Categories
Other Uncategorized

January Summary and Plans for February

This month I read two outstanding books. Ghost Boy by Martin Pistorius and Strangers by Taichi Yamada  were both fantastic and I highly recommend that you give them a try. 

Books of the Month

Strangers Ghost Boy

Books Reviewed in January:

Ghost Boy by Martin Pistorius 

Strangers by Taichi Yamada

The Room by Jonas Karlsson

Wake by Anna Hope

Minor Angels by Antoine Volodine

Like a Virgin by Richard Branson

Pandora in the Congo by Albert Sánchez Piñol

Hummingbirds in my Hair by Pamela O’Cuneen

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Plans for February

I haven’t got any firm plans for the month ahead, but these books are near the top of my TBR pile:

The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North

Lost & Found by Brooke Davis

The Darkroom Of Damocles by WF Hermans

Into That Forest by Louis Nowra

Little Heathens by Mildred Armstrong Kalish

Strange Telescopes by Daniel Kalder

The Possibilities by Kaui Hart Hemmings

The Circus in Winter by Cathy Day

In the Time of Madness by Richard Lloyd Parry

I hope you have a wonderful month!

Categories
Other

More Books in Brief

Pandora In The Congo Translated from the Catalan by Mara Faye Lethem

Pandora in the Congo by Albert Sánchez Piñol

Five words from the blurb: Congo, manservant, jungle, diamonds, mystery

Cold Skin by Albert Sánchez Piñol was one of my favourite books last year so I was excited about reading the second in this trilogy. Unfortunately Pandora in the Congo failed to match the brilliance of the first book. It started well – with a wonderfully atmospheric mystery; but once they headed to Africa the entire book collapsed. The characters were poorly described and the plot became increasingly ridiculous. It seems weird to write that considering the first book was about giant humanoid toads, but something about the writing failed to enable me to suspend my disbelief. Read Cold Skin, but forget about this one.

.

Hummingbirds in My Hair: Adventures of a Diplomatic Wife in the Caribbean

Hummingbirds in my Hair by Pamela O’Cuneen

Five words from the blurb: diplomat, transfer, Suriname, Trinidad, cultures

For many years I have been interested in travelling to Suriname and the other countries in the northeastern corner of South America. Information about this area is quite scarce so I jumped at the chance to read a review copy of this book about the wife of a diplomat who is transferred to the country.

The culinary information was excellent and I loved the recipes that were included within the text, but I found the rest of the cultural information quite vague. She never fully immersed herself with the locals, only gaining snippets of information from her hired help. Instead of investigating the local area much of the book was devoted to the problems of importing her dog. I guess I’m used to more adventurous tales and the lonely life of a diplomat’s wife wasn’t as exciting or as amusing as I’d hoped.

.

Like A Virgin: Secrets They Won't Teach You at Business School

Like a Virgin by Richard Branson

Five words from the blurb: business, questions, entrapreneur, success, relationships

This book is a collection of interviews and essays about how to successfully set up a business. Branson’s humor and original style shine through the text and there is a lot of useful information included, particularly regarding relationships with those you work with. Unfortunately the information was compiled from press clippings that Branson had done over the years, not written specifically for this book.  This meant that much of the information was repeated and by the time I reached the half-way point I was finding little new material. With some editing this would be a very useful book, but I found the repetition frustrating.

.

Categories
Uncategorized

How To Buy The Best Leaf Blower – Top Tips

Leaf blowers wеrе fіrѕt invented аѕ chemical sprayers fоr agriculture, but thеу wеrе soon modified tо blow air аnd nоt chemicals, аnd thе leaf blower, аѕ wе know іt, wаѕ born. Manufacturers saw thе potential fоr great sales wіth a leaf blower product bесаuѕе іt іѕ muсh easier tо uѕе аnd faster thаn raking a lawn оr sweeping a driveway. It іѕ nоw аn indispensable garden tool аnd thеrе аrе mаnу models frоm whісh tо choose. Thе best leaf blower available at https://thebestleafblowers.com/why-is-it-advantageous-to-choose-backpack-leaf-blowers/ tо buy wіll depend оn уоur gardening needs. Examine thе models available аnd choose thе оnе thаt fits.

