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We had to read in school Andre Gides La Symphonie Pastorale in French (I went to a french school, despite being an english speaker at home). I had never had trouble with french books before this one; it is really short, but I just couldnt get into it. We used to have tests about each chapter as we went along, which I always failed. Then one day I stumbled across an english transaltion in the public library The Pastoral Symphony, and I finished it off within 2 hours, it was so moving, so beautiful, filled with so much meaning beyond the plot. Since that day, I read all the english transaltions of my school books before we started to ponder them slowly in french. I do feel guilty at not being able to fully appreciate them in thier original language... but this book I was forced to read remains one of the most powerful and inspiration books I have ever read...

The Power of One - Bryce Courtney

In grade 9 (about 14 years old) we had to read To Kill A Mockingbird in school. I made it the whole way through thinking that the Scout character was a boy. I got a very poor mark on my essay about it.

having travelled there recently made the book so much more interesting. We stayed in a good budget hostel right on central park. I loved the book's description of how the Dakota hotel was considered uptown and so far from the city when it was built. The book ended pefectly I think, bringing it all together. felt a bit like "the Metropolis Case" another New York set book I have reviewed, for anyone who can't get enough of the city.... Now I'm reading his Dublin saga, which starts a bit slow. Planning a trip to Dublin in october may inspire me to finish the read....

A Second Quarter Review April Nightrunner Series (last two book of the series: Darkness Returns, White Road) Lynn Flewelling http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/8417-nightrunner-series-lynn-flewelling/page__p__256926__fromsearch__1#entry256926 Scorecasting – Moskowitz Non fiction New York - Rutherfurd http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/8416-new-york-rutherfurd/page__p__256923__fromsearch__1#entry256923 The Last Jew – Noah Gordon At swim 2 boys (didn’t finish, confusing) Tales of the City - Maupin http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/8418-tales-of-the-city-armistead-maupin/page__p__256927__fromsearch__1#entry256927 Dragon Heaven / Dragon keeper – Robin Hobb May Arrows of the Queen trilogy - Mercedes Lackey Guns Germs and Steel - Jared Diamond Non fiction Pandora's Seed -S Wells Non fiction Transportation of Place (photologue) - A Robbins Skystone Series - Jack Whyte (liked book 1, got bored 3/4 of the way thru book 2, decied not to finished the series) June Helen Forester omnibus (Twopence to cross the Mersey, By the waters of Liverpool, Lime Street at two, Liverpool miss) - Helen Forrester http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/8645-blackout-all-clear-connie-willis/page__p__262500__fromsearch__1#entry262500 Black out, All Clear - Connie Willis http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/8645-blackout-all-clear-connie-willis/page__p__262500__fromsearch__1#entry262500 Vera Wright Trilogy - Elizabeth Jolley (didn’t finish, confusing timeline) Cuppa Tea and An Asprin - Helen Forrester Freedom - Jonathan Franzen Maurice - EM Forster We had it so Good - Linda Grant Oh, and I am also watching Games of Thrones online (but I have already read the books) Next up: Dance with Dragons - Martin Instance at the Fingerpost - (honest, its waiting at the library with my name on it!) Princes of Ireland / Dublin Saga – Rutherfurd Doomsday Book – Willis Redemption - Leon Uris and watching the Middlemarch tv miniseries Any recommendations on modern life in the UK? Such as university life, city life (especially outside of London) Or any good stories set in Wales?

After reading these two in quick succession (they are after all, one book split into two for publishing) I debated if they were historical fiction or sci-fi, but settled on the later. The story is mostly set in WWII London, but with use of time travel, including a discussion on the merits and ethics therein. Three time-travelling historians become ‘stuck’ in 1941 during the Blitz, unable to return home after their assignments are complete. The story weaves through past and future time with close calls, second chances and inescapable conclusions. A frantic, searching read, where the reader never gives up hope, both for a rescue of the characters and a British victory in the war. Strong supporting minor characters grow to fill important roles as the plot thickens, leaving the reader to contemplate fate, destiny and free will. Over all, I was enthralled by these books, dashing madly to pick up part 2 from the library. But more than time travel, the books really tell the civilian story of the war, as captured in this quote: "No one person or one thing won the war. People argue over whether it was Ultra or the evacuation from Dunkirk or Churchill’s leadership or fooling Hitler into thinking we were invading at Calais that won the war, but it wasn’t any one of them. It was all of them and a thousand million other things and people. And not just soldiers and pilots and Wrens, but air-raid wardens and plane spotters and debutantes and mathematicians and weekends sailors and vicars… and canteen workers and ambulance drivers and ENSA chorus girls and historians... Doing their bit. No one can be in a chaotic system and not affect events.” Recommended for anyone who like historical fiction AND Sci-fi Next, I will read her earlier books based on time travellers, and review the rest of the series.

