Thank you, Vee! I found the Red Nose film on Facebook. It is only 15 minutes long, and charming; short enough not to spoil our memories of the real movie, more an affectionate tribute than anything else.

And yes, Alan Rickman's character messed up seriously. He probably never really recovered his lost ground.

On another topic, I actually like Fanny Price. However I don't think anyone should read Jane Austen in school before college/university. She is one of my favorite authors and I thought her books were incredibly boring when I was in my teens.

I loved the homage in the Christmas "Upstart Crow", paid to the scene where Emma Thompson's character finds the gift from her husband (Rickman) isn't the necklace she was expecting. The plainsong behind was perfect!

Just finished reading The Travelling Cat Chronicles through a veil of tears - yes, I found it very moving. I believe it is the first book by Hiro Arikawa, translated from Japanese.

Alchemists Daughter. Fun reading.

I wish I could read faster.

I've just finished a biography of Laura Ingalls Wilder. I had never read her work but kept hearing about "Little House on the Prairie" for decades. (I never watched it). So I was curious to read about Wilder's interesting life and the backstory. I had never known, for example, that she was for a time, writing a column in a mid-western newspaper. Nor did I know that her daughter, Rose, aided her in the writing of her books. (Rose was more secular in her beliefs, whereas Laura had a strong spirituality). This biography gives information about the zeitgeist of the American West and Victorian view of Christianity that shaped the Wilders and their lives. (e.g. Manifest Destiny). Stephen Hines: "A Prairie Girl's Faith: the Spiritual Legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder.

I finished Prayers for the Dead by Faye Kellermann. I liked this one a lot - it had lots of twists and Rina was a much more prominent character than she had been in several books before this one.

Next up I think I'll read the fourth Louise Penny book, A Rule Against Murder.

Socks, I didn't get very far through The Alchemist's Daughter. All those side comments drove me crazy. :)

Donna

Mary, I think you would enjoy the Little House books. I had never read them until I started buying them for my daughter, and I could hardly wait for her next birthday or Christmas so I could read the next one. I also have read a biography of Laura and would like to visit her house sometime.

I finished A Christmas Revelation last night. It has a very Dickensian ending with goose and Christmas pudding, et al, as well as some tear jerking episodes.

Quite by chance I turned on BBC radio 4 last night and heard 'Great Lives' a regular half-hour prog. about a wide variety of 'personalities'. This one was on Laura Inglis Wilder which I found most interesting. I had not realised she had been removed from various US literary lists as no longer being 'correct' in her comments towards Native people . . . seems very snowflake-y to me as she was writing of a time and place with which she was familiar. I always feel it is wrong to try and re-write history.

The UK Indian broadcaster Samira Ahmed and writer Tracey Chevalier were taking part in the discussion.

Carolyn, I too had never read the Little House . . . books as a child. I don't think they arrived over here until 'Puffin Books' published them. I too had to wait until my daughter brought them back from the school library!

Nor did I watch the TV series which the radio prog described as being very 'saccharin'. Apparently the actor who played 'Pa' was also the producer and took full advantage of this to remove his shirt as often as possible to show-off his rippling six-pack.

BBC Radio Laura Inglis Wilder

Ooh, Michael Landon...Hubba hubba! :)

(Now you know why I watched Little House.)

Donna

I had no idea that Wilder's books had been removed from American reading lists because they were not politically correct. I do recall that in "Killers of the Flower Moon" the author quotes Laura's mother as stating she" did not like "Indians."

Has anyone read The Diaries of Adam & Eve by Mark Twain ?

Yes, years ago. My nephew was a boy then, and stayed with me part of his summer vacation. I would read the book aloud before going to bed and we both loved it (he was old enough to understand the tongue-in-cheek tone).

I finished Warlight by Michael Ondaatje and loved it. It took me a couple of chapters to really get into it. Lab Girl stayed in my TBR for while, and since it was borrowed I either had to read it or return it. The book is a biography interspersed with chapters on her research in botany. I have heard for many years from friends who became professors that funding for their work and for people to work in their labs is via grant, the university pays their salary and benefits but additional money is rare. This confirms and explains some of that. The botany sections were an eye opener especially on the way some plants communicate.

I have The Diaries of Adam & Eve, given to me years ago by a sister-in-law. My sister has a little great-granddaughter whose name is Sawyer. Her mother is an English teacher, and guess who her favorite author is.

Alice Monro's The Girls and the Women is described as a novel (her only one) but apparently is quite autobiographical. It details growing up in a small Ontario township during the War years, the odd characters who lived there, hows to get on at school where you are obviously much brighter than the other pupils, a mother who is disgruntled with the life she leads but who encourages freedom of thought and action, unusual back in the '40's.

