Kate

I've been splitting my time between The Complete Polysyllabic Spree by Nick Hornby and Size 12 is Not Fat by Meg Cabot. I find it easier to read the former in smaller chunks as it is non-fiction. Want to finish both of them by the end of the week.

What is Juliet, Naked about? I think I'll try About a Boy - I loved the film! I don't really like swearing in books, I find it unnecessary

Which Nick Hornby novel do you think is the best? I'm thinking of reading one of his fiction pieces after I've finished The Complete Polysyllabic Spree, see what it is like

They are cartoonish in my mind too! And I listen to them as opposed to reading them. I love it that way! Here is my review of Thief of Time: Synopsis: Time is a resource. Everyone knows it has to be managed. And on the Discworld that is the job of the Monks of History, who store it and pump it from the places where it's wasted (like the underwater - how much time does a codfish need?) to places like cities, where there's never enough time. But the construction of the world's first truly accurate clock starts a race against, well, time for Lu Tze and his apprentice Lobsang Ludd. Because it will stop time. And that will only be the start of everyone's problems. THIEF OF TIME comes complete with a full supporting cast of heroes, villains, yetis, martial artists and Ronnie, the fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse (who left before they became famous). This is number 26 in the Discworld series - another one I read out of order. Since reading this novel I have read over a dozen other novels, and as I sit here to write the review, this does not jump to the front of my memory. This is a shame because I love Pratchett's novels, and this is the first time that I can't fully remember the novel. There are many things I do remember however: I loved Ronnie. The idea of the fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse made me laugh. I liked all the Horsemen to be honest. It made me laugh that while Death was trying to round them up they couldn't be bothered to ride out, and that their wives were holding them back. Genius! Of course, I love Death. Every time I meet him in a book I laugh. I liked that Granny Ogg got a mention - I always enjoy the witches. And I love Susan, especially her interactions with Death. She always seems exasperated with him, she reminds me of a reluctant, moody teenager. Like I said, I don't really remember the story but the characters do stick out and I think that is important. For me, this is the weakest Discworld novel and that is a shame.

Yeah I like it too!

I've just started a librarything review book: Once in a Blue Moon by Leanna Ellis. 'tis OK so far. Think I'm going to read more of The Complete Polysyllabic Spree now

Synopsis: On the outside, Macy Queen is cool and calm. On the inside, she's breaking. Silently struggling with her Dad's death, and spending the summer apart from her oh-so-perfect boyfriend, Macy is smiling her way through - she's 'fine'. It's only when she meets a group of new friends - and artistic, sexy Wes catches her eye - she realizes she can wear her heart on her sleeve sometimes. Because life doesn't stop when someone disappears - and even though she's lost so much, can Macy see what she has to gain? Hugely engaging and with great emotional depth, Sarah Dessen's rich, warm, atmospheric writing makes this the perfect summer read for teenage girls. I loved this book! Dessen has become one of my favourite authors and I already have another of her novels lined up to read. She writes books for young adults that are engaging, lively, full of description and full of depth. In The Truth About Forever Dessen focuses on death. Macy has lost her Dad - not only that but she saw his last moments. She copes by shutting out how she feels and just getting on with life, but it is never the same again. That is, until she meets Wes. He took has had problems he has needed to deal with and he has found a way to express himself, and he helps Macy recover, and build relationships again with her Mum and sister. This is a great story. I believed it and I was involved. I was sucked in from the first page and felt like I was there too, experiencing the same things as Macy. Dessen writes real life events, which range from catering parties to heart attacks, and she writes convincing characters and story lines. I could easily believe how Macy and Wes met, the friendship they formed and how they helped each other I loved all the characters. Macy was so easy to like. She volunteered at the library to help her distant boyfriend, she helped out her Mum, she tried to find a way to heal and she was a lovely friend. Wes was a gorgeous character. He used art to help himself and he was sensitive and truthful. What I really liked was that even though they were the two main characters, we did learn about others in the book too. Adding in them and their personalities helped make the book real and even more enjoyable. What I really like about Dessen is how she uses creativity to help on find themselves. In Just Listen she uses music and in this novel she uses art. The main male characters introduce the idea and the girls go on a route of discovery. This adds depth and an idea of how one can find themselves or heal. There are many reasons why I like Sarah Dessen. She writes amazing stories, great characters and is engaging and realistic. This might be aimed at teenagers but I think adults will enjoy this book too. I read over 300 pages in one go, I was hooked and I was sad when the book ended. And I just have to say, I love the cover too. It jumps out and makes me want to pick up the book. Top marks from me.

