Chrissy

So many books, and LP is right - they look in great condition too. It's a great idea thinking of ones that are Read-a-thon reads. I am yet to join a read-a-thon as I am always in the middle of a meaty read when they come around, and don't want to read anything else for the weekend. Maybe a little planning would solve that issue for me.

16) Undone by Rachel Caine, 17) Unknown by Rachel Caine, 18) Unseen by Rachel Caine, 19) Unbroken by Rachel Caine Four books that form a 'spin off' from Rachel Caine's Weather Warden series. The same time frame and events form the backdrop to both series, but these four focus on Cassiel, a former Djinn and her Weather Warden partner Luis and the events that directly effect them. Cassiel briefly appears in the last book in the WW series, Total Eclipse, ​and I was intrigued enough by her and Luis' appearance in that book to want to read her separate adventures. As with the WW series, these four are well paced and imaginative with decent character development and a solid story that makes you want to read on. The overlap of Djinn and human sensibilities is an interesting one that at times looks to answer perennial questions of mankind - the notion of empathy, family, hope etc. Rachel Caine has enabled me to keep on reading during a busy time when my mojo might easily have taken a holiday. The WW and Outcast four books are definitely 'keepers' to aid me in future potential wobbly mojo times.

Oh good, another young feisty, gobby female companion - that's never getting old. Couldn't we have more than one companion? I know that they are going with what appears to work, but I would have loved a real change of companion - not the same girl with a different look. A central male companion would have been such a positive change. Pearl Mackie looks like she'll be pretty good, but I did give a sigh when I saw the clip, and I really really don't want Peter Capaldi to become the wacky uncle /constantly misunderstanding /exasperated Doctor, which I think is the direction he will continue to take. OK, my fingers are now crossed that I have misread the dynamic.

Ian has summed up how I feel about the topic. If it has to happen, then at least be subtle about it! I love the Dorothy L Sayers series of books written in the 1920's and 1930's. Although I occasionally wince at some of the terms used or attitudes expressed regarding class, gender or race I appreciate the authenticity of the time of writing, and feel that Ms Sayers was actually progressive in her thinking for the time. That sense of authenticity was pretty well maintained by the collaboration / homage stories written by Jill Paton Walsh in the 1990's and beyond, although my wincing in these stories stemmed from occasions of modern agenda vs true to character issues. Back to Ian's thoughts, subtlety is the key.

Looks interesting, I would definitely have to take a look at that.

It does look quite purdy, but is a little too pricey. Maybe a price drop or two down the line I might indulge in one when my present paperwhite heads to kindle heaven.

It's a really good read, one of my favourites. I hope you enjoy it.

Gone To Soldiers by Marge Piercy? It has the multiple points of view, and takes place in the US, UK and France.

Would you mind if I recommend a couple of books for your little one? My 'baby' is now thirty, but 2 books he absolutely adored when he was a little one were Sam's Sandwich and The Monster Bed. All these years later I can still remember the words to The Monster Bed.

Nah! I listed them badly.

They were enjoyable books. The first few really establish the main character of Joanne, and the relationships between the Wardens, the Djinn and everyone's role in keeping the weather ticking over. The later ones expand the original idea and gets into politics and positioning of things. An intriguing idea well written I thought. Didn't mean to spook you with how many Gaia, but here are 9 of them, not 14. - the numbering was for my list of keeping track. I had wondered where the author could go with the series, or whether it would feel like she was padding out the later books, but she maintains a good story and fast pace throughout.

I occasionally skim read a description heavy paragraph if I think the scene has already set in my mind. Some authors are verbose and it can get a little tedious. I stopped reading PD James because of this. I vividly remember a page or two in one of her books describing a mantelpiece that I studiously read thinking that there must be something there that was going to be relevant later on. No, she just decided to minutely describe each and every bloody object for the hell of it! My memory may be a tad skewed by my irritation, but you get the point.

Glad that you enjoyed Neverwhere Janet, it is one of my favourite Gaiman stories. I have seen the TV series (I think Lenny Henry was involved with the creation of the story somewhere along the line), and it is good, with some great acting and the characters well captured. I may have the DVVD around somewhere still, if you ever fancy watching it.

