Chrissy

Strangely enough, although many many books that are mentioned on the forum get listed on my wishlist, 'King Solomon's Carpet' appealed to me straight away and I had bought a copy before I had exited the thread that mentioned it! So glad to read that you enjoyed it. It may be a little while before I get to read it, but am glad that I have it. Thanks from me too Ooshie.

In today's (Friday 22nd March 2013) Guardian newspaper appears an exclusive short story by Neil Gaiman, 'Down To A Sunless Sea'. I haven't read it myself yet (too tired and bleary eyed at the moment), but am looking forward to doing so over the weekend.

It's wonderful Mona that you are reminded of how beautiful Romanian is. It must be so hard to find your next book to read - I think you'll have to read a 'bridge' book, another old favourite perhaps, until you find your next 'proper' read.

That's a shame, especially as you rate them so highly. Well, that will have to be a 'little' job for you the next time you have a day or two off! It's only five volumes to translate after all.

Yes, yes you will. But each tear is worth it. A great read.

I have just started to read ( or re read) a book that invaded my dreams recently. It's Manda Scott's 'Hen's Teeth'. Great characters, taut storyline and descriptive enough for me to be able to fully absorb the story through my senses. Currently I can smell coffee, straw and dog, and I can feel the heat coming from the rayburn.

What's it called? Is it available in translation? Would you recommend it? We MUST know these things!!!!! Glad all is good, but that you are reading-busy.

I would agree with all of your list, and can only think of one other thing to add..... Don't worry about it! Over the past few years I have gone for months unable to get into ANY book, be it new and intriguing or an old favourite. As someone who reads for pleasure, for learning, for solace and for escapism, having no reading mojo is pretty much a nightmare. It feels as though a long term and lovely companion has been torn from me at times. But as my fretting about it didnt help me get back to books I had to become philosophical about it. I am just coming (quietly and slowly) out of a no mojo spell, and am doing it with a book I dreamt of the other night. The dream had scenes from the book, and my copy the book itself was also in the dream - how weird is that? So I have of course made this my book to read.

I do rather like that trailer. I think this may be a long two weeks!

Rain and wind on and off here, with the wind being surprisingly chilly. Bbbbrrrrrrr!

I hope it gets all sorted for you soon Pontalba. As much as it's criminal, it's the inconvenience to the victim with al the hassle required to sort it all out. Gggrrr!

I will get my thinking cap on Booknutt. There are always the classics such as Sherlock Holmes, and the works of Agatha Christie, but I will contemplate more recent ones that aren't heavy with the graphic descriptions of violence, as many are.

Poor you Janet. There are some right stinky old colds doing the rounds at the moment. Feel better soon.

I've not actually heard of her Booknutt, but will have a look for her. I'm a huge fan of Dorothy L Sayers Lord Peter Wimsey series, and can thoroughly recommend them. There are occasions of violence, but they are handled with appropriate gravity within the stories.

I think you are right Chesilbeach with a rating criteria given as we find on dvds. I find the comments on dvds useful when looking for something suitable but not necessarily childish for a youngster. Maybe we should have a little rectangle on all books with hints at it's contents.

Well the lovely warm sunshine * has done a great job and melted most of the snow off our local roads. The little ol' country roads are a tad mushy still but navigable. It will be 'interesting' to see what happens tonight when the temperature drops. *that I think Poppy sent us from NZ

Thank you! It all turned into bit of a saga last night, but husband has nothing but praise for the Police and highways agency folk who were outside in the cold getting things sorted. Rather them than me!

Well, 10 hours - yes TEN hours after he left work to head home, my poor husband has just arrived home. A quick cup of tea and then we are heading to bed. The police had to help (by a combination of pushing and towing) the motorists stranded on the stretch of road he was on. He plans on working from home tomorrow! lol

Still no sign of hubby - 8 long hours he has been travelling. Trafiic reports say that he and many many others are at a standstill - STILL! I spoke to him a minute ago, and if (a fairly big IF) he can keep traction enough to get up the next slope in the road he should get onto a local bit of road that isn't as exposed. I don't want to contemplate just yet any alternatives that may have to take place. We really didn't expect it to be so bad. The weather reports indicated that we would have a little snow but the wind would be the chiliest problem. Until 5 ish that was true, then it turned nasty out there. Poppy, I reckon that if everyone in NZ and Oz flapped their arms in our direction some of the warmth might just make it's way here.

It's just coming up to 11 pm, and he still hasn't made it home. He is only a few miles away, but traffic is at a standstill both ways. I am sitting here fretting away - I am just hoping upon hope that he will get back here soon. 7 hours, for a journey that takes (at it's worst) 2 hours.

My poor hubby left work at 4 o'clock this afternoon. It's just gone half past 8 in the evening, and he still isn't home - the distance? 62 miles! There have been accidents and idiots on the roads unforntunately, and the snow that wasn't settling that much earlier today has been settling heavily since about 5 o'clock. *sigh* It doesn't look good for tomorrow as the temps are supposed to sink tonight too.

Icing....Mmmm....cakes and buns with fondant icing. Thanks Raven, the thought of icing has cheered me up no end! We've just got the soft and sort-of settling snow, and the high winds. I have spent the morning muttering about how draughty our house is.

Glad that your partner's mother is doing ok Bree, and BIG HUGS for pre-school. It probably will be good for you both - it may just take a while to feel it. We had a lovely time visiting husband's niece and her family yesterday. I adore having longish car journeys with husband, it's a time when we 'catch up' with each other, laugh a lot, and listen to music. Yesterday was 80's music - we were astounded at how many of the lyrics we still remember from that time.

delight