Around The Blogs With Chuckles

We all enjoy snooping and lurking on other people's blogs right? Why not share those entertaining things you found with other readers and bloggers too! Welcome to Around the Blogs with Chuckles, where I take time out to show you some of my favourite blog posts from the previous seven days and link you up so you can check them out. 

It is vital that we all stick together online at this time. Do what you can to show some love to other blogs, to books and authors and let us all know that you are staying safe and well. Hearing from our friends will make it easier to deal with whatever is coming in the next few months. Stay safe everyone.

This week...

1) Book Review-A Werewolf In Riverdale by Caleb Roehrig 
Greg's review.
http://gregsbookhaven.blogspot.com/2020/05/a-werewolf-in-riverdale.html 

2) Cover Drama 
Sam discusses the use of illustrated covers for romance books.
http://www.weliveandbreathebooks.com/2020/05/discussion-cover-drama.html 

3) Book Review-Real Men Knit by Kwana Jackson 
Karen's review.
http://www.fwiwreviews.net/2020/05/review-real-men-knit-by-kwana-jackson.html#.XspCCcDTXcs 

4) Book Review-Breath Like Water by Anna Jarzab
Lindsi's review.
https://www.doyoudog-ear.com/2020/05/breath-like-water-by-anna-jarzab.html 

5) Book Review-Mousse and Murder by Elizabeth Logan
Katherine's review.
http://iwishilivedinalibrary.blogspot.com/2020/05/mousse-and-murder-cozy-mystery-review.html 

6) Book Review-Catfish In The Cradle by Wile E Young  
Erica's review.
https://www.ericarobynreads.com/book-review-catfish-in-the-cradle-by-wile-e-young/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=book-review-catfish-in-the-cradle-by-wile-e-young

7) Book Review-The Girl Beneath The Sea by Andrew Mayne
Mogsy's review.
https://bibliosanctum.com/2020/05/21/thriller-thursday-audio-the-girl-beneath-the-sea/ 

Chuckles Weekend Roundup

Welcome to my feature Chuckles Weekend Roundup where I will be looking at what books I've received, anything interesting I've done or bought or watched and other random stuff. I'll be taking a look back at what happened in my blogging world too, sort of like The Sunday Post that some of you do! 

Please note that I'll be visiting your STS/SP as normal, but I don't follow or leave comments on blogs run by Google Plus, or DISQUS as I refuse to join something just to leave comments, and I won't allow DISQUS to follow new people, update my profile or post tweets 'on my behalf'. I am the only one who does that on my social media! I won't comment on any blog that makes me sign in using another account. Sometimes, I have problems leaving messages on blogs hosted by Wordpress-they try to block me because I deleted my account with them but I will persevere as it only happens the odd time!

****************

It really can't be Friday already. It seems like hours ago that I posted my last weekend roundup! I seem to have had brain fog all week and been a bit tired but other than that I'm doing fine, as is my dad, and my uncle is still slowly improving. The highlight of my week was chatting with Rodney the squirrel this morning as I put stuff in the bin! I'm finding watching him and the birds at the feeder somewhat soothing for the brain. Tomorrow I have an early start to check that the neighbours haven't dumped their crap in our bins overnight. Oh lovely, more excitement.

 

I haven't bought any books this week but I have been reading a book from my new reading list so that is some kind of progress! (I'm also still reading The Half Blood Prince) I hope to keep working from the list and get stuff ready for the charity shop, while clearing some space in my bedroom. I read a lot of apocalypse books but none cover the day to day anxiety that we are experiencing in this pandemic. I wasn't ready for that at all. The books also don't cover how we still need to do all the bloody housework! I'm going to be doing a post about what the pandemic taught me about prepping and where I can improve. I also need to get off my arse and get these book reviews done! Ugh!!!

Chuckles Blogging World

 I really do need to get these book reviews written. I never enjoy writing them at the best of times but it's taking a real effort to even THINK about writing them at the moment!

