Booktrade News, with shrub

Above - the mahonia must have been planted by the first owner of this house in the sixties and it's enormous. I love the red leaves, and the scent of the new flowers that are about to appear.

The Romantic Novel of the Year 2010 longlist has been announced. Some interesting books there.

Richard and Judy are again planning their own bookclub, a potential rival to More 4's panel and their former producer, apparently. I suspect the public will buy the R&J books rather than those chosen by a panel of celebs. Interesting.

Govt U-turn. Authors visiting to talk at schools won't have to be vetted for criminal activity after all. Victory for Philip Pullman et al.

September garden, Sony reader, Museum visit

A couple of weeks ago Son 3 and I visited Milestones museum of social and industrial history in Basingstoke. A brilliant day out for all ages, but children under 10 might not be so interested. See the link for more details. Sounds a bit dry but we found it fascinating and were most impressed that a Victorian town has been painstakingly recreated in what looks like a huge aircraft hanger: real shops with real items, real trains etc. I was amused by the kitchen history section as I still use some of the items on show.

Interesting clip on the Sony reader on the BBC website. I suppose it might be good for a long holiday but you'd be worried about losing it.

Something else I've often heard about haven't seen before: Angus & Robertson in Australia have installed a Print on Demand machine for out of print books. Do look at it.

Haven't been blogging lately as have been trying to Get Things Done, as the Country Lady would say, including having the ivy above cut back. I don't know why I planted all these darn creepers now.

Ate lunch outside in the glorious sun today. Quick lunch recipe: stir-fried beansprouts with squidy fried tomatoes and mozzarella. That's fusion food, I reckon, according to the latest TV chef programme I'm watching.