Update 06/11/20

Posted on 06/11/2020 by The Librain

Apologies for the lateness of this post! To be honest, I am struggling with my memory issues even more than usual these days and I totally forgot that it is Friday.

We are in lockdown in England, yet again, which I don’t suppose will make a lot of difference to my life, but it will to most people. I am still trying to keep myself distracted, but part of that involves eating too much for my very sedentary lifestyle and I am putting on a great deal of weight. I know that I need to cut down on the sugar and fat, but cake or crisps are amongst my few pleasures. OK, I will have to try!

It’s my birthday on Sunday, so I will show you any presents I may receive in Monday’s post. You have already seen one of them: my gorgeous Plumes en Fête shawl, which is a kind of joint present, but I will show it to you then once again. You can’t see it too many times, after all!

Happy Weekend to you all!

Love and best wishes,

Anne

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Reading roundup 04/11/20

Posted on 04/11/2020 by The Librain

Well, here is the first Reading Roundup of November – I am finding it very difficult to believe that this year is moving so fast! As I am still struggling with poor concentration, plus an addiction to yet another series on Amazon Prime ☺️☺️☺️, I can only tell you about one book this week…

So Sure of Death by Dana Stabenow

This week’s read was So Sure of Death by Dana Stabenow (Liam Campbell #02). Here is the blurb:

Three relatively-quiet months have passed since Trooper Liam Campbell was assigned to the remote post of Newenham. It all changes when a local fishing boat is discovered scuttled and adrift—its crew of seven dead in circumstances that can’t be accidental—and Wy stumbles into a murder scene at an archaeological dig. Cultures collide as the community must deal with too many outside distractions.

Summertime in the Bush smelled like OFF. Well, OFF and salmon. Wy smelled of both, but she smelled most strongly of herself, a scent somewhere between lilac and lemon peel, half sweet, half tart, part seduction, part challenge. Liam strapped himself into the shotgun seat of the Cessna and concentrated on that smell. It was easier than thinking about hanging his ass out over a two-thousand-foot precipice for the next hour.

And this is the short review which I posted on the Goodreads website:

So Sure Of Death (Liam Campbell, #2)So Sure Of Death by Dana Stabenow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I think that this book was better than the first in the series and I really enjoyed it. I like how the back stories of the main characters continued to be fleshed out, giving the reader more insight into their motivations. The personal stories and the well-written descriptions of the amazing land and seascapes of Alaska really make these books. As for the crimes at the centre of the plot – these were written and developed well and remained mysterious enough for me until the end.

I will definitely continue to read the series, just as long as my library service continues to add them to their ebook catalogue!

View all my reviews

Nothing Gold Can Stay by Dana Stabenow

I already have the third book in the series lined up (see above), but may take a one book detour instead. My decision will become clear in next week’s post.

Until then… Happy Reading to you all!

Love and best wishes,

Anne

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Outfit of the day 02/11/20

Posted on 02/11/2020 by The Librain

Nice palindromic date today: 02/11/20! Sorry about the missing post on Friday. With one thing and another, I didn’t have time to write and really didn’t have anything to write about, to be honest. Anyway, I am going to show you Saturday’s Outfit of the Day because I actually had to get dressed and leave the house for my flu jab! If I say so myself it was a very nice outfit and rather wasted on a quick dash through the doctors’ surgery, but as I hardly ever go out I took the rare opportunity to wear something pretty.

Outfit of the day 02/11/20 with Liberty’s Aurora gavroche

Outfit of the day:

  • Navy cashmere v-neck jumper – John Lewis.
  • Navy jeans – Cotton Traders.
  • Navy leather shoes – Hotter.
  • Blue glass and silver earrings.
  • Blue, black and white enamel and rose gold bangle – Ianthe – Liberty of London.
  • Blue and white silk gavroche – Aurora – Liberty of London. Tied in a simple cowboy knot, but lengthened by using my “contraption”!

As we drove along, I realised that I would have to remove my dangling earrings so that I could wear the mandatory mask. Does anyone else manage to wear such earrings with a mask? I couldn’t work out how to do it.

Love and best wishes,

Anne

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Reading roundup 28/10/20

Posted on 28/10/2020 by The Librain

Apologies in advance: this will be a very short post because I have only read one book this week and also I have been very ill for a couple of days and cannot concentrate.

The Secrets We Kept by Lara Prescott

The book was The Secrets We Kept by Lara Prescott. Here is the blurb:

A banned masterpiece. Two female spies. A book that changed history.
________________

A BANNED MASTERPIECE

1956. A celebrated Russian author is writing a book, Doctor Zhivago, which could spark dissent in the Soviet Union. The Soviets, afraid of its subversive power, ban it.

But in the rest of the world it’s fast becoming a sensation.

TWO FEMALE SPIES

The CIA plans to use the book to tip the Cold War in its favour.

Their agents are not the usual spies, however. Two typists – the charming, experienced Sally and the talented novice Irina – are charged with the mission of a lifetime: to smuggle Doctor Zhivago back into Russia by any means necessary.

