Don't know quite why, but 6 September seems to be a good day for publication of new books. Perhaps it is the firing of the starting pistol for the Autumn publishing season and the lead up to Christmas. Perhaps it's just an opportunity for people to pick up something new to cheer the spirits after the summer holidays are over.
In any case, of the list officially published today, I actually picked up my signed copy of 'Paris Echo' yesterday, and my signed copy of 'Transcription' is waiting for me at Waterstones. The Amazon locker has a paperback copy of 'Going on the turn' also awaiting collection (which feels like it has been a long wait - I read volume 2 four years ago).
Also in the locker is a copy of '21 lessons for the 21st century', which I am looking forward to after reading Sapiens.
As for my lunchtime stroll today, I did pretty well - Alan Bennett's 'Four Stories', and Stephen King's 'Revival', both in first edition for £1 each (I've got and read Revival already in paperback, but couldn't resist a pretty pristine first edition for £1), and one of the few missing Reacher paperbacks for 50p. Not bad.
In any case, probably shan't read anything this evening. Far more important things to do - off for a celebratory meal with the Andersons to mark the soon to be starting university adventures.
Thursday, 6 September 2018
Tuesday, 4 September 2018
Teddy
It's been a week since I finished 'A God in Ruins' and I still find myself thinking a great deal about Teddy Todd and the rest of his family. Having been introduced to Kate Atkinson's books a couple of years ago, I've enjoyed them all, culminating with 'Life after Life' and 'A God in Ruins'. As it says on the cover, this book stands alone, and can be enjoyed without having read 'Life after Life' first, but I appreciated the benefit of feeling a certain familiarity and head start with the characters, of knowing about Hugh and Sylvie and Fox Corner, and about Ursula, Izzie and her creation, Augustus.
Where 'Life after Life' told us about Ursula's war, so 'A God in Ruins' tells us about Teddy's, and his experience of being a bomber pilot. But as well as his war, we get his family too. So, we have Nancy, the girl from next door to Fox Corner, but then the next generations as well, their daughter Viola, and her children Sunny and Bertie. And of course, because Kate Atkinson is so good at this sort of thing, as we get to see their lives unfold, we get to care deeply about all of them.
But most of all, as I was reading I got to caring about Teddy. The book is structured with his in-war story cut in amongst his post-war story, with both leading to their conclusion together. Having read 'Life after Life', I was prepared not to expect time to be a necessarily reliable, before leads to after experience. Plus, in the paperback copy I was reading, there were several reviews at the front of the book that referred to a 'twist' and even the front cover told me the book was 'heartbreaking'. So, I was approaching the end with some trepidation. However, even with the warnings, even with some guessing of what the twist was likely to be ("but surely not, surely, please!") it didn't stop it from being any less gut-wrenching when it finally came.
Excellent book by a great author. Looking forward to reading 'Transcription'.
Where 'Life after Life' told us about Ursula's war, so 'A God in Ruins' tells us about Teddy's, and his experience of being a bomber pilot. But as well as his war, we get his family too. So, we have Nancy, the girl from next door to Fox Corner, but then the next generations as well, their daughter Viola, and her children Sunny and Bertie. And of course, because Kate Atkinson is so good at this sort of thing, as we get to see their lives unfold, we get to care deeply about all of them.
But most of all, as I was reading I got to caring about Teddy. The book is structured with his in-war story cut in amongst his post-war story, with both leading to their conclusion together. Having read 'Life after Life', I was prepared not to expect time to be a necessarily reliable, before leads to after experience. Plus, in the paperback copy I was reading, there were several reviews at the front of the book that referred to a 'twist' and even the front cover told me the book was 'heartbreaking'. So, I was approaching the end with some trepidation. However, even with the warnings, even with some guessing of what the twist was likely to be ("but surely not, surely, please!") it didn't stop it from being any less gut-wrenching when it finally came.
Excellent book by a great author. Looking forward to reading 'Transcription'.
