Love a book online reading group

I have been meaning to link up to this for a very long time. From  June in fact when I was lucky enough to receive a copy of Water for Elephants from the lovely Cara over at frecklesfamily.com to kick start her online reading group.

So first of all sorry Cara that it has taken me so long ( not to read the book) but to write about it for the group.

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen would not initially be the type of book I would generally pick to read myself, and with all the hype about the impending film at the time I would have taken the easy way out and watched the film instead.

However, I'm so glad I did choose to read the book rather than just go see the film. This story had me hooked from the first few pages. I love the story being told from Jacobs point of view and the comparison between the young, vibrant Jacob and the old, forgetful Jacob. Initially looking at the modern film book cover you are swayed to believe that the love story would be obvious and predictable. What you don't get until you actually start reading is that there is an underlying but more important bond between himself and the elephant Rosie.Jacobs character is warm and inviting and your empathy with him is strong from the start.

I loved reading about the hardship, hard work, difficult life that these people had during this time. How harsh real life could be for some of these characters both in the book but ultimately a lot of this had been commonplace in those times.

I enjoyed the twists of fate that occurred throughout, just as you thought you knew how the story was going, it would make you stop and take a breath!

I have since thoroughly recommended this read to many of my friends and since have been more inclined to read recommendations given to me. I felt great to get out of the rut of only reading similar books/ authors and this one has taught me to branch out at least.

Bargain buys and 'bustin low' !!

 I'm not normally a person who gets a great bargain with things. Today I had to trawl the shops to find an old style pair of PJ's for my son to wear in his production next week. You know the sort, your grandad would wear them if he had to go into hospital. I could not find a pair anywhere and so ended up in the charity shops. I still had no luck with the PJ's but found a complete bargain for my older son, who loves books and X files at the moment!!

 All these ( 3 hardback and 3 paperback) for a grand total of £2.90 !!!!!
And believe me he is a happy bunny today reading through these after school.

CONCLUSION: I might just be popping into the charity shops more often.

My youngest though does not start back to school until tomorrow so he came to the shops with me, mainly as a bag carrier, but he found a pair of boxer shorts that he really wanted, Top Gear no less! Even they were a great bargain at £3, so I decided to treat him as he was being so helpful with the bag and above mentioned book carrying!!


He was so chuffed as tomorrow is PE day and he will be able to be 'bustin low' with his new boxer's!!
 What the hell is that I hear you cry!! Well apparently that would be showing the top of your underwear with your trousers hanging low...................Bloody hell the thought of my scabby pants showing to anyone is enough to bring on an anxiety attack for me, but he tells me it's the fashion!!!!!!

By the way he's only 10......................what on earth is he going to be like as a teenager!! My intro venous wine is ready and waiting LOL