chesilbeach

Just got home from a very long day at work, and hoping for an hour of peace and quiet before bed.

It's much nicer than the library we had in my primary school, which was basically a converted broom cupboard! It was tiny, and I remember having to have our recorder lessons in there as well at times, and with a three children and the teacher, it was packed … no chance for anyone else to come in and borrow a book.

^ You're right, you're right. I know you're right.

How's this for a fantastic school library building? https://twitter.com/MerylORourke/status/575630239692423168

I like her too … Jasper certainly knows how to write female heroines!

Here's a response from the Guardian website: http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2015/mar/11/was-1925-really-the-best-year-for-literature

I would highly recommend it too. I've read the first three books in the series, and will definitely read the rest at some point.

Everything except books in a series where I haven't read the earlier ones yet.

We've got the best in show judging from Crufts to watch tonight. Can't believe I've manage to avoid a spoiler of which dog won for three days!

I would definitely not recommend Captain Corelli's Mandolin, and read back in the days when I finished every book I started, so I read all of it.

Grey and drizzly.

Getting to the end of the day, knowing that it's Wednesday and I'm over halfway through my working week!

I wonder who that could be? I'm almost halfway through The Last Dragonslayer now.

They were the kouign amann pastries - I've just posted some more info about them in my Bits and Bobs thread.

It's adorable!

Ooh, pretty … I don't blame you for wanting it!

I love the idea that he will be mentoring his daughter. I remember a listening to him interviews on ABC's The Book Show (I miss that podcast ) and on the BBC's Open Book and he was a very interesting person to listen to … some authors can be a bit dry and fusty, but he was very engaging. I might try these when they come out.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/children_sbookreviews/11461208/Eric-Carle-writes-surrealist-book.html I love the sound of this book! I'm sure quite a few of us have fond memories of The Hungry Caterpillar from our childhood, and I think I might sneak a look at The Nonsense Show when it's published

The longlist has been announced for the Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction, and I know I'm biased, but it's fantastic to see Ali Smith's How To Be Both nominated again. This will be whittled down to a shortlist on 13th April, and the winner revealed in June. I like this gallery of the book covers, as it's nice to see them in full size where it's easier to pick out which ones I'm read/looked at before!

Onomatomania the irrational fear of a particular word frustration at being unable to think of an appropriate word and an obsession with or extreme love of names

I don't mind circuses, but I'm a bit wary of clowns … they creep me out a bit. Having said that, the cover looks great ... I'd pick it up and at least read the blurb, if not just buy it straight away if I was in a shop and saw it … but then, like others here, I have a problem impulse buying too many books …

I've also come away from my book jar for the moment. I've been having a children's and YA fest, reading through the Waterstone's prize shortlists, but I know that jar is there waiting for me when I'm ready. As Janet and Kay said, don't worry about it, and if you've got books you want to read now, just go with the flow. You'll know when it's time to use it … perhaps next time you're dithering about which book to read, the box can help you then.

I thought of you on Saturday, Janet … I went to the fabric shop and they had a whole stack of Roald Dahl/Quentin Blake fabrics! They were more for upholstery though, and a bit too heavy in weight for patchwork, so I didn't get any, but it made me think of you and your Matilda cushion.

I might not be on my own after all then! I think I'll be going back to my jar for my book picks by then, so it'll be interesting to see what I end up reading …

One of my colleagues made some pastries last night and bought one in for me to try today, and it was delicious, so I've added the recipe to my collection and will definitely be baking some next time I have the chance. They take about four hours to make the dough, prove and prepare, so I'll need to make sure I've got enough time to make them. A lovely breakfast treat, and I was very impressed with his baking skills.