From the Library

As mentioned previously (see here ), there is a new Ian Fleming biography and, as always with a new book, the question is 'where do I get a signed copy?' It was proving a little elusive with this one, until I went to see my favourite bookseller last month, who already had some copies and, given that he'd made some contributions to the writing, was going to be able to secure a small number of signed copies. So, off I went yesterday for a visit, and am happy to report that my signed copy is safely tucked away in the library.

Having received the first two of the new 'Ian Fleming Publications' editions last month (see here ), the signed copy of 'Zero Minus Ten' arrived yesterday, so from not having it at all not so long ago, all of a sudden I have two signed editions.

Successful trip out at lunchtime to the charity bookshops, resulting in four new purchases for £11.50, all first editions, as follows: 'False Value' by Ben Aaronovitch - I have most of the Peter Grant novels in paperback, so this is my first foray into hardbacks with him 'Heavy Water' by Martin Amis - always a good idea to pick up a Martin Amis when it becomes available 'The Skin Collector' by Jeffery Deaver - I blew hot and cold on getting the Lincoln Rhymes in hardback, and this is one that I had in paperback up to now, so a good find 'The Twist of a Knife' by Anthony Horowitz - book four with Daniel Hawthorne, and another good find as it is only just out in paperback and I didn't have it at all. I think I have three of four in hardback and one in paperback now!

Amazingly, I managed to get a library copy of LOTR onto Libby as one of my holiday choices and, unable to get much sleep on the flight home, I started to read it. And so I found myself, mid-air, at the long-expected party, with Bilbo at the grand age of eleventy-one (and Frodo sharing a birthday and coming of age at thirty-three), and his rather unwise party trick. Despite this, somehow being able to give up his burden voluntarily, even if it did require some encouragement from Gandalf. Then, amazingly, seventeen years passed, and we find that Frodo didn't set off on his own perilous journey until the age of fifty, with his trusty friends determined to accompany him. Getting lost in the forest, and getting rescued by the rather bizarre Tom, twice, once from trees and once from the Barrows, before making it to Bree and finding Strider/Aragorn to help them on their way. Then the attack at Weathertop and the dreaded wound, before Elrond's scout finds the party on the road and only...