Acesare*'s 'not really a blog at all' blog

[Acesare*]

I'd like to clear up a common misconception - I have read books that aren't Stephen King, I own and read books by other authors just as often as a good King book. I do tend to read the same books over and over again because they're like a security blanket or something.

I haven't had a particularly happy life so far. I've suffered with depressions since I was a child, and for that reason (and a number of others I won't go into) I had very little stability in my life for a very long time. The only thing I was able to control was what I read. My books were always there, they never changed, they couldn't hurt me. They were an escape into another world where worse things happened, where I could emerse myself in something familiar.

When even I feel down, unsettled, insecure, etc, I'll go back to an old favourite for comfort - I'm a freak, but that's me.

2006 has started well, and with more confidence, counselling, and a number of internet friends to talk to, I'm feeling better than I have in a long time. In the past 3 weeks I have bought 3 new books, read 3 books I've borrowed, each by new authors to me and 2 of which I have enjoyed. I've located the library and plan to wander down there one weekend to become a member - and I know I will because I really want to!

I knew I loved reading, it looks like I'm finally getting some new material.

[Acesare*]

So, I've just finished 'Bitten' by Kelley Armstrong which Michelle lended me (in a desperate attempt to divert me from you know who!). I quite enjoyed it!

I took a while to get into it - I think you have to go through a small mental adjustment when you go from reading a book written in the 3rd person, to one written in the 1st (at least I think I do). Strangely, I felt I was getting annoyed by it, and for that reason, it took me several chapters to get over it and to actually enjoy the book.

This is only the second book I've read about warewolves and the other one was a long time ago, so I was really interested in the whole group dynamic andthe fact that Elena is the only female warewolf. She was such an 'abnormality' in so many ways that she really didn't fit in anywhere, and that's a concept I can identify with.

I was a little disappointed by the ease with wich the big, bad Daniel was dispatched, but that probably is a King comedown - I alway expect that apocalyptic showdown, which is why I was disappointed with the ending of his Dark Tower series.

Anyway, I'll definately be reading more of Kelley Armstrong whether from the library, bought cheaply or borrowed from Michelle.

Dave Pelzer's up next, and I have a feeling this will be a whole other kettle of fish!

[Inanna]

They were an escape into another world where worse things happened, where I could emerse myself in something familiar.



Thats how I feel Acesare, escaping into the world of books has saved me many a time from despair over things that have happened in RL.
Some people drink themselves into oblivion, some people take drugs to cope, I lose myself in another world to escape that which I have no control over.

[Michelle]

Jo, I'm really pleased that this year is going well for you, and I hope you feel you have some friends here.

[Acesare*]

You like me now, but we've never met . . . . . . . .

[Michelle]

Oh.. stop it!
You're tired and worn out my friend. Big {hugs}.
And, I fully intend to change that situation soon - we will meet, and I think we'll have fun!

[Kell]

I do tend to read the same books over and over again because they're like a security blanket or something...

...When even I feel down, unsettled, insecure, etc, I'll go back to an old favourite for comfort - I'm a freak, but that's me.
Ditto. It's not so unusual, methinks. It's nice to have something familiar to hand when you're feeling down. It's like if you know what to expect, you can be prepared for anything - it's a bit of a bolster.

But reading new things can be exciting too - and can provide future favourites to reread when the need takes you... :)

[Acesare*]

I've finished My Story by Dave Pelzer, and I'll post my thoughts here when I have more time, and I'm getting stuck into Christopher Brookmeyer's 'All Fun and Games until Someone Loses an Eye', which I'm really enjoying so far.

Things are getting out of control on the book buying front - I'm going to bankrupt myself really quickly if I keep this up! Not only have I bought the Pelzer and Brookmeyer, but I also bought a Tony Parsons book from Michelle. Yesterday I was in WH Smiths and bought:

Dumping Hilary? by Paul Reizen (I have one of his at home which I really liked)

and

Koko by Peter Straub.

Then today I'm browsing over the numerous posts I've missed in the last week and was reading over the Kelley Armstrong thread. Having read Bitten and enjoyed it, I ended up poping onto a certain internet bookshop and bought all 5 in the series!

I have some heavy reading to do!

Jo xx

[Kell]

...and I'm getting stuck into Christopher Brookmeyer's 'All Fun and Games until Someone Loses an Eye', which I'm really enjoying so far.
I LOVE this one. It' smy 2nd favourite after The Sacred Art of Stealing. Have you read that one?

