Kell's 2006 Reading Log - January to June

[Kell]

Thought I'd join in with the 2006 Reading Log thingie. I have my book blog already, but I thought it'd be nice to keep a brief record here too as I read them.

[Kell]

Currently about half-way through Labyrinth by Kate Mosse, which I got for Xmas from my Grom. It's a pretty hefty tome, but so far I'm really enjoying it & wishing I had more reading time available right now!

[Kell]

I thought I'd lug the old "to read" list over to here & keep everything in one place:

On My Shelf:
Margaret Atwood - The Robber Bride
David Baddiel- The Secret Purposes
Louis de Berniere - Captain Corelli's Mandolin
William Blain – Witch’s Blood
William Brodrick – The Sixth Lamentation
Trudi Canavan - The Magician's Guild
Elizabeth Chadwick – Shadows and Strongholds
Mary Higgins Clark - On the Street Where You Live
Robin Cook – Fatal Cure
Michael Cordy – The Messiah Code
Bernard Cornwell – Excalibur (Warlord Chronicles Book 3)
Bernard Cornwell – Stonehenge
Bernard Cornwell – The Winter King (A Novel of Arthur Book 1)
Patricia Cornwell – Post-Mortem
Niki Daly - Happy Birthday, Jamelia! (for CBUK)
Mary Janice Davidson - Undead & Unwed
Barbara Ewing – The Trespass
Anna & Garbara Fienberg - There Once Was a Boy Called Tashi (for CBUK)
Robert Finn – Adept
Robni Hardy & Anthony Shaffer - The Wicker Man
Mark Gatiss – The Vesuvius Club
Philippa Gregory - A Respectable Trade
John Grisham - The Brethren
John Grisham – The Client
Lev Grossman – Codex
James Herbert – Moon
James Herbert – Shrine
Susan Hill - The Various Haunts of Men
Jilliane Hoffman – Retribution
Phil Hogan – Hitting the Groove
Conn Iggulden - Emperor: The Gates of Rome
Greg Iles – Dead Sleep
Christian Jacq – Beneath the Pyramid
Jeanne Kalagoris – The Borgia Bride
Faye Kellerman – Stalker
Alexander Kent – With All Despatch
Stephen King – Dreamcatcher
Stephen King – Pet Sematary
Nicola Kraus & Emma McLaughlin - The Nanny Diaries
Kathy Lette - How to Kill Your Husband (& Other Handy Household Hints)
Tim Lott – Rumours of a Hurricane
John Masefield – The Box of Delights
Jon McGregor - If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things (borrowed from Purple Poppy)
Anchee Min - Empress Orchid
Naomi Mitchison – The Corn King and the Spring Queen
Richard Montanari – The Rosary Girls
Jodi Piccoult – Salem Falls
Jean Plaidy – The King’s Secret Matter
Jean Plaidy – The Lady in the Tower
Kathy Reichs – Deja Dead
Kathy Reichs – Monday Mourning
Phil Rickman – A Crown of Lights
Phil Rickman – December
Nora Roberts – Birthright
Andrew Taylor – Call the Dying
G P Taylor - Shadowmancer
G P Taylor - Wormwood
Peter Tremayne - Absolution By Murder
John Twelve Hawks – The Traveller
Minette Walters – The Breaker
Various Authors – Futures (four sci-fi novellas)

I'll update the list as I work my way through it & add more books as I get them.

Edit: I've taken off the ones I've finished now as I was starting to get rather alarmed by my never-ending list. If I take them off, I can at least stay under the illusion that I'm actually reducing the list, even as I keep adding new ones to it - LOL!

[Inanna]

Your list is as long as mine LOL :D

[Kell]

I'm now about 2/3rds of the way through Labyrinth & really enjoying it. It's basically a Grail Quest type of tale but I have to say the writing is quite lovely - a really nice flow of words without being too wordy, if you get what I mean. Almost like walking a labyrinth in the reading - perhaps that's intentional (ooh, I must remember that when it comes to writing the review!) - with its winding story, taking you back & forwards across time between two women connected by the same secret...

[Kell]

Labyrinth will most probably get finished tonight, so the review will most likely get posted some time tomorrow once I've had a chance to compose my thoughts. I think we all already know this review will give it the thumbs up though (unless the endnig turns out to be severely disappointing, which I can't imagine it will). This is one book I've been wishing would last longer as I've been enjoying it so much!

[Kell]

Finished Labyrinth in the bath tonight & was mightily impressed with it. I'll do the review in the morning once I've had time to collect my thoughts & digest the whole thing (not that I've been chomping on the book or anything - LOL!).

In the meantime, I've started on The Bad Mother's Handbook by Kate long (from one Kate to another!) while I wait for Trace to arrive for the reading circle...

[Inanna]

So what would you give Labyrinth out of 10 Kell?
I had this book from the library, but didn't get it read before it had to go back :(

[Kell]

I'm thinking it's an 8/10 - pretty damned good. I'm a very harsh judge so getting 8/10 from me is a pretty big deal. I'll write the review later on today & post it...

[Inanna]

Thanks, can't wait to read it :mrgreen:

[Kell]

Well, the review to Labyrinth is now posted here (http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=663) if anyone's interested in seeing what I thought of it...

[Kell]

Well, I'm enjoying The Bad Mother's Handbook so far, but I do occasionally get a little confused for a moment or two when it switches who's telling the story. I'm sure I'll get used to it eventually. I am enjoying it though.

[Kell]

I'm getting more into the characters now in Bad Mother's Handbook. I'm little more than about 1/3rd of the way through it - i've just had the bath go cold on me while I was reading - LOL!

[Kell]

Feeling a little off colour today, so I'm off for an early soak in the bath with some lavendar oils & a nice cup of tea while I read some more. I reckon I'll be finished Handbook at some point tomorrow. Rather enjoying the interplay of relationships & the development between them all. Nicely written so far...

[Maureen]

Just the book if you feel off colour - not too taxing. hope u feel better very soon Kell.

[Kell]

Finished The Bad Mother's Handbook last night, so a review will go up later on when I've had a chance to write it. ;) Really enjoyed it - a nice study of the interplay between 3 generations of women in the same family.

[Kell]

Starting The Dark Behind the Curtain by Gillian Cross today as it's a short one & I think Trace might be in the package that Dale is collecting for me today. It looks to be a kid's chiller-type book with a theatrical slant, so I might find it interesting. I got it via a swap on the Read it Swap it site. We'll see how it goes...

[Kell]

New books arrived today:

Trace by Patricia Cornwell
Monday Mourning by Cathy Reichs
The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler

They've all been added to the list & I'll be starting on Trace tomorrow.

*rubs hands together in glee*

[Michelle]

I, of course, am on hand for proof reading, or any other type of reading for you! lol
Also, I want a signed first edition! :D

[jake]

New books arrived today:

Trace by Patricia Cornwell
Monday Mourning by Cathy Reichs
The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler

They've all been added to the list & I'll be starting on Trace tomorrow.

*rubs hands together in glee*

I've not long finished Kathy Reichs Monday Mourning, I thought it was excellent. I've enjoyed all of her books to date.

[Inanna]

Kathy Reichs, IMO, is truly outstanding, so much fact and info incorperated into a gripping story, everytime :D

[jake]

Kathy Reichs, IMO, is truly outstanding, so much fact and info incorperated into a gripping story, everytime :D

I agree, I love how she goes into technical detail too, but I could see how some people could lose interest when she goes into great detail about something like carbon dating (a al Monday Mourning), but I love all that stuff as it's in my area of study/interest.

[Inanna]

For years I have been truly fascinated by forensics (thank-you Ms Cornwell) and I love reading all about it. One day I hope to study it too Jake, I am so envious of you :D

Do you watch CSI?

[Maureen]

For years I have been truly fascinated by forensics (thank-you Ms Cornwell) and I love reading all about it. One day I hope to study it too Jake, I am so envious of you :D

Do you watch CSI?

ME TOO!

And

Yes love CSI!

btw, Kathy Reichs is really great in my opinion. Kell, if you can, put this book on hold and get them all in sequence, although it is still a story in its own right.

[jake]

For years I have been truly fascinated by forensics (thank-you Ms Cornwell) and I love reading all about it. One day I hope to study it too Jake, I am so envious of you :D

Do you watch CSI?

Oooh yes I've seen every episode aired, I love it. However it's a lot less glam in RL, I mean you never seen Catherine Willows in a white jumpsuit do you??

[Inanna]

And how she never loses a single hair at a crime scene is a miracle :roll:

I now have the CSI game for the PC, so I get to collect evidence all by myself :D

[Kell]

Finished The Dark Behind the Curtain. A bit dated, but a pleasant enough read - review tomorrow.

Starting Trace tomorrow too...

And I love CSI too - I have a thing for Gary Dourdan - mmmmmmmm!

[Inanna]

And I love CSI too - I have a thing for Gary Dourdan - mmmmmmmm!

Oh he's scrummy :D

[Kell]

Gave up on Trace & started The Eagle & The Wolves by Simon Scarrow. It's the 4th installment of the Eagles series & I've just finished ch9. It's very much living up to my expectations, with a bloody skirmish within the first few pages & picking up the tale of the two main characters, Macro & Cato, who are Centurians (Cato just got promoted from Optio in the last book).