A BOOK THAT CHANGED HISTORY

It will not be easy. There are people willing to die for this book – and agents willing to kill for it. But they cannot fail – as this book has the power to change history.

And here is the four star review that I posted on the Goodreads website:

The Secrets We KeptThe Secrets We Kept by Lara Prescott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I don’t really know how to classify this intriguing and mysterious book. There are elements of a thriller, romance, espionage and even chick lit, all bound up in an interesting read. I will admit I struggled with the beginning of the book and found it quite hard to get a grip on what was happening, but eventually I began to understand the structure and became immersed in the unfolding story. The different timelines and characters emerged as the book developed.

I must admit that I haven’t read Dr Zhivago but have only seen the film. In the end, I don’t think that this really matters and there is no way that I could tackle the famous book now.

In conclusion, I am pleased that I chose this book in one of my random browsings of the Library’s ebook offer. It was so different to my usual selections and was really worth the persevering through the early stages.

View all my reviews

As I haven’t started another book yet (I am not capable of reading as My concentration levels are so low), I cannot give you any hints about next week’s Reading Roundup post. I hope that my health improves enough so that I can get stuck into a book again soon!

Happy Reading to you all!

Love and best wishes,

Anne

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Outfit of the day 26/10/20

Posted on 26/10/2020 by The Librain

Most of the time, I cannot find the energy to wear my nice outfits but, instead, spend the day in pyjamas. Occasionally, I have enough energy to put something coordinated together – after all, I have taken a lot of time to develop a wardrobe of colours that work well.

One day last week, this was my Outfit of the Day:

Outfit of the day 26/10/20 with Hermès’ Plumes en Fête shawl

The outfit:

  • Lilac cashmere v-neck jumper – Marks and Spencer.
  • Navy cotton joggers – Cotton Traders.
  • Purple leather and gold wrap bracelet – Ferragamo.
  • Small gold and crystal stud earrings.
  • Cashmere and silk 140cm shawl in grey, purple, pink, blue and orange – Plumes en Fête by Hermès.

The shawl is wonderful to wear – so snuggly and warm and very, very beautiful! Here’s another reminder:

Oh, before I sign off I just wanted to tell Hermès scarf fans that the new thread for Spring/Summer 2021 has been started on The Purse Forum. It will be great to follow all of the early scarf and shawl discoveries and hints but beware the temptation!

Love and best wishes,

Anne

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P.S. Don’t forget to have a look at my special Scarf of the Moment post about this wonderful Hermès design!

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Update 23/10/20 with my new scarf rings

Posted on 23/10/2020 by The Librain

A while ago I wrote here that I would show you my new MaiTai scarf rings in action!

First of all, here is a reminder of the rings – Anno Infinity in gold and a large size Classic in teal and navy with a gold trim:

Scarf rings by MaiTai Collection

I am going to show them with two different Hermès scarves (they also look lovely with my other scarves too): Cosmographia Universalis and A L’Ombre des Pivoines. The Cosmographia has a strong navy blue base and the Pivoines has a teal background with some navy in the pattern. The gold Anneau ring looks great with both scarves.

So, here we have each scarf in turn – A L’Ombre des Pivoines:

Hermès scarf A L’Ombre des Pivoines

And Cosmographia Universalis:

Hermès scarf Cosmographia Universalis

The some modelling photos:

I am so glad that I bought these two scarf rings as they will add more versatility to my scarf ties.

Happy Weekend to you all!

Love and best wishes,

Anne

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P.S. I have realised that on some screens the scarf ties in the collages may appear a little small. Please let me know if you would like to see any of the knots as individual photos.

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Reading roundup 21/10/20

Posted on 21/10/2020 by The Librain

I am pleased to be able to write that I did manage to finish a couple of books since I last uploaded one of these Reading Roundup posts. Despite having issues with concentration, together with an addiction to another series on Amazon Prime, I read two books and am about halfway through a third.

The Trouble with Peace by Joe Abercrombie

My first read was The Trouble with Peace (The Age of Madness #02) by Joe Abercrombie. Now, this brilliant author of dark fantasy ranks in the very top few of my favourites. Here is the blurb for this book:

Conspiracy. Betrayal. Rebellion.
Peace is just another kind of battlefield…

Savine dan Glokta, once Adua’s most powerful investor, finds her judgement, fortune and reputation in tatters. But she still has all her ambitions, and no scruple will be permitted to stand in her way.

For heroes like Leo dan Brock and Stour Nightfall, only happy with swords drawn, peace is an ordeal to end as soon as possible. But grievances must be nursed, power seized and allies gathered first, while Rikke must master the power of the Long Eye . . . before it kills her.

The Breakers still lurk in the shadows, plotting to free the common man from his shackles, while noblemen bicker for their own advantage. Orso struggles to find a safe path through the maze of knives that is politics, only for his enemies, and his debts, to multiply.

The old ways are swept aside, and the old leaders with them, but those who would seize the reins of power will find no alliance, no friendship, and no peace, lasts forever.

