Chaliepud's 2013 Reading Log

[chaliepud]

Very good books Hayley and bargains too .. how could anyone resist? Hope you enjoy them

I hope so too, my shelves are getting a wee bit heavy though!

Yay a haul, congrats on the new books ! I hope you enjoy them.

Thanks Gaia, me too!

At Home by Bill Bryson is an interesting read. I hope you enjoy it.

He is another author my Dad has been nagging me to read, I just hope I like him better than Mervyn Peake!

I received a book in the post today too, one I'd forgotten I'd ordered in The Book Depository. Love, Tommy: Letters Home from the Great War to the Present Day by Andrew Roberts.Hope you do enjoy At Home, that is another great one of Bill's .

It wouldn't be my first choice but it was cheap!

That was a great haul chaliepud ! A hardback of Alan Bennetts for 79p, that's spectacular! 79p from Waitrose ... ... ...

This is another of my Dads favourites! Edited December 5, 2013 by chaliepud

[chaliepud]

I received a book in the post today too, one I'd forgotten I'd ordered in The Book Depository. Love, Tommy: Letters Home from the Great War to the Present Day by Andrew Roberts.

[frankie]

Of course, the first rule for doggy friends!

 

Oh I really wish I had more money, I'd love to visit you and your doggy posse the soonest! You know I'm a huge fan of Obi... And Dylan is such a darling gentleman... And Jojo, don't get me started on her She's so cute, and the most endearing puppy

 

She does indeed, I have no idea how Steve and I achieved that! 

 

From the few pics I've seen of you, you have short hair but there's a lot of it...

 

I think I remember Ian recommending it, and possibly others too and I am rather keen on books set in this period so fingers crossed I like it!

 

Brian already beat me to the punch, I was going to say he's read it and enjoyed it... I have a feeling Steve has read it, too...?

 

Ooh, I shall have to have a look for that! Thanks Sari! 

 

You're welcome!

 

I am very fortunate and have a lovely M-I-L, in fact I think I like her more than my Steve does, she is very chatty and has lots and lots of interests so can be a little ear bendy  but I like it and find her very interesting.  I'm hoping she will like the Women's Hour book as she has been listening to the programmes for probably almost as many years as it has been going! She may have read it already of course.

 

Awww.... I love it when people get along with their in-laws... You're so lucky! My ex's parents were great, and whenever I talk to my ex on FB, and hear that he's going to visit his parents, I tell him to say hello from me They always say hello back. And ex told me that her Mum was thrilled that I got that library work gig last year, as well as the translator gig this year... And ex tells me she was also thrilled when she heard I had thought about moving to Lahti (that's where ex is from and where his parents still live), and that she was gutted when she heard I might not... I don't know where she got the idea that I had decided against it, because I still want to move to Lahti I'm still planning on moving there, and it might be odd to some people, but I honestly wouldn't mind if ex's Mum visited me in my new apartment. I might also go and visit ex's family in their home. And I've also talked about this with ex, and he's totally cool with that I'm very, very lucky to have such a great ex!

 

It's strange how Elizabeth Taylor has kept below the radar for this long.. Maybe if we all like her we should shout her name from the rooftops? Of course we would have to make it clear exactly which Elizabeth Taylor we are referring too! 

 

Maybe we should!! I wonder if there's a thread on her books on here...

 

 

 

Oh dear, more books!  I popped to a Waitrose I don't usually go to and they have an AgeUK shop across the road, very reasonably priced! So I got - 

 

Untold Stories by Alan Bennett (a lovely hardback copy for only 79p    )

The Other Side of the Bridge by Mary Lawson

At Home by Bill Bryson

Forgotten Voices of the Great War by Max Arthur

The Reading Group by Elizabeth Noble (because it is a about a reading group!)

 

Oops missed one..

 

Why Don't Penguins Feet Freeze? And 114 Other Questions by New Scientist (for my 8 year old)

 

Nice haul, chalie!   Have you read anything by Alan Bennett before (I forget )? I've only read his Uncommon Reader, but I loved it... I don't know much about him, but I've heard he is quite a well known author.

 

I'm jealous of the At Home book!! I saw copies of it when I was working at the library and I thought, my my my, I want to read this...

 

I hope you like The Reading Group! I keep seeing the book at the library, but so far haven't borrowed it...

 

And you must let us know why penguins' feet don't freeze! I don't know if you've heard of Death and the Penguin... I must warn you: if you ever read it, you'll want to adopt a penguin   I wonder what Obi would make of that!!

 

[poppyshake]

I received a book in the post today too, one I'd forgotten I'd ordered in The Book Depository. Love, Tommy: Letters Home from the Great War to the Present Day by Andrew Roberts.

Oh I love books like these ... gives you so much more of a personal insight into what it's like to be a soldier fighting in a war.