No sign of Boudicca just yet, but I get the feelnig she may well appear out of nowhere - I'd like that a lot. :)

I have to say, if you're looking for a rip-roaring good series to get into that's full of action & excellent characters, I can heartily recommend the Eagles - even if you're not into historical or military fiction (I'd never read either before these ones), they're an excellent introduction to the genre. It's fascinating knowing that the plot is based on fact & although most of the characters are not actual historical figures, they are based on people of the time in those situations.

Can't wait to get cracking with the resto f it - I feel I can really get my teeth into this one!

[Kell]

Didn't get much reading done today, but I'm up to Ch16 now. It just keeps getting better & better. No sign of Boudicca still, so I think maybe she'll stay out of this one & maybe reappear in the next one.

I love the balance Scarrow has - not too much detail, but doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of war & the effects on people on both siddes. Fair enough, he's mainly focusing on the Roman side, but one of the characters (Cato) is particularly intelligent & sensitive, as well as incredibly astute when it comes to how politics work in a war situation, so we get to see things from the Brits' point of view occasionally too.

It's absolutely riveting!

[Kell]

Got a belated Xmas prezzie today - Troll Fell by Katherine Langrish. It's one I've been eyeing up for a while. Now added to my ever-growing list of books to be read!

[Kell]

Just finishing The Eagle & The Wolves by Simon Scarrow. Excellent read - review at some point tomorrow once I've had time to choose words good enough to describe it!

[Kell]

Starting Morality Play by Barry Unsworth tomorrow. It's a short book (only 188 pages) & is written entirely in the 1st person, so I don't know how I'm going to cope with it, but with it being short, I think I might get through it with my sanity prtty much intact. The plot looked pretty decent (I chose it as a swap via the Read it, Swap it site):
A novel about a group of travelling players touring England in 1390 in the years following the Black Death. Tired of presenting the usual mystery plays they decide to re-enact a murder that has recently taken place in the town they are visiting. This has unforeseen consequences as they are forced to confront the real story of death.
I thought it sounded intriguing. It was also shortlisted for the 1995 Booker Prize if that means anything to anyone!

[Kell]

About 1/4 of the way through morality Play & the whole 1st person thing kind of lends itself well to the story - it's almost like you've got the lead character there with you, sitting in front of a fire, relating his tale to you. Not much has actually happened so far, but I'm kind of getting into it.

[Kell]

Got another book through the post today via a swap on the Read it, Swap it site - The Devil in Gray by Graham Masterton - thought I'd be prepared in case it got chosen as February's Reading Circle as last time I looked it was looking like a toss-up between this & American Gods which I got for Xmas...

[Kell]

Just about done with Morality Play - a few more pages to go & I'll find out if I was right ni my conclusions. Even if I am, it doesn't detract from the enjoyment, as seeing it from the simpler point of view of the characters set in their own period has made it very interesting. I may well keep an eye out for more books by Unsworth.

[Freewheeling Andy]

I really quite enjoyed Morality Play when I read it, although it was a while ago and my memory is hazy. I do remember trying to decide whether the playing (oh, good pun Andy) with the history of theatre was clever or contrived.

[Kell]

I do remember trying to decide whether the playing (oh, good pun Andy) with the history of theatre was clever or contrived.
I've been swithering between the 2 as well & I think I'm now heading more towards the "clever" camp, although I started out on the side of "contrived". Really enjoying it - it's a complete break from the norm.

[Kell]

Starting The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler later tonight. I've never read any Jane Austen, so I don't know if that'll make a difference, but it looks rather interesting...

[Kell]

I'll post the review for Morality Play later on - probably tomorrow (I like to have a bit of a think about it after finishing a book - LOL!). Unexpectedly good read - rather impressed, despite it all being in the 1st person!

[Angel]

Kell let me know what you think of it because I was debating whether to get it or not. I have read Jane Austen and she was OK

[Kell]

Kell let me know what you think of it because I was debating whether to get it or not. I have read Jane Austen and she was OK
Will do, Angel - looking forward to getting into it, as I've heard pretty good things. No over-the-top-great reviews, but good, strong, recommendations from folks who know my tastes.

[Inanna]

Starting The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler later tonight. I've never read any Jane Austen, so I don't know if that'll make a difference, but it looks rather interesting...

Just bought this off of ebay, so will be interested to know what you think :wink:

[Kell]

have posted the review for Morality Play,so now I'm off to start The jane Austen Book Club...

[Kell]

Just had 2 more books arrive via the Read it, Swap it site (honestly, I'll have no books left to swap at this rate - LOL!): The Robber Bride by Margaret Atwood & The Reading Group by Elizabeth Noble.

The Robber Bride is registered on the Book Crossing site, so I've nipped along & registered that I've got it. That makes 2 "travelling" books that've made their way to me via RISI now (the other one is 24 Hours by Greg Iles, which is the one that got me to register over there myself.)

They both look rather good & are going to make choosing which books to read next from the list even more difficult than it already was! Still, mustn't complain - at least I've got plenty of good reading material to keep me going for some time yet!

I'm still waiting to hear whether or not another couple of swaps will be accepted too, so there may be even more on their way to me shortly!

[Kell]

Started The Jane Austen Book Club last night & got through a bit more today during lunch. It's a really easy read so far & rather enjoyable - a bit of light relief & entertaining, even to someone who's never read any Austen. That said, I did download 3 Austens today, so I may well read them yet...

[Inanna]

LOL I keep trying to swap, but I only have 2 books left now and I guess they're not everyones cup of tea :wink:

Still if I get some more of my books read I can add them on there :mrgreen:

[Kell]

Whizzing through JABC - it's a really easy, fun read. I feel I'm really getting to know the characters & like them all as friends. Really nice atmosphere to it. Very friendly book. :)

[Kell]

I now have so many books unread that I've had to divide my original list (back at the beginning of my log) into sections:

- On My Shelf
- Downloaded
- On Their Way (via swaps)
- For the Book Club Forum Reading Circle
- For the Posh Club Reading Group

Otherwise I'd have ended up all over the place - LOL! I gues I realy AM anal about these kinds of things!

[Kell]

About 2/3rds of the way through JABC now. I think I really will try some Austen myself. I printed off two of the downloaded books today, along with a couple of other books I've downloaded, so I've added them to my list too (I erally must stop doing that till I've read a few more off the list - it's getting crowded at home - LOL!). I always think it's nice when one book inspires you to read another...

[Inanna]

I always think it's nice when one book inspires you to read another...

me`too

[Kell]

I've just downloaded the PDF files of all the Kelley Armstrong e-fiction - I'm going to print it all off so I can flick through it all at my leisure in between all the other stuff (forever adding to my "to read" shelf - LOL!)

[Kell]

Well, I finished JABC last night (I'll do the review later on) & was planning on starting The Sunday Philosophy Club by Alexander McCall Smith, but as the Reading Circle book for February has been decided & I am between books, I think I'll start on The Devil in Gray by Graham Masterton instead.

[Kell]

The review for JABC is now posted, my list has been updated, & I'm planning on making a start on The Devil in Gray tonight. There's a feeling of satisfaction in that, actually. Wish I could go & get started on the book now, but there's so much to do today!

[Kell]

Devil in Gray has quite an opening! I won't spoil it for anyone by telling anything about it, but I was in the bath & when I finished the first couple of chapters, I actually said, out loud, "what an opening!" Let's just hope Masteron can keep up the pace, because if he does, it'll be an exciting read, that's for sure!

[Kell]

Finished DIG this evening & am just about to post the review - but don't go reading it till you've read the book if you're going to, guys. Just in case. I do try not to put spoilers into the reviews, but it can be touch & go sometimes. Dying for a few more folks to read it so we can all discuss it properly. Dale said he'll post the book to Inanna for me tomorrow, so you won't have to wait till after the weekend after all - it should be with you within a couple of days - hurrah!

[Kell]

Decided to join Michelle in her additional Reading Circle, American Gods by Neil Gaimen, as I got this one for Xmas off Dale & have been dying to get into it. I thought about suggesting it for one of the voting choices for the next Posh Club meeting, but I can't wait that long to get to it - too impatient - LOL!

[Michelle]

Tracey's copy went off today, so we should be getting some comments soon. :D Not sure if anyone else has gotten hold of it.

I'm hoping to start American Gods in the bath tonight.

[Kell]

I'm hoping to start American Gods in the bath tonight.
That's just what I did - I read 50 pages straight through & so far so good. I have the "Author's preferred text" version, which apparently (according to the foreword) has an extra 12,000 words to it...

[Kell]

Read another 50 pages in bed before Dale finished with his online game & came to bed. It's really good so far. I'm really enjoying the idea of "old gods" (similar to Pratchett's "small gods" idea...)

[Inanna]

Dale said he'll post the book to Inanna for me tomorrow, so you won't have to wait till after the weekend after all - it should be with you within a couple of days - hurrah!

