chesilbeach

Mine get more and more disorganised as time goes on … after Christmas every year, we have a new shelf full of books, so unless I've cleared a proper space before hand, OH just takes others off the shelves and moves them around to keep all the new ones together, splits up series and puts some in the attic … I can't find anything any more! He's moved one book in particular I wanted to find a few weeks ago, and now we can't find it anywhere I'm sure it'll turn up eventually (they always do) but it's so frustrating. Another good reason for buying ebooks instead … he daren't touch my Kindle!!!!

The owners of my favourite cafe play a lot of music I can't stand, so that means earbuds in with something of my own on, as there's no way I can read while Simply Red or Michael Bublé are singing. I can just about cope with Jack Johnson and some Sinatra, and if it's busy with lots of people, I can't hear the music just general noise of everyone talking and the music mingle together, so I can quite happily tune it out while I read.

I hated packing up my books when we moved, Alexander. I can't remember at the time how many we had, but we filled tea chests with them, then realised we couldn't lift them, so had to unpack them all again!

Stormy overnight, but seems better this morning, just a little cloudy, and forecast is for a dry day.

I saw Maleficant at the cinema in 2D, and at the time I thought it was okay, but since then it's gone up in my estimation for some unfathomable reason. I've got it on demand to watch again so I can get my own second opinion!

Surely the sandwich is not much different to a Nutella sandwich? When you're a kid, you'll eat anything that's got chocolate in Shame about the Apple Pie Bed though … everyone has duvets nowadays

How To Have The Perfect Midnight Feast We could already add our own bits and pieces we talked about earlier, but it's nice to know someone is dedicated to this serious subject

Spoke to soon … the clouds have rolled in and the hailstorm has started!

The reason it's restricted is because Amazon do not allow third party DRM content to be used on their eReaders (although there is an app you can download if you have a Kindle Fire). The library service I use covers a wide region not just my local town, so it's not a case of people petitioning for the Kindle usage, as it's not a single library but a group of over 100 and covers 1.5 million people, and it's the restrictions that Amazon have put in place that are the issue. Not surprising really, Amazon want you to buy their ebooks and use their subscription lending library. I got my Kindle before the libraries even looked at lending digital books, but to be honest, I never used the library frequently when I only read paperbacks, so I can't complain too much that they don't cater for me.

Thanks Kay, but don't worry, I don't want you putting your back out! As if I could stay away from this thread … it's too funny to miss

Actually, turned out better than expected. Right now, the sky is blue, the sun is out, but just a bit nippy.

Don't worry, no bookshopping planned for a couple of days!

I hope you enjoy it, Alexi. I hope I haven't oversold it!

While I was looking up the author of one of the books I've just read (Murder Most Unladylike, also set in a boarding school), I came across this article she wrote in the Guardian with her top 10 boarding school stories, and thought I'd post a link in case anyone was interested.

Quite enjoying the cricket world cup, well, at least as well as any England supporter can at the moment. At least we didn't completely embarrass ourselves against Scotland last night thanks to Moeen Ali … Bell looked a bit out of sorts still, and I didn't see the rest of the batsmen. I haven't seen any of the bowling, but a win's a win and we'll take it for now.

Really? I thought she was hilarious, so Machiavellian in her scheming ways and often one off the highlights for me when she was in an episode.

Bisto is the trade name of a meat flavoured gravy powder in the UK. If you have a look at the Wiki page for Bisto you'll see one of the original advertising posters with the two children on it, and I remember as a child, there was always the "Aah, Bisto!" moment when you could smell the roast dinner cooking on a Sunday. The power of advertising!

It's a great book, Devi, I think you'll enjoy it If I remember correctly, that was still in use well into the twentieth century. I'm sure I remember reading that in Judy Blume's Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret which was published in 1970.

Hurrah! I think I'm going to try The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavendar by Leslye Walton, another of the Waterstone's shortlisted books.

That's where I remember it from! I was sure you'd read it, but now you mention it, it was Paula's review that first got me interested. I've already got too many books to read and far too many on the wish list, but I'm going to have to add it, aren't I?

