poppyshake
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We had such a nice time with you both
except for .. it whizzed by 
Normal Tuesday's don't go by that fast Does it get any better than sitting in a bookshop, drinking coffee and eating cake with your booky friends? I can tell you .. no .. it doesn't!!
Lovely books Janet .. they look edible!
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I occasionally have catch-ups when I've fallen several books behind, with several mini-reviews to a post - no more than a paragraph or so long. I like to write something, as it helps me remember my thoughts later, never mind everybody else!! It's amazing how easily I can forget some books, even those I really liked or really hated at the time.
This is what I need to do .. keep it short! I always intend to but rarely stick to it. Also, I've mentioned this before, I write marvellous reviews in my head when out walking
.. plan it all out and everything but then when I get home I either fail to write it up or my mind wipes it. Yes .. there are books that I love that I would struggle to give a decent idea of to someone if they asked me
It's shocking really .. how little I retain. -
I've decided ... in my wisdom .. to participate in a reading challenge (via Instagram) for February
To read 5 books in 7 days 
It's ridiculous actually as I'll be out for most of the week (challenge starts 22nd Feb .. eek tomorrow .. and ends 28th Feb) so when I'll have time to read them goodness only knows .. I'd probably struggle even if stranded in a cave
I'm not expecting to complete it (that's right ... keep your expectations low
) but I'll have a go anyway.Bearing this is mind (the lack of time, commitment and general lazybonesishness) I've tried to pick .. well .. shortish books
Books chosen are:
Cannery Row by John Steinbeck
Mobile Library by David Whitehouse
Don't Tell Alfred by Nancy Mitford
Something Nasty in the Woodshed by Kyril Bonfiglioli
The BFG by Roald Dahl (must read it before seeing film later this year
) Yes .. the only one I'm confident about is The BFG
Wish me luck
(or .. hit me over the head with a blunt instrument until I see sense ) -
Oh phew - I'm relieved! I was worried about it because it did have a smattering of poor reviews!
Pooh! What do they know!
I'm glad you liked it!
I did .. very much
I've had my eye on Spill Simmer Falter Wither (I really want to put commas in between those words!
) so I am looking forward to seeing what you think of it. I'm definitely intrigued by it. I think it's going to be intense but brilliant .. hopefully
There is definitely a sad lack of commas in the title though .. could that be the first of many annoying things about it? -
Great review Janet of one of my fave books ever
I always think that The Pursuit of Love just edges it .. but only just. They're both brilliant. I'm going to read Don't Tell Alfred this month I did start it once before and couldn't get on with it but I'm not sure I gave it enough time .. possibly I wasn't in the right frame of mind .. it was ages ago. Have you watched Part 2 of the drama yet?
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Oh Kylie wow!! .. I mean .. wow!
What a fantastic book haul! So many treasures there Hope you enjoy the Jessica Mitford books. Hons and Rebels is the book J.K. Rowling always quotes .. Decca was her heroine (she named her daughter after her .. I think I've probably mentioned this piece of trivia about a hundred times
)Also hope you enjoy Arthur & George. It seems an age since I read it but the story has remained with me .. I thought it was fascinating.
Great set of Christie's too
Boy! You have done well 
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Beetle Boy sounds great Claire ... its cover has been calling out to me in Waterstone's .. but I was waiting for your opinion
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Happy Reading in 2016 Little Pixie
I say, you've read an awful lot of Ngaio Marsh's -
Happy Reading in 2016 !
I do like the look of that Yuki Chan book.
Happy Reading Little Pixie
It does look good doesn't it? I hope it is .. a cover like that has never let me down yet -
I haven't wished you a happy reading year yet (I'm a bit behind with people's blogs
)...so happy reading year! Happy Reading Year bobbs
You've got some good books on your reading lists....I loved The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood. Hope you enjoy it when you get to it.
That's another one that's been on the shelf for ages ... good to know that you loved it
I loved Wild by Cheryl Strayed. I couldn't believe how brave she was....it's something I could never do on my own. I'm far too anxious and paranoid.
And she did have a very close call as wellwhen one of those dodgy hunters came back and was watching her. That could have ended very badly.
