northernnutter

Been down with a cold this week, so plenty of reading time means I finished two books....'Bitten', by Kelley Armstrong and 'The Time Traveler's Wife', by Audrey Niffenegger. Am now starting 'Dracula. The Undead', by Dacre Stoker.

The Time Traveler's Wife. Having read this book, I'm still trying to figure out how I feel about it!! There's no denying that the premise of the novel is unique and engrossing. The love affair between Claire and Henry, pinned by fate and which transcends time itself, is beautiful and sorrowful all at once, and I loved the way the author allows us to follow the path of this love through both the experiences of Harry and Claire, but at differing points in time. You never quite know how things will turn out, (like Henry and Claire themselves), until events finally fall into place towards the end of the novel. A beautiful, poinant love story in it's own right. And whilst this theme left me feeling joyous for Henry and Claire through the good times, and sorrowful for them through the hard times they face together, there was another, underlying theme of the novel which made me feel more profoundly saddened.... I felt throughout the novel, Niffenegger constantly reminds us of the inevitability of pain, loss and ultimately..death, through her use of 'illness' and 'disease' as a recurring theme. Claire's mother's death through cancer, Henry's AIDS suffering friend, Ben. In fact, reading the novel, I felt the author portrayed Henry and Claire's experiences very much like a family coping, and coming to terms with a loved one with a terminal illness...the 'highs', the 'lows', Claire's acceptance and support of Henry, the 'disclosure' of Henry's condition to their closest friends, and Henry's search for answers, (and even perhaps a cure), through the medical profession. This theme set up the inevitability of henry's death, and ultimately Claire's fate as the one left behind....and it is this side to the story that left me feeling truly moved. As for the ending, I felt it was fitting that Henry's fate ultimately is decided by a seemingly random event, but I feel the author ensures that we get a glimpse of what ultimately Henry leaves behind through his love with Claire, his friendships and his need to 'understand', and that is his legacy to his daughter and the future. That legacy we glimpse in the art gallery, when he meets Alba and her 'condition' CPD is known to her teacher...a legacy of understanding and, hopefully, a full and happy life for Alba.... Moving, thought-provoking and poignant...4.5/5

Well, I've been holed up with a cold this week, so was able to get through two books- Bitten, by kelley Armstrong, and, The Time traveler's wife, by Audrey Niffenegger. Bitten Haven't read any of Armstrong's novels before, so this was a pleasant surprise! An easy to read, well written supernatural thriller, this book follows Elena Michaels, the only 'female' werewolf in existence, struggling with her human and werewolf persona's, and trying to lead a normal life...until a call from her 'pack' leader plunges her back into the world of werewolves, and into a war with renegade wolf 'mutts', murder and a battle for survival. The Verdict. I really enjoyed Armsrong's writing style.- Wonderfully descriptive when portraying the 'wolf' characteristics of the characters, and vivid action/hunting scenes. Also, her description of the 'pack' and it's hierarchy came across as well researched. I also loved how she kept the 'wolf' characteristics in the forefront even when the characters were in human form- 'nuzzling', 'cavorting' and with a bit of 'rough and tumble', intertwining their werewolf and human persona's well. The plot keeps you interested- The 'pack' is under threat, and they must come toghether to ensure their survival, and to protect their way af life, and Elena must decide where she stands, and, ultimately, what the true meaning of family and security means to her.. I'll definately be looking for the next installment of this series! Forget Vampires..werwolves are the way to go!!! 3.5/5.

Just found this thread, and I'm loving it!! The hubble telescope official website is a great place to visit- lots of information, and some fantastic wallpaper images to download! This is mine at the moment!!

To be honest, I'd never even heard of Kelly Armstrong before joining the forum, so when I saw a copy of 'Bitten' in the charity shop, I picked it up! It's been sitting on the shelf for a while, but I've decided to start it today, so hopefully, I'll like it! I'll let all you Armstrong fans know what I think when I'm finished....and thanks for the recommendations!

