Scarlette

I felt this way about Donna Tartt's The Secret History. The moment I finished reading the very last page, I paged back through the book and read a section here and there simply because the characters got under my skin and I wasn't quite ready to let them go yet. I will do a proper reread sometime soon.

I agree with AbielleRose and BookJumper. I also wanted to add that I used to find the classics difficult to read, but have since became addicted to that elaborate style of writing and language use and now find it difficult to get into books written in a modern, minimalist style.

I watched this recently and enjoyed it very much. I thought they did a very good job of bringing Sherlock into the modern era. Watson was somewhat dull, though... But I can't wait for the next series.

John Mayer. I rarely listen to music, but my ears seem be have developed quite an affection for his latest album.

I haven't noticed this topic until just now. I've only read two novels by Irving - The Cider House Rules and The World According to Garp - but I must say I count him amongst my favourite authors; The Cider House Rules especially is one of the most exceptional books I've ever read. I admire the way he writes about sensitive and difficult issues. I'm looking forward to reading his latest novel as soon as I have a chance.

About 90 pages into Jane Austen's Emma at the moment. Interesting writing style she had - loads of dialogue, very little else. But it's getting somewhat more interesting, now (and I do have to write an essay on it), so I'll hang in there.

I used to be strictly end-of-chapter. But ever since I've taken to reading during my lunch hour, I've tried my best to convince myself that it's perfectly alright to stop mid-page or even mid-sentence. Mostly, though, I'm fine with stopping at the bottom of the page, as long as the end of the page also means the end of a sentence. Reading paranoia... not fun.

Oh, I do enjoy ghost stories and I've read Hill's The Woman in Black, so I'll most certainly look into The Small Hand. Also, The Cider House Rules is one of my favourite books and a very thought-provoking read. I look forward to your opinion on it.

I watched Batman Begins followed by The Dark Knight, tonight. Very impressive films, I thought.

Am I the only one who actually wish these were real?

Agreed. I read ahead of my age, too - accidentally . My mother picked out books for me at the library and probably just took whatever seemed popular, since some of the books she brought home had quite mature content. But I always preferred learning about controversial subjects through literature rather than be confronted with them in real life. More on topic, though. I hardly think it's possible to hide subjects such as rape, drugs, sex, etc, from young adults, today. They get bombarded with it in the media on such a regular basis that you might as well be more concerned about what they'll see on the evening news than what they might come across in a book.

The deserted. Before continuing with thoughts on the books I've enjoyed reading, I thought to include a short post on those I've discarded. The Turn of the Screw and other stories, Henry James I'm afraid that James' writing style is just a bit too dull for my tastes. I couldn't quite get into how he presented the stories in this compilation and I thought it a pity, since I do appreciate a good ghost story and was looking forward to them. The Poe Shadow, Matthew Pearl A novel I kept off reading for such a long time, convinced that I would enjoy it so much, I'd be disappointed when it ends. I might have ruined it for myself with having such high expectations, because when I finally got to reading it, it simply didn't grab my attention. Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, Suzanna Clarke I don't recall reading more than two chapters of this novel. I had a gorgeous edition and nearly wept when I decided to give up and pass it on to someone else, but it was just so dreary and drawn out that it soon became unreadable. American Gods (author's preferred text), Neil Gaiman; Dracula The Un-dead, Dacre Stoker; The Godfather compilation, Mario Puzo I'll lump these three together under the same heading, since the same thing put me off in each case. I've never been a great fan of anything overly sexual when it comes to novels, but in most cases I have no problem with it being included. However, the above three novels were all ruined for me on the basis of graphic scenes or simply sexual wording being used unnecessarily (Un-dead).

Oh, I'm very happy to hear positive comments on The Woman In White, as I have it on my TBR. I think I'll move it up the pile a few spots.

I think I'm that book lover. I only own 58 books (that's excluding the 12 on my TBR pile and the 20 that's headed for donation). They all fit nicely on my one book case. I love books, but I'm fussy and have learned the hard way not to overspend. I think I might be too serious for my own good...

I'm the exact same, right down to the degree. Another thing that hampers the number of books I read, is the fact that I'm becoming increasingly particular about what I read - I think my theory of literature class is responsible for that, because once you start to intensely analyse books, few measure up.

Who's that guy from the television series House? I hardly ever watch it, but, oh... his sarcasm is ever so appealing...

Oh the classics... I've always held them in highest regard, but never ventured to them until I fell in love with an avid classics fan. But my embarrassment at not appreciating proper literature and subsequently delving into them with initial apprehension, opened a whole new world of literature to me. Now, I find myself heading for the classics section every time I enter a bookstore.

Atonement, Ian McEwan... Brilliant film, dreadful book. I don't recall finishing it in fact. The Harry Potter series has never appealed to me. I've paged through them in the bookstore, reading bits here and there and nothing struck me as interesting. Perhaps I'm just not inclined to appreciate the magical. Anything by the immensely popular Neil Gaiman. Yes, I might be stoned for it, but after American Gods I simply cannot stand the man's writing... Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, Suzanna Clarke... Dreary, dreary, dreary...

Thank you, everyone. Yip, quite a few - next order of business is updating that long neglected reading list.

Hello, all. I feel compelled to reintroduce myself due to a long absence and general lack of activity here. The new forum looks great and I'm looking forward to wandering about a bit, marveling at all the shiny newness and getting updated on the goings-on. May real life never distract me again!