Reading .....

... hi guys.  I had a good time at craft class this morning - I didn't stop long, but managed to up date my stamping reference sheets.  Then headed into town to post a big box of cards to Tara for the St Luke's Charity Sale on 27th November.  I've been meaning to post my cards to Tara for ages and sorting out the house recently reminded me that I need to get them to her.  Have a good sale!

And I had planned on getting into my craft room this afternoon - I've got lots of cards to make for Design Team commitments - especially with us going to the States for a holiday shortly.  However, I didn't make it.  I was side tracked a bit.  I just had to finish Stephen King's latest novel "11.22.63" - the date written in the American style.  To quote the blurb "The day that changed the world.  What if you could change it back?"  You can guess the central idea about the story - to stop the assassination of Kennedy.  It's brilliant!

Many of you will have noticed from my sidebar that I joined the 2011 Stephen King Reading Challenge in January with the intention of reading six of his books.  A quick update as of today:

These are the books I’ve read so far on my Stephen King reading challenge.  I’m writing my reviews in the order I read the books.

1. The Stand - finished 23 March 2011 - review here
2. The Green Mile - finished 28 March 2011 - review here
3. It - finished 29 April 2011 - review here
4. Desperation - finished 8 May 2011
5. Bag of Bones - finished 10 May 2011
6. Cell - finished 19 May 2011
7. On Writing (non-fiction) - finished 27 May 2011
8. Carrie - finished 3 June 2011
9. Dark Tower I: The Gunslinger – finished 15 July 2011
10. The Dead Zone – finished 20 July 2011
11. Insomnia – finished 25 July 2011
12. Dark Tower II: The Drawing of the Three – finished 10 August 2011
13. Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands – finished 20 August 2011
14. Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass – finished 1 September 2011
15. Dark Tower V: Wolves of the Calla – finished 11 September 2011
16. Dark Tower VI: Song of Susannah – finished 18 September 2011
17. The  Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon – finished 27 September 2011
18. Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower – finished 28 September 2011
19. Full Dark, No Stars – finished 20 October 2011
20. 11.22.63 – finished 14 November 2011

As you can see, I've read quite a few more than originally planned!!!  It's been a joy to revisit some of the old stories and to re-read the Gunslinger stories.  And the new books have been great.  But I'm really behind on reviews - so I'll get them posted as soon as I can.  If you've not read any Stephen King - try the new one - 11.22.63 - it's excellent.

Anyway, that's all for now.  I'm off for a glass of wine and some TV.  See you soon.

Stephen King - It, Review 3 ....

... here's another in my series of Stephen King reviews.  This is about as far as you can get from crafting, but one of my other big hobbies/loves is reading.  I found about the Stephen King Challenge while browsing the Internet - I came across Book Chick City where the girls review books.  They set up the Stephen King Challenge and I joined in January this year.  Initially, I thought I'd just go for six books, but I've already exceeded that by a few!  So I decided I'd go the whole hog and read twelve Stephen King novels.

I'm well on my way to reading a lot more than twelve!!  The reading is easy, the reviews take a while longer.  But here's Review No 3 - if you're not interested - I'll be back with cards tomorrow.  But if you're just a bit intrigued - read on!

These are the books I’ve read so far on my Stephen King reading challenge.  I’m writing my reviews in the order I read the books.

1. The Stand - finished 23 March 2011
2. The Green Mile - finished 28 March 2011
3. It - finished 29 April 2011
4. Desperation - finished 8 May 2011
5. Bag of Bones - finished 10 May 2011
6. Cell - finished 19 May 2011
7. On Writing (non-fiction) - finished 27 May 2011
8. Carrie - finished 3 June 2011
9. The Gunslinger – finished 15 July 2011
10. The Dead Zone – finished 20 July 2011
11. Insomnia – finished 25 July 2011

Title: It

Author: Stephen King

Original Publication Date: 1986

Publisher: Hodder Paperbacks, (4 Oct 2007)

Language: English

This is another HUGE book – my edition has 1376 pages!!  I got this book when it first came out – I admit to being a Stephen King fan.  I’d read pretty well all his books up to this one – even those under the pen name of Richard Bachman.  When I first read this story, I stayed up all night and read it at one sitting.  This was the first, and only, book that actually kept me awake and gave me nightmares!  I think it’s because I’m not overly fond of clowns – and “IT” appears in this book as a clown – ugh!  I took this copy of the story to Mumbai earlier this year – consequently, it took me a little longer to read it.

