Historical Fiction Reading Challenge - March statistics

 Every month I share some of the statistics related to the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge. I try very hard to visit every post which has been linked (time permitting) and I find it interesting to see what are the books that people are reading and reviewing! I often end up adding a couple of books to my never ending TBR list.

In terms of the books read in March, there were 46 reviews linked up for the challenge, shared by 17 participants. There were 43 individual titles reviewed, written by 42 different authors. There were 4 reviewers who reviewed 4 or more books each. Thank you to everyone who shared their links whether it be 5 or just 1.

So which books were reviewed more than once in March? There were 3 and coincidentally I read and reviewed 2 of them.

The first book that was linked up more than once was James by Percival Everett which was one of the most popular books for the challenge last year. Bree from All the Books I Can Read and I both read it, which probably isn't entirely a coincidence. You can find Bree's review here and mine is here. 

The second book as The Seven Daughters of Dupree by Nikesha Elise Williams which was read by both Kim on Goodreads and Laura from Laura's Reviews.

The final book to be read twice this month was The Strawberry House by Rachel Burton which both Helen from She Reads Novels and I read. I can confirm that this is totally unplanned!

Bev from My Reader's Block read two novels by Manda Collins this month, being  A Lady's Guide to Mischief & Mayhem and Portrait of a Nightingale. Something that is a bit interesting is that we had 4 books reviewed by authors with Collins in their name!

I added several titles to my TBR pile after visiting all the posts this month. Goodness only knows if and when I will be able to read them though! One post I did find interesting was about a book The Colony of Good Hope by Kim Leine which is about the Danish colonisation of Greenland, which is not a subject you see very often!

If you enjoy reading Historical Fiction why not join us? You can find all the details here.

I am sharing this with Sunday Salon hosted at Readerbuzz and A Good Book and a Cup of Tea hosted at Hopewell's Library.

Blog Tour: The Strawberry House by Rachel Burton

 

When journalist Henry Aldridge is sent to write a story about the renovations at Montagu Manor, he is initially reluctant. The year now is 1952 and he would rather write about the ascension to the throne of the young new Queen Elizabeth. His reluctance has rather a lot to do with the fact that he spent some time at the manor prior to the outbreak of WWII, and he was caught up in events with tragic consequences.

It is the summer of 1938 and the world is holding it's breath as it waits to see what is going to happen in Europe. The aristocratic Kerrigan family live at Montagu House. Each year, the extended family descend on the house. This year though, there are going to be some additional guests. 

Henry has just finished his degree at Oxford. When he is invited to Montagu House by his friend Anthony, he takes the opportunity. It means that he can buy some time before he has to return to his family's meat canning factory. He doesn't want to spend his life working in the family business but he might not have a choice.

Henry is immediately attracted to Camilla, the no fuss, somewhat overlooked eldest daughter. Camilla would love to have the opportunity to go to Oxford to study but her conservative, aristocratic father will not allow it. Instead, she is expected to be the sensible daughter, the one who everyone relies on and takes for granted.

Also visiting the manor is a group of artistic types that call themselves the Kensington Circle, lead by charismatic artist Leonard Lombard who wants to paint beautiful Mabel Kerrigan. As the summer wears on, tensions rise in both the outside world and within the walls of Montagu Manor, culminating in the destruction of the incomplete portrait.

I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the almost mystery like feel of the latter timeline as Henry suddenly finds himself investigating exactly what did happen in that summer and is reacquainted with people he never thought to see again, including Camilla. Nothing is quite as it seemed at the time, and once again, lives will be changed by what is uncovered.

Whilst the artist and his group are made up, one of the interesting aspects of the story is the connection to famous Arts and Crafts movement leader William Morris, which is where the inspiration for the title of the book comes from. 

A compelling read about a world on the edge of war and great social change, with strong characters and an interesting series. This is the second book I have read from Rachel Burton. I enjoyed the previous book I read but this one was even better! I am already looking forward to seeing what comes next from this talented author!

I am sharing this review with New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Review Blog and the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge which I host here.  Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy. Be sure to check out other stops on the blog tour below.

Rating 4.5/5

About the Book

The Strawberry House

1938: For Camilla Kerrigan, life at her family's Oxford manor is a delicate balancing act – between duty to her family and a yearning for something more. When her brother Anthony returns for the summer, bringing with him a new friend, Camilla recognises a kindred spirit. Like her, Henry is thoughtful, restless and uncertain of his future.

