frankie

No worries, Kidsmum! I think with this one it was more of a cultural thing, me not being familiar with the character, and getting it mixed up with another character =) It's funny... No matter how far one plans ahead, one always seems to get caught up in things and there's always so many things to remember to do... I'm sorry to hear your Dad was taking into the hospital, is he out by now? I hope he's all sorted and as good as new One of my favorite Christmases was honestly the one when I'd broken up with ex the previous summer and just told my parents the following Christmas that I wasn't feeling Christmassy and didn't want to be stressed, and just wanted to stay alone at home. I wasn't feeling bad about the break-up, because ex and I left it on a good note (and we are still good friends) but I just didn't feel like going home because things with my brother and I were more awkward than usual and I just wanted to avoid all the hassle. So I stayed at home, all by myself, had something (unchristmassy) good stuff to eat and drink, watched TV, spent time on here and read. Awesome =) No stress! I guess Although I have to say that one friend of mine used to give me one gift in December that was supposed to be a Bday and Xmas pressie put together... He did that for a few years, but somehow he realised later on that it was a bit odd... But then again, he's still a friend, he's one of my oldest friends and that group of friends which he and I are a part of have long ago agreed we would not do Xmas pressies and not get stressed about getting each other stuff Molto bene!!! :D As a December kid myself I can say it really sucks that people would combine one's Bday with Xmas. Your BF has had it a whole lot more difficult because not only does he NOT get any Bday pressies, his Bday was never really acknowledged. So I'm really, really happy that you understand where he's coming from and you take it upon yourself to celebrate his Birthday as an individual day, and not just combine it with Christmas. I know he'll appreciate it!! You're an awesome girlfriend!

I didn't know you've seen her live ... Or if I did, I'd forgotten about it! Must've been bloody marvellous (And this is a long shot... But I remember watching this series as a kid, where someone had this yin-yang ring, and they played Running Up That Hill in the background... I don't suppose anyone would know which series I'm talking about... I know it must've been British. Maybe American, but most likely British... I know, such a vague description! But that's where I remember that song from...) I didn't know Kate was not a big promoter, .. in fact I don't know much about her, just some of her songs. But I have to admire her. When I was a kid and was dreaming about publishing a book, I always hated thinking about how one would have to go on promoting it. Not that I have what it takes to write a book, but if I did, I would hate all the promotional stuff. Hate it! Back on topic: I'm having a whole lot of fun with my new headphones (Xmas pressie from parents) and am currently listening to Pearl Jam <3

Well I suppose that's good I didn't really know about your favorite colors and preferences so thought I'd go with solid black Oh, it's the same thing... surely... That's really odd, because I remember you taking part in a reading circle earlier this year and this is an RC book Hm. So ... it's an omnibus? (Don't know much about the book, only that I've been moderately curious about reading it )

That's really odd... Why would they offer something in this and that edition if they can't guarantee it? I personally would've liked the black cover a whole lot better, but I'm mighty happy you are content with the red one *phew* ... As long as you don't bust a vein... 'That's not how I pictured her!!' I'm glad to hear that! How far are you? Maybe you'll want to read Mistress Masham's Repose after this one...

You're welcome And what the hell... I thought I'd ordered a black cover Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell! Odd... I hope Heat Wave is at least semi decent... Edit: I'm looking forward to your thoughts on The Once and Future King. I know T. H. White can write, but the story... I hope it's good

Thanks! It's been a fabulous few days! But mojo might go away at any moment, so I'm enjoying the ride while it lasts When I was reading these, I kept thinking I need to go and check which Astrid Lindgren books poppyshake now has so I can tell her to put these ones on top of TBR.. And to see if you have these particular ones. I'm loving Karlsson... I already made it to the second book and I'm enjoying it so much. Karlsson is my new Lindgren favorite!!

My mojo's returned for Christmas! I've read the three Pippi Longstockings and quite enjoyed them all. I'm now reading the first book in the Karlsson-on-the-Roof (by Astrid Lindgren) series and it's absolutely wicked!

