Kell

You should definitely try Northanger Abbey - it's excellent (and far better, in my opinion, than Emma!). I agree with Wrath - excellent book - and brilliant film. Both are an absolute must! If you enjoyed Triffids, you should enjoy this one just as much. And f you haven't already, think about reading Chocky too - it's not just a kids' book... I would recommend reading Jane Eyre first - you'd still probably enjoy The Eyre Affair without it, but you'd get so much more out of it if you now all the intricacies of Jane Eyre before coming to it. And it's a wonderful book on it's own anyway, so I heartily recommend it. Actually, I highly recommending following the Bronte with the Fforde - it's what I did and I adored both of them!

Heads up, everyone - you can win an advance, uncorrected proof copy (I know some people collect these things!) of Tara Ison's latest novel, The List.See HERE for details.

Title: The List Author: Tara Ison ISBN # 9780743294140 Publisher: Scribner First Published: 2007 259 pages Format: paperback (advance uncorrected proof) Synopsis: For anyone who has ever broken up with someone... a smart, sophisticated, and darkly comic novel about a dysfunctional couple who make a list of 10 things to do before they break up. Isabel is finishing medical school and destined to become a brilliant heart surgeon. Al is a video store clerk, a one-hit-wonder director whose first and only film became a cult classic. They have a sisyphean relationship - endlessly coming together and breaking up until they decide to make a list of 10 things they want to do together before they really break up. But after a few perfect dates - clams on the Santa Monica Pier, sleeping under the stars on the roof of a Sunset Boulevard hotel - the list takes a dark turn, and their plan spirals out of control, until they realize they would rather destroy each other than let go.... Review: It's an interesting concept, this. Having been in one or two destructive relationships, I could empathise with both the characters, and took some perverse delight in watching them drive each other crazy. Been there, done that, take sadistic pleasure in watching it happen to two complete strangers! But even if I hadn’t, the way the characters are introduced entices the reader into their lives in such a way that one feels a part of their lives. It's all written in the present tense, of which I'm not usually a fan, but it really works here, keeping the reader involved in the action. There’s also the added twist of the chapters being narrated, turn and turn about, by the protagonists, so that the inner thoughts of each are exposed. This had moments of very dark humour that had my doing my "Evil Mastermind" laugh every now and then. It gets slightly surreal near the end as the actions of the characters get more twisted and extreme, but it still manages to keep on track and delivers an ending that is perhaps slightly unexpected. Not having read Ison’s previous novel, I can’t say whether or not this style is typical of her, but her style is certainly appealing and I would be interested in reading more of her work in future.

I have a matching set of hardback books that were bought for me as a baby - Winnie the Pooh and The Wind in the Willows - both are in excellent condition, despite having been read countless times. I also still have a small, hardback copy of A Tale of Two Bad Mice by Beatrix Potter, it was a gift from my Daddy when I was about 2 years old. On top of that, I still have my hardback copy of Wizwam and Kelley Under the Sea, which features my own adventure with Wizwam the wizard and mentions both my cousin (Vicky) and my dog (Mossy). I'm also currently re-reading one of my childhood favourites - Ronia, The Robber's Daughter by Astrid Lindgren. My copy is paperback and, i worked out today, about 20 years old. It's still in excellent nick though.

think I've read 3 or 4 books that were R&J selections - The Time Traveler's Wife (yes, I believe it was one of their choices a couple of years back), The Abortionist's Daughter (again, I think this was one they chose), The Historian and Labyrinth. I enjoyed them all (my least favourite was The Abortionist's Daughter). Still, they were all read as reading circle or Posh Club choices and I didn't read them because of R&J at all.

I've heard some good things about The Memory Keeper's Daughter, so I might be tempted to take up that one at some point. I also listened to an audio short story by Simon Kernick and really enjoyed it (it was The Debt, written exclusively for BMW, in case anyone is interested), so he's perhaps another author I'd like to sample some more. The others don't really jump out at me though.

I've not read it, but I have it waiting on my shelf. my sister (who is a non-reader) read it twice for Higher English and says she really enjoyed it. As i say, I've not read it yet, but I definitely plan to.

I'm onto my 46th book on the list, so I'm fairly cracking on - that's 6 more than I had when I first looked at the list on 12th May, so little over a month. Pretty good going, methinks!

I'm blushing like mad now, PP! Thank you - you're a honey too.

I like some cheeses, Wrath. A good strong Cheddar, or some creamy Lancashire or Cheshire, I also enjoy a bit of feta. I do not like Gouda or Edam at all though, and blue cheeses or stinky, runny ones are right out!

Well, go ahead and ask me some questions, Wrath.

Aww, Inver, I'm blushing like anything, here! Thank you.

I know what you mean. It feels like such a waste to put it down after a certain point, so if I get, say, halfway through, I'll continue to the end, but if it's before the halfway mark and I'm really not getting into it, I don't feel so bad about quitting it. I used to find it impossible to leave even the worst book unfinished, but now I see it as time that could be spent reading something I enjoy instead, so I don't feel so bad about it.

They're all pretty good, Wrath, but it's the kind of series where you really need to start at the beginning. However, once you've read the first one, you'll most likely want to read the others too, as you end up feeling quite involved in Laura's life as her family move from place to place. I remember finding them quite exciting and wishing I could have experienced it all first hand, despite the hardships.

The Separation by Christopher Priest features a very slightly altered version of events during WWII and is rather good. My review is HERE if you're interested.

Ooh, you have Young Bloods by Simon Scarrow on your TBR pile - so do I! I'm a huge fan of his Roman series - have you read any of those yet?

I have a modern classic favourite - Ronia, the Robber's Daughter by Astrid Lindgren (I recently found my old copy of this and plan to re-read it very shortly). It's part historical fiction, part fantasy (with an emphasis on the old folk and fairy tales of Sweden) and all wonderful, and I heartily recommend it to young and old alike - if you have missed this gem, go out and get a copy as soon as possible as it's absolutely beautiful!

I cry at books all the time - I get so involved with the characters that I end up feeling whatever they're feeling and when something particularly sad or happy happens, I end up in floods. If I'm reading at lunchtime at work, I sit in a corner and have to make sure I'm facing a wall so nobody sees! Dale thinks I'm mad when I cry at books, but then, he's not a reader, so he doesn't really understand how powerfully you can be affected by the printed word.

Hello and to the forum, Roger. We've had quite a nice little influx of new members recently and some of them have been guys (it's been mostly women up until quite recently). Looking forward to hearing all about your favourite books and authors.

Glad to hear it Niki - I don't think you'll be disappointed. I don't think I've found anyone yet who has taken up the recommendation and regretted it!

Hitler's Canary by Sandi Toksvig, although aimed at the younger end of the young adult market, was a revelation to me. Absolutely beautiful and highly unexpected.

You flatter me, Michelle! Honestly, though, it really is an excellent read and, yes, it does get a little steamy at some points, but it's all within context and is never embarrassing as you sometimes find in novels (you know, where you feel you're being a bit of a voyeur and the story would have worked just as well without it - it's not like that here).

I heartily recommend The Secret Purposes by David Baddiel - it's incredibly poignant and extremely well written. Also, for an unusual, slightly alternative history of WWII, try The Separation by Christopher Priest.

to the forum, Jean! I look forward to hearing all about your favourite books and authors, as well as perhaps sampling some of your own work if you care to share it.

I can't think of any off the top of my head - I'll have to have a rake around when I get home. ETA: I've remembered one - Lemony Snicket! I was intrigued and read the first book in the series, but wasn't all that impressed. However, i'd never have picked it up in the first place if it weren't for the author's name.