ian

I don't like predictability in my books. Some writers deliberately telegraph their (or their characters) intentions through a book, and that's fine. Look at Romeo & Juliet - you know how it's going to end; doesn't stop it being a great story! All of Dan Brown's books have been ruined by guessing the ending long before the end. For real twists in the tail - I'd recommend Jeffery Deaver.

I recently read a couple of Alistar Reynolds books (and no neither were part of a series, so it wasn't that), but they both seem to end very abuptly. Jamaica Inn also suffers from the same problem, I feel.

Unfortunately, Ian had to give up his position in the band because of other work commitments and the band no longer exists Unfortunately, Ian's words are nothing but that, words. Unfortunately, Ian

Ken Follet

Damn - thought of another just as I posted! This one is awesome - can't believe I forgot about it - Credance Clearwater Revival's cover of "I heard it through the grapevine". All 11 minutes of it! Ian

How about Madness's version of Labi Siffri's "It must be love"? Have to agree with Nirvana's version of the man who sold the world. And while I'm not keen on Faith No More's version of "Easy", I do like their versions of "War Pigs" & "Midnight Cowboy"

I was given this book by the woman who lives opposite to me, and wasn't really expecting to like it. I loved it! Can't speak for the historical accuracy, as history isn't my strong point at all, but it certainly is a good read. And if there are any Heroes fans here, we now all know that "Pillars" is Sylar's favourite book too, so don't critise or he may come and get ya! I'd agree that World without end isn't as good, but I think Pillars does set the bar pretty high - I'd put it into my top 10. Ian

It's funny that Peacefield mentions The Shining. Normally I hate films that are completely different from the book, but for some reason, I still like both in that case. The exception that proves the rule perhaps? Also king - Salem's lot. It really annoys me that they swap around the charactor of the vampire and his familiar in the film. James Mason played the latter in the film, but in the book, he would have been the vampire. I also thought they cut a lot of important scenes around Saruman in LOTR.

then again, it occured to me there have been some very good TV adaptations too. The most recent BBC version of Jane Eyre being one that sticks out in my mind.

I'm not sure if all of these would count as either "popular" films or "classic" novels, but anyway, here's a couple I liked Shawshank redemption - Stephen King The shipping news - Annie prolux Fried green tomatoes.... - Fannie Flagg Ian

I like Chris - I stopped listening to Terry, as I didn't like the choice of music much, nothing against terry as such. The only bad point about Chris being on in the morning is he isn't on any longer on the drivetime show! I'm afraid I can't get into Simon Mayo. Stuart Maconie should have got the gig!

We always talk about the writers we like and prehaps the ones we don't like or can't get into. But which writers did you used to like and then went off? And why? For me it's Tom Clancy. Used to like his early Jack Ryan books, but it was "The bear and the Dragon" that turned me off him. I suddenly realised that all the charactors fell into 3 catagories; 1. Americans - all upstanding heroes 2. the enemy - all stupid and hate everything American 3. American allies - all in awe of everything American with nothing inbetween! Then, when the president meets Tony Blair, Tony goes up to him and calls him "old boy". Now, think what you like about Tony Blair, I can't see him saying Old boy to anyone! And it totaly ruined the book, because I couldn't take any of it seriously after that!

Just read Persuasion. Not quite as good as P&P, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

I get most of my books from the library. If I buy books I like to keep them (at least for a couple of years), but my house just isn't big enough to cope! So the library fits the bill for me. Charity shops & second-hand bookshops come a close second though. I just love browsing through them and finding some gem you've been after for a while. It's a bit like treasure hunting!

Everyone I know who has read it says the same thing - It made them laugh out loud. I did too, it's very, very funny. I'd recommend this book to anyone. Ian

Anything by Oasis!

Mod Edit - (Continued from old thread) New Movies. Summer Olympics or Winter Olympics?

Peter Robinson

Thanks for the review - I'll add it to my TBR pile! I've read a couple of his now, Sea Change; which I really enjoyed & "End of the pier" or something like that, which (as you can probably guess by the fact I can't remember the title) I wasn't too keen on. Regards Ian

Frankie - "By the light of the Moon" is brilliant! One of his best (in my humble opinion, of course) regards Ian

I'm definately a man. I have a beard, I drink bitter and I watch Top Gear and anything vaguely Sci-fi I've only read Pride & Predudice, and did so having never seen a film or TV adaptation before either. I found myself speed reading to get to the end. Really enjoyed it. I must get round to reading some of the others. I've also enjoyed Jane Eyre, Little Women & The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. As an aside, I once saw a programme on TV in which the former editor of Nuts magazine stated he was an avid Jane Austen fan! Just goes to show..... Ian

I learnt it was -7 this morning when I got in the car. I then learnt that I really wanted to go back to bed!

The good thing about TV and film adaptations is that, good or bad, they make me want to read the book. That's true of the turm of the screw, which I watched (and enjoyed). Now I want to read the book. The version of the day of the Triffids bore little resemblence to the book, but people will probably pick up the book as a result. regards Ian

Mine is simply to read more non-fiction this year. Quite how I'm going to cram it in with all the fiction I'm getting through I don't know! regards Ian

It's probably already been mentioned but..... Go Compare, Go Compare! Arrrrgghhhh!!!! NO! hateithateithateit! Ian