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

WORLD BOOK NIGHT & A GIVEAWAY WINNER.

My asthma having worsened .... again, I narrowly missed another trip to hospital and as such I'm afraid I didn't get to celebrate World Book Night as I hoped but the reports are that all went swimmingly with all of the official World Book Night reads having found new homes along with well over half the hundred or so books I had sent.

Unable to keep all of the books I receive for review, many of them go to fellow readers including family and friends but with several boxes full in a cupboard I decided this year to donate them to a good cause and what better cause than one that promotes not only reading but hopefully the love of books? So, on that note many thanks to all of the publishers and authors from whom I have received books. Not only has it been a honour to read and review them but who knows they may have gone onto inspire someone who wouldn't normally pick up a book to do so.

Anyway ...


Onto the winners for my recent 7th Blogoversary giveaway.  My thanks to everyone for your friendship and support. 

The copy of Alistair Grim's Odditorium by Gregory Funaro goes to ....

Natasha Hill.

Whilst the copy of Dancing To The Flute by Manisha Jolie Amin goes to ....

Kelly.

Well done ladies, a copy of your chosen book will be with you soon.

CELEBRATING SEVEN YEARS WITH A BLOGOVERSARY GIVEAWAY.

 Who would have thought it? 

I know I can hardly believe it myself. SEVEN years of Pen and Paper. And in order to celebrate I'd like to offer one of you (whether you be a National or International friend) the chance to win a copy of ....

{See my review here}

And another of you (National or International) a copy of ...

{See my review here}

In order to enter ...

• You don't have to be a follower (though that would be very nice and it would make my day to see you following Pen and Paper on either Google's Friends Connect or Google+. Details of both can be found on the right hand side-bar)
• You don't have to give me a shout on your blog or your FaceBook/Twitter page (though once again that would be very nice)
• You don't have to fill in any RaffleCopter form.

What you do have to do is ...

• Leave a comment letting me know you wish to enter
• Let me know which book you'd like to receive
• Let me know how I can contact you (whether it be by email or Private Message on FaceBook) if you should win. 

All entries to be received by midnight GMT on Thursday the 21st of April.The winners, picked at random at the World Book event held at Mr T's work place on the 22nd of April, to be announced Monday the 25th of April.

THE NEWS ACCORDING TO KATE AND ANNOUNCING THE IN BLOOM GIVEAWAY WINNERS.

NOOOOO! 

I don't know quite what I've done but at the click of a key I've somehow managed to erase the whole of this weeks Media Monday post.

What to do? What to do?

Aha! I know .....

I seem to remember Kate, a FaceBook friend of mine, posting a link to ...... 

The Local News Stories That Rocked The World.

Simply click HERE to view.

And now for the winners of the recent In Bloom book giveaway.







.......... Stephanie and Joan 

As well as some other retailers copies of In Bloom are also available HERE from the publishers Constable & Robinson who I would like to thank for making the giveaway possible.

Copyright: Tracy Terry @ Pen and Paper. All original content on http://pettywitter.blogspot.co.uk/ is created by the website owner, including but not limited to text, design, code, images, photographs and videos are considered to be the Intellectual Property of the website owner, whether copyrighted or not, and are protected by DMCA Protection Services using the Digital Millennium Copyright Act Title 17 Chapter 512 (c)(3). Reproduction or re-publication of this content is prohibited without permission. In addition I would also urge that if you are reading this on any other page you contact the original blog owner/reviewer.
 

WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IT?

Cambridge shoppers did a double-take when a customised 'super buggy' with room for six was seen on the streets. IMAGE & FULL ARTICLE

And talking of babies .....

An expectant mother apparently asked for gifts from friends unable to attend her baby shower in the style of a really annoying poem. FULL ARTICLE

A 22 year old graphic designer from Bristol got his revenge on an internet seller who had ripped him off by bombBARDing him with the complete works of Shakespeare in 29,350 text messages. FULL ARTICE 

Describing how 'We heard a creak. Everyone sort of stopped and looked at each other' (something I thought men's toilet etiquette forbid at all costs. TT) 'and it gave way', seven men using a Salford nightspot's 'little men's room' crash through the floor and into the cellar. IMAGE & FULL ARTICLE

Talking of toilet etiquette .....

