nicnic

An Indian curry type dish. Red chilli, garlic, tomatoes, Chicken and lots of Cinnamon and Ginger. Then some lovely coconut milk put in it. Served with rice. om nom nom

As far as I'm aware, Susan Boyle has mild Learning Difficulties. Although I may be wrong, this might explain some of the difficulties she is having coping with the changes in her life. I don't believe for one moment she expected to do that well and achieve that level of fame. I think she's been exploited to a degree by the BGT people. I just hope the press will treat her fairly and compassionately now she has been treated for 'exhaustion'.

Although technically he's a journalist, I would choose Charlie Brooker. He's a Guardian columnist who writes on TV, has written books and presents screenwipe. He's so intelligent, satirical and funny. And he needs cheering up cos he seems like a right grumpy-pants at times!

I haven't posted for nearly a year. I've had a bit of a bumpy ride lately and I guess that's why I haven't been around. Anyway, hello again people. I'm looking forward to posting again and keeping up with book related stuff.

I might just have to check these books out...real vampires don't sparkle

Scarlette, you do need a degree to be an actual 'Librarian' but not just for a job in a library. I think to be a library assistant just a generally good level of education is okay, or possibly a City and Guilds qualification in Library and Information studies. It's worth contacting your local council and see if they have any openings for library assistants.

I'd rather like to see some intelligent women's fiction. And some that is realistic. We don't all work in the media and obsess over losing weight and sleeping with men.

Bad girl! I haven't updated my thread, but tried to keep a list of what I've been reading..I've missed a few out but here goes. Microserfs - Douglas Coupland 10/10 The God Delusion - Richard Dawkins 7/10 Anticlimax - Sheila Jeffreys 5/10 Us - Richard Mason 7/10 The Lieutenant's Lover - Harry Bingham 7/10 Flight from Deathrow - Harry Hill 6/10 First Love, Last Rites - Ian McEwan 6/10 The Cement Garden - Ian McEwan is my current read, or more correctly, re-read. I always feel in two minds with McEwan books apart from this one, which I love.

I am interested in this, but simply because I have the same surname as the writer and apparently it is pretty rare. Yay, another author with my surname. (the first being the wonderful Laurence Sterne!!)

I loved this book. I know it doesn't take long to read, but for me the form suits the story of it. It takes place over the course of one evening, and if they did choose to make it longer, I do believe it would drag. It's short and intense in my opinion, like the evening in question. My opinion is a bit of a spoiler...so hidden!

This is the second time I've read an Ali Smith book and been left scratching my head. I've just read a book of short stories called Other Stories and other stories. I will read this one a second time around, if only just to take in what is going on in this collection of odd short stories. I did find some of the stories rather boring, and slightly pointless. Now reading a book called Straight Sex - the Politics of Pleasure. Not rude or erotic, but about sexual politics.

Yay, that laptop is fixed and back home with me where it belongs. I'm determined not to give up on listing all the books I've read so here goes...marks out of 10 rather than a review style thing...normal service, however, will resume Wicked - Gregory Maguire 6/10 The Virgin Suicides - Jeffery Eugenides 10/10 Hey Nostradamus - Douglas Coupland 8/10 Girlfriend in a Coma - Douglas Coupland 10/10 My Booky Wook - Russell Brand 8/10 Generation X - Douglas Coupland 7/10 Taming the Beast - Emily Maguire 8/10

Do I get obsessed with authors? Sure, if you count rummaging in their waste bins, googling their name 10 times daily, sending them 'friendly letters' and turning up at their house for unannounced visits..... Joking aside (I'm not a crazy stalker) To be honest, the answer is no. I do often read a few books by the same author, but am usually disappointed that further novels or books are not of the same caliber as the first.

My lack of updating to this list lately isn't a lack of reading, but lack of a reliable internet connection. I am writing this from my Mum's, but as soon as my laptop arrives back in my arms all safe and fixed, updatage will commence!

There is nothing I stubbornly refuse to read. I choose, for example not to read much womens' fiction, celeb biographies or novels, the 'my daddy beat me with spoons then I got a rare disease' type books and the majority of crime thrillers. However, if someone recommends or buys me one of those books, chances are I will give it a try. If I find it so utterly awful that I don't get past the first chapter, it goes on the sell/give away pile. If I feel like trying it again, I put it on a shelf for later.

Ooh you have great taste in books! Atwood and McEwan are brilliant in particular from your list. Welcome to the forum, have fun!

I'll admit, I've never read a so called 'chick lit' book. I have tried a few and never go to the end of them, those have been from the library as I didn't want to waste my money. I imagine there are some very good ones on the market that are written well, but they do not appeal to me. I have very little in common with the characters in the majority of them and the focus on fashion, men, shoes and shopping isn't something I enjoy. However, if other women emotionally connect and feel that they identify with the characters, fair enough. Nothing wrong with it. There is some artless chick lit the same as there is artless horror, crime etc. I do think that it's a bit too broad a category though. As someone mentioned, we could include any book featuring young female characters in it into this genre. But the average chick lit reader is unlikely to enjoy some of these books.

