Sunday, 5 December 2021
Saturday, 4 December 2021
Guest Review: The Glovemen: The World’s Best Wicket-Keepers By Jack Pollard
Review: There are many books on the game of cricket that feature batters and/or bowlers, but very few that feature the specialist fielding position of wicket-keeper. This book is the exception to the rule. The wicket-keeper is the player in the team whose job is to stand behind the wicket and to stop the balls from the bowler that have gone past the bat and not hit the wicket, thus preventing the conceding of runs known as “byes”. He or she also has the best opportunity after the bowler to dismiss the batter, either by catching the ball if it has hit the bat, usually on its edge, or by stumping the batter if he or she has stepped outside the popping crease in attempting to play a stroke.
This book, published in 1993, is a history of famous wicket-keepers in the men’s game, from the late 19th century up until the book’s compilation and publication. It describes the many characters who have filled the position and also discusses how the role and tactics have evolved over the years. It is also interesting to see how the protective equipment (wicket-keepers wear pads and are the only member of the fielding team allowed to wear gloves, hence the title of the book) has improved over the years. At one stage, because of the limited protection offered, wicket-keepers suffered numerous injuries from the constant pounding their hands, and other parts of the body, took from balls bowled at great pace. The author, Jack Pollard, is Australian and the book gives more coverage to Australian cricket than to the other Test Match playing teams. There are numerous photographs throughout, and it was good to see old pictures of some of the famous wicket-keepers whose names, but not their faces, were familiar to me. There are also detailed statistical appendices at the end of the book giving details of the number of dismissals, and records of the fewest byes conceded. Because these details are included in the appendices, I thought that some of the statistical detail included in the chapters was redundant.
Overall, I would say that this is quite a niche book, and because of its emphasis on Australian cricketers, it would have limited appeal in other countries.
Friday, 3 December 2021
Guest Review: A Cosy Christmas at Bridget’s Bicycle Bakery by Alex Brown
Bridget smiled to herself, certain she could see one of the stars twinkling extra brightly in that moment as if to acknowledge her wish and convince her that, yes, Mulberry-On-Sea was just the place they all needed to be. Surrounded by those happy memories of holidays and special times where nothing bad ever happened…
Finding yourself without a home in the weeks before Christmas would break most people, but for Bridget Carrington it’s a chance to start again. Mulberry-On-Sea has always been her happy place and she’s hoping it can work its magic this festive season and heal her family after a difficult year.
Now, as the community wraps Bridget and her children in its warm embrace, she starts to feel like herself again. With a new business, kids who are starting to smile, and the promise of a second chance at love, Bridget’s holiday season might just be a happy ever after…
Review: I have read and thoroughly enjoyed many books by Alex Brown and was pleased to find that this one was going to take me back to Mulberry-On-Sea, the setting for a number of her previous works. This is book 1 in the Carrington’s Bicycle Bakery series and has a fabulous cover which pulled me in right away. I sat down, eager to find out about this interestingly named bakery, and was quickly transported into Bridget’s world.
We meet Bridget and her family as they are travelling with all their worldly goods to the coastal village of Mulberry-On-Sea, the place where Bridget grew up and the family have spent many holidays. The death of Bridget’s husband has left the family in a bad way financially as well as emotionally, and they are forced to move into her in-laws’ beach house just a few weeks before Christmas. Bridget loves to bake and is soon producing loaves of bread and mince pies, which she delivers locally on her bicycle. The local community, including barman Jack, quickly welcome Bridget and the children, and they all begin to recover their former love for life. Jack is particularly helpful to the family and Bridget finds herself wondering if she could be falling in love again.
I loved this heart-warming festive story, where what could have been a tragic tale is turned around by a strong woman with a passion for baking. There is a cast of really likeable characters and a seaside village with amazing community spirit. I particularly liked handsome barman Jack. He was so thoughtful and simply could not do enough for the family, cheering up both mother and children. He also contributed a lot of humour to the story with his cheerful disposition. Although it might not have been Bridget’s first choice of home, I envied the family their position right on the beach with the view across the sea. I am already looking forward to reading more of this series and finding out what’s next for Bridget and her family.
Thursday, 2 December 2021
November 2021 Reading Wrap Up-Netgalley & Nonfiction Reads
November was actually a really great reading month for me. I even posted a mid-month wrap up, things were going so well! I'm really hoping that I continue with the love of reading into December because that is historically a tricky reading month for me.
As always, I will divide my wrap up into audiobooks, physicals books and audiobooks and leave links to any reviews I have already posted!
eBooks
Physical Books
I read some picture books at school but nothing actually from my TBR!
Audiobooks
This Month's Videos
Wednesday, 1 December 2021
December 2021 TBR-Festive Reading Plans!
Ok so December is historically not a great reading month for me. It's a super busy time for teachers plus you're trying to get all your presents delivered to people and add into that the fact that I'm moving again at the end of the month...yeah! So this month's TBR will be nice and easy but still have some specific books that I want to get to.
Oh and I still haven't decided whether or not to do Vlogmas yet-I'm so on the fence!
I will divide the TBR into any new releases, any book vs movie and then some other audiobooks I would love to get to!
December Releases
Book Vs Movie
Other Audiobooks To Be Read
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