April 21st Toppler Reporting Thread

[Janice, Moderator]

Sounds like everyone is happily reading away. :)

[Kat]

Pragya wrote: "Hey everyone. I am late because I was finishing up a book for a scheduled review at my blog. I hate to get into this so late.

And I am already sleepy. :( It's 12:20 am here. I hope to get started ..."

Ah dontchya hate those deadlines! Glad you are here now :-D

[Almeta]

Rats! I have had several slow moments here in which I could be reading (only 42 pages in)...but my next door neighbor has decided to sit in my livingroom all day and won't take a hint.

At four o'clock the Free4All will be over and I am kicking her out!

[Kimberly]

Glad you could join us Pragya :) Better late than never.

[Sam]

Almeta wrote: "Rats! I have had several slow moments here in which I could be reading (only 42 pages in)...but my next door neighbor has decided to sit in my livingroom all day and won't take a hint.

At fou..."

Don't cha just hate it when that happens, I've been telling everyone I know I'm unavailable for the duration of this challenge just to make sure I get plenty of reading time in! Was even tempted to make up a Do Not Disturb sign for my front door and a virtual one for all my accounts (apart from GR of course)!

[Anne]

Hi everyone. *waving* I'm joining in late. Had something I had to do this morning. I'm eating lunch - cucumber salad with olives and blue corn chips. And I'm reading Prague Fatale by Philip Kerr.

[Pragya]

Kat wrote: "Pragya wrote: "Hey everyone. I am late because I was finishing up a book for a scheduled review at my blog. I hate to get into this so late.

And I am already sleepy. :( It's 12:20 am here. I hope..."

Absolutely, takes the fun out of reading. Thankfully it was a good read.

[Pragya]

Almeta wrote: "Rats! I have had several slow moments here in which I could be reading (only 42 pages in)...but my next door neighbor has decided to sit in my livingroom all day and won't take a hint.

At fou..."

LOL, Almeta. Good luck with kicking her out.

[Sam]

Just had some tea (the evening meal version as well as the liquid version) and cracking on with For Whom The Bell Tolls and I'm about a quarter of the way through :-)

[Kat]

Ok I've had my weekly TV fix, some dinner (a very unhealthy microwave nachos) and I'm back to Four Freedoms - halfway through and it's turned into far more than a look at the US in WWII, there's been parts about medical treatments for spinal curvature in the 20s and 30s which was unexpected but extremely interesting!

[Cheryl]

Short stories are not the best choice. To enjoy them, I have to slow down and take breaks between each one. Sounds like we all are facing challenges of one sort or another though so I won't complain. At least my anthology has some really good stories in it. Keep up the good work y'all!

[Mintymedley]

I have some pictures up of where I was reading this morning here They had lunch for us, but I am still hungry and all this talk of snacking is not helping :D

[Snoozie Suzie]

Hello *waves*. As its 8.45pm here and I was supposed to start at 4 im a bit behind. I decided this pm to start my exercise thing (gotta get slimmer for the beach hut). Then had to do some of the ironing for my ladies. So I am joining you now. I'm in a hot bath about to start Tigers Wife - trying to help my muscles from aching tomorrow.

[Sam]

Judy wrote: "I have to slow down and take breaks between each one.

Sounds like a ready-made opportunity for snacks! :-)"

I'd say, much easier than trying to make snacks/drinks while reading!!

[Kimberly]

I'm still reading my book...I hate it but I've got 39% to go. This one is such a slow read who knew 140 pages could take so long to read?

[Kat]

Kimberly wrote: "I'm still reading my book...I hate it but I've got 39% to go. This one is such a slow read who knew 140 pages could take so long to read?"

Ah Kimberly :(

I've just adjusted the font size on my ebook and I'm reading faster now - age must be catching up with me!

[Pragya]

Judy wrote: "Are you in need of toothpicks to keep your eyes open yet, Pragya?"

Not yet, Judy. It's 1:30am. I hope to put a dent in one of my reads before heading to bed. I am back with my tea and still grappling with what to read.

Life of Pi is looking huge to me right now to even start with. Everything I have in my TBR for the longest time are huge. Probably the reason why I never got to reading them. :(

[jaxnsmom]

Just chopped up stuff for salsa to have later. And made a cup of herbal blend tea.

