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Jamie's Ministry of Food: Anyone Can Learn to Cook in 24 Hours

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Subjects
by: Jamie Oliver

October 02, 2008
Just bought the book today for a bargain tenner, and as it's a cold day chose the stew recipe (hotpot version). I bought the ingredients in my lunch hour and have cooked it tonight. Simple as that. The recipe was really clear to follow, and the results were absolutely delicious. Plus my kitchen smells like a proper kitchen for the first time in a long time!

I should add that I'd never made a hotpot before in my life - my culinary repertoire is lamentably limited to about 10-12 dishes that I seem to constantly rotate, which of course gets boring, which is when you reach for a ready meal (M&S or not, it's still full of rubbish).

After a successful first attempt at one of the recipes, it seems a great book to just dive ... Read More:

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Brisingr (Inheritance Cycle)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Subjects
by: Christopher Paolini

September 20, 2008
I enjoyed the book immensely. The characters were well formed, the dialog flowed well and the action sequences were described with just enough accuracy to remain fast paced and interesting, without dulling us with too much detail.

My fault with the book is that it should have been the last on of the TRILOGY! There were at least 6-7 chapters that were not needed within this book, if not more. Within this time the book could have been ended and a conclusion given. Instead, the author decided to extend the series by another book. Why? ££££ I suppose, but I can't speculate. It could be that he truly found himself in a position where he needed to create another book to do his work justice. Either way I find myself frustrated at having ... Read More:

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Nigella Christmas: Food, Family, Friends, Festivities

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by: Nigella Lawson

October 02, 2008
Nigella's Christmas book is utterly fabulous.. like the lady herself. Beautiful to look at, rich sumptuous and full of good ideas.

The recipes and ideas for gifts are sublime and the whole colourful book makes me happy just reading it. Lovely Christmassy colours of red and green with lashings of gold and sparkly bits. Naturally there are fabulous drinks too.

By the way, the reviewer who says she will never put chocolate in her Christmas cake does not know what she is missing, that cake with the chocolate and prunes is simply THE BEST CAKE EVER I baked that last year and it was eaten in 3 days and I had to make another one. Usually cake is hanging around well into the New Year. I have just purchased lovely snowflake cookie cutters to make ... Read More:

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The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Subjects
by: Alice Schroeder

September 29, 2008
The book starts well although it reads a bit like a hagiography written by Arthur Hailey. That is ok by me I like Arthur Hailey and have always regarded Buffett as a saint. I laughed out loud several times during the first 50 pages.

After this it gets a bit heavier going. There are many insights and many surprises. I had not realised that Berkshire Hathaway lost money from the start and wound up having the textile mill shut down. I had not reliased that Buffett was first a director of Salomon brothers and then became chairman appointed to clean up the mess which he seems to have done with great honour distinction and dignity. I liked the account of the arbitration with the former director Gutfreund who seems to have had it coming. His views on how derivatives ... Read More:

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At My Mother's Knee ...: and Other Low Joints: And Other Low Joints

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Subjects
by: Paul O'Grady

September 18, 2008
Paul is at his funniest and best here. He tells us he was beaten by the priests at one of his schools, but god love im, he doesn't dwell on this like misery memoirs do, no, instead he soldiers on to the next funny bit.
I couldn't put it down and so I finished it quickly, so there had better be a sequel. I even thought up a title, 'At My Lover's Knee...and Other Low Joints'. Now THAT might top this!

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The Tales of Beedle the Bard, Standard Edition

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Subjects
by: J. K. Rowling

December 04, 2008
Paul is at his funniest and best here. He tells us he was beaten by the priests at one of his schools, but god love im, he doesn't dwell on this like misery memoirs do, no, instead he soldiers on to the next funny bit.
I couldn't put it down and so I finished it quickly, so there had better be a sequel. I even thought up a title, 'At My Lover's Knee...and Other Low Joints'. Now THAT might top this!

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Dear Fatty

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Subjects
by: Dawn French

October 02, 2008
I was really looking forward to this book after being a fan through French and Saunders and Vicar of Dibley. Dawn does not disappoint she writes wonderfully well and you do feel you are getting an insight into her life in a way that most autobiographies leave out.
This memoir made me laugh and cry, a little bit embarrasing when you are reading it on the train home!

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IEE On-site Guide; BS 7671 : 2008 IEE Wiring Regulations 17th Edition

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Subjects
by: The Institution of Engineering and Techn

September 01, 2008
how long does it take to get it published? done my 17th and my 2391 without this and the guidence note 3, would have been helpfull to have had them in time to use them but never mind its not like they arnt going to sell is it ? Bloo*y anoid

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The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (Definitions)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Subjects
by: John Boyne

September 11, 2008
I have two major criticisms of this book, only one of which can really be leveled directly at John Boyne: his writing sucks, and needed another couple of drafts.

It's great that Boyne has written a book for children which is designed to make its audience engage with the world (a la His Dark Materials; in sharp contrast to Harry Potter), but (and here's the second criticism, not something that is directly Boyne's fault) the subject matter is really not as edgy as most people pretend it to be. Most of us think the Holocaust was a pretty dreadful thing, just like most of us think that a world without organised religion would be a better place; we don't need Boyne's book to tell us the former, just like we didn't need His Dark Materials to tell us the latter. For genuinely edgy childrens' ... Read More:

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Parky: My Autobiography

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Subjects
by: Michael Parkinson

October 02, 2008
Bought this at a signing last week and I haven't put it down since. Parky has met some of the most important people of the last 40 years and lead a fascinating life. Despite all that success he remains extremely charming and humble, wrote a lovely message in the book I bought for my mum. Perfect xmas gift.