The Subtle Knife Book Review

I read this book at the beginning of the year, soon after reading the first in the trilogy, the book can be widely found and Amazon have some more good reviews and comments about it. Here is my first review for the Busy Bookworm Challenge.

This is the second book in the Dark Materials trilogy by Phillip Pullman. It was easier to read than the first and explains a lot more throughout the story. The story begins to involve more characters and as such becomes more complicated but as the writing is more fluent and easier to understand, there are no problems getting to grips with the ideas. The book takes shape in different worlds and with different stories entwined together. The interesting way Pullman brings the stories together unfolds slowly as you continue to read on. The character of Lyra becomes more lovable and although she appears quite normal in some respects you begin to see her true character forming as she is put through more trials and adventures. Her adaptable personality shows when she meets a young boy who she is told she must help, her trusting nature leads them to the stories end.

As the book draws to an end, you find yourself drawn into these mysterious worlds wanting to know more and wanting to read on.

I began reading the Dark Materials trilogy after my husband would not stop asking me when I would read it so we could discuss it. He only ever reads things he knows he will like and we don't generally read the same thing so I guess I had to be the one to start reading something a little out of my comfort zone - and I am glad I did. This was an enjoyable read and although I had been sceptical about reading this, I am keen to begin the final part of the trilogy.


What did you think about the book?

My 2010 Book Challenge List as of today...

My 2010 Book Challenge List

Every year I think to myself that I would undertake some kind of reading challenge but each year I don't sign myself up to one and on reflection I realise that actually I do read a lot of books! This year I am actively taking on a reading challenge which you can find more information about at Busy Bookworm Reviews website. So far, and I know it is part of the challenge so I do need to do it, I haven't written any reviews... they will come just give me more time! So far I am in the process of reading number 7 on my list and hope to write a few reviews before my holiday is over.

Here is my list - although not complete as I know there will be books I won't read and more that I will. The purple books are those that I have chosen to read myself, the pink are for my own book club and the green are for the library book club (note the differences!!).

1. The Subtle Knife – Phillip Pullman (January)

2. The Resurrectionist – James Bradley (January)

3. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies – Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith (February)

4. Whistleblower – Tess Gerritsen (March)

5. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly – Jean Dominique Bauby (March)

6. Twilight – Stephenie Meyer (April)

7. Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov (April)

8. The Yacoubian Building – Alaa Al Aswany (April)

9. Lo’s Diary – Pia Pera (May)

10. Child 44 – Tom Rob (May/June)

11. Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day – Winifred Watson (May/June)

12. The Amber Spyglass – Phillip Pullman (June)

13. The Name of the Rose (July/August)

14. The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society (July/August)

15. Comrade Jim (September/October)

16. Guernica (September/October)

17. The Suspicions of Mr Whicher (November/December)

18. Scottsboro (November/December)

What are you reading?

Spring has arrived!

With the arrival of more sunshine I have brought out my summer jacket!! I may still be wearing a pashmina but the winter coat has been put away... finally. The Easter weekend was gorgeous and sunny, I didn't venture out and about but enjoyed lounging around the living room and basking in the warm sun. I had a well earned break with not a thought about work, it was bliss!

I also put together some more jewellery and took some pictures while it was bright enough to do so. I wanted to share them with you here:

This pastel necklace has been made with summer in mind, the muted colours look striking in this statement necklace.

These cute earrings do have a matching bracelet and necklace so look out or them, although I may be wearing them as they are my favourites!

Classic in white and gold, this striking long necklace will have a bracelet to match. This pretty piece will accompany any outfit, especially black.

Another of my favourites, this bright and summery disc pendant is inspired by daisies and will look perfect on a summers day. This item is for sale on etsy.com - Disco Daisy Necklace

To help you keep your place in your favourite book is your favourite bookmark, the Stars in Your Eyes Bookmark has a rainbow of seed beads surrounding haematite stars and can be found for sale on etsy.com.

In other news.... I have nearly finished my teacher training!! Since I began in September it has been a whirlwind of ups and downs, I begin my last placement on 20th April and ten weeks after that will have finished. The hard part is now finding a job, with any luck this coming September I will have a class of my own.

I am currently on Easter break and apart from writing an essay I have done absolutely nothing! Well almost, I have been watching Jonathan Creek from the beginning but am not getting any closer to cracking each case. I have also been to visit some kittens so I may well be posting a few pictures of a new pet in a few weeks, my fingers are crossed!

How has your Easter break been?

Happy New Year!

Hello everyone, it has been a long time! All I can say is this may be the last you'll see of me for even longer next time... as I said before I have begun my PGCE in Primary teaching and it is as everyone warns - intense. I am thoroughly enjoying it but can't wait to get on with actually being a teacher.

I loved my placement before Christmas in a Year 6 at a school in Portsmouth and can't wait to get on my next one which is not until April. I am now though experiencing the 'fun' subjects at uni. So far this year we have made sketchbooks, colour wheels, messy maps, a photo frame, a fairground ride and sung Three Blind Mice for an eternity! Despite all the fun we are having, we have essays to write and test to do so my next few months are pretty jam packed with not so fun things as well.

As many of you probably experienced, we had quite a bit of snow over the Christmas period, which surprised us all particularly in Portsmouth as it doesn't normally last more than a few hours. This snow provided everyone with a thick blanket which quickly turned into a skating rink. Here are a few pictures from our window.

Now the snow has gone I am eagerly awaiting Spring and was delighted with some beautiful sunshine today. It provided with a welcome distraction to my work.

I am keen to continue writing, I may just finish this post and keep writing more to post at a later date, now I have begun I may not be able to stop!

Hopefully you will hear from me sooner than last time.

University

It has been a long time since my last post and I have been pretty busy!
After moving house and starting my course I feel I am still not quite on top of things. I am writing this from the library at university where I am gathering sources for my essay due in next week. Although feeling ok about it, I am not sure I have left enough time! I am sure everyone is saying that whatever stage they are at though.
The course is going well so far and I am enjoying it. We are doing Maths, English, Science and Professional Studies before we go on our first School Experience and it has been an intense period of phonics, addition, subtraction and lesson planning to say the least. Having had a taster of what we can expect to be teaching at school, we will be going in on 2nd November for a 6 week block where we will develop to teaching 60% in the last week. We all feel a bit like we are being thrown in at the deep end. Tomorrow and Friday we are back in school to complete our preliminary days where we have been collecting info on the school policies as well as getting to know the children and teachers. I feel quite lucky as this week we are going to the cinema to see Monsters vs Aliens as a class outing!
Apart from being busy at uni, I have been to a bead fair and stocked up on supplies and will be having a jewellery party at my flat on 19th November. Feel free to drop by anytime during the evening. It is a relaxed event so you will be able to try on jewellery, look at buying gifts and have a nice evening chatting and relaxing. Hope to see you then.