Lunacat's reading and other ramblings

Definition of Lunacat:

A mild mannered eccentric known for nonsensical comments, an abundance of animals, and a general love of the absurd and impossibly cute. Creator of crafts. Accident-prone in the extreme.

Mostly reads fantasy, light science fiction, historical fiction and light pre-Georgian history.

Has five cats, a guinea pig, and a horse, and is often visited by many many many ducks.

Resides in rural England, and achieves country-yokeldom by always having mud or straw attached to her body.

May or may not read 75 in 2015!

Currently reading:

Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch
Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
Enemy of God by Bernard Cornwell (audiobook)

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1. The Photograph by Penelope Lively (BAC; a book by a female author)
2. The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman (a book with nonhuman characters)
3. The Secret of Platform Thirteen by Eva Ibbotson (a book with a number in the title)
4. The Writing on the Hearth by Cynthia Harnett (a book from an author you love that you haven't read yet)
5. Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood (a book with a colour in the title)
6. Flying Too High by Kerry Greenwood (a book based or turned into a TV show)
7. Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch

Hi Jenny, found you and .
What a lovely cat welcome. Happy reading in 2015.

Hi Jenny, Looking foward to your 2015 adventures in reading and otherwise.

Welcome back!

Looking forward to seeing what you read.

Good to see you here, Jenny!

Welcome, have fun in the coming year

Well, hello.
*starred*
Happy New Year (or is it too soon? Ah well, I will throw caution to the wind and just go ahead and wish it anyway)

Dropping my star, Jenny.

Just thought I'd share this here:

Dorothy Wordsworth's Christmas Birthday by Carol Ann Duffy, with illustrations by Tom Duxbury.



FIRST, FROST at midnight –
Moon, Venus and Jupiter
named in their places.

Ice, like a cold key,
turning its lock on the lake;
nervous stars trapped there.

Darkness, a hand poised
over the chord of the hills;
the strange word moveless.

The landscape muted;
soft apprehension of snow,
a holding of breath.

Up, rapt at her gate,
Dorothy Wordsworth ages
one year in an hour;

her Christmas birthday
inventoried by an owl,
clock-eyed, time-keeper.

Indoors, the thrilled fire
unwraps itself; sprightly hands
opening the coal.

For she cannot sleep,
Dorothy, primed with herself,
waiting for morning ...

gradual sure light,
like the start of a poem,
its local accent.

Striding towards dawn,
Samuel Taylor Coleridge
swigs at his port wine,

sings a nonsense rhyme,
which Helm Crag learns and echoes
at the speed of sound.

The rock formations –
old lady at piano,
a lion, a lamb.

And, out on a limb,
he skids down a silvered lane
into a sunburst;

a delight of bells,
the exact mood of his heart,
from St Oswald’s Church.
New rime on the grass
where the Wordsworths’ graves will be
at another time.

Not there, then; here, now,
Dorothy’s form on the road
coming to meet him,

in her claret frock,
in her boots, bonnet and shawl,
her visible breath.

Then her arm through his
on the stroll to Dove Cottage;
spiced apples baking.

Wordsworth lies a-bed
in his nightshirt and nightcap,
rhyming cloud with crowd.

The cat at his feet
licks at her black-and-white fur,
rhyming purr with purr.

The kitchen table,
set for this festive breakfast,
an unseen still-life:

cream in a brown jug,
the calmness of bowls and spoons,
one small round white loaf.

And a tame robin,
aflame on the windowsill,
its name in its song.

They walk to the lake,
where Wordsworth skates like a boy,
in heaven on earth;

a tangerine sun
illuminating the hour
into manuscript;

so Dorothy’s gifts
are the gold outlines of hills,
are emblazoned trees;

Coleridge on a rock,
lighting his pipe, votive smoke
ascending the air ...

Nowt to show more fair –
ecstatic, therefore, her stare,
seeing it all in.

Later, the lamps lit
in the parlour, hot punch fumes
in a copper pan.

The feast: mutton pie,
buttered parsnips, potatoes,
a Halifax goose.
Coleridge’s flushed face,
never so vivid again
in Dorothy’s mind.

Loud boots at the porch
and a stout thump on the door
as the Minstrels come,

dangling their tin cans
for a free ladle of ale
after caroling ...

Bring us in good ale,
for that goes down at once-oh!
Bring us in good ale ...

All in each other,
Miss Wordsworth and the poets,
bawling the chorus;

their voices drifting,
in 1799,
to nowhen, nowhere …

but Winter’s slow turn,
and snow in Dorothy’s hair
and on her warm tongue.

Happy end of 2014. I'm looking forward to seeing what you get to in 2015

Beautiful poem

Looking forward to following your reading and crafting adventures in 2015!

>10 lunacat: I like these illustrations.

dropping a star, and loving the illustrations! We are all looking forward to another great year of reading, and sharing what we think and feel about what we're reading. Happy days for us all.

Here we go!! Making my rounds, finding my friends. :)

Stopping by to star your thread, Jenny!

Happy New Reading Year, Jenny! Beautiful Christmas poem, I must get to reading my Carol Ann Duffy book, the last two years were almost poetry-free.

Stopping by to drop off my star, Jenny. Love the cat welcome mat.

One of my stocking fillers was a small volume entitled The Twelve Poems of Christmas, so I thought I'd share one a day for the next twelve days as a good lead in to the New Year.

Christmas in Envelopes

Monks are at it again, quaffing, carousing;
And stage-coaches, cantering straight out of
Merrie England,
In a flurry of whips and fetlocks, sacks and Santas.

Raphael has been roped in, and Botticelli;
Experts predict a vintage year for Virgins.

From the theologically challenged, Richmond Bridge,
Giverny, a lugger by moonlight, doves. Ours

Costs less than these in money, more in time;
Like them, is hopelessly irrelevant,
But brings, like them, the essential message

love

___

U. A. Fanthorpe (1929-2009)

I raced through The Martian by Andy Weir last night and this morning, and despite most (read: all) of the science being far far far over my head, it was as good as those who recommended it said it was.

A likable protagonist, a fascinated premise, good supporting characters and a well paced plot with no inevitable conclusions meant I was hooked. What more do you want from a book? No Earth-shattering literature or lyrical prose but wonderful nonetheless.

Dropping in to say hello and add a star. I've got The Martian on my list too - my husband recommended it, but I've lost trust in his sci-fi recommendations these days, it's taken the overwhelming support of many LTers to bring me around to the idea!

A slightly odd top four list of 2014, where I haven't read that many books during that time and none for the first five or six months of the year. I'm thoroughly enjoying being back in the swing of things but because I didn't start charting any reading until perhaps October, I'm going from memory alone. And I'm still ruminating on my fifth choice, but have made no absolute decisions yet.

These are in no particular order:

Shaman by Kim Stanley Robinson



I adore and am endlessly fascinated by prehistory, and this unique novel of the Ice Age is the only book I pre-purchased all year. A brilliantly written, touching and illuminating look at life in Ice Age Europe, and how humans understood the world around them.

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel



From my first choice, far in the mists of time, I then jump to this - a clever novel weaving lives and stories both pre and post-disaster, the apocalypse in this case coming as a virulent and deadly flu that kills 98% of the world. Beautifully written and well crafted.

Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden



A YA novel, where seven teenagers go off to the bush and have their lives irrevocably alter in the meantime, as war and invasion happen around them. Forced to adapt quickly and change dramatically, they struggle to survive, and act in ways none of them thought possible.

The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson



Eccentric. Bizarre. Ridiculous. Hilarious. Impossible to describe but highly enjoyable, and a wonderful surprise.

Dang! All these people and their top lists are riddling me with BB's. I'm so dead...ha!

Shaman sounds totally up my alley. Thanks Jenny! :)

>22 lunacat: I haven't read that particular Kim Stanley Robinson, but I do love him, especially the Mars Trilogy. Have you read those? I also really like The Memory of Whiteness, which is pretty strange, but it's worth a read.

Also, very happy that you enjoyed The Martian!

Wasn't Station Eleven good? And I'm glad to see your positive reaction to The Hundred-Year-Old Man; I got a big kick out of it, too.

>20 lunacat: Nice response to The Martian, luna! I agree on all counts.

>2 Ameise1: Hi Barbara, and thank you for visiting. Hopefully I won't have a repeat of last year and not finish a book until June.

>3 avatiakh: Hi Kerry. Well, I've got a Rome adventure in May to look forward to, and I'm sure a few 'adventures' with Connie as well, so things shouldn't be dull.

>4 drneutron: Thanks Jim!

>5 The_Hibernator: Fingers tightly crossed for some good reads to share here Rachel, and that I don't get stuck in too many book funks. Sadly far too easy for me to get caught by one.

>6 kidzdoc: Hey Darryl, thanks for stopping by my humble abode.

>7 xymon81: Hi!

>8 LovingLit: Hi Megan. I don't think it's too early, particularly on a 2015 thread :)

>9 Crazymamie: Hi Mamie :)

>11 Kassilem: Hi Melissa. I'm hoping for some productive reading, but not counting my chickens!

>12 xymon81: Thanks. Apparently I'm feeling literary.

>13 DorsVenabili: Gorgeous, aren't they? I wasn't overly enamored by the poem but the illustrations are something else.

>14 maggie1944: Happy days indeed. There is something special about the promise of a New Year, unspoiled by life getting in the way.

>15 jolerie: Hi Val, thanks for the pretty stars. Buckle up :)

>16 lkernagh: Hi Lori! Thanks for the visit.

>17 Deern: Thanks Nathalie. The illustrations made it for me, as I wasn't a huge fan of the poem. I think I've got all Duffy's Christmas poems though, they get released as neat little books with lovely illustrations in time for Christmas, and Santa kindly gifts the latest to me each year.

>18 souloftherose: Thanks for the star Heather. Good to see you.

>21 evilmoose: Hi Megan. I'm not a huge sci-fi lover as I get overawed by any science bits very easily (my brain simply doesn't process it well) but as long as I can muddle along with whatever science I need to to enjoy the plot, it's OK. The Martian certainly had a decent amount of specifics in it but I glossed over them and the explanations were enough to get the general idea of what was going on.

>23 jolerie: Shaman is probably the book I've thought back to the most this year Val, and will possibly do a re-read next year (2015) as it's incredibly dense and detailed and I raced through it so missed a lot.

>24 DorsVenabili: I keep meaning to get to the Mars trilogy as I have it on my Kindle, but I end up distracted by other things. I think I have an underlying fear of sci-fi, whereas I always want more prehistoric books, so it was a no-brainer for this to be my first by him. I've WL The Memory of Whiteness but whether I'll ever get to it is another matter.

