I have just finished reading 'Burned Alive' by Souad, it's the true story of a young girl from the West Bank, who survived an attempted 'honour killing' It was shocking but interesting.

'A High Time To Kill' - Raymond Benson (yes it's another Bond book..... ;) )....I will be looking to read Tom Clancy's 'The Teeth of the Tiger' next though!

I haven't read a good book for a long time. I keep starting them and then putting them to one side to get lost in the dust in my bedroom - or become covered in day old knickers!

I've only recently got back into reading Dol.....it took me a year to finish one book which I actually started three times!

My excuse is that when I would normally read I have been writing or decorating....but lately I have been able to find lots of time for both writing and reading and have read 5 books in two months......that's flipping good for me that is as I am a slow reader!

I've got to confess that since going on-line I'm reading books a whole less than I've ever done at any stage of my life.The last book I read was by Joan Lingard called 'aross the Barricades'

Synopsis
Kevin is Catholic. Sadie is Protestant. In Belfast they are supposed to be enemies - so what chance do they have when they fall in love?

The book was pitched very well at a young teenage audience and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.I sat down and whizzed through it in one session.My 13year old had to do some work on it and I was being a whole lot less than helpful in answering her questions so opted to read it for myself.It was well written,well paced and really did give a balanced view of The Troubles.As an adult,it was quite refreshing to read such a book and I'd recommend it to anyone.

I've just finished the Di Vinci code and have just read the first chapter of Cradle Song (will post the author later). :)

I've just finished the Di Vinci code and have just read the first chapter of Cradle Song (will post the author later). :)

I am planning to finally start reading the Da Vinci Code, whenever I find enough time to start it when all my necessary reading for classes slows down a bit..lol.

I am planning to finally start reading the Da Vinci Code, whenever I find enough time to start it when all my necessary reading for classes slows down a bit..lol.


There was a hole thread on Da Vinci on the old board, didn't read it as thought would save it till finished the book - too late :(

There are loads of websites dedicated to Dan Brown and his book, its a very interesting read. The dialog is a bit twee at times but its a very interesting topic. You will be dragging art books off the shelves.

Enjoy :)

Just cleared 20 books from his side of the bed ... I got to bed with a book, hit the zeds within a paragraph and he takes it off me ... aaah sweet ... next night I grab a book and the same thing ... So obviously reading nothing gripping at the moment .. or having any Rumpeh Pumpeh!

The last one that kept me awake was Fifty-Minute Hour by Wendy Perriam ~ a comic/harrowing inter-weaving of the lives of people undergoing psychoanalysis

I eventually at long last finished Chocolat, which was really a lovely book and made me eat more chocolate than I usually do!! I would love to see the film, what more can a woman ask for the delectable Mr Depp and chocolate! :heart:

I am going to start reading A Gathering Light by Jennifer Donnelly - any read this one?

Bella - Chocolat the book is gorgeous and it's so great when your mind starts conjuring up these dreamy images of chocolate........the film is ok, certainly the choccy scenes will have you drooling, as will Johnny! Book is better and his accent is a bit ropey, but it is ok for a dreamy and lazy late Sunday afternoon.

I usually have 2 books on the go: one private, and one for use on public transport.......
My private is: the curious incident of the dog in the night-time - Mark Harmon (excellent portrayal of Asperger's)
My public transport: Mrs Dalloway - Virginia Woolf.........very near the end and so desperate to find out who dies!! (apologies if that sounds a little sick)

I've just finished the Di Vinci code and have just read the first chapter of Cradle Song (will post the author later). :)


its by Robert Edric...and its very very good.

Robbie Williams new book 'Feel'

Reading it with mixed emotions to be honest. I read the first one & although I still like his music & fancy him rotten, he's just a spoiled brat who needs his backside smacked.

The 2nd one is making me feel a bit like that too...........it's better than the first & he's obviously grown up a bit but I think if I ever met him, I would just be irritated by him.

So I'll try not to! :D

What an eclectic bunch we are!!:D


btw - I hate that smillie [see above!!]

I am reading, courtesy of Voicey 'Notes on a Scandal' by Zoe Heller - and what a splendid read it is proving to be - in fact I am off to bed in a mo to catch up with Sheba and her juvenile, and illegal, romps with minor Steve Connelly as dictated by her older, more inhibited, spinster colleague and freind Barbara.

I'm reading a book about Eastern philosphies/religions. I'm coming to the conclusion that the approach that seems closest to my own personal take on things is Taoism, for me it is quite compelling.

I'm now reading a book/guide called 'Going to Live in New Zealand' which is really helpful. It's got pages of useful websites and stuff about education, health and banking etc.

I'm reading The Barrytown Trilogy by Roddy Doyle, wha'.

cheerio!

I would like to read 'The Faraway Tree' by Enid Blyton again. I loved this book as a kid, and would love to leaf through it again.

Unfortunately my copy went to the jumble sale when i was little, and im not sure i want to buy it again :confused:

I'm reading The Barrytown Trilogy by Roddy Doyle, wha'.

cheerio!
I love these books Scoobs and also have audio recordings of them. My Fave is 'The Van'

I would like to read 'The Faraway Tree' by Enid Blyton again. I loved this book as a kid, and would love to leaf through it again.

Unfortunately my copy went to the jumble sale when i was little, and im not sure i want to buy it again :confused:
Stick it on your Xmas list Bonnie - someone may get it for you and when they do can I borrow it??? LOL - sorry! laughing at my own audacity!! But everytime tiddles asks the name of a tree unknown to me - it becomes The Magic Faraway Tree - and I know I have to read it to him - it is a childhood fave of mine!!:p

I would like to read 'The Faraway Tree' by Enid Blyton again. I loved this book as a kid, and would love to leaf through it again.

Unfortunately my copy went to the jumble sale when i was little, and im not sure i want to buy it again :confused:Here you go Bonnie, it's £4.99 on Amazon new or £2.10 for a second hand copy http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/074974801X/qid=1099594924/sr=1-4/ref=sr_1_11_4/026-0037295-2302048

Here you go Bonnie, it's £4.99 on Amazon new or £2.10 for a second hand copy http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/074974801X/qid=1099594924/sr=1-4/ref=sr_1_11_4/026-0037295-2302048

Wey hey - thanks :p

oh I loved this book too. Mr Moonface, Mrs Washalot...

you can buy them off ebay too.

Enid we loved you. :drinking:

I would like to read 'The Faraway Tree' by Enid Blyton again. I loved this book as a kid, and would love to leaf through it again.

Unfortunately my copy went to the jumble sale when i was little, and im not sure i want to buy it again :confused:



If you do re-read it prepare yourself to be really surprised that such mindless rubbish captivated you as a child.I adored Enid Blyton books but was more than a tad disappointed when I attempted to re-read them when my kids were younger.'The Faraway Tree' is dire.....please believe me and just keep your fond memories. :)

Still on the Enid Blyton theme, I can remember having a Bedtime Story book by her and one of the stories was based on a tramp like character that went round the streets collecting dog ends.... It took 6 ends for him to make a complete fag, you had to work out how many he could make at the end of the story from the amount he had collected. There were beautifull drawings of him collecting his butts.

:eek:

Just starting Tom Clancey's 'The Teeth of the Tiger' - already very exciting....a little less political than some of his stuff! :D

Just finished my third Dan Brown - Deception Point... again as with the previous two... its a roller coaster of a book, fast paced and a great thriller from start to finish. However, I must say having now finished three out of the four, and indeed I have just started the fourth one.. Digital Fortress, I am beginning to see a pattern. Whilst all three books so far are obviously set in different cities.. with different subjects... a definite formula is present with Dan Browns works.

1. Every story involves a dramatic incident involving a race against time and impending disaster...
2. There is a man/woman pairing in every book who are always the good guys and invariably end up romantically involved by the end.
3. There is in EVERY book... a very definite bad guy in charge of everything, who hides in the background under such titles...as The Teacher... or The Controller. It always turns out to be one of the main characters in the book, and we are always shocked to discover who that person turns out to be.

It is a slight criticism that this formula is repeated constantly in all the books, because putting that aside, the books are as ever riviting.

Deception Point is set in two areas.... Washington DC as the impending presidential election is about to take place, and the Milne Ice Shelf in Antarctica where NASA have just made the the most incredible discovery deep in the ice shelf, which will have an explosive impact on the outcome of the Presidential election. When the President decides to send top analyst Rachel Sexton to the Antarctic Ice Shelf to corroborate the incredible finding, little does he know the drama which lies ahead. Rachel Sexton is not only the best person to send for such an assignment but she is also the daughter of Senator Sedgewick Sexton, the president's opponent in the election, and there is no love lost at all between father and daughter. The President, unknown to his opponent, who is a staunch opponent of NASA and the billions of wasted dollars spent per year on their projects, has organised a televised announcement for the whole world to hear of the amazing finding. By the time he goes live on TV to tell the world....he is unaware that Rachel has to her horror discovered evidence of deception and trickery at the Antarctic Site. So.. progresses another thrilling race against time as the bad guys are in hot pursuit of both Rachel, and the famous and charasmatic documentary maker Michael Tolland, whom the President had also despatched to the Antarctic site to make a documentary on the finding for broadcasting during his live TV appearance. Highly recommended as usual, Dan knows how to draw his reader in from start to finish, and as with the previous two, this would make an excellent movie also in the right hands.