But the arrival of four strangers – among them a gifted artist determined to paint Camilla’s sister Mabel – soon shatters the fragile peace of the manor. In the shimmering heat, desires are stirred and one impulsive act will set in motion a tragedy that echoes for decades.

1952: Haunted by war and the memory of that long-ago summer, the last thing Henry wants is to return to Montagu Manor. But when a photograph arrives, showing the painting he thought destroyed – the portrait that ruined so many lives – he is drawn back into the past.

Now, Henry and Camilla must face the secrets that shaped them, and the love that refuses to fade.

One unforgettable summer. One devastating secret. A love that time could not erase.

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/StrawberryHouse

About the Author

Rachel Burton is the bestselling author of historical timeslip novels and romantic comedies. Rachel was born in Cambridge and studied Classics and English Literature before starting a career in law. She lives in Yorkshire with her husband, a variety of cats and far too many books.

Social Media Links –

Facebook: @RachelBurton74

Twitter: @RachelBWriter

Instagram: @RachelBWriter

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/RachelBurtonNews

Bookbub profile: @RachelBurton

This week...

I'm reading

It is really annoying when work gets in the way of reading time. It has definitely been one of those weeks for me. By the time I finish work every day I am too brain dead to even think about reading too much. 

I did finish The Stolen Sister by Jan Baynham, because I had committed to a date for a blog tour.  I reviewed the book here. 

I then started The Strawberry House by Rachel Burton. My review for this one isn't due until later this week but I am trying to get a bit ahead of the game. I don't have any more blog tours in March, but I do have a lot in early April. 

What do you do when you have some reading space? Why, of course, you overcommit yourself to other books. I need to read my book club book, my Classics Spin book and now I have gone through and selected my Goodreads challenge books. I think I am expecting too much of myself but we will see how it goes.

The first book I started for the Goodreads Challenge is Lovelight Farms by B K Borison, which fits the Swoony prompt!

It's hard to believe that it is the end of February already. I only read 6 books in February which is the least I have read for a while. However, of those 6, there were 2 books that I rated 5 stars. The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters was an excellent own voices read and The Silent Resistance by Anna Normann was a WWII story set in Norway. Both were fantastic reads. I haven't reviewed The Berry Pickers yet, but here is my review of The Silent Resistance. 

Books let our imaginations travel where our feet cannot - Nora Nguyen

Bookish travel

Here's where I travelled too through the pages of books during February

Europe

France - The Resistance Knitting Club
Norway - The Silent Resistance
Germany - The Wartime Affair
UK - The Cottage at the Edge of the Woods
Greece - The Stolen Sister

North America

Canada/Maine - The Berry Pickers

I'm watching


I went and watched an amazing movie this week. I Swear is a British film which tells the story of John Davidson, who is a campaigner for Tourettes education. It is a powerful and inspiring story about facing head first into adversity and finding a way. If you get a chance to see it, it's worth the time.

Here's the trailer

Life

It is crazy busy at work, and I don't see it dying off over the next couple of weeks, especially seeing as I am going on an overseas work trip next week! I am very excited about it, although I suspect I am going to be exhausted at the end of it, but more about that in the next couple of weeks

We did take some time out this weekend and went for afternoon tea at what is one of our favourite tea locations. Once again the food was absolutely gorgeous and tasted amazing. The koala at the top of the post is a macadamia, maple, mango and strawberry gum flavours! And yes, it tasted as good as it looks.

Posts from the last week


Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish Books!

Blog Tour: The Cottage at the Edge of the Woods by Jane Lovering

Blog Tour: The Stolen Sister by Jan Baynham

Weekend Cooking: The Oyster Catcher by Jo Thomas

Historical Fiction Reading Challenge: March links

I've linked this post to It's Monday, what are you reading? as hosted by Book Date, Sunday Salon hosted at Readerbuzz and the Good Book and a Cup of Tea link up hosted at Boondock Ramblings

Top Ten Tuesday: Books set during or after WWI

 Welcome to this week's edition of Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week the theme is Books I Enjoyed that Were Outside My Comfort Zone (or books you’d like to read that are outside your comfort zone!) However, it might not be a surprise to see that I am going rogue. It's not the first time and it won't be the last.

Instead, in honour of the fact that today is Remembrance Day which commemorates the end of World War I at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, I am sharing ten books I have read that are either set either in or just after WWI.