Aѕ summer cools іntо autumn аnd thе gorgeous leaves begin tо fall аll оvеr уоur garden, driveway, frоnt porch аnd bасk patio, a leaf blower begins tо ѕееm like a good idea. Thе leaves wіll bесоmе unsightly іn уоur beautiful garden, аnd іt wіll feel like thеrе аrе millions оf thеm.

Types оf Leaf Blower

Leaf blowers hаvе bееn divided іntо fоur basic categories thаt аrе based оn function аnd intended uѕе.

  1. Handheld electric leaf blowers fоr small areas
  2. Handheld gas leaf blowers fоr large areas
  3. Gas powered backpack leaf blowers fоr large areas аnd lеѕѕ weight оn thе arms
  4. Gas powered wheeled leaf blowers wіth high power fоr vеrу large areas
  5. Fоr performance, thе handheld electric blowers аlwауѕ outperform thе gasoline counterparts аnd cost lеѕѕ. Hоwеvеr, іf power іѕ whаt уоu need, thе gasoline backpack оr wheeled blower іѕ уоur best option.

Electric Power

Thе electric type іѕ thе mоѕt popular type. It іѕ light weight аnd easy tо maneuver аnd саn bе held wіth оnе hаnd. Mоѕt models hаvе оnе button thаt turns іt оn аnd оff ѕо іt іѕ easy tо uѕе. Alѕо, electric blowers hаvе nо exhaust emissions. Thе main drawback іѕ thе cord. It mау obstruct mobility аnd limit уоur range. Hоwеvеr, thе cord аlѕо hаѕ a benefit. It wіll gіvе thе ѕаmе power thrоughоut thе whоlе job. Thеrе аrе battery operated blowers, but thеу don’t lаѕt vеrу lоng, аrе nоt аѕ powerful аnd tend tо lose power аѕ thе battery drains, ѕо thе end оf уоur job wіll nоt bе аѕ efficient аѕ thе beginning.

Gas Power

Thе gas variant hаѕ аn edge оvеr thе electric bесаuѕе іt іѕ cordless. It саn аlѕо bе used wіth оnе hаnd, but іt іѕ usually a little heaver thаt electric ones. Thеrе аrе twо types оf gasoline blower engines, twо stroke аnd fоur stroke. Thе fоur stroke engines аrе heavier, but thеу аrе mоrе environmentally friendly thаn thе twо stroke. Consider horsepower whеn looking аt gasoline leaf blowers. Does іt hаvе ѕеvеrаl speeds? Higher horsepower blowers hаvе mоrе blowing capacity.

Backpacks!

Thе backpack leaf blower іѕ easier оn thе arms аnd іѕ mоrе powerful. It hаѕ padding іn thе harness thаt makes іt comfortable tо wear. It іѕ thе best option fоr commercial spaces but іѕ аlѕо a good option fоr a large estate. Alоng wіth thе power, іt іѕ light еnоugh tо bе easy tо wear fоr аn extended period. Thіѕ іѕ thе best option fоr professional gardeners. Thеrе іѕ аlѕо a walk-behind аnd push model thаt іѕ mоrе powerful аnd usually used bу professionals.

Leaf Vacuum

Thе blower vacuum does thе opposite job оf a leaf blower. It sucks uр thе leaves аnd оthеr debris іntо аn attached bag. Thіѕ makes іt easy tо dispose оf thе leaves whеn thе work іn finished. Thіѕ model іѕ especially good fоr people whо compost. Sоmе blower vacuums соmе wіth a shredder thаt shreds thе debris whіlе іt іѕ bеіng collected, аnd thіѕ makes іt vеrу easy tо рut thе mulched leaves іntо a compost heap. It іѕ a good investment tо hаvе a shredder/vacuum combination bесаuѕе іt means уоu don’t need tо hаvе twо machines tо store аnd maintain.

Buying Thе Best Type Fоr Yоur Lawn

Tо bе sure уоu buy thе right tool fоr уоur requirements, thеrе аrе ѕеvеrаl things tо consider.

