Ruth

Now I'm really confused, because I could have sworn I responded to this post - I even remember typing a response, but I guess I must not have pressed 'post'! Anyway, this book sounds fascinating. My Dad loves the Old West, and I think I have inherited his interest. I might get hold of this book, and then pass it on to him when I've finished it; I'm sure we would both enjoy it. Thanks for the great review

Oh, The Giver - yes!! I do want to see that. Anything with Jeff Bridges in is a winner for me

Totally agree about Nineteen Minutes. I just could not put it down. I really enjoyed My Sister's Keeper as well. Vanishing Acts was a good read - I didn't like it quite as much as the other two, but still definitely worth reading. I have a few others by Jodi Picoult on my TBR pile - Mercy, Salem Falls, The Pact and The Storyteller (I only bought the last one last weekend, so it will probably be a while before I get to it). I do know what you mean about the repetitiveness - I enjoy her books best with long gaps between each one.

Yeah, sometimes it's a case of the right book at the wrong time. I loved The Handmaid's Tale - I'd put it in my all time top ten books (maybe top five), but I do think you have to be in the mood for it.

That sounds great. I have always enjoyed post-apocalyptic/dystopian fiction. I think I'm adding that to my wish list

I'm thinking you must have liked Noughts and Crosses, if you are reading the second one in the series? Enjoy

That's a great film Kay I don't know if you've seen Move Over Darling, but that was a remake of it, and a nice film in it's own right as well. Also, Dean Martin and Marilyn Monroe started to make a film called Something's Got to Give, which was a remake of My Favourite Wife, but after Marilyn was sacked, Dean Martin didn't want to do the film with anyone else, so the project was never finished.

I've finished The Cold Dish, by Craig Johnson a - murder mystery set in Wyoming. It's the first in a series, and there is now a tv show based on the characters (Longmire). By sheer coincidence, that show has just started playing, so I am looking forward to watching it. I've also read Them: Adventures with Extremists, by Jon Ronson, which was a good read. Now reading Past the Burning Time, by Kathryn Laskey. It's all about the witch trials in Salem in the 17th century, and so far so good. I was actually in Salem in 2012, and thought it was a fascinating place. As for book buying, I am trying not to go too mad, but did buy two at the weekend: Longbourn, by Jo Baker (it's Pride and Prejudice, but told from the servants' point of view), and The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult. They were in a 'buy one, get one for £1' deal', so it was daft not to take advantage (or I'll just keep telling myself that!)

I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed The Art of Racing in the Rain. It is just SO good Hope you love it too!

Hi Julie Yes, it was very interesting. Some of the people featured were really objectionable - one chapter for example deals with the Ku Klux Klan, and I just can't reconcile myself with that way of thinking, but Ronson's time with the various subjects was fascinating to read about. The last chapter - which I won't spoil made me at some of the things which he witnessed, which made me question whether there really was something in the various conspiracy theories! The book reminded me very much of books by Louis Theroux, who I also enjoy reading.

Well....I definitely want to buy fewer books this year although I bought two at the weekend! I've got a Waterstones voucher from Christmas, so will be using that, but then make a concerted effort to stop buying. I'm setting myself a gentle challenge - 10 novels, 10 biographies and 10 other non-fiction. By past experience, I should be able to manage a lot more than that, but I don't want to pressure myself too much.

Them: Adventures with Extremists, by Jon Ronson As the title suggests, this is journalist Jon Ronson’s account of his time spent with different extremists, including Omar Bakri, radio show host Alex Jones, David Icke, Thom Robb (a KKK leader, who is trying to improve the KKK’s public image), and others. While Ronson remains generally respectful of each person, and tries to remain somewhat neutral, his opinions do occasionally filter through. It is difficult to read about what some of these people believe without squirming, or becoming angry, but what most of them have in common is a conviction that the world is being run by a secret elite group, who decide who will be president and prime minister of various countries, amongst other things. While their claims smack of the ridiculous, there were a couple of scenes which did give me pause for wonder – just who WAS trailing Ronson in Portugal? And the final chapter was almost unbelievable. Except that it was believable (and the events apparently captured on videotape). Ronson writes with (much-needed) patience and wry humour, and is a likeable narrator. The book is humorous, but he seems to laugh at the situations, rather than the people he is spending time with. I admire him being able to stick it out. Some of the people he was spending time with were so objectionable in their beliefs that I think I would have jacked it in much sooner! I enjoyed his style of writing, and will definitely be reading more by this author.

Thanks everyone. I hope 2014 is a happy and peaceful year for us all Thanks Frankie - right back at ya Hi VF. It is set in modern day Wyoming; sorry, I should have made that clear. Don't let me mislead you about the guns. There's not loads and loads of technical jargon, but as Walt talks about gunshots inflicted on certain characters, his knowledge of guns definitely came into play. If you know much about guns, you would understand what he's saying better than I did, but that did not spoil my enjoyment at all. Hi Julie - yes, that is exactly the kind of book that The Cold Dish is There is indeed a show, called Longmire. It's actually starting here in the UK tonight, and I will be watching. I loved the character of Walt, and also the character of Henry (who is played by Lou Diamond Phillips in the series, I believe).

