princessponti

ps...I've also just bought a Kenwood Minichopper! Not a cook book but a tiny little food processer for chopping anything and everything, makes life a lot easier - and it's so cute!!!

I've recently gotten back into cooking, so I have... Nigella Express; Nigella Lawson - it's got lots of great tips for making really quick food if you have a busy life. She suggests things like, making up lots of crumble topping to put in the freezer for a quick dessert. She is certainly not a 'diet' chef though, lots of unhealthy treats in this one Jamie at home; Jamie Oliver. Jamie is my favourite, I like his simple approach to cooking, grabbing things, bashing them up and throwing them in. So much more appealing than precisely chopping and measuring. This book couples some nice recipes with growing tips on veges and things for your garden. I've been inspired to get some herbs for my kitchen (first one bought today - a sad little organic coriander plant - I hope it survives!). It's broken into seasons, so it'll be nice to try and eat seasonal foods. (plus it's a beautiful book with a fabric cover) Curry Bible; Madhur Jaffry. I made my first curry from this last week, a beautiful light chicken dish, extremely tasty! I'm hoping that my sad little coriander plant will be put to good use!

Happy Belated Thanksgiving all those 'across the pond' I'm jealous! I love big family holidays and we only really have Christmas - I want more! Especially one that isn't about presents or cards or anything commercial; it's sounds so nice to have a day to share with loved ones and to give thanks. I might celebrate my own thanksgiving next year!

It's a great review Sugar! You cover everything that I would have said about this book! I loved it, I too had no idea that the ordinary citizens of Germany suffered in much the same way as the allies. From the default notion of Nazi Germany in my head, all of the Germans are dedicated followers of Hitler; ridiculous thinking! I'm so pleased that I read this book for opening my naive eyes at the very least. I really enjoyed the narrative by Death, I loved that he tells you early on what will happen at the end, so that you know all the way through, and expect all the way through for things to happen but are still surprised and moved when they do happen. I loved his unique perspective on the world The friendship between Liselle and Rudy was truely beautiful, as was her relationship with Max and her papa. ...it's late! I want to write more but my brain isn't working!! Bah!! Ultimately this book touched my emotions and broke my heart, for many reasons - it was a great read.

I know what you mean Mia

I've got them all on my bookshelf in my bedroom (where I keep my warm fuzzy books) - I was really lucky to find the whole lot together in a charity shop. I read them all quite a while ago so they are due to be picked up again - let me know if you get anymore and we could read them together!!

It was a good episode tonight, another tear jerker for me though! I don't know how, but Ugly Betty always manages to bring a tear to my eye! It's a mark of a good tv show, very funny but also with heart. - I'm really enjoying the Mark/Cliff thing

I'm so glad that everyone enjoyed ready Anne it makes me all warm on the inside! I love her, I find her a really inspirational character, to maintain her uniqueness throughout. I love the Anne/Gilbert story. I grew up with the tv series and grew into the books in later life; her life is like a warm blanket to me.

http://www.austenblog.com/archives/2006/06/14/persuasion-reference-in-the-lake-house/ ...some interesting points on the cross overs between the Lake House and Persuasion on a Jane Austen discussion site if anyone is interested x

Thanks for the link to the spreadsheet! ...I've just been through it and I feel very disappointed that I've only read 2.2% Bah!! ..I'm going to try and alternate a book from the list with other books I want to read from now on!!

I've just bought the first one, Northern Lights in a beautiful collectors edition. I wanted to buy all three but Johnny wouldn't let me (they would have come to £30 and I don't even know if I like them yet!) - oh I'm a sucker for a collectors edition, it makes me go cold to think that I might not get the other two books to match!!! I'll let you know my thoughts when I've finished it! It's meant to be masterpiece - can't believe I haven't read them before now!

I'm watching on the beeb too! ...although I've just agreed to go out tomorrow night - is it wrong to cancel for tv?

My boyfriend usually buys the American covers as they are a nicer design... plus the American books have had a lot more effort put into the inside - I'm sure that there a little illustrations on the chapters and letters written out in handwriting etc. (if memory serves!) - you would think that the British publishers would put the same effort in, but sadly not!!

The final book was a joy! I loved it! All of my theories that I've been storing up have either been blown out of the water (in some really clever and devious way) or have reached fulfillment much to my excitement! I'm soooo happy that Snape was good! I always knew he was, and that he and Dumbledore arranged his death (but to my disappointment it wasnt a fake death like I imagined!!). ...oooo my aunties pop round...

I read the second book and I'll let you off - you did make me very unhappy though! Please be careful with statements that could be misconstrued!

It was exactly the same for me Michelle!

I disappear for a while, and when I return I find you all reading one of my all time favourites!! I'm really looking forward to finding out what you think! I'm glad you're enjoying it Echo and Renniemist I love Anne and her world, I love the way she talks and the romance of her soul - I wish my copy was out of storage!!

That's true, that's the thing I missed as well, how did the house come about - I think maybe Mrs Griffin could have filled us in a little bit more with that. Overall though, I really enjoyed it, and got really involved towards the end. Seeing the lady in the hat at the end almost brought a tear to my eye. For me, this book is a departure from the genres that I would usually read and so I am really happy that I enjoyed it. I know it is a childrens book, not a full blown adult horror, but it's good to get your toe in the water! (oooo...but not that water!!)

I'm off work today, not feeling great.. but have taken the opportunity to have a read, I'm a third of the way through so far and enjoying it. The story hasn't completely swept me up but it is intriguing enough to pull me through. I'm actually finding quite scary in places (I know I'm weak lol!), I imagine if I had read this as a kid I would have been seriously freaked out . I like that the story lept straight in, no fussing with any scene setting or backstory; it fell straight into 'what on earth?!' territory I like Barkers descriptions of things I have some ideas about what is happening but I'm not willing to share them! Don't want to spoil anything! ..I want to try and finish this later so I'll let you know if I was right! (I hope so, it is a kids book after all! I can't let it best me!!).

Mine arrived in the post this morning, had a little looky and am quite pleased! I thought Barker was a horror writer, but I'm pleased to see that this is a children's fable *sigh of relief* - the illustrations look great! My he's a talented man!! I'll probably give it a go at the weekend; I don't really want to interrupt my Eldest reading if possible!

Here Here!!! And a great big welcome to the forum Lee!! I share your view point to the last fullstop! I'll stand with you when the pies are flung in five...four...three...two...one...

Hi John and welcome to the forum!! We all like cookies...you could bake us a batch, you know, to help you settle in

Ha ha!!! Wraith I love that you have been appointed as King Male and are keeping your subjects in order!!! ...wow! Is there only 14 amoungst all these filles?!! Poor you!! Hi Sedge! ...and welcome to the forum!!

My names Jane and I'm a bookaholic.. Great intro!! I think we should all stand up and admit it to the group!! Hi Karen! Welcome to the forum, unfortunately it's not a place of support to kick the addition - we all actively encourage! Shame on us!!

Hello Supergran!!! Welcome to the forum; I notice you like reading craft books - what kinds of crafts do you like? A number of us here are quite crafty (..and nosey!).