Kell

I've only read the first two, but I think I actually prefer them to the Twilight saga (sorry, Twilight fans!). There's less of the "Oh, I love you so much!" "Really, well I love you more!", "No, I love YOU more" stuff (i.e. none of it - thank Gods!) that made Twilight rather annoying for me, and more relavance to teens (i.e. peer pressure, being different, fancying folks in a NORMAL way, rather than the "we're fated to be together forever!" brand of Ms Meyers' characters). Yes, they're shorter, but then, I thought the Twilight books too long for what there was of them anyway. They're different from Twilight, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

I enjoyed Dog FAR more than Bother - it's a much better novel in every way (imo). I gave Dog10/10, whereas Bother only got 7/10 from me.

Me! I definitely prefer to do it that way, as I can enjoy the film in its own right and then find out all the extra bits when I read the book and enjoy that too.

I'm so glad you've found that site useful (and also that I've found a fellow Northanger Abbey fan - isn't it just great?!). And Salamander sounds like an interesting read - I'll look forward to hearing what you thought of it, as I've no doubt you'll get hold of a copy.

I give up - I've been reading this book for about 7 weeks now and I'm still only about 2/3rds of the way through. My favourite character has been killed off and the whole thing mostly reads like a history lesson. An enjoyable history lesson, but a history lesson all the same. An indication of how little I am invested in the story is that my main reading time is in the bath, twice a week on Dale's days off - for the last few weeks, I opted to shower instead so I could get back to other things. Today, I really wanted a bath, but took a new book in there with me rather than pick up Corelli again. It's not that I don't like it, it's just that it's slow going and there's not enough there to grip me and keep me wanting to read (unlike the other book I picked up today which saw me reading 45 pages in 25 minutes in the bath and I'm about to go and read some more when I'm done here because it's gripping me already!). A shame, really. The characters are nice enough, the setting is idyllic (geographically, at least), the descriptive language is lovely, but the pace is lacking and it jumps around from pillar to post, from character to character (in narration and plot) without feeling like there's much gelling it all together. Perhaps it all comes together at the end, but I've lost all desire to see it to its conclusion. I'd rate what I've read 5, or maybe 6, out of 10. It would be higher if it had gripped me tighter.

You might find THIS site hlepful. You set the perameters for what you like and it suggests loads of books based on your preferences. Good stuff! I put in the preferences of Happy, Safe, Gentle and Optimistic and got back (amongst others): Liminal by Chris Keil The Magus by John Fowles Into the Blue by Robert Goddard The Marriage Bureau for Rich People by Farahad Zama Emma by Jane Austen* The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith* Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married by Marian Keyes Rosie Meadows by Catherine Alliott Wise Follies by Grace Wynne-Jones Bridget Jones' Diary by Helen Fielding Anything by Katie Fforde Too Many Godmothers by Kate Fenton Nectar by Lily Prior Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel La Cucina by Lily Prior Les Liaisons Culinaires by Andreas Staikos The two I've starred are ones I've read that I think might fit the bill. In fact, ANY Jane Austen is wonderful - in particular, I love Northanger Abbey. The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency is definitely gentle and completely lacking in anything debauched or explicit. It's very cosy and warm and funny. I loved it and the lead (Precious Ramotswe - she's lovely!), and although I've only read the first one, I do intend to read the rest of the series at some point in the future.

Oh, Andy - I love that!

Definitely from the children'/YA section, but absolutely beautiful and non-confrontational of any nasties - The Snow Spider Trilogy by Jenny Nimmo. It remains to this day once of my favourite series. Whether or not it's exactly what you're looking for, I think you'll enjoy it and will think it a worthwhile read. I'll even loan you my copy if you fancy it.

Would that be one of the Dexter books? I keep meaning to read them. I'll get round to them eventually once I've whittled down my existing pile somewhat...!

Oh, I wasn't meaning that I had checked it out, only that I suspected it as it's the kind of thing he seems to get involved in all the time. I have no idea if he's actually involved at all.

Kell then collapsed on the floor in a fit of giggles at Andy's masterly portrayal of BCF members.

A little, but it's not the main part of the plot. I found it a highly enjoyable read that can either be taken as a very light read or as something deeper - it works on both levels, really.

Have you thought about trying I, Lucifer by Glen Duncan? I think it ticks most of those boxes and it's got a streak of dark humour running right through it too. I think you might enjoy that one. Blurb from Fantastic Fiction:

I don't think anyone is naive enough to go on one of those shows not knowing that they will get media attention. It's all part and parcel of reality TV, whatever the "genre" of it. If people don't want the exposure, they shouldn't go on the shows. Yes, it's sad that the media are so vitriolic about everyone under the sun, but it's a sad fact that we live in a "celebrity-obsessed" culture and we all know exactly how these things play out in the press.

THen I must be pedantic too - it's one of my own bugbears!

Just what I was going to post, Raven!

I read she threw a strop backstage after congratulating Diversity ontheir win, shouting, "I hate this show" and generally being rather outlandishly over-the-top like she's some big Diva or something! She's got to remember that if it weren't for that show, nobody would ever have even heard of her! I'm sorry if she's unwell, but I can't help thinking she's let things go to her head a bit!

THat sounds like a great book, BJ - I would LOVE to read that! I've just done a quick search, though, and been completely unable to find it anywhere.

Paperplane - is that No Country For Old Men, by any chance? And if so, is it any better than the film? (We turned it off after about 20 minutes as we were so bored already!)

IT IS ASSUMED YOU HAVE READ THIS BOOK BEFORE READING THIS THREAD, THEREFORE SPOILER TAGS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN USED IN ORDER TO FASCILITATE EASIER AND MORE OPEN DISCUSSION This book is available cheaply from Green Metropolis or through Amazon (please use the link at the top right of this web page) Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs: Running with Scissors is the true story of a boy whose mother (a poet with delusions of being Anne Sexton) gave him away to be raised by her psychiatrist, a dead ringer for Santa and a lunatic in the bargain.Suddenly, at age twelve, Augusten Burroughs found himself living in a dilapidated Victorian house in perfect squalor. The doctor's bizarre family, a few patients, and a pedophile living in the backyard shed completed the tableau. Here, there were no rules. There was no school. The Christmas tree stayed up until summer, and Valium was eaten like Pez. And when things got dull, there was always the vintage electroshock-therapy machine under the stairs....Running with Scissors is at turns foul and harrowing, compelling and maniacally funny. But above all, it is a truly amazing chronicle of an ordinary boy's survival under the most extraordinary circumstances. SOME BASIC QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER: 1. Who was your favourite character and why? 2. Was there a particular part you enjoyed/disliked more than the rest? 3. Was this the first book you've read in this genre/by this author, has it encouraged you to read more? 4. Were there any parts/ideas you struggled with? 5. Overall, was reading the book an enjoyable experience? FURTHER QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER (from Bookbrowse): 6. Author Augusten Burroughs was raised by his mother

I used to watch The Storyteller on telly as a kid - loved that show!

Excellent site - I put in Princess Bride and it offered up more of my favourites: Willow Labyrinth The Adventures of Baron Munchausen The Dark Crystal Krull Return to Oz Ooh, Lady in the Water is another, more modern setting for a fantasy in the "real world" - I love M Night Shyamalan!

Wow! How cool is THAT?!

The Princess Bride - absolutely one of my all-time favourite films of ANY genre Legend - starring Tom Cruise, Mia Sara and Tim Curry The first is hilarious, the second is darker and completely beautiful.