Maureen

Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg. I have just finished this book, and I am in two minds about it. I enjoyed the first half of the book, how the character of Smilla was slowly unfolding, and how much she cared for the boy, although in other ways she was quite cold in her other relationships (especially the one with her father - and I still do not get why this was so). However the second part let me down - the way she got all of the required information so quickly, the way a lot of people were falling all over themselves to help her on her quest, her actions aboard the ship, the way she got out of physical danger, when she was not trained to do so etc. I also thought the ending was abrupt, as if it was time to wrap things up quickly. It is the first Hoeg book I have read, and I did enjoy the setting - the fact the book is set in Denmark and Iceland, which are both places where I have never been before, never read about and know nothing of.

I have just finished this book, and I am in two minds about it. I enjoyed the first half of the book, how the character of Smilla was slowly unfolding, and how much she cared for the boy, although in other ways she was quite cold in her other relationships (especially the one with her father - and I still do not get why this was so). However the second part let me down - the way she got all of the required information so quickly, the way a lot of people were falling all over themselves to help her on her quest, her actions aboard the ship, the way she got out of physical danger, when she was not trained to do so etc. I also thought the ending was abrupt, as if it was time to wrap things up quickly. It is the first Hoeg book I have read, and I did enjoy the setting - the fact the book is set in Denmark and Iceland, which are both places where I have never been before, never read about and know nothing of.

Sue Towsend's Adrian Mole series?

...is so good. It's in honour of Agatha Christie's 120th birthday.

Reading improves your language skills.

I have discovered Ian Rankin's Inspector Rebus. Just read The Falls, Resurrection Man, Let it Bleed and Black and Blue in quick succession. John Rebus is a colourful character, seemingly larger than life, and for all his faults and quirks, it is not that difficult to grow to like this character. The stories are based mainly around Edinburgh, although in 'Black and Blue' (the best of the 4 I read IMO) he ventures further north to Glasgow and Aberdeen. There are 20 novels in all - and I think reading them in sequence would be better for the background stories - the relationships, histories etc, although as usual I have manged to pick four in the middle of the list. I would definately recommend these books to Crime Lovers.

Hey Matthew, to here

I do the same if the book is not brand new

I loved it too, although I would love to know what it is for.

Jericho Point by Meg Gardiner Blurb on the back: I did not enjoy this book - the story is far fetched, and I felt I knew little about the character's background, which was however referred to frequently and an important aspect of the story. Perhaps if I had read the previous books I would have liked the characters more.....but then again the story is not one I was impressed with.

Ceinwenn, awesome! How cool is that?

You're welcome I'm sorry it was not found.

Chinese.

SALT - Angelina Jolie. A whole army rolled up into one woman

Pretty strange. I actually remember the use of the word queer, because at the time I felt it was derogatory.

Kylie, threads do not get deleted on purpose just because they contain a mature discussion topic -, threads might get moved to the Mature Discussion Forum, and/or spoilers might be used, but they will not be deleted. When/if threads are deleted (and not for this reason)the parties involved would have been notified. I am not sure which thread you and Frankie are looking for - I thought it was the Controversial Topics in YA Literature thread, as LGBT, sexuality and similar issues and authors who deal with these issues are mentioned.

Yes, soon after Mariam got married she had a miscarriage.

It has to be Agatha Christie for me too!

If I may ask, why are you taking a book by an author, whose other book you have read disappointed you on holiday? Wouldn't it be safer to take a book by an author you really like?

to here Vanessa