The story is set in Derry, Maine and covers two time periods; 1957-58 and 1984-85.  The story starts with the death of George Denbrough in 1957 and moves onto the death of Adrian Mellon in 1984.  Next we meet the main characters – the “Losers Club” – they were children in 1957, but in 1984 they are adults, and they don’t remember what happened in the summer of 1958.  They don’t remember that an evil that can change shape killed many children in 1958; they don’t remember that they killed IT!  The Losers Club were seven children from Derry – Mike Hanlon, Ben Hanscom (Haystack), “Stuttering” Bill Denbrough, Bev Marsh (Rogan), Richie Tozier, Eddie Kaspbrak and Stan Uris.

Mike Hanlon was the only one of the Losers Club to stay in Derry after the events of 1958 – he stayed and he remembered.  Mike is the local librarian and historian; he notices that strange events and lots of unusual deaths are occurring again.  And Mike realises that IT is not dead.  The rest of the Club left Derry and all have became successful in their chosen fields.  Mike calls the members of the Losers Club and reminds them of the promise they made when they were children – to return to Derry if needed and make sure that IT was really killed.  Stan commits suicide rather than return, but the rest come back to Derry to fight IT.

There are lots of other characters in the book, all involved in some way with the members of the Losers Club.  We never really know what IT is – we find out that IT can change shape and take on different forms – using childhood fears and phobias as a basis for the shape shifting.  IT is seen as a spider, a mummy, a werewolf and a clown.

As adults, the members of the Losers Club gather at a Chinese restaurant – they share stories and catch up with each other.  Mike brings them up to date with what has been happening in Derry and then suggests that they visit the town.  The group go their separate ways, and during their walks they all encounter IT.  Mike is injured in the library and is unable to go with the remaining five – Ben, Bill, Bev, Eddie and Richie.  Destroying IT is up to them – the group is now five – another magic number.  Ultimately, IT is destroyed, but another of the group dies.

Once again Mike remains in Derry and the others leave, all promising to meet up and get together.  But as time passes – they all forget!  The big but – we don’t know for sure that IT is dead.

It took me a little while to get into the story – but that might be more to do with trying to read it while laying in the sun in Mumbai!!  However, once I did, I couldn’t put it down.  The pain and angst of not being one of the “in-crowd” came through really well.  I thoroughly enjoyed the story – do give it a try.  But, be warned, you’ll never look at a clown in the same way again!

That's all for now.  I'll be back with some pictures of the Folk Festival and some cards tomorrow.  Bye for now.

Stephen King - The Green Mile, Reveiw 2 .....

... it's time for another Stephen King review which is not remotely related to crafting, but is another of my favourite hobbies.  So if you don't like Stephen King - I'll be posting cards soon!  But if you're not sure, or want to see what I thought - read on!

These are the books I’ve read so far on my Stephen King reading challenge.  My initial target was six books in the year, but I’ve read eleven to date.  I think I’ll keep going for a while yet!  

1. The Stand - finished 23 March 2011
2. The Green Mile - finished 28 March 2011
3. It - finished 29 April 2011
4. Desperation - finished 8 May 2011
5. Bag of Bones - finished 10 May 2011
6. Cell - finished 19 May 2011
7. On Writing (non-fiction) - finished 27 May 2011
8. Carrie - finished 3 June 2011
9. The Gunslinger – finished 15 July 2011
10. The Dead Zone – finished 20 July 2011
11. Insomnia – finished 25 July 2011

Title: The Green Mile

Author: Stephen King

Original Publication Date: Six volumes in 1996

Publisher: Orion, (New edition 2 Sep 1999)

Language: English

My first encounter with The Green Mile was on a date with Jonathan in 2000 – we’d gone to Leicester Square for a “Film Fest”.  The movie was very long, very moving and just brilliant.  Indeed it was nominated for four Oscars – but didn’t win one.  I enjoyed the film so much that I got the book.

