poppy

Only one fiction book at a time. If I put it down to read another it means I've lost interest and probably won't go back to it again. But I often read non-fiction reference type books at the same time, more for information ....not biographies.

You can use a frying pan on the stove-top for anything you would ordinarily barbeque or grill. Just use a little bit of oil so it doesn't stick. Casseroles can be done by stewing slowly on the stove in a pot (hope I'm not stating the obvious ) What sort of meals are you usually cooking in the oven and microwave? One thing I love (if you can get the veges in India) is frying together sliced courgettes, onion, tomatoes, mushrooms and capsicum (think you call them bell peppers) Just brown the courgettes and onions a bit then add the rest and gently cook till the tomato is cooked. There's probably heaps of other veges you could add as well.

Another lot of books I didn't expect to like rather than not want to like were the fantasy books of Weiss and Hickman. They take a bit of getting into as there are a lot of characters and different settings, but they hook you in the end. The writing is good, very imaginative with some real tricky twists, some very likable characters and a nice bit of humour.

Hi Andy and welcome I'm going to have a bit of trouble with your username ....it's what my OH calls my Dad

Hi Chesilbeach and welcome

I read a review of this elsewhere that sounded very good and I'm waiting for it to be available at the library. Glad you enjoyed it

Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum novels. I first picked up one for $1 at a library sale. I was expecting real chic-lit, highflying, high-heeled city girl type stuff. Nothing like that at all, very funny, a bit trashy and tend to follow a formula after you've read a few but great for a light, very enjoyable read.

Found it dragged at the beginning and I struggled to keep reading. And I can't say I found the characters particularly likeable but I'd be surprised if you read to the end that you'd find it predictable. The most over-rated book I've attempted this year was Lady Chatterly's Lover. This annoyed the out of me. Admittedly I didn't finish it, it may have improved, but the first part with the interminable snobby ramblings put me off for ever.

They've been attending a School of Frontier Missions in Megahalaya, the other places they were just visiting. They hope to return to do missionary work, probably more in the Tibet area. Are you enjoying your time there?

They were staying in Megahalaya for three months then travelled round visiting various places ....Darjeeling, Mussorie, Chandighar, Punjab. They will shortly be doing a 54 hour train trip back to Madras (with two small girls, I think they are very brave )then flying home.

Hi Brainfreeze and welcome

Hi and welcome Bethany My brother and family have just spent several months in India ...sounds like a fascinating place.

Hi and welcome rwemad

I thought that movie looked quite interesting, didn't realise it was based on an F. Scott Fitzgerald book

Hi and welcome

Hi and welcome Ivyleaf

Hi Sparkle and welcome

Hi and welcome malefic

Hi and welcome

I would definitely call this chick-lit too Katie. Always thought it has been over-rated, a bit too sugary sentimental for me. Good review though

I agree Kylie. The ending was totally unexpected, so well thought out in that respect, but I just sort of wanted it to be happy ever after

I'm another 'mood' person. I like to swap around serious with light and humourous, and fiction with non-fiction but I can get quite obsessional about a certain subject, author or series and will read them back to back at times.

I think I'm going to have to say Peace Like a River by Leif Enger. Muggle recommended this and I can see why. To me it was on a par with To Kill a Mockingbird. But I would also have to give very honourable mention to Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen and Small Island by Andrea Levy, both excellent books.

Will look out for this one. I'm a big fan of Stephen Fry too, he is a great actor, brilliant in Jeeves and Wooster. Didn't realise he had bipolar disorder until I saw him doing a documentary on mental illnesses. He interestingly observed that he wouldn't wish not to be bipolar, as in his manic periods he was most creative.

Hi Sarah and welcome