Raven Posted August 1, 2015 Posted August 1, 2015 (edited) So, have you got the latest Wells and Wong yet? ETA: Also made a detour to Waterstone's on the way home and picked up Robin Stevens new Wells & Wong Mystery, First Class Murder, and it was in an offer, so also bought Darkmere by Helen Maslin. Just saw this! Edited August 1, 2015 by Raven Quote
Janet Posted August 1, 2015 Posted August 1, 2015 I still want to work on the rest of the book on my TBR, particularly the tree books as I'd like to get back to my Kindle which I do still find easier to read on. So, no more book buying for you on... say Tuesday for example... then?! Quote
Athena Posted August 1, 2015 Posted August 1, 2015 I've sorted out my TBR list now that most of my books are in storage boxes, and I'm left with 20 books. Can't deny, I'm much happier with this number, and think I can make a good dent in it over the next few weeks. Fortunately, most of the ones in storage are from some of the challenges I'm working on, so it doesn't matter too much as these were always intended as long term reading, but I still want to work on the rest of the book on my TBR, particularly the tree books as I'd like to get back to my Kindle which I do still find easier to read on. Good luck ! Quote
chesilbeach Posted August 1, 2015 Author Posted August 1, 2015 So, have you got the latest Wells and Wong yet? ETA: Just saw this! Started reading it this morning So, no more book buying for you on... say Tuesday for example... then?! Seriously I can't, Janet … the bookshelves in the living room are being dismantled as we speak, there's no room in any of the other bookshelves and we've run out of storage boxes!!! Quote
chesilbeach Posted August 3, 2015 Author Posted August 3, 2015 Resistance is Futile by Jenny T. Colgan Synopsis: Connie's smart. She's funny. But she's only human . . . As a high-ranking mathematician in a male-dominated field - with bright red hair - Connie's used to being considered a little unusual. But she's nowhere near as peculiar as Luke, who is recruited to work alongside her on a top-secret code breaking project. Just what is this bizarre sequence they're studying? It isn't a solution to the global energy crisis. It isn't a new wavelength to sell microwave ovens. The numbers are trying to tell them something . . . and it seems only Luke knows what. The truth is out there. Will Connie dare to find it? Review: A science-fiction book from one of my favourite romantic comedy writers … there is no way I could resist! All the charm and humour of Jenny's romcom's but with a mathematician heroine and a mysterious problem to solve, I loved this book. I loved the characters, the story and the SF elements, an altogether enjoyable novel. Really hope she writes more of them. Quote
chesilbeach Posted August 3, 2015 Author Posted August 3, 2015 C'est Modnifique! by Ian Moore Synopsis: After six years in the idyllic Loire Valley, comedian Ian Moore, his family and their ever-expanding menagerie feel like they’re on the cusp of the peace and tranquility they hoped for when they moved from dreary suburban England. Their grand project, a writing school called Les Champs Créatifs, is finally complete – only, nobody’s signed up. On top of contending with the ever-colourful locals, including a Sicilian faith healer, threatening hunters and the ‘Christmas Pudding Man’, Ian must now test his mod mettle against a pair of disappearing goats. Meanwhile, his family stand back and wonder just how he manages to make things so hard for himself… Review: It was lovely being back in the Loire with mod comedian Ian Moore and his family and their assorted animals. After the first book was all about resettling in a new country, this book was more of their day to day life, and really, more about how the animals of the family rule the show. No matter how many times he says no, his wife always gets her way and more animals find their way in to the family life, but inevitably there are going to be sad goodbyes at times, and this is when Moore reveals how much the animals mean to him to. A lovely memoir to read, plenty of humour with a dollop of sadness mixed in, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Quote
chesilbeach Posted August 3, 2015 Author Posted August 3, 2015 The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender Synopsis: On the eve of her ninth birthday, Rose Edelstein bites into her mother's homemade lemon-chocolate cake and discovers she has a magical gift: she can taste her mother's emotions in the slice. All at once her cheerful, can-do mother tastes of despair and desperation. Suddenly, and for the rest of her life, food becomes perilous. Anything can be revealed at any meal. Rose's gift forces her to confront the truth behind her family's emotions - her mother's sadness, her father's detachment and her brother's clash with the world. But as Rose grows up, she learns that there are some secrets even her taste buds cannot discern. Review: This was a reading group book that I just didn't get on with. I loved the title and the premise, but as I read through the book, I just found it more and more frustrating. It certainly provoked quite a discussion at the group, and I was probably one of the more vociferous in my feelings. I did read it to the end, and I'm glad I did so I could fully participate, but when there is a revelation about one of the characters, it was just a step too far. I could have suspended disbelief for the story of the rest of them, but this one was just too much for me, and if it hadn't been a library book, I might have tossed it across the room. Not for me. Quote