A whole chapter devoted to the writer's religious struggles and time spent 'exploring' the various church denominations. The main thing I found disconcerting was the almost too matter-of-fact/black and white descriptions of various 'sexual acts' . . . to put it politely.

I am about halfway finished with "Close your Eyes; Hold Hands" by Chris Bojalian. I had read his "Midwives" years ago and liked it. This author has written 17 books and lives in New England. This work is quite a page-turner. It concerns a nuclear disaster in the "Northeast Kingdom" of Vermont. The protagonist is the teenaged daughter of parents who had worked at the nuclear plant and who died in the accident. What saves the book from being overly bleak is the sense of humor and quirky vocabulary of the girl. I am liking it so much that I have already checked out 3 more of Bojalian's books!

I picked up The Comforts of Home, a new Simon Serrailler book by Susan Hill, at the library this afternoon, came home, dumped my shopping on the kitchen counter, and began reading. I thought Ms. Hill was not going to write any more Simon books?

I requested "An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good." by Helene Tursten, recommended by a murder mystery site. I collected it this morning and was startled at the size, almost like a small paperback that I nearly missed finding amongst the DVDs on the rack for items awaiting collection!

Now, I enjoy black humour but this book was boring! It is a collection of stories that were, I believe, originally in magazines, so probably better read from time to time, rather than in a short sitting. I could have read it in the library and saved myself a trip to return it!

SPOILER...I thought it would be about a spritely senior who solves crimes not one who commits them nastily to make her life more comfortable. Ugh!!

Carolyn, thanks for the heads up. You know I can't resist the Susan Hill Serrailler series!

Reading Lost Among the Birds, Accidentally Finding Myself in One Very Big Year by Neil Hayward. As some of you may know, A Big Year is a race to see the most bird species in the American Birding Association area in a calendar year. When Mr. Hayward did his accidental big year in 2013 that area included the US (excluding Hawaii) and Canada plus up to 200 miles off the coast on either side of the countries.

So far, pretty interesting.

I'm reading London Labour and the London Poor by Henry Mayhew, a Penguin Classics edition of Victor Neuburg's selections from Mayhew's original four-volume journalism in London social studies, first published from 1849 through the early 1860s in various periodicals of his day. Now I know who inspired Studs Terkel's writing style and investigatory technique in his own U.S. study titled Working (publ. 1972).

Mayhew is clear-headed, concise in his knowledge, sometimes humorous, and as easy to read as any journalist of the 20th century. (I'm not including the 21st century on purpose.) This history of London is most valuable, I think, because it was not written as history -- it was contemporaneous observation. I am enthralled.

So far, I've gotten my biggest kicks from Mayhew's descriptions of the London poor attending Penny Gaffs, song and dance entertainments in impromptu theatres -- nearly always raucous and often lewd. And, of course, I'm all into the street food purveyed by various specialists -- 'fast food' is certainly not just a modern phenomenon.

Vee, do you know Mayhew's writing? I can't imagine English schoolchildren being required to know it! Maybe scholars at universities do, however.

I finished the Serrailler book. It was good, as Ms. Hill always is, but the way it ended makes me think this might really be the last one. I hope not!

I've just barely begun The Deepest Grave, a Crispin Guest book by Jeri Westerson, that is set in medieval London.

Frieda, I think it was me who recommended the Mayhew book to you several years ago! I still have the heavy and dogged-eared tome that was my Mother's. She had always been interested in London, always claiming it was the best place in the world . . .though what she would make of it now? Part of her family had moved there from the countryside in the 1840's along with thousands of others. If you are able to read the original Census returns they are 'eye-openers' as to the way of life, the overcrowding, the range of jobs that men (and some women) undertook.

Interesting about the street food. So many of these people lived in one room and if they didn't have 'use' of the kitchen they relied on hot pie sellers, purveyors of watercress, oranges etc. I remember hot chestnut sellers from my childhood who would set up stall outside theatres to supply the ticket queues and help keep their hands warm. My Mother could remember the muffin man, ringing his bell and with a baker's tray balanced on his head,

It was largely thanks to Mayhew and Dickens that the social conscience of the Middle Classes was pricked into 'action' to provide some meaningful support to the deserving poor which in turn led to Parliamentary Acts for social welfare.

I finished Louise Penny’s A Rule Against Murder, and enjoyed it very much! It was nice to have some new characters.

