Chrissy

I want to say no, but that's rubbish! There are many factors that attract me to a book. If I am on a book shopping spree, I will seek out authors I know, authors that have been recommended (mainly on here), and books that have a visual appeal that is backed up by interesting blurb. Some days the visual part of my brain is more sensitive than others, so this also comes into play when book choosing. One of my favourite books (Flight Of The Stone Angel by Carol O'Connell), I picked up in a charity shop and was drawn to it initially because of it's atmospheric cover photograph, in sepia tones showing a beautiful stone angel in a graveyard. Wonderful, compelling and it matched the exquisite text.

My husband has reall enjoyed the Anthony Riches Empire series (3 books so far). Here's his website for more information.

I was trying to fathom what 'hippo's figs' were, then I re read what you had written! Good, good luck sorting through hubby's redundancy ~ I'm another one with a husband who has experienced redundancy. It's an odd sort of thing to experience for all concerned, so many big hugs, for you, the hippos and their figs.

Aw, Janet I will keep my eyes open for a copy. I know the one you mean as it was the same cover that I had.

I can play the recorder, the primary school instrument of choice. I still love the sound of it, despite no longer playing. I can play a few short pieces on the piano, but that is more luck than skill, and I plan on learning to play the guitar before I hit 50.

Started the book (finally), will join in this week when I'm finished!

That was my thinking, yes. I thought it could be a 'go away and think about it' list.

Frankie shared a 30 day book challenge that I thoroughly enjoyed doing on my reading list. I thought I would adapt the concept for film, but instead of answering it over 30 days with a thread each, it would be interesting if we copy and pasted the list and answered the questions in one post each here. So, here's the list.... 01 – Best film you saw last year 02 – A film that you’ve seen more than 3 times 03 – Your favourite film series 04 – Favourite film of your favourite series 05 – A film that makes you happy 06 – A film that makes you sad 07 – Most underrated film 08 – Most overrated film 09 – A film you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up loving 10 – Favourite classic film 11 – A film you hated 12 – A film you used to love but don’t anymore 13 – Your favourite film maker 14 – Favourite film of your favourite film maker 15 – Favourite male character 16 – Favourite female character 17 – Favourite quote from your favourite film 18 – A film that disappointed you 19 – Favourite film from a book 20 – Favourite romance film 21 – Favourite film from your childhood 22 – Favourite film you own 23 – A film you wanted to watch for a long time but still haven’t 24 – A film that you wish more people would’ve seen 25 – A film character who you can relate to the most 26 – A film that changed your opinion about something 27 – The most surprising plot twist or ending 28 – Favourite film title 29 – A film everyone hated but you liked 30 – Your favourite film of all time I'm now going to wander off and consider my own answers.

You just made me snort tea!

American Gods was the last book I read ~ it is brilliant, understated in many ways but also unsettling, compelling and engrossing. Enjoy.

Having read a few Neil Gaiman's 'Stardust' is on my must read list, and now I will be adding 'The Camomile Lawn', a book I have never really thought of reading.

I wanted to say Thank You to frankie for sharing the 30 Day list with us. For those who haven't seen it, it's a daily question-of-sorts; Day 01 – Best book you read last year Day 02 – A book that you’ve read more than 3 times Day 03 – Your favourite series Day 04 – Favourite book of your favourite series Day 05 – A book that makes you happy Day 06 – A book that makes you sad Day 07 – Most underrated book Day 08 – Most overrated book Day 09 – A book you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up loving Day 10 – Favourite classic book Day 11 – A book you hated Day 12 – A book you used to love but don’t anymore Day 13 – Your favourite writer Day 14 – Favourite book of your favourite writer Day 15 – Favourite male character Day 16 – Favourite female character Day 17 – Favourite quote from your favourite book Day 18 – A book that disappointed you Day 19 – Favourite book turned into a movie Day 20 – Favourite romance book Day 21 – Favourite book from your childhood Day 22 – Favourite book you own Day 23 – A book you wanted to read for a long time but still haven’t Day 24 – A book that you wish more people would’ve read Day 25 – A character who you can relate to the most Day 26 – A book that changed your opinion about something Day 27 – The most surprising plot twist or ending Day 28 – Favourite title Day 29 – A book everyone hated but you liked Day 30 – Your favourite book of all time I decided to do mine starting from the 1st of June, to make it easier to remember where I was at with the list. I followed my gut reaction mainly, and managed to surprise myself a few times with my answers. All I can say is that I think everyone should give this list a go on their reading lists & blogs, it is fun and thought provoking. I may do it again in the future just to see if my answers have changed. So, again I say ~ Thank you frankie for bringing this to us.

