~Andrea~

Just lovely. The snowdrops are always a welcome sight after winter.

OK - so I'm currently on chapter 10 (Strider) so it's about time I posted some comments. This is my first reading of LOTR although I've seen the films many times and read the Hobbit many years ago. My first thoughts are that Frodo in the book is (certainly in the earlier chapters anyway) much jollier and therefore more hobbit-like than the Frodo in the films where he seems very serious and barely cracks a smile. Secondly, this is my first encounter with Tom Bombadil as he appears nowhere in the films. He is certainly a strange character, and Goldberry too. They seem to me to have something divine or semi-divine about them, or to represent nature or the providence of nature in some way. They are fearless and joyful, have power over dark forces and, well Tom at least, is very old, older than the races of the elves and the dwarves, so there is certainly something very mystical about them. I understand that Tom doesn't have much to do with any of the rest of the plot, but I'm still curious to see whether there will be any further references or allusions to him. Thirdly I had assumed I would have no interest in the poems and songs and would skip or skim them, however I've actually been enjoying them which has come as a pleasant surprise. Finally I had always built up in my mind that LOTR was a very heavy going book that I'd struggle with (probably because my dad attempted to read it to me when I was young, and I told him to stop because it was boring - I guess I was a bit too young) whereas it's actually a very easy and pacy read. Mind you the opening chapters and preamble don't help I suppose as the action doesn't get going straight away. Anyway I'm thoroughly enjoying it. EDIT: PS Once I've caught up I'll engage more with other comments but for now I'm reluctant to read comments on parts I haven't yet read.

It's such a fantastic book! So witty, well written and pacy, and as you say has a lot of layers and depth. I didn't know that about the title. How interesting.

Thank you Hayley and Raven I will hopefully have some thoughts posted on Tuesday. Meanwhile

I've been reading this thread a little enviously so I've decided to join in, a little late I'm afraid! I borrowed this last Friday and I've read the first 6 chapters plus preamble - so I'm about to start In the House of Tom Bombadil. I'll keep any comments short and sweet until I've caught up with the rest of you.

Haha no we never had them in the house. Only dark!

Oh fantastic. I loved Cassandra Darke too. I hope you enjoy them Chrissy and they bring a little smile to your face 🙂

I definitely recommend it Hayley. It's a bit graphic and cringy in places (intentionally) but in a good way, like a beautifully described car crash. It's pretty short too which makes it worth a punt.

😆 I know, us kobo readers are a bit of a rarity I think. Kindle is much more popular in the UK but Kobo I think might be bigger internationally.

I don't like having a lot of unread books in the house. It stresses me out. But then I'm quite a slow reader. I probably have 10 or so unread books in the house at the moment, mainly from charity shops, and one on my Kobo. Currently that's about a year's worth of reading as my reading levels have been shocking in recent years. I'd rather put stacks on my wishlist in my kobo account and then buy them when I'm ready.

Oh wonderful! I hope you enjoy it. I loved it!

That conveys it perfectly. Well there must have been a reason why I gave up on Atonement. So perhaps I'm in the minority too!

That sounds good Hayley. I'm thinking that could make a good Christmas present for my parents who love their murder mysteries. The puzzle with a solution sounds interesting. I've never come across anything like that before.

This is the first one I've read, or at least completed, I've a feeling I started Atonement many years ago. I'd like to try Amsterdam or Saturday next I think.

Aw I hope you're ok Chrissy 😘 And I hope your mojo returns when you're ready. Graphic novels are great when you can't quite face a purely written book for whatever reason. I'm a big fan of Posy Simmonds and like to dip in when my brain isn't up to anything too challenging.

Ah now that looks lovely. Beautiful place and great looking food too. 😍

I've just started Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, something I've been meaning to read for a long time.

Wow congratulations on 65 years muggle - sorry it's a bit late

I rarely read for longer than half an hour, although a really good book will make me read for longer than that. Let us know how you get on.

I discovered over Christmas that I prefer milk chocolate digestives to plain, having grown up on plain chocolate ones and always believing the milk chocolate ones to be inferior, because that's what my Dad always said

It's 1962 and Edward and Florence's wedding night. Two virgins who can't talk about sex flounder their way through an awkward evening, having never discussed their own anxieties and expectations of the encounter to come. McEwan writes exquisite prose, and brings vividly to life the moments and actions and internal agonies of these two lovers. The book focuses on the first day of their honeymoon in a hotel overlooking Chesil beach, occasionally switching back to the story that brought them here, how they met and the development of their relationship thus far. The book is full of delicious tension, suspense and comedy and sympathetically shines a light on the most private thoughts and anxieties of two imperfect humans as well as commenting on a society of changing attitudes and on the human condition. I loved this and read it in just a few sittings. I am now desperate to read some more by McEwan.

On Chesil Beach - Ian McEwan It's 1962 and Edward and Florence's wedding night. Two virgins who can't talk about sex flounder their way through an awkward evening, having never discussed their own anxieties and expectations of the encounter to come. I picked up this short novel in a charity shop, knowing little about it other than it's a well known book by a well known author, one whom I'm not sure I have ever read properly. I'm so glad I did as I was absolutely hooked from the first page. McEwan writes exquisite prose, and brings vividly to life the moments and actions and internal agonies of these two lovers. The book focuses on the first day of their honeymoon in a hotel overlooking Chesil beach, occasionally switching back to the story that brought them here, how they met and the development of their relationship thus far. The book is full of delicious tension, suspense and comedy and sympathetically shines a light on the most private thoughts and anxieties of two imperfect humans as well as commenting on a society of changing attitudes and on the human condition. I loved this and read it in just a few sittings. I am now desperate to read some more by McEwan.

Welcome Lana

The Thursday Murder Club - Richard Osman From the cover: In a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely friends meet up once a week to investigate unsolved murders. But when a brutal killing takes place on their very doorstep, the Thursday Murder Club find themselves in the middle of their first live case. Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron might be pushing eighty but they still have a few tricks up their sleeves. I read this because everybody seemed to be raving about it, however, for some reason I found it a but of a slog, which is odd as it's a very light, easy read but I think that was the problem. Somehow the writing style just didn't set me on fire, and I really dragged my feet reading it. There was nothing particularly wrong with it and I can see why it would be popular and successful, and probably had I got stuck in earlier on I'd have found the experience more enjoyable, but I dipped into it so infrequently that it only made it worse. Towards the end I started to enjoy it more but I don't think I'll bother with any more of these. Just not my cuppa even though I actually really like the author on telly. I think if you like cosy mysteries and are in the mood for something light and easy it might be just the job but for some reason, it really wasn't for me.

I do so enjoy your posts Hux. For the record if anyone wants to discuss or disagree on my reading blog they are most welcome This is a really sad story This is great news (I'm sorry I'm so behind the curve by the way - I really must up my game visiting and posting here) however as others have said, I hope you will all still come to visit/join in here too!