Paul Edgecombe, now an old man living in Georgia Pines, a nursing home, is writing about his time in 1932 as Block Supervisor at Cold Mountain Penitentiary, also called “The Green Mile” on account of the lime green floor.  In that year John Coffey, a 6’8” black man who has been convicted of the rape and murder of two small white girls, arrives on the Mile.

On the Mile at this time are several other prisoners; Eduard “Del” Delacroix, who has a special pet mouse called Mr Jingles, and William Wharton (“Billy the Kid” to himself, and “Wild Bill” to the guards).  There are several guards who work closely with Paul, his second in command – Brutus “Brutal” Howell and Percy Wetmore – a young, sadistic guard.  Wetmore takes great delight in aggravating the prisoners knowing that the guard have to be civil because he is the Governor’s nephew.

Percy is offered a job in a local psychiatric hospital but refuses it unless Paul allows him to supervise an execution.  Reluctantly Paul lets Percy supervise Del’s execution; Percy doesn’t follow the protocol for the execution and as a result when the current is turned on Del catches fire and suffers a long and agonising death.

Without giving away too many details it becomes apparent to Paul and some of the other guards that there is something special about John Coffey, and Paul is convinced that John didn’t kill the girls.  John cures Paul’s urinary infection and revives Mr Jingles after Percy stamps on him.  Hal Moores, the Prison Warden and Paul’s friend, is very distracted as his wife his terminally ill.  Paul, Brutal and some of the other guards smuggle John out of prison and take him to the Warden’s home.  Here John performs a miracle – he cures Melinda by taking in the “essence” of the tumour.  On returning to the prison John gives the “essence” to Percy making Percy go mad.  In his madness Percy shoots Wharton and ends up detained in the psychiatric hospital.

Paul investigates the circumstances around the girls’ deaths, and discovers that Wharton actually raped and killed the girls.  Paul wants to stop the execution, but John tells Paul that he’s ready to die, ready to leave this cruel world.  After John’s execution, both Paul and Brutal vow never to be involved in another execution.

Returning to the present day in the nursing home, Paul gives his notebook to a friend, Elaine, and lets her read his story.  Paul introduces Elaine to Mr Jingles a very old and grey mouse at least 64 years old, just before the mouse dies.  Following the death of Elaine, Paul is alone, now over 108 years old and in good health.  Paul is left wondering just how long he will live.

This book is wonderful – I read it really quickly.  SK has written great characters and you develop a relationship with them.  I was in tears when reading about John’s execution – it is really moving – and in the end I felt very sad for Paul being on his own and having no idea how much longer he would live on.  Well worth a few hours of your time. 

Stephen King - The Stand Review 1 ....

...  this post is not in any way relating to crafting - so feel free to skip it.  But it you fancy a trip into the realms of Stephen King - read on!

On 2^nd January I joined up to the Stephen King (SK) reading challenge and to date, I’ve read eleven of his books.  That’s just a few of the over 50 books that SK has written; some under the pen name Richard Bachman and some in collaboration with Peter Straub.

1. The Stand - finished 23 March 2011
2. The Green Mile - finished 28 March 2011
3. It - finished 29 April 2011
4. Desperation - finished 8 May 2011
5. Bag of Bones - finished 10 May 2011
6. Cell - finished 19 May 2011
7. On Writing (non-fiction) - finished 27 May 2011
8. Carrie - finished 3 June 2011
9. The Gunslinger – finished 15 July 2011
10. The Dead Zone – finished 20 July 2011
11. Insomnia – finished 25 July 2011

I first came across SK when I was a teenager and picked up Carrie in my local book store – it was a revelation and I was hooked.  I remember seeing the movie Carrie when it came out – and while the film plot is quite close to the book, the ending is very different (no spoilers here).  I think my all time favourite SK book is The Stand and that’s the book I started the challenge with. 

