chesilbeach

I finished Moon Over Soho this morning - another fab book, and thoroughly enjoying this series. Started the second Phryne Fisher book, Flying Too High and I'm really enjoying these too! Quirky crime, that's my cup of tea. Also popped into the bookshop and bought myself a copy of Gemma Bovery by Posy Simmonds. I liked Tamara Drewe very much, and was reminded to look up Posy Simmonds again after an article in the Guardian last week, so was delighted to find a copy of Gemma Bovery in amongst the graphic novel section which was full of mostly sci-fi books.

Because I did all my reading on the Kindle this weekend, I don't have any page stats, and I must admit, I wasn't as meticulous about timekeeping as I'd intended, so I don't have any stats for that either. But to sum up, I read 36% of Skios by Michael Frayn, 100% of Miss Phryne Fisher Investigates, 10% of Can Anyone Hear Me? by Peter Baxter, and 79% of Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch. When we have the next one, I'll definitely be more organised and have my stop watch going! Looks like we did a great job between us all though. Can't wait for the next one! Well done, Athena, great suggestion.

Really enjoying Moon Over Soho. Have managed another two and a half hours reading this afternoon, and I'm up to chapter nine now.

Ecclestone was a very well respected dramatic actor when he took on the role of the Doctor, but he was a much more serious actor having starred in dramas such as Our Friends in the North and had moved a lot more into feature films. The BBC needed someone who was well known and experienced enough to take the lead on such a big budget children's television show, and Ecclestone has said in interviews that children's television was something he'd never done before and he wanted to find out for himself if he could do it. Tennant was less well known, although he had been in Blackpool and had the lead in Casanova, albeit on BBC Three, but it was another Russell T Davies project, so well known to the producers. He was also a very prolific theatre actor, so had a good reputation from that too. Smith was less well known, but not a complete unknown, and was a surprise as it was originally thought that Moffat wanted an older Doctor, and I wonder if that will be a factor in his next choice.

I'm upto chapter four of Moon Over Soho and delighted to discover there's jazz involved in the storyline, so to complement it, just put on to some Matthew Halsall to listen to while reading. Books + Jazz = a very happy read-a-thon-er!

Not much planned today. Still sat here in my jimjams at the moment, and going to make some tea and toast for brekkie, have a read and a lazy morning, then will see how the rest of the day pans out. It is Sunday, after all.

Alexi, buying a book is NEVER a fail. NEVER. Got that?

I finished Miss Phryne Fisher Investigates yesterday, and read the first chapter of Can Anyone Hear Me? by Peter Baxter. Haven't completed decided what I'll read next, but I'm thinking I might go with Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch.

Matt Smith to leave Doctor Who at end of the year Time for the regular "who would you like to see as the next Doctor?" discussion. Let the speculation begin!

I hope you enjoyed Mrs Harris Goes to Paris as much as me, Kay. Have you got the Bloomsbury edition with Mrs Harris Goes to New York too? I started Death Comes To Pemberley last year, and I was pleasantly surprised with it, but it was a hardback copy a friend had lent me, so I couldn't be bothered to carry it around with me, and I never quite got back to it. Must rectify that at some point! Although I'm not often a reader of biographies, I'll be interested in your thoughts on Groucho and Me, Kylie. I love the Marx brothers films, and the one liners from Groucho are brilliant. In my own update for the read-a-thon, I did manage to sneak in another hours reading last night, and read the first chapter of Can Anyone Hear Me? by Peter Baxter which is about his times touring with the England cricket team as producer of Test Match Special. Think this will be a dip and out of book, so when I settle dwn to my reading this morning, will probably start a new novel.

Just notched up my fourth hour of reading today and have now finished Miss Phryne Fisher Investigates. Probably won't do much more reading today, but will pick up again in earnest tomorrow.

There is something about the 20s, isn't there? There is absolutely lots of detailed descriptions that somehow don't seem to interfere with the storytelling. Haven't fancied any of the food yet, but there is a lot of description of fashion, which even though I'm a strictly jeans and t-shirt kind of girl, I absolutely adore to read about historical designs and materials. There's that air of flamboyance yet almost bored decadence of the bright young things, while the poor and working classes aren't sidelined, and so far, I think she's evoked the society of the times quite vividly, while still being an entertaining story too.

I'm upto chapter six of Miss Phryne Fisher Investigates and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. Glad I bought all three of the books that were on offer a few weeks ago! It's set in 1920s Melbourne, and is about an adventurous, young woman who doesn't know what to do with herself at the start of the book, but after showing spirit and intelligence during an attempted theft at a dinner party, is asked to help a couple investigate why their daughter appears ill every time she visits them after spending time with her husband. I think this first book was originally published as Cocaine Blues and Death by Misadventure in 1989.

It's a beautiful warm and sunny day here today - let's hope this really is the start of some summer weather in the UK - I'd quite like to put away my fleece for a few weeks this year, at the very least! What's going on with you today?

A new book activity thread for a new month! I started Miss Phryne Fisher Investigates by Kerry Greenwood last night, and I've done a bit of spreadsheet, database and wishlist updating this morning, now off to squeeze in an hour of reading this morning. What are you all reading today?

Starting Miss Phryne Fisher Investigates by Kerry Greenwood next.

Tomato and mozzarella baked pasta - it is Friday, after all.

That does sound interesting, Ben. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on it.

^ You haven't mentioned one of my favourites of Sophie Kinsella's - The Undomestic Goddess. I prefer her standalone novels to the Shopaholic series, although I haven't read either of her last two books yet, but I'll get round to them at some point!

Finished Skios by Michael Frayn. Back later after I've done some work, then I'll write up my review and pick my next book to start reading.

Was planning to try and get all my chores done before I joined in, but need a break, so I'm going to kick off my read-a-thon reading by finishing off Skios by Michael Frayn. I've treated myself to some Fentimans Curiosity Cola and a bag of Tyrells Sweet & Salty Popcorn, so I'm officially declaring it the start of my read-a-thon weekend. I'm currently on chapter 38 of 51, but they're short chapters so I think about an hour should see me finish this book.

I loved the penny counter too - it was a 10p mixed bag, with most things being a penny, although black jacks and fruit salad were three for a penny! Jenny's books did seem to take a turn to the cake and sweets a few years ago - I think it might have been around the time she became a mum.

George RR Martin fans can expect more Ice and Fire in 2014

D'oh! I don't know what came over me How about whack instead

I'm about a third of the way through Skios now, but came across a book from childhood that I read many times, and had completely forgotten about. It was so good, and is sellotaped in places to keep the pages in as it's so well read, that I really want to read it again to see if I still love it as much. It fits in nicely to another thread, so I'll be popping in there to add more details!