Ruth

Day 10 - Favourite classic. Oh wow, this is a tough one. Finally narrowed it down to either To Kill a Mockingbird or Jane Eyre. In the end I went for To Kill a Mockingbird. Such a beautiful book - I'd recommend it to anyone who hasn't read it yet. The film adaptation is also wonderful (and Gregory Peck is in it - what more could you want?!

Day 9 - a book you thought you wouldn't like but ended up loving. Several books I could choose from - I love being surprised by a book! I've gone for a recent read - Past Imperfect, by Julian Fellowes. I had to read it for our F2F reading group, and a few people felt the same way; initially we thought it might be hard work, but most of us ended up thoroughly enjoying it. Damian Baxter is ridiculously, stupendously rich. He's also dying and has nobody to leave his vast fortune to. However, an anonymous letter received years earlier suggests that he may have father a child many years ago, and now he wants to find that child in order to include him or her in his will. However, there are a few contenders for the mother of the child, and to track her down he needs the assistance of a former friend from the late 60s when Damian spent time amongst the upper classes and the aristocracy. The former friend is the narrator of the book, but he now harbours a strong grudge against Damian... When I started this book I was not sure I would enjoy it. It seemed to be populated by snobbish shallow characters who I did not think I would be able to warm to. However, by about halfway through it had quite won me over and I simply did not want to put it down by the time I got to the ending. As stated, the unnamed narrator is the former friend of Damian, who undertakes to find his child. As he does so and meets up with several people who he was friends with at the time in which most of the book was set, he not only discovers secrets about Damian's past, but also comes to terms with events in his own. We learn early on that the narrator is upset with Damian over an incident that occurred in Portugal years before, although the details of the incident are not revealed until nearly the end of the story. There is also some tension over a girl with whom the narrator was clearly in love - Serena Gresham. The book describes the search for Damian's possible offspring, and also explains the differing fates of several of the characters. It also gives plenty of description of upper class society in the late 1960s. The narrator notes that the 60s for many people were not all free love and flower power, and describes debutantes' balls and posh parties galore. The era was explained in great detail, which I found very interesting to read about. I ended up really liking the narrator and finding him to be a believeable character. It was clear to see how he had mellowed and matured in the intervening years between the two periods of time which the book covers. Damian himself was not a particularly sympathetic character, but I did feel that the reader could understand him much better by the end of the book. Some parts of the book were very moving, and some were very funny. The whole description of Terry Vitkov's ball had me in fits of laughter. I would highly recommend this book. I now want to seek out 'Snobs' by the same author.

Day 8 - most overrated book. I nearly went for Brideshead Revisited for this category, because I had such high hopes for it, and really felt let down BUT I think it was more a case of me not being in the right mood for it when I read it. I even kept my copy with the intention of re-reading it one day. So after thinking about it some more, I went for The Accidental, by Ali Smith. When this came out, there was so much hype and critical acclaim surrounding it and I was really looking forward to it. But it was dull, dull, dull. Annoying characters, flat writing - I was so disappointed. It put me off ever reading anything by Ali Smith again.

Hi Frankie I absolutely agree with you - the book is SO under-rated. When I tell people about it they usually are astounded to discover that the film was based on a book. I have the sequel - Gump and Co. - but haven't read it yet. Kylie if you read it I hope you love it - it is very different from the film, but I personally prefer it. Don't read it in public though, unless you don't mind bursting into random laughter in front of people!

Day 7 - Most underrated book This is a tough one, but I've gone for Forrest Gump, by Winston Groom. A lot of people don't realise that the film was even based on a book, but for my money the book is actually better (although I did enjoy the film). The storyline is pretty different to the adaptation, but this is such a lovely book, full of humour and pathos - and yet a lot of people don't even know about it! I couldn't stop laughing at some parts of it. Incidentally, when I look back at some of my choices for this list so far, I keep thinking of other books I could have picked - for instance, for the favourite series question, I could just as easily have picked the Big Stone Gap series by Adriana Trigiani, or the Inspector Montalbano series by Andrea Camilleri. Some of these categories need a lot of thinking about, but it's fun doing it!

Buddy Ackerman from Swimming With Sharks was a boss I'd hate to work for!

Day 6 - A book that makes you sad. Blimey, this is a tough one. But after much consideration I went for Betty Blue by Philippe Djian. It's a fabulous book, which deals with an out-of-control love, depression, insanity and loss. An exhilarating but sad read.

Haven't read any, but my dad is a big fan and recently gave me a book by Elmore Leonard - a collection of short Western stories.

I've finished reading Lennox, by Craig Russell. Pretty good for the first book of a new series about an enquiry agent in 1950s Glasgow. My next read is The Call of the Weird, by Louis Theroux

Day 5 - A book that makes you happy. Hmm...anything by Jane Austen would fit the bill. I've gone for Emma, because it's good fun and I like the main character, even though she is snooty and meddling - her heart was in the right place. There's some great tv and film adaptations been done of this book too

I have porridge or Weetabix with blueberries or a sliced banana. Except on Sundays when it's a bacon sandwich I usually read a few pages of my book or watch the news while I'm having my breakfast.

Day 4 - Favourite book from the series Morality For Beautiful Girls. I loved this book and especially the way it touched on depression and the effect that it can have on both the person suffering, and the people around them. Plus another fun and interesting mystery for Mma Ramotswe to solve...

