Weave

I'm glad you enjoyed it so much Mountaingirl, I have read it twice now and it took me ages to read it when I first bought it, a nice surprise of a book I thought, enjoy the movie

I am so pleased to see you enjoyed 'Cloverfield' Kylie, I liked it too but everyone I know hated it!

I agree Kylie, what a betrayal, and its sadder news with the younger child dying too, the suspicion is there now, hopefully they find the answers, I know its the most obvious statement ever but how can people be so cruel?

I have that song in my head now and its a nice song, so thanks hen

Thanks Kylie, I think we will read it at some point, I am going to make a point of buying it, if I see it again.

1. Heroes by David Bowie 2. Last Chance by Turin Brakes 3. Vera by Pink Floyd 4. Eleanor Rigby by The Beatles 5. Oh I'Amour by Erasure 6. Time by Pink Floyd 7. A Thousand Trees by Stereophonics 8. Flathead by The Fratellis 9. Go with the Flow by Queens of the Stone Age 10. Four Kicks by Kings of Leon

Hi Chesil, how are you? This is the first time I have heard of it, so thank you, I'm the same too, I am trying to get through my TBR pile, your review really sold me on the book.

Welcome to the gang Chloe

Hi Kylie, how are you? Have you read 'The Gates' yet? I love 'The Book of Lost Things' and I keep seeing 'The Gates' in every book shop I go to, its calling to me I think.

Godzilla (its almost finished)

Godzilla

Happy reading Angel

Just made a mug of tea and then found out we had no milk!

They're gorgeous Habeebi Oh hamsters love the daredevil ball, we had them for our hamsters and like Hamlet, it was a fight to get them out of it.

Secretary

Far to Go by Alison Pick ~ Started: 28.04.11 ~ Finished: 01.05.11 Synopsis ~ When Czechoslovakia relinquishes the Sudetenland to Hitler, the powerful influence of Nazi propaganda sweeps through towns and villages like a sinister vanguard of the Reich's advancing army. A fiercely patriotic secular Jew, Pavel Bauer is helpless to prevent his world from unravelling as first his government, then his business partners, then his neighbours turn their back on his affluent, once-beloved family. Only the Bauers' adoring governess, Marta, sticks by Pavel, his wife, Anneliese, and their little son, Pepik, bound by her deep affection for her employers and friends. But when Marta learns of their impending betrayal at the hands of her lover, Ernst, Pavel's best friend, she is paralysed by her own fear of discovery - even as the endangered family for whom she cares so deeply struggles with the most difficult decision of their lives. Interwoven with a present-day narrative that gradually reveals the fate of the Bauer family during and after the war, Far to Go is a riveting family epic, love story, and psychological drama. The Story ~ 'Far to Go' is the story of the Bauer family, Pavel, Anneliese and their six year old son Pepik, along with Pepik's governess, Marta, they live a quiet life in Sudetenland, Czechoslovakia. Their lives are changed forever with the arrival of Adolf Hitler and his government in 1939, the Bauer family, who are Jewish but chose not to practice their religion believe they will be safe because of this. Pavel is outraged by the fall of the Sudetenland and the fall of the government but he still believes his family will be safe but as the situation becomes more frightening and Pavel's own views changing, he realises he must flee with this family while he still can but its too late for Pavel and Anneliese but not too late for their beloved Pepik, his parents and governess must be prepared to let him go on the Kindertransport, to go to Great Britain where he will be safe until he can return home. What I thought of 'Far to go' ~ I was very lucky to be able to read 'Far to Go' before its release on the 12th May 2011 and I recommend it highly. The story is told from the point of view of Marta, Pepik's beloved governess, who stands by the Bauer family for different reasons but ultimately she stays because she loves the family. Marta's point of view is full of emotion, there is sadness, happiness, strength and love, emotions that are shown so well that you are immersed in the story from the first page. Marta is a well written and realistic character, she is a young girl, who at times is confused and makes wrong decisions. Pavel and Anneliese are also well written characters, their fear as people and parents are heartbreaking to read, their frustrations and sadness, what they are facing, what they sacrifice to ensure their son's safety. Pepik is a lovely character, you can visualise a sweet, gentle little boy who does not understand the harshness of the world but quickly learns, which was sad to read because you want him to be happy. The story interweaves between the past and the future, the aftermath of the Kindertransport and what it meant for so many children, some who were lucky enough to see their parents again and the children who did not see them again. I enjoyed 'Far to Go', it was a powerful story and you can see the love and commitment that went into telling the story by Alison Pick, a story which is part of her own family history. Highly recommended.

