Review: Hand Me Down World by Lloyd Jones

The concept
Lloyd Jones and the clever marketing people at John Murray have come up with an idea to encourage readers (well, advance review copy readers at least) to pass on their copy of Hand Me Down World, and each copy's progress is tracked on the website handmedownworld.co.uk. This is a fab concept and I hope it works, although as I think the book is unfortunately quite easy to 'give up' on (see my review below and numerous more on the book's website - note: rave reviews are also present) it may be hard convincing my friends and family to read it. I shall leave my copy in a public place and see what happens to it; here's hoping it wends its merry way around Oxford.

The book Having just finished Lloyd Jones' "Hand Me Down World" I must admit to a range of thoughts towards his book. Certainly it focuses on important subjects and themes: illegal immigration, motherhood, love and money - and I'm pleased these are all addressed here - but I'm not completely sold on the approach. I wanted the book to take my hand and speed me through its pages, and indeed the opening section did just that, but unfortunately I found myself slowing up as the book got to its middle, and personally I found it quite difficult to stay committed through some chapters. However, it is worth perservering through this section as the final third of the book was more rewarding and 'Ines' becomes a character that can be properly visualised. Overall, a thought-provoking read that is definitely worth giving a go.

Be a Borrower

I have recently rediscovered libraries. Oh the joy of being able to get and read a book without having to pay for it, wait for delivery and try to find it a home on our groaning, if beautiful, bookshelf. As soon as I've finished my review read (Hand Me Down World, write-up to follow) I look forward to getting stuck into a borrowed treasure.

Long live the library.

Re-reading

Us publishing folks love books. There are so many to read, and I'm always in a quandary about whether it's preferable to re-read old gems or to keep diving into new bookish pools. I'm trying to strike a good balance, but here are three good'uns that I most want to revisit:

The Secret History - Donna Tartt
Read this years ago and remember diddly-squat about it, apart from that it was brilliant. Probably top of the re-read chart at the moment!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-History-Donna-Tartt/dp/0140167773

Tender is the Night - F Scott Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald is a writer whose work needs to be read slowly, and indulged in. I think I read Tender is the Night too quickly, in eagerness of attaining 'I have read Tender is the Night' status. I bolted this book, and Fitzgerald's books - like most foods - should not be bolted. F Scott Fitzgerald is not a cereal bar.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tender-Night-Penguin-Popular-Classics/dp/0140622608/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1286480769&sr=1-3

Decline and Fall - Evelyn Waugh
Hilarious 1920s fun. Furthermore, who can fail to love an author who married someone with the same name as him? Apparently they were known as He-Evelyn and She-Evelyn. Genius.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Decline-Fall-Penguin-Modern-Classics/dp/0141187484/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1286480931&sr=1-1

Blogosfear

OK I admit it, I false started on the blog front - I can be a little half-hearted with new, and very public, internet vocalising.

However I am conquering the blogosfear and ignoring the BF's protestations that 'it's all a waste of time'. I'm keeping my blue eyes open and my green jeans on. Take two!

Failsafe recipes

Nigella Lawson is a personal heroine of mine. Do go to her website (www.nigella.com unsuprisingly)!

This cookie recipe is divine:

INGREDIENTS

100g soft butter
150g light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
150g flour
35g cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
200g dark chocolate chips

FOR THE GLAZE
75g icing sugar
1 x 15ml tablespoon cocoa, sieved
2 x 15ml tablespoons boiling water
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract (I use Boyajian Natural Peppermint Flavour)

METHOD
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 4.
2. Cream the butter and brown sugar (I use a freestanding mixer for ease), then beat in the vanilla extract and the egg.
3. Mix the flour, cocoa and baking powder in a bowl and gradually beat in to the creamed mixture. Finally, fold in the chocolate chips.
4. Using a rounded 15ml-tablespoon measure, spoon out scoops of cookie dough and place on a lined baking sheet, leaving a little space in between each one.
5. Bake in the oven for 12 minutes and then let them sit on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes before moving them to a cooling rack, with some newspaper on the surface underneath to catch any escaping glaze later.
6. Put the glaze ingredients into a saucepan and heat until combined.
7. Using a teaspoon, zig-zag the glaze over each cooling cookie.

Ooh and I musn't forget her nice and easy (and hugely moreish) macaroni cheese:

INGREDIENTS
250g macaroni
250g mature Cheddar or red Leicester or a mixture of both
250ml evaporated milk
2 eggs
grating of fresh nutmeg
salt and pepper

METHOD
1. Preheat the oven to 220°C/gas mark 7. Cook the macaroni according to the packet instructions, drain and then put back into the hot pan.
2. While the pasta is cooking, put the cheese, evaporated milk, eggs and nutmeg in a processor and blitz to mix. Or grate the cheese and mix everything by hand.
3. Pour the cheese sauce over the macaroni, stir well, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Tip into a 25.5cm-diameter dish (wide and shallow is best) and bake in the very hot oven for about 10–15 minutes, or until it is bubbling and blistering on top.

Bon appetit!

x

Jumping in

Oh no, the pressure of the first blog. What to write? Where to begin?

A tutor of mine gave me some advice about creative writing. Apparently it's best to delete the first paragraph as it's invariably waffle. The meaty stuff starts in the second paragraph.

Think I'll apply this logic to blog posting:
This is the waffle...