Pure Torture!

I've just had news the Kindle Fire Family is coming to the UK! I got my Kindle for my 40th birthday less than a year ago so I really can't justify buying a new one - but I tell ya... it's going to be pure torture!

Big drool coming up....

Kindle Fire £129

7" LCD Display, Wi-Fi, 8GB

Kindle Fire HD

7" HD Display, Dolby Audio, Dual-Band Dual-Antenna Wi-Fi, 

16GB £159 or 32GB £199

The Kindle Fire Family is a range of tablets set to rival Apple's IPad which I adore by the way! The Fire is different to previous Kindles with web access, apps, games, email, movies and more! It has a new high resolution colour screen - Oh My! and with speakers on both sides it sounds blooming fab! The original Fire previously only available in the US is now on it s 3rd upgrade. The HD version will be available in the US from September 14th so us Brits are not having to hang on for very long this time!

If you haven't got a Kindle, are dubious about them or love the feel of a book in your hand, I really do highly recommend them. I've always been a bookworm and would spend my spare time as a child holed up in the library or in the corner of the children's section of the local bookshop, so I could never picture myself with one, however I couldn't go back now:

Darlington Library - my favourite place when I was little! 

How old do I feel... I could only find a black and white image?!!!

Image via Durham County Council

Here are just some of the great reasons to take the plunge!

• Super light and super portable.
• You still get to go shopping for a book - you just don't have to wait for the shops to open! 
• You get to sample 2 chapters without fearing the shop assistant is going to tell you off!
• Your hands don't suffer from the drying effect of paper.
• When reading outside the wind doesn't flap your pages about.
• When you on your hols, you can lie face down on your sun lounger and read it hands free - no arm ache from holding the pages still!
• It's easy to read lying in bed, no dropping a heavy book on your face! 
• If you're stuck on a word it has its own dictionary - just move the cursor to the beginning of the word and et voilà - a definition all ready for you!
• If you forget who a character is, you can do a search and every occurrence of their name comes up for you to read that section.
• And of course you can read Fifty Shades in public without being embarrassed!

Image via Thoughts And Tittles

There are now 5 Kindles to choose from starting form £69 - £199. Go on treat yourself; I beg you though please don't tell me if you get the new Fire! 

The Kindle Fire Family is being released on October 25th, but you can pre order yours on Amazon now.

Little update:
After posting this article, I received an email from Waterstones.com...

We're delighted to announce that the brand new Kindle family is now available for pre-order at all Waterstones bookshops....  

We're not stopping there, though. We're also busy rolling out free Wi-Fi to all our bookshops so that Kindle users can enjoy a new in-store experience. Look out for further announcements.

My gorgeous Waterstones in Emerson Chambers Blackett Street, Newcastle. Image via flickr

Also they will have digital areas for Kindle users to browse for books digitally and receive special offers and discounts in store.

Eeek I can't wait and what with their in-store new coffee shops, it makes having a Kindle even more fun! Ah coffee and books... Pure heaven!

If would like to order through Waterstones click here for more details.

Why I'm Happy For My Hubby to Watch Euro 2012

Everywhere I look and go women are discussing Fifty Shades of Grey by E L James - I am starting to see those fellow mummies in the school yard in a whole new light! It's certainly broken down some barriers hee hee! 

I bought this for my Kindle a couple of months ago but didn't want to read it on holiday; I like a good 'Starting a New Life Abroad' book when I'm lazing by the pool.

So many mums are getting to our school early and sitting in the car with their heads buried in this 'Posh Mummy's Porn'! And I am not ashamed to say I've joined the cult. Well it would be rude not to!

Image via Amazon

I'm half way through A Watermelon, a Fish and a Bible" by Christy Lefteri, but couldn't resist any longer, so started reading "Fifty Shades" alongside it!

Euro 2012 is certainly welcome in our house when I have this as a distraction!

I'll report back when I'm finished!

Guest Post - Carly-Ann Clements

Today I would like to welcome my first guest post - hope you enjoy!

Image via Etsy

Carly is a writer and social media type known mainly for her blog, Thoughts in Little Boxes.

As a bit of a jack of all trades, her blog covers a number of topics offering something for everyone. If you can't find a topic on the blog, then there's no doubt you'll find an external blog that she writes for covering it. Today her guest post covers one such topic:

BOOKS

I am a complete bookworm. You would have thought that that would have be evident after studying literature for many years but it wasn't until after I stopped analysing texts that I really started appreciating them. A few years on from studying and I'm known to take a longer route home so that I have extra time to read. I'm happy going for a meal on my own with a good book in tow. I have even stayed up all night to finish a book with work the next day. I read everything from graphic novels to Greek mythology, young adult fiction to thrillers, chick-lit to non-fiction. Everything has its time and place and with that in mind I'm going to share some of my favourite summer reads with you.

Though good literature can be enjoyed at any time, I always think that the right environment will enhance your experience. My list will feature a wide range of books that I feel benefit from a bit of sunshine, relaxation and a dedicated stint of reading time. So if you're planning a beach holiday or just sitting in your back garden this summer, pick up one of these books and lose yourself in the pages.