>25 jnwelch: Very very good Joe. And the Hundred Year Old Man was an unexpected treat, and had the right amount of quirkiness to get me back into the flow, reading wise.

>26 bluesalamanders: Thanks!

Father Christmas brought me a teeny-tiny (two inches tall) volume of Confucius sayings so I thought I'd share one a day until I run out, much like the twelve poems of Christmas.

The opening one:

Virtue is more to man than either water or fire. I have seen men die from treading on water and fire, but I have never seen a man die from treading the course of virtue.

Not sure I agree, as history is full of people going to their deaths virtuously, but who am I to argue with Confucius?

Nice top four list, Jenny. I'll definitely read Station Eleven, and The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared sounds interesting as well.

Confucius clearly wasn't surrounded by many virtuous people.

>1 lunacat: In praise of mild mannered eccentrics, I'll definitely be along for the ride, Jenny.

Oh, I first read Tomorrow, when the war began as a teenager growing up in Australia. I loved it. And I've actually been hiking/scrambling with my now-husband-then-boyfriend around the area which Marsden used as the inspiration for Hell and Taylor's Stitch. Very fun, and a gorgeous remote area!

Stopped by to add a star. love the name!

There goes my lovely peace and quiet *sigh*. My housemates/landlords (best friend and her husband) arrived home late last night having been away for Christmas. Of course I missed them, but I have to admit I enjoyed the silence and lack of disruption far more than I thought I would.

So far this morning, both TVs have been on pretty much constantly (I only had the TV on classical music over the holidays), a lot of my stuff has been moved ('tidied') and I haven't had a moment to be able to sit down and read. I love them dearly, and of course it's great to have a roof over my head for a non-exorbitant price, but I certainly won't be dissuading them from taking more breaks away.

__________

Today Confucius says:

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

The Christmas poem is:

Christmas Sparrow

The first thing I heard this morning
was a soft, insistent rustle,
the rapid flapping of wings
against glass as it turned out,

a small bird rioting
in the frame of a high window,
trying to hurl itself through
the enigma of transparency into the spacious light.

A noise in the throat of the cat
hunkered on the rug
told me how the bird had gotten inside,
carried in the cold night
through the flap in a basement door,
and later released from the soft clench of teeth.

Up on a chair, I trapped its pulsations
in a small towel and carried it to the door,
so weightless it seemed
to have vanished into the nest of cloth.

But outside, it burst
from my uncupped hands into its element,
dipping over the dormant garden
in a spasm of wingbeats
and disappearing over a tall row of hemlocks.

Still, for the rest of the day,
I could feel its wild thrumming
against my palms whenever I thought
about the hours the bird must have spent
pent in the shadows of that room,
hidden in the spiky branches
of our decorated tree, breathing there
among metallic angels, ceramic apples, stars of yarn,

its eyes open, like mine as I lie here tonight
picturing this rare, lucky sparrow
tucked into a holly bush now,
a light snow tumbling through the windless dark.

Billy Collins

Wow! I finally made it over here! Happy New Beginnings, Jenny! I have enjoyed socializing with you over the past couple of months. Let's continue.

I am so glad you loved The Martian. That was easily one of the highlights of 2014.

I love your definition of Lunacat. Perfect.

That Billy Collins poem made me smile this morning. The really cold weather does make one think about the beasties who live in it all year around, cold or not. I loved the memory of feeling the little beastie in the towel. Billy Collins does write poetry which is wonderfully accessible to those, like I, who have little comprehension of all all poetry.

Happy Tuesday! I have only to give my Niece my car this morning as she'll take it to her dealership where they'll do the necessary regular maintenance, and I get to sit at home and pretty much do whatever I want today! Love it!

And as you, my housemate is here, but I think she is taking off this morning for about a week away! Yup, gotta love the quiet times as well as the help which the housemate is when she is here. Yesterday, she did a major vacuuming and I love that because then - I do not have to do it. Or much of it. The dogs do bring in the outdoors so an occasional spot vacuuming is not a bad thing. Ying and Yang, I guess.

I loved The Martian too, Jenny. So clever and interesting. It was definitely one of my favorites for the year. Imagine they will make a film of it, but I expect that it will not do justice to the book.

>20 lunacat: I loved The Martian too - sometimes I just want a book that pulls me in and makes me feel good which this one did.

Lamentation by C. J. Sansom



Sixth in the Shardlake series, and the King is slowly dying surrounded by a court of religious paranoia and persecution, intrigue and the fighting of various factions as they try to gain the upper hand before the King departs the mortal coil. Starting with a burning, the violence and vehemence with which people held to their beliefs is quickly established, and brutally demonstrated.

Caught up in this is Catherine Parr, battling with her own religious demons and desperate not to be a pawn in various peoples' games. With knowledge of her predecessors' mistakes, things become fraught, and when a vital document with incriminating evidence against her goes missing, Shardlake is brought it to try and find it. Half a page of the manuscript is found in the grip of a murdered man, and as more people disappear, tensions rise.

Sansom's immense talent for detail and setting meant this was full of tension and taut atmospheres, and the fear of separate sects and their machinations were brilliantly done. However, I found myself slightly bogged down at various points by differing possibilities and unable to keep track of all the threads of plot and potential. This is definitely a book that requires either complete concentration or a re-read to fully appreciate.

Without the absolute brilliance of others in the series, and a little too embedded in the uppermost levels of the realm and lacking enough of the common touch, this was still a wonderful and gripping read. For my own personal preference, I could have done with slightly less religion and monarchy, and slightly more real life thrown in, but it illuminated the setting and feel of the period and it's events in a way no other novel I've read has.

So apparently certain areas of my anatomy are expanding. Having spent the last 15 minutes sewing up a sizable (think palm sized) hole in the crotch of my thermals, I stood up, pulled them up and they promptly split again. The sewing held fine, they simply split along either side of my darn!

Alas, I fear new thermals for the new year may be in order.

On the plus side, I got to put on the snazzy riding socks Father Christmas brought me, and am now off to ride my terrible beast, who hasn't done any proper work since last Wednesday. I might need some luck on my side.

LOVE the socks!!

Hello Jenny,
congrats to the new beginnings in 2015. Shall our reading, crafting, knitting, cooking and our pet stories continue :)

The Martian and Station Eleven are both on my TBR for 2015!

Love the definition of Lunacat.

Lovely Billy Collins poem, Jenny, and great riding socks. I like that Lunacat definition, too - seems to fit with the teller of algae and sloth tales I met over at the cafe. Rural England - I bet it's beautiful where you are. Even with the return of the lovable disrupters, I hope you're having an enjoyable holiday season.

Great socks! Give Connie a loving pat for me.

>34 msf59: Hi Mark, glad you made it here. Yup, definitely enjoyed The Martian, although it perhaps doesn't have the staying power that other books do in terms of making you think of it days or weeks later. Still good though.

>35 maggie1944: I haven't come across Billy Collins work before but I might investigate. I'm not terribly interested in poetry, but sometimes I like it.

Yeah, housemates are great for some things. She does all the cooking which saves me living off microwave meals, and she has come back and launched into a whirlwind of cleaning, but now nothing is where I left it! Good and frustrating in equal measure.

>36 Fourpawz2: I think it would be a far better film than a lot that are attempted from books. At least it's got a nice clear plot line, and doesn't rely so much on inner thoughts and nuances that get lost on screen.

>37 souloftherose: I was surprised to like it, although a bit frustrated I couldn't follow more of the science, but I was expecting not to so I just glossed over those aspects and gleaned the basic points.

>40 Crazymamie: Thanks Mamie. Best Friend and I both got the same ones, though from separate people. There is a new discount supermarket here and it's great for fun things like that. I stayed fairly warm, which isn't too bad when I wasn't being overly active and my car informed me it was freezing.

>41 drachenbraut23: Hey Bianca :) I think you'll enjoy both books when you get to them. Hopefully the lunacat definition sums me up well enough.

>42 jnwelch: It's been a surprisingly enjoyable festive season Joe, thank you. The right balance of socialising with family and having my own space.

This is a photo from my ride about 2 hours ago - even with the mud it can still be pleasant.



__________

I'm currently stuck under a cat with no book in reach. Disaster! Hopefully he'll either get off, or someone will come and save me soon, or I might be forced to go Amazon shopping instead ;)

Hi Jenny, I see that you need to master the accio spell to summon your book:) My cat has a knack for coming to sit on me just when I need to get up and do something else. I think it's designed to make me feel like a terrible, unfeeling person. When I settle in with a book that cat is nowhere to be found.

Happy New Year to you!

Oh, no, to be caught "cat lapped"! Perhaps you could use a Kindle app for your computer so you could pull a book up on the computer when caught without a real paper/cardboard book.

I'm alternating sitting on the sofa adrift in sleeping dogs to read LT on the computer with sitting in my bed reading my Kindle or one of several other books in an array about me. Lovely sunny, but cold, day here. One for reading all day if possible. I might have to venture out to grab a latte from Starbucks and then back to the real work of reading.

Today's gorgeous view. Although shortly after this Connie got a bee in her bonnet about something and I didn't have another peaceful moment on my ride.

Happy New Year and Thread! Lovely pics of the landscape. Your socks are nice too!

>38 lunacat: Great review! I wasn't blown away by the first in this series (although I liked it fine), but everyone says it gets better, so I may try the second.

>47 lunacat: Lovely! And happy New Year!

>49 DorsVenabili: The first is definitely the weakest of the series, and the only one I haven't read multiple times. I'm looking forward to reading 2-5 again, and then this one as a reread at some point. I think it would definitely improve if I hadn't raced through it, and I'd be able to appreciate the brilliant atmosphere produced.

Happy new year, Jenny! I lost your thread last year and almost vanished from LT but this year I have great intentions and will try to keep up.

Funny that you have just finished Lamentation because I am in the middle of Heartstone and loving it. I've owned it for over three years after racing through the first four books in the series.

Nice socks!

This is what my New Year's Eve is currently looking like:

So, off to a good start! I love the photos that you posted from your rides with Connie - beautiful!

>47 lunacat: what a beautiful picture... wish I was enjoying that! but I'm at work today :(

May all your wishes come true.

Edited because it was an unnecessary rant.

Happy New Year Jenny. :) Dropping a star off and wishing you all the best in the new year.

Jenny, I'm so glad you are back to posting on LT. I remember you from the pre-horse days. Connie is a beauty. Thanks for sharing pictures taken on horseback. I love that tree. I think trees in the winter have their own special beauty. I look forward to some more Christmas poems. Big fan of Billy Collins. He almost always makes me smile.

Happy New Year Jenny!

Happy New Year, Jenny! I'm looking forward to hanging out with you again in 2015!



(This so reminded me of your last thread's topper.)