The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club by Helen Simonsen - This book is set in the immediate aftermath of WWI and deals with the impact on society and for those who returned. I could have chosen The Summer Before the War too. I read both of these books earlier this year. (my review)

The House at the River's Edge by Rachel Burton - This book starts just before the outbreak of WWI. It is a dual timeline so we get to see what the legacy of the events that occurred were through the generations. (my review)

The Desert Nurse by Pamela Hart  - Follows a young Australian woman who becomes a nurse in  Egypt during WWI.

 The Vineyards of Champagne by Juliet Blackwell - Another dual timeline, with the historical section being set in the Champagne area of France during WWI. 

The Girl from Paris by Ella Carey- I used to read a lot of Ella Carey's books which are predominantly set in WWII. This one, however, is a WWI story.  (My review)

When I Come Home Again by Caroline Scott - Set in the aftermath of WWI, this story looks at the impact of trauma on two men who both served.  (my review)

In Falling Snow by Mary-Rose MacColl - I loved this book when I read it a number of years ago.  This is another nurse story with a young Australian woman travelling to France to work in the field hospitals in France

The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes - I had forgotten that this was a WWI story. It is set in occupied France and is another dual timeline story. (my review)

Black Diamonds by Kim Kelly - This book tells the story of a young man who goes to war but also of life on the home front with the woman he left behind. (my review)

The Daughters of Mars by Thomas Keneally - Two sisters head off to become nurses in WWI.

Lest we forget.

Top Ten Tuesday: Arches and Windows

 Welcome to this week's edition of Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week's theme is Cozy/Atmospheric Reads

I am going a bit rogue this week and I am choosing covers which features archways or windows. It's an idea that has been calling to me for a couple of months now, and today is the day that I make it happen! These are all books that I have read this year!

The Lost Garden by Angela Petch - This is the book that made me think about doing this as a topic. (my review)

Winter Nights at the Bay Bookshop by Jessica Redland - This arch kind of reminded me of the arch window on Play School, which is the window I hoped they would choose every time. Australians will get this, or at least Australians of a certain age! (my review)

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett - This is the first book in the Emily Wilde series. It probably almost doesn't count but the frame forms an arch like shape. At least that's my story and I am sticking to it. (my review)

The Magic of Provence by Alison Roberts - love the view extending out through the arch here. (my review)

The Santorini Writing Retreat by Eva Glyn - It looks like this might be a picture from a balcony but the flowers form an arch to look out across that iconic Santorini view. (my review)

The House at River's Edge by Rachel Burton - The windows are flung wide open on this cover (my review)

A Greek Island Gift by Mandy Baggot - Love the colours on this cover! (my review)

Under a Riviera Moon by Helen McGinn - How nice would it be to sit outside on a beautiful warm Riviera evening and look at this view. (My review)

Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki - I am really looking forward to reading the follow up to the book soon! (My review)

The Secrets of the Rose by Nicola Cornick - I do love it when you see an series of arches covered in flowers like this! (My review)

This Week

Melbourne Writers Festival

Over the weekend I attended Melbourne Writers Festival. I always try to make sure that I attend something at the festival, and this time I was able to attend three events.

On Saturday, we attended an In Conversation with Anita Heiss which was facilitated by Shelley Ware. This was a wide ranging conversation from being a method writer to the inclusion of indigenous people in Australian stories to the plight of children in the current situation. Heiss' latest book, which was originally an Audible original, is called Red Dust Running and features an Indigenous cowboy so both of the presenters were dressed up in jeans, boots and cowboy hats. I have met Anita Heiss before and she is always engaging too listen too, very funny, and yet covering important topics!

On Sunday, I attended two sessions. The first was too hear Japanese author Asako Yuzuki who was interviewed by cookbook author and TV host Alice Zaslavsky. The conversation covered topics from food, the roles and expectations of women in modern Japanese society, and so much more. Like last year when we saw Toshikazu Kawaguchi in conversation, this was a translater assisted session, and she did an amazing job. There was a lady behind us who spoke Japanese relatively well and at the end of the session she was gushing about how well the translator did!

