Ruth

Thanks Kylie, I will definitely watch that. I liked the Robert Redford one, but preferred the Toby Stephens one. This version looks terrific too

I started Adventures In A TV Nation, by Michael Moore last night, and so far it looks really good. I've also been deliberating over whether or not to get Game of Thrones, and see if I enjoy it. People were talking about it yesterday, and assured me that although it wasn't my normal 'thing', I would probably love it. Hmm...

The Lace Reader, by Brunonia Barry Towner Whitney moved away from Salem, Massachusetts, years ago, after her twin sister Lyndley died. Now Towner’s great-aunt Eva has gone missing, and Towner goes back to the place where she said she would never return. The town is shaken by her arrival, and as Towner investigates both the disappearance of her great-aunt, and a young girl who her great-aunt was helping, the secrets of Towner’s own past start to unravel… I enjoyed this book – on the whole. I did like the character of Towner, and although I thought I had worked the ending out, as it transpired, I was off the mark. While it’s always nice to be surprised by an ending of a book, I actually felt that the book fell apart slightly in the last 30 or so pages, and the ending, while satisfactory, was not as good as I had hoped or expected. Much of the book is narrated by Towner, but at times it switched to a third person narrative – probably in order to tell events from the view of Rafferty, a Policeman who helps Towner, and who himself is searching for the truth behind the mysterious disappearances. There is also a chunk of about 60 pages which is told by Towner, in the form of a short story she wrote when she was a teenager. For me, these shifts in perspective did not really help the storyline, and I would have preferred the whole story to have been in either the first or third person, rather than changing between the two. However, there were plenty of things to like about the book. I very much enjoyed reading about Salem, and found it especially interesting as I will be visiting Salem later this year. I loved reading about the traditions, stemming from the witch trials of the 1600s, and I thought that the author did an excellent job of describing the place, so that I could really get a sense of the atmosphere and setting of the story. There was a definite undercurrent of tension throughout the book, which simmers nicely and adds an edge to the story. Overall, I would describe this book as an interesting read, and would be interested in seeking out more books by Brunonia Barry.

I haven't read The Passage, but from what I've heard, it's a similar setting. I wouldn't mind picking it up at some point though I head of Jericho, but have never seen it. When I heard it was on, I wanted to watch it because the genre is so fascinating, but somehow I never got around to it. There was a tv show in the 70s (I think) in the UK called Threads, which showed people trying to survive after nuclear war. I was too young to see it at the time, but have seen bits of it since...obviously it's dated now, but it still packs a punch in terms of its message.

Oh thank goodness!! I was thinking I must be a really slow reader I keep meaning to get to that, and also The Three Musketeers, by Dumas. I also have Camille, by Alexandre Dumas Jr, which is a less daunting size

Thanks for that - I would definitely recommend Water For Elephants. I know quite a few people who have read it, and I think they all enjoyed it too. Have put Ape House on my wishlist!

Agreed. I think there is a stereotypical view of the French, which writers (and other people in the media) like to encourage, but I don't think it is very realistic. Poppy, I think you'll have a wonderful time in Paris My brother took my mom there for her 60th birthday a few years back, and she loved it. This is on my tbr, and I would love to read it. I'm sure this is one of the places that my brother took my mom (it stands to reason as they both love to read, and my brother loves browsing in bookshops - must be a family trait). It's true - they do allow you to sleep there. I really wish there were more independent bookshops like this around! (I second Frankie's request for pictures - lots please!)

I watched Desk Set at the weekend - Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. And it is very very funny and enjoyable

Three hundred pages after starting it LAST NIGHT??? I'm impressed by how fast you read I have The Count of Monte Cristo on my tbr, and am looking forward to reading it, but am going to wait for a quiet few weeks.

Nearly finished The Lace Reader, by Brunonia Barry. No idea what to read next - too much choice staring at me from my bookshelves!

Groucho Marx was a genius All of their films are brilliant - I have a book called The Groucho Letters somewhere...apparently he was a prolific letter writer and his letters were as hilarious as their films!

Have you read the book Timstar? I read it before seeing the film (big mistake). Loved the book, hated the film.

I'm reading The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry. It's not brilliant, but it's an enjoyable enough read, and I quite like the main characters. Went into a charity shop today and saw a biography on James Stewart. As I love biographies from 'Old Hollywood' days, I snapped it up

I read the book first, which usually means that the film is a let-down. Not in this case though; they did a super job of adapting it. (Of course, it doesn't hurt that I adore Clark Gable ) Funnily enough, my mom and I were talking about classic films and who would star in a modern day remake - although I absolutely agree with you, that this is one of those films that should remain untouched! I'm struggling to think of who could star in this. Although there was a television series made, a sequel of sorts, called Scarlett, and which I presume was based on Alexander Ripley's sequel to the book. It starred Joanne Whalley as Scarlett (yes, really!) and Timothy Dalton as Rhett. Dalton is a fine actor, but he is NO Rhett Butler!!