Friday, 11 May 2018
Books
Work trips, with a fair amount of time spent on planes (or waiting for them) can be a good time to catch up with some reading, and I loaded up the iPad with a selection before heading off a few weeks ago.
Highlights included 'A Possible Life' by Sebastian Faulks. I hadn't realised before starting it that it was actually five separate stories (with occasional links by place or object), each of them remarkable in their own right. I haven't read a book of his that I didn't thoroughly enjoy.
I also read a couple of books inspired by my parents' reading habits. The first was 'Surprised by Joy' by C.S.Lewis, and I have to be honest and say that I found it pretty hard going, which was disappointing. Perhaps I need to get on with The Screwtape Letters soon and hope for better luck there (or maybe just get stuck into Narnia). The second was 'Saint Peter's Fair', the 4th Cadfael book. As with the earlier ones, what's not to love about Brother Cadfael. Perhaps what I was failing to find in Lewis, I found in Cadfael's words, talking about death to his young apprentice.
If I may selectively quote:
"Child, it is with us always. Never let it shake your faith that there is a balance hereafter. What you see is only a broken piece from a perfect whole. It is our duty to preserve what we may, and fit together such fragments as we find, and take the rest on trust."
Highlights included 'A Possible Life' by Sebastian Faulks. I hadn't realised before starting it that it was actually five separate stories (with occasional links by place or object), each of them remarkable in their own right. I haven't read a book of his that I didn't thoroughly enjoy.
I also read a couple of books inspired by my parents' reading habits. The first was 'Surprised by Joy' by C.S.Lewis, and I have to be honest and say that I found it pretty hard going, which was disappointing. Perhaps I need to get on with The Screwtape Letters soon and hope for better luck there (or maybe just get stuck into Narnia). The second was 'Saint Peter's Fair', the 4th Cadfael book. As with the earlier ones, what's not to love about Brother Cadfael. Perhaps what I was failing to find in Lewis, I found in Cadfael's words, talking about death to his young apprentice.
If I may selectively quote:
"Child, it is with us always. Never let it shake your faith that there is a balance hereafter. What you see is only a broken piece from a perfect whole. It is our duty to preserve what we may, and fit together such fragments as we find, and take the rest on trust."
Thursday, 12 April 2018
I want my time with you
A busy start to the week, and early on Tuesday as I was arriving at St Pancras I noticed that there was a new artwork in the station, and it seemed to be a neon sign. I didn't get a chance to pay any more attention to it than that as I dashed off for my tube train.
However, on my way home I went for a closer look and this is what it said.
It turns out that it had only just arrived, and even featured on the news later that evening, including an interview with Tracy Emin about why she'd decided that those words were appropriate.
I know who I want my time with. In fact I've known for a very long time.
To seal the deal, there was even a busker in the station playing and singing at one of the pianos:
I don't want clever conversation
I never want to work that hard
I just want someone that I can talk to
I love you just the way you are.
However, on my way home I went for a closer look and this is what it said.
It turns out that it had only just arrived, and even featured on the news later that evening, including an interview with Tracy Emin about why she'd decided that those words were appropriate.
I know who I want my time with. In fact I've known for a very long time.
To seal the deal, there was even a busker in the station playing and singing at one of the pianos:
I don't want clever conversation
I never want to work that hard
I just want someone that I can talk to
I love you just the way you are.
Tuesday, 3 April 2018
Proofing
Getting quite good at proof-reading now. Although, probably getting to the stage where I wouldn't see mistakes for looking.
Monday, 2 April 2018
Attachment
A week or so ago, admitting that I was struggling a bit, Nicky and I talked about how talking about grief was much better than keeping things bottled up inside. And, of course, she's right. It's a lesson I've always struggled with, but particularly at the moment, not wanting to appear down to the rest of my family. However, there's no hiding some things.
Nicky bought me a book - 'It's OK that you're not OK' which I am getting in to. And the following piece under a heading of 'Attachment is Survival' seemed appropriate:
"Real safety is in entering each other's pain, recognising ourselves inside it. As one of my oldest teachers used to say, poignancy is kinship. It's evidence of connection. That we hurt for each other shows our relatedness. Our limbic systems, our hearts, and our bodies are made for this; we long for that connection.
