Ben

I think it's because they work so well as stand-alone novels. You don't really have bundles of unanswered questions after The Shadow of the Wind so there's no huge desire to read any prequels or sequels. I think The Prisoner of Heaven is well worth the time though - Fermin was one of my favourite characters in the first one so it was great to have more of his story.

There's also a prequel called The Angel's Game which you might want to read before this. I actually haven't, and it didn't change my experience of reading it, but I mention it because a lot of people like to read a series chronologically (even if in this case it doesn't matter too much). As for Crime and Punishment I think it's important to get the first section (100 pages or so) done - not 'out of the way' as such because it's still fascinating - but it can become easy to stay bogged down in the early narrative, and it really starts to gather pace after that. I'm really enjoying it so far and I'm happy I never gave up. I think it's important to have time to sit down and savour this one - it's what the book deserves.

Thanks Athena. Good news, I'm pretty much already nearly past where I was the first two times and I can see myself really starting to settle in to the narrative. That might be your best bet. I'm going to make (another) big effort with the classics this summer I think, so should hopefully soon get around to some excellent reads.

Will be interested to hear your thoughts on the new Dan Brown installment, haven't heard anything about it really. I'm making good progress with Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment as I knew I would when I finally had some time on my hands. I'm 116 pages in and it's really starting to move apace now. It's already a wonderfully dark exploration of the human psyche and I'm interested to see where it'll go.

He's playing one of the old incarnations of the Doctor isn't he? Judging by his speech the forgotten one from the Eccleston era - the one that did the dark and horrible things to end the Time War. As for the episode I thought it was fanastic. The River 'ending' (I'd bet money she'll be back in some shape or form) was great, the Clara reveal was simplistic but very effective (not to mention the great scenes where she was integrated with past Doctors), and the JH final seconds made my jaw drop because I'd avoided the spoilers and didn't expect it at all. Overall thought it was rather neat and entertaining from Moffat; delivering a good 45min of tv without pacing it too badly and managing to set things up great for the anniversary in November is a success in my book. Side note: John Hurt + Matt Smith = John Smith. Good coincidence or they've been name dropping that one much more on purpose this series.

So glad you're enjoying it. I finished The Prisoner of Heaven today and although I thought it was fantastic it's left me with too many unanswered questions and I know I'll be awaiting the series' final installment for too long. In addition to finishing Zafon's text I started Fyodor Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment. Never managed to make significant headway with it but perhaps I shall be able now I have a bit more time on my hands.

Decided to have another crack at Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky - for the third time, if my count is correct. The previous two times I've stalled for reasons of being busy, not because I hadn't enjoyed what I read, and I'm determined that when I get going with this book properly I know I'll love it. As such, another attempt. Synopsis: Raskolnikov, a destitute and desperate former student, wanders through the slums of St Petersburg and commits a random murder without remorse or regret. He imagines himself to be a great man, a Napoleon: acting for a higher purpose beyond conventional moral law. But as he embarks on a dangerous game of cat and mouse with Porfiry, a suspicious detective, Raskolnikov is pursued by the growing voice of his conscience and finds the noose of his own guilt tightening around his neck. Only Sonya, a downtrodden prostitute, can offer the chance of redemption. As the ensuing investigation and trial reveal the true identity of the murderer, Dostoyevsky's dark masterpiece evokes a world where the lines between innocence and corruption, good and evil, blur and everyone's faith in humanity is tested. Really excited to properly give this the time and attention it most likely deserves.

Pepsi.

Evidently enjoyed The Prisoner of Heaven so much that I had it finished by midday. I won't bother with a full review as I'm eager to get back to reading properly again, but I will say that it left me utterly fustrated. Thankfully, that is a tribute to Zafon's novel, rather than a true complaint, as we delve again once more into the world of Fermin and Daniel Sempere. This time, we're treated to an utterly spell-bounding account of Fermin's rather notorious past. What I love about this 'series', is the close inter-connections in the world of the Cemetary of Forgotten Books; even though it is possible to read Zafon's novels as stand-alone titles, you get the true flavour of our author's world if you have read the previous texts. Intriguingly, this novel leaves us with lots of unanswered questions, and sets up that is to be the final book in the series. This was a fantastic sequel to The Shdaow of the Wind and I do hope we don't have to wait long for the finale. 4/5.

Saw this online earlier. Still haven't fully had chance to check them out but the one's I did seemed interesting. I loved how Philip Pullman virtually re-wrote his so it flows better when he's reading it out.

What have you made of Game of Thrones so far Devi? I really enjoyed the first in the series.

That's brilliant. I absolutely loved the first two series' of GoT, but because of assignments and exams I've not got around to the latest yet. Thankfully that means I've got a seven-episde marathon in front of me. Can't wait.

It's raining - raining in my heart! Well, it's raining outside at least. Miserable whether this morning, dark and dingy. Still feels like the middle of the night.

I made a start on The Prisoner of Heaven by Carlos Ruiz Zafon and after becoming engrossed in it for the evening I've already managed to read over half. Zafon's novels do seem to just whip by, and this one is in the same vein. It's absolutely fascinating so far; I'm loving here more about Fermin's backstory, and it's interesting to see how much was held back from us in SotW.

Hey welcome to BCF, look forward to seeing you around the boards.

Ambition.

This is one unbelievable dry spell of reading at the moment. I haven't read anything since I finished Huxley's Brave New World back in March. I unfortunately had to completely lay off reading because of exams, but with them over and done with I'm reading to get back into things. I had a couple of books on the go but I've decided to go for something new for the minute: The Prisoner of Heaven by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Synopsis The Prisoner of Heaven returns to the world of the Cemetery of Forgotten Books and the Sempere & Sons bookshop. It begins just before Christmas in Barcelona in 1957, one year after Daniel and Bea from The Shadow of the Wind have married. They now have a son, Julian, and are living with Daniel's father at Sempere & Sons. Fermin still works with them and is busy preparing for his wedding to Bernarda in the New Year. However something appears to be bothering him. Daniel is alone in the shop one morning when a mysterious figure with a pronounced limp enters. He spots one of their most precious volumes that is kept locked in a glass cabinet, a beautiful and unique illustrated edition of The Count of Monte Cristo. Despite the fact that the stranger seems to care little for books, he wants to buy this expensive edition. Then, to Daniel's surprise, the man inscribes the book with the words 'To Fermin Romero de Torres, who came back from the dead and who holds the key to the future'. This visit leads back to a story of imprisonment, betrayal and the return of a deadly rival.. As a big fan of The Shadow of the Wind I'm definitely looking forward to this one.

Thunderstruck.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s7/doctor-who/news/a480778/doctor-who-finale-the-name-of-the-doctor-leaked-in-us-error.html Just heard the news that some lucky US Who fans will be watching the season finale as we speak. Apparently a shipping error meant that those who have ordered their Season 7 Part 2 box-sets have recieved them already - and thus the last episode. Unbelievably jealous but I hope to god nobody ruins it for me.. There's more information in the link above (no spoilers don't worry!). I'm not sure about the comment section though.. staying away from that.

Hey Artemis, welcome to BCF. Are you a fan of the Artemis Fowl books or is that your actual name? Just curious, welcome anyway!

I'm listening to Vampire Weekend's new album Modern Vampires of the City. Exquisite.