frankie

Nice job finding Trainspotting, vodkafan! And you're right, seems like you had no alternative but to buy the JV book. I read more of The Crimson Petal and the White last night, I think I'm off to a really slow start, hoping that things'll pick up soon.

Have you still got the moves?? I had to google Benny the Jet, I didn't know him and I can't really remember him in the movie either, I only got eyes for Cusack I think that made a diary entry for her? I can definitely relate to that small town stuff: I couldn't wait to get out of my hometown, and when I visit my parents I can't believe some of the people I knew from school are still living there, working as cashiers or waitresses. Not that there's anything wrong with that, they might be real happy doing what they're doing and I wouldn't know about it. It's just that I couldn't imagine myself living there anymore. I bet Willie and Marty got together later on, we just don't know about it because Willie's ex is a hot shot now in the business world and paid for the movie to not come out. What's funny about Timothy Hutton is that I don't know him from anywhere else, he looks really weird in pics on his imdb site and I don't find him attractive at all. Except for when he's in that particular movie.

The translator of my Finnish copy notes that the English title The Crimson Petal and the White is a reference to Tennyson's well-known love poem Now sleeps the crimson petal, now the white, which is a part of the poem collection called The Princess. I don't know if that helps you guys

Nope, I don't think I have. Maybe I've seen the series Get Real but just don't remember it because it was such a long time ago.

I've watched two movies recently: Smiley Face (with a lot of great actors, like Anna Faris, that woman from Happy Days, and John Krasinski!!) which was really great and hilarious in it's own way and Zombieland which was surprisingly good. I loved Woody Harrelson in that movie And Jesse Eisenberg's really cute as well, I've seen him somewhere before... Great movies, the both of them! Edit: Where on Earth have I seen him?? I looked his imdb data and don't think I've seen any of the films he has been in, and can't remember watching Get Real either?

What the F!! Your BIL is friends with Benny and has sparred with John?!! That's as close as one can get to John Cusack peace, you're a true fan of kickboxing and always have been? Why haven't you been going to these sparring meetings?? I can't believe it! So cool!! Must look up that book! I've been trying to see if there are any Cusack's 80s movies available online but fat chance of that No Must Love Dogs either! Hmph!! Hmmm, I don't really know why I always think of you when I think of Beautiful Girls (hm, change the capitols to small letters and that would be pretty offending!!). I saw the movie ages ago, I mean years and years ago and didn't really remember anything about it except that Natalie Portman was in it and that I really loved it. I'd forgotten the name of the movie as well, but still, years after that I would remember the film and it being really good, and in a way really an American classic. Maybe a year ago the movie was on TV and I managed to catch it and loved it For some reason I just always think of you when I think of the movie. I was quite certain that if you've seen it you must've loved it as well I had no idea that the movie was filmed in MN though, so that can't be it. I always felt really sad that Willie and Marty couldn't get together, too. But it's quite understandable that they didn't, and if Willie had even tried, it would've changed the whole concept and it wouldn't have been romantic at all, it would've been really creepy! So I'm glad it's the way it is. Maybe they got together 10 years later I remember the setting being very wintery and working town like you said. I guess that's why it's so likable because to me it's easy to relate to that small townish thing, even though it's an American film. Gosh I really want to watch the movie now!

Being John Malkovich is epic! And not just because of Cusack. I always notice different things and discover something new about the film when I'm watching it. It's one of those movies that you have to watch whenever it's on TV. I had a major dislike towards John Malkovich before seeing this film, one of my friends was always praising him which started to annoy me and made me really dislike him I'm cured now, though. I want to hear that story about the bad guy in GPB!! I agree, I think Cusack is better in those quirky movies vs. the standard ones, although I don't think I've seen that many standard movies he's made. I didn't know Must Love Dogs is also a book? Maybe I should add that to my wishlist. I don't think I've seen any of his 80s movies, although I have to check on imdb. For some reason this discussion reminded me of the movie Beautiful Girls, which I think is another movie classic for some reason. And for some reason I always think of you when I think of the movie and wonder if you've watched it and liked it. I'm totally against adults fancying minors, but I have to say I really liked the weird thing Willie and next door neighbor Marty had in that movie. It was so sweet!! Timothy Hutton is mighty fine in that movie.