Announcing this years winner of the British trade magazine The Bookseller's Diagram Prize ...... "How to Poo on a Date: The Lovers' Guide to Toilet Etiquette" by Mats & Enzo. FULL ARTICLE

A psychic's powers of prediction deserted her when two of her live shows at a theatre in Lancashire were cancelled due to 'unforeseen circumstances'. FULL ARTICLE

After a job interview like no other Charlie the Macaw saw off the competition against three other skilled pets to become 'parrot in residence' at the Legoland Windsor Resort hotel. FULL ARTICLE

Some people collect stamps or coins but as Britain's first (and probably last) Drain Spotter 42 year old bachelor Calvin's Payne's hobby is unique. FULL ARTICLE

An RAF obsessed seven year old from Norfolk who has spent months using all his pocket money to collect model planes, limited edition posters, medals and military books is opening his bedroom to visitors after his collection of memorabilia was officially recognised as a museum. FULL ARTICLE

An enormous vending machine in a Clifton pub's car park which stocks over 80 products ranging from washing powder, shampoo and dog food has replaced the village shop. IMAGE & FULL ARTICLE

PS. If you haven't already done so please check out the In Bloom Giveaway HERE.

Copyright: Tracy Terry @ Pen and Paper. All original content on http://pettywitter.blogspot.co.uk/ is created by the website owner, including but not limited to text, design, code, images, photographs and videos are considered to be the Intellectual Property of the website owner, whether copyrighted or not, and are protected by DMCA Protection Services using the Digital Millennium Copyright Act Title 17 Chapter 512 (c)(3). Reproduction or re-publication of this content is prohibited without permission. In addition I would also urge that if you are reading this on any other page you contact the original blog owner/reviewer.

IN BLOOM PAPERBACK REVEAL AND GIVEAWAY.

You remember my reviewing IN BLOOM by Matthew Crow last year? 

Wellll ......

I was delighted to receive an email from Publicity Assistant, Grace, to inform me that In Bloom was available in paperback as of March the 20th and would I be interested in getting involved in the Blog Tour?

Would I be interested? Just try and stop me spreading the word about what I felt was 'one of if not my favourite reads of 2013'.

And so, without further ado, I bring you .....

Written by the exceptionally talented young author Matthew Crow, In Bloom is a funny, poignant and exuberant read about a teenage boy who develops leukemia, the effects this has on his family and first love. 

It’s an incredibly memorable and (despite the subject matter) uplifting read, and at only 25, Matthew has created a genuinely realistic teenage voice in his protagonist Francis, who’s been hailed by Matt Haig as ‘the best fictional teenager since Adrian Mole… Read In Bloom right now. It will change your life’. 

A real teen /adult crossover book, In Bloom will appeal to fans of R.J. Palacio’s Wonder, Gavin Extence’s The Universe Versus Alex Woods and John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars. In Bloom was incredibly well received in Hardback, garnering some fantastic reviews and has been shortlisted for both the Peters Book of the Year for Fiction and WeRead 2014.

A novel you'd like to read?

I'm pleased to announce that thanks to Constable & Robinson Ltd, whose spring catalogue is available HERE , I'm able to offer the following giveaway.

Two lucky winners - one British and one International - will receive a copy of In Bloom. There is no rafflecopter, no questions to answer, and you don't have to follow me though that would be greatly appreciated, all that I ask is if you'd be so kind as to spread the word about In Bloom by writing a review (either on your own blog or as a guest on Pen and Paper) that would be great.
All names will be entered into one of two hats (one for UK entrants and another for International entrants so please indicate which is applicable) and the first to be drawn out of each hat on Saturday the 29th of March 2014 will receive a copy of In Bloom. 
Good luck everyone .....

Copyright: Tracy Terry @ Pen and Paper. All original content on http://pettywitter.blogspot.co.uk/ is created by the website owner, including but not limited to text, design, code, images, photographs and videos are considered to be the Intellectual Property of the website owner, whether copyrighted or not, and are protected by DMCA Protection Services using the Digital Millennium Copyright Act Title 17 Chapter 512 (c)(3). Reproduction or re-publication of this content is prohibited without permission. In addition I would also urge that if you are reading this on any other page you contact the original blog owner/reviewer.

THE WITCH'S TEARS.

And the winner of Isabel's Skin courtesy of Alma Books is ....... 

Lindsay of THE LITTLE READER LIBRARY.

THE WITCH'S TEARS by JENNY NIMMO.

SOURCE: Ex-library stock.

"Witches' tears turn to crystal as soon as they fall. Only thing is, witches don't cry, or hardly ever."

