two years ago today

She was 6 days old and I had to leave her in the hospital all alone. It's hard to remember but I never want to forget.

eight and counting...

Number eight is Leonardo's Swans by Karen Essex. I have a decided preference for historical fiction, especially historical fiction that involves art and artists. Tracey Chevalier and Susan Vreeland are two of my favourite authors, probably because of this. I am immediately attracted to any cover that displays an actual work of art. Leonardo's Swans depicts events surrounding Ludovico Sforza's attempts to wrest the Duchy of Milan for himself from his ward from the point of view of his sister-in-law. The writing is good, and I can't speak for the research but it seemed thorough. My only issue was that there were several points in the book where I had to stop reading in order to do my own research to keep the personages straight and place them in context. The short biographies provided at the end of the book were insufficient. I will recommend this book, but only if you have google access.

#7

OK, so when I started this i had two rules for myself - first that I cold only include books I had not read before. I am very loyal to books I love and will read them over and over and over again. Second, that I had to include all the books I read. I love a cheesy romance, and while not ashamed, I do tend to keep my favourites in the one bookshelf I have that has doors. The Bride of Black Douglas is not a book I would keep with my favourites but it killed a couple of hours quite enjoyably.

# 6

6. Imperium by Robert Harris. I really liked this book. It is told from a slave's point of view and really captures the intrigues and maneouvering of Roman Republic politics. I found it especially interesting considering the political upheavals both we and our neighbours to the south have undergone in the last 6 months. I am hopeful that a sequel is in the works as this book ends with Cicero's election as consul in 64 BCE. I think there is a lot of literary potential in the later battles fought between Cicero and Marcus Antonius.

52 in 52

So I recently signed up to Ravelry.com which is a knitting themed social networking site. I was turned onto the site by a friend who is also not working at the moment and a much MUCH better knitter than me.

I was browsing their groups and there was one with a challenge to read 52 books in 52 weeks. Now if you know me at all, you know that this is a very easy challenge as I like to average 2 books per week. However, I have decided that I can only count books I have never read before.

So since the 1st of January I have finished reading:

1. Roma* by Steven Saylor.
I really liked this book. It follows two families from the founding of Rome through to the beginning of the Empire. Epic, well researched and well written.

2. New Moon by Stephanie Meyer
If you like teenage vampire novels you've probably already read New Moon, it's prequel and sequels. I will say nothing more. Probably only good if you're a girl.

3. Agnes and the Hitman by Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer **
Screwball, ridiculous modern romance with baking, a wedding, the mob and the CIA. Probably only good if you're a girl.

4. Fire and Ice by Julie Garwood
Forgettable way to spend a couple of mindless hours. Probably only good if you're a girl.

5. Vintage Furniture by Fay Sweet
I had to buy this because it has a picture of my beloved Nelson Marshmallow Sofa on the back cover. The book is really interesting, well illustrated and inspiring enough to make my husband nervous.

currently in progress:
Vintage Shoes by Caroline Cox (again, making my husband nervous)

Imperium by Robert Harris (I am really enjoying this book but worry it is making me sympathetic to Cicero.)

* I am including this book but I think I started reading it before January 1 2009 but since it is only the 13th of the month I don't think it will skew my 1 book per week goal too much.

** Audiobook