Random Chit Chat Showing 1,151-1,200 of 1,204

[Lynne - The Book Squirrel]

Liz wrote: "I just read the sad news that Spanish author, Carlos Ruiz Zafón, has died. I really enjoyed 'The Shadow of the Wind'."

That is sad! I’ve read three of the series and got the forth to read.

[Petra X]

Natalie wrote: "So I only just found out that J.K.Rowling has written other books under a pseudonym!"

She's always used the name Robert Galbraith to write her adult mysteries under. Nora Roberts also has a pseudonym specifically for adult books, JD Robb.

[Kate, Moderator]

I just found our random chit chat thread languishing on page two having slipped out of sight and out of mind!

Let us know what you're up to. Doesn't have to be book related. :)

[Bill]

The past two days we've hunkered down because we're not used to cold here on the West coast of Canada.. It's not that bad, really and it'll be back to normal in a day or so.. Hope everyone is enjoying 2024 so far.

[Mary]

Hi there and Happy New Year everyone!
Out of three books that I have read this year I came across one that I disliked already … .
I buy real books so it was annoying to have paid for this one ( House Bound by Winifred Peck) .
It normally would be a treasure ( Persephone books; beautiful publishings even second hand )

It was the story that was the dud ..
luckily there are plenty more …

[Liz, Moderator]

Bill wrote: "The past two days we've hunkered down because we're not used to cold here on the West coast of Canada.. It's not that bad, really and it'll be back to normal in a day or so.. Hope everyone is enjoy..."

I've been seeing the weather reports! Brrh! Here in Singapore, it's been rain, rain, rain and even a bit of rain... Things are going mouldy :(

[Liz, Moderator]

Mary wrote: "Hi there and Happy New Year everyone!
Out of three books that I have read this year I came across one that I disliked already … .
I buy real books so it was annoying to have paid for this one ( H..."

There's always a few duds. I think I'm getting better at avoiding them, but still it's bound to happen occasionally!

[Mary]

Liz it’s true . I expect it to happen once in a while ! 🙂

[Louisa]

Bill wrote: "The past two days we've hunkered down because we're not used to cold here on the West coast of Canada.. It's not that bad, really and it'll be back to normal in a day or so.. Hope everyone is enjoy..."

I was surprised to see temperatures that low for the West coast. To this ex-Torontonian (now SW ON) it isn't winter unless there's snow on the ground and it's well below freezing. I hope people are feeding the birds and looking out for the feral cats colonies in BC.

[Liz, Moderator]

I saw that UK temperature could reach -15°C this week. That's unheard of! Wrap up warm, stay home and read!

[Mary]

I’m in in coastal BC too and was born here ( a zillion years ago ) extreme cold not unknown . There have been many years of cold winters but not universal as you get in Ontario for sure . For those in the uk , I hope that you’re able to stay warm and sheltered. Roll on spring , we all need it ! 🙂

[Louisa]

Liz wrote: "I saw that UK temperature could reach -15°C this week. That's unheard of! Wrap up warm, stay home and read!"

And make sure pets are kept warm too. If you're cold, they're cold! That windchill (if it's breezy) is a horror and frostbite happens fast. Here in SW Ontario, Canada, we're at -12C tonight with a W/C of 'feels like' -20C. I like the cold winters but it takes work and appropriate clothes to be safe outside. Stay warm!

[Louisa]

Mary wrote: "I’m in in coastal BC too and was born here ( a zillion years ago ) extreme cold not unknown . There have been many years of cold winters but not universal as you get in Ontario for sure . For those..."

Yes indeed. Spring and the Grapefruit League!

[Emma]

I’m from the UK (Windsor)and its currently -3c this morning. Warming up with a nice cup of tea and marmite on toast ☺️

[Liz, Moderator]

Sounds a good start to the day, Emma!

[Emma]

It’s exactly how I’ve started today although it was -7 when I got up and both dogs have snuggled up too

[Mary]

We’re not thrilled ; got quite a bit of snow yesterday and it’s continuing right now . But rain is forecast for the foreseeable future , yay !

[Kate, Moderator]

All this cold weather certainly means more reading time. Much better to curl up with a good book than brave the outside!

[Mary]

Kate , absolutely right !

[Joy]

I haven’t posted anything here in ages. My husband died of ALS on September 20, 2022. Needless to say it was devastating. We were married for 42 years.

[Liz, Moderator]

Joy wrote: "I haven’t posted anything here in ages. My husband died of ALS on September 20, 2022. Needless to say it was devastating. We were married for 42 years."

Joy, I am so sorry to hear your news, my heartfelt condolences for your loss. Welcome back to the group, it's lovely to have you with us again.

[Joy]

Liz wrote: "Joy wrote: "I haven’t posted anything here in ages. My husband died of ALS on September 20, 2022. Needless to say it was devastating. We were married for 42 years."

Joy, I am so sorry to hear your..."

Thank you Liz. You’re very kind.

[Paul]

This reading list of the musician, Jeff Buckley, crossed my path just now and I thought it might be of interest to others. There is some interesting reading, often nothing to do with music.

https://jeffbuckley.com/personal-stuff/

[Paul]

Happy Bloomsday everyone

[Anna]

I wonder how many people have had to find out what or who we are celebrating with Paul. I found James Joyce.