Marching Powder - Rusty Young

Marching Powder is a true crime novel about an Englishman named Thomas McFadden who is sent  to a Bolivian prison for drug trafficking. It's an amazing insight into the bizarre world of San Pedro Prison where inmates either live like kings or run the risk of being killed in their sleep; they even do guided tours for visitors within the prison walls. Rusty Young documents the stories Thomas told him during visitations to the prison - some will show the pure elation Thomas experienced, some will chill you to the bone but all of them are unbelievable. The book isn't for the faint of heart but worth every second you dedicate to it. If you're usually a thriller or crime reader, give this a go, if you just like non-fiction you really won't regret reading it.

One Day - David Nicholls

This book exploded into the public eye as soon as it was published but many are yet to read it. The book takes place on the 15th July every year for twenty years following the story of Emma and Dexter after they meet on the night of their graduation in 1988. We follow them through their uncertain relationship and often troubled lives on a scale unlike any other. This book is mesmerising and written in a way I've never really come across before. The fragments of time we experience with the characters is enough to really understand them and by the end you feel as though you know them as well as you know your friends. It's a book that you can return to time and time again and I often find myself reaching for it and reading my favourite passage for no particular reason. It's a book you want to throw yourself into head first so make sure you have a clear schedule when you start to read it.

I Heart New York - Lindsey Kelk

I secretly love chick-lit. After a dark and serious read there's nothing better than whipping out a light-hearted, comical book to wipe away any dark emotions. I Heart New York is about a woman called Angela who finds out that her boyfriend is cheating on her at her best friend's wedding. With little more than the clothes on her back, Angela decides to leave her woes behind by escaping England and jetting of to NYC. A first person narrative that shows all the gritty, embarrassing details of a clumsy girl trying her luck in a new situation and all the problems that ensue. What's better than being in a foreign land than reading about someone else in a foreign land making all the social faux pas you can imagine?

Kafka on the Shore - Haruki Murakami

Haruki Muakami is one of my favourite authors but his books aren't for everyone. Kafka on the Shore is one of his best known novels. It's a duel narrative following a young man called Tamura as he runs away from home at fifteen and the slightly more surreal Nakata who is a tracker of lost cats. A truly bizarre and wonderful novel that stays with you long after reading it but be warned… there are some disturbing images that may upset some readers. It is one of the few books I have read and honestly had no idea where it would lead and a great introduction to the world of Murakami and something for those who love the bizarre and wonderful.

Vampire Academy - Richelle Mead

If you loved Twilight then why not give these books a go. A series of Young Adult Fantasy fiction following Rose, a young vampire guardian in training and her best friend and vampire princess, Lissa. The first book in a series of seven takes the reader deep into the world of vampires, forbidden love, ruthless social scenes and terrifying rituals. It's a really easy read that sweeps you along leaving you wanting more. A great book for those times you just want to escape the real world and embrace a bit of fantasy.


If none of these books take your fancy but you can't decide what to take on holiday then I recommend sticking to books that are bright and cheerful to go along with the relaxed, sunny, summery vibe. I also recommend reading the first 5 pages of a selection of books to see how you connect with them - nothing worse than lugging a paperback halfway around the world and realising that you don't like it. And lastly, never read anything that feels like a chore. Reading is supposed to be relaxing and enjoyable so don't try to read War and Peace if you look at it and feel your heart sink.

All the books I've read on holiday have made the memories of my travels even more vivid. I hope your next summer read does the same for you.


You can also follow Carly on Facebook and Twitter @woshixiongmao 

Beautiful Children's Easter Book

We snuggle up every Easter to read this gorgeous Easter book - The Toy's Easter Surprise by Dugald Steer and illustrated by Susanna Ronchi. It tells the story of Teddy leading the toys on a fantastic Easter egg hunt with a surprise ending!

This embossed book is beautifully illustrated and sprinkled with a touch of Easter glitter here and there, making it even more fun to read! I love it as much as my son! xx

A Foodtastic, Parisan Heaven of a Book

Lunch in Paris is my current read and I am thoroughly enjoying it. Elizabeth Bard is an American journalist and author, who moved to Paris when she met the love of her life. Her writing style is both eloquent and witty.

Its part love story, with Elizabeth adjusting to the French way of living and part culinary journey. Complete with recipes of all the mouth-watering dishes she makes for her friends and new family. All this set in one of my favourite cities on the planet.

Elizabeth also writes a blog - yippee more recipes!!

"Discovering Paris (and now Provence!) one meal at a time".

Very Excited - JK Rowling - New Novel for Adults!!

I love the Harry Potter series, I bought it for my little sister when it was first released - ah what a trend setter I was even back then LOL. I can't wait to read a new book from JK Rowling. Apparently a spokesperson for the publisher refused to give any hints of what the book will be about grrr. Well |suppose they were never going to announce everything in one go - mind I do love the suspense eek!

The book's title, publication date, and further details are will be announced later this year. CAN'T WAIT!!! Until then you can sign up for further annoucements via the  JK Rowling website.