Title: The Stand

Author: Stephen King

Original Publication Date: 1978

Revised & Uncut Publication: 1990

Publisher: Hodder Paperbacks (31 May 2007)

Language: English

This book is HUGE – both in number of pages and scope of story.  For the challenge I read the revised edition which I bought when it was re-published.  It’s the first time I’ve read it since then.  And the story is as good as I remember.  In the revised edition SK has restored some text, added and revised sections, changed the setting to 1990 (was originally 1980), and updated a few cultural references.  But it’s basically the same story. 

Prologue - The Circle Opens

Added for the new addition – expanded details of the virus release from the lab.

Book 1 – Captain Trips: June 16^th 1990 – July 4^th 1990

A man-made virus, a super-flue code name “Project Blue”, but nicknamed “Captain Trips” is accidentally released.  This section details the spread of the disease, how society is unable to deal with a virus that is 99.4% fatal, leading to the ultimate breakdown of society. We are introduced to the survivors – Larry Underwood, Stu Redman, Frannie Goldsmith, Nick Andros, Tom Cullen, Ralph Steadman, Harold Lauder, Nadine Cross, Lloyd Henreid, Trashcan Man, Randall Flag, – to name a few. 

Book 2 – On the Border: 5^th July 1990 – 6^th September 1990

In the first book some of the survivors start to dream about “Mother Abigail”, while others dream of “The Dark Man”.   Book two tells how these groups are drawn either to Nebraska and Mother Abigail, or to Las Vegas and Randall Flagg.    We read how society evolves in each group – with a democracy in Nebraska and a tyranny in Las Vegas.  There’s a lot going on in this section and I’m not giving away spoilers.  But there are people in Nebraska dreaming of Flagg and wanting to be there.  There are bombs, betrayals, loss and spies are sent to Las Vegas. 

Book 3 – The Stand: 7th September 1990 – 10th January 1991

The final act of the story is the “stand” of good against evil.  The two groups are now aware of each other and recognise the other as a threat to survival.  But it’s not an all out war.

Mother Abigail’s last instruction is to send Stu, Larry, Ralph and Glen to Las Vegas – they must walk there, and only one will return.  It’s the story of belief in a higher power and they put their trust in that.  I’m not giving many details here - it’s too good a story to spoil.  Ultimately, Las Vegas is destroyed and we return to the Group in Nebraska.  Babies are being born – some conceived before the super-flu, and we find out if they live. 

In the original book, a question is asked about whether the human race ever learn anything and the answer, the final line is “I don’t know”.  However, in the revised edition SK an epilogue.

Epilogue – The Circle Closes

A man wakes on a beach, he has no idea how he got there, he’s confused, he walks towards a jungle, he sees people with spears pointing towards him, and then he smiles.  The spears drop – he tries to communicate, but the people are “simple, unlettered”.   He says “My name is Russell Faraday” – and he has a mission.

When I first read The Stand, I found the ending unsatisfactory.  In the revised edition, the “reincarnation” of Flagg as Faraday is a much darker ending – suggesting that the good vs evil goes on.  It is my favourite SK book and I highly recommend it.

That's all for now.  Further reviews of SK's books will follow.  Enjoy!!

Stephen King reading challenge, update ....

... on 2nd January I decided to join in with the Stephen King Reading Challenge, and this is my post.  As you can see I've edited the post a couple of times, but I thought it was time to bring it completely up to date.  I was originally only going for six books, but it quickly became obvious to me that tweleve really wouldn't be a problem!!  In fact, I may well do rather more than that :)

I was directed to this challenge at Book Chick City by Becky at The Girlie Blogger - and I've been having lots of fun.  This is my list of twelve books; those finished and those not started yet.

