MY 10 DAY MOVIE CHALLENGE .... REVEALED.

For those of you who follow me on FaceBook or Instagram you may have noticed I've been participating in the 10 DAY MOVIE CHALLENGE in which, every day for ten days, I've posted a clip from a movie that had an impact on me with no explanations as to what the film is or why it had an impact on me ... until now. Yes! ...

... I can now reveal all.

DAY ONE ... THE BIRD CAGE. Hmm! So just what is it that makes a man; is it really that he smears? OK, so arguably a bit of a cliche but I admit to finding the above scene so thought-provoking.

DAY TWO ... PRIDE. The coming together of two seemingly very different 'minority groups' (that of a group of Gay men/women in London and that of striking Welsh miners) who came together to fight the common enemies (the then Prime minister; Margaret Thatcher, the press, the police) was soooo poignant.

DAY THREE ... THE ELEPHANT MAN.  Feared by most of Victorian England, the fact that the 'Elephant Man' came to know respect and kindness meant I came away from this film (and still do), my faith in humanity renewed. 

DAY FOUR ... ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST. First watched whilst I was at college studying for my PCSC (Preliminary Certificate in Social Care), blown away by the film to begin with; the lecturer then informed my fellow students and I that many of the extras were in fact actual mental health patients.

DAY FIVE ... THE HOMESMAN. A 'Western' that I actually enjoyed; surely reason enough to include it in the films that had an impact on me. Yes, there is that BUT, the story of three women rendered speechless in their madness by the hand life had dealt them, the fact that one of the characters went through most of the film with barely a word spoken was incredibly powerful.     

DAY SIX ... SONG FOR MARION (Known in the US as Unfinished Song). There is something compelling about 'everyday' love stories to begin with and this, the tale of a grumpy pensioner consumed by the pain of his dying wife, an estranged son and an unconventional choir is inspired.

DAY SEVEN ... THE RIOT CLUB. Perhaps of all of this selection this film had the most impact on me albeit for very different reasons. What may well be a fictionalised account BUT very well researched as MR T said in his review of it ... 'Watching the youthful moral meanderings of the future leaders of our country is simply a bit depressing.', I cannot remember the last time I came away from a film so, so angry, shocked, disgusted ... yeah, safe to say, this one had a HUGE impact on me.

DAY EIGHT ... THE SESSIONS. Who'd have thought, us disabled people have sexual urges! A film of one disabled man's journey to lose his virginity in his late thirties. It was the fact that the film was done with such honesty and sensitivity (albeit somewhat brash) that had such an impact on me.

DAY NINE ... THE FISHER KING. The second Robin Williams' film to make my list. The fact that here was the manic, the tormented, the sensitive, the funny all wrapped up in one amazing character aside, it was that Williams' played this character with such unbelievable depth; bringing to life the darker side of the character beautifully that left a lasting impression. Alas an impression that will doubtlessly be heightened by the fact that we now know Robin to be the tortured man he in fact was.

DAY TEN ... JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS. Not that I believe in a God (and I'm probably not expressing myself very well) BUT even as a girl watching this film for the first time it struck me that it did indeed sometimes feel like just as in this clip (approximately 1:42:37 until end of clip) we were merely chess pieces being toyed with for the amusement of some 'greater being(s)' that as Zeus declared 'For the moment let them enjoy a calm sea,'; that 'I have not yet finished with (insert name here), let us continue the game .. another day.'

Do you know I think it would be such fun if fellow movie buffs (maybe even those who have taken part in the Meme themselves) would do a guest post here on Pen and Paper about the film(s) that have had an impact on them and why. No pressure; it doesn't  have have to be 10 films, 1 will do. 

Anyone interested? Please feel free to contact me by email (you can find my details on my 'Review Policy') OR on FaceBook OR via Instagram ... I'd love to host you.

HOME.

HOME by AMANDA BERRIMAN.

She lives in a flat with her mother and baby brother and she knows a lot. She knows their flat is high up and the stairs are smelly. She knows she shouldn't draw on the peeling wallpaper or touch the broken window. And she knows she loves her mummy and baby brother Toby. 

She does not know that their landlord is threatening to evict them and that Toby’s cough is going to get much worse. Or that Paige, her new best friend, has a secret that will explode their world.

