Welshman

About four years ago I joined this forum but chose to withdraw after an unfortunate altercation with a couple of the members. Although I received a large number of emails asking me to return I chose to move away and allow matters to heal. Over four years later I am now back and looking forward to reacquainting myself with some of my old associates and developing new contacts. Looking forward to joining a variety of dicussions. I've just finished all of the books by David Nicholls and currently enjoying Paul Murray's "AN Evening of Long Goodbyes"

Well it's been about 9 months since my last foray into this forum and I have decided to pop back to see what is happening. Hope those I know are well aand thriving. D

Oh God .. they are ALL that bad?

As a birder I always seem to have a bit of a problem with Oddie. On the one hand he does publicise the exciting world of birding and wildlife in general. However, I am always left wanting afterwards. It's like wanting to read the news and looking for it in the Daily Mirror. There are so many wonderful commnetators out there commentating on wildlife issues and it seems such a shame that we have to resort to another season of wildlife oriented 'Goodie' humour. There again, he attracts more and more people to RSPB events that many of his contemporaries, so it would be unreasonable of me to go on a personal vendetta against the man. But for my sanity's sake - could we give him a lower profile and a larger one to the magnificent Simon King. By the way - some magnificent streaming cams at http://www.bbc.co.uk/springwatch/

I could add an arsenal of books to this thread, including: Ken Follett - Code to Zero Ged Simmons - The Gravedigger's Story Sue Townsend - Rebuilding Coventry Tony Parsons - The Family Way .. also (from what I hear) absolutely everything written by Barbara Cartland

Oh dear! Twenty four hours on and I've finished the Moore book. It was actually a re-read as I first encountered it about 14 years ago. I confess it didn't stay in my long term memory, so when I started it yesterday it was largely like picking it up for the first time. The plot is substantially around a manager of a major hotel in Belfast during the time of the Troubles. Late one night the IRA enter his home and hold his wife hostage while he is forced to drive his car (now filled with explosives) back to the hotel. He follows their wishes, but at teh last minute sounds the alarm. To explain much more about the story would be to spoil the plot. The ending is largely redictable from about page 80, but this in no way interferes with what is a thoroughly good read. A good read, but certainly not one of Moore's best offerings. I am really going to have to slow down on my reading, otherwise I will have to average 4 books a week just to stay level with my TBR pile. maybe I should find some multipage saga to keep me absorbed. In the meantime I have to decide on where to go from here and have decided it is time for a wee giggle. I have found Melvyn Bragg's first novel - For want of a nail. Initial imressions are that it is a blend between a Cumbrian Delderfield and How Green was my Valley. I shall keep you posted.

Welcome kehs

The transition to a new book is always painful for me, particularly as I always seem to have a stack of books left to read. The move onward was not made easier by the fact that Lott's book was so remarkable and I was left with a 'how do you folow that' state of mind. At first I tried Nick Hornby but the negative feedback on this book has influenced me greatly and after a few pages I couldn't get into it. Then I moved onto Tony Parson's 'The Family Way' but again it lacked a certain something. From this I moved to A.L. Kennedy, more because I feel I ought to read 'Day', rather than due to any desire on my part. Needless to say all of them were opened and all of them put down again in a disgruntled heap. Then I remembered. Last week I had bought a Brian Moore - that was bound to fill the bill. I first read 'Lies of Silence' about 10 years ago and as with everything he has written I was spellbound. Needless to say this is my current book - and one I will stick with to the end.

Welcome to you

Nice to have you on board. Welcome!

Move it to the top!!

You have it ... ... Now you are ready to read the Mabinogion. D

No, this is 'A long way down'. I made the mistake a few hours earlier of reading some of teh critical reviews of the book on the web. It doesn't receive many kind words although the chapter I read seemed passable. I've never read any Hornby before, so I was rather hoping it would be quite good. Time will tell I guess. I've also picked up A.L. Kennedy's 'Day', although again I may have problems here as I have never really enjoyed Kennedy's work in the past. I've found a lot of it pretentious and a little abstract for my taste.

I can understand that. I have been tempted to seek out another Lott, but finally decided against on the basis I cannot imagine him being able to equal that kind of standard. However I will return. In the meantime I am trying to work out what to read next. Options are Peter Carey, Tony Parsons or Nick Hornby. After the emotional roller-coaster of 'Hurricane' I think I will probably opt for Hornby - I need the laughs

Well I finished 'Hurricane' and all I can say is that it was breathtaking! What a hugely powerful book and one I am still recalling from reading. This is a MUST read.

Sadly I was - you didn't miss much. Raging parties, the 'revolution' around the corner, crazy fashions, free love, Woodstock, Isle of Wight ... nah ... it was a really dull old time

Currently reading: Tim Lott - Rumour of a Hurricane Maybe it's the fact it is set in the Thatcher era that I find fascinating, but I am thoroughly enjoying this book. The key charcter 'Charlie' feels very real and reminds me of many people I have known. Equally his portrayal of working-class culture is unpretentious and uncritical, allowing the reader to bond with a lot of the characters. He provides an unusual eloquence to his narrative which sometimes is almost heartstoppingly artisitic - 'Bright blue chunky-twist pile fabric, like a massed gathering of worms, covering the toilet seat.' Unless there are some major changes to his writing style I can see Lott entering the Welshman Hall of Approved Writers.

Ben Elton – The First Casualty Andrea Levy – Fruit of the lemon Andrea Levy – Small Island R.F. Deldefield - Cheap Day Return Paul Coelho – The Alchemist Carole Shields – Collected Stories David Guterson – Snow falling in Cedars Roddy Doyle – A star called Henry Sebastian Faulks – Birdsong Sebastian Faulks – On Green Dolphin Street Sebastian Faulks - The Girl at the Lion d'Or Sebastian Faulks – Charlotte Grey Kazuo Ishiguro – Remains of the Day Kazuo Ishiguro – Never let me go Melvyn Bragg – The soldier’s return Melvyn Bragg – A son of war Melvyn Bragg – Crossing the lines Robert James Waller – The bridges of Madison county Anne Enright – The Gathering Dan Brown – Da Vinci Code Iris Murdoch – The sea, The sea Bernice Reubens – Yesterday in the back lane Seamus Heaney – New Selected Poems (1966 – 1987) Wilfred Owen – The poems of Wilfred Owen Siegfried Sasssoon – Selected Poems Vincent MacDowell - Michael Collins and the Irish Republican Brotherhood Jonathon Buckley – So he takes the dog Not a definitive list, I am sure there were more.

Sometimes I like to pit my mind against the author - can I find the twist before s/he tells me. Then if I am right I am one seriously clever bunny and if I am wrong I have the excitement of not expecting it. Either way I win.

Hi and a warm welcome

Hi kelly and welcome to the forum

Welcome leprachaun, you'll find this one of the healthiest and friendliest forums on the internet. I'm something of a newbie here and still reeling from the shock of coming across such a well-managed group. Have fun!