Janet

Oh dear! At the risk of digging myself a bigger hole, what's wrong with the film?!

Thanks ladies. I'll see how I get on with Oliver Twist and then maybe try Great Expectations later this year.

I have just added the Tolstoy to my library wish list - and My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece is already on it!

Whoops! I'm sorry - I thought it was a reference from the film!

Thanks, Alex. I've seen the musical, of course, and the more recent film version so that's probably a good idea. I've just downloaded it to my Kindle. <<<<Whoosh>>>> I haven't seen the film, so that's the sound of your comment going over my head, I'm afraid!

I missed this earlier. Thanks, Devi. I downloaded Mrs Dalloway to my Kindle earlier. I haven't voted for it in the RC as I'm a bit intimidated by the thought of Virginia Woolf. I guess I'm a bit afraid of her! I'm thinking that I should soon embark on a Charles Dickens. The trouble is that I feel rather intimidated by them too - not only for their length, but also because of the language which I gather is rather flowery. I've read A Christmas Carol dozens of times, but that's it, and it's only short. Those of you who've read Dickens... what would you recommend as a good starting point? Which of his books is (in your opinion) the most accessible?

I finished The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson this morning. I wanted to love this (especially as Kay was kind enough to send it to me for Christmas) but I'm afraid I just didn't. I read it in a couple of days (which is good for me) but that's mainly due to me being poorly - I think it would have taken longer to get through in normal circumstances. I will try to gather my thoughts as to why but I'm already a few reviews behind.

I finished The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson this morning. I wanted to love it, I really did - but I'm afraid I didn't.

I downloaded Lady Audley's Secret to my Kindle recently - it sounds good.

Aww, Devi. Do you have any idea how long the spell will last, or does it vary?

It's available for pre-order on Amazon.

Goodness - that's a huge investment of your time to be left so disappointed. Maybe she'll have a change of heart? ETA: Fantastic Fiction mentions book 35 - The Phoenix!

Squeeeeee!

Yes, that was common in the 18th and 19th centuries (maybe before?). I'm not sure what the reason for it is though.

I shall look forward to reading your thoughts on the Tolstoy.

I'm sorry to hear you didn't enjoy Chocolat, Alex. I'm probably one of those who recommended it. It's been many years since I read it and I don't recall a great deal about it now, apart from the fact I hated the film version of it because of the stupid changes! Have you read anything else by Joanne Harris? If not, has this put you off? I've read a few others - I enjoyed Five Quarters of the Orange (although again I can't remember much about it now!) and I absolutely loved Gentlemen and Players, which is not set in France unlike most of her others! I hope you enjoy the Tolstoy. I must admit the thought of reading him scares me a bit. ETA: I forgot to say that it's funny how things like the situation you detailed above stay with one. I don't recall seeing/hearing about travellers/gypsies when I was growing up, but I lived near a town with a huge Indian population and was always astounded at the racism I heard - I just wasn't brought up to judge someone by their ethnicity.

I've managed to avoid reading too many thoughts about this on here. I have to say that it's not living up to expectations. I'm 44% of the way through it (being ill is good for my reading pace) but there is something about it... It still has time to change my opinion, I guess.

I finished The Ruins of Time by Ben Woolfenden this morning. I bought it recently after reading about it in Kidsmum's blog and looking it up on Amazon. I really enjoyed it. I've just started The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of a Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson which Kay bought me for Christmas.

Well done, frankie!

Awww, bless you - thanks.

Thanks guys. I am feeling a lot better today, although I'm still not 100% right. I have managed to finish my book though so it's not been all wasted time!

My copy of Newes from the Dead by Mary Hooper has this on the back... Which I think is good, as lots of her books are aimed at younger readers (I think this, combined with the 'blurb', gives parents an idea of what children are going to encounter in the book). I wouldn't necessarily like an age rating - just a warning of some of the content like above.

Thanks, guys. I feel so bad,. It's just a cold really, but it's a stinker and has gone to my head, sinuses and chest all at the same time. I got up for breakfast (which I couldn't taste!) and then went back to bed. I've been reading and dozing on and off all day, but I've got up for a bit of lunch (which I also couldn't taste!) and thought I ought to try to stay awake so that I sleep later. It's lucky that a) my husband is working away this week so I'm not keeping him awake at night (although I miss his warmth), and b) I'm not working again until Saturday when hopefully I'll be over the worst of it. I got a couple of 'ping pings' for the kids (microwave meals!) when I knew the cold was coming, just in case, so they can fend for themselves (although both can cook proper food if they feel like it!). I have managed to read 88 pages of The Ruins of Time by Ben Woolfenden between sleeps, so it's not all bad!

Sometimes, yes. I'm not feeling at all well today though so I've done most of my reading today in bed!

That's your prerogative, of course, but it seems an extreme reaction to what was just a simple question, politely asked.