Book Review & Giveaway: Britain & Ireland by Robin Currie

I have reviewed a book called, Britain & Ireland: A Visual Tour of the Enchanted Isles by Robin Currie.

The review is on this post on my book blog, Bookish Magpie

If you would like a chance to win a copy of the book, please leave a comment on the post on my book blog, and I will enter your name in a random drawing that will take place after 6:00 pm on Monday, October 25th.

This giveaway is for UK residents only.

Amazon (UK) now gives free delivery for £5 up

Amazon’s cut the minimum price for free 'supersaver delivery' from £15 to £5. I usually order my books from play. com or The Book Depository because they offer free delivery all the time (no minimum order required) but sometimes they don't have a particular book so I might use Amazon.

Stephen Fry talks about his new TV series (video)

Stephen Fry talks to Tim Dowling about his fascination with America and why he simply had to visit all 50 states. (video link via guardian.co.uk) The six-week TV series, "Stephen Fry in America", airs on BBC1 at 9pm from October 12 Read a related post from my blog: Stephen Fry on the road in the USA As an added note of interest, you may be interested to know that you can meet Stephen Fry at a special book signing event in Stanfords London Store in Covent Garden tomorrow (Saturday 4th Oct) between 12 noon and 1pm. I'm sure the event will attract a huge crowd but I will probably be there even if it is a very very long line. I was planning to buy the book anyway so it's a bonus to have the opportunity to meet him too! Edited to add related links from my blog: Stephen Fry in America - part 1: Review Stephen Fry in America - part 2: Review Stephen Fry on the road in the USA

Stephen Fry on the road in the USA

The author, actor, comedian, director and presenter Stephen Fry, has recently completed filming a documentary about his travels via a black London taxi across the USA - visiting every one of the fifty states. Read about Stephen Fry's views of the USA in an article called, Stephen Fry on the road and how for years he admits, I have harboured deep within me the desire to make a series of documentary films about "the real" America. Read extracts from the book of the series, 'Stephen Fry in America' by Stephen Fry. (links via telegraph.co.uk) The six-week TV series airs on BBC1 at 9pm from October 12 I'm sure it will be entertaining as well as educational. I'm looking forward to watching it! Edited to add Related links from my blog: Stephen Fry in America - part 1: Review Stephen Fry in America - part 2: Review Stephen Fry in America - part 3: Review Stephen Fry in America - part 4: Review Stephen Fry in America - part 5: Review Stephen Fry in America - part 6: Review

Free vintage knitting patterns

If you like knitting and also enjoy the new trend for vintage fashion, you will appreciate a new book called Vintage Knitwear for Modern Knitters by Lise-Lotte Lystrup. Today, in Stella Magazine free with The Sunday Telegraph there is an article called, Vintage Knitwear for Modern Knitters: five free patterns to download with a (pdf) link to download five free patterns (Jacket with Frog Fasteners, V-Striped Scarf, Small Jacket, Cardigan with First-Class Tailoring, and an Angora Bolero) from the book.

The Great Big Vegetable Challenge

If you've ever struggled to get your children to eat their vegetables, you should start reading the excellent blog called The Great Big Vegetable Challenge where the author of the blog , Charlotte Hume, has worked her way through the A to Z of vegetables, by posting recipes and photos of her seven-year-old son ('Vegetable-Phobic') Freddie as he tastes each new concoction and also rates them. The blog is now published as a book too! What a fantastic idea for a blog and good on her for getting a book deal out of it too! You can listen to Charlotte Hume speak about her book in the latest Woman's Hour programme on BBC Radio 4.

Hay on Wye Short Story Contest

If you like to write, you may be interested in a new writing competition, the Hay on Wye Short Story Contest. Closing date for receipt of entries is 19th July. The theme for 2008 is: "Deception". Authors may enter as many stories as they like. There is an entry fee of £6.00 for each story submitted. The Hay Short Story Contest is a charity event and all proceeds will go to Hay and District Comunity Support. The prizes are as follows: 1st prize £400, 2nd £200, 3rd £100. The famous HayFestival (22 May - 1 June 2008) is an annual literary event at Hay-on-Wye, Wales. If like me, you aren't able to go, there is consolation via virtual visits: the Guardian offers a Hay podcast and Mariella Frostrup presents a special programme from the Hay Festival on BBC Radio 4 Open Book.