The Magic Cottage by James Herbert

Author: James Herbert
ISBN: 0-330-37625-x
Genre: Fiction/Horror
Pages: 394
Format: Paperback
Publisher: PAN

"We thought we'd found our haven, a cottage deep in the heart of the forest. Charming, maybe a little run down, but so peaceful. That was the first part of the Magic. Midge's painting and my music soared to new heights of creativity. That was another part of the Magic. Our love for each other - well, that became the supreme Magic. But the cottage had an alternative side - The Bad Magic." "What happened to us there was horrendous beyond belief. The healings, the crazy sect who wanted our home for themselves, the hideous creatures that crawled from the nether regions, and the bats - oh God, the bats! Even now those terrible things seem impossible to me. Yet they happened..."

This is the second time I've read this book, having read it for the first time years ago. I had forgotten the story so reading it again, was really enjoyable. Although James Herbert is not my most favourite author I really do like some of his books. Reading his books are a little like reading Stephen King's books, I have to be in the 'mood' for it. Otherwise, I'll soon get bored.

Anyway, it took half of this book to get through for anything to really happen, the first half is learning about Midge and Mike, and them moving to the cottage and some of the strange things that begin to happen. Midge is getting over her parents deaths and they both move out into the Cottage. Things happen that they can't explain, and the cottage seems to have a life of it's own. Not too far is a group of people, who are part of a sect. Things seem OK at first, but Mike is suspicious, and as Midge begins to become more friendly with them, the sect begin to get in between them both. There is more to this story but, if I carry on I'll be telling you the whole story!!!

This book is pretty spooky, I was especially spooked when Mike's friend 'Bob' comes to stay with his girlfriend Kiwi. They're awoken to Bob's screams as he sees something 'unnatural' in the cottage, and swears never to return again.

Overall, this is a good spooky ghost book. Which will have you shouting down at the characters, saying No! Wake Up! RUN! I loved the way Mike was described, and the whole relationship he had with Midge. It was sexy in places and had me laughing and smiling a long with them.
I loved how the Cottage was described, it made me want to move in there.

If you're a James Herbert fan, you'll love this book. If you haven't read this book, give it a go. You may find you'll love it.

Peter Bjorn And John - Writers Block

Format: Muisc CD
Artist: Peter Bjorn And John

1. Writer's Block

2. Objects Of My Affection

3. Young Folks - Peter Bjorn And John/Victoria Bergsman

4. Amsterdam

5. Start To Melt

6. Up Against The Wall

7. Paris 2004

8. Let's Call It Off

9. Chills

10. Roll The Credits

11. Poor Cow

This is an album I bought a month or so ago. I absolutely 'love' this album.
I first heard about them on the music channels, where their recently released single 'Young Folks' was played. I love this catchy song, so bought the album, never having heard anything else by this group or even knowing they existed before.
There's only a couple of songs on the album I skip past, the rest are really good in my opinion.
My favorite songs on the album are; Young Folks, Objects Of My Affection, Amsterdam, Let's call It Off.

It's very different from what's out atm, and catchy.

Will Young - Keep On.

Format: Music CD
Artist: Will Young

1. Keep On

2. Switch It On

3. All Time Love

4. Ain't Such A Bad Place To Be

5. Think It Over

6. Who Am I

7. Happiness

8. Save Yourself

9. Madness

10. All I Want

11. Think About It

12. Home

I got this album just the other day while shopping at my local Sainsbury's. It was a smashing price at just £4! I love Will Young's music and supported him throughout 'Pop Idol'.
I had just never got around to buying this album (it came out in 2005), and when I saw it while shopping I snatched it thinking it was such a bargain!

I've listened to the album, and I love two of the songs he released 'All Time Love & Who Am I'. (in my opinion are by far the best songs on the album)
I also like 'Save Yourself & Home' the other songs are growing on me.....

All in all, not a bad album. Some songs are good while some others I don't like. At the moment, I prefer Will's 2nd album - 'Fridays Child, and in my opinion it is by far the best album so far.

Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom

Author: Mitch Albom
ISBN: 978-0-7515-2981-4
Genre: Non Fiction/Biography
Pages: 210
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Sphere

"Maybe it was a grandparent, or a teacher or a colleague. Someone older, patient and wise, who understood you when you were young and searching, and gave you sound advice to help you make your way through it. For Mitch Albom, that person was Morrie Schwartz, his college professor from nearly 20 years ago. Maybe, like Mitch, you lost track of this mentor as you made your way, and the insights faded. Wouldn't you like to see that person again, ask the bigger questions that still haunt you? Mitch Albom had that second chance. He rediscovered Morrie in the last months of the older man's life. Knowing he was dying of ALS - or motor neurone disease - Morrie visited Mitch in his study every Tuesday, just as they used to back in college. Their rekindled relationship turned into one final "class": lessons in how to live. This is a chronicle of their time together, through which Mitch shares Morrie's lasting gift with the world."

