Janet

I started Carry On, Jeeves by P G Wodehouse yesterday. I haven't had time to read any today, sadly, but I'm loving what I've read so far. I picture Fry and Laurie, but that doesn't bother me at all! (If I hadn't seen their TV show, I'd probably picture Jeeves and the posh bloke from the Croft Original adverts - but you're mostly too young to remember those! ). *Note so self. When reading this in a public place (ie the hospital cafe) prepare for funny looks when chuckling out loud!

I don't know this, but I've found a website about alphabet books which might help?

I *love* that expression! I've had the album Waking Hours by Del Amitri on in the car for the last few days. I haven't listened to it for about 2 years so I'm enjoying revisiting it.

A book featuring Parkinson's Disease... interesting! The only thing about the blurb that bugs me slightly is "Should we struggle to prolong his life, or help him to end it?" - I don't quite understand what it means by prolong because Parkinson's disease doesn't actually kill one - in fact there is a saying... "You don't die of Parkinson's - you die with it". I shall await your thoughts on this book with interest.

That sounds like a good idea, Kylie! Remembrance by Theresa Breslin The ‘blurb’ Summer 1915, and the sound of the guns at the Western Front can be heard across the Channel in England. Throughout Britain, local regiments are recruiting for Kitchener’s Army. And in the village of Stratharden, the Great War will alter irrevocably the course of five young lives… I’ve not read anything by this author before, but I was drawn to this book because of my interest in reading novels about World War 1. It felt familiar, like I’d read about it before somewhere. It turns out that I had it on my Amazon Wishlist - I must have added it at least 3 years ago! (I bought it in a charity shop and it was in the adult section - the cover, whilst pretty, doesn't make it look like a childrens book). As I started reading this book, I was rather surprised by the tone of it. It felt almost like the author was being patronising which seemed strange… until I noticed on the back that it’s a children’s book! That made more sense and I was then able to settle down to enjoy the story, knowing it was not written with me in mind as target audience and that the tone is perfectly correct for readers of about 10 or so! It tells the story of five people on the brink of adulthood, all of whom are affected by the War. The story starts in 1915 and moves through the years to the end of the war, and is set both in Scotland and on the battlefields of France. It not only deals with the war but also with those left behind. Particularly interesting is the way the author writes about women, and how they gained a certain amount of independence which they had never known before. She also deals with the question of pacifism and how this affected families, and how social barriers were changing, again, as a result of the war. When writing about the horrors of war, the author deals with it in a way which is indicative of how it really was without being too graphic, being sensitive to her target audience. At the same time, the story isn’t all happy endings so it is realistic. I asked my children about this book and it wasn’t used in their primary school, but I would have thought this was an excellent book for introducing years 5 and 6 to WW1. I thought it was very good. The paperback is 303 pages long and is published by Corgi. The ISBN number is 978-0552547383.

At a guess I'd say a 60/40 split in favour of fiction. For non-fiction I like humorous travel/lifestyle books (Bill Bryson, Danny Wallace, Gervase Phinn...) and I also like to read tie-ins of TV shows I've enjoyed such as Stephen Fry in America, What the Victorians did for us, Who Do You Think You Are? etc.

It's something to do with the numbering on the publishing page, I believe. First editions say something like 1 3 5 6 9 8 6 4 2 on them (I've made that up as I'm not sure of the exact sequence). ETA: This appears to relate to 'print run' rather than 'print edition' - sorry! From Wiki More info here. I haven't read through it as I haven't time, but maybe something there will help. Welcome to the forum, btw.

I just saw that on the BBC site. Very sad.

I am always in awe of the number of books you buy! I think you also read at a quicker rate than me though.

I was supposed to be going to Ypres in February, but unfortunately the trip didn't get enough interest and was cancelled. I intend to go one day. I don't mind which region, although The Somme would be good as one of my great-uncles was killed there in WW1. My husband isn't interested*. My Mum would come with me, but she couldn't possibly leave my Dad for any length of time so I'll possibly end up going on an organised trip on my own some day. *That makes him sound uncaring which he isn't - it's just not his thing.

My DH didn't used to read much but in the last 12/18 months he's suddenly discovered a reading mojo! And thanks. I've a real interest in WW1 now since doing A level English Lit as a mature student recently. ETA: I enjoyed Kevin - although as a Mum myself, I agree that it was difficult reading it.

I can't recommend it... as I haven't read it! However, I have my eye on this, which is non-fiction (I don't know if that appeals to you or not?). It was written in about 1950.

It sounds really good, NN. I'm trying to resist buying any more books at the moment (and failing!) but I might keep my eyes open for this one in secondhand/charity shops! ETA: Did your OH read it?!

It's certainly a popular book, Ben. I loved it! I'm glad you're enjoying it.

Aww, that's sweet of you, Nollaig (and of Diane to offer it!). My daughter loves MM, although technically she's probably too old for some of the now - but I know we have this one on our bookcase already. I've read a few of them after her and have enjoyed them.

Despite me reading nearly 60 books so far this year, my 'to read' pile is bigger than ever. I was going to be ruthless and get rid of some that have been there for years, but I just couldn't do it and only parted with about 10. It's beginning to frighten me just how big it is now. And my Amazon 'Wishlist' now stands at around 200 items - only about 6 or 7 of which are not books. Aaaaaaaaaaaargh! Anyway, I finished Remembrance yesterday and I've just started The Woman in Black by Susan Hill, which is my Bookworms book (my choice) for next Tuesday.

My copy of Delight by J B Priestley turned up in the post this morning. And I've just started reading The Woman in Black by Susan Hill for my Bookworms meeting next Tuesday.

Someone posted recently about London Belongs to Me and it sounds brilliant - and as Vanwa said, you can't go wrong with Wilde (and I'm sure Nollaig will be along before long to agree too! ).

Can you please wait for Nollaig before you take any action? You might not have seen my note above, but she has something planned - we discussed it in the Mod forum in September.

She's not around at the moment, but Nollaig had some plans for something along these lines - we had a discussion about it about a month or so ago in the Moderator Forum. Just thought I'd mention it as I'm sure she'd like to be involved.

Nearly everyone I know who has read The Book Thief cried - myself included!

Thanks Chrissie. She's 12, but until recently a reluctant reader so I think I'll get her one for Christmas.

I like the sound of this. I wonder if my daughter would enjoy it. Do you know what age group it's aimed at?