Chrissy

I've had hospital appointments in the last two days, so have only managed to get bits and pieces done since the weekend. Yesterday was washing my filthy car and spending two hours clearing a very short path, a great workout although I managed to hurt my back. Today I am wincing as I move, so will be staying active to keep my muscles from seizing up too much. We are dog sitting a gorgeous golden retriever called Ben for four nights from today, so keeping active will not be a problem!

It's been a lovely Sunday for the weather; sunny with just enough clouds to make it bearable. We spent the morning near the sea, so had a lovely sea breeze too.

Saw the words Fridge and Tardis and gave a very girly whoop, with an additional "I gotta get myself a Tardis fridge!". I then actually read your post.

Sorry to read the news about your dog, Nollaig.

A break certainly appears to have been positive for your reading mojo muggle not. I am so pleased for you. I have The Eyes Of Zoltar on my wishlist, having read and loved the two previous books. I will have to buy it soon, and have a quick re read of the earlier two to get myself in the right place.

I thought you might be. It was warm here today, but not THAT warm!

The Color Purple is such a special book. Harrowing, heart warming and memorable in equal measure. Great reviews as always, Paula.

Still in Italy, or are we home yet?

Thanks LP. I am waiting for The Late Scholar by JPW to come down a little in price before I buy it. Can't wait!

I cannot explain it, but I am 'saving' my first Mieville reading. There are a few in both tree and kindle format waiting for me, and one day soon I will make a start on them. I have a feeling I will love them, which is maybe my weird reticence to begin my Mieville journey.

That's crappy Steve. We've been using AO for white goods in the last year or two. Had a freezer delivered on Tuesday through them. They text and e mail confirmation, and give updates including a call from the driver. It's the third thing we have bought through them in the past year. My husband tells the story of his sister's chest freezer breaking down, so she made a big batch of pea soup from all the bags of peas that had thawed out. He is yet to comprehend why she 'rescued' the peas and made a stomach churning terrible soup with them, when there was much nicer (and more expensive) food stuffs she could have used up! I have The City & The City on my TBR pile/kindling mount, and the Womack may well end up there very soon too.

I haven't seen any of the Ian Carmichael ones, although I have seen the wonderful Edward Petherbridge in a few faithful adaptations. I will have to seek a Ian Carmichael one out, so I can make a comparison. The Lord Peter Wimsey series is a favourite of mine, I plan on making my way through the rest of them at some stage this year.

Don't stop posting your reviews! I may comment little, but I always enjoy reading your views. Also I have really enjoyed the terrific covers.

Oh yuck, poor you. I hope you are completely recovered soon. Here, some flowers for your bedside.

I did like the story Steve, it was an easy read in many ways, but there was enough meat to enjoy the meal! And don't talk to me about finishing other books first! I am having to NOT look at all the other books I have pending - and that's aside from the the re reads and new purchases.

That's lovely Gaia. I LOVE hearing about it when forum friends meet up.

I am yet to visit Rome - we have only visited Northern Italy. Hot and crowded? Perhaps I'll plan a winter visit!

How lovely, and boy how hot! Phew, walking about in that heat has got to be challenging to say the least. Have a wonderful time. I turn into a shiny grumpy beetroot when it gets too hot. Well, around these parts it's wet 'n' windy today. I have to wait in for a freezer to be delivered, and I am happy to do so.

I have a new freezer arriving tomorrow. It will replace the ice cold noisy monolith that currently dominates our hallway. I cannot wait for the old one to go.

I have read three very different books in the past week or so. Firstly a YA Christian novel called 18 Things (My So Called Afterlife) by Jamie Ayres, then it was a Dan Brown'esque biblical/religious/modern & historical thriller called The Psalter by Galen Watson. I rounded off my weekend by finishing the Rachel Caine Ill Wind, the first book in her Weather Warden series. I started the second of her WW series, Heat Stroke. It seems to be keeping my reading mojo bopping along, so I am happy.

Great news Frankie. Great stuff!

I think there are times on forums of all kinds where there is a drop off of chat though, so it can feel as though we are shouting into an abyss. It's not that one is seeking comment or is in need of validation, but rather we want to feel that the community is tangibly there. All it can take is the absence for a day or two of some of the biggest chatterers/posters for a place to feel somewhat vacated. (There is now an image in my mind of a gang of teenagers running from room to room in a haunted house shouting "Hellloooo!" and getting no answer! )

Yes, they are similar in the way they are able to ratchet up the tension in a few paragraphs. I should get hold of a Barclay or Coben to read soon, it has been a while since I read on the edge of my seat.

Linwood Barclay does write pretty compelling stories. He does have a great knack with the red herrings - just when you think you have worked out what's happening it all gets twisted around. Great review Pontalba.