bookmonkey

I just finished a really good non fiction book. The Secret Life of Words: How English Became English by Henry Hitchings. It talks about the English words that have been 'borrowed' from other languages through the history of the world. It's a really interesting way of looking at the language, and it's interesting how the words have been incorporated and changed in the English language.

We don't have anything like that here. There are two national book chains that have their own sales regularly.

Finished Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult last night. Another good one from her.

The Past When did you start to love reading? Don’t know, I’ve always loved to read. Apparently when I was 4 I told my Dad I was going to be a librarian so I could read all day. What books did you love as a child (either read to or to read yourself)? I can’t remember when I was very young, but from about 10 on Judy Blume and Paula Danziger were big favourites Childhood memories of reading (if you have them)? Did you read books for school? In high school we had to read certain books for school. Some were crap, but there were a few good ones; The Outsiders, Lord of the Flies. Favourites Favourite book: don’t know Favourite author: probably Ian Rankin Favourite genre(s): mystery Your Collection Do you own an ereader? I have a kindle on my phone Ebooks or physical books (or both)? Nearly always physical but have the kindle to read at doctors appointments and things like that. Hardcover or paperback (or both)? Hardcover mostly, will read paperbacks in the bath New books or used books (or both)? I don’t buy fiction, get all my books from the library Big books or small books (or both)? Both What language are most of your books written in? English Favourite book shop(s): don’t buy books Do you buy a lot of books? See above Do you spend a lot of money on books? ditto Amount of owned books: I have some non fiction, maybe a couple of hundred Amount of books read: impossible to count Amount of books TBR: I don’t have an actual TBR pile as such, but do have 18 library books in my drawer waiting to be read. Reading How often do you read? Everyday, can’t imagine not reading Where do you read? Mostly in bed for leisure, sometimes the bath. Also read at my desk for uni. When do you read? Leisure reading mostly at night How fast do you read? Usually pretty fast. An average size book usually takes me about 3-4 days, depending how quickly I fall asleep The Forum When did you join this forum? Last year I think How did you find this forum? Can’t remember, but I’m glad I did.

I was born at about 5pm. My energy levels have always seemed to flag about mid afternoon, so I don't really fit the theory. I also have a friend who does most of her housework in the middle of the night. She's often found hanging her washing out at 2am.

They need a page target. Les Mis is worth at least three books.

I'm too lazy to cook when it's just me home. I hate cooking anytime, but make myself do it when the kids are home. I hate doing housework and if I could I'd be lazy with that too. I've gotten into some routines with it in the last year or so that really helps.

Finished The Fifth Child Doris Lessing. Great book, although the ending seemed kind of sudden. I'll have to look for some more of hers.

It's still stinking hot down here. At least we're getting some summer. The kids are back at school and we're trying to get back into the school routines after 8 weeks off. And happy birthday Peacefield.

There are some gorgeous libraries in this thread. I'd love to visit them someday.

Let's see if this works. The front of this building is the front of an old dept store that would be about 150 years old. They were careful to keep it and build the library around it. It's a pretty good library, and the most popular public library in the country. One thing I love is there's none of the old 'silence' rules. When my kids were little they could make noise if they wanted. The kids area is very bright and welcoming and really encourages kids to visit. This was built about 20 years ago and is much better than the old one. There was nowhere near enough space there, over half the books were in storage.

I found a couple of pics of my local library and put them on photobucket, but I can't figure out how to share them to here.

I think we can safely say this summer has made up for the lack last summer. Temps around 33c the last three days, and set to continue for about another five days. We usually average about 25c in summer here. My kids are back at school on Friday. These holidays went fast and I'm not sure I'm ready for them to go back.

I picked up a JoJo Moyes book at the library yesterday because I'd seen her name mentioned on her. I can't remember what I'd read, so I hope it was positive.

Those pics are beautiful Bree. I love British comedy. On the weekend I was staying at a friends house who has sky, I spent as much time as I could watching the comedies on UKTV. If I could afford it, I'd almost get Sky just for that, but then I'd never get any study done.

I finally finished Clan of the Cave Bear. I've had this recommended to me so many times, but the caveman aspect put me off. It shouldn't have. It's a brilliant book, really well-written and a great read. I quickly forgot they were cavemen and they seemed like ordinary people. Definitely a 5/5. It only took me so long because I had to take it back to the library before I'd finished it, then wait until I got to the top of the queue again.

Kylie - we're supposed to get your heatwave over here this week. Hopefully not as hot as you've had it. It snowed here winter 2011, first time since 1920something. Was pretty cool. The kids loved it. Now everytime it gets slightly cold in winter my daughter wants it to snow again. Probably won't in her lifetime though.

I read a lot of true crime books too. I'm interested in why people do things like that. Here (in NZ) nearly all murder victims know their killer, often domestic violence, or, very sadly, child abuse. Unfortunately, we have a really high rate of child deaths from abuse. We have had a few mass killings too, the worst being Aramoana in 1990 where, 13 were killed. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aramoana_massacre) In 1992 a guy killed seven members of his own family, and in 1997 a guy shot eleven people, killing six, in a tiny little village. We have really tight gun laws here.

I'll be interested to hear what you think of this. I read it last year. I don't usually like Stephen King, but this one fascinated me. I finished The Good German last night. It took a bit to get into, but I think that was because my mojo went walkabout for a couple of weeks. I enjoyed it in the end.

I finished Standing in Another Man's Grave last night. Another excellent Rebus book. I'm just about finished The Good German. I started it a couple of weeks ago, but had to read the Rebus first as there are a lot of people on the reserve list for that one.

I couldn't stand that heat Kylie. The highest I remember is 33c, and that was almost unbearable. We've had a funny sort of haze (not smoke, looks a little like a thin fog at cloud level) that the weather people say is from the Tasmanian fires. Amazing that it could come all this way.

When I was pregnant with my son I worked on the 8th floor. We'd have a fire alarm at least once a week. By the time I started maternity leave I was very sick of dragging my large belly down the stairs.

That sounds really interesting VF. I like books set during/between the wars, and true stories are even better. The Brain surgeon one sounds really interesting too.

So far it's good. Most of the Rebus books you could read out of order, but I think this one would be more understandable if you've read others. Knots and Crosses is the first Rebus. I've read it at least three times. It was very good and I highly recommend it.

I would love a room just for my books. It's my biggest dream to have a house where I can do this.