Weather Wardens Series ;6) Ill Wind by Rachel Caine, 7) Heat Stroke by Rachel Caine, 8) Chill Factor by Rachel Caine, 9) Windfall by Rachel Caine,10) Firestorm by Rachel Caine,11) Thin Air by Rachel Caine,12) Gale Force by Rachel Caine,13) Cape Storm by Rachel Caine,14) Total Eclipse by Rachel Caine Life has been so busy of late I wanted to escape into another place completely when I could actually sit down to read, and Rachel Caine's The Weather Warden series allowed me to do just that. The series centres on Joanne Baldwin, who is part of the secret worldwide Weather Warden organisation that attempts to control the weather across the globe, keeping the extremes down to a minimum and humanity safe. They do this using their own special elemental gifts, and the coerced assistance of the Djinn, ancient, magical and mythical creatures. When it works, it works well, but as Joanne is to discover over the course of the 9 books, things are never quite what they seem, a balance must be kept at al times and in all areas, and that people are capable of appalling acts against each other. Witty, fast paced and following a genuinely refreshing and original story arc, the reader is swept along with Joanne. I enjoyed the series enormously, despite feeling hesitant during the early books as to whether the series worked, or if it could maintain the same level of compelling activity throughout the nine books. I couldn't predict the story at any time, and could only avidly read on to discover what would happen next. A very satisfying read, perfect for an active period in my life where I needed vividly depicted characters encased in a compelling story that changed scenes regularly enough to allow me to zip through it without recourse to going back and forth. If you are in need of a distracting fast paced read, and enjoy immersing yourself your reading world for a time, then these are the books for you.

I am just leaving a storm damaged shopping mall that may or may not have housed the entrance to the Air Oracle. Weather Wardens 9 - Total Eclipse.

It's now on my 'must see' list!

The parts I have seen have been lovely! I can not believe how green Stuttgart and it's suburbs are. The people are so friendly and the local (Swabian) food that I have tried has been wonderful. We plan on visiting other parts of Germany (and Europe in general) in the next few years. Which part of Germany are you in?

I am in Stuttgart (Germany) for a few days. We arrived on Saturday, and are heading home again mid week. Already footsore from all the walking, but plan to do more tomorrow! Having a terrific time. I travelled about on my own for a few days the last time we were here, so it's been lovely showing husband the bits I discovered then as well as stuff new to us both.

Lovely review Hayley. So glad you enjoyed it. What secret club? ....................Oh, I see.......it's secret.

I love my kindle (a paperwhite) and equally love my tree books. With my most favourite books I try to get them in both formats where possible, but with reference books where I will be dipping in and out and flipping to book notes and indexes/indices I always get the hold in the hand, turn the pages books. If it contains words, be they printed on a paper page or electronically put across then I am very likely going to love them and want to own them.

5) The Late Scholar by Jill Paton Walsh Being a huge fan of Dorothy L Sayers and her Lord Peter Wimsey creation, I have read not only her books, but additionally the four books that Jill Paton Walsh has written (with permission) using the characters. I had thought that her last book The Attenbury Emeralds, was to be the final book, and felt it had been a really good and fitting finale. So it was with a hint of trepidation that I picked up The Late Scholar. It is a proper Sayers' mystery in so many ways, and in itself is a fine story. Unlike her previous works with the Sayers' characters however, this one didn't quite ring true and at times felt contrived . There were occasions when a few out-of-character moments made me actually wince, and overall it read as an unnecessary add on to what I had felt had been an accomplished continuation / homage to the original books. I'm glad that I read it, but consider the earlier book to be the more fitting final book. Let's hope there are no more.

1) Descent Series by SM Reine (7 books) 2) Seasons Of The Moon by SM Reine (4 books) 3) The Cain Chronicles (SOTM) by SM Reine (7 books) 4) The Ascension Series by SM Reine (7 books) Elise Kavanagh is good at one thing: killing demons, angels, and gods. For years, she was the death that supernatural creatures feared. More myth than woman, she walked the Earth as the embodiment of vengeance. James Faulkner is a powerful witch, and the only person she trusts. Together they are Kopis (sword) a fighter, and Aspis (shield) the supporting witch. The Descent and Ascension series are gritty urban fantasy books that tell their story as they travel Earth, Heaven and Hell and all the dimensions in between. The Descent and Ascension series are fast paced stories with interesting characters of depth. Adam, Eve and Lilith, Angels from the exalted to the fallen and the demonic forces on earth and in hell. We skip backward and forward in time as the story unfurls itself to understand what has come before, and what may be coming. Destinies, sacred oaths, immortality and the bending of the rules governing life, loyalties and redemption seeking all all here. Huge and complex themes are brought to the reader through Elise as she fights the forces of evil and attempts to bring justice to an increasingly uncertain reality. Seasons Of The Moon and The Cain Chronicles tell the story/stories of Rylie Gesham, Seth and Abel Wilder, their families, friends and acquaintances. Werewolves, Witches, Kopis and the governmental forces that are chasing them down, the series builds at a fast pace as the players and series cross over at times with the Descent and Ascension books.

I was stunned to see that it was 5 years ago that we read this in Reading Circle.

We started with blue skies, then from around 11 o'clock we had bright sunshine, rain, hailstones and sleet. Right now it's raining. A real mish mash kind of day.

A lovely worded review of The Ocean At The End Of The Lane. It is so difficult to capture the spirit of the book, but you have summed it up beautifully.