Day 3 - Favourite series. Tough one, but probably The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith. I love all the eccentric characters and the unusual situations, as well as Mma Ramotswe's inimitable style of solving crimes. Nice, easy going, laid back detective stories to cul up with for a lazy afternoon on the sofa

Day 2 - a book I've read more than three times. To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee Definitely in my top three books of all time. The film adaptation is also excellent (but then again when Gregory Peck is in anything, it's guaranteed to be worth watching. The American Film Industry voted Atticus Finch the greatest movie hero of all time - I have always thought of him as my favourite literary hero as well). Anyhow, definitely DEFINITELY worth reading if you haven't already

Ooh I hope you both enjoy it I think everyone in the reading group liked it a lot. I've just finished The Idea of Perfection by Kate Grenville (also for the F2F reading group) - didn't think I'd like it at first, but I ended up really enjoying it. Next up is Lennox, by Craig Russell.

My mum is reading this at the moment, and says it's fabulous. She's said that she will pass her copy to me when she's finished it, so hopefully I'll get round to it soon. It does sound like a lovely read.

Day 1 - best book of last year... A Fine Balance, by Rohinton Mistry I had to read this for my F2F reading group, and was initially daunted by the size of it - but I LOVED it. Beautiful writing, so atmospheric, and took me through a whole range of emotions. I’m not really sure how to write this review…this is an absolutely wonderful book, and I really want to try and do it justice. Set in Mumbai in the 1970s when India has been declared in a State of Emergency by the Prime Minister Indira Ghandi, it tells the story of four people who are brought together, and the effect that the relationships between them have on their lives. Dina Dalal is a widow, fiercely independent and determined to support herself, rather than rely on her brother’s financial help, or get remarried. Ishvar and Omprakash (Om) are tailors from a low caste, who seek work in Mumbai and find themselves working for Dina. Maneck is a young man, brought up in a loving family in the mountains, who comes to the city to attend college and needs a room to rent. All of them are from very different backgrounds, but are thrown together as they try to make lives for themselves during what is a very difficult period in India. The first half of the book centres on the histories of the characters and tells how they came to find themselves in their respective situations. The second half concentrates more on the bond between the four of them, and the trials that they face as individuals and as a group. There is also much in the book about life in India at the time, and how difficult it was for so many citizens. I adored this book. Each character was so beautifully drawn that I felt that I really knew them, and I certainly came to care very much about them. The descriptions of some of the horrors that took place were gut wrenching and very distressing to read about – all the more so, because I was aware that such things really did happen. It certainly made me realise how lucky I am to have the freedoms and privileges that most of the time we all take for granted. This is a tale of a population which has been failed by it’s government – and when the rulers of a land can’t abide by their own rules, how can anyone else be expected to? I could only read with trepidation as some of the characters seemed to be drawn along a road that could only lead to heartache. There are a number of other characters who are relatively minor, but all of whom were fleshed out and were entirely believable. The writing was beautiful – so eloquent, but also very accessible. The location and time were really brought to life. At no point did I get bored – I just wanted to read on and learn more about the lives of these fascinating people, and the ending when it came, took my breath away. This is a wonderfully written, warm and absorbing read – very highly recommended indeed. (Don’t be put off by the length – you may well wish it was even longer!)

Thanks Frankie for printing this list. I'm going to have a crack at it, and try and answer the relevant question each day... Day 01 – Best book you read last year Day 02 – A book that you’ve read more than 3 times Day 03 – Your favourite series Day 04 – Favourite book of your favourite series Day 05 – A book that makes you happy Day 06 – A book that makes you sad Day 07 – Most underrated book Day 08 – Most overrated book Day 09 – A book you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up loving Day 10 – Favourite classic book Day 11 – A book you hated Day 12 – A book you used to love but don’t anymore Day 13 – Your favourite writer Day 14 – Favourite book of your favourite writer Day 15 – Favourite male character Day 16 – Favourite female character Day 17 – Favourite quote from your favourite book Day 18 – A book that disappointed you Day 19 – Favourite book turned into a movie Day 20 – Favourite romance book Day 21 – Favourite book from your childhood Day 22 – Favourite book you own Day 23 – A book you wanted to read for a long time but still haven’t Day 24 – A book that you wish more people would’ve read Day 25 – A character who you can relate to the most Day 26 – A book that changed your opinion about something Day 27 – The most surprising plot twist or ending Day 28 – Favourite title Day 29 – A book everyone hated but you liked Day 30 – Your favourite book of all time

I'm glad to hear you liked Water For Elephants. I loved that book, and I really like Reese Witherspoon, so I'm looking forward to seeing the film at some point.

Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer? It's the true story of Christopher McCandless...here's the Amazon link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Into-Wild-Jon-Krakauer/dp/0330351699 It was made into a pretty good movie a few years ago, starring Emile Hirsch. I don't know how truthful the film was, but it was shot on location in the Alaskan wilderness and had some breathtaking scenery.

Finished reading The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - a collection of short stories by Arthur Conan Doyle. Perfect bite sized treats for fans of Holmes, which I was reading in between reading other books. Very enjoyable

Arrested Development? Only three seasons, but very very funny indeed!

I thought this book was utterly fabulous. Also, I'm really looking forward to the movie, starring Reese Witherspoon.

Re: Songs of the Humpback Whale - I've heard very mixed reviews on this one. I really like Jodi Picoult, but think I'll probably give this one a miss. Re: The Carrie Diaries - I adored the tv show, and haven't read this book yet. But I was another one who was really disappointed in the Sex and the City book - the characters seemed virtually unrecognisable from those in the tv show.

Ooh I like this Frankie. Looking forward to reading your answers, and I'm also going to nick this for myself if that's okay.