Kylie

At I guess, I would say that mine average around 350 pages.

Rules for the game: Post a song title using one word from the song title in the previous post. For example: Post #1: Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles Post #2: Don't Let the Sun (Go Down on Me) - Elton John Try to use the song title only, but if you're absolutely stuck for ideas, the artist's name will do a pinch. I'll start: Don't Let the Sun (Go Down on Me) - Elton John

You like to torture us, don't you?

Ooh, I'm with you on most of these! I didn't quite get into American Horror Story, but I want to give it another chance because I think I'd really like it. I recently watched the entire first series of Bates Motel in a few days. It was awesome! I'm looking forward to the second season. And Dexter and Game of Thrones are just terrific. Are you talking about the UK version of Shameless? That's the one I've watched the most, although I've started going off it a little bit in the recent one or two seasons.

I just checked out your new list of books mentioned in Inkheart. Excellent list! I was very impressed to see Alberto Manguel's A History of Reading there as well. I'm even more intrigued now to read a book that mentioned Manguel!

I received a book in the mail today: PG Wodehouse A Life in Letters I just flicked through it to read a little bit at random and found this: 'I have also met Scott Fitzgerald...I believe those stories you hear about his drinking are exaggerated. He seems quite normal, and is a very nice chap indeed. You would like him. The only thing is, he goes into New York with a scrubby chin, looking perfectly foul. I suppose he gets a shave when he arrives there, but it doesn’t show him at his best in Great Neck. I would like to see more of him.'

Shhh! She won't click on the link if she thinks it's evil! And anyway, what do you mean by 'evil'? Don't you think Poppyshake will like it?

Pfft, that's nothing. I found a book that Poppyshake will enjoy much more.

So Inkheart was a re-read but Inkspell is a new read? Ooh, you're making me to read them even more now. I'm still plodding through Daniel Tammett's Thinking in Numbers. I'm getting near the end, which is so satisfying. It'll be the first book I've finished in months. I received a book in the mail today that I've been wanting for ages (I had to wait for the smaller paperback edition to be published): PG Wodehouse's A Life in Letters. Should be a great read.

I don't think I've ever watched that all the way through, Steve. Must add it to my list. I've always loved him (and Chevy Chase and Martin Short) in The Three Amigos. And Dirty Rotten Scoundrels was an old fave as well.

How's it going?

That's interesting information, thanks Chalie. I had wondered the same thing myself (although it wasn't relevant in my case because I bought it from a secondhand book shop).

Agree with Poppyshake. 'Mad man Jew-killer' sums him up pretty well. Hitler and co were monsters. That may be a black and white view, but it's true. I bought Mein Kampf recently because I'd like to read it to try and understand why he was the way he was ('know your enemy' and all that).

I was in the State Emergency Service for 3–4 years. When storms caused damage to houses etc, we went out to help clean up (cut down trees, put tarps on roofs etc). Very rewarding work. But then I started working for myself and didn't have enough time to devote, so I had to leave. I've been thinking of doing something similar to Janet (visiting the elderly/infirm with books) or going to a local swimming centre to volunteer helping with disabled people with swimming. However, I'm rather unfit and haven't done much swimming in recent years, so I'd really need to practice swimming first before I'm let loose on other people! I also found out about a new program in Sydney where books are donated by the public and then taken to homeless people to read. I really love the idea of this - it would help them pass the hours. But given that it happens at night and I don't live that close to Sydney, it's a bit too far away. The other thing I'd like to do is become a foster carer for small animals.

I can't remember if I've already said this elsewhere, but I love the moment that Gatsby first makes an appearance.

Ooh, thanks Pont and Poppy. Lots of movies to add to my list. I'm sure I've seen Capote, and I think I enjoyed it, but I can't remember a lot of it for some reason. I must watch it again. I really loved Walk the Line, the biopic of Johnny Cash. ETA: Pont, I've long admired di Caprio (since I saw him in What's Eating Gilbert Grape?), but I never felt he was rated highly enough. I think that's finally changing now, which is great!

