Chrissy

I have always known it as book blurb , along with the brief synopsis and the 'from the author of..' or the 'If you enjoyed...you will love this' bits. There likely is a proper term for it all though.

After a few months of at best, sluggish reading, I sped through William Boyd's Brazzaville Beach. I first read the book many years ago (20+?), and many aspects of it has stayed with me over the years. I got so much enjoyment from reading it again. So hard to describe, but an excellent read. On the back of such a successful re read, I have decided to start Anthony Burgess' Earthly Powers. Another book that left its mark on me many years ago.

muggle not, I do enjoy Raymond Chandler. I find it easy to settle into his books, and his descriptive turn of phrase is truly wonderful at times. You enjoyed the first Rivers of London novel? I'm so glad. I have really enjoyed them. I will be interested to 'hear' your thoughts on them as you read on.

If you enjoy detective set in the early decades of 1900, then I can recommend Dorothy L Sayers Lord Peter Wimsey series. They are very much of their time, with class barriers, occupations and the formal education of women among other aspects well captured.

I worked my way through a lot of Enid Blighton's books. Like many, I started with Noddy, and then moved on to such series asThe Famous Five and The Secret Seven, The Five Finder-Outers (and dog), Malory Towers and St Clares,

Pride (In The Name Of Love) - U2

Invisible Girl - Lisa Jewell

Cripes, Hayley you tend to get things all happening at once. I hope your feet stayed safe through this batch of misfortune! Your poor neighbours. A car crashing into your house is not something many have to worry about.

In which case, I will bring forward my next recommendation for you. Read on with the Todhunter Moon series, set in the same world.

I read a book! The latest Time Police book by Jodi Taylor, Saving Time. Full of humour, action and the continuation of an intriguing story arc. There has been no more reading since then, but that's through lack of proper opportunity rather than inclination.

Oh my goodness Hayley! My response, in order; dammit, oh no, ouchy and ouchy. Aww, pretty and yum. P.S. So glad you have been enjoying the Septimus series.

I found this one on UK Amazon. It wasn't easy to find for some reason, despite using the search function to look for it. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Auguries-Innocence-Other-Lyric-Poems/dp/1495380874

March has arrived. What are you reading? I have started Hard Time, by Jodi Taylor. This is her second book in her Time Police series. I am taking it slow, so as not to spook my rather timid reading mojo.

You are very welcome. I remember you posting the photograph, but hadn't realised that I had not commented at the time. So it is a belated "Wow, that is fab!"

We enjoyed 10 hours of a power cut on Friday, followed by a 5 hour electricity free afternoon on Saturday. Aside from some meaningful, laughter filled and relaxing chats and the playing of board games, by torch and candlelight I read my way through the rather wonderful Cassandra Darke by Posy Simmonds, as recommended by Andrea. A graphic novel, this murder mystery of sorts was pithy, engaging and just what my poor beleaguered reading mojo has been looking for. I have already started on Gemma Bovery, another GN book by the same author. This reader's block may just be passing! < I'll say this quietly, so as not to jinx anything.

lunababymoonchild, the Snaggletooth blanket is gorgeous. The colours work so well together. Poppy, Love your Copenhagen inspired blanket. Such warm colours, and it really does capture the colours and shapes.

Oh no, it's catching! I hope all our reading appetites are returned to us soon. Another Raymond Chandler fan here. He has a wonderful turn of phrase at times.

My copy of the graphic novel Gemma Bovery by Posy Simmonds has arrived, and I plan on making a start on that over the weekend. I have additionally ordered her Cassandra Darke GN. Thank you, Andrea. I think I am going to really enjoy them. My son has been visiting for a few days, so any reading I might have done could not have taken place this week regardless of my absent reading mojo. We did take a trip to a local town and I have bought a handful of books from The Works. A rather lovely illustrated and boxed copy of Sun Tzu's Art of War that I think both husband and I will enjoy. I bought a gardening book for my son, who has an allotment, and a Doctor Who book just for the fun of it.

Well, aren't we a man about town. Enjoy your bier! It's been a coffee day today. Despite calling myself a tea drinker, the coffee has been calling me.

Thank you for the words of encouragement! Life has been a bit of what Terry Pratchett would term, an embuggerance of late, and I think this temporary slump is probably a result of all that. To keep things ticking over i have been buying both paper books (or tree books!) and a few kindle books. On your recommendation, Andrea, I have today purchased Gemma Bovery by Posy Simmonds.

Sadly, the problem extends to paper books too. I am surrounded by them, and despite lovingly reaching out for them, my brain, or spirit is just not in the right place to enjoy them just now. My reading mojo seems to take a holiday just when I am in most need of it. Last time I had a long stretch I found that banning myself from even trying to read a book for a few days enabled me to later enjoy one. I may try the same this time around - and perhaps keep a handful of graphic novels and books of poetry to hand, to ease myself back in to things. I love my kindle, and using it means I have no need of my reading glasses, and you additionally have the convenience of carrying your book shelf with you. Yet my love of paper books really hasn't diminished. If I read a kindle book that I fall in love with, I will buy it in book form too, and on other occasions I will only consider buying the paper book.

I am reading nothing at the moment, and would not be able to say where my kindle is - a previously unheard of occurrence. To stop myself from collapsing into a sobbing un-reading heap, I am sewing / mending things, working my way through a sudoku book, and ignoring the little bookworm in my mind that is edging toward hysteria at not having a book on the go. The saying, 'This too shall pass' is helping me keep sane (ish).

What a lovely spot for a celebratory vacation. I have always heard that Maine is beautiful, and I can see that it's reputation is well earned! The word "Yowser!" was uttered when I saw your photographs, muggle not. .

I carried myself out of the old year and into the new reading a few Dorothy L Sayers' Lord Peter Wimsey stories. Comfort reads that took me elsewhere. Currently reading The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida. It is subtitled 'one boy's voice from the silence of autism'.

Merry Christmas! I hope everyone is enjoying their day!