Oh thats brilliant, tell him I said thank-you :D

I'll start this ASAP so I can join in the discussion :mrgreen:

[Kell]

Started reading Savage by Kelley Armstrong (one of the Otherworld online novellas) last night. It folows the story of Clay as a child, how he came to be a werewolf & how Jeremy Danvers came to take him into the Pack. I printed this one off so I could read at my leisure, so it's all on A4 paper - found myself about 30 pages in while waiting for Desperate Housewives to start! It's pretty good so far & already I'm beginning to understand the character, to whom I was initially introduced in Bitten, a little better. It's really uncovering how he came to be the way he is. Im' enjoying it.

(I'm reading this alongside American Gods, so I don't get too far ahead of Michelle, as she's reading it with me & I'm enjoying it so much that I have a tendency to speed on ahead - LOL!)

[Kell]

I'm up to part 2 of AG. I can kind of see where part of the story is going, but not all of it - it's a bit of a mystery, but I'm looknig forward to solving that, THere's been a lot of reference to "a storm" that's coming. It's not arrived yet, but I think that when it hits, it's going to be an absolute hum-dinger!

[Kell]

Almost half way through Savage (the 1st of Armstrongs online Otherworld novellas). It's really interesting finding out a little more about Jeremy as a young man & the relationship with his father, Malcolm, seeing as Jeremy was introduced in Bitten as the Pack Alpha, it's interesting to see that his own father thought so little of him. Very good so far.

[Kell]

I'm now almost 1/2 way through American Gods & there's still a fair bit of mystery, the storm's still brewing & I'm still playing "spot the God". I'm still very much enjoying it though. :)

[Kell]

Finished Savage by Kelley Armstrong, Very good indeed. Am moving on to Ascension now, which follows on from there, I think. Still reading American Gods too, but I'm rather enjoying having two on the go at the moment.

[Kell]

Almost 1/2 way through Ascension now. It's a really easy read & I was right, it does pick up from where Savage left off, so I'm finding out a whole lot more about not only Clay, but Jeremy, Peter & Malcolm too. Great reading!

[Kell]

Finished Ascension - excellent, exciting, extraordinary & lotso f other words beginning with ex! Moving onto Beginnings now...

[Michelle]

ooh ooh.. I'm looking forward to getting them now! I loved Beginnings! :D

[Inanna]

Hmmm think I'll have to get these now :D

[Kell]

I'm about 1/2 way through Beginnings now - crikey, i'm really galloping through these! They're so easy to read & it's great finding out what went on before we were introduced to the characters. This one follows how Elena & Clay first met. It's made even more intense by the fact that anyone who's read Bitten knows how betrayed Elena felt for years afterwards, so it's fantastic to finally hear the story from both sides, as it's taken in alternating chapters from the POV of both Elena & Clay.

[Kell]

I can't believe it - I've finished Beginnings already! Couldn't put it down. loved all the back-&-forth stuff between Elena & Clay - it was great seeing it from both sides right up to the point where Elena is bitten. Great read! I'll be passing this along to Inanna now, so you can expect it within the next few days...

Moving on to Otherworld Tales now...

[Inanna]

I'll be passing this along to Inanna now, so you can expect it within the next few days...



Can't wait for these, thanks Kell :D

[Kell]

I'm now several stories into Otherworld Tales 2005 & very much enjoying it - it's filling in all those little bits that you don't get to see in the books, with the characters we maybe don't know so much about. If you haven't read the books already, this collection of short stories won't make much sense, but for someone who's read & enjoyed them, this is a nice addition. So far I've read stories about Aaron (vampire - how he came to be one), Talia (Adam's mother - how she discovered her son is a half-demon), Jeremy (werewolf - his conception & birth), Logan (werewolf - his introduction to the pack), & the first adventure of Adam & Paige (half-demon & Witch). Just started on the next one about Lucas (Sorcerer). All very interesting, getting to read about all those things that are mentioned in passing in the books.

[Kell]

American Gods is progressing nicely. THe story sometimes feels al ittle disjointed, but I get the feeling that everything's going to come together in the end & make some sense. If it doens't I'll be a little disappointed.

[Inanna]

Do you think Kelley Armstrong will have these published in a book eventually Kell?

[Kell]

Do you think Kelley Armstrong will have these published in a book eventually Kell?
I don't know. Possibly the novellas cuold be put together as an anthology, but the Otherworld Tales won't make much sense unless you've read all the books, so I don't think that would work so well as a "proper book". The novelas would though - they all fit together nicely & have a single flow of history leading up to the 1st book.

[Inanna]

I think they'd sell, I've heard alot of people talking that they want to hear more about Clay, Elena and the gang, which I totally agree with :D

[Kell]

I think they'd sell, I've heard alot of people talking that they want to hear more about Clay, Elena and the gang, which I totally agree with :D
Hence I can't wait for Broken - it switches back to The Pack. He opening chapter is available to read on her site if you haven't done already - just to whet the appetite a little. I'm thinking it's going to be a stonking good read!

[Michelle]

I'm now several stories into Otherworld Tales 2005 & very much enjoying it

How long are they Kell.. are they easy to read online, or do they need printing out?

[Kell]

I'm now several stories into Otherworld Tales 2005 & very much enjoying it
How long are they Kell.. are they easy to read online, or do they need printing out?
THey're short - maybe 4 or 5 A4 pages each on average, give or take a few. You could read those ones online, I suppose, as each one id completely separate, so you wouldn't lose track of where you're up to with them like you might with the novellas.

[Kell]

Finished reading both American Gods & Otherworld Tales 2005 tonight - I'll write the reviews tomorrow when I've got more time & energy. Enjoyed both immensely.

[Kell]

Well, I'll be buying Letter from America by Alistair Cooke this weekend for The Posh Club reading group, but in the meantime, I'll be starting Cross Stitch by Diana Gabaldon tomorrow, so I'll be kept occupied till then by something I've been assired is very good & I suspect will be right up my street in the same way that The Time Traveler's Wife was...

[Kell]

I've printed off the other two non-Otherworld short stories frmo Kelley Armstrong's site - The Halloween House & Truth & Consequences. They'll be quick 10-minute fillers by the looks of things & I'm hoping they'll be as good as the rest of her stuff!

[jake]

I must be the only person on the forum that hasn't be taken with Kelley Armstrong :shock: . Read some of her online stuff and it's not for me.

[Maureen]

Well I have never tried her stuff, but I hate zombies and stuff like that, and I have a feeling that they are heavily featured in her writing!

[jake]

I'm not keen on fantasy type stuff at all.

[Kell]

Well I have never tried her stuff, but I hate zombies and stuff like that, and I have a feeling that they are heavily featured in her writing!
I don't think there's a single zombie in there - if there were, I'd have avoided it as I don't like zombies myself.

[Maureen]

and vampires?

[Inanna]

I can't live without my regular dose of vampires, werewolves and the supernatural, gives me a bit of spice to my reading :D

[Kell]

and vampires?
A few vampires, but none of themhave been the focus of a story yet - just bit-part characters mostly. Werewolves, Witches & Sorcerers, now, they're there in force!

[Michelle]

There was a sort of zombie, Kell.. in DSM

[Kell]

There was a sort of zombie, Kell.. in DSM
You know what? I can't remember! Isn't that terrible? I haven't read that one in a while...

[Michelle]

In the funeral home..

[Kell]

In the funeral home..
Oh yes. A technicality. A bit part as a zombie. ;)

[Kell]

Well, so far I'm rather enjoying Cross Stitch. I'm a few chapters in & Claire has been whisked back to the 18th Century. I think I can tell who her love interest will be.

Funny - another time-travel book featuring a heroine called Claire. Maybe it's something about the name...

I'm also liknig the fact that the "our time" portion of the story is also in our past - setting it in the 1940's means that the "modern" moments will remain timeless.

[Kell]

Continuing on from reading Kelley Armstrong's e-fic, I've started reading the short stories of Christopher Brookmyre & Neil Gaiman, which are on their websites. Looking good so far!

[Kell]

I'm about 1/4 of the way through Cross Stitch now & I'm really enjoying it! Hoping to have plenty of time to immerse myself in it over the weekend, though that's probably just wishful thinking & I'll have no such luck!

I'm enjoying Claire's inner conflict - so far it's only mild, but I can see it's going to grow & quite possibly get out of control for her if not soon, then VERY soon - LOL!

And I don't like that little blonde bint that's running round after Jaime. I hope she gets taken out of the picture prety quickly & lets Claire & Jaime get on with things...

[Kell]

I finished reading all the e-fiction (Kelley Armstrong, Christopher Brookmyre & Neil Gaiman) & thought them worthy of review, so... I've review them! All highly enjoyable in their own way. I particularly recommend one of Gaiman's short stories - I marvelled at his genius once again - he never ceases to amaze me, that man!

I may go hunting for more e-fic - I've heard tell of some Stephen King e-fic material, so I think that might be next on the list!

[Kell]

After a bit of late night (or early morning) reading, I'm now up to Part 3 of Cross Stitch. It's really rather good!

