Lots of blogs I've read this week have included temperatures recording this unusually cold spell of weather we've been having. I can't tell you the temps here as I don't have a thermometer - but it's been cold for sure! (Not cold compared to Canada etc! just cold for England!)
Even if I had been well all week I don't think I would have ventured far but the aching all over cold hung around for several days, added a sore throat and a cough, went away for a day, came back, kept me awake but has now more or less gone. Thank you everyone for wishing me well and Apologies for not getting around to commenting on many blogs this week.
So what have I been up to while resting up and drinking plenty of water?
I've wrapped some of the Christmas presents, just a few more things needed now, read a couple of my own books and eventually ventured out for shopping.
Washing had to go in the tumble dryer - not because of rain but it just froze on the line with temperatures below freezing all day and all week.
One of the guys from the building company came and tightened up the joints on the new shower where there was a bit of a leak. And I gathered up enough energy to walk up the road to collect my library books...............my Christmas and January reading. 10 books I'd reserved and quite a mix this time.
Including this very aptly titled..........
I might have already abandoned two!
At the bottom of the heap The Kitchen Front is such tiny typeface that I can't read it easily (and it's not my usual reading anyway) and A Murder of Crows looks to be a bit too cosy crime - although I'll try it. At least I know I'll enjoy the Donna Leon - which is a newly published copy of her very first Brunetti crime series from 1992 and the crime book by Ann Granger.
'Behind the Seams' is another American Cosy Crime but I've read some of her books before and know they were OK to read. Top of the pile is another I know nothing about and have no idea why I ordered it especially as I've just noticed it says Science Fiction Classic and I Never read Science Fiction!
I've got Thunderstone back to try again and the most recent book from Ronald Blythe - another collection of writings about his village, church happenings and the countryside over the last 25 years- perhaps his last book as he is now 100 years old.
Also in the pile there is Frostquake - which is the story of the REALLY cold winter of 1962/3, I was 7 and remember some bits but it will be interesting to read more.
Below are the November books from last month. I sent some back unread, and still have one of the D.E.Stevenson books here. I decided not to read "The Ink Black Heart" as the series of her last Cormoran Strike book is on TV and I thought it would get a bit complicated reading one and watching another- anyway it is a gigantic book. I'll wait for it to appear on TV. I didn't read Scenes from a Prehistoric Life either - it was a bit dry.
The books I actually read have got a mention on the Book Read 2022 page
Back Tomorrow
Sue
Plenty of good reading to get you through the cold - in two senses of the word. Take care - the cold shouldn't last much longer and by Monday evening it should be over freezing, thank goodness. xx
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to the frost disappearing ASAP!
DeletePlenty to keep you occupied there. Frostquake sounds good - I was 10 and remember that winter quite well. I was only thinking this week, crikey, I'm moaning about the cold and we've only had a week of it AND we have central heating Poor mum - an open fire and a paraffin heater were the only forms of heating we had!
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping that Frostquake isn't too dull and heavy going
DeleteThank you for introducing me to Donna Leon, I'm enjoying working through the series (I hope you like the La Fenice one - I did!) Keep warm, and get properly well before 25th
ReplyDeleteIt will seem odd to read the first in the series after reading so many later ones but the library have only just bought this reprinted edition so I'm pleased to see it
DeleteGlad you are feeling better. Colds seem to be really potent this year.
ReplyDeleteIt's been horrible and annoying and a waste of time!
DeleteFor interest, The Case of the Abominable Snowman by Nicholas Blake is set in the winter of 1963, revealing the body as the snowman finally melts
ReplyDeleteJust listened to that Will, enjoyed it but had not dated it. I thought Nicolas Blake was a tad to '1920ish'
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Delete1920ish would fit with the Nigel Strangeways books starting in the run up to the second world war. Nicholas Blake was the pen name of Cecil Day Lewis, and not C S Lewis as I mistakenly wrote in my now deleted comment.
DeleteSadly the library don't have a copy for me to try
DeleteI reserved the Ronald Blythe book from Suffolk libraries on November 11th and I'm still number 35 in the queue!
ReplyDeleteI looked at my history and found I ordered it on Nov 4th - Maybe they'd only then got copies on order so perhaps I was one of the first to reserve it? I'm sure it will be worth the wait.
DeleteSue what is te latest Ronald Blythe called please - I have most of his books as I love his writing?
ReplyDeleteRonald Blythe - A Lifetime on the English Countryside
ReplyDeletein not on !
DeleteIt's Actually called "Next to Nature" !
DeleteThank you Anon for answering but it's better to get it right if you are doing that!
A Lifetime in the English Countryside is the sub title!
I'm glad you're a Leon fan.I love her novels and her nonfiction book of essays, written some years ago, about Venice.
ReplyDeleteI'm only a recent (last few years) reader of Donna Leon Books but have found them very good
DeleteGlad you are feeling a bit better. I follow a blog in Ireland and they have been very cold for them. The snow finally came here in NH. And it snowed and snowed. I am not reading much but then next to you I don't anyway
ReplyDeleteCathy
It's a slow hanging on sort of cold bug thing - would like it gone!
DeleteLovely selection of books there. Glad you are getting better in time for Christmas
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
Hopefully - 7 days to be rid of it!
DeleteI was very disappointed with The Ink Black Heart - not a patch on the earlier ones in the series
ReplyDeleteI'll just wait for the TV series as it won't be so long as the book
DeleteThanks for the pile of book titles! I go to my library website and check to see which ones are available here so I can place a hold on the ones I might like. I like the mysteries best. Hope you stay healthy for the holidays!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you like my lists - it's good to share book ideas
DeleteWinter colds/bugs do seem to hang on for an age. With the holidays, our lives get a bit busy. I'm glad to hear you are feeling better. For my winter cold, I drink lemon ginger tea and it seems to help rid the body of the illness and boost the immune system. If you try this tea and the lemon ginger is a little distasteful, you can add some honey. You've got to be 100% for the holiday!
ReplyDeleteJennifer Ryan is too light for your taste. I was disappointed. Perhaps to someone who knows nothing of how England worked during the Second World War, her books would be informative.
ReplyDeleteYes, The Kitchen Front type is a slightly smaller text than usual isn't it, perhaps that is why I too put it down after a couple of reads. I might read it again fully in Summer when the light is better, here in the lodge it's quite dull lighting and I hate having the main light in the living room area on.
ReplyDelete