Janet

That's a good point. I've amended the title - if anyone wants to resubmit then feel free. If there is enough interest, I might compile a 'top however-many' like Roxi has with the other thread. I must get my thinking cap on and choose mine...

No, my Mum didn't like it either. I haven't bothered with them on the strength of this (we have similar tastes), nor have I watched the TV show.

A list of the 35 top Children's Classics named by the five "childrens' laureates" has just been released. Source Which five books would you choose? 2009 RESULTS! Roald Dahl was by far the most nominated author, having had 8 different titles nominated. 11 authors had two different titles nominated.

Whoops, sorry guys. I'd had a few glasses of wine (and I don't drink a lot so it doesn't take much...) so posting a spoiler seemed like a good idea at the time!

I'm not sure what the point of this thread is? As has been pointed out, this is a book forum for the discussion of books and reading. What one person loves, another will hate - that's what makes the world go round. In the time I've been a member here, I don't remember seeing many books that everyone on the entire forum who has read it has hated it, and therefore dissecting it. If you don't want to read any negative views then this forum is perhaps not for you?

*Don't read if you don't like spoilers...*

I think you could be right!

Yesterday I read The Two Pound Tram by William Newton. Wilfred, who is younger than his brother by 18 months, and Duncan leave home shortly after Duncan's 16th birthday and head for London to buy a tram. After realising they can't buy an electric one, they purchase a horse-drawn tram and a retired rag-and-bone horse and set off on their journey. After a brush with the law in Canterbury (where they pick up a young part-Romany girl who decides to travel with them), they end up in Worthing on the south coast where they get involved with the War effort, until one night, during a storm, a tragedy occurs that will end their idyllic lifestyle, but also help one of them to forge a different life. The story was pretty far-fetched in terms of coincidence and good fortune and I felt the ending was rather rushed and perhaps all tied up rather too nicely, but the story was a good one and it only took a couple of hours to read so is okay as something light and for a bit of escapism.

I never read fan fiction. If it's for something I really like then I worry it won't do the real thing justice. It's just not my thing, I guess.

The Gold Bug by Edgar Allan Poe The ‘blurb’ (inside the front cover) Believing William Legrand to have gone insane following an insect bite, his friend initially decries his quest for gold as the ramblings of a madman. Yet when Legrand's conviction refuses to waiver, they set off on a bizarre journey, accompanied by Jupiter, Legrand's loyal and equally sceptical servant. What follows is a strange tale of coded messages, hidden treasure and uncanny prophecy that will both baffle and enthral even the most perceptive of readers. Part horror story, part detective fiction, ‘The Gold Bug’ is an ingenious and imaginatively told tale bearing all the hallmarks of Poe’s remarkable narrative skill. It is presented here alongside two other stories of obsession, ‘The Sphinx’ and ‘William Wilson’ This is my first taste of Poe and this collection actually contains three short stories, although the only mention of this fact is inside the front cover! The main story is narrated by an unnamed friend of Legrand who observes how his friend becomes obsessed with finding treasure after being bitten by a golden coloured scarab-like beetle. Legrand’s servant Jupiter is a black man, whose dialogue is written phonetically and sometimes I found it difficult to follow so had to read it quite slowly! The way Jupiter is portrayed has been criticised as being stereotypical and that his accent is inauthentic, but I think one has to remember that when the story was written (1843) this portrayal would have been entirely acceptable. Although I enjoyed it I didn’t think of it as being a ‘horror’ story at all like the ‘blurb’ suggests. The second story in the collection, The Sphinx, is only 6 pages long (and can be read online here ). I won’t say too much about it as I don’t want to give anything away, but I thought it was great - very clever! The final story, William Wilson, is a story of doppelgangers - William Wilson attends school where another boy with the same name of him joins the school on the same day as him and shares the same birthday! He also looks quite a lot like William. Wilson leaves the school and after spending time at home, he enters Eton and then Oxford where his lifestyle becomes more and more debauched. His obsession with his double, who seems to turn up at every opportunity, consumes him and eventually leads him to attack his double. This was definitely the darkest of the three stories and also my favourite and I shall definitely be looking out for more by this author. The paperback is 83 pages long and is published by Hesperus. The ISBN number is 978-1843911449. 8/10

