Ruth

I have Just After Sunset on my tbr pile. I like to have a book of short stories and read a couple in between longer length books. Glad you enjoyed this

It's one of my all time favourite books, and one of the very few that I can read multiple times. The first time I read it, I was about 14 and it really made an impact. I've loved it just as much, if not more, with every reread. It's just...fantastic. I also really recommend the film adaptation; it does stay very faithful to the spirit of the book. There is a lovely (true) story regarding the line where Atticus (Gregory Peck) tells Jem that every boy should have his father's watch. After filming, Harper Lee gave Gregory Peck her father's watch, because he reminded her of her father. Also, Brock Peters, who played Tom Robinson, read the eulogy at Gregory Peck's funeral.

I read The Birthing House, by Christopher Ransom. It is possibly the worst book I've ever read, and I've seen so many negative reviews of his books. I'm amazed he's still got a contract. I think he's had three novels published, and I don't think I've seen a good review of any of them! I've got Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? on mount tbr (it's what the film Blade Runner was adapted from, I think). Also, am very intrigued by Flowers for Algernon. I've heard of it, but never read any reviews of it before. Sounds like a good read

I like Tales of the Unexpected by Roald Dahl. I don't normally go in for short stories, but these were great. I read Completely Unexpected Tales, which was TotU and the sequel (can't remember the name of that one). Some of them are a bit creepy, but if you don't mind that, they're great to dip into.

I can't read one series book after the other either. I like to break up my reading a bit. In fact, I don't like to read two books in a row by the same author (or even the same genre). No matter how much I love a book in a series, I still like to read a few different books in between.

Following on from my last post, I too have to agree that I don't understand why going upstairs to read is classed as anti-social, but sitting in the garden isn't! While I have no problem with someone watching tv while I'm reading, I also think it's perfectly okay to go out of the room to read, if the tv means you can't concentrate.

It doesn't bother me if someone wants to watch a tv programme while I'm reading. I don't think I have any right to tell someone not to watch a programme because the noise might bother me. That's background noise, and is different (to me, anyway) that someone interrupting me and trying to ask me questions etc while I'm reading. I do dislike very noisy atmospheres though, whether I'm reading or not. I suppose I'm lucky, because I can block out tv noise while I'm reading, but the way I see it is that someone has just as much right to watch a tv programme as I have to read my book I totally agree though that I don't like it when people come up to me, and then ask 101 questions about what book I'm reading. If I see someone reading, I won't interrupt them. At work, I now go out for a walk every lunchtime for about 40 minutes, and take my book with me. I've mastered the art of reading and walking at the same time, plus I get lots more reading time in that way.

I have The Book Of Human Skin on my tbr. Not sure when I'll get to it, but I liked Carnivale, by the same author.

Sorry Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad book, and I do like the character of Carter. It just seems to be going on and on! There are LOADS of glowing reviews on Amazon, so a lot of people must have loved it. Maybe that's why I'm not liking it as much as I had hoped - because I expected so much after seeing all the five star reviews it has had. I have got Sunnyside, which was Gold's next book after Carter. I will read it at some point, but probably not for a while! It has Charlie Chaplin in it, and I do like Chaplin, so maybe I'll prefer that one.

Yes, I agree with this, and for the same reasons. They may be cathartic for the author (I hope they are), but I find them a little bit samey. And there was such a deluge of them that at one time, I would walk into a bookshop and just see shelves and shelves of misery memoirs. I've read one, maybe two, but wouldn't read any more.

I've learned to block out the televison or noise like that. I can read when people are talking around me, but what does annoy me is if I'm reading (say at lunchtime, at my desk) and someone comes and asks what I'm reading. Well, that in itself doesn't bother me - it's a fair enough question - but then they launch into a whole Q&A session asking if it's any good, what its about, what other books do you like etc., etc. It might sound like I'm anti-social, but honestly I'm not. I just know that if I see someone deep into a book, I don't disturb them with 101 questions! I don't need silence to read, but if, say, my husband has gone to bed and I stay up to read for a bit, I always sit and read in silence.

It doesn't bother me either way. I'm not bothered about waiting for the next book in a series to come out before I read the first, but sometimes I don't discover a series until all the books (or at least 3 or 4) are already out. Even then, I usually only get one at a time.

I've had (and lost) so many bookmarks over the years. I just use any old thing now - currently I'm using a ticket from a gig I went to last February, but only because I saw it lying around when I needed something to use as a bookmark. Although those bookmarks from BD look fab. I want them just for the sake of having them!

Enjoy - that's a terrific book! I'm still reading Carter Beats The Devil, by Glen David Gold. It's good, but not as good as I had originally thought it would be. I'm still quite enjoying it though.

Yes!!! Very annoying!

The new Upstairs Downstairs starts on 19th February (I think on BBC1, but it might be BBC2). Eileen Atkins will not be in it sadly, but Alex Kingston is joining the cast. Comparisons to Downton are inevitable I guess, but I'll definitely be watching

Loved The Help. I read it a couple of years ago, and I think it was my favourite read of that whole year. I will definitely be rereading it at some point too. I'm also really tempted by TCPatW - I've seen it a few times and almost bought it - my resolve is bound to crack soon! Sounds intriguing. I like dystopian novels - am off to Google this one now:)

Frankie, you almost certainly won't have to do anything . They have done what is necessary for about 99% of the books on GoodReads, and I think it only matters if you have some very obscure books on there. If any of yout books have got a 'rescue me' link next to them, then you'll need to press that link, but otherwise, you won't need to do anything.

I would like to see Gary Oldman win Best Actor, but won't mind of Jean DuJardin wins. I REALLY hope that Brad Pitt doesn't win; he's one of the most over-rated actors around. Kell, I agree about Andy Serkis - he always turns in sterling work, no matter what he's in. Never seems to get the recognition he deserves though.

I watched two films at the weekend - River Of No Return with Marilyn Monroe and Robert Mitchum. That was a bit like eating cheap chocolate; I knew it wasn't much good, but enjoyed it anyway. Also watched The Omen - I only wanted to see that because I like Gregory Peck. I didn't find it particularly scary, but it was pretty riveting.

I used to read 1 - 2 books a week, but I found that I was getting a bit hung up on how much I read, and was reading because I felt I had to, rather than because I wanted to. This year I decided to allow myself to relax about it a bit, but I'm still reading one book about every 7 - 10 days. So 3 or 4 books a month, I guess.

I think The Artist will win Best Picture, and that Jean DuJardin will win Best Actor. Agree that Meryl Streep will probably win for The Iron Lady, but I'm also not ruling out Michelle Williams for My Week With Marilyn. I would like Kenneth Brannagh to win Best Supporting Actor as well, but not sure if he will.

Now, Voyager comes around on TCM every so often. I'll make sure to watch it next time it's on Oh, I forgot to say another great film is It Happened One Night, with Clark Gable (*sigh*) and Claudette Colbert. Very very funny and sweet. Gone With The Wind is great as well, and pretty (but not totally) faithful to the book. It's long though - you'll need a whole evening set aside for it!

I adored this book. It was so cleverly written - the premise sounds like it shouldn't work, but it absolutely does. I'm glad you liked it too Ooh yes, Fforde is great. If you've read Jane Eyre, I highly recommend Fforde's 'The Eyre Affair' I'm off to check out The Last Dragonslayer - thanks Chrissy I hope you like Mr Chartwell. It's a quick read, and SO good

Sounds great. I like Stephen King; just off to investigate this now (for reading on the Kindle, ha ha )