I'm reading Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich about a female bounty hunter. I've just been to the library and got out 'The Wrong Boy', one of my all time faves and 'Man and Boy' which I keep trying to get out but they never seem to have it, so I'm looking forward to reading those 2.

I'm reading the Da Vinci Code as recommended on the old site! It's BRILL!! :wink2:

Bella - Chocolat the book is gorgeous and it's so great when your mind starts conjuring up these dreamy images of chocolate........the film is ok, certainly the choccy scenes will have you drooling, as will Johnny! Book is better and his accent is a bit ropey, but it is ok for a dreamy and lazy late Sunday afternoon.

I usually have 2 books on the go: one private, and one for use on public transport.......
My private is: the curious incident of the dog in the night-time - Mark Harmon (excellent portrayal of Asperger's)
My public transport: Mrs Dalloway - Virginia Woolf.........very near the end and so desperate to find out who dies!! (apologies if that sounds a little sick)

I've read Mark Harmons and thought it was excellent. I work with a few children with Asbergers so that made it more so.

A damn good read. I would have read this on the bus instead of the other one :wacko:

I went to the library for the first time in ages today, I must use it more often.

Well I am now reading, A Child Called "It", by Dave Pelzer. It's autobiographical and I'm nearly already half way through. It is all about his struggle to live through a childhood of beatings and neglect from his mother.
Apparently its part of a trilogy, and on reading it I had to check it was his autobiography because some of the scenes relayed in the book are horrendous and I cannot understand how a human being can do such things to another human being, never mind their own son.

A very compelling read.

Finished it now, an unbelievable account of a young boys life, horrendous what his mother did to him.
I am now off to the library to see if they have the other two books he has written, "The Lost Boy" - this is his account of his life from the age of 12-18, and his final book "A Man named Dave" his account of his life from 18 to the present day.

Finished it now, an unbelievable account of a young boys life, horrendous what his mother did to him.
I am now off to the library to see if they have the other two books he has written, "The Lost Boy" - this is his account of his life from the age of 12-18, and his final book "A Man named Dave" his account of his life from 18 to the present day.

His brothers have spoken out publically against some of the claims made in the books.They said he has totally over-exaggerated and they would have known if it was even half as bad as he claims.I took it all with a pinch of salt.My elderly blind mother had the book on cd and she had to stop listening to it as it upset her so much.What do you think,Andrea? :)

I suppose its all one sided, coming from his point of view.
I hadn't heard anything about the brothers claims, in fact I hadn't heard of him until I picked the book up off the shelf.
I don't know, sometimes different people have different thoughts on how events happened in the past. I just read the book totally aghast at what went on.
It's going to be interesting to read the following books.
Talking to my hubby about it, he was surprised the father didn't do more to help the kid out.

I suppose its all one sided, coming from his point of view.
I hadn't heard anything about the brothers claims, in fact I hadn't heard of him until I picked the book up off the shelf.
I don't know, sometimes different people have different thoughts on how events happened in the past. I just read the book totally aghast at what went on.
It's going to be interesting to read the following books.
Talking to my hubby about it, he was surprised the father didn't do more to help the kid out.


When you have finished the book,I'd recommend 'googling' David Peltzer.There is a vast amount of differing opinions about him.

I tend to agree with Sylv on Dave Pelzer, he does rather appear to have made a whole career out of his childhhod experiences.

Edit: That said, one of his brothers has also written a similar book which appears to back up his claims.

I tend to agree with Sylv on Dave Pelzer, he does rather appear to have made a whole career out of his childhhod experiences.

Edit: That said, one of his brothers has also written a similar book which appears to back up his claims.


Maybe I'm just too cynical but maybe the brother felt the need to make a fortune too.
I've never worked in American schools so I have no experience of them BUT I have experience of British ones and it would have been picked up on there......of that I am certain.
Funnily enough it is far more likely to have been noticed in the fifties and sixties here,rather than now.Until the first round of educational cut-backs in the seventies,pupils had regular health checks from a health professional.I just know he would not have gone unnoticed in our education system.

thats really interesting sylvia, I've just read a couple of articles about him and some are praising him then others are doubting how much of the story is true. They are not doubting that he was abused but that the books are very bloody and rely on horror to keep the reader reading.

I don't know, I'm gonna read his other books and see what I think.
Talking again to my husband about this and he said it brought back bad memories of his father. Not that he was abused in any way like this book, but that his sister used to have marks on the back of her legs from the whips she got from thier dad's belt,(she was the only one who got this treatment) she used to skive out of PE so as not too be seen. Hubby remembers this happening, his other brother and sisters, (one older and two younger) deny any of this happening.

I haven't read the pelzer books, mainly because relaxing to reading about unspeakable abuse is not really my genre. However, I did read McCourt's 'Angela's Ashes', also its sequel, and the book by his sibling Malachy. Amongst other more pertinent things, they described the deprivations of an impoverished childhood, and surprise, surprise, it wasn't long before people who recalled the McCourt family were dissing what the biographies had written saying that it hadn't been as bad as depicted.

To which McCourt replied that his book had been a 'memoir', there being a distinct difference between the rigid acutality and the recall of a child via the value system perceived and known to that child. This made complete sense to me as the reality is only as good as the perception of it, and in anycase, Angela's Ashes is a cracking read. People who have either unique experiences, or a rare talent for recounting it, deserve the credit for doing so, not least because it challenges the reader to calibrate the rights from wrongs, aswell as (in McCourt's case) marvel at his narrating skills. If people want rigid history they can go to the history books; if they want perceptive reflection and something to think about, then books such as this have their place.

I am reading of a different sort of endurance at present: 'Into Thin Air' by Jon Krakauer -an account (by a participant) of an everest expedition which ended in tragedy -many positives and negatives, and a real perspective leveller.

Is that the one about the expedition that ended in tragedy for the 'package' group in the mid nineties Lucy. Although I think there's more than one book about this and it's been covered from a couple of different perspectives. If that's the book, I haven't read it, but from reviews I've seen it does sound very interesting and is the sort of thing I'd probably like.

I'm reading 'The Wonder Years' which is a story based on the real life individuals and events in Eyam during the plague years.

In order to make it into a story, the author has obviously had to embelish what little is known about the characters who lived and died during that those horrific couple of years. It's written from the point of view of the young woman whose cottage was the centre for the outbreak.

I don't know what to think it really. In real life the history of the village is fascinating if tragic and stands up as a story on it's own. Also in real life, the villagers were probably made up of a few good people, a few bad people but an awful lot more who were neither one or the other. The characters in the book are very black and white, either holier than thou or evil and therefore doomed. Sometimes the characters speak in what the author must assume is a seventeenth century style, other times they sound quite modern. Overall, I'd say it was a bit too gushy and sentimental for my tastes, but as a lesson in history it could prove quite interesting.

I have just finished Cradle Song by Robert Edric. Very good writing and believable characters. Not the most pleasant of subjects (murder and abuse of young girls), but he only tells you the basics, not unnecessary titterlation, if that makes sense. I would definately recommend it.

A Boy Called It always brings back a memory of a holiday scene around the pool. It was the must have holiday read. I will never forget the looks on the faces of the people reading this book (there was a lot), the saddest bunch of holiday makers you ever did see. :sad:

Charlotte Gray had the same effect the year before. :sad:

Just finished the last of the four Dan Browns... in the same week it has been announced that Tom Hanks has bagged the lead role as Professor Robert Langdon in the movie of THE DA VINCI CODE! A good move I would say !. Anyway Digital Fortress is like all the others - a cracking good read... with drama from start to finish and set in the world of Cryptographers and code breakers. I felt that any reader with a degree course in Cryptography would enjoy it a lot more than the average Joe out there, because the many passages centred on the core language of Cryptography PASSED ME BY I am afraid.. very over technical at times, and when you are aiming your book at a mass market for the general public, there is a fine line between being authentic in your language and plain baffling which is what I found with this one. Nevertheless, a great plot, with a very dramatic conclusion as ever with Dan... you are left holding your breath to the last moments. A good one for all the DB fans out there.

Martina cole's new one "THE GRAFT" bit slow at the mo but it is just starting to get interesting.

