i've been a little bit naughty*

(photo by Carlos Porto, found on flickr)

Books, books, and more books.  In case you hadn't noticed I really love books. I did a quick scan and realise that there have been 14 previous posts on books.  There have also been some photos supplying evidence of my book collections.  But there is no such thing as too many books. Well not in my world anyway, and, thankfully Mr Whizzme has nothing to say on this subject (which is quite amazing given how much he has to say on most other things!)  Anyway, today I discovered a like minded soul who likes to have several books on 'the go'.  Over the years I have been asked about this bigamous reading habit a lot.  I know many people prefer to read one book at a time, cover to cover, until beginning the next.  And, yes, sometimes I do too.  But generally, I like to have a selection next to the bed, so that no matter what mood takes me, I have a suitable book.  Don't get me wrong, this habit can have its down sides;  it can take a long time to finish a book,  sometimes I have to re-read bits because I've forgotten the gist of the story line between readings, and some books can sit on the bedside stack never being chosen, forgotten, neglected, buried beneath more recent purchases.  Our discussion of this phenomena led to confessions of the books we currently have waiting for their reading moment.  I thought this would make a interesting meme (and has probably been done before but I missed it).  So, in no particular order here is my list of current books that keep me company in bed.

• The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (about a third read, my favourite read this week)
• A Field Guide to Getting Lost by Rebecca Sonit (purchased after reading about it on Keri's blog, and have been randomly reading chapters)
• A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini (recently finished and kept because I still have book questions to answer)
• The Raw Shark Texts by Steven Hall (recent purchase - not yet started)
• The Dressmaker's Daughter (another recent purchase not yet started)
• The Art of Domesiticity by Jane Brocket (about 2/3 read, my second favourite read this week)
• Australian Story - off the record (also a recent purchase not yet read)
• The Meaning of the Night by Michael Cox (bought from the secondhand bookstore because it looked good, but haven't started it yet)
• The Bay by Di Morrissey (present from Mum at Christmas, but haven't looked at yet)
• The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame (a favourite of mine, and there in case I need a book to read to Miss Whizzme when she is sharing my bed if Mr Whizzme is out of town)
• A Vintage Ladybird Annual (same as above)
• The Passionate Shopper by Marion van Alderstein (a gift from Mr Whizzme that I love dipping into)
• Agatha Christie by Andy Easts (a vintage quiz book given to me by a friend who knows how much I love the queen of crime although the quizzes are quite hard!)
• On Friendship by Michel de Montaigne (a gift from the best friend - I just like looking at the cover)
• A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf (also a gift from the best friend, but have only read a few pages so far)
• Crochet Handmade Style (a little inspiration, and for when I'm too tired for words)
• It's in the details by Lucinda Ganderton (there for the same reason as the previous book)
• Book Lust by Nancy Pearl (in case I'm hunting for a particular book)
• So Many Books so Little Time by Sara Nelson (purchased a long time ago, keep meaning to read it one of those buried at the bottom of the pile books)
• Then there is the magazine pile which includes the lastest issue of Frankie, the last few issues of Dumbo Feather, some Marie Claires, an Australian Country Style, and an older issue of Home Companion.
  

Phew! No wonder my little reading light's batteries keep needing replacement!

Well, that's me, now I wonder what these people have on their bedside tables?

Stacey, Jodie, Martine

or feel free to play, but please let me know so I can check it out too.

*If you are Mr Whizzme don't read any further because it good cause you some distress.

I visited one of my favourite, very well stocked, book stores today and spent a while in absolute bliss finding new titles to add to my book list.  In fact, the sales assistant was feeding me so many 'have you seen this one' titles even I became a little overwhelmed. So, it probably would come as no surprise to learn that this visit unearthed two titles which have been burning holes in my book list for a while now.  They. Had. To. Be. Purchased.  I know you understand...

crafty japanese inspiration

continuing with the inspiration theme from my last post, I thought I would share my latest Japanese craft books. Superbuzzy had a sale recently, and after giving so much away recently I thought I was due a spend up - any excuse really :) So for your viewing pleasure here are my latest additions.

Cotton Paint Issue 12 : see more pictures and buy here

Cotton friend Spring 2007 : buy here



Cotton & Paint Volume 27: see more pictures and buy here


pochee fall 2006 : see more pictures and buy here


Cafe Summer 2007 : see more pictures and buy here

As you can see plenty more inspiration to fill my head. But if you don't have the money to spend on Japanese craft books at the moment, here are some places you can get some free patterns. Of course the text is in Japanese but the drawings are so easy to follow that it won't matter. Have fun.

naniIRO (thanks to Purl for this link)
kitty craft (I've been using this one for over a year now)

it's my birthday and I'll give away if I want to...

UPDATE: we are back, and had a lovely time but I have come back with a dreaded lurgy, so please bear with me while I convalesce - back soon.

Yes folks it is another year since I celebrated my fabulous birth - thanks Mum and Dad! So, far it has been a wonderful day, with breakfast and stories in bed provided by Miss L. R gave me two new books, The Passionate Shopper by Marion von Alderstein and Bags: A Lexicon of Style by Valerie Steele and Laird Sorrell. Me thinks the boy is going soft in the head, encouraging my materialistic consumption like that, but I ain't complaining!

Then a sumptuous lunch of lemon risotto and a glass of champagne followed by profiteroles covered in chocolate sauce with my girl friends. Talk about rolling out of there!

Followed by some browsing, and only a small amount of purchasing, just this, this and this, sort of a present to myself, you know!

Cards in the mail, and even a surprise present to be found in the spare room - getting sneaky in your old age Mum!!

Now Miss L and I are happily playing with her latest Felicity Wishes outfits and waiting for R to come home to cook us up a feast - something he has proven to be very good at.

I like my birthday's to go on as long as possible - must be the Leo in me. So, on Friday morning Miss L, R and myself are heading up to the Alpine Country for 3 nights. Fresh local food, frolics in the snow, and cruising the local shops. Something for everyone.

Finally, because I like to give as much as recieve I am having an early giveaway this month. Shrouded in mystery, the winner will receive a goodie bag created uniquely for them. So leave me a comment about what you like on your birthday. When we get back from our little break I will draw a winner. Good Luck - and Mary this even means you - craftiness not required!

P.s. I haven't heard from all the winners of last month's giveaway, so check below to see if you won.

P.p.s I also still have some magazines up for swapping so check here to see if you would like some.