vinay87

Even if all the trees in the world were declared untouchable, I'm pretty sure there'll be alternatives. There's nothing like a solid book in your hand. Even if the words are etched onto rock, I'd pick it up and shout yabba dabba doo if I have to.

I love listening to Michael Kramer and Kate Reading, they work together on the Wheel of Time audio books and once I'm published, I'm begging them to read my books! I also love Stephen King's narration. He has an amazing narrative voice. who better to read an awesome book other than the writer himself?

A meagre 250-300 with over a hundred on my wishlist. I'm sure there's another thread like this somewhere.

Still me, by Christopher Reeve. Beautiful book by a superman! It is a must-read!

I'm going to look for this!

I love The Storyteller by "Saki" aka Hector Hugh Munro and Nicholas was... by Niel Gaiman.

I've never really bothered where the writer came from. One of my favourite writers is Burmese by birth (H H Munro "Saki") and one I recently discovered was Sri Lankan by his own choice (Arthur C. Clarke). I think it doesn't matter to most people. Though if I had to choose, I'd choose the English for their spelling. Or anyone who uses English spelling. I prefer "ise" to "ize". But that's not the point now is it?

I loved the film novelisation of The Shadow. I can't remember which I came across first. I do remember that the book was my birthday present for 2000. I am going to buy more film novelisations some day.

Hmm... I never picked up a novel until I was 10 years old. Until then I stubbornly refused to read books without pictures in them. I learnt English from DC comics. Also, on the matter of pronunciation, I never try sounding things out. Like "accio" for example. Until the Goblet of Fire movie, I had never tried to pronounce it. I knew the word, like all the other words, but I had never bothered to say it out loud. Quirk with me, I guess. I haven't outgrown it. Heck, when people ask me how to pronounce names from my book I just stare at them and then realise that people need these things.

Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman, no contest so far.

If you loved AG then yes you definitely must read this!

Read a few books since my last review: 1. Neil Gaiman — American Gods I took a long time to read this book, mostly because of my work-related troubles and other personal problems. I love Neil Gaiman's writing style and I'm sad that I took so long to discover such a brilliant writer. His words are not only amazing, they are inspiring. That being said, American Gods is his own way of discovering America. Apparently, he wanted to learn as much of its culture as he could, he began to realise that the "American Dream" of immigrants coming over to the New World to live, could be applied not only to the people who come there on a barge, but also to the gods that are very existent, in their heads. I didn't understand a lot of this book, another reason why is because I didn't know the myths regarding Anansi. The central premise of this book is that a man named Shadow is released early from prison and finds out his wife is dead. On the plane back home, a man called Wednesday asks him to be his bodyguard. It is slowly obvious that Wednesday is a God. So are his comrades, more or less dying Gods. Well, these Gods aren't immortal. They can and will be harmed. It is the fact that people no longer believe in them that taunts them. The story revolves around Shadow, his own questions regarding his life and why Mr. Wednesday finds him of interest. It also introduces several divine beings from all over the world. A rather brilliant piece of work that redefines the fantasy fiction genre. I kid you not when I say this is something to marvel at, especially when fantasy fiction means elves, wizards and dark lords. Easily one of the best books I've ever read. Advice though: do some background reading after you read the book to realize who the names refer to. 8/10 2. Neil Gaiman — Anansi Boys This was a faster read than AG. Mostly because Gaiman evolved as a storyteller here. The book covers the story of Fat Charlie, one of the two sons of the god Anansi. When Fat Charlie decides to call his dad to his wedding, he learns that his dad has died. In a rather hilarious fashion. He also learns, to his dismay, that his dad's a God. And that he has a brother named Spider. He learns that he can contact his brother by asking a spider for him and he foolishly does. And when Spider enters his life, all hell breaks loose. This is a far greater achievement that AG, in my opinion. It is hilarious, and I have to admit, Anansi is the most brilliantly mischievous character I've ever come across. And in pure Gaiman fashion, you have several short stories added into the story, to let you know more about Anansi. That, I think, is the reason why I enjoyed it more. I learnt more about him, even though I had no prior knowledge, except a little from AG. 10/10 and this is definitely on a re-read list along with AG.

I still haven't read the book, mostly because I'm too broke right now. Reading these though, I'm getting the idea that I can wait.

Just finished Anansi Boys earlier this evening. I've read American Gods too, but frankly I didn't understand a whole lot of it for some reason. I guess it has to be because I read it over a period of two months, while Anansi Boys took about four to five days. I liked Anansi Boys a lot, I might give American Gods another try. I'll definitely buy more of Neil Gaiman's works. His writing is sheer brilliance.

Finally finished American Gods two days ago. I didn't completely understand the book, mostly because I don't know any south african or caribbean gods. Also reread Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows yesterday while waiting for my sister to finish 150 pages of the Order of the Phoenix. :\

I've loved the first two movies, but this last one is good if you liked the rest. I did wish they left in a few extra scenes and cut out some others, they still had time since they split it in half. The Battle of Hogwarts was nicely done.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt 2 Just yesterday in the cinema. It was fabulous!

Welcome to BCF! Feel free to buy yourself a book or twenty for coming over here

I don't. I tried it a few times and it was annoyingly slow because I tend not to _read_ some words, instead I just absorb chunks of lines as I go on.

Well, Talisman, I think that's a topic best left untouched. The "best books" are often defined by their popularity. For all we know, the most beautiful piece of literature there is could be either still in the making, or it must be on a cave wall somewhere, hidden from mortal ken.

Nope! Jules Verne's best known books are A Journey to the Centre of the Earth, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea and Around the World in 80 days. However his best book is easily The Mysterious Island. Tolkien's best known book is The Lord of the Rings, but any Tolkien fan will tell you that his best book is the Silmarillion and/or Unfinished Tales. A A Milne wrote a lot than just books and poems about a boy and his teddy bear. Circumstances give fame while talent just lies there, waiting to be discovered. I think that's a good thing. There's little to match the excitement when you discover a copy of an author's book that isn't too easy to find and you read it, learning that it might be his very best work.

EXACTLY! I bought Moll Flanders just yesterday because this store had it on 75% sale. I bought it for a measly 0.35£! But that being said, I'm definitely not buying any more books for a year or more. Not just to finish my TBR pile, but I have a goal to work towards now, academically and for my writing as well. I can let a 1 year worth of book-buying in a day be my reward if/when I achieve that, so count me in for the journey.

I want to but I also want to buy that book by Susan Hill now. :|