Calexa

Indeed! There are a few more recent books that are making their way into English lit. syllabus. Gattaca was one such novel I studied. I found it interesting and rather pertinent in today's obsessive climate.

GoneReading has some wonderful gift ideas to throw out as hints to the near and dear ones.

Glad to learn you now have your Galaxy Tab. up and running again, Anna.

Athena: I'm pleased that you have settled in enough to now be able to find some relaxation time. I wish you and your partner every happiness in your new home, and you be blessed with many wonderful memories. Angury: Happy August Birthday to you! Not easy topics for your essays...good luck on your progress. Bath from all I have heard is a grand place to visit, and a wonderful place to pass some downtime. Eleonora: Your Festival Letteratura, how delightful! A truly wonderful way to pass an evening...I'm a smidge envious to be honest. I would love to have access to a book club, and 38 members would be comfortable yet diverse enough with opinions to be very enjoyable. Do we really need August? August represents himself somewhat as an interloper. An unwanted guest that puts his feet up on your coffee table, eats all your food...disturbs the ebb and flow of the household. No, August does not need to be taking up room on my calendar couch. Out on the sidewalk for him. It is not difficult to glean that August is far from being my favourite month. It is a difficult month for me in so many ways. August 13th is the 22nd anniversary of my parents' death. I have no credible memory of my parents as I was only 2 years old, however, I think you know and feel when flesh and blood are missing; perhaps an intuitive familial bond? Without memories I cannot wear the mantle of grief that my brother, whom was 6 years old at the time, and my grandfather, my mother's father, do...as such August 13th represents a bereavement of memories and a future a lost for me. Enough of the dramatics! Happier things. I'm home. We spent longer than planned out on the boat with rough weather dogging us nearly the entire trip, but almost as a welcome back into port gift the weather lifted accompanied by a beautiful sunburst. I am hoping the majority of my free time will be consumed with planning renovations to my little cottage, which is a little world weary at present. First item on my list is finding someone that may be able to carry out the extensive renovations. Not an easy task on an island with an approximate population of 1600. I have been told that amongst the newest residents is a guy looking to pick up work as a handyman/builder/jack-of-all-trades. Perhaps he is a gift from the reno gods. Time will tell.

There are times I bemoan the fact that I am 100% surrounded by water, but like you, I'm also a water person, and I think my soul would die a little if I were not near the element which sustains it. Marine biology would be a hugely interesting career choice, so many areas of specialization. I am furthering my love of the ocean by attending Maritime College in the new year. In the meantime I'll enjoy the advantages of working a physically demanding job...like never having to diet and eating calorie laden chocolate...it burns off quickly.

I also have a great appreciation of notebooks...and type of stationery to be honest. Anything book related to to be favourited lol. I must own that a healthy chunk of my book collection is made up of my childhood, text, and reference books. A little less impressive with them removed from the quota. I hope to begin showing my books how well loved and appreciated all their individual souls are on the morrow when I begin my unpack. *light bulb moment* You have given me an idea when it comes to ordering my books, BSchultz! I do not have direct access to a library due to the remoteness of where I dwell, however, I am able to order from a mainland library and have books delivered every 4 weeks. Many a time when ordering I simply go blank on which books to pick, but once I have my Goodreads up and running sufficiently I can just peruse my TBR list whilst on the phone ordering.

Everyone appears to have their bookworm badges firmly attached for the beginning of August. I see some great books mentioned above; The Stranger, American Gods, Anansi Boys, To Kill A Mocking Bird. Happy reading everyone. During my time away I managed to finish An Irish Country Doctor by Patrick Taylor and Peter Robinson's Piece of My heart. I also managed to complete Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code, and start J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion.

I must own that I had only read the first book of the A Song of Ice and Fire series until I started watching A Game of Thrones TV series then I couldn't complete the books fast enough. I find I am less enamored with Patricia Cornwells' latest works, particularly her Scarpetta series. Loved the earlier books, but found my affection for the character wane as the series moved on. Signor Finizione, thank you for welcoming me to the forum.

