Do it Yourself - with DK Canada!

I am a huge DIYer. I love fixing, building, creating and learning. What better book to have as a reference than Do It Yourself: A step-by-step guide to fixing, building and installing almost anything in your home by Julian Cassell, Peter Parham and Jon Eakes. Do It Yourself is only one of the great reference books available at DK Canada. This edition has been adapted for Canada by Jon Eakes and complies with Canadian building codes.

I've lived in a fixer upper for many years. We're heading into the home stretch - just in time to start all over again! It's been a learning curve! This is a great 'how do you do it?' for anyone starting out in their first home or those just looking to make sure they're on the right track.

You'll find scores of subcategories under these main headings: Tools, Equipment and Materials, Alterations and Repairs, Kitchens and Bathrooms, Decorating and Finishing, Improving HOme Performance, Outdoor Alterations and Repairs, Electrical, Plumbing and Heating. Whew! I think that covers everything you might need help with in your house!

What makes this book one of my favourite reference books are the pictures. I am a visual learner and following the clear concise directions accompanied by detailed colour images makes me feel confident in both the instructions and my ability to follow them. Every 'task' includes an overview, a materials and equipment list and is then broken down into steps. This attention to detail makes even large jobs seem doable. There's nothing like doing it yourself.

I've had great fun flipping through and reading various entries. There are some great ideas throughout. As well as some 'problem solver' sections and safety precautions. What's really neat are the 'green' entries - conserving energy using solar power, wind power and more.

Just an excellent book all round! Now, I'm off to lay out a cement pad for my new garden shed!

Giveaway - The Art of Language Invention - David J. Peterson

Did the text on the cover catch your eye? Were you able to read it? Well, you're going to want to read David J. Peterson's brand new release, The Art of Language Invention: From Horse-Lords to Dark Elves, the Words Behind World-Building.

From the publisher, Penguin Books:

"In The Art of Language Invention, master language creator David J. Peterson lays out a creative, highly accessible guide to language construction for science-fiction and fantasy fans, writers, game creators, and language lovers. Peterson begins with a brief history of constructed languages—also known as conlangs—from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Quenya and Sindarin to Star Trek’s Klingon to the thriving global community of language construction. Then, using examples from a variety of languages including his own conlangs, Peterson offers a captivating and lucid overview of language creation, providing a basic foundation of essential linguistic tools for inventing and evolving one’s own lexicon. Along the way, behind-the-scenes stories lift the curtain on how he built languages for television series and movies like Dothraki and High Valyrian for HBO’s Game of Thrones and Shiväisith for Marvel’s Thor: The Dark World, and an included phrasebook will start fans speaking Peterson’s conlangs.

An inside look at a fascinating culture and a perfect entry point into an art form as old as civilization, The Art of Language Invention is a wild linguistic adventure that will have readers ready to rub shoulders with horse lords and dark elves and perhaps inspire them to create their own languages."

Fascinating eh? Read an excerpt of The Art of Language Invention.

David J. Peterson began creating languages in 2000, received his MA in Linguistics from the University of California, San Diego, in 2005, and cofounded the Language Creation Society in 2007. He has created languages for HBO’s Game of Thrones, Syfy’s Defiance and Dominion, the CW’s Star-Crossed, and Thor: The Dark World. He is also the author of Living Language Dothraki.You can connect with David J. Peterson on his website, as well as on Twitter. He's also starting a new YouTube series about The Art of Language Invention on Sept. 29/15.

And if you think you'd like to explore The Art of Language Invention, I have a copy to giveaway courtesy of Penguin Books. Enter using the Rafflecopter form below. Open to US only, no PO boxes please. Ends Oct 17/15.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ripley's Believe It or Not - Eye-Popping Oddities!

The Ripley's books have been a staple in our house for over twenty years. Both of my kids loved them, especially my son. The books would keep them busy for hours as they oohed and ahhed over the entries.

The annual Believe It or Not has just released - this year's title is Eye-Popping Oddities. ( Those eyes are holographic and really do look like they're popping out!!) And though my son is grown and gone,  - I had the book out on the coffee table - and you guessed it - he immediately picked it up. Ripley's Believe or Not books really do appeal to all ages. Including me!

Truth really is stranger than fiction.

• An artist in England created a life size grocery store - with over 4000 items made from felt (and yes it looked real)
• I loved this one! An Australian couple use cardboard boxes, junk - and their baby son - to recreate their favourite movie scenes
• There's a hidden swimming pool in the Mojave Desert.
• All 14 members of a Brazilian family have 6 fingers on both hands
• An American man has collected over 75,000 pieces of McDonalds memorabilia
• there are historical spotlights as well, from Ripley archives
• and so much more - feats, art, food - and Beyond Belief....

Eye Popping Oddities isn't a one sitting read. It has so many entries that you'll come back again and again. Some are simply short snippets. Others are full page. And most are accompanied by full colour pictures.

"Through each of its 256 pages overflowing with mind-blowing stories of animals, feats, are, pop culture, the human body, and more, readers of all ages will discover the oddest, funniest, most awe-inspiring stories on Earth -and will return to this book again and again." Absolutely true!

"Believe it or not, this beautiful cathedral not only lies 443 ft underground, 

it is made entirely of salt - including the chandeliers."