That you see your own potential for grief and loss in someone else's grief? That's beautiful. Poignancy is kinship.
When emotion comes up, we can let that poignancy run through us. It hurts, but it hurts because we're related, because we're connected. It should hurt. There's nothing wrong with that. When we recognise pain and grief as a healthy response to loss, we can respond with skill and grace, rather than blame and bypass. We can respond by loving one another, no matter what happens."
Nicky bought me a book - 'It's OK that you're not OK' which I am getting in to. And the following piece under a heading of 'Attachment is Survival' seemed appropriate:
"Real safety is in entering each other's pain, recognising ourselves inside it. As one of my oldest teachers used to say, poignancy is kinship. It's evidence of connection. That we hurt for each other shows our relatedness. Our limbic systems, our hearts, and our bodies are made for this; we long for that connection.
That you see your own potential for grief and loss in someone else's grief? That's beautiful. Poignancy is kinship.
When emotion comes up, we can let that poignancy run through us. It hurts, but it hurts because we're related, because we're connected. It should hurt. There's nothing wrong with that. When we recognise pain and grief as a healthy response to loss, we can respond with skill and grace, rather than blame and bypass. We can respond by loving one another, no matter what happens."
Sunday, 1 April 2018
Easter
I could start off with talk of a new plan as we go into a new month / quarter about getting into a new blogging habit, but that is dangerous talk, and my recent track record has not been good.
In any case, it has bee great to have a few days off. A brief moment of calm amongst some pretty busy times at work. We've been doing very little so far with the long weekend, partly to recharge those batteries, partly because the weather hasn't been great, and partly because we've been at home with the littler dog who is still recovering from her 'little operation'. Still, I think we are going to try harder and actually go out somewhere tomorrow.
Having said that, we did manage an evening out yesterday. We went with Jen and Jon to the new restaurant in Maidstone (formerly the White Rabbit, now Miller & Carter steakhouse). Food was excellent, service from Frank was middling, and a fine time was had by all. I'm sure we'll be back - can't go to a good steak restaurant and not end up taking Jake.
Jake and Izzy have been on the south coast (Bracklesham Bay) with the Crans yesterday and today - I think Izzy's longest drive so far in her Mini. The rest of the family are staying for the week, by they are on their way back now. Jake is off to a basketball game tomorrow, and they are both in school a fair bit this week for revision sessions.
At church this morning it was Nathan's last service with us before he goes to his new post in Rainham. Again his sermon seemed apt. Previously he'd spoken about 'taking up your cross' (maybe more about that another time). Today he was talking about Easter Saturday and how it represents that period of darkness after after loss. It might be tough, but better times are coming.
In any case, it has bee great to have a few days off. A brief moment of calm amongst some pretty busy times at work. We've been doing very little so far with the long weekend, partly to recharge those batteries, partly because the weather hasn't been great, and partly because we've been at home with the littler dog who is still recovering from her 'little operation'. Still, I think we are going to try harder and actually go out somewhere tomorrow.
Having said that, we did manage an evening out yesterday. We went with Jen and Jon to the new restaurant in Maidstone (formerly the White Rabbit, now Miller & Carter steakhouse). Food was excellent, service from Frank was middling, and a fine time was had by all. I'm sure we'll be back - can't go to a good steak restaurant and not end up taking Jake.
Jake and Izzy have been on the south coast (Bracklesham Bay) with the Crans yesterday and today - I think Izzy's longest drive so far in her Mini. The rest of the family are staying for the week, by they are on their way back now. Jake is off to a basketball game tomorrow, and they are both in school a fair bit this week for revision sessions.
At church this morning it was Nathan's last service with us before he goes to his new post in Rainham. Again his sermon seemed apt. Previously he'd spoken about 'taking up your cross' (maybe more about that another time). Today he was talking about Easter Saturday and how it represents that period of darkness after after loss. It might be tough, but better times are coming.
