julie

Beautiful pictures Frankie I love them all, but my favorite is the "snow tree" your brother made with the candles in it . Such a beautiful idea ! Sounds like you had an enjoyable holiday .

Miss Poppy Alan's book presents are perfect and oh so pretty ! You sure hit the jackpot with him. He is always surprising you with such neat gifts .He , of course, hit the jackpot with you too . Perfect match .

Sounds as if you got some really good books, and may be coming in to list some more new ones after your shopping trip .

Wow, Kate You are really cranking out the final books of the OLD year , getting ready for the NEW one . I'm about halfway through my latest book, so I might hit the deadline before 2014 officially begins .

OH ,that sounds so good

Devi That was a great deal on your food processor, plus now you have a cookbook ,so you'll have to tell us about all the good things you make . You'll make us all hungry !! That was such a nice treat for your friends to take you to the movies and for ice cream. I bet it was really fun . I haven't been to the movies in years ! ( I've had ice cream since then though . ) A Whole Bunch .

Stunning, Athena ! You are the most organized person ! I try to be, but usually don't do real well with it . Interesting stats, mainly between male vs. female authors. I think I read lots more male authors ,but have no idea what the numbers are .

Will I enjoyed Three Men in a Boat ,but I'm a big fan of humor and travel, so put the two together and I'll enjoy it ,even though I tend to enjoy travel from the US , only because I live here and know a little more about what certain types of states are like, etc . If I read a travel narrative about another country, I probably don't "get it "as much as I would if I were familiar with the area. I liked the humor, but for me it was just a touch here and there. nothing funny enough to chuckle out loud about, but still nice to have a few funny lines thrown in . Nice review ~

Definitely understand about cutting back on purchasing more books. I also have a truckload on my Kindle that needs read. They all sound good ,but I keep buying more . I think there are several of us who now have The Goldfinch ,so it looks like there might be lots of people in here reading it soon . From the reviews in here ,it sounds terrific .

Pixie Yep , the film had Piper Laurie ! Good memory, Pixie !

Charlie Happy Holidays to you and Kate too !

Frankie Merry Christmas to you , too.

Thanks Kay They do look like magical places. Unspoiled beaches, without souvenier shops every 6 feet . Really lovely pictures. If we ever win the lottery we'll be coming over . In fact, we'll hire a yacht and stop at the southern tip of England and pick you guys all up . Thanks for the recommendation for the book. Sure sounds like a hands-down favorite .

Thanks Kate I think I'll be MELTING a new hole in the old Amazon Card this week . Happy Holidays to me .

Maybe we'll both tackle him sometime this year Kate

Paul I'm glad you enjoyed the Pilcher book . Most of her earlier ones are like that . As she got older, her books became longer with more of a convoluted story line . Shell Seekers was one of my favorites , although it starts out really dry . Coming Home was a gem. I loved it . As for Henry James, I hate to say it, but I have yet to read any of his books . I'm really glad you found the other that reminds you so much of your mom's books and good memories from long ago. Always good to find a book that will do that . It sounds like you will be in a wonderful holiday spirit this week .

Thanks Claire and June I've heard and seen the Guernsey one with the letters, but don't have a copy, so it should be easy to locate. I'll also look for the other one . Amazon has it for Kindle I think . Guernsey sure looks like a beautiful place to go on a vacation ! ( It'd be one LONG drive for us !! )

Thanks June It sounds like a really pretty place . That'll be neat to see the are where the ghost book takes place. I have it on my list for when it comes out , on Kindle in March . I'll try to do some reading up a bit more on the country before then .

That IS an interesting fact, Will . I don't think mine is quite full enough to weigh any more (yet) . I know my purse is a lot lighter in the wallet ,though .

Thanks , Steve, for telling me about Guernsey. It sure looks beautiful ,from what I have seen online about it . It must be wonderful to have lots of family there and be able to spend a lot of time there . The beaches and scenery look so pretty . I'd think living in such a small place ,everyone would know everyone. I was just wondering about it ,since it's a place I knew nothing about before starting this book . I'm glad you could tell me more about it . Thank you .

I'm currently reading a book set on Guernsey Island called The Book of Ebenezer LePage . It's such a good book and interesting place, I looked up the island on youtube to see more of what it looks like. It sounds really beautiful . I wondered if any of you have been able to visit there and what it's like ? Also do the islanders speak with an English or French accent ? The book has a few sentences sprinkled throughout in French,so 'm assuming maybe they speak more along that line . Also has anyone read any books set here or in the other islands in this same area ? Thanks for any help .

June Just a note to let you know I bought a Kindle book by an author from Iceland called House of Evidence , by Viktor Arnar Ingolffsson . It sounded good. Will let you know how I like it when I get to it . Thanks -

Thanks for the name of the others., Will . I saw a couple of them you mentioned ,so may end up getting another too. I think it was Poppy who read one about Dickens , maybe the same one you just finished ? I can't remember , but it does sound as if he wasn't as likeable a person as you might think when reading his novels. It seems to be that way with lots of famous people. They might be really successful in their professional life, but they aren't quite as they seem in their personal life. It'll be interesting to read more about him . Thanks again for the names of the others. I may pick one up, possibly The Invisible Woman. That one also sounded good , but wanted some main background on his life first . Marie Don't blame you on not hauling home a 1000 page book. Just another of the advantages of Kindle. It doesn't weigh any more if you put a huge book like that on it !

Will Thanks for recommending the Dickens book. It sounds very good. I did end up purchasing one today for my Kindle ,but it's not by the same lady. The one I got was by someone named Michael Slater . Will post a review when I get to it . Thanks --