I'd never heard of that book either, but it sounds lovely Great review Julie - happy reading for 2014.

The Cold Dish, by Craig Johnson (I'm not that fast a reader; I read most of this at the tail end of 2013!) This book is the first in a series featuring Sheriff Walt Longmire, and set in Absaroka County, Wyoming. Walt has to investigate when Cody Pritchard, who was one of four young men who committed a serious sexual assault on a young Native American girl, is killed. Together with his friend, Henry Standing Bear, who is also the uncle of the young girl; and his deputy, the foul-mouthed but efficient Vic Moretti, Walt tries to figure out who killed Cody, and to stop further acts of violence. I enjoyed this book a lot, mainly because I adored the characters of Walt and Henry. Walt narrates the novel, and he is an engaging, compassionate and witty narrator. Henry is calculating, intelligent, and fiercely loyal to his friend, and both characters were very well developed. I also liked Vic Moretti, who despite railing against everything and everybody, shows her dedication to her job and her boss. The police investigate the case methodically, and more through good old fashioned instint and sleuthing, rather than the use of hi-tech forensics, or incredible coincidence, and this appealed to me. The ending was a surprise, but in retrospect, it made sense. If I had any criticism, I would say that it was the large amount of the novel given over to explanations of the different types of guns used in the story, and the amount of time taken to explain the geography of Absaroka County (possibly because I find it hard to carry such descriptions in my mind). But I’m probably nitpicking. Overall, the characters are relatable and believable, and the story does keep you guessing. I will definitely be reading the further novels in this series.

The Importance of Being Earnest (the Colin Firth/Rupert Everett version). Loved it Also watched the mini-series of Emma, with Romola Garai as Emma and Jonny Lee Miller as Mr Knightly. Can't find words to express how much I enjoyed this. It was a perfect adaptation, and I adored Miller as Mr Knightly.

The Book Thief, although I am approaching with caution (because I enjoyed the book so much) Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom 12 Years A Slave

I'm hoping to read at least 10 biographies/autobiographies, at least ten other non-fiction books, and a minimum of ten novels, so I'll be listing the books I read in each category here, as well as reviewing them, so I can look back and remember what I thought of them Biographies / autobiographies In the Pleasure Groove: Love, Death and Duran Duran, by John Taylor - 3/5 Clark Gable, by Warren G. Harris - 3.5/5 The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography, by Sidney Poitier - 5/5 The Moon's A Balloon, by David Niven - 4/5 The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr., edited by Clayborne Carson - 5/5 Rich: The Life of Richard Burton, by Melvyn Bragg - 5/5 A Fortunate Life, by Robert Vaughn - 4/5 My Father's Daughter, by Tina Sinatra (with Jeff Coplon) Other non-fiction Them: Adventures With Extremists, by Jon Ronson - 4/5 Bluestockings: The Remarkable Story of the First Women to Fight for an Education, by Jane Robinson - 4.5/5 Delusions of Gender, by Cordelia Fine - 4/5 Kiss My Asterisk, by Jenny Baranick - 5/5 Moranthology, by Caitlin Moran - 3.5/5 Howard's End is on the Landing, by Susan Hill - 4/5 How To Be A Woman, by Caitlin Moran - 2.25/5 Running Like a Girl, by Alexandra Heminsley - 5/5 Too Much Information, by Dave Gorman - 5/5 Hatchet Job, by Mark Kermode - 4.5/5 Difficult Men, by Brett Martin - 5/5 Novels The Cold Dish, by Craig Johnson - 4/5 Beyond the Burning Time, by Kathryn Lasky - 3.25/5 Capital, by John Lanchester - 4.5/5 The Witch's Cradle, by Gillian White - 4.5/5 The Shadow Year, by Hannah Richell - 3.5/5 The Storyteller, by Jodi Picoult - 4/5 Uncle Tom's Cabin, by Harriet Beecher Stowe - 2.5/5 The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin, by David Nobbs - 3.75/5 Daphne, by Justine Picardie - 3.5/5 Perfect, by Rachel Joyce - 3.75/5 The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared, by Jonas Jonasson - 3.5/5 Cuckoo, by Julia Crouch - 3.5/5 Kiss Me First, by Lottie Moggach - 5/5 The Never List, by Koethi Zan - 2.5/5 Emma, by Jane Austen - 5/5 The Three Musketeers, by Alexandre Dumas - 4.5/5 Lucia, Lucia, by Adriana Trigiani - 3.75/5 The Snows of Kilimanjaro, and other stories, by Ernest Hemingway - 2.5/5 Cakes and Ale, by W. Somerset Maugham - 5/5 Tender is the `Night, by F. Scott Fitzgerald - 2.25/5