Happy New Year, Jenny!

Dropping a star and wishing you a Happy New Year, Jenny - one in which your housemates take lots of trips!

Jenny,



Happy New Year from your friend in Kuala Lumpur

Jenny, I wish you a wonderful and better 2015!

Thank you so much Mamie, Jennifer, Barbara, Jenn, Donna, Rachel, Mary, Amy, Meg, Paul, Bianca.

My New Year appears to have started off with an irritating cough and some pain when I breathe in, but hopefully it's just a cold and it will settle soon.

It's rather windy out and I need to ride Connie this afternoon but that is never a good combination - let's hope my New Year doesn't start with an A&E visit!

I'll leave a New Year's Poem here while I go and do the rounds, and then settle down with a book before going off to battle Madam Connie. I started The Queen's Agent: Francis Walsingham at the Court of Elizabeth I last night, and I'll be listening to Enemy of God while I ride.

The Year

What can be said in New Year rhymes,
That’s not been said a thousand times?

The new years come, the old years go,
We know we dream, we dream we know.

We rise up laughing with the light,
We lie down weeping with the night.

We hug the world until it stings,
We curse it then and sigh for wings.

We live, we love, we woo, we wed,
We wreathe our brides, we sheet our dead.

We laugh, we weep, we hope, we fear,
And that’s the burden of the year.

Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1910)

So sorry you're feeling unwell. Get well soon.

I'm off to ride in winds gusting up to 50mph. Wish me luck! (I may decide discretion is the better part of valor and choose not to).

>68 Ameise1: Thanks Barbara

>69 lovelyluck: & >71 ronincats: Thanks to both of you!

____________

The first book of the year has been purchased. Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor, a time travel adventure novel it seems. I thought it was worth a shot at 99p.

I'm feeling increasingly ill which isn't quite how I'd anticipated starting the New Year. A sore throat, ticklish chest and tiredness has now turned into a dry annoying cough, a lost voice, pain when breathing in, lethargy and being unable to get warm. It doesn't feel like a cold as I have no runny nose, sneezing etc, but I definitely don't feel quite right.

I don't even feel like reading so I'm curled on the sofa, right against the radiator, watching endless episodes of Friends and browsing Amazon.

Happy New Year!


Phooey to the cold plaguing your first day in the year, Jenny. I hope you manage to shake it soon.

Happy New Year! I'm sorry it's starting off on the wrong foot with bronchitis or flu or whatever plague is trying to take hold. I hope you feel better very soon.

I liked The Queen's Agent when I read it a couple of years ago. I hope it works as well for you.

More phooey to your cold, Jenny. Hope it passes soon. Maybe it's like rain on a wedding day - a sign of a wonderful year ahead for you.

Happy New Year, Jenny! Feel better soon!

>72 lunacat: Sorry to hear that you're not well Jenny. I came down with what I'm assuming was sinusitis on Monday - I say assuming as I've never had it before and I initially thought it was a cold. But on Tuesday morning when I got up it felt like someone had punched me on the nose (not that I've ever been punched on the nose, but it was how I imagined it would feel) and I was seriously considering if it was possible to have broken my nose without noticing. But then I realised what it was and started taking some Sinutab, and now it's fine as long as I take them regularly.

Hoping you feel better soon, Jenny!

>50 lunacat: Good to have that confirmed by you!

Please feel better soon!

And Happy New Year!

>73 cameling: Thanks Caro. I've at least managed one goal and wasn't admitted to hospital in 2014, but sadly the last year I managed that (2011) was followed by a very bad year so fingers crossed it doesn't repeat itself!

>74 cbl_tn: Thanks Carrie. I read the grand total of 4% about Walsingham last night and haven't been able to connect my brain today thanks to the plague, but hopefully I'll get back to it at some point.

>75 jnwelch: We can only hope Joe. It's reaching plague like proportions with fever, chills and an elephant sitting on my chest, so if the illness levels are anything to go by, it's going to be a fab year.

>76 scaifea: Thanks Amber. I saw about your pink eye. How about we swap, I'll have pink eyes and you can have my chest elephant ;)

>77 SandDune: Sinusitis doesn't sound like much fun. Hopefully it will soon be cleared up and you'll feel back to normal even without popping pills.

>78 Fourpawz2: Thanks Charlotte. Fingers crossed.

>79 DorsVenabili: I'm trying! Think it's going to get worse before it gets better but maybe I'll wake up tomorrow miraculously cured.
_________________

Nothing I was currently reading appealed so I've started The Invisible Library, which is good, light-hearted adventure so far.

Hope you feel better soon, Jenny!
Dropping off my star and wishing you all the best in 2015!!!

The Martian is great fun!

Jenny--Best wishes for a happy, healthy year filled with good friends and books. (Emphasis on the healthy for right now.) : )

Oh no, sick is not the way to start the new year! Here is hoping your are feeling better real soon!

I am chiming in with good wishes for you, a get well mojo, and that all this happens right away. I think one day of feeling "not good" is sufficient! I hope you feel much better today, and absent that, I hope you feel OK about staying under covers, drinking hot tea with lemon and honey, and doing whatever else is likely to help this "bug" find its good and plenty ending!

Jenny, I'm sorry to read that the lurgy's got you. I hope the elephant moves soon and it doesn't linger.

So sorry to find that you are not feeling well, Jenny. Hoping that you are feeling less yucky today.

Oh, Jenny - I send you lots of good healing mojos from Germany, so that you can get quickly better.
I hope you are getting warmed by your cats and that you drink lots of lemon with honey or freshly grated ginger with honey.

>81 EBT1002: Great to see you stopping by Mary.

>82 banjo123: I was surprised at how much I liked The Martian but I'm glad I did.

>83 Berly: Thanks Kim. I'll let my body know about the healthy ;)

>84 lkernagh: I'm hoping too! Thanks.

>85 maggie1944: Unfortunately it's not a 24hr thing and is now firmly resident in my chest. I'm very very rarely ill, and certainly not something like this where it isn't just a cold, so hopefully I'll shake it off soon. There are advantages though, in that I'm not a streaming, disgusting mess of sneezes and splutters!

>86 susanj67: Elephant sadly still situated. Maybe another nap will encourage it to shift a little.

>87 Crazymamie: Thanks Mamie. More yucky alas, not less, but perhaps today will be rock bottom and I'll be on my way up tomorrow.

>88 drachenbraut23: Thanks Bianca. I have been sadly forsaken by the cats because I'm coughing so much, and I have no energy to get lemon and honey, but I'm about to drag myself upstairs for another nap so maybe that will rejuvenate me.

Today's poem is the first verse of a longer poem by Ogden Nash that made me smile this morning.

Winter Complaint

Now when I have a cold
I am careful with my cold,
I consult a physician
And I do as I am told.
I muffle up my torso
In woolly woolly garb,
And I quaff great flagons
Of sodium bicarb.
I munch on aspirin,
I lunch on water,
And I wouldn’t dream of osculating
Anybody’s daughter,
And to anybody’s son
I wouldn’t say howdy,
For I am a sufferer
Magna cum laude.
I don’t like germs,
But I’ll keep the germs I’ve got.
Will I take a chance of spreading them?
Definitely not.
I sneeze out the window
And I cough up the flue,
And I live like a hermit
Till the germs get through.
And because I’m considerate,
Because I’m wary,
I am treated by my friends
Like Typhoid Mary.

Ogden Nash

Good luck with your nap Jenny, sorry to hear that you are foresaken by the cats.

Love that poem. Being treated like Tyhoid Mary. :)

Hope you will feel better soon.

>89 lunacat: Love the Ogden Nash poem. I have his collected works somewhere and I must go and see if he has one about kidney stones! Get better soon dear lady.

Leah put this on her thread and I had to share it here:



Meanwhile I'm stuck in the combined hell of 'that time of the month' (and the excruciating pain I get with it once every three or four months) and what I now assume is bronchitis. I'm really really enjoying the beginning of this wonderful year.

Love the poem and the new drinking norm. The good news is that if the year starts off poorly, it can only get better! Sending get well mojo.

>92 lunacat: I have on numerous occasions and often with quite platonic intentions bought books in stores for ladies. I do very much enjoy the thrill of giving.

Happy New Year Jenny, hope you feel better soon.

Thanks for the recommendation of Shaman, I love KSR and had forgotten that this one had been published.

Pain when breathing in sounds like a lower respiratory infection, like bronchitis or pneumonia, and/or an asthma attack. I would suggest getting seen today or tomorrow if you're not getting better, or sooner if you're getting worse or having fever and/or difficulty breathing.

Feel free to send me a PM or text message if I can be of any help. I pray that you get better soon.

Belated Happy New Year, Jenny!
Sorry about that nasty flu/bronchitis thing and I hope you'll feel much better soon.

Hello Jenny! Happy New Year. I hope to follow the threads more religiously this year.

How true about the bar/bookstore. I bet you would meet some great quaility people that way.

I like your bar/bookstore line. It reminds me of a time in college where I did meet a guy at Barnes and Noble. We went out on a few dates, but it did not work out. Sadly, I did not get any books out of that encounter either!

>94 PaulCranswick: Heh, I like that it's only "often" with platonic intentions :) Yet noone has ever bought be a book in a bookstore either - le sigh. One can hope.

>101 evilmoose: When we meet up eventually Megan I can guarantee you that I will buy you a book in a bookstore - platonically of course!

Have a healthy weekend Jenny and please take Darryl's advice if symptoms persist. xx

Oh, Jenny, I'm so sorry to hear you are so miserable. Please follow Darryl's advice.

Thank you so much everyone for your concern, you have no idea how much I appreciate it. I'm probably being a bit whiny and pathetic about how bad I feel but I'll try to persevere and stop mentioning it!

>90 drachenbraut23: The nap didn't really work Bianca and the cats are still avoiding me - I'm definitely Typhoid Mary. Oh well, I'll live.

>91 PaulCranswick: I'd love to see an Ogden Nash poem about kidney stones, I imagine it would be brilliant!

>93 Berly: Can indeed only get better - fingers crossed.

>94 PaulCranswick: Of course they are just platonic intentions Paul. I believe you ;)

>95 calm: I haven't read any other KSR but I plan (bizarre given that I NEVER plan my reading) to remedy that this year.

>96 kidzdoc: Thanks for the advice Darryl. I've never had asthma so I'm guessing not that. I'll see how I feel on Monday as to whether I bother a doctor or not but hopefully I'll have started improving by then.

>97 Deern: Thanks Nathalie, much appreciated.

>98 Whisper1: Hi Linda, and thanks for stopping by. Hopefully things will enable you to be more present but I'm sure we all understand why you're not.