chesilbeach Posted August 3, 2015 Author Posted August 3, 2015 The Bride That Time Forgot by Paul Magrs Synopsis: Necks are being bitten all over Whitby, and only Brenda knows why. She's preparing for a packed festive break at her B&B, but Effie just hasn't been the same since her suave gentleman friend reappeared. Meanwhile, Penny joins a book group in Whitby's new mystery bookstore. As she's drawn into the strange works of Edwardian lady novelist Beatrice Mapp, she makes some surprising discoveries that will impact on all the ladies of Whitby. When unexpected help arrives to illuminate the dangers awaiting them, Brenda realises that unless she finds a way to save Effie, the consequences may be eternal. Review: Oh how good was it to be back with Brenda and Effie! Except, where was Effie? I love the everydayness of these books, and how a supernatural presence could be lurking under the ordinary English seaside town of Whitby. The characters are great, and I love coming back to visit them regularly, but what I love most are my heroines - two old ladies who have bravery, heart and are very comedic at times, whose friendship has given them this new lease of life - but for the most part, Effie is missing. She's at the heart of the story to an extent and Brenda has to save her, but without these two working together, I felt a bit lost at times. Still a very good story, and I did enjoy it, but I'm hoping the next book (which I think is the final one) will bring them back together for a joyous finale to their sleuthing ways. Quote
chesilbeach Posted August 3, 2015 Author Posted August 3, 2015 Winnie-The-Pooh by A. A. Milne Synopsis: Winnie-the-Pooh may be a bear of very little brain, but thanks to his friends Piglet, Eeyore and, of course, Christopher Robin, he’s never far from an adventure. In this story Pooh gets into a tight place, nearly catches a Woozle and heads off on an ‘expotition’ to the North Pole with the other animals. Review: Another book from the English Counties Challenge, and surprisingly, a classic children's book I've never read (I've also never seen the film adaptations either). Winnie-The-Pooh is obviously a well-known, well-loved character, so it's not like I wasn't aware of him, and I'd maybe heard the books read on Jackanory when I was little, but I'd never actually read one myself. What an utterly charming book this was. A delight to read from start to end, and a lovely introduction to all the characters of the Hundred Acre Wood, I can't imagine anyone would fail to fall in love with this book and all the characters in it, and it would make absolutely perfect reading as a bedtime story for young children. Lovely. Quote
Nollaig Posted August 4, 2015 Posted August 4, 2015 Winnie-The-Pooh by A. A. Milne Synopsis: Winnie-the-Pooh may be a bear of very little brain, but thanks to his friends Piglet, Eeyore and, of course, Christopher Robin, he’s never far from an adventure. In this story Pooh gets into a tight place, nearly catches a Woozle and heads off on an ‘expotition’ to the North Pole with the other animals. Review: Another book from the English Counties Challenge, and surprisingly, a classic children's book I've never read (I've also never seen the film adaptations either). Winnie-The-Pooh is obviously a well-known, well-loved character, so it's not like I wasn't aware of him, and I'd maybe heard the books read on Jackanory when I was little, but I'd never actually read one myself. What an utterly charming book this was. A delight to read from start to end, and a lovely introduction to all the characters of the Hundred Acre Wood, I can't imagine anyone would fail to fall in love with this book and all the characters in it, and it would make absolutely perfect reading as a bedtime story for young children. Lovely. I'm delighted you enjoyed this, Pooh Bear was one of the cornerstones of my childhood and I still love the books and cartoons dearly to this day. Quote
Janet Posted August 4, 2015 Posted August 4, 2015 I'm also so glad you loved it. I'm not sure we could ever be friends if you didn't! Talking of which... ...it was so lovely to finally meet you today. We had a great time with the lovely Kay and the equally lovely Alan, didn't we?! The time whizzed by though - I felt we could have sat and chatted for several more hours and not run out of things to say to one another. Quote
poppyshake Posted August 5, 2015 Posted August 5, 2015 Yay for Winnie-the-Pooh .. it's adorable isn't it? The early animated adaptations are sweet .. few liberties taken (they put a gopher in .. though he does have the good grace to tell you he's not in the book ) but the books are special. Lovely to see you and Janet yesterday Claire where does the time go though? Like Janet said it just flew by and we'd only just touched on books and films and things Must do it again! xx Quote
chesilbeach Posted August 5, 2015 Author Posted August 5, 2015 We did have a lovely time! Yes we must, must, must do it again, and this time I'll organise my day off better so that we can meet in the morning … we'll have to make it a coffee morning, lunch, and then afternoon tea affair just to find enough time to chat! Oh, and I'm glad to be a new member of the Winnie-The-Pooh fan club, it's so lovely when a book so many people love, lives up to your hopes when you finally get around to reading it! Quote