)I was practically hyperventilating at that point .. but part of me was thinking 'see .. I knew it was a bad idea'
I wouldn't worry too much about getting behind with reviews....I'm shockingly behind...I'm going to struggle to remember what the books were about.
Perennial problem
I've more or less abandoned last years book blog reviews as I lost track. I know I read some very good books too that I didn't review .. sometimes I have more trouble with the ones I love than the ones I like/hate. Ah well .... it's great to share our views on books but it's reading them that's important -
The Snow Sister by Emma Carroll
Synopsis: Ever since her sister, Agnes, died, Pearl has a tradition every time it snows. She makes a person out of snow. A snow sister. It makes Christmas feel a little less lonely. On Christmas Eve, her father receives a letter about a long-lost relative's will. Is their luck about to change? In anticipation of a better Christmas, Pearl goes to beg credit at Mr Noble's grocery to get ingredients for a Christmas pudding. But she is refused, and chased down the street where she is hit by a handsome cab. The snow is falling so hard that they can't take her home. She'll have to stay at Flintfield Manor overnight, in a haunted room... Will Pearl make it home for Christmas?
Review: I read this in one sitting, sitting by the fire on a cold day It reminded me of old fashioned children's winter stories and I can see it being adapted for TV one Christmas as it's very visual (helped by the gorgeous illustrations) and quite 'Dickensian' in its way. Pearl did seem like a feisty thing .. not sure it was all that wise to get herself into so much trouble over the Christmas pudding ingredients but then .. at Christmas I am practically steeped in Christmas pudding .. I can't appreciate what it must be like to be denied it I did think more was going to come of the 'snow sister' .. I think I have watched The Snowman too much and so had ideas and stuff .. always unwise to let my imagination loose but I was happy enough with the conclusion. I know some people didn't like the ending .. but it felt right to me that there was a bit of a feel good outcome. My only criticism of it is that it felt too short .. there was a longer story in there I think that was struggling to be kept back. I adore a book with illustrations and I love winter/Christmas books. I'll happily pick this up again next winter. Actually, it's the sort of book that I just like looking at Many thanks to Claire for the gift Liked it! -
Glad to see you're having a good reading year so far
I'm already about 3 books behind according to Goodreads Lolly Willowes does sound really interesting! I was surprised to see how early it was written! Might have to give it a try
I always do better at the beginning of the year but tail off something dreadful by Christmas. I need to be at least ten books ahead of the game by then (never going to happen
) I wish I had never given Goodreads this power over me Be prepared for weirdness with Lolly Willowes .. the way it starts and the cover and everything lull you into a false sense of security
Hope you enjoy it if you do try it Hayley -
Penguin's Poems by Heart
Synopsis: Learning by heart is the best way to experience a poem, but the method has fallen from favor as part of the educational system. This small collection of the best English poems offers the reader the chance to re-engage with poetry. Filled with favorites, and thoughtfully selected by Laura Barber, this anthology is an essential addition to everyone's repertoire.