In answer to my own post, I found helen Forrester my review is posted at: http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/8607-helen-forrester%e2%80%99s-autobiographical-series/

A review of Helen Forrester’s autobiographical series, including: Two Pence to Cross the Mersey, Liverpool miss, By the Waters of Liverpool, Lime Street at Two I recently completed the omnibus (four books bound into one) and was deeply moved by the stories. Two Pence to Cross the Mersey tells the story of Helens family, who after having lost their wealth during the depression, move to the slums of Liverpool. At age 11, she is forced to stay home to care for the younger children and keep house while her parents search for work. The story chronicles her new life in abject poverty as suffers from cold, hunger and isolation In Liverpool Miss, Helen battles to find work and improve her education. By the Waters of Liverpool, Helen finds that despite a steady income, her family’s mismanagement of money means that household conditions improve slowly, but she begins to assert her independence, and find time for herself. Lime Street at Two, the story recounts the struggles of civilians during WWII, including blackouts, bombing, rationing, loss of loved ones as well as the changing position of women in society. The books read smoothly like historical fiction, and I had to remind myself that they were autobiographical. I think the stories represent many women during that era, and provide a wide view into a life where freedoms and privileges are hard fought. The books would be suitable for a mature YA reader, or recommended to any young woman who grew up with too many fairy tale stories. These books are fiercely real, where a fictional woman would have been ‘rescued’ Helen Forrester had to find her own way. Overall, worth the read (and emotional investment), an inspiring story of overcoming personal challenges.

Tales of the City - Armistead Maupin Inspired by Rutherfurds New York, I went looking for a book about San Fransisco. Not exactly a chronology, more like a snap shot of a group of adrift singels in the 1970s. Does this even count as historical fiction, since it was written at that time? As I read it, all I could say out loud was, this is the wierdest book I have ever read. but I mean that as a compliment. The story relies highly on dialogue and current affairs of the time. The chapters are purposefully short, and often leave you guessing who the subject is by thier location, manerisms and conversations. There really is no plot. It is just descriptions of lost lonely people from all over, looking for sex and the meaning of life in the city. The characters might be described as silly or without direction, but I think that was intended to describe a lot of people at the time. The city is full of people trying to recover from the sixties and learn about the changing roles of men and women in relationships. It deals harshly (realistically?) with topics like race, sexism, sexuality, drugs and family expectations. Definatly a mature read. I would love to read the review of someone who lived or travelled there at the time, was that really how lost everyone felt? My father once recommnded to to be The Drifters (Michener) as his desciption of living through the 60s. The copy I read included More Tales of the City and Further Tales of the City. The last one had a bit of mystery suspense plot to it, but really just the continuation of the lives of characters you already love. A strange read, if you are looking to be transported slightly back in time for a short while, or maybe you want to relive your glory days. jj

NightRunner Series Lynn Flewelling Luck in the Shadows, Stalking Darkness, Traitor's Moon, Darkness Returns, White Road Though to review a whole series... but here I go... A well rounded and throrough piece of fantasy writing. Very creative, a slighly different take on dragons, magic and romance than I have previously read. Reminiscent of Robin Hobbs work, where you feel the same deep connection to the main characters. The lands, politics and religion of the setting are realistic and detailed but not over complicated. It covers some very interesting international relations, diplomacy and wars. Definatly gay fiction, though it is subtle in the first 2 books. It is part coming of age story, part love story and part political intrigue thriller. Traitors Moon was probably my faviorite all around, with Darkness Returns being too slow paced. White Road was the most action packed, but you really would have to read all the previous books for it to make sense. The author has indicated it is not written as a series, more like ongoing stories, with the possibility for another book. I have added to my to-read list, her next series the Tamir Triad, set earlier in the same land, with high expectations