I hope this will be the case for me too, it's been a long time since I read the book! Great haul! I wonder if you'll have to add a few more books to your TBR after Xmas... I think a lot of people on here will find their TBRs out of control soon Have you checked already? I hope you find a copy 'Tis the season! Don't worry, Xmas will be over at some point, and you'll get back on track.. And don't worry, it won't be over til it's over and it's just started for you UK people and the rest, so you've still got loads to go I've received a few more books but my reading log is so out of sync that I'll just wait til I'm back in Joensuu to arrange it and record everything. I did, however, manage to start and finish a book!!! It was Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren and it was much better than I'd thought

Just to let you guys know, I've been rather busy this weekend, I came to Nurmes on Saturday and since then have had stuff to do etc etc, and it seems this will continue on for the next couple of days. I'll pop in every now and then when I can, but if I'm keeping quiet, it's all the business. I haven't even had time to record other book pressies I've received since my last post! Oh, and I heard that the weather is or is going to be awful in the UK and the States and Canada, so please everyone, take care of yourself and loved ones and stay safe!! Edit: Oh and Merry Christmas everyone!

Hachiko. Wonderful but so sad If you love dogs, I don't think you can watch this without sheding tears.

Maelstrom sounds great! I've never studied French, I'm kinda jealous of people who have, and know it Words are wonderful, aren't they

I'm so happy to hear you and mojo are getting along so well at the moment, I hope it continues without a hitch! Wow, that's great! Do you think you are going to read the sequel? Sweet Thursday, I think it was called? I have it on the shelf but haven't gotten to it yet. :lol: I would buy the book just for that!! (And maybe a new pair of dry pants.. )

Never heard of it before... And I would never tempt to try and pronounce it without guidance Thumbs up! Schadenfreude is great, and one of my favorites is besserwisser Do you say gesundheit when people sneeze?

Funnily enough, people have always asked me whether I get any Birthday presents at all, because my Bday is so close to Xmas...!

December is always magical Coincidentally I listened to Kate Bush a few days ago, even songs I don't know by her, and not just the usual hits. She's one of a kind There's such melancholy and yet inspiration and hopefulness to her songs...

I've had to butcher some emoticons... Thank you! =) For some odd reason I'm usually always rather cheery on my Bday. I feel like with good conscience I can be selfish for a day... And then I feel very happy and just smile and all I can see is happiness everywhere =) I guess when one's happy, it's easy to spot other people's happiness, too, and it's infectious... This sounds like I'm the village loon, but on my Bday I can just enjoy something like walking through town, watching people, smiling at them and be happy to see other people happy. I think the Christmas spirit being so close behind the corner adds to it... And the lights and the snow =) Which leads me to one of my Birthday presents: Ignatius Rising - The Life of John Kennedy Toole. When I was younger, I sometimes envied people who have their Birthdays during the summer, because they can go out, do whatever, and they don't have to worry about being/staying warm and the day getting dark etc. They have it so easy! But nowadays I wouldn't trade my December Birthday for anything ... I have my snow! I have Christmas lights all over town, I have people with rosy pink cheeks from the wind... And I can do snow angels! So it was kind of funny to read this on the first pages of the Ignatius: Toole's very beginning was a confusing state of affairs. He was a December baby, one of those poorlytimed midwinter children born at the end and the beginning of a year. ... I say go ahead and read it I read your review on Goodreads some time ago, and I was happy that you enjoyed it, but then I saw you only gave it 3/5, so I wasn't sure anymore that you liked it all that much I've been meaning to come and comment on your log, but it's been a taskful few weeks. This is the first day this month, I think, when I don't have to stress about anything and can kick back! (Getting all the Xmas pressies sorted has led to this blissful, stress-free euphoria...!) So I'm looking forward to getting back on reading other people's logs Thanks Devi! =) Thanks bookmonkey, it was a great day! =) Thanks Timstar, I have a feeling they will all be verrry splendid Thanks, I'm still really impressed by the excellent haul!

:D So... TBR down to 50 or less, soon? Think not

Good to hear you already know more than earlier. Just keep at it I'm so happy you are enjoying the book. Bridget Jones is my heroine. Good luck with this! I hope you shall enjoy it muchly

You're very welcome! How did you like it? Very naughty mojo I hope Silver Bay will get you going! I started reading Ignatius Rising in bed last night. I was tired so only managed a few pages but loved them.

That's definitely going to narrow it down... Ooooh. Hmm!

Thanks Brian

Thanks Laura! Thanks Eleonora! And thanks so much for the card! If you get the chocolate, I promise I will provide the snowball

Pasha is gorgeous!! He reminds me of the dog our landlord used to own, when I was a kid. He was a great, happy-go-lucky dog

When I read the quote, I started thinking about Replay by Ken Grimwood, but I know that's not it... Is this non-fiction? Edit: Nah, it doesn't read like non-fiction... Is the author American?