Lilywhite

Catching up on my Greys Anatomy. Nearly at the end of Season 6.

Strawberries, grapes and raisins

Of course, I've always been a St Austell fan.... Preston are just my second team

Pasta Bolognese

And just to rub salt in the wounds... More Bad News

Me too! I suddenly feel a strong allegiance towards Cardiff!

Tea and bourbons

I've tried the Garlic Baguette ones and I really liked them. Then again, I love anything garlicky. Just nipped to the supermarket today and picked up a few more to try. I think I got the Argentinian Steak and the Teriaki Chicken. Haven't seen the cheeseburger or the spag bol ones yet though.

13th June New photos on IMDB

No problem. I'm sat in work getting in a sneaky read on my break

Grotesque Natsuo Kirino Two prostitutes have been murdered in Tokyo. Yuriko had been working as a prostitute all her adult life, starting while still at school, where her stunning beauty compensated for what she lacked in intellect and commanded attention from older men. Kazue worked for a blue-chip company and had good career prospects, but was unpopular with colleagues and felt isolated. She chose to walk the streets at night where she hoped to get noticed. Twenty years previously both women were educated at an elite school for young ladies, and both exhibited exceptional promise prior to their brutal, unnecessary deaths. How and why did this tragedy occur? With narration from Yuriko's embittered, unattractive sister and through the girls' journals and diaries Kirino allows their shocking story to unfurl. As with "Out", "Grotesque" gets under the skin, and Kirino's analysis of the female psyche grips the reader. The extreme need to succeed, and the vicious desire to be accepted in the bewildering environment of modern life is explored here with acute and chilling insight. "Grotesque" is a masterful and haunting achievement. Started: 07/05/10 Finished: 31/05/10 Rated:3/5 Comments: 3/5 is a bit generous for this book but I thought a 2 was under selling it. I enjoyed the story but I think it may have lost some of it's effect in the translation. It got a bit slow and boring in places which is annoying because it's a long book and a couple of times I almost gave up. I liked the main character and I love how she was the ugly one in more ways than just the physical. It's also amazing how her attitude rubs off on the reader after a while and you start thinking of other people in the same way she did. Don't attempt this one unless you have some serious reading time set aside. It's a difficult story to pick up and put down but gets easier to read in longer stints.

This one has been sat on my bookshelf for some time now and I've finally picked it up to give it a read. Previously I just haven't been in the mood to make a start but today it jumped out at me. I'm looking forward to a good, gritty read.

Skin Mo Hayder When the decomposed body of a young woman is found by near railway tracks just outside Bristol one hot May morning, all indications are that she's committed suicide. That's how the police want it too; all neatly squared and tidied away. But DI Jack Caffery is not so sure. He is on the trail of someone predatory, someone who hides in the shadows and can slip into houses unseen. And for the first time in a very long time, he feels scared. Police Diver Flea Marley is working alongside Caffery. Having come to terms with the loss of her parents, and with the traumas of her past safely behind her, she's beginning to wonder whether their relationship could go beyond the professional. And then she finds something that changes everything. Not only is it far too close to home for comfort - but it's so horrifying that she knows that nothing will ever be the same again. And that this time, no one - not even Caffery - can help her ... Started: 30/04/10 Finished: 06/05/10 Rated: 4/5 Comments: After Hayders last book in this series I was a little apprehensive about continuing as it was terrible. However, she has more than redeemed herself with this book. She's no longer quite as shocking as her earlier books and she has developed a character that we can easily follow through the series. Skin was just shocking enough to keep me reading comfortably and had less maudlin by the main characters. Overall, I've rated it quite highly and if you like the gritty crimes, I recommend her.

Thanks to Charm and her bookring, I've managed to get my hands on and finish this book. I loved it from start to finish and it's wonderfully written.

Feel good Friday

I would second this reccomendation. These are great books that I'm sure you would love.

Jeremy Kyle - 'Labelled as a woman-beater after being attacked by my ex's sister' Maybe this should be in the guilty pleasures thread instead.

It is Anisia! I really enjoyed this book and as they are short stories, it was easier to pick up and put down in between my studying.

Football. Portsmouth V Tottenham Hotspur

Shortbread Fingers

The Heretics Daughter Kathleen Kent Martha Carrier was one of the first women to be accused, tried and hanged as a witch in Salem, Massachusetts. Like her mother, young Sarah Carrier is bright and willful, openly challenging the small, brutal world in which they live. Often at odds with one another, mother and daughter are forced to stand together against the escalating hysteria of the trials and the superstitious tyranny that led to the torture and imprisonment of more than 200 people accused of witchcraft. This is the story of Martha's courageous defiance and ultimate death, as told by the daughter who survived. Kathleen Kent is a tenth generation descendant of Martha Carrier. She is also a natural-born storyteller, and in her first novel, she paints a haunting portrait, not just of Puritan New England, but also of one family's deep and abiding love in the face of fear and persecution Started: 11/04/10 Finished: 27/04/10 Rated: 5/5 Comments: What a fantastic read. I highly recommend this book to everyone. So well written and emotive. I'm not afraid to say I shed a tear or two over the wonderfully written characters brought to life (and death) by this very talented author.

BBC News 24. I have a terrible habit of leaving this channel on in the background.

I had a bit of a DVD day yesterday. I watched Twilight, New Moon, Couples Retreat and 2012. Really disliked 2012. I thought it was just ridiculous. Not the idea but the way it was filmed. It's a terrible shame really because it had potential.

Just a cup of tea at the moment. I didn't really fancy anything for breakfast, so I'll have an early lunch in a bit.

Just watching the replays and all horses and jockeys are fine. I'm glad because it looked like a nasty fall. I picked Niche Market, Comply or Die and Big Fella Thanks. Annoyingly I was dithering between Comply or Die and Black Apalachi. So I got 4th and 12th.