Ben

Well I was just trying to include everything I own on my shelves, even if it doesn't seem likely I'll read some of them in the near future. Big mistake.

Just spent the last four hours or so making a to-be-read list. I started from scratch so as to make sure I got them all, and I've ended with a total of 215 (I'll have to check that I included all the books in Leeds but I think I did). This is more than I expected it to be, and damn it'll take some serious reading to claw my way back to a decent total that's for sure. In any case, I've been planning my 2012 book log with my new, snazzy TBR list, challenges, wishlist, and I'm now quite excited for what next year will bring. Anyway, forget next year, I've still got A Room with a View to finish this year, and it's absolutely fantastic. Off I pop.

Hey Frankie, I must say I do love looking through yours (and Kylie's) lists as the new year comes around. I've been thinking about taking up some challenges in 2012 because it's something I never do. Looking through your lists I think your version of the Rory List could be one I'd be interested in attempting, if you don't mind me using the list? In any case, best of luck with your reading next year, look forward to reading your thoughts/reviews.

Just had a wonderful time reading through your lists and motivational thoughts for 2012; the latter giving me a good chuckle so thanks for that. Perhaps I should do something similar, who knows. I know for a fact I'm adopting some 'challenges' next year; the 2012 World Booklist Longlist of 100 books being the one that looks rather appealing. In any case, enough of my waffling, best of luck with your 2012 reading poppyshake.

Started A Room with a View by E.M. Forster; looking forward to it as I know it's been highly recommended by people on here, particularly Claire. Synopsis: Forster's brilliant social commentary is a witty observation of the English middle classes as they holiday abroad in Florence. One of these tourists is Lucy Honeychurch, a young girl whose 'undeveloped heart' is awakened by her experiences in Italy and by her encounter with the unconventional George Emerson. Lucy finds herself torn between un-English passion and stifling Victorian propriety, personified in her pretentious fiancé Cecil Vyse and her dismal cousin Charlotte, until she learns to follow the power of her own heart. Really looking forward to this one.

Starting An Atheist's Guide to Christmas as it was just jumping out to me from my shelves, and it seemed an apt time to read it. Synopsis: If you're an atheist, you don't believe in the three wise men - so this Christmas, we bring you not three but 42 wise men and women, bearing gifts of comedy, science, philosophy, arts, storytelling and knowledge. Was there really a Christmas star? What does it feel like to be born on Christmas Day? And where can you listen to the echoes of the big bang on December 25th? The answers to these questions and more can be found in The Atheist's Guide to Christmas. So, this looks rather fascinating; there's contributions from people like Derren Brown and Ed Byrne, so it's bound to be both fascinating and hilarious.

Finished Tripwire last night and it looks like I spent longer on it than planned; good read nevertheless. Thoughts: The one thing I love about Lee Child's books is how quickly they fly by; packed with intense action I'm often loathe to put down the book at all because I know something exciting is going to happen just around the corner. This is my favourite Jack Reacher novel so far (although I've only read three), as we find out more about Reacher's character, and he finally faces up to some responsibilities, in Tripwire. We learn more about his personality and his thought processes, as him and the wonderful Jodie Garber race to find out the truth about an old couple's son, believed dead in a helicopter crash. Someone wants to remain hidden, though, and they'll stop at nothing to make sure they achieve their goals. Reacher and Jodie are in a lot of trouble, and it's a race against time to see if they'll make it out alive. Overall a fantastic, fast-paced read, that had me hooked throughout. 5/5.

Hey Karen, welcome to BCF.

Hey VF, I'm glad that you've spoken to someone that is happy to help; it does seem that Amazon really are quite helpful when it comes to fixing faults or mishaps. Strange, because most companies would probably cheer the fact that it's thee days out of warranty. Hmm, my Kindle I've had just about a year now, let's hope a sudden technological disaster isn't afoot. In any case, hope you get your Kindle back fixed and ready to go soon VF, I know I'd struggle without mine.

Hey just being on the safe side this time. Best of luck with your 2012 reading, can't wait to read your thoughts on your latest reads. Let's hope 2012's a good one for us both eh.

*timidly enters* So I can post now.. right? (If not say the word and this post is gone).

Started Tripwire by Lee Child last night, which is the third Jack Reacher book - a bit of light-hearted reading now I can enjoy some recreational reading for a change. Synopsis: For Jack Reacher being invisible has become a habit. He spends his days digging swimming pools by hand and his nights as the bouncer in the local strip club in the Florida Keys. He doesn't want to be found. But someone has sent a private detective to seek him out. Then Reacher finds the guy beaten to death with his fingertips sliced off. It's time to head north and work out who is trying to find him and why. These are always good reads, so can't wait to get cracking with it.

