The Librarian

October went by without me finding a book that I felt deserved the mantle of being a bookchat book :(. But happily I found just the one for November. It is a darling little book that I came across at a library that I don't usually visit. I'm so glad I did. It is called The Knitter's Home Companion - a heartwarming collection of stories, patterns, and recipes by Michelle Edwards. ` Published byMelanie Falick books Everything about this book appealed to me: the size (little), the illustrations, the inclusions of patterns, the book recommendations, recipes, and the writing. The writing (a collection of essays primarily about knitting, but encompassing the full richness of life: of mothering, being part of a community, and of humanity at large) is just beautiful. After enjoying the book so much I just had to google the author, and seek out more of her work to read. What I came across on her  website , and the browsing that followed, reminded me just how steeped in...

I think I may have been avoiding you, lovely blogspace, because I haven't had any books to share for book chat! But, I did happen upon a book at the bookstore the other day that had me thinking (not reading, see below): Colin Firth's biography. I had such mixed feelings as I stood admiring the handsome cover (yes, maybe I stood admiring it just a little too long, to be honest with you). There is something that feels altogether wrong about a) reading about Mr Darcy's 'real' life - it could be sordid, you know b) reading about Mr Darcy's 'real' life - bursting the bubble just one little bit could spell the end of my pick-me-up BBC P&P ritual, and now that would be perfectly devastating. this sweet image entitled 'wet firth' is taken from www.telegraphy.co.uk Sorry, I could only find the cover image in tinsy tiny. Colin Firth The Biography by Alison Maloney I'd be ok to hear reports though, so if you happen to have read it, ...

I love NZ Life & Leisure. I don't always buy it, but every time I do I am inspired; by the photography, the stories and by the people. I was drawn to the cover of this month's issue because the colours were just so delicious. It took me a while to realise that the pretty girl on the cover, with a very cute little home, was actually a sweet friend of mine. I don't know if you have caught World Kitchen on TV3 (it has just finished it's fourth season but season four episodes can be viewed here ). Nici is one of those people who is just super-inspiring, and after reading the feature article on her in NZ Life & Leisure I was reminded all over again of her infectious positivity and upbeat take on life. I felt so buoyed to get out there and do what I love, just as she has. Thanks Nici!

Thanks again for all your lovely comments, and if you haven't yet entered the very exciting giveaway please do so!! (see all the details below) Today I stole a moment to take a look inside Rachel Ashwell's new book Shabby Chic Inspirations , and as always with her, this book full to the brim with beauty.  If you haven't yet happened upon her blog, I recommend that you take a peek here

Oh, thank you lovely followers! You make me so happy. All those sweet comments on Rosa's beautiful header, all the excitement about the fabulous Frank and Dean giveaway, and all the book recommendations!!! This little library girl is dancing a happiness jig. Still time to enter - see the details here And while we wait for the date to arrive when the giveaway prize winner is announced, I must tell you about the latest book on my 'must view now' list. Published by Random House You will know by now that I adore cookbooks. At the publishers' roadshow I went to a few weeks ago at  Havelock North Library (a place very dear to my heart!), there was much talk about this new cookbook. Jo Seagar's books are so beautifully put together that they are practically edible in themselves! Add Italy to the mix and this book is bound to be something spectacular. I just can't wait to get my hands on it.

If you ever hear of a Publishers' Roadshow near you, then my advice is to get to it by any means possible. Publishers' Roadshows are fab. Not only is there wine and usually a nice platter or two of chilly philly, but there is the thrill of hearing about all the new books that are coming out, way before they are on book shop shelves, (infact, way before their jacket pictures have come out on the internet...hence this post being a bit short on images), and there is something rather exciting about that, don't you think? So, since I suspect that sadly none of you made it to the Publishers' Roadshow that I went to the other night, consider me the informer. Here are the books I will be hunting down: Firstly, some non fiction goodness in time for Christmas - it's all cook books and station life:      Italia by Jo Seagar      Stoked by Al Brown      Otiwhiti Station by the Duncan family      Castlepoint -...

Every quite often it seems a New Zealand author writes a book that I love so much that I can't stop talking about it. In the last few years there was Let Me Sing You Gentle Songs, then Mr Pip , and this time it is..... The Conductor by Sarah Quigley. The Conductor by Sarah Quigley It's cold, it's spare and it's very stark, but Sarah Quigley has created something powerfully beautiful in this book that follows the story of the composition and first performance of Shostakovich's 7th symphony amidst the seige on Leningrad by the Nazi's in 1941. Based around the story of Shostakovich’s single-minded endeavour to write his 7 th Symphony, and see it performed, the book shows the lengths that an artist will go to to express himself. While most people are fleeing the city, and others starving and dying, Shostakovich determinedly writes his piece of music, and it falls upon conductor Karl Eliasberg to rise above his own starvation and grief to bring toget...