chesilbeach

Bill Bryson urges e-book bundle tie-up This is an interesting idea, and I would definitely like to see it happen. There are some authors whose books I want the physical copy of, as well as the flexibility to have an ebook copy, and I have sometimes paid twice to obtain both editions, so would love to see there being a free (or significantly discounted) digital copy with every physical book.

I've been tempted by it a couple of times on the Sky On Demand, so now you've said how good it is, I'll try to find time to watch it now.

So, it's about the same running time as the film adaptation then.

I was planning to watch the last two Harry Potter films but realised we didn't have Deathly Hallows Part 1, so just watched Part 2 this afternoon instead. Annoyingly, the window was reflecting in the television and as the film is so dark, I had to close the blind to even be able to see most of what was happening on screen. Still, not bad, but not happy with some of the changes they made from the book, but then that's always a problem for us bookworms! Also, finally managed to watch Dangerous Liaisons, after reading the book for the Reading Circle earlier this year. I thought this was a pretty good adaptation and I quite enjoyed it. Probably wouldn't watch it again, but not bad at all.

I agree, frankie, although they're thin and far between over here now. I went to the library yesterday and they rely so much on the automated machines now, I only saw one librarian in the whole place, and then they seem to be only there to show people how to use the machines and computers. There was a man in front of me who went to the desk and said he didn't like using the machines to return books, as you just put them through a slot in the front of the machine, and he was worried about them getting damaged as they may open before they hit the bottom, and pages get folded over etc., and although the librarian said the boxes were spring bottomed so there should be no damage, I could tell he wasn't happy, and he didn't take any more books out, so I hope they haven't lost another of the dwindling number of people using the service.

I've finished listening to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows this afternoon, so that completes my revisit of the series. I think I might watch the last two films again, as I've only seen them once or twice, and now the books are fresh in my memory, it would be interesting to watch them and see how the film versions stand up. I need to find another audio book to listen to, as I've got used to listening in the car, and even a little in bed before I go to sleep over the last couple of weeks. I'm still thinking that Mansfield Park would be a good one to try, and might help me jumpstart my Jane Austen challenge again, and maybe even try and finish it this year. In tree book news, my reservation at the library came through today, so I've been to collect The Kraken Wakes for the next reading circle discussion. Hope some of you will be joining me to read and discuss it then (it definitely wouldn't have been my choice, so hoping those who voted for it are going to be reading it too! ).

Oh dear, another poor 4/10 again this week http://blog.waterstones.com/2013/09/waterstones-week-in-books-quiz-20th-september-2013/

I finished The Misunderstanding by Irène Némirovsky yesterday. Haven't started anything else yet though, but will probably be something a bit lighter after that.

Although I missed the first twenty minutes, I happened across Apollo 13 last night. Everytime I watch it, it completely grips me, despite the fact I know what's going to happen.

I haven't read it myself, but there is already a thread on the book here --> http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/5406-the-little-stranger-by-sarah-waters

I categorically deny that the afore mentioned book purchases were my fault. *exits thread whistling innocently*

Hi Palagrin, could you post your reviews here rather than just links to them? I rarely click on links to other websites for book reviews, and I'm sure I've seen other people say the same thing in the past, and it also helps discussion here on the forum, if people can directly refer to any of the points in your review. Thanks

It's definitely not a funny book, but knowing the true life stories you like reading, I think you might enjoy If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch. I read it a couple of months ago after it was mentioned in an article about adults reading YA books, and I thought it was a fantastic read. It's set in Tennessee, and here's the blurb from the cover:

They look great, Hayley! I've started making notes each time I bake anything to make sure I remember what I wanted to change the next time I try the same bake, and hopefully, it'll help improve my baking.

We read Of Mice and Men at school along with Steinbeck's The Pearl. I did enjoy OMAM, but loved The Pearl, so I'd recommend that one for you to try next.

Now we can discuss openly without worrying about spoilers, I'm going to go into a bit more detail! I was sorry to see Ali go, as I think he was a lovely chap, but I do think he was a bit behind the others in most challenges, so perhaps it was right for him to go. Kimberley continues to impress, and she's would be my choice for best baker so far, although I still feel we aren't seeing much of her, so I'm hoping that means she'll be around for a while yet, but was chuffed to see her get Star Baker this week. My favourite is still Beca, as I think she comes across well on screen, but I think she needs to step up her game to stay in the competition until the end. Ruby continues to impress after the disastrous first week she had, but I wish they'd use some different footage other than her sat on the floor with her uni books! Rob, on the other hand, seems to be doing the opposite, and after a great first week, he's been a bit hit and miss since then, and suffers a bit from the same problem as Frances (to a lesser degree) of style over substance at times. And at last, I was pleased to see the judges warn Frances about style over substance, as I've always thought it was just showing off rather than improving the bake, which after all, is what the competition is all about. I wouldn't mind the additional props occasionally for the showstoppers, but to use them almost all the time is getting on my nerves. Christine had a poorer week this week, but I think it's just a blip, as she seems to generally know what she's doing, and I think she's quietly just getting on with it. Glenn and Howard look to be the weakest left, although mainly through inconsistency rather than poor baking, but I like Glenn as he's got a great sense of fun. Favourite moment of the week had to be Mel and Sue helping Howard remove his pie from the tin, with Glenn and Beca in the background mirroring each other hiding behind their hands and gasping in horror!

You're right, it doesn't make sense. Just had a look at the press release about it, and it's much clearer! http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2013/mitchell-and-webb-sound.html

I know that they are gradually re-releasing all her back catalogue of books on Kindle that were originally published back in the 1980s under pen names, and I suspect that every time they put one on the daily deal, the sales of other books in that particular series increase, so the publisher actively encourages it. I can't complain, as although they are quick, easy, throwaway stories, I'm a sucker for them, and can't resist the bargain prices! I think at last count, she'd published 157 books since the early 1980s, and I think about 100 of those were published under a variety of pen names.

As you were talking about comedy programmes, and knowing your fondness for him, thought you might be interested in this ... Mitchell and Webb set to return to BBC Radio 4

I thought Stolen by Lucy Christopher was excellent, Devi, so I hope you enjoy it.

Hello David! All readers welcomed here, good to have you aboard. I think a lot of members have joined for the similar reasons, and not having anyone to talk to books about is definitely one of them, so you'll find plenty of like minded people here, ready and willing to talk about books and reading.

Hello Rowhedge

Funnily enough, when I was in Mr B's a couple of weeks ago, I did pick it up and look at it, but I'll wait for either the paperback or the Kindle version as it was a bit expensive in hardback. I've only read The Watsons so far, which was interesting to read, but clearly needed more work, as it was still a bit bare in terms of characterisation. I haven't visited the challenge much this year, so need to pick it up again at some point. I was thinking of trying the audiobook of Mansfield Park after I've finished listening to the last Harry Potter book again, as I've found I prefer books and the spoken word when driving, and I've nearly run out of HP, so that might be a good one to go for.

I did enjoy it, light, frothy and rather ridiculous, but perfect for my mood.

Had a lazy day staying out the rain today, and I've read a couple of short books, Pretty Polly by M. C. Beaton and United We Spy by Ally Carter.