Hello, Nicolò and welcome to the forum. I'm also a newbie here. You'll find everyone lovely...certainly far friendlier than the Cybermen.

There's something captivating about being in a book shop, searching for the right book. No matter how often I go into a book shop I am always able to spend hours on end in there just looking. With my finger gliding gently over the spines of the books and my head slightly tilted to read the titles, I browse alphabetically the books in search of one to take home with me. Unfortunately, a visit to a book shop is not an occurrence that happens with any regularity. I live on a small island with the mainland an hour flight away. Whilst my preference is to buy my books at a book shop the most practical approach is to buy via the internet. I do find the benefit of recommendations when shopping through a site such as Amazon a real boon. I must own I am still to step from the age of the dinosaur into modernity...I own no eReader. I believe it makes a great deal of sense for me to buy a Kindle, but I love the feel of a book in my hand. I'm not certain that the cold feel of plastic would bring me the same satisfaction.

I first learned poems out of necessity to satisfy educational requirements (mostly)...then as a teenager whilst reading the Carolingian bishop Theodulf of Orléans' Latin poetical works I found a deep affection for the poem delusa expextati. grande habet initium cum res vilissima dictu, tunc gignis murem, magne elephante, brevem. sic patri quidam retulit sua somnia natus, depromens animo frivola dicta suo: "O pater, in somnis dicam quae mira videbam, moverunt animum talia visa meum. bos dabat humanas nostras hac nocte loquelas, Ille loquebatur, nos stupebamus," ait. tum pater attonitus rem sic inquirit ab illo: "dic, quod dicebat,' intulit ille: "nihil." Translation: When momentous beginnings mere trifles espouse, Then you, mighty elephant, bring forth a mouse. A son told his father his dreams; thus he heard What fell from his thoughts, every frivolous word: “Father, I’ll say what I see in my mind. The most troubling visions in sleep do I find: An ox who could speak I encountered tonight. He talked! We were rather amazed at the sight.” Inquired the father, “What news did he bring?” Answering him, he replied, “Not a thing.” And I was hooked on poetry. Yes. Yes, I'm odd.

Thank you both, I found your requests when I logged into my Goodreads. Hopefully my shelves won't look so sparse for long. I hope to add my first review during the week.

I didn't want to be stepping on anyone's toes in my first week here. I've also being trying to catch as much as I can of the Commonwealth Games, I find them strangely addictive...as I do the Olympic Games. The netball game was brilliant and truth be told both sides deserve to win. To answer your question, chesilbeach, I work in the fishing industry. My family (grandfather) owns a seafood business, and I work within that business; sometimes out on one of our boats fishing--as I am tomorrow for a few days--other times in the office amongst the bookwork. I know it seems an unlikely occupation for a female in what is known as a largely male dominated field, and with the word 'fishing' conjuring images of big burly men...which I am neither, big or burly lol, I'm petite and definitely a girly girl, but I love the ocean, the work, and I love being different. Thank you. You appear to be having a busy period at the moment, Athena, I do hope you find some downtime for yourself to re-energize your batteries. Your post made me smile, Virginia. It surely flowed of energy and joy.

Hello, vodkafan, thanks for stopping by and welcoming me. A character that comes to a depressing end lol. Attempt to write! Athena I appreciate you taking the time to welcome me here. I believe my mother was reading 1984 whilst she was pregnant with me, and chose the name 'Jones' for her child regardless of whether it was a boy or girl. My favourite book amongst favourites is Rainer Maria Rilke's Letters To A Young Poet. Patricia Cornwell, Albert Camus, J.R.R Tolkien, Bill Bryson, George Martin, Jane Austen...the list goes on! I'll read pretty much anything as long as it isn't what I term as a 'splenda' book/story. I'm trying to read through the forum as much as I can to make it a little less daunting. I do find myself comfortable here already. I'm constantly writing short stories (I have a huge folder of them), however, my main WIP is a book. Hello, itsmeagain. No wait! Itsyouagain...I mean me...umm you...err me, itsmeagain. I do love your SN. I am having fun...a little more exploring and then I shall be ready to jump in with both feet! It is a good thing, Anna. You're a delight to read.

