Kell

I think a "whipping" was pretty much common practice back then - it certainly seems to have got the kids to toe the line! However, I guess that any good parent would have tempered the severity of it depending on the age of the child and the seriousness of the transgression. Of course, there were, and still are, those who would have beaten their kids bloody in order to keep them in line, but I honestly don't believe that was the case with the Ingalls family, as they appear to have been a very close knit and loving family with a father who had quite progressive ideas (in the later books, it's Pa who stands up for Native Americans when others are saying things like "The only good injun is a dead injun." He fully acknowledged that the Native Americans had a right to feel more than a little disgruntled at being moved off their land (even if the Ingalls family were some of those taking up residence on it!) and seemed to be quite openly friendly towards those who weren't causing the family any bother at all - that's pretty progressive for the times and it strikes me that a man who was considerate of other peoples in a time when those with darker skins were looked down upon as practically being animals, would stay his hand a fair bit when it came to punishing his daughters. I just want to add that I completely disagree with using any kind of implement in beating a child, but the occasional smacked bottom or slapped hand, well, I'll freely admit Xan has had one or two of those in extreme circumstances (however, never hard ones - just enough to give him a short, sharp shock!).

I hope everyone has been reading and enjoying this wonderful book. I look forward to discussing it with everyone. Over the coming wee while, I'll post extra questions, and I hope you will all start discussing things you found interesting/puzzling/confusing etc too - don't be afraid to post! Let the discussions begin!

IT IS ASSUMED YOU HAVE READ THIS BOOK BEFORE READING THIS THREAD, THEREFORE SPOILER TAGS HAVE NOT BEEN USED IN ORDER TO FACILITATE EASIER AND MORE OPEN DISCUSSION The Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder Synopsis: The author's own life furnishes the background for this story of a pioneer family in Wisconsin in the 1870's. Inside the little house in the big woods live the Ingalls family: Ma, Pa, Mary, Laura and baby Carrie. Outside the little house are the wild animals: the bears and the bees. the deer and the wolves. This is the classic tale of how they live in harmony mostly, but sometimes in fear... This is the first in the very famous "Little House" series (Little House on the Prairie probably being the most famous). 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: 6. What did you think of the certain jobs for certain days? Wash on Monday Iron on Tuesday Mend on Wednesday Churn on Thursday Clean on Friday Bake on Saturday Rest on Sunday 7. Food plays a large role in the story. Was there any particular recipe or dish you would lik to try? Or any that turned your stomach? And what did you think of the pig slaughtering? 8. Without any television or radio, and with no neighbours living close by, the family had to rely on themselves for their entertainment. Music, games and storytelling play a huge role in their lives. Was there any particular form of entertainment shown in the book that appealed to you, and why? How do you think you would cope having to make your own entertainment in this way? Is it something you'd like to try?

Xan and I had a busy morning. We wandered into town to the library, got out a few books, then hit the International Market which comes up three or four times a year. Bought a dozen of the world's best macaroons (and they really ARE the world's best - absolutely to die for!), half a kilo of the sweetest, juiciest cherries I've ever tasted, a small selection of proper Turkish delight, and then had lunch - a kangaroo burger each. Xan had cheese on his, I had mine loaded with juicy fried onions - gorgeous! Judging by the amount of jumping around in my belly, Button enjoyed the burger too. Xan tucking into his kangaroo burger. Just check out the concentration on his face as he takes a big bite!

It was lovely to catch up with Diane again. We'll definitely have to do it again sooner rather than later.

Your real name: Kell Your detective name: Walker September (Main character's last name of the book you're reading and your birth month) Your soap opera name: Andrea Andrea (yes, seriously!) (middle name and name of your first best friend) Your star wars name: Smuan (first three letters of last name, first two of middle name) Your Superhero name: Black Night (because Black Warm or Black Pleasant doesn't sound nearly so cool!) (color of your shirt and the weather outside) Your Rockstar name: Green Frog (Your favorite color and favourite animal)

Until very recently, I volunteered a couple of morning a week as an assistant in a primary 1 class at our local school (my son is in the nursery there at the moment and will be going up to P1 after the summer hols). I loved it - it was great working with the kids and seeing first hand what Xander will be learning next year along with how it's taught. It's given me a lot of insight into the subjects and how they're approached, which I think will be very helpful when Xan goes up to P1. The kids weer all fantastic and I really miss working with them. I only stopped because of excessive morning sickness and associated exhaustion, or I'd still be there twice a week helping out! The kids all still say hello to me and stop to speak whenever they see me, whether it's in the school playground or out and about, which is lovely.

It's definitely worth a look - along with all of Danny Wallace's other books - he has such a great, light-hearted outlook on life and really comes across as someone we could all be mates with if we ever met him in person.

The group I was in started off smaller - there were about 9 people in it when I joined and it had been running about 6 month at that point. By the time I left (when I had Xan - I just haven't had the time to go back since then!) there were closer to 30 members. Not everyone went every month, but there was a core of about 20 who were there nearly every time (I was one of those who never missed a meeting in almost 3 years till Xan arrived). We were of a wide age range - everything from 18/19 year old students (they had to be a minimum of 18 as we met in a pub), through the 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s. I don't think there was anyone older than that, but it was 5 years ago I left so that could well be different now - LOL! It as great getting input from everyone and seeing how differently, or sometimes how similarly, we all thought/felt abut things, and as we all took turns choosing the books, nobody was left out. Although with 30 people it sometimes takes a while to get round to everyone - LOL!