 

 

Oh .. it would be a bit unfair of me to want to swap my MIL for yours (unfair on you I mean ) but I'd love to have a really nice MIL ... do you do a day release scheme?   

[Janet]

I got on really well with my in-laws too.  They were both lovely people and I miss them very much. 

 

Not much going on in the way of reading here.  I've just been so busy - it's taken me 6 days to read 90 pages of my current book. 

 

ETA: Oops - I thought I was in the book activity thread!

Edited December 7, 2013 by Janet

[Athena]

I'm not married but I get on well with my 'mother-in-law-to-be'. My boyfriend's father has passed away, I met him once.

[julie]

So glad you got the Bryson book. I found it so interesting ! He answers lots of questions you'd never thought of before .

 

I'm also trying to remember the book I read by Mary Lawson -- just a sec -- Crow Lake !! ( Had to look on amazon , I read it so long ago )

 It was REALLY good -- made the Today Show Book Club that year. Probably why I chose it . I always pick books that win awards or lists like that. I remember really enjoying it,but no clue what iit was about . 2009 .... a long time ago for my brain ...

[chaliepud]

Oh I really wish I had more money, I'd love to visit you and your doggy posse the soonest! You know I'm a huge fan of Obi... And Dylan is such a darling gentleman... And Jojo, don't get me started on her She's so cute, and the most endearing puppy

 

My door is always open, well not literally obviously, that'd be silly, but you'd always be very welcome here, just avoid wearing anything furry or fluffy, Jojo is rather too partial.

 

 

Brian already beat me to the punch, I was going to say he's read it and enjoyed it... I have a feeling Steve has read it, too...?

 

I'll have to take a look over at his thread and see.

 

Awww.... I love it when people get along with their in-laws... You're so lucky! My ex's parents were great, and whenever I talk to my ex on FB, and hear that he's going to visit his parents, I tell him to say hello from me They always say hello back. And ex told me that her Mum was thrilled that I got that library work gig last year, as well as the translator gig this year... And ex tells me she was also thrilled when she heard I had thought about moving to Lahti (that's where ex is from and where his parents still live), and that she was gutted when she heard I might not... I don't know where she got the idea that I had decided against it, because I still want to move to Lahti I'm still planning on moving there, and it might be odd to some people, but I honestly wouldn't mind if ex's Mum visited me in my new apartment. I might also go and visit ex's family in their home. And I've also talked about this with ex, and he's totally cool with that I'm very, very lucky to have such a great ex!

 

You are indeed, I'm afraid my ex and I parted on pretty bad terms, in fact for a time if he's been on a zebra crossing in front of me I may well have forgotten which pedal was the brake!  Good things can come from bad though and I was friendly with his sister for a while and I met Steve through her.. 17 years ago last months, jeez those years have flown!

How nice it would be to meet up with your ex's parents again, sounds like they are lovely people asking after you, I don't think you can ever have enough Mum figures in your life. Steve's Mum and Dad separated when Maddie was a baby, about 12 years ago, soon after they sailed around the world on their boat, maybe that is a lesson, too much time spent together can be detrimental to a relationship. Steve and I could never do that (me not being keen on water aside), we have to have our own interested as despite loving one another we don't have an awful lot in common!

 

Maybe we should!! I wonder if there's a thread on her books on here...

 

I couldn't find one when I looked!

 

Nice haul, chalie!   Have you read anything by Alan Bennett before (I forget )? I've only read his Uncommon Reader, but I loved it... I don't know much about him, but I've heard he is quite a well known author.

 

No I haven't, but my Dad raves about him so I'll give it a go at some point. (I'm not feeling too trusting of his opinions at present, have not quite forgiven him for Titus Groan!   Maybe I should send it to Kay instead!

 

I'm jealous of the At Home book!! I saw copies of it when I was working at the library and I thought, my my my, I want to read this...

 

That's easily rectified, once I've read it I can send it to you! 

 

I hope you like The Reading Group! I keep seeing the book at the library, but so far haven't borrowed it...

 

I really liked one of her other books, something like Things I Want My Daughters To Know, so hopefully it is as good if not better!

 

And you must let us know why penguins' feet don't freeze! I don't know if you've heard of Death and the Penguin... I must warn you: if you ever read it, you'll want to adopt a penguin    I wonder what Obi would make of that!!

 

I did have a quick scan of the book already, but it was far too complicated and scientific for Robbie (and probably for me!) but it was to do with penguins regulating the temperature in their legs, but that is all I can remember, how rubbish am I?!  I'm sure Obi would be fine with a penguin pet after the initial curiosity, he has a very low prey drive. Dylan of course would just sigh and ignore it as long as it left his food alone.  Jojo on the other hand would be a monster I am sure and be constantly herding the poor thing!  It might give the poor cat some respite though, Candyfloss has taken to sleeping for long periods on my bed while Jojo is secure behind a stair gate!

