Cookery Illustrated and Household Management
Edited by Elizabeth Craig
London
Odhams Press Limited, Long Acre, Lonfon W.C.2
1936

Rating: EXCELLENT

We were searching for a traditional British recipe for Christmas pudding.

Instead of searching online, my daughter and I decided to look through my cookery books. I had completely forgotten COOKERY ILLUSTRATED and HOUSEHOLD MANAGEMENT, a wonderful book compiled and edited by Elizabeth Craig. Read More…

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The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox
By Maggie O’Farrell
London (UK Edition)
Harcourt, Inc.
2007
ISBN: 978-0-15-603367-1

Rating: MEDIOCRE

I rarely read book reviews before I buy a novel. I don’t like to be influenced by others in what I consider to be a personal experience. However, on this occasion I wish I had read a few of the reviews at Amazon.com before purchasing the book.

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The Famous Five series
By Enid Blyton
London
Hodder and Stoughton
First published: 1942
These editions: 2004

Rating: EXCELLENT

I first read the Famous Five series (all 21 books) in the 1970’s. At the time I had no idea that they were already 30 years out of date. My daughter has just read the whole series in the first decade of the 21st century. She is a bright, Internet-savvy, texting 10-year old. Obviously, she can use the DVD (nearly said VHS) and cable TV far more competently than I can. Despite the fact that the Internet, cell phones, iPODs, TV, and telephones for the most part, are absent from the world of the Famous Five my daughter LOVES them. I read all the books again, too, and I couldn’t stop until I’d read the lot.

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