Book Reviews

none this week

 

Regular Posts 

 

Around The Blogs With Chuckles

http://chucklesbookcave.blogspot.com/2020/05/around-blogs-with-chuckles_2.html 

 

Top Ten Tuesday

http://chucklesbookcave.blogspot.com/2020/05/top-ten-tuesday-reasons-why-i-love.html 

 

Discussion Posts

 

Harry Potter Diagon Alley #4

http://chucklesbookcave.blogspot.com/2020/05/harry-potter-diagon-alley-4.html 

 

Horror Authors I Really Must Try #5

http://chucklesbookcave.blogspot.com/2020/05/horror-authors-i-really-must-try-5.html 

 

Just Get On With It Reading List

http://chucklesbookcave.blogspot.com/2020/05/just-get-on-with-it-reading-list.html 

 

An Update From Chuckles

http://chucklesbookcave.blogspot.com/2020/05/an-update-from-chuckles.html 

 

Virus Days #10

http://chucklesbookcave.blogspot.com/2020/05/virus-days-10.html 

 

Reading Challenges 

none this week

 

Films & TV & Music 

I'm still watching a Harry Potter film every morning while I catch up on my blogging, so that is very soothing!  I'm watching Great British Menu season 12 at night as well as getting in some reading. I've finally given up my old MP3 player as lost but trying to track down copies of all the stuff on it to put on a new one is doing my head in!!!

 

Book Tags/Blog Awards

none this week

 

The Week Ahead  

I'm not promising any progress on getting my book reviews done! I 'hope' to at least think about doing it. Sadly my plans are getting housework done, deleting unwanted files from the computer and clearing bits of my room. Exciting!

 

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Virus Days #10

Firstly, thank you everyone who has expressed their kind thoughts and prayers to my family-it is very much appreciated. As of today, Thursday, the latest news from the hospital this morning is better news. The Occupational Therapy people phoned to talk to my dad about getting my uncle's house ready for him coming home, maybe as early as the end of next week. That took us a bit by surprise as you can imagine, just two days after a positive Covid 19 test. Now we're wondering if a new test has maybe been negative? Oh we're really confused and my dad will be asking about it when he talks to the ward nurse later tonight! But my uncle is feeling chirpy today and his breathing is good, so that is a relief. I think my dad is reeling a bit from the latest developments!

Anyway they want us to set up a phone landline in his house again, which they'll attach an alarm to so he can call for medical help if he needs it. We are REALLY happy about that development as it was impossible to get him on that bloody mobile phone. They intend to fit in a few aids in the house to help him shower etc which is also good. My uncle is less keen on having strangers in the home as part of a care package but we hope he'll come round to it. My dad and I will chip in of course, deal with all his food buying needs, send over meals he can re-heat, phone him daily and visit the house sometimes but we're self isolating and my dad isn't fit to do much cleaning or personal care stuff. My uncle will need that extra offered help so we'll work on him. He also has good neighbours who can also keep an eye on him for us when we aren't there. We feel a lot better about all this extra help for my uncle. Our NHS and Social Care is an amazing resource and we are so grateful to have this, and the wonderful people who work in it.

It's bit a bit of a weird day. We got our latest supermarket delivery this morning which was a bit chaotic but I'm looking forward to a few days of microwave meals to give me a rest from cooking. I've had a bit of insomnia and I seem to be imagining spiders everywhere I look which is a bit disturbing and ruins any chance of sleep! I'm a bit weird, I know...! 

I hope all of you continue to avoid the virus and that any loved one who has it recovers really soon. Stay safe everyone.

Top Ten Tuesday-Reasons Why I Love Harry Potter

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.  http://www.thatartsyreadergirl.com/top-ten-tuesday/

NB: I don't follow or leave comments on blogs run by Google Plus, or DISQUS as I refuse to join something just to leave comments, and I won't allow them to follow new people, update my profile or post tweets 'on my behalf'. I won't comment on any blog that makes me sign in using another account. 

This week, I thought I'd further explore my Harry Potter obsession with a look at ten reasons why I love Harry Potter!

1) Hogwarts
The idea that there is a secret school for magic in Scotland appeals to me and so does the idea of kids getting that letter to invite them. The castle with the secret passages and moving staircases fascinates me, the ghosts, the enchanted ceiling, the feasts, the sorting into Houses-the detail is just so great and it made me long to have gone there as a kid. Who doesn't want to be in one of those comfy common rooms and sleeping in a tower above the grounds? On a summer day I'd want to sit by the lake and stroll off to see Hagrid!

2) Diagon Alley/Hogsmeade
When I first read about the shops in Diagon Alley and in book three Hogsmeade, I wanted to go shopping so bad! I wanted to go into the ice cream parlour and try everything on offer, buy my Owl, check out the broomsticks, get my robes and books, go to Honeydukes for my sweet tooth supplies, visit the joke shops, go into the Three Broomsticks on a cold winter day and be chosen by my wand...I could spend hours looking in shops that were that interesting!