In freezing hail and howling wind, a stranger is given shelter at Theo's house - a stranger whose name is Mrs Scarum. Theo is convinced she's a witch and wishes his father would return home from his travels. But the blizzard continue and the night is long - there may tears before morning.
...... Outer back cover.

FIRST SENTENCE (Chapter 1): It was an icy day.

MEMORABLE MOMENT (Page 73): The voice began to hum a lullaby, and its gentle rhythm seemed to replace the constant beat of the clocks, the pulse that kept the house alive. 

MY THOUGHTS: Having read some time ago to a class of seven year olds (the book is marketed at those aged seven to nine) who were totally captivated by the story I re-read it thinking it a perfect Halloween read for younger readers.

The story of what happens the stormy night Mrs Scarum turns up, the clocks in the Blossom household lose their rhythm and Mr Blossom fails to telephone home. This isn't your usual take on the whole witch myth in that Mrs Scarum is hardly your average witch if indeed she is a witch at all. And its this not knowing whether she is or isn't that is part of the books overall charm.

A refreshing take on an old genre. As an adult I enjoyed the story which I thought had a wide scope for children to use their imaginations, for them to make up their own minds. What I wasn't so keen on was the illustrations which was a shame given how appealing I found the front cover.

Please note All original content on http://pettywitter.blogspot.co.uk/ is created by the website owner, including but not limited to text, design, code, images, photographs and videos are considered to be the Intellectual Property of the website owner, whether copyrighted or not, and are protected by DMCA Protection Services using the Digital Millennium Copyright Act Title 17 Chapter 512 (c)(3). Reproduction or re-publication of this content is prohibited without permission.
In addition I would also urge that if you are reading this on any other page you contact the original blog owner/reviewer.

UPON THE MIDNIGHT CLEAR.

UPON THE MIDNIGHT CLEAR by SHERRILYN KENYON.

SOURCE: Ex-library stock.

Ever think Scrooge had it right before the ghosts ruined his life? Meet Aidan O'Conner.

At one time he was a world-renowned celebrity who gave freely of himself and his money without wanting anything in return...until those around him took without asking. Now Aidan wants nothing of the world - or anyone who's a part of it.

When a stranger appears at his doorstep, Aidan knows he's seen her before...in his dreams.

Born on Olympus as a goddess, Leta knows nothing of the human world. But a ruthless enemy has driven her from the world of dreams and into the home of the only man who can help her: Aidan. Her immortal powers are derived from human emotions - and his anger is just the fuel she needs to defend herself.....

One cold winter's night will change their lives forever...

Trapped together in a brutal winter storm, Aidan and Leta must turn to the only power capable of saving them - or destroying them both: trust.
.... Outer back cover.

FIRST SENTENCE (Prologue): Dolor smiled as he finally felt the call of his summoning ring.

MEMORABLE MOMENT (Page 112): Everything in the room was sterile white, except for the two men dressed in black and the odd chess pieces who had been dancing and fighting around the board on their arrival - chess pieces that were living, breathing creatures who now watched the arguing gods with great interest.

MY THOUGHTS: I'm confused. Described on the front cover of the Piatkus edition I read as a 'Dream Hunter Novel', in other places it is listed as a 'Dark Hunter Novel'. And as if this isn't misleading enough its listed on another site as being 'Dark-Hunterverse #12', 'Dream-Hunter #3' or alternatively 'Dark-Hunter #14' with the author's website doing little to clarify the situation.

Either way, suffice to say that no matter what the name of the series I can find little to recommend Upon The Midnight Clear.

A paranormal romance that could have done with more of the supernatural and less of the 'romance'. I'm afraid that with its less than feisty heroine, a main man with a big 'poor me' complex, bodice-ripper type love scenes and laughable dialogue it just wasn't my cup of tea.

OK, so with Lyssa, the 'personification of insanity' and Timor the 'personification of human fear' it wasn't as if there weren't any characters with potential its just that almost without exception they were so over the top as to be caricatures of just about every baddie there ever was.

PS For your last chance to enter my Alma Book giveaway click HERE

Please note All original content on http://pettywitter.blogspot.co.uk/ is created by the website owner, including but not limited to text, design, code, images, photographs and videos are considered to be the Intellectual Property of the website owner, whether copyrighted or not, and are protected by DMCA Protection Services using the Digital Millennium Copyright Act Title 17 Chapter 512 (c)(3). Reproduction or re-publication of this content is prohibited without permission.
In addition I would also urge that if you are reading this on any other page you contact the original blog owner/reviewer.

