You can't beat a good book...

I think that statement is true at any time of the year, but at Christmas I think it's especially so. For me Christmas Day wouldn't be complete without some time in the afternoon with my nose in a new book. Thankfully my family know this (and don't mind!) and this Christmas I had a few books to choose from.  

So for this month's Papery Peep, I thought I'd share those.  

1. Where Chefs Eat

First up is a guide to restaurants in and out of London and yes, its USP is that the restaurants have been recommended by chefs. It's a good reference book, but of course is subjective as while restaurants strive for the same level of service each night, at times it does differ, hopefully not too much though.

I thought I'd check to see what it said about Polpo, a favourite of ours and a relative of Polpette which we ducked into when the crowds at Lumiere London got too much.  

Polpo is recommended by Marcus Eaves, Shaun Hill and Bryn Williams, and while you may not immediately recognise any of these names (sorry boys!) they are responsible for restaurants such as Pied à Terre,  The Walnut Tree Inn and Odette's as well as appearances on Great British Chefs and Saturday Kitchen. 

Marcus says "I'm a massive fan of this place and its emphasis on simply great food in a chilled-out, stripped-back environment. Polpo opened in 2009 and it's still one of the hottest tables in London" - I definitely agree with him there. 

2. 20 Fabric Flowers in the Twenty to Make series

A change in genre for my next book 20 Fabric Flowers in the Twenty to Make series. In the past few months I've grown to love textile flowers, incorporating them on my new woolly scarf and on gift tags at Christmas.

I was looking to buy myself one to pin onto my flower-less clothes, when I realised I could probably make my own, so this book was an inspired choice. 

I've not progressed past flicking through the images yet, but the year is young!  And I suspect that once I start and find a design that I like I'll be blooming all over...

3. A colouring book!

Yes finally I've joined the colouring revolution and I'm looking forward to not going over the lines on these gorgeous animals... 

4. A year of good eating

But the real jewel for me this Christmas was the latest Nigel Slater diary-style book. This one is the one I struggled to take my nose out of, even for a turkey sandwich and a slice of Christmas cake.

It's as good as both of his previous Kitchen Diaries and while I am a huge Nigel fan (you may have guessed) I'd recommend this book to anyone that likes food.  

I'm only up to June 8th, but it's a good year already.

I don't know about you but with these types of books I always check what's in the entry for my birthday. In this book there's Rose and almond shortbread on that day, which is most acceptable.

Well done Nigel!  

Now I wonder if he'll pop over and cook it for me...

So there's a roundup of the paper in my life from the past month, what about in yours? 

What I've read lately: The Winter Children

When I last posted what I'd been reading in October (I know, how long ago?) I said that I'd been struggling with a book. More on that later, but in truth it stopped my reading and I think I just got out of the habit...

Since then I've listened to a couple of audio books in the car - Rosanna Ley's Return to Mandalay and Philippa Gregory's The White Princess - both of which I was certain I'd enjoy and both of which I'd highly recommend. But I knew I'd need to find something to break the reading rut I've found myself in.

So when I saw the opportunity to review The Winter Children by Lulu Taylor I thought it could be just the thing. When it arrived I was immediately drawn to the cover, and like many have said before me there's nothing quite like holding a real book. But I didn't start reading just yet, I wanted to build some anticipation and let's be honest it's a busy time of year with lots going on.  

Then last Friday I was working in another office and commuting by train instead of driving, so what better opportunity. I soon learnt though that it's a quick journey and there wasn't much time for reading, even though I did get a seat in the tube! 

#commuting today with company #agoodbook #londonlife

A photo posted by Stephanie Robinson (@lifeat139a) on Dec 11, 2015 at 1:06am PST

But even after a quick read that morning I was hooked. I read it on the journey back and then again later that evening as I took the tube to my Christmas party. It was just that kind of book, one that as soon as it started you cared about the characters and their situation. I'll not share more of the plot than you'd get if you read the back cover, because I don't want to spoil it for you but the story is one of a childless couple who desperately want to conceive. There's strong opinions by one on what their next steps are and then a generous offer from a university friend which helps them along the way. 

As the story develops it's quite clear that the generous offer was made with an ulterior motive. Does it pay off? Well that would be telling wouldn't it? Let's just say the book, like all good stories has twists and complications along the way, but I think ends true to the characters and not far-fetched like some can be, nor leaving you wondering like others.  

Infact I enjoyed this book so much I read it in three days flat, even attempting to read it on my post-midnight journey home after the Christmas party. I reread those pages the next morning to make sure I hadn't missed anything and was pleasantly surprised by how much I remembered as I read!

So yes, I'd recommend this book - and I don't think you need to have been in a reading rut to enjoy it. As for the book I was stuck on, I went back once I'd finished this and completed that too. It didn't end as I expected it too, so I probably could have carried on before - but of course, I didn't know that at the time. I'm glad I finished it though as its not often a book beats me.  

 Thanks to Mumsnet  and Pan Macmillan for providing  a copy of  The Winter Children in return for an honest review.

What I've read lately...

I was right to think that my reading "spurt" might be short-lived when I last wrote about what I was reading. I seem to have got stuck on one book right now. Not because it's a dud, but because I'm struggling with reading about how a young cancer patient copes with their treatment. It's beautifully written but as you can imagine, quite emotional.

Instead of reading I've been getting my craft on, so all is not lost - and if you want to see what I've been up to take a peek here.

After a beautiful weekend, the summer seems to have truly gone now - we've heavy rain forecast here for this afternoon, I thought I'd share the last of what I consider my 'summer' reads:

1. A Very Big House in the Country, Claire Sandy

The story is set in a rented holiday home, and a very big one at that as there's three families there sharing a holiday. Between them there's a few kids too, the Teenagers and the Eights as well as a baby. There's drama along the way too - as you'd expect from a family holiday, and the C-word (cancer, nothing ruder!) threatens to raise its head, but doesn't quite make it. It's a busy fortnight, one that starts with a bang and involves you in the trials and tribulations of the families dramas. And there's more than one.  Definitely worth a read.

2. Uncluttered Attic Secrets, Jan Christensen

I didn't want this book to end. There is an attic and it is very cluttered, which is out of keeping with the rest of the house which has been inherited by Leslie. With her friend Tina they start to sort through the attic and they make quite a discovery and one I hadn't thought of. As the story unfolds there's more drama too, let me just say this book involves secret rooms and some undercover amateur sleuthing along the way too.  

3. #PleaseRetweet, Emily Benet

Another book I couldn't put down. It's a lighthearted read and follows the main character - @sparkymay - as she starts a new job helping celebrities with a tendency to be a bit of a loose cannon look good in the Twittersphere. The job gets too much with unintentional consequences, she starts to think in hashtags, lose a sense of purpose and lose touch with reality. An amusing read and one that I hope none of us ever succumb to. 

4. And what now?

Well, I'm going to carry on reading The Boy in the Mirror by Tom Preston, which is the book I mentioned earlier. It is powerfully written and it's one that I need to find time to read as reading it in bed before turning the lights out isn't working for me. 

And looking at my current reading pile it seems to be dominated by magazines and a single subject! I'm sure I've got some books along that genre too.

I'm hoping that changing genre will help, but what do you do if you get stuck on a book?