Sunday Brunch with Jaffareadstoo ~ Anne Williams

On this quiet Sunday morning why don't you put the kettle on, make your favourite breakfast and settle down for Sunday Brunch with Jaffareadstoo

I'd delighted to welcome blogger, Anne Williams from Being Anne

☼Good Morning, Anne. Happy Sunday !

What favourite food are you bringing to Sunday brunch? 

You can’t really go wrong with a bacon buttie, can you? 

Would you like a pot of English Breakfast tea, a strong Americano, or a glass of Bucks Fizz? 

Ooh, the coffee please Josie - with just a splash of milk… 

Which of your literary heroes are joining us today? 

I think maybe some of those lovely ladies from Authors on the Edge - it’s not too far for them to travel, and I so loved the two Miss Moonshine anthologies, as well as some of the novels they’ve written on their own. 

What’s the title of the book nearest to you? 

It’s Miss Boston and Miss Hargreaves by Rachel Malik - I’ve had a signed copy on my bookshelves for quite a long time, but it’s this month’s choice for my real-life bookclub. 

What’s the oldest book on your book shelf? 

I’ll admit I’ve had a major clear-out over the last few years - I now read almost entirely on kindle, and have only hung on to my signed copies. But scanning my shelves, I think it might be a signed copy of Milly Johnson’s The Yorkshire Pudding Club - with a very old cover, featuring headless women! 

Which book do you really want to read but haven’t had time for …yet! 

I’m so behind with Lucinda Riley’s books - the standalones, and I’ve only managed the first two of the Seven Sisters series. 

Do you have a guilty reading pleasure, and if so will you tell us about it? 

I’m never guilty about my reading - I read whatever I feel like at the time, and get every bit as much pleasure from a fast-paced rom com as I do from something much more literary and challenging… 

If the house was on fire which book would you rescue? 

I might grab an armful of signed books, and my kindle will be in my handbag (as it always is). 

Do you have a reading playlist on Spotify, or a favourite CD to listen to when reading? And if so will you share with us a favourite song or piece of music that makes you feel happy? 

I prefer classical music when I’m reading, because I find words distracting - usually just Classic FM, on low in the background, and I particularly enjoy a bit of Rachmaninov… 

Do you have a favourite place to settle down to read? 

Most of my reading is in the afternoons in my lounge, in my reclining chair, with a cup of tea to hand (I switch from coffee to tea in the afternoons!). But I love the summer, when I can sit outside in the shade and disappear into a book for a while. But I’ll read anywhere and everywhere - and at all hours of the day or night. 

Give us four essential items that a blogger absolutely needs? 

A diary, kept rigorously updated 

A good wifi signal 

A piece of IT kit that suits your needs - some, I know, use their phones but for me it has to be my iMac 

An innate sense of organisation and attention to detail 

Tell us a little about your blog and why you are so passionate about books and reading? 

I started blogging seven years ago now - you might remember that you were one of the friends who encouraged me to start. I love doing it now more than I ever did - books are the best escape from life I know, and have given me so many years of joy. I guess I blog mainly to share my love with others, perhaps making them aware of books they might otherwise miss - but also to say thank you to the many authors whose books I’ve loved. 

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Sunday Brunch with Jaffareadstoo ~ Julie Morris

On this quiet Sunday morning why don't you put the kettle on, make your favourite breakfast and settle down for Sunday Brunch with Jaffareadstoo

I'd delighted to welcome blogger, Julie Morris from A Little Book Problem

☼Good Morning, Julie. Happy Sunday !

What favourite food are you bringing to Sunday brunch? 

Ooh, bagels with cream cheese and smoked salmon. Although, I know some people don’t like salmon, so bacon is just as delicious as a substitute.

Would you like a pot of English Breakfast tea, a strong Americano, or a glass of Bucks Fizz? 

English Breakfast Tea every time, and all day long.

Which of your literary heroes are joining us today? 

Jo March from Little Women, who has been my role model since I was a little girl. Flora Poste from Cold Comfort Farm who is my literary soulmate. From the boys, I think I’d pick Captain Wentworth from Persuasion, and Jilly Cooper’s Rupert Campbell-Black, so he could lead us all astray!

What’s the title of the book nearest to you? 

The Place We Call Home by Faith Hogan

What’s the oldest book on your book shelf? 

I have a second-hand copy of Circus Shoes by Noel Streatfield that I bought in a vintage book store about 10 years ago that was printed in 1939.

Which book do you really want to read but haven’t had time for …yet! 

The Stand by Stephen King. I love his books and I know a lot of people think this is his best, but it’s huge - I’m a little afraid of it!

