Onion Budgie

"By the time he was eight he knew he would never be a Great Actress." Hello Darling, Are You Working? -- Rupert Everett

I'm finished with it now -- THANK GOODNESS. Sheesh. I've decided on Rupert Everett next. He won't let me down. I predict belly laughs and guffaws.

White rabbits! It's 1st March already, and nearly spring, thank goodness. What's everyone reading this month? I've just about finished with A Passage to India. I started off quite enjoying it, became bored halfway through, and now I'm actively disliking the second half. It took E.M. Forster 10 years to write this novel, so he must have been as cheesed off with it as I currently am reading it. Next up will be either: Hello Darling, Are You Working? by Rupert Everett, OR The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton. I'll decide when I get there.

Oh, me too, as regards Volume 2! I can't wait. I'd also far prefer to wait for the physical book than read the webcomic. Volume 1 was such a joyous thing, wasn't it? I was smiling most of the way through reading it. I finished The Less than Epic Adventures of TJ and Amal. That was fun, too. Some stunning artwork.

I'm zipping through more graphic novels. I've just finished Heartstopper (Vol. 1) by Alice Oseman (which was delightful), and have now started The Less Than Epic Adventures of TJ and Amal by E.K. Weaver. E.M. Forster is sitting on a wobbly stool in the corner of the room, scowling at me. Perhaps he wants a biscuit?

"Except for the Marabar Caves -- and they are twenty miles off -- the city of Chandrapore presents nothing extraordinary." A Passage to India -- E.M. Forster

I hope you enjoy it, Athena! I'm almost halfway through A Passage to India. It's beautifully written (of course -- it's Forster!), but man, it's DULL. Perhaps it'll pick up soon, as we're just about to enter the caves where the Big Thing happens. I'll keep on chugging through.

Yay! I'll look forward to reading your thoughts on it. I've thoroughly enjoyed all the graphic novels I've read so far this year. I've just been in the mood for them.

I finished Bloom last night. @Athena -- It was a lovely, sweet and fluffy read. The artwork is toned blue, and simply but beautifully done. (Lots of baking in it, too! There's even a recipe for sourdough rolls included at the back of the book.) I'd definitely recommend it. Now to continue with A Passage to India...

I certainly will!

I'm reading A Passage to India by E.M. Forster. Not very far in, but quite enjoying it so far. Later today I'll make a start on Bloom by Kevin Panetta and Savanna Ganucheau. It's an LGBT+ graphic novel. The artwork is gorgeous.

You would have been in with a chance. MAYBE.* *not remotely. That stuff was GOOD.

I'm making a pot of green lentil & vegetable soup, with orzo pasta. Also, a few potato wedges, and a side of steamed veg tossed in soy sauce. Yum!

I finally finished Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson. It took me an entire month to read, on and off. Only a short book, but it felt like an absolute slog by the end. Downbeat, with a few bright spots. The main character -- or at least, the character who recurs throughout most of the stories, George Willard -- irritated the HECK out of me. I would run a thousand miles from anywhere remotely like Winesburg, Ohio. Now on to The Guest Cat by Takashi Hiraide.

I'm still reading (and enjoying) Winesburg, Ohio. Yesterday, I started Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles, which is wonderful so far.

Currently watching Season 6 of Elementary. Planning a binge-watch of it tonight, in fact.

Why can't you access the forum, Madeleine?

I finished Jerusalem Inn. It wasn't so great in the end. The story meandered and turned dull. The author irritated me by yacking on too much about snooker, the rules of which she had only the barest grasp on. Goofs galore. Bah. 2/5 I'm just about to start Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson.

I first discovered Truman Capote by reading Lawrence Grobel's Conversations with Capote in my late teens. I remember reading it at work, and trying my best to hide the book cover from curious eyes. A middle-aged Capote standing on a beach in a long, flowing white nightshirt is a dubious pleasure. Dracula by Bram Stoker. For maximum effect, read as a young teen on a winter's night, tucked up in bed with shadows all around you. A large illustrated book about The Beatles. I can't recall the exact title of it, alas. I would haul it around to my gran's on a weekly basis as a kid, and sit on her couch and read it, ignoring the TV and everyone else in the room. Naked Lunch by William Burroughs, in my mother's sunny conservatory at home. I left it there once by mistake, and my aforementioned grandmother found it, and started reading it out of curiosity. She was HORRIFIED. Oh, how we I laughed!

Favourite read? Orlando by Virginia Woolf. What a trip! The language was glorious. It was my first Woolf, and she has since become one of my favourite writers. Favourite author? Virginia Woolf. I'll be reading more of her work in 2019 for sure. Most read author? Agatha Christie. I read six of her mysteries this year. Favourite book cover? The Disappearance Boy by Neil Bartlett. Loved the book, too. The story of an illusionist's assistant, in a 1950s English seaside town. Book you abandoned (if there was more than one, the one you read least of)? N/A Book that most disappointed you?
 The Dead by James Joyce. Stifling, tedious drivel. Funniest book?
 Red Carpets and Other Banana Skins by Rupert Everett. Made me cackle aloud numerous times. What a talented writer he is! Favourite literary character? Hercule Poirot. (I'm looking forward to seeing how John Malkovich portrays him in the upcoming TV thingie on Boxing Day.) 
Favourite children's book?
 N/A Favourite classic?
 Orlando by Virginia Woolf. Favourite non-fiction book?
 Testimony of Light by Helen Greaves. A fascinating book about the afterlife. A game-changer, if you're inclined towards that sort of thing. Favourite biography?
 Red Carpets and Other Banana Skins by Rupert Everett. I also enjoyed his follow-up autobiography, Vanished Years. Favourite collection of short stories? N/A 
Favourite poetry collection?
 N/A Favourite illustrated book?
 The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry & P.J. Lynch. Favourite publisher?
 N/A Favourite audiobook? N/A Favourite re-read? N/A

I have it on my shelf! I've only read one other Ngaio Marsh (Tied Up in Tinsel), and rather enjoyed it, so I'm glad this one is a goodun' too.

Mostly Christmas films at the moment. A few nights ago it was Elf. Last night, A Christmas Story. I'm saving The Polar Express for Christmas Eve.

I enjoy this thread every time it comes around, so I might as well be the one to kick things off for the 2018 vote! Favourite read? Favourite author? Most read author? Favourite book cover? Book you abandoned (if there was more than one, the one you read least of)? Book that most disappointed you?
 Funniest book?
 Favourite literary character? 
Favourite children's book?
 Favourite classic?
 Favourite non-fiction book?
 Favourite biography?
 Favourite collection of short stories? 
Favourite poetry collection?
 Favourite illustrated book?
 Favourite publisher?
 Favourite audiobook? Favourite re-read? I'll return in a day or two with my picks. Let's hear yours!

I'd love to know everyone's menus for the 25th. Here's mine: Vegan nut roast (homemade) Mashed potatoes Mashed carrot & swede Broccoli Brussels sprouts Savoy cabbage Cauliflower Veggie gravy And for dessert: fresh-baked chocolate cake, with soy ice-cream and kirsch-soaked cherries. I'm really looking forward to it.

By the end of this week my total will be 27. That should be it for 2018.