BEANS, GLOW IN THE DARK ICE-CREAM AND MORE.

           A 64 year old man from Somerset claims he has sent over 100 letters, only one of which has been detected as counterfeit, free of charge using DIY 'stamps' featuring his own face. IMAGES AND FULL ARTICLE *

(Oh no! Whatever will Niece #2 do?) McDonald's is to stop using Heinz tomato ketchup in its restaurants after 40 years as Bernardo Hees, the former head of rival Burger King, took over as Heinz's chief executive. FULL ARTICLE

And talking of heinz beans .....

A 59 year old man from 'Planet Beanus' who changed his name to Captain Beany has spent £10,000 on his obsession with his favourite food after turning his home into the Baked Bean Museum of Excellence. FULL ARTICLE

A home owner was left speechless when he took up his old carpet to discover a giant Monopoly board painted on the floorboards underneath. FULL ARTICLE

Unable to gain entry to a house from which an emergency 999 call was made, police officers battered down the front door to find the caller was a cat called Bruce. FULL ARTICLE

Made from a synthesised version of the protein that makes jellyfish luminous and costing £140 for a single scoop a Bristol based inventor has created the world's first glow in the dark ice-cream. FULL ARTICLE

A 35 year old motorist from Essex banned from driving after he was caught speeding along at 130mph .... with a cup of tea between his knees told police he was surprised that his mum's posh Mercedes-Benz didn't have cup-holders. FULL ARTICLE

The Cerne Abbas Giant (the UK's largest chalk hill figure which, dating back to at least 1694, is believed to be a symbol of spirituality and fertility) has been given a temporary moustache in order of Movember, a charity which raises awareness of prostate and testicular cancer. FULL ARTICLE

And now for Husband dearest's choice .....

In a world of computers and smartphones, the humble typewriter seems long-forgotten as a means to communicate. But one woman has found a continuing use for the machines by using the letters, numbers and symbols to create art - from tiny stick figures to huge multi-page montages. FULL ARTICLE AND VIDEO

* Apologies that this (these) article(s) might not always be available due to website restrictions.

PS If you haven't already done so please check out my book giveaway HERE

Please note All original content on http://pettywitter.blogspot.co.uk/ is created by the website owner, including but not limited to text, design, code, images, photographs and videos are considered to be the Intellectual Property of the website owner, whether copyrighted or not, and are protected by DMCA Protection Services using the Digital Millennium Copyright Act Title 17 Chapter 512 (c)(3). Reproduction or re-publication of this content is prohibited without permission.
In addition I would also urge that if you are reading this on any other page you contact the original blog owner/reviewer.

STORMBRINGERS.

STORMBRINGERS by PHILIPPA GREGORY.

SOURCE: One of the few books I've actually bought this year, Stormbringers was purchased from THE BOOK PEOPLE.

Luca Vero is a member of the secret Order of Darkness, tasked with searching out and reporting signs of the end of the world. 

Breaking his journey in Piccolo, he finds a place filled with superstitious fears: of the unknown, of the forces of the sea and sky, of strangers.  With him are his loyal friend and servant, Frieze, and his clerk, Brother Peter, as well as the Lady Isolde and her mysterious servant-companion Ishraq.

The five of them are followed into the town by a huge children's crusade, led by a self-proclaimed saint. Its young leader promises that the sea will part before them, and allow them to walk dry-shod all the way to Jerusalem. Luca and Lady Isolde are swept up in the growing excitement; but something dangerous is brewing far out to sea...
..... Inner front cover. 

FIRST SENTENCE: The five travellers on horseback on the rutted track to Pescara made everyone turn and stare: the woman who brought them weak ale in a roadside inn; the peasant building a hewn stone wall by the side of the road; the boy trailing home from school to work in his father's vineyard.

MEMORABLE MOMENT (Page 232): He served himself liberally and then passes his plate to Luca. 'Forgive me. I will eat with a better appetite if you would taste everything they have brought for me. I don't wish to be an impolite guest but equally, I want to survive this dinner.'

MY THOUGHTS: Now this is more like it. Having been quite disappointed by Changeling (the first book in the Order of Darkness series) I thought this second book with its mix of myth, fact and religion a much stronger read.