Review: Last year was another year that I didn't read any poetry (not even a few old Tolkien dirges) and I was determined that this year wouldn't be the same . I already owned this book and have flicked through it from time to time .. dwelling particularly on some of poetry's greatest hits as I call them but I've never read it through thoroughly let alone learnt any of the poems by heart. I long ago learnt sonnet 116 by heart (which is included here) but that was because of my Austen mania and some romantic notion I had of being somehow like Marianne I can't say I've learnt any others by heart. I know a lot of them .. but only bits and pieces (I still get excited by the 'runcible spoon' in The Owl and the Pussycat .. I don't know what one is but I love the sound of it.) I was confused by some of the inclusions here .. not all of them seemed the sort of thing you would want to learn by heart but anyway .. it's all subjective I suppose. I will keep the book handy so that I can dip in again .. perhaps more of it will take hold .. but in any case, it encouraged me to read Bright Star which is a collection of Keat's poetry and so that's a positive. Though that is a whole other animal 
Liked it! -
I'm reading The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton, with Alan, which is going very well indeed. Additionally I'm reading Whose Body? by Dorothy L. Sayers and, though I've just started it, enjoying it very much and am continuing to listen to The Old Wives' Tale by Arnold Bennett which is excellent. I don't want it to end .. I'm so wrapped up in their lives
In a bid to read more poetry this year (more she says
.. I mean some ) I've started to read Bright Star which is a book full of Keats' poetry. It's boggling my head a bit though .. I'm not that at home with poetry. I want to be but unless it's obvious (and almost nursery rhyme ) I'm stumped. I have no understanding of Greek mythology either which isn't helping me to comprehend or get anything much out of Keats' Endymion. I was delighted that it started 'A thing of beauty is a joy for ever' as I know that from Mary Poppins
Alas, that is where enlightenment ended It's around 4,000 lines long so I'll be studying it for some time. I need to read poetry properly .. take notice of the commas etc. Oh Lord! .. what an embarrassing struggle -
Wild: A Journey From Lost to Found by Cheryl Strayed
Synopsis: At twenty-six, Cheryl Strayed thought she had lost everything. In the wake of her mother's rapid death from cancer, her family disbanded and her marriage crumbled. With nothing to lose, she made the most impulsive decision of her life: to walk eleven-hundred miles of the west coast of America - from the Mojave Desert, through California and Oregon, and into Washington state - and to do it alone. She had no experience of long-distance hiking and the journey was nothing more than a line on a map. But it held a promise - a promise of piecing together a life that lay in ruins at her feet.
Review: This is the sort of book to inspire. It makes you believe you can do things .. things like walking the Pacific Crest Trail. In reality I wouldn't even contemplate walking the Pennine Way let alone the PCT .. I'm just not a camper and only an idiot would think I could live on my own wits! For a start I hate creepy crawlies .. so to have to deal with rattlesnakes and black bears in addition is a bridge way too far .. plus what about murderers? There's bound to be plenty of them lurking about. No amount of chanting to myself that 'I am not afraid' would change that. I am afraid and it's best I understand that now before I put a lot of people to an awful lot of unnecessary trouble. I HATE my own company too .. I can't even have a bath without taking in some sort of noise .. anything so as I'm not left alone with my own thoughts!! *shudders* So this sort of extensive solitary, dangerous, hiking would sadly be a no-no for me but it was surprisingly enlightening to read it (tucked up in bed .. with cocoa and about as far away from black bears as it is possible to be ) .. I very much lived the journey with her. And it's a perilous journey ... 1100 miles of mountainous terrain .. with rattlesnakes, black bears and dodgy individuals to deal with.
Cheryl has rather spectacularly messed up her life .. she's been on a downward spiral ever since her mum died .. possibly there were problems before that even ... her childhood was less than ideal with an abusive, and often drunk, father. She's become irresponsible. She married a very kind man but has managed to make a mess of things, she doesn't value herself or her life. There's two things you can do in this situation .. sink or swim. Cheryl decides to swim (not literally .. that's a whole other book probably) .. she buys herself a guide book on the PCT and begins planning her journey.
One of the things I liked about Cheryl (though she's not an easy person to like .. she's admirable but stubborn and irresponsible) was that she was a reader Among the things she packed in 'Monster' (her backpack .. of truly epic proportions) were books, which considering how absolutely vital every piece of luggage had to be .. was commendable. She did tear the pages off and burn them as she went along (ouch!) ... it was sadly necessary from the point of view of weight. But the books and stories were her solace .. she could escape into them at times of stress. They gave her something else to think about other than her aching body and blistered and bloody feet.
Conversely, one of the things that drove me up the wall about her was the way she mismanaged her money. It's so important, when you're on a long and isolated journey to spend wisely. Cheryl had put together several boxes of supplies which she had a friend mail to her so that each time she reached a resupply point, she was able to get some clean clothes, a new book, various other essentials and some money. She then, almost without fail, spent that money (more or less straightaway) on a cheeseburger and some fries .. beer/wine and whatnot and spent the next fifty odd miles or so with a couple of cents in her pocket. I mean, on the whole there was nowhere to spend it .. but she often found herself in a scrape because of it. I suppose though .. after living on variations of the pot noodle for weeks you would start craving some hearty junk food .. probably just the smell of it would be enough but each time I hoped she'd be more disciplined (for a start she probably could have got a pile of toast for a fraction of the price .. maybe I should write a trail guide) having said that I know in my heart that I would have done the same. I do not plan for rainy days and money always burns a hole in my pocket. I expect other people to have more sense though.
