Books by my bedside

Helen at Casa Costello recently posted about books by her bedside and kindly tagged me to do the same. So here we are…what I am reading at the moment…

I have literally just finished Before I go to Sleep by SJ Watson. This is the first book for the St Helens book group in March. I have to confess, I signed up for the book club as a few of my friends were doing it and I didn’t want to be left out! I wasn’t really sure if reading to a set time frame was going to agree with me. However I was really pleased to find the title of the book was one I has on my amazon wish list after hearing about it on Channel 4′s TV book club. It has taken me about a month to read, which is pretty average for me however it’s a proper page turner! I am so glad I have read it, as it’s not something I would have normally chosen and I would thoroughly recommend it. I can’t wait to discuss it with everyone at the book club and will certainly be looking forward to getting the title of the next book!

When we were given the title for book group, I was reading The Redbreast by Jo Nesbo. I have read all of his other books and The Redbreast is the first book that was published. I haven’t read the books in order, which hasn’t seemed to impact on my enjoyment of the books. However I think I am glad I hadn’t started with this book first. I had put it on the back burner whilst reading the book group book, and I am now reluctant to go back to it. Its not that it’s not a good book, just maybe not for me! I have always been the type of person who has to finish a book, even if I’m not enjoying it! I think though that when there’s so many books out there waiting to be enjoyed, it’s best not to waste time on ones that just aren’t right for you!

I am therefore going to start reading Faithful Place by Tana French. This is again an author that I have read before. She has published 2 other books which I have really enjoyed, so I am hoping this one will be just as good!

Although technically not on my bedside, these books are ones that I have on the coffee table at the moment. The 2 hairy bikers books are on loan from my mum, but after saying how much I like them she as bought me my own copies! The Perfect Pies book really is a pastry lovers dream! I am hoping to attempt making some meat pasties at the weekend, I will let you know how I get on! The Everything Alice book was given to me by Nic for my birthday. Since then I really have read it from cover to cover, over and over again! It’s such a great book and as given me a lot of inspiration for my sewing. It is definitely a book that makes me happy!

So there we have it, my current book life in a nutshell! I have decided to tag the following people, hoping they will also share what is by their bedside..

Nic at Nicsnotebook
Janine at Chouxchouxbedoo
Karen at All for Scone

Please feel free to join in even if I haven’t tagged you, I’d love to know what you’re reading at the moment!

Sarah x

Tilly Mint’s Book Club #2

So September’s book club offering is ‘The Bag Making Bible’ by Lisa Lam. I have been a fan of Lisa and her website U-Handbag ever since I first got into sewing, so I was very keen to read her book. It definitely didn’t disappoint! It is a fantastic resource giving details of tools to use and different techniques to create beautiful bags. All patterns are included with the book and she gives clear step by step instructions, reinforced by close up photos.

This is a comprehensive sewing book which I am sure you would return to time again. Great for first time sewers and those who are not afraid of the sewing machine, the projects progress in complexity, until you are making a bag which is all singing all dancing with all the trimmings!

One little extra touch I like is on the back cover there is a glossary of terms which can flap over to the page you are reading – she really has thought of everything to make bag making straightforward!

Go out and buy this book, you won’t be disappointed!

Sarah x

Tilly Mint’s Book Club #1

Whilst away in Yorkshire for a long bank holiday weekend, I have brought with me some of my sewing books that I have had given to me as presents but never had the chance to read in detail. It gave me the idea to share with you, on a monthly basis, books I feel may interest you. So here we are with August’s review – 3 books all quite closely related in content.

The first one is Simplicity’s ‘How to use a sewing machine’ by Marie Clayton. This is definitely a great present for someone who is new to sewing. It gives a great overview of choosing a sewing machine, the different parts to the machine and it also discusses sergers and how to use them. It gives details on how to do seams, hems, pleats, tucks and different bindings/trimmings. It also has a very brief section on embroidery and patchwork. At 144 pages it gives enough detail for those starting out and needing basic info. I would definitely recommend it and would be good for those of you running workshops/classes to have as a reference book or to recommend to your customers.

The next book is ‘The Sewing Book’ by Alison Smith, published by Dorling Kindersley. It is a great lead on from the how to use your sewing machine book, as it goes into a lot more detail. It really is a reference book that you can dip in and out of. It covers all the techniques you could ever think you might need to use, including those relating to dressmaking and soft furnishings. It has a section at the back which gives projects using many different techniques. Another great buy for any level of sewer!

The last book is ‘The dressmaker’s technique bible’ by Lorna Knight. I have to say I was a little disappointed with this book, only because the content is very similar to that in ‘The Sewing Book’. It gives you info on selecting and reading patterns, working out your size and adapting patterns as well as all the techniques you could ever think you would need for dressmaking. Again a great reference book to help when deciphering instructions on patterns.

I guess you could argue that the topics covered in all books could be found on the Internet. I often feel quite overwhelmed when looking things up on the web and I feel it’s much easier to have a book in front of you than a computer screen when trying out new techniques etc. Plus with the age of Kindles etc we should really try and keep the spirit if good old fashioned books alive! I am definitely a book hoarder and there’s nothing like the smell of a new book!

Sarah x