[Kell]

Just bought Letter From America by Alistair Cooke for The Posh Club group read, so that'll be next on my list once I've finished Cross Stitch. it's not something I would ordinarily have chosen, & realy didn't want to buy it, but all the library copies were out & booked solid for some reason & I wouldn't have ben able to get it in time to read it before our next meeting on 21st or 23rd February (they have 2 dates to choose from coz the group got very big lately & not everyone could make it to the same night).

Ah well, I'll give it a try & see how I like it... Next time it'll be a book of MY choice & I've nominated books from my "to read" shelf to save on the pennies - LOL!

[Kell]

I'm almost 1/2 way through Cross Stitch now. I think I love Jamie just a little bit! He's almost like the perfect man - loving, generous, brave, kind, accepting - everyone should have a Jamie... If I were Claire, I don't think I'd be worrying myself at all about getting back to Frank in the 1940's - I most certainly wouldn't want to pass up any chance with Jamie!

[Kell]

I'm not much further on with Cross Stitch (hardly got any reading time over the last few days - bah!) but I'm completely engrossed in it. Despite Jamie's sound beating of Claire (I don't condone domestic violence at all, but I could kind of see his point here!), I find myself completely enthralled by the character. I can't help feeling that Claire's modern-day (well, 1940's) husband, Frank, is more than a little insipid by comparison & I'm certain that his bedroom techniques would be considered decidedly dull after Jamie!

I know exactly which husband I would want to keep hold of & although I can understand Claire still trying to figure out a way to get home, I can't help feeling that in the same situation, I'd be more than a little tempted to stay put!

[Leah]

Jamie and Claire's love is undeniable and it really sucks you in. Claire and Jamie just have that magic everyone dreams of. And I'm with you, I don't see how she can really consider even going back to Frank after being with Jamie. I'll keep any spoilers to myself for the time being.

[Kell]

It's all going a bit crazy for Claire & Jamie at the moment. I'm not too far from the end, but I'm worried about the poor lad! And I have a horrid feelingt hat something it s going to happen that sends Claire back to her own time (which will leave me distraught!).

I'll be starting on Letter from America by Alistair Cooke at some point today too, as I'm reading it for The Posh Club...

[Inanna]

Hey Kell, I have the sequel to this coming my way in the next few days, you're more than welcome to borrow it as I haven't read the first one yet so won't need it for a bit :mrgreen:

[Kell]

Thank you for the offer, Inanna, but I think I shall have to hold off on that for a little while, as I have such a huge list of books waiting to be read as it is, as well as a couple of reading group ones I have to read as a priority. I shall certainly be coming back to these though...

[Kell]

Finished Cross Stitch & will be writing the review tomorrow once I've had time to digest & cogitate a bit. I loved this book!

[Kell]

Started reading Letter from America by Alistair Cooke for The Posh Club group read, but since it's a journalistic type book of essays (& one I wouldn't ordinarily have chosen, at that) it should lend itself well to being read in chunks. Therefore, I'm also starting The Eagle's Prey by Simon Scarrow (5th in the Eagles series). It's the last of my Zmas haul & I've really been looking forward to this one, so it should offset any boredom I might face with the other one.

Not that I'm prejudging LFA - I've just read the 1st essay & I wasn't all that interested in it, so I think it's a good idea to have something else to hand that will engross & entertain me!

[Kell]

So far, The Eagle's Prey is shaping up pretty well. Macro & Cato have already been plunged right into the thick of things & this looks like it's going to be just as exciting as the previous 4. I'm very happy about this!

[Kell]

The Eagle's Prey is getting rather tense & exciting! I reckon this one could be the best yet if it continues in this vein. I'm genuinely worried for the main characters as I now see that Scarrow could conceivably kill one of them off if it meant progressing the story & I don't think I could cope with losing either one of them as I've become rather fond of them both. I feel like I know Macro & Cato & it would upset me a great deal if anything were to happen to either one of them.

It's looking touch & go for one of them at the moment... it's heady stuff!

[Kell]

Didn't manage to get any reading done today at all. I dozed off whilst watching Mathew Modine in Jack & the Beanstalk, despite enjoying it immensely (the 2nd part is on tomorrow, so I might have to watch that too). The entire day, other than that, has been busy, busy, busy. Ah well, maybe I'll get some reading in tomorrow...

[Inanna]

I liked Jack & The Beanstalk too Kell :D

[Kell]

Why is it that I get less reading done on the weekends than I do through the week? I don't understand it - after all, the weekend is supposed to be when you relax & do what you want to do, but I always seem to be even busier & without the excuse of coffee & lunch breaks at various points in the day to sit with a good book!

I've promised myself a good, long soak in the tub with good reading material tonight, so I may actually get some "me" time after all. here's hoping!

[Maureen]

Well Kell, we have to do some living, around this reading business!! :lol:

[Kell]

Well Kell, we have to do some living, around this reading business!! :lol:
LOL - I sometimes think I'd prefer to live in the books I'm reading - it seems so much more exciting than the reality. But then, isn't that why we love books in the first place? They provide an escape to something interesting.

[Kell]

I'm giving up on Letter from America by Alistair Cooke. I just can't stand it. If it were a biography or autobiography, I could get on board with finding out about the man, but this is just a series of essays, none of which hold any interest for me at all. I'm just glad I had a money off voucher so I didn't have to pay full whack. I'll be getting shot of this as soon as possible. OK, so it means I haven't read the book of choice for The Posh Club, but in this instance, I just couldn't do it. I can't even remember what the essays I actually read were about - that's how uninteresting I found them! I hate being beaten by a book, but this one just takes the biscuit in my case. I'm not even going to bother reviewing it as I've got through so d*mned little of it!

The Eagle's Prey by Simon Scarrow, on the other hand, is fantastic! I'm almost finished it & can honestly say this series keeps getting better & better. I've been in constant real fear for the welfare of teh lead characters as I've come to realise that Scarrow could conceivable kill one, the other or both of them off, as he's been developing other characters along with them. I don't know how I'd cope if he did that, but it woudl certainly be acceptable (however hard!) as it would reflect the harsh realities of war - we don't always get the hero coming home!

I'll be moving on to My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Piccoult for the Reading Circle when I'm done with the Eagles.

[Kell]

Just finished The Eagle's Prey by Simon Scarrow during my lunch & I have to say, what an ending! If I didn't already know there's another book after this one, I'd have worried that this was my lot from the Eagles & would have been very sad to see the back of them. But no, the British invasion isn't over yet - there's more to come & I am SOOOOOO excited about it! I can hardly wait to get the next one...

Review now posted in the reviews forum...

[Kell]

Started reading My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Piccoult during lunch. For someone who diesn't tend to like novels written in the 1st person, I seem to have a habit of picking them up lately! I'm about 3 chapters in & so far so good. I like the fact that it's switching perspectives from one character to another, meaning I get to see things from different points of view, which is a nice twist with such a tricky subject matter as this. I'll carry on & see if my thoughts on this hold up throughout the book.

[Kell]

I'm almost 1/3rd of the way through MSK now & although it's hard-hitting, I'm enjoying it. The 1st person style is not bothering me at all, in fact, I rather like it when it's applied this way to give the story from different perspectives, rather than from just one person's POV all the way through. It's one of those books that really gets you thinking.

[Inanna]

Thats what I liked about Vanishing Acts that she wrote, you got the story from all the people involved which made their actions easier to understand.

Will hopefully start this one later on.

[Kell]

On pages 250-251 of MSK, there is something spectacular - quite the most beautifully sad cration myth I have ever read:

If there was a religion of Annaism, & I had to tell you how humans made their way to earth, it would go like this: In the beginning, there was nothing at all but the moon and the sun. And the moon wanted to come out during the day, but there was something so much brighter that seemed to fill up all those hours. The moon grew hungry, thinner & thinner, until she was just a slice of herself, and her tips were as sharp as a knife. By accident, because that is the way most things happen, she poked a hole in the night & out spilled a million stars, like a fountain of tears.

Horrified, the moon tried to swallow them up. And sometimes this worked, because she got fatter & rounder. But mostly it didn’t, because there were just so many. The stars kept coming until they made the sky so bright that the sun got jealous. He invited the stars to his side of the world, where it was always bright. What he didn’t tell them, though, was that in the daytime, they’d never be seen. So the stupid ones leaped from the sky to the ground, & they froze under the weight of their own foolishness.

The moon did her best. She carved each of these blocks of sorrow into a man or a woman. She spent the rest of her time watching out so that her other stars wouldn’t fall. She spent the rest of her time holding on to whatever scraps she had left.

It says so much about Anna's state of mind. I was fighting a losing battle with tears at this point.

[Angel]

I agree Kell. I found this part deeply upsetting and I must admit that I cried a couple of times for Anna.

I also felt sorry for her father as I felt that he did not want to put Anna through all this. Equally he does not want to lose his other daughter or wife.

[Kell]

I also felt sorry for her father as I felt that he did not want to put Anna through all this. Equally he does not want to lose his other daughter or wife.
Yes, I think he's the most sympathetic character. It must be a terrible position to be in - he's caught between a rock, a hard place & a sheer cliff face! There's no place for him to turn without hurting someone. Either he helps Anna & loses his other daughter & wife,or he helps Kate & loses Anna & his self respect. It's not an enviable position. Being a Daddy's girl, I find myself constantly seeing him as my own Dad & feeling terrible for him on all counts.