I read some online reviews after I'd finished it, and was surprised at how mixed the reviews were. I didn't know it was based on Howard's End, but thinking about it, I can see how it was. The only other Zadie Smith book I've read was The Autograph Man, which I thought was quite good, not brilliant. I've heard people say it explores similar themes to White Teeth though

On Beauty, by Zadie Smith Zadie Smith’s third novel focuses on two rival academics, Howard Belsey and Monty Kipps, and their respective families. While these two men are feuding, their wives are making friends and their children are struggling with adolescence and responsibility. There are too many threads to cover here, but this is a story of family, race, infidelity, forgiveness, unrequited feelings, and much more. I really REALLY enjoyed this book. The characters seemed so completely real, each with their positive and negative, but always very human traits. They may not always have been likeable (I actually found Howard Belsey to be never likeable), but they were identifiable. Smith writes so beautifully, with such a wonderful turn of phrase. She also has an incredible eye for observational humour, with sometimes just a few words or one line making me laugh out loud. At times I was frustrated with the characters, at times angry, and sometimes sympathetic, but whatever my feelings, I always wanted to know what was going to happen to them. It’s not a story with a neat beginning, middle and ending – things are not necessarily wrapped up neatly; it’s almost like a snapshot of a certain period of these families’ lives. I thoroughly enjoy it, and definitely recommend it.

Thanks Athena It just wasn't the book for me, but oh well. I think the book you mention is called Sophie's World - I read it a long time ago...The Christmas Mystery was very different (I wouldn't have thought they were by the same author, if I hadn't already known). My next read certainly was more enjoyable - it was On Beauty by Zadie Smith, and I thought it was wonderful

The Christmas Mystery, by Jostein Gaarder Told in 24 short chapters which are each assigned a date from 1st – 24th December, this book was apparently designed to be read like an advent calendar, with the appropriate chapter being read on the specific date. On 1st December, a young boy named Joachim is given an unusual advent calendar, and behind each door contains a chapter of a story. As the story unfolds, Joachim (and his parents) learn about a young girl named Elisabet who disappeared from Norway years earlier, and a pilgrimage of angels, shepherds and wise men who travel across land and time, to be present when Jesus was born. Unfortunately, I did not particularly enjoy this book. Although I am not religious, I can enjoy reading books about religion, but I felt that this particular story was preachy and sanctimonious. Also, while it might be considered a magical tale of a pilgrimage, it could equally be seen as the story of a young girl who was tempted away from her mother by a cute animal, and led away with an angel who promised to look after her, but instead took her away from her home, and left her mother wondering for years about what had happened to her daughter. (Which to me anyway, sounds a bit sinister.) I do think the idea was quite a good one, because it could be a useful tool for learning about the history of certain places, but I just couldn’t connect with it at all. There was no characterisation – I didn’t know Joachim or his parents any better by the last page than I did on the first page, and I felt the same way about Elisabet. The writing just seemed too simplistic, and the story was also somewhat repetitive, and the ending was – possibly deliberately – a bit unclear. I should add that I have only read one other book by this author, and I didn’t enjoy that either. Plenty of reviewers have loved this book, so it may just be that I am not the right reader for Jostein Gaarder. I wanted to enjoy this, particularly reading it at Christmas time, but sadly, was just not able to.

Great reviews I'm adding these two to my wish list.

Oh, this sounds like an interesting read. I used to work with a nutritionist, who always told me not to worry about counting calories, as long as I was eating reasonable sized portions, but to watch sugar intake, and avoid too many processed foods. He also said to avoid fruit juice and just eat the fruit instead (Incidentally, he also recommended eating foods that are naturally low in fat, rather than low-fat versions of food with sweeteners added.) Anyway, I do find books like this interesting to read, so will be keeping an eye out for this one. Thanks for the great review Will.

Thanks Frankie About that bit in the spoilers - yeah that was a bit weird. It was kind of written from a first person perspective, but there was no actual first person who was saying it!! I had been warned about that though, so I knew it was coming. The film is more enjoyable than the book - of the people I know who have read the book and seen the film, pretty much everyone really enjoyed the film, whereas opinions on the book were a bit mixed. Yes I did enjoy Mansfield Park, but I could definitely see why it was the least popular of Austen's novels. Fanny was a nice girl, but didn't have Emma Woodhouse's spark or Lizzie Bennett's opinions. Although I liked it a lot, I don't know if I would read it again...second time around I listened to it as an audiobook, which I found a bit more enjoyable, but I doubt I would have physically picked up a copy of it second time around, whereas with Emma and P&P (and probably Persuasion), I think I would actually sit and read the book again.