Chrissy

Could the sound level just be set very low? I find with mine that the setting has to be half way or higher to actually let me hear anything.

S*d it VF, I now have to add another book to my wishlist/TBR pile. Sounds like a really good read, and an excellent review.

I have been really enoying doing this list. I have 'gone with my gut' on the answers mostly, and have actually been surprised by some of my answers. Day 25 ~ A character who you can relate to the most Who do I choose? A classy heroine from a classic? A sassy girl from something more recent? Had I had more children, I like to think I would have been a bit of a Molly Weasley; all chaos, cooking, laughter & love, but with a core of steel. She loves her family fiercely and extends her blanket of love to Harry without hesitation. Given the same set of circumstances, with an Arthur at my side and I would be delighted to be a Molly. I dread to think that some may consider me more akin to Aunt Petunia!

There are the books by the Danish Sven Hassel who wrote psuedo-autobigraphical novels based upon his experiences with the German army. I will try and dig out some more titles for you, but in the meantime, this thread was created by someone looking for books relating to World War 2, and yoiu may find a few of the suggestions are just what you are looking for.

I spent a few hours doing some gardening today, so listened to my fabulous audio of 'Midnight's Children' by Salman Rushdie. It is read by Lyndam Gregory, who does a fantastic job. I am as entranced as I was when I first read the book. Now I am back indoors (and aching!) I will dig back into 'American Gods'.

There's a distinct possibility that Linwood Barclay's 'Never Look Away' and Karin Slaughter's 'Broken' fell into my Tesco shopping basket at 6.30 this morning. Oops!

One day, maybe one day! Day 24 ~ A book you wish more people would read Terry Pratchett's Tiffany Aching series of books, specifically leading them to the fourth book 'Wintersmith'. I am soon to read the latest/last book in this series, 'I Shall Wear Midnight' and cannot wait. My reson for wishing that more would read this series is for them to enjoy the double whammy of great humour and daft situations combined with old wisdom wrapped in the wonderful central character that is Tiffany Aching herself. Terry Pratchett draws his characters so well, giving them thorough personalities with all the strengths and frailties we can all have. I think he depicts his Discworld Witches the best , and Tiffany is no exception. She starts as a young girl and we walk along side as she learns the craft to which she was destined. There are so many truth gems to be found in these books, and I defy anyone not to feel a tingle when they read of the Dark Morris.

I think that chilling is the right term to use. I don't understand their attitude at all with this being the ONLY stuff they read, and secondly that they actually and actively enjoy reading them, without any sense of relief/pride/joy when the victim of the misery overcomes their situation. *sigh* It truly baffles me and repels me.

Day 23 ~ A book you wanted to read for a long time but still haven’t I have a large number of books on my TBR shelves, but the one I keep wanting to read but never quite get around to is Lionel Shriver's 'We Need To Talk About Kevin'. I am intrigued by this book, and the reviews is has generated, both on and off the forum. I get the distinct feeling that it's this sense of "Will I love it? Will I hate it?" that keeps me from either giving it away or actually reading it. There are lots of books I have had for ages that I haven't got around to reading, but this one is the only one with a pull me / repel me element.

I am really enjoying my slow read of 'American Gods' by Neil Gaiman. It is a wonderful and intriguing read that is keeping my reading mojo settled and happy. By not racing through it as I am tempted to do, also means I am getting more pithy juice from the story.

I think it would be my Desert Island pick too Ben, as it is so interesting.

Day 22 ~ Favourite book you own Many moons ago I was given a stonking great hardback book called 'The Literature Of England' (GK Anderson, WE Buckler & MH Veeder). The book starts in around 750 AD with Beowulf, and wends it's way through The Renaissance, The Restoration, The Romantics, The Victorian Age, through to the Modern Age that begins in 1914. There is background reading to each period that runs to 15-20 pages each time, and gives a thorough example of the works of the writers included, ranging from Geoffrey Chaucer (with notes on reading Middle English) and Shakespeare, to John Bunyan, Samuel Pepys, William Cowper, Wordsworth, Thomas Carlyle, the Rossettis, DH Lawrence and Ted Hughes. I think the term to use is comprehensive. I was delighted to receive the book at the time, and consider it one of my most treasured possessions.

Really well put Chesilbeach, I agree with everything you have written.

I like the freaky-deakyness of it, with the juxtaposition of pretty-pretty colours and smiling flowers overlaid by the manic bunny and the sharp-toothed cat. Definitely not a card you'd send to an sick friend or relative.