>99 xymon81: Maybe I need to start approaching young men in bookshops and offering to pay for their purchases. If they are at all gentlemanly, they won't let me, so I shouldn't lose anything ;)

>100 jayde1599: That's not a successful bookshop encounter! Maybe it's not the way forward after all.

>101 evilmoose: I wonder how many hours I'd have to put in, in order to get a book out for someone ;)

>102 PaulCranswick: I hope the same offer applies to all of us Paul, and you're not just picking favorites!

>103 ronincats: Thanks Roni. I'm feeling slightly perkier this morning (though no healthier) but I'm sure I'll get more and more miserable as the day goes on. I'm making the most of having a little bit of energy.

Happy Saturday, Jenny! I hope you have an R & R weekend ahead of you. How is the weather there?

Feeling better today, Jenny? I certainly hope so.

>106 msf59: Thanks Mark - the weather is miserable, gray and rainy, and quite chilly too. I'm supposed to be doing Connie this afternoon but we'll see, I might ask the girls at the yard to do her instead.

>107 scaifea: Sadly not Amber, but at least it seems confined to my chest so it's not too bad.

Oh Jenny, poor girl, get well soon. Gentle weekend greetings and sending you a load of healing vibes.

1. The Photograph by Penelope Lively 320pages (BAC)



When Glyn finds a photo haphazardly filed among his belongings, in an file marked as important but with the photograph itself marked to be destroyed, he sets himself off on a journey of discovery and revelation.

In the photo, his wife is holding hands with another man, in a lover's grasp. As Glyn speaks to those who knew Kath and they deal with their own memories of her, perceptions of the dead woman change and they each try to match the hints left in their recollections with their new knowledge.

Lively creates characters with believable flaws and attributes, revealing them piecemeal through their reactions to Kath and her attitude towards life, as well as in their responses to the photograph. The downside of these flawed people is that I found it difficult to care about them as individuals, and while I had interest in where the story would take them I had no emotional need to find out. Even Kath, whom we know from the beginning is deceased and who turns out to have far more depth than her family and friends believed, is difficult to care about.

While this is expert story-telling, and produced well rounded and believable characters with individualism, I was left a little cold and flat in my responses to them. For me it was a good read, but not a brilliant one.

>110 lunacat: Jenny, very nice review. I'm glad that in the end it turned to a good read for you.

>92 lunacat: Love it! I just posted in on FB. >110 lunacat: I love the cover of that book. Very alluring.

>110 lunacat: Excellent review, Jenny. Hope you start feeling much better soon, and that you get to enjoy the weekend as much as possible. Take a break from hauling huge quantities of weird food into the kitchen for trying out your centuries-old recipes, don't you think?

>105 lunacat: Jenny, maybe we should both just try a variety of outfits and bookshops, perhaps just standing around looking wistful. Bursting into tears in longing for a book sounds more likely to alarm than encourage spontaneous book purchase from onlookers.

And oooh nooo! All of these reviews coming in for The Photograph are leading to it sneaking it's way onto my To Read list... is this what a book bullet is? I feel I need to read it quite soon.

Hi, Jenny! Hope you're feeling better today. Sorry about your gloomy weather, which can't help but lower your mood, I'm sure. Will it help if I tell you that it's only about 2F above freezing here, and that snow is predicted within the hour? And that I'm still sore from my trip to NYC? :) I'm just thankful for the full-spectrum lamp I have for Nickel (parrots who originate from equatorial regions need sunlight every day), which I borrow occasionally when I feel more-than-usually depressed, especially during winter.

Speaking of depressed, that poem in >67 lunacat: was enough to make me want to turn the full-spectrum lamp on full blast on myself! I much prefer the Ogden Nash offering (>89 lunacat:) ~ Typhoid Mary indeed!

>109 Ameise1: & >111 Ameise1: Thanks for the healing vibes, and for the nice snowy pony. It reminds me of the days going to get fluffy ponies in from the field and finding them covered with frost and icicles in their manes and on their whiskers.

>112 The_Hibernator: I always try and pick the cover I've got, or the one I like the look of most. This time it was the cover on Overdrive that I used.

>113 jnwelch: Not enjoying the weekend much Joe, in fact I'm feeling rather blue, over and above feeling unwell, so I'll certainly stop lugging unnecessary food around.

>114 evilmoose: Love the idea of that research :) I wonder if we could get it funded by a scientific or psychological society - they pay for the clothes and for the occasional book to get the ball rolling.

>115 Storeetllr: Gloomy weather definitely not improving things, I'm been thoroughly miserable today, not helped by some disturbing dreams. Maybe tomorrow will be a better day.
____________

So today I've managed 0 things achieved, 0 pages read, and 0 happy thoughts. I'm full of the joys, and horrible and twisted dreams meant it started badly and went downhill from there. I know this is post-Christmas blues, that I hate January, that being ill doesn't help, that whining doesn't help, but today I've just been bloody miserable and I hate it.

Hope you feel better soon, Jenny! Do nice things for yourself as much as you can. Make fun of that guy at the book cafe if it will help any.

Hi Jenny. I hope you're feeling well soon and tomorrow's a better day. I really enjoyed your review of The Photograph - have just downloaded 2 Penelope Lively novels from the library for the BAC.

Well dang, Jenny. I'm sorry you've had such a rotten day. Here's hoping tomorrow is much, *much* better!

Oh, Jenny! I'm so sorry to read about your day as well. Please take care.

>110 lunacat: I appreciate your comments on this one. It's on my TBR pile. I loved Moon Tiger, but that's the only Lively I've read.

>110 lunacat: - Great review, Jenny! I have decided to read one of Lively more YA offerings for BAC but I am taking notes of all of the other books being read, for potential future reading.

>116 lunacat: - As a January baby, I am not overly taken with my birth month and commiserate with you.

Hi Jenny
I'm stopping by to say I hope you are feeling better today.

Hi, Jenny! I hope you feel better soon.

Hoping Sunday proves better than Saturday. Get well soon!

Thank you Joe, Cushla, Amber, Kerri, Lori, Linda, Terri, Kim and Stasia.

I've woken up in a slightly better head space, not assisted by insomnia keeping me awake until 3.30am-ish, but I then slept on and off till lunchtime so at least I got some sleep, and no weird disturbing dreams.

Thank you so much for your support and kindness though. I don't want my thread to turn into a self-made pity party so I'll endeavor to be more cheerful!

2. The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman 337 pages



Irene works for the Library, a vast institution separate from the usual laws of time and space, and connecting many alternate worlds. Her job is to go into the worlds and bring rare and unique books back for her superiors, to enable them to be protected and studied.

Given an assignment to fetch a copy of Grimm's fairy tales she, along with her student Kai, are warned of the need for speed. But when they arrive in the alternate it exists in, they find they are not the only people hunting for the book.

A steampunk fantasy, this debut novel has an intricate plot and some nice elements, but often tries too hard to over complicate things. The list of people hunting for the book is difficult to keep track of, and their motivations often unclear.

By throwing dragons, magic, Fae, vampires, mechanics, a dangerous rogue, a competing Librarian and underground Sects within London into the mix, the author is trying to make the book stand out by weaving the threads skillfully and cleverly. But too often she seems to place characters in a situation without having thought through why they would be there, or if their actions make sense. Added to this is a tendency to fall back on tedious character tropes: the giddy, lustful girl who can't think when she is in the presence of a handsome man, the mysterious student with hidden depths, the jealous co-worker, they all have some unimaginative elements that detract from them.

If you're a lover of steampunk and are willing to overlook some glaring 'debut novel' flaws, then this is a good enough read, and there were some fun moments and wonderfully eccentric statements that made me smile, but the predictable elements and overcomplications let it down.

This is a really good article on depression entitled "Depression doesn't make you sad all the time". It might resonate with others as it did with me.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jan/03/depression-doesnt-make-you-...

Invisible Library looks like something I'd enjoy, even with its flaws, assuming the writing is otherwise good.

Good article. I can attest to its veracity.

Hope you're feeling better today!

>129 Storeetllr:

Yes, the writing wasn't bad at all, and there were some wonderful lines. It just had a few too many plot threads, some cliches, and a desire to explain every nuance of the various types of magic/chaos/logic in the worlds when it wasn't necessary. But it was still a good book.

Just peeking in to see if you are feeling any better today, Jenny. Hoping that Sunday is kind to you.

>131 Crazymamie: Thanks for coming Mamie, and for caring about me. To be honest, I'm not sure if I'm feeling better as am feeling quite low mentally and I can't tell how much that is contributing to physical exhaustion and vice versa. I did at least make myself ride Con even though I couldn't feel my feet as there was freezing fog everywhere and I got quite chilled.

Keeping you in my thoughts, Jenny and sending you all our love.

Meme answered by books read in 2014

Describe yourself: Incurable
Describe how you feel: Darkness, Be My Friend
Describe where you currently live: The Other Side of Dawn
If you could go anywhere, where would you go: The Dead of Night
Your favorite form of transportation: Station Eleven
Your best friend is: Wonder
You and your friends are: The Rabbit Back Literature Society
What’s the weather like: Junk
You fear: The Crocodile on the Sandbank
What is the best advice you have to give: The Night is for Hunting
Thought for the day: The Last Camel Died at Noon
How I would like to die: While I Live
My soul’s present condition: The Third Day, The Frost

>39 lunacat: are they horse socks!!? :)
I gave my friend (who loves horses) a Horse sound effects 'machine'. It's a little electronic box to take about with her, because, as the packaging said, you just don't want to be caught short without a horse sound effect. It is fantastic, whinnies, gallops, neighs and that flubbery lips thing horses do. What's not to like?!

So your weather at present is junk? Love it! Also, I love the how you'd like to die answer! Hehe, classic.

This was the weather yesterday afternoon, pretty gorgeous as the sun set.



I didn't take a photo today because freezing fog isn't quite so photogenic.

>135 LovingLit: Well of course, everyone always needs a decent horse sound.

Actually, I love photos with fog in them ~ they can be so eerie and atmospheric! But being out in a freezing fog taking photos, not so much.

>137 Storeetllr: A couple of times I considered taking a photo as I like charting my rides even when there isn't a nice view, but my hands were vaguely warm and I'd have had to take my gloves off and go digging through layers and pockets through my phone. Connie was on her toes as well, and I didn't want to either drop the phone in the mud or get into further difficulties trying to take a picture. Maybe next time we have such 'lovely' weather.

_____________

I think I'm going to try and complete this checklist for 2015.

What fun! That's a great checklist!

Hi Jenny, and I hope your New Year gets Happier very soon! I'm shamelessly stealing that "buy a book instead of a drink" post upthread. I love it, and it would TOTALLY WORK on me. :)

>20 lunacat: I'm glad you liked The Martian too. Most of the science went over my head, and I agree that it was fascinating.

