Roger53

While PD James is one of my favourite mystery writers, I can't really get into Dalgliesh. But then I think that is the way he is supposed to be. A bit distant, aloof. I am sure his subordinates have said that about him in the books. But then, that is probably what makes him and the books so good. Not like some cops, for instance Rebus or Harry Bosch. They can be quite obnoxious, particularly Rebus, but you come to really like them anyway, in spite of their faults.

I am looking forward to reading New Grub Street. I have intended to get a copy for a while, and it has about made it now to the top of the list for future book purchases. Like many of us, a long list... Road to Wigan Pier must be one of Geroge Orwell's lesser known books? A pity because it is an excellent read.

I thought it was a marvellous book from start to finish. The part about the conditions of coal miners is particularly moving. Better than 1984, which is saying something. I don't know if anything of his could touch Animal Farm though. I read an opinion somewhere that Orwell made a lot of it up, but I don't think so. I found it in the fiction section of a local library, along with "Down and out in Paris and London" . I think this was a mistake on the part of the libary, but maybe not.

I must be the only person who has read Of Mice and Men and didn't really enjoy it. Not for everyone I suppose. Billy Budd. Now there is an excellent book. Very sad. Short too, which is unusual for a classic I suppose. And a book about the sea which is always good. Lord of the Flies. I can see the message there, but not for me. Dreadful..(see above about Mice and Men.) Had to read it every time I changed schools as a teen. Couldn't believe my luck.

I have read 14 of them. I am a bit surprised I have read so many. A lot I want to read one day, a couple I wouldn't even listen to if someone else was reading them, and a few I have never heard of before. But only for men? Nah. Read what you like. As others have said all this must do list stuff really is one person's opinion. Fortunately we are all different.

I think they are marvellous. Hard to pick a favourite, Maybe On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Quite old fashioned now as thrillers but I think that makes them even better to read. I started reading them as a teenager, and I am re reading from time to time now. Very racy back in those days... I read Moonraker a few years ago, and it is seriously dated as far as technology goes, but being a very non tech person, this is no real problem for me. I am still to finish Octopussy which for some reason I have started a number of times but have not yet got very far. Anyway, great books.

Rebus. Although I would agree with a few others mentioned here..Rumpole, Sherlock Holmes, Becky Sharp, and who could dislike Dobbin?

When I was in school they gave you the stick for that. But it was a long time ago. I don't write in my own books, but wifey insists I write in ones I give to her for birthdays and so on. But having said that, I love inscriptions in old books. They can be really interesting, especially with dates and names of the towns of previous owners. I have one where the previous owner wrote a paragraph on where and when she bought the book, so I added a similar one beneath. I wonder where it will eventually end up? The best one I have must be from the late 19th century, and a lady wrote her address as something like "Bourke Street, Darlinghurst, just down from the gaol." It's a main road in Sydney. Possibly no street numbers in those days? Anyway, it is intriguing.

I prefer used books, mainly as they are cheaper, but also a lot of the books I like are out of print. Plus there are a number of second hand bookshops in my area. Always fun to visit them, and you never know what gems you will find.

I try to keep all my books in or near the bedroom. A very difficult task.. Under the bed..no room left. Under the dressing table..full too. Next to the bed and dressing table, leaving a narrow path for access. At the end of the bed, in a bookcase at the end of the bed, and in another on the landing, in a big pile next to the end of the bed in front of a chest of drawers which can no longer be opened because too many books are in the way. Another pile next to the door which can in turn no longer be closed, for the same reason. Things are grim. I have my eye on the next door bedroom, for expansion purposes, but my daughter may not be too happy if piles of books start appearing in there.

I like them both. Paperbacks don't take up so much room, but then hardbacks are more durable. As to the death of the hardback, wasn't it said that when computers became common books would disappear?

Billy Collins. Easy to read, a bit of fun, and a poet who can make anything sound interesting. There are some other favourites mentioned above though. I didn't realise Robert Service was so popular. Apart from his Yukon poems he has a couple of other books with more general type poetry which are very good. Later Poetry, and More Poetry of Robert Service. I missed the connection with Scrooge as a child. Hadn't heard of Robert Service then, but enjoyed the comics. Of others above mentioned that I enjoy are John Bjeteman, WH Auden, Allen Ginsberg, Elizabeth Bishop, William Carlos Williams and Lewis Carroll. And lots more who I can't bring to mind just now. Mainly I like 20th century poetry most.