She did meet a band of friends along the way. There was a register at the beginning of the trail so the people she came across already knew who she was (this gave me the creeps a bit as she was the only solitary woman hiking .. which to me is like sending up smoke signals) .. but mostly she walked alone and spent days and days without seeing a soul.
They adapted this book into a film (starring Reece Witherspoon .. who's on the book cover) a couple of years ago which I might take a peep at if I come across it.
My sister bought me this for Christmas and I wasn't sure it would be my thing but it was .. I couldn't put it down. Liked it but definitely verging on Loved it! -
Lolly Willowes by Sylvia Townsend Warner
Synopsis: Lolly Willowes is a twenty-eight-year-old spinster when her adored father dies, leaving her dependent upon her brothers and their wives. After twenty years of self-effacement as a maiden aunt, she decides to break free and moves to a small Bedfordshire village. Here, happy and unfettered, she enjoys her new existence nagged only by the sense of a secret she has yet to discover. That secret - and her vocation - is witchcraft, and with her cat and a pact with the Devil, Lolly Willowes is finally free.
Review: Oh I do love strange and quirky stories This one leads you right up the garden path. It's a book of two halves really. In the first half Lolly is a very sensible young woman. Her life is ticking along quite nicely actually until her father's death (her mother being long dead) and then she loses her home (which passes to her elder brother) and her life. She moves in with her younger brother and his wife and becomes Aunt Lolly to their children .. she's always there to run errands and look after them when they're sick etc and the household grows quite dependent on her. They don't mean to put upon her .. and they do have affection for her .. but really she is no more than the unpaid help. Though time passes and the children grow up and start families of their own .. there's still no reason for Lolly to leave. She's still very much wanted/needed. Except .. she wants to break free (stop singing Queen
) .. she's absolutely stifled. It's as much of a surprise (certainly .. as the story plays out) to the reader as it is to the family (who are incredulous.) Things take a very strange turn when Lolly moves far away into the country. I thought she might become reclusive (which she does) and start dabbling with herbal remedies etc (which she also does) but she goes the whole hog and starts chatting to the Devil You and I might be horrified but Lolly is encouraged by his presence and sees him as an ally. Very, very weird .. but I love that it takes hold of weird with both hands and runs with it This was written in 1926 so goodness knows what readers made of it then Gob smacked .. I should think. Expect the unexpected anyway. This is a story to make your head boggle. I love the writing of Barbara Comyns .. but this was even stranger than Barbara's fiction. It's not often though that a book can surprise you as much as this one did .. hats off to Sylvia and a big thank you to Janet for giving it to me for Christmas Liked it! -
Going Off Alarming by Danny Baker
Synopsis: The dazzlingly funny second volume of Danny Baker's memoirs: the television years. Since my first book was published I have had countless friends and family members get in touch to say how come I hadn't included this story or that tale. Was I ashamed of being shot twice, once up the arse, in Jamaica Road? How long should a man live with such a secret? If by retrospectively dropping my trousers every few pages I can reveal a fuller picture of myself during these years, then so be it. Besides. Being shot up the arse. In front of your mates. What else did I forget?
Review: This is the second volume of Danny's memoirs as the blurb says and it's every bit as enjoyable as the first or almost anyway. I love the 1970's and especially the music which was the soundtrack to my own childhood/teenage years so the first book (Going Off Alarming) was right up my alley. The second being set in the 80's and mostly about Danny's television work (shows like the Six O'Clock Show etc) was not quite as entertaining but then it's impossible for him to be dull so it was still incredibly readable.
He tells his own story at a rattling pace and there are so many anecdotes, funny stories and eyebrow raising incidents (his dad Spud is just a gift of a character .. a real original) that you just get swept along .. also some sad stories like a quite in-depth piece about Paul (Gazza) Gascoigne which gave me a different perspective on him .. people and situations are more complex than you think.
