Chrissy

Have just eaten a tuna steak in a chilli and lime dressing. Lovely stuff.

Oops, Poppy I forgot to ask in my original Competition post for you lovely people to add the titles, so I don't get myself into too much of a muddle! I am pretty sure about two of yours, but have a couple of titles that might fit the third!

Manda Scott's 'Boudicca' series is wonderful. I can thoroughly recommend them.

Kell, that is gorgeous.

I am looking forward to hearing what you think of 'Earthly Powers' when you have read it.

I'm watching Four Weddings US. I love hating these types of shows! I sit here muttering and griping and condemning the b*tchiness of the competing brides. Great (awful) stuff.

I am muttering your name as I type this! Having just made myself go on an end-of-year book buying freeze, you go and write a review like that! Maybe my e-o-y freeze can start at midnight tonight, rather than midday today.........Mmmmmmmmmmmmm.

2005! That's a whole lot of reading and chatting! Although I sadly didn't find y'all until 2008.

There's also the 'Little House On The Prairie' series that might fit the description, or maybe 'Little Women' ?

Hi Julie, and welcome to the forum. The reading challenges are entirely up to individuals. If you see one that takes your fancy than go ahead and have a go, not matter how 'old' the thread or challenge is. As you can see, some people have their own threads and are keeping track on those, and others are doing more of a group thing (e.g. Rory's Reading). Feel free to start a thread of your own if you want to do a challenge, or dive in on a group one. With regard to the Reading Circle - you can still vote for one of the November books, as the poll is still open. In the same section of the forum, Nomination threads and Voting threads will go up as and when the next month's Reading Circle host gets them ready. Feel free to nominate a book on that month's theme and/or vote on that month. Really, it's a case of dive in! If something goes in the wrong place we can move it, let you know etc, so don't worry too much. Just enjoy.

Tuesday nights at Kings Cross sound like fun ~ Hippo racing and The Vienna Boys Choir!

Thanks Kylie. It's that weird thing of it feeling like it was only recently and feeling as if it happened years ago. Nollaig, your little Boo is gorgeous. Such lovely colouring.

Thanks for the hugs you two, I hate to break it to you Abby, but our cat Clyde (16 years old, grumpy and greedy) regularly forgets that he is a crotchety old boy with a wonky back leg and until we got a new taller bin with a clip down lid would regularly rummage! He will still take a chance with low units etc, if he whiffs an interesting smell. He is fast asleep next to me here. He is taking more of the sofa than I am if you measure him from stretched out paws to tip of tail.

He was a rather gorgeous Border Collie. He came to us when he was about 8 years old, and we had him for 4 1/2 years. I hate to brag (NOT) but he actually was the bestest dog in the universe (to us).

It's a year ago today that we had to have our lovely dog, Cap put to sleep because of multiple tumours. Anniversaries shouldn't really mean anything as such, but somehow they do. It's that measure of time having passed I guess . We have been pondering our time with him, and feel a bit blue really.

So Kell, what time do you want the BCF Birthday Coach to arrive? There'll be about 200 of us.

OK VF, what is the 'certain event'? I am baffled through long pondering of this...certain event? Only a Monday? Once a year?

You're gonna kill a cake? B-b-b-ut................Those cake pops better taste fantastic, what with the cake sacrifice involved.

37) Syren by Angie Sage This was a re read of the Book Five in the Septimus Heap series in anticipation of Book Six's arrival. I had rushed through my last read of this story, and had not given it the attention and time is really deserved. The book starts immediately following the events of Book Four 'Queste'. In 'Syren' through numerous events Septimus and others are shipwrecked / dragon wrecked on a mysterious Island, and they uncover a plot that threatens the castle. All the ususal characters are found in this action packed story, as well as some new stunningly well depicted new characters. I so enjoyed reading this properly, and is set me up perfectly for teh arrival of 'Darke'. 38) Darke by Angie Sage 'Darke' opens with a breathtaking mistake that brings tragedy to all. Septimus and Jenna both come of age, and this means different things to them both, but brings with it profound realisations and responsibilites. Things are in shadow from the beginning, and just head deeper into the dark as the story develops. There is humour in the mix, with betrayal, restored trust and great inner resources to be found within the pages. A great sixth outing for these wonderful characters.

'Landslide' is one of my all time favourites. For me, the quiet inside songs would include; 'Letter To Hermione' ~ David Bowie 'Empty Hand' ~ Eliza Doolittle 'I Only Have Eyes For You' ~ Art Garfunkel 'Bless The Weather' ~ John Martyn 'Weather With You' ~ Crowded House

99 Red Balloons ~ Nena

I finished 'Darke' by Angie Sage, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I will be passing it onto to my Mum who has read all the books in the series bar this one. My reading mojo still feels fragile, so I am going to let my reading wibblywobbly vibey "Ooo I'm going to read that one" decide my next read. Top of the TBR pile be damned!

I have no titles for you, but I wondered if this blog piece may be of any help? It appears to be talking about the type of books you are looking for, and includes a few examples.

Hello Nickie, Could it be 'Something Upstairs' by Avi? Here's the link to Amazon, there are a few covers with hands reaching out of the floor. You'll be just in time for Halloween.

'Darke' by Angie Sage was unceremoniously popped through the cat flap today. The cat still has his back to me to express his deep disgust at this fact. I am therefore making a start on the latest tale of Septimus Heap today.