The final session was Australian author Jane Harper In Conversation with Irish author Marian Keyes. Keyes got a rapturous welcome from the moment that she walked on stage and she kept the audience engaged from the outset. I am pretty sure Harper could have asked just one question and just let Marian Keyes talk for the whole hour. One of the highlights of the conversation included the news that there is a TV series being made of the Walsh sisters books which has been sold to an Australian streaming service. It is going to be shown in Ireland later this year so hopefully we won't have to wait too long for it here! The audience laughed and clapped all the way through the hour and there was a real buzz in the room. I am so glad to have had the chance to hear her talk live. Now I wish I had time to go back and re-read all the Walsh sisters books!

I have some other photos from the two days on my Bookstagram account - Intrepidreaderandbaker.

While the festival doesn't feel the same as it did a few years ago when it was over two weekends, it was heavily promoted as a city event and there was a real buzz in the host locations, it is an event that really fills my cup. And the bonus is we get to visit some iconic Melbourne locations as well. One if the Capitol Theatre which usually isn't open to the public. This place is gorgeous! And the ceiling - amazing art deco style!

I'm reading

I mentioned last week that I was reading The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club by Helen Simonson as it is the current selection for Cook the Books. I finished that book this week, and I know what I am going to cook for the cooking part of the equation. Now I just need to find the time to make it, hopefully this week. 

I also finished The House At River's Edge by Rachel Burton, which I reviewed here.

The other book that I had to read last week as I had committed to a review date was Booked for Summer by Kathryn Freeman. I reviewed that book here. 

Even though I have two books to review this week that I haven't started yet, I started reading An Italian Wedding Adventure by Leonie Mack. I really like this author's books and so far this is a good one too. 

I also started The Madamoiselle Alliance by Natasha Lester. I went and heard her speak a couple of weeks ago and the story that she told about the main character in this book was fascinating. This is one of the two book club books that we will be talking about at the Rachael Johns Readers Retreat this coming weekend. I think that there is every chance that I might be reading the other book on the plane on the way over to Perth!

I'm watching


We are very lucky here as there are often film festivals which bring movies to the big screen that I would otherwise never hear about. The German Film Festival is currently on, and one of the two movies that I really wanted to see was the book to screen adaptation of the Door to Door Bookstore. I read the book last year and liked it. I was a bit surprised to see that it had been made into a very family friendly movie and I thought it a sweet movie. There was almost a cartoonish feel to it from some of the costumes to the sets and more. It also shared the magic of books and story, about the importance of found family and the impact of grief. 

On Saturday night my husband and I went to see Thunderbolts, the latest Marvel movie, and it was really good! Definitely felt like a return to form. 

We also watched a new Netflix documentary called Pangolin: Kulu's Journey. Before watching this show I had no idea what a pangolin even looked like. It is made by the same people who made My Octopus Teacher and once again it is a really nicely made documentary. 

Here's the trailer:

Life

Not much more to add here really

Posts from the last week



Top Ten Tuesday: Authors Attending the Rachael Johns Readers Retreat

Blog Tour: One More Day of Us by Shari Low

Blog Tour: The House at River's Edge by Rachel Burton

Blog Tour: Booked for Summer by Kathryn Freeman

Weekend Cooking: The Bittersweet Bakery Cafe by Catherine Greer

Sunday Salon: Historical Fiction Reading Challenge - April stats






I've linked this post to It's Monday, what are you reading? hosted by Book Date and Sunday Salon hosted at Readerbuzz

Blog Tour: The House at River's Edge by Rachel Burton

 

In the summer of 1914, Grace Villiers, her brother William, his friend Bertie and his sister Winn come together at Egerton Hall to enjoy long sunny afternoons, play croquet, read and just generally enjoy the country life before they all go their separate ways. Grace and Winn are planning to continue at Girton College, despite the fact that women can't obtain a degree, with Winn keen to advance the suffragette cause. Bertie is looking for what he wants to do. He is the third son in an aristocratic family and is at a bit of a loss, as is William.  Into this close knit group, comes Algernon Lake, a published poet with something of a reputation. To say Grace is unimpressed is an understatement.

Everything is not as it seems at Egerton. Everyone is concerned about the news coming out of Europe, and what that might mean for both the immediate and long term future of them all. Soon Grace is spending more time with Algie, especially when he offers to help her to overcome her biggest fear of all. He wants to teach her to swim. Can she trust herself with this man?

And then war is declared, and everything changes.

