Kate

Synopsis from Waterstones: A short but perfectly formed complete Discworld novel, fully illustrated in lavish colour throughout, THE LAST HERO is an essential part of any Discworld collection. It stars the legendary Cohen the Barbarian, a legend in his own lifetime. Cohen can remember when a hero didn't have to worry about fences and lawyers and civilisation, and when people didn't tell you off for killing dragons. But he can't always remember, these days, where he put his teeth ...So now, with his ancient sword and his new walking stick and his old friends -- and they're very old friends -- Cohen the Barbarian is going on one final quest. He's going to climb the highest mountain in the Discworld and meet his gods. The last hero in the world is going to return what the first hero stole. With a vengeance. That'll mean the end of the world, if no one stops him in time. This is number 27 in the Discworld series and shorter than most because it is an illustrated novel. There is worry all around Ankh-Morpork's senior leaders: the heroes are going to challenge the gods. This could be the end of life as they know it. So the solution? Team up Rincewind the wizard and Captain Carrot of the City Watch and send them off in a flying contraption to save the day. I have one word for this story: genius! The idea of Rincewind and Carrot together is awesome. Both make me laugh and both I enjoy reading about. Rincewind because of his ability to get himself in trouble and Carrot because he is so nice he can manipulate others into doing what he wants. This story also featured the wizards. And I love Ridcully. I love how he is the Arch-Chancellor yet knows nothing useful. Like with all Pratchett's other novels, this is full of adventure and excitement; and of course Pratchett's dry humour. I love his writing style - how he draws you in and keeps you gripped right to the end. He thinks up wonderful storylines that compel you to read them. He is descriptive and has a wild imagination that he is willing to share, and I love stepping into the Discworld. I think from this book there is one image I will take away with me: the sight of the elephants holding up the Discworld as Rincewind and Carrot fly past. That to me is just awesome. As always, this was not a let down. I am truely addicted to this series and recommend them all to everyone. 4/5

Well I have finished The Mermaid's Purse. Really enjoyed it. I found it a fast read, a bit of a psychological thriller. There were twists and turns and my opinions of the characters and who would turn out shady were changing all the time. A most enjoyable book. Now I think I'm going to read Sherlock Holmes and the Brighton Pavilion Mystery by Val Andrews.

I have just finished The Mermaid's Purse by Katy Gardner. Really enjoyed it actually Think I'm going to try Sherlock Holmes and the Brighton Pavilion Mystery by Val Andrews next

I'm looking forward to getting into it too! Currently reading The Mermaid's Purse. The further in I get, the better the book gets. Here is the Waterstones synopsis: Unsure as to why there are a load of random question marks in that quote....

Ooo that book sounds good Ben! Can't wait for your review

Synopsis from www.terrypratchett.co.uk: William de Worde is the accidental editor of the Discworld's first newspaper. Now he must cope with the traditional perils of a journalist's life � people who want him dead, a recovering vampire with a suicidal fascination for flash photography, some more people who want him dead in a different way and, worst of all, the man who keeps begging him to publish pictures of his humorously shaped potatoes. William just wants to get at THE TRUTH. Unfortunately, everyone else wants to get at William. And it's only the third edition... The Truth is Terry Pratchett's 25th Discworld novel. This is an Industrial Revolution Discworld novel; number 25 in this wonderful series. These Industrial Revolution novels include Moving Pictures, which was a good read. This too, was a funny, enjoyable read. It is the start of the Ankh-Morpork newspaper, which is more sinister than it sounds, as people believe what they read to be truth and of course, someone is trying to frame Lord Vetinari for murder and the newspaper, led by William, is attempting to get the truth and print it. I do enjoy the Industrial Revolution novels. This one made me laugh with all the "-ing" characters. The Watch feature in this book, and it made me laugh that Nobby is so peculiar to look at that William thought he was werewolf. Gaspode, the talking dog is also a key character and I love him and the way he manipulates humans. This novel had attempted murder, competition and fire. There are great characters, and as ever, Pratchett writes a gripping novel that sucks you in and gets you hooks. He is descriptive, sarcastic and full of wit. If he can mock it, he does. He just makes me laugh and I do enjoy this series immensely. Although this is not one of my favourite novels I am yet to find a novel I didn't like. Like usual, I recommend this book and the whole series. 4/5

Yeah that is a possibility. I do worry what the tax man will say in Feb too. Where has the money gone?!

Lol that's funny Ned! And on the bright side, thanks to a truely flukey goal, Portsmouth are still in the FA cup! Woo!