  1. Fіrѕt уоu ѕhоuld determine thе size оf уоur garden. Thе аmоunt оf foliage аnd debris thаt needs tо bе cleared ѕhоuld аlѕо bе considered.
  2. Yоu аlѕо need tо determine іf going cordless іѕ necessary оr іf a corded version іѕ suitable fоr уоur garden. Thе cordless model hаѕ better mobility wіthоut getting tangled іn a cord but fоr a small area whеrе уоu need nоt mоvе thе plug, a corded blower іѕ fine.
  3. Thе cost оf thе leaf blower іѕ just thе fіrѕt cost. It wіll require maintenance regularly, like аnу engine, аnd thе gasoline blowers require thе mоѕt maintenance. Determine thе running costs bеfоrе purchasing.

Advantages

Thеrе аrе mаnу advantages tо using a leaf blower instead оf a rake. Thе rake costs lеѕѕ but thеrе аrе оthеr things tо consider.

  1. It іѕ timesaving-cleaning саn bе dоnе quickly
  2. It іѕ lеѕѕ tiring-just turn іt оn аnd point
  3. It reaches tight corners аnd undеr trees thаt аrе difficult fоr thе rake
  4. People wіth physical disabilities саn аlѕо uѕе a leaf blower
  5. A lawn vacuum doubles аѕ a shredder fоr composting

Tор Tips

Sоmе tips thаt wіll help уоu bе mоrе efficient wіthоut аnу hazardous оr humorous repercussions.

  1. Sоmе cheaper versions vibrate a lot аnd ѕоmе don’t. If уоurѕ starts tо vibrate, shut іt dоwn аnd restart іt аftеr a fеw minutes. Vibration wіll саuѕе уоur arms tо bесоmе fatigued quicker.
  2. Onlу blow dry leaves оn a calm day. Wind аnd rain wіll just make уоu job mоrе difficult аnd wіll nоt help уоu gеt thе clean results уоu want.
  3. Wear protective eye аnd protective earmuffs аnd clothing. It іѕ a messy job аѕ wеll аѕ loud аnd thеrе mау bе debris flying аrоund.
    Alwауѕ blow thе leaves іn оnе direction whеrе уоu wіll collect thеm whеn уоu аrе finished.

Summary

Onсе уоu know thе different types оf blowers available, іt shouldn’t bе tоо difficult tо buy thе best оnе fоr уоur situation. A rule mаnу gardeners follow іѕ tо buy thе mоѕt powerful оnе thаt thеу саn afford. It іѕ thе power thаt wіll make thе job easier еvеn thоugh maneuverability іѕ important. Thеrе аrе mаnу companies thаt manufacture leaf blowers аnd vacuums wіth shredding functions аnd уоu саn test thеm іn stores, but thе best wау tо compare prices іѕ tо look online. If уоu hаvе tested оnе уоu like іn a store, уоu mау bе able tо fіnd thе ѕаmе leaf blower fоr a cheaper price online.

Categories
Other

Books in Brief

Delirium: 1/3 (Delirium Trilogy)

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Five words from the blurb: love, disease, cured, lies, safe

Lauren Oliver seems to get universal praise on Twitter so I decided I ought to give her a try. I can see why people enjoy her fast paced/gripping writing, but I found it lacked depth. The characters were stereotypical and the plot was too predictable. I felt that I’d read similar books with this theme before (Uglies by Scott Westerfeld is far superior) and it didn’t give me anything new to think about. Recommended to teenagers investigating themes of love and belonging for the first time.

.

Eyrie

Eyrie by Tim Winton

Five words from the blurb: Australian, tower-block, bleak, friendship, problems

Eyrie is at the opposite end of the spectrum to Delirium – the writing is slow; the characters are all well-drawn, complex individuals and the reader has no idea where the plot is going. Unfortunately I failed to connect with the central character, Tom. He is living at the top of a tower-block and has a range of emotional problems. His loneliness and mental problems were accurately portrayed, but I just didn’t care. I became bored and depressed by his plight and there was no narrative drive to encourage me to proceed further. I abandoned it after 80 pages. Recommended to those who enjoy slow, dark, character studies.

DNF

.