I wanted to read this book after reading both The Five People You Meet In Heaven, and For One More Day by the same author. Both books I loved, and so I was hoping I would enjoy this one too.

I don't really read Biographies, so I wasn't sure what to expect. Any how, as I was reading this book I had to keep reminding myself that this is a 'true' story, and that it wasn't based on fiction.
The reason for this; I found Morrie to be so lovable. Even now, I find it hard to believe it's true.
I really enjoyed every page of this book and found myself drawn to it. It made me think about certain things going on in my life, and all this comes from a man who near the end of his life, wanted to share his wisdom and love with the world. I easily found myself drawn into the book, and could picture and visualize places and scenery, and the people with how they had been described and written. I can also tell you, I cried and cried at the end of this book, it was so very sad. You're gonna need your tissues!

This a true story of how a Mitch Albom lost contact with his uni professor, his most favourite teacher. Who he had promised to stay in touch with, after he graduated. Life moved on and the years passed, until one day Mitch heard Morrie's name announced on TV. He then gets in contact with his dying teacher and their lessons with each other begin again, until the end.

I highly recommend this book to everyone. It's such an easy book to read, and I know there's a few people who'll finish it in a day. I'm so pleased I read it, and I will certainly be looking out for more books by Mitch Albom.

You Make My Day

I was given this award from Rhinoa from Rhinoa's Ramblings and Clare from Confessions of a Book Addict.
Thank you both, I didn't expect to receive these, and it is so nice to be tagged in meme's and especially to be awarded an award, as it shows you have friends out there. :)

Ok so now, I have to give this award to 10 people. I have thought about this hard.


The first award goes to my Dad, who past away on Dec 1st last year. I know he's passed and I am not sure it counts? But, we had had a rocky relationship and due to personal reasons, I didn't get to say goodbye. It has made me do a lot of soul searching and made me think about my life and decisions I made. Since his passing, I have felt him with with me, sending out his love. I've had dreams of him, and just sense his presence. So I want to say to him in this award. 'Dad, I always did love you, and there was never a day when I wasn't thinking of you. If I could turn back time, I would, but I know this has been a lesson we both had to experience. I've learnt loads from it, and you were and always will remain very special in my heart. I know we had troubles from both sides, but you really were the best Dad I could have ever had. I know we will meet again, and until then I want to say, I love you and thoughts of you make my day.'

The rest of the awards goes to members of the blogging community....

The Second award has to go to my Sis Jess, she does have a blogger account. It was Jess, who got me into reading years ago, she used to lend me books, and I remember reading The Magic Cottage by James Herbert, and a novel called Dirty Weekend, but I can't remember who it was by now? I loved those books. Not just that, Jess is the best sis in the world, she has been there for me through thick and thin, it was her and her hubby who helped me to get my garden into shape, and she has been there through all my troubles and strife, and when I have been feeling down. She's there to pick me up again. She makes sure I view things from an earthly perspective, making sure I'm not always 'away with the faeries'. Jess is quite independent and she inspires me to take driving lessons etc. We have been very close sisters from the very beginning, and I love her to bits.

The Third award goes to my Mum, who also has a couple of blogger accounts. Her passion for researching our family history inspires me. She also has a passion for researching The Tudors, and I love this too. One thing I love about my mum, is she is so understanding, and loving. She's had a bit of a hard life, but has come through it. She does make me laugh through her funny ways, mainly her forgetfulness. I won't mention the bins hehehe, she knows what I mean ;)
She's always there to chat to if I need her, and I love her to bits.

The Fourth award goes to Clare, she has been my closet online pal, and one person who I admire a lot. We have a lot in common, and she has also been there for me through some tough times. She has never judged me, whereas, in the past some other 'ex' online pals have, she has stuck with me through thick and thin. Clare is a genuine person, and one of the very best. She has introduced me to some great authors, and although we don't like 'all' the same books we've both read, we always respect each others opinion. Her love for The Tudors, the Trees, the Forests and especially the Moon inspires me. She's very independent which inspires me, and she makes me laugh many times with tales of her work. She is always there for me and is very thoughtful, and caring. She is someone I would like to meet one day in the future, when the time is right. I'm sure spirit will have us bumping into each other one day.