Grosse Pointe Black, yes! I think the film is very average per se but I watch it everytime they show it on TV, purely because of John Cusack. I think his best movie is Being John Malkovich. Cusack with long hair and a beard, yummy x 10 000!! Another reason why I like that movie so much: Cameron Diaz looks so average in it, which is a nice change to everyone swooning over her in There's Something about Mary! Edit: Is 1408 any good? Or Must Love Dogs? (I'm gonna watch that anyway because there's dogs )

I am sorely tempted, but I think I would need to read the book again for me to be able to discuss it. I've forgotten most of the events, and I can't remember . The names of the characters are all forgotten as well and everything... Not that the book didn't deserve a reread.... tempting!!

Always glad to be of service

Ah! I wonder why I didn't recognise the name because I read Full Moon and it was a Blandings novel, taking place partly in Blandings Castle Lord Emsworth was epic! I do understand where you're coming from, if I were a Brit I might have the same qualms about it as you. Especially since you saw the film very shortly after reading the book. It's not as bad as if Spielberg had gotten the chance to Americanise Potter, God that would've been awful! Why do they always want to rape everything that's precious?? Don't they have enough of their own great American novels to make into films? I haven't seen it and I haven't even heard of it, but I must remember to watch that! Thanks for the tip! Mika H

These kinds of comments are adding to the fact that I want to leave the book waiting a bit longer The book must be really good if you're starting to read it more slowly for it to last longer. And at the same time you can't wait to read more of it. Ah, the pains of reading a really good book

Do read it at some point but don't worry, it'll be a good book no matter how late you get around to it =) Okay now you are forcing me to confess to ignorance: What are the 'Blandings' books? Are they the stand alone novels without Jeeves? Where does the description come from? Did you watch the movie or read the book first? I've seen the film years ago and I think I need to rewatch it. I think I saw the film when I hated John Cusack, so that might have had something to do with it. After that I've somehow switched to really liking him (I don't know how that happened, I used to hate him as bad as Adam Sandler and Ben Stiller. To me, they were all the same and really awful! I still loath Adam Sandler but I don't mind Ben Stiller anymore. He has nothing on Cusack though ). What's really funny is that I actually forgot that this book was set in Britain! I don't know how that happened. I mean when Marie LaSalle (?) said she's an alien American in UK, of course I knew that they were in the UK but otherwise the location just lost it's importance to me and to me it felt like it could've taken place in the US and it didn't bother me at all. I'm sure you wouldn't feel the same It's been so long since I watched the movie that I didn't realise Jack Black is in it as well! I bet I watched it long before I even knew who he is. I really like him and for that reason as well I definitely need to rewatch the movie. I think I might suggest BF and I should watch it this weekend =) Like you, I'm a real Colin Firth fan and that was the only reason I watched the movie, but I still hated it. I can't understand why Firth would do such a movie I dislike football and the football craze in the UK is something I can't relate to in anyway, it's one of the very few things I dislike about the Brits. Wow you've got a F1 fan for a husband? Finns are really into F1, I think it mostly stems from the time when Mika H

Water for Elephants is one of those books I just know that I will really like (well at least I think I will really like it, you can never tell until you've actually read the book) and sort of because of that I want to cherish owning that book a little longer and cherish the anticipation of reading it, and that's why I haven't read it yet. It's really contradictory: you really want to read a book you know will be a good one but at the same time you want to save it till a later time, til the time is perfect for reading it. I don't know if that makes any sense

It seems like you've managed to make me add to my wishlist... Tipping the Velvet is already on it but The Reluctant Fundamentalist isn't, I'm gonna go and edit my wishlist

I've been wondering about reading The Dice Man for a couple of years now but I've never actually managed to pick it up from the library and read it. The basic plot sounds really interesting in my opinion but somehow I just haven't attempted to read it yet. From what you said about it I gather that it could be an enjoyable read if it's not taken too seriously. Just one question: did you find it an easy, fast paced read?

How could I do that, again?! I already underestimated you on the Remember me -movie issue! Very unforgivable! Of course you know about the Water for Elephants, as well. I need to read that book before the movie is out Also must bump Bel-Ami up in the TBR list ^^

A great review on Q&A, Kelly, I'm really glad you decided to give the book a chance. I have no idea why some people haven't enjoyed the novel or have liked the movie better; I myself read the book first and absolutely loved it. The movie was a bit of a disappointment after that. I agree with you on just about everything you said in your review, I too liked the way the book was structured: each chapter was dedicated to how he knew the answer to each question. I think it gave the novel nice structure and cohesiveness, especially when it was sometimes hard to follow where and when each of the stories took place, just like you said. The Harrowing by Alexandra Sokoloff sounds interesting, I'm adding that one to my wishlist Good job Kelly, as always!

