pontesusie

What I find interesting about Shakespeare's tragedies is that the plots still speak to us today. In contrast to women dressing as boys and meeting the love of their life (can't remember which play that is now - Twelfth Night maybe) something like Macbeth with its ideas of the lengths one might go to to acheive power, or Othello and its racial and sexual jealousy, are still accessible. They're human emotions that span the centuries. And I think it's a very 'male' play. A good one for introducing boys and male theatre/Shakespeare phobics generally to the delights of a good play. What I mean by that is that the dynamics of power, the ambition, the doing what ever it takes are often seen as 'male' characteristics. And there are no sloppy love scenes either!

If you're looking for history try david Kynaston's series on Britain since 1945. He mingles politics, economics and social history - including extracts from mass observation diaries. Secret - I skip the boring political and economic bits where they go on for too long

This is on my wishlist for when i see it in paperback. I love books about old flames and have a huge collection of them. One of my faves is Julie Myerson's The Story of You - 'it begins with snow' - very apt for this month

I have this book and yesterday sorted it out for the pile of swaps. Maybe I should take it back and read it

ooh, i'm almost ashamed to say this ... but i didn't like it at all. i read it for my readers group and its not something i would have picked up otherwise. I found it far too sentimental about the good people of Guernsey, and Juliet made me so angry - i felt that she was living some sort of fairytale. It can't last!! The only thing i can say in its favour is that its whetted my appetite for learning more about what happened on the island during the occupation - but i think i'll head for the history shelves

I''ve just finished Man in the Dark, quite enjoyed it and now might try the new york trilogy. Must say Man in the Dark didn't go the way I expected but the writing was great

someone mentioned the book was kind of empty - for me that's the key. Everyone's life is empty in some way - Gatsby, daisy, Jordan, Myrtle - they all have a longing for something else and the rich try to fill it with parties and money. It gets to Gatsby in the end

Susan Hill has published 3 (not sure if there's a fourth yet) books about the policeman Simon Serralier. They're quite good - although his sister drives me mad!!! Sophie Hannah is quick and easy to read.

No Michelle - it was a genuine query Sue Oh and thanks to everyone who checked for me

Does anyone have any idea what's been going on at this site. I haven't been able to access it for a couple of weeks and now I get another message implying that the site's closed. It worked really well for me, so if it's gone it's a shame. Sue

I noticed some Julie Myerson books mentioned on other threads. But this one is wonderful - love, loss, grief, regret, a bit of the supernatural - it's all there. One of my all time faves! It struck bit of a chord with me too - maybe that's why I love it so much

I'm currently reading The Birds and Other Stories by Daphne du Maurier. Susan Hill has a book of shorts called The Boy Who Taught the Beekeeper to Read (I think it's Beekeeper!). Any of the Granta series contains short stories and bit of non fiction. If you want something more 'historical' try Kate Chopin or Guy du Maupassant. Happy reading