Ben

There's nothing better than picking up a book on a whim and finding out that you absolutely love it. I'm glad you found a treat.

Beauty Behind the Madness by The Weeknd. Very easy, enjoyable listening.

I finished Sleeping on Jupiter by Anuradha Roy last night, but it didn't really do a lot for me. I understood some of the issues she was trying to tackle - such as gender-based violence - and the prose was visceral and probing, yet it didn't hit me very hard. Perhaps I've been spoiled of late after finishing Hanya Yanagihara's incredible A Little Life. The Chimes by Anna Smaill next. Seems like it could be an original and interesting take on dystopian fiction.

Went to the hall where I work for their semi-regular film night on Friday evening, to see The Theory of Everything. Saw the film when it was released at the cinema last year, but it was just as good second time around as I remembered it. Wonderful job by all involved, particularly the efforts of Eddie Redmayne.

I've been standing here forever. My arms and legs and head and even my bones are heavy with sleep. - The Chimes by Anna Smaill

If it helps Kylie, I've read the first four chapters and think it's superb... the change in Atticus' personality will definitely not detract from the book for me, it just shows how she worked and reworked characters. Personally, I think Go Set A Watchman will do nothing but enrich the general 'To Kill a Mockingbird' experience for me.

Bit suspect. It was already well known that his place was under threat.

I pre-ordered it, couldn't resist.

I think it would be remiss of me not to mention my favourite fantasy book(s): His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman. What impresses me most about these books is the sheer scope. The ideas are just marvellous, Pullman tackling everything from armoured bears, witches, a knife that cuts through to other worlds, not to mention a healthy dose of philosophical mediation. In my opinion, these books are up there with top-tier fantasy that will stand the test of time--like Tolkien's Lord of the Rings and C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia. They have everything and can be enjoyed by readers of all ages.

If there aren't so many entries could we perhaps extend? Might result in more people getting involved.

On a lighter note, I very much enjoyed your posts...

Ah, this is what happens when you're away from the board for so long... I hadn't noticed this exciting competition and I'm not sure I can squeeze in an entry with just 10 days to go and a new job starting on Monday. I remember the last one being a lot of fun so even if I can't enter I hope everyone has a ball writing their pieces.

Still one...

I have one.

Got around to Guardians of the Galaxy and that's another resounding yes in terms of a recommendation - wonderful stuff.

The first 2015 thread already?! They get earlier and earlier on here.

I'm a big fan of most of the Marvel films too, but Guardians of the Galaxy never really looked like one I'd enjoy. Considering it's rave reviews I should probably get around to it.

I recently finished Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut which I thought was excellent, and I'm now going to make a start on Perfume by Patrick Suskind. I remember reading this in the past but I've never listed it down anywhere - Goodreads or otherwise. This means I either never finished it or I just forgot. I'm pretty sure I liked it so we'll see.

Excellent selection on the previous page Brian, practically all the books you picked up are novels that I've been meaning to read. I'd definitely recommend pushing The Bell Jar up the list, though. I read it last year - year before? Ah, who knows with these things - and absolutely loved it. It's a wonderful book. Glad to hear you're finding your mojo a bit towards the back end up the year, especially with such promising selections ahead.

Blimey, stay safe Anna. Wow, Chrissy, sorry for being a little late, but your trip sounds fantastic. I've always wanted to visit Bruges after I watched - yes you guessed it - In Bruges. It feels like my kind of city. In any case, I'm glad you had a wonderful time. I took a trip to the Barbican centre in York to watch some first-round games for the snooker - the UK Championships to be precise. We were going to just go for the morning session but found out the tickets covered the afternoon. As my favourite player was on, we stuck around. It's all before the televised stages this weekend so was quieter and more intimate, but we might have been caught on camera for a segment they were filming about Ali Carter. Not everyone's cup of tea for sure - speaking of which don't buy from the café there, £2 a cup. *gulp* - but I enjoyed every minute. Definitely going again - if not this year then in the near future.

I've added a few of the Vintage Classics versions to my wish-list for Christmas so fingers crossed. Have you read A Moveable Feast or any of his other memoir bits and pieces? His writing really is fantastic.

Just watching Manchester City vs Bayern Munich at the moment... lively game so far.

Another one on my must-read-soon list, glad to see you're getting on well with it. Something about Hemingway in general with me. I've only ever read A Moveable Feast which is part of his memoirs, and I almost know for a fact that I'll love books such as The Old Man and the Sea and For Whom the Bell Tolls.

Finished season three of The Walking Dead and have to say it was by far the best so far. Loved the season-arc dynamic/face-off much more than I did the tiptoeing around the farm and not getting anywhere in season two. This was an improvement. Hope four is as good, now...