[Michelle]

LOL Enjoy the Kelley Armstrong books! :D

[Tash]

For what it's worth Jo, I can relate to your books as security blankets. I used my books to escape my childhood for various reasons and I tend to have a select few that I read over and over in amongst all the others. They always make me feel comforted. Even though I know the storylines of these books like the back of my hand, reading them transports me back to that plane of 'fantasy escape'.

During a recent therapy session, I was taught how to put myself into a 'comfort zone' thus avoiding overreacting in awkward situations. Snuggled in my bed with my comfort blanket and a particular book was my zone and I only have to think of it now and I'm there.

The mind can be a terrible burden sometimes but it also holds some incredible powers. Tapping into those powers is an amazing experience. The fact you can 'fall into' a book, to me, is a gift. Not everybody has that gift. I treasure mine :D

[Acesare*]

Thank you Tash, that's such a lovely sentiment :friends:

...and I'm getting stuck into Christopher Brookmeyer's 'All Fun and Games until Someone Loses an Eye', which I'm really enjoying so far.
I LOVE this one. It' smy 2nd favourite after The Sacred Art of Stealing. Have you read that one?

No, this is my first experience of Brookmeyer and I am enjoying it, although (is this just me?) there seem to be some major coincidences going on!

Jo xx

[Kell]

All will be revealed, Jo - glad you're enjoying it - brfookmyre's a fave of mine. :) After telling the world about Kelley Armstrong, he's the next on my list to get folks into.

*clears throat ready to shout*

HEY EVERYBODY, LISTEN UP!

Right, now that I have your attention - you really must all try Christopher Brookmyre - he's fantastic!

Now you can al go about your business. :D

[Acesare*]

Stop hijacking my non-blog blog! ;) :tongue:

Jo xx

[Kell]

Oops! Sorry, Jo. :)

[Acesare*]

All those Kelley Armstrong books arrived today, so - my current reading list (after AFAGUSLAE)reads:

Tony Parsons - The Family Way

Peter Straud - Koko

Paul Reizen - Dumping Hiliary?

Kelley Armstrong - Stolen

Kelley Armstrong - Dime Store Magic

Kelley Armstrong - Industrial Magic

Kelley Armstrong - Haunted

Tom Sharpe - (when I remember what it's called)

Douglas Adams - Dirk Gentley's Holistic Detective Agency

Looks rather different from my fist list!

Jo xx

[Maureen]

All those Kelley Armstrong books arrived today, so - my current reading list (after AFAGUSLAE)reads:

Tom Sharpe - (when I remember what it's called)

Jo xx

Grinchester Grind I believe.


It IS very different! CONGRATULATIONS :balloons:

p.s. What the heck is AFAGUSLAE? I am currently drinking decaf, which does not help my mental state!

[Acesare*]

All Fun And Games Until Someone Loses An Eye. It's a long title and I couldn't be bothered typing it! I apologise for my laziness!

Jo xx

[Maureen]

Thanks Jo!

[Acesare*]

My Story - Dave Pelzer:

What can I say about this that hasn't been said already? His treatment as a child was horrific - that goes without saying. I was glad (if you can use that word) that the book wasn't as graphic as I had feared, although I couldn't help thinking that we touched only the very tip of the iceburg.

I couldn't feel the kind of anger towards his mother that I've heard expressed by others. In my opinion she was a seriously ill woman and needed help. She was capable of being a loving, caring mother, until suddenly something 'snapped' and she turned on her middle child - poor Dave. I've read a few things about mental illness, and you wouldn't believe what it will make people do.

I couldn't help feeling real despair at how Dave's Dad sat back and let it happen, that he could leave that house and his son to that treatment. That Dave could be so forgiving towards his parents and the neighbours who turned their backs (I must that I hold grudges for far less!) even wen he was a child and living through that hell.

Controversially, I couldn't help myself getting so frustrated that Dave wouldn't (couldn't) speak up! He's standing there with people asking questions an he'd lie, he tried to change his story before the court hearing to let his mother get away with it - almost placing himself back into her hands! I can't understand why I felt that way - I know how it feels to be afraid like that, that feeling of 'better the devil you know' and chosing to live a life I knew was unacceptable - I was 19, more than twice his age . . .

Never mind. I really don't want to go any further down that road - bad dreams and all that.

