Reviewing "The Best of Times" by Penny Vincenzi for the ARC challenge (Book 1 of 12)

This booked begins with a crash on the M4 motorway. It tells the stories of those involved in the crash and the lives that are changed forever as a result of this devastating event. Throughout the book Penny reminds us how life can be changed in a split second. However much we like to think we're in control of our own destiny, life can throw the odd curve ball and nothing will ever be the same again. There are many characters in this book but the author helpfully provides a list of characters and their main relationships at the beginning of the book. I found I referred to this list a couple of times, but not as much as I expected, given the amount of characters involved (a credit to the author I think).

As the story unfolds we begin to discover what brought the characters to be on that motorway, on that day, at that exact moment. We learn that some have secrets they don't want revealed and will go to any lengths to ensure they stay hidden. Others have waited a lifetime to meet a long lost love and journey to the airport to be reunited - now they fear they will never meet again. Everyone in the crash has a story, a poignant reason to be there - we learn how life for all of them will never be the same again. Penny Vincenzi weaves a detailed and rich story about the intertwining of lives and how in one second an event so catastrophic can turn your world upside down. Penny's book is well paced and makes you want to read on to find out what happens next. Slightly predictable but not so much that it becomes boring. I'd give this book 6/10.

Here is the art that I created inspired by this book. It's an ATC and it represents the intertwining of the lives of the characters in the book. I decided to use some zentagle type patterns in reverse (white on black instead of the usual black on white).

Next month I will be reviewing "The Life of Pi" by Yann Martell on 25th February.

Lifebook 2013 - Week 1

Been catching up a little on Lifebook in the last week as well as trying to get some reading done too. Lifebook in the first week was all about anticipating the year ahead, setting some mild goals and acknowledging our blessings that will help us to achieve these goals. Our mission should we have chosen to accept it, was to picture ourselves on a journey using any mode of transport we liked (mine had to be fairy wings - what else?) I chose to do my painting in the style of Lisa Sheldrake an artist I really admire for her simple but effective style. Here's my effort ...

Artful Reading

Thought I'd give Darcy's challenge a go as I really need to get back into reading - I have a massive pile of books and I need this nudge to get on with it. The arty bit happens when create a piece of art, in any form we like, to the book we've just read and reviewed. The review and a picture of our art will be posted on here (on our own blogs) on the 25th of each month. I'm expecting most of mine to be in the form of art journal pages but at this stage, who knows?

We are to choose/read 12 books, 1 a month. Here are my 12 (in no particular order):

The Ringmaster's Daughter - Jostein Gaarder
Life of Pi - Yann Martel
The Best of Times - Penny Vincenzi
Eat Pray Love - Elizabeth Gilbert
Rebecca - Daphne Du Murier
The Pickle King - Rebecca Promitzer
A Vintage Affair - Isobel Wolff
Mind Chi - Richard Israel
Safe Haven - Nicholas Sparks saw the trailer for the film tonight at the cinema and it looks brilliant)
Beautiful Creatures - another trailer I saw at the cinema this evening - the glimpse of cinematography looks fascinating, strange but oddly beautiful. Could end up being another Twilight type yawn but we'll see.
Stargazy Pie - Laura Lockington
When God was a rabbit - Sarah Winman

The first book I'll be reading is Penny Vincenzi's 'The Best of Times' as it's the biggest so I thought I'd go for it while I'm enthusiastic. I'll have to get my skates on to blog and create the art on the 25th though.

Raeart

Hi peeps I just wanted to share these wonderful videos with everyone as I've learned so much about blending and using acrylics from this chap. If you want to learn or improve your technique with acrylic or abstract art I would recommend this guys technique - it's fabulous.