Wednesday, 17 January 2018
Jkt1
The flight from LHW to SIN was uneventful. I declined the supper, having had Nanny's roast beef for lunch, and a decent tea in the Heathrow lounge (although I did have the satay skewers!). Watched a film - the second Kingsman one, which was even more far-fetched than the first - read for a little while, although not for long as I realised that battery conservation was the order of the day due to bringing a duff charger lead, and then turned in.
Slept reasonably well, albeit a little fitfully, but got a decent rest, and was up in time for breakfast and dozing whilst listening to music before arrival at Changi. We were a little late in, so not much time at the airport (enough for a trip to an electronics store for a new cable, and a quick pit-stop in the lounge) before on to the next flight. Read my book until the battery gave up (no obvious sign of a charger point in or around the chair) so listened to music for the rest of the way. My nano playlist hasn't changed in years, and mostly has music that only I like listening to, but in amongst its 400 song shuffle, something came on that I don't remember ever hearing before, or even choosing for the playlist in the first place. It was a song by Jason Mraz called Details in the Fabric, and it was lovely.
It made me cry a little bit.
If that wasn't enough, again of 400 or so songs on shuffle, the next one that popped up was Michael Jackson singing You are not alone.
You are not alone
I am here with you
Though we're far apart
You're always in my heart.
That made me cry a little bit more.
By now we were coming in to land, so I did a reasonable job of composing myself and thought that any redness of eyes was probably excusable by the length of the journey and the confusion over time zone. Getting through Jakarta airport was a simple exercise - a had a valid visa this time around - and we were collected and off into the city.
Straight to the Royal Kitchen for dinner with the PD before checking in to our regular hotel. Exchanged messages with home but didn't manage to speak as N was at the garage with the car. Slept ok until waking up at about 4am, feeling fairly hot, as I hadn't thought to set the air-con before getting in to bed. Had a very clear recollection of what I'd been dreaming about just before waking. N and I had been out shopping, in a clearly invented place, but a well to do gift shop in a well to do cathedral town. I'd found a rather nice 2018 diary, hand-made paper, lots of pictures, lots of gardening, lots or recipes, and I remember very clearly saying to N what a lovely Christmas present it would make for Mum - something to put all of her appointments in, and to look forward to the year ahead.
I didn't find the dream, or the remembering of it, all that upsetting, maybe even strangely comforting. Make of that what you will.
Anyway, back to sleep pretty much up to the alarm, and off to the office for the day.
Slept reasonably well, albeit a little fitfully, but got a decent rest, and was up in time for breakfast and dozing whilst listening to music before arrival at Changi. We were a little late in, so not much time at the airport (enough for a trip to an electronics store for a new cable, and a quick pit-stop in the lounge) before on to the next flight. Read my book until the battery gave up (no obvious sign of a charger point in or around the chair) so listened to music for the rest of the way. My nano playlist hasn't changed in years, and mostly has music that only I like listening to, but in amongst its 400 song shuffle, something came on that I don't remember ever hearing before, or even choosing for the playlist in the first place. It was a song by Jason Mraz called Details in the Fabric, and it was lovely.
It made me cry a little bit.
If that wasn't enough, again of 400 or so songs on shuffle, the next one that popped up was Michael Jackson singing You are not alone.
You are not alone
I am here with you
Though we're far apart
You're always in my heart.
That made me cry a little bit more.
By now we were coming in to land, so I did a reasonable job of composing myself and thought that any redness of eyes was probably excusable by the length of the journey and the confusion over time zone. Getting through Jakarta airport was a simple exercise - a had a valid visa this time around - and we were collected and off into the city.