The story of a self-proclaimed child prophet, of a natural (or is it an other-worldly) phenomenon. A saga of superstition, of suspected witchcraft. There was so much to think about in this Medieval tale of what happens when a small fishing village is inundated by a group of children who, led by the charismatic Johann the Good, are intent on a 'child crusade' to the Holy Land.

But just as much as I enjoyed the unfurling events of the novel, of Luca's continuing search for signs that the end of the world is nigh, it was the characters and in particular Ishraq that made for such compelling reading. Their relationships, Luca's and Isolde growing attraction, the petty jealousies that spring up between the two girls that made the book so very readable.

So glad I put my disappointment with the first book aside and read this. I'm so looking forward to books three and four and hopefully to discovering just who (and exactly what) Milord, Lord of the Order of Darkness, is.

Which now leaves me with the question can Stormbringers be read as a standalone novel. In a word yes. Apart from the fact that Johann's story is a self contained one, totally different from that of the first book, there are just enough references to the main characters backgrounds, to Luca's mission as a member of the secretive Order of Darkness to make this readable in its own right. However, I do recommend reading it after Changeling if for no other reason than to see Luca, Isolde and co's development as characters.

PS If you haven't already done so check out my Alma Book giveaway HERE.

Please note All original content on http://pettywitter.blogspot.co.uk/ is created by the website owner, including but not limited to text, design, code, images, photographs and videos are considered to be the Intellectual Property of the website owner, whether copyrighted or not, and are protected by DMCA Protection Services using the Digital Millennium Copyright Act Title 17 Chapter 512 (c)(3). Reproduction or re-publication of this content is prohibited without permission.
In addition I would also urge that if you are reading this on any other page you contact the original blog owner/reviewer.

MEDIA MONDAY: HALLOWEEN SPECIAL AND AN ALMA BOOK GIVEAWAY.

 In conjunction with the lovely people at ALMA BOOKS I'm delighted to be able to offer one British reader (apologies to those overseas) a copy of Isabel's Skin (see my review HERE). 

A 'spine-tingling read with a macabre twist' its perfect reading for those cold winter nights curled up in front of the fire and in order to win a copy you don't have to follow Pen and Paper (though that would be nice) you simply have to answer the following question and leave an email address where I can contact you if your name should be pulled out of the (witch's) hat on November the 5th.

Of all the literary characters out there which one would you must like to bewitch?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As thousands of ghoulies and ghosties and long-legged beasties are about to descend on the streets in time for Halloween a London based artist has imagined how we'd cope during a real-life invasion of the un-dead by creating a zombie survival vehicle. FULL ARTICLE AND IMAGES.

Oh my goodness! Far more creepy than any modern costume I've ever seen. How scary is this collection of vintage Halloween photographs? IMAGES

Asked by her followers to create some 'freaky halloween make-up' beauty blogger Promise Phan came up with a 'face within a face' creation. FULL ARTICLE *



A North Dakota woman who could be accused of embracing the darker side of Halloween this year has a mean trick in store for those seeking treats - by refusing to give treats to children she deems overweight instead giving them a letter in which she writes  ‘[Your] child is, in my opinion, moderately obese and should not be consuming sugar.’ FULL ARTICLE AND LETTER

Google gets into the Halloween spirit by injecting a few spooky 'Easter eggs' into its search for Halloween including facts about what witches eat and how to defeat the Grim Reaper. FULL ARTICLE

And finally, perhaps too late for this years festivities but there is always next year .....

Halloween cake pops. RECIPE HERE *

* Apologies that this (these) article(s) might not always be available due to website restrictions.

Mines Curse of the Sock Puppets. Husband dearest's is Terror of the Flying Sock Puppets. What's yours?

Please note All original content on http://pettywitter.blogspot.co.uk/ is created by the website owner, including but not limited to text, design, code, images, photographs and videos are considered to be the Intellectual Property of the website owner, whether copyrighted or not, and are protected by DMCA Protection Services using the Digital Millennium Copyright Act Title 17 Chapter 512 (c)(3). Reproduction or re-publication of this content is prohibited without permission.
In addition I would also urge that if you are reading this on any other page you contact the original blog owner/reviewer.

MY BOOKISH PEEVES.

First seen over HERE at the Bookworm's site I thought I'd share some of my bookish peeves with you.

#1......

#2 ...... I so agree with Naida and her Non-readers peeve but with me it isn't so much the non-readers but the so-called 'celeb' authors out there who brag about the fact that they've never read a book .