3) Owl Post
How cool would this be! Getting the newspaper delivered twice a day and at weekends is an old luxury that we can't get where I live as none of the local shops deliver. Quick letters from friends, reliable mail order delivery that doesn't get lost, that cool sounding post office in Hogsmeade, exciting letters from the school and hoping NOT to receive a Howler!!! The excuse to have a beautiful owl as a pet is great!

4) Quidditch
I loved the invention of a wizard sport on broomsticks especially the idea of the bludgers! I like how simple yet entertaining the game would be and cheering on the house team during the season would be so much fun! I'd also have to carefully read about and then choose what team I was going to support from the professional teams! Can you also imagine getting the chance to mix with everyone at the Quidditch World Cup? I enjoy watching sport so I would be addicted to this for sure.

5) Magical Creatures
I love the addition of all the magical creatures in the books from the pretty unicorns and hippogriffs to the dangerous dragons and Hagrid's appalling pets, the Thestrals and centaurs, the House Elves and Goblins who do such vital work for witches and wizards, the animagus sides to the witches and wizards, Cornish pixies and giants, vampires and werewolves and the cuteness that is the nifflers! I wouldn't want to meet the giant snakes and spiders though!

6) Humour and Danger
I love the humour in the books-the various tricks of the Weasley twins with their ton tongue toffee a personal favourite, The Dursley's with frequent shouts of 'ruddy and effing owls!' and their run ins with wizards,

7) The Food
I so much want to be at those amazing feasts where I could just pig out! Imagine having every food you love just there ready to tuck into! I'd want tomato soup with ham sandwiches, cheese pizza, key lime pie, chocolate gateau, Victoria sponge, mild Indian and Chinese curries, a good old fry up...A quick trip to the kitchens for a late night snack from the House Elves, dipping into your supply of Honeydukes chocolate, cauldron cakes and other tasty treats, sampling Mrs Weasley's excellent cooking and enjoying a Butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks. I get so hungry when I read these books!

8) Magic
I loved how creative her magic world is from the name of the spells to the subjects on offer at Hogwarts and magical careers and Ministry departments. How much fun are cheering charms, levitation and transfiguration? How tempting to curse and jinx those who upset you? How cool would it be to be a great potion maker, to be an animagus, to be able to conjure a patronus? In everyday life to have housework done by magic, to travel quickly, to not have to carry heavy shopping bags, to have Dobby cook for you, to be able to tidy a room with a flick of your wand? Oh I long to be able to do all that!

9) Transport
I'm not a fan of travelling to get on holiday so look at the options! Use that enchanted purse of Hermione for all your packing then zoom off by portkey, apparate to your destination, travel by the Knight Bus, go short journeys by broomstick...all so much easier that waiting in the rain for a bus that is late, relying on a train not to break down, or a traffic jam on the motorway. I could arrive on holiday in seconds and make the most of weekend and day trips to places too far away to travel to from where I live! Add in the fun of going to school on the Hogwarts Express, the convenience of Floo powder and you are sorted!

10) The Books
Don't let me loose in Flourish & Blotts! Like Hermione, I'd be buying Hogwarts A History, to find out everything about the castle, and if I was Harry I'd want to read everything about the rise and fall of Voldemort. I'd want to learn as much about my new life as I could and the temptation to buy lots of extra books would prove too much to resist! I'd want to read about dragons and spells and magical developments and so much more.

'Just Get On With It!' Reading List

This is kind of how I feel about my reading at the moment. Even my re-read of my beloved Harry Potter feels like an uphill trek with a heavy backpack in the blazing sun! It's a struggle with concentration and motivation and I only seem to be getting a few chapters read at a time instead of my normal hours at a time night reading sessions! I also have the added issue of needing a mass clearout of my bedroom to get it looking like something other than a disaster zone-to do that I MUST clear out a pile of books.

The plan is to look at every bookshelf and weed out the things I read and liked but won't be reading again. I need to get them into bags ready to deliver to a charity shop as soon as they open for donations again. I also need to get reading the paperback and hardback books on my bookshelves for the same purpose. I decided to get a list of books I own in various genres that either have mixed reviews, I'm not quite as keen to read it as I was when I bought it or I think I'll read it once and be satisfied with that. If I can tackle them first, I could make a tiny dent in the pile and get my reading back on track! I hope...