That's way better! Frankie approves It's called a 'tutti' in Finnish. Edit: That sounds like 'nomnomnom' by the way

'Pacifier' sounds like some tranquilizing drug or maybe a member of the peace force. But then again, 'dummy' sounds like a dumb person. I'd rather not stick any of those in my mouth!

Sk

32. Niin Lotan tapaista by Merri Vik 4/5 Re-read from childhood, excellent nostalgia trip 33. The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson The book starts really slowly. I liked the lead female character. Or rather, I was really fascinated by her and how she'd come to be the person she was. A great crime novel, not as fast paced or genious as Jeffery Deaver but very gripping indeed. 4/5 (I really need to start reading Deaver again since I'm compairing all the crime novels I read to his books!) Books 34 - 43 are books in the Lotta series by Merri Vik. Nostalgia trip continues. Book 44. Getting the Girl by Markus Zusak In a way this book was nothing that I expected it to be. And yet I really liked the outcome, and how things changed for the lead character. Unfortunately I think this story is one of those that I'm quite likely to forget very easily. 3/5 Book 45. A Stranger in the Family by Steven Naifeh & Gregory White Smith The true story of an "all-American neighbor next door with a wife and a child" who turns out to be a serial rapist. Really and truly disturbing. I found this to be one of the best true crime books I've ever read, right there along with Ann Rule's A Stranger Beside Me. During the book we get to see the rapist's journal and how he describes his journey from childhood to being a disturbed adult. Along the way we hear what the mother thinks about his son, and how their stories differ so incredibly much from each other. The mother is either totally in denial or just strongly believes she's raised such an amazing child who could not have done anything he's accused of. She never thinks about the victims or their family and what they have to deal with, she's only worried about her son and how he's coping in prison. Strongly recommended to any true crime fans. 4/5 Book 46. Full Moon by P. G. Wodehouse My first P. G. Wodehouse that has nothing to do with the legendar Jeeves Has anyone read this? In some ways the storyline was quite average, but some of the characters were incredibly delightful in their quirkyness and the writing is hilarious. The funniest thing was 3/5 Book 47. High Fidelity by Nick Hornby Having disliked both Fever Pitch the novel and the movie, and hated High Fidelity the movie, the only reason why I picked this Hornby's book up is because it's on the Rory Gilmore list. I began reading quite unwillingly but realised after a couple of pages that I'm actually enjoying the novel! What a nice surprise! I loved how the main character is totally immersed in vinyls and music and his record shop. I embraced his odd employers. I loved his analytical monologues, and his neurotic mental self-torturing. There was real wisdom to this book, hidden in the seemingly casual lines. Great read! And I'm definitely up for Hornby's other novels now. (I hear The Polysyllabic Spree is supposed to be pretty booklover oriented... ) 4/5

If I find out how the balancing works I'll let you know so you can rest in peace! I mean, in peace in your lifetime, not in your grave I'm soooooo behind on my book reviews! The last review I did was book 27: Push by Sapphire. I've read about 20 books after that so minireviews/minithoughts coming up: Book 28. Human Harbour by John Ajvide Lindqvist (from wikipedia: British translation to be published late 2010 or early 2011) My first John Ajvide Lindqvist novel. I liked the detailing, the characters, the tension building up. I had no idea whether this was supposed to be a paranormal novel so I was quite confused about things, but in a good way. A very unexpected turn of events in the end. I really enjoyed this one and want to read his other novels as well. A great Swedish writer who deserves the recognition.4/5 Book 29. Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi with Curt Gentry As a true crime book fan I can't pass this one. I didn't know much about the Manson family or the Manson killings before reading the book. Makes really disturbing reading at times. Some of the court-related stuff was a bit too detailed and boring to be honest, without that the book might've gotten 4/5. Another Rory Gilmore book read, yay! 3/5 Book 30.

But in his defence, his solo stuff is great...?!

That was quick! Glad you enjoyed it I'll be PMing you later. I finished High Fidelity by Nick Hornby today and I really liked it, I'll be looking out for his other books. Next up is The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber, finally!