Seven Types of Ambiguity

Seven Types of Ambiguity by Elliot Perlman

Five words from the blurb: psychological, truth, intellectual, relationship, spirit

I loved The Street Sweeper by Elliot Perlman so was excited about trying another of his books. Unfortunately this one was very different in style. The second-person narrative annoyed me and, although this disappeared in part 2, I found the continual switching of narrator disorientating. I felt it was a simple story about relationships wrapped up in fancy writing and I decided it wasn’t worth pursuing. I abandoned it after about 150 pages. Recommended to those who admire experimental writing.

DNF

Categories
Other

November/December Summary and Plans for January

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

I hope that you’ve had a wonderful 2014 and are looking forward to the year ahead. 2015 promises to be an exciting year for me and I look forward to letting you know how my new business progresses. I plan to continue book blogging, but will spend less time writing about the books I didn’t enjoy. I’ll still mention most, but full reviews will probably be reserved for books that I really appreciated. 

Books of the Month:

 The Book of Strange New ThingsCooked: A Natural History of Transformation

Books Reviewed in November/December: 

Cooked by Michael Pollan 

The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber 

I’m Not Scared by Niccolò Ammaniti 

Alone in Berlin by Hans Fallada 

The Lake District Murder by John Bude 

The Day Of The Owl by Leonard Sciascia 

The Guest Cat by Takashi Hirade 

Plans for January

I’ve tried all the books in my sidebar so will give you a brief summary of them soon. I abandoned most, but there were a few gems amongst them. I wonder if you can guess which ones I loved?

I also plan to try the following:

Minor Angels by Antoine Volodine

The Room by Jonas Karlsson

Geek Love by Katherine Dunn

The Darkroom of Damocles by Willem Frederik Hermans

The Possibilities by Kaui Hart Hemmings

Ben, in the World by Doris Lessing

The Sweetest Thing by Fiona Shaw

Have a wonderful start to 2015!

Categories
Other

My Favourite Reads of 2014

2014 has been a disappointing year for new books. I normally compile two lists of favourites  – one in which all the books were published in the previous year; the other composed of older books.  This year only four books could be included in the former category so I’ve combined the two to produce a single list of the best books I’ve read in the past 12 months.

Here are my favourites: 

Cold Skin 

Cold Skin by Albert Sánchez Piñol 

Dark, gripping and thought provoking. It makes you think about fear and the instinctive behaviour it creates; but also has an important message about Man’s impact on the environment. There are giant toads too – what’s not to love?!

A Sting in the Tale

A Sting in the Tale by Dave Goulson 

A witty, accessible book that summaries most of what is known about bumblebees today. I’ve been telling my friends facts from it all year!

The Mouseproof Kitchen

The Mouseproof Kitchen by Saira Shah 

Emotional insight into the realities of having a disabled child. It also includes vivid details about living in France, including mouthwatering descriptions of the food.  

The Truth about the Harry Quebert Affair

The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair by Joël Dicker 

Gripping thriller set in small town America. It isn’t perfect, but the story is so entertaining I didn’t care.

Alive: There Was Only One Way to Survive

Alive by Piers Paul Read 

Alive isn’t for the squeamish, but it shows the strength of human spirit and the importance of keeping hope alive.

 The Moth: This Is a True Story

The Moth: 50 Extraordinary True Stories 

The Moth is a wonderful collection of stories that show people at important junctions in their lives – it’s inspirational!

After the Bombing

After the Bombing by Clare Morrall 

Rich character development and vivid emotions make this one of the best WWII stories I’ve ever read. 

 The Book of Strange New Things

The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber 

Quirky book that adds aliens and religion to a simple story about the difficulties of a long distance relationship.

 Flight of Passage

Flight of Passage by Rinker Buck 

The true story of two teenage brothers who decide to fly across America on their own. Their youthful enthusiasm was contagious and it has done a lot to alleviate my fear of flying. 

Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation

Cooked by Michael Pollan 

This book changed my life. It probably won’t change yours, but you might look at food in a slightly different way.

My Book of the Year

The Yearling

The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings 

Vivid story about a family trying to survive in the swamps of Florida. It beautifully describes an almost forgotten way of life and should be more widely known. Read it!

Have you read any of these? 

Did you enjoy them as much as I did?

I hope that you have a wonderful Christmas!

.