Yesterday I read The Gold Bug by Edgar Allen Poe. The book actually contains three short stories, all of which I enjoyed. The Gold Bug by Edgar Allen Poe The ‘blurb’ Believing William Legrand to have gone insane following an insect bite, his friend initially decries his quest for gold as the ramblings of a madman. Yet when Legrand's conviction refuses to waiver, they set off on a bizarre journey, accompanied by Jupiter, Legrand's loyal and equally sceptical servant. What follows is a strange tale of coded messages, hidden treasure and uncanny prophecy that will both baffle and enthral even the most perceptive of readers. Part horror story, part detective fiction, ‘The Gold Bug’ is an ingenious and imaginatively told tale bearing all the hallmarks of Poe’s remarkable narrative skill. It is presented here alongside two other stories of obsession, ‘The Sphinx’ and ‘William Wilson’ This is my first taste of Poe and this collection actually contains three short stories, although the only mention of this fact is inside the front cover! The main story is narrated by an unnamed friend of Legrand who observes how his friend becomes obsessed with finding treasure after being bitten by a golden coloured scarab-like beetle. Legrand’s servant Jupiter is a black man, whose dialogue is written phonetically and sometimes I found it difficult to follow so had to read it quite slowly! The way Jupiter is portrayed has been criticised as being stereotypical and that his accent is inauthentic, but I think one has to remember that when the story was written (1843) this portrayal would have been entirely acceptable. Although I enjoyed it I didn’t think of it as being a ‘horror’ story at all like the ‘blurb’ suggests. The second story in the collection, The Sphinx, is only 6 pages long (and can be read online here. I won’t say too much about it as I don’t want to give anything away, but I thought it was great - very clever! The final story, William Wilson, is a story of doppelgangers - William Wilson attends school where another boy with the same name of him joins the school on the same day as him and shares the same birthday! He also looks quite a lot like William. Wilson leaves the school and after spending time at home, he enters Eton and then Oxford where his lifestyle becomes more and more debauched. His obsession with his double, who seems to turn up at every opportunity, consumes him and eventually leads him to attack his double. This was definitely the darkest of the three stories and also my favourite and I shall definitely be looking out for more by this author. The paperback is 83 pages long and is published by Hesperus. The ISBN number is 978-1843911449. 8/10 (Read April 2009)

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I was very surprised when I read that too. I guess they don't translate so well into modern life but I thought they were available worldwide.

My mother-in-law reads Joanna Trollope. I've heard her books referred to as 'Aga Sagas'. I think it's because they revolve around family life, whereas a lot of chick-lit appears to be about single women or women who have split up with their partners.

I hated the film version! Was it really 10 years ago? I haven't read Lollipop Shoes yet either. I will also have to refresh my memory about Chocolat before I do so. I hope you enjoy it.

It's very short (only 57 pages of actual diary and then a few pages about the charity) but it's up to his usual comic standards! I have a few more of his still to read but have enjoyed everything by him that I have read.

@ 'caught the other bus'! Like everyone else, I'd never skip the prologue. Does this guy skip the epilogue too?!

Finished African Diary yesterday which was short and sweet! Tomorrow I shall start Brideshead Revisited.

Bill Bryson's African Diary The 'blurb' Bill Bryson goes to Kenya at the invitation of CARE International, the charity dedicated to working with local communities to eradicate poverty around the world. Kenya, generally regarded as the cradle of humankind, is a land of contrasts, with famous game reserves, stunning landscapes and a vibrant cultural tradition. It also provides plenty to worry a traveller like Bill Bryson, fixated as he is on the dangers posed by snakes, insects and large predators. But on a more sober note, it is a country that shares many serious human and environmental problems with the rest of Africa: refugees, AIDS, drought and grinding poverty. Travelling around the country, Bryson casts his inimitable eye on a continent new to him, and the resultant diary, though short in length, contains the trademark Bryson stamp of wry observation and curious insight. All the author's royalties from Bill Bryson's African Diary, as well as all profits, will go to CARE International. There has been some criticism about the length of this book - but the whole point of it is to raise awareness of the sterling work done by the charity 'Care' - as Bill Bryson puts it, you're making a donation of £7.99 to Care - and getting a free book in return! I bought it for that very reason, and also because I sponsor a child in Kenya (albeit through a different charity) and therefore have a personal interest in reading about the country. There isn't really very much to add that the 'blurb' (which is nearly as long as the book! ) hasn't mentioned. It's definitely worth a read if you like Bryson's writing (which I really do). His ramblings about his experiences of light aircraft had me laughing and cringing in equal measure - and as someone who *hates* flying - even on a 'proper' aircraft - makes me even less likely ever to set foot in one!

The Dragonfly Pool by Eva Ibbotson The 'blurb' Tally Hamilton does not want to be sent off to a stuffy boarding school all because of the stupid war. But Delderton Hall is not just any school. Eccentric, crazy and inspiring, Delderton is the gateway to a wonderful adventure - led by the mysterious Matteo, who speaks five languages and longs for his mountain home. There, in the troubled kingdom of Bergania, Tally will prove herself to e braver than she knew and discover a deep and lasting friendship at the dragonfly pool This book is aimed at the 9+ age-group. I was drawn to the pretty cover (I know, I know!) but had read about the author recently and so wanted to read something of hers, so the cover seemed as good a criterion as any! Set during World War 2, it's a sweet story of enduring friendships, loyalty and bravery set in two countries but involving children of several nations who all pull together to save the life of a young boy. The characters are well written, and it's a fun story. I'm sure the target audience would like it very much. The paperback is 398 pages long and is published by Macmillan books. The ISBN number is 978-0330456357. 7/10 (Read April 2009)