Talisman

I have been a bit bad at keeping this list up to date of late, but have so far got through 5 /15 books for April, being currently halfway through the 6th one. The most unusual (maybe not for me) was Chavs - the Demonisation of the Working Class by Owen Jones. Owen writes for The Independent is a regular on the Sunday morning show The Big Question for anyone who watches that. Coran and I like to on my weekends off. I love though the way that he both writes and speaks, as he seems tol cut through all the bs and get straight to the nub of the problem, which is why I wanted to read his book. The book is remarkably well written and researched, containing interviews from those across the class spectrum. What though is working class - this is a question that has much debated in recent months. Owen's own definition, which I am inclined to agree with is someone who has no others means of supporting themselves other than to work, he further says, and this is crucial, is that is someone who has little control over how they perform their job, or has very little autonomy - a call centre employee for example who has to read from a script, or a supermarket cashier, even a housekeeper like myself, who has to clean the rooms in a certain way. This then puts such people in a different class from say a university lecturer or a teacher, who has much more control over the way in which they do their job and can be a little more creative. The book not surprisingly made somewhat depressing reading, and it would be easy to get angry about some of the things that are mentioned, but anger has a purpose if channelled correctly, and in my case I used that anger to reassess the history of my own working life. The aim of the book was not to make people angry (no one can do that anyway, as we are responsible for our own emotions), but rather to educate and enlighten, and that is what Owen does. I have to say that most of what he says make sound and rational sense, far more than most of what our politicians say anyway. Among other things there are discussions on how the working class are treated by and portrayed by the media, the legacy of Thatcherism (no surprises there), and the rise of the far right.

The only YA books I have read have been dystopian ones, I don't know if these interest you, but they would certainly fulfil your requirements of romance, unexpected relationships and not knowing what is going to happen. I would recommend then Veronica Roth and Lauren Oliver.

LBC radio - a debate about the Bangladeshi factory that supplied Primark

Thanks Janet. I will have to download a sample of it and then decide.

I noticed that one on your list and added it to my wish list too, as it sounded quite interesting. What did you think of it ?

Oblivion - the best bit about it was the scenery (it was filmed in Iceland).

veggie sausage and mash.

Oleta Adams - Hold me for a While - love that voice.

The books that have helped me through the darkest times (and there have been lots of them) tend to be more non fiction rather than stories - The Conversations with God books for example, or the works of Eckhart Tolle.

Betcha By Golly Wow - Phyllis Hyman (my favourite version)

a big bowl of oaty cereal

Circle of Life - Oleta Adams

Enjoy your trip Chrissy - no chance of sneaking me into your luggage somewhere I suppose ? I don't take up that much room. It's another beautiful day though here on Box Hill - there has been a frost, but the sun is shining, so it will soon begin to melt. That means another nice walk up to the viewpoint and down the ZigZag via one of the myriad of paths, followed by sitting in the sun with our Kindles. It's a good life !

Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds - The Beatles

The first one that springs to mind is The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield - this was the first of a whole series of books (that was also made into a film), and was really popular in its day. There are also The Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth Insights (the latest book, which came out in 2011). I would also suggest The Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman, and Emissary of Light by James Twyman - both brilliant books by highly respected authors. None of these are what I would call academic but are written very much like typical fiction novels. There are also of course The Conversations with God (these are not novels) books - now those I do recommend - especially chapter 13 of What God Wants - this contains some truly life changing revelations about life and about what God wants from us. It will blow you away - the answer to life, the universe and everything in between ...

rhymes

Congratulations Kell - that's brilliant news ! I have been enjoying a lovely afternoon at the Box Hill viewpoint sampling the orange and geranium flavour chocolate. I can definitely recommend it, although I prefer the chilli. The coffee was pretty good too !

It has been a strange day weather wise here too - brilliant sunshine one minute and peeing down the next - I wondered whether I was in the country and back in Iceland. The Icelanders have a saying that if you don't like the weather, just wait a minute ... I have though finished work for another three day weekend, and can't say that I am sorry.

Vodafone telling me I had qualified for free weekend calls and texts.

Completed another country the day before yesterday - Nowhere Man by Aleksandar Hemon. This was for Bosnia and Herzegovina (author was the born in Bosnia). Several of his books have been converted to Kindle, but this for me was the one that sounded the most interesting. It did dart about a bit, which made it difficult in places to follow, but overall I would give it 4 stars.

Thanks Janet - will have a look at that, although I have read at least a couple of Polish books already.

Coran and I can't wait to see this either - hopefully in 3D. I am not usually a 3D fan, but in this case I will make an exception.

slaves

I am surprised it isn't more than that to be honest. Paper books seem a bit "quaint" to me now if I am honest.

I am sure it will be fine Rising Dawn. Hope your migraine is feeling better too Lucy. At least my eye is feeling better - it is still a bit red and sore, but it seems to be over the worst. I was well enough to go back to work today so at least I am earning money again.