The devils teardrop by Jeffery Deaver, gripped from page one which is a good sign. :)

Martina cole's new one "THE GRAFT" bit slow at the mo but it is just starting to get interesting.

Just finished "The Graft", as you say, a bit slow getting going but stick with it, worth it in the end, woke up at 3.30am for the loo, picked it up to read a page and didn't go back to sleep til 5.30am.

:wave: Desperately looking for something else to read now....

lol i was like that yesterday think i did half the book only got a few paes left now,have u read any of her others? I loved two women, and ladykiller

lol i was like that yesterday think i did half the book only got a few paes left now,have u read any of her others? I loved two women, and ladykiller

It's hard to put down once you get into it!! I have read ladykiller and The Know, both really good. Along similar lines, really worth reading.

Am still desperatley looking for something else..... :)

I am reading a biography on beatnic writer "William Burroughs" called "literary outlaw".

Re: The Dave Pelzer books. I'm a bit Like Lucy - I generally avoid those kind of books. I tend to read books for diversion in one way or another - either for further information on a subject I find interesting or for entertainment, and I guess I never thought I'd be either entertained nor especially educated by a detailed description of the abuse of a small child.

I confess though, I must've picked up a copy of "A boy Called It" about 20 times in WH Smith, only to put in down again as too depressing a subject matter. Same goes for Angelea's Ashes actually.

But, I eventually read A Child Called It at my sisters place in Dubai. We'd gone for a weeks holiday, and I'd left my book on the plane. I needed another book and she recommended that one with the words "I promie, you'll enjoy it!"

Well, I didn't!

It was an awful story to read. And actually, I felt much the same as some of the people who had commented here - I didn't actually disbelieve the story - I'm pretty sure the boy was dreadfully abused - but, I felt that there was a lack of credibility somehwere. Why didn't the school notice a starving, malnourished, smelly child turning up each day? They were pretty switched on in those days. Why did the husband not get involved when his son came to him after being stabbed? Why did the neighbours not mentioned anything when a small child was rummaging around in their bins for food?

I'm not saying that they guy was lying, or even exaggerating, but I did feel that there were significant gaps in the story. There must've have been kindness somewhere. There must've been intervention that wasn't mentioned. Otherwise, frankly, that kid would not have made it into double figures.

Hmmm - that probably sounds really heartless, but I don't mean it that way. I'm sure Dave Pelzer was shockingly abused, but I did feel that the already horrible story was probably "sensationalised" unecessarily for commerical reasons.

I am reading The Lord of the Rings for the first time in years. When I last read it, I had to imagine what the characters looked like. Now I have seen the films I see the actors playing the parts. :sad: It has sort of spoiled it in a way.

Billy Whizz, I know what you're saying. I've not read Lord of the Rings or been tempted to see the film, but it is strange when the characters you build up in your mind look nothing like those portrayed on screen, and whole sections of plot are suddenly inexplicably missing.

To everyone - given the opportunity, do you prefer to read the book first or watch the film based on it first? Has one spoilt the other for you, or made the experience richer?

Personally I prefer to read a book first, but then I rarely go and see the film following, because the film is never as good as the pictures you have in your head of the story and characters.

the only one I have enjoyed after reading the books is Harry Potter.

I love any books by Paula Yates and India Knight, they are a great laugh.

I am reading Aeorsmith "walk this way" at the moment.

Just finished Ben Eltons' Dead Famous - has tarnished my outlook on IAC - but then always thought all these reality progs were a crock - but still can't help myself with IAC ! - I tried I tried!

Good who dunnit, well written as ever by Mr E, funny & thought provoking.

.

i'm currently reading p.s i love you by cecilia ahern it is a fabulous book It makes me laugh & cry, i'd reccomend it to anyone.

Angels by Marian Keyes. And then I'm going to read Rachel's Holiday for about the tenth time.

I'm a shameless chick lit queen. :D

I've just started Ian Banks, Walking on Glass.

Very bizarre. Initially thought..can't cope with this...but his stylee of writing sucks you in...the glass castle with fish for lighting!!!!

Anyone here read Perfume????

I've started reading The Da Vinci Code again.
I'm finding it, even though I only read it about a month ago, still very absorbing.

'You'll Never Eat Lunch in This Town Again' - Julia Phillips

A tale about Hollywood in the 60's, 70's and early 80's....basically Julia talks about her experiences as a film producer during this time...the good and the bad and oft times hilarious moments are all wonderfully written and although I am only about a quarter of the way through it I have already snorted tea out of my nose in 'Starbucks' as I struggle to hold back a laugh!

It is quite an old book...I picked it up from a second hand book stall down the market.....but it's great fun. :laugh:

Sickened by Julie Gregory i am reading at the moment, it is very good but horrific at times, it is mainly the story of Sandy ,Julies mother who suffers from Mauhausen By Proxy and the horror she puts the child through, at times through the book i felt physicaly sickened excuse the pun!

Sickened by Julie Gregory i am reading at the moment, it is very good but horrific at times, it is mainly the story of Sandy ,Julies mother who suffers from Mauhausen By Proxy and the horror she puts the child through, at times through the book i felt physicaly sickened excuse the pun!
I read that as well bridge.

I'm reading a 'beach' type book at the moment, a light and fluffy number called 'Little Earthquakes' by Jennifer Weiner. It's about four women who have all recently had babies. I have been picking it up and putting it down so much that it's taken me over two weeks so far, so I guess I'm not finding it that interesting!

I read that as well bridge.

I'm reading a 'beach' type book at the moment, a light and fluffy number called 'Little Earthquakes' by Jennifer Weiner. It's about four women who have all recently had babies. I have been picking it up and putting it down so much that it's taken me over two weeks so far, so I guess I'm not finding it that interesting!

would you beleive it i read that book a couple of months ago, i too got a little bored, but there were some funny parts in the book, i especially liked the part where the mother in law comes to stay, and puts on a naughty porn film by mistake, it is so funny, i don't want to say to much so as not to spoil it for you.

i don't want to say to much so as not to spoil it for you.
You're ok bridge, I'd read that bit :) Yeah some of it is amusing, but it hasn't been the 'can't put it down' kind of book that I love.

I've been trying to read 'Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell' recently. 100 pages in and I still don't really understand the hype.... maybe it takes a while to warm up.

i am reading at the moment "All we are saying" John Lennon and Yoko Ono's last interview. It is great stuff.

At the moment i'm reading this very sad story called "Hannah's Gift" a true story about a little girl who has cancer and her daily battles against it. A very heart-warming story. It made me cry alot! :sad: Defiantly worth a read.

Just read The Lovely Bones. I'm always a year behind everyone else as I recall it was a 'bookclub' choice. I read it in a couple of days so it must have been good. Easy reading, delicately written and moving.

I picked up Paddy Clark ha ha ha from the library today - Is it any good?

A huge user manual for a software product, that I need to translate from geek to speak. :sad:

I eventually at long last finished Chocolat, which was really a lovely book and made me eat more chocolate than I usually do!! I would love to see the film, what more can a woman ask for the delectable Mr Depp and chocolate! :heart:




I loved Chocolat, although it had the opposite effect on me, I could taste the chocolate discribed so brilliantly in the book by Joanne Harris, that I actually felt full up after a reading session!

I went on to read all her books as they came out and would recommend them all, they are fantastically written.

I usually have 2 books on the go: one private, and one for use on public transport.......
My private is: the curious incident of the dog in the night-time - Mark Harmon (excellent portrayal of Asperger's)


'The curious incident........' is such a great book, it really brings it home to you what it must be like to suffer from autism as it is written from the suffers point of view. There are no discriptive words to let you know how people are talking e,g there are no , 'Stop' said Mr Jones angrily' as obviousily the main charactor cannot read peoples emotions. So he doesn't understand why people are shouting at him and its only because the reader can feel emotion that you can peice together how the other charactors are feeling - if that makes sense. A very clever thoughtful book.

Just read The Lovely Bones. I'm always a year behind everyone else as I recall it was a 'bookclub' choice. I read it in a couple of days so it must have been good. Easy reading, delicately written and moving.



Its a lovely book, very sad but beautiful.

I have to have a book on the go or life isn't worth living :)

I am currently reading D Tartt, the secret history, I am about a qtr of the way through and I am totally hooked. A very intelligent book.

My recent favorite reads include, 'The life of Pi', 'Holy fools' - another Joanne Harris book and 'The curious incident of the dog and the nightime'

I have loads and loads of books I love right from, Jilly Cooper to 'Jane Eyre', 'Wuthering Heights' and anything by Thomas Hardy.

I have just finished reading Torey Haydens "One Child", it was so good, i want to read all the other books she has written especially the follow up book to One Child called "The Tigers Child".

2nd chapter into True Crime by Jake Arnott. I am hooked already.

I have just finished Home, the history of everyone who ever lived in our house, by Julie Myerson.

