Chrissy

Well, you certainly know how to make an impact with your first post don't you? I would recommend that you take a look at Hunter S Thompson. He certainly writes about drugs and alcohol and surreal adventures on both. The only other name that springs to mind is Maddox. I have not read any of his work, so can't say what he is like, but he seems to fit your criteria.

I loved it! At our little local cinema there was a fancy dress competition, where a short 4th Doctor and a tall 10th Doctor won cinema vouchers. Strax gave a pre episode blog report that was chuckle worthy, and then onto the film itself. A few moments dragged in the episode, but they were mere moments, and beyond that I loved this introduction to the new Doctor. Clara being discombobulated throughout worked well, and the baddy was genuinely creepy. The appearance near the end of an unexpected face was great too. I found myself getting quite teary. Following the film, there was a live satellite link up to a Q & A session with Peter Capaldi, Jenna Coleman and Steven Moffat which was fun. One little nugget that made me give a gulp was that the actor who played the homeless man was the late Liz Sladen's husband. How nice is that?

This Saturday I'll be at my local cinema with my niece and her two Doctor Who mad sons (aged 13 and 10 years old). I'm looking forward to it, especially as I missed out on the 50th Anniversary 3D special event. I will also be recording it at home so I can watch it again during the coming week while alone.

I bought the Weird Things....book based on your recommendation, and so glad I did. In answer to your question, I don't manage to juggle the bloody things! There are bits of things in each, so I really have to sit down soon and bring the relevant bits together if I can. Big if....................

They all look great, but I surprised myself by being drawn firstly to Timebomb. The blurb intrigues me. Now, do I go and check out Laura's review? Decisions, decisions.....................

I haven't seen the second series of MFD yet, nor read the book! I'm gonna though, believe me, I'm gonna! The weird things book was equal parts hilarious and 'the future of humanity' questioning. There are some stupid, selfish ignorant people out there. In my little bag I have 3 notebooks. I am carrying them around with me because at some stage I have to try and coordinate their contents. My ability to function depends upon my notebooks - my brain is unable to cope with life currently without the over spill into these notebooks. They make for quite weird reading at times.

Lovely colours muggle not. I am sending you lots and lots of love and best wishes to you and Coran for your wedding, June. Many, many congratulations. Enjoy your day.

I did think of books, but decided that universally book lovers would seek and preserve books, therefore there would be a sub culture of book lovers in this new world.

Communicating with others who are at a distance from me, so the telephone, postal service, internet etc.

Some were Wow! and others made me gulp at the thought of them. All most definitely quirky!

Downstairs I read sitting up, just sitting normally (neither leaning back nor forward). Upstairs in bed I can only read on my side, or sitting up in bed. Because of back problems I can't lie on my back for long anyway.

Will you PLEASE stop reading and reviewing books that I have waiting for me to read?!!! The top of my to be read mountain is bigger than the bottom with all the books I have shuffled further up. Great reviews. You give a real taste of the books.

This is a great place for it! I am ok thanks. Lots of busy fussy things needing attention at the moment and my brain is all over the place trying to keep up with it all, and I keep losing my notebook that helps me remember. How about you? I will drop into your thread and catch up at some stage. I'm embarrassed that I have been so remiss at not keeping up to date with everyone.

30) Weird Things Customers Say In Bookshops by Jen Campbell The title says it all really. An enjoyable quick read of the weird, rude and startling things that have be said or overheard in book shops. One (of so many) that stood out for me was this exchange; Customer: Do you have any positions available at the moment? I'd like my daughter to get a Saturday job. Bookseller: If your daughter is interested in working for us, it'd be best if she came in an spoke to us herself. Customer: I don't think she's that keen on having a job, that's the problem.....But you could always come round to our house and try and convince her to come and work for you. Then she might consider it. I gave a strangled laugh when I read that. It's a great book to dip in and out of. 31) Unseen by Karin Slaughter The last Slaughter book I read took place in two time periods, the 1970's and present day. Unseen slips masterfully between the on going story and just a few days previous. As the story advances these peep back days creep further back. It is done to great effect. Will Trent is working undercover, Possibly tangentially connected is a big bad guy who has remained uncatchable to date appearing to be attempting a crime takeover in Macon. Cops have been attacked innocents are being hurt, loyalties are being strained, and just what did happen when the local force carried out a take down of a known nasty? A book that starts with many question marks but one that is able to answer them with aplomb. If you like Karin Slaughter's work, you will enjoy Unseen.

I don't rate the books I read, I just write whether I liked it or not, and why. I prefer not to write about any detail beyond what you would read in the book blurb, as I know how much I enjoy a book unfolding as I read it. The reviews are written once I have finished the book without the use of notes. If it a series read, I will often make a series review rather than an individual book review. I love reading the reviews of others, and think my reviews are vague and insufficient in comparison, but I have no plans to alter what I do.

Oh muggle, I sort of wish you hadn't shared that story. I welled up reading about the little girl, but to read about her father made the tears flow. There are so many 'famous' deaths that make one think "Aw, that's a shame", but with Robin Williams it feels somehow darker. For many years I had heard what a lovely man he was, with everyone. Story after story told of his quiet generosity of spirit, his humanity and the enduring friendships he had.

Please don't wander into my thread and talk about alien probing (there had to be probing, aliens ALWAYS probe!). And no flouncing neither!

I love words; written, typed, digitalised, printed or spoken. You gotta a good tale to tell? Let me have it! Convenience wise, the e reader is a doddle to carry around, store books on etc, but nothing beats the smell of a book, or the perusal of a book store, be it a seller of new or second hand books. *sigh* I listen to audios when my hands are busy, such as gardening or sewing. My only gripe about them is that I will find that I have stopped what I am doing to listen. So, please don't make me choose on over the other. I want them all!

I'd say................................ Read it! I will now walk out of this thread with a swagger, in the knowledge that I have read a SF book that you haven't!

Anna, that's a lovely photograph. What lovely offspring y'all have.

What a lovely photograph! Your daughter looks like an angel with a cheeky smile.

29) Criminal by Karin Slaughter I didn't imagine when I awoke this morning that at some stage I would be typing the words, "I am a big fan of a good Slaughter", but it is true. Graphic and often gruesome brutality Ms Slaughter leaves nothing to the reader's imagination. The book blurb reads, A woman is found brutally murdered in a sordid Atlanta apartment. Her blood soaked body bears a chilling similarity to a woman found dead almost 40 years earlier. Although this is a Will Trent story, and by the we will know so much more about Will's origins, it focuses more often on Amanda Wagner, his GBI boss and Evelyn Mitchell, Faith's (Will's GBI partner) feisty mother. It's he 1970's and Atlanta along with the rest of the world is rife with racism and sexism, in the workplace, at home and on the street. Two young policewomen are making their way in the force, battling for the victims, and battling for themselves. The story shifts between the 1970's Atlanta, and the present day to great effect, driving you on to make the connections between past and present, seeing how Will and his tragic childhood fit into it all. My heart has always ached for Will, and I was insanely happy when he got together with Sara Linton - a match made in bookish heaven. Sara appears here too, a bridge of sorts between what was and what could be. A great read as always from Karin Slaughter, and I have already moved on to he next book in the series.