- amazon.co.uk Blurb

SOURCE ... A proof copy, won courtesy of Penguin Books on FaceBook, as such I am not at liberty to share the First Sentence or my Memorable Moment. 

READ FOR A CHALLENGE? ... No.

MY THOUGHTS ... Well! Who would have thought it, reduced to tears by a book narrated by a 4 year old. 
Yes, Amanda Berriman's fictitious Jesika really is that powerful a voice.

Incredibly moving, the first-person narrative compelling if, with its 'forgotted' rather than 'forgotten', its 'ahind' rather than 'behind' (a ploy which actually works really well in getting across the limitations with which not just Jesika's language is stilted) a little difficult to get accustomed to. 

A novel (the author's first) of growing up in poverty, of a child told 'We don't need to tell your Mum about this. It can be our secret', of dirty needles left in stairwells, of the vulnerable failed; the result of society's inequalities, tempered slightly by the intimacy, the innocence, the naivety, of its young protagonist.

One of my favourite reads this year. Heartbreakingly authentic, a sad indictment to our times. My emotions put through the wringer, I almost didn't want to continue reading but, whilst at times unbearably harrowing, Home is shot through with love and hope of a better tomorrow.

DON'T FEED THE ELEPHANT: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY.

DON'T FEED THE ELEPHANT by SHERRY ELLIS (With Illustrations by MD. ANWAR).

People say that you're not supposed to play with your food. But the adventurous little elephant in Don't Feed The Elephant never got the message! Join him as he dances around with a cotton-candy wig, spins donuts on his tusks, and makes himself an ice-cream-cone hat!

Parents can laugh along as their little readers discover the story of this rambunctious elephant. the tale of this elephant and his love of food won't just delight you with its silly antics and hilarious situations. It was also teach your children about the letters of the alphabet. from animal crackers to zebra cakes, this elephant is keen to try foods starting with every letter of the alphabet.

It will get him into some trouble too. As the elephant deals with ornery zebras, sour pickles, and a sick tummy, kids will learn one more very important lesson: don't feed the elephant!

- Back Cover Blurb

If you happen to meet an elephant and he asks for a snack,tell him "NO!"

- First Sentence

Then he'll slurp up the lemonade, pucker up, and make lemonade rain!

- Memorable Moment, Page not numbered

SOURCE ... Received with thanks from the author.*

READ FOR A CHALLENGE? ... No.

MY THOUGHTS ... Given that one of the objectives of this book is to teach the alphabet, because of the occasional differences in English/US spellings (Doughnut/Donut for example) this book is perhaps one for US readers.

Little ones will doubtlessly be captivated by not only the humorous verse, but the bold, bright illustrations which combine to make a fun read, as entertaining as it is educational. A great any time read, as to read it solely at bedtime will undoubtedly herald a later than usual bedtime due to cries of 'again! again!'.

* As a matter of transparency, the author, whilst not known to me personally, is a friend on Facebook. TT

Because of the occasional differences in UK/US spellings (Doughnut/Donut) and product names (Candy floss/Cotton candy) this book is more suitable for American children and I'd therefore like to offer it to either one of the American visitors to Pen and Paper or one of my American FaceBook friends. 

Only one 'rule', it has to go to the home of a child/children who are beginning to learn their alphabet. Simply leave the word 'elephant' either here on Pen and  Paper and/or or my Facebook page (to comment on both will get you two entries). All names will be put into a hat, the winner drawn by Mr T on Wednesday (21st March) at 6.00pm GMT. The winner announced the following day. TT

FERNANDO CAN TANGO! FERNANDO BAILA EL TANGO!

FERNANDO CAN TANGO! FERNANDO BAILA EL TANGO! by JUDE LENNON & KELLY THORNHILL.

Valentina is the best dancer in Mendoza. She longs to dance at the Tango Day Celebration in Buenos Aires. But she needs a partner to dance with. She's heard that Fernando can tango but will she find him in time?

Valentina es la mejor bailarina de tango en Mendoza. Ella quiere bailar en el Festival del Tango en Buenos Aires. Pero necesita un compañero con quien bailar. Ha escuchado que Fernando baila el tango ¿pero lo encontrará a tiempo?

- Back Cover Blurb

Valentina was a brilliant dancer, the best in Mendoza. 