The Fifth award goes to Rhinoa, I like reading her blog, as not only does she cover books, she covers movies and everything else that goes on in her life. I love looking at her photo's. Rhinoa is someone I have known for a long time, I first met her on her site The Cult Following a few years ago. I always find what she has to say interesting. I am amazed at how she is able to keep up with all the challenges she does, and she inspires me to read more!

The Sixth award goes to, Daphne, I love reading her blog because of the books she reads. She has a passion for Historical fiction and I also love the Mosaics she does on her blog too. I find them so interesting and fun to look at.

The Seventh award goes to, Aarti, I like to read her blog because she reviews books I have never heard of before. So I am discovering even more authors. Also, she made my day when I had tagged her for a meme, and she said she had never been tagged before. This made me feel good inside, like I had done a good deed, because I knew I had made Aarti smile and made her happy.

The Eighth award goes to, Tylluan Pendry, I find Tylluan fascinating. She's a very wise lady and is a pagan, and has strong beliefs in them. She has currently finished writing her own book about walking the green path (which I will be purchasing). I can't wait for it to be released. She has taught me loads, and although I don't always understand everything she talks about, I know she is a lady with so much knowledge. She also makes me laugh, with some funny things she says. I really respect her.

The Ninth award goes to, Nymeth,
I like her blog, and often have a peek from time to time. One thing I really like about her blog is her reviews are very detailed. We have read some of the same books, and I do look forward to reading her reviews. I also love the colour of her blog, it is so calming.

The Tenth Award goes to, anyone else who has a blog, who comes to read my blog. This award is a 'Thank you' for taking the time to come here and read. I'm sorry I haven't mentioned everyone. There were more people I could have mentioned, but the list is for only 10.

Book Meme 123

I was tagged by Aarti from Booklust to do this meme. :)

The rules of this particular meme are:
1. Pick up the nearest book (of at least 123 pages)
2. Open the book to page 123
3. Find the fifth sentence
4. Post the next three sentences
5. Tag five people

OK, I just reached for the nearest book to me, which is, The History of Love by Nicole Krauss (happens to be one of my all time favourites!)

Don't be an idiot I told myself. And yet. I grabbed my coat.

Very short eh? From my understanding a sentence ends with a full stop, so I must have done this right?! LOL.


And now, five blogs to tag!

Confessions of a Book Addict
Breaking Fourth
Rhinoa's Ramblings
Bookaholic
Its All About Books

I Can Make You Thin by Paul McKenna

Author: Paul McKenna
ISBN: 0-593-05054-1
Genre: Self help
Pages: 141
Format: Paperback & CD
Publisher: Bantam Press


" Do you want to lose weight easily? Would you like to feel really happy with your body? Are you unable to lose those last 10 pounds? Are you a late night snacker? Do you find it hard to say no to second helpings? Do you get disheartened about your eating habits and your weight? Yes? Well, Paul McKenna has written the book for you. "I Can Make You Thin" will change your attitude to food for ever."


This is the second time I have read this book, and the first time was back in 2004, where after reading it and following it's four simple rules I lost over a stone in weight in just five weeks. I had given my copy to a friend over seas who wanted to read the book. Anyway, I borrowed my sisters copy last night and finished it this afternoon. My enthusiasm is back for it again.

Over the last year, I had begun to emotional eat again, I put it down to having a hard time last year. Anyway, I have put on a few pounds although, I'm still slim, I mainly want to stop emotional eating so this is why I have re-read this book. I've been eating to make myself feel better but its actually been making me feel worse.

Anyway enough of that, this book in my eyes is a gods send. It isn't a diet, it is a healthy eating system. It does work, if you want to really give it a try. It's more to do with changing the way you think about food, and teaches you to love your body. It's filled with some good exercises to help boost your self esteem. The best thing about this book is, you can eat what you like, there are no forbidden foods, unlike diets where they tell you what you can and cannot eat. You can loose weight with it and you can change how you view yourself and your relationship with food. All you have to do is

1. Eat when you're hungry. (yes when your hungry, not emotionally hungry lol)
2. Eat what you want. (yes anything from cakes to your favourite foods)
3. Eat consciously and enjoy every mouthful. (meaning slowly and pay attention, no woofing it down!)
4. Stop when you are full. (as soon as you think you are full STOP)

That's it, and it does work. My hubby did it too, and lost 5 stone in 6 months.
If you want to try it, you really need to read the book though, as it comes with a CD to help to boost your self esteem.