Janet

Our friends painted their (fairly small) kichen red last year - the colour on your profile in fact, and when Liz told me I thought 'yuk' but it really works - it looks stunning.

I imagine your bedroom will be lovely and cozy - a perfect place to read!

Thanks. I'm not so sure - it feels a bit 'cold'. I love your background picture - so cosy an inviting.

I'm good, thanks. You?

It is quite pink, isn't it! I think it might be time for a change actually!

Aww, that profile pic is sweet! You should have it on and around 14 Feb!

She sounds like a toddler!

Thanks for that - I think I'll go with The Household Guide to Dying - I've got a few more weeks to decide though.

I'm trying to steer clear of books set in America as we seem to have done so many of those!

Work was alright thanks. I had to have an 'Attendance Review Interview' (because I had a week off sick and had gone over the 'allowed percentage' ) which sounded really scary and I was worrying all morning, but it was fine. If you're continuously sick they put you on 'next steps' which can result in a disciplinary, but as I hadn't had a day off since 2006 they've closed my file - phew.

I'm sure all the applying will pay off soon.

Have you had a good day?

I've just looked on your blog and the one I was thinking of is Footprints in the Sand by Sarah Challis. You gave that a good review and it sounds good too.

I will have a look at both of them - thanks again.

No, that wasn't the one - but it sounds really good so I think I'll go with that anyway - thanks for the tip.

Hi Michelle. Hope you're okay and that work isn't too stressful at the moment.

I just wondered... I'm meant to be picking a book for my Bookworms group and I liked the idea of one that I know you read, but I can't remember what it is - only that it's something to do with a funeral!

If you can remember what it is, a) do you think it would be a good choice for discussion and b) can you tell me the name! (I've just had an idea that it might be by Sarah someone... but it might not!)

I realise this is a tall order!

Hi Paula. I'm good thanks. Have work today (worst luck!) but it's only for 4 hours and once I get there it's okay and I don't mind it - it's just the thought of going!

How are things with you - any news on the job front? Hope you're okay. x

ETA: love your avie - so cute!

No problem - and good luck!

Bonsoir mon amie! (bet I've spelt friend wrong!)

Anyway, I wondered whether you'd found your novel by a French author published in 1924. Not sure how reliable it is, but I found the following on Ebay, of all places!

ht tp://cgi.ebay.co.uk/THE-SORROWS-OF-A-FAT-MAN.Henri-Beraud.French-Novel.1924_W0QQitemZ220344973859QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20090115?IMSfp=TL090115121002r22366

(Take the gap out between the ht and the tp at the start as you can't post URLs into profile messages.

Voila!

ETA: Damn - scrap that - it says "The original French version was awarded the Prix Goncourt in 1922" at the bottom of the listing.

Happy birthday - hope you're having a good day. x

Sorry Paula - I forgot to reply to your last message on my profile (from last Friday)

Hope you're getting through your reading pile, and that you find a job soon. Sorry for my tardiness! xx

Wow, they're pretty. Impractical, but very aesthetically pleasing! Thanks.

Now I'm almost forced to find you a pic of those boots, though.

Oh, please do.

Ah, sad won't turn me off. I read the blurb this morning and thought it sounded lovelyand thanks to Amazon's search inside I read the first couple of pages and I love the writing style.

Was this made into a film will Gillian Anderson in it a few years ago? I've not seen it but it seems to be ringing bells.

I've got a 'book spa' treatment coming up soon where they recommend books (and I have

Just wanted to thank you for making me add yet another book to my Amazon Wishlist - thanks a bunch. *glares at ii*

Just kidding - but I have added 'House of Mirth' now after reading somewhere that you like Edith Wharton - I've not read anything of hers before but this sounds good.

Happy birthday - you haven't been around for a while so hope you're okay.

Hi Paula. I'm getting better slowly but still don't feel 100%. My eyeballs have been aching on and off (!) so I haven't even managed to get a lot of reading done, which feels like a wasted opportunity!

I've only read the two Orwells you mention and 'The Road to Wigan Pier' so far, but I have 'Down and Out in Paris and London' (non-fiction) and 'Coming Up For Air' of his on my huge 'to read' pile, and am going to try to read at least one of them this year.

How are things with you?

Oh Alison. I'm so sorry to hear this.

Thanks Alison - you too. I hope 2009 is a fantastic year for you (with lots of great books).

Happy birthday for yesterday.

Sorry it's a bit late but happy birthday for yesterday - I hope you had a good one. x