The author owns a Victorian terraced house in London, and has gone through old records to find out who has lived in her house before her. She has also talked to them or their descendants where possible.

This is not just a documentary about how to research the history of a house, however. She also revisits her old childhood homes, and attempts to analyse what "home" means, and there is an almost ghostly feel when she attempts to bring characters from the past to life.

This book got criticised on Amazon for not being straightforward enough and containing too much of the author, but I loved it. I found the histories of the people interesting and moving and the social history fascinating. I would really recommend it.

Looks like I am just in time to lower the tone!!!!

I am reading Hollywood Divorces by Jackie Collins :laugh: :laugh: cant beat a bit of sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaze!!!!

I just finished Da Vinci Code...and loved it...and now want to read more about all the religious and historical stuff it talks about. And I'll be reading Angels and Demons as soon as I get it on Christmas Day. :)

I've just read 2 books in quick succession. 'Fried Green tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe' and 'Candlemoth'. Both excellent in different ways. Next will be 'Chocolat'. I'm in reading mode at the moment.

My friend got me a book called "The Viceroy's Daughters - the true story of the Curzon Sisters" for Christmas. To be honest I've never heard of them but they seem to have quite a fascinating story (I've only just started the book so don't know much about it at the moment). They were very very priveleged people from the beginning of the 20th Century. The opulence and money is staggering especially when I put it in the context of my grandparents who were around at that time and living very ordinary hard lives at that time. I'm looking forward to getting into it.

Have just started reading a book called "Northern Lights". Its been recommended to me by more than one person, so I thought I'd give it a go.

I've read the first couple of chapters and its a bit slow. To be honest, if it doesn't "hot up" soon I may just give up on it :sad:

Has anyone here read it? If so, whaddya think?

If you mean Northern Lights which is part of the 'His Dark Materials' trilogy by Philip Pullman, than I highly recommend these books. Truly magical story telling :)

Stick with it, you'll soon get to a point where you simply won't be able to put it down!

Stick with it, you'll soon get to a point where you simply won't be able to put it down!

Ah, so THAT'S what you've been doing for the last few months!! :laugh:

Ah, so THAT'S what you've been doing for the last few months!! :laugh:

LOL

'Fraid not - a mixture of playing too much Half-Life 2 and not be arsed to post anything since the SO forum 'move'.

Since then have read a couple of the Dan Brown books, but I'm so fed up with his unbelievable and 2 dimentional characters, I've given up on him and I'm currently trying to find another author to read. Some other authors (Robin Hobb, Peter F Hamilton to name but two) haven't got books coming out until much later in the year :(

If you mean Northern Lights which is part of the 'His Dark Materials' trilogy by Philip Pullman, than I highly recommend these books. Truly magical story telling :)


Yup - that IS the "Northern Lights" that I refer to.... :)

You are not the first person to say this to me. I have heard several people rave about this book (and the rest of the trilogy) and many of them have similar taste in literature to me.

Guess I just have to persevere. That "point of no reutnr" is very slow in coming though :sad:

I've just ordered Northern Lights from Amazon after seeing you lot talking about it. I haven't read a good book in ages.

I am now reading dah dah....


my Xmas pressie from one of my step sons - THE MAGIC FARAWAY TREE - by Enid Blyton. I am now 7 years old again and so enjoy jarmies, hot milk and snuggling up with a hot water bottle and my book!!

I read and read..just re read 'The Bone People' by Keri Hulme and 'Catcher in the Rye' loved them both the first and second and.. times round.
'One flew over the cuckoos nest' too by Ken Kesey. Enjoy!

I read One Flew over the cuckoos nest and Catcher in the Rye ages ago, I may have to read them again now.

I have just finished reading "Robin Askwith's" "Confessions of Robin Askwith"
you know the guy who starred in those 70's Confessions films? it is an hilirious account of his life and those films! the guy has a wicked sense of humour, i loved the book, very saucy ooooooooooo!

I have just finished Past Mortem by Ben Elton. I would not choose a book by him, but Mr B got it for xmas and I had nothing esle to read. It was actually really good. I was totally suprised.

I am now reading Digital Fortress by Dan Brown (i think he did the DaVinci Code) (another of Mr B's xmas prressies) seems ok so far...

I have actually bought The Lovely Bones off Amazon and it arrived this morning - I have been meaning to since loads of you read it last year - so I will be starting that once I have finished my trashy novel called Isobels Wedding.....

UPDATE: Re: Northern Lights - Have no reached the "Point of no Return"! :laugh:

This book is FANTASTIC! I was up until the early hours reading it. I was so tired I kept dropping off to sleep, but every time I woke up, instead of putting the book down I HAD to keepon reading to find out what happend next. I eventually stopped fighting sleep at 2:00am.

I can't wait to find out what happens. And when I do, I imagine I'll be straight down to Waterstones to buy Book 2!

I finally know what everyone has been going on about! :laugh:

BTW - to those who have read it, did you find you find yourself wishing that you had your own personal daemon? :laugh:

I've just finished 'Chocolat' and it was mouth wateringly good. I taped it off the telly the other night and I'm going to treat myself one afternoon next week and sit down and watch it all by myself. I hope it lives up to the book.

I've just finished 'Chocolat' and it was mouth wateringly good. I taped it off the telly the other night and I'm going to treat myself one afternoon next week and sit down and watch it all by myself. I hope it lives up to the book.


Max, I posted this in the film thread but just in case you don't read it! I loved Chocolat the book, and like you my mouth was watering all the way through, so I just had to indulge in eating chocolate! I also managed to drink my way through many Mochas at the courtesy of Starbucks!! Like you though, I was disappointed with the film. Have you read any of Joanne Harris's other books? I read Five Quarters of Orange and it was also very good, it was based around home-cooking and made you want to cook some really nice dinners! I would recommend it.

I am not really reading anything at the moment, but I do have a copy of A Gathering Light by Jennifer Donnelly by my bedside. I think it was mentioned on one of the Richard & Judy's book-club, but I haven't got round to reading it. Anyone read it?

I have actually bought The Lovely Bones off Amazon and it arrived this morning - I have been meaning to since loads of you read it last year - so I will be starting that once I have finished my trashy novel called Isobels Wedding.....

i have read The Lovely Bones, it is a sad read, but thought provoking, the book makes you feel very angry. hope you enjoy it?

Bella, thanks. I saw on the back cover of Chocolcat that Joanne Harris has written other books so I think I will try another one when I next go to the library.

I am now reading Pompeii by Robert Harris (Archangle & Fatherland).

V good so far...if you like aquaducts...which strangely I do.

I am now reading Pompeii by Robert Harris (Archangle & Fatherland).

V good so far...if you like aquaducts...which strangely I do.

I'm considering reading that book too - although I'll probably wait until after I've finished the 2 sequel's to "Northern Lights" which I have GOT to read now.

I like Robert Harris. Fatherland was fabulous and I loved it. Archangel was slower, but got very good towards the end.

Let me know what you think of Pompeii.

I would like to read 'The Faraway Tree' by Enid Blyton again. I loved this book as a kid, and would love to leaf through it again.

Unfortunately my copy went to the jumble sale when i was little, and im not sure i want to buy it again :confused:


You can have my copy if you like Bonny.:)

I thought The Lovely Bones was overrated, although my daughter loved it.

I've read all of Dan Brown's books and although addictive, they're just so far-out unrealistic!

I know I've read a good story when it moves me to tears or laughter.
Angela's Ashes made me cry but I wept buckets reading Birdsong.

At the mo, I'm reading The Crimson Petal and the White by Michael Faber.
Recommended to all you avid readers ;)

I know I've read a good story when it moves me to tears or laughter.
Angela's Ashes made me cry but I wept buckets reading Birdsong.

;)

Birdsong distroyed me....this is his best novel by far......it stayed with me for weeks afterwards. You really felt as if you were there in the trenches, the pure wretchedness and pointless loss of life was soul destroying. I think everyone should read this book to appreciate what those poor buggers went thru.

Have you read Charlotte Gray and The Girl at the Lion d'Or? The three books make up a trilogy, dosn't matter what order you read them in...but the same characters - or desendants of appear in all.

I also enjoyed On Green Dolphin Street by Sebastian too.

Have you read Regeneration? Great book.

I've just started reading John Grisham's "The Last Juror"
Sounds a good read.

I know a lot of his books are very similar but I haven't read one of his for a while, and I didn't want to read another Dan Brown book.

Have you read Regeneration? Great book.
Who's it by Toneeeeeeeeeeeeee.

Who's it by Toneeeeeeeeeeeeee.

Pat Barker, part of a trilogy

i have read The Lovely Bones, it is a sad read, but thought provoking, the book makes you feel very angry. hope you enjoy it?
Well I finished it last night.....and I have to say, I am a little disappointed!

