Kell

Hello and to the forum!

LOL! That'll teach me to post the generic questions straight over! Although, it does say genre/author, so I'm using that as my get-out claus.

I've not seen that film, Paula, but I have to say, we all knew he'd do well for himself - he was an awesome talent even back in college.

I've just had the oddest occurance ever. I was watching Elizabeth: The Golden Age and there was a character appeared on screen. I was instantly caught by how blue his eyes were and then struck by the thought that he looked very, very familiar. I turend to Dale and said, "That looks just like Steve Robertson." I had to check as soon as possible. And what do you know? Turns out, it WAS Steven Robertson! Not inan "extra" part, not just a walk-on one-liner, but in a proper, small but very important role. He's not just someone I saw in a play once either - I knew him when he was in college (he did the same course as me, but after I'd left and returned to Kirkcaldy). I even typed up some of his papers for him because he's severely dyslexic and his voice recognition software was having problems with his Shetland accent. (There was a brief fling too, but I'm not one to kiss and tell! ). Anyway, my flabber was well and truly gasted! I've not had such a pleasant surprise since I discovered my old college buddy played quite a large role in Band of Brothers (Robin Laing, who played Babe Heffron). Has anyone else ever spotted someone they know, or even just briefly met, on telly or in a film?

to the forum, Leanne, and many congratulations on your upcoming nuptials!

I loved Chocolat and Gentlemen and Players, but couldn't for the life of me get into Blackberry Wine at all. I would definitely still try others of Harris' as I enjoyed the first two so much, but the third felt like it wasn't even written by her at all - I didn't like the style in the slightest.

Hi Madbumblebee and to the forum. I've moved this to your own thread so people can give you there warm welcomes.

I watched an episode of RoS today and ye, Ray Wnistone played Will Scarlet as a TOTAL psycho. He was up for slaughtering Guy if Gisbirne and his men when they were being held prisoner during The Blessing (a 2-day period when there should be no bloodshed or there would be no blessing from Herne on the village that believed in it). He was rather scary, actually! I really should give the new Robin Hood another chance, if only to really see how it compares to RoS (which still stands up as a great programme even today!).

Boy A is, indeed, set in England, so Mothers' Day should definitely be in March. I mostly just notice mistakes in spelling and grammar (in almost every book I read). Most notibly, I did notice a glaring grammatical error in the book Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynn Truss - hilarious in a book about the correct use of grammar! I can't remember now what it was, but I remember crowing out loud on the train when I spotted it!

The second book we'll be reading (throughout March and April) is Pride and Prejudice: 'His perfect indifference, and your pointed dislike, make it so delightfully absurd!' "Pride and Prejudice" has delighted generations of readers with its unforgettable cast of characters, carefully choreographed plot, and a hugely entertaining view of the world and its absurdities. With the arrival of eligible young men in their neighbourhood, the lives of Mr and Mrs Bennet and their five daughters are turned inside out and menide down. Pride encounters prejudice, upward-mobility confronts social disdain, and quick-wittedness challenges sagacity, as misconceptions and hasty judgements lead to heartache and scandal, but eventually to true understanding, self-knowledge, and love. In this supremely satisfying story, Jane Austen balances comedy with seriousness, and witty observation with profound insight. If Elizabeth Bennet returns again and again to her letter from Mr Darcy, readers of the novel are drawn even more irresistibly by its captivating wisdom. ~~***~~ In deference to those who may be reading it for the first time - if you're going to talk about a major plot point, please state which chapter your post relates to and use the spoiler tags, so that those who haven't yet reached that point will know to wait a while before reading that post! Some questions to consider: 1 - "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." This is arguably one of the most famous opening lines of any novel. How much (or little) do you agree with the sentiment and why? 2 - In what ways do the Bennet sisters vary inpersonality and how does that affect their relationships with each other and with men? How do they each approach the idea of courtship? 3 - How do men and women interact? Which interactions in particular did you find interesting and why? How do these relationships and interactions compare to engagements and marriages today? 4 - Are the characters in Pride and Prejudice conventional in their thoughts and actions according to the time in which the novel is set? In what ways do they conform (or not) to conventions? What is expected of them and how do they react to those expectations? 5 - Who was your favourite character and why? 6 - Was there a particular part you enjoyed/disliked more than the rest? 7 - Was this the first book you've read in this genre/by this author, has it encouraged you to read more? 8 - Were there any parts/ideas you struggled with? 9 - Overall, was reading the book an enjoyable experience? 10 - Consider the title of the novel. To which character(s) do you most closely link the Pride and the Prejudice, and why? Do you think it's an apt title? (You do not have to answer all, or indeed, any, of these questions, they are meant only as points for you to perhaps mull over as you read, and provoke more discussion. Please feel free to ask and answer any questions that come up as you read.)

