Kell

I've just finished reading what turned out to be described as a children's book* - something I've been doing a lot of recently, & I thought I'd ask folks here a few questions: When is a children's book a children's book? Is it all down to the subject matter? Is it the language or the writing style? Is it something else completely? I have to say that I haven't a clue any more. It used to be that you could tell a kids' book a mile off, but now the margins seem to have blurred a lot. Is it all down to the likes of Harry Potter & his ilk? Or is it something else? There are books classed as children's books that I class as personal favourites even today, as an adult, (the likes of The Chronicles of Narnia, for example, & I loved both the Harry Potter series & the Artemis Fowl series too). Some of them are more "obvious" as being aimed at a younger audience, but when I see titles like The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, I start to wonder what actually makes that a book specifically for young readers? Anyone got any theories? I'd be interested to hear them... * In case you're wondering, it was The Star of Kazan by Eva Ibbotson & I'll be writing the review tonight...

Author: Alice Sebold ISBN # 0330485385 Publisher: Picador 1st Published: 2002 On her way home from school on a snowy December day, 14-year-old Susie Salmon is lured into a cornfield and brutally raped and murdered, the latest victim of a serial killer. The Lovely Bones, Alice Sebold's debut novel, unfolds from heaven, where "life is a perpetual yesterday" and where Susie narrates and keeps watch over her grieving family and friends, as well as her brazen killer and the sad detective working on her case. The front cover of The Time Traveler

A bit of both - I get 2 x 20 minute breaks & a lunch hour every day & the entire time is spent reading while I have my cuppa or lunch. Then when I'm making dinner, i tend to make something that gets stuck in the oven & so I grab maybe 30 minutes or so reading while it cooks (I'm not much of a TV person). I read in the bath every night (that's another hour of "me time") & on Tuesday, Thursday & Sunday nights, Dale hosts an online game from 6pm till 10pm, so that's 4 hours straight where I don't have to feel guilty for neglecting him. So, on average, I get 3hrs 10 minutes every day for reading, plus 3 times a week, I get up to an extra 3 hours (I count the bath hour in the four), so that gives me a good 6 hours on those days. Take out maybe an hour or so for online stuff, that still gives me a lot of book time. And I love it that way! I don't tend to get quite so much reading done on the weekends, as I'm usually running round trying to get grocery shopping done & meeting buddies for coffee, or doing all the housework I've neglected through the week - LOL!

Well, I finished it today & I can't say my opinion of it got any better unfortunately. I'm off to write my review in a minute...

LOL - it sounds hilarious - I might get it for my hubby...

Nope. Not at all. *evil laugh* You're going to have to read it & find out... I will not ruin the plot for you!

The main character is bugging me a lot & I got angry right at the start when she managed to stupidly get herself into such a dangerous position in the first place. I think I would have much preferred it if she were stalked & attacked without her adding to her own downfall in the first few pages. I was raging at what an idiot she was being. I mean, yes, it was the 70's, a slightly more innocent time, but at no time in my life, even when very small, could I ever have been enticed into an underground bunker with a man like that. I'm easing off a little now I'm getting into it a bit, but I'll admit the Heaven scenes are kind of off-putting to me too, so I'm tending to gloss over them just a little bit so I can get back to the actual story. I've decided to continue & finish it, but Im' a little frustrated as I so wanted to enjoy this book & it's just not what I was expecting at all.

Yup, I'll admit to shedding a few tears while sitting in the cafeteria at work & trying to hide it so nobody would be tempted to ask me if I was alright. Even thought the end had an inevitable feel to it, it didn't change the fact that I didn't want it to end that way.

Well, it definitely has elements of it in there - the whole questions of the ethics involved in time travel & the resonsibilty of the person doing the travelling is kind of grasped at in the background. It kind of makes you think about it a lot. Like Andy said, there are holes in the theories, but it's still very enjoyable to read as the underlying love story, I thought, was beautifully written.

I'd certainly be tempted to try changing the past, Andy, but I think I'd be too afraid to actually do it in case I changed my own present too much into something I didn't want & then I'd be doomed to forever return to the past & change things to make a better future (a la Butterfly Effect). I think part of the frustration was that Henry wanted to try changing the occasional thing but didn't want to risk losing everything that was good in his life. Also, there was the implied notion that there is no way he could change things no matter how hard he tried as it's all already happened anyway.

Well, I'm very tempted to start reading a 2nd book as I'm really not enjoying The Lovely Bones very much. I'm finding myself feeling angry & out of sorts while I'm reading it & I think that's dedtracting from the pleasure of reading. I don't know whether I should just give it up or continue i nthe hopes that it improves. If I'm continuing, does it warant my full attention? Am all undecided all of a sudden!

I think that at certain points there's a more "girlie" feel, but then at others it's much more masculine. Strangely, I found the "Clare" sections to be the harder, more masculine parts (just some of the language she uses for a start!) & Henry's to be a lot softer & feminine.

There are a lot of paradoxes, but I found myself not minding so much once I got into the story (usually I pick things like that apart). I found that once I was submerged, the paradoxes didn't matter so much to me. I hope you'll get into it soon...

Looks like we're getting varied results here. Anyone else care to vote for their fave?

Well, I finished it tonight & I've popped a review into the appropriate forum. I've tried (&, I think, succeeded) not to give away any of the plot & spoil it for anyone. Can't wait for folks to finish so we can discuss it!

Author: Audrey Niffenegger ISBN # 0099464462 Publisher: Vintage 1st Published: 2003 Clare met Henry when she was 6 & Henry was 36. They were married when Clare was 22 & Henry was 30. In essence, the pair met before they met

I reckon I'll get this finished tonight - it's intriguing the way the plot unfolds. Im' wishing I could have stayed home from work to read it! How's everyone else getting on with it?

I'm off to read a bit more of The Time Traveler's Wife in bed too while Dale finished his computer game - I love his game nights as it means I have peace & quiet to read - LOL!

LOL - I think we understand each other pretty well then . I often feel like that when reading a really good thriller - almost like I'm willing someone to get bumped off - not because I don't like them, but because I know it'll make the plot un-put-downable!

I think I know what you mean - you don't think it's going to be a character you've grown to like & it'll be something interesting & want to know the details!

Is that a feeling of dread or of excitement, then? I know it depends on the book, but I always like to know these things...

I've never read any Fiona Walker, but I'm going to have to keep an eye out for her stuff now!

Excellent - it'll be good to hear how the town has changed (ir stayed the same, even!). Glad to hear Mike was still there when you visited - his quizes were always the best!

You've been to Smithies? Tell me, does Mike still run the place? When we knew him, he had dark hair & a thick mustache. Round, amiable face & a cheeky grin. One of my friends (the one who gave our bad the name Catfruit) was going to dedicate a book to him - it was about "Not-Gods" - people who used to be Gods, but came down to live on the planet & give quiet advice to folks in need. They masquerade as tea ladies, janitors & bar tenders, as well as other inoccuous "background" people to whom others are compelled to talk. The dedication was going to read "For Mike - Kirkcaldy's Not-God in Residence".

In what way is it "airy fairy"? You've got my interest now - LOL!