He has a great writing style .. it's just like he's chatting to you. I've never been that much of a fan actually but I love the way he tells his life story .. so entertaining. Both books practically read themselves .. I didn't notice the pages turning at all.
If you're at all a fan or just like reading about the 70's/80s I thoroughly recommend both books. There will be a third (at least) .. in which he will talk about being ill (from cancer ) I'm not looking forward to it so much as I do hate reading about illness .. however, knowing Danny, he will still make it entertaining and I will definitely be buying it. He's incapable of being gloomy for long and is himself a force to be reckoned with. Liked it! -
Just William & More William by Richmal Crompton
Synopsis: There is only one William. This tousle-headed, snub-nosed, hearty, loveable imp of mischief has been harassing his unfortunate family and delighting his hundreds of thousands of admirers since 1922.
Review: Oh what larks! I think I read a couple of William books when I was a girl .. you'll forgive me for forgetting .. it was back in the black & white days! Anyway, for some reason or the other they didn't click with me particularly but I saw the recent(ish) TV drama and loved it and then it was put forward for a group read on here so I thought I'd give the first one at least a try.Boy am I glad I did because they are hilarious. The thing that strikes me most about them is the way in which Richmal addresses her readers .. as if they're intelligent beings. William is eleven and I guess his followers would probably have been (mostly) boys of about eight upwards. I remember back then not having much faith in a boy's intelligence because I was pretty sure they were all as dense as fog!
Richmal knew better and I'm so glad because it makes the books an absolute joy to read for adults as well as children. They are absolutely uproarious. William is the King of bad behaviour. He owns it. But it's not necessarily consciously done .. it's just innate. The birthday party he throws for himself when his family are away for the day is just epic. Midnight feasts .. bah!! This is the way to cause havoc! Another thing I like about the stories (each chapter is a little individual story of its own) is that Richmal doesn't labour over William's punishments. She mostly just darkly hints at the retribution to come I've decided to carry on with the books for the time being, just because of the sheer enjoyment. They actually could be marketed as a tonic. You can dip in and out and they invariably cheer you up and make you giggle. Whether they'll be consistent I don't know but so far, so good
I'll just write up a paragraph here (so much for keeping it short
) to give you a taste.'William had a strong imagination. When an idea took hold upon his mind, it was almost impossible for him to let it go. He was quite accustomed to Joan's adoring homage. The scornful mockery of his auburn-haired friend was something quite new, and in some strange fashion it intrigued and fascinated him. Mentally he recalled her excited little face, flushed with eagerness as she described the expected spread. Mentally also he conceived a vivid picture of the long waiting on Christmas Eve, the slowly fading hope, the final bitter disappointment. While engaging in furious snowball fights with Ginger, Douglas and Henry, while annoying peaceful passers-by with well-aimed snow missiles, while bruising himself and most of his family black and blue on long and glassy slides along the garden paths, while purloining his family's clothes to adorn various unshapely snowmen, while walking across all the ice (preferably cracked) in the neighbourhood and being several times narrowly rescued from a watery grave - while following all these light holiday pursuits, the picture of the little auburn-haired girl's disappointment was ever vividly present in his mind.'
That's another thing I liked .. William .. is more than a little susceptible to the charms of women/girls
Liked it! Very much! -
I'm getting behind again (with reviews .. though not with reading. Goodreads informs me that I am one book ahead so woohoo!
) This is always a busy time (for me) for book buying/acquiring .. and I was lucky enough to get three new books for Valentine's Day
I say lucky but I actually put two of the books into Alan's hands .. when we were last out having coffee with Claire and Janet so I'm not sure he had options .. it was going to be a long day/week/year for him otherwise At the moment he's very busy with work and travelling so is happy for me to take these sort of shortcuts when it comes to present buying and it's only a tiny bit more aggressive than my usual pointing/making sheep's eyes
Just look at the one in the middle!! .. be still my beating heart. I mean the title .. and then the cover!!