Welcome Mary Can I ask what you thought of Ape House, by Sara Gruen? I really loved Water For Elephants, and have almost bought Ape House on a few occasions.

Yes, I couldn't deny that it has dated, but still worth a read. I would like to see the film of it now (especially as it stars Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner and Fred Astaire, all of whom I am a fan of ) Thanks Bree I hope you enjoy the book if you read it. Hi Julie, I'm fascinated by post-apocalyptic/dystopian novels; it's probably my favourite genre. The Road was another book that made me think, "What would I do?" My absolute favourite (and one of my favourite books ever) is The Handmaid's Tale, by Margaret Atwood. On The Beach was quite different in tone, but definitely worth reading, especially if the subject is one that interests you.

I watched The Man In The Gray Flannel Suit, at the weekend. Gregory Peck as a WWII veteran, struggling with his normal family life, after the horrors he saw in the war. I almost switched it off after 20 minutes, because I thought it was going to be boring, but decided to stick with it, and I'm glad I did. It's one of those films that you find yourself thinking about days later. A bit over-long, and at least one sub-plot seemed totally unnecessary, but overall, worth a watch.

Started reading The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry yesterday. So far, I like it

Starmaker: Life As a Hollywood Publicist, with Farrah, The Rat Pack, and 600 More Stars Who Fired Me, by Jay Bernstein In 1960, Jay Bernstein came to Hollywood, hoping to make his fortune. He had no idea what he was going to do, and no idea how he was going to do it. But he did have determination, confidence and the ability to work as hard as it took. With guts and grit, he became a publicist to many stars, including Farrah Fawcett and her then husband Lee Majors, and The Rat Pack. He later branched out into managing stars, and producing, directing and writing for movies and television. This book is his memoir of his long career in Hollywood, with the highs and lows, triumphs and let-downs, and of course, what life was like with such icons of the day. I enjoyed the book a lot. Bernstein is an engaging and very witty narrator; he’s also very frank, not only about the people who he worked with, but also about himself, being more than willing to admit when he made mistakes and bad decisions. He also pulls no punches when it comes to his opinions on others (Frank Sinatra does NOT come out of this book well!!) The book concentrates mainly on Bernstein’s work for Farrah Fawcett (the story of her rise to stardom, thanks to the hard work of Bernstein, is fascinating), Suzanne Somers, The Rat Pack, and Stacey Keach on the Mike Hammer television productions (based on Mickey Spillane’s books about Hammer). Sadly, Jay Bernstein passed away while the book was being written, and a note at the end points out that there were far more stories he wanted to share, but his death meant that they are not in the book. For anyone who is interested in movies or television, and the truth behind the glamorous facade of the industry, this book is enjoyable, easy to read, eye-opening and funny. I highly recommend it!

Reading, (obviously ) Theatre Old movies (I usually watch one a week, musicals, old classics, basically anything pre-1970) Running Walking Cycling Gym

Yeah, I avoid chick-lit usually, and I also tend to avoid crime nowadays. And authors like Joan Jonkers, Catherine Cookson, that kind of thing.

Watched Cool Hand Luke and The Band Wagon at the weekend. Have seen Cool Hand Luke before, but I never get tired of watching it. Just fantastic. I liked The Band Wagon a lot too. (Can't believe I had never seen it before.)

I'm still plugging on with Starmaker by Jay Bernstein. I was hoping to finish it over the weekend, but didn't have chance. I am enjoying it though Popped into a charity shop today and got three books: Rhett Butler's People by Donald McCraig. It's a sequel to Gone With The Wind, but as far as I can tell from the blurb on the back, it's more from Rhett's point of view, than Scarlett's. (EDIT: After further investigation, it appears that this book is the story of Rhett's life up to and during the events of GWTW.) Also got Santa Evita by Tomas Eloy Martinez. It's a novel, but based around the true life case of Ea Peron's body being stolen by the Argentine Army, after her death. I had a copy years ago, but never got round to reading it, and now have no idea where that book is. So I was pleased to pick up another copy. Also got 100 Greatest Women in History by Deborah G Felder. It looked like an interesting read.

I'm still reading Starmaker by Jay Bernstein, and very much enjoying it Also, couldn't get to my reading group at the library last night, but have just checked and the book for this month is The Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet. I have heard VERY mixed opinions on this one, and have a feeling it could be one I'll either love or hate - no middle ground. But we shall see! (The last two times that we had a book like that, I ended up loving the book, so fingers crossed!)

I am a Hollywood publicist working for many stars such as Sinatra, Farrah Fawcett, Jayne Mansfield. I do NOT like Frank Sinatra** **Personally I adore Sinatra, but I'm keeping character here!