Straight to the Royal Kitchen for dinner with the PD before checking in to our regular hotel. Exchanged messages with home but didn't manage to speak as N was at the garage with the car. Slept ok until waking up at about 4am, feeling fairly hot, as I hadn't thought to set the air-con before getting in to bed. Had a very clear recollection of what I'd been dreaming about just before waking. N and I had been out shopping, in a clearly invented place, but a well to do gift shop in a well to do cathedral town. I'd found a rather nice 2018 diary, hand-made paper, lots of pictures, lots of gardening, lots or recipes, and I remember very clearly saying to N what a lovely Christmas present it would make for Mum - something to put all of her appointments in, and to look forward to the year ahead.
I didn't find the dream, or the remembering of it, all that upsetting, maybe even strangely comforting. Make of that what you will.
Anyway, back to sleep pretty much up to the alarm, and off to the office for the day.
Tuesday, 16 January 2018
Catch up
Time for a quick catch up for the record before getting on with reporting from overseas:
Friday
Getting up straight in the office, and successfully getting away early. A houseful of teenagers getting excited about booking a villa in Spain for a week in the summer (with all sorts of complicated financial arrangements being made, including alarming wads of cash appearing). A very large Papa John's order, as always, and this time a couple of bonus pizzas ordered for sharing with Kristen and Gavin.
Saturday
Rather disappointingly clobbered by migraine for much of the day, but rallied enough for a trip to Bluey in the evening for a meal out with N, J and I. Chose Bill's for the restaurant, and we were rather disappointed with the quality. Still, at least we were grateful that we didn't have the fish pie, which arrived at the table next door as we were finishing up, and which, we all agreed, deserved the description of 'rancid'. Beat a hasty retreat and got cupcakes, which Jake and I enjoyed whilst watching MOTD. Note also that J & I did our Premier League season end predictions, which I should post on here some time after I get back.
Sunday
Still not right in the head, but helped with packing by Nicky, and ended up having a quick nap before setting off in the taxi for the airport. Not ideal preparation, but head cleared on the way, and felt a lot better by the time that I'd arrived in the lounge and had some food.
Friday
Getting up straight in the office, and successfully getting away early. A houseful of teenagers getting excited about booking a villa in Spain for a week in the summer (with all sorts of complicated financial arrangements being made, including alarming wads of cash appearing). A very large Papa John's order, as always, and this time a couple of bonus pizzas ordered for sharing with Kristen and Gavin.
Saturday
Rather disappointingly clobbered by migraine for much of the day, but rallied enough for a trip to Bluey in the evening for a meal out with N, J and I. Chose Bill's for the restaurant, and we were rather disappointed with the quality. Still, at least we were grateful that we didn't have the fish pie, which arrived at the table next door as we were finishing up, and which, we all agreed, deserved the description of 'rancid'. Beat a hasty retreat and got cupcakes, which Jake and I enjoyed whilst watching MOTD. Note also that J & I did our Premier League season end predictions, which I should post on here some time after I get back.
Sunday
Still not right in the head, but helped with packing by Nicky, and ended up having a quick nap before setting off in the taxi for the airport. Not ideal preparation, but head cleared on the way, and felt a lot better by the time that I'd arrived in the lounge and had some food.
Sunday, 14 January 2018
Plane
Just about to board my plane to Singapore. Terrible form on the blogging over last couple of days. Will try harder over this trip. Might even do some offline blogging from planes for later uploading ...
Thursday, 11 January 2018
NBA
Jake at the O2 to see the basketball this evening. Looking forward to hearing his stories when he gets back.
Wednesday, 10 January 2018
Mud
If it's been a rough day, or there's been disappointing news, always worth remembering people having a tougher time.
Last year we drove through the parts of Southern California that have been affected by the mudslides. Let's hope the worst is over for them and things might start to look up.
Last year we drove through the parts of Southern California that have been affected by the mudslides. Let's hope the worst is over for them and things might start to look up.
Tuesday, 9 January 2018
Cinderella
Today I have inserted a new 'widget' into the website - a holiday countdown. I had one before, but I deleted it, and so I've had to google to track down the necessary HTML code (as I don't want some crappy commercial widget with its associated advertising), and now we can see that it is 179 days until we go to Orlando in the summer.