>127 lunacat: - Well, darn on the Cogman book. I love steampunk and alternate history stories but I hate it when the author tries to add too many different elements to the story..... why don't they just throw in the kitchen sink while they are at it? ;-) I do love the cover art for that one!

Hi Jenny. I finally worked my way over here. I'm sorry you're not feeling up to snuff but hope you will soon be feeling much better. I read The Martian last month and liked it but was put off by all the technical stuff. And you know how much I loved another of your Top Reads, Station Eleven. Feel better soon.

>134 lunacat: I stole your Meme for my thread. And I love your checklist, but I had a hard enough time with Bingo, which has less squares. So, hats off to ya and good luck!

Hope you're feeling better. Love the reading checklist. Good luck with it. :)

>139 Crazymamie: Thanks Mamie. I hadn't really inspected it in close detail before I decided to go with it, but hopefully it will inspire some reading and stop me getting stuck in a rut that lasts months.

>140 LauraBrook: Buy a book instead of a drink would definitely work on me as well. If only there was some way of making men realise this ;)

>141 AuntieClio: Thanks Stephanie, glad I'm not the only one who let the science completely bypass her.

>142 lkernagh: It could have been a great book if Cogman hadn't thrown in two or three elements that didn't need to be there and over-complicated it. Lots of potential but it fell short for me, but she's obviously planning a series so maybe it will improve. I doubt I'll be trying to continue them though.

>143 brenzi: Thanks for the best wishes, they're much appreciated.

>144 Berly: I think I'll need the good luck Kim! I'm hoping it will be a personal TIOLI style challenge for me and I'll have fun trying to make my reading fit the card, but we'll see.

>145 nittnut: All good luck warmly welcome :)
__________________

Woke up several times during the night with coughing fits and it took me a LONG time to get out of bed this morning. I was going to ride Connie but there were some lessons going on in the arena so I'll go back later - I'd skip it but I've got a lesson tomorrow and really need to work on a few things in preparation.

I got two chapters of Being Mortal read last night before my brain quit working completely, so I might carry on with that in a bit.

>53 lunacat: I could make a dinner like your New Years Eve goodies every night! Wine, cheese, crackers, maybe a loaf of bread and some salami oh yeah and some italian olives, and I'd be perfectly happy.
I think January is the most godaweful month of the year. Everything is grey! Blah! Let's put on something yellow today and perk up our lives a bit!
Hope you're feeling better today!

Hope you're doing better today, Jenny. Can't believe you're trying Being Mortal while under the weather! I'd probably be reading some light mystery or sci-fi. Hope the works for you; as you know, I thought it was terrific.

>105 lunacat: Maybe I need to start approaching young men in bookshops and offering to pay for their purchases.

What about middle aged men in bookshops? Can we meet at Daunt Books on my next trip to London?

I'm sorry that you're still coughing. Are you bringing up anything from your chest? Any fevers or difficulty breathing?

Morning, Jenny! Sorry to see that you're still feeling poorly. Sending you some healing mojo from the Deep South. Abby loved that reading challenge that you posted, and she has printed it off to try and conquer it! You have mad her very happy!

>147 Carmenere: Not a fan of salami and olives but I think I could live solely on the rest of it. Sadly diet time has set in to the house so there is no lovely food on offer. My housemates have both put on quite a lot of weight so dinners will be much healthier than over Christmas.

I've put on weight for the first time in my life but mine is medication induced - I want to lose it but we'll see if I can or not.

>148 jnwelch: I was hoping it would tire my brain out so I'd get to sleep at a reasonable hour but alas it wasn't to be. I woke up this morning feeling like I'd hardly been asleep at all.

>149 kidzdoc: Bribery will get you everywhere! I'll happily meet up, as long as there is a book on offer.........who am I kidding, I'll happily meet up anyway :)

Starting to cough up some gunk which I kind of figure is a good thing? Better out than in? Feeling fractionally improved today and no high temperatures all day, although I'm disproportionately exhausted now.

>150 Crazymamie: Thanks for the healing mojo - I think I might just be at the turning point now. I'm glad to see Abby will be trying to conquer the checklist as well, I think I might have underestimated how tricky it will be.

>151 lovelyluck: BRILLIANT!! That made me smile so much. Thank you, I needed that.

Hi Jenny. Happy New Year! Though I see you're not off to the best start.



I managed to lose my voice on the 1st as well, but other than that, I'm fine. The kids are still on holiday, so they're having an even better time than usual, since I can't yell at them ;0) I see you found my elephant from last year. I hope she's shifted by now.

Great thread. I had lots to comment on, but there was so much, I forgot most of it before I'd even read halfway.

Feel better soon!

Oh dear, so sorry to hear that you are still under the weather.

Hi Jenny! Just checking in. I am enjoying my day off today, which is just fine because it is completely frigid out there. Hope you are feeling better. Are you getting any reading in?

Sorry to hear you haven't been feeling well Jenny! I hope it picks up soon.
On the other hand, look at all the reading and reviewing you've been doing! Way to go! :)
I'm working through my Lively selection for the BAC challenge as well. The premise for The Photograph sounds more up my alley...ha!

Oh yes; I meant to ask if you get the series 'The Librarians' over there? It's a new TV series from the US, based on a couple of films, starring Noah Wyle and Rebecca Romijn. It sounds a lot like The Invisible Library. Although, of course, you're not a big fan of TV.

Hey, Jenny, it's been lovely seeing you over on my thread, and I hope you are starting to feel better! I wish you could have our sunshine and warm weather--I know you would feel better immediately.

>153 humouress: Hey Nina. Thanks for stopping by, it's great to see you around. And thanks for sharing your elephant, I really appreciate it ;)

>154 Ameise1: Thanks Barbara. Hopefully your first two days of school have gone OK?

>155 msf59: No reading unfortunately as my brain has vacated the building. I'm holding out hope for tonight.

>156 jolerie: Thanks Val. Whether I'll be able to keep it up is another matter!

>157 humouress: I think I saw a clip of an episode while channel-hopping, but Noah Wylie really irritates me so not something I'll be watching. It's not that I'm against TV, on the contrary there is a lot that I like, it's just unfortunate that it has to be on ALL the time when my housemate is home, and although we have programmes we both love, others we clash on.

>158 ronincats: Ah, warm weather and sunshine. That would be ideal. Sadly it's windy and raining outside and I've got to go out in it in 90mins to ride Connie, which isn't going to be terribly pleasant. I hope the ankle is feeling better today?
______________________

Alas, my year isn't improving as I was up all night last night. The only sleep I got was from 8.30-10am when my alarm went off. Certainly not what I needed and I didn't even get any reading done as I kept feeling just sleepy enough that I didn't dare turn a light on and risk losing that last vestige of hope. I should have gone for reading for half an hour and then trying again, but I'd lost inspiration by about 3am.

Here's hoping that you're feeling a little better and a better nights sleep is in the offing.

>160 Carmenere: Thank you Lynda. I was determined to not whine today but I seem to have failed miserably. I'm driving myself up the wall with my complaining, goodness only knows how you lot are putting up with me. Please feel free to begin throwing stuff at me to get me to shut up.
___________________

Ohhh, tricky decision. Pompeii: The Life of A Roman Town is in the monthly Kindle deals, but at £2.89 it's a bit more than I usually like to spend on an ebook. I limit myself to under £2 mostly to avoid expensive splurges. But I have been seeing it around for a while, and wanting to read it..............but I don't actually need it............but I know I'd read it eventually...............argggh.

Sorry about the sleepless night - I do the insomnia thing often, and it's such a pain when one is really, really tired but just cannot fall asleep and stay there. On the other hand, glad to hear that you are feeling the tiniest bit better. Hooray for that - hopefully it means that you are on the mend and will be feeling much better very soon.

"goodness only knows how you lot are putting up with me" Um...because you are completely and utterly charming. Great sense of humor and fun to hang out with. Lively and interesting conversation and always lovely even when you are not feeling well. That's how.

Yeah, EVERYTHING Mamie said and I'll top it off with that ummm....you can RIDE a horse. That makes you a superhero in my books...haha!

Hi Jenny,
sorry to hear that you are feeling under the weather. Coughing up (something colourful?), I think even so that you don't have a fever anymore you might just should see your GP to get him to listen to your chest, Jenny.

Love that meme of someone buying me a book, instead of a drink.

>110 lunacat: The Photograph is on my TBR for the BAC as well and I am quite intrigued by your review of The invisible library.

I'm not quite sure which of these limbs go where



Apparently I'm not allowed to change channel, even when I'm the only human home.

Jenny, finally getting around to visiting you, friend. Finding lots of interesting things here, despite you feeling miserable, you've obviously been keeping busy. Of course I'm very sorry about that and do wish you got around to feeling better—FEEL BETTER SOON JENNY! But good for you for at least keeping up contact with this bunch and posting interesting tidbits. Love the socks. Really like your reading checklist. I'd pick it up too if I didn't already have a bunch of personal and group challenges keeping me on my toes this year. I read the Guardian article on depression and found it expressed opinions I've long held on the subject:

"On the one hand, I feel like I need to engage in a sort of relentless performative sadness to be taken seriously, for people to understand that I really am depressed and that each day – each moment of each day – is a struggle for me, that even when I am happy, I am still fighting the monster."

On the other, I feel an extreme pressure to perform just the opposite, because sad depressed people are boring and no fun, as I am continually reminded every time I speak openly about depression or express feelings of sadness and frustration. I’m caught in a trap where if I don’t perform sadness, I’m not really depressed, but if I express sadness at all to any degree, I’m annoying and boring and should stop being so self-centred."

Clinical depression certainly is a major bitch. In my case, there doesn't seem to be a cure. Yesterday I cried and cried and cried, having the darkest thoughts imaginable, and Pierre, who came by to have some tea when this took place, had the good grace to just sit or lie by my side when I went to my room (when the tears showed no signs of wanting to go away), said nothing and just held me till I decided to stop crying all by myself, and also had the common sense not to ask stupid questions when the crying subsided.

eta: Lamentation!!! Arggggghhhhh!!! Can't wait to get to that one! I've almost ordered it from the UK goodness knows how many times, but I WILL resist and get the kindle version on Feb. 24th for cheaper when it is released here in NA.

Really sorry to hear you've really not been feeling well Jenny. Darryl will know this better than me but if you're coughing up gunk that might be a sign of a chest infection and might be worth seeing if your doc will prescribe some antibiotics? Given that and the lovely weather we've been having I'm not surprised your mood has been low :-(

I hope you sleep better tonight.

Thanks for your review of The Invisible Library - I'd seen that on offer for kindle but wasn't sure whether to try it. I think I'll wait for it to turn up at the library.