Day 21 ~ Favourite childhood book A few I must mention include 'The Chronicles Of Narnia' by CS Lewis, 'Charlotte's Web' by EB White and Eva Ibbotson's 'The Great Ghost Rescue' , but I think the one that makes me heave a little girl sigh is 'Gobbolino The Witch's Cat' by Ursula Moray Williams. From Amazon : It's the charming tale of a cat born a witch's cat but who would much rather be a kitchen cat. While his sister Sootica learns how to ride a broomstick and turn mice into toads, Gobbolino sets out to find a family to care for him and a home of his own. But Gobbolino is mistrusted wherever he goes, and blamed for myterious happenings such as the farmer's milk turning sour, and the orphanage children's gruel turning into chocolate! After many such adventures, Gobbolino finally finds the home of his dreams. It's an 'old fashioned' story in many respects, but I adored it and longed to have a black cat with a white paw that I could called Gobolino and give a warm and loving home to. It's funny how some things never leave you, and Gobolino is one such memory.

Takashi Murakami has created today's Google picture to celebrate the northern hemisphere's first day of summer (and the longest day).

Honest to goodness, everytime I have seen your avatar my mouth has watered and the word 'YUM!' has entered my head.

Day 20 ~ Favourite romance book Sorry folks, but I'm going for two again (I know, I know, I'm a big fat cheater!) My first is 'Emotional Geology' by Linda Gillard. The reason is Rose. I was so drawn to her I ached my way through this utterly stunning book. I think a character well portrayed makes a story, and Rose is so real, so tangible that the story IS Rose. Landscape, emotions, textures, words all combine in this wonderful wonderful novel. I have adored everything I have read by Linda, but 'Emotional Geology' holds a very special place in this book reader's heart. My second is 'The Time Traveler's Wife' by Audrey Niffenegger. Unusual in the extreme, uncomfortable reading at times and confusing often, this is another novel that is made by the central female character. Clare's love and certainty for her often lost in time partner Henry is the spine of this book. She doesn't seek external validation, because she knows for herself what is real and true to her. I've never been one for gooey romance type novels as I find them tedious and cliched. Here are two authors who have written about developing loves that feel real and sad. Love is often sad and painful and diminishing, and I think both Linda Gillard and Audrey Niffenegger are able to show what love can be like sometimes. They don't molly coddle the reader with pretty pretty fluffy fluffy.

When I see the names Neil Gaiman, Roddy Doyle and Jeffrey Deaver bundled together, I don't need to be told twice! This is now top of my wishlist.

Day 19 ~ Your favourite book that was turned into a movie I know there have been some fabulous adaptations from book, but I choose two from the many. Firstly CS Lewis' 'The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe'. They did a fantastic job on this, and kept beautifully to the book, while adding a justification in the beginning for Edmund's behaviour. It is one of those rare occasions where they almost matched the images on the screen to those in my head. My second choice has to be the wonderful 'Lord Of The Rings' trilogy. Epic and fabulous scenes spliced with credible CGI as a backdrop to the great expansive Tolkein tale that brought together a dream cast (Ian McKellan, Orlando Bloom and Viggo Mortensen). Mr Peter Jackson, I bow to thee.

Oh My Goodness ~ finally a web site just for me!

Day 18 ~ A book that disappointed you Patricia Cornwell - any Scarpetta novel after 'The Last Precinct', where her plots became ridiculous and saggy, and her characters became cardboard cut outs of weirdness and deterioration. I was so bitterly disappointed that having invested money, time, emotional energy and fandom into this writer from her first book, 'Post Mortem' that she would have the temerity to write such nonsense and get it published. There had been hints of silliness in her writing in her Andy Brazil books and her Winston Garano books, where she seemed to go off at odd borderline supernatural tangents. What is she thinking? Where are her editors? Why take such a good writing style and great taut plots combined with brilliantly drawn and believable characters, and mush them up into fanciful stories that often made little sense, with spiteful and hateful people in? I won't spend money on her books now. She's lost a huge fan.

I have already set things up to record this.

Definitely read it or listen to it! I enjoyed the film pretty much, but I don't think it is pure Adams enough for many. The books and radio series (and indeed the tv series) are excellent. They are funny and clever and easy to read.

The design on that front page suggests something fairly light hearted. I'm reading FUN in those swirls! Aw hell, I'm taken in by it, I keep checking the page.