Polka Dot Rock

Hmm... But I don't necessarily think that all novels should be 'correctives' to modern malaise. Surely we need novels to also be horrible and show humanity's nasty side? Holding an unflattering mirror up, as it were. I always think it's interesting how at the end, we see capitalism prevail -

Aw, Thanks Emma! I shall wear it with pride Oh I hate arguments: they always stop you from doing anything useful! I think you're managing to cope very well with a baby AND reading HP at the same time!

Re: Wuthering Heights That's what I love about it! It was such an amazingly modern novel for the time it was written in. Ditto! I think anyone who thinks that Cathy and Heathcliffe are a stereotypical literary romance either a) has never read it or needs a quick whack on the head with a stick! It's such a fascinating premise, that two apparently oppressed people can 'lash out' at those or the conditions that they feel have oppressed their 'true' nature... But are both pretty horrible people anyway so you end up feeling sorry for neither of them. (Wow, I hope that made some sense...) Also, I think people focus too much on Cathy and Heathcliffe: what about Cathy II? She's in the narrative far longer than her mother is! I like that she's essentially a spolit brat who ends up learning to be strong to survive. And Nelly's role is very interesting too. Re: Updike's Rabbit novels I really must read the last two... Is Rabbit at Rest a novella, then? I didn't realise!

Hello from another BBC2-watching-slow-mo! I'm really looking forward to this tonight: I just hope it won't turn into another Lost Although I've been reassured that it won't

Can I have that on a badge?? Glad you enjoyed it, Emma Hope you manage to steal a few more moments of HP reading time!

Think I need to update mine... Nervous Conditions - Tsitsi Dangarembga Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte Maus - Art Speigelman The Crimson Petal and The White - Michel Faber Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte

Ah, I love Updike's Rabbit series! I used Rabbit, Run in an exam. Although I do need to get hold of the last two Have you read the others? What did you think of Rabbit Redux? I think I may even like it more than ...Run! Great choices IMO, Oblomov!

Welcome Ratna! I hope you're settling in!

It could be well worth it, Michelle: one of the books I sold last week was one I thought would never sell! Turned out a bookshop wanted it.

I'll second you!!

Oh how strange: I haven't sold any for ages then sold two last week! There must be a rush on Actually, they have been advertising in the Guardian.

Ah, now that's one of my favourite books and I've known quite a few people who didn't like it. I love its melancholic nature. John Mullan does a really good analysis of it in How Novels Work. I enjoyed Never Let Me Go but it's certainly a book that polarises opinion! There's a couple of threads that discusses it and it's amazing how strongly people feel about it! Re: Restless Urgh, I really can't stress how much I loathe this novel! It's completely put me off reading anything else by Boyd. Probably the least enjoyable reading experience I've had in, ohh, at least 5 years I had a near apocalyptic rant about it in the first part of my 2007 blog.

That's a really good idea! I'd love to read it along with other people...

It really is... And there's never any indication about it in the actual book! It was chosen to be eye-catching, I reckon. Mind you, I like bonkers sounding titles that don't really make total sense!

(C'mon Harry Potter people! I was expecing to see lots of posts with spoiler tags by now... I want to know what happens! I'm not buying it just so I know what happens, y'know I'm relying on you lot to tell me... ) Seriously tho', I hope you all enjoyed it and weren't disappointed

It's a great starting point, elbereth

Liz - Ah, no problem matey! It is an entertaining read, and I really liked Blue. Hope you enjoy when you get to it!

Digging to America by Anne Tyler Paperback: 336 pages Publisher: Vintage; New Ed edition (19 April 2007) Language English ISBN-10: 0099499398 ISBN-13: 978-0099499398 The blurb from the back

The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai Hardcover: 336 pages Publisher: Hamish Hamilton Ltd (31 Aug 2006) Language English ISBN-10: 0241143489 ISBN-13: 978-0241143483 The blurb from the back This year

My dad went to go see her live (actually, I think he's seen her twice in 12 months!): he says she's fantastic live It is growing on me now... I love 'Conquest' and 'You Don't Know What Love Is (You Just Do As You're Told)'. What are your highlights, Kylie? Oddly, I don't have Get Behind Me, Satan. I have all the others (although Elephant is my favourite) but I never got around to buying it! I think it was because my housemate bought it and wasn't that keen... I do love 'Blue Orchid' tho'. (But if I ever hear 'Doorbell' on the radio again... :motz:My least favourite White Stripes song!!)

Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Paperback: 448 pages Publisher: HarperPerennial (15 Jan 2007) Language English ISBN-10: 0007200285 ISBN-13: 978-0007200283 The blurb from the back Winner of this year

Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl Paperback: 528 pages Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd (3 May 2007) Language English ISBN-10: 0141024321 ISBN-13: 978-0141024325 The blurb from the back:

Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones Ooh, I really want to read this Louise! It sounds brilliant! Very envious that you managed to 'mooch' it ()

Oh Jules, I'm so sorry about that We're all here for you. I know you said you were trying to be strong and it is very draining: but you know that you can be all wibbly and sad on here. You don't have to be strong with us! Take care, much love x x x x x

Hey, I have to read that for my MA! I'm terrified! Can you produce a Gyre's Notes: The Divine Comedy for me?!