chesilbeach

Going to start watching the new series of Stella tonight. We've got a few episodes saved up, and one of my friends says it's back to being excellent after a bit of a hit and miss series last year, so looking forward to it.

Started The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde … read about 60 pages, and another typical Fforde, showing the everyday in an extraordinary and fantastical world … loving it so far

I think we just don't take it seriously, we know we're never going to win, so it doesn't really matter who we put forward.

It was lovely, served with new potatoes and a big salad. No idea what we're having tonight, will have to wait to see what OH comes up with.

Punishing for us, as we have to wait so long to read them. Stop enticing us with books we can't wait to read so far ahead of us being able to get our hands on them. I read about 60 pages today, and I'm enjoying it so far, although as always with Jasper, it's a whole new vocabulary you have to learn!

I've started that one today too!

A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush is a brilliant book. After reading today that Wanda Newby has passed away, it has made me think of the Newby books I have yet to read, so I think at least one will be on my holiday reading list this year. Hope you enjoy it, Brian.

Smashing review! I know it's not set in a school, but I know you'll love the second book just as much too. Book three out in July

I haven't eaten a pickled egg for donkeys years!

Fair enough, Chrissy - nothing wrong with being inquisitive!

That's your "Get out of jail free" card, isn't it?

Wanda Newby obituary - http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/mar/09/wanda-newby-obituary Wanda was the wife of acclaimed travel writer Eric Newby, and was a constant presence in his books. She wrote a book herself in later life, but I will always remember her through Eric's writing.

Saw the video of the UK entry at the weekend - haven't seen many positive views about it. I think it's trying to be in the same style as someone like Caro Emerald (who I think is popular in a good few European countries) but for me, it falls short of the mark. Anyone else seen/heard it?

We've been having a good laugh watching Let's Play Darts for Comic Relief. We've got the final recorded from last night, so looking forward to watching that this evening.

During my coffee break, a colleague and I were talking about a comedian we both like, and I was actually crying with laughter while we talked about some of our favourite appearances of his, and then we carried on talking about other comedians too. A very good fun 10 minute break and definitely cheered me up for the rest of the day!

Damn it, Kay, stop writing fantastic reviews!!!! I haven't even gotten to The Mangle Street Murders yet, and you've already got me wanting to read the sequel as well

Well, I'll wait to hear what you think of it, if you get the chance to read it, but glad you've found something else to captivate you for the moment.

This is always my favourite bit of Crufts: These dogs look (and sound!) like they're having so much fun

Oh, sorry to hear that Hayley. Life is a pain in the neck at times, getting in the way of reading time, isn't it? I finished The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place today, and after catching up here, it seems like The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde will be my next read.

Such a shame as the Easter weekend will be the first weekend I could have made the read-a-thon for a while. I was hoping to be able to join in again, but if no-one's going to be around, I'll just have to be a billy-no-mates on my own.

Don't you dare blush … you've been so good recently you're entitled to succumb to temptation occasionally!

Interestingly, in a few of the war books I've read this year, I'm most of them had descriptions of houses and even whole villages or towns, that had been abandoned as people have left towns to escape invasions, with clothes left on the washing line, saucepans of food left on stoves, beds unmade … basically, people have had to flee for their lives and leave everything behind.

Thanks Kylie! It's great to read, but really frustrating that they haven't been written already and I could start them now!! I actually finished a book today, and I've got The Last Dragonslayer on the shelf waiting for me, so I think I'll have to start that one next.

Wittertainment podcast. Nothing like a good Kermodian rant to cheer me up.

I have to say, I've never really worried that much about peeling an egg! I think the most I've ever had to do is four, and it takes no time at all, so I don't think I could be bothered to try these methods.