Fast forward to 1997 and Barbara is reeling after the loss of her father due to stroke. For her mother, she has not only lost her beloved but she also now needs to move out of her home, as it was provided by Cambridge College where he was the master. Now he is gone, a new master will be appointed and the prospective master's wives are circling to take a closer look at what might be their new home. Fortunately her mother had inherited a home called Oakdene which she has never lived in it as it has always had tenants. Barbara had been intending to make a move to an apartment by herself, but it seems her mother has other plans for them both to move into the big house.

It turns out that Oakdene is literally falling apart around them, so they need to clear everything out to make way for expensive and lengthy repairs. They find a photo of two young men which appears to have been taken during WWI. On the back is the inscription The best of friends. The best of summers. Whilst her mum knows that one of the men is her father, she has no idea who the other is. Then they find a large trunk filled with letters, poems and a violin.

Barbara's grandparents love story is legendary among the family. They met, fell in love and married quickly during the war, but now things aren't quite adding up, and the reasons behind a long family feud are being revealed along with many other secrets. Barbara's academic daughter Penny is struggling to find what her dissertation is going to be about,  so the discovery of a long lost poems by a war poet could give her the direction she needs. However, that may mean publicly revealing many of the secrets that they are discovering as they follow the trail of history back to WWI. Is this something that the family is ready for?

Woven through both storylines are a love of the violin and of poetry. Barbara's husband was an influential rock violinist and she also played, but she hasn't picked up the violin since he died. Maybe the discovery of the violin in the trunk will help her, and she can start to move on? Her daughter certainly thinks it is time.

I really thought the author did a great job of building up the tension at various points in the book, especially the historical timeline. You could feel the underlying tensions whilst the group were enjoying that last summer before the war was declared, in the wait for news, and then in the difficulties faced once the war was over. 

There are some really big themes covered in this book including what it was like to be gay in Britain in the 1910s, the changes to society in the aftermath of The Great War, shell-shock, grief and so much more. However, the author balanced this nicely in both parts of the story, so whilst it was emotional at times, it was never overwhelming. I hadn't read Rachel Burton before but based on this book, I will be keeping an eye out for her books.

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted by The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews and the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge which I host here. Be sure to check out other stops on the tour shown below. Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy. 

Rating 4/5

About the book

The House at River's Edge

1914: Anticipating a long summer of freedom at her friend's family estate in Cambridge, Grace Villiers is disappointed by an unexpected addition to their party. Then the new arrival offers to teach Grace to swim, and she is forced to see there is more to Algernon Lake than his reputation. But, with war brewing across Europe, this will be a summer that changes everything.

1997: Following her father’s sudden death, Barbara finds herself living with her mother in a house that is, literally, falling down around them. As she tries to put their new home in order, she discovers a photograph of her grandfather as a young man with his friend – two soldiers at the start of the First World War. Setting aside her grief, Barbara becomes determined to uncover their story, hoping it will bring her closer to the family she feels slipping away.

But when her search for answers opens up truths she isn’t prepared for, Barbara will come to realise, some secrets may be best left alone.

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/houseatriversedge

About the Author –

Rachel Burton is the bestselling author of historical timeslip novels and romantic comedies. Rachel was born in Cambridge and studied Classics and English Literature before starting a career in law. She lives in Yorkshire with her husband, a variety of cats and far too many books.

Social Media Links –

Facebook: @RachelBurton74
Twitter: @RachelBWriter
Instagram: @RachelBWriter
Newsletter Sign Up:https://bit.ly/RachelBurtonNews
Bookbub profile: @RachelBurton

This week....

I'm reading

I finished reading The Rainfall Market by You Yeong-Gwang, and liked it. It was a book I picked up on a whim from the library having not heard anything about it. It has a really fun premise, is a bit fantastical and just that little bit different.

I started reading The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club by Helen Simonson. This is the current Cook the Books selection and so I will be reviewing it later this month and finding something to cook from it as well. It's not as foodie as most of the other selections are so I am not sure what I will make yet.

I read One More Day of Us by Shari Low, which I am due to review this week. I also started The House on the River by Rachel Burton which is also due for review this week. I actually have another book that I need to squeeze in before Friday but I haven't started that yet. 

A couple of weeks ago I went to an author event at my local library to see Australian author Amanda Hampson talk about her latest book, The Deadly Dispute, which is the third book in the Tea Ladies series. I just finished reading the first book in the series, called The Tea Ladies, and it was a fun tea-cosy mystery! It is set in the garment trade in 1965 so it is also a great choice for my read on a theme book club this month as the theme for that is the 60s.

