chaliepud

Thanks Sousa, I have wishlisted the first and popped Parade's End in my Amazon basket, I may buy later today! I have read All Quiet on the Western Front, I wasn't as enamoured with it as some but it was very good and very real. You should meet my brother, he owns and has read 100's of WWII non fiction, all inspired from when he inherited our Grandfather's war medals, he is now a keen amateur photographer too and spends a lot of time at Duxford and other museums and air shows. I did enjoy The Dynamite Room though it wasn't very believable, despite being based on true events. I'm slowly getting into All The Light We Cannot See but it's one of those books that needs to be read in longer sessions I feel and I haevn't had many of those lately! I tried that years ago and couldn't get into it.. I shall try again! Yes, I finished it last month, a great book from one of my favourite authors, it got a 5/5 from me! Thanks Gaia, I will have a proper look into those later, I had a peek on my phone and I can see there are plenty of suggestions there! :) I agree, there is also an excitement of sorts, not the type you would associate with a party or a celebration but one of fear and trepidation, and I am always in awe of how poeple just got on with things and how so many risked so much to resist in some small or large way. I have put all your suggestions in my Amazon basket, bit naughty really as I have bought lots of books lately, albeit many of them with an Amazon gift card, but still, I may try and resist a little longer... I may not! Thanks Claire. I will try and make time to share some of my own suggestions too.

I did have a look Raven as I was sure I'd seen something too but couldn't find anything. Thanks for the replies, I'll have a proper read tomorrow when I'm on the laptop

That's very impressive, not sure that would happen in the UK as we tend to start the long distances a bit later than that. They may do some cross country from the school year they turn 9 but on the track my son is only doing 600m in the U11's.

Have fun!

This seems to be a subject of interest to many and I myself have read many books centred around the two wars. I'm not sure why they interest me so much, maybe it's because my grandparents lived through it and my parents were born into it. I was just wondering if reading about the wars is a British thing or if our international friends are as interested? Obviously lots of countries were involved so do people from Germany, Japan the US etc read about them too and if so from which viewpoint? Most of the books I read are from a British or US standpoint but I have read a few that are from a German point of view. Also, I would love some more recommendations of good books in this genre if anyone has any to share?

I'm 20% into All The Light We Cannot See, pretty good so far, though not enjoying the very short chapters and switching characters so often, hopefully will either get used to it or the reason for it will become more apparent.

Be there and be proud! (Or pretend you have a niece called Claire!)

I'm very much looking forward to this one Claire. "At dusk they pour from the sky. They blow across the ramparts, turn cartwheels over rooftops, flutter into the ravines between houses". All The Light We Cannot See - Anthony Doerr.

There is no better way of relaxing for me than to spend time with my dogs, maybe a long walk, especially if we can get up to a secluded favourite viewpoint, sun shining, cool breeze, just lovely for us all. Agility training with Jojo can be relaxing too, it may be physically tiring but there is no better way to switch off my brain to the rest of the world than to completely focus on the dog, my communication to her and the equipment we need to master.

I'm surprised that people actually go in the water after so many attacks, I certainly wouldn't be letting my kids in! In the UK a mild jellyfish attack would clear the beaches!

Interesting article... http://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/6251577/You-say-Majorca-I-say-Mallorca.html I've always pronounced it Mayorca which is what the ll is in Spanish apparently. Maybe I'll just stick to saying Palma!

It's called Mallorca and Majorca for some reason Sari, in all our cruise documentation it is Mallorca (US company).. Strange eh? I wouldn't worry too much about the dress code for the cathedral Janet, most people were wearing shorts and sundresses, just decent length ones, some of the ladies wore light scarves around their bare shoulders but I wore a tshirt dress so didn't bother and wasn't barred! Worth a try at least x

Ok, but I can't think of an interesting truth! Here's a pretty boring one.. I have an immense irrational fear of butterflies (insert rolled eyes emoji here!) and once almost jumped off the cliff at Robin Hoods Bay in Yorkshire to escape what seemed like hundreds of them.. My poor Mum had to pin me to the ground to stop me.. I then had to walk the next 100 or so yards with my eyes closed and hyper ventilating with my parents leading me along.. There were loads of people around too so it was hugely embarrassing!

Majorca is lovely Janet, you're gonna have a great time! We really like Palma and will be stopping there for a day in August, the gothic cathedral there is fabulous, well worth a visit if you're able.

Congratulations on your new books Janet, I read Stig of the Dump at school too. . The latest Victoria Hislop is The Sunrise, I wasn't too impressed with it and haven't finished it as yet. A friend and I agree that she is a bit hit and miss. We both loves The Island and The Thread but neither of us were keen on The Sunrise or The Return. I'll be interested to hear what your Mum thinks of it

Finished Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline, a fabulous book based on real events, the train children that we're taken to Minnesota in the late 1920's. So sad how these poor children were treated, thank goodness times have changed in the main.

I hope you do like it, it was a 5/5 for me. How do you feel about books written from a female perspective? Do you find it harder to understand and empathise with them. Generally I find reading from a mans perspective ok but sometimes I just don't get why they so what they do.. But then o suppose that's the same in life!

I think this may have to be my next read, I haven't heard a bad thing about it. Edit - by the way, I loved The Nightingale!

I'm waiting for the Heavenly Italian Ice Cream Shop too Claire, the synopsis really appealed and I had vouchers to use!! I'm currently reading Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline and lovely everything about it.

Serena was very sporting in her interview after too. Heather could go far in the future, I believe she is only 21?

Didn't she do well?! Such a shame..

Coconut water with a hint of pineapple.

It was a 007 type device so you won't be able to find it.. Best get to it missie!

Oh it's a wonderful treat and a financially viable one at that! You have great taste, that's why I'm hoping that you'll love it like I do.. Did I mention that I set a timer on it to spontaneously combust New Year's Eve 2015.. better be quick!

Thank you! Happy days! :)