Ben

Hey, I don't mind older films as long as they're enjoyable - I'm quite sure there's a bunch (read: almost all) of classics I've not seen. Out of your recommendations I've not seen a thing. I've heard good things from The Wire though - and thanks for the rest of the recommendations.

Thanks poppy, as far as I could tell from the trailer I do believe tonight's episode is based on that yes - really looking forward to it. It's the only Conan Doyle I've read but I'm most certainly going to check out some more. The way he writes the Holmes mysteries - from what I can tell from that one - is right up my street. That's fair enough bobbly, it's definitely started well so far and I love the way she writes. Think I'm going to enjoy it a lot to be honest.

I'm sure they will be here soon, I've just got to hold my horses. Thanks, I've got so much to look forward too; always exciting to start a new reading year!

I really need to get around to reading this series - it sounds right up my street. Great thoughts as usual. Anyway, following your thread and I can't wait to hear about all your reads this year. Best of luck with your 2012 reading.

I've kept a diary for the past two years now, in 2010 I mostly left it and forgot to post, but last year I did it every single day (with the odd exception when I went away for a few days, or when I went on holiday for two weeks - in which case I waited and posted when I got back). I take writing in my diary seriously as it is a chance of reflection on the days events, no matter whether they are of some significance in my life, or just a trivial detail I'd like to recall. As a result, it becomes a very personal experience, and I definitely could never read from my entries aloud to a group. I don't think I'd be embarrassed or anything, but to divulge my often random and incoherent inner-thoughts, would not feel right.

Likewise. Guess I'll just quit moaning and wait it out. It at least gives me some more time to get the TBR down before the deliveries arrive and take it straight back up.

Yeah I think that's what happened - they split my delivery into two books for one parcel and three for the other (the one I'm waiting on). They said they'd done it for speed, so maybe they'd anticipated the fact I wouldn't be receiving some of my books until a later date. I'm sure they had their reasons for it - they must have done if a book I ordered just a few days ago is already here. I mean I'm probably just being impatient, and if it had at least dispatched I wouldn't be as angsty. I guess I'll just wait - I think I'm probably moaning more because I'm always had really quick delivery from Amazon before.

Getting annoyed with my delivery from Amazon now, which says it hasn't even dispatched. Ordinarly I wouldn't mind because I didn't order them until December 31st - and what with the delivery being dodgy over the festive period I haven't been waiting that long. However the two other books I ordered with these arrived three days ago, and a book I ordered on the 3rd arrived today. All that and these haven't even left the werehouse. I also know it sometimes depends on availability, but it says they're all in stock. Should I be worried or am I just being impatient?

I've decided to start Girl With a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier. Not sure why but just picked it randomly off the shelves. Synopsis: When Griet becomes a maid in the household of Johannes Vermeer, she thinks she knows her role: housework, laundry and the care of his six children. But as she becomes part of his world and his work, their growing intimacy spreads tension and deception in the ordered household and, as the scandal seeps out, into the town beyond. Anyone else read this? Just had a quick read of the first few pages and I think I'm going to enjoy it muchly.

Out of the rest of these recommendations I've seen The Truman Show, Saving Private Ryan and the first Die Hard. Certainly does, thanks guys.

Started and read Conan Doyle's The Hound of the Baskervilles in one sitting until 4am this morning - was brilliant.

Was just looking right back when this thread was first made, would be interesting to see everyone's bookshelves years later.

Se7en is one of those films I've been meaning to watch for a while - it looks great and I've got it on DVD so there's no excuse! I'll add the others to the list too, thanks Michelle.

Okay, I finished The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle at about 4am this morning because I couldn't sleep. In any case, it was just what I needed. Thoughts: One of the more well-known Sherlock Holmes tales, but as is usual, I am for the most part entirely ignorant of all the Holmes stories - something I aim to change. This tale follows the curious death of Sir Charles Baskerville, found dead in the alley outside his stately home. The police say there are no suspicious circumstances, but Dr Mortimer has spotted something that he has kept quiet. In London, he calls upon Holmes and Watson, to unravel the mysteries of a tale he has on an old piece of parchment; a tale that seems to defy the realms of the ordinary world. It soon transpires that this pair are taking on one of their most difficult challenges yet. For the most part, Holmes is absent from the story, and it is his companion John Watson's tale more than anything. Watson must have his wits about him, as it's impossible to know who to trust. Overall then, I found the tale fast-paced, engaging, funny, witty, and an all round enjoyable read. I will definitely be looking for more Holmes mysteries in the future. 5/5.