This time, I managed to finish The Abortionist's Daughter but it wasn't hugely worth it! This seemed, to me, to be a very ordinary crime novel dressed up as literary fiction. There were some interesting themes in it but they were downplayed in my opinion. 'Whodunnit' is almost obvious from the start and I think readers of the crime genre would also be unimpressed by it, it isn't intricate enough to hold interest. After that, I picked up Teach Yourself - Writing a Novel. I got it free with writing magazine which made it a real bargain. The Teach Yourself series are very good indeed, and this is no exception. It doesn't really intend to teach you to write a novel but is an excellent starting point for a beginner like me. I particularly want to try out some of the exercises they suggested. It will work best for those who already have an idea for a novel but haven't got too far with it. Next up Generation X - Douglas Coupland. I haven't read this book in ages and although it is his most famous novel, it's the Coupland novel I remember the least about. My distinct memory of reading this book the first time round is sitting under a tree, on a sunny day in London in Hyde Park. Yep, I went to London...did I see this sights when I was waiting for my friend going to the US embassy....no, I read a book....

Oh my, how long since I have updated. The Traveller - John Twelve Hawks was okay, I did like it and I want to read the second book in the trilogy, if only to find out what happens as the book didn't really end in a satisfactory way. I loved the thriller aspects of this and it was rather fast paced. I felt I had to suspend my disbelief when it comes to the supernatural aspects of the novel. I decided to read Bad Behaviour - Mary Gatskill for the second time. For the second time also, I wasn't hugely impressed. The stories seemed dated and a little overly concentrated on affairs and cheating. I'm now giving The Abortionist's Daughter - Elisabeth Hyde a second go. I didn't manage to get all the way through it last time but once I've got past the first few chapters, I am enjoying it a bit. The plot is a little slow and I'm not that keen on the characters, but am intrigued as to what happens next.

I managed to finish The Women's Room - Marilyn French quite a few days ago. I loved it even more the second time round. It is very powerful, following the lives of many women, particularly one over the course of many years. However, I don't think I feel it's full power reading it right now in 2008. It is a feminist novel and at times it does seem to be desparately trying to make a point about the oppression of women at the time, but this was most necessary at the time. I still feel it's relevance to my life - double standards, rape, domestic abuse etc still exist. One slight criticism is that there are very few male characters in the book that seem progressive, most of them are stuck in their ways. Overall, however, it's excellent. For something a bit more funny, I next read a book given to be by my partner. Things Snowball - Rich Hall is a collection of amusing stories and anecdotes by the comedian and writer. Most are centred around American and British culture, both of which can be rather amusing. It's full of wry humour and is definitely laugh out loud funny. As well as tackling my tbr pile, I also like to read books for the second time. The next one up is The Traveller - John Twelve Hawks. I heard some excellent reviews of this and bought it a while ago. I attempted reading it and it didn't capture me. This time, I'm persevering with it and rather enjoying what it brings. It is a bit more future/sci-fi/suspend your disbelief type stuff than I am used to and is set in the near future. Not sure whether I'll last through it. It seems to be developing into a Futuristic thriller. We'll see!

My favourite short story writer has to be Raymond Carver. The best volume of his stories is, in my opinion 'What we talk about when we talk about love'. Don't be put off by the title, the stories are not all romantic. In fact, often quite the opposite. But his stories really are brilliant, not a word wasted which is incredible. If you're after something that plays a bit more with form etc, try short stories by Ali Smith. She's a Scottish writer and although she does write novels, her short stories are very, very bizarre. Another book with some very unusual short stories - 'The Girl in the flammable skirt' - Aimee Bender. So, so so different.

I quite liked the Picoult book, but appreciate your critique. It is most amusing and I find myself half agreeing with you. She's a bestselling author and I'm sure she can handle the fact that some people will hate her books. And I'm glad you enjoyed the catharsis of writing that. Let it aaallllllll out now! hehe

I recommend 'The Handmaid's Tale' by Margaret Atwood, it's fantastic and introduced me to Atwood's work. It is a very different take on a dystopia.

Hey there Valentina. Welcome to book club forum, it's lovely and friendly here. You seem to read such a variety of books, which is brilliant! Oh and I absolutely love your cat avatar...it's beautiful!

Unfortunately, I've given up on American Gods already. I'm in a bit of an impatient mood regarding books today and decided just to sell it on ebay rather than giving it a second try. I'm now going to re-read another book that I read late last year I believe. It's The Women's Room. I'm reading it quite slowly this time and giving it the time it deserves. Am really enjoying it again.