Valentina era una brillante bailarina, la mejor de Mendoza.

- First Sentence

"Would you like to be my partner?"

"How kind of you to ask, but no thank you. I'm a penguin and I don't dance. I waddle. .......

- Memorable Moment, page unnumbered

SOURCE ... Received with thanks from the author on Book Connectors (FaceBook).

READ FOR ... Not applicable.

MY THOUGHTS ... A little bit of school girl French, enough German to say please and thank you, where are the toilets, where can I get some chocolate? and, oddly enough where is your cat/dog? - you know, all of the important things. But no, no Spanish whatsoever. I went to school at a time when a second language wasn't taught until you got to 'senior' school at eleven and even then, allowed to drop it at thirteen, many of us only spent a mere two years learning another language and in my case that language was French.

But I digress ...

A great idea for young English speakers learning Spanish or indeed for young Spanish speakers learning English. Fernando Can Tango! is a  bilingual story written in both English and Spanish. Ideal as a fun read to be shared at home and yet, equally, a wonderful resource for the primary school library where children now start learning a second language at an early age. 

The use of repeating phrases an ideal structure to aid learning. The story itself interesting enough to hold the attention and prompt discussion. And, oh my goodness, those glorious illustrations, innocent and simplistic and hugely appealing. I've seen illustrations done by adults that are made to look as if they have been done by children but have rarely come across illustrations that have actually been done by children as is the case here.

WONDROUS WORDS WEDNESDAY, ALMA BOOKS CHILDREN'S BOOK MONTH ... OH AND A WONDROUS PUMPKIN.

Wondrous Words Wednesday, a meme that Yvonne @ Fiction Books (see her latest WWW post here) and several of my other blogger feature on their blogs. I enjoy joining in every now and then and, given that Mr T maintains that if they gave out degrees in talking pure s***e I'd have a Masters degree by now, how could I resist sharing this, my first word courtesy of FaceBook ....

And from three of my recent reads ...

From the Improbability of Love by Hannah Rothschild ...

PULCHRITUDINOUS

Great physical beauty and appeal.

From Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl ...

HEBETUDINOUS

Dullness of mind, lethargy.

From Whispers Through A Megaphone by Rachel Elliot ...

TRYPOPHOBIA

A fear of irregular patterns or clusters of small holes or bumps.

Not happy with just a week of celebrating children's books the wonderful folk over at Alma Books present - drum roll if you'd be so kind ...

November's Children's Book Month which offers ...

•  50% off all children's classics, including all the usual suspects – The Secret Garden, Peter Pan, The Jungle Books, and many more besides! *
• A Monster Story Competition – lined up to celebrate the release of The Horror Handbook… the five best stories will be printed in a special collection, and signed by Axel Scheffler. *
• Free colouring pages – created from some of the greatest children's classics in our list. 
• A signed copy of The Double Axe to give away to one lucky winner. *
• Courtesy of David Mackintosh, the illustrator of Dracula, The Hound of the Baskervilles and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes,  the chance to win a beautiful framed print of the dreadful Count Dracula from Bram Stoker's classic tale. * 
• And that's not all ... Children, get an adult to sign up to Alma's eNewsletter, and they'll send you a link to download their free My First Classics Activity Book! 

(* Sorry, open to UK residents only)

And finally, for those of you who haven't already seen it on FaceBook, our 2016 pumpkin as carved by Mr T ...

and in b&w ...

A BOOK I SHOULD HAVE READ IN SCHOOL

I've all but completed the three reading challenges I set myself this year  though I have yet to read my sixth book of 600+ pages for Kelly's Tome Challenge or find something for 'a book recommended by your librarian/book seller?' and 'A book you should have read at school' for the 2016 Reading Challenge which brings me to this post.

Hmm, wide open to interpretation. Should I have gone for Animal Farm by George Orwell? I read 1984 for my O' Level English Literature course but Animal Farm has always 'spoken' to me in a way that 1984 never did. OR how about The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien which I know many of my contemporaries (Mr T included) read in primary school?

Thankfully the GoodReads' page on FaceBook came to my rescue with this, its ....

