Kell

I like it best when the "voice" sounds age-appropriate. For example, if the character is supposed to be 13, but talks like a 10-y-o or, worse, like a 17-y-o, then it just doesn't work for me. I prefer the mid-to-late-teens end of the YA market, as I think those who write at that end of the market tend to be able to et the voice right more often than those writing for a younger audience. That said, those who have kids themselves, or have lots of contact with kids, seem far better able to tune into the right kind of voice.

5. Books require too much of an investment of time. Moviesalso require an investment of time, but I don't see this list saying that movies are a waste of it!

It's been many years since I read this book (we were forced to read it at school for Higher English) and I can't believe they're STILL forcing it on pupils! I hated everything about that book - the over-long sentences that sounded like lists "And this happened, and that happened, and then this, but that...blah, blah, blah!". I also couldn't stand the fact that sentences were begun with words such as "And" or "But", which is just BAD GRAMMAR and really gets my goat! To top it all off, it was just exceedingly dull. I didn't even finish it myself, but it was read aloud in class over a number of weeks and it was absolutely soul-destroying! I refused the questions on that text in the exam and chose the unseen text instead. It's worth mentioning that my Mam sat HER higher English a few years later and hated it for all the same reasons as I. We were supposed to find it more interesting because it's set locally, bu I found it perfectly dire. One of the worst books I ever read. On the other hand, one of the girls in my class read the entire series (A Scots Quair) for her RPR report and she enjoyed them. It takes all kinds, I suppose!

I was actually really disappointed by the Hogfather adaptation. I thought it looked beautiful, but they mishandled the story by doing HUGE repeat sections and, as a result of not having time, missing out very important parts of te stoy. If they'd had just 30 minutes more, they might have been able to do justice to it, because the cast was certainly wonderful and the definitely captured the loko and feel of the Discworld...

Title: Scottish Folk Tales Author: Various ISBN: 9780947782023 Publisher: Lomond Books No. of pages: 384 Challenges: N/A Other info: Compilation Rating: Synopsis (from back of book): Scotland is a nation rich with traditional customs, superstitions and magical folklore. Its beautiful and dramatic geography has inspired a feast of romantic and historical stories. These tell of a worlld where human weaknesses and strengths, evil-doings and charitable acts, are repaid in kind by fabulous beasts, beguiling witches, elves, fairies, monsters and giants. Handed down by word of mouth from generation to generation, and once told in cosy crofters' cottages and draughty castles, these spellbinding folks tales and legends will thrill and entertain readers of all ages.

My favourite ever quote actually comes from a book I thought to be rubbish by an author I can't stand: "What is Normal? Normal is only ordinary, mediocre. Life belongs to the rare,exceptinal individual who dares to be different." - My Sweet Audrina by Virginia Andrews It's a line spoken by Audrina's father when Audrina is upset at being "different" when all she wants is to be "normal". It helped me a lot in my school years when I was most definitely considered different.Nowadays, of course, I revel in being unique, but when you're young, it hurts not to be part of the crowd, so it really struck a chord with me.

to the forum, Gelfling (is that from The Dark Crystal, by the way?). I hope yo'll enjoy sharing your favourite books and authors with us all!

I've just been totting up and it turns out I've read 79 of the 200 (largely due to the fact that I've read every book Terry Pratchett has ever written - LOL!).

That's some list! I've read 45 from the first 100 and 34 from the 2nd, so a grand total of 79! I'm glad to see so many Pratchetts and Roald Dahls in there, although, when I see multiple entries for authors, I have to wonder if other authors could have been represented instead (I'm the same over the 1001 list - LOL!). Best of luck on your quest to read the 200!

to the forum, Matt. I look forward to talking books and authors with you. And perhaps you'll let us sample some of your own work too.

Glad you enjoyed The Stand - it's one of my all-time favourites. Hope you enjoy Guards! Guards! as much - Pratchett is one of my very few "keeper" authors - I have all the Discworld books on my permanent shelves as I do tend to reread them.

Title: Villette Author: Charlotte Bronte ISBN: N/A Publisher: Librivox No. of pages: N/A Challenges: Cl / 1001 Other info: Free Audio Book Rating: Synopsis (from Librivox): After a tragedy in her family, Lucy Snow leaves her home to become a teacher at a French boarding school. Lucy soon begins to fight against an overwhelming sense of desolation. Meeting a charming doctor and a strict, peculiar schoolmaster changes her life forever

Title: Out of Africa Author: Karen Blixen ISBN: NONE Publisher: Guild Publishing London No. of pages: 271 Challenges: MC / N / 1001 Other info: Rating: Synopsis (from Amazon): From the moment Karen Blixen arrived in Kenya in 1914 to manage a coffee plantation, her heart belonged to Africa. Drawn to the intense colours and ravishing landscapes, Karen Blixen spent her happiest years on the farm and her experiences and friendships with the people around her are vividly recalled in these memoirs. Out of Africa is the story of a remarkable and unconventional woman and of a way of life that has vanished for ever.

Title: Scottish Myths and Legends Author: Judy Hamilton ISBN: 1842040596 Publisher: Lomond Books No. of pages: 189 Challenges: N/A Other info: Compilation Rating: Synopsis (from back of book): Fairy folk, witches, giants, monsters, tales of heroic princes, magic and miraculous feats - all are the stuff of the myths and legends of Scotland... Review:

I adore peanuts, but aparently they should be avoided during pregnancy because they can cause an allergy in the little'un. How nuts is that? (Sorry, I couldn't resist a small and terrible pun there!). I'm going to have to ask the midwife if that extends to ALL nuts or just peanuts, because I'm kind of missing cashews and almonds right now too...

to the forum, Lucy - good to have you here. I hope you'll enjoy being distracted here.

I read quite the most beautiful graphic novel I'd ever set eyes on last year - The Plucker by Brom. Total 10/10 stuff!

These days I find myself nibbling on a lot of crystalised ginger in an attempt to stave off morning sickness. I love ginger anyway, but I'm starting to get a bit sick of it already! Also dry crackers - Carrs Water Biscuits or Cornish Wafers are favourites at the moment - again, it's anti-morning sickness stuff.

It depends what kind of mood you're in on the morning, Kitty. It's quite dark, but also very funny in places, as well as being quite pithy. It's well worth a try though - even if you don't end up reading it in the mornings on the bus!

I'll most certainly be picking up a few pregnancy and baby books from the library at the weekend, so I'll be reading a little more non-fiction than I usually do!

The Lady in the Tower by Jean Plaidy.

Hello and to the forum, Raine. It's good to see you here.

I read the first two in the Kim Harrison series but was completely unimpressed. I'm glad to see the series picked up though.

You might be best-off speaking to a librarian about this. I know that when a library book is borrowed, the author gets a small royalty (it's literally penies, but it all mounts up). There may be somepaperworkyou have to complete or somewhere you have to register so that the author doesn't lose out. I don't actually know this for certain, but speaking to a librarian might help.

An encyclopaedia changed my life... HERE.