chesilbeach

Unfortunately, it's not the files that are incompatible, but the software that allows them to control the borrowing of the ebooks, and removing them off your device after your loan period is up. I don't want to buy another device just to use the library, so I haven't been able to make use of the service at all, which is a real shame.

I finished Christmas Carol by Michele Gorman this morning and have also read last weeks chapters of Nicholas Nickleby this afternoon. I've also listened to some more of Welcome to Rosie Hopkins' Sweetshop of Dreams in preparation for reading Christmas At Rosie Hopkins' Sweetshop as a festive read. I have another Michele Gorman Christmas novella, The Reluctant Elf, downloaded and ready to go, so I think I'll read that one first. Had a look around Waterstone's today, searching for inspiration for presents for friends, but haven't bought anything … yet.

Yes, it was me who has read Frost Hollow Hall. It would be perfect to fit your winter theme, but there was one bit I found particularly creepy, and I'm not normally affected by ghosts in books. As a comparison, I wasn't that bothered by The Woman In Black although I thought it was atmospheric and I enjoyed reading it, and despite Frost Hollow Hall being aimed at the 9-12 age range, I did find just that one scene (not more than a few pages) quite scary, and gave me goosebumps.

I was a bit behind, and have only just finished last weeks chapters. The first two chapters this week were great, and I was so surprised that the Miss Bobster wasn't the young lady Nicholas was expecting! Nice little twist to keep readers coming back again next time I also thought of Tiny Tim when reading about the hunchbacked boy … interesting there's another Tim involved with that storyline too. I wonder if Dickens knew someone called Tim who was or had a disabled child, or who worked to improve the life of disabled children, and named these characters after them as a tribute? Mr and Mrs John Browdie were a struggle to get through again … I just can't get my head around the accent and how it translates to the page, so I find it difficult to read. I think I've got the general gist of it, but it does need a much longer reading time. Hopefully I'll find to read the chapters this week, this time!

Good to hear you enjoyed the series, Chrissy. I've been reading them over the years, and recently read the last three to finish off the series. I thought it flagged around book 10, but I persevered as I thought it was great that there was actually an end to the series and wanted to see how it all turned out, and it did pick up again over those last few books. Rachel Caine also writes the Weather Warden series, which are aimed at adults not YA, and I've read the first couple and it's an interesting idea, so I'd like to read more, but as usual, so many books to read, I haven't quite got round to them … yet!

Christmas With a Capital C - not bad, but not one I'll look out in future years at Christmas

Can't help it - Christmas baking this morning and needed something to get me in the mood

Not me, I haven't read it yet. I like Jenny Colgan, but I haven't this one. I need to read Meet Me At The Cupcake Café first.

Falling Angels by Tracy Chevalier is only £1.49 today on the UK Kindle Daily Deal today - it's my favourite of her books, so if you've enjoyed her other work and haven't read this one, I'd recommend it!

I watched a made for TV Christmas film this afternoon called Let It Snow. One of the better ones, and it's definitely added to my festive mood!

I finished Cat Out Of Hell yesterday, and loved it - a mixture of humour and horror! I'm getting in the mood for Christmas, so I picked up a Michele Gorman novella, Christmas Carol which is a seasonal romcom. It's good so far, and I'm enjoying the festive mood of it.

Hello! Welcome to BCF I have read the first of the Dresden Files series, and I enjoyed it, and intend to read more. I know others on the forum have read many more in the series and enjoyed them too. If you like Kelley Armstrong books, I'd recommend Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy series and the follow on seres Bloodlines. Also, you might like the Savant series from Joss Stirling.

Photo from the set with Bertie Carvel and Eddie Marsan: https://twitter.com/Patrick_Ness/status/535140386537107456

I finished Grace Williams Says It Loud yesterday (which I'm still digesting) and have now started Cat Out Of Hell by Lynne Truss.

Not for the novels … adaptations, yes (who can resist Colin Firth ) but if I'm reading the novels, it's just edged by Sense and Sensibility

The following story, which is absolutely true, was brought to my attention when I was holidaying recently on the coast of North Norfolk. Cat Out Of Hell by Lynne Truss

I didn't manage to finish Grace Williams Says It Loud on Saturday, but I did manage a good chunk of it at lunchtime, but will probably be another couple of sessions reading before I finish it now. Pesky work, getting in the way of reading time.

I totally agree about the speech of John Browdie. I've noticed that Dickens does like to write his regional characters in dialect, and I find it very difficult to read. I suffer with this with any author, not just Dickens, and I wish they wouldn't do it! Fortunately, it was only a small section, and with such a happy results, I can't be too hard on him! The Cheeryble brothers just get better and better. But, we're still only just over halfway through, so I fear they won't be the saviours of the Nickleby family - I hope they last the course, but I still wonder what will become of the Nickleby's. Hah! I laughed out loud at the the cucumber episode - such an oddly eccentric thing to do.

Poached eggs on toast

Thought I'd resurrect this thread, as it used to be one I enjoyed posting in When Sarah told me Daniel had died, the cuckoo clock opened and out flew sound, a bird, two figures. The voice of the cuckoo echoed, louder than the aeroplanes over-head, and opposite the clock, evening shadows stirred. Grace Williams Says It Loud by Emma Henderson

Popped into the local bookshop and came out with a couple of books today: So much for reading what I already have!

I read A Long Way Down for my book group a few years ago, and I didn't like it much either, but unfortunately, I did feel the need to finish it to discuss it in the group. I hasn't put me off reading his other novels … although I haven't actually got around to any of them yet!

Mwahahaha, my evil plan to make other people's wish lists longer than mine is working! Although it is five floors, it's on a corner plot, and each floor is not huge … still big enough, but it doesn't compare to a department store, for example. Worth a visit though, if you ever happen to be in the area, but the Blackwells is MUCH more impressive! Well, I had a look at the second book while I was in a book shop a few weeks ago, and I noticed that some sections the writing has been turned through 90 degrees on the page (it looked like it was supposed to mimic a broadsheet newspaper) and it put me off buying the paperback, as it looked like it would be awkward to read. I will read it, but I think I'm going to get the Kindle version, as if it does the same in there, you can easily turn your Kindle or change the setting to turn the text, so it should be easier to read. He's more famous here as a playwright and scriptwriter. His scripts for television include Talking Heads which are single drama monologues (he performed one of them himself), and he wrote The History Boys which was a hugely successful play in the West End and The Madness of King George III, both of which he adapted for film. He's also got a very distinctive voice, a beautiful, soft, melancholic Yorkshire accent, and when I was little, I remember him appearing on Jackanory which was an old BBC children's programme where actors narrated children's books. He is wonderful to listen to. Definitely one of our National Treasures! I think you'll really enjoy it - I can't see anyone who's a dog lover not enjoying it, to be honest! Awww, thanks!

Thanks! When does my membership card arrive? I'm reading Grace Williams Says It Loud by Emma Henderson at the moment. It's for my book group next week, so I need to get it finished today … head down, no distractions …

So, so pleased to read this ... Ali Smith wins Goldsmiths prize for bifurcating marvel How to Be Both Dazzling book to read - I've yet to review it but it's wonderful. But then I am a bit of a fan girl!