I chose 'Being on offer in a shop' and 'BCF recommendations'. But I'm mostly drawn to books for a reason Michelle mentioned in her previous post - there are many authors that I 'follow', and I will read just about anything they write. This keeps me more than busy given the number of books they have published (PG Wodehouse, for example. Not only do I buy the books he has written, but I also have a couple of biographies and will soon have a collection of letters.)

Didn't England win? Oh, I just saw a story about bad light. I got distracted and started watching something else, so I missed the end. I really don't think the Aussie press will care that much about Clarke's decision. We'd lost the entire series anyway. In fact, I just checked two major news sites, and they have described his declaration as 'bold' and 'brave'.

What biopics have you enjoyed (and not enjoyed)? Do you think these types of movies stay true to the person/people they portray, or do they exaggerate them for cinematic effect? I'm particularly interested in watching biopics of authors, so please pass on any recommendations if you have them! I have the following biopics lined up to watch (summaries from IMDB): Frost/Nixon (2008) A dramatic retelling of the post-Watergate television interviews between British talk-show host David Frost and former president Richard Nixon. The Gathering Storm (2002) A love story offering an intimate look inside the marriage of Winston and Clementine Churchill during a particularly troubled, though little-known, moment in their lives. Heavenly Creatures (1994) Based on the true story of Juliet Hulme and Pauline Parker, two close friends who share a love of fantasy and literature, who conspire to kill Pauline's mother when she tries to end the girls' intense and obsessive relationship. Hitchcock (2012) A love story between influential filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock and wife Alma Reville during the filming of Psycho in 1959. Howl (2010) As Allen Ginsberg talks about his life and art, his most famous poem is illustrated in animation while the obscenity trial of the work is dramatized. J Edgar (2011) J. Edgar Hoover, powerful head of the FBI for nearly 50 years, looks back on his professional and personal life. Julie & Julia (2009) Julia Child's story of her start in the cooking profession is intertwined with blogger Julie Powell's 2002 challenge to cook all the recipes in Child's first book. Lincoln (2012) As the Civil War continues to rage, America's president struggles with continuing carnage on the battlefield and as he fights with many inside his own cabinet on the decision to emancipate the slaves. Malcolm X (1992) The biopic of the controversial and influential Black Nationalist leader. I'm also looking forward to seeing: Jobs (2013) The story of Steve Jobs' ascension from college dropout into one of the most revered creative entrepreneurs of the 20th century.

I'm glad Clarke declared when he did, even though it now looks like we'll lose. He is forcing England to pick up the pace and play some good, interesting cricket (sorry everyone, but England with its 'go slow' tactics has produced some of the most boring cricket I've ever seen in my life). I'm disappointed that England only ever seem to play to draw rather than win. I think it shows a distinct lack of confidence in their own abilities (why not play to win? They're clearly the better team in this contest.) I'm glad Clarke is forcing a result.

I totally agree with Frankie. Both are wonderful.

A movie called Mad Money.

I have bug spray that I can use around my house exits. But as I recall, the last time I used it, it just encouraged loads of cockroaches to come in! Maybe the spray was past it's use by date or something. Devi, no! We should invent an anti-spray for that just in case! Speaking of book sprays, I remember seeing a pic on Facebook advertising a (fake) can of spray that smells like old books. I really wish someone would invent that for real. Aha! There's a whole website devoted to it (and other bookish smells) here. I went back to the book sale today to check up on a couple of books that I hadn't made up my mind about last week. I bought: Frank Beddor Looking Glass Wars #3: Arch Enemy Adolf Hitler Mein Kampf (had this on my wish list for a while)

The Count of Monte Cristo is one of my all-time favourites. I read a cheap paperback copy, but I'd like to get a special hardcover edition. Was the one you were looking at this or this?

I think it looks great. On Zusak's blog, he has said that Death will be narrating it.