Ruth

Just finished The Patience of the Spider, by Andrea Camilleri, which is the 8th book in the Inspector Montalbano series. I enjoyed it a lot, but not quite as much as the others in the series (I guessed who had done what fairly early on). My next book is going to be Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger. I can't believe that I have never read it, and as it has been on my tbr for ages, I thought it was time I got around to it:)

I love books because they make me think. They educate and can inspire you to learn more about a subject. (For instance, I love Philippa Gregory's Tudor novels. I know that they are fact-based fiction, but reading them made me want to find out more about the Tudor period.) And they are a form of escapism and relaxation. I think out of all those, the most important thing is that they encourage you to to think. Also, they expand your vocabulary! One of my favourite quotes about books and reading is: "It wasn't until I started reading and found books they wouldn't let us read in school that I discovered you could be insane and happy and have a good life without being like everybody else." - John Waters

I read 84 Charing Cross Road very recently, and loved it. I also have the edition with The Duchess of Blomsbury Street in it, but haven't read that yet. I think 84 Charing Cross Road will be a book I will reread - it was so charming and amusing, and a very quick read too.

It bothers me, depending on the kind of book it is. For instance, if I'm reading a 'whodunnit' it really annoys me if I guess early on who did it, and turn out to be right. I usually keep reading though, because I want to see if I'm right or not!! Some books you're obviuosly meant to know who did what fairly early, and the enjoyment comes from watching the other charactesr figure it out. In those instances, no it doesn't bother me.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth sounds AMAZING!!! Great review Lexie:) I have added it to my wishlist!

Finished Excellent Women - it was enjoyable and amusing for the most part, but I got frustrated with the main character! About to start reading The Patience of the Spider, which is the next book in the Inspector Montalbano series, which I have loved so far:)

Your friend was superb in that role. He had Sam';s voice inflections and way of speaking down perfectly.

I think this series has been phenomenal! I have a theory, which is ONLY a theory and there are no spoilers here. I am going to put it into spoilers though, as I know some people are trying to avoid reading theories. I've see this one on a few sites, and it's definitely what I'm going with for the moment.

I've read three of her books - My Sister's Keeper, Vanishing Acts and Nineteen Minutes. I thoroughly enjoyed all of them (probably Nineteen Minutes the most). There's a number of her other books on my tbr shelves, and I must get around to them! I have heard very mixed reviews of her new book though. It's called House Rules I think, and a few Picoult fans I know have expressed disappointment with it.

Tricks of the Mind was an excellent read - very insightful, fascinating and funny. Highly recommended:) My next read is Excellent Women, by Barbara Pym.

I'll definitely be watching Luther tonight - 9pm on BBC1:)

Is anybody else going to be watching Luther? It's on tonight (Tuesday) 9pm on BBC1 if anyone is interested. It's a police series, featuring Idris Elba (from The Wire) as the titular character. There's an article here if anyone's interested: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/sep/04/wire-actor-idris-elba-bbc

I enjoyed Country Pursuits - it was good fun and made me laugh out loud on a number of occasions, even though chicklit is not normally I genre I go for. I went to see Derren Brown on Friday night (he was brilliant), so I'm now going to read his book Tricks of the Mind:)

I prefer Chris - but I suspect that this will not be the most popular view!!

I LOVED The Help - it was one of my favourite reads of last year. I have The Little Stranger on my tbr pile, and a book by Roopa Farooki (not the one in the list though).

I did, but honestly if you're even a little bit squeamish, I wouldn't recommend it! It's about a girl who wants to know what people see just before they die - and if they find themselves in the dark room which she found herself in when she almost died - with everyone who she has ever slighted or offended waiting to take their revenge. I've just finished 84 Charing Cross Road, by Helene Hanff. It was lovely and charming, and I have a feeling I will be reading it several more times in the future. Next up is Country Pursuits by Jo Carnegie.

Finished reading Slights - it was very very dark, and I need something quick and easy to read next!

Yes, I've read it. I thought it was excellent, although I totally agree with your spoiler. I have the next one in the series on my tbr mountain, but I know people who have read the whole series and say it gets better with each book. Apparently they're making it into s tv series too:)

Finished Home to Big Stone Gap, and am sad to say goodbye to this wonderful series. About to start Slights by Kaaron Warren.

That place sounds FANTASTIC!!! Sounds like the perfect location for a peaceful weeks holiday!

Loads! I was an Enid Blyton devotee. I loved the Famous Five stories, and the Amelia Jane books. Later on, I read all the Mallory Towers and St. Clare's books.

Adriana Trigiani's Big Stone Gap series. Although I have heard that the first one is going to be made into a film, so I will definitely been watching out for it:)

Just finished reading Hawk, by Brian Neary. It was a good read, and I'd definitely read more in this series about CIA Agent Quentin Hawk. The only thing I'd say is that it was perhaps a bit overlong. The same story could have been told with about 100 pages less. Next up is the fourth and final book in the Big Stone Gap series, by Adriana Trigiani - I have loved this series so far, and have a good feeling about this one!

I've only read Dissolution so far, and I thought it was fabulous. (I gave it 5 out of 5). I lent it to a friend who also loved it, and I now have the rest of the series on my tbr pile, waiting to be read:)

Ooh Lexie, 'Once' sounds like a fab read, and I loved your review:)