Chrissy

If it is longer than a day I will be rushing to The Netherlands to check you are OK! I am enjoying a meander through Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson Greek demi-god series. Currently on book 5, Percy Jackson & The Last Olympian. I enjoy being reminded of many aspects of Greek Mythology, all wrapped up in a merry YA romp-around. This, and the later related series will merrily see me through Christmas and into the New Year. All low effort but enjoyable.

Bottle

Gorgeous, muggle not. As soon as the sun starts to disappear each day husband switches all the lights on, and gives a satisfied sigh. Last week I cooked lots of different dishes to freeze, so that if I'm not in the mood to cook over the Christmas couple of weeks I can do freezer-oven-plate dishes. The kitchen had a wonderful range of aromas for a day or so.

CAKE!!! (I didn't have a wedding cake. Instead my niece made some pineapple cheesecakes. They were delicious!)

I think there are a number of books or authors that have the same affect. There are people I know that dislike Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman and Jasper Fforde books, and are baffled that I like them. My husband wouldn't ever read them, or the Jodi Taylor books, he would hate them. But throw a Roman at him, and he is happy! Perhaps in this instance it is the central character herself that makes or breaks whether the books work for one? Max isn't everyone's cup of tea. If I dislike or don't care what happens to a main character, I will really struggle with a book. I gave up on a series recently when I realised the main character, who had been irking me, wasn't likely to be killed off in the end as I hoped she might.

I LOVE Pink Lady apples! That hill top certainly looks frosted up. Our little tree is up and decorated. Had a lovely time opening up the bags and boxes that hold our Christmas bits and pieces. Husband became chief battery finder / sorter, while I threw things at the tree in a haphazard manner. We have lots of lights up and bits that make us smile because they are either daft or poignant. I dread being anywhere near the shops in the coming weeks, so I will stick with my 6 am shopping trips, while batch cooking meals for the freezer, so I can just completely relax in a fortnights time.

It is a rip roaring plot in this one isn't it? Such a pace from beginning to end. And what an end? Phew! I am sticking with Rick Riordan to get me through to next year, so I have joined Percy Jackson in his adventures. The 10 or so books that make up this Grecian demi god series should keep me going for a week or two.

Oh, I have copied and sent on that one muggle not!

Congratulations!

Oh, you've met my sister?! I choked on my cuppa at the thought of photographic evidence! We will be digging out the decorations this weekend. I love that I can never quite remember what we actually have, since it's been so long since I saw them.

I am reading the last book in the Kane Chronicles, the YA trilogy by Rick Riordan with an Egyptian theme. Pacey and entertaining, just what my ragged reading mojo needed. I may stick with Rick Riordan once I'm done, heading toward his Norse mythology series.

Now, do I tell husband this joke? Is he likely to use it against me? Mmmmmmm..................

I would either be completely straightforward about it, and just say that this felt the right time to bring it to a close. If you are matter of fact in your approach, any potential offence is likely to be minor. Or, you could take a slightly different approach and buy for one last year, and ask "As this year will be the last year that I planned on getting them a present, is there a particular little something they'd each like?" That gives notice, and is a nice way to round things off. Good luck with sorting it. As an aside, I remember years ago asking my then ex mother-out-law what she would like for Christmas, and she said "Something small and pretty". I thought it was such a lovely answer to give - and have used it myself when asked.

I wondered where you had found the 2 black yolked fried eggs emoji, itsmeagain...then I realised they were eyes! Perhaps I should start wearing my reading glasses more often.

Is it possible to be a sparkling loser? I like the thought of that. (Hello muggle not.)

I read A House For Mr Biswas years ago, as part of a post-colonial literature course I did. All I recall is it meandering around aimlessly, and my not being at all drawn to the characters. I was always a 'if I started it, I'd finish it' kind of reader, but that has changed. I think you can tell when a book has potential and it is worth persevering with it, and sometimes you just want to see what happens. Beyond that, I won't make myself read something that does not appeal. What next for you itsmeagain? It is a very rare thing for me to be able to read, and knit or sew at the same time! I have occasionally managed it, but something ends up having to 'give'. I have a stack of magazines here given to me last year that I have been slowly getting through. Sometimes it is nice to read a short article rather than continuing with a book. Welcome to the forum!

They didn't properly talked about things at all. There are two moments, one between the Doctor and Yaz, then later between the Doctor and Ace, but these nudge the subject, but don't properly address it. Dammit Raven, you mentioned School Reunion. I LOVED that episode! You are completely correct about it being a really good example (although I found Rose bloody annoying in it at times!). A badge jacket! Mmmmm, perhaps if I google it, maybe I could get hold of a........................

My reading whims have lead me to start reading the Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan. A Young adult series that explores the Egyptian mythologies. Having read his Percy Jackson Greco / Roman series I knew what to expect, and haven't been disappointed. Fast paced and easy to absorb. About all my brain can currently managed!

Thanks for the heads up on this - I hadn't seen the offer. I have done it, now to spend the £3!

Started out frosty, with mist and beautiful skies, and now it's drizzly and grey. Hello wintry weather - I have slipper boots to defeat you this year!

When you responded to my post in the reading thread, I wondered how I had missed your review - but my forum negligence knows no bounds this year, so there we go. I read your review, and all I can say is that I was clearly not critical enough in even my thinking. I had been waiting for, and very much looking forward to the Ace and Yaz conversation that the story seemed to be heading toward, and it did not happen! How did I manage to miss that? Upon proper reflection I am additionally miffed at the skimming over of the Ace/Dorothy and the Doctor relationship, only touched upon by a couple of exchanges. Yep, I was fangirling, and enjoying the ride rather than bringing any proper thinking to my reading. That about sums up my reading of the past couple of years!

Holy macaroni Hayley! That is a right old melange of stuff you've been dealing with. I hope they are starting to pass / get resolved. And I can only agree with itsmeagain !

I have been reading, but am continuing to struggle to find a book that I can settle in. So it has been a time of reading old favourites and an occasional whim catching read. New reads I enjoyed in recent weeks have included Sandi Toksvig's Between The Stops, an enjoyable part memoir / part historical London travelogue. I also bought, and really enjoyed Sophie Aldred's Doctor Who: At Childhood's End. Sophie Aldred was/is Ace, a companion to the Seventh incarnation of the Doctor (played by Sylvester McCoy). This story is a combined grown up Ace encountering her past, and the Doctor's future self. It was an enjoyable story, that unfolded well, paced itself, and reached a satisfying end.

Thanks for all you have been and are continuing to do, Hayley. It really is appreciated!

She is releasing a short story on kindle in November, entitled 'Joy To The World'. I am hoping that she may write a book sized story again for Frogmorton, maybe as Joy gets older? She may be in need of a Thomas sometime!