Talisman

Me neither - I looked at the books and thought about it, but it just isn't my thing. Each to their own.

My pet peeve applies more to non-fiction - authors that assume you have read their previous works by constantly referencing them - and also non fiction books that don't have an index - I refuse to buy them.

The book wasn't my cup of tea either - not because I disagree with the whole positive thinking thing (because I don't), bit more because it just seemed over hyped and it just wasn't written in the sort of language I could relate to. The DVD was a bit better, but not much. Personally the books that helped me the most were the Conversations with God series and the works of Eckhart Tolle, but each to their own. You can't deny that The Secret does seem to have helped an awful lot of people.

I voted for contemporary fiction too, although I am not sure what it means ! It just seemed to be the nearest one to what I read most. I also though like non fiction - mostly alternative history, mind, body and spirit - I guess others on here don't, as they don't seem to be discussed that much.

I am mid thirties Danish Italian barrister who has just inherited an antiquarian bookshop.

Only if you tell yourself that Adam. I put it off for years as well, but once I started to write found I couldn't stop. If you really want to do it, then you will find the time.

It guess it depends on the genre and the subject matter - I am not sure what sort of advertising my own book might attract - the mind boggles !

I have just heard that there has been a management buy out headed by Chief Exec Philip Downer - I don't think they are out of the woods yet though, as they are still

Agree totally with the repeat fees thing, but not sure how it would work. There is only one author I know of who has at the front of her books that they cannot be lent or re-sold without permission - you have to apply for a license. It is news to me then that this is becoming common place - I certainly haven't noticed it in any books in my collection. As for libraries - I know what you mean about them not stocking comtemporary novels. If there is anything you want that they don't have then they can order it for you though. I don't know about other areas, but whenever I have asked my library to order something for me they have been able to and usually quite quickly.

It happened to me once - I was actually very bloated at the time from eating wheat - it was before I knew that I was intolerant. As for the stretch marks, I have those too, and no I don't have kids ! I had a growth spurt at puberty.

Borrow them from the library then - it's what it's there for - and don't smoke (it's bad for you anyway) !

No - the author only gets paid when the library initially buys the book and in the Uk we get 5 pence each time our book(s) are borrowed - assuming that is the libary authority in question is part of the random sample used each year by Public Lending Rights. I would still rather poeple borrow my books in this way though than swap and lend !

Will try and find out more about that. I heard today that Borders (who have been in deep financial trouble for a while now) are closing five more stores - including their flagship in Oxford Street. At this rate I will be surprised if they are still around by Christmas - in the UK at least.

Of course it affects our earnings - as it means we don't get any! If you can't afford books (and I do understand that, as half the time I can't either) most authors would rather you borrowed them from the library (which I am pleased to see you do), as at least then we are paid - even if it is only 5pence a time. We also get paid of course when the library orders the book - plus it supports the library. If you love literature then support authors so that they can afford to (and have the time) to continue writing, and remember that books may seem expensive, but in fact, they have never been cheaper. For the first time last year more books were sold at discount than at full price.

I think we all have a bit of a know-it-all in us. The ones that used to bug me were the ones who used to come into my old job in an electrical store and ask loads of techie questions just to wind us up - they never did with the men, only the women - idiots ! What really bugs me though is dog owners whose animals are wearing muzzles or barking and trying to jump all over you saying "he/she won't hurt you". Why do some people find it so hard to accept that not everyone likes dogs !

Personally I blame the housing market and its ridiculous prices, which have gone up way out of proportion to peoples earnings. That's the main reason why people have to work so hard though, to keep a roof over their head and afford to carry on paying the mortgage/rent. We are lucky in that respect in that we don't have a mortgage - even so, it is still a struggle. My partner has a small pension that covers the basics, and his own business, but he earns very little from this, while I earn a lot less than I would like. The most important thig is that I enjoy what I do and feel that is useful and worthwhile, which is more than be said for my previous job - flogging a load of overpriced rubbish to people with who were trying to keep up with the Joneses. It seems to me though that the most worthwhile jobs are the ones which are the least paid - nurses and teachers (plus nursing home housekeepers!) earn very little considering what they do, while footballers and pop stars earn a fortune. I know which one I think contributes most to society, but it is all topsy turvy.

I certainly do - I have a permanent job in a nursing home which I do in the evenings and at weekends, and work on a casual basis doing exam invigilating and market research. Something like 10 percent of authors in the UK (according to the Society of Authors which remember represent the top authors anyway) earn more than 5K from their writing. Last year I earned

We will be having pesto rice tonight. It's my own recipe and is basically rice (white or brown, I usually do half and half) with whatever vegetables you fancy, mixed with pesto sauce.

Me too, the adults can be just as bad though !

At last someone on here who shares my tastes. B5 is the best sci fi series in the whole world - G'kar is my favourite too - watching his transformation is awe inspiring and some of his quotes are just wonderful. I also love Ivanava's sense of humour, and Marcus well what can I say, she should have boffed him at least once ! When he died it was just so sad, if Claudia Christensen hadn't been written out, it would have been interesting to see where they took his character and whether they had got together or not. We are lucky in that we have the entire collection of DVD's including the films. We also collected the texts that JMS recently released and managed to get one of those framed prints of G'kars famous speech. It has pride of place in the living room.

I hate people who stare at my partner in public - as if they have never seen a man in women's clothing (if a woman can wear trousers, why can't a man wear a skirt). I just stare back at them - no one can hold my gaze for long !

I haven't quite decided yet - I will take about 6 from the following though: The Library of Shadows: Mikkel Birkegaard The Secret River: Kate Grenville The Return: Victoria Hislop Born Under a Million Shadows: Andrea Busfield The Elegance of the Hedgehog: Muriel Barbery Late Nights on Air: Elizabeth Hay Anna Woman of Miracles: Carol Haenni and Vivian Van Hick Night Train to Lisbon: Pascal Mercier Kathryn's Beach: Nadine Laman