Ruth

I have both of these on my (ever expanding) tbr. I suppose comparisons to C J Sansom are somewhat inevitable. I've only read Dissolution by Sansom, which I thought was excellent. I really like the Montalbano series as well

No, I didn't know he's written a book in response, but I know he took her to court (interestingly though, it wasn't for libel, but for invasion of privacy). I was disappointed in Sultan really - he was clearly very intelligent and progressive - but not when it came to his own family. I'm glad it wasn't just me! Thing was I'd really been looking forward to reading it too - ah well, you live and learn I loved the idea of The Big Over Easy, but I just felt like he had crow-barred in some of the references to nursery rhymes/fairy tales, just for the sake of including them. It didn't put me off trying his others though, and I'm really looking forward to reading Shades of Grey (when I get to it). I was surprised that most of the group didn't like Carnevale. In fact, only three of us finished it, and the other two weren't overkeen at all. All the others said they gave up because they just didn't like the narrator or any of the characters. It was a book I thought they would have really enjoyed as well! So it was just me who thought it was a good read. I bought her latest novel, The Book of Human Skin, recently. It's had mixed reviews, but generally more favourable than unfavourable.

Porridge, shredded wheat or wholewheat museli with blueberries, strawberries and/or blackberries. Or sometimes a sliced banana. And on Sundays , we have a bacon sandwich

I read this last year, and enjoyed it, except that the 'preachiness' of it irritated me. I suppose it is a book of its time. Definitely loved the character of Jo - by far she was the most likeable character (for me anyway). I might read the later books in the series at some point, but I'm not bothered if I never get around to them.

It is fantastic - I definitely recommend it!

I was also going to suggest her son's book. I adore Audrey - she's one of my all time favourites. I've read a few biographies; her son's is the best and probably the most trustworthy, but there are some great ones out there.

The Prince and the Showgirl - 1957 movie starring Laurence Olivier and Marilyn Monroe. It was the only film that Marilyn made outside of America - it was made and set in London. Olivier and Monroe did not get on at all during filming. He became impatient with her moods and tardiness, while she had various health problems (causing problems for wardrobe who had to make three copies of the dress she wore for most of the film, to accommodate her weight which fluctuated due to her medication), and she sadly suffered a miscarriage while filming. Sounds like a recipe for disaster - but I absolutely adored this movie. Olivier was fine in his role, even if he did ham it up a bit (he also directed the film), but Marilyn totally sparkled, and stole the movie right from under his nose. It's not a highly regarded film, but I'm ver glad that I took the time to watch it

I've just finished reading The Bookseller of Kabul, by Asne Seierstad. Fascinating and shocking read. I was disappointed in Sultan (the man with whose family the author lived). He was clearly intelligent and in many ways very progressive, but he treated the women in his family like second class citizens. I'd definitely recommend this book. I'm about to start The Secret Scripture, by Sebastian Barry. It was picked as Book of the month for my face to face reading group, which is quite handy as it was on my tbr pile already

I hope you enjoy the book - I liked it a lot, although I never felt that I got to know what motivated McCandless (but I think that he didn't want people to know). You're the second person who has said that they preferred The Big Over Easy on the second attempt. I'm definitely planning to read the next one in the series. I think Jasper Fforde's writing probably polarises readers - as you say, people have different tastes, and I definitely think he's a writer who people will either love or hate. I couldn't read two books of his in a row, I think his style might get tedious after a while, but to read his books occasionally seems to work for me.

Finished The Big Over Easy. Quite good, but I was bit disappointed, because it wasn't a patch on The Eyre Affair. I guess I'll be sticking to the Thursday Next series from now on. Just started Into The Wild, by Jon Krakauer - the true story of Chris McCandless, who died after going to live in the Alaskan wilderness in 1992. It was made into a film by Sean Penn, and starred Emile Hirsch (the film's good, I hope the book is too).

I had the same problem with the speed of reading at school. I read quite quickly, and would alsways finish books quite soon, and then get bored going over it in class. I also studied The Crucible, but in Drama rather than English. Playing the roles rather than just reading it made it a more enjoyable experience for me. I didn't like reading Shakespeare - still don't really, but I do love seeing the film and stage adaptations.

Interesting question. I had to read Lord of the Flies at school, and didn't really like it. But years later I decided to give it another go and really liked it a lot - I don't know if it was because it was my choice to read it second time around, or just because it was wrong book at the wrong time when I read it the first time. I do belong to a reading group, and have really enjoyed some of the books which we've read, even though I would never have chosen them for myself. So I'd say that yes, I can definitely enjoy a book I haven't chosen.

Finished Super Freakonomics - it was good, although not as good as its predecessor. Still, worth reading and I enjoyed it About to start The Big Over Easy, by Jasper Fforde. I've only read one of his books before, but REALLY enjoyed it, so am looking forward to this one.

No, but I saw Family Matters in a charity shop, just after finishing A Fine Balance, so I bought that. Haven't read it yet, but am looking forward to getting around to it.

Wasn't too sure about Unless - I just couldn't really take to the main character/narrator, and the story moved along too slowly. Not that I always need fast paced books, but I just found this one a bit....dull really. My next read is Superfreakonomics, the sequel to Freakonomics which I read and enjoyed a lot earlier this year.

I often feel the same way, but I'm afraid I usually give in to temptation and buy the books anyway It's a shame you didn't enjoy this one so much; I've heard a few people say the same thing about this book.

I've read all of Sarah Waters' books except for The Little Stranger (which is on my tbr) and they are all fab! My favourites were The Night Watch and Affinity. Fingersmith was brilliant too. Have added The Hunger Games to my library list!

Glad to hear how much you enjoyed A Fine Balance, Janet I read this last year and thought it was absolutely wonderful.

I've been to New York a couple of times - I love the place. This book is on my tbr, but due to it's size, I think it's one I need to hunker down with when I have a few days holiday. Glad to hear some positive reviews

I thought The 19th Wife was going to be a bit of a drag, but I ended up getting really interested in it. I'd definitely read more the the author; the only thing I didn't like was that the ending seemed very abrupt. Next up is this month's book for my face to face reading group - Unless, by Carol Shields.

The more the merrier Thank you; she is - I got my love of reading from my mom and dad, and I'm forever grateful

I'm glad you're feeling better Frankie - and Kylie, I hope things improve for you soon My mom always says that if you're going to buy lots of something, you can't find anything better than books to spend your money on - a theory I subscribe to. I'm kind of okay now with the fact that I've got so many books, even though I know it will take a long time to read them all. I just keep thinking I'll get there one book at a time. I did buy eight books last weekend but it was with gift cards from Waterstones. I had £45 to spend in gift cards, and because some of the books were in the 3 for 2 offer, I ended up with eight, and only had to pay 44 pence towards them.

I would take: The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas - because I've meant to read it for ages. The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood - for the same reason, and because I've enjoyed other books I've read by her. The Empress of Ice Cream by Anthony Capella - just because it looks like a great read and I love the title!

I LOVE that thought! I think I'm going to adopt it too - thanks Will

Howards End On The Landing? I've seen that book and been so tempted to buy it (which kind of defeats the object, I guess!) I've tried to stop buying books more times than I can remember. I actually have cut down a LOT this year, but I still succumb to temptation sometimes. If I only read what's already on my shelves I would need a lot longer than a year to get through them all!