The 2011 List

Books. Books. Books. I've read (well, listened on audiobook to) more books than I thought I would this year! From Historical novels of various eras, to magical Lands of Fantasy, to paranormal books about Angels, Carpathians, Werewolf's, Vampires and... (oh, yes)Shadowhunters!!

Out of my reads of this year, here's the books I enjoyed most in (sort of) chronological order:-



1. A Time of Singing - Elizabeth Chadwick

You always feel in good hands with Elizabeth Chadwick.  This book tells the story of Roger Bigod and Ida De Tosney in 12th Century England, set against the life, intrigue and politics of the Angevin Court.



2. The Falcons of Montabard - Elizabeth Chadwick

Good read. I found it brought vividly to life Scotland and the Holy Land of the 1100's. I learnt alot about the Holy Land and surrounding areas that I hadn't known before.



3. The Mortal Instruments Series - Cassandra Clare

I read books 1 to 4 and can't wait for the next in this urban fantasy series. Interesting world and characters I loved and cared about. My favourite is book 3 'City of Glass', although the scene at the Seelie Court in book 2 'City of Ashes' has to be one of my favourite scenes ever!! Me and my mum re-read that part lots!



4. The Infernal Devices Series - Cassandra Clare

I really enjoyed these. Interesting and atmospheric, bringing to life Victorian England with a good dose of fantasy/Steampunk! A variety of great charcters with many laughs and touching moments too. Loved the attic scene! My fave is "Clockwork Angel" but both book 1 and 2 are wonderful.
Audiobook read fantastically by Jennifer Ehle.



5. The Prince of Hazel and Oak - John Lenahan

The second book in this funny magical trilogy, (the first being 'Shadowmagic'). Me, my Mum and Dad all listened to this on Podiobook and loved as much as the first book. Following the continuing adventures of Connor in Tir na nog, along with a great cast of supporting characters - including the fiery Princess Essa!
John Lenahan reads these books great www.podiobooks.com



6. Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte

"My Classic" read of the year. I was pleasantly surprised as I didn't expect to like it so much - I loved it!  Now I know what everyone goes on about...



7. The Earth's Children Series - Jean M Auel

I read books 1 and 2 'The clan of the cave bear' and 'The valley of horses'. I found them a bit slow paced - rather like an epic easy moving film - but the way the prehistoric world is brought to life is fascinating. Loved Ayla's character.
Audiobook well read by Rowena Cooper.



8. Dark Legend - Christine Feehan

Gabriel and Francesca's story. Gabriel is one of the legendary brothers, an ancient Carpathian hunter who wakes from the earth to unexpectedly come across his lifemate - kind and gentle healer Francesca.
I felt this book was well written with a good storyline, I enjoyed the relationship between Gabriel and Francesca very much. Interesting, as it was different to the relationships between characters of previous novels in the Dark series.
Enjoyed the audiobook read by Rebecca Cook



9. Dark Guardian - Christine Feehan

I've waited 7 years to read this book! When I discovered the Dark series it was Dark Guardian I first came across. Fast forward and I finally get to read it - and I wasn't disappointed! Lucien is an interesting character - the most powerful of his people - and he and Jaxon make a good team. I found this the most comical of all the Dark series books and laughed out loud a number of times - always a good sign!
Juanita Parker reads many of the Dark series on audio and her performance is always good.



Out of all the good books I've read this year, my favourite has to be Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare.

Patrick Wolf - The Magic Position

This song always makes me feel happy as it's so cheerful and bouncy!

Herbal Medicines Ban - 30th April 2011

This is from an email I was sent. Many people are trying to stop this ban as it takes away our freedom of choice as well as being just ridiculous!

Lots of people not only use Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine but also herbal remedies to help a variety of issues, including pain management, colds and flu, periods and menopause, skin conditions etc.

Although its starting with herbal medicines they have already started the process on Vitamins too, so we need to take action now!

Please look at this website to sign the petition.

http://www.savenaturalhealth.eu/




Dear All

This is urgent, please read (or listen) and sign the petition. We do need to act on this - I worry what might be next!




On April 30th, natural medicinal plant products (essentially
anything other than the petro-chemically derived fare of multinational
pharmaceutical companies) will be effectively banned in the EU. The
registration procedure costs that will be going into effect will be
completely prohibitive. If for no other reason than protesting the criminal
nature of this effort (whether you're aware of the long-term physiological
damage of many big pharma preparations or not) go to this link and sign the
petition. http://savenaturalhealth.eu/

Only you and I can stop Big Pharma domination. They intend to,
and ARE GOING TO, protect their incomes unless actively stopped. Sit in
silence, and pay the consequences. Time is running out. If it's not
stopped in the EU, we may NOT be able to stop it elsewhere.



Sincerely,

Bill Hargrave

Kansas, USA

Medicine Buddha Mantra

Here is a beautifully sung and arranged version of a good healing mantra, the Medicine Buddha Mantra.
This also has a lovely and relaxing video with it, along with the words if you like to sing along. I enjoy singing this mantra very much!!
When I listen to/sing this mantra, I feel like I am soaring and freeing, which is a wonderful feeling to experience!

Hallowe'en creativity

For the last 5 years I have written regular email updates for the UK young peoples charity AYME ( www.ayme.org.uk ).
The emails are a cheery and informative newsletter which goes out twice a month to about 200 young people across the UK, who, like me, suffer from a severe form of the illness M.E.
The latest update went out in time for Hallowe'en.
However, not being able to find a good hallowe'eny poem to include, my mum said to me about writing one myself... so I did! Along with some timely input from my mum and dad hehe!
The three of us put our heads together and had a fun time bouncing around ideas... and here's the result!
I thought I'd share it on my blog aswell so you could all see it, and to help get you in the hallowe'en mood! Enjoy!


HALLOWEEN NIGHT
 
As the moon shines bright
in the cloud speckled sky,
 
An eeriness fills the air
as the ghouls float by,
 
The witch on her broom
with familiar by her side
 
While crones stir their cauldrons
in a graveyard close by.
 
Down in the streets
children play trick or treat
 
Unaware of the mist
beginning to swirl around their feet
 
And from the houses pumpkins shine,
devilish faces alight
 
Should we be scared?  Should we scream?
Things aren’t all they seem,
 
Beware on this Halloween Night!!
 
©Natalie Saxton 2010



And if you needed anything more to get you in the hallowe'en spirit, check-out this seasonal video of the beautiful song (and a favourite song of mine) Samhain night by Loreena Mckennitt! Happy Hallowe'en!!

Beautiful fantasy art

I love beautiful paintings that spark the imagination and tell a story. For me, the artist Anne Stokes does all this and more!
Her paintings are on fantasy and gothic themes and draw the viewer in with their atmosphere, colours and haunting beauty.
I often sit and look for ages at Anne's paintings, enchanted by the work of this wonderful artist.

Below are a few of my favourite paintings by Anne Stokes. For more, visit the website at http://www.annestokes.com/

                                                                    "Kindred Spirits"

                                                                    "Magical Mirror"

                                                                       "Angel Rose"

Les Misérables 25th Anniversary

On the 3rd of October the 25th anniversary concert for Les Mis took place at the o2 arena. It looked like a great evening!
Here is Samantha Barks in the role of Eponine singing 'On my own'. I thought this performance was truly amazing. Sam's voice is just beautiful!