Anyway, it all turned out well for him and I'm glad. Wish I could get my head out of the past and look to the future like he has.

End of the book was a bit too 'moral' for me and strangely 'Hollywood' for a true story. Glad I read it though - it was a personal challenge that I passed.

Yay me.

[Maureen]

My Story - Dave Pelzer:

I can't understand why I felt that way - I know how it feels to be afraid like that, that feeling of 'better the devil you know' and chosing to live a life I knew was unacceptable .

Perhaps you were frustrated at Dave, because now you think and hope and know, that if you were ever in the same position again, you would act differently, and Dave did not.

Good for you Jo!

[Acesare*]

Finished AFAGUSLAE over a week ago now, but I'm only just getting the time to write up my thought here!

I really enjoyed it! Fast pace, humour, Scotland - all good! At one point it actually got a little surreal - the book's set in France, and all the Glasgow Celtic fans are migrating south through France to Barcelona for the footie. Where was I while this was actually happening? In France! Bordeux to be exact with my Glasgow Rangers supporting boyfriend and I chatting away to all the Tims!

It was like we were in the book!

Anyway, I will definately be reading more of Christopher Brookmeyer, I think I know someone who has a few!

Moving on, I'm about 3/4 through The Family Way by Tony Parsons now. Good story, excellently written (and the research details are brilliant!) - a little close to home at times, perhaps, but you can't spend you life avoiding things.

I'll probably finish by the weekend and then it's on to more familiar territory with Peter Straub.

[Kell]

Anyway, I will definately be reading more of Christopher Brookmeyer, I think I know someone who has a few!

I can certianly lend you a few if you can't get them from anywhere closer to home. I'll be wanting them back again though - they're in my "regularly re-read" collection - LOL!

Glad you enjoyed it so much. :)

[Maureen]

This is turning out to be a more than a decent blog Jo!

[Acesare*]

*takes a bow* Thank you!

Finished The Family Way on the bus this morning, so I definately overestimated how much I had left to go! I really enjoyed this book, a story of couples and single women coming to terms with or dealing with so many different issues surrounding pregnancy, child birth and the changes within relationships brought about by having (or not having) kids.

Beautifully written, emotive, tender and even thought provoking, you should read this book if you have kids, plan to have kids, don't have kids or don't want kids. So many stories within one novel. :D

I'll be digging into Koko on the bus home tonight then - it sounds like an interesting book:

'KOKO . . . ' Only four men know what it meant. Vietnam vets. One was a doctor. One was a lawyer. One was a working stiff. One was a writer. All were as different as men can be - yet all were bound eternally together by a single shattering curse.

And now they are joined together again on a quest that could take them from the graveyards and fleshpots of the Far East to the human jungle of New York, hunting an inhuman ghost of the past risen from nightmare darkness ti kill and kill and kill . . .

Sounds like a rip roaring time to me!

[Maureen]

Sounds interesting.

[Acesare*]

Doing OK with Koko, although some things are a bit to far 'out there', and I don't know much about the Vietnam war . . .

Interestingly, the writer (mentioned in the back of the book blurb) is actually Tim Underhill who appears in the former reading circle book "In The Night Room" and "lost boy lost girl" and another boo with a name that escapes me!

Straub's doing that interlinking thing that Stephen King does so often in his books!

[Acesare*]

Very quick update as I need to get up in 6 hours and could probably do with some sleep before then!

I am now reading Grantchester Grind by Tom Sharpe, which means that I have read all the Kelly Armstrongs (very good, my favourite is probably Stolen), KOKO (very confusing, but overall was worth a read) and Dumping Hilary? (which I also enjoyed).

On Grantchester Grind - I'm having a bit of trouble following it so no need to feel bad Mau - language is pretty archaic. Have you read Porterhouse Blue? This book seems to be its sequel, so if you haven't I'm not surprised you struggled!

Anyway, must get sleep or eye bags will match funeral attire.

Jo xx

[Kell]

OOh, I'm SO glad you enjoyed the Kelley Armstrong books! My faves are the ones featuring The Pack more prominently, so I'll be glad to see their return in Broken!

[Acesare*]

Same here - gotta love those werewolves!

[Maureen]

On Grantchester Grind - I'm having a bit of trouble following it so no need to feel bad Mau - language is pretty archaic. Have you read Porterhouse Blue? This book seems to be its sequel, so if you haven't I'm not surprised you struggled!

