Ruth

I own about 1300 books I think (gulp). And probably just over half are unread. Seeing that written down is actually quite scary!!!!

Well, I finished The One I Love, and I enjoyed it - it was quite chick-litty, which isn't something I'd like to read too often, but I did enjoy this one. Next up is Micka, by Frances Kay, which I am half dreading as I'm told it's pretty disturbing.

I've recorded the first episode but not watched it yet. However, I think Bl;air Underwood is a truly beautiful man, so I suspect I will definitely enjoy it!

I didn't enjoy Dracula - thought it was badly written with boring characters. I also didn't enjoy Brideshead Revisited nearly as much as I thought I would, but I'm prepared to give that another go at some point. Possibly a case of the right book at the wrong time.

I enjoyed it, but I thought it was a bit cliched at times, and the character of Dora (the 17 year old daughter) was very stereotyped. But I gave the book 3.75/5. I enjoyed it more than Dear Fatty by Dawn French, which I read earlier this year. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! My next read is The One I Love, by Anna McPartlin.

War OnThe Margins was a great read - all about the suffering of Jews on the island of Jersey during World War II. Very moving, and I would definitely recommend it. Next up is A Tiny Bit Marvellous by Dawn French.

I hope you like it Frankie:) I just thought it was very original and absorbing. It's only just over 200 pages as well, so quite a quick read.

In 1964, 89 year old Winston Churchill wakes up to find a looming presence in his room. It is the depression from which he has suffered throughout his life, which he famously called the “black dog.” Across town, Esther Hammerhans opens her front door to find a huge black dog standing outside, wanting to rent her spare room. The black dog introduces himself as Mr Chartwell, and later comes to be known as Black Pat. Esther has no idea who or what he is, or why he has sought her out. So will she find out before she falls under his diabolical spell? This is such an unusual novel that I find it very difficult to review. The premise sounds completely absurd – to make the black dog of depression into an actual black dog, who can talk and interact with those whose life he infiltrates – and does not sound as though it should work. However, as a plot device it works incredibly well, showing how depression can creep up on someone insiduously, how it can affect all areas of life, and how it can be strangely attractive. The narrative is in the third person, and takes place over a few days during which Churchill retires completely from politics. The story switches from Churchill to Esther, who do not know each other, and are unaware that they have a mutual companion. I thought the writing was terrific – descriptive, but without any unnecessary words, subtle, and at times very funny. However, the humour had a distinct sting in the tail. Esther is a beautifully drawn character, who was easy to believe in, and Churchill was also described brilliantly (as was his wife, Clementine), and facts from his real life were woven into the story. Black Pat hovers over every scene ominously and is variously shown as tender, spiteful, witty, selfish, cynical and inviting. But while he can sometimes be quite likeable (at least in the form which he takes in this story), the reader is never allowed to forget exactly who he is and what he represents. I’m not sure that my review has done this book justice. However, I will say that it was one of the most original stories I’ve read in a long time, and despite the unusual premise, it worked on every level for me. This is Rebecca Hunt’s debut novel – I certainly hope that she will write more!

I would HIGHLY recommend Mr Chartwell. It's such an unusual and original premise, and it sounds like it shouldn't work - but it just does! Now reading War On The Margins, by Libby Cone.

I enjoyed The Bronze Horseman. It's not my favourite book by this author, but it was still compelling reading (even if it did lapse into sugary Mills and Boon type reading at times). Definitely recommended. Next up is Mr Chartwell by Rebecca Hunt - a freebie from Penguin. Looks like an interesting premise.

I saw your post, and totally agreed with it. It was the first book I had read by this author, but I'll definitely be looking out for more by her. I just finished Undead on Arrival by Nick Smith, but it was a real disappointment. I read it for the local reading group, and I'll be interested to see if anybody liked it! Next up is The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons. She's one of my favourite authors, so I'm looking forward to this one.