'16 "Assigned-Reading" Books You Loved in High School' 

(Of which the books I have read are in bold, those we have copies of in red)

1. The Catcher In The Rye by J.D Salinger
2. To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee 
3. Beloved by Ton Morrison
4. A Tale Of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
5. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton 
6. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
7. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
8. Pride And Prejudice by Jane Austen
9. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
10. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
11. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
12. The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury
13. Lord Of The Flies by William Golding
14. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
15. Macbeth by William Shakespeare
16. The Good Earth By Pearl S Buck.

Ooh, decisions, decisions! Eventually I decided on a The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck.

What about you, have you read any of these 16, if so which would you recommend? 

Any other books you read at school that you'd recommend?

OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF (ALMOST) BABES ...

So! Our nephew thinks this is 'accurate'.

Oh well, I suppose there are worse things he could have inherited ...

What would your nearest & dearest say they had inherited from you?

BOOK REVEAL: CHATTY CAT ~ ACTIVITY BOOK.

OK, so these aren't the first books about cats and they most certainly won't be the last but what makes them so unique is that, narrated to their hooman by a rescue cat, as well as wonderful stories, the Chatty Cat books offer not only a fascinating insight into the life of a feline but also some helpful tips on caring for the feline(s) in your life making them ideal for not only adults but children in particular.

Recognise the title, the author, if not the covers?

You may well do for book 1: Chatty Cat ~ My Purr-Fect New Home and book 2: Chatty Cat ~ Spring Into Summer in the wonderful Chatty Cat series were read and reviewed by yours truly some time ago though they then had very different covers.

Available from amazon sites along with book 3: Chatty Cat ~ My Purr-Fect Friends (which I have read but not yet reviewed) ....

'Chatty Cat, the funny, sulky and occasionally wise rescue cat is back for the third time, and has lots to say for herself! She is very well settled in her new home and has trained her she-hooman, Jade, to provide nearly everything she needs. Jade still has a few bad habits, though, which Chatty needs to sort out. In this third Chatty Cat book, you will find out how she makes new friends, goes on fresh adventures and discovers more about the fascinating world she inhabits. Learn more about Chatty’s life, likes and dislikes, and what to do when your hooman is stealing from you' ....

it is with great excitement that I am able to announce ....

Drum roll if you'd be so kind ....

Available as of today, the 13th of August ....

'Based on the best selling series, full of fun-filled things for you to do. There are sixty pages of activities including crosswords, colouring, spot the difference and word searches, featuring many of the characters from the previous books. Gather your pens and pencils and have a great time with Chatty Cat and her friends' ....

Book 4: Chatty Cat ~ Activity Book.

And if that's not exciting enough, how about a chance to have your pet featured in book 5: Chatty Cat ~ Autumn Into Winter?

As in Chatty Cat ~ My Purr-Fect Friends in which the author, Suzan Collins, ran an auction in which the highest bidder had their pet (Clancy Cat) named in print, Suzan is once again offering a lucky reader the chance (details here) to have their pet named in Chatty Cat ~ Autumn Into Winter with all monies raised from the auction going to a cat rescue centre, just one of the charities close to her heart.

Visit ....

• Suzan's Web site, FaceBook author page, on Twitter
• Chatty Cat on FaceBook, on Twitter.

Buy the Chatty Cat books ....

• Chatty Cat ~ My Purr-Fect New Home: (amazon.co.uk /amazon.com)
• Chatty Cat ~ Spring Into Summer: (amazon.co.uk/amazon.com)
• Chatty Cat ~ My Purr-Fect Friends: (amazon.co.uk/amazon.com)
• Chatty Cat ~ Activity Book: (amazon.co.uk/amazon.com)

Read my Chatty Cat reviews ....

• Chatty Cat ~ My Purr-Fect New Home (Originally published as Chatty Cat ~ the First Six Months)
• Chatty Cat ~ Spring Into Summer

AWARDS AND TAGS, MAKING A COME BACK?

A while since I've participated in Tag, I'd like to thank Tasha of Through Tasha's Camera along with the several FaceBook friends for including me in this 

....

To answer Tasha's well thought out questions ....

• My favourite gemstone? I suppose I'd have to go with my birthstone which is an amethyst. Not just because it is my birthstone, I love the different hues of this purple stone. And then of course, a meditative and calming stone which works in the emotional, spiritual, and physical planes, it is said to promote calm, balance, and peace.

