Kell

Author: Kazuo Ishiguro ISBN # 057122413X Publisher: Faber and Faber First Published: 2005 282 pages Rating: 8/10 (Olympic Challenge

Author: Joanne Harris ISBN # 0552770027 Publisher: Black Swan First Published: 2005 506 pages Rating: 8/10 Synopsis: A new year has just begun, and for the staff and boys of the school, a wind of unwelcome change is blowing. Suits, paperwork and Information Technology rule the world and Roy Straitley, Latin master, eccentric, and veteran of St Oswald's, is finally - reluctantly - contemplating retirement. But beneath the little rivalries, petty disputes and everyday crises of the school, a darker undercurrent stirs. And a bitter grudge, hidden and carefully nurtured for thirteen years, is about to erupt. Who is Mole, the mysterious insider, whose cruel practical jokes are gradually escalating towards violence - and perhaps, murder? And how can an old and half-forgotten scandal become the stone that brings down a giant? Review: This is the complete opposite of Chocolat

Author: Nicola Kraus and Emma McLaughlin ISBN # 014100892X Publisher: Penguin First Published: 2002 306 pages Rating: 7/10 Synopsis: Nan, in her early twenties, goes to work for the wealthy X family to help put herself through college, and is shocked by their antics. Between raising the X's son Grayer, keeping on top of her studies, moving house and ensuring Mrs X's day runs smoothly, it's a wonder Nanny ever finds time to hang out with the gorgeous HH on the sixth floor. With divorce on the cards, Nanny finds herself caught up in the X's embittered world of power plays, lies and deciet. As communication rapidly breaks down, will Nanny be able to maintain the mental health of Grayer, despite the onslaught of Personal Problem Consultants, macrobiotic nutritionist and bilingual meals? Review: This book isn

I've just finished this one tonight. I've never read any of Stroud's other books, so he's a new author to me & I had no expectations. I'm not usually a fan of dragon books, as that avenue of the fantasy genre just always seems a little too unrealistic to me, but I really enjoyed this one. I think the fact that it drew from British folkloric accounts of dragon slayers, such as St. George & the Dragon, & The Lambton Worm, gave it more of a basis in the realms of the almost-possible. It also gives the perfect setting for a battle between good & evil, as looking back at fokelore, dragons were usually representations of the devil. I also enjoyed how it explored the theme of power having a price - and a hefty one at that - as well as the changes that occur as you grow up, all swirling emotions & outbursts, which cuold be represented by the manefestation of the four "gifts" that have to be brought under control. It also draws from the adage, often used politically, of "absolute power corrupts absolutely" which is always interesting. I really liked how the language was never too complex, but didn't condescend to the reader either. The chapters were all short enough that you could read a couple of them in a short break & still feel that you were making headway, as well as feeling that the story was advancing at a decent pace, as something was always happening, which would probably appeal to those not used to sitting for long reading sessions & would help to draw them back to the book till it's finished. I did feel it was more aimed towards boys, having the two main characters being brothers, & never really exploring emotions too deeply, which might have been off-putting to lads, yet not completely avoiding the subject, which means it will still appeal to girls too. I think I will probably read more of Strouds books now, where I wasn't really tempted all that much before. This is definitely a good introduction to his work, from my point of view.

Although it's not quite January just yet, I thought I'd start up the thread for the January Reading Circle choice, which is The Winter King by Bernard Cornwell: Derfel, once a captain in Arthur's warband, recalls the days of Guinevere, Lancelot, Merlin and Bishop Sansum. But, above all, it tells the story of Arthur, the only man who can hold Uther's throne for its infant heir, and unite Britain's squabbling kingdoms against the enemy. Be sure to let us all know what you think of it as you go along...

I've received four more books to add to my reading list: The Eagle's Prophecy by Simon Scarrow Youngbloods by Simon Scarrow The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory Chart Throb by Ben Elton. I got two copies of both the Scarrows, so I'll be exchanging them (my Dad very kindly let me know he still had the receipts - I felt so guilty mentioning that he & Dale had thought along the same lines!) through the week, and will have another 2 books to add to my list - quite a nice little haul!

I've lent my copy to my Mam as I think she'll really enjoy it. I think it's one I'll read again too, as I think it's one of those books that I might well pick up a little extra on re-reading it at a later point. I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did - it was very nearly a 10/10 for me!

Although we have our regular Reading Circle here on the forum, I know several members here are members of "physical" reading groups & other online reading circles (for instance, Purple Poppy & I are both members of The Posh Club here in Aberdeen, & Inver is part of a an Aberdeen Book Crossing ring that has regular meetings). I just wondered how many others were involved in groups & circles. How did you find them? Did you start your own or hunt down an existing one? How are things run in your circle? How often do you meet & what kinds of books do you read together? Is there anything unusual about your book group that others might be interested in trying? Also, what is it that you look for from a good reading circle? Anything you'd like to avoid? What experiences, good & bad, have you had with your groups? All points to ponder - I look forward to hearing your answers...

I love Small Gods - the whole theory of Gods only existing because of the belief of their followers seemed to make a lot of sense to me. Hope you enjoy it.

