Chrissy

I thought the same about The Boy In The Smoke, but oh boy did I want to hunt down his parents! I think this set the tone for the other books, and made me forgiving of the bits I wasn't enjoying so much in them. The developments in The Shadow Cabinet have made the series take a different path from the one I had thought they would take, so I am intrigued and awaiting development (or indeed conclusion) in the next book of the series. It could be very good.

I was not even trying.......... The book has been kindled, and will definitely be read. I am thinking that it may be when I go away later on in the year for my holiday read. I had the initial gulping anxiety of "Oh no, a book I read is being wish listed by someone!" I got over it when I remembered that I enjoyed the series, and am looking forward to the next one / ones. I love discovering a new series, especially by stumbling across. I hope you enjoy them.

Good to 'see' you Julie.

Warehouse 13. I bought the box set and am watching from the beginning. So far, so fun.

I'm watching an episode of Hell's Kitchen, the cooking competition with the very sweary Gordon Ramsay. I hate that so many people think that competing with others means you must be a nasty person that back stabs and snarks at others.

Your review has reminded me just how much I loved this book, and that I should DEFINITELY read it again soon. Great review.

The only leg pull was that I'd gone off you. Aside from that........s'all true. XXX

What, do you mean the opinion of you being a voracious reader with varied interests and talents, and excellent taste in home style and screened porches? Yep, I've gone right off you now I know!

I just finished watching Snow White and The Huntsman. I wish i hadn't. Looked great, especially the scenes in the fairy sanctuary. Charlize Theron is deliciously evil, and the dwarves are definitely watchable, but oh my goodness, the others. Chris Hemsworth gave an average performance, ticking the boxes but with an air of not wanting to be there. And Kristen Stewart clearly can only give one kind of performance, a kind of dull witted pained young woman, who inexplicably inspires intense loyalty and adoration in others. What am I missing when it comes to her? Is there a movie of hers out there that could give me a better impression of her acting?

I am kinda watching Snow White and The Huntsman. Oh dear.

Felidae, that castle is fairy tale gorgeous! Have a wonderful time. Although I pop onto the forum a couple of times a day, I have been absent for ages in many respects Sorry about that. Had a lovely weekend when my niece, her two sons and daft dog came to stay. Laughter, chocolate and long muddy walks - how good can a weekend get? We are heading off to North Wales next weekend, a few days that will hopefully include castles, mead, the gorgeously weird Portmerion Village and a trip on a tram and / or steam train. I cannot begin to express just how much I am looking forward to it. We are only there for three nights, but I am delighted.

I will be buying it no doubt. A final book to the great Tiffany Aching series.

I am officially in love with that porch!

Bookshelves, a fireplace and ducks! What a gorgeous room.

Oops! 15) The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson When madness stalks the streets of London, no one is safe…There’s a creepy new terror haunting modern-day London. Fresh from defeating a Jack the Ripper killer, Rory must put her new-found hunting skills to the test before all hell breaks loose…But enemies are not always who you expect them to be and crazy times call for crazy solutions. Although I did enjoy this second book I found that it was a 'middle book', one that bridged the first book that had set up the central premise of the series in a great story, with the rest of the series. Loyalties are tested and friendships pushed to their limits. Rory makes some bad decisions and takes wrong turns, enough to make me grind my teeth at times. This story does however change the series direction, with the consequences reaching further than one could guess. 16) The Shadow Cabinet by Maureen Johnson In her weakest moment, Rory will find true strength. With hardly a moment to think for herself, Rory gets back to work. Charlotte must be found -- as must Stephen. Lines must be drawn and forces rallied. Something is brewing under London, something bigger and much more dangerous than what has come before. The Shadow Cabinet holds the key to everything, and it is up to Rory to unravel its mysteries before time runs out... Things have taken a dramatic turn (quite a feat considering the series so far!) for everyone. Rory sits at the very centre of a brewing storm that will reach both literally and metaphysically far beyond Wexford and it's small corner of London. New faces are entered into the mix, and new connections must be successfully forged before a resolution to the current situation can be found. A surprising and well developed third book, action packed and pacey. I look forward to the next....whenever that may be

