Nienna

Well, I don't know the book but (being Irish) I know that Tir Na Nog is a mythical place in Irish mythology. Also, Oisin was said to have come from there I think, and he wrote one of the old Irish epic poems, sort of like Homer to the Greeks, so I guess he could be considered a bard. Don't know anything about a hook though, but maybe this could be some sort of lead for you so just thought I'd mention it.

Dear Franklin, I'm unsure why one trifling incident this afternoon has moved me to write to you. - We Need to Talk About Kevin, Lionel Shriver

Bought this http://www.guardianbookshop.co.uk/BerteShopWeb/viewProduct.do?ISBN=5038495030245 a few days ago. Just had it delivered. Been missing poetry a lot recently. Can't wait to dip into these babies.

Studies have me almost exclusively reading text books these days (current one on Tradition and Dissent; just finished), but I did manage to sneak in a few pages of We Need to Talk About Kevin today. This book has taken about 150 pages to grow on me, but it's becoming enjoyable. Still can't warm to Shriver, though. Anyone else feel the same?

That's awesome kmacdon! I've realised how hard it is to get a job doing what you want to do recently, so be grateful! Haha I'm sure you are. I bet it's fuuuuuuuun!

Infinitely prefer first person. I've heard people say what BookJumper pointed out before, but I've never experienced it myself. I guess I am a bit of a philanthropist and I like exploring people. I love the idea of having a characters thoughts laid bare to me. Also it allows us to understand the character where other characters in the book might not, which makes our own emotions towards the character so much more heightened. I find I have a lot more sympathy for them and it makes their opinions a lot easier to understand, be them bad or good!

Finally finished American Gods and began the daunting task of surmounting The Count of Monte Cristo.

Mine! It's Kate Beaton's depiction of the Bronte sisters. (The one on the right is Anne.)

I didn't think it was offensive. It's a good question, really. I can see what you mean, I think, but I don't particularly agree. You assume that exploring the thoughts and opinions of writers means applying them or contemplating them without any relation to your own thoughts. I "enjoy my own thoughts" every time I pick up a book. When I read I compare the writers opinion with my own and just because someone that I might even really respect has given their opinion, this doesn't mean that it will automatically over-ride my own. It might, however. It might just shape my opinion and add to it, or it might simply allow me to understand the views of others better (even if I still disagree). I guess if I was ever to write it would be either to express an emotion or put forward an opinion, but it would be damned self-righteous of me to assume that because I put my opinion out there it should be taken as law, so I assume that other writers must (or should) feel the same. My writing, if I ever take it up in a more serious form, will be to share, not to dictate. I will enjoy it, surely, but I will enjoy it just as I enjoy discourse or debate with other people, and that has 2 sides.

Deluxe edition of LOTR - worth about £300. I spilt milkshake all over them. >:| Let us talk no more of this.

The Book Thief was the most recent book that really made me cry for about a full half of the book. Prior to that I remember really welling up at the end of Peter Pan (JM Barrie) - they all grow up!

I really mean to re-read this at some point, too! It's my favourite, favourite book and I feel like another read would bring out more of it that I never saw before! Great quote, too.

I would suggest A Game of Thrones by George RR Martin (controversial? ). Although there are of course relationships within the story and actually quite a lot of sex, there is no soppy romance, or romance in the most literally sense of the word - nothing ideal or lovely at all!

Unfortunately, this was what most male authors (and just males) thought at that time, Lily! I guess it was just socially unacceptable, probably because women didn't have the educational opportunities that men had, so they were supposed to be more stupid. I specifically remember Southey (I think) telling Charlotte Bronte to give up writing because she was a woman. Dear Jesus, imagine if they had...

Aaahhh, they'd all be great! If I had to pick one (not my favourite!), I'd go for Lord of the Flies. It's very easy to pick up what the author is trying to do with it, and that's a great starting point for analysis. Also there is a whole bunch of symbolism which you could add in, and it's still very relevant today - maybe even more so. Like I said, they'd all be great, but I think LOTF would be the easiest to tackle, and it's not a long book either!

I have to say, I've never thought about preference before! They're one and the same to me - I don't mind at all about book condition and they both have their advantages. New books are very crisp and shiny, and I quite like buying a first or limited edition and knowing only I've owned it. On the other hand, I love browsing the classics section of second hand bookshops. I regulary pick up little early 20th century versions with inscriptions inside the cover. Those books have so much character!

Managed to nab a copy of Terry Pratchett's new book, I Shall Wear Midnight, from Waterstone's. It also comes with a free limited edition print in the back!

Damn, I was gonna say Wuthering Heights too! Seems like a lot of you got there before me. Absolutely love the part where Heart-wrenching that he's so desperate to have her back.

Hey guys, had a bit of a hiatus from site activity recently due to lack of computer, but using the iPhone to update now. During my absence I finished The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, Wolf Hall and The Turn of the Screw, ALL of which were excellent. Today I started American Gods by Neil Gaiman and am so far both surprised and impressed - the former by how vulgar and vivid Mr. Gaiman can be, and the latter by the strangeness and skill involved in telling the story.

Has anyone read The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath? I've been meaning to read it for a long time and I love Plath's poetry, but I've heard it's very teenage angsty, which usually 100% puts me off books. Is that true?

Visited the 2nd hand bookshop yesterday and picked up a lovely little 1902 copy of Silas Marner, which promptly fell apart in the shopkeepers hands. Not irreparable though, and the inscription is lovely.

New Moon and I had to turn it off half way through. How many times must we watch them talk about THE SAME SITUATION? The whole "I want you but I can't have you" thing isn't even new or original! I GET IT.

"Speak gently then; and don't look so malicious," said my calm, but provoking aunt. "We shall return home safely, and then," she added, with solemn significance, "I have much to say to you." So I went home prepared for a formidable lecture. - The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, Anne Bronte

Found a copy of Pratchett's illustrated The Last Hero in the pound shop - for