JudyB

Since working at the library I've used it a lot more - it's hard to resist the books when you're with them all day. The branch I work at is fairly small and as a result everyone knows each other - I've always likened it to the Kabin in Coronation Street. Because it is small we have limited space for books but are always happy to track down titles for our readers or put forward their suggestions for new books. One of the benefits of working in the library is that I'm on hand to pick up books for my daughter - she's always loved reading but now permanently has a book on the go.

Isn't Beswick mentioned in Jane Eyre? I'm sure there are others but can't recall them at the moment.

I was 8 in 73 and have such vivid memories of that time (plus I was brought up in Manchester, plus my best friend's dad was in the CID) so for me it was real nostalgia buzz and it was really well done and recognisable as the world I remembered. For me it was both a trip down memory lane and a bit of fun. I loved the comparison of then and now - quite topical at the moment and interesting that when he came back to now momentarily 73 seemed more normal.

There are quite a few on your list that I've read so I'll be interested to see how you enjoy them.

I'm a big Zola fan - I read Germinal when I was 16 and again for my degree and it reawakened my interest in his novels. Although 19th century they have a modern (I think) feel to them - especially when you consider how wordy writers of that time eg. Dickens could be. Zola always researched his subject thoroughly and his novels tend generally to be a social commentary on an aspect of French society; they are also very evocative through his use of description. They can occasionally be depressing because of the nature of the subjects and at times can be quite shocking (particularly for their time) but I really enjoy them. My favourite is not from the Rougon-Macquart cycle - it's Therese Raquin - I found it a compelling read. I noticed that he has now been included on fastasticfiction also amazon may be a good place to get book summaries from. Some of the novels are easier to get than others.

I found Catherine Morland easy to relate to - years ago when I saw a copy of Northanger Abbey in my mum's bookcase it conjured up all sorts of gothic images in my mind - reading the novel I couldn't wait for her to go to the abbey to stay still thinking it was going to be a ghost story. I thought the recent dramatisation captured the spirit and anticipation really well.

It's called A Thousand Splendid Suns

Herbs are great and a lot stay green through the winter. I love the different foliage you get with them plus a lot can be pruned into nice neat bushes.

Did this for my degree and it became my nemisis - however I went to work for an ex-vicar and in a conversation about literature in general he happened to explain it to me (he didn't know I'd studied it) and I felt quite guilty afterwards and think it might be good after all and maybe it was a case of wrong book at wrong time. another one I feel guilty about is Portrait of a Lady by Henry James - I think I gave up on it just before it got interesting.

I'm looking forward to Khalid Hosseini's next novel which is due out in May.

My daughter loves the Darren Shan books - are you enjoying Dracula?

Undoubtedly one of the best modern novels I've ever read.

Yep traditional here too. Turkey at Christmas, pancakes on Shrove Tuesday - we always have a birthday cake. My OH and I decided not to swap eggs and treat ourselves to coffee and cake somewhere nice but since that decision we've both felt it would be nice to have an egg - well just a little one! My mum is sending money though and with that I will get a book rather than more chocolate.

Still really enjoying The Historian - so glad that lady recommended it to me.

I love the idea of this. I think for this month I will tackle The Earth by Emile Zola (number 15 in the Rougon-Macquart cycle).

I've found through reading that I've learnt loads about all sorts - psychology, geography, history, politics, different cultures etc - it's a nice way to learn.

Planted my cranberry bush in my new fruit patch then used weed supressant fabric and bark - need to get more. Moved a honeysuckle to cover a screen to create a private corner - all our gardens are overlooked as the fencing is very low. It's nice as there's a lovely open feel and you can see across to Wales but sometimes I feel like I'm on a stage so am trying to create little areas I can sit unseen in - just in case I nod off again!!!

Another challenge - I'm enjoying the chunky challenge but could kill two birds with one stone here as a lot of 19th century classics would also qualify for the chunky challenge - in fact I'd previously be thinking about using the chunky challenge to motivate me to tackle my TBR classics pile. I love the classics and the debate over what constitutes a classic is an interesting one. It would be interesting to see which contemporary novels make it into that category. Wrath - I hope you enjoy Far From the Madding Crowd as much as I did - it's in my top five books.

I did exactly the same and also looked up some of the people mentioned that really existed. I learnt quite a bit which was a bonus. The next book I read was The Shadow of the Wind which coincidently mentioned the firm of architects from which the murdered architect came from - it meant something to me because I'd read The Interpretation of Murder. While reading The Shadow of the Wind I read up on the Spanish Civil War to give the novel some sort of context - learnt loads there as I realised that I knew nothing about Spanish history.

My husband was away with the army a lot so I encouraged my girls to be independent - I always felt vunerable about being 'out of action' through illness - on one occasion when I was ill they sorted themselves out with tea and locked up the house, putting the chain on the door, closing curtains etc before going to bed. I think 10/11 is a really nice age they're getting independent but still easily pleased and willing to help.

Mine have gone through phases of being keen to cook - when they were about 10 it was a treat for them to be allowed to make a meal - quiche was always a favourite. Then it was deemed 'uncool' but now my eldest has rediscovered it - wonderful. They both bake quite a bit which is nice.

I read The Five People You Meet in Heaven last week - a very quick and enjoyable read. I could imagine it being made into a film.

I'm tempted to make this my May Chunky read.

I loved this series - number 8 is out very soon. They are lovely heartwarming stories and life is so simple and straight forward in them - quite an antidote to today's complicated lifestyles. My favourite novel by Alexander McCall Smith is the 'Two and a Half Pillars of Wisdom' in which the main character is a professor and is very funny.

Sounds like my house - my girls like different food too, although I suspect the youngest turns her nose up to wind me up because she often eats it when there's no choice. I've loads of cook books - I'm a big fan of Jamie's recipes. As much as I complain about family being hard to please the other day I was on my own for tea and felt completely lost and ended up just making beans on toast! My eldest daughter is making Mexican tomorrow which is great as I'm in the library 5-6pm so it'll be ready when I get home - hooray!!!