Little Pixie

Aw, my book`s been in your neighbourhood ( ish ). I did take a look online at the webpage for the Library. I toughed out my acupuncture wait ( well, there were magazines... ).

Hope you`re still safe ! How are the little Furry Ones coping with the thunder ? An 18ft flood is just plain scary. We`ve had some odd weather lately - one week 16C, the next week 3C and frozen-pea-sized hail and snow nearby. Now the News says that a heatwave`s on the way...

My TBR`s down to 842 and I`m actually pleased ( well, it is still under 900... ). Do you know how many books are in your TBR pile ?

I know I had to play solitaire by using actual cards ( oh, the horror ! ).

Wow ! That`s a whole lot of books, Julie ! Your fingers must have burn marks from turning the pages so fast. Congrats on 76 so far. I`ve had The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio in my `get to at some point` wish list.

Aw, that`s lovely. When you think that the novel hasn`t been around that long - and reasonably priced paperbacks even less - it`s an art form which has really taken over.

I`m sometimes concerned by it ; that it stops people from being comfortable just ...`being`, that they need something to occupy themselves ( er, books don`t count. ). And yes - what`s so important they need to be on the phone constantly ?? It`s so rude when someone`s on the phone when they`re paying the supermarket cashier, too. * End mini-rant *

I have it in my TBR pile ; I got it after you recommended it. I liked the review too.

I suppose younger people just get out their phones, but I`m ( almost) lost without a book.

Thank you ! I do like disappearing into other Worlds.

Kate, one of my Richard &Frances Lockridge books - which I got from Amazon marketplace - started out life in St Charles Parish Library, Hahnville, Louisiana.

I went to the acupuncturist not long ago and realised I`d forgotten to put my book in my handbag. I seriously considered going to buy a book in a nearby charity shop, just to `cope` with the 15 minute wait.

Hi Julie ! Aw, it`s lovely to see you around again. How are things with you ?

I sleep badly. And I do like a cosy mystery - and most of those are only around 200-250 pages. And I have a big video and DVD backlog.

Ahh, I thought you were listening to the Nine Tailors audiobook ; they sometimes repeat the Lord Peter Wimsey radio plays on Radio4Ex. Ian Carmichael did 5 TV adaptations of the books in the `70`s ; they`re enjoyable, but the ones with Harriet Walter and Edward Petherbridge from 1987 are just lovely. I think DLS did some short stories without Wimsey ?

Aww. You were close enough. And it sounds the same.

Thank you ! I`m stuck in a Dresden Files rut atm ( though a very good rut - I just want to read one after another. ) I`ve got one more to read, then I have to loiter on my doormat waiting for post from the US ( `cos those were the cheapest books ) since they do have to be read in order....... Erm, that sentence makes sense to me. Ooh, we have new `kitchen caddies` from the Council , so we can recycle food waste. Plus, our cardboard is going to be picked up again ! Hurray ! No more throwing out all the Amazon packaging !

Sarah with a huh at the end. Thanks, that sounds enticing. Shall go and have a Kimple now.

#50 From Bad to Wurst - Maddy Hunter Emily takes her Senior Tour Group off to Germany for Octoberfest and there`s - wait for it - yet another murder. Hilarity ensues. #51 Made up to Kill - Kelley Roos Amusing 1940`a murder mystery. Not bad. #52 Trail of the Spellmans - Lisa Lutz Another episode in the life of the Spellman Family, San Francisco detectives. A fun read, but I don`t think the books have ever quite recaptured the brilliance of the first book in the series. #53 The Message of the Mute Dog - Charlotte Murray Russell 1942. Female sleuth investigates murder in Illinois defence factory. okay. #54 The Dark Vineyard - Martin Walker Arson in a small town in France, investigated by Bruno, Chief of Police. A good mystery with lovely characters. #55 Invisible City - Julia Dahl Brooklyn reporter investigates a murder in the Hasidic community. Good but flawed - I felt the ending was rushed, but I enjoyed the characters and will look out for Book Two in the series. Warning - I read this after reading a bunch of cosy mysteries and did think yikes at the adult language/content. It`s not really bad, but it was startling compared to my usual reads. #56 The Ghost and the Dead Man`s Library - Alice Kimberly Bookshop owner Penelope and her ghost friend - and former PI - Jack, investigate a possible murder involving a collector of Edgar Allen Poe books. Lovely. #57 The Age of Miracles - Karen Thompson Walker A coming of age story set during a Global catastrophe. Readable. #58 The Collected Stories - Amanda Cross Short mystery stories involving academic Kate Fansler. Some of the resolutions aren`t really mysteriously astounding, but the writing is a delight. #59 Blythewood - Carol Goodman Set around 1910 in New York State. Orphan Ava thinks she`s having hallucinations, but it turns out her visions are real. She goes off to Blythewood Academy ( her Mother`s Alma Mater ) and discovers the truth about her Mother, while getting caught up in a magical adventure. A cracking read and one of my favourite books of the year so far. #60 , #61 The Ghost and the Femme Fatale, the Ghost and the haunted Mansion - Alice Kimberly More fun reads. #62 Postscript to Poison - Dorothy Bowers Readable. #63 Murder 101 - Maggie Barbieri Liked the characters and the humour, but the mystery was poor. I`m still tempted to give Book Two a go, though. #64 One Lady, Two Cats - Richard Lockridge Memoir. Widower and his two Siamese cats invite his future wife to visit. A sweet story of love and cats. #65, #66, #67 Blood Rites, Dead Beat, Proven Guilty - Jim Butcher Excellent ! Books read : 67 TBR 842 New Books Bought : 85 Total Cost : £282.75

It`s always such a great feeling to discover a new series ! How do the Van Veeteren books compare to Wallander or Harry Hole ( don`t know if you`ve read those ) in terms of violence ?

Is that the Ian Carmichael one ? I think The Nine Tailors is my favourite of the adaptations ( though it`s a brilliant book, anyway ). Condolences on the laptop. Boo.

Ooh, you got lots of the Voyager books - lovely ! Those books look like they`re in a nice condition too.

Thank you ! I also treated myself to Mrs Columbo on DVD.

Hurray ! New books !

Books read : 49 TBR 860 New Books Bought : 85 Total Cost : £282.75 I`ve bought 11 more of the Frances & Richard Lockridge books, plus Quieter than Sleep - Joanne Dobson, 5 of Jim Butcher`s The Dresden Files books, The Black Stocking - Constance & Gwenyth Little, The Last Word - Lisa Lutz, The Outside World - Tova Mirvis and Aunt Dimity and the Summer King - Nancy Atherton.