It's a hardback .. I'm getting more and more into hardbacks, I don't know what's come over me .. well .. in this instance .. I wasn't going to take the chance that the paperback would be as gorgeous .. they're not always you know *outraged* The one on the right is about a library (I hope it is anyway .. it better NOT be a misleading title *note to self .. must read blurb in future * ) The one on the left is going to be a challenge I think, but a really good, thought provoking challenge, I hope. I glanced at the opening page and the writing is just stunning.Looking forward to reading all three anyway
Need to write down some thoughts on the books I've read so far .. just a few random scribblings. Get me up to date .. ish!
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Have you read The Secret History Anna?.. if not, Donna Tartt does an excellent job of narrating.
Also brilliant (but not narrated by the authors) are Our Endless Numbered Days, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, The Golem and the Djinni, The Girl on the Train, The Invention of Wings, The Goldfinch and Disclaimer. Oh and the Harry Potter's of course.
I absolutely love listening to audiobooks .. such a boon when you're out walking or doing chores etc because you can read a book at the same time .. genius!
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'The Ice Twins' by S.K. Tremayne
A creepy thriller about identical twins, one died but which one, Lydia or Kirstie? After a tragic accident the family move to a remote cottage, left to Sarah's husband, Angus, on an island only accessible by a boat. They hope for a fresh start and to put the tragedy behind them. The twin who is left we are told is Kirstie, but she then insists she is Lydia...! How can this be and many questions are asked of her, can they have made a mistake in identifying the twin they have lost?
The setting is dark and dreary given the time of year and where they are living, but this adds to the atmosphere of the tale. After a few twists and turns along the way it wasn't quite the conclusion I thought it was going to be but it didn't disappoint. Enjoy if you do give it a read.
4/5
That does sound creepy Diane .. how old were the twins when one of them died? I'm intrigued. Great review
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I picked up Disclaimer by Renèe Knight over the weekend. I have wanted to read it ever since reading about it in the Times and have been patiently waiting for the price to reduce on kindle and this weekend it was £1.99 so I picked it up. About 80 pages in and so far so good.
I read this towards the end of last year .. that is I listened to it. Riveting! Hope you continue to enjoy it tunn
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And if having flu wasn't bad enough I only went and got food poisoning last week
I've never been so ill in my life and its taken me a whole week to start to feel better!Sorry to hear this Laura
Hope it's onwards and upwards for you now 
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I've seen the 1995 and 2008 versions since I read the book.
I loved Linda Bassett's Mrs Jennings in the 2008 version - and dare I say it (
) - yes, I think I do... after consideration I think I preferred Hattie Morahan's Elinor! I enjoyed both versions - but Alan Rickman was definitely the best Colonel Brandon! I have - I think a mixture of the two would be just perfect! I haven't seen the Tracey Childs version or Howard's Way though.
It's worth seeking out .. if I ever manage to get it on another format I'll lend it to you (have you got anything to play videos on?)
Though those older adaptations are a lot less fun (bit like watching The Forsyte Saga .. if you ever did.) Yes .. a mix of the two would be great. I do like Emma's Elinor .. but Hattie probably does edge it .. just. Kate Winslet's Marianne though was just heartbreaking .. and the scenes between Emma and Kate .. were so moving .. I cried in the cinema
I liked the inclusion of Margaret too .. though Emma made most of that up! Alan Rickman is definitely the definitive Colonel Brandon
Genius casting!PS: You didn't miss anything .. as far as Howard's Way is concerned
Yes, their interpretation of a cottage is not what I think of as a cottage!
Ha .. if they want to know what poky (pokey?) truly means .. they should come to mine. No room for an in-between maid here
I love the sound of The Watchmaker of Filigree Street .. I did consider it when I was trying to spend my last Audible credit .. but now I've seen it has a map in it .. well
Might have to get the tree copy Great review Janet!
Claire's Book List 2016
in Past Book Logs
Posted
Lovely to see you and Janet yesterday Claire
.. I do believe you bought the sun to Cirencester 
Many thanks for the book recommendation (The Bees) .. Alan needed ideas and I'd run out 
xx
I expect I'll be visiting Mr B's tomorrow .. but they always inspire. I'll be trying and failing to keep my money in my purse I expect
xx