Christmas is just around the corner and the end of 2025 will be upon us soon too. 2025 has been my biggest reading year ever. Last year I read 53 books which I thought was pretty impressive but so far in 2025, I’m reading book 97 (“Murder Sky High” by Linda Hagan) and hope toContinue reading “My Top Ten Books of 2025”
Author Archives: theramblerni
Breast Cancer Now fundraising exceeds £3700
All roads led to Lurgan’s Brownlow House last Saturday when Action Cancer’s annual Christmas Craft Fair was taking place. One of the stands was run by an amazing group of ladies with a diagnosis of secondary breast cancer who were raising funds for Breast Cancer Now. Over the last few months, they have been busyContinue reading “Breast Cancer Now fundraising exceeds £3700”
Books of the month – November 2025
This month I have “branched out” and turned my focus on to Irish authors, both north and south of the border. As we are a nation of storytellers, it’s no surprise that they are all five star reads even though the books are very different. There is a mixture of crime, romance, drama, history andContinue reading “Books of the month – November 2025”
The Christmas Craft Fair
Lurgan’s Brownlow House is the place to be on Saturday 22nd November from 10am to 3pm. It’s the impressive venue for a Christmas Craft Fair which is run by Action Cancer. Lots of talented crafters will be there showcasing their products including a group of amazing ladies with a diagnosis of secondary breast cancer whoContinue reading “The Christmas Craft Fair”
Books of the month – October 2025
I have read four very different books this month but all five star reads. “Deadline” is a debut thriller written by TV personality Steph McGovern whereas “The Nightingale” is a historical fiction story set in France during the Second World War. We then travel across the Atlantic to Washington State to meet Marcellus the octopusContinue reading “Books of the month – October 2025”
Autumn – a time to hibernate?
“Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun.” This is an extract from the “To Autumn” poem written by English romantic poet John Keats and it was published in 1820. Perhaps you remember it from your school days? But the “season of mists and mellow fruitfulness” is definitely upon us now as theContinue reading “Autumn – a time to hibernate?”
Books of the month – September 2025
Autumn is just around the corner so it’s a good time to stock up on books, whether it’s from your local library, a charity shop, a bookshop or online. Here are some ideas about you could read next. It’s a bit of a mixed bag this month – some of the books are big hitsContinue reading “Books of the month – September 2025”
Bloom where you are planted
A few summers ago, I was walking part of the North Down Coastal Path near Holywood when I came across some dog daisies growing out of a wall. (Apologies to all gardeners who know the correct botanical name for this plant!). Clearly, the dog daisies had not been formally planted there by a gardener butContinue reading “Bloom where you are planted”
Books of the month – August 2025
Last month, I published my first blog about my books of the month for July. Feedback was really positive so many thanks for everyone who commented. I’ve therefore decided to do it again and I look forward to hearing your thoughts. As before, I’ve rated them out of five with five stars being excellent andContinue reading “Books of the month – August 2025”
Turning Sixty
Sixty is one of those milestones in life – like 18, 21, 30, 40, 50 and then there is 60! Is it the start of old age? Well, I’d rather think not. Instead I’d rather see it as 50 plus 10 – sounds a bit younger doesn’t it? I had my 60th birthday on 8thContinue reading “Turning Sixty”
