Kate

I think you will really enjoy it Sarah. It isn't very long but it paints a great picture not just of the soldiers out there fighting but of the other side. Makes you take a step back and realise that it was people just like us fighting, real people not just nations. It gives a bit of a reality check to the situation

American Pastoral by Philip Roth sounds like an interesting book, I'll keep my eyes open for it

I'm the same. I'm too easily creeped out. Yep, won't read these either. I'm sorry, I just can't stand these books. I know people have suffered horrendously but there is only so many of these books one can read before it gets a bit repetitive and depressing

Is anyone watching? The band is bad today, it is ruining a lot of songs....

This book is the memoirs of Wal Hannington from the 1930s. This is the decade remembered for mass unemployment, the decline of the staple industries, the removal of slum housing and the depression. It was an interesting book to read as a primary source for studying the 1930s, however Hannington himself annoyed me. We read about how he was Communist, and was imprisoned for that; how he was an active member of the National Unemployed Workers Movement - and the many clashes with the police he had and all the campaigns he was involved in. It was an interesting read as we don't hear about him out looking for work, instead we read about him campaigning for better pay for employers, attempting to get trade unions on his side, his problems with the government and the benefits he is on and his general dissatisfaction with the "capitalist government" leadership. Although a very interesting point of view, it was these things about him that annoyed me. I just wanted to tell him to stop moaning and go get a job!! This book was a good historical source, but one must remember Hannington's bias when reading it. 7/10

The last book that made me cry was A Season of Eden

I started reading American Quest by Sienna Skyy but just couldn't get into it. I'm happy to send it to anyone who wants to read it. I'm going to settle down and finish The Tenderness of Wolves now, then back onto review books and book ring books

I received this as a Reviewer book and was excited about reading it, a magical thriller where the boyfriend and a quirky group of characters hunt for his kidnapped girlfriend. However, I found the book a bit of a let down. There were too many characters to remember and I did not feel emotionally interested in any of the characters, human or not. The story did not grip me and I'm afraid I did not finish this book. Here is the synopsis: "American Quest, a contemporary fantasy, is the first in a quartet of novels that begins with the story of two lovers, Bruce and Gloria. Intensely in love, uncommonly passionate about life and each other, they are prefect prey for a demon determined to enslave humanity, who upends their world, forcing them to be unwitting pawns in a cosmic battle between good and evil. When Gloria is captured by the dark spirit Enervata, Bruce embarks on a quest across America to save her. He knows little of the path ahead. He knows only that in order to do battle against the overwhelming forces aligned against him, he must first collect the Four Pillars of Humanity-whatever and wherever they are. Several join him on a quest, including his best friend, a rocker, a stand-up comedienne, a little old Italian lady, an old-beyond-her-years child, and a strangely visionary fortune teller. Together they face danger, even death, at every turn, confronting the challengesof Enervata and his minions as they struggle mightily to uncover the Pillars, all the while unsure of Gloria's fate." If anyone would like my copy, let me know, I'll be happy to pass it on

I'm probably just a bit of a prude However, for Julia to get inspiration and for Kate, another character they both needed sex, it was mentioned a fair bit, but yeah, I'm probably just a prude

Synopsis: Joshua Gilfoyle has decided there are two things he wants from life before he dies: to find his lost son and to commission an artist to produce his lasting legacy - a new angel for Foxbarton church. His family can't understand why he's already bidding his life farewell, but Joshua is not a man used to opposition. However Julia, the artist he's employed, doesn't believe in angels - unlike her daughter Hebe. Although she's desperate for the commission, she's frightened her artistic inspiration has run dry and is beginning to wonder whether making the angel is beyond her ability. But as Hebe's extraordinary gift begins to affect everyone around her, including even irascible old Joshua himself, there seems to be more than a touch of magic in the air as the mysteries of the past finally begin to reveal themselves... This is a lovely book. I loved it. Bell addresses the issues of angels, autism and family. She wrote so well, the issues were all delicately dealt with, even the old-fashioned view of mental health. To write about autism and the different views people have on it was brave, but done so well. There are so many stereotypes surrending autism, and Bell raises them and deals with them, setting the record straight. I loved Julia and Hebe. Julia's passion and firey character were well written and I felt I connected with her. When she was betrayed and angry, I felt those emotions as well. Hebe I just wanted to hug. She was an angel, I loved her. There was comedy in this book too, and I often found myself laughing out loud. My only problem with this book was the emphasis on sex. There was a lot of sex in this book, I didn't like that. The story was great and easy to read. I did see the twist coming but that didn't upset me. I really enjoyed this book. 8/10

I didn't want Don to go, I thought he danced better in the dance-off. I still want to see Andrew go, he annoys me so much

It was dull and depressing and the problem I have with Orwell is his books are more about him than a story. 1984 did not grip me at all, I just thought it was boring and rubbish.

I thought this book was rubbish. I liked Animal Farm though, raising questions about Communism

I love this little list - very similar to mine I must read some more classics soon

Of all your work, which is your favourite piece?

I really enjoyed Empress Orchid too Must get round to reading the sequel too. I loved the characters and the story line, and it was so wonderfully written

I loved this book. There was absolutely nothing about this book I didn't like. I don't think I can rate this book highly enough. I read it in two sittings, completely connected with the characters, and even cried when Eden did. I think I'm in love with James the teacher too! My review is here. All I can say I guess is this is a must-read book!

Synopsis from Amazon: He's my teacher. I shouldn't be alone with him. But I can't help that he's irresistible. I let the door silently close at my back. He stared at me, and a taut quiet stretched between us. "I like hearing you play," I said, moving toward him. He turned, in sync with my slow approach. He looked up at me but didn't say anything. I rested my clammy hand on the cold, slick body of the baby grand. "May I?" The muscles in his throat shifted, then he swallowed. "Eden." My knees weakened, like a soft tickling kiss had just been blown against the backs of them. "Is it okay?" I asked. His gaze held mine like two hands joined. He understood what I was really asking. "Let me stay," I said. "Please." "You're going to get me in trouble," he said. I cannot rate this book highly enough. It is the best book I have read in ages. I completed it in two sittings; I was gripped from the first page. I loved the characters, especially Eden, the protagonist. Warwick wrote her in such an amazing way that I completely connected with her and felt all the emotions she did. I was so in tune with her that when she cried, so did I. The story was so well written. Warwick explored friendship, love, high school, family, death and music. The description of some of the pieces James played were breathtaking, and I could almost hear them. Watching Eden mature and fall in love was beautiful. Feelings were explained magnificantly. To see broken relationships patched up and repaired was lovely, and realistic. Every issue Warwick wrote about was successful. Even the relationship between Eden and James was sensitively written, and believable. I could easily see this happening in reality, playing out just like it does in the book. James was a lovely character. I fell in love with him too, it is hard not too! I am so happy to have read this book. Nothing has left my disappointed. I loved the ending, the sense of maturity, adulthood, and adventure into the next chapter of Eden's life was amazing. I don't have a bad word to say about the book. 10/10

This is a bookring book on bookcrossing - the link is here. Sadly, I kind of wished I hadn't joined up for it Synopsis from Amazon: In this first novel, Dr Henry (Henrietta) Metcalfe falls for a hitch-hiker, Rufus. A psychiatrist and a teacher, both are intent on concealing their true identities. To complicate this comedy of sexual role reversal, Rufus is having an affair with Henry

I agree!! Sooner the better I think

Hey Jayne, welcome!

Hello! Welcome to the forum