I'll look out for the 'Capote' movie too then! And i didn't realise 'In Cold Blood' was a movie too...but, I'll read the book first! I tend to feel the books are always better than the movie versions!

Yep, sounds just up my street! Will definately have to get hold of that one. You seem to be a bit of a 'Capote' fan kyle! Iwas curious- have you seen either of the Capote films?? 'Capote' or 'infamous'?, as I'm a bit tempted by these too!!!

Hi everyone. Hope you don't mind me contributing to the discussion. My first 'delve' into the Reading Circle...so bare with me!! Ok..here goes... 1. Toews' wrighting style. I found it easy to follow and well paced. I enjoyed the dialogue heavy style of the novel- no breaks or quotation marks- added a feeling of 'continuous motion' for me, almost like the car journey itself. 2. How did you find Hattie? I'm a bit torn on this question. On one level I agree with some remarks on here already stated; totally unresponsible, immature, self-absorbed with no idea how to care for kids! In the 'ideal' and 'real' world, Hattie would have stayed put, took responsibility fro the kids, gotten the kids,(and social services!) onside, and shown some maturity and insight intot he issues faced by herself and her sisters' family.....but then, that's a whole different novel!! In terms of the plot the author chooses to follow, however, - with Hattie totally clueless, and totally unprepared fror the responsibility of the kids, I thought Hattie's character, faults and all, was pretty well drawn!! 3. Hattie and Min's relationship? I felt that Hattie's entire relationship and feelings towards Min had been totally coloured by the childhood swimming incident resulting in their father's death. In 'Hattie's' memory, we are shown Min attempting to kill her, but where's the evidence?? The two girls both go for a swim...they both get into trouble...Min panick's and clambers onto her sister...a malicious attempt to kill, or merely a larger, young girl panicking and afraid?? From then on, Hattie feels she is unsafe around Min- that Min's out to get her, waiting for a 'Knife in the night',- that Hattie admits never happens. I felt Hattie used this 'fear' of her sister as an excuse to disassociate herself, and as a valid excuse for her own negative feelings towards Min. Towards the end of the novel, Hattie admits that Min has told her that 'she' is the one person she truly loves, therefore making Hattie realise, perhaps, that the negative feelings between them have primarily been Hatties.....not Min's?? 4. Anything else? Might upset a few people here, but I'm afraid I must agree with Freewheeling andy here, when I say my least favourite character in the novel is Thebes! (Sorry!!) By the end of the novel, she just annoyed me!! Every line of dialogue given to her was either 'cutesy', 'comic', 'quasi-philosophical' or 'poignant'. By the end, I just wanted her to say something normal and benign like..."Hey, aunt Hattie. I need a wee...". Simple! But no! Instead, I would probably have read...."I need to empty myself of this useless wastage of life....", well....you get my drift!!(My own personal view, of course!) The one character I really liked, however, was Logan. The 'only' character within the entire novel who really 'gets' the mess they are all facing! He spends the entire story under no allusions as to his aunt's motive for the road trip,i.e., looking for a way out for herself. Also, that the father stepping in is a long shot- therefore, the future of his family may ultimately fall into his hands. A lot for a kid to deal with! I totally got the mood swings/ silences, and found his character the most believable. Finally, Hattie steps up to the plate and takes that responsibility from him, but I was left with the feeling that Logan may have been a far better choice in the end!! In summary then.... Not usually the kind of novel I read, so a nice change. An easy read, with an enjoyable enough plot, but, if the author was hoping to instill a feeling of life-affirming change, or a maturing of characters, then it misses the mark for me, I'm afraid.

Hi Kyle, thank you! And thanks for the recommendation.( Is that the book concerning serial-killers?). Will definately be going on my reading wishlist!