Don't you just hate it how books jump off the shelves and land in a bag? Just terrible.

Still sadly sitting on my TBR pile waiting to be read, as I always pass it over when chosing a new one. I am determined to get around to it this year though, especially with your glowing recommendation. Much congratulations and yay'ing for getting so far without buying a book - not far to go at all. It's great that you've changed job and as a result have made yourself further away from temptations. I think I'd be okay if there wasn't websites like Amazon - as a result I can't cut myself off from temptation. The holiday's a great incentive too, so best of luck on your endeavours to not buy more books, and stay away from those pesky book fairs.

I've never seen The Green Mile - I'll add it to the list. I have seen the Lord of the Rings films (I probably wouldn't forgive myself otherwise). As for The Big Bang Theory my friend raves about it and I think I will actually check it out sometime. Thanks for the recommendations Hayley, feel free to hang around and take advice from people. *Goes to reply to Kell's post then realises I haven't seen five films from the list.* Sadly, yes, only one - I wasn't exaggerating when I said my film knowledge was lacking. I love the fact you're already making addition lists, I'm going to have loads to be getting on with.

This sounds very familiar. In all fairness you did right taking them back unread, and going for the other deal which is fantastic - I'd order myself but already own quite a lot of the Roald Dahl books. Also, you're quite free from me, I'm not going to try steal any of your relatives.

*makes a note.* Thanks, Claire.

I've been thinking and I've decided to pick up The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, alongside How to Live. Mostly I've decided it because I feel like I'm becoming a little bogged down with my current read, but also because I'll be studying it for university next year, and of course Sunday's episode of Sherlock is based on it this time around. Synopsis: The terrible spectacle of the beast, the fog of the moor, the discovery of a body: this classic horror story pits detective against dog. When Sir Charles Baskerville is found dead on the wild Devon moorland with the footprints of a giant hound nearby, the blame is placed on a family curse. It is left to Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson to solve the mystery of the legend of the phantom hound before Sir Charles' heir comes to an equally gruesome end. Anyone else read this or any of the other Holmes adventures? I'm determined to read more of them in the future, especially if I enjoy this.

If any list illustrated my point made in the original post about how bad my film knowledge is, this is it. I've seen a grand total of one of those films, and that's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, and that's because I watched that while in a psychology lesson at school. Massively appreciate you taking the time to recommend these to me Kell, looks like I've happily got a lot to be going with, and that's before everyone else has got started yet.

They were! Ahh I know that feeling, although we should probably be grateful considering we get three hour and a half installments.

Right folks, I need some help. For a long time I've realised that my lack of film knowledge is appalling - it's been pointed out many times. 'How can you possibly not know who that is?!', 'How have you never seen that, I'm disappointed', etc. You get the picture. Anyway, that's where my fellow BCFers are hopefully going to come to my help. I'm on the look out for a number of awesome films that I should have probably seen, that I never have. If anyone can recommend any tv series' I might enjoy too, that'd be awesome. I suppose I'll need to give you the sort of things I'm interested in. When it comes to film, I mainly enjoy horror/thriller/comedy, but really I'm open to trying anything as I've not seen enough to make any sensible judgements about what my 'favourite' genre is. Some films I've seen in the past and enjoyed include The Shawshank Redemption, Fight Club, Trainspotting, The Truman Show and The King's Speech. Off the top of my head I can't think of many more, even though there's probably some I've forgotten, but yeah. As for tv series', I enjoy Doctor Who, How I Met Your Mother, Gilmore Girls, and Heroes. Right, not sure if this is enough to be going on with, but feel free to ask me any questions to get a better idea for recommendations. I appreciate this muchly guys - let's see if I can finally get a better film education. 2012 Films Watched (Pitiful attempt thus far..) 1. American Psycho. 8/10. 2. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. 8/10. 3. The Beach. 6/10. 4. Green Street. 7/10. 5. American Pie. 7/10. 6. Reservoir Dogs. 9/10. 7. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. 6/10.

Slightly off-topic but I watched Cumberbatch last year in a production of Frankenstein by National Theatre Live and he was incredible. It was after his role in the first series of Sherlock and I remember being glad to see his name crop up when we were going to see it. I have to say I think he's a great actor.

Yeah it's disappointing but I'm sure if I just do a few pages here and there when I have time I'll soon manage to get somewhere with it.