Janet

I've read 9 Dahls so far this year, and this was definitely my least favourite!

Interestingly my version isn't illustrated by the wonderful Quentin Blake either, Kylie - it's illustrated by Faith Jaques. It's just not right! However it was definitely the story I didn't like - I thought it was stupid and a bit odd... and for some reason I can't put my finger on it gave me the creeps.

Hehe - I love that phrase! You're not stupid. And you're not misleading, Kay. I made ice cream once (but without an ice cream maker) - it was really nice, but I've never made it since!

Thanks, Kay. I really didn't enjoy the book at all. Still, at least I didn't save it for the end of my Dahl challenge!

Sally (?) - I don't know if your library might help on the print score, but I bought a Puffin version of Jane Eyre because of the tiny print in the Penguin version. It's 'complete and unabridged' but has decent font size! They might have a Puffin version you could borrow? I must say that's one of the features I do love about the Kindle - the ability to change the size of the print.

I was so sad to read this earlier. When I was a little girl I used to sing his song 'Grandad' to my own Grandad. I loved the character of Jonesy. RIP to a great man.

I got it off Derren's website - there was an address (of his agent, I vaguely remember) suggesting people to write in for signed pics. However, it was back in 2006 (according to the frank-mark on envelope, in which I keep it) when he wasn't as famous - the FAQs on his site have this info: I did find this site though, which has info about how to get a signed photo. http://www.fanmail.biz/63941.html

It's not a list - it's a post - but instead of containing quotes it's had the colours changed.

Aww, I hope he does get home for Christmas.

I really like Derren Brown! I wrote to him and he sent me a signed photo! I've read both of Roald Dahl's 'Charlie' books over the last two days. I didn't much care for Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator. I haven't decided what to read next.

Finished Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator by Roald Dahl (thank goodness!). To read reduction - 15/85 - 07.11.12 - 70 remaining

Finished Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl last night. To read reduction 14/85 - 06.11.12 - 71 remaining

Have any of you read Watership Down? I know you have, Kay, and that you liked it. I think that and Firmin are the only books I have read that have been narrated by animals... although there are probably more that I've forgotten!

I must get round to reading this! I've never seen House either, Kylie - so you're not alone - there are two of us! Kay - your post above (the prettyful one) has made me chuckle, but I'm a bit too woolly-headed with cold to reply to it today - I tried copying/pasting into word but with no quote boxes my eyes were swimming - I will come back to it.

We do! And cake. Don't forget the cake! Awww, and mine loves you! Maybe I was a bit harsh. I will go and reword as I don't want to upset anyone. I need to go back and read other people's replies too - I forgot to do so (I have a cold and my head is a bit woolly!).

Thanks. I finished it last night and thought it was great. Despite the 'open endedness' of it, I hadn't realised (or had forgotten) it was a sequel. I shall be glad to read more about Hannah and Sarah.

Thanks, Michelle. I did a bit more research and was coming to the same conclusion. I'm worried it might be a bit slushy, but for 99p I think I might give it a punt.

Thanks. I'm feeling really positive about it - I'm determined not to buy any more new books this year! I finished The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein for this month's RC on Saturday and am currently reading At the Sign of the Sugared Plum by Mary Hooper on my Kindle.

I've not read any Stuart McBride, Laura, but I know lots of people who like him. Have you looked at the views on Amazon? Has anyone read Madensky Square by Eva Ibbotson? It's today's 99p Kindle deal - I've read a few of hers and enjoyed them but I'm not clear whether this is an adult novel or a children's/YA one! (I realise I've left it a bit late - I've only just looked at my daily emails!).

It is! I really didn't have high hopes for it (my Mum, who read it earlier this year, didn't think it would be 'my thing' so I had reservations) so I was really pleasantly surprised.

Thanks, Kay - it was wonderful. Thanks. I didn't know about the War Rooms. We didn't actually go into Uxbridge - we ran out of time.

Fantastic review of By Night in Chile, Alex! I agree totally - I can't actually remember what it was about now, it was so dull!

As ever, I'm answering these questions before reading anyone else's answers. Therefore any similar answers just mean that poster and I had the same thoughts and feelings about that particular question. 1- Who was your favourite character? Enzo – without a shadow of a doubt – and I doubt I’m the only one! I also liked Zoë for her loyalty to her father (although how realistic that is I don’t know – she was very young to be able to stick to her guns like that). Obviously Luca was a real star, as were Denny's work colleagues! But Enzo was definitely the best! 2- Was there a particular part you enjoyed more than the rest Not really. I loved the whole thing! 3- Was this the first book you've read by this author.. has it encouraged you to read more? It is the first book of Stein’s that I’ve read. To be honest, I’m really unsure about trying anything else as I don’t see how he could write another novel this good! I don’t actually know what else he’s written though so I will check him out – so maybe I will after all! 4- Were there any parts/ideas you struggled with? Not in terms of being able to read – or with believability. But I did struggle with Enzo’s death. My head knew it was absolutely the right time for him to go, but my heart broke when I read the pages of his death. It was so well written. I cried buckets – which was rather unfortunate as I was on the London Underground at the time so I got lots of curious looks! 5- Did you feel you were viewing the world through the eyes of a dog? Yes, definitely. I thought Stein wrote really well as a dog! I really got into his character and was reading through his eyes. 6- Are you a fan of motorsport? .. did you enjoy its incorporation into this story? No, I’m not a motorsport fan – although my husband is so I know a little about it – which helped as I’d at least heard of most of the people mentioned. My book doesn’t have any ‘blurb’ on the back cover so I actually thought the book was going to be about dog racing! However I actually quite enjoyed the racing element. 7- What was your take on the evil toy zebra and why did Enzo rip Zoë's toys apart? Enzo had been shut up in the house without food, and with little water, for three days so I’m not surprised he attacked Zoë's toys. He was worried about Eve and frustrated that he couldn't do anything to help her – I think he was hallucinating due to dehydration and probably believed the zebra really was moving. 8- Is Enzo anything like your dog/pet? .. do you believe that animals know more than we give them credit for? I don’t have any pets but I know enough about animals to believe that they (and particularly dogs) are able to ‘read’ human behaviour and are certainly cleverer than we sometimes give them credit for. We’ve all heard of someone’s dog who knows their owner is about to drive up the road several minutes before that happens. Or dogs who have lain with their sick/injured owners, refusing to leave them until help arrives - many are totally in tune with their human. 9- Overall was reading the book an enjoyable experience? Oh yes – I think this is possibly the best book I’ve read so far this year. 10- Would you recommend the book and if so to whom? Anyone… I think anyone would enjoy this. I think most people would find it easy to fall in love with Enzo!

I've been to Cyprus twice, and loved it! I'd like to live in or near Pathos!

I appear to be in the minority! I had a Kindle for Christmas - it was a complete surprise. It's useful, but I'm not in love with it. It's convenient for travelling/holidays (and I will be taking it away with me this weekend - I've got the Kindle version of the paper book I'm currently reading - November's RC book) - and it is handy to be able to change the font size - but I still prefer paper books. I think this is partly because I have so many on my 'to read' pile so I tend to only download the free classics - so maybe it will change when my pile is gone. I still don't see it ever taking over from real books for me though.