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.

*scuffs ground with toe* I've only ever read two Agatha Christie novels. Of the two I have read; in order of preference... A Pocketful of Rye Peril at End House

Most recently I read my very first Jodi Picoult, House Rules. I thoroughly enjoyed the read, and was completely captivated by the story. Nineteen Minutes seems to garner the most positive reviews so I think I'll try that for my next Picoult.

Wonderful review, bobblybear. Like you, I was a little reserved in my opinion on Sharp Objects, however, I hadn't read any other Gillian Flynn, so my first jaunt left me a little wary of taking another step into Flynn. Perhaps I shall attempt another go in the future.

I've read so many positive things about The Dark Tower series, and heard so many "you must read the books" sentiments from people I know, and it is one of those books series I've always wanted to read, but never seem to get around them...I'm not sure why.

Thanks for the input, Karsa. I've not read even a single page of Neal Stephenson, and I'm always dubious of writing styles when it comes to authors unknown to me. I don't mind a lengthy book if the style is not tedious, or overly verbose. I'll give Snow Crash a chapter or two to show it's goods then decide whether to read further or not, methinks.

It really is a comfort to be back, I missed BCF, it is so welcoming, and everyone always has interesting things to read. Reid has been my TV crush since I was 15, Anna! I would love to have my own Spencer Reid, too. I also really like Matthew Gray Gubler from what I know of him. There is a lot of Matthew in Reid (which is only natural), they're both quirky, left of centre...but I cannot imagine Reid being a top male model as Matthew was before he began acting lol. Aside from the class being a prerequisite for the next step in the educational pathway you have chosen, it is abhorrent that it 'seems' as though the school views you/your educational pursuits not as valid as others simply because you are only taking one class. I agree with, Athena, stupid jerks. I can't tell you how much this gave me a giggle, Pontalba. Muggle - Feel better soon. I hope those pesky germs don't get any germier on you. Excellent score on the jacket! So pleased you've come up trumps with your Christmas shopping. Thank you all for the expressed concerns for my health; I am resting, but not working 30+ hour days is sending me a little loopy. As for the date--I do know the guy that has asked me out, he did the renovations on my cottage. We've interacted on a friendly business basis...which is a much different interaction than going on a date. I guess I'm a little reluctant about saying yes to the date as I cannot understand why he would wish to go on a date with me. He is very outgoing, and confident, and absolutely drop dead gorgeous, which really is of no consequence as I've never put much store in looks, and I, well I am the opposite; I'm shy, socially awkward, and plain old me. I do like that he is intelligent, witty, and honest...but he could ask any girl out and they would say yes. Why me? I'm weird. I had an absolutely amazing day pretty much just lazing and eating. After being rudely awoken by the incessant knocking of my brother on my front door, he and I went out for breakfast. We then wasted a couple of hours stroll along the beach doing nothing more that talking of this and that, and acting childish. Then it was a long leisurely lunch (more food!) with a friend whilst we did some planning for her wedding. To top my day off I went and bothered my grandpa at the seafood co-op until his day ended, and enjoyed a rare walk home with him. Now I intend to carry on the theme of the day of being lazy, and eating.

I hope everyone has been keeping in good spirits the past couple of months. I still have a great deal of catching up to do on BCF; reading people's personal threads, book journals and whatnot, but I can already see that many of you have been busy. Athena - do be sure to get plenty of downtime as it reads as though you're still going to be a trifle busy this week. Wishing you the best with your treatment plan. I do hope Pamuk doesn't find himself too traumatized by his visit to the vet. Pontalba - Oops! Book double up? Anna - I have my fingers crossed that your teacher will resolve your class issue for you. There are no other options open to you? December has come around too quickly. This year has flown by in a utter blur. I'm not quite certain what this December has in store for me; I have no real firm plans beyond this week. After being released last week from a hospital stay (nothing too fussy, just a bout of viral pneumonia--from long work hours in cold and wet, I suspect),like Athena, I'm spending a quiet week this week...a reluctant quiet week. I meant to be resting for the next two weeks, but I hate sitting idle, so no doubt I'll find myself back at work next week lol. And since I'll be sitting around for the next few days I intend to catch up on some reading and my writing. I have two WIPs that are begging for my attention. I also have the opportunity to go on a date this Friday night. It's a rarity. I haven't been on a date since...I can't even remember when. Not that I'm opposed to dating, it is simply that there isn't an abundance of single males here, and many of those that are available are just not my type. I tend to like the Dr Spencer Reid from Criminal Minds type, quirky, and able to hold an intelligent conversation. Anyway, not sure whether I should go on this date or not...I don't know whether I would hold any real interest for my 'maybe' date.

It's lovely learning how people came about their SN/username. When I come across certain names I often wonder at the story behind them. The story behind mine is quite boring lol. Some of you know that my first name is Jones and being so I always try to use the SN Jonesy, which is my usual form of address by family and friends, but being such a common name, a common surname anyway, as I'm yet to meet another with the Jones moniker as a first name...on a philosophy forum I belong to I had been using Jonesy for approx. two years before one poster realized I was not male, but a female; I guess my ambiguous avatar didn't help...I digress...being such a common name it was already taken. So, being the unoriginal person I am I simply used my middle name initial and part of my surname for Calexa which is my fallback name.

For the past two days the weather here could be summed up in one word, sombre.

Crispy skin salmon with an Asian salad. Though I would have settled for a dinner of chocolate. >.>