Do you have a guilty reading pleasure, and if so will you tell us about it? 

I don’t feel guilty about anything I read, reading should be fun and people should never feel guilty about anything they enjoy reading. But for pure, unadulterated nonsense and escapism, Jilly Cooper’s Rutshire books cannot be beaten. Rivals is my favourite, because this is when Rupert meets Taggie and everything changes.

If the house was on fire which book would you rescue? 

Around The World With Koa Koala by Kathryn Jackson. I used to read this book with my sister when we were kids and I was obsessed with it. It’s about a koala bear who leaves his home in Australia to travel around the world in a hot air balloon, and he sends his friends back stories and postcards and poems from all the countries he visits. It was my first experience of how books can take you to different places and teach you about other cultures. Our original book was lost, but a few years ago my sister tracked down a copy and gave it to me for my birthday. It reminds me of my childhood, why I love to read and how much my sister means to me. That’s the one I’d save.

Do you have a reading playlist on Spotify, or a favourite CD to listen to when reading? And if so will you share with us a favourite song or piece of music that makes you feel happy? 

I can’t read and listen to music at the same time.

Do you have a favourite place to settle down to read? 

Either in the huge snuggle chair in front of the fire in my library, or in bed. But anywhere will do.

Give us four essential items that a blogger absolutely needs? 

Books, a laptop, Wordpress and unlimited amounts of time! Sadly, I can never find the last one in great enough supplies to achieve everything I want.

Tell us a little about your blog and why you are so passionate about books and reading? 

I have always been a bookworm since I first learnt to read and have collected books obsessively ever since. They are the best friends you can have, always there when you need them, for every mood, with words of comfort or inspiration, or to whisk you away when you just need to escape for a while. They’ve taken me places I never thought I’d go and taught me things I never thought I’d learn. 

Blogging is the best way I’ve found to express the love I have for books and share it with others. I started my blog three years ago in a misplaced attempt to try and control my TBR. Unfortunately, it has had exactly the opposite effect, but it has brought me so much else in the way of experiences and friendship and new authors to read that I can’t regret starting it.

Where can we follow you on social media? 

 Twitter handle @book_problem 

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Instagram @alittlebookproblem 

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Sunday Brunch with Jaffareadstoo ~ Lorraine Rugman

On this quiet Sunday morning why don't you put the kettle on, make your favourite breakfast and settle down for Sunday Brunch with Jaffareadstoo

I'd delighted to welcome blogger, Lorraine Rugman

☼Good Morning, Lorraine. Happy Sunday !

What favourite food are you bringing to Sunday brunch?

I do love a poached egg on toast, with some black pudding and a nice sausage or two, I’m happy to be the ingredients as long as I don’t have to cook it! My hubby makes a mean brunch so perhaps I could bring him along to cook it for us.

Would you like a pot of English Breakfast tea, a strong Americano, or a glass of Bucks Fizz?

It would have to be an Americano, I’m a coffee addict and can easily drink 10 cups or more a day! oh and it would have to be decaf (which doesn’t taste the same as real coffee I know, but normal coffee wasn’t helping my high blood pressure).Although I do have a real machine coffee on the weekend as a treat, so scrap the decaf it’s Sunday 😂)

Which of your literary heroes are joining us today?

It would have to be Robert Bryndza (I’m a huge fan of his books), Karen Sullivan from Orenda Books (as I’ve never met her and she’s a huge supporter of book bloggers and I’ve got so many questions I would love to ask her) Kimberley Chambers I’ve long been a fan of her gritty crime thrillers and she’s hilarious (her FB has me in stitches) and Matt Wesolowski I’m a huge fan of the #SixStories series and would love to know where he gets his ideas from.

What’s the title of the book nearest to you?

Ted Bundy The Only Living Witness by Stephen. G. Michaud and Hugh Aynesworth

authorlink
1999

What’s the oldest book on your book shelf?

My sons ‘first five years’ book, it’s 28 years old! I’m not sure how that happened! After that it’s probably Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier, it’s a book I keep meaning to read, but never seem to get around too. 

Which book do you really want to read but haven’t had time for …yet!

When I Was Ten by Fiona Cummings 

The Split by Sharon Bolton

They aren’t out to later in 2020 but they are two of my most anticipated reads, so desperate to read them soon. 

Do you have a guilty reading pleasure, and if so will you tell us about it?

Books and chocolate and my cuddly blanket to snuggle under the perfect combination 

If the house was on fire which book would you rescue?

