Susanne

Unfortunatly, this is how it is for most companies nowadays. Independant companies are being employed now by big companies ie BT, NHS etc to monitor staff absence levels (costing them millions of pounds). My other half (who works for BT) is only allowed (even with a doctor's certificate) to have either up to two absences a year or 10 days, which ever comes first. If you go over, no matter what reason you are put on report. Be of sick again, you face the sack. I work for the NHS, who now have employed the lovely 'First Care' people making it sound like they want to help you get better and back to work. Yeah right. Nothing but big brother there, and guess what, all local admin staff still have to do all their work so millions of pounds wasted. Talking of NHS.... it is not unheard of that some of our nurses etc work 10 or more days in a row. And guess what..... tough, whether you like it or not. I could give more examples to every point raised but that would take forever. Do I agree with what the companies are doing? Hell no, but what choice is there. Live with it or sign on... that's the message everybody is getting loud and clear, regardless where you work

My daughter read all of the books within a couple of days and was smitten, as were all of her friends. So, I just had to see what all the hype was about and read them too. I am still in two minds about the series, I guess mainly because I try to differentiate between who this series is aimed at and which group I actually belong to (in short aimed at teenagers and me being an old fogey ) When I started reading the first book I thought 'what has got into this girl to let herself being bossed around by this guy (vampire or not)' and I was actually getting a bit annoyed. But when I told my daughter about my misgivings she rolled her eyes and said 'Mum, remember when you were young?' and I have to admit that years of experience have somewhat turned me into a cynic. Remembering back to when I was her age I still wore pink spectacles so I think people need to remember what age group this book is aimed at in order to appreciate it. Greatest story ever written? No, but it is a nice read and I think, if you are an adult, it might take you back to when you fell in love with someone you shouldn't have fallen in love with Please, don't tell my daughter this as she adores the whole series and would see me lynched before hearing a bad word said about it . Oh, and yes, I thought it was good enough to warrant reserving tickets at the cinema this weekend . Oh, and before I forget KW: Did you mean the Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice or the Vampire Diaries by LJ Smith? I remember reading the first three books or so of the chronicles but have not tried any books by LJ Smith. Thanks

I hardly ever buy books nowadays . As much as I would still like to have nice, shiny, hardbacks I can't justify the cost anymore. Especially as my two eldest children are reading at such a speed that I could not keep up with purchasing new books even if I would be able to afford it. So, library it is for us - although it took a long time for me to get used to 'used' books. Especially as I so hate how some people treat the books

Mine used to read loads (he even worked in a bookshop for a while when he was younger) but sadly he lost his way . I try to entice him back into reading with getting him books from the library from authors I know he liked or might like but to no avail.... However, he doesn't mind at all my constant reading. That way he can watch whatever he wants on the TV. He just calls me 'loopy' as I read different books in different locations (ie one for the bath, one for bed, one for on the go etc). He is amazed though how I manage to read more than one book at a time and not get confused. I tell him its the female gene (no offence to our male members of course)!

If you go to his personal website you are able to read the first chapter of all his books Am I allowed to post links? If not I apologise in advance! www.hatrack.com Hope this helps

Thanks for the review - but you know what you have done, don't you Yep, another one for the ever growing TBR pile

Hiya

Hello Sam What influences you to read a book - recommendations from a friend, reviews, best seller lists? Thanks

Can't say I have. I have always liked what I still like now and still dislike what I never liked in the first place, which isn't much I might add. I have on numerous occasions retried some of the foods (mainly offal) I am not keen on and can honestly say that my tastes have not changed.

He also played Rex in Swimming With Sharks . We have quite a big DVD collection although I have only ever watched a small percentage. Most of them are for the kids and OH. But my biggest personal collection contains all the episodes of Midsomer Murders. Love it!!!

Unfurled from its mooring, the rope flew through the air and sprayed the woman's bare arms wit droplets of seawater. The Island by Victoria Hislop

This sounds like a very interesting read. I just checked and they have got a copy at my local library so looks like I will have another book to my TBR pile . Thanks for the review and very interesting interview with the author Michelle !!

Hiya

I think technology has to have a place in modern society. I believe that inventions like the sony reader certainly will find its niche in this day and age but I doubt it very much that it will ever displace the actual book. I remember when the first newspapers started to have their editions online. People worried that the traditional paper version would disappear from the shelves. Without having any actual figures I can't deny that sales may have fallen slightly but overall I think the good old paper style newspaper still gives its cyberversion a run for its money. And so it should!

That is my weekend treat .... including a bottle of chilled white (and now it is starting to get dark earlier too a few nice candles). My idea of heaven! And everyone in the house, including my two year old, knows not to disturb me Wish I could do that every night

Prawn and Pesto Pasta

Hiya Bellatrix

And now, another old fogey . Turned 37 in July - how on earth did that happen so quickly?

Has to be Heroes 3

Bit late but still a big Hiya from me too

Hiya jbeast

Hiya Riley

My daughter has read the first three books in the series and loved them. She has now convinced me to try them so I have ordered the series including the fourth from the library. Guess which arrived first Yep, the last one . Ah well, it will keep her happy and she will have finished it well before I get to it. Oh, we got The Host as well, as she wanted to give that one a try too. Will let you know what I think once I read them...

Hiya Shell

Hiya Ronda