[Kell]

Just finished MSK & I'm not ashamed to admit I bawled my eyes out. I did see the end coming, but I still cried. I really enjoyed it, though & I think I'll most definitely be picking up a few more of Piccoult's books to read. If they're anything as good as this one is, I won't go far wrong!

[Kell]

How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff is one I've been planning on reading for a while now & I got it off Michelle recently, so it's next on the list.

It was shortlisted for the Orange Award fro new writers & I seem to remember Richard & judy harping on about it (if not them, then someone else). I've heard a lot of good things about it, so it's time to get stuck in...

[Kell]

I'm about 3/4s of the way through How I Live Now & I'm still not sure how to take it. Im enjoying it, but I'm not sure why, as so far I haven't been able to fathom the poiint of the story. Maybe I'm missing something or it'll all become clear at the end.

The way it's written is interesting. There is no dialogue, per se - any speach is included directly in the passages & indicated only by a capital letter in the middle of an otherwise ordinary sentence & notiofication of who it was who uttered the words. It's written as a constant stream of thought from a 15-yr-old mind (you know how it goes "And then she said that She wouldn't be having any of that, and he replied that She could just Do As She Pleased anyway"). It's an unusual style & one I haven't come across before - it works well with this story, but I'm not sure it would work so well in other books.

I'll most likely finish this at some point today.

[Kell]

I finished How I Live Now at lunchtime, but Im' still not really any clearer on the motives behind any of it. It was a good read, right enough, but I'm a little confused & not altogether sure why! I'll get a review written later tonight...

[Kell]

Ill be starting Troll Fell by Katherine Langrish this evening. I'm not at all sure what it's about, but it looks rather interesting & promises to be full of Norse-type mythology from the looks of things, so I think I may well enjoy it a lot!

[Kell]

I'm rather enjoying Troll Fell so far. Langrish's style reminds me somewhat of Astrid Lindgren, which is always a good thing (especially if you've read the likes of Ronia the Robber's Daughter). It draws from the traditional Nordic folk tales & so far features both Trolls & a Nis (a house spirit that does housework if you feed it - kind of like a Brownie over here) as well as having a lot of familiar names (such as dogs called Loki & Grendel). It's a lot of fun, actually. :)

[Kell]

Finished Troll Fell tonight whilst waiting for the rest of the Poshies to turn up. Very impressed with it, I have to say.

I'll be writing 2 reviews tomorrow night - one for this & one for How I Live Now (I really should have done that one already, but I've been trying to think about what I want to say about it).

[Kell]

After much swithering over what to read next, I've decided on The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory. I've been dying to read it for some time & I offered it as one of the choices to the Poshies tonight - the voting isn't finished yet as there's another meet on Thursday night (not everyone can make it on the same night). Either way, I'm reading it now. It'll keep me going till Paradise reaches everyone for the next Reading Circle (I'll be posting it on Thursday night after work, guys, so it should hopefully reach you all at the weekend & we'd be able to start with it next week if you want to).

The Other Boleyn Girl was recently on TV as a mini-series or something, but I managed to miss it, despite meaning to watch it, so this will be completely new to me. I read The Lady in the Tower by Jean Plaidy years back, which is about Anne Boleyn, so it'll be interesting to have a similar style of story about her sister who was the lover of King Henry VIII before Anne was...

Incidentally, I've heard this type of novel referred to as "Historical Faction" which I rather like. :)

[Inanna]

I have this sat on my shelf waiting to be read, looks rather good to me. :mrgreen:

[Kell]

The reviews for How I Live Now & Troll Fell are now both posted in the reviews forum if anyone's interested. And Troll Fell has a very cool website to boot - I'll be exploring it some more tonight when I get home. :)

[Kell]

I'm about 1/3rd of the way through The Other Boleyn Girl & I'm really enjoying it. It's nice to hear the story of someone who played such an important part in history & yet is largely forgotten. Were it not for her, King Henry VIII might never have married Anne Boleyn & Elizabeth I would never have been born legitimately. Hostory would have taken a completely different course & we'd have a huge chunk of some of the most interesting history missing from our culture. Not to mention no Blackadder II - LOL!

The difference between the 2 sisters is amazing. The quiet, simplicity of Mary is a complete cnotrast to the calculated ambition of Mary - like night & day in both looks & temprament! It's also nice to se the other side of Anne through her sister's eyes - when I read The Lady in the Tower, Anne was portrayed as a victim (well, it was told from her POV), in this, both sisters are the victims of their family's ruthless ambition, but Anne knows better how to play the game...

[Tash]

I'm really glad you're enjoying that book Kell, it's one of my favourites and yes it does give you a lot of food for thought and help you to view history through different eyes :)

[Michelle]

And if it should go up for sale or swap, let me know ;)

[Inanna]

I have this on my shelf to be read and look forward to getting to it soon :wink:

[Anonymous]

There were 2 copies of this in one of the charity shops I frequent, might see if it's still there tomorrow and pick it up seeing as you rate it highly.

:mrgreen:

[Kell]

And if it should go up for sale or swap, let me know ;)
I was planning to pop it on the swap list when I was done, but I can earmark it for you if you like, Michelle. :)

[Michelle]

Sounds good to me. :D

[Kell]

I broke the rules & went & bought 2 new books today, but they were bargains, so Dale can't complaine too much (especially since I bought him some sweeties too - LOL). I got:

Tamburlaine Must Die by Louise Welsh
Things We Knew Were True by Nicci Gerrard

I've never heard of either book or author, but they looked kind of interesting, so I had to bring them home with me...

[Kell]

I'm about 400 pages into The Other Boleyn Girl, so not far to go. It's been a wonderful read so far & I really feel like I'm getting into the minds of the people involved, even if it is all from Marys POV.

[Tash]

You can't beat a book that puts you in the mind of the character :mrgreen:

[Kell]

You can't beat a book that puts you in the mind of the character :mrgreen:
Exactly - it's always nice to be able to properly get to grips with a character & really feel you're beginning to understand that choices they make under their circumstances. In this case, i'm finding I can get both into Mary's Mind and Anne's (partially because I've already read a book from her point of view, but partially because I think Mary understands Anne rather well at times, while still being able to be thrown by her sister when she makes some terribley wicked action). I'm also feeling a great deal of sympathy for George who is being forced by the times to live a lie - it must have been terrible to be homosexual during a time of such vehement persecution (I know there are still elements of this prejudice evident today, but not to the extent, in this country at least, where you can be executed for your sexual preference!). I have a lot of gay friends & to think of them being in such a position makes me want to weep for them & for poor George. I'm just glad we live in a more enlightened age!

[Kell]

Finished The Other Boleyn Girl last night - excellent book. I'll be writing a proper review this evening most likely. I'll definitely be getting hold of some more work by Philippa Gregory - I like her style!

[Kell]

I'm starting 2 new books today - Paradise for the Reading Circle & Tamburlaine Must Die because it's not very long & looks like it'll slot in nicely. SO, here's a little about them both:

Paradise by A L Kennedy
Hannah Luckraft knows the taste of paradise. It’s hidden in the peace of open country, it’s sweet on her lover’s skin, it flavours every drink she’s ever taken, but it never seems to stay.

Almost forty and with nothing to show for it, even Hannah is starting to notice that her lifestyle is not entirely sustainable: her subconscious is turning against her and it may be that her soul is a little unwell. Her family is wounded, her friends are frankly odd, her body is not as reliable as it once was. Robert, an equally dissolute dentist, appears to offer a love she can understand, but he may only be one more symptom of the problem she must cure.

From the North East of Scotland to Dublin, from London to Montreal, to Budapest and onwards, Hannah travels beyond her limits, beyond herself, in search of the ultimate altered state – the one where she can be happy, her paradise.


Tamburlaine Must Die by Louise Welsh
It is 1593 and London is a city on edge. Under threat from plague and war, strangers are unwelcome and severed heads grin from spikes on Tower Bridge. Playwright, poet and spy, Christopher Marlowe has three days to live. Three days in which to find the murderous Tamburlaine, a killer who has escaped from between the pages of his most violent play...Tamburlaine Must Die is a swashbuckling adventure story of a man who dares to defy both God and state - and discovers that there are worse fates than damnation.

[Angel]

Tamburlaine Must Die by Louise Welsh

That sounds a good one, Kell. Let me know what you think

[Kell]

Tamburlaine Must Die by Louise Welsh
That sounds a good one, Kell. Let me know what you think
Well, I'm about half way through & heartily enjoying it so far. It's a very easy read.

[Tash]

Finished The Other Boleyn Girl last night - excellent book. I'll be writing a proper review this evening most likely. I'll definitely be getting hold of some more work by Philippa Gregory - I like her style!

I've yet to read a bad one from her. Her latest, The Constant Princess, the story of Katherine of Aragon was such an eye opener and like I believe I've mentioned somewhere round here before (I repeat myself often I'm afraid), it has made me want to delve into the life of her parents now.

[Kell]

I really must write the review for TOBG tonight - I've not had a chance to yet..

