Talisman

We aren't big TV watchers (I prefer real life), so never had cable to begin with- just freeview, and we don't watch much of that other than E4 and the other BBC channels (3, 4 etc). You aren't missing much.

The only one I subscribe to is Jelaila Starr.

I have a sizeable collection of signed books, mostly non fiction, by among others, Lawrence Gardner, Graham Phillips, Andrew Collins and Neale Donald Walsh. The one I am most proud of though is Michael J Strazynski, creator of Babylon 5, who signed one of the book of B5 scripts that my partner and I collected after they were issued in book form. We were also lucky enough to get a signed copy of G'kar's Declaration of Principles when they were auctioned online (only 500 were issued in total). Of course, none of this will mean anything to anyone who is not themselves a B5 fan (or for that matter, anyone who does not read non fiction - the majority on here I often feel) ...

Gene Dunlap - Before You Break My Heart

Yes, copyright always matters. It exists for good reason and not just monetary. It is for me a question of ethics. How would you feel if you spent months or years creating something and someone just copied it without your permission? I know I wouldn't be at all pleased. You have to to a large extent, put yourself in the place of the artist or creator of that work. If you would not want someone to copy your own work without permission, then you should not do that to someone else. As for what is or isn't legal, copyright exists in all creative works whether written, spoken or sung, from the moment they become a tangible, physical object either in paper or electronic format (as in MP3, e-book etc) You can only make copies of such works with the express permission (usually in writing) of the creator or copyright holder of that work. if in doubt, then don't do it !

I would second Round Ireland with a Fridge. Another one I would recommend, which is in a similar vein, is Three Men in a Float (as in milk float) by Dan Kieran and Ian Vince.

In Time - which is a film I would thoroughly recommend. Despite its premise of time being the currency of exchange, it is easy to see parallels with our current system whereby money is used instead, with many veiled references to the corruption that we see today. There is definately a message in there for those that choose to see it.

The late Sir Fred Hoyle also springs to mind.

We're into November already, which is hard to believe. I only managed 6 books last month, as the final one that I read - The Storm Before the Calm by Neale Donald Walsch, deserved to be read slowly, as befits the subject matter, as is indeed the case with all of Neale's works. This is a very topical book given the "corporate greed" (Occupy London etc) protests currently taking place and like Neale I sense that there are much greater changes to come. There is a very important message there that needs to be thoroughly digested, with much to ponder on. The book does not appear (as yet) to be available in the UK in paper edition, which would in many ways be preferable, but the message remains the same no matter which edition you read, and it is after all the message that matters. I read an equal mix (3 each) of fiction and non fiction then last month, with the other non fiction titles being Below Stairs by Margaret Powell and The Checkout Girl by Tazeen Amhad. I discovered Below Stairs quite by accident, when one of the residents at the nursing home where I work left her copy in the lounge, and I picked it up to see what the book was about. It sounded so interesting that I donwloaded my own copy, which I read within 3 days. It is about life as a domestic servant during the early part of the 20th Century, which given my own occupation as a housekeeper in the afforementioned nursing home, was an interesting read. I am glad that things have changed! In contrast, The Checkout Girl was about a job that I used to do, and reading it reminded me of all the reasons that I really had to leave. I know my current job has its moments, but it really is ten times better than that previous one! Fiction wise, I also read 3 books - That Summer in Ischia by Penny Feeny (this was okay but took a while to get going), Voices by Indridur Arnarson (the best yet out of the books I have read by this author), and Rain Song by Alice J Wisler. This one was a bit 'American' my my taste to be honest, but nevertheless I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Out of the 3 books though, I would have to say that Voices was by far the best. I expect to be downloading the next installment in the series soon, but not before I have finished the 2 other books I have just downloaded ... If anyone would like to read a more indepth 'review' of The Storm Before the Calm, it can be found on my blog www.thechrysalisbreaks.blogspot.com

The Kindle Fire sounds and looks good, but is not available as yet in the UK. As it is not that long since I bought my regular Kindle (with the keyboard) I will wait for a year or two anyway, to see how the technology changes and hopefully how the price comes down !

Radio Scilly

Contagion - it was okay, but not as good as I expected, considering the cast.

I read this book a few years ago, when it first came out, and loved it. For me it was particularly poignant as so many of the scenes were set in the area where I used to live (Kingston upon Thames/Richmond Park). It is definately worth picking up again. Those that criticise immigration should read this book, as it would almost certainly change their views.

Frank Wilson - Do I Love You

Finished Voices by Arnaldur Indridason yesterday - this is the 3rd in his Reykjavik murder mysteries series and imo the best yet. It is always nice to read books set in a place that you are familiar with. The trouble is it always makes me want to go back to Iceland again, when I am saving up for a trip to Scilly next year. I have now started another free book that I got from the Kindle store - Rain Song by Alice J Wisler - so far its okay, if a little slow to get going. Next on the list is a Nigerian book - Tiny Sunbirds, Far Away by Christie Watson. The reviews are good, as was the sample chapter I downloaded first, so I am looking forward to that.

I didn't know you had met my boss !

Tell me Something Good - Rufus and Chaka Khan

Now that's a job I would like to try - do you have any vacancies ?

Ha ha, so I am not the only one after all, and am not quite as mad as I thought I was !

It's just rice with whatever veggies you fancy - peppers, bits of carrot, sweetcorn, peas etc, stirred together in a big bowl and left to cool down. Easy peasy.

I have always been interested in different countries and cultures, having travelled quite a lot in my younger days, so it has been natural for me to seek out books also set in different countries. I find though quite often that when I read these books, I hear the words in my head in the same accent as someone from that country rather than in my own voice - Indian for example, or Australian. It makes for quite a humerous experience at times. I was just wondering if anyone else has this experience or if I am the only one?

I have just finished a book about life on the checkouts, which is a job I used to do. This got me to thinking though about my current job (a housekeeper in a nursing home) and what a book about this would be called - I have settled on Bed Pans and Broomsticks, because that is what I deal with (admittedly and thankfully more broom sticks). If you were to write a book about your working life, what would it be called and why?

If it's a buffet type meal, I would be inclined to just take a big bowl of rice salad, or something similar, as this suits everybody - even gluten free, and trust me on this one, we always get ignored !

I have hardly stopped reading since I got my Kindle 6 weeks ago - I am on my 11th book already. I have just finished one about a woman in the 1920's in domestic service (how glad I am that things have changed, as in some ways my own job is the equivilant of that), and I am now reading one about life as a checkout girl, which is a job I used to do.