No - did not read Porterhouse Blue, but I do not know anything at all about English School traditions - so that was anther setback!

[Acesare*]

Poterhouse Blue sets the scene better and explains some of the traditions - schooling in England is VERY different than set out in that book!

[Acesare*]

Ok, don't have mcuh time again, but I've borrowed a few Christopher Brookmyre books because I enjoyed 'All Fun And Games Until Someone Loses An Eye'.

I'm currently working my way (at some pace!) through 'One Fine Day In The Middle Of The Night', then 'I have Be My Enemy', 'Not The End Of The World', 'Boiling A Frog' and 'The Sacred Art Of Stealing'.

I am aware that I have a wee problem - I've been told that some of Brookmyre's books are a series and should be read in a certain order, and I'm missing one! I don't know which on, and I don't know the correct order either, so if anyone's able to help me out, I'd be most grateful!

More on this and all the other books I've read when I have more time or broadband!

[Kell]

If you're reading the Jack parlabane ones, you should go for this order:
Quite Ugly One Morning
Country of the Blind
Boiling a Frog
Be My Enemy

Non-Parlabane books are:
Not the End of the World
One Fine Day in the Middle of the Night
A big Boy Did It & Ran Away
The Sacred Art of Stealing
All Fun & Games Till Somebody Loses an Eye

His latest novel, A Tale Etched in Blood & Hard Black Pencil, is due out this very month & I will be getting it asap.

Can you tell I'm a fan?

[Acesare*]

Right. I have a huge amount of catching up to do here - I've read lots of books and not got around to posting my feeling about them. I'm going to post a new message for each book and add comments in my own time (so I don't forget any) so this might look a little odd for a bit!

[Acesare*]

KOKO - Peter Straub

I’m probably going to find it a bit difficult to write anything too expansive about some of the earlier books on this list, as it’s been such a long time since I read them. However, KOKO is going to be the hardest as it’s rather a confusing book!

'KOKO . . . ' Only four men know what it meant. Vietnam vets. One was a doctor. One was a lawyer. One was a working stiff. One was a writer. All were as different as men can be - yet all were bound eternally together by a single shattering curse.

And now they are joined together again on a quest that could take them from the graveyards and fleshpots of the Far East to the human jungle of New York, hunting an inhuman ghost of the past risen from nightmare darkness to kill and kill and kill . . .

The confusion, for me, occurred mainly when reading the parts ‘through the eyes’ of KOKO, a very disturbed individual. This is a tactic Straub likes to adopt in his novels (this is also evident in Mr X), and one that he does well, so well that it’s very difficult to follow! I’ve often found that, in books where he has adopted this technique, they are better on a second read, where you know which parts are important to the plot.

However, Straub does manage to capture the atmosphere of each setting excellently. This a book travels the world, from the Far East and to the USA, and the crowded and vibrant markets of Singapore to the city streets of New York, and both areas are so beautifully depicted you almost feel like you’re there. The characters are believable and their actions are plausible. My only criticism here is that there were far too many characters; many I felt were unnecessary, which also added to the disorientation.

I was disappointed to find that the blurb spoiled part of the book for me, so I’ll hide this for anyone who wants to read the book!

I knew that the initial suspect for the murders was innocent, and that one of the main characters in the beginning was going to die – something that didn’t happen until way past half way through the book.

Overall I did enjoy this book, it just takes a lot of concentration to follow without missing anything!

[Acesare*]

Dumping Hilary? - Paul Reizen

[Acesare*]

Stolen - Kelley Armstrong

[Acesare*]

Dime Store Magic - Kelley Armstrong

[Acesare*]

Industrial Magic - Kelley Armstrong

[Acesare*]

Haunted - Kelley Armstrong

[Acesare*]

Grantchester Grind - Tom Sharpe

[Acesare*]

Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency - Douglas Adams

[Acesare*]

One Fine Day in the Middle of the Night - Christopher Brookmyre

[Acesare*]

The Sacred Art of Stealing - Christopher Brookmyre

[Acesare*]

It's Not the End of the World - Christopher Brookmyre

[Acesare*]

Quite Ugly One Morning - Christopher Brookmyre

[Acesare*]

Country of the Blind - Christopher Brookmyre

[Acesare*]

Boiling a Frog - Christopher Brookmyre

[Kell]

Glad to see you're enjoying those Brokmyres!

