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chesilbeach

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Posts posted by chesilbeach

    Claire's Book List 2017

    in Past Book Logs

    Posted

    Thanks @willoyd :)  I'll probably take a similar approach and mainly just post a few thoughts about books as I go along with the odd longer review in there if I feel like it.  I do like to keep my lists up to date, so I do keep the first page up to date, even if the rest of the thread looks forgotten.

    Willoyd's Reading 2017

    in Past Book Logs

    Posted

    19 hours ago, willoyd said:

     

    I feel very nervous now!  Having said that, the library is probably a good bet - that way if you disagree with me, you can still buy your own copy.  I'm using the library more than ever nowadays (not least because I'm working a day a week in one!).

     

     

    Don't be nervous - the library option works perfectly.  Like you said, if I do like it then I can always get my own copy, and if not, a £1 reservation fee isn't going to break the bank and won't take up shelf space! :lol:

     

    I'm planning to use the library a bit more next year, as I want to get a head start on the Wainwright Prize books for next year, so I'm keeping an eye on new nature and travel books being reviewed to see if I can pick some that look like they'll end up on the long list in the summer, and I'm going to borrow them from the library ahead of time.  Admittedly, I might end up not reading any of the books they choose, but as a lot tend to be hardbacks, it'll still save me some money and shelf space again. :D 

    Your Book Activity - December 2017

    in Past Book Logs

    Posted

    Welcome to the December book activity log!

     

    I read an easy M. C. Beaton book yesterday called Duke's Diamonds, and I've now started How To Be A Heroine by Samantha Ellis which is a non-fiction book looking at how the heroines of the books she read growing up actually stack up to scrutiny as a grown up, and whether they should be heroines in today's society.  It's brilliant so far, and I'm thoroughly enjoying it.

    What's Up in December 2017

    in General Chat

    Posted

    Can't believe I forgot it was December, not November! :lol: 

     

    After having sniffles and sneezing all day yesterday, I woke up this morning without that, but with a stinking headache and I've been feeling a bit queasy all day.  Went out this morning and did a bit of running around, but this afternoon, I've had a couple of hours sleep and I feel a bit better now thankfully.

     

    Fingers crossed for a better day tomorrow! :D 

    Claire's Book List 2017

    in Past Book Logs

    Posted

    This thread has been seriously neglected for most of the year.  While my reading has gone well, I've had other things to deal with, so haven't been here as much as I normally am.  Hopefully next year will be better, although I'll probably give up worrying about reviews on this years books.

    Your Book Activity - November 2017

    in Past Book Logs

    Posted

    Oh, I almost forgot!  I also bought How To Be A Heroine by Samantha Ellis today.  It's a non-fiction book that's been taunting me for weeks from the bookshelf next to my favourite table in the Waterstones Café W, so I finally succumbed today.

     

    I also meant to mention that I follow Robert Macfarlane on Twitter and he's going to run a bookclub/reading group for a group read of The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper starting on Midwinter Eve (20th December this year) when the book itself is set, so I'm going to join in.  My OH is a big fan of the book as well, and as our copy is in storage (I have it on my kindle), I also bought a new copy so he can join in the read-along too! :D

    Your Book Activity - November 2017

    in Past Book Logs

    Posted

    I finished the brilliant Autumn by Ali Smith today.  I genuinely believe she is our greatest living writer in English.  Can't believe that Lincoln in the Bardo beat this for the Man Booker Prize this year.

     

    I've also finished listening to A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig, and have a few Jenny Colgan Christmas books lined up to listen to while wrapping and writing cards. :xmassmile:

    Willoyd's Reading 2017

    in Past Book Logs

    Posted

    I did have Jacob's Room Is Full Of Books on my Christmas wishlist, but I've removed it based on your review!  I'm still going to read it, but it doesn't sound promising and probably won't be re-reading it, so I'm going to borrow from the library first instead. 

    Your Book Activity - November 2017

    in Past Book Logs

    Posted

    18 hours ago, willoyd said:

    Having finished David Goodhart's The Road to Somewhere (5/6), I've now moved on to Susan Hill's second volume on her reading: Jacob's Room is Full of Books.

     

    I've put Jacob's Room is Full of Books on my wishlist for Christmas, so fingers crossed one of my lovely friends will get it for my gift this year. :)

     

    I'm in the middle of reading Autumn by Ali Smith (which is brilliant). On a self imposed book buying ban until after Christmas ... or at least until I get my bookshelves built and I've got space for some more!  I've got a couple of full stamp cards and quite a lot of points on my reward card for Waterstones, so I'll be able to have a guilt free splurge once I have space to store some new books. :lol:  

    What’s Up in November 2017

    in General Chat

    Posted

    A day out at the Bath Christmas Market for me today.  I picked the wrong time to travel, and got stuck in traffic on my way and took me 50% longer than it normally would, but once I got there, had a lovely time.  It was actually my second visit but this time it was for shopping rather than browsing.  I like to get there early to avoid the crowds, but it doesn't open until 10am, so plenty of people there already when the stalls opened.  Fortunately, I knew exactly which stalls I wanted to buy things from so it was a doddle to get what I wanted without too many people in the way.  I think I've done all my Christmas shopping now, so I'll be trying to get all my cards written and sent, and all my gifts wrapped this week, and then I enjoy the build up to Christmas without worry, and I might have time to do some extra things that normally fall by the wayside, such as baking my own mince pies and maybe even a bûche de Noël! :smile2: 

     

    We're in the middle of decorating the front room at the moment, but the bookshelves are all built and painting is now in progress.  Really hoping that it'll be finished and I can get my books out of storage in the next few weeks - it's terrible not having any bookshelf space!  I've got books I've bought since the summer plied everywhere - on coffee tables, on the piano and even on one of the armchairs. :roll: 

     

    Back home now, and just contemplating whether to light the fire in the woodburner tonight.  Probably not quite cold enough for it, as it gets very warm when it's on and if the temperatures aren't cold enough outside, we end up melting halfway through the evening. :D

    What are you listening to?

    in Music / TV / Films

    Posted

    I've been listening to the Eurythmics back catalogue recently - Touch and Savage are my favourite albums of theirs.  Touch was released when I was around 13 or 14 and so I've got a real emotional connection to it from my formative years, while Savage is just brilliant at any age! 

    Christmas Reads/Books

    in Christmas and Winter Holidays

    Posted

    I’ve already read The Girl Who Saved Christmas by Matt Haig, and Christmas at the Comfort Food Cafe.  The Midnight Peacock by Katherine Woodfine is set around Christmas/New Year too, and I read that one a couple of weeks ago.  I don’t think I’ve got any others on my TBR but I’ll see if I can find something this weekend :) 

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