Ok too much reading, not enough writing.... Well, after not enjoying some of his earlier works (Russka) and finding London a bit better, I decided to give his newest book a chance. Partially, I was inspired by a recent trip to the city (not long enough at only 4 days), so I had a bit of familiarity with the geography of the city. Also, when I got home, I watched the entire series "New Amsterdam" about an immortal man living in the city, watching it change over time(series got cancelled, the NY detective bit has so been done already) Anyways, So on to New York. Starting with Dutch Colonisation, the story moves through war of Independance, civil war, dirty thirties, until modern September 11th. Though following the Master family, the author weaves other families in and out of the story, including slaves, soldiers, socialites and immigrants. Taking place mainly in Manhattan, the book does expand a bit out to the other boroughs as characters move and return. This book interconnects the families in a more a natural manner than his previous few, giving me hope that he will replace the void left by JA Michener. The wait line at the library for it was a good indication that it would be a strong piece of writing. Overall, and excellent work, well researched, great pace, with an inspiring ending. I am keeping my eyes open for more of his works in the future.

On my to read list is Temeraire by Naomi Novak. The story is set during an alternate history version of the Napoleonic Wars, in which dragons not only exist but are used as a staple of aerial warfare in Asia and Europe. might be a bit out there.. but you did post in the sci-fi/fantasy sections... jj

I enjoyed Journey by James A Michener "A compelling story set in Canadas harshly beautiful northern wilderness. A compelling saga of gold lust, and of ambition, of pride, persistence and pathos" also one of his shorter works at only 240 pages

The Metropolis Case - Matthew Gallaway 2010 - hardcover - 372 pages Set across two hunderd years and four cities, The Metrolpois Case is a story of four peoples' relationship to the Wagnerian opera Tristan and Isolde. Martin, Maria, Anna and Lucien's stories intertwine across a steady rythm of music, love, trajedy and death. No previous knowledge of opera or the arts is required to appreciate the journeys involved in finding ones purpose in life. I enjoyed this book, it was sad yet refreshing. It leaves the reader fulfilled with the characters' growth, as each learns to accpet and embrace thier own flaws. I would recomeded it to any adult trying to find thier way through life in the city.

Yesh, my local library is also connected to a network all over Vancouver, even the Univeristy libraries. We get laons for one month, then three renewals online, or movies for one week, but I never keep them that long. On your online account, you can keep a TBR list, then request the next book to arrive at your local branch once you are ready. The best thing about it is that it is only 3 blocks away, the perfect walking distance for my little dog (min pin). She waits in the lobby while I check out whatever I had requested, then we play in the off leash park before going home. Sometimes I feel bad if Lucy (the dog) hasnt been to the library in a week, our favorite outing. j

"We had been on the road for less than an hour when I discovered an important fact about Afghanistan which none of my reading had discussed; yet it was so fundamental that if one missed its significance he missed the meaning of this country. I refer to the bridges of Afghanistan. When we came to the first one I did not appreciate its importance; it was beautiful, built in the 1990's by some expert engineer." Caravans, James AA Michener

I suppose Gone with The Wind and the sequel Scarlett, don't really count because the were written by different authors....?

Ok, My first book list since joining. This is my list from 2011 so far: (RR) means re-read January Warriors compilation Trinity - Leon Uris To the Ends of the Earth - W Golding Sweetness in the Belly - Camila Gibb Star Trek Enterprise - Kobiashi Maru February World without end (RR)-Ken Follett Exile - Leon Uris Lord John series - Diana Gabaldon March Me talk pretty one day - David Sedaris Nightrunner Series (Luck in the Shadows, Stalking Darkness, Traitor's Moon, 2 more to go) Lynn Flewelling Insignificant others - Stephen McCauley When You are Engulfed in Flames - David Sedaris The Metropolis Case - Matthew Gallaway Next up: New York - E. Rutherfurd Instance at the Finger post - Pears (thanks for the recomendation...) The remaining Nightrunner books - Flewelling Tales of the City - Maupin The Last Jew - Noah Gordon At swim two boys - Jaime o'Neill Dragon Keeper / Dragon Haven - Robin Hobb Redemption - Leon Uris and watching the Middlemarch tv miniseries Non fiction: Guns Germs and Steel - Jared Diamond Outliers - Gladwell Scorecasting - Moskowitz I wonder how many I will have done in the next 3 months?

