Janet

I've just started The Red Tent by Anita Diamant which is my Book Club's December read. I've only read the first two chapters, but so far, so good.

Nope!

Kay - I'm quoting you in my blog because of the following list: I would like an audio version. I'm confused who to get though - there are lots of choices! Currently on Amazon: David Jason - cheapest at £2.39* - so probably worth a punt, although I can't quite imagine him reading Dickens... Tom Baker - £5.80 - nice voice, but I can't quite get the image of him naked and tied to a bed out of my head! Miriam Margolyes - from £6.53 on Amazon Marketplace - the only female narrator I've come across so far Martin Jarvis - £8.50 - nice voice as I recall Ralph Richardson and Paul Scofield - £9.65* - Could be good...? Patrick Stewart - £10.01* - mmm, lovely voice! I also have a DVD version with him as Scrooge Charles McCusker and Paul Arnold - £10.34 - unknown! Anton Lesser - £10.63 - not someone I'm familiar with (looking at IMDB I think I only know him from Miss Potter - and then he only had a bit part), but he appears to have done a lot of voice work, so I'm guessing he has a nice voice! Jim Dale - £14.27 - Jim Dale... really?! Richard Wilson - £27.05 from Amazon Marketplace - I love the idea of this but it's rather dear! I haven't (yet) found a Tim Curry version - would you recommend it? Hmmm - I have some researching/thinking/digging to do! ETA: * Abridged, so a no-go.

I might attempt it again one day. Maybe I'll take a leaf out of your book and read it aloud!

We did that as a Reading Circle book earlier this year, so I shall look forward to hearing what you think.

I tried Schindler's Ark a few years ago but ended up giving up on it. I just couldn't get into it. I re-read A Christmas Carol every year - I haven't started it yet though.

A Christmas Carol!!! A Christmas Carol!!! A Christmas Carol!!! A Christmas Carol!!! I read it every year!!

Aww, you'd definitely better read this when there is nobody else around then! My family take the mickey out of me something awful, but I just can't help myself! I've always been an emotional so-and-so, but it's definitely become worse since I had children! ETA It wasn't even the first time I'd watched 'Mr Tom' - I've seen it dozens of times! I've watched the Railway Children about 142,593,593,002 times and I still cry at Daddy! My Daddy!

Forgive me for butting in, but I've been giving this matter some thought myself! I came up with Noel Clarke (he was Mickey in the first series of 'new Who' with Christopher Ecclestone and Billy Piper). I haven't seen him in much else, but from his imdb.com page he's been in loads of other stuff and is also a writer.

Thanks. Aww, I can't believe that! It's the second time recently a book has made me cry... and that doesn't happen all that often! At least this time I was at home on my own so there was nobody to witness it - I was on the London Underground last time! I cried twice at this, and I'd already cried twice whilst watching Goodnight Mr Tom in the afternoon, so yesterday was a rather emotional day! Mind you, you are looking at someone who cries at the stupidest things!

Welcome, Beth. I look forward to reading this blog.

I buy my best friend a book for Christmas every year. This year it's a toss up between Ella Minnow Pea and The Art of Racing in the Rain so far.

I loved Ella Minnow Pea too, Kay! Great review.

Aww, thanks.

I have The Ballad of Reading Gaol on my Kindle, Kay. I got rid of The Moving Toyshop a few months ago though - whoops, sounds like I made a mistake!!

Oh it is! I had high hopes for it, but at the same time I was a bit nervous that it wouldn't live up to expectations. It's a definite re-read one! To read reduction 16/85 - 11.11.12 - 69 remaining ETA: I somehow managed to muck up my figures - I have more books remaining than I thought! To read reduction 16 finished - 11.11.12 - 72 remaining

I can barely see to type this, because I have just finished A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness. Oh. my. goodness.

Sweet!

I gave up on Mrs Pargeter's Point of Honour by Simon Brett a couple of days ago. I read all the others in the series about 15 or so years ago but for some reason never got round to this one. I think my reading tastes have changed so much over the last six years that it was just too... silly and predictable. Shame really!

I gave up on The Children's Book after about 200 pages. I just couldn't get into it. Such a pretty cover, too...!

I made an effort and had caught up, but I find I’m behind again. It’s much easier to read the books than to write about them! You’ve done much better than me! I, too, resolved not to acquire too many books this year – and I’m up to 47. I’m rubbish, I am! I feel under pressure to read more each year than the year before. This year I have already done so, but that just puts more pressure on next year. I do wonder why I can’t just read for enjoyment’s sake and forget the number – but I can’t! That’s good. I tend not to get books as presents from many people – I guess they don’t know what I’ve read and what I haven’t. I do usually get a book voucher of some sort from my Aunt though, which I’m always very grateful for. I’m not very good at stepping out of my comfort zone, either! The thought of reading books about aliens mostly leaves me cold! I did enjoy War of the Worlds and The Day of the Triffids/The Midwich Cuckoos, but I think they’re fairly tame in the sci-fi world! I read a couple of Danielle Steele books in my late teens and remember enjoying them, but the thought of reading them now leaves me cold! Hehe – I always judge books by their covers too! I read one with the most hideous cover ever... it was rubbish! Nope, I’m with you on that one! Just out of interest, would you watch a film on TV right to the end if it was rubbish, or would you turn over? Do it – it won’t kill you! I used to always finish a book, no matter how rubbish, but with so many books and so little time I’ve decided that life’s too short to read bad books.

I haven't read any of those authors - I'd like to read Mantel's Wolf Hall (and therefore maybe the sequel from the above list). Will Self is far too clever for my little brain, I fear!

I might end up buying it if I enjoy it (I was attracted to the cover when I saw it in Waterstone's back in August) - but it won't count if I've read it! I do have the gorgeous illustrated copy - that's why I don't want to read my own! I'm spoilt for choice - I don't know which one of them to read first!

I used to rate books out of 10, but like you said, it's far too complicated! Happy reading.

Project "reduce 'to read' pile": -1 - Book abandoned - Mrs Pargeter's Point of Honour by Simon Brett - 08.11.12 - 69 remaining +1 - December RC book (from library) - The Vanishing Act by Mette Jakobsen - 09.11.12 = 70 remaining I also got A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness out of the library, but this doesn't count as I already own the book - I just don't want to read my own copy!