I didnt cry at all - and im a REAL cry baby, Angela's Ashes had me sobbing (praps a little too close to home for comfort), and I have bawled at many a Danielle Steele over the years.......

I felt that the ending of the book was rushed (a bit like my English composition when at school) and so now I feel a bit, well, cheated I suppose.......

I didnt feel angry, the only book I recall that made me feel angry was The Beach - now that DID disturb me! Weird isnt it?

I have just bought The Time Traveller's Wife on the recommendation of the Richard & Judy Book Club. I am baby-sitting for a friend at the weekend, so maybe read a few chapters in between checking on the sleeping baby.

Just out of interest......how many of you are fast readers and how many like me are a little slow.....just thought Bella you must be a bit quick if you can get through a few chapters of an evening....I average a page every 2mins of the book I'm reading at the mo (it is small print....no pictures :sad: ) normally it would be a 1min a page (as long as there aren't to many big words! :wacko: )! :huh:

Bill Bryson - have most of his books (all excellent but if I had to favour one, it would be "A Walk in the Woods".....unputdownable)

I can recommend Tony Hawks' "Around Ireland With a Fridge"......and it all started with a silly little bet - fantastic read.

Just out of interest......how many of you are fast readers and how many like me are a little slow.....just thought Bella you must be a bit quick if you can get through a few chapters of an evening....I average a page every 2mins of the book I'm reading at the mo (it is small print....no pictures :sad: ) normally it would be a 1min a page (as long as there aren't to many big words! :wacko: )! :huh:

They are very small chapters, Coastie!! :)

Bill Bryson -
I can recommend Tony Hawks' "Around Ireland With a Fridge"......and it all started with a silly little bet - fantastic read.

I can back this up, its really funny. Infact I think its time I read this again....

Still on Pompeii which is brilliant....

quoting Bella: "I take two minutes to read single pages"

I know of folk who read Braille pages faster than you. (I do hope you don't read Braille 'cos if so I've put my darn foot in it again....then again what on earth would you being doing on this forum if you did....) :wacko: TF for that! phew!

Actually it takes me roughly the same...and that's just "Peter and Jane"
(anyone remember those??) :unsure:

.....also Fi Glover's wonderful "I Am an Oil Tanker..."

I've just started reading John Grisham's "The Last Juror"
Sounds a good read.
I have just finished reading this, and anyone who is thinking of getting it, don't bother, it's fairly boring and not like his usual stuff. Although I think now he has done that many books that he can't improve anymore.

I'm going to try that Tony Hawks book that some have talked about, sounds good.

I have finally finished - 'You'll never eat lunch in this town again' by Julia Phillips....

Julia Phillips is the producer behind 'The Sting', Close Encounters of the Third Kind' and 'Taxi Driver and this big book is her autobiography.

It has extreme laugh out loud moments, is incredibly informative and brutally honest...A very enjoyable read that I had to force myself to put down on more than one occasion! :cool2:

Ladies will love the fashion talk and ooo the memories it brought flooding back.....Now do you remember Corey Haim and Corey Feldman..... :laugh:

I've read loads of books recently, although nothing very edifying I'm afraid. I read Paula Radcliff's autobiography, Stephen King's 'The Stand' (again), Something might happen by Julie Myerson, The bride stripped bare, and a couple of 'chick lit' paperbacks by Chris Manby.

Now do you remember Corey Haim and Corey Feldman.....


.....whatever happened to Corey Haim...?? :unsure:

I'm reading Fleshmarket Close by Ian Rankin. I love his books to bits and this one is up there with the best of 'em.

.....whatever happened to Corey Haim...?? :unsure:
Not a lot. After 'Lost Boys' in 1987 his output during the nineties was disappointing. He hoped to turn his career around with two movies 'Without Malice' (2000) and 'Universal Groove' (2004) and he may even appear in the much-rumoured ‘Lost Boys’ sequel.

I have just finished reading this, and anyone who is thinking of getting it, don't bother, it's fairly boring and not like his usual stuff. Although I think now he has done that many books that he can't improve anymore.

I'm going to try that Tony Hawks book that some have talked about, sounds good.

Is that the one where the widow tries to sue the corporate tobacco companies because her husband died of lung cancer? I thought it was ok.

Just finished reading Touching the Void, an inspirational story that I thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend. Just started A Time to Speak an autobiography by a woman who survived the Holocaust, so that should be pretty depressing.

the much-rumoured ‘Lost Boys’ sequel.

first I've heard of this. If it's at least a rumour then I hope Joel Schumacher is earmarked to direct it. I hate when film sequels get passed on to someone else......apart from the Alien and Star Wars (first three) sequels. They seemed to work fine without the continuity. In fact it rather sounds like I'm moaning - it is quite early and I just arrived home from work and I'm a little irritable because it's so damn difficult to draw myself away from this forum....and I want to get some shut-eye :sad:

Marvellous marvellous film, The Lost Boys.

Is that the one where the widow tries to sue the corporate tobacco companies because her husband died of lung cancer? I thought it was ok.
No Nox, this one was about a guy who had gone to jail for rape and murder and as he was going down he threatened all the jurors saying he would kill everyone of them.
It was told from the perspective of this journalist who had just bought the local paper. Not just bought a newspaper, but was actually running the local paper, if you understand what I'm trying to say:laugh:

it would be "A Walk in the Woods".....unputdownable)

Just saw this Woodstock. I walked the West Highland Way in Scotland and afterwards read this book. I laughed like a hyena. Bill B on great form with this book.

Hooooorah I have found a book amongst my many that I haven't read before - it is called 'A Dark Adapted Eye' by Barbara Vine - who I think, and I don't know why, is a psuedonym for Ruth Rendall - does anyone know if this is true.

Anyway it is the story of a family during WW2 and the lead up to one of them murdering someone and then being hanged - but the whole book is about the full family lifestory first before the murder occurs. Although you know it happens cos you are told at the beginning.

Marvellous marvellous film, The Lost Boys.

Love The Lost Boys, one of my favourite films. Keifer Sutherland was brilliant in it. LOved the Grandad too, he had the best lines!

Dab - I also love Ian Rankin's Rebus books. I live in Edinburgh and it is great reading about your city and trying to work out where he is talking about. I wish ITV would commission the TV series again, they only ended up making 2 or 3 episodes. John Hannah, as much as I really like him (especially his voice) was very much miscast as Rebus. The role should have gone to Ken Stott or even Brian Cox. Haven't read Fleshmarket Close yet, will wait until it is out in paperback.

Right now, I'm reading The Subtle Knife, which is the sequal to Northern Lights.

And its shaping up to be very, very good! :)

it would be "A Walk in the Woods".....unputdownable)

Just saw this Woodstock. I walked the West Highland Way in Scotland and afterwards read this book. I laughed like a hyena. Bill B on great form with this book.

It's a fandoubletastic (i recently stole this word) read!

First, the West Highland Way, next.....The Appalachian Trail.....

First, the West Highland Way, next.....The Appalachian Trail.....


I have read books on both these trails and considered the Appalachian but this is another threads news.

I have read books on both these trails and considered the Appalachian but this is another threads news.

Think you could stick it out Tone? - sounds quite rigorous, extremely desolate, and from what Bryson tells...there's danger lurking on, behind, and under every tree branch - I'd love to do it myself but I think the flies would turn me into a potential extra for "One Flew Over the Cuckoos' Nest Part II"

Woodstock]Think you could stick it out Tone? - sounds quite rigorous, extremely desolate, and from what Bryson tells...there's danger lurking on, behind, and under every tree branch - I'd love to do it myself but I think the flies would turn me into a potential extra for "[B]One Flew Over the Cuckoos' Nest Part II

I think any hike's success (if that is the right word) is to do with who you are walking with. I like relatively silent fellow walkers who I can match in step but humour and goodwill (ie encouragement when spirits are exhausted) are essential components. I actually don't think I will plan to do the Appalachian but the Santiago walk is very appealing and I have a month off this summer so I am considering being close the earth for a spell.

I've read loads of books recently, although nothing very edifying I'm afraid. I read Paula Radcliff's autobiography, Stephen King's 'The Stand' (again), Something might happen by Julie Myerson, The bride stripped bare, and a couple of 'chick lit' paperbacks by Chris Manby.

Paula has an autobiography out?!? I got to buy me that...is it good? I love books about athletes, especially runners. Always interested to read about their motivations and such.

Hi IM :)

Yes Paula does have an autobiography out, it's called 'My Story so far' the Amazon review is here http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/074325242X/qid=1106587843/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_27_1/026-5151809-1856435

To be honest I wasn't a fan before I read it and this didn't turn me into one, but it was interesting nevertheless. I would have liked to have been told more about her diet and training programme (I have just started running myself) but there's very little of that. I'd be interested in hearing what you thought of it though.