Merging this with the existing Sookie Stackhouse thread. She is referring to the story put out by the vampires who want to "mainstream" (i.e. co-exist with humans without hiding what they are). However, this is not true - vampires are not still human but with certain very specific "allergies" - they really are people who have been "turned". Vampires, in the Sookie Stackhouse universe, actually are those who were killed and turned by vampires. I'm not sure even the vampires themselves know how it all got started but they know full well what they are - they just don't want to panic people.

And don't forget, we have our own monthly reading circle here on The Book Club Forum too! We've been hosting reading circles since August 2005 and have covered loads of different genres and styles, so there's always something that appeals to someone. All members are welcome to join in and the threads are left open for future members to wade in with their opinions too. You can see the full list of the books we've read in the various groups HERE.

A huge green smoothie made with kiwi fruit, mango, a teensy bit of apple juice, a teensy drop of honey, and a massive handful of ... wait for it... spinach! I call it my Kiwi Kooler and it's absolutely fabulous. I heartily recommend trying green smoothies if you haven't already!

Bonnie Tyler sounded like she'd just smoked 60 cigs at once immediately before going on stage. She's lost all the power of her voice for which she was so famed and it really showed.

I hope you didn't vote for Bonnie - she gave one of the worst performances of the evening. Denmark was the bookies' and fans' favourite from early on when the songs were first announced and I think it was pretty much a forgone conclusion - they did a LOT of promotion on the song and it charted well all over Europe (as did last year's winner). Norway, Ukraine and Azerbaijan all put in brilliant performances, but I'm disappointed Georgia didn't get more points - it was a cracking song and a great performance. I feel sad for Ireland scoring so low - they didn't deserve that - it was a better song and performance than the UK's entry for sure!

I used to be in a book group and we used to take it in turns to suggest two books and then the group would vote on which of the two they'd prefer to read. We read all kinds of different books, from light rom-com to heavier literary reads, classics, lad-it, fantasy and sci-fi, crime and drama. I read some great books that I wouldn't ordinarily have chosen for myself, and some I didn't enjoy at all, but overall, the experience was very enjoyable, and we had a great time discussing the books every month.

Will anyone else be watching the Eurovision Song Contest Final this evening? My hubby and I never miss it - I actually put in our diary at work that I want that night off to make sure I don't have to go to work when it's on. The bookies and fan groups all think Denmark will win (and I'm inclined to agree, even though I don't think it really deserves it - I think it's a forgone conclusion), but my each-way money is on Georgia - I'm pretty certain they'll finish in the top few. I think Bonnie Tyler will finish on the right-hand side of the board, but perhaps nearer the top of that side than the bottom, sue to her huge European following. The UK doesn't really stand a chance of winning with the song we have, and until we get someone with their finger on the pulse of European music to write a killer song for a current A-list supporter, the rest of Europe won't take our entries seriously... Anyone else got any favourites and / or predictions?

I'll look out for it, thank you!

Oh, how much would I LOVE Dead Like Me to come back?! I loved the dark humour in it and the cast were fab together. I also enjoyed Desperate Housewives, but I think it had pretty much run its course.

Homemade cheesy fish pie with steamed baby new potatoes, carrots, peas, sweetcorn and spinach. Delish.

I'm taking part in a challenge at the moment where I drink a "green smoothie" every day in May - I have mine for breakfast. Here's the recipe I used today: A little pineapple juice A large handful of baby spinach leaves A couple of slices of pineapple Half a mango A large kiwi fruit It was utterly delicious. To those who worry they wouldn't like a smoothie with something like spinach added to it, I can promise you don't taste the spinach at all. This one tastes totally tropical and so deliciously fruity, I was tempted to make a second one! I've been trying to persuade Xan to try one by caling them "Hulk smoothies" but he's not convinced... yet! Check out the gorgeous colour:

A sad day indeed - he truly IS a legend and will forever remain so. RIP Mr H!

Yes! Yes, she should!

There are plenty of legit freebies available via Amazon, as has been mentioned, and out-of-copyright classics via Project Gutenberg. If you go down the illegal route, you risk getting something you don't want, such as a virus or something very inappropriate.

Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013). Not as bad as I'd been led to believe. Yes, it was trashy and corny and chock full of cliches, but it as actually quite fun and had some great set pieces and nice nods to other fairytales too. And Jeremy Renner has bare arms for part of it, which is always good. There should be a law passed that Jeremy Renner is never allowed to cover his arms ever again. I don't find him remotely attractive to look at, but those arms!!! *swoon* Ahem. Anyway... not as bad as I thought it was going to be p pleasantly surprised by that. It's very gory in places, but the exploding heads and squished heads and body parts flying (which are definitely NOT for the faint hearted) are actually hilarious within the scenes, and I believe it was intentionally funny, not just funny because it's bad, if you get what I mean. Worth a watch if you're a fan of rewritten fairytales with anachronistic weapons and kick-@ss heroes/heroines.

Actually, it's not a 30-post rule - it's an "Ask the person who runs the site first" rule. Anyone who posts about their own material without permission gets that post removed...