I read The Curious Incident of the Dog and the Night-Time as a 13 year as part of me English Lit syllabus. The book left quite an impression on me at the time. Lately I have been pondering on rereading some of the books that I read during my years of English Lit. in high school to see if my opinion/perspective on the books in question has changed. A conversation in a thread on this board about The Catcher in the Rye had me wondering about how much our opinion of a story is influenced by factors such as age and-or life experience. Will my initial opinion of The Curious Incident of the Dog and the Night-Time hold up with a subsequent read as a 24 year old?

*pokes her nose in* I'm not sure if it is appropriate for me to be posting in here being a 'newbie'...I must own I did enjoy reading through the thread and getting to know those that have posted in here a little better, and lovely photos muggle! My July has zoomed by. Full of hustle and bustle. I have a newly purchased little cottage that I moved into no more than 4 weeks ago. I'm still living out of boxes and suit cases, but seem to have little time to unpack and find homes for all my possessions, and I have no idea when I will find the time to tackle the renovation work needing to be done as I'm out to sea with my work for three days the day after tomorrow. Perhaps by Christmas I'll have my toaster, kettle, and books unpack. Or maybe by Easter next year.

There have been so many worthy books I've read this year; books worthy of a 5...from Life Without Limits to A Dance With Dragons, and more in between. However, it was a book of the type I would never normally read that I by and far loved beyond all that I have read thus far this year. It was a more or less insignificant book by most people's standards, but there was something about the story...the message that was being passed to the reader that tugged at the deepest depths of me. I found its effect on me totally inexplicable. I don't usually get so attached to a work of fiction. And that book? Always To Remember by Lorraine Heath.

I was given the book as a present, and as appreciative as I am of the thoughtfulness shown to me by someone taking the time to shop, purchase, wrap and present the gift...being burnt at the stake might have been a less torturous alternative to reading 'Fifty Shades of Humdrum'. The most pointlessly verbose book I've ever had the displeasure of reading. With the Fifty Shades and Twilight books...I shake my head at what is published nowadays. But then I'm sure some would have the same opinion about some of the books I read. To each their own, I guess...

Finished reading Alexander Master's Stuart: A Life Backwards. Despite the writing style being as chaotic as Stuart Shorter's mind and life I give it 4/5. My journey through An Irish Country Doctor by Patrick Taylor has been taken at a leisurely pace I'm still enjoying the read with 225 pages strolled through. Started Peter Robinson's Pieces of My Heart this morning.

It is indeed...most fortuitous! It'll be a much more productive way to keep track of my books than simply jotting them down in a notebook. I don't have a large collection of books, approximately 650 mayhap? Give or take 10-20. I've been climbing over boxes in my little cottage the last several weeks so I would like to get my collection unpacked asap. However, I fear it may be a slow task as my work takes me away days and sometimes weeks at a time.

*stands on chair* Are you sure?! >.> Thank you for the welcome, Karsa Orlong. Nice to make your acquaintance, and thank you, ian. The welcome is much appreciated, frankie, thank you. I seem to have crossed your path more than anyone else thus far, Anna lol. I've enjoyed exploring...reading a myriad of opinions, and general banter. I think I'll make myself at home here (as long as there are no snakes!). I do thank you for the warm welcome. I do love my name having an unusual origin, However, I'm not sure I would call my child 'Jones', especially a female child. Hello, itsmeagain, thanks for the welcome. It is nice to be here, chesilbeach, thank you. Thank you everyone for extending a warm welcome.

I wish you luck with having your issues sorted out, Anna Begins. I own a Samsung tab, however, it has barely been out of the packaging. I'm sorry, I can't offer any suggestions. I have found that I don't really like tablets...I can't even give a decent reason as to why I dislike them, I just don't. My laptop and smart phone are my internet/app appendages.

I read both fiction and non-fiction in equal proportions. Most of my non-fiction reading consists of autobiographies, biographies, source/reference books, and those that relate to my hobbies and interests.

You'll not be disappointed with Will Forte's performance, Anna Begins, and your time will not be wasted with a viewing of Nebraska.