The August Break #8

Happy Birthday to my boy flying in Africa today...

BookBath Turns Two - Present Time!

Today is BookBath's second Birthday!

I know it might not seem like such a big Birthday but I feel there are definitely reasons to celebrate. When I started blogging two years ago I really did not have many expectations for where I wanted my blog to go or what I really wanted to get out of the experience - it was simply a spot for me to record my thoughts and impressions about the books I was reading and to celebrate my favourite hobby.

Now I feel that my blog offers me a creative outlet in my life - something I was crying out for but didn't even know it! BookBath has also allowed me to connect with a wonderful worldwide book blogging community - I feel like I have made some amazing 'book buddies' through this experience.

So, as a small way of saying thank you to you all (but in particular one of you!) I would like to offer my very first book giveaway. I will send a copy of one of my favourite reads so far this year - The Legacy by Kirsten Tranter which I reviewed here to one lucky person. This offer is open to anyone anywhere in the world! You just need to leave a comment to this post telling me what has been your favourite read of 2010 so far (so that I can add to my ever growing TBR pile!). Please include your email address in the comment too.

I will randomly draw a winner on Saturday 10th April.

Birthday Books

As promised a run down of the books I received for my Birthday...

My wonderful partner took me out to lunch and then book shopping where I managed to be quite reserved for me and picked up these two:

A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth, I do actually already have a copy of this book but I just couldn't resist this absolutely gorgeous hard cover edition released by W&N publishers - the photo does not do this book justice. I thought that seeing as though this book is going to be my major reading project for 2010 I deserved a beautiful book to be reading!

A Fraction of the Whole - Steve Toltz, I have seen this book around for so long now but was never sure if it would be the book for me or not but then I read a column by one of my favourite Australian journalists, Leigh Sales, describing it as a book that reminded her of why she loved reading and I thought I should definitely give it a go. Has anyone read this one?


Another book I received was a gift from one of my best friends, Now is the Time by Patrick Lindsay - I just love the description of this one;

Now is the time... to stop the world ... to enjoy the rain ...to be curious ...to sing ...to find peace. It's a much-proven adage that it's never too late to do all those things for ourselves that we keep meaning to do, but put off because of other distractions or busy-ness. Patrick Lindsay shows us in inspirational and farreaching, yet practical, ways how it's never too late to make a change. Or learn something new. With a thought per page, coupled with inspirational quotes, NOW IS THE TIME will inspire you to look at your life anew, and help you to plan towards regaining balance, finding strength and taking that first step.

I Like the Sound of 35...

Today is my 35th Birthday. This is a milestone for me because I spent the majority of my 20's dreading turning 30 and becoming "old"! I therefore spent a lot of time bemoaning the fact that I was getting older in age and not actually noticing what I was gaining with those years - wisdom, beautiful memories and experiences and most of all, a growing acceptance of who I am and what I want from my life. Looking back I can see that turning 30 was one of the greatest moments of my life and my thirties as a whole have been fantastic! I am especially looking forward to being 35 for a year - I think it sounds like a great number.

I also love Birthdays - mine and other peoples - and I was duly spoilt today with beautiful presents, cards and calls from my partner and friends. My wonderful partner gave me some of my favourite Harrods Tea (yes, he discovered a place to buy it in Australia!), a beautiful Royal Albert tea cup, saucer and plate and a gift voucher for a local spa - all very loved and appreciated.

One of my friends also made a surprise visit to deliver a gorgeous bunch of flowers - how beautiful are these?

I also picked up some wonderful new books but more about those tomorrow...

Turning 34

Tomorrow is my 34th Birthday - and I'm not dreading it!

Ever since I was a young age I dreaded the 30's - turning 30 was a big step for me but I do seem to have survived it intact - and now I am even looking forward to being 34 - the almost mid 30's!

I think it is true what many people say about being in your 30's - you do feel (generally) more confidant and sure of who you are and what you want - and that's a pretty nice feeling!

So, I think I will truly celebrate tomorrow - not just the fact that it is my Birthday but also my age. 34 and happy about it!