Anyone fancy joining me in a new swap club?

[artifarti]

I love reading and now that DS can entertain himself for a while trashing my lounge is 8 mo I am finally getting back into the swing of things. But I always read the same kind of books and so would love to have something different sprung on me!

Here's the basics of how it works (thank you Flamesparrow)

How it works

[ Arti sits back and waits for the flood of recruits, hoping that she doesn't end up looking like a no-mates...]

After one good month, I've yet again failed to finish the book (Maria's) in time. I think I'm going to admit defeat on that one and send it on to Stickylittlefingers without finishing it. I apologise for such poor form! In my defence, being back at work full time is sucking my life away, we've all been ill, and we get our new house in two weeks' time. There, I've used up all my excuses in one go!

I can't even think about Christmas shopping. Argh.

Doh, that's makes perfect sense now!

Whinegums, I shall put the book in the post tomorrow...

Dygsu, thanks for posting my book and chocky, I'm looking forward to getting it... hasn't arrived yet but I'm sure it'll be here soon (I hope so anyway, we've been getting other mail).

Hi All - just marking my place.

Sorry aristocat - I have been in a rural backwater for a few days where the only post office is being converted into an attractive country cottage so no posting of book/choc after all. Now I am back in the amenity-filled stinking Big Smoke, it will be posted tomorrow and, posties willing, will be with you very soon.

arti no worries!

hoping to get some xmas shopping done this week with DCs back at school
however have enjoyed school holidays with them very much

night night

Itsjusta - actually finished my book this month (hurrah!) and so all ready to post on. However, I currently have tonsilitis and not up to doing battle at the PO. Will post on as soon as I can in the next couple of days.

MrsMuddle - book and choc arrived today and book is already finished! This is down to the fact that my lovely mother took both DC's off for the day as I'm feeling so poorly. So I took to my bed with Aristocat's book and devoured it in one hit which really took my mind off my v sore throat!

Aristo - loved the book, have already posted on the relevant thread. My oh my, aren't I organised this month, have done in one day what it usually takes me over a month to achieve! (Just goes to show what you can do when real life doesn't get in the way!)

Only sad note is that I am not up to eating the choc at the mo but v much looking forward to it as soon as I am!

Right, will go and get ready for the onslaught - mum is due back with the DC's any time now ...

lolaladybird glad that you liked the book

what will you do for the next 4 weeks?

Hi all.

Maria, sorry but I haven't had a chance to get to the post office yet although your book & chocolate are parcelled up to go. Will try and despatch tomorrow.

It's been a very unproductive month for me book-wise. I haven't finished anything since I read the Little Stranger. I am only managing to squeeze in half an hour of reading before bed these days I feel like I've been sucked into a monstrous black hole of cooking and cleaning... sigh.

Mrs Muddle I've been a terrible person, and have most definitely sinned - I brought the book and chocolate in with me to work yesterday to post, and not only did I not post them, when I got home I just couldn't resist eating the chocolate too. I am a very very bad person .

Today, however, I have been a lot better and posted both book and newly purchased chocolate. I hope you enjoy both and sorry it's a bit late - hopefully will be with you tomorrow and won't get caught up in any strike action (is there going to be any? I find the reporting very confusing).

So, have done confession. Will try and be a better person from now on.

Has anyone else eaten the chocolate they had bought intending to send with a book, or is it just me?

Flying Monkey (I won't even try to do the bold thing) - I hope this month is better for you. November being known for its cheeriness... ... try and grab some more time for reading and chocolate eating. Let them eat sarnies!

stickylittlefingers you interested in the hristmas meal?

itsjusta thanks for the book and choccy - would you believe i have read the book in 24hrs, and tehre is still a little choccy left!! (it was delicious btw, we are just flu ridden here atm)

muddleduck Apologies for not posting the book yet (i loved it btw - hope you enjoy it too when i finally post it to you). Im afraid we have been struck down with flu - probably not the pig variety but who knows - i DO feel an overwhelming urge to go to market and go wee wee wee all the way home so you never know.

The choc is bought - bit of an experiment, hope its edible and the first day i am able to venture outside i will be posting it to you. Sorry.

Hope everyone is getting better - the winter lurgy seems to have hit everyone very hard and very early this year!! Hurrah for helpful family and the book club!!

Hi everyone, I'm back from our holiday and wedding (some photos here if you're curious!) - got a back about a week ago but getting over the jet lag, settling back to work and dealing with a lurgy have meant no MN-ing. FlyingMonkey, your book will go into the post tomorrow, sorry for the delay and also apologies if you don't like the chocolate, I was working from memory and I suspect I may have got it wrong this time . I didn't finish this month's book (MrsMuddle's I think) - my first non-completer , oh well, let's see how I get on this month.

I did read a lovely book while I was away, the Secret Lives of Bees, a very gentle but compelling read I thought, and with a very odd coincidence, there is a wedding held on the same date as ours was - I love it when this sort of thing happens. One year I read three books which referred explicitly to either an appartment block I was currently living in or a road I had lived on.

Aah, LadyBee - great photos. You look lovely, as does your DH, and DS looks like a complete poppet, v cute! Hope you had a fantastic time.

PS. You definitely have the best excuse for a non-completer!

ladybee you look stunning

thank you for sharing, DH and DS look fantastic too - congratulations to all of you

ooh, congratulations ladybee it all looks wonderful! I love your dress, and your little boy is such a cutie!

Looks like a wonderful day LadyBee and you look lovely.

aristocat - parcel is on its way. I am feeling very sorry for myself today. It's my birthday and I'm off work with the lurg, on my own! DS woke me at 5.10am for the first time in ages and I've had to cancel tonight's babysitter. BOO-HOO, poor me, whinge whinge! Someone gave me a copy of The Welsh Girl for a present so I have started that and am also managing to eat some chocolate. We are all a sicky bunch at the moment, aren't we?! Hope everyone's better soon.

happy birthday arti - poor you, ill and DS not sleeping tut tut

could have sent you a cake if we had known.......anyway parcel has arrived today and omg what a little book[thanks pooter] and the chocolate has been carefully hidden away - no sharing with this one!

could you go to a bonfire instead with DS or are you too poorly for that?

Ooooooo Ladbybee you look gorgeous! Don't worry about getting the book to me immediately, I am currently reading Poor Miss Finch by Wilkie Collins.

And HAPPY BIRTHDAY artifarti. Sorry to hear you are so sick. If it's any consolation, The Welsh Girl is a good read.

Maria you should receive book + chocolate tomorrow (unless your area is hit by the postal strike).

Whinegums I'm so sorry I haven't put your book or choc in the post yet, I've been struck down with this horrible flu and haven't been able to leave the house. DH says he'll post it for me tomorrow if I don't feel up to going to the post office so one way or another you'll have a new book soon

Arti poor you, hope you're feeling much better very very soon.

Ladybee Your wedding photos made me Your dress is gorgeous and it looks like it was a great day.

Hi, book & chocolate received this morning, thanks Ladybee. The book looks very intriguing and mercifully short. I hope to get started on it soon...

Itsjusta - antibiotics have kicked in so finally made it to the post office today. Hope the parcel reaches you soon.