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Had a very weird dream this afternoon while Martin was taking books and magazines to the charity shop. It started off as a music theory lesson, in a wynd off South Street, St Andrews. Then the pair of us went to various old bookshops, including Quartos (much missed), and then (very not real!) an academic rare bookshop in South Street, towards Jannettas, which sold occult books. As I climbed higher up the floors the books in the shop got older and older, and on each floor a door would open out onto the street in the past. I then got involved in a mystery about a 17th century book and its owner, while a murderous taxi driver from the 19th century was chasing me through time. Even Dr Dee got involved in the story. And then, rather sadly, I woke up, and boggled Martin with the tale of my dream 😜
Crikey I so wanted to type 2024 there haha!
I've got off to a flying start this year, partly with 2 books that were hang overs from before, but also a quick read for my book club. But then I also quickly read 3 other books that had been hanging around for too long, and I wanted to pass on to charity shops. I'd previously started reading a couple of them.
Don't Touch My Hair by Emma Dabiri was an incredible insight into the experience and history of black hair. A strong 4/5 stars.
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop was another 3/5 star read for me. Ok, mostly, but a rather odd writing style, and an unexpected and lengthy shift away from the cosy bookshop setting mid way through. 3/5 stars.
Egyptian Myths by classical historian and YouTuber Jean Menzies was an entertaining and informative text, full of striking large format illustrations from Katie Ponder. I did find the order and structure a little confusing in places, but I learned a lot. 4/5 stars.
Tutankhamun: The Treasures of the Tomb is a large format coffee table book, filled with huge photographs and details of many hundreds of items from Tutankhamun's tomb. The items chosen are a selection carefully curated by Zahi Hawass, and it's not exhaustive. But for what you did get it was jaw dropping, including multi-page folding out large photographs. Both Martin and I were stunned by parts. 5/5 stars.
ABBA: The Treasures is a large format squidgy book telling much of the story of ABBA in photographs, reminiscences, and reproductions of paper ephemera connected with them, tucked into folders inside that you open up and work through the contents of. It's a nice book, but a rather narrow perspective on their life, focusing mainly on some of their 1970s international tours, which one of the authors accompanied them on. I did feel that I was missing out on the wider story. But the folders of paper ephemera were a delight. I was particularly amused by the customs list, for the Australian tour I think, including a "piano accordion". 4/5 stars.
I've got off to a flying start this year, partly with 2 books that were hang overs from before, but also a quick read for my book club. But then I also quickly read 3 other books that had been hanging around for too long, and I wanted to pass on to charity shops. I'd previously started reading a couple of them.
- An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson
- Don't Touch My Hair by Emma Dabiri
- Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
- Egyptian Myths: Meet the Gods, Goddesses, and Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt by Jean Menzies
- Tutankhamun: The Treasures of the Tomb by Zahi Hawass
- ABBA: The Treasures by Ingmarie Halling and Carl Magnus Palm
Don't Touch My Hair by Emma Dabiri was an incredible insight into the experience and history of black hair. A strong 4/5 stars.
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop was another 3/5 star read for me. Ok, mostly, but a rather odd writing style, and an unexpected and lengthy shift away from the cosy bookshop setting mid way through. 3/5 stars.
Egyptian Myths by classical historian and YouTuber Jean Menzies was an entertaining and informative text, full of striking large format illustrations from Katie Ponder. I did find the order and structure a little confusing in places, but I learned a lot. 4/5 stars.
Tutankhamun: The Treasures of the Tomb is a large format coffee table book, filled with huge photographs and details of many hundreds of items from Tutankhamun's tomb. The items chosen are a selection carefully curated by Zahi Hawass, and it's not exhaustive. But for what you did get it was jaw dropping, including multi-page folding out large photographs. Both Martin and I were stunned by parts. 5/5 stars.
ABBA: The Treasures is a large format squidgy book telling much of the story of ABBA in photographs, reminiscences, and reproductions of paper ephemera connected with them, tucked into folders inside that you open up and work through the contents of. It's a nice book, but a rather narrow perspective on their life, focusing mainly on some of their 1970s international tours, which one of the authors accompanied them on. I did feel that I was missing out on the wider story. But the folders of paper ephemera were a delight. I was particularly amused by the customs list, for the Australian tour I think, including a "piano accordion". 4/5 stars.
