recommendations

The lollipop shoes - Joanne Harris
I love Joanne Harris. Her writing just transports you and is so evocative. Being a food lover myself, her use of food in her writing often has me salivating. This book has been out a while but I have only just read it and was enthralled by it. My friend veronica and I had a wonderful time together one fine summer cape town afternoon when we went to cape Towns castle for a lunch with Joanne Harris. The surroundings were fitting of her work and the whole experience makes that day one of the highlights of my life thus far ( if there was such a thing hmm that's quite a good post). We are both big fans of hers ,Ron more so than I , so she has read the lollipop shoes already. If you can read chocolat before it ,you should try ,as this book takes place approximately 4 years after that one ends. Its full of magic , chocolate and Paris and it had me hooked.

Gavin and Stacey- thoroughly English sitcom
Brilliant. Once again we have just finished series 2 and the Christmas special so I am a bit late. Its a hit here already but its an absolute classic. I think a bit of topical knowledge is required as its 2 family's , one from Wales and one from Essex, and all the stereotypes there within. The characters are just so well thought out and I just roll with laughter. Pam is my favorite. the Essex wife...

Positivity.
Its the new buzz word. America has a new, young ,positive president. even his first moves re .Guantanamo bay have led to me feeling really upbeat. I admire the Americans and I tell you why. They are patriotic. they are positive. I watched Stephen fry being interviewed by Jonathan Ross. He is obscenely intelligent, in fact, Jonathan Ross calls him Stephen Hawkings phone a friend. He spends a lot of time globe trotting but is a London resident. He said the difference between Britain and America is palpable. the Americans have a little saying "only in America" for them this means that when something amazing or weird is invented or achieved they feel proud that their countrymen created it. He claims when you say "only in Britain" it means you are standing in a queue in the rains and someone is saying NO. The difference is positivity. Here and in South Africa the above saying " only in America" has taken on a mocking tone . like "oh God only in America" , but maybe , just maybe ,we are in the wrong here. Maybe we should feel positive and patriotic. When I watched scenes from the inauguration and upbeat adjectives were flying I felt moved to tears. A young black man in Harlem was interviewed and he said this " a dream is a vision, if you work hard enough to create your vision , your dream will come true" how profound! Maybe some will laugh at the sticky sentiment , but not me. I am positive and I highly recommend it.