Cool. thanks Voice. I'm gonna order it in the next couple days and when I get it and read it..i'll let ya know what i think!

The Magicians' Guild (Book One of the Black Magician Trilogy) by Trudi Canavan

A book simply called - FBI - bet you can't guess what is's about! :laugh: :cool2:

A book simply called - FBI - bet you can't guess what is's about! :laugh: :cool2:
Is it about a radio station (http://www.fbi.org.au/)? ;)

BTW, keep it to yourself, but I hear the weasels are attacking! They've teamed up with the killer umlaut's and are trying to take over the world!

Read only four books in the last two weeks - i'm getting old.


The narrows - by Michael Connelly.
Trace - by Patricia Cornwell.
Monday Mourning - by Kathy Reich's.
Watchman - by Ian Rankin.

I have just finished Pompeii, which was bloomin marvelous...a right jolly roman wheeze with history threaded thru.

Recommended.

Just started Last Man Down by a firefighter who was at the twin towers.

Compelling.

Just out of interest......how many of you are fast readers and how many like me are a little slow.....just thought Bella you must be a bit quick if you can get through a few chapters of an evening....I average a page every 2mins of the book I'm reading at the mo (it is small print....no pictures :sad: ) normally it would be a 1min a page (as long as there aren't to many big words! :wacko: )! :huh:

The only time I have some peace and quiet to read is when I take a bath, I can spend a hour soaking away if its a great book, and I have been known to take 3 or 4 baths in a day [weekends] if I can't put it down. Unfortunately I have been banished to the shower recently, due to lack of time, so my book 'The secret history' has been on the go for quite a while!

A book simply called - FBI - bet you can't guess what is's about! :laugh: :cool2:
is it an insight into the Central Intelligence Agency?

I have just ordered two books from Amazon:

'Michael Jackson - The Magic and the Madness' By J.Randy Taraborrelli

and

Eyewitness Auschwitz: Three Years in the Gas Chamber" by Filip Muller.

I am ashamed to say that I know very little about the Holocaust and want to remedy that. Looking on Amazon there were lots of books to choose from but this one seemed well regarded, if anyone can recommend any others on the subject I would be grateful. I'm told that 'Treblinka' by Jean-Fran cois Steiner is a good choice and also 'Five Chimneys' by Olga Lengyel.

Has anyone read either of those?

Watch out for that Amazon Voicey, I ordered some books and a cd from them at the beginning of the month and they've still not been dispatched:mad2:

Mine have already been dispatched Andrea. Your delay might be because one of the items you have ordered is harder to get hold of. You can check by looking at your recent orders page and if you want to you can then ask that the rest of the order is dispatched without it.

Happiness by Will Ferguson.....very amusing!

"The Road to McCarthy" by Pete McCarthy.......another good old travel-written book.

Eyewitness Auschwitz: Three Years in the Gas Chamber" by Filip Muller.

I am ashamed to say that I know very little about the Holocaust?
The Germans did all the nasty work and we're the one's who end up ashamed.......how's that work??

Mine have already been dispatched Andrea. Your delay might be because one of the items you have ordered is harder to get hold of. You can check by looking at your recent orders page and if you want to you can then ask that the rest of the order is dispatched without it.
And do you know what, I bet it's hubby's fishing book that's holding it all up:rolleyes:

I have just ordered two books from Amazon:

'Michael Jackson - The Magic and the Madness' By J.Randy Taraborrelli

and

Eyewitness Auschwitz: Three Years in the Gas Chamber" by Filip Muller.

I am ashamed to say that I know very little about the Holocaust and want to remedy that. Looking on Amazon there were lots of books to choose from but this one seemed well regarded, if anyone can recommend any others on the subject I would be grateful. I'm told that 'Treblinka' by Jean-Fran cois Steiner is a good choice and also 'Five Chimneys' by Olga Lengyel.

Has anyone read either of those?

Interestingly, I am taking a class on the Holocaust right now. One really good book, and a relatively quick read, is "Night" by Elie Wiesel. It is about his experience in one of the camps towards the end of the war. Another book we are set to read is "Ordinary Men" by Christopher Browning, although I don't know how good it is as I haven't read it yet. lol

"The Road to McCarthy" by Pete McCarthy.......another good old travel-written book.
I hope you did the proper thing and read McCarthy's Bar first - this was the better of the two.

Yep....two good books.

Interestingly, I am taking a class on the Holocaust right now. One really good book, and a relatively quick read, is "Night" by Elie Wiesel. It is about his experience in one of the camps towards the end of the war. Another book we are set to read is "Ordinary Men" by Christopher Browning, although I don't know how good it is as I haven't read it yet. lol
Thanks IM, I'll get hold of them when I have read the one I ordered, I'll let you know what that one's like too :)

still reading The Time Travellers Wife, it is a lovely book to read. I got a bit lost at the begining but really enjoying it now. I just wish I had more time to read more in one go. I would recommend it to you all.

I finished Bridget Jones's Diary last night [3rd time I have read it] - and got a book in the post, this morning, for my birthday, from my step son and wife - it is the Stephen King/Peter Straub collation - Black House. It sounds carey - anyone read it yet??

I have just finished The Time Traveller's Wife and have to say this is one of the best books I have read. I sobbed my way through to the end of the book, but it is just a lovely fairytale with a bit of everything mixed in it. There is a part of me quite upset that I have finished it, do you feel like this when you finish a book. This is a truly must read. I think the Da Vinci Code is next on my list of must-read and then I can go out and see the Rosslyn Chapel!

The Neverending Novel - It takes a while to get into it, but it is engrossing and it encompasses many aspects of Dirty American Realism. I find it very Bryson-esque with a little Dickens thrown in there also.....quality, quality read....a must...

Blow your own trumpet why don't you


The wee free men T.P

I've just started reading a book called "The thoughtful guide to faith"

It's written by a local minister from this area and I've only read a few chapters but it is very meaningful what he is saying.

I have just started reading Sickened. Its a true story about a child who came through munchausens(sp) by proxy. have only just started but it looks promising.

I have just started reading Sickened. Its a true story about a child who came through munchausens(sp) by proxy. have only just started but it looks promising.

Is it a good read so far Buzz? If it is can you let me know who the author is?

I an reading The Hobbitt at the moment, very good it is too so far.
I watched the frist Lord of The Rings film and thought it was tosh - so I didn't bother with the books, then my penfriend sent me The Hobbitt and the 3 Lord of The Rings books over a year ago and they sat on the bookshelf for ages, untill a couple of weeks ago I reaslised I didn't have anything else left to read at home, so I thought I'd give them a go.

I have just started reading Sickened. Its a true story about a child who came through munchausens(sp) by proxy. have only just started but it looks promising.I've read that one as well Buzz.

Minks you can have my copy if you want, I'm trying to get rid of lots of books before we go away so I'll happlily send it to you if you like.

I'm reading the Michael Jackson biography at the moment, it's very interesting.

Started last night When We Were Orphans by Kazuo Ishiguro....who also wrote The Remains of the Day which was one of my fav films staring Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson.

Promosing start....

I ordered a book yesterday called:

'Warning Signs' by Stephen White - it is in the bookshop now waiting for me to pick it up! :w00t:

I have bought it because - I'm in it....well a character with my full name is anyway......

I am a Homicide Detective accused of murder...oooo sounds very exciting...I can't wait to find out the full ins and outs of what I've been upto...I wonder if I live or die? :shocking: :w00t:

Just started Northern Lights by Philip Pullman.

Looks promising.

Im reading 'The Psychic Adventures of Derek Acorah' which is good. Ive nearly finished it though, so i think i will have a walk to the 2nd hand book shop and see what i can find.

I was at desperation point, so I had a rummage through the books my step dad gave to Mr Q and came across Mosoon by Wilbur Smith - its a bluddy good read, set in early 18th century its a bit of a swashbuckling epic on the high seas..... not something I would normally read to be honest, but after watching and enjoying Hornblower I thought I should give it a go!

I finished Bridget Jones's Diary last night [3rd time I have read it] - and got a book in the post, this morning, for my birthday, from my step son and wife - it is the Stephen King/Peter Straub collation - Black House. It sounds carey - anyone read it yet??

It's a sequal Flip, the first part is called 'The Talisman' and is very good. Fans of the first book have had to wait a very long time for the sequal apparently :)

Just started Northern Lights by Philip Pullman.

Looks promising.
It is very good, I've nearly finished it.
I feel a trip to amazon coming on to get the second and third books of this story:thumbsup:

Almost finished Meg Cabot's 'Every Boy's Got One'.