On audio, I finished listening to Away with the Fairies which is the 11th book in the Phryne Fisher series by Kerry Greenwood. I hadn't actually read any of the series for many years, but it didn't take me long to get back into that world! I then started listening to Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry. Is there a more perfect author/narrator combination than Emily Henry and Julia Whelan? I'm not sure there is!

I did also go to one author event last week. I drove to a small country town called Gisborne which is about 40 minutes away from me to hear Natasha Lester talk about her new book, The Madamoiselle Alliance which is based on a real person. What a woman! I was ready to drop anything and just start reading that book straight away. I will read it next week as it is one of the book club selection for the readers retreat I am going to in a couple of weeks.

I did share my April highlights on Instagram which were the books below. There are reviews for three of them up on the blog already, and a fourth will be up this weekend. These are the books I rated as 4.5 or 5 star reads with Pictures of You being the 5 star read for this month.

I'm watching


Masterchef Australia is back! Yay! This is a show that my husband and I enjoy watching together. This year it is a Back To Win series, meaning that all of the contestants have been on the show once or twice before but never won! I think I would prefer a show with new contestants but this will still be good.

I watched the first three episodes of a new show called The Secret DNA of Us. The idea is that a couple of hundred people from a town all come together and get DNA tested and then they come back together once the results are in and talk about what connects them. In some cases they find out that they might be fourth cousins, or that at some point they had an ancestor from a part of the world they had no idea about. There is also a reporter who is a researcher and she has come up with some very interesting stories to connect the DNA results with history. It's my kind of show!

I need to say thank you to Erin from Still Life, with Cracker Crumb and Lisa from Boondock Ramblings who are hosting the Springtime in Paris movie event. I have been meaning to watch the French movie The Intouchables starring Omar Sy for the longest time and I never quite got around to it! It was this week's selection for the event, and I loved it!

The Intouchables is about a young unemployed man named Driss who just needs someone to sign his paper to say that he attended for a job interview and was unsuccessful so he can get his unemployment benefit. The job is to look after a man named Philippe who is a quadriplegic. No one is more surprised than Driss is when he is offered a trial period. Philippe is an aristocrat who lives in an amazing house in Paris, Driss grew up in the projects. Philippe loves classical music and expensive art. Driss grew up living off his wits and getting by however he could. What sets Driss apart from everyone else is that he doesn't see Philippe as just a quadriplegic man, he sees him as a man. A man who used to love extreme sports, a man who now has an accessible van to move around in but has a very expensive, fast car just sitting in the driveway.

The movie is a touching look at care and compassion and about seeing the best in each other, and it is even more touching given that it is based on a true story I am so pleased to have watched it now. 

Here's the trailer

The last movie for the event is Charade which I hope to watch this week.

Life

I went to aqua class for the first time in forever last week. In fact, I went twice and I am going again this morning. It's a friendly enough group, who clearly have all known each other for a long time. The first class I did I was thinking that it wasn't really pushing me, until later that day when I could definitely feel it in my legs. 

On Wednesday night we went to see German composer Hans Zimmer live in concert. My husband loves listening to movie soundtracks while he is working and Hans Zimmer is one of his favourites so this was his birthday present! It was a really good show, different to what I was expecting really. I wasn't familiar with everything but I still enjoyed the show. There was music from movies like Gladiator, Inception, Dune and much more. The highlight for me was music from The Lion King.

On Saturday it was our federal election. In Australia it is compulsory to vote, or should I say it is compulsory to turn up to the polling station and get your name crossed of. If you are lucky, your polling station will have a barbecue set up where you by what is known as a democracy sausage. It is a sausage in white bread, sometimes with onion, and with the sauce of your choice. Australians do get excited about the democracy sausage on election day. My polling station doesn't have a barbecue. I think we are going to have to find one that does for the next election.


Posts from the last week

Top Ten Tuesday: Books with the Word Cafe in the Title
Blog Tour: The House of Lost Whispers by Jenni Keer
Blog Tour: A Greek Island Gift by Mandy Baggot
Historical Fiction Reading Challenge - May Links
The King's Messenger by Susanna Kearsley
Where the Birds Call Her Name by Claire van Ryn
Weekend Cooking: In My Kitchen - April
Six Degrees of Separation: Rapture to The Swan Maiden



I've linked this post to It's Monday, what are you reading? as hosted by Book Date and Sunday Salon hosted at Readerbuzz