Read about 50 pages of The Mermaid's Purse - it is getting better as the characters unfold the suspense builds. Going to listen to The Golden Bowl in a minute. That is also dissertation reading

Synopsis from www.terrypratchett.co.uk: OTHER CHILDREN GET GIVEN XYLOPHONES. SUSAN JUST HAD TO ASK HER GRANDFATHER TO TAKE HIS VEST OFF. Yes. There's a Death in the family. It's hard to grow up normally when Grandfather rides a white horse and wields a scythe - especially when you have to take over the family business, and everyone mistakes you for the Tooth Fairy. And especially when you have to face the new and addictive music that has entered Discworld. It's lawless. It changes people. It's called Music With Rocks In. It's got a beat and you can dance to it, but... It's alive. And it won't fade away. As ever, I loved this Discworld book. It is number 16 in the series and features Death, C.M.O.T. Dibbler and the wizards. There is a revolution taking over....it is music with rocks in. Yet there is something magical about this music and it is taking over people's minds. Well there is no doubt this is one of my favourite Discworld books. That said, I have enjoyed them all and recommend them all. Pratchett is a wonderful writer. He captures the reader's imagination, and using a unique writing style launches you into the wonder and humour that is the Discworld. I laughed a lot throughout this book at the British sarcasm, the dry wit and the general crazy goings-on that Pratchett conjures up. There is adventure and excitement in the book, and I don't remember one boring moment. I loved Death in this book. It is small things like the sight of him on a motorcycle, or attempting to get drunk to forget. These are images that will stay with me a long time I think. I enjoyed how Pratchett got the wizards involved too. I have to laugh at Ridcully and the way he thinks and acts. And of course the Bursar with his dry frog pills. I love the world conjured up by Pratchett and I have to say, this is a series I am addicted too. This was thoroughly enjoyable and well worth getting your hands on. 5/5

I plan to spend the morning reading The Mermaid's Purse by Katy Gardner. Read about 50 pages so far - it isn't too bad

Amazon Description: October 1800: a foreigner, accompanied by his wife and their young daughter, stands before the Tuileries, waiting for an audience with Napoleon - the only man who can understand his wretched plight and the Vendetta that has driven him here. When Ginevra Piombo falls in love, fifteen years later, with a young Corsican officer hiding from the authorities in the aftermath of Waterloo, she does not realise that this one moment from her past will force her to make the greatest decision of her life: a choice between two loves, a choice of life or death. I read this book a few weeks ago and to be honest, this is what has stayed with me: it is a love story, where a girl meets a soldier who is hiding while she is learning art, they fall in love, it is discovered their two families are enemies, they marry anyway and she is disowned. This is an old fashioned love story essentially. Now don't get me wrong; I enjoyed reading this. It was not very long and interesting. I wanted to know what decision the girl would make - would she honour her father or follow her heart? I wanted to know if her father's love for her was greater than his hatred. I was happy reading this, I did enjoy it. As I reflect on the book I find myself remembering the art room and how the light shined into it and where the soldier was hidden. There are some elements that have stuck with me. One comment I would make is this: the title is Vendetta, which suggests that the book will primarily be about the dispute two families had with each other. I found that this was only mentioned a couple of times and the focus of the book was in fact the love story, not the hatred. Overall, this is not a bad classic. I think essentially it is a love story, but there is fire and revenge and hatred in the book too. If you like Classics and quick-reads, this one is for you. 3/5

Thanks Janet! The first one is completed: I have just finished Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte. I've never read any of her novels before and I enjoyed it. I found myself feeling empathy and annoyance, and getting involved with the story. Good classic to start with ETA: forgot to mention my next audiobook will be Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe as I want to read some of the books from this Banned Books list, although as I don't plan to read all of them it is not a "formal" challenge

Decided on a new reading challenge for this year: to read all the novels written by the Bronte sisters http://bookreviews.me.uk/?page_id=1091

Ooo I enjoyed this book! I'm spending the day jumping between listening to Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte and reading The Mermaid's Purse by Katy Gardner

I don't know; just fiction I think. I did manage to read it in a day. There were parts I didn't enjoy but for the most part it was alright. I would probably give it 3/5. The characters are just stick in the '60s, and at first I thought that to be odd, then realised I knew people like that back in college. It is amazing what drives people and how what they believe makes them act. I found this as interesting read as a social study; looking at people, their influences and their behaviour.

I have spent all day reading, and started and finished Beatniks by Toby Litt

I'm back doing dissertation reading again - fun. Currently reading Beatniks by Toby Litt. Read 100 pages this morning. Here is the synopsis from Amazon:

I'm doing some dissertation reading at the moment so am reading Beatniks by Tony Litt

They are lovely Kell, what a good idea Do you find them easy to make? I finished my cross stitch last night:

Very pretty. Have you filled it with smellies or anything?

I have just started reading Henry James' The Golden Bowl

I've read another few pages of Fahrenheit 451 but I'm still not getting on with it

Well that sounds promising....! And 150 books because I managed 145 last year. Quite a large number I agree

Did anyone else find this hard to get into? I'm struggling with it a bit...