Calexa

I received a Kindle Fire HD (32GB) as a Christmas gift, and though I am extremely appreciative of the gift, I find myself a little hesitant to use it. Don't get me wrong, I'm quite literate when it comes to tech devices, but in a weird sort of way using a Kindle feels like a bit of a betrayal to my beloved bound and paged books. Logic has me realising that I am being pathetically silly. Was anyone else reluctant to take that first estep into modernity? And if I am to embrace my Kindle what are the best ways to get the most out of it?

'Gout or rheumatism, Doctor?' I asked. The Narrative of John Smith by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Hello Sparkalisha, and welcome to the forum. I'm sure you'll come to love it here at BCF!

The Hobbit: Battle of Five Armies - I'm not sure if I can adequately put my feelings and thoughts about this installment of the saga into words. I came out of the cinema thinking "WTF was that?!" and "Are you kidding me?". It honestly felt as though Peter Jackson was flipping Tolkien the bird. Perhaps I need to go away and gather my thoughts then come back and write a more comprehensive review. I also had the pleasure of watching Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou last night. It was a fun and quirky ride with a typical Wes Anderson stamp on it.

Certainly happy huntings there! Nicely done, bobblybear. I found Burial Rites a wonderful read; it had been on my TBR list for quite some time and I finally got around to reading it earlier this year. I'm still reading The Narrative of John Smith...about halfway through. I'm enjoying seeing the thought process behind Sir Arthur Conan Doyle writing, but what was essentially an unfinished manuscript feels disjointed and unpolished. I've also started reading a book I was given as a gift for Christmas, The Soul of Mary Olivane by Hebe Elsna. I had been wanting this book since it was referenced in a conversation I had with a group of people about if our lives were different than how they turned out to be and making the most of what you have. As the book was published in 1949 it is not easy task to find a copy of the book in good condition, but now I have one!

I have not had a chance to back read to where I left, but I hope everyone has stayed well, and happy. A most Merry, safe, and blessed Christmas to everyone. I hope you spend the holidays wrapped in the joy and warmth of friends and family. I'm looking forward to spending some quality time with my brother, grandpa, and a few close friends over Christmas...eating too much.

Fickle. Mother Nature can't seem to make up her mind if she wants to wear a lovely flirty Summer dress or a fur lined crimson coat today.

Loved John Green's Looking for Alaska...and pretty much all John Green's books (An Abundance of Katherines is my fave.) except oddly A Fault in Our Stars. The Bell Jar would be a great choice. I started reading The Narrative of John Smith by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle whilst I was away. I have always wanted to read Arthur Conan Doyle first novel from the moment I learned of it; such a far cry from Sherlock Holmes. So far The Narrative of John Smith does not disappoint. I find the themes within the narrative quite interesting.

Good luck with your results, Anna. Hope all is well with you, Athena, and you're looking to your health. Having a book published is quite an accomplishment, Talisman, and to tackle a rewrite is indeed no small task...best wishes, and happy writing thoughts to you. What a wonderful and exciting job opportunity. Though a job with large responsibilities, I would think it would be hugely rewarding. Helping people as DSW to become independent is not only admirable, but a much needed asset to the community. Sickness leave is over for me...as of yesterday...and 3 O'clock in the morning it's back to the long hours grind as I'm headed back to sea for a couple of days. I must admit that I'm happy to be back working, I loathe sitting idle. Keep well everyone.

It's Kind of a Funny Story - an adaptation of Ned Vizzini's novel of the same name. Sweet and funny. Zach Galifianakis was, well Zach, and as delightful as ever, and Keir Gilchrist was a newcomer to me, and a revelation.

Methinks I might be addicted to this song...I have it on my Ipod playlist 3 times...

Finished The Light Between Oceans, and highly recommend the read. A beautiful tale of the dilemma of morality that stems from a life changing loss. Started a re-read of Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five to refresh my memory in an effort to win an argument lol.

Goethe's Faust is one of my favourite classic tragedies. I haven't read it since my late teens, but it is on my TBR list for this month as yesterday I managed to pick up a copy for $1 at a garage sale.

Finally managed to see Guardians of the Galaxy. One of my new favourite films. I loved the nuance of every character, every scene. The film was bold, warm, funny, and memorable. Soundtrack was a delight, and was a brilliant vehicle for the forward motion of the film. The Easter Eggs in GotG were fantastic.

243pgs into The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman - an extremely moving story. Even though I'm yet to complete the book I already know I want to see the film when it is complete...I really want to see how it translates from book to film. I'm finding Stuart MacBride's Broken Skin a bit of a chore at the moment. The third installment of DS Logan McRae isn't as smooth as the previous books; tends to get bogged down a little more often than is comfortable for reading.