• Ooh! A hard one, if I had to spend the day as any historical figure, who would it be and why? I've only spent two days pondering on this - Adolf Hitler? Florence Nightingale? Mary Shelley? I eventually decided on suffragette Emily Davison who died four days after an event that occurred at the 1913 Epsom Derby. With opinion divided as to whether or not she was promoting the cause of the suffragette movement by disrupting the race or it was merely an accident that she fell in front of the King's horse, I'd really like to spend a day, though not necessarily that day, as her.

• Do I have a favourite genre of film, and if so, why? Hmm, do you know its almost easier to pick a genre that I won't watch. Looking through our DVD collection, animated films and comedies seem to feature quite prominently so I'm going with animated films and comedies.

• What a great question. I don't have to think twice about this one. Snowball was my favourite toy as a child. Snowy white (hence the inventive name) and incredibly soft, I loved this little rabbit with all my heart and soul. Sadly though the years were not kind to Snowball and no longer white or soft AND missing an eye to say nothing of his tail Mr T, believing him flea ridden, insisted it was either him or my childhood companion.

• The last book I read that I'd recommend to everyone? As you may remember reading here, I'm not in the habit of recommending books (preferring to merely chronicle my thoughts on them) BUT for those looking for a read about relationships and the human condition I'd not hesitate in suggesting The A To Z Of Normal by Helen Barbour. 

• Ah! The best piece of advice I've ever been given? Whilst no one particular piece of advice comes to mind it was doubtlessly given to me my nana. Then again, it could well have been Mr T advising me that my starting a blog would be good for me.

• Who would be my dream dinner guests and why? Without a doubt .... Bram Stoker as I'd love to know his thoughts on 'modern' vampires who go all glittery in the sunlight etc. Then there would be Elvis Presley in the hope that he'd belt out a tune or two. Oh and John Barrowman especially if he came dressed as Captain Jack.

• Day or night? Its a standard joke in our house that, neither a night owl (though I'm increasingly finding myself so) nor a lark, there is only mid-day when I'm particularly human so can I answer mid-day?

• If space travel became a possibility overnight, where would I go? Do you know I really don't know. I don't like the heat so probably not Venus (I am right in thinking this is the hottest planet, aren't I?). I tend to feel my various aches and pains more in the cold so definitely not Neptune. I know how about the fictional planet in the Star Wars films which saw that bar scene?

• Now this one I can answer. If time travel were real, I'd go to ancient Egypt as which mad cat woman could possibly resist a society which worshipped cats? And besides which I'd love to know just how extensive their medical knowledge actually was.

And so onto the difficult part, my questions which, because not only are they good blogger buddies but I know they've played along in these tags before, go to ...

Kelly of Kelly's Thoughts & Ramblings

Barbara @ March House Of Time Books
Literary Feline @ Musings Of A Bookish Kitty
Sherry of Mama Diaries

Anyone else should they wish to play along

1. Given that they say your old mobile/cell phone could make you serious money, which old object(s) do you have stashed away in a draw collecting dust?
2. 'Mork and Mindy', 'Fantasy Island', just two of the tv prorgammes from my childhood that I'd love to see repeated. Which of your childhood programmes would you love to see again?
3. If I were to say 'iconic film' to you which scene/saying from what film would first come to mind?
4. 'Aunty Taitty', 'Mrs T'. Apart from your given name, which other name(s) are you/have you been known by?
5. I'm taking you for a meal, as well as a main course do you opt for a starter OR a pudding? (I'm too mean to pay for both) And what would it be?
6. You may not like them (I know I don't) BUT if you had to go to a fancy dress party what would be your costume of choice and why?
7. Superstitious? Care to share any of your superstitions with us?
8. Which person (or animal for that matter) would you most like to be able to impersonate? 
9. Presuming you didn't have an imaginary friend as a child which book character would you have liked as an imaginary friend?
10. As you have worked so hard, a quick fire round. Tea or coffee? Sweet or savoury? Clean shaven or with a beard?

Anything else?

Ah yes, the 'rules' ...

1. Thank the blogger for the award given
2. Answer the ten questions given to you
3. Nominate a further 10 bloggers for this award
4. Write another 10 questions for those bloggers to answer
5. Display the award on your blog or in a post.

