Between the book covers -

There's something really special about friendships made with bloggers, even when one hasn't been fortunate enough to meet them in person . . . . . . yet!  They arrive on your computer screen in ways often unexpected, and you cannot always recall how they found you, or you them!

This year I 'met' wordsmith Mark Charlton, via his exceptional blog, VIEWS FROM THE BIKE SHED. I love Mark's posts on life in Wales and France. I have yet to read them all from years back, but will return to those as time permits because I have a feeling each one will have something of interest to tell me, teach me, or make me feel grateful that he took the time to share each post with us, his readers, in wonderful words and photos.  Mark leads a very busy life with his job, family, travels, creative and sports pursuits, blog posts etc., yet somehow squeezed in writing a remarkable book. 

COUNTING STEPS ~ A Journey through Landscape & Fatherhood has definitely been my personal favorite read of this year.  Here you see it waiting to be tucked into my 'favorite books' shelf - although I may just read it again before doing that! Thank you again for such a remarkable book Mark . . . . . . looking forward to your next one.

Thank you all for following my blog through yet another busy and

quite difficult year. 

You actually helped me through 2021 by reading my words, viewing

 my photography, and leaving such generous, often funny, but always

 greatly appreciated, comments. By doing all that you gave me the

 opportunity to 'follow' you, keeping up with old friends and making

 new ones.

I hope to see you here for a long time, you will always be welcomed.

I wish you all the best for the New Year.

May you and your loved ones stay safe and healthy, and be happy every day.

For the love of reading. . . . . . .

A favorite historic novel of mine, read a few years ago, is The Garden of Evening Mists

by Penang born author Tan Twan Eng. A gift from my friend Ruth in England, 

it was signed by him when they met in Bath at Mr. B's Bookshop for a book reading.

Not visible in this photo of books, some yet to be read, others-re-read, I assure

 you it's there on the shelf of special books I'll always keep, read again, and enjoy

 over and over.

His first book, The Gift of Rain, also signed and gifted to me by Ruth, is tucked

away on this same shelf of favorites.

The Garden of Evening Mists has now been adapted into an HBO movie. 

Filming is completed, it will be released later this year. . . . . . exciting news 

for me. 
I've just enjoyed an excellent interview with Mr. Twan Eng filmed in

 Penang, Malaysia, a place I enjoyed visiting in 2012.

He's an interesting gentleman, a retired lawyer who divides his time 

between Cape Town, South Africa and Kuala Lumpur, and he is

now busy writing his third book.

What's in your stack of books for winter reading?