Icecream

I spent four years at uni reading nothing but fiction, apart from reading Lord of The Rings and the Harry Potters, which my housemate made me read (and I loved). I didn't have time for anything else.

I read two when I Katie had just been born, one in the day and one in the night, but with two children when the new baby comes I think I will only have time for one.

Vegetable soup.

Yes, I did feel sorry for Gollum. Like Gandalf said, everyone has a part to play, but what a part Gollum had! I too thought that Tom Ripley was a fascinating character and wanted him to stop, but I only saw the film. I haven't read the book.

I love non fiction, but that is because I have a lot of books on my favourite subjects. I haven't read any this year apart from dipping into my bible dictionaries, as those books were behind a wardrobe until recently. I will get round to reading them now that they are in my room (if I concentrate with the children).

I sort of felt sorry for Voldemort in Harry Potter when his life story started to come out. He had such a bad start and if he had been shown some compassion then who knows, but then he turned out to be such a horribly evil creature that I am not sure that would have been possible. Maybe he was just born that way and always destined for it.

I usually read a certain amount of pages, but sometimes I will say I will read a certain amount of chapters. The only reason is so that I make sure I read the book. It is to make sure I read a good amount every day, even though I may actually read more if I have time, and also so I feel I have not taken too long over books. It doesn't always work but mostly I make it work. The reason for this is that I have so much to do every day with the house and the baby (and keeping my mental state even) that I do not always make/have time to read a lot.

People can't through a book and get the whole meaning of it though. There will always be things missed. What is the point to reading if you are missing things that are important to the story? I do set targets of chapters or I divide the pages into a certain amount of days. I have been finding it difficult to read anything lately, but that is precisely the reason why I set targets. I love to read and finish books. If it takes too long I don't like it, therefore if I miss targets I do feel bad.

I did a normal shop at the weekend and OH has gone to Germany so I have loads of food. I made bolognese last night and I had thought of doing a lasagne with the rest but I forgot so we had bolognese again! I could have done with using some cheese too. There is some left for KAtie tomorrow and I will add some chilli powder to mine and make some rice.

You have some interesting insights there, but I know roughly where we are all going. Of course being a christian I would say that and therefore it is probably obvious that I believe we only get one chance at life. As I said though being religious does not mean I do not believe in spirits. I do believe that they exist and that they can even watch over the world and maybe help out now and again. Your thoughts on past memories and technology are intriguing, but I think that is more down to evolution, as is our current state and whatever future we have will be.

Welcome to the forum Kate. I hope you can get some inspiration.

Of course there is a spirit world. What else happens when we die? I don't see why the two can't mix and I think that sometimes they do but I have no proof of course. Echi. I am sorry to hear about your experience but I have to say this, Schizophrenia is not a disease.

Well said ii

I read a similar book last year where a father, son and daughter moved to an island after their mother was brutally murdered, then the father turned abusive and the rest told the children's story.

I was reading an article in my Christianity mag yesterday about new versions of the bible that are out and apparently there is a graphic bible called Manga Bible.

Welcome to the forum.

I really want to read the book too Jen. I can't afford it this side of christmas though. When OH is in one of his moods, I have learned to just ignore it, although it can be hard trying to organise life and deal with him too.

I have a list on here of books I want to read, some of which I have, and some of which I need to get, but I mainly just go and get whichever book suits my mood off the shelf, unless, like at the moment I know which books I want to read. I am trying to catch up on a few reading circles, but have recently had a couple of months where I have not been able to read much (i call it transitional time between warm and cold seasons). As for where I keep my books, I generally have my text/fiction books together on separate shelves in my bedroom, OHs books together in the living room (with my pregnancy and recipe books), and my children's books are in the baby's room.

Thanks Rebecca. My OH has Schizophrenia and you are right. It is definitely misunderstood. Sometimes even the professionals don't have a clue. I think even some of the people closest to OH from his past do not understand that, but I noticed it more or less straight away. As for medication, although he is not on it anymore (he has learned to manage it himself after 20 or so years and is not as bad now anyway) he has told me a lot about what things he was on the past and has done a lot of research himself. I am not sure whether it is actually a good or bad thing. Your book sounds great. I shall have to see if I can find the money for it one day:) Jen, I am sorry to hear about that. It can be a terrible thing to live with.

I think that a lot if these are fillers. I knew there were some books in berween the main ones that sort of filled out the story, eithergiving a background, or telling you what was going on elsewhere during a certain time in another book, but there are only nine main stories. I also knew that there were other eras, but wasn't sure what they were about. It seems to be rather like Tolkien's world, with a few main stories, and extra ones added in.

Hi. Welcome to the forum. Schizophrenia is a complex issue. Did you do a lot of research for Lucy's Monster?

It has been very good having you here. Thanks for the book.

I was given that info by a star wars fan who has read the books.

Yes, I like that outlook too! Well done.

Adam, you have some good points there.