Nollaig

Frankie, I checked my shelves yesterday and I do have NTfG on them, so I'll get to that one soon! Will be my first tree-book in quite a while! Gaia, whoops! Added it there now. 4/5! My reading has slowed down a lot the last few days, but hoping to pack in a good bit this weekend with the read-a-thon to motivate me. Currently reading a very Matrix-nerdy kinda YA dystopia. It's not amazing but it's very compelling. Not sure precisely what I'll pick up next!

Turns out I'm not going anywhere this weekend, so I'm hopefully gonna join in properly

Thanks! Yeah I reckon I'd read all his stuff, I have No Time For Goodbye somewhere, I must read that eventually. Think that was his big selling title wasn't it? He seems to have quite a few more titles than the last time I looked him up a few years ago. What's your favourite by him?

#65 A Tap On The Window - Linwood Barclay Synopsis: When Cal Weaver stops at a red light on a rainy night while driving home, he ignores the bedraggled-looking teenage girl trying to hitch a ride - even when she starts tapping on his window. But as soon as he realises she's one of his son's classmates, he knows he can't really leave her, alone, on the street. But nothing prepares him for the consequences of trying to help her out. The next morning he's gone from Good Samaritan to Murder Suspect, and with one girl dead and another missing, he's suddenly at the centre of a deadly puzzle that reaches right to the heart of the town - from its bullying police force to its strangely furtive mayor - and finally to one family's shocking secret. *** Review: Having read one of Barclay's novels before (Too Close To Home), and having enjoyed it, I had relatively high hopes for this one. I was aware that a lot of people found the ending to be a let-down, but honestly I thought this novel was pretty solid the whole way through. I find with mysteries and thrillers that there's always an sense of dissonance between all the possibilites that run around my head, and what actually turns out to be the case, which could potentially turn into disappointment. So allowing for that and expecting it, I found that I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The beginning was fantastic, it was extremely mysterious and was interesting enough to make me read the whole rest of the novel, even if it hadn't been consistently good throughout. While not flawless (the main character had literally nothing to do with his time but drive around questioning people, and occasionally sleep), it's quite a long novel and the author does away with any frills or excess. Some of the characters are pretty interesting, and there's a wonderful atmosphere pervading the story of a seemingly idyllic little town with a rough, dark underbelly - not just because of the questionable conduct of the police, but also because all of the townsfolk seem to have dark secrets. The complexity of the novel is so grand that I really admire how the author tied it all up into one chance event - picking up a girl one rainy night - and then unravelled it to reveal a secret of immense proportions. It definitely did not go anywhere I was expecting, and there was one twist more than was really necessary towards the end, but for the most part, this is a fast-paced and fun mystery story. It's not the most polished novel in the world, but its definitely worth picking up for the entertainment value. Rating: 4/5

Still overcast and warm but not hot, and we're set to have rain over the next 3-4 days so hopefully that will freshen the air right up!

Welcome! I'm not usually a thriller fan but I've been binging on them lately!

The Game. Oldie but goodie. Very good film.

See, you say that, but I see lots of people who say they don't adult, adulting Like, a girl I went to school with got married on Saturday. I have a 24 year old cousin who is married with a house, two cars (her and husband) and three kids. I still struggle with the concept of a committed relationship, because I don't feel grown-up enough to be in one. I've never had a loan or financial debt/responsibility of any kind, because I do everything I can to avoid it (including further education!) I don't have a 'career' or proper grown-up job - I bounce from job to job with extended periods of unemployment. I basically act like a teenager!

Entries below! Janet: Chrissy: Athena: Signor Finzione: Chaliepud:

Blissfully cool in my office. Still warm outside, but not awful. Very overcast.

On a beach here at least one person is presumed dead after drowing when she was hit by a freak wave.... while walking along the beach. Couldn't believe it when I heard it. Mental note, never go to that beach!

Haha its fine, you're right, it would be cheating. But I don't think I'll have a problem hitting 100 books anyway. (Famous last words!)

Aww now you've said that I'd feel fake if I did it

Fancy £20 (or equivalent) to spend on books? Or maybe a new set of bookmarks? Of course you do! In honour of our birthday month, we are holding a BCF photo competition throughout July! All you have to do is post a photo of you reading in an unusual place. This could be anywhere – in the garden shed, in the bathroom, outside on a rainy day, up a tree, in front of a famous landmark, sitting in a very awkward or silly position on the couch – anything you can think of. What we’re looking for is creativity and fun! 1st Place Prize: The prize will be a book token to the value of £20 for a UK winner, €30 for a Euro winner, or $35 for a US winner. These values are based on the closest available values determined by the current exchange rate. Details: For the UK, the book token will be a National Book Token, accepted in many popular bookstores and also used for purchase of ebooks/online. For the US and Europe, I will consult with the winner to find a local equivalent. 2nd Place Prize: A set of bookmarks. Yup, that’s all I’m saying. Am I being mysterious? Or have I just not picked any out yet? Who knows! Rules: Who? The photo must be of either you, or a stand-in, reading a book, magazine, newspaper, E-reader, or anything that can be read. If the photo is of yourself, you needn’t include your face. If you do not wish to be in the photo yourself, you can use a stand-in, such as a friend or family member. Alternatively, you can use a plush toy, a doll, the family pet - as long as it can look like it's reading! Where? The photo must be taken in a clear location – this is the primary focus of the photo. In other words, no close-up selfies! What? The photo does not have to be a work of art or particularly high quality, once it is clear. Photos taken on a decent camera phone are completely acceptable. You may submit only ONE entry, so everyone has an equal shot at winning. If you post a photo, and later wish to change it, you can - whatever entry you have posted as of 31st of July will be accepted as your final entry. This competition is open internationally, to members all over the world. Members must have a minimum of 50 posts on the forum in order to enter. Mods and admins are allowed to enter. Family-friendly images only, please! How To Submit Your Entry: Simply post your photo in this thread before the deadline. That's all there is to it! Deadline: You must submit your entry by July 31st 2015. Judging will be done Eurovision style - anyone who enters will be asked to pick their favourite (excluding their own!) and privately PM their vote to me. I'll tally them up, and the one with the most votes, wins. Second most votes gets second place. If you don't enter, you don't get to vote, so just another reason to get involved! Happy snapping everyone - and have fun!

Rennies. *Curls up in a ball*

This is exactly what I would want to sound like. If you don't want to listen to the whole thing, skip to 2:35 and listen from there to the end, as that's the best showcase of her voice

I'm 27 and endlessly complain about getting old. In my defence, I *feel* 17. So I'm 10 years behind. I do not know how to adult.

Mostly dull, overcast and rainy the last few days, no heatwaves here and I am so grateful! People complaining all round me but I guarantee you if we got a heatwave they'd complain it was too hot! I on the other hand am actually satisfied with COOL weather!

Honestly I think if I got stuck on 99, I'd grab a kids picture book with some words and read that just to officially hit the 100

This is the first year I have ever (in my life) kept up a pace like this. Ever. I dunno what's happened. I'll probably fall flat on my face later in the year and stop at 99

A reading duck! Wonders will never cease!

Lots of water, after a dehydrating training session!

I feel bad for the people who can't draw. I can't draw much, but I'd happily hand over what skill I have if it meant I could sing!

Finished I Let You Go and aside from the slow start and one niggle I have about the ending, it was an absolute whopper of a book. It's gonna be a fun one to review. Started Mind Games by Teri Terry to pop back briefly to YA before reading more thrillers.

Ahhh. I will join in as much as possible, because I have a ton of books I want to get through, but I am going to be away for the weekend so I don't know how much time I'll have!