Hayley

That's very interesting, especially the Spring/Summer 2020 reading slump. It's funny, and yet perfectly understandable, to think that big world events impact reading in such a widespread way. On the other hand, I'm not sure they really is a failsafe cure for a reading slump. I think it's going to be different for everyone and every circumstance. For me, the "break glass in case of emergency" book the article talks about wouldn't work, because even if I've saved a new book by an author I absolutely love, I'd just feel like I wouldn't appreciate it properly if I wasn't truly in the mood for it. Sometimes, if I feel in a bit of a slump, I actually start reading something I'm not sure about at all, even something that I expect I might not finish.

Okay, as it has been a week now, I'd like to make a second suggestion! Challenge Suggestion 5: Read something from a Victorian periodical (non-fiction, short fiction, serialised novels and poems all count). Here's a link to all the periodicals edited by Dickens, in case anybody wants to have a browse before deciding: Welcome to DJO .

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I know it would take a very long time, but it would also be interesting to see the differences in the text through different editions if you were to read the whole collection! You could just claim it was intentional and start a collection .

This review really reminded me of a book I read a long time ago but I could not remember what it was and it's just popped into my head - the Faerie Wars Chronicles by Herbie Brennan. I like the idea that in Bones of Faerie there are more noticeable magical impacts on the human world though, I seem to remember Brennan's book mainly involving the main character being in the world of Faerie. I might have to look out for this one! I've also thought about reading this before and your review has made me want to again!

I’m really just guessing there too! I just thought it because they make a point of the art in the description of the book. Could be a marketing thing too though I suppose, by suggesting that it’s collectible art. I like the term ‘liveries’ for covers, it makes it sound as though the story is dressed in uniform . That is an interesting way to collect. I suppose you’d end up being able to see the history of that books publication and how it was styled differently over time, which would be good. What book does she collect?

It sounds to me like the Dante’s Inferno set is that much because of the art work. I also can’t imagine paying £700 for a book (imagine how many books you could buy with that much!), but I suppose there are people who spend that much and more on art. Again, like art I guess! Those really expensive ones always have a small limited number as well, to make them more collectible. I have a few folio society books but they’re all second hand. I think the most I’ve paid is £30 for a set of Bronte books. They were bound in silk but the sun has bleached the colour. I actually like them the way they are, but I assume that sun ‘damage’ is why they were that price. Most of the ones I have were cheaper than or the same price as a normal hardback. They all definitely are for reading, but it does also make me happy to look at them because they’re so pretty .

I'll try to emotionally prepare myself before reading then! That doesn't sound promising. I have to admit, it's not a book I'd have picked up at all from the description if I didn't already know the author.

I was reading today that the new autumn collection from the Folio Society is out and I know a few people on here love their books - so I wanted to share! I also thought it would be nice to have a specific thread for these books, to talk about them generally. The new collection is here: Latest Book Releases | The Folio Society They're all beautiful, but there's none in this set that I would spend a lot of money on. The really expensive one in this set is The Divine Comedy, which is £700! If I was going to splash out on one of their current editions, I'd buy Mr Rabbit's Symphony of Nature and Other Tales by Charles van Sandwyk, because the font and the illustrations are so beautiful. If could really really splash out, I'd get the His Dark Materials trilogy. The spines and slipcase of that are ridiculously pretty by themselves. But it is £155...

You don’t need to follow the categories from the first post, we’re doing our own version, so throw any suggestion in there! Whatever you think people will enjoy most. We’ll all vote at the end to decide which challenges to go with

I bought this mainly because I loved The Book Thief and I Am the Messenger by Zusak, but I still haven't gotten around to reading it. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts! I liked the folkloric theme of Buried Giant, but I do know what you mean about it feeling like it was trying too hard. Also definitely agree with your 9 for Handmaid's Tale. I don't know this one, I'll have to look it up! Welcome to the forum by the way

I love the thought of us all simultaneously head-tilting whenever someone posts a shelf picture on here . That sounds like my kind of book!

If that's what you're enjoying right now then that's definitely what you should keep doing! Nothing unfortunate about it Thank you, to both . I do love the socks, they were a present from my sister, along with a pack of pencils that say things like 'I like big books' and 'I believe in tea and books' (which are both very true). Wow, yes that was a lot of reading done on Sunday! Well done! I like the title 'I Used to Have a Plan' (although I haven't heard of the book before!)

So far I have finished Botanical Folk Tales, read three chapters of Silence and 100 pages of Queste (the Septimus Heap book mentioned above). Hoping to read some more of the latter later on but I'm happy with that already! Has anybody else been doing the read-a-thon this month?

Just to note, I've moved this thread over to Reading Challenges. It would have been weird to have a Victorian event without you! I haven't! Just to check, is your challenge suggestion to read Lady Audley's Secret or to read a Victorian sensation novel?

That is seriously unlucky. I suppose some animals do like the rain though. If we had a day where it rained loads my nan used to look out of the window and say 'it's nice weather for ducks!' I am very disappointed by the temperature tonight. I thought the stuffy nights were over but it's still 18 degrees here with 91% humidity

I believe it means no one who doesn't know about the secret (I assume the secret here is that King Charles is being bought to London to be put to death). Some people are 'out of' the secret because they are not involved in it; they don't know that he's going to be killed, so they still see him as the king.

You're welcome. I do the head tilt too!

That was a good idea! I'll keep my fingers crossed that you will love the book, be totally drawn into it and have a massive reduction in anxiety . I actually forgot how little of Botanical Folk Tales I had left, so I'm back to update on the fact that I've finished that I'm starting the next Septimus Heap book, Queste.

Ooh I heard that was good. I think it also has a really pretty cover, if I remember correctly?? I have gotten the impression from other reviews that it's a bit of a love it or hate it book. Thinking about reading is the next best thing to reading. I have a cup of tea and I'm now going to curl up on the sofa and read Botanical Folk Tales until it's finished. Only moving for emergencies. Or, possibly, for more tea.

My plan for the September read-a-thon is to finish Botanical Folk Tales, read at least four chapters of Silence and start a new novel (probably the next Septimus Heap book, but I haven't 100% decided yet). I've had one of those 'everything that could go wrong...' weeks, so looking forward to excusing myself for a good few hours of reading now! (I've even put on my socks that say 'Go away, I'm reading' on the bottom )

I personally think the Victorians would have like reading sensation novels while eating posh crisps

Sorry but we can't have the file links to download like that on here. Perhaps, if the original poster wants them, you could send them via private message.

I think the issue there would be that, while individual characteristics (x-ray vision, super hearing etc.) wouldn't be copyrighted, the combination of all of all the characteristics you listed make an individual character who is recognisable. If you put a wig on superman, those characteristics would still allow you to recognise him as superman. And even if you were talking about a character who wasn't as high profile (or covered by as many copyright laws) as superman, a character or thing in a book which is that recognisable would be the intellectual property of the creator, and so still legally protected.

I would say the same about Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell! I knew I’d like the subject when I bought it, but I absolutely did not expect to love it as much as I did. It is so well crafted. I hope you’ll love it too! I didn’t know that! It’s been a very long time since I read a stream-of-consciousness novel so that should be interesting.