>165 lunacat: That top photo is so funny!

Jenny, don't get too frustrated about the sleepless night. I had one from Sunday to Monday. I think this full moon was a very strong one. You'll sleep better soon.

>169 lunacat: Very true Jenny. It does really feel as if something is actually draning my life, energy and happiness out of me when I'm depressed.

Jenny, unfortunately my ankle is not better to speak of, but at least I know it will get better eventually. Chipped a bone and have to go to Orthopedics for follow-up--next week probably. On the other hand, Foxglove Summer just showed up at my door, with the neatest dedicating to Terry Pratchett, so my evening is set. I have nights when I either can't fall asleep or I wake up in the wee hours and can't get back to sleep fairly regularly. The joy of retirement is that usually I can sleep in late or take a nap the next day, which I couldn't when I was working. Hope you are sleeping tonight!

Oh Jenny, I'm sorry you've not been feeling well. I hoe you are back in good health and good spirits soon.

I love your NYE meal -- looks perfect to me!

Hi Jenny! Has your brain returned? I hope so. The books are waiting, my friend.

Gosh - do brains return? Then I live in hope.

>162 Crazymamie: Hey Mamie. Thanks for the compliments - I've never been able to accept them very well so I'll just blush, deny them and say thank you. I did manage some sleep last night, and too much this morning when I needed to get up, but hopefully it will help with feeling better. I'm sorry to hear that you suffer from insomnia as well.

>163 jolerie: Aww, bless you Val. I don't think being able to ride a horse is a great superhero power though, mostly it ends up with me poor, frustrated and hurt!

>164 drachenbraut23: Well I'm still coughing stuff up but it's two days since I had a temperature and I haven't got any worse so I figure I'm on the way to recovery, even if I don't feel much better.

>166 Smiler69: Hi Ilana, and thanks for stopping by. Sorry to hear that you had such a breakdown with Pierre but it sounds like he did exactly the right thing in his reaction. Bizarrely I'm quite envious of you being able to cry like that - I do the reverse and bottle everything up, not letting myself feel many emotions, which does lead to less crying (I think I only cried once last year) but also less feeling the good stuff.

Lamentation was definitely worth it - hopefully you're able to hold out till the 24th!

>167 souloftherose: I think I've probably just got a bad cough which I feel will last for weeks, but hey ho. Yes, the weather isn't helping things - what I wouldn't give for a couple of months on a beach! The Invisible Library is definitely more of a library read than a purchased read, IMHO.

>168 Ameise1: Sorry to hear about your sleepless night as well. I did manage some night time sleep - unfortunately, in the last ten years I've started sleeping much better during daylight hours. I think maybe I'm turning into a vampire?!

>170 souloftherose: If I ever find that person, they are in for a world of hurt. Of course, if I'm not too busy being depressed ;)

>171 ronincats: Oh no! So sorry to hear about your ankle. What a pain in the......well, ankle. I need to get to the Rivers of London series, I think I have the first one somewhere.

>172 AMQS: Thanks for the sympathy and the visit. I'm hoping so too. If only I could eat cheese and crackers for every meal, every day, I think it might be the road to happiness.

>173 msf59: Alas, no brain. But I did manage a book, all be a children's one!

>174 humouress: Maybe we need to go hunting for the desert island where the brains are stored. We could make a fortune returning them to their owners.

3. The Secret of Platform 13 by Eva Ibbotson 243 pages



Somewhere in the depths of King's Cross Station, there is a forgotten platform with a secret. Once every nine years, a passage opens to a beautiful, brilliant Island. But things go wrong and the Prince of the Island is stuck as a baby in London.

Nine years later, a rescue party is sent out to tell him of his heritage and bring him back, but what they discover is more shocking than the knowledge of the strange beings inhabiting the capital.

With mistmakers, a child Hag who isn't scary, a decrepit wizard, various ghosts and other eccentric and magical beings, this was great fun and highly entertaining. The plot is predictable enough given that it's a children's book, but the sheer number of brilliant and imaginative creatures and ideas more than made up for it.

A thoroughly enjoyable read.

And another BB in week 1... I stopped counting now. :)
But what is it with Charing Cross and hidden platforms? Or was it a different station in the Harry Potters? Definitely sounds like a nice brain candy read.

Sending good wishes for further health improvement!

Morning, Jenny! Nice review - I remember reading that one to the kids many years ago, and it was loads of fun.

>177 lunacat: I need to find that secret platform and escape for a good spell of reading and no stress. I hope you are gradually feeling more yourself.

Feeling much more herself is SWMBO my dear lady wife who is back and in less pain. What a shame we'll never get the saddle on that stone.

>178 Deern: Nope, definitely the same place, what with this platform 13 and Harry Potter's platform 9 3/4's, it's clearly a mystical place. I've never found it such when I've taken trains from there, but maybe I simply haven't found the right train yet.

>179 Crazymamie: Thanks Mamie - not exactly intellectual reading but it's all my brain can cope with at the moment. I'm fighting falling back into a full scale book funk where I don't pick one up for months. I know once I let myself get in that place, it's almost impossible to escape from.

>180 PaulCranswick: Very glad to hear Hani's procedure went well. Poor Connie, she lived a short but eventful life, with plenty of notoriety ;). I'm definitely going to go hunting for the platform.
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I managed to (almost) completely sort my room out today. It's been a disaster zone since Christmas, with presents still in boxes and nothing given new places.

I've also sorted half my drawers and have a bin bag full of clothes to go to charity. I was fairly brutal - if I haven't worn it for a year, it goes. I've still got the two fullest cupboards to do but I haven't the energy today.

And I need to sort my books. There is absolutely NO space on my shelves, and my housemate/best friend doesn't like them stacking up in other places. There is a lot on my shelves that I'm either never going to read, or I have on my Kindle and don't need a physical copy of, but the thought of embarking on it is completely overwhelming. Maybe next week.

Hi Jenny, I am sorry to read that the new year has gotten off to a rough start. I hope you are feeling better. I was very happy to see Tomorrow When the War Began on your list of top reads. I am currently reading that series and am enjoying it.

I have, but haven't read, The Secret of Platform 13 - looks like I should get to it soon. Maybe it's just that Charing Cross is such a tangle that authors figure _anything_ could be in there? There's a few books that assign similar oddities to Grand Central Station in New York.

Hi, Jenny! I'm glad to hear that you're feeling better, and I hope that you continu to improve.

Nice review of The Secret of Platform 13. I thought that there were at least 13 platforms at King's Cross (it's the station I use the most in London, mainly to visit Fliss and Rachael in Cambridge), so I had to check. The author is right, of course; the last platform at KGX is numbered 11b.

I started Tomorrow When the War Began but did not get too far with it. I need to pick it up again.

Despite its faults, The Invisible Library looks like a book to try.

Feel better soon, Jenny!

>182 DeltaQueen50: Slowly getting there, thanks. Horrible sore throat today and the cough is still present but I've got a little more energy. Good to see another person enjoying the Marsden series.

>183 jjmcgaffey: It's definitely worth reading, just for the fun factor.

>184 kidzdoc: I wouldn't have had a clue on platform numbers if I hadn't looked it up, hoping I might accidentally catch a train at the appropriate time to the Island depicted. Alas, no platform 13 train for me.

>185 alcottacre: Thanks for the visit Stasia. I think you'd enjoy Tomorrow, When the War Began, and probably The Invisible Library as well, if you can ever get back to some personal reading rather than college work.

4. The Writing on the Hearth by Cynthia Harnett



On a stormy day in 1439, Stephen sees a variety of things he shouldn't. Having played truant from school, he first witnesses the poaching of a deer before then discovering a fine gentleman at the home of Meg, believed by some to be a witch. The man claims to have become lost in the woods, but Stephen accidentally sees strange symbols being drawn in the ash of the hearth and suspects something far worse.

I've always loved Harnett's historical children's fiction, and this was another thoroughly enjoyable tale, weaving a nice balance of everyday living of the time, and elements of intrigue and danger. The author always manages to bring interesting descriptions of the period to the fore, and paints an excellent picture of the times. In a way, her books are a children's version of the Shardlake mysteries, with the settings always vivid and intricate, and the plot well written.

This isn't my favourite of hers but it has a timeless quality to it, and it's a shame she isn't more well known.

I just bought The Secret of Platform 13 without testreading as it first. I'll try to squeeze it into my busy January reading schedule. :)

>188 Deern: It's a fun, light-hearted read so it should be easy to squeeze in. I hope you enjoy it.
_________________

Someone didn't want to get out of bed this morning

Me, either! That is such a sweet photo!

> 127 lunacat: I preordered the Invisible Library when I saw it on a new book list last week, because it sounded up my alley (steampunk, fantasy and libraries? Yay!). I can forgive a few debut author issues if the story keeps my interest and shows potential, so it sounds like I'm still going to enjoy it when I get it :-)

I'm currently in the middle of Revelation, with Heartstone queued up ready to go when I'm finished. Maybe Lamentation will be out on this side of the Pond by the time I'm done...

Oh you got me with a BB for Cynthia Harnett, Jenny. I don't know her books at all. Is there one you'd suggest starting with?

>189 lunacat: What a cutie! A lot of us felt that way this a.m., I'm sure.

>192 lunacat: Wonderful photos. The worldwide response is heartening in the wake of this awful tragedy.

>190 Crazymamie: He's now stretched out fast asleep next to me on the sofa, snoring his head off. It's cute until he snores at 2am and keeps me awake.

>191 archerygirl: Hi there. If you like steampunk, fantasy and libraries then you'll definitely be able to forgive it its flaws and enjoy it. I'm quite jealous at you reading the Shardlake's for the first time (I assume?), as they are so brilliant and gripping.

>193 jnwelch: Thanks for the visit Joe. Cynthia Harnett is a great children's historical fiction author so I think you'd enjoy her books. My favourite is The Great House but I don't know how available it is. Stars of Fortune is also extremely good. The Load of the Unicorn and The Wool-Pack tie for third place on my list - The Wool-Pack won her the Carnegie Medal in 1951 so it might be the most available? She's one of those authors that should be better known than she is, as the detail and spot on research in her books is exceptional.

I'm going to look for Cynthia Harnett too!

>189 lunacat: Adorable! Looks like I felt this morning, not wanting to crawl out from under the covers either.

>192 lunacat: Terrible tragedy. Shameful act. Thanks for the photos. Not much reaction in Colorado, or at least not that I've seen or heard.

Je suis Charlie.

>194 lunacat: Thanks, Jenny. I was able to order an inexpensive copy of The Great House, so I'll start with that. The others will be on my WL.

5. Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood



Phryne Fisher (pronounced FRI-nee) is bored of 1920's London, its socialites and its parties. Having quickly solved an attempted theft at a party she is attending, she's approached by a couple asking help with their daughter, whom they fear is being poisoned.

Seeing this as an opportunity to return to her native Australia she takes them up on the offer, and quickly finds herself embroiled in more than one mystery. A man is performing brutal abortions on women from which few recover, the daughter she's been sent to help is intermittently ill, and she ends up rescuing a handsome and charismatic Russian dancer from the clutches of a pair of thugs.

Throw in some packets of white powder, lovely costumes, a revengeful maid and two rough-around-the-edges cabbies and this is a very enjoyable, light-hearted mystery. I twigged the twist about half way through but that didn't detract from the fun.

I agree those books are great fun, Jenny! And the tv series is very well done - I would watch it just for the costumes! Happy Friday to you, dear!

>192 lunacat: Thanks for posting those. I want to say something else, but can't find words. *

>193 jnwelch: I really enjoyed Cocaine Blues. Pure chick lit, which I usually stay away from, but this series really is good fun. I'll have to look for the tv series.

eta: *ok, I will say I'm relieved about the latest news, which is that the police caught and killed the two Charlie suspects a short while ago, which is a good thing since they were getting out of hand, taking a hostage and whatnot, having declared they wanted to die as 'martyrs'. Please.

>199 Smiler69: Uh-oh. Are the Phrynes chick lit, Ilana? Our daughter already teases me about reading chick lit. She really ribbed me about enjoying Austenland and its successor.

>199 Smiler69:

In a way I'm relieved, but from the latest information it seems as though a separate hostage-taker, who had connections to the brothers, has killed or critically injured some of his hostages before being killed himself. And of course, being that they are dead, not only do they avoid justice but they get to be held up as martyrs for others and who knows how many more youngsters will be corrupted.

I guess that's where the latest terrorists are able to be so effective (although it seems as though perhaps they were trying to escape initially). They are able to do maximum damage because they don't care if they are killed during their actions, and so negotiations designed to play on peoples fear of death don't work. Like a suicide bomber or a plane hijacker - if they want to be dead at the end of it, it's that much harder to fight back or reason with them, and so avoid further innocent casualties.

> 194 lunacat: First time for me with Shardlake, yes. I've been working through them slowly, because I tend to save them for special occassions. Like the fact that it's winter and I need comfort, or when I've had a couple of bad books in a row and need something that's reliably good to counteract them.

And on Miss Fisher, I've read the first couple of books, but much prefer the TV series. It may be one of the few times when I prefer the screen version of something over the book!

Oh! How come I didn't know there was a new Shardlake mystery out? I must be slipping. Just reserved a copy from the library, though I wish I could get it in audio. I seem to recall that I listened to at least one on audio and absolutely loved it.

I love your cat pictures!

Sorry you haven't been feeling well--feel better soon!

>197 lunacat: Oh, I don't usually go in for chick-lit style things, but that one sounds kind of fun... and I can't lie, the cover tempts me for some reason! *sending you energy and wellness*

If only I could eat cheese and crackers for every meal, every day, I think it might be the road to happiness. It is, isn't it?

>177 lunacat: The Secret of Platform 13 is one of our all-time favorite read alouds. Such a great book! We love Eva Ibbotson -- with one exception, all of her books are terrific. But Platform 13 is the best.

Hi Jenny! I hope you had a good Friday and have a nice weekend planned with lots of book-time planned.

re your photo, cats are smart!

I've seen another positive review for Cocaine Blues. Sounds intriguing.

Once I've whittled down some of the series that I'm in the middle of others just sitting on my shelf, I may decide to give Phryne series a try. Will have to check my library. :)

>138 lunacat: That is quite a checklist.

>189 lunacat: One can hardly blame the cat for staying tucked up in bed. Tomorrow I plan to do the same!

I hope the month of January shifts into better territory for you, Jenny. Starting it out with being sick is rather unfair.

Cocaine Blues sounds like a fun read!

>177 lunacat: For a brief time when J was small we had a children's book group tacked into our own RL adult book group, and The Secret of Platform 13 was the one that J chose when it was his turn. It's a lovely book. The idea was to have about 20 minutes of talking about the book and then do some craft activity, so we made mistmakers with a coconut pyramid mixture. To be honest they turned out like white coconutty blobs but the children seemed happy.

Jenny, I wish you a fabulous weekend.

>189 lunacat: Unbelievably cute and I don't even like cats. Hani is doing her own version of that at the moment but has just been woken by a friend wanting to know if she's getting enough rest.

Posting comeback of the year so far to you Jenny. You will have passed your last years total before the weekend is out, I think.

Have a lovely weekend.

>195 Storeetllr: I hope you can find a Cynthia Harnett, Mary, she's a hidden treasure in my opinion.

>196 jnwelch: Yay! Now I feel under pressure though, what if you don't like it? Eek, who knew hitting someone with a book bullet would be so anxiety inducing ;)

>198 Crazymamie: I might try and find the TV series but I'm attempting to reduce my TV intake and up my reading so perhaps it's not the best idea.

>200 jnwelch: I think I'm with Ilana in defining them as slight chick-lit, but they're not extreme enough for a man to have any shame in reading them.

>202 archerygirl: Great idea in taking it slowly with the Shardlakes. I wish I'd had the willpower not to gulp them down in huge mouthfuls without coming up for air when I first discovered them. I could do with a nice, slow re-read to enjoy the details but every time I try, I end up racing towards the end anyway.

>203 Storeetllr: Glad to hear you've put a reservation on it Mary. I'd like to try them in audio, it might make me slow down a little.

>204 banjo123: Plenty of cat pictures around with 5 of the little blighters in our house, so it won't be the last! I'm almost better apart from the inevitable lingering cough and a sore throat, both of which I can't wait to be rid of.

>205 evilmoose: Energy and wellness always much appreciated! I must admit I don't pay much attention to the covers until I've finished the book and come to add it to my list, but it suits the book very well.

>206 AMQS: Unfortunately I'm officially on a diet, as of today when I weighed myself, so no cheese and crackers for me. I can imagine Platform 13 is a brilliant read-aloud, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

>207 msf59: I'll try to get some reading in this afternoon, and I'm supposed to take Connie showjumping tomorrow but I don't know if we will as the winds are quite ridiculous. I need to exercise her this afternoon but I'm undecided as to whether to brave riding her or not.

>208 cammykitty: He's not as smart as he looks ;). Our two boys are incredibly stupid compared to the girls, but also much cuddlier which makes up for their lack of intelligence.

>209 jolerie: I'm not normally one for either light mysteries, or series, but I enjoyed this one. It's got enough unusual elements in it to keep me interested. I've already started the second, though I'm going to try not to binge on them, as I'll get fed up quickly and it will put me off future ones.

>210 EBT1002: It was good fun Ellen. I hope you can manage to stay tucked up in bed when you want to. I'm hopeful the second half of January might be better than the first, but we'll see. Knowing my luck it will get worse!

>211 SandDune: I like the idea of coconutty mistmakers! Marshmallows would also be a good alternative.

>212 Ameise1: Awww, chilly ponies! They look very happy but I want to dash out and put some rugs on them for warmth.

>213 PaulCranswick: You don't like cats?! Sir, if it weren't your dear self I would have to bar you from my thread immediately, but as it is I'll have to forgive you your flaws ;)

>189 lunacat: Wow! now I know were my kitty Mitten's goes when I can't find him!! He's in your bed!

>165 lunacat: Obviously, your kitty is demonstrating the yoga pose you should be doing when unable to sleep ;0)

>177 lunacat: The Secret of Platform 13 looks like just the right book to get one out of the duldrums. Did it work?

>216 lunacat: To be fair Jenny we do have three cats at home. One moody grouch (Cinders) who has only failed to attack one person in the house - me. Another who attempted to fly a few years ago and unfortunately realised too late its impossibility - Bambi. Hani refused to accept the "vets" advice to have him put to sleep and he happily potters about the place nowadays. That just leaves Jinxy who avoids me like the plague and is a rascal and a half in scratching all th efurniture into extinction if she gets allowed into the wrong place. True, I don't like cats but I have three of them in my family because my two girls adore them and well I don't always type the truth about not liking things.

>187 lunacat: Adding that one to the BlackHole. Unfortunately my local library does not have it or any other books by Cynthia Harnett.

>197 lunacat: I just could not get into the Phryne Fisher books. I shouldn't say that: I only read Cocaine Blues. But I didn't find it compelling enough to go on with the series. I wanted to like it; but I thought it was just OK. Phryne was just too perfect to be at all realistic. Open-minded, liberated, flies a plane, is a great shot, rich, smart, beautiful, and on and on. By the time I was done I wanted to slap her! On the other hand, I thought the TV series was a lot of fun. I've watched a few of them and will someday watch some more. Go figure.

My dad got me into the Miss Fisher tv series over Christmas, and I really enjoyed it. The characters are such fun!

>217 Carmenere: Awww, hi Mittens! He's a very handsome chap. Our ginger boy likes to go into other people's houses and sit on their sofa so he might show up at yours one day. I don't think I fancy the yoga pose though, a bit tricky.

Platform 13 certainly helped the evening I read it, seeing as my brain had disconnected itself. I was determined to stay in the reading groove and not get stuck watching mindless TV instead, and it worked for that.

>218 PaulCranswick: Cinders obviously loves you dearly :) I remember the saga of Bambi and I'm glad to see he's still battling on.

>219 alcottacre: I'm not surprised as she's not very well known which is a shame. I hope you can find one somehow.

>220 scvlad: I completely get where you're coming from - she is annoying but I like the different setting for a mystery so that makes up for it. I wouldn't say they are on their way to becoming favourites but they are nice and light which is what I need at the moment.

>221 bluesalamanders: Looks like I'll have to search out the TV series sooner rather than later. Thanks for the recommendation!

Stopping in to make sure that I stay caught up with you, Jenny. Happy Saturday, dear!

>223 Crazymamie: Thanks Mamie, all visits gratefully received.
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The sore throat is back with a vengeance, just in time for dinner, but I have a cat sprawled across the entirety of my lap and licking my hand so that fixes things for the moment.

Thanks to Ilana, I've just purchased:

Roughing it in the Bush &
Life in the Backwoods by Susanna Moodie
The Marvellous Land of Snergs by E. A. Wyke-Smith

Each 49p

6. Flying Too High by Kerry Greenwood



Second in the Phryne Fisher mystery series. Phryne, getting settled in Australia, is approached by a woman concerned that her son is going to kill his father. While she gathers a plausible explanation from the man and thinks she might have put the issue to rest, it turns out to be trickier than it seems when the father is murdered.

