Blog Birthday

Today is this blogs first birthday- and I must admit I'm pretty chuffed with that!

I started this blog to have a creative outlet, to share my passion for books and to document what I've read. My readership is steadily growing, so I'd like to say thank you, I hope you are enjoying my posts and please let me know if there is anything you'd like to see. 

Here's to another year!  

Pear & Almond Tart

After my visit to Hughenden Manor I've been craving a pear and almond tart, so I had ago at making on myself. For a first attempt at pasty, it turned out rather well! To be honest, two people managed to polish off this family sized tart over two days - I'm not even ashamed.

fatal flaw

"Does such a thing as "the fatal flaw", that showy dark crack running down the middle of a life, exist outside of literature?"

-Donna Tartt, The Secret History 

Lyndsay Faye, Seven for a Secret

I've been eagerly anticipating the sequel to Gods of Gotham for a couple of years, so was mega excited when I saw my local library had Seven for a Secret in, luckily I wasn't disappointed. It's shaping up to be very good historical detective series.

The Plot: Timothy Wilde a talented copper star in the newly formed NYPD is still reeling from recent events, a case involving a sinister brothel madam, when he is once again plunged into the dark underbelly of  19th Century New York. Distraught, Mrs Lucy Adams appeals for Wilde's help, after discovering her family missing, she suspects they have been taken by black-birders, ruthless slave-catchers who hunt for runaways to sell back to the south. Determined to fight such injustice, Timothy Wilde fights to expose political corruption and rescue a family. 

Book Haul

Here is my recent book haul from Hylands House, they're second-hand but look like they've barely been read and I got them for a grand total of £3.10! 

1. Jeanette Winterson, Weight: I'm a big fan of Greek mythology, so I put this short novel in my basket as it is about a deal made between Atlas and Hercules.

2. Irvine Welsh, Filth: A novel about a corrupt police officer investigating a racially motivated murder (highly topically at the moment, with the recent Stephen Lawrence inquiry). For my review of another Welsh novel click here

3. Elizabeth Wurtzel, Bitch: I felt slightly embarrassed about handing this over to the sweet, old ladies behind the counter. It is a collection of essays about 90s feminism and how bad girls have more fun.  

Hylands House

The sunshine this weekend meant pretty much the entire population of Chelmsford was at Hylands House. The car park was absolutely mental.

beware

"Beware; for I am fearless and therefore powerful."

- Mary Shelly, Frankenstein 

Abney Park Cemetery

After visiting Highgate Cemetery pictures here, here and here) last summer, we've been aiming to go to another of the 'magnificent seven', so couple of weeks ago we went to Abney Park Cemetery in Hackney.

It may seem like a morbid day trip, but we try to be respectful we we visit. Also they are peaceful places, full of unique Victorian architecture. Abney, is more understated than Highgate, it doesn't have as many famous name.

For more pictures see under the jump:-

boozy courgette brownie

If you like dark chocolate, that is verging on bitter, try this simple brownie recipe. The courgettes (zucchini) keeps the cake moist, so it tastes just as good the next day. 

recipe after the cut:

Hughenden Manor (interior)

Following on from my earlier post about the outside of Hughenden Manor, have a look at my photos for a sneak peak of the interior:-