[Acesare*]

Be My Enemy - Christopher Brookmyre

[Acesare*]

The First Casualty - Ben Elton

[Acesare*]

Finally got that write up on KOKO (see last page)

[Acesare*]

Reading list

Empress Orchid - Anchee Min (currently reading)

A Big Boy Did it and Ran Away - Christopher Brookmyre

Stormy Weather - Carl Hiassen

Devil in Grey - Graham Masterton

Broken - Kelley Armstrong

(Ok, it's still quite short, but you have to admit it's different!) When those are done, it'll have to be the library

[Acesare*]

I have discovered the joy of charity shop book purchases! I returned from Wales with 10 books to add to my 'to read' collection for the princely sum of £5.34, and my poor cousin nearly had a hernia lugging my case home for me (especially as the escalators at Euston weren't working). They are:

Turbulent Priests - Colin Bateman

Maid of the Mist - Colin Bateman

Tony Parsons - One for my Baby

Tony Parsons - Man and Wife

Kathy Lette - Mad Cows

Kathy Lette - Girls' Night Out

Helen Fielding - Bridget Jones's Diary (read before but wanted to keep - it was only 30p)

The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold

Tess Gerritsen - Surgeon (Her interview certainly worked to get me interested)

and (because I think he's funny on TV)

Flight form Deathrow - Harry Hill

I'm turning into one of you - AAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! :thud:

[Acesare*]

Another 2 new books (and I haven't read any of the above yet!):

The Cat Detective - Vicky Halls

and

The Five People you Meet in Heaven - Mitch Albom which I got for the Septemebr challenge.

[Acesare*]

A Big Boy Did it and Ran Away – Christopher Brookmyre

It took me a very long time to read this book for some reason, which is strange as I flew though all his other books. I struggled to get into it from the start and I’m not entirely sure why, as it’s not a bad book at all.

I think I had very high expectations after enjoying his other stuff so much, and this one had the most appealing title of the lot! I think my mind may have been a bit preoccupied as well thinking about all my lovely new books!

I found I was unsympathetic towards the characters and didn’t particularly care toio much about what happened to them, apart from Wee Murph and Lexy who are great characters – typical naughty wee scamps! What was most unusual was my disinterest in Angelique, even though I was right behind her in The Sacred Art of Stealing. I suppose that, loath as I am to admit it and ruin my reputation for not being a fan of romance in literature, I missed there being a love interest for the protagonists. Far enough, Raymond is married and we hear a bit of their back-story, but I enjoy that sexual tension that ran through his other novels.

Anyway, having slated the book, I think that most of the problems were with me as a reader, rather than in the book itself, I just wasn’t in the mood for it, Maybe I will be should I come to read it again in future.

[Acesare*]

The Five People you Meet in Heaven – Mitch Albom

I bought this book from Michelle for my September reading challenge and decided to bump it straight to the top of my reading list so that I would actually get it read before Christmas! It arrived yesterday and I finished this evening.

I loved this little book, which really surprised me – it wouldn’t have been a challenge choice otherwise! The writing style was really simple and pleasing as the author realised that such a simple concept worked better without padding it with flowery language.

Eddie is killed in an accident aged 82 and, on arriving in heaven, discovers that heaven is a place to learn about your yesterdays. He meets with 5 people he came into contact with in his life, and each has wisdom for him to learn from.

I really liked Albom’s use of flashback, whether taking you back to an event in his life and showing him it from different perspective, or (which I particularly enjoyed) the flashbacks to Eddie’s birthdays at various ages – I liked the consistency of the repetition.

I chose this book as my September challenge as I normally avoid anything with too much religious content, and was pleased to discover that religion doesn’t play a large part in this book at all. It has lessons to impart and achieves it without becoming preachy.

Overall, a lovely, sweet little book :D

[Kell]

I'm glad you enjoyed it so much - I read it as one of the Posh Club reading choices & we all rather liked it there - it's such a gentle book that seeps into you - & such a quick read too!

[madcow]

I read this last weekend and really enjoyed it too

[Acesare*]

Stormy Weather - Carl Hiaasen

This book is driving me mad! He always refers to the characters by their full names, even if there's on 2 of them there! These are a couple of lines from one paragraph:

"Tony Torres sat in what remain of his living room . . . Tony Torres recalled the party 2 moths earlier . . In the cutthroat world of mobile-home sales, Tony Torres had become a start."