Also, happy father's day where appropriate!

[Carole]

How many of you read the reviews before embarking on a book? And, more importantly do they influence you?

[Bill]

Carole wrote: "How many of you read the reviews before embarking on a book? And, more importantly do they influence you?"

Reviews don't normally influence me... I tend to pick authors I know first, synopses that look interesting, book covers that grab my attention. Sometimes interviews with authors, especially when I'm reading non - fiction.

[Kate, Moderator]

Hello Everyone, Happy New Year. What a cold start we have had. Have any of you had any snow? I'm in Hampshire and we had a light dusting last night which only lasted a short time until the rain washed it away.
I hope you are all spending the first weekend of the new year curled up cosily with a good book.

[Lucy]

hi Kate, no snow here in East Sussez, just torrential rain and gale force winds. All day!
Good excuse to sit at home and read for most of the day!

[Kate, Moderator]

Sounds like perfect reading weather Lucy!

[Liz, Moderator]

I'm still living in Singapore and it's the rainy season - very heavy downpours every afternoon- so perfect for reading!

[Lucy]

has anyone read The Bee Sting by Paul Murray?
I am really tempted to but some of the reviews don't fill me with confidence and it's over 600 pages, which is fine but not if it is going to be a 600 page struggle!

[Kate, Moderator]

I'm not familiar with it Lucy but it does sound intriguing. Reviews appear a bit mixed. Maybe give it a whirl and see how you get on.
I'm allergic to bee stings so I won't be tackling it! 😂

[Lucy]

Thanks Kate, I probably will. il see of I can track down a copy at the library, but I usually have to wait months as they only seem to have 3 copies of anything!
Either that or check Kindle price.

[Nikks]

bit late to comment ... but I read The Bee Sting. it was good but ... there was too much padding and unnecessary loose ends.

[Lucy]

Thanks Nikks, what you say is pretty much on par with what I've read from other reviews.

I'm stuck in a reading rut at the moment. started about 4 books and have not managed to get into any of them which is really annoying me.

what do you all do when this happens, if it happens?

[Susie]

hi Lucy, there are a couple of things I try if in a reading rut.
1. Read an old favourite; or
2. Read something by a favouite author;
3. listen to an audiobook.

[Richelle.]

Hello All,

Are there any UK based independent small publishing companies in this group?

[Nikks]

Lucy, If im really in a rut I might listen to an audio book, especially if its narrated well, or even better by the author themselves. Most recently I listened to Little Bee, the narrator did a great job with all the character voices.

[Liz, Moderator]

Nikks wrote: "Lucy, If im really in a rut I might listen to an audio book, especially if its narrated well, or even better by the author themselves. Most recently I listened to Little Bee, the narrator did a gre..."

I've also found if there's a book I'm finding 'difficult', switching to the audiobook really helps. I read Lincoln in the Bardo for my in-person book club. Both the style and the sheer number of different narrators made it really challenging and I worried I just wouldn't get through it. I switched to the audiobook and the production was so good that the whole thing sprang to life.

[Tim]

Original Earth: Book One is now an award winner! At least, so I've been informed by The Firebird Literary Awards. Don't know a lot about them myself, but it all sounds pretty cool. Decide for yourselves if Original Earth deserves an award...

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

So I decided to start the Original Earth Goodreads group;
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

[Lucy]

I was wondering if anybody writes a reading journal?
and if so, how do they go about it and what sort of thing do they write?

[Liz, Moderator]

That's an interesting idea, Lucy, I've never tried it myself. I use GR to comment and keep track of my reading. I also have a spreadsheet...

[Lucy]

I use GR but I also no i spend too much time on my phone!
And one of my hobbies is collecting and using fountain pens.
So inwas thinking maybe switch my reading type journaling to pen and paper, that way I get to enjoy 2 hobbies in 1.

But, I can't decide what format to use and would be interested in other people's ideas and views.

[Nikks]

I always kept a journal for the books I read, it was title date, a summary of the story, what thoughts came to me, any new ideas, what I learned, what I most or least enjoyed, would I recommend it , my favorite quotes etc. Each review wasn't necessarily pages and pages, it depended on the book. It was fun to go back and review them, and made them more memorable somehow. Since GR though I stopped journaling and not rate them on GR's 1-5 scale, your question made me realise I should go back to journaling !

[Nikks]

now rate them*

[Lucy]

Hi Nikks
Great to hear that ive prompted you to maybe pick something up again that you used to enjoy.
I am going to gove it a go.
The layout ypu described seems perfect for me too. Nice and straight forward.
I've checked loads of different ideas and they're all too involved for me, I know I would just lose interest.

[Susie]

That's interesting Lucy as I'm experimenting with doing a book journal. I don't know if I will do a review of every book but certainly those that I really enjoyed or were thought provoking. I'm trying out some layouts to find what works for me.

[Lucy]

Susie, please do let me know how you get on with the layouts. I haven't decided on mine yet.
I will do the same and see how I get on!
Love that others are doing this too

[Susie]

will do 😀