SaraPepparkaka

Fazer's dark chocolate.

Youghurt, banana and cinnamon.

"Angelology"- Danielle Trussoni. A nun discovers some hidden letters about a big secret, hidden somewhere. I didn't enjoy this one, I'm afraid. I didn't get any feeling for Evangeline, or any of the other characters for that matter. The ending was a bit unexpected for a book that so far had been rather predictable, and that did make me kind of enjoy the reading after all. Still, glad it was a library book. "All night long"- Jayne Anne Krentz. She's true to her formula, is Jayne Anne Krentz. Well, if you are good at something, why not stick to it. "Garden spells"- Sarah Addison Allen. Long lost sister returns home with daughter, stranger moves in next door, and that's about all that happens in this book. But it's well written, cosy and there's a fair bit of cooking involved. And there's an apple tree with an attitude. So who needs action anyway? Definately enjoyable.

"The wordsmith's tale" by Stephen Edden, and "Pretty Monsters" by Kelly Link, "Second Sight"- Amanda Quick, "Agnes and the hitman"- Jennifer Crusie and "Scandal in spring"- Lisa Kleypas are now read. The Lisa Kleypas' one was a typical for her, normal romance, and so my sister-in-law now has the book. Don't know what she likes about those Lisa Kleypas books, yes they're OK as far as romances go, but there are so many others like them, and so many more and better romances. Oh well, clearly we have some difference in taste, both of us thinking we have married the better brother.. I thought I knew what "The wordsmith's tale" was going to be like, but it's not an average historical. Well written, giving short pictures of a family's life over 100 years, but I think stories and storytelling have the main part in the book, more than any person. Amanda Quick. Scroll up and see what I said about the last book by her. Nothing to add to that. "Agnes and the hitman"- light funny romance. "Pretty monsters"- Kelly Link. I think maybe Kelly Link and Neil Gaiman live in the same world. I'm glad that sometimes they visit this world long enough to give the rest of us something to read. I'll just copy what it says on the inside of the front cover. "This book contains: -A phone booth in Las Vegas -Aliens -Unhelpful wizards -possibly carnivorous sofas - A handbag with a village inside it - Tennessee Fainting Goats - Dueling librarians - A statue of George Washington - A boy named Onion - Pirates - An undead babysitter - A nationally ranked soccer player - Evil Cinderella - Shapeshifters -An unexpected campfire guest". That is the ingredients of a very fine short story collection. Not to mention, short stories are perfect when you are trying to make birthday cakes and clean up the house, and really isn't supposed to dive into a book. I'm wondering what it says about me that I really want to live in that world where Neil Gaiman and Kelly Link live, scary though it seems to be. Come to think of it, Scarlett Thomas probably lives there as well.

Yay for you reading books for this challenge! Not much happened in my UN-challenge this year.

Well done Kylie! I'm so happy for you!

Yes, I have read "The House at Riverton", I believe that was last summer. Anyway, it's been a while since then, so I can't really say which one was better, that or "The forgotten garden", only that I enjoyed both. I have decided to abandon "Sepulchre" by Kate Mosse, I just can't seem to get into the story despite trying a few times. I hope the lady who mooched the book from me will find it worth her while. I also gave away some of my books (in Swedish) to a friend who lives in Korea just now. Apparently, English books aren't so difficult to find in Seoul, but Swedish books are rare! Also, the postage fees are really offputting, so I'm glad I found out she wanted some books now, while she's home för summer holidays. Now, this left some empty space in my shelf (well, not the actual shelf, that's pretty full still, but the imaginary shelf in my head was very empty) so when a colleague decided to give some books to charity, and gave me opportunity to pick out what I wanted first, I did find about 10 books. Not to worry, the Red Cross still got two full boxes of books. I have also finshed "Kafka on the shore", by Haruki Murakami, which I didn't quite like, to be honest. "The Wind-up bird chronicle" or "Norwegian Wood" were so much more interesting to read. Well, I still finished this book, so it wasn't totally horrible, either.

Pickle, I will definately keep an eye open for more books by Scarlett Thomas.

No comfort reading today (or yesterday), but lots of other reading instead. Remember I went to listen to a woman my age who gave lectures about her fight against cancer? Well she wrote a book, and I bought it of course, and have now finally read it. "Man ger inte bara upp" ("You just don't give up", my translation) by Eva-Maria Strömsholm. I could deal with it better when it was written down, I honestly felt awful to hear her tell her story, because it was like my story, but also nothing at all like it. I have issues. I'm going to have to face them, I can't go on feeling like I want to run and hide when I see the hospital building, for example. This was one way of not running and hiding. The literary qualities were so-so, she honestly just published her diary I think. Then a surprisingly wonderful book. "The end of Mr Y" by Scarlett Thomas. Remembered vaguely that I had heard about it, so picked it up when I saw it in the library. I sort of expected something like Dan Brown by the blurb on the back cover, but that, it wasn't. Fortunately. Weird people, strange events, philosophy and physics, what's not to like? Also, a book about a book, that's a good sign. I'm also fond of Adam the ex-priest, and the ending actually made me chuckle. (I'm not going to think too deeply about what this says about the state of my mental health, but there you go. I believe I could have a good conversation with Scarlett Thomas, though.)

Hmm- this sounds like something I would like. I'm definately adding it to my wishlist.

Here comes hugs and support to any- and everyone who needs it!

:welcomeboard:Hello!

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I've read "The forgotten garden" by Kate Morton, a good story, and also one I found in Stirling. And since "Skinny dip" arrived, I read that, and have to agree, it's one of the better Carl Hiaasen books. I also read "White lies" by Jayne Anne Krentz. Just to let you know I am alive and reading books, I'm just living in our summer cottage just now, and use internet very sporadically.

So, as expected, my trip to Edinburgh really had a positive effect on my reading. On the plane there I read "Berlin-The downfall" by Anthony Beevor, a non-fiction book which I truly recommend if you have any interest in the second World War. (I liked the book about Stalingrad by the same author a lot, too) (Also, I'm on holiday, with slightly less need for therapeutic reading..). Then, in Edinburgh, to appreciate the surroundings, I read "Pocket history of Edinburgh" by Dr Christopher McNab, all very interesting, and then in the plane back, "Haunting Violet" by Alyxandra Harvey, a YA-book, historical romance-mystery-like book. Also, Oxfam books in Stirling had "Sick Puppy" by Carl Hiaasen, so I have something to read while I wait for my mooched book by him.

Talisker 10-year-old single malt.

Oh, and by the way: to all of you wondering what DID go wrong Friday, I can tell you that it was just the battery in my car that died. Thank you Dad for picking me up at work. The car is all better now. Have not been reading anything. I will eventually get "Skinny dip" through Bookmooch. I'm also hoping to find nice books to read next week in Edinburgh.

I played the violin from I was seven on and off until I was 18. I never really had the talent for it, so despite playing for a long time I was never very good at it. It's also an unfortunate choice of instrument because you really need to practice constantly for it to sound nice. I'd have to start from the beginning if I wanted to pick up the violin now and play a tune. I had piano lessons, and guitar lessons, so with practice I could play a few Christmas carols I guess. I have been thinking about learning how to play electric guitar and bass guitar, I have been practising what the boys have played this year. But all those years of instrument lessons mean that I can read sheet music, and I have always had and will always have an appreciation of music in all forms.

I agree with that Chrissy. Just think, so many books still unread!