This may not seem significant, but it is. Specifically it is less than 180 days, and this means that the window has opened for restaurant bookings, and so Nicky has already taken advantage, with a lunch reservation for 'Cinderella's Royal Table', the restaurant that is inside the Castle in the Magic Kingdom, where we will be going on the first day of our holiday.
This was, I believe, a special request from one the new members of our holiday party.
Fine with me, as I will have a whole new excuse for more castle photography, and not only that, I may even get my photo taken with a real-life Disney Princess! :)
This may not seem significant, but it is. Specifically it is less than 180 days, and this means that the window has opened for restaurant bookings, and so Nicky has already taken advantage, with a lunch reservation for 'Cinderella's Royal Table', the restaurant that is inside the Castle in the Magic Kingdom, where we will be going on the first day of our holiday.
This was, I believe, a special request from one the new members of our holiday party.
Fine with me, as I will have a whole new excuse for more castle photography, and not only that, I may even get my photo taken with a real-life Disney Princess! :)
Monday, 8 January 2018
Reshuffle
Is it just me or is this reshuffle a shambles, and apparently there's more to come tomorrow.
No question of any changes at the Home Office, Foreign Office, No. 11 or 'Brexit Dept.' and it seems several other ministers refused proposed changes as the day went on.
By the time the evening came one wonders whether Mrs May put her foot down when Justine Greening argued to stay at Education and said no. So, Ms Greening told her to stuff it and quit. Good for her!
No question of any changes at the Home Office, Foreign Office, No. 11 or 'Brexit Dept.' and it seems several other ministers refused proposed changes as the day went on.
By the time the evening came one wonders whether Mrs May put her foot down when Justine Greening argued to stay at Education and said no. So, Ms Greening told her to stuff it and quit. Good for her!
Sunday, 7 January 2018
Taxing
A productive day as Sunday's go. Started off with a trip to church for my January Sunday on the rota, followed by dog-walking and Sunday lunch with Nan. Coco was the guest of honour - all part of the continuing project to get her out and about a little bit more and increase her confidence. Indeed she spent the afternoon with Nan, before being disturbed by the noisy dogs.
This afternoon Nicky and I have been busy sorting out under the stairs. It's amazing just how much luggage we'd accumulated, and how many things had been put there when we moved in and hadn't appeared again. Nicky's car is now jam-packed, ready for a trip to the charity store tomorrow.
And, to top it off, subject to checking something at work this week, my tax return is ready to go.
Productive indeed.
This afternoon Nicky and I have been busy sorting out under the stairs. It's amazing just how much luggage we'd accumulated, and how many things had been put there when we moved in and hadn't appeared again. Nicky's car is now jam-packed, ready for a trip to the charity store tomorrow.
And, to top it off, subject to checking something at work this week, my tax return is ready to go.
Productive indeed.
Saturday, 6 January 2018
Barnum
A day for putting boxes of decorations back up in the loft today, and so the place feels rather bare, with no trees and no festive flourishes any more.
Nicky and I had a trip to Bluey this evening for a little light shopping, followed by our favourite tapas, and then a trip to the cinema (one of the new screens with the comfy reclining seats) to see 'The Greatest Showman'. An excellent film, with Hugh Jackman as P.T.Barnum. Probably best to say that it was 'inspired by' historical events rather than being faithful to them, but I expect that it would be something of a Barnum maxim not to let the truth get in the way of a good story.
Nicky and I had a trip to Bluey this evening for a little light shopping, followed by our favourite tapas, and then a trip to the cinema (one of the new screens with the comfy reclining seats) to see 'The Greatest Showman'. An excellent film, with Hugh Jackman as P.T.Barnum. Probably best to say that it was 'inspired by' historical events rather than being faithful to them, but I expect that it would be something of a Barnum maxim not to let the truth get in the way of a good story.
