kateleopald

I think actors rarely do justice to book characters in films, but over the years I have conditioned myself to watch film adaptations with an element of objectivity and separate the two as different entities (unless the adaptation really is sooooooooooo bad). As far as characters go, there's no contest. Imagination wins every time.

Of recent times - Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones. Very disappointing for me

Interested to know if there's a correlation between last-page-itis and sneak-peek-achoo when it comes to wrapped Christmas presents?

I'll start!.. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne Movie starring Demi Moore and Gary Oldman

The great fish moved silently through the night water, propelled by short sweeps of its crescent tale. Jaws - Peter Benchley (saw it in a second hand book shop and couldn't resist!!)

My interpretation of counter cultural would be with the small 'c's (as opposed to the well documented "Counter Culture" of the 50's and 60's). If that's the case then a couple of modern day 'alt' culture books around at the moment are Sebastian Horsley's memoir -Dandy in the Underworld, and the excellent novel, The Sewerside Chronicles by Tim Lay. PS - I agree with Vineland Andy!

Yes kell, it's that one! I really enjoyed it.

sadly I usually end up turning the corners of the page.

Having just returned from two years living in Spain I went down that route myself! The Dogs of God (can't remember the author) is a terrific piece of non-fiction dealing with the defeat of the Moors, the inquisition and Columbus. I was also introduced to the character of Captain Alatriste (Arturo Perez- Reverte) - whose books have ben transalted into English and Juan Elslava Galan's The Mule.

I thought my pile was bad - at a tower spanning 13 high... that was until I read this thread! Although hasten to add these are ones that I have in the house..

got to chapter 12 then felt seasick..

The Forgotten Soldier - Guy Sajer, about a German soldier's experiences in WW2. Has been a lot of controversy about its authenticity but is a gripping read.

Same Michelle! All I can say is that if its going to be the reader's i-pod perhaps they need to be working on some marketing! Have never been keen on reading things on screen, but if the technology's as good as they claim, would be interesting to see.

I remember reading a year or so agao about a gizmo Sony was releasing that they were claiming would do for books what the i-pod did for music... Basically an electronic book. Anyone ever seen/used one of these?

I think this is a really good point. The only reason this book grabbed attention is because of the person linked to it and Katie Price did not write this. I think it's a (marketing inspired) tragedy. If JK Rowling stuck two balloons up her jumper and got voted into the FHM 2008 sexiest babe/bimbo list, I think lads mag readers would think the same way...

I don't get obssessed but I do think if you like a book by a certain author it's a good bet that you're going to like other books by the same person (although not always the case). I've often found myself going with the 'safe bet' !

I love libraries. o many people just think of them as book lenders, but they are real treasure troves for local stuff (history etc).

I have just finished My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem, which was written by his mum. Not my usual cup of tea, but must say I thoroughly enjoyed this!!!

Maus is indeed an excellent work. I had a boyfriend who was obsessed with graphic novels and i always dismissed them as being 'comics'. Then he bought me maus for my birthday one year and I changed my mind! I would also reccommend The watchmen and V for vendetta (which was made into a film recently).

I love fiction but I also love the way that non-fiction can double inspire you because the very best stories happen in real life...

I really hate those blurbs that entice you in and then turn out to be not what the book's about at all. Maybe that's worth a constantly updated thread/blacklist of its own!

Just a point following on from a previous thread about book covers. Anyone else noticed jacket blurbs seem to be getting longer (a bit like those trailers you see in the cinema that show the whole film!). Personally I prefer something that gives me a taste of the book but not a whole mouthful!!

Little Black Sambo (is that terribly un-PC to admit to?...)

Same for me - typed book club forum into google

i remember being in Borders one day and suddenly 'being aware' of book cover colours on the shelves. Surprising how many reds, blues and blacks. Was aware that while browsing i'm often drawn to yellow because it seems to leap out from the shelf. Does the colour of the cover influence anyone else?!!!