[Kell]

I finished Tambulaine Must Die at lunch time, so that's now 2 reviews I need to write tonight (can't believe I fell behind with that!). I have to say I rather enjoyed it - a nice little novella with just the right amount of intrigue & mystery to keep me going, as well as the lead character being an actual historical figure, whose death was a little mysterious anyway...

[Kell]

I'm not getting anywhere fast with Paradise at the moment. I've only managed about 50 or so pages & it's just not gripping me so far. The lead character is an alcoholic & I'm not sure I understand the thinking behind the story (or even what the story actually is) at this point. I'll perservere a little longer, but if ther's no improvement, I shall hang my head in shame at handing this out to everyone!

[Kell]

I've been asked to review The Land of the Wand by Sandra Brandenberg & Debora Hill prior to its publication next month, so I'll probably be starting on it either tonight (if I get a free moment to sit down & start it) or tomorrow. I receieved it via email, so I've printed it off, & as it's a bulky A4 affiar, this will be home-reading material, rather than something I cart to work every day, so it'll probably take me well over a week to get through.

Still, it's a fantasy novel - something I haven't read in quite a while, it seems - so it'll make a change from the type of things I've been reading of late (always good to mix things up a little).

I've blogged a little about it at my 360 Space (click the link in my sig), so if you fancy finding out a bit more about it, feel free to nip along & have a look. There's also a link to the websites of both the authors & the publisher.

[jake]

OMG how much pages did that take, sounds quite long Kell? Nice to be asked though. I'm terrible for not printing stuff off. I only do it if I have too even though I don't pay for the toner, paper or ink.

[Kell]

OMG how much pages did that take, sounds quite long Kell
I printed it off double-sided, so it would only take half as many pages. :) I just can't get to grips with reading that amount online, so I didn't really have much choice but to print it off in this case.

[Kell]

The review for The Other Boleyn Girl has finally been posted in the reviews forum...

[Kell]

Review for Tamburlaine Must Die is now in the review forums...

[Kell]

Another 20 pages from where I was saying I wasn't enjoying Paradise much, there's rather a nice little moment with a woman in a wheelchair. I think I came to a brief moment of understanding with the lead character at this point & so it's looking up a little now. I'm off to read a bit more in the bath in a moment...

[Kell]

I picked up Dying Voices by Laura Wilson off my pile today & so far I'm really enjoying it. I didn't get very far (due to not having any reading time through the day today - but there'll maybe be bath time!) but so far so good. Seems to be a good, solid style of writing with a little intrigue. It doesn't seem to be so much a Who-Dunnit as a Why-Dunnit - LOL!

[Kell]

Started reading The Land of the Wand by Sandra Brandenburg & Debora Hill & so far so good. The set-up is proving rather intriguing & I'm already growing fond of the 4 lead characters. Not a lot has happened yet, action-wise, but I'm only about 30 or so pages in & it all seems to be leading up to something.

[Kell]

Just as I was swinging back round to the idea of Paradise being rather dull (& a litte pretentious too), I got to a little gem on page 81 about how 1st & only children tend to be worriers. It rings pretty true & is a nice little piece.

Every time I think I'm losing a grip on it, it swings back round again. I'm still not sure what it's about though. Hmmmmm!

[Kell]

Things are starting to happen in Land of the Wand & I'm quite enjoying it - there are some nice ideas in there. I'm reserving jusgement a while as I'm still not very far into it (only about 80 or so pages), but so far, so good. It's not making me squeak for joy or anything, but it's certainly making me smile a fair bit & there are some nicely drawn characters emerging from it.

[Kell]

Dying Voices is getting more & more intriguing by the page. The mysteries are unfolding nicely & there seem to be a million sub-plots, but everything is holding together so I'm not losing the thread or anything. Im' enjoying this best out of the 3 Im' currently reading at the moment.

[Kell]

Just finished Dying Voices during my coffee break & was pretty impressed. Review to follow...

[Kell]

Review for Dying Voices now posted in the Reviews Forum.

[Kell]

Finished The Land of the Wand last night in the bath & rather enjoyed it - nice easy read. Review to follow...

[Kell]

Started 24 Hours by Greg Iles at coffee break this morning. It looks set to be quite an enjoyable crime thriller - a woman & child are kidnapped by career kidnappers who have never been caught on any of their previous "jobs". But this time, the kid in question has diabetes & could throw the entire "foolproof" plan into untested waters...

[jake]

I've read that book Kell, and enjoyed it. I've read a few of his, another author I like.

[Kell]

I'm about 80 pages in & it's absolutely gripping - I almost didn't come back from lunch! If it continues like this, I shall most certainly be getting hold of a few more of his books...

[Kell]

Review for The Land of the Wand by Sandra Brandenburg & Debora Hill now posted in teh Reviews forum. I sent the same review (minus the two synopsis paragraphs & the rating) to the authors. I hope they like it!

[Michelle]

Good thinking Kell.. I hope you mentioned here! ;)

[Kell]

I did indeed. And they liked the review so much they're sending me the other 3 books to review too - yay!

[Kell]

It turns out I'll be reviewing a whole different series after all:
A Ghost Among Us
Jerome's Quest
A Wizard by Any Other Name.

I had a quick sqizz at the synopsis of each on Deborah Hill's site & they look pretty interesting...

[Maureen]

Good for you Kell!!

[Kell]

I'm now about 1/2 way through 24 Hours & it's fab - loving the suspense. It's all kept very tense - I don't know how much longer the tension can last before something snaps! Funny though - I keep picturing Keifer Sutherland as the dad - LOL!

[jake]

Try thinking Stuart Townsend and you'd be right on (Charlize is the mum). The film based on the book was quite good too. It's not called 24 Hours though it's called Trapped.

[Kell]

Cool - I'm going to have to look out for that now. Excellent news.

Edited to add:
I just checked it out on IMDB:
Kevin Bacon's too young to play Joe Hickey(but apart from that an excellent choice).
Courtnay Love is just a tad too old to play Cheryl Hickey (but apart from that, probably an excellent choice)..
Why has Huey's name been changed to Marvin?
Why does Abby have asthma instead of diabetes?

I always get a bit miffed at the seeingly pointless changes they make when they turn a book into a movie. I still want to see it,but I'm going to be a bit upset about that (& a thousand other things) when I finally see it!

[jake]

It's like every other book to movie transition it's never perfect. However we both enjoyed it, saw it a few years back now. Kevin Bacon was excellent for the part. Courtney wasn't bad either.

[Kell]

LOL - I just get all knotted up when I can't see a reason for them changing something. I can understand that bits have to get cut out & little things need to be changed so that the cut bits don't leave gaping holes, but I've never understood things like name changes or little things like I just saw in the trailer - they changed the number of jobs done - what was the point in that? It makes no difference! Arrgghh!

*calm... breathe...*

Ahem. Well, as you can see, I just get a bit funny sometimes... lol.

I'm gonna want to see the film anyway coz it looks like they did a fairly decent job of it. :)

[Kell]

I finished 24 Hours & it totally rocked! I'll write a review at some point this weekend, i'll definitely be getting hold of the movie at some point too - I want to see what they did with it (although usually, I'll watch a movie first if I can help it, that way I can't get upset about any changes they make because I can't compare - LOL!).

[Kell]

I started The Queen's Fool by Philippa Gregory Last night & although I didn't get very far (due to being shattered) I really like it so far. I'm not sure if it will quite measure up to The Other Boleyn Girl, but it promises to be very good all the same.

[Anonymous]

I have The Other Boleyn girl in my pile of TBR, seeing as so many people rate it, I think that's what I shall read next !

Hope you enjoy TQF Kell, I'll look forward to hearing what you think ( I haven't read it, but may get it if I like TOBG.

[Kell]

I've just had notification of me gettnig The Virgin's Lover via RISI too - hurrah!

[Michelle]

If we choose The Queen's Fool for the reading circle, you would have already read it!

[Kell]

Not at all - I've only just started it. And evemn if I'd just finished it, I could still join in discussions as it'll still be fresh in my mind. :)

[Michelle]

Not at all - I've only just started it.

And knowing you, it'll be finished within a week! :lol:

[jake]

Try thinking Stuart Townsend and you'd be right on (Charlize is the mum). The film based on the book was quite good too. It's not called 24 Hours though it's called Trapped.

Just read that Charlize & Stuart Townsend have allegedly split up. I think they met on the set of Trapped.

Did you see her at the Oscars? Her dress was absolutely awful, did nothing for her.

[Kell]

Nah, I didn't watch the Oscars at all. In fact, I think I've only ever seen them once, & not all the way through. They just don't hold much interest for me - it's just a chance for the big stars to voice their political opinions & cry a lot as they thank everybody under the sun in turn & then say that someone else should have won it instead of them, blah, blah, blah. They're also so predictable these days that I could probably set up shop as an Oscars Fortune Teller (along with ,illions of others - LOL!).

I had no idea Charlize & Stuart were an item anyway. Ah well. Two more painfully pretty people back on the market again. I wonder if I could get Stuart's phone mumber. Just don't tell Dale - LOL!

