~Andrea~

Oh was there? That would be interesting to see. It's ok if you are stuck for something to read and I did enjoy it in the end. I know other people have rated this book highly so maybe I am in the minority here.

I attempted his cosmicomics a while back and I couldn't get on with it. I think I came to the same conclusion. Talented, but that doesnt necessarily make for entertaining writing. (Almost felt he was being too clever)

I'm really looking forward to reading this now. I've added it to my wish list. You sell books well!! You should go in to book marketing

Keeping Faith Jodi Picoult 6/10 This was quite a long book, nearly 500 pages (not quite a "doorstop" but close ). I have mixed feelings about it. I enjoyed the beginning but found it dragged in the middle. The characters didn't really grab me and I was tempted to give up. However the last 100 pages were very gripping and I was glad I persevered. Had it been a little shorter I might have enjoyed it more. I'm not sure if I will try this author again, perhaps but probably not anytime soon. The book is very well written but somehow it just didn't pull my chain. Interesting subject matter though.

They sound interesting. I may give them a try myself. (I like easy reads!)

The last word - Brian McLaren 7/10 This is probably of quite specialist interest, the third in a trilogy about an evangelical pastor in america questioning his beleifs. More of a theological discussion presented in the form of conversations between the characters than a true novel. This book is really a critique of the evangelical view of Hell. I enjoyed it but it may be more of interest to those who have had some involvement with evangelical or fundamentalist christianity. The Big Love - Sarah Dunn 7/10 Light humourous well written chick lit. Very funny. The characters religious neurosis annoyed me on times but on the whole I liked her and the humour made up for this books shortcomings. Dolores Claibourne - Stephen King 6/10 My first Stephen King. Quite enjoyable. Interesting device of telling the story through the single voice of the central character as she is interviewed by the police. This is more of a crime than a horror story though it doesnt really fit that category neatly either. Its really the story of how a person is driven to commit murder with hints at the supernatural. Enjoyable, dark, not particularly cheerful although it does contain some humour, and one part did make me laugh out loud. I will definitely read more of this author, perhaps based more on his reputation than on this book.

Well I can't recommend it enough. Hope you both get as much out of it as I did.

I've been meaning to add my thoughts about each book I read for ages. Here's a start. The girl in a swing - Richard Adams 9/10 I really loved this book. Its beautifully written in the first person. Its essentially a love story with some quite dark supernatural undercurrents. It won't be everybody's cup of tea because, well, there's a lot of writing here but not a lot actually happens. I loved reading it though I think because I enjoyed the writing style so much. I didn't want it to end. Ugly - Constance Briscoe 9/10 I also greatly enjoyed this book. A true story of child abuse, again not everyone's cup of tea, but real page turning stuff. The early chapters make quite difficult reading but as the central character gets older emerging into the strong woman she eventually becomes, well its quite inspiring stuff. I don't think i've ever rooted for a character so much, probably because this character is a real human being.

Unfortunately I missed the documentary on sat night. Did anyone see it?

Hi Sally and welcome, hope you have fun here!

Aww cute dog kitty. I'm ill at the moment so have done loads of reading during the day and it feels wierd cos I usually read at night. Also feel kind of guilty that i'm not doing more productive things but then i'm ill so i cant do much else. I hate being ill its boring! I'm even getting fed up of reading!

What book is that with pictures in kitty?

Oh yes John Wyndham is an excellent author. We read the Chrysalids in school, though I think that might have been a short story. I read half the midwich cuckoos and its excellent but to my shame I didnt finish it (I am getting better at finishing things I start!) and I ended up watching the film (The village of the damned, with Christopher Reeve) to find out what happened. Maybe I should give Chocky a try...

So that's how you get through so many books! Ok I dont feel so bad now. I was beginning to think I was the worlds slowest reader. I've never been able to read in the bath. Don't the pages go all wiggly at the edges from the moisture? ETA actually audio books sound like a good idea, I could listen to them in the car.

I think there are a number of essential things that have to be right. Main character very important. Im not enjoying my current book much and I think im not relating to the characters. But I also need the right amount of pace and good use of language. I think there a whole lot of parameters that go into making a book enjoyable and its the combination of them all that has to be just right. Its very difficult to nail down what makes the recipe just right from all those complex ingredients. But yes characters are probably the ultimate key and the most important thing for me.

So you all dont have that much more reading time than me. Well you must all be super fast readers then. Either that or i'm super slow

Me too!!

Me too.

You lot seem to read so much! I've only read a handful of books this year, so what's the secret? Do you read superfast or do you spend every spare minute reading? I tend to read in bed and not necessarily every night. Occasionally I will read in the evenings or (rarely) in the garden if its sunny and I have some free time. How about you?

Hi Sarathy and welcome! You should put you two pence in on this thread then http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=2337

So whats the deal with the Stand and its unabridged and abridged versions? Why is there more than one? I've only read Dolores Claiborne but quite enjoyed it. Was quite short and easy reading though no chapters just a single blob so its hard to know when to stop I'd really like to read the Stand though the length is daunting. I'd also like to try IT but think it might be too scary (and long) And I quite fancy giving misery a go.

I'm reading Keeping Faith at the mo. I'm not that far into it but I can't say i'm enjoying it much. I'm looking forward to finishing it so I can get on with something else.

Yes the Birds is really good actually. I also seem to remember The Apple Tree being quite good as well, which is in my copy of "The Birds and other stories" At least I think that's what its called. What treats you have ahead of you

Yea has been on my list for a little while, really must order it from amazon

Interesting... You've got me intrigued now. I'll definitely give it a second chance. It was years ago that I tried it before. Sometimes things can be more enjoyable at a different life stage.