You won't be surprised to hear that this is not the first time I've read this book, I don't know how old I was when I first devoured the Roald Dahl books, but I'd reckon it was when I was about 9 or 10 years old.
I've always enjoyed reading, and therefore it was only natural that I'd read all of his books, Danny was first published in 1975, my copy is a Penguin edition and therefore published in 1977 - so it wasn't long afterwards that I came to it.
The story of a boy and his father, their simple life together in an old gypsy caravan, and their amazing adventure on the wrong side of the law!! Simple days when poaching was fun and everyone from the local doctor to the village bobby was in on the act!
Roald Dahl books are timeless, and although the story is simple - no sub-plots or even much back story - it's compelling and so well written that the book is difficult to put down (and that's when I already knew the story!). Danny and his father come up with a wonderful plan to get their own back on the local nasty landowner - and get some scrummy dinner at the same time!
I'd recommend this book to anyone, of any age. Great for children, but still wonderful for anyone who likes a nice simple engaging story.
The other nice thing is that something that I remember with such fondness from my childhood has completely stood the test of time, it's as good as I remember it being - and how often does that happen?
17th - 21st July 2009
Tuesday, 21 July 2009
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
The spend less handbook - Rebecca Ash
365 tips for a better quality of life while actually spending less.
This book looked interesting, save money and have a better quality of life - I'll go with that!
But I have to admit it was a bit of a disappointment, although the opening chapters about happiness and the pursuit of more 'things' was interesting the main body of the book - the 365 tips - was quite frankly un-original, and in many way unhelpful.
Maybe it's me. We I live a relatively frugal life, we rarely eat out or visit the theatre/cinema, we don't buy expensive ready meals or eat take aways, all our clothes are from charity shops and we don't allow supermarkets and big stores to fool us into thinking that BOGOFFs are good value.
So, although there are lots of ideas very few of them are new to me - and to be honest short of taking up the advice to jack it all in and go and live in another country (which without a job would be more difficult in my opinion), there is little that this book can tell me.
If you are already careful with your money and don't waste cash on extravagances there is little here for you.
Just to give a flavour of the advice: -
Does any man REALLY pay £40 a month for a haircut, and do people REALLY feel that having Jamie Oliver saucepans will make their cooking better?
No, this book had potential but for me didn't really live up to it. Shame.
Bought on Green Metropolis. 5th to 13th July 2009
This book looked interesting, save money and have a better quality of life - I'll go with that!
But I have to admit it was a bit of a disappointment, although the opening chapters about happiness and the pursuit of more 'things' was interesting the main body of the book - the 365 tips - was quite frankly un-original, and in many way unhelpful.
Maybe it's me. We I live a relatively frugal life, we rarely eat out or visit the theatre/cinema, we don't buy expensive ready meals or eat take aways, all our clothes are from charity shops and we don't allow supermarkets and big stores to fool us into thinking that BOGOFFs are good value.
So, although there are lots of ideas very few of them are new to me - and to be honest short of taking up the advice to jack it all in and go and live in another country (which without a job would be more difficult in my opinion), there is little that this book can tell me.
If you are already careful with your money and don't waste cash on extravagances there is little here for you.
Just to give a flavour of the advice: -
- make a shopping list and stick to it
- don't buy on credit
- avoid branded goods
- mend and make do
- don't live in London
- renovate don't replace
- cut up credit cards
- get an extra job
- plan to work for longer
- don't give adult children too much money
- turn down the thermostat
- line-dry your clothes
- shower don't bathe
- don't travel first class unless you really have to
Does any man REALLY pay £40 a month for a haircut, and do people REALLY feel that having Jamie Oliver saucepans will make their cooking better?
No, this book had potential but for me didn't really live up to it. Shame.
Bought on Green Metropolis. 5th to 13th July 2009
Sunday, 12 July 2009
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies - Jane Austin & Seth Grahame-Smith
Now I like a good classic; 20,000 leagues under the sea, Dracula, Count of Monte Cristo....but the Austen novels have never held any appeal to me. Girlie twaddle in my opinion. I've tried the films but the characters are annoying and the plots are just moronic.
Sorry if that offends anyone, and I know it's controversial, but it's the way I feel. But when I spotted 'P&P&Z' in book shop I saw the chance to read one of these classics, but with added 'all-new scenes of bone-crunching zombie mayhem' as it states on the cover.
It's great! Austen's novel remains (I believe) but Grahame-Smith has subtly added the zombie action. Mrs Bennet is still searching for husbands for her daughters, all of whom are trained in the ancient arts of combat; Mr Darcy is still as arrogant as ever - but a dab hand with a sword and not scared of beheading any unmentionables who wander across his path; and the endless balls, parties and teas still take place, when not interrupted by zombies breaking into the kitchen and eating the brains of the household staff.
Of course Elizabeth hates Mr Darcy, feeling that she "must avenge her honour ... She meant to follow this proud Mr Darcy outside and open his throat.", a threat she does not have time to follow through due to a crowd of zombies invading the ballroom.
If you've seen the film or read the book you'll already know the story - but even if you have read the original and loved it, this version is entertaining and funny in ways that the original couldn't hope to achieve.
I'm sure that Jane Austen would be mortified, at least I hope she would be!
Bought for me as a birthday present by John.
22nd May - 12th July 2009
Sorry if that offends anyone, and I know it's controversial, but it's the way I feel. But when I spotted 'P&P&Z' in book shop I saw the chance to read one of these classics, but with added 'all-new scenes of bone-crunching zombie mayhem' as it states on the cover.
It's great! Austen's novel remains (I believe) but Grahame-Smith has subtly added the zombie action. Mrs Bennet is still searching for husbands for her daughters, all of whom are trained in the ancient arts of combat; Mr Darcy is still as arrogant as ever - but a dab hand with a sword and not scared of beheading any unmentionables who wander across his path; and the endless balls, parties and teas still take place, when not interrupted by zombies breaking into the kitchen and eating the brains of the household staff.
Of course Elizabeth hates Mr Darcy, feeling that she "must avenge her honour ... She meant to follow this proud Mr Darcy outside and open his throat.", a threat she does not have time to follow through due to a crowd of zombies invading the ballroom.
If you've seen the film or read the book you'll already know the story - but even if you have read the original and loved it, this version is entertaining and funny in ways that the original couldn't hope to achieve.
I'm sure that Jane Austen would be mortified, at least I hope she would be!
Bought for me as a birthday present by John.
22nd May - 12th July 2009
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