Just had a fantastic book result this weekend!! Was visiting the mother-in-law in Surrey, and my sister-in-law wa there too and just happened to mention she had a few books she was taking to the charity shop boxed up, and offered fro me to have a look to see if there was any that I wanted. So, we go over to her house and there are 'seventeen' boxes full of books for my perusal!! Yippee!! I've come home with probably over 100 books!!! Best christmas present ever!! And all for free!! (Well not quite....she's curently unemployed, and a bit skint, and she could have sold some of them no doubt, so I left a crafty

Anything sang by Mick Hucknall. He just gives me the heebie-jeebies for some reason!

Just finished 'Breakfast at Tiffany's', by Truman Capote. A bit of a change for me, this one, as I'm usually a bit of a 'doorstop' reader, so this short read was quite refreshing! Having seen the movie version quite a few times, and loving Audrey Hepburn's portrayal of Holly Golightly, I was a bit apprehensive about reading this, but I needn't have been! Capote's writing style is easy and lusciously descriptive. I particularly liked his use of dialogue between the characters, which really brought them to life.- natural and freeflowing, unforced and revealing. I felt the character of 'Holly' in the novel was more robust than the movie version. Yes, she has the same fragile quality about her, but also, I felt, she was more hardened, and fully aware of her choice of life than the 'flighty' Holly of the movie. Because of this difference, I particularly liked the end of the novel. (Different from the movie.) I felt the ending stayed true to Holly's character. At the end, I couldn't help wishing that Holly finally found what she was searching for! A great read. 4/5.

Just bought 'Dracula. The Undead', by Dacre Stoker, and, 'The Interpretation Of Murder', by Jed Rubenfeld at the local Charity shop. Also took out 'The Flying Troutmans' and 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' from the library.

Sausage, mash and beans.....'Wigwams!!':)

Ooooh....I hope you enjoy, Catwoman! let me know what you think!

Just finished 'The Picture Of Dorian Grey', by Oscar Wilde. I've placed my thoughts of it on the designated 'classic literature' thread, so won't repeat myself here. In summary- Not what I was expecting! Thought provoking. Beautifully descriptive and surprisingly dark in tone. Verdict. 3/5.

Just finished, 'The picture of Dorian Grey.' Now starting 'The Ice People', by Rene Barjavel.

I have just read this novel, and was quite surprised by it! I had some knowledge of the story previous to reading it, but it was not quite what I expected. My only other 'delve' into Wilde's work was watching 'The importance of being Earnest' in film format, which I enjoyed for it's frivolity and wit, so was expecting something along the same lines, but far from it!! There's no doubting Wilde's writing skill in Dorian Grey-, descriptive with evocative and thought provoking issues surrounding one's outer appearance, and the true character within. What surprised me was Wilde's ability to write in such a dark, foreboding, almost gothic style. I wasn't expecting this at all! The novel oozes with despair and a distinct sense of depravity. I can understand why this was so shocking in the era of it's publication. Wilde does include some wit and relief in the form of Lord Henry and his take on life, love, society and women, but even this is darkened by the knowledge that Lord Henry is the primary instigator of 'Grey's' road to ruin. I didn't have many good feelings towards any of the characters in the book. Dorian, despite the coaxing of Lord Henry, ultimately chooses his own path, and continues to follow it, despite seeing the outcome with his own eyes. Lord Henry, although an arresting character, is also greatly flawed by pushing Dorian towards a life with no limits. A life we see he doesn't follow himself. (No mention of scandal around him, or no vision of him frequenting opium dens is given by Wilde.) Instead, he lives vicariously through others, seemingly gaining enjoyment and kudos through 'their' notoriety. Basil Hallward is also not blameless in the novel. He uses Dorian in the beginning to fulfill his own needs, as a crux for his art, and sees only beauty, ultimately sowing the seed of Dorian's skewed sense of self-worth. The only character really worthy of note, I felt, was the tragic Sibyl Vane. The only character to recognise true emotion, that of love, lay herself bare before it, and ultimately pay the price because of it. I found this book an 'interesting' and 'thought-provoking' read rather than an enjoyable read, that has piqued my interest enough in Wilde's writing style to search out and delve into his other works.

