papillon

An armoured bear - Iorek Byrnison was my hero!

Thanks Gelfling those two sound just the ticket I'll give them a try but just in case they're not as good.... Keep the lights on and watch your back!

Amazon and Waterstones.

I've started adding a lot of audio books to my list, as well as having sight problems I find them very relaxing, especially when listening to a good reader and, lovesreading, you can get them from your library, so no added expense. I've just finished the first four of Bernard Cornwall's Saxon Series read byTom Sellwood, his voice is so remarkably right for the character that reading book five "Sword Song" (this book not yet available in audio) just isn't the same. If you love history with a bite, tales of vikings and saxons, heroes and legends, Bernard Cornwall is a master of this genre. Another of my favourite readers is Lorelei King reading Patricia Cornwell Scarpetta books.

read this book last month and loved it. Not my first Gaiman or fantasy book as I love both and have read most of Gaiman's books. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one, in fact it is up there with his "Stardust" in my list of "to read again" favourites. Favourite character. It has to be Richard; you see him change and grow so much that you feel for him, share his dispairs, trials and joys. Gaimon's characters do that, they become so real that they reach out and touch you. I liked Doors too, of course, and Hunter. Favourite parts? so many .. Crossing Night's Bridge, Mind the Gap, Hunter's Dream. The idea of a London Above and London Below and doors into other worlds is fascinating (reading Pullman's Dark Materials at the moment) add the prose, the tension and humour, amazing imagination and for me this book has it all. Not a great fan of Mr Croup and Mr Vandemar but their malacious intent only added to the suspense, and you have to have the villians, someone to hate in a book.

I love Italian food too, and agree with Kell, you just haven

The best way to make pastry or suet dumplings is quickly and with a light, cool hand. Maybe you took too long? When it turns sticky just use a little extra flour on your hnds and roll. Whenit is dry and breaks up you've used too much flour. :-) Hope this helps

I have just finished "Secret Window , Secret Garden" the second story in "Four Past Midnight" and can't praise it enough, superbly chilling and suspenseful, I think it is worth buying the book for this story alone. Two more to go.

I loved this book too, as with those before me, it was a while ago but didn't Pi imply that the true story was too horrible, spoiler

I used to be strictly hardbacks. I just love the feel and look of them especially those dark leather or embossed ones and the older the better. Now I think I'm mellowing, I just want to read and have bought more paperbacks than ever.

I love poetry and have so many favourties. At the moment I'm reading Madison Cawein and this is one I love... There is a forest, lying 'twixt two streams, Sung through of birds and haunted of dim dreams; That in its league-long hand of trunk and leaf Lifts a green wand that charms away all grief; Wrought of quaint silence and the stealth of things, Vague, whispering' touches, gleams and twitterings, Dews and cool shadows--that the mystic soul Of Nature permeates with suave control, And waves o'er Earth to make the sad heart whole. There lies the road, they say-- Come away! come away! From "Field and Forest Call" M. Cawein

I had forgotten just how good a storyteller Stephen King is. He

I love Lee Child's books and have read all of them; The Visitor is a definate page turner, enjoy. "Die Trying " and "Persuader" are my favourites. Hope you manage to read both.

I really enjoyed the first half of this book, in places the prose was good, funny and clever, the characters were strong and so believable that they immediately pulled you into the story. The choreography of Henry’s journeys was done with such ease that you were able to sympathize and accept the joys and traumas of time travel, more or less as Henry, a genetic defect that needed to be cured. The references to poetry and art were also a bonus. So far, so good. Spoiler.. Sorry if I sound heartless, I did shed tears.

When the lights are dimmed and its dark and cold outside add an extra glow and sparkle with these simple recipes. HOT BUTTERED RUM = Preheat mug and add 2 oz rum, 1 tsp sugar, 1 stick of cinnamon, and a pinch of nutmeg. Fill with boiling water and add a pat of butter. Dip a cube of sugar in rum, light it and float it on top of buttered rum. FLAMING BANANAS = Cut 2 bananas in half lengthwise. In a large skillet melt 4 tbsp butter, then add 3/4 cup of brown sugar and 1 tsp of cinnamon. When the sugar melts and the mixture begins to thicken, place the bananas in the pan and cook until soft. Remove from heat, add 1 oz of rum and 1/2 oz of Bols Creme de Bananes. Light it up to flame and serve hot and lots of whipped cream. And last, but not least, ideal for the man who can't *do* desserts ICE CREAM SURPRISE Take a wide brimmed glass ideally with a stem fill it with your OH's favourite ice cream (you could sprinkle with grated chocolate, or add a few fruit segments), place a small sparkler in the top and light it. Of course the kids would love this as well. :-)

Oh dear! I shouldn't have read this thread I've just bought these books. Sad endings, guess I'm going to need a box of tissues.

Thank you aromaannie, it was a long time ago but I dug it out and yep, it's there on the bottom.

An interesting article, thanks for the link Louise. It's all in the enjoyment of the book to me but I think Patterson should be 'stand-up' about it and acknowledge Maxine Paetro or his other collaberators on the cover. I've read a few of his books and not a fan of Alex Cross but I did enjoy "Big Bad Wolf" and "The Jester". I wonder "who wrote these" as they are somewhat different to the Cross series of books?

A school without a library? That is totally ludicrous and definately worth a student/parent campaign. Maybe a visit to your local library with a petition, maybe they'll offer t supply your school UNTIL the school creates one. Name and shame!

Oooh a definite dive in. I really loved this series. Not a total King fan but these are wonderful. Roland is my hero. I was so sad when the final book was finished and no follow up to look forward to... *sigh* "Wizard and the Glass" my favourite too.

Oh well done and thank you for the reminder. It's on my pile too, as said, the size is daunting but I must make a start soon..

Eggs Neptune with Orange Hollandaise served with fresh fruit salad. Had this on holiday in Vancouver, it was really delicious but have never made it myself. Maybe, I'll get around to it one day. At home ~ bacon and eggs with grilled tomato.

I've read all Lee Child's books and enjoyed everyone although my favourites are "DieTrying" (the one after "Killing Floor" Sugar so maybe it's worth picking him up again) and the other is "Persuader". I liked the trip back with "The Enemy" too.

She's an author well worth the note Purple Poppy. I should have supplied a synopsis. Here's one from Harcourt Publishers Synopsis Inspector Sejer is hard at work again, investigating the brutal murder of a woman who lived alone in the middle of the woods. The chief suspect is another loner, a schizophrenic recently escaped from a mental institution. The only witness is a twelve-year-old boy, overweight, obsessed with archery, and a resident at a home for delinquents. When a demented man robs a nearby bank and accidentally takes the suspect hostage, the three misfits are drawn into an uneasy alliance. Shrewdly, patiently, as is his way, Inspector Sejer confronts a case where the strangeness of the crime is matched only by the strangeness of the criminals, and where small-town prejudices warp every piece of information he tries to collect. Fossum once again provides extraordinary insight into marginalized lives and richly evokes the atmosphere she captured so brilliantly in Don't Look Back.