Monday 4 Aug 2025 post begun 0916hrs BST

 

Oh. Hell. I truly hate when I'm right. 

 

I suspected several months ago my hard-won newfound maths skills would deteriorate the moment I stopped the daily revision - and I was correct. 

 

Right, so what happened is: the BBC (for once) transmitted the latest Cormoran Strike tv series and when the run ended I went looking for the books.  

(Yes I fully support J.K. Rowling and her nom de plume 'Robert Galbraith'. Yes, I am 'gender critical' but I do have compassion for those who believe themselves 'in the wrong body' - I absolutely wish them peace and well-being but insist they stay the bloody hell out of biological-female only spaces FFS!)

 

OK, I found the complete book series, all hardcover as used in 'very good' condition, on eBay. I also found the newest book in the series available to pre-order and yes I did pre-order it. Should be released 2nd September and I am quite looking forward to it.

 

I read all seven books, in order, and surprisingly quickly given I've been neglecting fiction reading in favour of non-fiction - who needs Stephen King when the horror stories are real-life in-yer-face splashed across 'ripped from the headlines' telly and free-to-read online news feeds?

 

Oh. Once I'd finished the seventh Strike novel and was trying to wedge that tome into the bookcase, I came across a paperback Dean Koontz novel (The Eyes Of Darkness) I'd bought at the beginning of the so-called 'pandemic' but didn't read at the time. 

 

So, I read it. And the next thing I knew I'd ploughed through another 42 - yes, FORTY-TWO - Dean Koontz paperback novels, bought in groups of three a time on Amazon. Oh, and I've pre-ordered the paperback edition of 'Going Home In The Dark', got a long wait and could have the hardback tomorrow but I'm deep into keeping the Koontz books as paperbacks. Er, two more are due to be delivered today. 

 

So, Paul and I were watching F1 yesterday (Hungary GP, Lando Norris won) and at one point a point spread maths question came up. Oh. Dear. I couldn't answer it quickly. Paul shook his head and asked 'You haven't been working on your maths lately, have you?' and shook his head again.

 

Sigh. I'm going to have to get back to a dedicated 1-2hr per day maths revision schedule. I quite liked the way it felt to be able to deliver a maths answer quickly, honestly it was a very nice little confidence boost. I'm not giving up the reading - Dean Koontz is THE best contemporary fiction writer EVER - but I am starting back the maths work today. 

 

BTW, if you're looking for a 'must-read' Dean Koontz novel recommendation, The City should be top of your list. What can I say? All Dean Koontz books are his best and are exceptionally good reading. The City, well, it is the best of the best - and I've been a Dean Koontz fan since I stumbled across Watchers in the Ozark library back in 1987. 

 

                   *****HAPPY 235th BIRTHDAY USCG*****

 

Now, 7x8=... 

 

Post published Monday 4 Aug 2025 1007hrs BST