He's sat there on his own, we know his name, you don't have to keep repeating it! :grr:

[Acesare*]

Things are getting out of control on the book buying front - I'm going to bankrupt myself really quickly if I keep this up!

I said this on 31st January - kinda ironic isn't it! 4 months I managed, crikey!

[Janet]

Things are getting out of control on the book buying front - I'm going to bankrupt myself really quickly if I keep this up!

I said this on 31st January - kinda ironic isn't it! 4 months I managed, crikey!
Awww. :hug:

Just watch what you say on 31 January next year!

[Acesare*]

I plan to go for the Only Fools and Horses special - "This time next year, Rodney, we'll be Millionaires!"

[Maureen]

:D Jo, you have really changed your reading habits drastically! Good for you girl!

[Acesare*]

Cat Detective - Vicky Halls

I really don't need to write much about this. Everyone on here knows how much I love cats, so any book involving them is enjoyable for me.

Vicky Halls is a cat counsellor, and travels about advising people on behaviour problems with their feline friends. The book includes case studies and practical advice for dealing with problem pussies, and all her books are a 'must read' for cat lovers.

I've had cats my whole life and have several reference books on cats (I like the pictures :D ) and this book still gave me an insight into what's been going on with my kitties. They didn't get on, and we didn't realise how much Lex was suffering. I now know why, and what could have been done about it - shame it came a bit late :(

[Acesare*]

Devil in Grey - Graham Masterson

[Acesare*]

Another book to add to the TBR list - Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell. Andy's constant promotions finally payed off here!

[Acesare*]

Broken - Kelley Armstrong

Well, after being introduced to Kelley Armstrong earlier this year by Michelle, I've become a bit of a fan. I really enjoyed the first 5 books in the series, and was really looking forward to reading her 6th, Broken. I wasn't disappointed.

With Elena pregnant, I had worried that the book would have lost some of the pace of the others, expecting that pregnancy would have slowed our werewolf heroine down some. I was please to discover she was just as feisty and strong willed as ever.

There was an extra bonus in this book for me. I used to be quite interested in the whole Jack the Ripper thing (I had to be - my ex was obsessed!) and have read a few books, seen copies of the letters (those thought to be hoax and those thought to be real) and I had some knowledge of the From Hell letter. I was impressed to find that Kelley had stuck to the original legend quite closely (as far as I remember), and only embelished when she brought in the supernatural

[Acesare*]

One For My Baby - Tony Parsons

[Acesare*]

Man And Wife - Tony Parsons

[Acesare*]

Right. I'm a bit lost. I like to read books in the order that I buy them, but I've got so many recently that I've got to get the order straight:

The Secret Purposes - David Baddiel (just in time to miss the reading circle - I'm reading so little at the moment)

Maid of the Mist - Colin Bateman

Turbulant Priests - Colin Bateman

Kathy Lette - Mad Cows

Kathy Lette - Girls' Night Out

The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold

Tess Gerritsen - Surgeon

Flight form Deathrow - Harry Hill

Black Angel - Graham Masterson

Death Dream - Graham Masterson

Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell

Miracle In The Andes - Nando Parrado

The Stars Tennis Balls - Stephen Fry

It's Different For Girls - Jo Brand

A Long Way Down - Nick Hornby

Sick Puppy & Skin Tight - Carl Hiaasen omnibus

Native Tongue & Striptease - Carl Hiaasen omnibus

Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep? - Phillip K Dick

That's like, 18 books in my TBR pile (if you count the omnibuses as 2 each)! And this is the first year I've asked for books for Christmas! What are you people doing to me?!?!? :icon_eek:

[Acesare*]

Can't believe I missed books off this list! 2 x Graham Masterson should have been between Harry Hill and David Mitchell - added now so that makes 20!

[Acesare*]

The Secret Purposes - David Baddiel

[Kell]

Ooh, enjoy it, Jo - I loved that one. :)

[Acesare*]

Maid of the Mist - Colin Bateman

[Acesare*]

Turbulent Priests - Colin Bateman

[Acesare*]

Mad Cows - Kathy Lette

[Acesare*]

Girls Night Out - Kathy Lette

[Acesare*]

Johnny and the Bomb - Terry Pratchett

[Acesare*]

Got a little out of order and Harry Hill got accidentally bumped! So, updated reading list:

Flight from Deathrow - Harry Hill

The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold

Tess Gerritsen - Surgeon

Black Angel - Graham Masterson

Death Dream - Graham Masterson

Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell

Miracle In The Andes - Nando Parrado

The Stars Tennis Balls - Stephen Fry

It's Different For Girls - Jo Brand

A Long Way Down - Nick Hornby

Sick Puppy & Skin Tight - Carl Hiaasen omnibus

Native Tongue & Striptease - Carl Hiaasen omnibus

Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep? - Phillip K Dick

The Abortionist's Daughter - Elizabeth Hyde

The Throat - Peter Straub

Lisey's Story - Stephen King

Divorcing Jack - Colin Bateman

Gasping - Ben Elton

I think that's all at the mo. Need to read faster so I can buy more books! The next ones I want to buy are - A Tale Etched in Blood and Hard Balck Pencil by Christopher Brookmyer and The QI Book of General Ignorance (if that's what it's called). There are more, but I can't remember at the mo.

[Kell]

Wow, Jo - you've really diversified these days, haven't you? That's an excellent range you have there. I spy several I've read alreay myself & can say you've got some great reading coming up - and I can definitely recommend the Brookmyre! Happy reading... :readingtwo:

[KW]

Acesare-

On your avatar info it says: bomb: terry pratchett -- what does bomb mean?

[Maureen]

I think it's Johnny and the Bomb, by T.P. It's just that it did not fit all in one line.

[KW]

Oh, thanks.

[Dupin]

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

Well? Do they?

I intend to find out as well. At some point. For years I've even held off watching Blade Runner because of my intention to read the book first.

And to think I might absolutely hate both book and film, ha!

[Acesare*]

Flight From Deathrow - Harry Hill

This has to be one of the most bizzare books I have ever read! The book reads like on of Harry Hill's stage shows - a basic story that is padded out with random tangents and strange coincidences.

The blurb:

What happens when you are sharing a flat with Prince Edward and twenty pigmies? When an artificial-foot freedom fighter throws a British-made foot at the chairman of the communist party of China and is bundled off to a mobile prison made by the Ford Motor Company? Just what is Jonathan Aitken's Divas of Rock Show? Will Deng Xiao Ping make it to Tower Records to buy the latest Staus Quo album? What of Lady Di Chinese Restaurant in Walthamstowe which specialises in radishes carved in the shape of British Prime Ministers? Will Andrew Lloyd Webber complete his new musical DOG BREEDER? Will Willie Whitelaw marry his parrot? Will our hero make that engagement at the Gonk factory in Leeds?

There are a number of celebrities appearing in situations that only Hill could imagine, and this quite often had me slack jawed in amazement! The book is very funny, but probably not a good read for those who like a story to have a purpose or to be 'realistic'.

Basically, if you like Harry Hill, read this book!

[Acesare*]

The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold

I've heard conflicting reviews on this book, so I was quite interested to read it and see what I thought of it. I actually quite enjoyed this book, despite the fact that I found the subject matter upsetting. I felt that the reactions of Susie's family were so believable. The death of a loved one, especially a child can rip a family apart or bring them closer together. Parents can become obsessed (as Susie's father does), distracted and self absorbed (Susie's mother) as well as simply falling to pieces and becoming depressed (which is often more expected) - people deal with grief in so many different ways. I enjoyed the way the relationships developed within the book, especially Susie's attempts to grow up by sharing experiences with her sisters.

There are quite a few things that annoyed me about this book. I felt that the language used by the narrator, Susie, was a little too mature for a girl of 14 - I'm struggling to find an example at the moment, but the tone just didn't seem to fit with my idea of a teenager, even a teenager in the 70s. Also, I didn't particularly enjoy the passage about Susie's heaven - they just didn't seem to make sense in the context of the book, they seemed to shallow and poorly developed and left a strange taste in the mouth.

I was aprehensive about reading this book, it's very far removed from the books I would normally choose (and I wouldn't have bought it at all if I wasn't looking for a third book to make up the '3 books for £2.50' in the charity shop), and, one I'd bought it, I read a number of unsatisfied reviews on here. I did enjoy the book, although it wouldn't be high on my list of books to read again!

[Acesare*]

The Surgeon - Tess Gerritsen

[Maureen]

That one I read and enjoyed Jo. How are you finding it?

[Acesare*]

That one I read and enjoyed Jo. How are you finding it?

The Surgeon? It was ok, very difficult for me to read though . . .