[Kell]

Due to hardly getting any reading done at all over my nice, long weekend, I'm only about 1/2 way through TQF, but I'm really enjoying it. not quite as much as I loved TOBG, but not far off. It's making me all the more eager to get into The Virgin's Lover when it arrives - I've managed to get hokoed on another author!

Still haven't written the review for 24 Hours by Greg Iles yet either - I'll do that tonight...

[Kell]

Review for 24 Hours by Greg Iles is now in the review forum if anyone's inerested.

[Kell]

Am very close to finihsing TQF & I don't want it to end! I've really been enjoying it. My intention was to follow it immediately with The Virgin's Lover, but seeing as the Reading Circle chioce is Blindsighted by Karin Slaughter, I'll be starting that this evening & then returning to Ms Gregory. I'm hopnig to get hold of The Constant Princess & The Wise Woman next... I've really managed to get hooked on her!

[Inanna]

She appears to be an author who hooks everyone into her books :D

[Tash]

All PG's books are great Kell, but The Constant Princess was a particular favourite of mine. Such an underestimated woman was she *nods*

[Kell]

I really like that she shows the stories of strong, female, historical figures & brings them to life. It make for a wonderful read!

[Kell]

I've got another couple of books coming my way via RISI:
Chocolat by Joanne Harris
Dead Sleep by Greg Iles

I saw the movie, Choclat, with my Mam when it came out (I was working in a cinema at the time, so we got in for free - yay!) & really enjoyed it, so I've been meaning to get hold of this one for a while. If it's as sumptuous as its title (& the film) suggests, I think I'll enjoy it a lot.

I went for Dead Sleep because I enjoyed 24 Hours so much - I think I'd like to try another of Iles' books & see if it's as good - he may well be joining Philippa Gregory as a new author I'm hokoed on!

Still waiting to hear if my swap for The Wise Woman by Philippa Gregory will be accepted - keeping my fingers crossed, because if I don't get it soon via a swap, I think I'm going to have to buy it!

[Inanna]

You're always welcome to borrow my copy of The Wise Woman Kell, i probably won't get round to it for awhile, what with my huge pile to plough through :wink:

[Kell]

Ooh, I might just take you up on that, Inanna - thank you!

[Inanna]

Your welcome, just give me holler if you want it :wink:

[jake]

Dead Sleep is quite a good read too from what I can remember.

[Kell]

Started reading Blindsighted by Karin Slaughter last night. Just read a few more pages during my coffe break too. I'm enjoying it, but I'm a bit miffed as, at only page 89, I think I know who the murderer is; the only thing I'm not sure of is why, although I'm already forming ideas in my mind as to that too.

The start was suitably gripping - nasty murder within the first dozen pages; that's always good. Also, some tension between people who used to be together but arent now (I'm betting they'll be back together by the end, or movnig in that direction at least). I'm not sure how I'll feel if it turns out I'm right. I like the smug "I'm so smart" feeling I get when I work everything out, but I like to be continually surprised & get bored by anything too obvious - I like a good few twists before the final big "tadaaa!" if you get my drift. If I don't get that pay-off, I feel let down.

I hope this one throws in some undetectable red-herrnigs son, or I'm going to be mightily upset because so far I'm enjoying Slaughter's style.

[Inanna]

It is a gripping book isn't it, I am nearly at page 300 and its keeping me on me toes.

[Kell]

Dead Sleep by Greg Iles arrived this morning from RISI, so no doubt I'll get onto that one some time soon, as I really enjoyed 24 Hours. If it's anywhere near as good, I'll be well pleased!

[Kell]

Review for The Queen's Fool is now in the reviews forum if anyone's interested.

[Kell]

I just got the email telling me which books I'll be reviewing for CBUK - they should be arriving within the next week or so:

Wolf Girl by Theresa Tomlinson
Plague Sorcerer by Christopher Russell
Who Was Boudicca: Warrior Queen by Sian Busby
Not Quite a Mermaid: Mermaid Friends by Linda Chapman

Yay! More reading material on its way!

[jake]

Why don't they try and get reviewers from the age groups the books are aimed at? I'm sure there are heaps of budding young journalists out there somewhere. I can't imagine reviewing a book for a 5+ year old unless I had a child of that age to get an opinion from.

[Kell]

They do that too - they have testgroups of kids apparently, & also the reviewers that do the books for younger kids tend to have kids themselves frmo what I've gathered. I'll be mostly getting books aimed at older kids & young adults I think, which is fine by me as I read them anyay - I guess I'm just a big kid really - LOL!

[jake]

Just surprised they are asking you to review the Mermaid book, it's for round about 5 yr olds, my friend's daughter has it. I just find it strange they have asked someone with no children to review children's books. No slight on you Kell and I know you'll do well.

It's also quite ironic as you have made it perfectly clear you can't stand kids of any age under 18 LOL.

[Kell]

Extra benefit - I become the coolest Auntie in the world to my 2 young neices who are book crazy aged 5 & 8) when I send some of the books onto them. There's the 4-y-o Godson too. And I can stick the others on the sale or swap list when I'm done. :)

[jake]

I didn't realise you had nieces Kell.

[Kell]

Yup, Vicky's little'uns. They weren't at our wedding as they were a bit too young at the time. THey were flower girls at Leni's though. They're sweet litle things, actually, as kids go. Cute as pie & bright as buttons the pair of 'em. The oldest one could almost be mine - she looks just like I did at that age!

[jake]

Ah okay your cousin's children. I thought you mean proper nieces (if you know what I mean) and that there was something about Leni we didn't know :mrgreen:

[Kell]

No - LOL! Vicky was almost our sister (Mam & Dad were going to adopt her because my Aunt was only 14 when she got pregnant - they even brought the wedding date forward for adoption, but then Dawn decided to keep her after all) so we think of her that way & the little'uns are our neices. ;)

[Kell]

I'm almost done with Blindsighted & it's all panning out pretty much as I thought it would. Not that it's a bad thing to have that happen - it's still good - but I really wanted it to be a bit more unpredictable. I'm not sure I'll be bothering with Kisscut after this one.

If I get a chance to, I'll be starting Choclat by Joanne Harris this evening (I'll probably be able to flick through a few pages while I wait for the rest of The Posh Club* to arrive for the meet tonight). I saw the film when it came out & really liked it, so I'm expecting I'll like the book well enough too.

* Will be discussing My Sister's Keeper this evening, so I'm having to check back over old posts to see what I said about it - LOL!

[Kell]

Didn't get a chance to read at all last night, so I'll be starting Chocolat by Joanne Harris today:

Chocolat
Chocolat begins with the arrival in a tiny French village of Vianne Rocher, a single mother with a young daughter, on Shrove Tuesday. As the inhabitants of Lansquenet-sous-Tannes clear away the remains of the carnival which heralds the beginning of Lent, Vianne moves with her daughter into a disused bakery facing the church, where Francis Reynaud, the young and opinionated curé of the parish, watches her arrival with disapproval and suspicion.

When he realizes that Vianne intends to open a chocolate shop in place of the old bakery, thereby tempting the churchgoers to over-indulgence, Reynaud's disapproval increases. As it becomes clear that the villagers of Lansquenet are falling under the spell of Vianne's easy ways and unorthodox opinions, to the detriment of his own authority, he is quick to see her as a danger. Under Vianne's influence an old woman embraces a new life, a battered wife finds the courage to leave her husband, children rebel against authority, outcasts and strays are welcomed... and Reynaud's tight and carefully ordered community is in danger of breaking apart. As Easter approaches, both parties throw themselves whole-heartedly into the preparations; Vianne for the chocolate festival she plans to hold on Easter Sunday, Reynaud into a desperate attempt to win back his straying flock. Both factions have a great deal at stake; the village is bitterly divided; and as the big day looms closer their struggle becomes much more than a conflict between church and chocolate - it becomes an exorcism of the past, a declaration of independence, a showdown between dogma and understanding, pleasure and self-denial.

[Kell]

Am almost half way through Chocolat now. I have to say I timed it perfectly for reading it - its set during Lent through the run-up to Easter, which is right now! - it won't be long before I catch up to this very date!

So far I'm loving it. The film, by comparison, seems very different (still a very good film, but it didn't capture even half of what the book gets across - isn't that always the case?) but still quite true to the spirit of the book. It's a gorgeos book to read, although I'm finding I'm craving the sweet brown stuff a lot while turning the pages!

[jake]

What are the book choices for your next Posh Club Kell?

[Kell]

Suzanne forgot the list at the meeting, so she's emailing the results round when the votes are collated, but I already voted. The one I went for is called Q&A. I can't remember who it's by. I'll let you know what it is when I find out. :)

[Kell]

Just did a quick tally up & discovered that so far this year I have managed to get through the following:

Bokos I've finished: 20
E-Fic novellas I've finished: 4 (all by Kelley Armstrong)
E-Fic short stories I've finished: 8 (Armstrong, Gaiman & Brookmyre)
Bokos I've given up on: 3 (Trace, Letters From America & Paradise)

I think that's pretty impressive myself. :)

[Kell]

I finished reading Chocolat by Joanne Harris last night (stayed up after Tru Calling to finish it!) & I really loved it. If you haven't read it, I can highly recommend this warm & scrumptious read - it's simply delicious!

