Average Rating:

.

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

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > English
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:

Average Rating:

.

Brisingr (Inheritance Cycle)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > English
by: Christopher Paolini

September 20, 2008
After reading Eldest (and being heartily disappointed), I comforted myself with the thought that things could only get better. Well, they did. But not by much.

The first sentence of the book shattered my hopes. I had expected that being older might have cured Paolini of his verbosity, but sadly not. The first sentence contained the word 'wherein'. Enough said.

The first half of the book was not much better than Eldest. Nothing happened, and it seemed to lack fluidity. The reader is also presented with a lot of pointless information. There are also the chapters devoted to the dwarves in the later half of the book, which are (to be blunt) mind-numbing.
The scenes with Arya, however, are vastly improved. Eragon no longer ... Read More:

Average Rating:

.

Nigella Christmas: Food, Family, Friends, Festivities

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > English
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 ... Read More:

Average Rating:

.

The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > English
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 ... Read More:

Average Rating:

.

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

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > English
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!

Average Rating:

.

The Tales of Beedle the Bard, Standard Edition

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > English
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!

Average Rating:

.

Dear Fatty

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > English
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!

Average Rating:

.

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

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > English
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

Average Rating:

.

Parky: My Autobiography

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > English
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.

Average Rating:

.

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (Definitions)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > English
by: John Boyne

September 11, 2008
"The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas" is told from the viewpoint of Bruno, a 9 year old boy who moves with his parents and older sister to Auschwitz where his father is the commander. Bruno and his sister are sheltered from the realities of where they are and what goes on behind the barbed wire fence - in part by their parents and in part by naievity stemming from their privileged upbringing.

Bruno is lonely and imagines that the children behind the fence are lucky because at least they have other children to play with. He secretly befriends a little Jewish boy called Shmuel who lives within the concentration camp. They have daily conversations across the fence. As time passes, Bruno gets more curious about what life is like on the other side of the fence and why Shmuel ... Read More: