poppyshake Posted February 18, 2015 Posted February 18, 2015 I saw this when I was in Waterstones today and immediately thought of you and Kay. I'm hoping to play it tonight .. wish me luck. I hope I get to marry him Lovely goodies Kylie .. don't they look handsome? I love those Alan Bradley covers .. my copy of Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie is quite different .. but of course I will have to change it now to fit in with the others Quote
Kylie Posted February 22, 2015 Author Posted February 22, 2015 you may as well just accept it now and mentally deduct the book costs from your bank balances Don't you mean that we should deduct the costs from your bank balance? Good .. you must come and we must play it. It's all very well playing it with Alan but he's not going to have the same enthusiasm for marrying Mr Darcy as say .. you and I will Glad to hear it! I'm partially wanting to read this since I enjoyed The Giver a lot, but I really liked the characters in that one and its almost a turn off to the rest of the books that they are different characters. I might consider reading all of them if I knew that in the end they converged. Otherwise I would be left frustrated I don't know if you read my post in The Giver group read thread, but the stories do start to converge. A couple of characters from The Giver appear in the third book, Messenger, along with characters from Gathering Blue. And I know some questions from the third book are answered in the fourth book, Son. I just looked it up, and characters from the first book do indeed appear in the fourth book. I would strongly encourage you to continue with the series. The second and third books are both excellent (especially the third). I've just started reading Son. The Humans and The Mangle Street Murders are both such fun (and funny!) reads. I really hope you like them. Thanks Bobbly! I'm really enjoying The Humans so far. Yay, another Mangle Street Murderer Hmm, I'm not sure how I feel about that title! Quote
Kylie Posted February 22, 2015 Author Posted February 22, 2015 Emoticons culled. Are you a mattress tester? I wish! Sounds like a comfy job. Unless it's those ultra firm mattresses. I would be a mattress tester for soft mattresses only. I've got that same cover for The Humans, it's beautiful . I hope you enjoy all four new books! It is lovely, isn't it? My Mum saw the cover the other day and asked if the book was from the dog's perspective. I said it wasn't and that it was about an alien, but she wouldn't believe me. I offered to read her the synopsis but she refused, so she knew I was right. Luckily she didn't say yes because I re-read the synopsis today and realised it doesn't actually mention an alien! I saw this when I was in Waterstones today and immediately thought of you and Kay. Ooh, that's lovely! Thanks for sharing. Lovely goodies Kylie .. don't they look handsome? I love those Alan Bradley covers .. my copy of Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie is quite different .. but of course I will have to change it now to fit in with the others Ha! I know just what you mean! I have the first edition of The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, below, and it's quite a nice cover in its own right, but of course it doesn't match the cover of my new book, and I can't have that! Also, the cover of the matching edition, to the right, is so very pretty. Quote
poppyshake Posted February 22, 2015 Posted February 22, 2015 Ha! I know just what you mean! I have the first edition of The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, below, and it's quite a nice cover in its own right, but of course it doesn't match the cover of my new book, and I can't have that! Also, the cover of the matching edition, to the right, is so very pretty. Sweetness_At_The_Bottom_Of_The_Pie_Alan_Bradleys.jpg 978075288321220150131-23707-1jqtqiu.jpeg Yep .. that's my two covers too. I liked the original one at the time but these new ones are gorgeous and get more gorgeous with each new book. They know we are suckers for that kind of thing. It's like taking candy from a baby Quote
chesilbeach Posted February 22, 2015 Posted February 22, 2015 It's so frustrating when the change the cover design of a series of books, isn't it? Like when they changed the Thursday Next series at First Among Sequels … even worse that the hardback had the same style as the previous books One of the benefits of Kindling my books in most cases. Quote
poppyshake Posted February 22, 2015 Posted February 22, 2015 It's so frustrating when the change the cover design of a series of books, isn't it? Like when they changed the Thursday Next series at First Among Sequels … even worse that the hardback had the same style as the previous books One of the benefits of Kindling my books in most cases. Arghhhh!! .. that was the most terrible book cover change of all. Has it ever been sorted? .. I still have the wrong one And then they went back to the original designs with the subsequent books I would have marched over that .. I'm a peace loving person but that was almost war Quote
Athena Posted February 23, 2015 Posted February 23, 2015 It's so frustrating when the change the cover design of a series of books, isn't it? Like when they changed the Thursday Next series at First Among Sequels … even worse that the hardback had the same style as the previous books One of the benefits of Kindling my books in most cases. Aaaarrrgh, this is so irksome! Cover changes I mean, not your post . I don't like it when my books don't match on my shelf, particularly in the same series (but sometimes the same author, that is annoying too). Size changes are annoying too, let alone cover + size changes within one series! I feel your, Kay's and Kylie's pain. Quote
Signor Finzione Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 Aaaarrrgh, this is so irksome! Cover changes I mean, not your post . I don't like it when my books don't match on my shelf, particularly in the same series (but sometimes the same author, that is annoying too). Size changes are annoying too, let alone cover + size changes within one series! I feel your, Kay's and Kylie's pain. Ooh, size changes are a real pain! They've done it with Game of Thrones and it spoils the whole look of my shelf. Quote
Athena Posted February 26, 2015 Posted February 26, 2015 Ooh, size changes are a real pain! They've done it with Game of Thrones and it spoils the whole look of my shelf. Aaaargh that's annoying! All the books I have of ASoIaF match one another. I don't know about the future releases though. Quote
Kylie Posted February 28, 2015 Author Posted February 28, 2015 I've read 9 books so far this year, which is far less than some of you, but I'm a little ahead of my target of 50 books, according to Goodreads. Secretly, I hope to read at least 52 books this year, but I had to make my goal 50 because it is a nice round number. Two of those books were ebooks, and therefore not on my TBR pile. After buying zero books in January, I fell off the wagon this month (this seems to be a regular thing each year with me). I mostly blame Poppyshake for her wonderful reviews and the Book Depository for sending me emails telling me books on my wish list had dropped to irresistibly low prices. I ended up buying 13 books (only 11 have been added to my TBR pile, as two are reference books). Also, I'm still waiting for three of them to arrive. So, having read 7 books off my TBR pile and added 11, my pile has increased from 1995 to 1999. I cannot let it get over 2000! I think I can be disciplined this month because I have received/will be receiving some lovely books to keep me away from the temptation of buying more. For the month ahead, I'll be reading Sonnets from the Portuguese by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (for a group read), more of Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond and Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. I don't have plans beyond that because the latter two books are rather long, but I might squeeze in another lighter read if I can. Quote
chesilbeach Posted February 28, 2015 Posted February 28, 2015 Sounds like you've had a good start to the year, Kylie. Poppyshake's reading blog is lethal … I blame her for my growing wish list and TBR too. I reckon if you don't open any Book Depository emails and focus on telling yourself not to buy any more books … even if poppyshake has written a glowing review … you can get back on the wagon for March. In fact, what we need to do is make her read only books we've either already read, or that are already on our TBR lists! Quote
poppyshake Posted February 28, 2015 Posted February 28, 2015 No, no, no!! Not fair!! I'm not to blame .. and a lot of the books I've read Claire lent to me or encouraged me into buying so if anyone is to blame she is I'd write a glowing review of anything .. I thought Piggly Plays Truant was one of the best books I'd ever read I'm reading some good books at the moment but will only be reading turkeys in future Especially if they are part of a larger series .. I can't afford to like them let alone anyone else There is something in the water though, I was hardly tempted at all last year but this year books keep leaping out at me. I'm very happy that the Book Depository doesn't send me emails I've managed to ignore the Book People after being extremely foolish over Somerset Maugham Amazon should make their website more difficult to navigate .. it's all too easy and painless. They should make you pay in buttons or snail shells or something. Also Waterstone's ought to be protected by a Fidelius Charm. I shouldn't even be able to see it! (it'll make having coffee a bit difficult Claire but we'll think of something ) Quote
Kylie Posted March 1, 2015 Author Posted March 1, 2015 Sounds like you've had a good start to the year, Kylie. Poppyshake's reading blog is lethal … I blame her for my growing wish list and TBR too. I reckon if you don't open any Book Depository emails and focus on telling yourself not to buy any more books … even if poppyshake has written a glowing review … you can get back on the wagon for March. In fact, what we need to do is make her read only books we've either already read, or that are already on our TBR lists! Thanks Claire. Although Poppyshake is right (see her first line below)...You are actually to blame for some of my purchases too! Don't think I haven't noticed that some of the my recent acquisitions are books that you originally reviewed and sent her way! Thankfully Poppyshake is currently reading an Agatha Christie that I have already read, but that won't hold her long. I'll only be safe for a day or so, I think! I suppose I could ask the BD not to email me when books on my wishlist have become cheaper, but that seems counterproductive. When I see an email arrive titled 'Wishlist book price drop alert...', I immediately drop everything I'm doing and open it excitedly. No, no, no!! Not fair!! I'm not to blame .. and a lot of the books I've read Claire lent to me or encouraged me into buying so if anyone is to blame she is I'd write a glowing review of anything .. I thought Piggly Plays Truant was one of the best books I'd ever read I haven't dared to click on the link to Piggly Plays Truant yet. It sounds very cute and might be too enticing, even if it is a children's book. Quote
Kylie Posted March 1, 2015 Author Posted March 1, 2015 I started reading The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson today. I was pretty sure I would love it, and sure enough I became completely engrossed and had to tear myself away after the first chapter so I could get back to work. This is the type of book that I just want to drop everything to read. I've already laughed out loud several times (but in a guilty sort of way). Quote
Alexi Posted March 1, 2015 Posted March 1, 2015 Sounds like you're having a great year so far Kylie. My TBR has grown by 15 books so far this year (read 10, acquired 25) so you're doing better than me! I'm hopelessly behind in the "reduce TBR by one" goal! Quote
chesilbeach Posted March 1, 2015 Posted March 1, 2015 Thanks Claire. Although Poppyshake is right (see her first line below)...You are actually to blame for some of my purchases too! Don't think I haven't noticed that some of the my recent acquisitions are books that you originally reviewed and sent her way! Oh no, I can't be to blame … it's not my fault her reviews are brilliant and make everything sound so good! I'll have to stop giving her books, it's the only solution to prevent me getting the blame in future. Quote
Kylie Posted March 1, 2015 Author Posted March 1, 2015 Sounds like you're having a great year so far Kylie. My TBR has grown by 15 books so far this year (read 10, acquired 25) so you're doing better than me! I'm hopelessly behind in the "reduce TBR by one" goal! We both need to practice more self-control then. I'm not a lost cause yet (and I don't think you are, either!) but I do have to be more self-disciplined for at least the next month or so. Oh no, I can't be to blame … it's not my fault her reviews are brilliant and make everything sound so good! I'll have to stop giving her books, it's the only solution to prevent me getting the blame in future. I love that you and Poppyshake keep denying responsibility when there's evidence all over this forum that proves you both wrong! Oh dear, she'll be most upset if her source of so many excellent books (and gift wrap) dries up! And I don't want to be blamed for that! No, you'd best keep doing things as you have been. I'll just have to try harder to resist (or work harder to earn more money to keep buying books ). Quote
Athena Posted March 1, 2015 Posted March 1, 2015 Good luck Kylie, hopefully you can get the ratio of reading vs. buying under control ! P.S. I never knew BD can email you if a book on your wishlist drops in price.. this may be dangerous for me to know (but I've not bought anything online this year yet) Quote
Kylie Posted March 1, 2015 Author Posted March 1, 2015 Thanks Athena. Yep! When you go into your wishlist, there are two settings at the top. Check the box that says 'Email me when prices drop'. I think they just do it when prices drop by a certain amount (otherwise I'd be getting emails every day because of fluctuations in the exchange rate). Quote
Marie H Posted March 1, 2015 Posted March 1, 2015 We both need to practice more self-control then. I'm not a lost cause yet (and I don't think you are, either!) but I do have to be more self-disciplined for at least the next month or so. that most of us could trim down our TBR list A LOT , but the chances of mine are pretty slim from previous experiences Quote
