Roland Butter

I'd say that this reflects an increasing trend by "organised religion" (which is very different in my book from "religion" - and don't ask me to explain, 'cos it's way too early in the morning!) to try to limit criticism by what is, in the end, no more than bullying. You've had The Satanic Verses, obviously (not a new example), Sikhs trying to get a play taken off, Christians trying to stop people seeing Jerry Springer - The Opera, and most recently Muslims trying to stop the film of Brick Lane being shown. The best literature is often challenging and sometimes, yes, offensive. I'm sorry, but I don't think that, in a society which prizes free speech, anyone has a "right" not to be offended, or to decree what other people should or shouldn't read or watch. That way lies the burning of books, and I'm not sure that's a road we want to go down. I know that sounds hopelessly inarticulate, but I'm off to work now!

Could you reword the title of this thread, please? You got my hopes up unnecessarily

I read A Confederacy of Dunces a few years back. I was really looking forward to it, but to be honest I thought it was a load of over-rated twaddle. But don't let that put you off ..... Vampire fans of my acquaintance swear by Anne Rice, but I've never read any of her work myself. And another thing - William Gay's Twilight is supposed to be a good old slice of Southern Gothic. That's one that is on my list to read (if anyone wants to buy me a Christmas present ....)

That's an expression I use a lot - "Is it just me, or ...." Welcome aboard - it's a great way of finding out more about what people like to read - you'll have a great time here.

I'm happy to stick with traditional English food. You just can't beat a nice curry.

Nicola Barker's Darkmans has been getting some good reviews in the newspapers' pre-Christmas "Books of the Year" features. I'm tempted, but at 800+ pages it's a big commitment, so I thought I'd ask here first. Anyone read it, and if so, what did you think?

I love Delia. If you want to know how to cook anaconda gizzards or roulade of wombat placenta, she's not for you. But if you like proper food, stick with Delia and you can't go wrong. I used to think Delia was utterly boring, until her famous "half-time rant" a couple of years ago. Brilliant! We've got a couple of Ainsley Harriott "meals in minutes" books, which are good. They also mean you don't have to watch him on TV, which is a bonus. And Jamie, of course. Top man.

Welcome. This is a clucking great place to discuss books

I'm with Michelle. The only books I own (apart from all the ones waiting to be read) are reference books and the very few "treasured" ones, like signed copies. Don't see the point of hanging onto things that are only going to clutter the place up - far better to pass them on so other people can get the same enjoyment (or, in the case of Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness ......) that I did. Can't see how that's a heinous crime, personally.

There's a word for that, but I can't remember what it is.

I tried that, Kell, but from the front of the dictionary. Didn't get past "aardvark" I love dictionaries, too. I persuaded my wife to get me the Oxford English Dictionary last Christmas (pocket version - the one that only takes up two shelves!) and I'm forever dipping into it. Even if I know the word, I like to know a bit about its origins. I use a dictionary at work quite a bit, too. Part of my job involves correcting the letters civil servants draft for the Minister to sign, and although I have absolute confidence in my own linguistic superiority over civil servants (I have a reputation as a "grammar Nazi"!), it doesn't do any harm to get a bit of back-up. Only yesterday, someone came up with "... on Mr and Mrs W's behalves ..." and it made a pleasant diversion doing a bit of research on that. Actually, we could have a whole new thread about the linguistic horrors that officials inflict upon the public, couldn't we?

Sorry, but I haven't read anything by her either. I was aware of Kevin, and it was a book I was umming and ahhing about. Then I read an interview (might have been the same one Gyre saw!) and thought she seemed a bit "up herself", so I'm afraid Ms Shriver's dropped out of the picture for me.

I think it happens to everyone at some time or another, doesn't it? "Reader's Block" - the best strategy is probably just to forget about books completely, and you'll find the enthusiasm for reading will return when it's ready.

If you could have four people round for a curry (or a nut roast, if you prefer ), who would they be, and why? They could be absolutely anyone, living or dead, even fictional characters if you wish. (But if you're inviting Elvis, please don't give him any more cheeseburgers ...) To kick off, I'd go for: Aretha Franklin - on condition that she sings for her supper . That would make me a very happy man. Dr Martin Luther King - in the hope that some of his charisma and all-round goodness would rub off on me. Jesus - so that he could explain what his hopes were when he started the business, and do a "2000 year review". Brian Clough - so that he could tell the other three what they were doing wrong

Yep, I'm with Kell too. There are so many of these childhood abuse memoirs on the market that, in my more cynical moments, I question the authenticity of some of them. And Irish misery, too. My wife's people are from Ireland, and I'm sure it's nowhere near as miserable as the glut of sub-Angela's Ashes memoirs would have you believe. Frank McCourt has a lot to answer for. And fantasy-type books. Can't be doing with all them dragons and wizards, me

Just got a couple of tickets for the new run of The History Boys at the Wyndham's Theatre in London. I couldn't manage to get tickets for its previous run, but I saw an advert in the paper yesterday and was straight up there in my lunch hour today! Roll on January - can't wait!

Fargo, for an absolutely brilliant performance by Frances McDormand. The Big Easy, for a great New Orleans soundtrack (the first time I typed that it came out as The Big Essay, which would be something quite different )

Aretha's Rare and Unreleased Recordings

Not a fan, then?

I read The Enemy a few months back. I'm not a great fan of crime series, unless they offer something really out of the ordinary, but it was a publisher's freebie, and I know a lot of people do like Lee Child, so I gave it a go. It's pretty much a straightforward police procedural, with the twist being that the protagonist, Jack Reacher, is a military policeman rather than a civilian copper. As with all heroes of these books, he's a maverick, fighting against the inertia or dishonesty of his superiors (bit of a cliche there). For Jen, there are plenty of dead bodies lying around, but there's no unduly graphic or gratuitous violence. It was a lot better written than I'd expected, although I must confess I did lose track of who was killing whom and why! Not the worst book I've ever read, by any means, although I probably wouldn't go out of my way to hunt down others in the series. It would certainly make a long journey go quicker.

"The Santaland Diaries" by David Sedaris is great fun if you want an alternative take on Christmas, but be warned - it's not full of merry carol singers and chestnuts roasting on an open fire, so don't let your maiden aunt anywhere near it!

That sounds good. We have cable TV, and I can get approximately 3,975 channels (including Dave ), none of which is worth watching most of the time. But, would you believe, Sky Arts isn't one of them. Sounds like I'm missing out on a good programme.

I'm not keen on second-hand books at all. Don't mind if they're in good nick and they're passed on by someone I know, but I'm not into buying from second-hand bookshops. I've probably got an over-active imagination, but I just don't like thinking about what the previous owners may have done with them! I have family in Hay-on-Wye, which is popularly known as "the second-hand book capital of the world". Good place for anyone who does like browsing - the place is awash with them.

Ah Judy you have good taste!

I'll look out for that one, Louise. Gillian Slovo is the daughter of anti-apartheid activists Joe Slovo and Ruth First, who was murdered by the South African security forces, so I imagine she's writing from a position of considerable emotional involvement. It's on the list ...