My son’s first ‘five years book’, it hold so many memories and photos of his first five years, and even a lock of his first haircut at 5 weeks old! (He was born with lots of hair). If I had time I would then grab my signed collection of books which include some of my favourite authors, Peter James, Robert Bryndza, Angela Marsons, Caroline Mitchell, Kimberly Chambers (that’s just a few that spring to mind) 

Do you have a reading/writing playlist on Spotify, or a favourite CD to listen to when reading/writing? And if so will you share with us a favourite song or piece of music that makes you feel happy?

Sorry I’m one of those readers that prefer to read in silence

Do you have a favourite place to settle down to read/write?

I read anywhere but I guess my favourite place has to be me lounge, sat in my recliner chair with my snuggly blanket 

Give us four essential items that a blogger absolutely needs?

Books, books and more books 

A planner- a must to keep track of blog tours and review dates

A twitter account -I find this is the best way of sharing posts, it’s also a great way of interacting with other bloggers, publishers and authors. 

Money- blogging isn’t expensive by any means, but most bloggers myself included buy lots and lots of books, even if I get an ARC and I’ve loved the book I will buy the finished copy. Then there’s all the book events and festivals (unfortunately I haven’t been able to attend any due to other commitments, but there are plenty of bloggers that do) they are great way to meet fellow bloggers, authors and publishers.

Where can we follow you on social media?

Twitter @reviewcafe

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Sunday Brunch with Jaffareadstoo ~ Joanne Baird

On this quiet Sunday morning why don't you put the kettle on, make your favourite breakfast, and settle down for Sunday Brunch with Jaffareadstoo

I'm delighted to welcome blogger, Joanne from Portobello Book Blog

☼ Good Morning, Joanne. Happy Sunday!

What favourite food are you bringing to Sunday brunch?

There’s only one option for Sunday brunch – poached eggs with avocado on toast with a drizzle of Hollandaise sauce

Would you like a pot of English Breakfast tea, a strong Americano, or a glass of Bucks Fizz?

Earl Grey Tea please – it’s my morning cuppa of choice

Which of your literary heroes are joining us today?

Well it’s got to be Mr Darcy hasn’t it? Maybe Colonel Brandon could join him. Preferably both in their on screen incarnations ie Colin Firth and Alan Rickman (although I realise that sadly, the last is impossible). Maybe I should have Jane Austen along too!

What’s the title of the book nearest to you?

The Devil Upstairs by Anthony O’Neill is nearest as it’s my current read as of the beginning of December

Black&White Publishing
2019

What’s the oldest book on your book shelf?

I have an old copy of Burns’ poetry which belonged to my Grandad so it’s probably about 100 years old.


Which book do you really want to read but haven’t had time for …yet!

Becoming by Michelle Obama. I got it at Christmas last year and really really want to read it!

Viking
2018

Do you have a guilty reading pleasure, and if so will you tell us about it? 

Nope. I don’t believe in guilty pleasures when it comes to reading. If it give you pleasure, whatever it is, then there is no reason to feel guilty.

If the house was on fire which book would you rescue?

Oh gosh that’s a hard one. It would need to be a signed copy I think, probably one of my Patrick Gale books, perhaps Take Nothing With You.

Do you have a reading playlist on Spotify, or a favourite CD to listen to when reading? And if so will you share with us a favourite song or piece of music that makes you feel happy?

I don’t have Spotify and it’s usually Radio 2 playing in any room in the house during the day although the radio alarm in the bedroom is tuned to the calmer Scala Radio. I like a bit background music when I’m reading but nothing in particular.

Do you have a favourite place to settle down to read?

I like to sit on the comfy couch in my dining room from where I can see my garden and the sea. Although we’ve just had a woodburning stove fitted in our lounge so that might become the cosiest place to curl up with a book.

Give us four essential items that a blogger absolutely needs?

Books!

A diary to keep track of all your commitments

Glasses – at least this blogger does or I’d never be able to read anything.

A willingness to connect and to make friends with the many lovely bloggers, publishers and authors you will meet either in real life or in the virtual world.

Tell us a little about your blog and why you are so passionate about books and reading?

I can’t remember not being a reader and always have at least one book on the go. Books are a way to escape the real world, to experience the highs and lows of life and to visit lots of places all without leaving the comfort of your chair. I started my blog, Portobello Book Blog, in April 2015 to share my love of the books I was reading and it’s been great fun. I’ve had so much fun and met some really lovely people through blogging. I’ve been invited to book events, taken part in some myself and help organise meet-ups for authors and bloggers in Scotland. And of course, I’ve had the chance to read and review so many lovely books often ahead of publication. The book world is a really friendly and supportive. place in my experience.

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