 

EDIT - Not sure what is going on with the quoting and number of emoticons allowed!!!!!

Edited December 8, 2013 by chaliepud

[chaliepud]

Oh I love books like these ... gives you so much more of a personal insight into what it's like to be a soldier fighting in a war.

 

 

Oh .. it would be a bit unfair of me to want to swap my MIL for yours (unfair on you I mean ) but I'd love to have a really nice MIL ... do you do a day release scheme?   

I've already dipped in Kay and it is so sad to read how positive some of these poor men (boys!) were to only sadly meet their demise just days or weeks later.  Complete madness!

 

I'm sure my MIL would love day release but she is quite high maintenance in that she doesn't sit still, she belongs to the church and her local U3A (is that how it's spelt?) runs history and art groups, is constantly visiting places of interest, rambling and theatre going.. we have to book her up weeks in advance, her calendar is as choc a block as mine and the kids!

[chaliepud]

I got on really well with my in-laws too.  They were both lovely people and I miss them very much. 

 

Not much going on in the way of reading here.  I've just been so busy - it's taken me 6 days to read 90 pages of my current book. 

 

ETA: Oops - I thought I was in the book activity thread!

 

I would be devastated to lose Steve's parents almost as much as my own, Steve's Mum is great company (if not a natural grandmother so much, in their opinion she asks too many questions!), and Steve's Dad has been a huge support and source of fun. His nicknames are Captain Granddad - until recently he had boats - and Dangerous Granddad! I love him to bits but his idea of entertaining young grandchildren used to involve things like using garden stakes as javelins and balancing toddlers on high branches for good photo opportunities!   

 

I know how you feel about getting little reading done, my mojo has been lousy lately, i'm now a book behind my GR target whereas at one point I was eight ahead!

[chaliepud]

I'm not married but I get on well with my 'mother-in-law-to-be'. My boyfriend's father has passed away, I met him once.

 

I'm not married either Gaia, we never seemed to get around to it as always seemed to have better things to spend our money on. I'm sorry to hear of your FIL's passing, he can't have been especially old.

[chaliepud]

So glad you got the Bryson book. I found it so interesting ! He answers lots of questions you'd never thought of before .

 

I'm also trying to remember the book I read by Mary Lawson -- just a sec -- Crow Lake !! ( Had to look on amazon , I read it so long ago )

 It was REALLY good -- made the Today Show Book Club that year. Probably why I chose it . I always pick books that win awards or lists like that. I remember really enjoying it,but no clue what iit was about . 2009 .... a long time ago for my brain ...

 

I hope to get to it soon, but the size of it is intimidating my mojo at present, along with all the Stephen King books that my Dad also recommended, he is rather a fan of a tome!

 

I've added Crow Lake to my Goodreads wish list, I'll give it a try if I like the one I have. Thanks Julie. 

[Athena]

I'm not married either Gaia, we never seemed to get around to it as always seemed to have better things to spend our money on. I'm sorry to hear of your FIL's passing, he can't have been especially old.

x

He was in his early 60s I think (not 100% sure). My boyfriend wasn't too sad from it as he's never had a good relationship with his dad. There's a long family history there but safe to say he didn't like his dad much, so it wasn't a big loss to him. It's still sad, though .

 

I have no idea how much a wedding would or could cost (it depends what you do exactly I suppose). I've only ever attended one wedding, my aunt's.

 

I hope to get married to my boyfriend some day, because I like the idea of a marriage, but I don't know much about the costs (could vary between countries too). I did think about who I'd invite and who I wouldn't (because sometimes a girl likes to think about these things, right?).

 

Nothing wrong with not being married though, as long as you and your other half are happy. If you love each other then it doesn't matter what the piece of paper says, you love each other. That's how I see it, anyway. So if we can't afford to get married or won't do it for any other reason, then as long as we love each other, that's fine (although I am looking forward to us living together). What matters at the end of the day is the love .

[pontalba]

x

He was in his early 60s I think (not 100% sure). My boyfriend wasn't too sad from it as he's never had a good relationship with his dad. There's a long family history there but safe to say he didn't like his dad much, so it wasn't a big loss to him. It's still sad, though .

 

I have no idea how much a wedding would or could cost (it depends what you do exactly I suppose). I've only ever attended one wedding, my aunt's.

 

I hope to get married to my boyfriend some day, because I like the idea of a marriage, but I don't know much about the costs (could vary between countries too). I did think about who I'd invite and who I wouldn't (because sometimes a girl likes to think about these things, right?).