Alongside this is a kidnap/ransom story involving a six year old girl.

This didn't catch me in the same way as the first did and I wasn't thoroughly captivated by either mystery, but it was a quick and light-hearted read.

I love the Miss Fisher Mysteries TV series. I read Cocaine Blues a couple of months ago and liked it, but not as much as the TV series. I can see myself picking up one of the books on occasion, but I don't think it will ever be a favorite series.

Begone nasty sore throat!

>189 lunacat: - OMG! So incredibly sweet.
Snoring kitties? I've only had one - Domino -who used to climb up on the ductwork in the basement to sleep. Can't count the times I was in the bathroom tending to business and I would hear this very impressive snoring coming through the heat register. It was very funny!

>138 lunacat: A book based entirely on its cover....that is an interesting one. What do you think it means? I may be missing something. Also, I love "A book that takes place in your hometown", not so easy in NZ, but if I chose my adopted city rather than where I was born, I should be able to find one.

>224 lunacat: I hope the sore throat gets on outa here, asap. They are annoying at best.

Just dropping by to see if there are any cheese and crackers left...

Happy Sunday, Jenny! Sorry about the sore throat! I hope it's not nagging you to bad!

>226 cbl_tn: Yeah, I don't think they are going to be becoming a favourite but they are quite nice to keep me reading.

>227 Fourpawz2: I wish your begone shouting had helped! My tonsils have flared up again and it now hurts to chew as well as to swallow, which isn't much fun. Heh - love the snoring story! It's only our boys who snore, the girls don't at all - somewhat like all the men/women I know ;)

>228 LovingLit: I'm not sure - maybe that the cover made you pick it up, or caught your attention? That's how I'm going to treat it anyway. The hometown will be tricky for me as I mostly read fiction, but there is a historical fiction author who used my hometown as a basis for her works, just changed the name, so I'll read one of hers and say that qualifies.

>229 nittnut: Plenty of cheese and crackers as we're trying to cut down on our cheese consumption. It was quite ridiculous over Christmas. We have brie, cheddar and wensleydale - can I tempt you?

>230 msf59: Thanks Mark. Sore throat still bothersome and it feels as though it's going to come and go for a while. I'm fed up of feeling rough!
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Connie and I went on an outing today to a showjumping competition - it was good to be out and about again. She came second in one of her classes and mostly behaved herself which makes for a pleasant day.

We're off to the forest for a blast tomorrow (as long as it doesn't pour with rain) which will be great. The ground round here is very wet and muddy but it's sandy in the forest so the ground is much drier, and we can gallop the horses for a decent stretch. Hopefully they can let off some steam.

My tonsils are playing up again which usually happens when I'm ill or run down. One side is particularly bad and has caused enough swelling that it hurts to chew as well as to swallow, but I'm definitely feeling better than I was this time last week, so I'll be grateful for small mercies!

Jenny, I finished up The Martian in the wee hours this morning and I loved it. Thank you so much for the recommendation!

>232 alcottacre: I'm sure it wasn't just me Stasia, but I'm glad you enjoyed it so much :)

>233 lunacat: Well, you were the first! That counts, right?

>234 alcottacre: Absolutely, I'll take that! I'm never the first for anything so I'm more than happy to accept the thanks :)

Decisions, decisions - I could order 2-5 of the Rivers of London series from Amazon and use a gift card. Or I could order them from the Book Depository for more or less the same price, get pretty bookmarks but have to use real money (although I did get cash for Christmas so it could be applied to it in my head).

The second Phryne Fisher was my least favorite, Jenny, but I'm now reading #8 (Urn Burial) and the series continues to be quite entertaining. Caro (cameling) is way out ahead of me in the series, and she continues to enjoy it.

Hope you've been having a good Sunday.

I've enjoyed reading your reviews. I haven't read any of the Greenwood books, but I just love, love, love the Miss Fisher Mysteries on PBS.

I hope you're continuing to improve, and perhaps this means you won't have any further major illnesses in 2015, having gotten it out of the way early.

I hear you on the depression stuff. Have you read the Robot Hugs comic? The artist strugles with depression, and she does a great job illustrating some of the struggle. It's helped me have a better understanding of my partner. Not that I am immune. I'm rather emotionally fragile these days, and it doesn't seem to take much to set off my tears. I'm waiting for that to get better. But hey, a book always helps. Hence so many comfort reads for me.

7. Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch



Policeman Peter Grant is nearly at the end of his two year probationary period as a new Constable, and is about to find out his new placement. But while guarding the scene of a bloody murder, he is spoken too by a ghost, and the London he knew is turned on his head.

For not only is he taken on as an apprentice to the only detective investigating the strange, the supernatural and the magic of the capital, but there is a serial killer on the loose, and Peter must quickly learn in order to prevent more murders.

A brilliant novel with all the eccentricities of Britain and London mixed in with believable and sustainable magic, and fascinating characters. There was just the right balance of humour thrown in to counteract the gory murders, and I can't wait to see where it goes next. The amazing finale is a joy to behold.

I should have read it when I first bought it, but I'll be making up for it by devouring the next books in the series when they arrive.

I remembered that I used to note down some favourite sentences from the books I read, so I thought I'd start again. Three of the best from here:

"Occasionally we passed irregular rectangles of green space, the remnants of ancient villages that had grown together like spots of mould on a Petri dish."

"Only one thing stood complete - the bridge...... It looked more like a fishing pier that had got ideas about its station and crossed the river in a fit of exuberance."

"There were figures loping and dancing in the yellow light, and the seductive, melancholy music that gets played at any party you haven't been invited to."

>237 jnwelch: Good to know Joe. I'll probably continue them but at the moment I'm on a mission to try and get some better sleep, and that involves not reading from a screen in the 30 minutes before sleep, so I'll be choosing a new deadtree book tonight to start on.

>238 justchris: Hi Chris, and thanks for visiting here. I think I'm going to look up the TV show at some point, when I'm bored of all my current viewing.

I have seen a couple of the RobotHugs images but I'll have to investigate further. I hear you on the depression - although I don't do the crying (I maybe only cry twice a year at the most) but I'm definitely emotionally wobbly. I hope things begin to get better for you soon, but comfort reads are a help in the meantime.

Glad you enjoyed Rivers of London, Jenny. Good review!

Congrats to you and Connie!

>197 lunacat: I think I have this series on my list to check out, but I'll double check - nice review!

Hope you're feeling a bit better - please take care.

>241 ronincats: Thanks Roni :)

>242 DorsVenabili: Thank you! It only takes one good day with Connie to make all the awful ones worthwhile. I'm certainly feeling bettER, but not 100% yet, so hopefully that will hurry up and arrive. I might take a few days of echinacea - I have some in the cupboard and I've no idea if it works or if it's just a placebo, but as I have some already it can't hurt.
_____________

Oops. I needed a couple of things from Amazon and had to bulk up my order by £2.51 for free delivery. I found Scarlet in paperback for £2, so needed 51p, and somehow Dust, the third in the Wool trilogy found its way in at £3.85 to top up the order. I'm ignoring the fact I could have taken Scarlet off and still reached my minimum order limit.

Fortunately I'd searched for the Peter Grant mysteries as I discovered (thanks to Amazon) that I'd purchased the second, Moon Over Soho in 2012, so after a bit of hunting my shelves I now have that to start tonight.

Then I put a Book Depository order in for Whispers Under Ground, Broken Homes and Foxglove Summer in order to get a few pretty bookmarks.

Oops indeed.

Sorry to hear about the continuing health woes, Jenny,

Congrats on finally getting to the Rivers of London series. I loved the first 2 books. Liked the 3rd. I NEED to get to book 4.

Ooh, you got me with The Rivers of London! Great review. Hope you're feeling better.

Dang! Jenny, you need to feel better soon! Wishing you a great good Monday. (I don't want to be so overly optimistic that the Universe doesn't listen.) Hugs.

Oh mei, just a few days away from LT and I get into trouble of catching up.
I am sorry to hear that you are still struggling with your health issues, Jenny.

>181 lunacat: I know that feeling in regards to "sorting out" the books. I have to do it again as well, but I always feel that it is such a daunting task. However, I started already on my TBR pile and immediately noticed that I have several books twice. Brilliant!

>189 lunacat: Love the sleepy cat pic. Reminds me of our dogs when they don't want to get up :). Ayke, our German Shephard dog always has got his tong lolling out when he is completely relaxed, which generally cracks me up, as he always looks like he is unconsious LOL.

>192 lunacat: I am amazed by the solidarity around the world to defend our freedom of speech, but I am also glad about it.

>192 lunacat: So far, I finished the first two in the Phryne Fisher series and also found them to be quite light-harted myseries for inbetween. I have number 3-5 on my ipod already.

>239 lunacat: Loved Rivers of London but for some reason never carried on with the series, also I do have number 2 and 3 on my TBR.

>239 lunacat: You missed me with that BB since I have already read both it and the second book. I have ordered books 3 and 4, so I may reread the series when I get them since it has been a while since I read them.

How are you feeling today, Jenny? How's your throat doing? Hoping you're much better today...

>244 msf59: Thanks Mark. I'm sick of it now - unfortunately with ME/CFS and some other immune system issues, things tend to stick around for a while. The tonsilitis is now firmly established and not much fun, particularly with the lingering cough that hurts my throat every time. I got 100 pages of Moon Over Soho read last night and will be aiming for an early night tonight so hopefully I'll get a good block of reading in.

>245 AMQS: Thanks :) Rivers of London was so good I'm kicking myself that I didn't read it sooner, but then I guess I wouldn't be enjoying the series so much now!

>246 Berly: Hah! Fingers crossed your restraint will work on the Universe. No luck so far and I'm sick of hearing myself whine *sigh*.

>247 drachenbraut23: I haven't done anything about sorting the books - haven't even felt like considering it. It might get embarked upon in the next couple of weeks, but probably not!

>248 alcottacre: I'm 100 pages into book 2 and enjoying it, so hopefully 3, 4 and 5 will arrive before I've finished it.

>249 scaifea: No good news on the illness front - the tonsilitis has taken hold completely, and is only bearable thanks to many many painkillers. I hate my body sometimes, I'm supposed to be 28 not 88. All this is just the usual after-effects of daring to socialise and enjoy myself over Christmas. Bad me, I should have stayed in my cave!

Glad you're having such a good time with the Aaronovitch books, Jenny. Nice choice for when you're feeling poorly. I hope your health improves, and that the long ride on Connie helped.

>251 jnwelch: I'm hoping I'll keep in the reading mood, as I know how easily I slip out of it. Not sure the Connie ride helped my physical health, but it blew the cobwebs from my brain for a while.

New thread is up and open:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/186442