'A CHRISTMAS SPIRIT WRAP', 'WHAT, ANOTHER CHALLENGE?' & 'OTHER BOOKISH NEWS'.

First things first, if I may I'd like to begin with my Christmas Spirit Wrap.

My thanks to Michelle for yet again doing a wonderful job as hostess. The Christmas Spirit challenge has become one of my bookish hi-lights of the year though I'm sad to say what a disappointment I found my choice of books this year. 

Whilst I did manage to achieve every level (hurrah), of the seven books (5 for adults, two for children) that I read I only actually enjoyed one, my second children's book and the fourth book I read overall, A Jumper For Christmas by Eleanor Newson. 

Beginning with the disappointing I Don't Want To Be A Christmas Tree by Kathy Lyndsey that saw my fellow readers (two seven year olds) in tears, things only got worse. 

As for my adult reads?  Whilst All I Want for Christmas (Betty Neels, Margaret Way, Jessica Steele), Together For Christmas (Carol Rivers), The Christmas Surprise (Jenny Colgan) and Christmas At Claridge's (Karen Swan) were arguably ok as far as your average read goes, I'm afraid they all made for poor Christmas fare given that none of them despite their covers, synopsis etc were particularly festive.

But moving on ...

I know, I know! Having signed up for this years What's In A Name? 2016 (Details and Sign Up here) and accepted Kelly's 'Tome Challenge' (Information here) I said no more challenges BUT having seen this ....

on FaceBook I simply had to join in as after all many of the elements I'd have covered anyway. Only problem being I don't know where this challenge originated so if it started with you/you are participating please let me know. Failing that, I'm presuming a year long challenge to be completed by December 31st, I'm allowing for cross-overs with other challenges.

Anyway, going back to What's In A Name? 2016 ....

As many of you know I normally challenge myself to read only books I have on our shelves at the beginning of the challenge. Unfortunately this year apart from The Taxidermist's Daughter by Kate Mosse (a profession) and Tree And Leaf * by JRR Tolkien (a book with 'tree' in the title)  I didn't rely have anything suitable.

Step in Mr T who, having decided on a challenge of his own, scoured the charity shops and came up with the following.

The Ides Of April by Lindsey Davis (a month), Roman Mask by Thomas M.D. Brooke (item of clothing), Game Of Thrones** by George R.R. Martin (item of furniture), 44 Scotland Street by Alexander McCall Smith (a country) which should be fun as I've yet to find a book by this author that is to my taste.

* Published in 1964 this also fulfils the 'book published before you were born' element of the 2016 Reading Challenge.
** At 780 pages this is also perfect for the Tome Challenge AND fulfils the 'a book that intimidates you' element of the 2016 Reading Challenge.

And finally, may I take the opportunity to thank author Virginia Wright for this FaceBook win ...

A delightful colouring book with plenty of blank pages for young artists to draw their own creations. Also available as a story book, Timothy The Christmas Mouse is available on Amazon, including here on amazon.co.uk.

Care to share any of the challenges you know of/are participating in? Shooting Stars Mag suggests these, whilst Alexia over at Alexia's Books And Such shares these challenges and Literary Feline these.

THE BAD HABITS I'M NOT GIVING UP ANYTIME SOON.

Yet another great meme from the Literary Feline over at Musings Of A Bookish Kitty, how could I resist joining in her ...

'My Bad Habits (That I Refuse to Give Up)'?

Mine being ...

Naming things. Way beyond 'Willy', 'Noel', 'Yak' and 'Son of Yak' to name but a few of our house plants I've now started naming inanimate objects - though in my defence only those objects that are particularly important to me such as Pooter (the laptop) and Madge (my electric wheelchair).

• Doing FaceBook and other daft 'Quizzes'. Just a bit of harmless fun, or is it? Recently I've discovered (A) 'which song will be played at my funeral' (it's Angels by Robbie Williams for those of you who are even remotely interested), (B) 'which witch from literature I am' (would it surprise you to learn its Hermione Granger'?) as well as 'Named that Stephen King thriller' (a not too bad 8 out of 10) and happened upon my Halloween name (Lurking Web). I've included links below should one of the bad habits you refuse to give up be participating in such things.
• Texting endless 'bad' jokes to Mr T's younger brother. A habit that can only get worse now that he is a convert to FaceBook.
• Eating all manner of strange concoctions that turn Mr T's stomach. Apparently crisp (chips to those across the pond) and mayonnaise sandwiches are hardly Haute cuisine, peanut butter and sliced banana on toast is nothing short of nauseating and as for sardines with sage and onion stuffing? You don't want to know his thoughts on this.  
• Ssh, don't tell my audiologist but Falling asleep with the tv on. Classed as 'bad sleep hygiene' and apparently to be avoided at all cost. Something my sleep deprived, tinnitus suffering self doesn't want to know when unable to get to sleep because of all the various ringing, buzzing, whistling, hissing and so on.

