Colleen’s Weekly #Tanka Challenge – Sad & Write #MicroPoetry #Cinquain

This time I am reviewing Barb Taub’s hilarious book, Life Begins When The Kids Leave Home And The Dog Dies. It is a collection of essays written by Barb through her life as a columnist for several papers, and if you enjoy it, there are so many more on her blog!

Figel-146

I met Barb for the first time at the second Annual Bloggers Bash Awards in London, way back in 2016. I had won a competition and was awarded a special bracelet to commemorate one of her fiction works from the Null City series.

Check out Barb’s books here.

I can confirm she is as bubbly as her blog posts sound!

I have also read Do Not Wash Hands In Plates – a memoir of hers from travelling around India which was fantastic too.

This book I had on my Kindle, ready to read, then one day I received a package! Lovely Robbie Cheadle of Bake and Write fame, had won a copy of the book, but not wanting to put postage costs up for Barb (as she lives in Sout Africa) she nominated me as the recipient of her prize. Thanks Robbie!

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It took me a while to get round to reading it (that tbr pile is literally teetering by my bedside, as well as on my kindle!) and I am so glad I did.

Here’s my review.

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Now, I am not quite at retirement stage, not looking out for grandchildren, as my own kids are still young, thankfully, but I enjoyed reading Barb Taub’s collection of essays immensely!
The articles about motherhood resonated deeply, and I have to say I snorted with laughter at many!
Barb Taub has a way with words, her humour is brilliant and these short essays keep you turning the pages.
You could dip in and out of this book, but I was so immersed, I read it continually (when my own children would allow) until the very last page!
Definitely recommended!

My Amazon Review here.

My Goodreads Review here.

Buy Life Begins When The Kids Leave Home And The Dogs Died here.

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 183

19 Aug 2018 46 Comments

by Ritu in #bloggers bash, Audio, Family, Spidey's Serene Sundays, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Family Togetherness, Quote, Serene, Spidey

“I think togetherness is a very important ingredient to family life.”

Barbera Bush

Thanks, Spidey.

Togetherness really is the epitome of a close-knit family.

I feel blessed to be part of one of those families.

It means you don’t just get together in times of joy, but you rally around when times are tough too.

Just like with my Pops. I was so fortunate that our family is so close, that when I couldn’t be there straight away, there was someone else to help out.

(By the way, many of you asked, Pops is doing so well now. It’s been six weeks since the surgery, and finally, the wound has fully healed and the dressings are off. He’s walking, albeit slower than usual, doing his yoga breathing exercises, but nothing more strenuous, and he has even managed to drive a short distance. thanks to you and all your good wishes, and the care of both family and professionals, he is more or less the Pops of before!)

And now we are off to forge a little togetherness too, our little family of four.

As of tomorrow, we will be officially on holiday. Taking time to be together, just us, and enjoying each others company, as well as some relaxation time.

Don’t worry, I’m making no sweeping statements about not being here because you know me, somehow I’ll still end up writing something, or answering comments 😜

But electronics and social media will be at a minimum (well, that’s the plan, anyway!) and family time will be at the forefront of everything.

We will sit together and eat, do activities together, spend time with each other, and create memories too.

What do you do as a family, to ‘forge a little togetherness’? 😘

Have a peaceful Sunday Peeps ❤ And enjoy your week!

Seven Cities Of Delhi by Rajiv Chopra #Book Review #AmReading

18 Aug 2018 20 Comments

by Ritu in #AmReading, Reviews, Thoughts Opinions & Memories

In my mission to always support our wonderful Indie authors out there, I decided to purchase a book a little out of my usual genre, by photographer and writer, Rajiv Chopra.

Here is he, with a pen rather than his camera – his usual weapon of choice!

I have been following Rajiv’s work for a long while, and was extremely excited at the thought of his book, Seven Cities Of Delhi, which was to be a combination of photography and historical facts about the glorious city of Delhi, and I wasn’t disappointed!

Makes me want to go again and actually explore more, rather than just go shopping! (Oh, and eat Gol Gappe!!!)

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My review!

Star rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I’ve appreciated the photography of Rajiv Chopra for a few years via social media. I have visited Delhi several times and enjoyed my time there too. So when I read that there was a book combining both, I felt a compulsion to buy.
Seven Cities of Delhi? Who knew? I have read many tales and historical novels about various rulers who dominated Indian history, and it was really fascinating to read about how they left their marks on the capital of India.
Rajiv’s photos, in black and white, gave a grainy, almost to the era feel to the pictures, I wanted to step inside to see the colour!
If you love to read about long-forgotten Indian history, and have a fascination with the beautiful photographic structures, I recommend this book!

Available on Amazon here.

My Amazon review here.

My Goodreads review here.