Janet

I watched The Muppet Christmas Carol this afternoon. It was much better than I expected but I didn't love it. I'd probably watch it again if I happened to be around when it was shown on TV but I won't be buying the DVD. I didn't expect it to be true to the book*, but I did find two Marleys rather a surprise and some of the pointless changes grated a bit ("cooked with his own turkey" instead of "boiled with his own pudding" - why?! ). I loved Michael Caine's Scrooge - and I loved the shot of him at the end standing in front of the shop called Micklewhite's! Steve, I didn't watch the clip beforehand - I was waiting for it - I didn't have long to wait! *Probably not helped by the fact it's one of my favourite ever books!

1- Who was your favourite character and who was your least favourite? My favourite character was probably Priest. I liked his quirky eccentric-ness! Mama was probably my least favourite – maybe if we’d actually ‘met’ her it might have been different. 2- Was there a particular part you enjoyed more than the rest? No 3- This is Mette Jakobsen's debut novel .. would you read her again? Hmmm – possibly. 4- Were there any parts/ideas you struggled with? I didn’t really like the dead boy - if he had to be there I'd have liked to have known where he came from and what happened to him. 5- Do you enjoy books narrated by children and did you find Minou believable? I do enjoy books narrated by children. I think Minou was believable as a narrator 6- The narrative is quite sparse and the characters few, did you find it easy to engage in the story? No – I’m afraid I found the whole thing rather pointless and disappointing. It had such promise but failed to deliver. 7- What did you make of the theme of logical thinking (Papa) versus imagination (Mama) which played a part in Minou's struggle to come to terms with the loss of her Mama? This aspect was probably my favourite thing about the book – the contrast of Papa/Minou’s seriousness and Mama’s frivolous nature. Although we didn’t actually meet Mama I didn’t think she’d be the sort of person I could warm to. 8- The dead boy, why do you think the author put him in the story? As a plot device! 9- Did you approve of the ending? No – it felt like Jakobsen ran out of steam and didn’t know how to finish it off! 10- Overall was reading the book an enjoyable experience? I wouldn’t call it enjoyable. I didn’t hate the book by any means, but it was just… unsatisfactory. I rated it 3½ stars. It was less than a week ago that I finished it and already the story is fading from my mind – not a good sign! 11- Would you recommend the book and if so to whom? I don’t think I would recommend it, no. I really don’t know what it was trying to be! I haven’t read any other reviews of it, and I’m bound to be in a minority but it really didn’t live up to expectations. Maybe it's too clever for me? The cover was/is the best thing about it. Sorry – I really wanted to love this.

Good luck.

I have A Tiny Bit Marvellous on my 'to read' pile. I like the sound of this one too.

Sarah - how lovely to see you. I'm glad things have been on the up for you - good luck with the reading.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel was far superior to the book it was based on, These Foolish Things by Deborah Moggach.

I finished The Vanishing Act by Mette Jakobsen today. Not sure what to read next.

I will, Michelle. LOL, Steve - I'll have to watch it now!

I'm sure you'll do brilliantly at it. And yes, it looks amazing - I can't wait to see it!

You know that phrase never say never...?! My son has decided to subscribe to the free trial of Love Film (the one that comes onto a TV, not the one where they send DVDs by post), and A Muppet Christmas Carol is available, so I might give it a go just to see. Who knows, I might even end up loving it!! I have never seen It's a Wonderful Life, Chalie. I wonder if it'll be on TV over Christmas? I love the Alistair Sims version off ACC. There is a colourised version, which is rather amusing - the green is rather dominant!

it's a very American list - there are quite a few UK people missing, I think. Clive Dunn Dinah Sheridan (but that was only yesterday) Bill Tarmey Herbert Lom Derek Jamieson Terry Nutkins To name but a few (unless it's not in order of death - but it looks like it is to me.

I'm encouraged by Victoria's dance - she's fluffed more steps than she did yesterday! COME ON, Michael! ETA: Yesssssssssssssssssssssss!

I love your categories. It's a challenging challenge (well, d'uh!) but I'm sure you can do it. Kay - you've just reminded me that I was going to download Les Mis to my Kindle in preparation for the forthcoming film - thanks.

What the heck is Tess wearing?!! Weird. I hope Victoria goes tonight. I'll be gutted if it's Michael!

I loved Genevieve too, Claire. A Christmas Carol. Hmmm. Well, not really my cup of tea. It's neither fish nor fowl. I'm not sure if I've ever seen a CGI film before, but having seen this I really don't understand why they would do it. The characters don't look real - they look really creepy. I'd have preferred for Jim Carey, Colin Firth et al to have been real, and for them to use CGI for the ghosts and special effects. I didn't like the Ghost of Christmas past being a candle - that was just plain odd. I guess now I've got it I will watch it again next year but I wish I'd watched it on YouTube first - I wouldn't have wasted my money. Sorry to those of you who like it.

The actress Dinah Sheridan died today. She played the mother in what is possibly my favourite film ever - The Railway Children. Whilst it's not an exact adaptation of the book, it's one of those stores where I saw the film before reading the book so I can allow the discrepancies. In fact, I love it so much that I still have the LP version of it which is the only record I kept from my vinyl record collection. I watched the film this afternoon whilst ironing in her honour. I've just started the Jim Carey version of A Christmas Carol, but think I might have to switch it off to watch Strictly.

This post is a little earlier than in past years! Reading lists/Book Blogs marked '2012' will be moved to 'Past Book Blogs' on, or around, 1 January 2013. Any that are 'continuous' will be left in this forum. We are only human, so if we move your list/blog by mistake (or don't move it when we should) please let us know by posting in here after blogs/lists are moved. When starting a new blog/list, please can you ensure you put 2013 in the title. Thanks. You may wish to make some 'blank' posts at the beginning. I'm sure you all know now, but we are unable to insert blank posts at a later date, so please ensure you save enough for yourself. To prevent people replying before you've finished, please put "please do not reply to this post yet" in bold in the first post, and in any subsequent 'holding' posts. Once you are ready for people to reply, please make a post to this effect. Please remember that this board operates 'flood control' so you need to leave it a few minutes before making each blank post - otherwise they will automatically be merged into the most recent post. I think that's it, but any queries then just shout.

I saw it on Friday. As a non-Bond fan I quite enjoyed it.

I bought the Jim Carey DVD of A Christmas Carol today - £4.50 with my staff discount. I wonder if I can get away with watching it this afternoon...?!

I slipped and bought a book yesterday! Mind you, it was only 20p and looks brand new!

I haven't seen The Grinch! I wonder if that'll be on TV this year? I'm not sure about The Snowman either - but I'll probably end up giving it a go. Hehe, Kylie - I was going to say the same! It was a lovely thing to do, Chalie.

Don't forget about this year's Christmas special!

Threads merged. ETA: I've just seen you linked it, Claire, but as I've merged them I've removed the link.

I give too many 5s, I think! It's tricky though - if I gave a 4½ to a book I really enjoyed I'd wonder what it had done to lose the ½ mark! I often think it would be best to 'mark' them at the end of the year, but by then I've forgotten what half of them were about!

I watched about 5 minutes of the Kelsey Grammar one on TV last year before switching off in disgust and putting Patrick Stewart's one on! I wondered about the addition of the word British! I would go off it as a result but I can't help but love his Scrooge! I haven't seen the Kate Winslet one. I'd love to see the Reginald Owen one - I keep hoping one of the TV channels will show it! I will definitely try the Jim Carey one (I don't usually like him - he's a bit too manic - but surely he won't be in this!) now - thanks ladies.