50 Book Challenge 2017 Part Eight

Remus I'm reading The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern at the moment. It’s kind of cosy froth. Magic light, plot light (so far, am about 100 pages in), character light, but quite atmospheric. I'm not having to think much, it’s just motoring along nicely.

If however you feel like reading something that is brimming with nicely written shagging then I can recommend Under a Pole Star by Stef Penney. Nearly drove off the road yesterday listening to it.

Oh she’s a bit cross too! You’d get along! Actually just checked and it’s short stories, so no. No luck with getting hold of Rush Oh? That’s very cosy, punctuated by bloodbaths and graphic descriptions of blubber.

Nope. I am far too cross for wise grandmothers. I would be irritated by such age and wisdom and then have to hate myself.

53. Nothing To Envy: Real Lives in North Korea - Barbara Demick

An absolutely fascinating and incredible piece of journalism. Demick tells the story of the world's most isolated country through the lives of six people from the north of the country who eventually made their way to South Korea after years of awful tribulations.

I’ve got The Winter Book by Tove Jansson. Might be cosy. The Summer Book was quite cosy, despite the weather. There was a thunderstorm. There was also a child, a Grandma, and wisdom, quite cosy themes, so there may be more of that in the Winter Book.

Notice me ignoring Cote's sunshine and mini dress.

I seem to have really gone off short stories in recent years, so maybe not the best time for the Winterson right now. I'm tired and ill and grumpy and I basically want a Baileys and a mince pie in book form. I'm reading an architecture book in the meantime, but won't count it, as it's mostly pictures!

Remus thanks for the suggestion. Think we might have it somewhere. I will have a look, can't really justify spending anymore on books at the moment. Have just started and Andrew Morton book on the links between Nazis and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor!! Was on my kindle and I can't remember why! Actually so far not too bad.

Thanks for the 'best books thread' southeast. Have made my contribution. Well watch with interest.

In AOB , is anyone else annoyed that they are making a 'season 2' of The Handmaids Tale? Surely the fact there is no resolution is the whole point?!?!!?

Remus - re: cosy reads, I heartily recommend Jeanette Winterson's Christmas Days - 12 stories. I haven't finished them yet but very enjoyable so far and the book itself is gorgeous.

137 Inferior: how science got women wrong - and the new research that's rewriting the story, by Angela Saini
Good science journalism. I've read a few books in this line (Cordelia Fine, Marlene Zuk) but it still felt fresh.

138. This is going to hurt : secret diaries of a junior doctor, by Adam Kay
Made me laugh out loud on numerous occasions, but he makes a serious point about how the NHS eats its staff alive.

(I may have miscounted somewhere along the line, as the tally in my notebook says this was 139).

Exactly! (Caribou is a mix of booze that's served hot. Recipes vary, but it seems to have originated in Quebec logging camps, which were well in need of any form of warmth in winter.)

Or vodka

Hey, I wore a skirt today! And thermal tights. And heat tech leggings. And a down coat.

-20 is pretty frigid. If nothing else, there's always a hot drink. Or Caribou.

-20!

Is this a bad time to mention that I was out in a mini dress and a light jacket today? Oh and of course I didn't forget my sunglasses because otherwise you can't see anything from the glare

This makes me so happy, Sadik. I love Check, Please and hope you enjoy it, too. (BTW, Rainbow Rowell is also a fan; she tweeted that she was at first hockey game and only had a clue because of Check, Please. )

Thank you for the link Vanderley I forsee some happy reading :)

Our snow is lovely and clean right now, but don't be too envious; it'll be filthy soon enough.

Satsuki, I was glad to read that you're on the mend.

The Strange Last Voyage of Donald Crowhurst wasn't my recommendation, EmGee, though it does sound like the kind of thing I'd enjoy! I did rave about the Siege though I think!

I'm about a third of the way into The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy which I'm loving, however I remembered I have book group on Monday so I've had to stop to read The Keeper of Lost Things in time, I'm resenting this somewhat but I'm determined to read at least half of it.

The web comic is Check, Please! It's published on tumblr: omgcheckplease.tumblr.com/episodes

And here: checkpleasecomic.com

The comic also has extras; of special note is Hockey Shit with Ransom and Holster.

The comic is a delight that all should read. I'm happy to pm AO3 links to those so inclined.

We didn’t have a huge amount - fits and starts. A lot overnight which all melted throughout the morning.

Very envious of all this snow. We had a few measly flakes which didn’t stick.

Hi vista vanderley and emgee good to see you back - not that I’ve been here

Yes that does make sense about Gaiman Tanaqui. I had a root around and found a short story collection I downloaded ages ago so I’m going to give him a go again.

It started snowing the day I began Into Thin Air - I’m nearly done and think I’ll go onto A Christmas Carol after to warm up!

"How do you feel about pie-baking ice hockey players and webcomics"
Sounds interesting - link???

Yep, a few days at -20 (with the wind chill; the base temp is around -13). I feel very, very lucky that I have a warm, cosy home with plenty of books. It's supposed to warm up over the weekend.

I often go in for big reads or rereads during the frigid months. Donna Tartt isn't cosy, but is so good for winter. I'll have to think a bit.