ian

I started reading one once (I forget which one). I only got a couple of chapters in before I got too depressed to read further. Actually, that is a compliment to the writing, as I found the characters SO objectionable, not that the plot was. Ian

I've just started " The darkest evening of the year". Wham - end of chapter one, and I'm hooked! That seems to happen to me with all of his books I have read. Yes, they are light, easy page-turner reads, in the same way that Dan Brown's books are, but he always draws his characters with such warmth, that I can't help but care about what happens to them. Odd Thomas is one of the best books I've read in a long time. I like the humour he puts into his books too. Read Life expectancy or tick tock for prime examples. Ian

Is it Sliding Doors? Ian

oh, there are so many......!! LOTR Pliocene Saga by Julian May Harry Potter (of course!) and I'm currently reading Rebus - Ian Rankin. Don't know whether Rebus books count as a series, especially as I'm reading them out of order, but I do enjoy them. and the original James bond books. - I've been getting them from the library and I AM trying to read these in order. Need to find a copy of On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

I'd read most of Stephen King's books, and certainly IT is up there as very disturbing. While what happens isn't based on reality, some of what happens to the characters could and does happen to people. I also found The Wasp Factory by Ian Banks quite disturbing.

I remember reading it at school, and really enjoying it. I recently (i.e in the last 5 years) re-read it, and found that the last few pages where a bit preachy which I don't remember from school. I suppose it could be that we had a "school" version, in which the last pages were edited out. That would be ironic. Still, if want bleak, read " The road to Wigan Pier" Ian

" I'm not supposed to be here," Detective Inspector John Rebus said. Fleshmarket Close - Ian Rankin

My initial response when seeing this thread was " oh, I don't read autobiographies" and then suprised myself by remembering three I've read recently! Sir Rannolph Feinnes book is excellent Peter Kay - not the new one, his first, which is very, very funny Paula Radcliffe - a bit disapponted in this, as I'm a admirer of what she has acheived and her personal drive to succeed, but her writing style isn't good.

I think for me, my two favourite short novels were; Of Mice and Men Animal Farm

Thank-you. Re-reading my last text, it comes across a bit maudlin. It wasn't my intention to put in a "thread-stopper" comment! So I'll start the ball rolling again. What other Du Maurier can anyone recommend to me. I'd really like to read "The Birds", which I understand is a short story, but I'd like to pick up a full size novel too. Ian

Rebus is the one for me. He's so unlikeable, you have to like him!

I love the way Greg shovels great forkfulls of food in. No dainty little mouthfulls for him!

Funny - I was only saying at work the other day, how come the TV programmes got better, but the theme tunes got worse? The Sweeney The Professionals The Avengers Any Jerry Anderson programme The A team Magnum PI Ah............Happy days! Ian

Childrens film come out - kids want to see it. Can't go by themselves, so parent have to fork out for tickets too. Kids want drink/popcorn/poster/lunch-box that goes with film. it all adds up to more bums on seats and more money for the film makers Or maybe I'm just cynical! Ian

Oh man - I've read so much King, I can't remember if I've read it or not! Suffice it to say that all the short stories of his I've read, have all been very, very good. Ian

It was my Dad that got me back into reading Du Maurier. He lent me The house on the strand, having previously only known her "romantic" novels. I read Rule Britannia just after he died, and one of biggest regrets is not having him around to talk too after I finished it. I loved it, and don't even know if he'd read it himself. Ian

He released a new collection of short stories last year, called " Just after sunset". These are very good too. After I read it, I gave it away (as I tend to do, otherwise I just wouldn't have any room in the house - it would just be full of books!) and I regret it now. Wish I'd hung onto it now, so I could've read it again. Ian

I think like a lot of people, I only knew Du Maurier from Jamaica Inn, Rebecca, etc. I enjoyed all those but found the endings a bit abrupt. Recently, however, I've read The house on the strand, Julius and Rule Brittania. All three are excellent, with Rule Brittania being my favourite. Ian

First single would have been "House of Fun" by Madness, on 7" vinyl, brought from Woolworths in the Bull Ring (the old one!) for 99p. First Album was Human's Lib by Howard Jones. Can't remember how much, but around 4 quid. Now I feel old! Ian

Stephen King's early books are all very good IMHO, with The Stand being a (no pun intended) the stand out book. Also IT. He went a little off for me after The Tommyknockers (after which I believe he finally went into therapy for his alcohol problem). Geralds game is the only book where I've had to put it down for a few minutes because one part of it creeped me out so much (no spoilers!) I recently read Cell - it's pretty good. It's actually some of his short stories that I really like (Shawshank Redemption & The Body esp!) Ian

I haven't done this for a while, but I've been trying to read Brighton Rock over the weekend. I just couldn't get into it at all. So it's gone onto my list of "tried & failed" books which include; War & peace Frankenstein Moby Dick Catch 22 Probably many others too. I use the Stephen King method when deciding whether to give up. In his short story " Low men in yellow coats" the two main characters are discussing Lord of the flies. The one recommends to the other that he should allow the author 10% of the books total length. If you aren't hooked by then, you never will be. It's stood me in good stead. I wondered what other books people have failed? Is there one book that is the most "unfinished"? Ian

These cross-over a little into fantasy as well as Sci-fi, but I would recommend Julian May's Saga of the exiles. Four books consisting of The Many-coloured land The Golden Torc The non-born King The Adversary I love these books - I've re-read them so many times Ian

That's exactly how a friend of mine described them to me! Ian

The shining is unusal in that I think it's a really good film & a really good book, but they're nothing like each other! My vote for worst film is another Stephen King - a short story this one - The lawnmower man. It bears NO resembelance! Ian

I've read all four (i.e not the new one) all Dan Brown's books, and had much the same reaction to them all. They are all great page turners, difficult to put down; but once I'd finished, I found myself a little dissapointed. In the case of digital fortress I'd guessed the ending and the identity of the "baddie" about a third of the way through. At least it dosen't have a completely ridiculous ending like Angels & demons! Ian