Title of Book: Far to Go Name of Author: Alison Pick Number of Pages: 320 pages Publisher: Headline Review ISBN-10: 0755379411 ISBN-13: 978-0755379415 Synopsis ~ When Czechoslovakia relinquishes the Sudetenland to Hitler, the powerful influence of Nazi propaganda sweeps through towns and villages like a sinister vanguard of the Reich's advancing army. A fiercely patriotic secular Jew, Pavel Bauer is helpless to prevent his world from unravelling as first his government, then his business partners, then his neighbours turn their back on his affluent, once-beloved family. Only the Bauers' adoring governess, Marta, sticks by Pavel, his wife, Anneliese, and their little son, Pepik, bound by her deep affection for her employers and friends. But when Marta learns of their impending betrayal at the hands of her lover, Ernst, Pavel's best friend, she is paralysed by her own fear of discovery - even as the endangered family for whom she cares so deeply struggles with the most difficult decision of their lives. Interwoven with a present-day narrative that gradually reveals the fate of the Bauer family during and after the war, Far to Go is a riveting family epic, love story, and psychological drama. The Story ~ 'Far to Go' is the story of the Bauer family, Pavel, Anneliese and their six year old son Pepik, along with Pepik's governess, Marta, they live a quiet life in Sudetenland, Czechoslovakia. Their lives are changed forever with the arrival of Adolf Hitler and his government in 1939, the Bauer family, who are Jewish but chose not to practice their religion believe they will be safe because of this. Pavel is outraged by the fall of the Sudetenland and the fall of the government but he still believes his family will be safe but as the situation becomes more frightening and Pavel's own views changing, he realises he must flee with this family while he still can but its too late for Pavel and Anneliese but not too late for their beloved Pepik, his parents and governess must be prepared to let him go on the Kindertransport, to go to Great Britain where he will be safe until he can return home. What I thought of 'Far to go' ~ I was very lucky to be able to read 'Far to Go' before its release on the 12th May 2011 and I recommend it highly. The story is told from the point of view of Marta, Pepik's beloved governess, who stands by the Bauer family for different reasons but ultimately she stays because she loves the family. Marta's point of view is full of emotion, there is sadness, happiness, strength and love, emotions that are shown so well that you are immersed in the story from the first page. Marta is a well written and realistic character, she is a young girl, who at times is confused and makes wrong decisions. Pavel and Anneliese are also well written characters, their fear as people and parents are heartbreaking to read, their frustrations and sadness, what they are facing, what they sacrifice to ensure their son's safety. Pepik is a lovely character, you can visualise a sweet, gentle little boy who does not understand the harshness of the world but quickly learns, which was sad to read because you want him to be happy. The story interweaves between the past and the future, the aftermath of the Kindertransport and what it meant for so many children, some who were lucky enough to see their parents again and the children who did not see them again. I enjoyed 'Far to Go', it was a powerful story and you can see the love and commitment that went into telling the story by Alison Pick, a story which is part of her own family history. Highly recommended.

Great review Chesil, definitely my kind of read, I added it to my wishlist and I saw there is 2 more books in the series, do you think you will read them? Ps ~ I need to get a kindle

Looking forward to reading your thoughts Kell Welcome Chesil, I am not reading what you said until I read the book but I just wanted to say, welcome

Hi Everyone, how are you all doing?, welcome to the reading circle for May 2011. It is assumed that you have read the book before reading posts in this thread, as the discussion might give away crucial points, and the continuous use of spoiler tags might hinder fluent reading of posts ~ thank you. Brooklyn by by Colm Tóibín Synopsis ~ It is Ireland in the early 1950s and for Eilis Lacey, as for so many young Irish girls, opportunities are scarce. So when her sister arranges for her to emigrate to New York, Eilis knows she must go, leaving behind her family and her home for the first time. Arriving in a crowded lodging house in Brooklyn, Eilis can only be reminded of what she has sacrificed. She is far from home – and homesick. And just as she takes tentative steps towards friendship, and perhaps something more, Eilis receives news which sends her back to Ireland. There she will be confronted by a terrible dilemma – a devastating choice between duty and one great love. Some questions to discuss (please feel free to add questions) ~ 1. What did you think of the main characters? How would you describe them? 2. Which parts of the book did you like? 3. Which parts of the book did you dislike? 4. What do you think of the relationships between the characters? 5. What did you learn about life in Ireland and Brooklyn in the 1960s? 6. What role did Father Flood pay in Eilis' life? 7. Why did Rose encouraged her younger sister to go to America? 8. Have you ever had to choose between two different worlds that you love? 9. What choice do you wish Eilis had made at the end of the story? 10. Did you enjoy reading the book? Do you think you will read any more books by Colm Tóibín? I am looking forward to discussing 'Brooklyn' with you all. ~ Enjoy.

Thanks Kell

Have a good time Frankie, I'm sure it will be okay, I mean what's not to like about ACOD and TKAMB, have fun, you will be great.

Hi Kylie, how are you? It varies, some cats can live until they are 21 (100 years old in human years), I think indoor cats live longer but with any pet, its about their diet, their breed etc. Our first cat lived until he was 18

He knows your home and he's happy, they do grow up quickly, I miss kitten Quinn

I think he would be called 'King' Kylie, I am embarrassed because I find it so confusing.