twinkle

I read this book years ago after several failed attempts and I'm glad I did. It's such an understated read and once I was into it I was gripped.

What I mean is are there any authors or books you go straight to when you're having a bad time and need something to perk you up? I find when I'm stressed or upset I go back to my True Blood series. I find them a great escape from whatever's going on in life.

I'm so sad DH has finished for good! I really loved the programme and all the characters

Thanks for the replies - I'm definitely going to check out these books. I recently read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and liked that the two leading female characters, one of whom we don't meet, were strong and new their own mind. There also book series, such as Patricia Cornwell's and Karen Rose's crime fighter women, who are strong women but I'm really interested in finding books based on real life or a good fiction with a women I can look to for inspiration. For UK people, you might be interested to know that Coco Before Chanel is on E4 at 9pm on Sunday 25th March.

Hello everyone! My friend texted me yesterday about the film Chanel and commented on how it's a good example of how women can change the world without having been born into an advantageous position or hiding behind a man. Which got me thinking about books - whether fictional or non-fiction - about strong women who have stood up for what they believe or changed the world in their own way. Can you think of any good reads? Happy reading

I ended 2011 re-reading the True Blood series, which took me into 2012. I love them as an escape from real life and relax the brain (they're not too taxing, afterall!). I read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society for my book group and LOVED IT! It had me gripped and I loved the leading character. It gave me a great insight into what the island went through during WWII. I kept interupting myself to jump on wikipedia to find out more about some aspects, such as the slaves the Germans brought over. I've been recommending it to all my friends.

That's a shame! I've really enjoyed it though I do really enjoy this type of programme. I do agree the characters are nothing like the books. Pinch of salt, and all that.

I love this programme! I know Andrew Lincoln as Egg (my younger sister knows him as the guy in Love Actually so I'm showing my age) so I find his accent annoys me. And I wish he'd change out of that police uniform. He must stink by now!

I love Sophie Kinsella. Reading the first Shopaholic book I kept thinking "has this woman read my mind?" though I'd like to make it clear I don't go over budget like Becky! Towards the end of the series I found Becky annoyed me to the point I sighed out loud a few times. I enjoyed the stand alone books too but I can't say I like the one Madeline Wickham book I read. I have another one on my pile and maybe I'll enjoy that one more.

I only put on voices (in my head) if it's mentioned in the books, for example "she squealed" or "he said moodily".

Try taking Pyridoxine to help with your PMT. It's basically a strong vit B tablet that you take every day. You can get it on prescription but you can also just ask for it over the counter at your pharmacist, approx. £3 for a month's worth. It's worth its weight in gold to me.

I found The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo hard to get into. It took me four attempts before I finally read the book, and that was only because I wanted to find out what all the hype was about. I didn't enjoy it one bit.

I read The Outsiders for GCSE English. I cried so much I couldn't continue reading. I also shed a few tears over My Sister's Keeper - my boyfriend at the time made me put it down.

Maybe it's sacrilidge to post this in a book lovers' forum but I thought this was a fun idea. This page talks about turning your old books into funky plant pots. http://home-and-gardening.info/2010/05/08/transforming-your-old-books-into-unique-planters/

I don't think he's good looking at all but I find him incredibly sexy! The last film I watched was Casonnova on TV the other night. It wasn't too bad and Heath was nice to watch.

I absolutely love her books! I wish she'd write more. And faster.

I've read most of Jodi Picoult's books and have just finished A Change of Heart for my book club. I'm in two minds about her books and writing style. Sometimes they can take me some effort to get into them and I can get bored of the characters. Also I know she likes her twists at the end so I look for them from the stats. But... once I'm into them I find it hard to put them down.

Absolute Radio has "Is This Love?" playing. I'm swaying in my seat and I pretend to work.

I had to laugh at the cheek of Ben getting someone else to do his punishment. OK it was his decision to give up, and Dave could've done the same, but there's no way I could've wimped out of it, let alone face everyone else. Mario's hissy fits at Ben are getting to be annoying now. They're not showing him in a very good light.

Blimey they've grown up. I feel old I have my avatar as my desktop at work. Each time I get a little stressed I minimise everything and look lustfully at Eric

I quite liked Josie at first but she's starting to slip in my estimation. First off with the whole crisp saga and making a deal that Sunshine didn't want to share. Now she's starting to remind me of a colleague who, although she can be nice, I don't trust as she's great at putting herself in the centre of attention and promoting herself to the detriment of others, whilst appearing humble. I think Josie's a bit more intelligent and conniving (not in a horrible sense - in that she can make the best of a situation) than she appears. And I don't blame her for it but I go off her a little bit more each time I see my colleague's traits come out in her.

Did anyone find a hidden message in The Life of Pi? I didn't get that book at all. I kept plowing on thinking there must be a great ending but finished the book thinking what a waste of my time reading it had been.

Me too. I thought Corin was your typical BB fame hungry contestant but she's really down to earth and lovely. I was glad Rachel gave her a good day. Josie's also one of my favourites and has been since she girated on the stairs as she was about to enter the house She seems like you're average nice girl on the street but won't let people walk over her. I love her accent!

I've tried reading the book a couple of times but fight to get past the first 10 pages. I thought it sounded like an interesting read so it's still on my bookcase for a later date.

I did have a flash of those two when Mario put his arm around him. Craig's behaviour made my skin crawl. I hope Mario doesn't turn out to be like Craig as I quite like him at the moment. I thought perhaps Ben pulling away would be the hint Mario would pick up on that he doesn't have a chance. JJ has really got Rachel's number. I think she was a bit upset last night that he doesn't fancy her back.