I love her books, they're high quality chick lit and I've even been tempted to try her Princess Diaries...ahem..how old am I? :laugh:

having just finished the final few pages of The Road to McCarthy at work, I've just moved on to McCarthy's Bar (both by Pete McCarthy, both travel books)
However, I fell asleep with the book still in my hands and open - not because it quickly became a tedious read, but due to my only having the two hours sleep all day yesterday. The culprit knows who she is......:bye:

having just finished the final few pages of The Road to McCarthy at work, I've just moved on to McCarthy's Bar (both by Pete McCarthy, both travel books)
However, I fell asleep with the book still in my hands and open - not because it quickly became a tedious read, but due to my only having the two hours sleep all day yesterday. The culprit knows who she is......:bye:

I read these the other way round....much prefered McCarthy's Bar, found it funnier and lighter. But were both really good reads.

It's funny how our tastes vary so much Andrea. I started to read Northern Lights and had to give up after the first few pages - I didn't get it at all.

After hearing so many good things about A Boy called It from you guys amongst others, I picked it up at the library today. I've got a feeling I'm going to finish it tonight - harrowing but engrossing.

Well, I've finished Northern Lights and am on the second book of the trilogy "The Subtle Knife"

I agree Nox, I know when a book has got me, is when I have all the images of every event in my head and have projected the story alive in my imagination. I was talking to my 5 year old about this the other day, saying how reading books was sooo good, because the images you have in your head from just a bunch of letters on a page is quite amazing.

My 5 year old said "Well I don't like reading":laugh:

As for the book "A Boy Called It" as you say, harrowing but engrossing.
And i actually read an article about one of his brothers who has now written his own book supporting what David Pelzer said.
All his other brothers apparently deny the scale of abuse that is reported.

I finished it last night in bed. Andrea, I wonder whether the brothers were trying to distance themselves from the events, or whether they were telling the truth. Can the article be found online? It doesn't take away from the fact that David suffered a terrible experience at the hands of his mother, but it would be interesting to read the brothers take on it.

At the end of the book David's teacher writes a couple of pages where he states that he was witnessing "the third worse case of child abuse on record in the entire state of California" as if it were a matter of fact.

Have just finished John Simpsons road to Baghdad - he really doesnt like the americans, but then again if I had a bit of shrapnel in my hip and a bust eardrum from a american plane I don't suppose I would.

Am just debating whether to read Katie Adies corsets to camouflage or Katie Hickmans Courtesans. I really like stories about real people, especially women. I find there is so many exciting stories that are real, why bother with the made up ones.

I have just finished the da vinci code for the second time and it was just as good as the first time if you have not read it do so you don't have to belive what he says buts he makes an intresting point about the bible and a lot of his history i know to be true. If you get the chance try his other books too i've read angels and demons (the prequeal to the da vinchi code) and Deception Point, they are not as good but still a good read :boxing:

I have just finished the da vinci code for the second time and it was just as good as the first time if you have not read it do so you don't have to belive what he says buts he makes an intresting point about the bible and a lot of his history i know to be true. If you get the chance try his other books too i've read angels and demons (the prequeal to the da vinchi code) and Deception Point, they are not as good but still a good read :boxing:

I am reading this just now, Waylander and I am really finding it impossible to put down! My family are getting really annoyed with me as I have found myself committing the ultimate sin and reading at the dinner table!! :ohmy: I have a meeting with my minister next weekend and I would be interested to hear his thoughts on the book. It really has me gripped, I believe they are going to make it into a film but as a lot of people have read the book, the suspense and the tenderhook moments just won't be the same.

I wonder who could play the lead parts..................

Bella, apparently Tom Hanks is the lead role in the film.

Bella, apparently Tom Hanks is the lead role in the film.

Oh how blooming predictable is that?!! I do like Tom Hanks but sometimes I think someone else should get a chance! Personally I would have preferred Johnny Depp! :wub: Matt Damon would have been good too, but maybe too young...... wonder who Sophie will be? Please don't let it be Julia Roberts or Gwyneth Paltrow!

Finished the Da Vinci Code, what a fantastic book!! I am definitely going to see the Rosslyn Chapel now. There was a murder there, the master stonemason killed the junior apprentice as he made a mistake and he took excpetion to it!! I am giving the book to my dad and we are planning a visit during the Easter holidays! I would really love to delve into Da Vinci's work now and may go to the library to find out more about him. I wish I had seen the programme about the Da Vinci Code with Tony Robinson. And it has got me thinking............... :closedeye

I've just started to read "A Royal Duty" by Paul Burrell. I bought it for mum ages ago & haven't read it before now bacause I thought it would be quite boring. However I thought Id better give it a go as it is a much talked about book.
I have just read the 1st two chapters and I must say so far so good. Very interesting!

After this book I'm going to read "A boy called it" My mum & sisters read it & it even brought my sister to tears!

Has anyone read the book "Stone Cold" ??? I read this years ago ........ very good read. About the homeless.

Ive just started reading:

Warning Signs - by Stephen White

Why...because there is a character with my name in it! :w00t: I am a homicide detective suspected of murder...ooooooooooooo....I've just finished the first chapter which had corpse with a disfigured face in it! :shocking:

Very exciting!

It's amazing what you find out when you Google your name! :cool2:

Started last night When We Were Orphans by Kazuo Ishiguro....who also wrote The Remains of the Day which was one of my fav films staring Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson.

Promising start....

Finished this at 2am this morning...bloomin marvelous. The first half is slow, descriptive and a relaxing read, then all of a sudden it kicks up a gear and grabs your attention and wont' let go.....as I discovered to my cost last night. :thumbsup:

Recommended....have now got in my possession The Remains of the Day (ebay) which I shall be reading next.

I've entered the story in chapter two and am working with a detective called Sam Purdy.....it's quite freaky reading your name in a book! :shocking:

I've entered the story in chapter two and am working with a detective called Sam Purdy.....it's quite freaky reading your name in a book! :shocking:
Is your name Sam Purdy then??? I never knew that. :pimp:

Have just started Kate Adies From Corsets to Camaflage. Its so good, a must for anyone remotely fascinated by women in history. She writes so well and you become swept up as if it was a gripping novel. You can tell shes excited by what shes researched, its great. I must confess I rather naively thought of women replacing mens jobs as the 2nd world war, but many were around the trenches in world war 1, theres a great bit about the ministry of labour sending out a committee to france to check on immorality of the girls!!!!!

Ive just started a book called 'Paradise Fields' by Katie Fforde.

I only bought it lunchtime, and im hooked already, and was from the very first page. I cant wait till tomorrow lunchtime now so i can read some more :mellow:

I darent take it home or ill have my head stuck in it all night :blush:

Have just started The Bad Mother's Handbook :bag:


Also went to Borders the other day and stocked up on 3 for 2 offer, so hopefully I can get some time to myself to read them!

Is your name Sam Purdy then??? I never knew that. :pimp:

No...I'm a homicide detective and my partner is Sam! I have been questioned over the killing of a high level legal bloke...ooooooo!

I'm about to start reading James Herbert - The Magic Cottage.

If it's the one I'm thinking of Lugger, I read it a long time ago so don't remember much about it, other than it was very scary. Don't have nightmares.

If it's the one I'm thinking of Lugger, I read it a long time ago so don't remember much about it, other than it was very scary. Don't have nightmares.

I read it too - and its brilliant.

'Running In Heels' by Anna Maxted.

I love her books, she always takes a difficult subject (in this case eating disorders) and makes her stories hilarious, moving and real.

I haven't had time to read a book in ages, but am training it up and down to London this week so have promised myself a re-read of The Sacred Art of Stealing by Christopher Brookmyre in preparation for his new one which should be out soon.

His books are hysterically funny, although it probably helps if you are Scottish. And didn't see the abortion of a television adaptation of one of his earlier books.:ranting:

Maybe it's because I'm not a Scot then, but I read One Fine Day in the Middle of the Night, and although it made me chuckle now and then, I didn't think it was riotously funny. Which is his best? Perhaps he deserves another go.

I've got 'Shadow of the Wind' on hold at the library. Anyone read it, and if so does it live up to the hype?

I'm just starting Arch Angel as a friend at work insisted I read it dispite my seeing it on the TV and being...well largely disapointed...I'll see how it goes with the book!

Why People Dont Heal and How they Can, Carolyn Myss
This is the second book I have read from this woman who describes herself as a medical intuitive i.e. reads the illnesses of others. I think she is a wise and knowledgable writer in the many mechanisms that bring illness and what that may mean. It is quite a positive read.

At last! I've just started reading The Da Vinci Code.

At last! I've just started reading The Da Vinci Code.
Enjoy. I loved that book. Let me know when you have finished it!

I loved it as well and was very annoyed when Id finished it!

I've read TDC and enjoyed it too....I am now reading Iain Banks - The Crow Road.

Well, I've finished Northern Lights and am on the second book of the trilogy "The Subtle Knife"


Have you finished this yet Andrea?