Which song will be played at your funeral?

Which witch from literature are you?

Name that Stephen King thriller

.... Please do be sure to let us know if you do decide to play along in any of the above. Oh, and don't forget to share the bad habit(s) you refuse to give up.

FREE BOOKS LOOKING FOR A HOME ...

Rapidly running out of not only book shelves but the space to put them it suddenly came to me ....

Most of you lovely folk love books, right?

Soooo ....

Read any of my reviews and thought ooh I'd love to read that?

Well, providing ....

• It isn't an ARC coy that I'm not at liberty to pass on
• It isn't a book that I intend to keep to read again
• It hasn't been promised elsewhere

I'm more than happy to pass it on Free of charge.

Free of charge that is in that whilst I'm more than happy to pass on the book at no charge I would have to ask that you cover the cost of any P&P (via Mr T's Paypal Account) OR, if you live locally, make arrangements to collect it.

Interested? 

Please see the new page 'Free Books Looking For A Home' that, as if by magic, has appeared below my header.

MY 'ANTI-BUCKET' LIST.

Having completed my Bucket List way back in October last year (grief, was it really that long ago?) I was super excited to read this post over at the Musings Of A Bookish Kitty blog almost a year to the day.

• Never to have to run away from zombies
• Never give a speech in an auditorium full of people
• Never get over my love of reading
• Never NOT cry when I really read a good book ...

Do you know all of these and the rest of the 'Never's' on the Literary Feline's Anti-Bucket list would easily make my list

That's right, an .....

Anti-Bucket List

- The things you hope NEVER to do before you die.

So, without further ado, here's my list. A list that like the Literary Kitten's could of course include the 'big' things - I hope to never have to tell Mr T that 'Carrot' has grown/become cancerous, I hope to never have to see the rise of fascism or fur coats become as fashionable as they once were ... you know the sort of thing -  but I'm also going to keep it light.

• I hope to never see Eeyore friendless. Never has a more true word been said on FaceBook than the cartoon that says something along the lines that though clinically depressed Eeyore stills gets invited to join in things by his friends who never expect him to pretend to feel happy or change.
• I hope to never buy peanut and jelly in the same jar. Now unlike many of my fellow Brits (Mr T included) I'm not averse to peanut and jam sandwiches BUT already mixed together .... in the same jar? I'm sorry but its just soooo wrong.
• I hope I never consider Edward a proper vampire. Much as I enjoyed the Twilight books I'm afraid vampires who, far from turning into a pile of ash should they go out in daylight, positively sparkle as if ever covered in diamonds aren't proper vampires.
• Whether it be of the religious kind, the zombie kind or indeed any other kind I hope to never have to deal with an apocalypse (or at least not one I knew was coming). Organised to the point of being anal about it, renowned for writing lists to organise lists, I'm afraid chances are I'd be dead/eaten before I'd finished my list of things needing done in order to survive such an event.
• I hope to never read of an evil, badly face-painted hedgehog on a killing spree. Not as silly as it might sound, after all how many of us never saw clowns in quite the same way after reading Stephen King's It?
• I hope to never appear in a newspaper as one of those dumb thieves (you know the kind I mean) who regularly feature in my Media Monday posts.

What about you, what would make it onto your Anti-Bucket List?

I'VE BEEN PEANUTIZED.

As most of you who are regular visitors to Pen and Paper will no doubt have gathered by now I'm not at all creative. In fact the most creative I ever really get are these fun apps which so far have seen me transformed into ....

And ....

And now this wonderful Peanuts character courtesy of a FaceBook 'game' promoting Snoopy and Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie which is out December 21st 2015.

Want to have fun being 'Peanutized'? Simply click here and away you go.