Now I’m reading The Gray Ghost by Clive Cussler. I guess I needed a change of pace! . Sam and Remi Fargo are on the trail of a prototype Rolls Royce that was stolen in the early 1900s. A lot of Cussler’s books are not my cup of tea, but I enjoyed his Isaac Bell series and this series seems to be in a similar vein.

Donna

Vee, I don't remember Muffin Men but do recall a man with seafood on a barrow, selling, like Molly Malone, cockles but winkles instead of mussels.

I thought that the winkles were finicky treats, having to be prised out with a pin. The cockles only needed to be washed thoroughly of sand and grit, then lightly doused in vinegar. They were measured out in a metal pint mug.

I am reading "Fire" by L.C.Tyler, a mystery set at the time of the Great Fire of London in the 17th Century. This John Grey series has a mystery running through it regarding the possible family relationship between the main characters. I have an idea about that and wonder if it will ever be revealed!

Thank you, Vee! I figured it was you who put me on to Mayhew, no matter how long ago that was. Who else could it be? That's why I asked.

I am delighted to know that some of the hottest food-selling trends of the 1840s were the baked potato men and the ham sandwich men. Many men became fish 'friers' because the initial equipment outlay was minimal -- only a frying pan, tongs, and a tray of some sort to tote the product were needed.

The other fascinating part to me of Mayhew's reportage is the geography of London and where the best pitches (advantageous sites) for selling were. The poor were each other's own best customers.

I'm sorry I missed out on the muffin man!

I'm half way through The Witch of Willow Hall and enjoying it.

Katmarie, thanks for the positive review of Warlight, I'm considering that for our next book group choice.

A reader friend just gave me this book as a gift, with a bookmark featuring the legs of Alice upside down ! It is full of wonderful recipes related to cherished books......a perfect resource for what to serve at book clubs .

Ann, have your read Ashes of London by Andrew Taylor? It is about the Great Fire of London, fiction, of course. I have read a few of his books and have liked what I read.

Carolyn, no, I haven't. Thanks for the tip.

I've just finished another Chris Bojalian novel: "The Light in the Ruins." This one is about a family in Italy in WW II whose estate was taken over first by Nazis, then later by partisans. Certain events occur to family members ten years after, in the 1950's, which lead into a mystery involving several serial murders. The chief detective is an Italian woman who had also suffered in the war. It was good, but I did not like it nearly as well as the Bojalian I had just read: "Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands" (that one is a stunner.)

I finished reading Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan. It's a true story written as a novel about the World War II experiences of an Italian man, Pino Lella. Mr. Lella became a hero in way that was difficult for him and everyone who knew him. At the urging of his father and uncle, he joined a branch of the German army that would assure he would not go into battle - and which allowed him to become a spy for the Italian resistance movement. He became the driver for the top-ranked General on the Italian front, reporting important information that helped the Allies know what the Germans were doing in Italy and what their plans were. Lella's friends and acquaintances naturally assumed he was a traitor, making his already difficult life even more so. In the course of his job, he witnessed many atrocities, which are described in the book.

If you are interested in this topic, I would definitely recommend this book. Along with the WWII experiences, it tells what became of all the characters after the war, including the German general. On the other hand, if you are like me, and feel you have read enough about the atrocities of WWII, you might want to skip it. (I did not skip it because it is my book club's selection for January.)

I just finished a few murder/mystery books that I enjoyed. I’m almost never disappointed with any of the Edgar Award winners.

The Man Who Came Uptown by George Pelecanos - He worked on the television series “The Wire.”

She Rides Shotgun by Jordan Harper - Edgar Award

The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz - Who doesn’t love an English detective?

Finished Lost Among the Birds, Accidentally Finding Myself in One Very Big Year by Neil Hayward. The author tried to see the most bird species between Jan 1-Dec 31, 2013, in an informal competition called a Big Year among birdwatchers. He did not realize he was doing a Big Year until late April, though he had been aggresively birdwatching coast to coast since early in January.

This book is for birdwatchers, the birds and the quest for them is the core of the book. However, the author incorporates enough of his personal story, of people he meets along the way and a bit of the history and description of the places he visits to achieve a good balance. I was surprised by how good the writing is. I loved this book, but then I'm a birwatcher.

About 2 years ago, I attended a presentation by the author at the local Audubon chapter, sharing stories and photos of his Big Year. He was pretty articulate and witty, and this is evident in the book too.

I finished The Gray Ghost the other day. It was good, and of course Sami & Remi saved the day (again). Now I'm reading Tailspin by Sandra Brown. Looks like it will be the last one for this year. :)

Donna

This afternoon I finished Blood on the Tongue by Stephen Booth, an early book in his English Peak District series. It may have gone a bit overboard on description, but the story of a WWII plane that crashed and the aftermath was good.