Fantastic review, Steve. I don't mind the cover, although I think this is the cover I remember first seeing, and loving the art nouveau style of the title. I definitely want to read this book (don't tell Kay ) but with the size of it, will probably get the ebook to save lugging it around in my bag!

The 13 1/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear is one of those books I've seen in the bookshops, and knowing someone here had read and loved it, I've picked it up, and then put it back again, as it's so big, it intimidates me. Of course, now you make it sound so good, how could I not want to read it?! I'm going to have to stop coming in this thread (again!) as you just make too many books too tempting to say no to.

Murder Most Unladylike by Robin Stevens Synopsis (from waterstones.com): When Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong set up their very own deadly secret detective agency at Deepdean School for Girls, they struggle to find any truly exciting mysteries to investigate. (Unless you count the case of Lavinia's missing tie. Which they don't, really). But then Hazel discovers the Science Mistress, Miss Bell, lying dead in the Gym. She thinks it must all have been a terrible accident - but when she and Daisy return five minutes later, the body has disappeared. Now the girls know a murder must have taken place ...and there's more than one person at Deepdean with a motive. Now Hazel and Daisy not only have a murder to solve: they have to prove a murder happened in the first place. Determined to get to the bottom of the crime before the killer strikes again (and before the police can get there first, naturally), Hazel and Daisy must hunt for evidence, spy on their suspects and use all the cunning, scheming and intuition they can muster. But will they succeed? And can their friendship stand the test? Shortlisted for the Best Fiction for 5-12s category of the Waterstone's Children's Book Prize 2015 Review: What was not to like about this book … a boarding school for girls, a 1930s pre-war setting and a murder case to solve! Full of charm and a big dollop of fun, it rattles along and gradually reveals as much about Hazel and Daisy themselves as it does about the life in the boarding school. There's all the intrigues and liaisons of the school mistresses and school masters who must think they're being discreet, but all the girls know what is really going on. Hazel and Daisy search for clues and practise their sleuthing techniques trying to solve the murder themselves. I don't know what to say without spoiling the plot, but I will just say, I absolutely loved reading this book. I read it in less than a day, and it's another great addition to the boarding school books I've loved, with plenty of peril and humour rubbing up against each other, and a good old fashioned romp! Will definitely be getting the next book in the series, Arsenic For Tea, as soon as I get to a bookshop, and delighted to see the third book, First Class Murder will be out in the summer.

The libraries in my area can't support Kindle format for their e-book loans, so I can't borrow from them. The libraries in different areas are run separately, so it may be possible for Kindle users in other areas. If I could borrow from the library I would, but I've have to buy another device. I did look into it to see if it would be worth it, but the library selection at the time wasn't great. I'll maybe look at it again in future, but for the moment, I'll just have to buy my e-books instead!

The Ruby Circle by Richelle Mead Synopsis (from waterstones.com): Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives. After their secret romance is exposed, Sydney and Adrian find themselves facing the wrath of both the Alchemists and the Moroi in this electrifying conclusion to the Bloodlines series. When the life of someone they both love is put on the line, Sydney risks everything to hunt down a deadly former nemesis. Meanwhile, Adrian becomes enmeshed in a puzzle that could hold the key to a shocking secret about spirit magic, a secret that could shake the entire Moroi world... Review: I'm a big fan of Richelle Mead and I think I've read nearly everything she written. I particularly liked her YA series, and I think I've enjoyed Bloodlines more than the original Vampire Academy series, so it was a bit bittersweet reading the last book of the story. As always, the action runs along at a cracking pace, with Sydney and Adrian facing enemies and situations that threaten their own lives, their future together and potentially change their society forever. I love the alternating narratives from Sydney and Adrian's perspectives, and the sense of peril is always incredibly well done. When I initially finished it, I thought it was a great end to the series, but having thought about it for a bit, I'm actually a very tiny bit disappointed. I think the end bought too many loose ends conveniently together, and I actually feel that it was a little bit unbelievable that certain parties would have acted in the way they did and that out of nowhere a new element was introduced which helped with the resolution. I know this is ridiculous as the story is based on groups of vampires and secret societies, but it all felt a bit unrealistic within this world. It doesn't take too much away from the series as a whole, and I'm reasonably happy with the ending which was the weak point of the story, but still a great series of books.