chesilbeach

An uncorrected proof of The Bell Jar has been found on a bookshelf in a spare room and the guide price has been set at £2000 to £3000 http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/may/28/the-bell-jar-proof-copy-found-sylvia-plath

Here's some more favourite words from authors: Authors favourite words

This is too hard. I might need to do a separate list for sitcoms otherwise I'll never get it down to ten!

Memories of watching Moomins on television with my mum when I was little make me very nostalgic, so I might go and see it this weekend.

Forgot to say yesterday that I stopped off at the bookshop and came across another book illustrated by Jean-Jacques Sempé, so I had to buy it. It's called Catherine Certitude by Patrick Mondiano (who won the Nobel prize for literature last year) - I have no idea what it's about but I'll read anything that has Sempé illustrations! This morning, I'm starting Resistance is Futile by Jenny T. Colgan and I'm so excited I could burst! It looks brilliant.

I have read it. I'm a big fan of Clare anyway, and I thought it was really good, but I have to say, for me, Walking Home is even better! I've listened to almost every episode of Ramblings (and it's been on series 30 now), and it's my favourite radio programme, so reading some of the stories behind it, and what goes on off mic was fascinating. Clare also talks about her dogs too (Archie sometimes accompanies them on Ramblings walks) and how walking improves her health, mentally and physically when she's working on intensive broadcasts like the Olympics. Sorry, gushing away here, but I absolutely loved it.

Just finished Walking Home. Bloomin' lovely book. Tears and laughter, and plenty of inspiration.

Shows how out of the loop I am, with not having children … I never even knew there wasn't a three tier system any more

I've almost finished Walking Home and I'm absolutely loving it! Going to be sad when I've finished. Having said that, Resistance is Futile by Jenny T. Colgan arrived on my Kindle yesterday and I can't wait to start it. Going to have an indulgent reading weekend, so will be finding cosy places to curl up with my books and these two will be like having my cake and eating it.

That's exactly what I do, Michelle. I read almost all the reviews here, but I only comment if I have something I feel is worthwhile to add. To be honest, I haven't read any of the books you've read, Julie, and they aren't the sort of books I would want to read. That doesn't make them any better or worse than the books I do read, and I would still read your reviews, but I probably wouldn't make any comment as it would seem pointless to just say they're not for me. It's the same as Steve, Laura's and Tim's book threads(and probably lots of others!) - I read all their reviews, but I rarely comment as I haven't read or don't intend to read a lot of the types of fantasy and science fiction books they read. For my part, I write my own reviews just for my own benefit. If anyone gets anything from them, that's great, if they post a reply it's even better, but I don't worry if there's no response … there are so many books in the world, it's quite likely that no-one else has read it or even heard of it, and if it's not the sort of book they'd read, that's fine, I just like being here and being able to chat about books generally, and not always in members book lists.

I'm all caught up! I'm really enjoying the book too, Janet. Like you, I think Dorothea is such a strong female character, despite having made the wrong decision to marry Casaubon, she had the right attitude to make the most of it, and I'm sure she felt affection for him, even if she didn't love him. I was listening a couple of chapters in the car, and when I got home had a rant at my OH about the codicil in Casaubon's will, not just because of the control he wanted to have over Dorothea after his death, but also of the implication that Dorothea is some how to blame and her character may be tainted by it, despite having done nothing wrong. I love the diversity of characters Eliot has created, albeit within the confines of a small area, but without caricatures or stereotypes - at least I don't think there are. And as with life, no story is ever quite over, as we meander through the different households, picking up where we left off, and continuing on the journey with each family. I'm always eager to catch up with Dorothea, but also with Fred and Mary, and even Rosamund and Lydgate, despite not liking Rosamund very much at the beginning! Just as a reminder, the date for book six is the 14th June. I'm already part way through it, and I've got a couple of scenes I want to talk about!

Don't even think it. It can't happen. Not in Gilmore Girls world, surely.

Decided that I wanted to pick another book from the jar this morning … I'm so pleased this one came up. I love listening to Ramblings - it's one of my favourite radio programmes - and I really enjoyed Clare's first book. I like her and her writing style, and add Ramblings into the equation … I can't go wrong. Started it at lunchtime and I'm already about a quarter of the way through. Can't see this one lasting long

Hope you have a lovely holiday, Anna. I'm still not sure Only Ever Yours is holiday reading, but I hope you enjoy it, nonetheless!

Sorry to hear you're having a tough time, Alex Glad to know my apathy is wearing off on others!

I saw that at the cinema when it was first released, and it was one of the few films where I didn't look at my watch a single time to see how much longer was left. I thought it was excellent, and yet, I've never had the inclination to watch it again.

I bought the first one on Kindle yesterday … couldn't resist it any longer! At least you can take the two Mangle Street Murders off the pile now!

Started Walking Home by Clare Balding today, and I'm absolutely loving it so far.

Nice! Finally, I have something in common with Reece Witherspoon ... https://twitter.com/RWitherspoon/status/603604205232852993

I finished The Goddess of Buttercups and Daisies today. Not sure what to read next … have two library books out, so should probably read one of those, but a bit tempted by the book jar. I might pick a book out of the jar and see what it is and then choose between that or the library books.

The theatre group sounds great, Kylie. Like you, if I was to join any sort of organisation like this, I'd want a back stage role too, so I can imagine how horrifying it must have been to go out on stage for the presentation. I'm glad you've enjoyed it so much, and everyone was so supportive of you, and you've been able to go back again and take part in another production. I hope it all goes well for you, and be sure to tell us all about how Don't Dress for Dinner works out.

I think you deserve a break after Eminent Victorians! What are you going to indulge yourself with instead?

Good for you, June. I'm sure the clients will appreciate your honesty with them and you will feel better not attempting to hide it from them.

I added all my challenge books into the TBR pile again when I made my book jar, and it's now sitting at 45, but it has started to feel a bit too big again now. I've gone off piste and bought separate books for holidays, borrowed some books from the library and just impulse bought a book at the local bookshop last week, so I feel like the TBR list isn't going down at the moment, and it's started to feel like a weight around my neck. Will really need to make an effort to try and stick to it over the summer and see if I can make a bigger dent in it.