#3 ...... And as for 'The book loaned to a friend that comes back ruined'. Is there any greater book crime out there? Possibly not but just a great a peeve of mine is the library book with the turned down corners or, horror of horrors, the coffee stained pages. 

#4 ...... The books known by more than one title. Having checked to see I didn't already have this book by one of my favourite authors, Husband dearest was delighted to present me with a copy only to discover I already had a copy ..... only with a different title and cover.

And talking of covers ....

#5 ...... The children's books which are also available with an adult cover. Who do you think you are kidding? Everyone knows these are children's books, publishing them in a more adult friendly cover fools no-one.

Or how about ....

#6 ...... The perfect specimens that grace so many a book cover. You know the sort, the 'kick ass heroine who in actuality could hardly walk in those heels/breathe in that corset let alone kick ass.

#7 ...... Ah Naida, the E-book V  Print copy Debate. Those who tell me I'm a dinosaur for preferring tree-books. Each to their own I say.

#8 ...... The Foot Note. A necessary evil or a useful tool? Whichever way you look at it I personally prefer my 'foot note' to be in an appendix at the back of the book rather than at the bottom of the page.

#9 ...... Those who malign those who buy their books from online sites rather than a local independent book shop. OK, so in an ideal world I'm sure many of us would love to support our local book shop more but with money so tight for so many of us I'm afraid finances play a large part in just where we purchase our books and sad (but true) to say such sites are generally the less expensive option.

#10 ...... Those who pretend they have read books such as Tolstoy's War And Peace in order to appear intelligent. Hard to believe I know but THIS recent survey claimed over half of us - 52 per cent - display books at home that we have never read. The most popular books to brag about being George Orwell’s 1984, followed by Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace and Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations.


So, what are your 10 pet book peeves?

Please note All original content on http://pettywitter.blogspot.co.uk/ is created by the website owner, including but not limited to text, design, code, images, photographs and videos are considered to be the Intellectual Property of the website owner, whether copyrighted or not, and are protected by DMCA Protection Services using the Digital Millennium Copyright Act Title 17 Chapter 512 (c)(3). Reproduction or re-publication of this content is prohibited without permission.

In addition I would also urge that if you are reading this on any other page you contact the original blog owner/reviewer.

YEAH! I'M BACK AND WITH A WINNER.

Normally a typically reserved English woman who isn't given to overly emotional displays with those I don't know I could have kissed the man who delivered our new laptop yesterday afternoon.

........ after almost two weeks without the use of a computer services have been resumed in the Petty Witter household and I'm delighted to announce the winner for the Alma giveaway as Yvonne over at FICTION BOOKS.

Delighted to be back with you all, I'm hoping to be properly up and running by Monday by which time my technical department (yes, that's you Husband dearest) should have restored all of my settings.

Please note All original content on http://pettywitter.blogspot.co.uk/ is created by the website owner, including but not limited to text, design, code, images, photographs and videos are considered to be the Intellectual Property of the website owner, whether copyrighted or not, and are protected by DMCA Protection Services using the Digital Millennium Copyright Act Title 17 Chapter 512 (c)(3). Reproduction or re-publication of this content is prohibited without permission.
In addition I would also urge that if you are reading this on any other page you contact the original blog owner/reviewer.

A GIVEAWAY CELEBRATING ALMA BOOKS, BOOKSELLER'S INDEPENDENT PUBLISHER OF THE YEAR 2013.

In order to celebrate Alma Books being announced the Bookseller's Independent Publisher Of The Year and the launch of their Evergreen Series (a series all about making great literature available to every reader at an affordable price of £4.99) I'm pleased to be able to offer one lucky reader the opportunity to win a copy of all the four books pictured below.

Sorry, only open to UK residents, the books will be dispatched directly from the publishers.

No rules as such, I don't ask that you follow Pen and Paper (though that would be nice) or that you befriend me on FaceBook, all eligible entries will simply be put into a hat and drawn at random on Monday the 30th of September so please be sure to leave me an email where I can contact you if your name should be picked.

Please note All original content on http://pettywitter.blogspot.co.uk/ is created by the website owner, including but not limited to text, design, code, images, photographs and videos are considered to be the Intellectual Property of the website owner, whether copyrighted or not, and are protected by DMCA Protection Services using the Digital Millennium Copyright Act Title 17 Chapter 512 (c)(3). Reproduction or re-publication of this content is prohibited without permission.
In addition I would also urge that if you are reading this on any other page you contact the original blog owner/reviewer.