Have you read any of these books? What did you think of them? Were they slow, boring, over descriptive or with poor characters?

THE LIST

1) Brandy Purdy-The Ripper's Wife/ The Secrets of Lizzie Borden
I like the subjects but often struggle with non Tudor historical novels. I have liked her Tudor fiction so I'm not sure how I'll go with this.

2) Stephen King-The Long Walk
Fell out of love with King years ago but this being an earlier book, it could go either way. I can't even remember if I've read it before!

3) Gillian Bagwell-The Darling Strumpet
The affair between Nell Gwynn and King Charles II fascinates me but again, it's a time period I don't like reading historical fiction about.

4) DD Barant-Bloodhound Files series
I need to finish it. Book one was great but the next two have had good bits are poor bits. Now I hear the series finished on a cliffhanger and stopped. Yuk!

5) Conn Iggulden-War of the Roses series
I like some WOTR fiction but have never tried any by a male author so I'm not really sure what to expect.

6) Billy Billingham-The Hard Way
A memoir of a Special Forces man who is a presenter of SAS Who Dares Wins. I generally read biographies once then pass them on to other readers.

7) William Jevning-Notes From The Field
This is a non fiction book about looking for evidence of Sasquatches. Unless it's brilliant I'm likely to read it once and let it go to a new home.

8) Joseph Nassise-By The Blood Of Heroes
I've never been a fan of Nazi zombie films so I'm a bit wary about a book with that plot. These alternate history books can be hit or miss.

9) Phil Scraton-Hillsborough The Truth
Books about the disaster are emotional and hard to read so again I expect to read it once and then let the book go elsewhere.

10) Joanna Hickson-The Tudor Crown
This author is new to me and it is about Henry VII fighting for the throne. I'm not sure how I'll go with this as I prefer books about Henry VIII, but I'll give it a try.

11) The Tony Benn Diaries
I describe myself politically as right of centre, so very left wing politics are not my thing. I expect to read the Benn diaries once and part with them but they should be interesting.

12) John Steakley-Vampire$
I loved the film version-John Carpenter's Vampires-and I'm curious about the book. It's been on my shelves forever so I want to deal with it soon.

13) Kate Emerson-Secrets of the Tudor Court series
I love Tudor novels but the first in this series was a bit dull and the others get very mixed reviews so I kind of want to get them out of the way.

14) Theresa Saldana-Beyond Survival
I liked the film version of this book about the actress nearly being killed by a stalker. Again with memoirs I expect to just read it once.

15) Ollie Ollerton-Break Point
Another SAS Who Dares Wins presenter. The same goes here-I expect the book to be interesting but I rarely keep biographies and memoirs.

16) Walter Farley-Black Stallion series
I loved the series as a kid so I want to read and review them, and only to keep the very best ones for my collection.

17) Lincoln Child-Utopia
I was going through a buy horror and thrillers set in theme park books at the time but the reviews of the book are mixed and I'm not as keen now!

18) John Preston-A Very English Scandal
A political scandal in the UK, turned into a book and TV mini series. I think I'll read this once but it does sound fascinating.

19) Paul F Wilson-The Keep
I read a book he co-authored and liked it. The Nazis in this book are fighting vampires and I'm a bit worried the book might be a bit slow for me.

20) Joseph Talluto-White Flag Of The Dead series
I loved book one of this zombie apocalypse novel but reviews of later books in the series are pretty poor so I'm worried about it!

21) Anthony King-The Blunders of Our Government
This looks at mistakes made by Labour and Tory governments so it should be pretty balanced but whether I'll read it more than once is open to question.

22) Tyrell Johnson-The Wolves of Winter
YA is not really top of my list and I was given this book as a gift. I can't say I'm keen to read it at the moment so it might be worth getting over with!

23) Malcolm Gaskill-Witchfinders
I picked this non fiction up in a sale. While I'm interested in witch trials and things, the content of the book could be heavy and I expect to read it once!

24) MR Carey-The Boy On The Bridge
I liked The Girl With All The Gifts but this one has a vague blurb and has failed to excite me so I really don't know what to expect from it.

25) Isabel Hardman-Why We Get The Wrong Politicians
I bought this on a whim to get free postage on an Amazon order and I'm not sure I'll like it especially if the views are too left wing.