[Kell]

I'll be starting The Virgin's Lover by Philippa Gregory today:

Elizabeth I has acceded to the throne of England, a position she has waited and schemed for all her life. She is surrounded by advisers, all convinced that a young woman cannot form political judgements. Elizabeth feels that she can rely on just one man: her oldest friend, Robert Dudley. It is soon plain that he is more than merely a friend. In a house in the countryside waits a very different woman, Amy Robsart - Robert's wife. She has no taste for life at court and longs for the day when her husband will return home. She has loved him since she was a girl, but now they are adults she hardly sees him. Meanwhile, the pressure grows for Elizabeth to marry, for it is unthinkable that a queen should rule on her own. Elizabeth's preference is clear, but he is unavailable. But what if the unthinkable were to happen! Philippa Gregory blends passion, personalities and politics in this stunning novel of the Tudor court and a country divided.

[Kell]

The votes have been counted & the next Posh Club book is Q & A by Vikas Swarup. It sounds quite interesting. And yes, I voted for this one myself:

Why is a penniless waiter from Mumbai sitting in a prison cell? Is it because: a)he has punched a customer; b)he has drunk too much whisky; c)he has stolen money from the till; or d)he is the biggest quiz-show winner in history? Ram Mohammad Thomas has been arrested. For answering twelve questions correctly on Who Will Win A Billion? Because a poor orphan who has never gone to school cannot name the smallest planet in the solar system, or the plays of Shakespeare. Unless he has cheated. Ram prepares his defence by reviewing TV footage of the show, and takes us on an amazing tour of his life. From the day he is rescued from a dustbin, to his encounter with a security-crazed Australian colonel, and a spell as an over-creative guide at the Taj Mahal, Ram's survival instincts are infallible. Stunning an audience of millions, he draws on a store of street wisdom and trivia to provide him with the essential keys, not only to the quiz show, but to life itself.

[Maureen]

quite different from anything I've read.

[Kell]

Also starting A Ghost Among Us by Debora Hill tonight, as I'm reviewing it at the request of the author (she liked the review I did for The Land of the Wand, so she sent me this & its 2 sequels to review too):

When three young women rent a house in Hampstead, they discover they already have an uninvited border ...Television talk-show host, Dierdre Hall, Photographer, Charlotte Lewis and Fantasy Painter, Natalie Ladd are thrilled to discover the large townhouse with the reasonable rent. What they don't know is that Sir Jerome Kennington, former Earl of Arden is a long-time inhabitant of the house, even though he has been dead for nearly two-hundred years. The three young women embark on a quest to help Jerome solve his own murder ...and release his soul. In the process they find adventure and romance in modern-day London, while researching the story of Jerome and his beloved Alicia, during the Regency period.

[Kell]

After having sold a few books over at Green metropolis, I discovered I had enough funds available to buy the following three books:
Q&A by Vikas Swarup (for The Posh Club read)
The Wise Woman by Philippa Gregory (continuing with Ms Gregory)
The Lady in the Tower by Jean Plaidy (a bok I read years ago & rather fancied getting hold of again)

They'll all be winging their way to me over the next week or so with any luck. :) :reading:

[Kell]

Had literaly no time at all for reading over the weekend, so I'm looking forward to lunch tmie when I'll be abl to sink my teeth back into The Virgin's Lover (oo-er, that suonds a bit rude!) & bath time tonight, when I'll be relaxing with A Ghost Among Us. It's strange how I get less time on the weekends for readnig & doing my own thing than I do through the week when I'm worknig! Roll on Friday - I'm having a flexi-day, so I should be able to do what I want to do then...

[Kell]

Just received a free book from Random House as a thank you for taking part in a survey: With All Despatch by Alexander Kent. Pleasant surprise!

The books from CBUK also arrived today, so that's 5 brand new books for free in one day - quite a nice little haul!

[Kell]

And this morning, Q&A by Vikas Swarup arrived, so I'll be making a start on that shortly for The Posh Club...

[Tash]

Just received a free book from Random House as a thank you for taking part in a survey:

Me too :mrgreen: I got Kathy Reichs Cross Bones :D

[Kell]

Finished Chocolat & read Not Quite a Mermaid: Mermaid Friends for BCUK. Currently reading 3 books at once:

Who Was boudicca: Warrior Queen (for CBUK)
A Ghost Among Us (for the author)
The Virgin's Lover (for me)

Will write the reviews for the other 2 tomorrow...

[Kell]

Review for Not Quite a Mermaid: Mermaid Friends by Linda Chapman now posted in the reviews forum if anyone's interested. I'll do the one for Chocolat tonight...

[Kell]

Review for Chocolat by Joanne Harris is now in the reviews forum if anyone's interested... Long overdue coz I finished it last weekend!

[Kell]

The Wise Woman by Philippa Gregory arrived this norning - yay! And my sister (who never reads) has decided that I MUST read Life of Pi as she read it & enjoyed it. Seeing as she really NEVER reads, I'm taking her recommendation to heart & I'll be borowing it from her tonorrow, though sh emay not get it back for a little whiel - LOL!

[Kell]

I'm still reading the same 3 books - I've been mega-busy, but I'm finding that this time round, reading 3 at a time is more difficult than it used to be - LOL! I think my max must be two nowadays, but I reckon I'll be happy to get back to one at a time very soon! I'll most likely be finished all three within the next couple of days though, so the reviews will be following soon after that...

[Kell]

Just been on another book-buying spree over at Green Metropolis - I sold some more books over there & the funds have finally cleared, so I thought I'd put them to good use & have just ordered:

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella
The Vesuvius Club by Mark Gatiss

looking forward to all three of them!

[Kell]

Well, I should most likely finish all 3 of the books I'm currently reading at some point today & then I shall restrict myself to no more than 2 at a time because I'm just not enjoying it as much when I'm spreading my reading out so much - strange, because when I was younger I'd have anything up to half a dozen on the go at any given time!

So, after these 3, I'll move onto Plague Sorcerer (for CBUK) & Jerome's Quest (for the author) & see how I go with those...

[Kell]

Yet another new book will shortly be winging its way to me courtesy of the lovely Michelle. I thought I'd give a new (to me) author a shot: Fatal Cure by Robin Cook. Looks interesting...

[jake]

It's not a bad read, I like his books, however some of them are pretty sameish so I always had a break for a while before reading another one.

[Maureen]

I enjoyed the Robin Cooks I've read so far as well.

[Kell]

Well, i finished Plague Sorcedrer today too, so tomorrow I'll be writing 4 reviews (I've fallen behind again!).

I'll be reading Wolf Girl by Theresa Tomlinson & Jerome's Quest by Debora Hill next...

[Kell]

Just been over to RISI again & put in for swaps in order to try & get the 3 Trudi Canavan books (Novice, Magician's Guild & High Lord) & also Blackberry Wine by Joane Harris. We'll see if any of them get accepted... knowing my luck I'll get either the 2nd or 3rd Canavan but not the 1st - LOL!

[Kell]

I might be reviewing another book for another author (unpublished as yet) to loko over. Apparently she's been reading my reviews at On the Shelf... we'll see if she sends it & go from there...

[Inanna]

Good luck with getting the BM triology Kell, I loved them :mrgreen:

[Kell]

Well, my Easter book shopping trip didn't exactly go as planned. I was originally going to get The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory, but it's still only avilable in hardback & at £17.99, it's a bit pricey for just one book, so instead, I took advantage of the 3 for 2 offer & got:

Shadows & Strongholds by Elizabeth Chadwick
The Borgia Bride by Jeanne Kalogridis
The King's Secret Matter by Jean Plaidy

Then we nipped into Virgin & I saw Adept by Robert Fine for just 99p, so I got a 4th book too.

So, i've joined the ranks of the members reading The Borgia Bride - it's become another unofficial Reading Circle book I think - LOL! I'm looking forward to getting into all of these!

[Inanna]

I like the look of Elizabeth Chadwicks books, some of them are mightily appealing :D

I'll be on The Borgia Bride next Kell :wink:

[Kell]

I was just thinking, it's just as well I decided to dot around my list instead of reading them in the order I get them, as I'd never get to them all - LOL! I'm heavily into historical fiction at the moment, so I'm leaning more towards those on my list that are from that genre over the others.. No doubt I'l swing through to another genre soon enough & I'll get round to them all eventually!

[Kell]

Finished reading Wolf Girl last night & it was excellent. Moving on to Jerome's Quest & Life of Pi this week...

[Kell]

I started reading Life of Pi by Yann Martel this afternoon & although I'm only about 50 pages in so far, I think I'm really going to enjoy it. I love Martel's style already & the concept is intriguing! Has anyone else read this book?

[The Library Nook]

I started reading Life of Pi by Yann Martel this afternoon & although I'm only about 50 pages in so far, I think I'm really going to enjoy it. I love Martel's style already & the concept is intriguing! Has anyone else read this book?

I read it a while ago and I must say... I hated it! But so many people I know loved it so I might try it again one day. Glad you are enjoying it.

[Freewheeling Andy]

Life of Pi is definitely in my "To Read" list, although not yet in the bought pile beside the bed.