Nollaig Posted August 5, 2015 Posted August 5, 2015 Me too, I want to meet everyone! *sits forlornly on her little island* Quote
chesilbeach Posted August 5, 2015 Author Posted August 5, 2015 I wish we could all live much closer … I want to meet you both too! Quote
Athena Posted August 6, 2015 Posted August 6, 2015 It would be great to meet each other! I have met Anna(Begins) and that was great . Quote
poppyshake Posted August 6, 2015 Posted August 6, 2015 We did have a lovely time! Yes we must, must, must do it again, and this time I'll organise my day off better so that we can meet in the morning … we'll have to make it a coffee morning, lunch, and then afternoon tea affair just to find enough time to chat! I am totally up for that!! I agree .. we need more chatting time xx Oh, and I'm glad to be a new member of the Winnie-The-Pooh fan club, it's so lovely when a book so many people love, lives up to your hopes when you finally get around to reading it! True! .. alas, so many don't! Quote
chesilbeach Posted August 8, 2015 Author Posted August 8, 2015 I've had a very good reading week, managing to fit in some evening reading sessions as well as two good afternoon sessions over the last couple of days, and my TBR is starting to look much healthier. I have succumbed to a book that was on the Daily Deal a little while back, but I only picked up my Kindle for the first time today for ages, and only then remembered I'd bought Ayoade on Ayoade by actor and filmmaker Richard Ayoade (Moss from The IT Crowd). This now takes my TBR list to 15, with eight fiction and seven non-fiction. I haven't read any non-fiction of late as I've not been in the mood for it, but I think I really need to start making a dent in them. Also, a couple of the fiction books are part of a series where I haven't read all the earlier books, so that leave me with six fiction and seven non-fiction. I really do have to try and get to those non-fiction books next! Quote
Nollaig Posted August 9, 2015 Posted August 9, 2015 Oooh I didn't know Mr. Ayoade has a book out. He's absolutely brilliant so he is Quote
chesilbeach Posted August 10, 2015 Author Posted August 10, 2015 Oooh I didn't know Mr. Ayoade has a book out. He's absolutely brilliant so he is I started it today - it's very funny. I've laughed out loud a few times already! Quote
chesilbeach Posted August 18, 2015 Author Posted August 18, 2015 *blows cobwebs off thread* Whoops, it's been a week since I posted in here. I've finally decided to subscribe to Audible audio books. I've been listening to lots more audio books recently, and have ended up listening to all my Jane Austen ones again as I'd run out of new ones. I've also got a bit fed up with getting my iTunes to sync the audio books to my phone properly, so thought I'd try the 30 day free trial on Audible. The app worked brilliantly, much easier to get the books on my phone, and I got a free book as a trial, so all good. I've set myself up with a wish list with mostly classics from the English Counties challenge, which are good and long, and would be expensive to buy the full versions of, and because they're a decent length (Lorna Doone is almost 26 hours ) they'll last me for the month between credits. There are also some good offers because I have downloaded Kindle editions of the books, and they offer the Whispersync (I think this may be for Prime members only?) which means I can get the audiobooks at a discounted price too. Quote
willoyd Posted August 18, 2015 Posted August 18, 2015 I've set myself up with a wish list with mostly classics from the English Counties challenge, which are good and long, and would be expensive to buy the full versions of, and because they're a decent length (Lorna Doone is almost 26 hours ) they'll last me for the month between credits. You're doing well - I struggle to get through one a month even, and have just returned to Audible after almost a year off, simply because I haven't managed to keep up! South Riding, my first download since the hiatus, has lasted me well more than a month, and I'm already a long way behind, so will probably have to unsubscribe again soon. Quote
chesilbeach Posted August 19, 2015 Author Posted August 19, 2015 You're doing well - I struggle to get through one a month even, and have just returned to Audible after almost a year off, simply because I haven't managed to keep up! South Riding, my first download since the hiatus, has lasted me well more than a month, and I'm already a long way behind, so will probably have to unsubscribe again soon. A lot of my favourite podcasts have a summer break, so I run out of things to listen to, and the summer is my peak audio book time. An hour commuting every day soon mounts up! Quote
chesilbeach Posted August 28, 2015 Author Posted August 28, 2015 Delighted to see that Robin Stevens series of books have been optioned for television and film adaptation! I've loved the three books in the series so far, and think they could be great on screen. http://www.thebookseller.com/news/stevens-boarding-school-mysteries-set-big-screen-310183 Quote
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