[Frankie reads 2015]

Modernised as in both I'm afraid. I read that there was a slapping incident that's been changed into a shaking incident .. even though it was made clear that slapping isn't the answer.  I hope they haven't modernised the things they ate at their midnight feasts .. wouldn't be right if they were all now eating Monster Munch or something. Think it will be interesting if we do read different .. or slightly different .. versions for the mini readathon .. give us lots to discuss (except .. it might hold us up if we were to do a word by word comparison )

Blast them modernisations!!      It's going to make the read-a-long pretty difficult! I mean I won't get what you guys are referring to and vice versa. Unless we're doing a word by word comparison like you said And that would take ages

 

I'll probably be asking you guys a lot  of questions!

 

Monster Munch And drinking Red Bull! Staying up all night, all jazzed up from the energy in the drink  

 

 

It'll definitely give you food lust .. but you have great resolve I know. They might be eating healthy snacks now anyway .. hummus and some crudites possibly  

Carrot sticks and protein shakes etc! Nope, those won't be making me want to go eat something... 

 

I think they'd only have the modern version .. but if all else fails I will check. I definitely want to join in *waves hand in the air* .. please, please, let me join in

 

Still keeping my fingers crossed! Let us know what happens

[Frankie reads 2015]

Mr Clunes goes from zero to hero Love your new avvie pic

 

 

Haha, yes! From zero to hero! (He was well below zero, actually ) 

 

Do you know who else I really like now? Jeff Rawle's character named Roger Fenn!  

 

 

 

 

Too bad he's only in five episodes :(

 

I wasn't sure if the humour translates well to other nationalities and it is very male orientated.

 

Well to be honest, I don't think I've ever watched more than a few minutes of it Suppose if I'd ever given it a real chance... 

[Frankie reads 2015]

I went for a walk today (I've started exercising ) and I visited the library on my way back home. I found two books in the free book swap bookcase I couldn't resist: Rabbit, Run by John Updike (I like the blurb and have had this on my wishlist for a few years, and I know it's on one or two of my lists) and Emma and I by Sheila Hocken, which has also been on my wishlist for a while. It's about a girl who's going blind and has to get a guide dog, and the guide dog changes her life Wuff wuff! 

[Frankie reads 2015]

It is rather juvenile so it probably appeals to the child in me

 

There's a child in me, too, but it's a girl and not British  

 

 

I loved Men Behaving Badly! 

 

If you ever get the chance you should watch him in Goodbye, Mr Chips.  He was amazing in that. 

 

Hm. So have I possibly missed something... I know the show's been popular over here, too. 

 

Martin Clunes is in Goodbye, Mr Chips? Oooh I have to watch it I have the book on my wishlist, thanks to you  

[Frankie reads 2015]

I've seen clips of Men Behaving Badly and that one I didn't like at all  

[Frankie reads 2015]

I started watching Doc Martin yesterday. I'm sure it's a re-run, but I've never watched it before. I'm not too keen on medical TV series and I've kind of disliked Martin Clunes in the past. However, last week I caught a glimpse of the show and couldn't stop watching the whole episode. This week I went to see if they had the episodes on the channel's website, and sure enough they do. I then watched the beginning of the episode to see what I'd missed, and since then I've watched two more episodes. What a lovely village with an interesting group of characters And so many familiar actors! 

 

I've started to like Martin Clunes. When I was googling for a photo of him and the dog in the show, the search came up with Clunes posing with a lot of different dogs. Turns out he likes them What a great man! I also discovered that he's written a book about his cocker spaniel Mary, and his family life with her and his other dogs and family. Luckily they have copies at the library, so I've placed a reservation for it  

[Frankie reads 2015]

Hey.... Wait a minute!  

 

 

 

[Frankie reads 2015]

I wonder if doctors have a cure for smart asses... 

[Frankie reads 2015]

I'm so bummed  

 

 

[Frankie reads 2015]

I had to go and look up Malory Towers

 

So... Interested?  

[Poppyshake's Reading Year 2015]

Note: I've had to butcher some of my own emoticons before sending this off...

 

 

Hello my dear! I may be late in commenting on your new log, but not  in the least bit un-thrilled about it. Your log is most likely going to be the most dangerous one when it comes to adding to my wishlist... 
 
I hope you have a darn fine reading year in 2015, and a fabulous one in all other respects, too! 
 

Love, light and peace as dear Spike would say xx

 
Excuse me ignorance, but who is this Spike? I only know one Spike, and he's a vampire in Buffy the Vampire Slayer -TV series and I don't think he's the kind to wish any of those things upon anyone...
 

