Onion Budgie

I gave Winesburgh, Ohio just 3 stars on Goodreads, but as it was the only story collection I read this year, I felt I should include it on my list! It was enjoyable enough. I did feel that Dracula dragged slightly whenever Van Helsing was in the room, because boy, that man could talk, but the glorious nostalgia of re-reading carried me over those bumps.

I spent a long, long time with no reading mojo either. It took joining Goodreads, and this forum, to kick back into gear. These days I'm reading more than ever! Welcome back! Hope to see more of your posts around here.

Thanks, willoyd! I'm glad you remembered, as I'd completely forgotten! Here are my picks for 2019. Favourite read? - The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton. The plot was so twisty and ingenious that it was a challenge to keep up with all of the strands. An absolutely cracking, fascinating mystery. Favourite author? - Just by his debut novel alone (see above), for this year, it's Stuart Turton. Most read author? - Agatha Christie. I read five of her novels – mostly Poirots – in 2019. Favourite book cover? - The Nice and Accurate Good Omens TV Companion by Matt Whyman. Book you abandoned (if there was more than one, the one you read least of)? - None. I slugged my way through even the worst of turkeys. Book you liked the least (if different to book abandoned)? - A Passage to India by E.M. Forster. Well-written, but tedious. Forster must have been of the same mind, as it took him 10 years to write. Book that most disappointed you? - Skirt and the Fiddle by Tristan Egolf. One ridiculously farcical situation piled on top of another to an indefinite height. Funniest book? - The Hairdressers of St Tropez by Rupert Everett. He should write more, because he's pretty good at it. Favourite literary character? - Hercule Poirot and his fabulous moustaches. Favourite children's book? - More of a YA graphic novel, this one. Heartstopper by Alice Oseman. Favourite classic? - Dracula by Bram Stoker. Despite Van Helsing's endless waffling, and a couple of impenetrable dialects. Favourite non-fiction book? - The Boy Who Saw True by Cyril Scott. Favourite biography? - Diary entries and letters written by a young clairvoyant, in The Boy Who Saw True by Cyril Scott. Favourite collection of short stories? - Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson. Muted, dark, and atmospheric. Favourite poetry collection? - N/A Favourite illustrated book? - The Nice and Accurate Good Omens TV Companion by Matt Whyman. Some very lovely artwork and design in this. Favourite publisher? - N/A Favourite audiobook? - N/A Favourite re-read? - Dracula by Bram Stoker.

Finished The Remaking of Corbin Wale. It was a self-published novel. I found the writing a little green, the dialogue often clumsy, and the plot fairly silly towards the end, but it was a quick read. I'm going to tackle one more Agatha Christie before the year is out! Here we go, with Mrs McGinty's Dead. The first page has Poirot directly addressing his moustaches, so I think we're in for a good time.

My roof is finally fixed. Now I can stop whining.

I've finished An English Murder. I really enjoyed it, except I felt, perhaps, that the conclusion was wrapped up too quickly. Here's who did it! The end! I'm now about to start The Remaking of Corbin Wale by Roan Parrish, which will be my last festive read of the year.

It really isn't. He called me this morning with an excuse of having felt unwell, and rearranged for Monday a.m. It's just been one delay after another, though, so I'm feeling pretty jaded by now. I just want my roof fixed! Today's been overcast and cold, but no rain to speak of. Crossing fingers the weather stays clear through to Monday.

It didn't. He was a no-show, and my calls went to voicemail. I just about give up.

Rain, clouds, rain, clouds, rain. And my roof's still not fixed. The roofer's here tomorrow morning, early. If it's raining, then.... I'm so fed up with this weather!!!!

I'm almost done with A Christmas Malice, which I've thoroughly enjoyed. Next up will be An English Murder by Cyril Hare. It's a murder mystery that takes place on Christmas Eve. Lots of snow, and an old country house filled with family members who all detest one another. Perfect!

It's December! The year is almost over. What's everyone reading this month? Have you bought any books? I've 80 pages left of Dracula. It's been a verbose joy. I'm about to start a re-read of A Christmas Malice by John Bainbridge. It's a short novella, so it won't take too long, and it'll get me into the spirit.

I'm halfway through Dracula. I'd forgotten how incomprehensible some of the dialects are -- Mr. Swales, I'm looking at you. It's a long-winded but wonderful book.

My secret is that I don't have that many people to buy for! I've always started my Christmas shopping early, ever since I was a kid. It's ingrained in me now! I really love the build-up to Christmas.

I'm all done and wrapped! I've bought all of the nibbles too. Now I just need the willpower not to break into them until closer to Christmas. I'll buy a case of mixed wine and a bottle of fizz a couple of weeks before the day. I'm just waiting for Tesco's Christmas slots to open so I can book my food delivery. It's a vegan celebration here, so I'll be making a nut roast with all the trimmings. My decorations go up on 1st December (as always)! I'm really looking forward to starting my Christmas reading, too.

Woohoo! Well done!

Butcher's: Look at the two types of item in the main window; see how they're positioned in relation to each other. Columbia: What state is Columbia in? Then add a colour! Two people: Look at their shirts, think of another simile. Then think of another general word for "humans". Greengrocer: Pay attention to what fruit is on display!

Aha, I see it now, thanks! Did you find all the books you were missing?

No, I didn't see how to get that?

I've just finished Notes From an Exhibition by Patrick Gale. Eh, it was fine, I enjoyed it, but I felt it dragged towards the end, and I wondered why the author chose to end the book in that particular way. It felt an odd place to leave it, and didn't close the narrative well enough for my liking. I seem to remember you thinking the same, @Madeleine? Anyway -- now on to a re-read of Dracula by Bram Stoker! The font is teeny-tiny. This is going to be squintalicious.

It's modern. Look at the car, what country does it suggest? What does the theme suggest? Hope that helps!

I'd not heard of this before. I went in over-confidently -- I've correctly guessed just three so far. These are difficult! Edit: With the help of several Mumsnet threads, I got 'em all! That's not cheating, right?

Thanks, Madeleine and Athena. I'm currently waiting for a couple of written quotes to come through. Today is dry(ish), but there are rain clouds hanging ominously overhead, so...

I finished it a couple of days ago, and will absolutely replay it at some point, I had such a good time. I hope you like what you see when you check it out!

Heavy rain here. It's been like this for the past couple of weeks. And I have a leaky roof. Frantically trying to find an available roofer (they're all snowed under with work). In the meantime, a bucket has been strategically placed in the loft, catching the drips. Bugger this weather!

Oh, it definitely would be! It's really refreshing to have an open world game where you don't have to kill things. I've just bought an in-game bicycle, so I'm whizzing around like a gleeful mad thing. The quests are fun.