Chrissy

Great review for a favourite read of mine. Neverwhere is a special book, clever and quirky and witty. Glad you enjoyed it so much. I thoroughly enjoyed American Gods too, but it is a very different kind of book. Happy reading in 2014 Brian.

Thanks Diane, all is well now aside from an occasional croaky voice and an annoying 4 am dry cough that coincides with my get-out-of-bed-bladder! Dad loves his skateboard. He thought it would be a giant thing, but this cute little (17inces) board with it's blue wheels and colourful underside is just what was needed. He is all ready for his op now, with shorts to wear in the hospital and a skateboard waiting for him when he gets out! Sounds ever so sporty doesn't it? We are sitting in our lovely new conservatory with the rain and wind doing it's worst outside, but we feel cosy and comfortable. We did a last run out to Tesco at 6 this morning to get some minor bits, and have been happily 'in' since. I have no plans to leave the house again today!

This reminded me of a book straightaway, but the details don't quite fit. It may still be worth a look..'Triptych' by Karin Slaughter. It won't let me link, but wiki has a plot summary that isn't too spoilery.

I was, but no longer. Or am I a roaring mouse Muggle Not?. I hope to be adding to the song list later, once I have got my sluggish brain cells woken up!

Me too!

I've known some thick and (ob)noxious people in my time - now I know what to call them!

Thanks Bookmonkey. I am only under the weather though certainly not ill, so sounding like a frog who is breathing helium isn't too bad. Today I am hoping to finally hang the curtains in the new conservatory. They are lovely, and I have spent the past couple of days washing and ironing them in preparation. They are currently draped over two chairs. Today is the day to check the fittings and hang them up. It's starting to get cosy in there, all we need now is a heater to actually make it cosy. Guess where I plan on us eating our Christmas lunch?

Chocolate!

Gorgeous

The 5 book Emperor series by Conn Iggulden is available today on Amazon UK for 99p per book - that's only £4.95 for the lot! Not such luck on the USA site I'm afraid.

Sometimes a detox really helps reset our bodies, giving them a chance to sort themselves out. I hope you are feeling better very soon Chalie. X Honey and Lemon every time for me and I usually use local honey, I love all the different flavours. So far so good (I am touching wood as I typing this) I haven't developed so much as a sniff.

A hot honey and lemon drink. I'm feeling sorry for myself because my silly little cough has woken me up, so a soothing drink for me.

Thanks Muggle Not. My husband is a little too happy about this turn of events, and rubbed his hands together gleefully and talked about finally getting a quiet Christmas! I wonder if this is maybe a Christmas wish of his that was fulfilled. I am seeing a nurse tomorrow over another matter, but will mention this if it is still bothering me.

A strange Finnish tradition no doubt - I would be run out of my village if I tried that - it would scare the livestock! Starkers is a great word.

Today I did something I never imagined myself doing......I bought my 84 year old Dad a skateboard for Christmas! He is going in for a knee operation at the beginning of January and it was suggested by the physiotherapist that a skateboard under the foot rolled back and forth, whilst sitting down I hasten to add, gives great physio movement to the recuperating knee. So I just bought a mini skateboard that is 43 centimetres / 17 inches long. It will easily slide underneath my Dad's chair when he isn't using it, and I've told him that the great grandkids can have it once he is fully healed. Well, it makes a change from socks! After a couple of days of only a mild sore throat I have managed to lose my voice. It is very strange, I've been reduced to a croaky whisper, and all the while I feel just fine. So it's lots of warm drinks, and an avoidance of anything too strenuous I reckon. Just to be on the safe side.

You guys, you're such kidders!

I look back fondly at that age Dex!

Oh, I leave the eye popping to husband. Once a week he drives past an Amazon distribution centre and he claims that all the staff line the windows to wave and say "Thank you". I'm not entirely sure that he is kidding!

Paper Towns is on my kindle, and I have only heard good things about it. I think your review has made it climb higher up my Must Be Read Soon 'pile'. Sadly I have no 'No Books' rule. Regardless of how my reading is going, I am always able to but books, especially with the ease of the kindle book buying. Sometimes I think maybe I should be bothered by my lack of discipline, but I love books and words and could never ultimately see my booky purchases as negative.

I have just put Hamburg on my list of places to visit with husband - it looks incredible. Thanks for sharing MN.