This morning I finished A Murder is Announced by Agatha Christie. I needed some lighter fare and this book, which I thought included the first appearance of Miss Marple was perfect. A couple of the books-in-order websites have now convinced me I was wrong about that. The book, however, was published in the year of my birth, which must surely be meaningful in some way.

I've started Jo Walton's The Just City, a thought experiment in which Athena tries to create Plato's Republic by gathering teachers and children from across history and planting them on Thera before it blows up. Considering that the original put me to sleep every time I read it back in college, let's see if the novel based on it will make any sense to me. :) (I did finally finish The Republic while standing in line for 4 hours waiting to vote....)

I'm recuperating from Christmas fatigue, so I'm just reading and reading and reading. Began City of Secrets by Victoria Thompson last night and finished it today. This is the second in a new series, of which I was unaware, and I don't feel I need to read the first one since action in it was referred to so much in this one. It is also set in Victorian New York City and is more fun than her other set. The main character in this one is a young female con artist trained by her father but now in love with a "knickerbocker set" wealthy young man. He loves her, too, but he is SHOCKED by her abilities.

Carolyn, I am pleased to note that you enjoyed City of Secrets. I read the first book and didn't like it much but decided to request the next one in the series anyway.

Sometimes an author needs to get settled! There have been a few times when I read a later book in a series, then went to the first one, finding out that I didn't like it and would have dumped that author, based on the debut book.

Donnamira, I am full of admiration! I believe that you are not compelled to vote either as we are in Australia. However, I can postal vote in advance or opt for going to an Early Voting booth, which is in my local shopping centre and this best suits me as there is rarely a queue.

On the actual voting day, charities have a "Democracy Sausage Sizzle" so that one can at least get something to eat while waiting. Amusingly there is a difference between the States on the presentation. The Eastern States like the sausage folded in a slice of white bread while we in the West have ours in a long bun. Then there is the case for fried onions, top or bottom?

Quite Lilliputian?

Not what I'm reading but what we have been watching. The now 'regular' BBC adaptation of an Agatha Christie who-dunnit. This time it was The ABC Murders in three hour-long episodes.

I have to say, by the end, I couldn't really understand what I had been watching, although I did 'get' the who dunnit part, but not really the why and wherefore. Lots of flashbacks for an aging Poirot and the now commonplace habit of introducing very modern language, quiet a lot of it 'bad'. However the '30's look is captured well in costume, location etc.

I expect to see that next year! We are sometimes so behind as we are getting "Little Women" next week, which was last years Christmas big TV event, I think!

However, I have just watched the 90 minute "Victoria" Christmas special! Fact glossed with a lot of fiction in this series! Very sumptuous though.

I am struggling to read anything at present, so much else to do at this time of the year!

Just beginning Our House.

I’m nearing the end of Tailspin by Sandra Brown, and I will be glad to be done with it! She’s taking way too long to tell the story. It’s 350 pages and I think 150 would have been plenty.

Donna

Donnamira, I loved The Just City. Never read Plato's Republic, nor am I likely to do so.

I mentioned it elsewhere, but I have raced through Circe and am currently halfway through The Song of Achilles, both by Madeline Miller. I now have a new author to follow, though unfortunately she puts several years into each novel so I expect to have quite a wait until the next one. I always loved classical mythology, and both novels are based on characters of the Iliad and the Odyssey.

Ann, thanks for your comment on the first book of the new Thompson series. Now I definitely know that I won't need to read it.

I commented on the Favorite Books thread about the Inger Ash Wolfe book I've just read, Door in the River. I really like this author. You may have noticed that I have spent the last part of this week just reading. I'm recuperating from four straight days of Christmas celebrations.

I just finished Peter Mayle's last book, My Twenty-Five Years in Provence. It was a short and sweet recap of his life in France much in the style of his earlier books -- nothing new here, just the comfort of looking back on the familiar beauty, amazing food, and amusing quirks of his adopted country. I simply loved all his Provence books and felt a certain fondness for him as an author, so this was a sentimental and poignant read for me. He died in January 2018. The book ended with the perfect words, "I must go. Lunch is calling."

Last night and this afternoon I have read A Gift of Bones, a very light mystery set at Christmas time, by Carolyn Haines. Tomorrow the plan is to start de-Christmas-ing the house, so reading time will be shortened.

It didn't take me long to get tired of putting Christmas stuff away, so I started The Serpent and the Staff by Barbara Wood. She almost always has some sort of a healer in her books, and they are set in different civilizations and time periods. This one is in Ugarit, Syria, in 1450 BC in a family with three daughters they are seeking husbands for.