The Shameful Reckoning of My Books TBR    
 
 
Burnett, Frances Hodgson - The Secret Garden
Flynn, Gillian - Gone Girl
Haig, Matt - The Last Family in England
Lindgren, Astrid - Karlson Flies Again
Lindgren, Astrid - Karlson on the Roof
Waters, Sarah - Fingersmith
Welsh, Irvine - Trainspotting

Oh you have such many wonderful books on your TBR pile! Those ^ are the ones I've loved the most. I hope you shall like them when you get to them =)
 
 

Norton, Juster - The Phantom Tollbooth

This will be the year when I WILL read this book. Is it on your TBR because of Kylie? =) I mean thanks to Kylie?
 

I think I was pretty good in not buying too many books .. too good in fact plus I've had a bit of a clear out and taken some books to the charity shop so there is actual space on my bookshelves .. plus I was bought a new bookshelf for Christmas

 
A bookcase?! Wohoo, what a fantastic Christmas present!   I'd like to see some pics, please Have you filled it up already?  
 
 

It's going straight back to the shop if that's what's expected of it   

Haha!
 
 

The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly by Sun-Mi Hwang

 
What a wonderful review, and by the sounds of it, a wonderful novel! This is going on my wishlist =)

 

Mystery in White by J. Jefferson Farjeon

 
I really love the sound of this one, it's going on my wishlist!!
 
 
Lucky for you, I already have the first Alan Bradley novel on my wishlist, as well as the Invitation to the Waltz, so I don't have to blame you for all of my wishlist books  
 
 

 Even on her birthday morning she is anxious and sees her birthday breakfast as something to be got through. This spoke to me loud and clear as I'm a bit odd (no .. really ) in that sometimes birthdays and Christmas's etc oppress me. I love presents of course .. who doesn't .. but I find it a trial to open things in front of people. When I hear about people opening all their prezzies together .. or particularly opening them one at a time in front of each other .. I want to cry because this sort of thing makes me want to shrivel. My family just laugh at me about it but here was someone in fiction that knew exactly how I felt. We had bonded before the first chapter was finished. There was a bit near the end too .. where Olivia described being agitated and she said 'I get hot from nervousness. I get .. you know .. fussed and then I feel like a boiled lobster' which just cracked me up .. I told Alan and he just nodded and said .. yes .. we'll write that on your gravestone

 

My kindred spirit! I used to hate opening presents in front of other people, too, so I know how you feel!     I guess when I had a boyfriend who wanted to see me open his presents, I had to start learning to cope with it. I'm better at it these days but if I was up to me, I'd be alone to open my presents  

 

Oh you boiled lobster, you! 

[Vixen's Book List 2015]

I hope you have a wonderful reading year in 2015, Vixen! (And the same as Kylie said: if you weren't ready for people's posts, let Kylie know and make her delete mine, too )

[Alex's 2015 Reading Log]

#2 The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

 

Great review, Alexi Someone else on here read and reviewed the book at some point in the past 6 or so months and made me want to re-read the book. Your review has the same effect on me  

 

 

I've now read four books (so behind by two reviews!) and so rewarded myself by buying I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak.

 

Now 4 read, 6 acquired. I'm not really getting the hang of this. 

 

4 read, 6 acquired... But just a while ago it was 2 read, 4 acquired. So you're slowing down, actually! Well done

[Ian's reading 2015]

Wow, you are really grabbing the bull by the horns and actually doing something about a new reading year's resolution. I applaud you! Treasure Island is a fine read, I hope you enjoy it the second time around

 

Edit: And I don't think it's cheating. It's a perfect way to get you in the mood for more classics. It's easing your way in  

[Frankie reads 2015]

Thanks Andrea, I hope you have a great reading year, too!  

[Andrea's books 2015]

I'll try and remember to let you know how I liked it when I get to it  

[Frankie reads 2015]

 Should go to the doctor for that 

 

I thought you'd posted in this thread to say you were joining us for the Malory Towers read-a-long. Was very disappointed

 

 

[Frankie reads 2015]

Re: MT: I checked and I'm the first in line for a copy of the book. There are four copies, two of which have been borrowed, and two are on their way to someone (maybe one of them is for me?) and one has a reservation (maybe that's me). The due dates for the already borrowed ones are 3.2. and 9.2. So it might take a while before I get a copy, but there's no rush, what with Kay not having a copy yet, either  

[Frankie reads 2015]

Wow, there seems to be a lot of love for Malory Towers I say you all join us for the mini read-a-long if you have the chance!
 