Pragya - I didn't know there was a movie, will have to look for it. Hope you've found a good book to read.

Almeta - are you free yet? :)

Minty - So glad you had great weather for your walk. And now cleaning your closets? How wonderful to get a two-for-one with your reading! And make closet cleaning bearable :~)

Judy - thanks for the info. What book are you reading? I might still look for an e-book, I'd like to try one, and it would be great to get credit for it too :p

[Kat]

Just pick one and start Pragya, you might be pleasantly surprised - that's what happened to me :)

[Mintymedley]

Well it sounds like my boyfriend and I are going to the Taco Bell to try out these Doritos Tacos. I will let you know how it goes.

[Pragya]

I finished reading The Author's note in Life of Pi and I am excited now. :)

[Pragya]

Snoozie Suzie wrote: "Hello *waves*. As its 8.45pm here and I was supposed to start at 4 im a bit behind. I decided this pm to start my exercise thing (gotta get slimmer for the beach hut). Then had to do some of the ir..."

Oh I started that one sometime back, didn't get around to finishing it though. It sure was interesting as much as I read.

[Almeta]

4:15...I was free...just as I was closing the door another person came to see what might be left. Tune in later!

[Kimberly]

I think it's time for me to put on some tea.
What kind is everyone drinking since it seems a lot of us have the kettle on...my choice is Rooibos tea :)

[Kat]

OK, someone tell me exactly what rooibos tea is. I had a huge discussion about this last week :)

[Kimberly]

Here ya go Kat : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rooibos
I love it! My dad's from there and he got me drinking it years ago when he recieved a care package from one of his relatives still over there he' didn't realize until a few months ago that they sold it here until I bought him some.

[Pragya]

Kat wrote: "OK, someone tell me exactly what rooibos tea is. I had a huge discussion about this last week :)"

Never heard of it. Some enlightenment, Kimberly? I am drinking good old green tea.

[Pragya]

Almeta wrote: "4:15...I was free...just as I was closing the door another person came to see what might be left. Tune in later!"

Uh oh, Almeta. :(

[Kat]

And the Dutchies I was having tea with didn't know what it was....shame on them!

[Kimberly]

Kat wrote: "And the Dutchies I was having tea with didn't know what it was....shame on them!"

I guess they'd only know it if they knew they're South African history :)

[Mikki]

Sue wrote: "I told you I was going for volume and things I've had for ages. I just read Griffin & Sabine Trilogy - Box Set, which has been on my book shelf for years. How did I let it wait for so long? The pag..."

Those are wonderful! Did you enjoy them, Sue? Those would be fun to reread at some point. And there is a fourth one I believe...

[Mikki]

Whew, who knew that a book about a murderess grandmother could be so dark? :)

Already took a 1/2 hour nap!

[Mintymedley]

Kimberly wrote: "I think it's time for me to put on some tea.
What kind is everyone drinking since it seems a lot of us have the kettle on...my choice is Rooibos tea :)"

I've been drinking Earl Grey today. It seemed like a good choice this morning when it was raining.

[Pragya]

Kimberly wrote: "Here ya go Kat : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rooibos
I love it! My dad's from there and he got me drinking it years ago when he recieved a care package from one of his relatives still over there ..."

Ah, good old Bush tea. Now where did I read it? Baking Cakes in Kigali perhaps.

[Mikki]

Anne wrote: "Hi everyone. *waving* I'm joining in late. Had something I had to do this morning. I'm eating lunch - cucumber salad with olives and blue corn chips. And I'm reading Prague Fatale by Philip ..."

Hi Anne!!! :)

[Kimberly]

Pragya wrote: "Kimberly wrote: "Here ya go Kat : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rooibos
I love it! My dad's from there and he got me drinking it years ago when he recieved a care package from one of his relatives ..."

Nope :) The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Mma Ramotswe loves her red bush tea.

[Kimberly]

Mintymedley wrote: "Kimberly wrote: "I think it's time for me to put on some tea.
What kind is everyone drinking since it seems a lot of us have the kettle on...my choice is Rooibos tea :)"

I've been drinking Earl Gr..."

I love earl grey tea, it was raining here this morning too.