1. The Stand - finished 23 March 2011
2. The Green Mile - finished 28 March 2011
3. It - finished 29 April 2011
4. Salem's Lot
5. Misery
6. On Writing (non-fiction) - finished 27 May 2011
7. Cell - finished 19 May 2011
8. Duma Key
9. Carrie - finished 3 June 2011 
10. Desparation - finished 8 May 2011
11. Bag of Bones - finished 10 May 2011
12. The Gunslinger 

I've done lots of reading, but I'm being really bad about getting up some reviews - bad me!!  Starting this week, I'll be posting one review a week until I'm up to date!!

Just a quick one ...

... I was going to make some cards today - honest!!  But I took my Mum and daughter shopping this morning and we didn't get back until quite late.  Both Mum and Kathryn got new dresses for my aunt and uncle's Wedding Reaffirmation ceremony next Saturday - they're going to look fabulous.  I got some wonderful tops and trousers for my holiday to India - can't wait to get there.  And I got a couple of new Stephen King books - so I might be a bit sidetracked again.  Just started on The Green Mile - if you've not seen the film or read the book - it's worth your time!!

I've also had a good time catching up with everyone's blogs - so many lovely cards to see, and some great ideas for me too.  I have already asked to "borrow" a couple of ideas that I've seen - will post them when they're done.  I've seen the challenges for LIM and Waltzingmouse - both great sketches, and I'll have to have a bit of a think.

And I've another new follower - so hello and welcome to Jenny.  Finally, don't forget tomorrow sees the new colour challenge at CR84FN - we've got something really special this week - so do drop by and join us.

Finished ....

.... reading The Stand - it was totally awesome!!!  Finally put the book down about half an hour ago - even though I've read the book (including this time) five times - it is still fresh.  I love reading about the characters, really getting involved in the story.  At the heart of it, it's simply a story of good vs evil.  And while good appears to win - there's always that little bit of doubt about how long it will last before the evil comes back.  If you haven't read it yet - I highly recommend it.  Be warned, though, you could lose your week :)

And now that I finished the book - I can start to make cards again.  And I suppose I'd better finish the ironing:)  Bye for now - off to find out which new challenges I want to play in, and find out which ones I've missed!

Side tracked ...

... today - I did plan on visiting my craft room and making a few cards for several challenges that are in my note book.  But I spent the day reading instead.  You may have noticed on the sidebar a somewhat sinister looking clown - from It by Stephen King; it's a fun challenge to read Stephen King's books - for me a joy!!

I did plan to start my reading in January, but got side tracked by the Clan of the Cave bear books and when I reached the end of the last book, I decided to start on The Stand by Stephen King.  A brilliant story - a big thick book - but it does mean that I've not been in my craft room much!!  So, if you did pop back to see a card - then I apologise!  I've nearly finished the book and should be able to get back and make a card or three sometime tomorrow!!

Stephen King reading challenge ...

... this should be great fun!!!  I've been reading SK's books since I was a teenager, so this challenge is right up my street.  I was directed to this challenge at Book Chick City by Becky at The Girlie Blogger - a very eclectic range of topics in her blog, and I just have to join the fun. 

I think I'm going to start at Level 1 - which is 6 books over the year, but it may well end up at Level 2 - 12 books.  The hardest thing, for me, about this challenge is which book to start with!!  I'll post up a list of books later.

Edited (28 March 2011) to include the list of Stephen King's books which I'm going to read.  As I said - I'm going to start with 6, but it could end up being 12!!

Edited again (10 May 2011) to update my list - and highlight the books completed so far.  I think I'm going to get to 12 in the year.  Really enjoying this challenge.

1. The Stand - finished 23 March 2011
2. The Green Mile - finished 28 March 2011
3. It - finished 29 April 2011
4. Salem's Lot
5. Misery
6. Danse Macabre
7. Cell
8. Duma Key
9. Carrie
10. Desparation - finished 8 May 2011
11. Bag of Bones

I've finished the first two books and will post reviews shortly.