Hearts of Stone turned out to be rather good - very poignant & with a sense of harsh realism not often tackled so well in books aimed at a younger audience (this is definitely teen fiction). I'll post a full review shortly. Received a book for discussion from Random House this morning (as excellent extra Xmas prezzie - YAY!), so I'll be moving onto Buried Fire by Jonathan Stroud next. Have just realised how much reading I've done this year for specific reason, rather than purely for my own pleasure (although most of it has been very good anyway,l which is also a bonus!): 17 books have counted towards my Olympic Challenge 7 books have been part of the Reading Circle on this forum 8 books have been part of the Posh Club reading circle 3 books have been reviewed for authors 1 book has been reviewed for a publisher 33 books were reviewed for CBUK Some of the books were for more than one of the above (i.e. some of the PC & RC books were the same, & some of them were also counted in the Olympic Challenge). It's been a good year for books!

I just finished Never Let Me Go in the bath & have come to the conclusioon that I shall have to read more of Kazuo Ishiguro's novels, as this one was excellent. It's incredibly sad & the subject matter is very hard-hitting, but it's presented in such a way that the reader accepts everything in the same way that the characters do - as a fact of life & a logical conclusion - fate accompli, if you will. At the same time, it's profoundly disturbing to think that science could easily head that way if care is not taken to ensure that it does not. It's quite terrifying, really, when you think about it. This would be an excellent book for a readinv circle as there is so much to discuss, from medical ethics & morals of society, to how people can be conditioned to accept things blindly. Really, it's an amazing book & if you haven't read it already, please do! ~*~ Am now moving onto a book I'm reviewing for the publisher - Hearts of Stone by Kathleen Ernst.

I think it's being repeated again near the end of January too... The book's still WAAAYYYY better though!

Incidentally, if anyone missed the TV production & still wants to see it, it's repeated on Xmas Day & Boxing day at 1pm on Sky 1 - so they are showing it at Xmas after all!

Ooh, this one sounds interesting - I'll be waiting to hear what you think of it!

Due to the fact that i got no reading done at all while I was away, I only actually started Never Let Me Go last night, but I'm about half way through now & I'm really enjoying it. It's very unusual. Hearts of Stone by Kathleen Ernst arrived direct from the publishers for review today, so it'll get bumped up the reading list & I'll start it next. It seems to be an historical fiction set during the American civil war, so it could be interesting. It's not a period I've ever really read about, but I've enjoyed a few films set in that era, so I'm not put off at all...

"We're still friends, aren't we?" But I didn't find anything to laugh about in this last remark of hers. I just picked up my book and walked off without another word. ~ Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

I was completely disappointed by the TV production. The script jumped all over the place & there was no pace at all - they could have worked on the timing a little & cut an hour out of it, making room for all the stuff they left out! Also thought that 90% of the humour was missing - where were all the clever puns & witty satire? The casting was mostly good, the sets & costumes were stunning, but I thought it was severely lacklustre over-all. If you've watched this but not read the book, please don't let it put you off - the book is far, far better, with a decent laugh on pretty much every other page & a belly-laugh every half-dozen or so, as well as some very astute observations on the human condition. Shame - it had so much potential, but it was, to my mind, mostly frittered away...

Having loved the book, I was a little disappointed by the 1st part of Hogfather on Sky 1 last night. I thought it rather slow-moving yet fragmented & not much seemed to be happening. Then, in the preview of tonight's episode, they gave far too much away & it looks like they've tried to cram too much into that part. That said I did actually enjoy watching it & I thought David Jason was excellent (despite not originally liking the idea of him being cast in the role) & the gril playing Susan is wonderful. Here's hoping the 2nd half isn't too garbled as they try to finish the story!

Of course, PP - but only because of the cherries = LOL!

It's alright - I already read the 1st one recently & thought, well, why not - LOL! I'll be able to pass them on when I'm done too...

Emlyn's Moon (2nd in the Snow Spider trilogy) by Jenny Nimmo arrived this morning & the 3rd one, The Chestnut Soldier is on its way - hurrah!

Nope - I've just been reading one book at a time lately (although I always used to have several on the go at once - LOL!). I'll admit though, G&P was a bit of a page-turner & I finished it in 2 days. I won't have much time for reading over the next 4 days, so I'll probably still be on Never Let Me Go when I go back to work next week!

Well, after heartily enjoying the game of intrigue in Joanne Harris' Gentlemen & Players, I'm going to move onto Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro tomorrow (that's if I get any reading time at alll in between the hair appointment, the packing, the getting ready to go out & the actual going out!). Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro: In one of the most acclaimed and strange novels of recent years, Kazuo Ishiguro imagines the lives of a group of students growing up in a darkly skewed version of contemporary England. Narrated by Kathy, now 31, "Never Let Me Go" hauntingly dramatises her attempts to come to terms with her childhood at the seemingly idyllic Hailsham School, and with the fate that has always awaited her and her closest friends in the wider world. A story of love, friendship and memory, "Never Let Me Go" is charged throughout with a sense of the fragility of life.

Have also just realised that there's a lot of references to chess in G&P too - not only are the two narrating characters dubbed "King" & "Pawn", but one of the kids (who plays a major role) is called Knight, & the "Pawn's" nickname at one point is "Queenie" - intriguing! And of course, one of the aforementioned teachers is Bishop - all playing pieces in a game of skill & mental agility...

Have suddenly realised that even if I read at the same rate I did this year, I have enough books on my TBR pile to keep me going till well into the summer - & there's bound to be more coming for Xmas! At the moment I'm very much enjoying Gentlemen & Players - I love the switching between the narrative of two characters, Straightley & Dare. Also, all the names seem significant - Mr Meek is incredibly timid, Miss Dare is very daring, Dr Devine seems lofty, Mr Bishop tries to treat his body like a temple with his daily running. Even Mr Straightley sounds like "stately" & has been there longer than anyone else - the backbone of the boys' school. Very well done - I'm about halfway through & can't wait to see what happens next...