Polka Dot Rock

Are those the Headline Review versions or the Penguin Red ones? Both are very pretty My mum got me the Headline Review editions.

It's next on my TBR list Thanks for the review Paula!

Aw thank you! What a lovely thing to say! (It did take me an hour to write the damn thing ) You'll have to let me know what you think, once you've read it

Wow, your teacher told you?? That was harsh!

Aw thank you I don't mind you emailing Johnny at all! I hope he finds it useful

Did you know that there isn't actually a 'Lucy Daniels' who writes Animal Ark? There was a really interesting article in the Independent about the company who publishes that series and others, Working Partners. You can read about it here. It's fascinating - I'd love to work for them!

Oh. Good choices then! Have you read any of Colin Dann's Animals of Farthing Wood series? If any of your daughters like/love Smith's animal stories then those books could be a hit with them

I always enjoyed Dick King Smith I read him between the ages of 8 - 11 (in the 1990s), and he has lots of wonderful books. I'd particularly recommend The Sheep Pig (aka 'Babe'), Harry's Mad, The Fox Busters and The Queen's Nose as good starting points. All very different. He also writes for younger children, and I loved his books The Guard Dog, The Hodgeheg and Jenius: The Amazing Guinea Pig. These are also great to read aloud, so would be suitable to read with your youngest girl. Roald Dahl's picture-based books for younger children are also amazing, especially The Giraffe, The Pelly and Me. Wonderful story, and very jolly too! For your 10 and 12 year old girls, I have to mention Jacqueline Wilson. She rocks! I feel really priviledged to have been the right age at the right time to read her books. I loved The Story of Tracy Beaker, The Suitcase Kid and The Bed and Breakfast Star.

Ah brilliant, glad it's rockin' so far. It's featured on the Richard & Judy bookclub on Weds 7th Feb. Next Weds! I'm hoping I can (start and) finish it by then, as I'd like to join in. More likely, I'll have to tape it, lol.

Oh yes, you'd read The Poisonwood Bible! I remember now... Ah bless the person who got you Nervous Conditions - it can be tricky to get: it seems to have a limited number of reprints and because it's popular for Postcolonial courses, it tends to disappear!

Gah, it's all right for you lot... Think how long those of us who only watch the films have got to wait! (Actually, I'm fairly new to the films too, so I'll probably get around to reading all the HPs one day Although not in one day, I imagine...)

The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro Now, you know how in Tracy Marie's blog/list you said you hadn't yet read an Ishiguro better than Never Let Me Go? Well, I bought this straight after reading Never Let Me Go and, omg, it completely blew me away. Absolutely stunning! Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga I LOVE this so much I cannot articulate it! It's just one of the most incredible novels I've ever read: bursting with themes and idea yet totally readable. I cannot recommend this enough. The characters are wonderful! The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov These are two favourites of mine. Have you Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides? That's a wonderful novel. On Beauty by Zadie Smith My favourite book of last year If you go here, you'll see a review I did of it, if you so wish lol. The Accidental by Ali Smith I read this last summer and, sadly, I was disappointed with it. I admired the writing, but I found it quite forgettable. Sophie

I think you and me have quite a similar taste in books Which means I'll be able to flog you some of mine later I'll just look at your list to see if I can recommend any, if I may...

Ah brilliant, thanks for the recommendation Kat. I did enjoy Wicked. Is Son of a Witch meant to be set in Oz when the Gnome King and Princess Nombi are ruling? Or has it nothing to do with it?

How much did that cost, PP?

Hello Liz! Stephen Fry - Moab Is My Washpot Aw, I love Stephen Fry and this is fantastic. You can really hear this voice as you're reading. I read it during exams and it's perfect for when you're feeling stressed or have a lot going on. You can just leave it for ages, then pick it up and know where you left off. H.G. Wells - The Time Machine This is a really short book that's perfect for days when you feel like you haven't been reading as much as you'd like It's also really interesting and very cleverly done. Charlotte Bronte - Jane Eyre Emily Bronte - Wuthering Heights Evelyn Waugh - Brideshead Revisited Ken Kesey - One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest Four of my favourite books. Particularly the first three. If you get around to them, I hope you enjoy them as much as I did! I often revisit them. Harper Lee - To Kill A Mockingbird To my shame, I've never read this *hangs head in disgrace*

I really enjoyed Never Let Me Go - I've lent it to my best mate.

Sam, have you read The Cement Garden? I'm very intrigued by it, but I don't know anyone who's read it.

Oh I really enjoyed Atonement. Although the tension created in the first part made me feel really nauseous! I'm looking forward to the film, just wish it would hurry up and be released.

I think you get an unlimited amount of books that you can add, whereas you can 'only' add 200 on the free account. I'm not sure what else you may get, tho.

Hello my fellow Maus-kateers! (I'm SO sorry: I couldn't resist that). Thank you all for your enthusiasm at starting this thread; it's so lovely to see people getting fired up about reading something a bit different! As it is now February, I thought I'd post some initial questions and thought-prompters. There are no spoliers and they're quite general, as I know people have either just started reading or are still waiting for their shiny new copies. You don't have answer any or all of them; I just thought it might be useful and a good way to start the discussion So, here we go: * If this is your first time reading a graphic novel, how are you finding reading the format so far? Do you find it 'easier' or more difficult than reading a purely text-based book? What do you think of Art Spiegelman's style of writing and illustration? * If you're an experienced graphic novel reader, what are your first thoughts on Spiegelman's style of writing and illustration in comparison to other graphic novels you have read? * One key - and often controversial - aspect of Maus, is Spiegelman's 'animalisation' of human characters. What were your first reactions to this, and why do you think Spiegelman decided to do this? * One part of the Maus that, I think, gets overlooked is the prologue (pp.5-6). What do you think the significance of this might be? Do you have any ideas why Spiegelman included it? * What are your initial thoughts about the character of Vladek, Art's father? Do you change your mind about Vladek between how he is depicted in the past, Holocaust narrative and how he is shown in the 'present', as an old man? * This might be a better question for after we've all read it, but so far, how does Maus compare to other Holocaust narratives you may have read? Happy reading!!

You can also get them at certain markets, which is great for the impatient and cash-strapped amongst us Btw: Hello Ronny! You're like Prince now - Ronny: The member formerly known as Nicky

Eh up, the TBR and Want lists are swelling. I'm not sure whether that's a good thing! I've added The Cement Garden - Ian McEwan and Valley of the Dolls - Jacqueline Susann to the Want list. I've fancied reading both for a while: from what I've read about The Cement Garden, it reminds me of How Live Now by Meg Rosoff (which I loved). Apart from the incest part, mind you! (Although they were cousins in How I Live Now...). I watched a TV movie about Jacqueline Susann and I've been intrigued by Valley of the Dolls ever since. I'm thinking of buying it and saving it for a time when I need something desperately trashy! Plus, the cover's fabulous darling: Link anyone for a pill? Thus far, I'm really enjoying The Night Watch: I'm savouring it and reading it very carefully as I think I might benefit from it later on in the novel.

Ditto! Is it something to do with their size? Are trade ones paperbacks that are the same size as hardbacks?