 

Ooh Malory Towers ... I can't wait to see how you get on with them. I wish I still had my old copies .. I'd read with you both. Have they been modernised do you know? I think they may have been a bit .. not sure. I'm sure you'll be raising your eyebrows a bit .. old Enid was such a terrible snob. I did re-read them once and all the girls I'd previously liked seemed like terrible little prigs (good Enid word ) ... the books are so synonymous with my childhood though that I love them despite their faults. Always makes you want to start frying sausages at midnight. Perhaps I can get hold of the first one .. let me know when you're starting. 

 
Modernised, as in the covers or editing the actual text? I have no idea about the latter. I went and checked the edition they have at the library and yes it's a really new one, namely this one. Do you think they've re-written stuff on it? I don't like it... But then again, maybe it would be easier for me. Prig is an odd word for me and I bet Enid had a lot of those  
 
I hope I won't end up frying them sausages... These books might seriously do a lot of damage to my diet and hopes of losing weight  
 

I think they have updated them, but fortunately, mine are all old copies!  I was really lucky to find the first one in the charity shop … you might be lucky, Kay, or perhaps you might find a copy at the library?

I've already put a bid in on ebay . Wish me luck. I think I know what the covers were like .. though some are more familiar than others. I have an aversion to the modern covers but only because I want them as I remember them .. to add to the nostalgic feel .. and also all the un-PC bits will be still in. Jolly good .. I can cringe as I read.

 
 Good luck with the bid!! But if you can't get the book via ebay, I suggest you check the library like chesilbeach recommended

 

I have old copies too.  Not my original ones, but I replaced them all by finding them in various charity shops about 12 or so years ago!  They are dated, but I always had a huge admiration for Darrell Rivers!  

 
I'm getting really curious about the books! Will you be joining us? I hope you will!  
 
 

I saw in Tescos yesterday Pamela Cox writing St Clare's sequels as well. Disgraceful and unnecessary! I loved Malory Towers as a kid, tempted to join in the readalong if we manage one 

 

You have to join us! The more the merrier!! We could even start a thread on it in the Group Reads section

[Brian's Reading List - 2015]

Yeah I have the other book also, I may get to it this year if the pot decides it's time to read it.

 

I'm going to put a spell on that pot

[Frankie reads 2015]

I found my old Malory Towers books a few months ago, but I was missing the first one … luckily, I found a copy in the charity shop a few weeks ago!  If you like, let me know when you're going to read it, and I'll start mine too, and we'll have a mini read-a-long.

 

I can imagine your excitement at having found a replacement copy for an old favorite! I'd love a mini read-a-long! I'll definitely let you know!  

[Bobblybear's Book List - 2015]

My reading seems to be going slow so far.   To be fair though, work has been horrendous. I've only been back there for a week, but it's been a very long week.

 

Ack! Stupid work getting in the way of life and hobbies    C'mon, year-end results, where art thou? Hurry up! 

 

I shall eventually write up a proper review, when I get more time. I still haven't written up my final review for 2014 (Wuthering Heights)!

 

Hey, only one review to go! No worries, you'll manage it just fine! 

[Andrea's books 2015]

I know a lot of people don't like these kind of books (and the way the genre has blossomed over the last decade or so doesn't sit comfortably with me, as they are not IMO entertainment reads) but I do think they have value (at least those I've read) to help understand what kinds of things happen in our society. Sexual abuse of children is one of those horrors that angers people (rightly so) but that they don't want to think about. But the thing is - it happens, people have to live with the consequences, and other people have to go in and face the monumental task of picking up the pieces. And the people who have gone through it walk among us living with this terrible taboo that nobody wants to talk about or face except to vent anger on the perpetrators. I wonder if we were less squeamish and willing to understand more it would lead to more willingness to understand those people in society - or our own lives - who are difficult or have issues, because we don't know what they have gone through. I don't know, books like this one certainly make me think twice about judging people anyway, because you never know what a person has gone through to make them what they are.

 

Well said, and I agree with all that you've said. 

 

I've also read Ugly by Constance Briscoe and as it happens, I've actually borrowed the sequel from the library. I remember liking Ugly a great deal and I always wanted to know what happened next, when I found out there's a sequel. Have you ever read it? 

[Alexander's Reading 2015]

I hope you have a marvelous reading year in 2015, Alexander!  

[Brian's Reading List - 2015]

Great review of No Time for Goodbye, Brian, I'm so happy you liked the book! I checked your TBR and saw that the other book you have by Barclay is Too Close to Home, and I have to say that that one is my favorite of Barclay's books. The intro to the book was so creepy, in my opinion! 
 

Last night it threw up another book which I wouldn't have chosen as my next read, Smack by Melvin Burgess. I wasn't sure about it last night after about 20 pages but today it has grabbed me a little more and I'm just under halfway through it.

 
Haha, like poppyshake, maybe the pot does know best and you are just to do what it wants