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...]

Have now received everyone's details except Dysgu, who is still on holiday. stickylittlefingers - don't think I have your chocolate preferences? C'mon, get your priorities sorted.

Thought I'd made up my mind but in a shop yesterday I saw the best book that I'd forgotten all about. I am so excited about reading it again and really hope you like it as I remember being like this - - when I'd finished it, which doesn't happen that often.

Out of nosiness interest, what is everyone reading at the moment? For me it's Winter in Madrid by C J Sansom - it's very good, would definitely recommend it.

arti
hi there, i'm reading A King's Ransom by James Grippando - only just started it, not too bad so far.

everyone is soooo organised & you've done really well to get it all together.

I'm rereading an old favourite - Eight Months on Gazza Street by Hilary Mantel.

I don't often re-read books, but I was talking about it to a friend, and I couldn't remember the ending.

Arti, did we all pick different books for our swap or were there any doubles?

I'm currently reading Bright Shiny Morning by James Frey (and 1/4 through Zen And The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by R. Prisig)

Mrs Muddle - all different books, all different authors.

Im reading Wideacre by someone or other - have only read a little bit, but i like it so far. I also have a few non fiction on the go - about children mainly.

I've just finished an Adele Parks easy read and think I'm now going to start on The Outlander by Gil Adamson. I found it on Amazon whilst ordering the book for our group (couldn't stop at buying just one!)- a first novel with some really good reviews & sounds interesting.

Pooter - I have Wideacre from the library but haven't started it yet. I think it's Phillipa Gregory of 'The Other Boleyn Girl' fame.

ah yes, thats it! my friend recommended it - in fact, its hers and it has taken me weeks to get around to starting it.

I had a little amazon splurge as well, when i ordered my book club book! They must love the resurgence of reading groups!

Just trying to get back into school mode, but I am attempting Random Acts of Heroic Love...

I read James Frey - not too keen on that book or his first one once I read that he took a few liberties with the truth ...

Mrs Muddle - I like the look of Eight Months on Ghazza Street (just been browsing some of the books mentioned above) ... oh dear, I can feel another Amazon order coming on!

LolaLadybird, I think I'm your sendee! I've agonised over which book to choose. I really hope you like the one I decided on.

I'm your sender, not sendee.

oh dear, the only thing I'm reading at the moment is Toddler Taming (forewarned is forearmed ) - you lot are my reading saviours, honestly I used to read lots of books all at the same time, but it took me months after DS was born before I could face anything longer than a news article. I'm still much better at listening to things than reading them, but am determined to regain my reading stripes. It's so odd how something that was such a big part of me so completely got swallowed by having DS. What's even worse is I work in publishing!!!

If it helps any, I have only read the 1st chapter...

LadyBee - and if it helps more, until a month ago, most of my reading matter had the words "your", "baby" and "sleep" in the title!

I read in fits and starts. Can read about 3 or 4 books one after the other and then not touch anything more challenging than a woman's mag for a couple of months and I always used to be reading prior to DC's.

I remember pre-DC holidays (the lazing on a beach type - do you remember those?!) where I could easily get through several paperbacks in a fortnight and book-choosing was definitely part of the holiday prep. Last year I forgot to take a book entirely and ended up borrowing one when I realised it would be quite nice to have a read in the evenings.

Oh, and nothing wrong with Toddler Taming - I've had that out again now that DS is 17 mths. I love some of Christopher Green's analogies - especially the one about toddlers having all the activity of an international airport but the control tower isn't working ..

Hello all, I'm reading The Luminous Life of Lilly Aphrodite - so far so good. Since having DS, I feel I can't read anything too challenging, especially as I rarely get more than a few pages in one sitting. I do love a big hot bath with a book though, it's my sanctuary when DP is home in the evenings and not at work. I take myself off for an hour with my book and stay there til the water gets cold and I'm well and truly wrinkled. Ah, bliss.

I used to read so much more too. These DCs certainly screw things up don't they??

As for long lazy beach holidays.. Don't remind me! I was out with a chum last night, and we were reminiscing about our Carribbean hols... sigh...

Hello chaps, I'm reading The purple hibiscus. I've had it for ages but have only just started it. I brought it after reading two halves of a yellow sun which I ablsolutly loved.

I was a book fiend before dd, I agree its such a shame reading takes a back seat when you have dc.

Hey everyone good morning

Yesterday my book swap club book arrived in the post !! Am very happy & looking forward to sending it out on the 1st of June (Am however having doubts about whether it's the right choice.... oh well!! What's done is done now. I suppose whatever I chose I would have doubts).

As for what I'm reading now: As always, quite a few things at the same time. A couple of Julie Myerson books ('Something might happen' & 'The story of you'- don't like either of them really). Am also reading 'Bad science' by B. Goldacre (really interesting). Finally, am reading Michael Pollan's 'In defence of food'; brilliant read. Oh and the Mumsnet Toddler book (which I like, it's funny).

Gosh, Maria, really impressed by the several books on the go at once. I am definitely a serial book monogamist - only one at any one time!!

I used to be a several on the go girl, but sometimes wondered whether I was doing justice to any of them.
I heard something about 'Bad Science'recently on the radio and was intrigued - think I might look into that one.
I felt so bad about my non-reading state I took myself off to the local library today and now have out a Kate Atkinson and a Sebastian Faulks. Have gambled on whether any of these will be in our book swap choices and am willing to risk it! Now...which one first?

oh, just read that back and it sounds a bit like I'm having a dig at Maria's multi-book habits, which I'm not...I just used to wonder about my own ability to concentrate on so many at once

Wow, Maria, am also impressed by your multi-book habit! Have also heard intriguing things about Bad Science.

I try and make sure we are at home for DS's post-lunch nap, as I then sneak off back to bed with a book but often just end up having a snooze! (In my defence, DS likes to get up at 5.30am at the moment...)

LadyBee - can confirm there are no SF's or KA's on the book swap list!

Wow, Maria, am also impressed by your multi-book habit! Have also heard intriguing things about Bad Science.

I try and make sure we are at home for DS's post-lunch nap, as I then sneak off back to bed with a book but often just end up having a snooze! (In my defence, DS likes to get up at 5.30am at the moment...)

LadyBee - can confirm there are no SF's or KA's on the book swap list!