 

Nothing wrong with not being married though, as long as you and your other half are happy. If you love each other then it doesn't matter what the piece of paper says, you love each other. That's how I see it, anyway. So if we can't afford to get married or won't do it for any other reason, then as long as we love each other, that's fine (although I am looking forward to us living together). What matters at the end of the day is the love .

 

Even if your BF wasn't close to his father, for those good reasons, it still has to hurt.  Even if BF is only mourning the loss of what could have/should have been. 

 

Re wedding costs, my husband and I circumvented most of that.  We didn't invite anyone, got our paperwork in order, bought the license, and went to the Justice of the Peace and, she married us in a Civil ceremony.   The expense of having all the "stuff" was just too high, and for us, was not worth it.  We were happy with it, and that's what counted.

We'd already told friends and family, and most of them understood and were happy for us.

 

There is one friend that is still (2 years later) miffed at me about it.  However, as far as I am concerned, if someone is a true friend, they accept you and what you want, without judgment or repercussions.

[julie]

Back when we got married, our entire wedding cost $ 1000  . You're just as married if you spend 50 bucks or 50 thousand . I wish we would have done the "dancing down the aisle " like some of the videos now .

 

Both our mothers were REALLY TICKED when we got married (we were 19) .

 

They both said it'd never last.  It's been 36  years ..

 

I think another 40 oughta pretty much wrap it up .    They'll  be right then, won't they ?

[chaliepud]

Our families would be fine with us doing it on the cheap and not inviting anyone. My Dad would just be thrilled he didn't have to make a speech  I think we are kind of past wanting it now, most people assume we are married and our finances are sorted as if we were, and I took Steve's name when our eldest was a baby so not many reasons left to actually do the deed. Plus I told him he'd have to propose properly, that's a sure way of him never doing it!

 

Picked up a few more books in the charity shop today, there were loads I could have bought but I tried to be good. 

 

 

Love in the Time of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Jamaica Inn - Daphne Du Maurier

The Last Werewolf - Glen Duncan

and

Golf - The Cure for a Grumpy Old Man by Peter Alliss for my Dad

 

I've told myself that my news years resolution will be to get my TBR shelves back to one shelf, I feel better now!   

[chaliepud]

Yay!

 

Congratulations Hayley!

 

You are one of our First Reads lucky winners! You will soon receive a free copy of The End of Winter in the mail. Please allow a few weeks for shipping.

[Athena]

Even if your BF wasn't close to his father, for those good reasons, it still has to hurt.  Even if BF is only mourning the loss of what could have/should have been. 

 

Re wedding costs, my husband and I circumvented most of that.  We didn't invite anyone, got our paperwork in order, bought the license, and went to the Justice of the Peace and, she married us in a Civil ceremony.   The expense of having all the "stuff" was just too high, and for us, was not worth it.  We were happy with it, and that's what counted.

We'd already told friends and family, and most of them understood and were happy for us.

 

There is one friend that is still (2 years later) miffed at me about it.  However, as far as I am concerned, if someone is a true friend, they accept you and what you want, without judgment or repercussions.

x

Yes, I suppose that's true.

 

Wow, I agree, if you're a good friend you understand such a thing. Well done on you!

x

Yay!

 

Congratulations Hayley!

 

You are one of our First Reads lucky winners! You will soon receive a free copy of The End of Winter in the mail. Please allow a few weeks for shipping.

x

Congratulations !

[Devi]

Congrats!

 

Also my aunt was married five times, never said again and is happy with her sixth partner. Like you she has taken on her partners last name as all the kids on his and her side are all grown. They are practically married in every other way but paper.

[chaliepud]

Congratulations !

Thanks Gaia, I only entered a couple of hours before I got the email too!  Will try that again!

 

Congrats!

 

Also my aunt was married five times, never said again and is happy with her sixth partner. Like you she has taken on her partners last name as all the kids on his and her side are all grown. They are practically married in every other way but paper.

Thank Devi.. Well, neither Steve or I have been married before but I can understand their feelings. It wouldn't change anything and we're both happy which is all that matters.

[chaliepud]

I just added the new books to my TBR list on the first page of this thread. 76!!! How did that happen??!!   

[bobblybear]

It's so scary how those books quickly count up.   Don't worry though, you are in good company!

[chaliepud]

It's so scary how those books quickly count up.   Don't worry though, you are in good company!

 

Thanks BB, I expect there'll be a few more to add to it after Christmas.. Hey ho!! 

[Kidsmum]

I just added the new books to my TBR list on the first page of this thread. 76!!! How did that happen??!!   

I blame it on the book elves 

 

Thanks BB, I expect there'll be a few more to add to it after Christmas.. Hey ho!! 

 

I certainly hope so, Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without books 

[Athena]

I just added the new books to my TBR list on the first page of this thread. 76!!! How did that happen??!!   

x

Whoopsie! But I'm familiar with the problem.. .