Athena Posted March 1, 2015 Posted March 1, 2015 Thanks Athena. Yep! When you go into your wishlist, there are two settings at the top. Check the box that says 'Email me when prices drop'. I think they just do it when prices drop by a certain amount (otherwise I'd be getting emails every day because of fluctuations in the exchange rate). Thanks Kylie . Quote
Kylie Posted March 3, 2015 Author Posted March 3, 2015 I was snoozin' on the lounge today when the sound of the postie throwing a parcel onto my door mat woke me up. I knew it would be (at least) one of the books I ordered, so I dragged myself off the lounge (I wouldn't have woken up for anything else!) Happily, two of the books I ordered had arrived together: Boris Akunin The Winter Queen Hunter S Thompson Gonzo Letters Vol. 3: Songs of the Doomed Even though I was tired and wanted to go back to sleep, I of course took the time to open my packages and stroke my new books. Literally. The cover of The Winter Queen is gorgeous, and it has a strange sort of softness to it which I love! And to make it even better, it has floppy' binding, which means I can open the book so it's practically flat without worrying about breaking the spine. That's so rare in a book of this size! I was thrilled. If I get around to reading this book this year (which I fully intend to), it will surely be a strong contender for the 'best book cover' at the end-of-year BCF Book Awards. I can't imagine anything beating it! Enough gushing. I have most of the books that Hunter S Thompson ever wrote, including three of the four Gonzo Letters volumes, so I'm really happy to finally have the volume I've been missing! The others were just ones that I picked up over time, and the covers don't necessarily make it clear that they're part of a set, so it was a while before I put together the pieces and realised I had several volumes of a series and was missing one. I bought this from the BD after they informed me that the price had dropped. It had already been really cheap for a while, but then it dropped even further, and I couldn't resist the ridiculously cheap price! Quote
Kylie Posted March 3, 2015 Author Posted March 3, 2015 I've just finished The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson. I had placed this in my book jar as a priority read for this year, but I couldn't wait to read it after Poppyshake's review, so I just jumped in. It was absolutely wonderful! If you're interested in mental health and stories of crazy/weird people, as well as how they're treated in society and mental institutions, you'll find this interesting. Ronson has an engaging way of writing that makes the pages fly by, and the book was very difficult to put down. Partway through reading it I decided to research a bit more about Robert Hare, who invented a widely used checklist for determining whether a person is psychopath. Ronson interviewed him extensively for his book. I found Hare's website, which has published two pieces regarding Ronson's book. One is a general commentary by members of the Psychopathy Society, and the other is a longer piece by Hare himself. People who have read the book might be interested in reading them; I certainly found them interesting! Unfortunately, Hare and other psychologists have not been at all impressed with Ronson's book. They generally seem to think that he has been irresponsible in his flippant use of the checklist to try and diagnose people. I can understand their point, but I don't think most people reading the book would believe that it is quite as simple as that checklist. I think the checklist is basically a summary of a very long book Hare wrote about psychopaths. You have to go on an expensive course and pay even more money to view the book...I would love to be able to read it! Also, Hare mentions that Ronson has taken artistic licence when recounting their interviews, but I could tell when reading the dialogue that it wasn't verbatim. Don't let all of this put you off reading it though! It's such a fascinating look at mental health. I have five other books by Ronson on my TBR pile, which all focus on his meetings with eccentric people. I think I'll read The Men Who Stare at Goats next. Quote
Athena Posted March 3, 2015 Posted March 3, 2015 I hope you enjoy your new books Kylie, and I'm glad your last read was so good too ! Quote
Signor Finzione Posted March 3, 2015 Posted March 3, 2015 I have five other books by Ronson on my TBR pile, which all focus on his meetings with eccentric people. I think I'll read The Men Who Stare at Goats next. Ooh, I've seen the film of that and enjoyed it. I had no idea it was based on a book! It's definitely very quirky, if I remember correctly. Quote
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