I've had relatively few experiences with Shakespeare so far, and as an literature student I am quite disappointed in my lack of Shakespearian knowledge; something I aim to rectify, however. My earliest experience of Shakespeare was performing A Midsummer Night's Dream all the way back in year six. At that point I imagine I was ignorant and unaware of the greatness of Shakespeare, and I was probably more content to grumble and complain that I had to perform (although I did have a good part in Puck). My next experiences of Shakespeare were not until I was in 6th form studying English literature at AS, and then was when I probably began to understand him for who he was. We studied Othello and Macbeth critically as texts on the curriculum, and I read and was told of others such as The Merchant of Venice and Much Ado About Nothing. I was also lucky enough to visit the Globe theatre in London twice to watch two plays on the texts we were studying on the course. I've also seen Hamlet with Tennant and the RSC, which was fantastic. While at university I've studied Venus & Adonis which of course is a poem, not a play, in great detail. I do, however, aim to improve on this meagre Shakespeare knowledge, and in January I do a 'Shakespeare's Comedies' module. We are advised to buy a big book which contains all his comedies, and the following are the ones we shall study in length (although I do intend to read them all). A Midsummer Night's Dream The Merchant of Venice Much Ado About Nothing As You Like It Twelfth Night I'm quite excited to say the very least. As a literature student I feel I should have a better knowledge of the great Bard of Avon himself.

I absolutely love the sound of the + and - points for reading and buying books, especially if there's a thread noting everyone's progress (or if this doesn't go through I might use the idea in my reading blog next year). Also, Kylie, I'm not surprised you've already started thinking about planning next year's book thread, especially with the extent of your lists and challenges (my first read of the year always tends to be some of your lists). I was thinking myself that I'm going to make more effort text year, maybe get myself a TBR pile again, seen as I gave up keeping track of my other. I guess it all depends on whether I'll have time.

My answers are for up until today, but there's obviously always a chance that I'll find a gem before the end of the year. Your favourite read of the year? This is such a difficult choice, and I'm afraid I'm going to have to list a few. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafrón, Love in the time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez, and The Fry Chronicles by Stephen Fry. (I know, I know, but it's so hard to chose just one). Your favourite author of the year? Would have to be Zafrón because of the excellent book mentioned above. Your most read author of the year? Charlaine Harris (the first eight in the Southern Vampire Mysteries series). Your favourite book cover of the year? Can't think of many covers that have blown me away, but I do like the one for The Shadow of the Wind. The book you abandoned (if there was more than one, the one you read least of)? I abandoned The Blasphemer by Nigel Farndale but it might have been because of distractions at the time, not necessarily because it's a bad book. I'll most likely give it another shot in 2012. The book that most disappointed you? Probably Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe; I expected a lot better than what I read. I was disappointed with another of his texts, Moll Flanders, so perhaps he's not going to be my favourite author ever. The funniest book of the year? Most definitely The Fry Chronicles. Stephen Fry is such a witty man; he had me in stitches for a lot of the book. ]Your favourite literary character this year? Well that's certainly a difficult question. Would perhaps have to be Fevvers in Angela Carter's Nights At The Circus for interestingness alone. Your favourite children's book this year? Hauron and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie. Utterly fantastic children's book. Simple on the surface, but with hidden contextual depths. Your favourite classic of the year? Love in the time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez. Interestingly my answer for this hasn't been one of the many classics I've had to read for university reading. I think that probably says something. Your favourite non-fiction book this year? Haven't read any non-fiction. Your favourite biography this year? The Fry Chronicles by Stephen Fry. Go figure. Your favourite collection of short stories this year? The Oxford Book of Victorian Ghost Stories by Cox & Gilbert. Your favourite poetry collection this year? Crow by Ted Hughes. (And a mention for Jen Hadfield's Nigh-No-Place which I also enjoyed). Your favourite illustrated book of the year? Haven't read any illustrated books this year. Your favourite publisher of the year? Never really have a preference publishers, but Vintage always have really nice designs. Your favourite audiobook of the year? Listened to a bit of The Fry Chronicles and Fry's voice is fantastic, but other than that I've not listened to anything else. ---

Hey Roy, welcome to BCF.

Such an excellent choice Chrissy, I couldn't help but love Shadow as well. I also really need to read Neverwhere. It always pleases me to see this on people's lists, so glad you enjoyed it bobblybearr; it's one of my favourite books ever. Ah this is such a shame, Janet, I do hope you have better luck with it next year. One of my favourite books of the year! I'll post my answers a little later after I've had a bit of a think, these are always so tricky! Thanks for posting the questions poppyshake.

Finished Brisingr by Christopher Paolini last night. I've asked for Inheritance (the final book in the series), for Christmas, so wanted to get this finished this month. Thoughts: Now for some people, Paolini's books have got progressively worse throughout the series, but for me, although it has been admittedly a while since I read the first book Eragon, they have got better, and I enjoyed the third instalment immensely. The author's writing has matured since the first novel, and I'm glad he decided to add another book to the series, as it really allowed for character development through Brisingr. As usual, the action is plentiful, and there were a few clever twists and turns that when revealed, I was surprised I didn't see coming. In this third book then, Eragon finds himself struggling to adhere to all the promises he has made to the different races of the land. As a result, much of the book is taken up with Eragon travelling across the lands to fulfil his obligations, and this allows for us to gain much more of an insight to what he his thinking; ultimately Paolini is showing how his central protagonist has matured as a character. In essence, then, this was a really enjoyable read, as Eragon gears up for his final battle with Galbatorix. I'm now looking forward to seeing how Paolini wraps this series up in Inheritance. 5/5.

Hey welcome to the forum.

Excellent news, not really long to wait at all. Think I'll check out the new film over Christmas (it's out on the 16th), as well, just to get me in the spirit for the series.

Ah I would have never connected the Frost poem as I've never read it. Typical Fry, clever bugger.

I.. am I missing something here?