The main character (and the narrator) of this book is Alice Lindgren, who is loosely based on Laura Bush, wife of former President George W. Bush. When Alice is growing up in Riley, Wisconsin, with her loving parents and unconventional grandmother, she never imagines that she will end up married to the future President. When she meets Charlie Blackwell – a man who seems politically, idealogically and socially poles apart from her – they do indeed fall in love and their enduring marriage has both blissfully happy times and desperately sad times. When Charlie eventually becomes President, she realises that when she disagrees with his policies, she may have to compromise her own beliefs to be seen as loyal to her husband; or she may have to publicly appear to betray her husband, and she is not sure which is worse. I approached this book with some trepidation, as I was not sure I would enjoy it. However, I found it to be a gripping read. The narration by Alice is clean and quiet – she comes across as a thoroughly decent woman, if not always somebody who it would be easy to warm to (especially in the earlier parts of the book), who is conflicted between following her own beliefs, and her loyalty and love for her husband. Her life is overshadowed by an early tragedy – when she was 17, she was involved in car crash which killed a classmate and the event casts a shadow over her future life and happiness. Charlie Blackwell – clearly based on George Bush – is portrayed as loud, gregarious, charismatic and a man who gets where he is more due to the talents of others, than any talents or skills of his own. I was left with the impression of a rather vacuous man, who probably would have been happier in his role as part owner of a baseball team, than he could be in the White House – and a man who ended up in a position which was far beyond his capabilities (in another reflection of real life). Although the last part of the book deals with Blackwell’s presidency – and just like in real life, the terrorist attacks of 2001 are mentioned, and the resulting war that many Americans believed to be immoral and/or illegal, as well as the controversy surrounding the votes in Florida that led many to question the legitimacy of his presidency – the main bulk of the book focuses more on the marriage, with it’s various highs and lows. The two main characters are incredibly well drawn and brought to life, and are utterly believable (possibly because they are based on real people, although it should be underlined that many of the events in the book are fictitious). The differences between Alice and Charlie are clear, but so is the love between them, and it is possible to see why she loves him (although I personally have never been a fan of George Bush). The writing flows beautifully and I really felt able to lose myself in the story. I was sorry to reach the end of the book, and will definitely seek out more work by this author. Highly recommended.

Well, I loved it!! Fantastic book, which I admit I approached with some trepidation, but I was drawn in from the first page. Highly recommended:)

I saw this the other week - loved it. I always think Woody Harrelson is great anyway. Last film I saw was Emma - the Kate Beckinsale version. Really into period drama at the mo, and want to watch the Gwyneth Paltrow version now. Watching the film made me want to read the book again:)

What a bizarre question. Do you also think that people shouldn't watch movies unless they want to be an actor? Are you implying readers are lazy and have no thoughts of their own. Because you're insulting a whole community here. Was that your intention?

Yes, I loved it. Definitely one of my favourite books of the year. I finished Can't Wait to get to Heaven, by Fannie Flagg yesterday. It was a very enjoyable read, and definitely made me want to read more by this author. Then last night, I started American Wife, by Curtis Sittenfeld - started well, I think I'm going to love it:)

I did finish it, but only because I can never give up on a book once I've started it. I've read a lot of reviews of it since I read it, and about 90% of them felt the same way as me. But a few people loved it. Hi Mac. I read The Historian a few years ago. I found it a good read and kept my copy as I had a feeling I might want to read it again one day. As for A Fine Balance - I LOVED it! It was so beautiful, sad and just a fantastic read. Definitely one of my favourites so far this year. I'm going to highly highly recommend it to everyone!

Just finished The Birthing House, by Christopher Ransom - without doubt one of the very worst books I have ever read. Definitely NOT recommended. Next up is A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry. I hope it's a vast improvement on The Birthing House!!!

Finished reading Second Hand Heart, by Catherine Ryan Hyde. Very quick read and nice writing, but one of the main characters was intensely irritating, and I HATED the ending!! Next up is The Birthing House, by Christopher Ransom:)

I was going to post about the Lucifer Box novels as well. Very entertaining and fast paced.

Finished Dracula - and unfortunately I really didn't enjoy it. I thought the characters were wafer thin and the whole plot just didn't work for me. I'm disappointed, because I was sure I would love it. Next up is Second Hand Heart, by Catherine Ryan Hyde:)

I was going to say Jane Eyre. It's one of my favourite books as well:) I'd also say Persuasion by Jane Austen, and Betty Blue by Philippe Djian. Although that one is very sad as well.

It's more likely to make me buy everything they've ever written:)

Hi Megustaleer - nice to see you here:) I just finished After You, by Julie Buxbaum. Definitely recommend this one, although it's very sad in places! Next up - a classic I've wanted to read for a long time - Dracula!

I'll give a book about 15 - 20 pages to draw me in. Having said that, I find it nigh on impossible to give up on a book, however little I may be enjoying it.