Chrissy

What an incredible cake! Wow!

I would recommend The Spy Who Came In From The Cold. It really captures the paranoia and intrigue of the cold war. Have a nice holiday.

I did enjoy the book a lot, and was quite taken by the characters. It may be because the personalities of Hazel and Augustus reminded me of two people I knew in my early teens, so I had an in built affection for their often borderline pretentious conversations and a warmth toward their developing relationship. Tears were definitely shed too. I passed the book onto my Mum, who also enjoyed it, and even weeks later is talking about Isaac and worrying for him. It's one of those types of read though, both character wise and subject matter wise that polarises opinion. I can understand completely why young adults especially have been taken by the book.

27) Bone Quill by John & Carole E Barrowman 28) The Book Of Beasts by John & Carole E Barrowman I saw that the concluding book in the Hollow Earth trilogy was available, so decided to read the second book again to reacquaint myself with the story. (From Hollow Earth website) Twins Matt and Emily Calder have imaginations so powerful that they can make art come to life. Their powers are sought by villains intent on accessing the terrors of Hollow Earth — a place where all the devils, demons and monsters ever imagined lie trapped for eternity. If Hollow Earth is breached, the world will be plunged into chaos. If Hollow Earth is breached … the twins are as good as dead. Set mainly on two small islands off the western coast of Scotland, the story follows Matt and Em twins and animare, and those they consider family. In the first book they discover who they really are and the dangers that had surrounded them since their birth. In the second story they are reeling from the disappearance of their mother and the revelation of what actually happened to their father. Alongside the main story the books drop back in history to the early days of the islands and the monastic animare/guardian community that lived there. The third book is imaginatively action filled from beginning to end, with art and time travelling, loyalties and betrayals revealed and incredibly depicted beasts. They are great visual books, and throughout I could 'see' what the page described. The series is intriguing and compelling. The characters are well drawn, and the story runs along at a good pace while remaining really well balanced between action and the quieter moments where the reader gains greater depth to the story.

The problem with the book cover for me is that it's so creepy. *shudder* Gene Wilder looking manic would have been much better. Not sure about the Amazon dispute, although I do feel that they have a point when it comes to kindle book costs.

RORY HAS MARRIED THE SON OF A VAMPIRE! I caught this article about 32 year old (YES! 32!) Alexis Bledel, and she has gone and gotten herself hitched. Now, the article says he is famous for being in Mad Men, but I will always think of him as the son of Angel, the vampire with a soul. 5* channel in the UK had just completed showing the entire series of TGG last week, and kicked off immediately again from the beginning, and despite thinking I might not, I am already hooked AGAIN! I also read somewhere recently that Keiko Agena (Lane) was 27 when the 1st series started, and Alexis was 18. Another mini fact is that both Lauren Graham (Lorelai) and Keiko were born in Honolulu.

That is good news Julie.

Of course! You're not so much hypo as no-no with the thyroid. Sorry Julie, I forgot that. Nope, there really is not way around your morning meds, I'm so sorry.

Oh Julie, not being able to take your pain meds on waking must be awful. Is there any way you could take your thyroid meds at bed time, rather than first thing in the morning? There was a big (and on going) debate about morning versus evening thyroxin taking on one of my hypothyroid sites, although I am a morning taker like you (I assume you are talking about thyroxin). Some also found that they could eat within 20 minutes of taking their meds without issues, although I usually leave it for about an hour out of habit now. Grrr, why do things always have to be awkward?!

If only .........................................

Very well said both of you. Most definitely thinking of you Julie. Take very good care of yourself.

My biggest and best healing hugs to you, Julie.

That's great Frankie! It sounds like a positive move in so many ways. Brilliant stuff.

Three? Only three? Oh the cruelty of having to choose! Apple and blackberry has got to be at the top, so long as they are Bramley apples which in my utterly humble opinion makes the best apple filling. Savoury wise, I would go for a chicken, ham and leek combination. For my third, it's cherry pie. I rarely have cherry pie as husband isn't too fond of it. He also chooses custard over any other accompaniment, whereas I definitely prefer a scoop of vanilla for all my sweet pie choices. Darn it muggle not, I'm going to have to make pie now! My waistline does not thank you!

We'll be thinking of you Julie. Big hugs and lots of love to you. XX

I almost suggested The Graveyard Book, then remembered we were avoiding YA. I have really enjoyed most of the YA fiction that I have read in recent years, and so find it tricky NOT to recommend them, but I guess with Neil Gaiman and Jasper Fforde they 'straddle' Children's, YA and adult fiction. Good luck finding some books you enjoy.

That was terrific muggle not, I chuckled my way through that. His final words of wisdom are truly great, and indeed wise. I looked at the 'Guest Book' and the comments from both friends and strangers are lovely. Thank you for sharing this.

I forgot to second Neil Gaiman! Neverwhere is a wonderful book that explores the fantastic underbelly of London. Clever ideas and memorable characters. Another compelling book by Mr Gaiman is American Gods, a road trip (of sorts) across the United States, combining ancient and modern mythology with fantasy and an exploration of how belief in Gods is maintained.

I understand completely. I look at children's books and those from the young adult range and feel excited and jealous. Excited for the youngsters that will get to read from this wonderful range of books, and jealous that I am not growing up with the book. A measure of my enjoyment is often found when I wish that a book I have recently read had been around in my younger days, and I am delighted for my nieces and nephews that they have access to these now.

I would recommend Japser Fforde. His Nursery Crimes and his Thursday Next series are great. They are not to everyone's taste, but if you like them you will LOVE them. To give you an idea of their style, this is an excerpt from Wiki on his writing, Fforde's books are noted for their profusion of literary allusions and wordplay, tightly scripted plots, and playfulness with the conventions of traditional genres. His works usually contain elements of metafiction, parody, and fantasy. The Thursday Next series is especially good, with Thursday herself a terrifically written and thoroughly substantial central character. They are clever and witty books. I would second the Terry Pratchett Discworld, books too, here's a handy wiki guide.