Friday, 5 January 2018
41 in review
Time for a quick 'year in review' moment. I achieved 82% of my target, and read 41 books in 2017, according to my Goodreads records, which was at least a step in the right direction from the 35 of the previous year. Thanks to the analysis tools that the site provides, I apparently read 12,600 pages over the year (I make that an average of 35 a day, so when put like that doesn't actually seem all that much).
I definitely favour modern works, having read only eight books published before 2000, only one of which (Diary of a Nobody) was published before 1900. Also, it seems that I have (as suspected) a slight preference for the made up stuff, with fiction beating non fiction by 26 to 15.
Looking at individual authors, my favourite for the year was Kate Atkinson with five, followed by John Grisham with four. Grisham continues to be in first place with 20 'since records began' (start of 2011), but Kate Atkinson is now up to 5th with 7.
Enough of the nerdy stats, from a qualitative perspective, some of my 2017 highlights would have to be:
I definitely favour modern works, having read only eight books published before 2000, only one of which (Diary of a Nobody) was published before 1900. Also, it seems that I have (as suspected) a slight preference for the made up stuff, with fiction beating non fiction by 26 to 15.
Looking at individual authors, my favourite for the year was Kate Atkinson with five, followed by John Grisham with four. Grisham continues to be in first place with 20 'since records began' (start of 2011), but Kate Atkinson is now up to 5th with 7.
Enough of the nerdy stats, from a qualitative perspective, some of my 2017 highlights would have to be:
- When Breath Becomes Air - very moving account by a very smart guy.
- Human Croquet - probably my top pick of the Atkinson's of the year.
- The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy - wasn't sure if I was going to like this one as much as Harold Fry, but thought it was fantastic, even if the ending upset me a great deal. Had the opportunity to talk to the author at a signing, and told her so!
- The Year of Reading Dangerously - encouraging stuff for a determined reader, although I don't suppose I'll ever manage quite so many classics (see above re preponderance of modern publications).
- The Heart of What Was Lost - an opportunity to return to Osten Ard and to be introduced to a new story. Must get stuck into The Witchwood Crown soon.
- Ordinary Thunderstorms - Boyd writes a great story. Loved Any Human Heart, and this was top quality as well. Must read some more of his.
Thursday, 4 January 2018
James
A first book blog of the year to mark the first finished book of the year. Last night I read the last short story the P.D. James collection 'Sleep no more'. A second posthumous collection of short stories published in the lead up to Christmas (including 'The murder of Santa Claus'!), although I haven't actually read 'The Mistletoe Murders' yet, which was published in 2016. I wonder how long her literary executors will be able to keep this up, finding a few short stories to collect, and throwing in a few with a festive theme along the way.
In other book news, I've just started the process of registering for my Christmas books gift from Margaret. I've inserted the necessary information to website no.1, but I think I now need to do the same with website no.2, which is currently saying that it is too busy and won't be processing any more gift redemptions until the weekend!
In other book news, I've just started the process of registering for my Christmas books gift from Margaret. I've inserted the necessary information to website no.1, but I think I now need to do the same with website no.2, which is currently saying that it is too busy and won't be processing any more gift redemptions until the weekend!
Wednesday, 3 January 2018
Kind
So we decided last night to be kind to Coco (and maybe ourselves) and let her stay with us rather than sleep downstairs. We'd forgotten that she doesn't settle so well overnight if she sleeps in our room, so no one got a very good night's sleep.
Normal service has been resumed this evening. It's for the best!
Normal service has been resumed this evening. It's for the best!
Tuesday, 2 January 2018
Monday, 1 January 2018
New Year
2018 has arrived already, and it's back to work tomorrow. Still, a fine festive season had by all. A relatively quiet Christmas Day with the four of us Boxley residents, followed by a houseful (16) on Boxing Day. Then off to Bec's on the 27th with many of the same faces, plus Lucy, James and Teddy to join the fun. A trip to the cinema with the Crans on the 28th (Star Wars VIII) and a couple of quieter days before New Year at Carla and Ali's.
Put in a single paragraph, it makes it sound quite busy!
Put in a single paragraph, it makes it sound quite busy!
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