A Cup of Tea & Biscuits

Want an interesting lesson in Egyptian history? With all of the richness of the land, time and people? Read Paul C. Doherty 's Egyptian mystery series ; trust me, you will be enthralled. You will also gasp and grimace in pain and disgust. You will, eventually, realize, understand and appreciate everything Doherty has just told you. Granted, The Spies of Sobeck , though the 7th book with Chief Judge Amerotke, is the first book I've read of his, but it has me wanting to read all of the others now! You don't need to read them in order, by the way. Set in the time of the Pharoah Queen Hatusu - 14th century B.C. - this is a thriller and a mystery, rich with the simple and divine details that made up the lands of Egypt. It begins with the death of a Medjay scout, followed by an attack on the Pharoah, and then the death of two others, all sinisterly gruesome enough to set the tone of the novel. Enter Lord Valu and Amerotke, the Eyes and Ears of the Pharoah and the Chief Judge of t...

I doubt there is much to say about this book other than READ IT! Written by Hans Keilson and set in Germany in the time of World War II - it's onset and during, to be precise - this book is strange, anonymous and engaging. It's a slow read, mind you, as you have to sift through the pages with care lest you may get lost in the timeline. The first person narrative shifts between memories - events and people, that are promised to play larger roles later in the story - and current events. What had me getting through this novel was the almost ironic manner in which no one is named, a few maybe but not significantly enough given the time period it is set it. But the enemy, the nameless ominous adversary that the narrator battles throughout the novel, rises to such a powerful level to induce literary fear mainly because he's called -. Keilson describes, very beautifully, mundane activities that no one would really see any beauty in; the main one being how the protagonist sees his...

Angel by Judas Priest from Angel of Retribution (2005) One of my favorite ballads and the few songs I've actually cried listening to. It is simply beautiful, the lyrics, music and rhythm. I think I heard it while waiting for a friend at school. I believe, if memory serves right, I was sitting by myself by the driveway near the garden area, impatient and annoyed, and this song played on my iPod - because it was on shuffle mode - and I just stood still, taking it in. It moved me in so many ways. That's what music is supposed to do right? Make you feel all the emotions it is meant to make you feel and then some. Judas Priest is legendary, what they've done for heavy metal music makes my respect and adore them. I am yet to find a song (or album) of theirs that hasn't lived up to my expectations... Actually, I hope I never do :) Lyrics By Rob Halford Angel, put sad wings around me now Protect me from this world of sin so that we can rise again Oh an...

Fear of the Dark by Iron Maiden from Fear of the Dark (1992) Yes, this song makes me happy :) Odd choice? No, I don't think so. I love the pace and eeriness of the song, and it makes me smile every time I listen to it. This was probably the first metal song that I sang the guitar solo! Hummed, more likely, and it stuck with me through the many years of Iron Maiden and my musical journeys. I think one of the main reasons this song makes me smile is the energy Dickinson induces during a live performance - you can hear and feel the surging energy and that makes me happy. Written by Steve Harris I am the man who walks alone, and when I'm walking a dark road At night or strolling through the park When the light begins to change, I sometimes feel a little strange A little anxious when it's dark Fear of the dark, fear of the dark I have constant fear that something's always near Fear of the dark, fear of the dark I have a phobia that someone's alw...

The Reason by Hoobastank from The Reason (2004) I don't I can provide a very rational explanation as to why this is my least favorite song, but it is. I think I've been annoyed by it from the very beginning, even though I do like rock music. Maybe it was the lyrics, the music... I don't know! I somehow can't stand this song! I like Doug Robb's voice on an Apocalyptica track, but Hoobastank... the first and only song I head I disliked, so I've never listened to anything else. I probably should add here that I would term the present genres of dance, pop and whatever sub or mash-up genre artists like Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Rihanna, Kesha, Nicki Minaj, Bruno Mars (I liked one song of his, 'Grenade', but can't listen to it more than a few times) and whoever else is the big thing right now, but that would make me list almost WAY TOO MANY tracks that I would NOT treat my ears to, hence sticking with The Reason. Written by: Dan...

The Scarecrow by Avantasia from The Scarecrow (2008) My all time favorite, to me it's epic. I loved the song from the very first note - its blend of deep and obscure lyrics, folk sounds, rock and metal makes it unique. The collusion of the vocals adds to the beauty of this song - Jorn Lande, one of my favorite singers, gives it the edge, and Tobias Sammet soothes it. To me, this is an example of what music must be - a perfect fusion of expression (Tobias Sammet never ceases to fascinate me with his music). Vocals by Tobias Sammet, Jorn Lande and Michael Kiske [Tobias Sammet:] I'm just a loser in the game of love, I'm just a stray boy in the shade And how I wish to know what love is like, To find someone to contemplate There's a voice and a million answers, to the questions I don't ask A demon I've got to contain When I'm walking through the fen, getting deep into the black There are whispers that I can't restrain Don't give ...

I stumbled upon Donna Leon by sheer accident at the British Library back home. The first book I ever read was 'Death at La Fenice', and it was love at first touch. I remember my mum and I scouring the shelves at libraries in search of all of Leon's books, and read whichever we could find! This was a good eight years ago. I stumbled upon her latest book, again, by sheer accident! I was at the Harold Washington Public Library and noticed a familiar face on a flyer posted in the elevator: Donna Leon discusses and signs her new book. And that did it! I went on a Guido Brunetti splurge! To say that I remembered every book featuring the wonderful Commissario Brunetti would be true. Every book that I have read, that is. I was shocked to realize that I had missed a lot of Brunetti's mysteries! So, I did what every normal book lover would do. I picked up every book that I had not read, and began crossing them off my 'To Read' list. In less than a week I have seen Brune...