Kylie

Hi Smint and welcome to the forum!

Hi Arc and welcome to the forum!

That's shocking Nellie! I'd be interested to know what qualities they look for in 'suitable' members . Someone should tell them that the beauty of reading is that it's an activity that everyone can participate in and enjoy. If they ring you up, tell them you've decided that you've decided their book group is not 'suitable' for your needs I'm with Kell: set up your own group and make it known that everyone is welcome.

Oh, no way!! I've been looking forward to this movie, even though I agree with Beef - it's my least favourite of the HP books, and even the trailer looks a bit dull. Still, it's a Harry Potter movie and I want to see it! But 8 more months??

I enjoyed it too, Lucy. I posted my review on my reading blog here a couple of days ago, and I felt the same way as you about those points you made

Ooh, I love The Fratellis. I haven't listened to their recent album a great deal yet, but I think I prefer Costello Music.

Hi Shell and welcome to the forum!

Timequake Kurt Vonnegut Rating: 6/10 Published: 1997 Number of pages: 219 Summary (taken from blurb): 'Timequake explores what happens to Vonnegut when, in 2001, a 'timequake' hits. The universe has a decade of self-doubt, shrinking back to 1991 and forcing everybody to relive the last 10 years of their lives exactly as they had before, but without free will. The same mistakes. The same corny jokes. The same doses of clap.' James Urquhart, Independent Comments: I really tried to enjoy this book, but it was just so disjointed and confusing that I couldn't really get into it. Part autobiography and part fiction, it's often hard to tell where fact ends and fiction begins. I know the book is supposed to be this way but, regardless, I struggled with this method of writing. The basic plot (and I use the term 'plot' very loosely) discusses a 'timequake': an event whereby the universe shrinks slightly and everyone is thrown back 10 years in time to relive their lives exactly as they happened the first time around. That is, every thought, every action and every word is identical. When the timequake ends and humans are suddenly presented with free will again, most don't know what to do with it. It's an interesting premise, but one that isn't used to great effect. The timequake is more like a thin thread that weaves together some of the thoughts and anecdotes of Kurt Vonnegut, which make up the bulk of the book. Timequake's saving grace is that Vonnegut comes up with some absolute gems concerning humans and their environment. Some of his stuff is very quotable (so quotable, in fact, that I forgot to write any down!) I'd only recommend this for the more hardcore Vonnegut fan. Having only previously read Slaughterhouse-Five, I'm not in that camp myself, but Timequake certainly hasn't put me off reading other works by Vonnegut. Started: 16 July 2008 Finished: 28 July 2008

The Thirteenth Tale Diane Setterfield Rating: 8/10 Published: 2006 Number of pages: 459 Summary (taken from blurb): Angelfield House stands abandoned and forgotten. It was once the imposing home of the March family - fascinating, manipulative Isabelle, Charlie, her brutal and dangerous brother, and the wild, untamed twins, Emmaline and Adeline. But Angelfield House conceals a chilling secret whose impact still resonates... Now Margaret Lea is investigating Angelfield's past - and the mystery of the March family starts to unravel. What has the house been hiding? What is its connection with the enigmatic author Vida Winter? And what is it in Margaret's own troubled past that causes her to fall so powerfully under Angelfield's spell? Comments: The Thirteenth Tale is an engaging and atmospheric gothic novel, and Setterfield reveals herself as an excellent story-teller. Having a booklover narrate the story helped me to identify with Margaret, the main character, and there are some lovely insights on reading. The story is very well developed and the mystery is built up nicely. I wouldn't say it was suspenseful, but I was kept very interested in learning the outcome, which I didn't guess beforehand. I like that not everything was resolved, and also that the story had no definite time setting; it helped add to the mystery. The main problems I had with the book were Margaret's obsession with her twin, which came on a little strongly, and I also felt that the Angelfield family were a little too unbelievable as characters. They were all so remote as to not even seem human most of the time, and in the time setting that I had concocted in my mind, they seemed very out of place (actually, when I tried to place them at different points in time, they didn't seem to fit anywhere). Overall, a very enjoyable book; different and full of intrigue. Highly recommended. Started: 7 July 2008 Finished: 15 July 2008

That sounds nice, Inver! Last night I made ham and cheese rolls with fillo pastry. I made 4 and struggled to get through them all Going shopping with my Mum tonight so we will probably get takeaway.

You're not going crazy, Janet. You did reply to a similar post on Kate's other reading thread. Oh, and I adored The Book Thief as well.

Ooh, you're in for a treat, Inver! Have fun!

Ooh, which book is that?

Well, let's see how my list has gone by the end of the year. You're more optimistic than I am! I should also point out that I bought Thank You, Jeeves by PG Wodehouse last week and started reading it the same day, even though I already had another book with me (and 300+ more waiting for me at home). Not so impressive now, is it? Thanks for your comments, Janet and Roland!

Ham and cheese rolls with some spring onions and other stuff thrown in.

Hello Amakash and to the forum! I know you'll have a great time here!

I do that too, Tasha. Despite their being nothing of interest on TV last night, I sat in front of it most of the night and neglected my book. Then I was annoyed with myself when I went to bed because I had been planning on reading quite a few pages!