Somehow I have two copies of this book. Both hardback, the same colour, without covers. I haven't got far but the impression I get is the same as posted above. I read on the internet it was a very popular book in its day, and Warwick Deeping must have been a popular author. Wrote a number of books.

I just finished the Camel Club as well. A good book. Fast paced, easy to read. A good thriller. I shall have to head to the library to try another of his novels.

I have read them all now, except the latest, Exit Music, which has not yet arrived at the library. I think the ones in the middle of the series are the best, from Tooth and Nail to the Falls, for instance. But anyone who has only read Knots and Crosses, and been disappointed, should persevere as the later ones are much better. I have not yet read Blood Hunt, but Witch Hunt was excellent, while Bleeding Hearts was not so good, but certainly different subject matter. As for Ken Stott as opposed to John Hanna, I also think of John Hanna when I read the books. Ken Stott might be the right shape, and no doubt a good actor, but I wonder if the person who wrote or directed or produced the series actually read the books? Something missing there, though the actresses playing Gil Templer and Siobahn certainly fill the bill. I always look forward to an appearance by Big Ger. Big Ger and the Strawman. What a pair!

In all the detective stories I read I very rarely get the murderer right. I'd make a lousy detective. I agree that Devices and Desires and Death in Holy Orders are probably the best, and that Murder Room was not quite up there perhaps with some of the others. Certain Justice was about the same level perhaps as Murder Room. I feel she has gotten better over time though, whereas a lot of writers are the other way around. Starting writing rubbish toward the end of their careers. But she is excellent, and as someone said, there is so much more that just the detective story. I love the Adam Dalgliesh books where he is down in Norfolk, motoring through the countryside, and reminiscing about his younger days in that area. I saw PD James many years ago, before she was a really big deal, in a bookshop meet and greet type thing. She was really nice.

Knots of Weimar citizens stood on street corners staring in curiosity. Someone suggested it was a military exercise; no one disagreed. Manouvres happened in the military. The Deceiver, Frederick Forsyth. As random 5th sentences on page 123 from the nearest book go, I don't think this is to bad.. I read the book years ago. A good one like most of Frederick Forsyth's efforts.

My favourite is probably Black and Blue, followed by Dead Souls and Set In Darkness. I hope this doesn't affect Kitty's opinion of Ian Rankin.

I think his earlier books were better, Bloodline and The Other Side of Midnight, for instance. Really raced along. Thrillers with an international background. Plenty of excitement.

I've read Shogun, Taipan and Noble House. Very good books. They were very popular in the 70's I think, but I suppose he has been a little forgotten now. I think there was a series about Noble House?

That was close. I just started my first Stephen Booth book, One Last Breath. Happened to be the only one in the library.

You don't know what you are missing. As a lot of crime series use the same detective, for instance Adam Dalgliesh by PD James, or Phillip Marlowe with Raymond Chandler, to use two totally opposite examples, a lot of each book is about the detectives personality. Rebus and Hercule Poirot are another two examples. There is usually more to the story besides just the crime. Agatha Christie managed to turn out 90 odd books about crime, albeit with a number of detectives. I am yet to read a bad one. I read Rottweiler by Ruth Rendell last year. It is about a criminal, but it was such a good story that part hardly mattered. The best part of the story was the personality of all these people who live in the one building. An excellent book. Needless to say crime books are among my favourites.

From Here to Eternity. James Jones. About 900 pages? Lord of the Rings. JRR Tolkien. About 1000 pages. Hawaii. James A Michener. About 1000 pages. I am reading them all. Marvellous books. I love big books. It took me a year to read Gone with the Wind, but another great book of about 1000 pages.

I avoid anything with a romantic cover picture. Also sci fi, though I read an Isaac Asimov book years ago that was very good. Something about robots turning on the human masters? I suppose they are all about that sort of thing? I love biographies. I think Geoffrey Archer has some excellent story lines, but just a pity someone didn't actually write the books. A bit like Tom Cruise movies, good but a pity someone else wasn't in them..

I have recently joined a number of book forums on the web. They are very enjoyable. I hope I don't get them confused! I read mainly non fiction, military history in particular, but also like detective stories. I am from Sydney, Australia , 53 years old and have always been a keen reader. Thanks.