Janet

My daughter tried one of my Famous Five books, and declared it boring! I reread them all myself a few years ago, and found them to be really dated. I enjoyed them for old time's sake, but I don't think they really stand the test of time. I started reading the Narnia books to my children, and whilst some of the language in them is a bit dated (I did have a silent chuckle reading The Magician's Nephew when Polly tells Digory not to show anyone his ring!), but the stories are still fun. Other books stand the test of time better - Charlotte's Web, Gobillino The Witches Cat and Winnie-The-Pooh have all been enjoyed at various times in this house!

Thanks.

I thought it was pretty true to the book - a few minor changes, but nothing that spoilt it for me. The only thing was that I imagined Sal as being slightly more na

Can you tell me what the next book in the series is please? Did anyone watch this? I thought it was a good adaptation of the book, and I liked Billie Piper as Sal.

I don't tend to read historical novels, but I do enjoy Joanne Harris. Maybe I'll get this to try, seeing as I read Chocolat such a long time ago. They've got numerous copies of this secondhand in our local Bookbarn for about

This is one of my favourite reads of 2006. It was so different from the three 'Food' books set in France by Joanne Harris that I have previously read. The book was descriptive and I loved the school setting. I certainly didn't guess what the twist would be.

I read this a few years ago. I remember being annoyed by her at times too! Really not my cup of tea.

That's why I picked it up! Hope you enjoy it. Sugar - I will look out for the other books in this series.

I've just finished The Ruby In The Smoke by Philip Pullman. 6/10 20 books read in 2006

The ‘Blurb’ Soon after Sally Lockhart’s father drowns at sea, she receives a strange anonymous letter. The dire warning it contains makes a man die of fear at her feet. Determined to discover the truth about her father’s death, Sally is plunged into a terrifying mystery in the dark heart of Victorian London, at the centre of which lies a deadly, blood-soaked jewel. Sally Lockhart is orphaned at 16, and is sent to live with her father’s second cousin, who resents the intrusion. She receives a mysterious note in the post, warning her that her life is in danger, and telling to contact a man called Marchbanks, who will help her. It also contains the warning “beware of the seven blessings.” With help from a lad called Jim at the shipping agents that her father worked for, Sally tries to solve the puzzle, whilst other people are plotting to kill her. She goes to visit Marchbanks, and he gives her a book which will help her solve the mystery. He also warns her of a woman, who wishes harm on Sally and tells her the woman is in his house at that very moment. On the way back to the train, Sally hides from the mysterious woman in the tent of a young man, Frederick, who is a photographer. He gives her his card, which proves useful, as Sally has to turn to him for help and safety. Pullman obviously ‘knows his stuff’ when it comes to Victorian England, and his characters and locations are beautifully written, which helps bring the story alive. It’s a bit simplistic, but this is a children’s book, so that’s hardly surprising. It was a good read though. Apparently it’s going to be on the BBC over Christmas, with Billie Piper playing Sally! The paperback is 209 pages long and is published by Scholastic. The ISBN number is 0439943663. 6/10 (Read December 2006)

Yum! Fancy making extra for me?!

I'll be intersted to read what you think of this.

I really like the sound of this. My friend read it earlier this year and said it was good. I'm waiting for the paperback though, which I think must be out soonish!

Is anyone who started still doing this? It does sound great, but I don't read fast enough, and what with my real-life bookworms group and AS Level English, I wouldn't have enough time to do this.

*sighs* Another one for my enormous to-read pile methinks! I loved Small Island - thanks for the review.

I'm good thanks. You? I've just bought 'The Ruby in the Smoke' by Phillip Pullman. I've not read any of his before, but it's going to be on TV at Christmas, so I wanted to read the book first. I think my son has a DWJ book upstairs - I'll have to check her out. Sometimes it's lovely to read books aimed at kids.

Ooooh, I loved Memoirs of a Geisha. I don't mean to seem rude, but is the Diana Wynne Jones book aimed at teenagers, or does she write for adults too?

Mmmm thanks. I might have a go at that next weekend. LOL @ 'Reading... is a pretty soulless town in Berkshire'!

Sounds yummy! Silly question, but did you fill the pasta 'raw' and then boil it, or did you cook it before you filled it. I'm guessing the former! I love pasta, especially with mushrooms, pesto and pine nuts, but I've never made my own.

Finished The Christmas Mystery. It was a good read. It's our Bookworms December read, and I'll probably give it 7

The

Having read the reviews on Amazon (after I'd read the book - I never read them before) - it seems that for most people, it's a book you either love or loathe. For me, I was middling, but most people who reviewed it had a very extreme opinion about it! It got 3

I've just finished Wise Children by Angela Carter. It’s not the best book I've ever read, but it was quite amusing and got better towards the end. I think it'll give way to some good discussion at college. This is one of our set texts for AS Level English, and will be in our exam in May (so I guess I’ll be reading it more than once…!). The paperback is 232 pages long and is published by Vintage Books. The ISBN number is 978-0-099-981107. 5½/10 (Read November 2006) I've now started The Christmas Mystery by Jostein Gardeer, which is my real-life bookworms December read.

The �Blurb� A richly comic tale of the tangled fortunes of two theatrical families, the Hazards and Chances, Angela Carter's witty and bawdy novel is populated with as many sets of twins, and mistaken identities as any Shakespeare comedy, and celebrates the magic of over a century of show business. The narrator of the book is former showgirl Dora Chance. She and her twin Leonora (Nora) are the illegitimate children of renowned Shakespearian actor Melchior Hazzard, himself a twin. He denies being their father, so his brother, Peregrine, takes on the role. The story spans many decades. Dora and Nora are born at the time of the first world war, and the story starts with them on their 75th birthdays (c1990), having received an invitation to their real father�s 100th birthday party - they share a birthday. Dora then tells the story of them growing up, and of how Melchior denies them, and of how his life goes. He marries three times. There are at least 5 sets of twins in this book. The book climaxes with the party, where there are many surprises in store! Carter obviously loves Shakespeare, and uses many references to him in her book. It�s not the best book I've ever read, but it was quite amusing and got better towards the end. I think it'll give way to some good discussion at college. This is one of our set texts for AS Level English, and will be in our exam in May (so I guess I�ll be reading it more than once�!). The paperback is 232 pages long and is published by Vintage Books. The ISBN number is 978-0-099-981107. 5�/10* (Read November 2006) *ETA: Having re-read it a few times for A Level, I've decided this is definitely worthy of a higher score than 5/10!

I'm confused too! I may have posted the link (I listen to Wogan), but I didn't say that it was my husband - I think someone else said that bit!