skriver gripende og nådeløst ærlig, og vi tror på henne når hun midt i håpløsheten forteller at hun vil bli frisk. Derfor er dette også en bok full av optimisme og livsvilje. Mine tanker om boka Det er en bok som alle burde lese, bare for å få et innblikk i hva spiseforstyrrels...

A few months ago I was fortunate enough to recieve an ARC of the updated version of the The Foxfire Book of Appalachian Cookery by T J Smith through Netgalley. I read it shortly afterwards and today I'll post my review. Description from Goodreads From springhouse to smokehouse, from hearth to garden, Southern Appalachian foodways are celebrated afresh in this newly revised edition of The Foxfire Book of Appalachian Cookery. First published in 1984--one of the wildly popular Foxfire books drawn from a wealth of material gathered by Foxfire students in Rabun Gap, Georgia--the volume combines hundreds of unpretentious, delectable recipes with the practical knowledge, wisdom, and riveting stories of those who have cooked this way for generations. A tremendous resource for all interested in the region's culinary culture, it is now reimagined with today's heightened interest in cultural-specific cooking and food-lovers culture in mind. This edition features new documentation...

It's Tuesday and time for another Top Ten Tuesday post, courtesy of  That Artsy Reader Girl . The theme of the week was favourite things to eat/drink while reading. My picks are; Tea Coffee Hot chocolate Red wine Mocca (the coffee with chocolate) Cinnamon buns Chocolate Cookies Muffins/cupcakes Macaroons

Earlier this year, I was fortunate enough to recieve an ARC of the non-fiction book The Book of Hedge Druidry: A Complete Guide for the Solitary Seeker by Joanna van der Hoeven through Netgalley. I read it shortly afterwards and today I'll post my review. Description from Goodreads Experience the Mystery and Magic of Contemporary Druidry The Book of Hedge Druidry is for those who feel called to explore a powerful earth-based spirituality rooted in Celtic lore. With hands-on practices as well as fascinating perspectives on what it means to be a Druid, this book walks you through the magic of the liminal realm and helps you fill your own cauldron of inspiration. Longtime Druid Joanna van der Hoeven guides you in creating an altar and crafting rituals based on the Wheel of the Year and important life passages. You will discover enchanting moon rites and ideas for daily practice as well as insights for working with herbs, spells, and the ogham alphabet. When you step onto the ...

Det er søndag igjen og på tide med en ny Smakebit på Søndag, som  Betraktninger  og  Flukten fra virkeligheten  har ansvaret for. I dag vil jeg dele en liten smakebit fra boka The Mint Julep Murders av Angie Fox, som er en bok innen cosy mystery sjangeren. Jeg vil ikke si så mye om boka, men den inneholder blant annet spøkelser, mord og et nedlagt og forfallent psykiatrisk sykehus. "Swirling gray clouds hung low in the sky as I wound my 1978 Cadillac up a narrow drive through a desolate forest of trees. My cell signal had cut out more than a half hour earlier, and the woods had only grown thicker and darker over the last several miles.  I tucked a wayward lock of hair behind my ear and managed to direct a confident smile toward my ghostly housemate and sort-of-friend, Frankie. "Good thing this isn't a dark and stormy night," I joked to the gangster, who sat stiffly in the seat next to me. "It's merely a cantankerous, mildly threatening afternoon....

It's time to combine several things I enjoy; spooky stuff, books and book tags. I came across The Spooky "Would You Rather" tag over at  Howling Libraries , but it was originally made by  The Book Pusher . Now, time to answer the questions. 1. Thriller or supernatural? Even though I enjoy both, I would have to say supernatural. 2. Ghosts or zombies? I love a good ghost story. 3. Vampires or werewolves? As Dracula is one of my all time favourite books, I have to say vampires. 4. Witches or demons? I love both, but a well written book about demons can be the scariest. 5. Would you rather read a book with 13 chapters, or a book with a black cat on the cover? I wouldn't mind either one, but as I'm a huge animal lover, I would probably fall for a book with a black cat on the cover. 6. Would you rather read a spooky book in the dark with only a candle for light, or by yourself in a locked brightly lit room? Spooky b...

It's Friday, which means it's time for a new Book Blogger Hop post, courtesy of  Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer . The question this week was " Have you ever read a library book you loved SO much, you just HAD to own it, so you bought a copy for yourself after returning the library book you had already finished? ". Book Blogger Hop It has happened several times, so many to the extent that I can't recall all the titles.

Earlier this year I recieved an ARC of the cosy mystery A Genuine Fix by J. C. Kenney through Netgalley. I read it shortly afterwards and today I'll post my review. Description from Netgalley Murder takes a page out of a killer’s playbook when literary agent Allie Cobb becomes her Indiana town’s number-one bestselling suspect … Running the family literary business while preparing for her best friend’s wedding, chairing a park planning committee, and getting her rescue cat to bond with her boyfriend’s golden retriever doesn’t leave Allie Cobb much time for crime-solving. But when the guy who stood her up the night of her high school senior prom is killed and dumped in a pile of mulch, Allie’s suddenly the prime suspect. It’s insulting enough that gambler, drunk, and all-around lowlife Georgie Alonso was found on the site of the memorial park honoring Allie’s deceased father. Now she’s fighting to clear her name and hold off a rush to judgment. But politics, decades-old secr...

It's Wednesday again and time for another Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge, courtesy of  Long and Short Reviews . The topic of the week was books I keep meaning tor read, but haven't. Here's a few of mine; Heartless by Marissa Meyer A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo The Cruel Prince by Holly Black Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

It's Tuesday and time for a new Top Five Tuesday post, courtesy of  Bionic Book Worm . The theme of the week is top five covers of 2019 and I must admit that I struggled a bit, as there was so many good ones. Anyway, here is five top covers from 2019 releases. Confessions of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell Murder at the British Museum by Jim Eldridge The Woman in the White Kimono by Ana Johns Murder by the Minster by Helen Cox The Hocus Pocus Magic Shop by Abigail Drake