Michael Praed was one of my first major TV crushes. I had a gorgeous B&W still of him in costume that I used to drool over and kiss every night before I went to bed! The new Robin just can't match up to him for me, I'm afraid. Incidentally, I occasionally catch an old episode of RoS on Sky and just relive the old days. It's still pretty good and Mr Praed still makes my knees go all wibbly! Agreed on both points, Mia. Jason Connery was nice enough, but no Praed. And the Guy of Gisborne in RoS was pretty wimpy-looking. Should have been all dark and brooding instead...

I've only seen one episode and I as bored to tears. Mind you, I was spoiled - I used to watch Robin of Sherwood (with the divine Michael Praed) when I was a kid!

to the forum, Emma - I'm glad you found us (and books!).

I have one of the books, but I'mve not yet had a chance to get to it...

You guys might be interested in the article I wrote about Christopher Brookmyre's books HERE. It gives some idea of a good order to read them as some are sequential, whereas others are stand-alone.

The Sacred Art of Stealing remains my favourite to date.

Hi, Tosh, and to the forum from a fellow Brookmyre fan. You might also enjoy Stuart MacBride - another Scottish writer of crime fiction.

Hitchhiker's Guide is excellent. And if Witch Child is by Celia Rees, I've read that one and it's very good too!

There are several copies of To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee available very cheaply at Green Metropolis if anyone is inerested. The Reading Circle choice for March is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: A Pulitzer Prize winning novel set in the Deep South in the 1930s, in which a lawyer finds himself defending an innocent black man accused of raping a white girl. "Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird". This is a lawyer's advice to his children as he defends the real mockingbird of this story - a black man charged with raping a white girl in the Deep South of the 1930s. Some 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? (You do not have to answer all, or indeed, any, of these questions, they are meant only as points for you to perhaps mull over as you read, and provoke more discussion. Please feel free to ask and answer any questions that come up as you read.) Some additional questions taken from www.readinggroupguides.com: (DO NOT READ THESE QUESTIONS TILL YOU HAVE READ THE BOOK, AS THERE MAY BE SPOILERS INVOLVED)

Hi, Jo, and to the forum! I'm sure you'll very quickly find you're in the company of mega-bokworms here! And as for fresh ideas of books to try? Well, you might like to start by having a look in our reading circle section - we've read some great books together that might whet your appetite! There's also the reviews section - that might tickle your tastebuds a fair old bit too! Hope you enjoy it here.

I'm being sent the same one as you, Judy.

If I've liked one bok by an author, but not enjoyed the 2nd one, I'll give the 3rd a try, but if I don't enjoy that one, that's pretty much it unless someone highly recommends another. I'll give most authors perhaps 2 chances. For example, I've read Purple Hibiscus and Half of a Yellow Sun, both by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - I didn't enjoy either of those and I will never read any of hers again - I just don't enjoy her style at all.

I think I'll have to keep a copy of this list for Tadpole. This kid is going to get so many books!

I very recently read Journey to the Centre of the Earth and loved it - I can highly recommend that one to start with if you're new to Verne (as I am). I definitely plan on reading more of his work in the future.

I gave this one to my brother in law for Xmas. Glad to know it was good!