My Top Ten Books of 2013 & World Book Day

 

In no particular order, here are my favorite books of 2013:

1. The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey (5/5)
2. The House Of Gentle Men by Kathy Hepinstall (5/5)
3. Trust Your Eyes by Linwood  Barclay (5/5)
4. Into The Forest by Jean Hegland (4/5)
5. The Iron Druid Chronicles: I. Hounded by Kevin Hearne (5/5)
6. Das Labyrinth erwacht (The Maze Awakes) by Rainer Wekwerth (5/5)
7. The Red Garden by Alice Hoffman (5/5)
8. Joyland by Stephen King (5/5)
9. Silber: Das erste Buch der Träume (Silver: The First Book Of Dreams) by Kerstin Gier (5/5)
10. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline (5/5)

Do we share any favorite books? By the way, Rainer Wekwerth and Kerstin Gier are German authors, hence the English translation of the book titles in brackets. You might know Ms. Gier's gem trilogy about time traveling starting with Ruby Red. The first book of her new trilogy has such a great cover, I couldn't resist making a little photo session.

Another great read last summer was Dan Brown's new thriller Inferno. 

Today is World Book Day, so I want to show you another favorite book from my childhood -- The Neverending Story by Michael Ende. What better way to show the story's character than to present it in a mirror? I was delighted to win a voucher for a photo book for this photo.

 

Last but not least, I have to show you something which I oddly miss. As some of you know, I often borrow books from the Book Bus which comes to my neighborhood once a week. Until February 2013, no computers were used for the lending process. You just had a paper library card with a number (my number was G 163), and the librarian wrote that number on a card which could be found at the back of each book in a little pocket. Then you got a blue card with a due date in exchange for the book card.

The last date was always the one you had to keep in mind. A simple system -- and it worked like a charm! Now each book is scanned, and you get a printout with the due dates -- that feels colder and less personal. Gone are the days of book cards, blue due date cards, and paper library cards. Instead I have to take along a piece of plastic each time -- I am no longer G 163. Oh well...

April Blossoms

Taking a walk in the spring, I love to see all the magnificent April blossoms.

That light pink and fresh green.

The blossoms which have already opened up.

So beautiful in the sunshine.

Everything looks so fresh and new.

It's definitely time to stop and smell the flowers.

The first lilac.

The majestic magnolia.

Happy Spring!

Easter Bouquet

On Easter Sunday, the sun was shining brightly in the late afternoon. The flower power bunny beneath my Easter bouquet loved it.

All the figurines looked beautiful in the bright sunlight.

A happy chick.

A wooden Bavarian Easter bunny.

Of course, an Easter bouquet wouldn't be complete without a rooster.

And his hen.

Here you see my Easter bouquet in all its glory.

Happy Easter

Color on newspaper means one thing in spring...

... self-dyed Easter eggs!

Here are the Easter eggs on the breakfast table on Easter Sunday.

Look who came for breakfast.

The most beautiful tulips I saw this spring.

 

Of course, I also loved the tulips in the garden.

 

And the bleeding heart plant.

Some chocolate treats...

... and an Easter bunny.

Finally, another photo of the amazing tulips.

Happy Easter!

Spring Has Sprung

The fairytale cherry tree in the neighboring garden.

 

The beautiful bleeding heart.

Wide open tulips.

I really like these fringy tulips.

What a deep red.

 And that purple.

The shining red of the maple tree.

These flowers grew wildly on the lawn.

The yellow blossom of the Kerria.

A ladybug.

A close-up of a tulip.

Tulips are such a great part of spring.

March Highlights

My mom celebrating her birthday -- I couldn't help but adding a touch of Disney magic.

An owl-shaped flowerpot, some gifts, and flowers.

A cute bunny.

More owls -- at least on the wrapping paper.

For once a small teddy to go with more owls (can you tell that my mom likes owls?).

I really love to see the first tulips in stores and then in the garden -- it's such a lovely sign of spring!

Duck at a Chinese restaurant -- just delicious.

A truly delightful March.

Gift Received & Sent

I recently got a large envelope from England.

A gift with love from Claire from Another Deep Day.

 

 For me!

I was the lucky winner of one of Claire's birthday giveaways. She is celebrating the countdown to her 50th birthday, offering gifts -- isn't she the sweetest and most generous lady? Now I can add to my library the inspiring book The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.

"Always do your best." That's part of the fourth agreement. Claire, you have certainly done your best -- thanks so much for the interesting book and also for the care with which you wrapped it.

I was a little late sending out my Grow Your Blog prize to my winner Patty from Patty's Pretty Things. To make up for that I included two more doll patterns.

I hope Patty will enjoy the little surprise.

Now Patty can not only make a seated angel, but also whimsical Maggie and elegant Lady Grace.