13) The Boy In The Smoke by Maureen Johnson On a cold night, Stephen Dene went to the Eton boathouse to perform a desperate act. But someone stopped him along the way, sending his life in a new and decidedly strange direction--leading him to London, to two new friends, and to a world of shadows and mystery. (from Amazon) This is a prequel novella to the Shades Of London series of books. A young man, on the brink of adulthood proper finds his sad childhood catching up with him one evening. A heart ache inducing story that sets the stage for the later books in the series. This is not a book with action scenes, but is one that allows the reader to start understanding the new beginnings of an old organisation. 14) The Name Of The Star by Maureen Johnson Sixteen-year-old American girl Rory has just arrived at boarding school in London when a Jack the Ripper copycat-killer begins terrorising the city. All the hallmarks of his infamous murders are frighteningly present, but there are few clues to the killer’s identity. “Rippermania” grabs hold of modern-day London, and the police are stumped with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. In an unknown city with few friends to turn to, Rory makes a chilling discovery… Could the copycat murderer really be Jack the Ripper back from the grave? (From Amazon) An unusual story in many ways, but one that 'worked' An amalgam of young adult sensibilities, old time murders, a new kind of paranormal and a tale worth reading. I liked the characters, who from the start were well drawn. I got frustrated with Rory, the central character of the series, although I was able to adore her in equal measure. A great start to an intriguing series.

The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson is free today on Kindle UK. This is a YA book that I can thoroughly recommend. From Amazon, For fans of John Green, David Levithan and Rainbow Rowell: a beautiful, funny and heartfelt novel about love and forgiveness. Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery older sister, Bailey. But when Bailey dies abruptly, Lennie is catapulted to centre stage of her own life.....

Mine stay open. My lovely dentist always has posters and postcards on his ceiling that I can lose myself in - currently it's a poster of The Ramblas by Anthong PIlley, a bright and many layered painting in which I discover something new each visit. I have had horrendous experiences at dentists over the years, but the one I am with now is friendly, professional and reassuring. Yippee! As for kissing - BOTH!

Currently it is a choice between Cassandra Clare and her Mortal Instruments (or Infernal Devices) series, or Angie Sage and her Septimus Heap series. They both take me off to a different place without any mental or emotional struggle. I've not heard of Gail Carriger, I will have to investigate!

Thanks Chesil. I hate not being able to read, and this seems to be keeping the embers of my (too often) missing mojo glowing.

Thanks Gaia and Kylie. I have developed a "NO PANIC!" way of dealing with the wobbly reading mojo, and that is to stop what I am reading and just slip over into a different and familiar book until my brain settles down a bit. It stops the "I'll never read again" sensation that kicks in whenever I have a wobble. T'is working so far.........

Sorry about Lily, Eleonora.

I'm so sorry muggle, I have only just popped in here and seen your query. I started Metro 2033, but I had 'stuff' going on and didn't feel I could give the book the attention it deserved, so it is a pending read. My reading mojo has had a big wobble, so I re read a fave easy read of sorts to keep things ticking over until my mojo returns. Having said that I bought a paperback book called The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson for £1 the other day, but as it was the second book in a series, appealingly called Shades Of London, I have since bought (in paperback form once again) The Name Of The Star. Looking on-line, I saw that a prequel short book have been written in the series, so I actually kindled this one (The Boy In The Smoke) and read it last night. It has piqued my interest, so I will probably read the two further books before I read anything else.

The paintings are really good, the dance ones have great life in them. And yes, your grandchildren are pretty cute. I love the look your grand daughter is giving the camera in the second photo - it's a real "Did I say you could photograph me?" look!