I've just been reading more of The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks. It isn't as good as The Last Song but I'm enjoying it anyway

I have just finished listening to Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett. One of my favourites I think. Girl power! Just a great novel

Waterstones Synopsis: Maggie is forty-three years old and looking for romance. She loves her husband, but his idea of romance is a couple of drinks at the local and an early night at home. Her children think she's too old to care, but a chance meeting changes all that. This is a Quick Read Book and is less than 100 pages long. It is chick-lit and enjoyable, but in my opinion it is too short. The story follows Maggie who is getting fed up with life, and soon she snaps. To be honest, this is OK but it is not long enough so it was hard to connect with the characters. I felt sorry for Maggie but I didn't get to know her very well and I didn't get to know her family. The Quick Reads are a good idea for someone to dip into reading but as someone who loves to read I was left wanting more. I like O'Flanagan as an author. She is engaging and fun, and she is a great chick-lit author. Other books of hers that I have read I really enjoyed. If this was made into a full length novel it would be a good read. If you want a short book to read, a nice girly book this will do, but it not amazing.

An interesting article: http://www.smartpopbooks.com/1500

I received The Truth About Love by Josephine Hart to review today and I've been reading Miss Smilla

I love that Kell! That is a lovely surprise

Over the weekend I finished The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen which I loved! It is another young adult book. I read over 300 pages in one day. I was hooked. It was a great story about living life to the maximum and coping with grief. Yesterday I finished The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks. This was another book I loved. Great characters, lovely writing and a good story. This is about dealing with death as well, falling in love and making amends in family. Again I read large chunks of it in one go. Well worth reading it

Yesterday I finished The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks. I really enjoyed it Today I plan to start Miss Smilla for the reading circle

I'm hoping to finish The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks today. I have 150 pages to go and I am really enjoying it

I can't wait to see what you read!

I've read nearly 200 pages of The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks and I am loving it

I've been reading Size 12 is Not Fat slowly, but enjoying it too

Waterstones Synopsis: Commander Sam Vimes of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch had it all. But now he's back in his own rough, tough past without even the clothes he was standing up in when the lightning struck...Living in the past is hard. Dying in the past is incredibly easy. But he must survive, because he has a job to do. He must track down a murderer, teach his younger self how to be a good copper and change the outcome of a bloody rebellion. There's a problem: if he wins, he's got no wife, no child, no future...It is a discworld tale of one city, with a full chorus of street urchins, ladies of negotiable affection, rebels, secret policemen and other children of the revolution. Truth! Justice! Freedom! And a Hard-boiled Egg! This is number 29 in the Discworld novels and one of my favourites. In fact, I have just noticed that on the Terry Pratchett website, this is voted the number one book! In this instalment we follow Sam Vimes as he travels back in time to help his younger self in the great battle. I loved this. I really enjoyed both Sam's. The younger is naive and sweet, always thinking about what his Mum would say; and the older is much more cynical but we see a wonderful caring side as he looks out for his younger self. I thought this was a great novel. It was full of excitement and action. And of course, all of Pratchett's humour. I could only laugh at the way the old force thought. The picket line was a great example of how Pratchett's mind works - pure genius. There is fighting and death and some great villains - and a young Fred Colon and Nobby Nobs. I laughed most of the way through this and was gripped. This is definitely one of the best in the series. Top notch!

I'm listening to Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett. It is very good

Hey! Welcome to the forum. Not too far from you, down the coast in Brighton, although I am a big Portsmouth FC fan!

Waterstones Synopsis: Life's no fun unless you're pretty in pink! All Jillian wants is to be like the princess-y girls who rule her class. What she doesn't want is to hang out with a load of dork boys. But it's only when her plans go hilariously wrong, that things start turning unexpectedly right... This is a book that is aimed at young teenage girls but I enjoyed it. I assure you, I would have loved this when I was around 12. As a school assignment the class have to keep a diary for a year. this is Jillian's diary. She is a girl who is on the fringe of school society - she doesn't really fit in anywhere, but she would love to be a popular girl. This record of her year follows her as pursues her wish. This was an easy read and fairly entertaining. This is a perfect book for teenage girls. Jillian has a life-changing year with many ups and downs along the way. She was a nice girl to read about and she really matured and grew throughout the book. I liked how her attitude changed and she became the girl to be friends with. There were some fun events to read about - such as her garden party and the trouble with her brothers. I wouldn't say she reminded me of me when I was her age but the brother trouble I could relate too! I think she is a normal girl who wants to fit in and a lot of girls will relate to that. I think they will find this book encouraging but also fun to read. This is definitely a girly book and a quick book to read. I read it in an afternoon. It was a simple, pleasurable book.

I'm about to curl up and read more of The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks

As usual, I love them!