I'm definitely in need of a t-shirt that reads 'So many books, so little time!'

Day 30 ~ Your favourite book of all time As I haven't finished my reading life, I was going to leave this blank, as perhaps my favourite book of all time is out there waiting for me. In the meantime, I have made mention one or two of my favourite reads already in this 30 day challenge. How wonderful that I have a fizzing anticipation of all the fabulous books I am yet to read and fall in love with.

I spent 4 hours gardening today, so was continuing with my audio version of 'Midnight's Children'. Captivating stuff, especially when I only meant to stay out there for 2 hours!

Janet, I can't tell you how pleased I am to read that! It holds such a special place in my reading heart.

Day 29 ~ A book everyone hated but you liked I can't think of any book that fits this criteria. I quite enjoyed the much slated Dan Brown's, although as they are best sellers I don't think they can be considered 'hated'. There may be books that others loathe that I have read and enjoyed, but I am not aware of them. So, for once in this month I am pretty well stumped.

Day 28 ~ Favourite title Is it going to be a clever Japser Fforde? Maybe Salman Rushdie? It's tricky, so I went for a title that conjured up so much when I first saw it, and I went onto adore the book. Step forward Carol O'Connell and her fabulous 'Flight Of The Stone Angel'. ETA The title drew me to the book and the author Carol O'Connell, but I think that upon reading the book I appreciated the subtlety of the title, and the many layers this enigmatic title conceals. Admitedly stone angels do get to fly in the book, but the flight, the stone and the angel taken separately hold greater meaning to me.

I have only just properly discovered Torchwood, and husband bought me the boxset recently that I am gradually - and exceptionally happilly - working my way through. I am looking forward to seeing how things develop from this first series.

I'm quoting myself as I wanted to add that I had a third book that gave me the biggest reading shock of all, but I have mentioned it so many times, I didn't want to use it again. If anyone has read 'Judas Child' by Carol O'Connell they will know what I mean.

Day 27 ~ The most surprising plot twist or ending I had a few contenders for this one, and have settled for two, contrasting books. The first is JK Rowling's 'The Order Of The Pheonix' and the Later it made greater sense to me in it's contribution to galvanising Harry's position, but at first reading it was shocking. I am really good at NOT picking up on things, and although I started reading the HP books later than many, I had no inkling as to where the series was heading. In this instance it definitley worked in my reading favour. The second book I choose for here is 'Praying For Sleep' by Jeffrey Deaver. It all begins on a dark and stormy night, and takes a downturn from there! Mr Deaver is the master of twist and turns, and this book had a few knots that lead to the mighty twist near the end that turned it all on it's head for the reader. I will not say what the twist is, as it would really spoil the book. As an aside, I can also say that despite knowing the twist I would read this book again as it is that good.

I am embarrased to say I have not read any Gerlad Durrell. Although I think we have one or two here. Oh dear, my TBR shelves just got fuller. It's such a hard book to describe isn't it? But wonderful, so so good. They are definitely recommended. The first book is very young in lots of ways, enjoyable but young. The late books take on and offer greater depth I found. I will be reading the last 'I Shall Wear Midnight' soon, and I am so looking forward to it.

I finished 'American Gods' by Neil Gaiman last night, A brilliant absorbing and entrancing book.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (22) I re read this fabulous book for the June reading Circle read. A fascinating and engrossing story that takes the notion of where is safe and turns it in it's head. I thoroughly recommend this book as an excellent starting point for acquainting yourself with our Neil Gaiman. American Gods by Neil Gaiman (23) My brother sent me this book ages and ages ago, but my wandering reading mojo meant I had to only read books I was drawn to in the moment. He told me how much I would love it, and he wasn't wrong. Edited version taken from Wikipedia, I can only concur with the author Jonathan Carroll in his review of this stunning book when he says, "American Gods is some kind of miracle. Gaiman has managed to tell the tallest of tales in the most heart rending and believable fashion, despite the story's truly mythic scale. It is an important, essential book." Ain't my big brother the best present buyer?

It will get read at some stage VF, it's just a matter of when! Day 26 ~ A book that changed your opinion about something I am choosing a book I mentioned in an earlier answer; 'Earthly Powers' by Anthony Burgess. It made me look at beliefs, especially Roman Catholicism in I way I had not considered. The book is vast and threads though so many scenes and situatiions, but it holds faith, belief and the personal at it's very centre throughout. In many ways this book galvanised my own beliefs, and certainly contributed to claryfying some of them for me.