I remember seeing his books in a airport bookstore three years ago. They had great reviews, but I didnt buy. it seemed so, current, so ala mode, flavour of the moment. Well, I finally borrowed some from the library and wish I had bought one at the time. Dave Sedaris is a master of the airplane book genre. A collection of random stories and about random things that leave you bursting with surprise and laughter. Last month I read Me Talk Pretty One Day about his journey from speech therapy to overcome a lisp, to trying to learning French in Normandy. Yesterday I finsihed When you are Engulfed in Flames devoted to Art, crazy landladies, death and quitting smoking. My rating: 8*/10, a quick, light, read. Funny and strangely relevant. A worthwile break-book between serious novels, or a travelling companion. Well connected stories if you read them together, but your not missing anything if you read it piecemeal. Reviews: http://literati.net/Sedaris/david-sedaris-reviews.htm Me Talk Pretty One Day(Paperback: Back Bay Books, 2001) From Publishers Weekly Sedaris focuses on the icy patches that mar life's sidewalk, though the ice in his work is much more slippery and the falls much more spectacularly funny. Many of the 27 short essays collected here (which appeared originally in the New Yorker, Esquire and elsewhere) deal with his father, Lou, to whom the book is dedicated. Lou is a micromanager who tries to get his uninterested children to form a jazz combo and, when that fails, insists on boosting David's career as a performance artist by heckling him from the audience. Sedaris suggests that his father's punishment for being overly involved in his kids' artistic lives is David's brother Paul, otherwise known as "The Rooster," a half-literate miscreant whose language is outrageously profane. Sedaris also writes here about the time he spent in France and the difficulty of learning another language. After several extended stays in a little Norman village and in Paris, Sedaris had progressed, he observes, "from speaking like an evil baby to speaking like a hillbilly. 'Is thems the thoughts of cows?' I'd ask the butcher, pointing to the calves' brains displayed in the front window." But in English, Sedaris is nothing if not nimble: in one essay he goes from his cat's cremation to his mother's in a way that somehow manages to remain reverent to both of the departed. "Reliable sources" have told Sedaris that he has "tended to exhaust people," and true to form, he will exhaust readers of this new book, too,with helpless laughter. When You Are Engulfed in FlamesBooklist With essay collections such as Naked (1997) and Me Talk Pretty One Day (2000), Sedaris kicked the door down for the “quirky memoir” genre and left it open for writers like Augusten Burroughs and Jeannette Walls to mosey on through. Sometimes the originators of a certain trend in literature are surpassed by their own disciples -- but, this is Sedaris we’re talking about. When it comes to fashioning the sardonic wisecrack, the humiliating circumstance, and the absurdist fantasy, there’s nobody better. Unfortunately, being in a league of your own often means competing with yourself. This latest collection of 22 essays proves that not only does Sedaris still have it, but he’s also getting better. True, the terrain is familiar. The essays “Old Faithful” and “That’s Amore” again feature Sedaris’ overly competent boyfriend, Hugh. And nutty sister Amy can be found leafing through bestial pornography in “Town and Country.” Present also are Sedaris’ favored topics: death, compulsion, unwanted sexual advances, corporal decay, and more death. Nevertheless, Sedaris’ best stuff will still -- after all this time -- move, surprise, and entertain.

I always have a gap; I need to savour and respect each book after I finish it. Therefore, I never start a new book on the same day I finished a previous one (unless its a series, which is like one long book). So sometimes I find myself putting down a book at 6pm, with nothing else to read for the night. I get through the gap time with tears, or by flinging the book at a wall (depending how good it was). I spend this time watching tv online, borrow a movie from the library or (gasp) spend time with my partner... Maybe I'll take up review writing like someone suggested. j