I read all 3 of the trilogy in January. Amazing, fantastic books. I struggled with Northern Lights at first and nearly gave up on it altogether, but I'm glad I perservered because at some point it just.....got me!

the trilogy gets progressively better: The Subtle Knife is better than Northern Lights, and The Anber Spyglass is better than The Subtle Knife.

Best books I've read in ages, and I was CERTAIN it would take years to find a book I enjoyed as much a The Da Vinci Code. :laugh: Let me know what you think of them.

I've read TDC and enjoyed it too....I am now reading Iain Banks - The Crow Road.

I like Ian Banks (and Ian M Banks) stuff. It's not always comfortable reading, but it is always new and fresh.

I just read Ian Rankin's latest Rebus novel, Fleshmarket Close. Brilliant, as ever. My favourite crime fiction.

And while I'm waiting for his next one I've started reading Elizabeth George's Inspector Linley series. I'm on Deception On His Mind at the moment.

I am reading Cut To Black by Graham Hurley but have only just started it. Its all set in Portsmouthwhich is local to me. I read another of his books a few months ago but never remember the titles.

I have just finished Tory Haydons 'One Child' which is a true story about a teacher and a little six year old girl with severe problems. It was very moving.

Now however I am bookless again, waiting for Mr B to read the Davinci Code so I can have it.......could be waiting some time.....

Henry VIII's six wives by Antonia Fraser - it's an excellent read if you like that period of history, I can't put it down at the moment.

Finally picked up Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon yesterday. I haven't got more than a hundred pages in, but I'm hooked. In fact it's so good, I'm going to bed now to read it.

I like Ian Banks (and Ian M Banks) stuff. It's not always comfortable reading, but it is always new and fresh.



This is only the second of his I have read - the first Walking on Glass had me transfixed. The room where they can shove their heads up through the ceiling into a glass dome and experience other peoples lives is still a vision I see so clearly.

Have you read this, iff so what was the ending about? Where they all loonies in a home anyway?

This is only the second of his I have read - the first Walking on Glass had me transfixed. The room where they can shove their heads up through the ceiling into a glass dome and experience other peoples lives is still a vision I see so clearly.

Have you read this, iff so what was the ending about? Where they all loonies in a home anyway?

Is that the one with two wierdos playing chess forever in a castle, or something? I read that one years ago. I've been wracking my brain but can't remember more than that, though. Sorry.

Is that the one with two wierdos playing chess forever in a castle, or something? I read that one years ago. I've been wracking my brain but can't remember more than that, though. Sorry.

Yep thats the one...playing games in a huge castle with no heating, the insulting talking crows and the little goblin type people in the huge kitchens.

Just couldn't make out the ending.

I have just read three Karin Slaughter books in a row....if you like crime/thrillers you MUST read them, they are dark and utterly brilliant!!! Have now got the new Ridley Pearson book, which I will start when I finish the Useless Facts book I am currently digesting!

At the moment, I am reading 'Cloud Atlas' which is kind of surreal but enjoyable. I have a mountain of books to get through at the moment, I can't go past a book shop without buying a book, am I a book-alcoholic or a shop-alcoholic? :unsure:

I've just finished Wicked, which is the story of he Wicked Witch of the West and what happened to her before Dorothy melted her.

It looked fab but I got really bored about half way through and had to force myself to carry on.

I was really disappointed as I had been looking forward to reading it for ages.

Just started "Azur Like It" by Wendy Holden.....I do like her books!

Yessssssssss

Mr B finished the Davinci Code and I can now start it................ :book:

I'm re-reading More Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin. This book is an old friend and I'm enjoying re-reading it after a gap of a few years.

I'm re-reading More Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin. This book is an old friend and I'm enjoying re-reading it after a gap of a few years.

Oh the Tales of the City were great books. I feel inspired to dig my copies out now.

Damn! I'll have to hide them now before I snap my bookshelves for Bob...

I only own Tales of the City and More Tales of the City, but I have read all of series. I remember in my early twenties finishing reading one of them at about 11:00pm and then foolishly picking up the next book. I ended up reading the whole book in a night and didn't go to sleep until about 4:30am! B)

Im reading the last of the "Shopaholic" books by Sophie Kinsella. She is such a funny writer.
Ive got "Onwards and Upwards" to read next, by Arabella Weir (of "does my bum look big in this" in the Fast Show), its supposed to be hysterically funny.

After missing the televised adaptation of Sarah Waters book Fingersmith - I htought I would dig it out and re-read it.

Glad I did, as I realise I have completely forgotten what happened.

I bought the Red Dwarf books from Waterstones the other day. "Red Dwarf", "Better Than Life", "Backwards" and "Last Human" - absolutely side splittingly funny books.

About 15 diferent books on Feminism and Christianity, Teaching children Re and maths resources. Am hoping on Fri when essays are due in to finish Courtesans by Katie Hickman. She wrote Daughters of Britanna about women traveling round the world and I enjoyed it so much I thought I would see how the other half lived.

I'm reading "nice carpets"

Im reading The Truth About Witchcraft.....but I cant remember the authors name :blush: :laugh:

Am reading The Family Way by Tony Parson's really enjoying it.

Finally finished Shadow of the Wind. First 100 pages good. Last 100 pages good. But the middle bit was a real slog and I kept getting the characters mixed up as the names were too similar.

Starting The Secret History by Donna Tartt.

Just started my fist Ian Rankin - Jack Rebus novel.....

I know I am starting them in the wrong order but hope this doesn't matter to much.....this one cost me 50p from a charity shop and I thought since Flip is a big fan and a mate of mine has suggested I give em a go...I would...

'The Hanging Garden'......hope it's not to scarey for me! :unsure:

Have you finished this yet Andrea?

I read all 3 of the trilogy in January. Amazing, fantastic books. I struggled with Northern Lights at first and nearly gave up on it altogether, but I'm glad I perservered because at some point it just.....got me!

the trilogy gets progressively better: The Subtle Knife is better than Northern Lights, and The Anber Spyglass is better than The Subtle Knife.

Best books I've read in ages, and I was CERTAIN it would take years to find a book I enjoyed as much a The Da Vinci Code. :laugh: Let me know what you think of them.

Hey Karen, I only saw this the other day when I was trawling through this thread to see what books people had read, trying to give me clues on the bookcase comp.
I was going to reply then but it would have given mine away :laugh:
But I did read them all and really enjoyed them.
I found out the other week that the guy who wrote them all live around here somewhere, he was in our local paper.
But would definately advise people to read these books.

I have just started Whats Eating Johnny Depp - a biography that I picked up in the library, along with Andrew Moretons biagrophy about Madonna.......also picked up some "chic lit" but cant remember what :blush:

I haven't read a book for a while and could do with a good read so after looking through this thread I have just ordered Tony Hawks, Round Ireland with a fridge. Sounds a bit of a laugh.

I've ordered it from Play.com, they do free delivery no matter how much you spend, so hopefully that will be with me in the next few days.

Quick Andrea, change it to 'I ordered it from Amazon using the affiliate link on this site so that Haydon can make some money' before he notices :D

Oops :shutup:

Haydon, get play.com on your list, although I'm not sure how much comission you'd get from a purchase of £5.99 :wink2:

I'm just about to open and devour Karin Slaughter's A Faint Cold Fear, after Ceri recommended her.

Reading Billy (Billy Connolly) by his wife Pamela Stephenson. Have had it for a few years now but not read it in ages picked it up again after seeing him in concert last week. It's a great biography with plenty of laughter as well as tears. Highly recommend it to any Billy Connolly fans out there.

I'm just about to open and devour Karin Slaughter's A Faint Cold Fear, after Ceri recommended her.

Ooo I've got that to read...my mate lent me it but I was told I have to read the others first...apparently this is the 3rd in the series or something! :huh:

I haven't had much time as of late to just read for fun...as most of my reading is for classes...but I am in an art history course on early medieval art and architecture...and I am finding the selections of readings for that class to be quite interesting. We've currently been reading about the importance of Saints and martyrs during the time and how that is shown in the art.

Just finished The Crow Road, which I really enjoyed.

Sticking with Iain Banks I am embarking on The Wasp Factory, all the write ups say its pretty gruesome - anyone read this.

I have now read 2 of Iain Banks - Walking on Glass and The Crow Road and the difference in style is incrediable, each book has a totally different feel.

Any one recommend any others of his...I have The Business.

Just started 'THe Two of Us' - My Life with John Thaw by Shiela Hancock. Liked John Thaw a lot, so am looking forward to this.

Just finished The Crow Road, which I really enjoyed.

Sticking with Iain Banks I am embarking on The Wasp Factory, all the write ups say its pretty gruesome - anyone read this.

I have now read 2 of Iain Banks - Walking on Glass and The Crow Road and the difference in style is incrediable, each book has