Janet

I've just finished Before We Say Goodbye by Louise Candlish. Thoughts to follow. I'm about to start The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde.

I think you're in the minority on that one! One man's meat... and all that.

I've merged the two threads. Since I last posted, my daughter has started reading. She loves the film of Angus, Thongs... (urgh - I thought it was dreadful!) so I might see if she'd like to try the books.

I'm sure I read somewhere that The Liar is based on his experiences. I'd like to read that one day. I can't wait for the sequel to MOAB.

Ditto - and I have a large one of those! I also have a wishlist, kept on Amazon. It has so, so, so many items on it - I'll never manage to buy/read them all, but it helps me keep track of things I come across and like the sound of. I do occasionally go though it and then specifically buy items - and I also find things I've bought, forgetting they were on my wishlist, and delete them!!

I went to our local large second-hand bookstore, The Bookbarn, a few weeks ago and they'd got about 10 of these Wicca books on one shelf in the 'unsorted' section, all brand new. I was drawn to the pretty pale pastel coloured covers but I read the blurb and they didn't sound like my cup of tea. I'm glad I didn't pick one up now!

He's 81 - 3 days older than my Dad. The participants have been announced!! Joe Calzaghe - Boxer Lynda Bellingham - Actress Rav Wilding - Crimewatch host Phil Tufnell - Cricket commentator Martina Hingis - Tennis player Ricky Whittle - Actor Ali Bastian - Actor Ricky Groves - Actor Natalie Cassidy - Actor Chris Hollins - BBC Breakfast Zoe Lucker - Actress Laila Rouss - Actress Jade Johnson - sports personality? Richard Dunwoody - Jockey Jo Wood - estranged wife of Rolling Stone Ronnie Craig Kelly - Actor More info here

I do, but only if they're in a shop so I can read the first few pages. I'm far less likely to do so from a website without getting a feel for it first. I've found some good ones - the Salem one that I keep going on about was an unknown author/impulse purchase is a good example - and I loved it. The one I'm reading now is an unknown (to me) author too.

Have you read any other of Emily Barr's books, Rach? I see you gave it 6/10. I've read most of hers apart from The Sisterhood (which is in my to read pile). I thought the one I read before this (Plan B) had lost the usual edgy feel to it that her previous offerings had. Although this wasn't as good as earlier ones I felt it was more of a return to form. You've made me think I'll push The Sisterhood up the pile to see how that one compares.

That sounds like a lot of pressure to put on yourself, but good luck with achieving it. Does this mean you aren't buying books until you've read them?

I loved this book too! It's been 4 years since I read it so perhaps it's time for a reread?! Are you going to see the film?

I started at the beginning of 2006 when I joined a real-life book club - I love looking back at what I've read and reading my thoughts.

I'm pleased with my 43 - I've already beaten last year's total of 40 books (but then I haven't done a GCSE or A Level this year so I've had more time!).

Oops, my mistake Ben - I forgot to change the details from the last book I read. It's actually 407 pages but doesn't feel like a long book.

I've posted my thoughts on Friends Like These here.

Friends Like These by Danny Wallace The ‘blurb’ Danny Wallace is about to turn thirty. Recently married and living in a smart new area of town, he's swapped pints down the pub for lattes and brunch. For the first time in his life, he's feeling, well ...grown-up. But something's missing. Something he can’t quite put his finger on. Until he finds an old address book containing just twelve names. His best mates as a kid. Where are they now? Who are they now? And how are they coping with being grown-up too? And so begins a journey from A-Z, tracking down and meeting his old gang. He travels from Berlin to Tokyo, from Sydney to LA. He even goes to Loughborough. He meets Fijian chiefs. German rappers. Some ninjas. And a carvery manager who's managed to solve time travel. But how will they respond to a man they haven't seen in twenty years, turning up and asking if they're coming out to play? Shortly before his 30th birthday, Danny’s Mum sends him a huge box containing memorabilia from Danny’s childhood, including an old address book. It contains 12 (13, if you include The Michael Jackson Fanclub!) addresses of children with whom he was best friends over the years. However, his Dad’s job meant that the Wallace family moved a few times, and over the course of time and distance, Danny has lost friends with all the names in this address book. However the memories of them are as strong as ever, and so, in some kind of mid-life crisis, Danny decides to try to track them all down. What follows is both funny and touching as Danny describes how he goes about trying to track everyone down. The humour is gentle but there are more than a few ‘laugh out loud’ moments. The writing style is lovely - very easy to read. If there was an Olympic sport of Crying at the drop of a hat then I’d win it the gold medal hands down, so it’s hardly surprising that I cried at the end of the book - I won’t say why! Did Danny finish his challenge and track everyone down? Now, that would be telling, wouldn’t it! I think anyone who likes travel writing would enjoy this. The style reminds me of McCarthy’s Bar by Pete McCarthy, or perhaps One Hit Wonderland by Tony Hawks, both of which I enjoyed, so it’s no surprise to me that I liked this too. I can’t wait to try Yes Man now! The paperback is 407 pages long and is published by Ebury Press. The ISBN number is 978-0091896775.

Thanks Ben, that's good to know. In that case I look forward to reading your thoughts.

It's very near the top of my 'to read' pile. I got it at that Book Spa thing that my husband bought me - it was highly recommended by the bookstore owner. I won't read your thread about it when you've finished it until after I've read it, but I'll look forward to comparing notes.

Thanks Paula, but as I've already got Pink Rabbit I'll probably get the separate volumes. Thanks for the comments, everyone.

I'm about a third of the way through Friends Like These by Danny Wallace. I picked it up on a whim and I'm really enjoying it. I love his easy writing style.

I have Travels with my Aunt on my bookcase, Frankie. I'm pleased to read you enjoyed it. I have another two of his books also (in one volume) but I can't remember offhand which stories they are!