Bit of a FForde reading fest this week! Finished both 'The Big Over Easy', and 'The Fourth Bear'. Fforde's Nursery Crime Division novels. And they didn't disappoint!! I've placed my thoughts of 'The big Over Easy', on the designated 'reading Circle' thread, so won't repeat myself here! Will just say, I loved it and give it 5/5! So... onto 'The Fourth Bear'. The Blurb- It's four months on since Spratt and his NCD team cracked the 'Humpty' murder, but Jack finds himself suspended from duty, awaiting a psych evaluation following a botched attempt to stop 'the Wolf' swallowing 'Red Riding Hood'! Whilst suspended, 'Goldilocks' disappears, then turns up dead, highly esteemed cucumber growers are inexplicably being blown to smithereens and Jack's nemesis, the notorious serial killer, 'The gingerbread Man' has escaped from incarceration and is running free..... Jack. Mary and the NCD team are soon on the case to find out what links these, seemingly, unconnected events..... The Verdict.- Once again, Fforde takes us on a roller coaster ride of intrigue, murder and dastardly deeds, all centred around the domain of The Nursery Crime Division and it's man in charge, DCI Jack Spratt!! Jack has to deal with 'The Gingerbread Man', a villain easily on par with the great Hannibal lecter, in terms of his evil deeds and notoriety. The murder of 'Goldilocks', which brings him in contact with the secretive society of the bear community, and all the while trying to prove that he is fit for duty, by not being crazy! In this novel, Jack also has to face the problem, of which he is fully aware, that he, himself is also a PDR! (Person of Dubious Reality.). This causes domestic problems between Jack and his wife, as she is totally unaware of this and feels betrayed by being kept in the dark.! By far the most enjoyable characters I found in this story though, were the characters of Punch and Judy! Jack's new neighbours....and the neighbours from hell!! Constantly fighting and arguing! Giving a whole new meaning to 'anti-social behaviour'!! But totally still in love, and as such, the most renowned marriage counsellors in the country! Classic!! I also enjoyed the budding 'romance' story between Mary and Ashley, and the 'inter-species' difficulties they both face perhaps in future novels. All in all, I enjoyed this book even more than 'The Big Over easy'. You get to know the main characters more, and the main investigative plot has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing right to the very end!! Fantastical, crazy read!! 5/5.!!!

Just finished reading this, and absolutely loved it! A true crime novel, with a murder to solve, beurocracy at it's best, a great detective...and all set within the crazy (but totally believable!) world of Fforde and his wonderfully inventive NCD. I lovd the character of Jack spratt- a detective with issues! Unappreciated for his work, a follower of his gut instinct, just getting on with the job whilst having to deal with his own issues, on the homefront and the workplace. I had no problem with the 'nursery rhymne' references in the novel, and I love the fact that Fforde gives the nursery characters 'life' and 'depth'. We get to know 'Humpty's character, therefore, we 'want' to know who killed him, and see justice done! I also found it interesting that, although Fforde alludes to the fact that many of the nursery characters don't realise their 'non-human' status, Fforde doesn't indicate whether 'Jack' and 'Mary' have any clue as to why they themselves 'fit' into the nursery crime division so well!!! (However.....having just finished 'The fourth Bear', the next NCD novel, this question becomes part of the plotline and all is revealed!!! Find a review on my reading list if interested!)

1. The best day of my life so far.- My wedding day. Magical. 2. The worst day of my life so far.- Receiving a telephone call at 4am on a tuesday from my Dad telling me my mum had passed away. Devestating. 3. Scariest day of my life so far.- Living in Indiana in the U.S. our area got hit by a tornado. The house five houses down the street was completely obliterated. 4. At 18, thinking I'd failed all my 'A' levels, I did a runner, jumped on a plane, and left the country. Turns out I passed them all!! But didn't return to the U.K untill I was 25! 4. My worst habit: Biting my nails! Have done this since childhood, and have never been able to stop. Half the time, I don't know I'm even doing it.

Thanks for the link, Chrissy. Will do!