Janet

Amen to that!

I'm currently dipping in and out of Modern Delight - which is a book of very short (one or two page) essays by various celebrities on what give them delight. I'm loving it! It's a Waterstones exclusive and is based on the book Delight by J B Priestley (which I intend to buy sometime soon!) which was first published in 1949.

Yes, it's interesting that George (Bowling) predicts on at least one occasion (and possibly twice) in the novel that war will be upon them by 1942 - I wonder if that's what Orwell believed too when he was writing?

The Sisterhood by Emily Barr The ‘blurb’ Who is Elizabeth Greene? To me, she’s everything. I’ve always felt something was missing. And then I found out I had a sister I never knew existed. Elizabeth Greene: I had to meet her. My plan was to get to know her before telling her our secret. But this isn’t how I imagined it. I don’t feel in control any more. Liz has been looking at me strangely, asking awkward questions. Does she suspect something? But we were meant to find each other, so it will all work out in the end, I know it will. It has to. When Liz splits up with her long-term partner and finds herself pregnant after a one-night stand, she decides to keep the baby and bring it up on her own. Finding herself with a distinct lack of friends after the split, she finds comfort posting on a forum for pregnant women and new mums. Meanwhile in France, Helen comes across a faded photograph of her mother holding a baby that is not her or her younger brother. Through the internet, she discovers her sister, Liz Greene, on ‘Babytalk’ and starts to build a friendship with her. Helen plans to move to London and meet Liz in person. When the time is right, she’ll reveal that they are sisters. But her idea is not going according to plan… I always enjoy Emily Barr’s books. They are what could be described as chick-lit with sinister overtones. Whilst I found that this book was rather predictable, I guessed that for example, the pace of it and the way it is divided into sections of either Liz’s story or Helen’s story - with the occasional bit about ‘Mary’ - made it quite compelling and I found I had to keep picking it up to find out what would happen next. My only slight criticism is that I felt the prologue was a bit of a giveaway as to what was coming! The paperback is 439 pages long and is published by Headline. The ISBN number is 978-0755335572. 7

It certainly does. How likely it would be to really happen is questionable but like you, I thought it added an unusual twist! I always enjoy Emily Barr’s books. They are what could be described as chick-lit with sinister overtones. Whilst I found that this book was rather predictable, I guessed that , for example, the pace of it and the way it is divided into sections of either Liz’s story or Helen’s story - with the occasional bit about ‘Mary’ - made it quite compelling and I found I had to keep picking it up to find out what would happen next. My only slight criticism is that I felt the prologue was a bit of a giveaway as to what was coming!

Yesterday I finished The Day Job by Mark Wallington. Not sure what to read next - maybe Through The Looking Glass?

Oooh, I have King Solomon's Mines somewhere - I'll have to move it up the 'to read' pile!

BBC Radio 2 are running a vote to find out your 'favourite bedtime story' - that which you loved hearing... or reading to your own children. There is a long-list of 36 to choose from here Of course, your book is probably not on this list! This round of voting is open to anyone until 2pm this Friday, 23 October. The list will then be whittled down to the short-list of 8 titles. (This competition is run by the BBC for 'fun' there are not prizes! Terms and Conditions here. I thought it would be interesting to do a poll here, but there are too many options! The books are as follows: There are lots I like on here to I'll have to give it some thought!

I'm glad you enjoyed The Heretic's Daughter, Angel. I loved it - I thought the chapters featuring (in spoiler tags in case anyone who wanders in here plans to read it!) where so well written and really gave one a sense of what it must have been like to be there!

I'm about half-way through The Day Job by Mark Wallington. He's a scriptwriter - this is the account of how he worked as a gardener whilst waiting for his writing career to take off. I haven't come across him before (although he's apparently written several successful accounts of his dog, 'Bogie' (in fact, I think I've seen that someone hear is reading one?), which I gather are quite well known) - it was in a bag of books given to my mother-in-law. It's light reading but good so far.

I posted this back in February in a thread named (unsurprisingly!) 'Henry Miller' but it had no replies. I thought I'd ask again in the designated thread.

We're a resourceful lot when we need to be, us bookworms!

Hmm, maybe, although I'd have thought they'd just scan the barcode for that.

I also think it's probably an anti-theft device. Maybe to ensure the employees of the store you bought it don't steal the books rather than the customers, if it's an online store. Welcome to BCF. I look forward to finding out what you like to read, etc.

Welcome back. Six languages?! Wow, that's very impressive!

Apparently one book is repeated twice in some of the first editions (if not all) so there are only 39 books. Ms Hill reckons it will make them collectible.

Thanks Fi. I'm glad you're enjoying it. Have you got the copy with the mistake in it?

I finished Kensuke's Kingdom (what a lovely book) and then read The Sisterhood by Emily Barr. Thoughts on both to follow. I haven't decided what I'm going to read next. Hmmm.

Someone gave my mother-in-law a bag of books but she's not a big reader so she gave them to me to see if there is anything I want. I got: Keeping the Dead and Life Support by Tess Gerritsen for my hubby The Warrior's Princess by Barbara Erskine (no idea about this/her as I haven't Googled yet) The Day Job by Mark Wallington (ditto) The Trespass by Barbara Ewing The Road to Nab End by William Woodruff

Ooh thanks - I'll check that out. I saw it on Susan Hill's site when I was searching for bookclub suggestions and it's in the new edition of New Books Mag... but both articles are (naturally) non-objective as they're her opinion!

I know someone here is currently reading Howards End is on the Landing by Susan Hill, but I can't remember who it is! I was thinking of asking for it from my Aunt for Christmas and I just wondered what whoever it is thinks/though of it. Thanks in advance.

As I started reading your post I was thinking how much this sounds like Benjamin Button! I'd like to read that at some stage but I'm not sure whether I want to read two very similar stories. Hmmm.

Haha - good idea! Although she'd never forgive me and she's a valuable friend, so perhaps not...!

You should find some good suggestions in this existing thread.