Janet

Thought some of you guys might like this... http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1600119180?bclid=1543265885&bctid=22437933001

I have a letter 'J' like the one Ben posted, but I've stopped using it as it damages the pages.

I don't tend to read a lot of books with blood and guts featuring in them, although like you, I've read a fair few WW1 stories and it's acceptable in those as it's true to life. I don't tend to read horror books, so most of my reading is mild in terms of gore! I find it hard to read. When I read A Child Called It I had to put the book down and take deep breaths on more than one occasion, and even in Mark Haddon's A Spot of Bother there was one part (anyone who has read the book will know what I mean!) where I found it difficult to read! In answer to your question, yes, I think it's more acceptable in some books than others!

I read these many, many years ago and from memory, they're aimed at a younger audience than the Famous Five books. The children in these stories are younger (aged 7 to 12 I think) than George, Julian et al. ETA: Have you come across what are now called 'the Barney books'? The Rilloby Fair Mystery, The Rat-a-tat Mystery... I think they're for older children. Rilloby Fair

Oh, this sounds right up my street - I'll have to look out for it. Thanks for the review.

I've only read one of his (so far) - The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle - it was decidedly strange! I think most of them are 'different'... shall we say!

Thanks for the reply, Paula. I came this site which lists the occult novels - there are only one or two he hasn't read.

First The Post Office Girl and now The Earth Hums in B Flat - I really want to read that one too!

Only BCF's blog and Amazon. I try not to read reviews before I've read the book!

I finished The Reader by Bernhard Schlink whilst I was away recently - I thought it was great! 9/10.

I started reading Two Degrees West by Nicholas Crane a few years back, but I gave up on it. Unfortunately I got rid of it as I think I might appreciate it more now.

First I'm attracted by the covers (unless it's an author I'm familiar with) - then I read the back cover and the front page to see if I like the writing style.

I picked this up last week in Borders but then decided not to add to my mahoosive to read pile - are you enjoying it? Back on topic... Joe wiped himself down with his handkerchief. He said to himself that one day he would pay the Angry Pixie back! 'Come on,' said Frannie impatiently. The Enchanted Wood by Enid Blyton - I haven't (re)read this yet.

I've read one or two. I loved Tony Hawk's Round Ireland With a Fridge and enjoyed McCarthy's Bar by Pete McCarthy. I've read several Brysons and have Down Under in my 'to read' pile. It's a genre I'd definitely like to read more of - it's knowing which to pick - there are so many in Waterstone's!

It's a tricky one to make progress on though - and at least you're doing it. I got all excited about adding Germany to mine (The Reader) until I remembered that I already did All Quiet on the Western Front! I keep thinking I should do Russia next to fill in a big block of red on my map!

I only gave this 6/10 when I read it, but it stayed with me for a long time afterwards and having mulled it over in my mind, I think that was a bit low and I'd probably revise it to 8/10 just for the fact that it made me think so much.

I've done some digging online and can confirm that the books you posted are the same - just with different covers. Hope that helps.

I would say this is a perfect book for reading in the bath, Kell (if you can do that - personally I can't, but hubby spends hours in the bath reading) - it's definitely a 'one-sitting' read and is just charming.

Just about to start The Reader by Bernhard Schlink. ETA: Which I did - but then I remembered I'd already done Germany. D'oh!

Finished Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh - 9/10 It took me ages to read (I've been so busy) but I thought it was great!

Finished Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh today. Lovely book - 9/10.

I'm glad she's been made Laureate, although I'm surprised she accepted the post. From the BBC I'm pretty certain there are other fans on here - what are your favourite poems by her? I'm only familiar with her collection The World's Wife plus a few other random ones but keep meaning to buy some more of her work.

I just posted in another thread about this (will go and delete that post in a sec) and then thought to do a search! Are you still watching, Sue? I am - I think it's excellent. Definitely my favourite thing on TV at the moment! Jake - mmmmm!