[Acesare*]

The control freak in me is going mental! I received 3 new books yesterday through the post and I'm expecting another to arrive soon, they all need to be bumped to the top of my TBR pile and I'm freaking out about it!

It's really weird, because I offered to read the books (they're for future projects for the forum), and I'm pleased and excited to be helping out, there's just this part of me that's thinking "you should be reading Cloud Atlas"! :lol:

The 3 that arrived yesterday are:

The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox - Maggie O'Farrell

Small Island - Andrea Levy

The Mathmatics of Love - Emma Darwin

They're all very far removed from my normal reading choices (although I'm not so sure what they are at the moment - I'm just reading everything!), but I'm really looking forward to them. I've already started 'Esme Lennox' and, although I'm only 30 pages in, I'm already hooked and think I'm really going to enjoy it.

[Polka Dot Rock]

I've already started 'Esme Lennox' and, although I'm only 30 pages in, I'm already hooked and think I'm really going to enjoy it.

Yay! I'm glad you're liking it :) Maggie O'Farrell's one of my favourite writers and reading Esme was one of my highlights of 2006.

[JudyB]

The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold

I've heard conflicting reviews on this book, so I was quite interested to read it and see what I thought of it. I actually quite enjoyed this book, despite the fact that I found the subject matter upsetting. I felt that the reactions of Susie's family were so believable. The death of a loved one, especially a child can rip a family apart or bring them closer together. Parents can become obsessed (as Susie's father does), distracted and self absorbed (Susie's mother) as well as simply falling to pieces and becoming depressed (which is often more expected) - people deal with grief in so many different ways. I enjoyed the way the relationships developed within the book, especially Susie's attempts to grow up by sharing experiences with her sisters.

There are quite a few things that annoyed me about this book. I felt that the language used by the narrator, Susie, was a little too mature for a girl of 14 - I'm struggling to find an example at the moment, but the tone just didn't seem to fit with my idea of a teenager, even a teenager in the 70s. Also, I didn't particularly enjoy the passage about Susie's heaven - they just didn't seem to make sense in the context of the book, they seemed to shallow and poorly developed and left a strange taste in the mouth.

I was apprehensive about reading this book, it's very far removed from the books I would normally choose (and I wouldn't have bought it at all if I wasn't looking for a third book to make up the '3 books for £2.50' in the charity shop), and, one I'd bought it, I read a number of unsatisfied reviews on here. I did enjoy the book, although it wouldn't be high on my list of books to read again!

I read this very recently and enjoyed it on the whole. I agree with your comments about 'heaven' a useful perspective but could have done without the descriptions - was far more interested in what was happening to Susie's family and community.

[Gyre]

I am bit late answering this, sorry Aces, I am glad you are looking forward to a good year.

About books, I find myself going back to old favourites too, it gives you a bit of comfort x

[Sugar]

Small Island - Andrea Levy
Heya Jo - I read this at the end of last year and it is completely outside of my normal reading too. But I really enjoyed it, I'd never really thought about that time just after the 2nd world war - I think it gets a bit forgotten in novels and history!

[Acesare*]

Updated list:

Dead Souls - Michael Laimo

Small Island - Andrea Levy

The Mathmatics of Love - Emma Darwin

Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell

Miracle In The Andes - Nando Parrado

The Stars Tennis Balls - Stephen Fry

It's Different For Girls - Jo Brand

A Long Way Down - Nick Hornby

Sick Puppy & Skin Tight - Carl Hiaasen omnibus

Native Tongue & Striptease - Carl Hiaasen omnibus

Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep? - Phillip K Dick

The Abortionist's Daughter - Elizabeth Hyde

The Throat - Peter Straub

Lisey's Story - Stephen King

Divorcing Jack - Colin Bateman

Gasping - Ben Elton

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas - John Boyne

Tengu - Graham Masterson

The Devils of D-Day - Graham Masterson

Mirror - Graham Masterson

Charnel House - Graham Masterson

and these random books Wraith left here and thinks I should read:

The Reunion - Sue Walker

For a Few Demons More - Kim Harrison

Countdown - Ruth Wind

Should keep me quite for a while, especially since my reading rate is almost non-existent at the moment.

[Acesare*]

Wraith's left another book behind for me to read:

The Gun Seller - Hugh Laurie

Like the look of this one - I've had good experiences with comedians' novels in the past (David Baddiel, Robert Llewelyn, Ben Elton, et al)