Fictional worlds I'd rather not visit

 I liked this topic from Long and Short Reviews, mainly because I've read a lot of dystopias in the past and, in some instances, have actually thought I wouldn't mind living in those worlds. "Uglies", for instance - I know we're supposed to be appalled at the idea of forcing everyone to be pretty and vacant, but the thought of living a carefree life as a Pretty is quite appealing to me. And if I was in the world of "Divergent" I think I could be quite happy living as part of Amity.

However, worlds I'd rather not visit would be Panem of "The Hunger Games" and Airstrip One from "Nineteen Eighty-Four".

The reasons are probably the same for both. People being deliberately kept in poverty by those above and punished severely for every act of rebellion, however slight. At least "The Hunger Games" had a little hope at the end, whereas "Nineteen Eighty-Four" remained grindingly miserable - although I've since read a version from Julia's perspective which involved the Brotherhood overthrowing the empire, whether or not that would end well.

So which fictional worlds would you rather not visit?

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Book quotes that make me think

 I had to go a long way back for this topic from Long and Short Reviews, since I haven't read any books recently that had any kind of memorable quotes in them. However, I remembered one from the "Anne of Green Gables" series, which I read as a child.

I'll have to paraphrase it, but I think it was from "Anne of Windy Willows" (as it was called here in the UK). The character is a mother, a relatively poor woman who has just told Anne about a wealthy man nearby whose young son has just died. She states that this man has often looked down on her family because they're poor, but:

"It doesn't matter how poor you are as long as you have something to love."

That sums up a lot of things for me. I've heard all the jokes about how money can't buy happiness but it can make misery more pleasant, and that's fine. But having someone to love makes all the difference.

I'm interested to see which book quotes other people will have!

Favourite things to do in the winter

 I liked this topic from Long and Short Reviews, simply because the answer is so simple. I know many people who would say they like to ski, snowboard, go ice-skating and so forth, or even just go for a walk in the snow. 

That isn't how my answer is going to go.

I hate the cold and I have a dodgy knee, so going out in ice and snow is a no from the start. So my favourite thing to do in the winter is sit inside in the warm with a glass of hot mulled wine or hot chocolate with marshmallows, watching the snow fall outside. I'm too old for sledging and I haven't got the balance for ice-skating, so staying safe inside is definitely the best option for me.

So what do you like to do in the winter?

New Books I Want to Read This Year

 I'm back on Long and Short Reviews' blog topics after the Christmas break, and this topic was a good one since quite a few of my favourite writers have new books coming out this year.

The main ones I'm keeping an eye out for are:

"The Last Death of the Year" - Sophie Hannah. I love her Poirot novels, so I pre-ordered this one straight away.

Richard Osman's new, untitled, Thursday Murder Club book - I've read all of his so far and loved them.

And "The Rushworth Family Plot" - Claudia Gray. The hero and heroine of these Jane Austen-esque mysteries are a wonderfully intriguing pair.

I also have a new one of my own coming out on 15th January - "Totality". I would love to include a cover but Blogger is refusing to play this morning, so here's a description instead.

When eclipse-chaser Azora goes to see a partial eclipse with her friends, she catches the attention of film star and BDSM enthusiast Lorcan and wins a kiss from him. Two months later Lorcan contacts her and asks to meet up, and Azora wonders - what can he want from someone like her?

 Azora and Lorcan soon find the heat between them igniting, but Lorcan’s co-stars make one thing clear– Lorcan likes to date “civilians”, discarding them within a few weeks. Azora decides to enjoy the ride – her friends’ animal shelter will benefit from the publicity, and why shouldn’t she have some fun while still seeking the one thing she’s never seen, a total eclipse?

 But soon Azora knows the end date is in sight – and yet she no longer is sure she wants it to end. Can Lorcan be truly happy with a civilian, or will Azora see totality alone?

Amazon US: https://tinyurl.com/mrnfycwh

Amazon UK: https://tinyurl.com/yye6kvz8

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1668854

So which books are you wanting to read this year?