Blossom in our gardenWell, the inadvertant blog break is now over! Lots has been going on but first I will update you on the World Book Night shenanigans. I decided to give my books out at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. I roped my friend in and we floated through the corridors of the hospital giving books out to doctors, nurses, patients and visitors. It was surprising how many people said no and were immediately suspicious of what we were up to, expecting a catch. However, one woman in particular was so pleased to have received a free book that she said I had 'made her night'. Meeting her alone made the whole experience worth it as she explained that she never bought books and didn't really know how to use the library. I gave her a copy for her nephew as well as she said that he liked history and so she thought he might like Dissolution. I will definitely take part next year. In the meantime, schemes likes bookcrossing and bookmooch are a great way to pass on the literary love!
Since World Book Night I have been dipping in and out of various books and waiting for spring to arrive in the village. Moving to the country has unleashed an obsession with seasons and the weather as I never noticed them so much in London.
I am revisiting Iris Murdoch at the moment as I went to a talk about her at the local library in Woodstock. I am also in the grip of reading Karen Armstrong's Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life which I bought after hearing her talk at the Southbank Centre. More on all this soon!
So a hotchpotch couple of months drifting along watching the leaves unfurl and the sun gaining strength. Below is a picture of our cottage surrounded by new green.
Since World Book Night I have been dipping in and out of various books and waiting for spring to arrive in the village. Moving to the country has unleashed an obsession with seasons and the weather as I never noticed them so much in London.
I am revisiting Iris Murdoch at the moment as I went to a talk about her at the local library in Woodstock. I am also in the grip of reading Karen Armstrong's Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life which I bought after hearing her talk at the Southbank Centre. More on all this soon!
So a hotchpotch couple of months drifting along watching the leaves unfurl and the sun gaining strength. Below is a picture of our cottage surrounded by new green.
That blossom is so pretty! I was given a book on World Book Night which was so exciting. I'd love to take part next year. How nice you were so successful in spreading the 'literary love'!
ReplyDeleteSo nice to see you back, Naomi, you've been missed. You must be having a great time getting your lovely cottage all set up and discovering things popping up in the garden.
ReplyDeleteI stopped by your blog today. I miss spring in England (I now live in Texas) and this time of year always reminds me of Robert Browning's poem Home Thoughts from Abroad.
ReplyDeleteAnn
Well hello, stranger! Beautiful views and you're reading a fantastic book! I keep having to remind myself of its teachings though - living in New York is not conducive to being compassionate!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see you in New York and then, in just a few months, to come and sit in pictured garden with Pimms and you!
I got a book on Book Night too - so exciting. I was given One Day.
ReplyDeleteKaren Armstrong's memoirs - The Spiraling Staircase (I think!?) is very good.