And this is the review that I posted on the Goodreads website:

The Trouble With Peace (The Age of Madness, #2)The Trouble With Peace by Joe Abercrombie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh, how I love Abercrombie’s writing! I have probably said this many times before, but don’t mind saying it again. The dry, black humour is brilliantly done and it’s probably the reason I keep on reading his books. That, together with the superbly written characters, wonderful scene-setting and incredible plot twists, is why I can’t wait until his next book.

The great battle scene was so well written that I felt drawn in to the blood and pain of each character. As I read to the end of the book, I thought that this second book was going to be the finale, but then realised that there is more to come……. yes!!!

View all my reviews

Once again, I must apologise for the brevity of my reviews these days, but I really struggle to write them at all! Anyway, this book has been added to my “favourites” and I cannot wait for the next book to be published.

Blue Moon by Lee Child

The second choice was sadly disappointing: Lee Child’s Blue Moon (Jack Reacher #24). Here is the blurb:

It’s a random universe, but once in a blue moon things turn out just right.

In a nameless city, two rival criminal gangs are competing for control. But they hadn’t counted on Jack Reacher arriving on their patch.

Reacher is trained to notice things.

He’s on a Greyhound bus, watching an elderly man sleeping in his seat, with a fat envelope of cash hanging out of his pocket. Another passenger is watching too … hoping to get rich quick.

As the mugger makes his move, Reacher steps in.

The old man is grateful, yet he turns down Reacher’s offer to help him home. He’s vulnerable, scared, and clearly in big, big trouble.

What hold could the gangs have on the old guy? Will Reacher be in time to stop bad things happening?

The odds are better with Reacher involved. That’s for damn sure.

And this is my review:

Blue Moon (Jack Reacher, #24)Blue Moon by Lee Child
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I was really saddened by this book. When did our hero, Jack Reacher, change into a cold and bloodthirsty vigilante? I nearly put the book into my “rubbish bin” category.

Although the plot has Reacher working to save an old couple, he appears instead to enjoy killing as many men as possible in this book. He kills gratuitously and with a kind of cold relish. This isn’t the Jack Reacher we know from previous books – and I have read all of them.

Please can we have the real Jack Reacher back?

View all my reviews

I suppose that I will probably read the next one in the series, assuming that there will be another book, but, unless Child returns to the “real” Jack Reacher, I will stop there.

The Secrets We Kept by Lara Prescott

After this debacle, I chose a book at random from the Library’s ebook catalogue: The Secrets We Kept by Lara Prescott. I will write about it in next week’s Reading Roundup, all being well.

Until then: Happy Reading to you all!

Love and best wishes,

Anne

📚📖📚📖📚

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Return 19/10/20

Posted on 19/10/2020 by The Librain

Well, I’m back today after two weeks of trying to chill in my pyjamas! I actually managed to get dressed too in an old turquoise v-neck from John Lewis, navy joggers and a rather ancient silk scarf in teal, blue and gold.

Outfit of the day 19/10/20

I have spent part of the day setting up a new laptop for Elder son. We have had a bit of a saga with it, involving being driven mad trying to set up another one, which we had to return. After spending hours trying to get it to work, I felt like throwing it out of the window! Anyway, this one seems to be a lot better – so far. I must say that I am feeling quite pleased that I managed to deal with all of this!

On Friday, I hope to be able to post photos of the MaiTai scarf rings that I bought recently to show how they look with some of my scarves. Wednesday’s post will be the usual Reading Roundup as I have read a couple of books despite feeling so ill over the last fortnight.

By the way, if this post looks a bit strange it’s because WordPress have changed their editor and I am struggling to find the functions that I normally use!

Love and best wishes,

Anne

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Taking a break – update 11/10/20

Posted on 04/10/2020 by The Librain

I think that I need a short break from writing this blog.

For the last few weeks my physical and mental health have been deteriorating, to the point that I am hardly able to get out of bed. Writing the blog over almost four years has been really good for me and I love the interactions with people that this brings. I have enjoyed creating more complex posts about individual scarves and my reading – the reactions to these have been so gratifying. But, unfortunately, the idea that I am obligated to post, even if only three days each week, has become overwhelming. I know that this is only in my mind and that the feeling is quite ridiculous, but it’s just too much for me at the moment.

So, I am planning to take a week off and, hopefully, resume on Monday 19th October. I will, perhaps, do some blog admin if I feel well enough.

Thank you all for your kind responses over the years,

Love and best wishes,

Anne

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P.S. So sorry, but my week away from the blog has not really been enough, so I am extending my “holiday” until Monday 19th October. See you all then!

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Update 02/10/20

Posted on 02/10/2020 by The Librain

I had planned to write a post about my new scarf rings with modelling pictures, but I have spent the day in bed with exhaustion. We had some family difficulties last night and I have felt unable to cope today, so it will all have to wait until Monday’s post.

Happy Weekend to you all!

Love and best wishes,

Anne

💕💗💖💗💕

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