Looking towards Dundee
Jun. 5th, 2024 05:05 pmAnother rare photo post here from me today. Martin was in Broughty Ferry while I slept, taking more things to Oxfams charity shop, as well as getting some keys cut, and picking up freshly made Portuguese custard tarts. Anyway trust him, he took his camera. And among lots of nice shots I think this is the best one. Photographed looking through a metal whale bone sculpture looking towards Dundee - Dundee has a long, and difficult history with whaling. You can even see the RNLI Broughty Ferry lifeboat there ("Elizabeth of Glamis") as well as oil rigs temporarily in being serviced and wind turbines being built. The big hill in the background is Dundee Law, which towers over the city.
More Big Finish boxsets to go to Oxfams
May. 31st, 2024 09:07 pmI was just clearing out some more space around my computer/desk in the study, to help when we switch soon to fibre. Has to make it easier to physically access the router and swap to the new one!
In the process I found a whole bunch more of Jago & Litefoot audio boxsets that I have, a spin off series from Big Finish telling more stories with those memorable characters from Doctor Who's story The Talons of Weng-Chiang. I've enjoyed listening to the Jago & Litefoot stories on my iPad, using the Big Finish download option. But can now sell on the CDs. Most are still as new and sealed. Oxfam sell these well on their shop website.
I have sold some Jago & Litefoot boxes myself on eBay in the past, but in this case would rather donate them to charity. Oxfam sell them secondhand by mail order for more money than I would get (based on past experience, and their use of fixed price offers they can hold until sold), and given how ill I am now I really don't want to deal with these chunky packaging tasks.
I also have some more Doctor Who DVDs to donate to them, after getting more of the season-long "Collection" Blu-Ray boxes (I am getting all of the Tom Baker era ones through to Sylvester McCoy). And as always we keep having books to pass on. Oxfam recently sold a hardback copy of Emily Wilson's translation of The Odyssey that I donated for £19.99. That's grand.
In the clearing out I also rediscovered my boxset of The Sarah Jane Adventures audio stories. I need to prioritise listening to those! Definitely not selling on that box though.
In the process I found a whole bunch more of Jago & Litefoot audio boxsets that I have, a spin off series from Big Finish telling more stories with those memorable characters from Doctor Who's story The Talons of Weng-Chiang. I've enjoyed listening to the Jago & Litefoot stories on my iPad, using the Big Finish download option. But can now sell on the CDs. Most are still as new and sealed. Oxfam sell these well on their shop website.
I have sold some Jago & Litefoot boxes myself on eBay in the past, but in this case would rather donate them to charity. Oxfam sell them secondhand by mail order for more money than I would get (based on past experience, and their use of fixed price offers they can hold until sold), and given how ill I am now I really don't want to deal with these chunky packaging tasks.
I also have some more Doctor Who DVDs to donate to them, after getting more of the season-long "Collection" Blu-Ray boxes (I am getting all of the Tom Baker era ones through to Sylvester McCoy). And as always we keep having books to pass on. Oxfam recently sold a hardback copy of Emily Wilson's translation of The Odyssey that I donated for £19.99. That's grand.
In the clearing out I also rediscovered my boxset of The Sarah Jane Adventures audio stories. I need to prioritise listening to those! Definitely not selling on that box though.
Piles and Dandies
Apr. 10th, 2024 08:56 pmToday's brief awake time during the day despite neuro illness saw me tackle a couple of piles. More stuff sorted out. Things put away properly, things brought out for attention (including some books to read). Also things to go to charity shops including lots of Dandie Dinmont Terrier club magazines.
Re Dandie Dinmont Terrier dogs my gggg-granddad in the Scottish Borders was a pioneering early breeder. I recorded a video talk about him some years ago. I'll give a link to it here. My husband also grew up with Dandies next door in rural southeast Somerset.
Re Dandie Dinmont Terrier dogs my gggg-granddad in the Scottish Borders was a pioneering early breeder. I recorded a video talk about him some years ago. I'll give a link to it here. My husband also grew up with Dandies next door in rural southeast Somerset.
War in the Middle East
Oct. 18th, 2023 05:23 pmAnother day, more horror in the news, and a feeling of utter helplessness. I donated last night to Médecins Sans Frontières, and will be donating more soon. I've also just emailed my MP and MSP.
