poppy

Pontalba, if you liked God is an Englishman, I'm sure you'd love A Horseman Riding By. It has three volumes, so a longish read, but has some really wonderful characters in it. Sorry, I'm sure you don't need any more to add to your list

A couple of CD's I've bought fairly recently, that had good reviews but which I'm a bit disappointed in are 'The Road to Escondido' by J.J.Cale and Eric Clapton, and 'Modern Times' by Bob Dylan. I'm a fan of these guys from way back and like their laid-back style. But honestly, if JJ got any more laid back in this album, he'd be falling asleep and toppling off his stool. It just somehow lacks the toe-tapping rhythm of his earlier albums. Bob Dylan sounds surprisingly like Willie Nelson in some of his songs and his usual grit seems to be missing. Hear Tony Joe White is putting out a new one soon, so am hoping for a good swampy rock sound from him. On a completely different note, acquired 'Light Grenades' by Incubus. A lot of their music is fairly heavy but 'Light Grenades' is a much softer sound and by far my favourite album.

Read several Steinbecks many year ago Muggle, especially remember 'The Grapes of Wrath' as being very good. Have this and also 'Of Mice and Men' and 'The Pastures of Heaven'. On my 'to be re-read soon' list. Rosie, have you read any of R.F.Delderfield? Particularly enjoyed 'A Horeseman Riding By' and 'To Serve Them All My Days'.

Books that various people have mentioned which I've enjoyed are .... Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons is wonderfully funny in this "I saw something nasty in the woodshed" still stays with me. The English Patient - one of my favourites A Month in the Country - this is a beautifully written and crafted little book Brideshead Revisited - excellent A Traveller in Time - read this when quite young and it made a lasting impression on me, mean to read it again soon. The only book that every one raves over which annoyed the living daylights out of me, was The Remains of the Day. It's very well written I know, but soooooo slooooow. I just want to shake the butler, he is so tightly reined in and unemotional. I found it pedantic in style and frustrating. However, very much enjoyed the movie with Emma Thompson and Anthony Hopkins. No-one has mentioned any of E.M.Forster's books. A Room With A view Howard's End A Passage to India Anyone like these? Funnily enough I have seen all the books, with the exception of A Traveller in Time, as films and enjoyed every one of them. The British do it so well

lol PP. It's not that hard really, as Maori sounds stay constant. I memorised it once on a long car-trip for something to do.

I believe we have one of the longest place-names in the world, if not the longest. It is a Maori name. Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu There are two versions, one with the red and one without. It means "The brow of the hill, where Tamatea, the man with the big knees, slid down, climbed up and swallowed mountains to travel the land, who is known as the land-eater,and played on his flute to his loved ones."

lol PP. You'd have to be British to know that. I had a pen-friend from Staffordshire when I was young and the address was Staffs ...I thought that was the name of where she came from for ages, until my grandfather corrected me (he was British)

I wouldn't like to hazard a guess Do tell.

Now, I've always said that wrong Woo (as in cook) chester. Should I pronounce the sauce the same way?

Yes nite-nite PP, make sure you go this time (not that I want to get rid of you or anything, but it's after 2 a.m for you, I'm sure)

She's actually written a heap, maybe they aren't available but pretty sure they should be. Some titles are 'The Sea For Breakfast', 'Beautiful Just', 'A Rope in Case.', 'Lightly Poached', 'Bruach Blend'. She has also written novels but I was not very impressed with them.

Another older author that I'm sure you've heard of, and I really love, is Lillian Beckwith. Her stories of the Hebrides are wonderful. That's a real nuisance PP, it's a wonder you can do so much on the computer .....by the time I've finished I'm usually yawning and feeling cross-eyed. Hope you can get your medication sorted out soon. It's awful feeling tired all the time.

Sorry to hear about your narcolepsy PP. Does it ever happen when you're driving.....that would be scarey. Just thinking of cat books, have you read any of Joyce Fussey's? "Cat's in My Coffee" is one, she loves cats and animals in general and is a very funny lady. They are biographical, she lives in Yorkshire (if I remember correctly) on a small farm and she mostly runs it while her husband works in town. They are really delightful.

I also enjoyed The Railway Children. Loved Forsyte Saga. It's one of those epic family tales, as long as you like that sort of thing.

Thanks KW When I first joined I didn't realise there was a purple variety here already, otherwise I would have used something else .......hope it doesn't lead to too much confusion and I don't cause PP huge embarrassment . As long as I keep away from cat avs, you should be able to tell us apart. Hope the 'remember me' thing works for you PP, people were having the same problem on another forum and that's one of the things they said to do. The other was to write directly into microsoft word or similar, then transfer to forum.

Hey you guys, just tick the 'remember me' box at the top right hand side where you print your user name and password then it keeps you logged on however long you take - even if you disconnect. you just have to remember to log out when you finish or else your name stays on indefinitely.

That was an excellent review PP - you have a real talent there. The book sounds a lot different to what I thought, but I've always liked Oscar Wilde's wit so will definitely give it a go. Understand it was very controversial at the time, but then so was Oscar.

And you think for one moment I believe you've been looking at her smile .....ROTFL

Hasn't she got a nice smile even when she's green ?

That sounds hilarious Liz

'Down Under' by Bill Bryson. Anything by him is hilarious. I'm looking forward to reading his latest 'The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid'.

He could imagine quarrelling with her to be great fun. His spirits rose, the sense of isolation sloughed from him. "You're not really such a philosopher, I bet," he smiled at her. "I don't believe you naturally let ill alone." South Riding by Winifred Holtby

The ones i can remember Lord of the Flies Day of the Triffids Grapes of Wrath Black Like Me 1984 Animal Farm MacBeth Romeo and Juliet Brave New World I was one of those weird kids who loved all our set books - reading for homework ..... sheer bliss:D There was one book I'd like to read again that I've forgotten the name of. It was set in King Arthurs time, pretty sure it had the Excalibur in it but in contained a lot of anachronisms. Think it contained the word Stone in the title. Any ideas?

Cats in the Coffee by Joyce Fussey. A very funny lady.

My lovely sister-in-laws family from USA gave us some REAL maple syrup and it's absolutely delicious.