[jaxnsmom]

I have some rooibos tea that I keep at work. I've been trying various loose leaf teas. Love chamomile tea with a little honey at bedtime. Today I'm drinking a blend called Immuni Tea. It has peppermint leaf, green tea herb, grape root, rose hips, orange peel, calendula flower, echinacea, goldenseal, and red clover. I like it because it's not bland and needs no sweetener.

Oh, that slightly burned smell, I left my chocolate turnover in the toaster oven a little too long.

Still enjoying my book, although I seem to be taking too many breaks to get far. I'm almost 1/3 through.

It sounds like some good books being read today!

[Pragya]

Kat wrote: "Just pick one and start Pragya, you might be pleasantly surprised - that's what happened to me :)"

You were right. I am pleasantly surprised. Life of Pi is a fast read and I'm liking it so far.

[Sue]

Mikki wrote: "Sue wrote: "I told you I was going for volume and things I've had for ages. I just read Griffin & Sabine Trilogy - Box Set, which has been on my book shelf for years. How did I let it wait for so l..."

I really loved it (even did a review) but sadly found it's listed with zero pages! So it's removed from my TBR but doesn't add to the Toppler page count. I don't really mind. If there is a 4th, I'll have to find it.

I've started 2 more, the Welty book of short sories, of which I've read Katherine Anne Porther's introduction, and Didion's The Year of Magical Thinking. So far I'm happy with both. None of my reading individually meets the 300 page total, so I'm still going to max the number I remove from my TBR. Who knows though, if I get on a big roll, I may add another.

[Kat]

Pragya wrote: "Kat wrote: "Just pick one and start Pragya, you might be pleasantly surprised - that's what happened to me :)"

You were right. I am pleasantly surprised. Life of Pi is a fast read and I'm liking i..."

Hurrah! I'm really interested to see what you think of it - it's one I've umm'ed and ahhh'ed over for several years now!

[jaxnsmom]

Judy wrote: "What book are you Jaxnsmom, here is a link: The Post..."

I actually own it and have it here in my pile :)

[Pragya]

Kimberly wrote: "Pragya wrote: "Kimberly wrote: "Here ya go Kat : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rooibos
I love it! My dad's from there and he got me drinking it years ago when he recieved a care package from one o..."

Ah! Right! :)

[Pragya]

Judy wrote: "
Judy - thanks for the info. What book are you reading? I might still look for an e-book, I'd like to try one, and it would be great to get credit for it too :p

Jaxnsmom, here is a link: The Post..."

It's in my TBR, recommended by Janice. :)

[Sam]

All this talk of tea has inspired me to stick the kettle on (again) but will still be sticking with the traditional black tea, need the caffeine to keep me going but might have one of my spiced orange ones later :-)

About a third of the way through For Whom The Bell Tolls and really enjoying it although some bits are quite tough to read.

[Mikki]

Sue wrote: "I really loved it (even did a review) but sadly found it's listed with zero pages! So it's removed from my TBR but doesn't add to the Toppler page count. I don't really mind. If there is a 4th, I'll have to find it..."


So just total them seperately:
Griffin & Sabine: An Extraordinary CorrespondenceSabine's Notebook: In Which the Extraordinary Correspondence of Griffin & Sabine ContinuesThe Golden Mean: In Which the Extraordinary Correspondence of Griffin & Sabine Concludes

[Anne]

Hi Mikki!! So glad that Agathe is joining us today. I need a nap too. I'm going to make some strong tea and see if it helps.

[Janice, Moderator]

I'm back from the library. I read two chapters but found it hard to concentrate. The yummy looking security guard kept walking by. :)

So, Judy, do I qualify for the Goose award. (No, I didn't goose the guard.) This is the first time I have parked my derriere in a public library to read.

I got a library card and took out my first book, The House at Sea's End.

I was drinking white tea this morning. I think I'll heat up the coffee, grab a cookie, and get back to reading.

[Kimberly]

So I just did a couple things around the house. Put on a load of laundry and scrubbed the shower and the tub. Now I'm off to finish the dreadful book!

[Kat]

Janice wrote: "I'm back from the library. I read two chapters but found it hard to concentrate. The yummy looking security guard kept walking by. :)

So, Judy, do I qualify for the Goose award. (No, I didn't g..."

LOL Janice! Now if knew there was eye candy in a library I would have visited one long ago....