JudyB

I'm usually quite a stickler about 'the truth' with things like this which is probably why I tend to read historical fiction that is actually written in the time it is set. However, I made a conscious decision not to worry too much about Freud and its paid off as I'm really enjoying this novel and am, uncharacteristically for me, whipping through it. Found the comments on the language interesting - understand what people mean - for me the first person narrative has the feel of a toned down Sherlock Holmes story. On the whole though I'm finding it very readable and hard to put down - which is nice as I've just read two novels that took me a while to get into.

As Purple Poppy anticipated Far From the Madding Crowd is a favourite - it's my personal favourite. I read it at school at 16 and thought it was wonderful and then again in my 30's for my degree and loved it just as much second time around. I love the descriptions in it, the use of pathetic fallacy, the characters, the emotional truths, in fact everything!!! happy reading!

I enjoyed Behind the Scenes at the Museum - it's one of those books that have really stood out for me. There's a novel that is very similiar called Stand We At Last by Zoe Fairbairns which is a particular favourite of mine.

LOL Thanks Wrath - yet again you've made me laugh!

The appearance of a book matters to me as well. My mum bought me Shirley and Villette and both are in an unappealing format (they're both on LibraryThing under TBR) which I think is having something to do with why I haven't read them yet. My personal favourites for classics are Oxford World Classics and Penguin Classics - some of the pictures they use are very relevant. I'm a big fan of Dickens - have to wait until I have time to read his works as they're usually so lengthy - my personal favourites are Dombey and Son and Bleak House.

I think it's a wonderful novel - one of my all time favourites.

Hope you enjoy Madame Bovary it's quite a tale. I really enjoyed it - some of the scenes in it are very memorable.

Yes it's always a relief to get an assignment under your belt. Do they still cover Human Geography, Psychology, Sociology, Economics and Politics on the foundation course? Are you thinking of continuing with social science courses?

Yes that's the company. I've had the pleasure of trying their whisky and poteen (have I spelt that right?) - strong stuff but good. I'd say that the brandy is the tastiest though. How's your OU going?

Think I should adopt this idea - came back from work empty handed today - but temptation passed through my hands on more than one occasion (occupational hazard!)

It wasn't the one by Celtic Wines was it? If so I know it well from visiting food fairs! Bought it for my mum for Christmas.

Oooh Shiraz is my favourite kind of red wine

Funnily enough this is a book which induces guilt in me everytime I see it because I haven't read it yet. I think it looks good and my mum who's read it recommended it to me. I know very little about Spain and suspect this book would teach me something - think this is where the guilt thing is coming from!

I can't imagine life without books in their present form - it's the whole book thing I love not just the story within a book's pages - it's the covers, etc. Don't think I'd be keen to read from a screen.

Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy and Germinal by Emile Zola. Unfortunately though my TBR list is always so long that it's hard to contemplate re-reading books. I did it all the time as a child (more time then) re-reading in particular Enid Blyton.

I've started a wishlist on LibraryThing (I forget very quickly books that I've seen and like the look of) - at some point I'll print it off and it will serve as a 'shopping list' for when I'm at the library.

Is it easy to do that?

Finished This Book Will Save Your Life by A M Homes yesterday - it took me a while to get into it (p150) but from that point on (which was very funny) I really enjoyed it. I've now moved on to Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. I have been updating my To Be Read list on LibraryThing (link below) - all books in that list are tagged TBR.

I used to listen to Oneword and thought it was brilliant - must get back into it again as I've got out of the habit - it's lovely having a story read to you.

We enjoyed it - watched Village of the Damned afterwards - quite a creepy evening in all.

Thank you that's very kind - I'll see if my mum's got a copy first (very likely!). I'll be interested to read what you thought of it.

When I was a child my gran lived in Scotforth near Lancaster. I've loads of happy memories of visiting her there and was always vaguely aware of the Pendle witches - this would be a good book for me to read sometime.

This is on my LibraryThing wishlist - it looked good

I've warned my daughter - she doesn't like clowns or dolls