Madeleine

Date

Merry Christmas, hope you're all enjoying yourselves!

Will look forward to that one, I enjoyed Sleeper's Castle in the end, I think it has it's own discussion thread.

Sounds lovely Talisman, Iceland loos fascinating, will you do any touristy things (apart from your fave band of course)?

Cinema

We had an interesting visitor this afternoon, and I think a very expensive one - a Bengal cat! Stunning looking animal, if it were mine I wouldn't let it wander.

Frog

(A) Hundred and one Dalmatians by Dodie Smith

yes! I've hit my target of 50.

Murder on Christmas Eve - another short story collection, this time from a variety of authors such as golden Age writers, like John Dickson Carr (in fact I'd read one story in a British Library collection), and current authors such as Val McDermid (whose story I wasn't sure about) and Ian Rankin (whose quirky story I really liked). The longest story was, I think a pastiche of the Nero Wolfe series - I've seen a couple of TV movies based on these, but not having read any of the books I think a lot of the references were lost on me, and the collection was rounded off with a short Campion story, and started with a non-Cadfael tale from Ellis Peters. An interesting mix of styles and eras. 7/10

Sadly I find that with a lot of books now, the errors (typing or printing) are terrible, I wonder if they are proof read any more?

Got let out of work early so did some last minute shopping, and today it was still light at 1600! Very mild as well.

Thanks Will for all your hard work on this, and thank you for posting links to everyone's lists - makes it much easier!

Thanks Pixie, I've been looking for this one so will try to find out, it's somewhere in the TBR piles....

Me too, I'm also wearing long-sleeved T-shirts with a cardie over them, although it is very hot and stuffy in our office, but it's pretty mild out too, although still grey and drizzly, so need an anorak and scarf. Just had an email from my cousin in Australia and it's been in the 40s there!

Hound Dog - Elvis Presley

Just some wrapping to do, and of course some shopping, my mum is dragging me to Sainsbury's tomorrow! Have a great time everyone - home PC won't let me do emojis, so will do them now.

Thanks Chalie - I thought the Twilight series went off after the first 2 books, so will be interested to see what this one's like, thank you! And thank you Will for your challenge too.

Another horrible murky day with drizzle and no real daylight - 3rd day in a row now it's been like this - still it is the shortest day.

Challenges to me 1. by Willoyd - The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher 2. by Chesilbeach - How to Stop time by Matt Haig 3. by Karen.d - The Lake House by Kate Morton 4. by Alexi - Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett 5. by Chaliepud - The Host by Stephenie Meyer 6. by Little Pixie - A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourne 7. by Frankie - Bleak House by Charles Dickens 8. More Reading Time Required - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson 9. Ben - Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel Challenges by me 1. Willoyd - Rebels and Traitors by Lindsey Davis 2. Chesilbeach - Wildfire at Midnight by Mary Stewart 3. Karen.d - Labyrinth by Kate Mosse 4. Alexi - Heresy by S J Parris 5. Chaliepud - The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge 6. Little Pixie - The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths 7. Frankie - Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen 8. More Reading Time Required - North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell 9. Ben - Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres

Yep that's right, anything without a tag hasn't been read.

All the best in your new home Virginia, glad you're in for the holidays!

My list is all on Library Thing, if you want to see my books you'll need to register with them (I think it's free), sorry but I just don't have time to list all my tbr books!

the Accidental Tourist - Anne Tyler

Favourite read? Hotel du Lac by Anita Brookner Favourite author? Jodi Taylor Most read author? Jodi Taylor/Elly Griffiths (2 each) Favourite book cover? The Phantom Tree by Nicola Cornick Book you abandoned (if there was more than one, the one you read least of)? - The Book Thief by Marcus Zuzak Book that most disappointed you?
- The Book Thief Funniest book?
 A Second Chance by Jodi Taylor Favourite literary character? Ruth Galloway 
Favourite children's book?
- N/A Favourite classic?
 N/A Favourite non-fiction book?
 Nigel - My Family and other Dogs by Monty Don Favourite biography?
- N/A Favourite collection of short stories? Murder on Christmas Eve 
Favourite poetry collection?
N/A Favourite illustrated book?
N/A Favourite publisher?
N/A Favourite audiobook? N/A Favourite re-read? N/A