Chrissy

For me it was not a single character, but I always wanted to be a Narnian. At times I almost believed that my fervent wishing to wake up in Narnia would one day work.

6. Why do you think Liza Hempstock is shunned by the other 'inmates'? Do you think it is just because she was a witch? I think the witchiness has something to do with it, and I think that the 'inmates' are naturally suspicious of anyone who is from (buried or otherwise) outside their community. The unconsecrated ground would most probably be considered outside, 7. Do you think Neil Gaiman means Jack as in Jack the ripper? Why? I thought he was paying macabre homage to Jack the Ripper with 'the man Jack', rather than saying he actually is him.

Day 10 ~ Favourite classic book I wracked my mind to think of which one was 'the one' for this, and I have chosen Bram Stoker's 'Dracula'. Dickens was up there for me, as was DH Lawrence and HG Wells, but I can still remember the feeling I had when I first became engrossed in this story that we all believe we know. The fact that it's a epistolary novel just stunned me at first reading because it is such a complete novel. The series of letters, documents and newspaper articles come together to tell a story of such depth and mounting tension it is hard to put down. First time readers do feel they know this novel just by dint of our cultural familiarity through films and references in other texts, but until you have actually read this novel I don't think you can truly appreciate the true impact and magic.

Day 9 ~ A book you thought you wouldn't like but ended up loving 'Midnight's Children' by Salman Rushdie. I had to read this for a course on Post-colonial literature, and was told by everyone including the tutor that it was tough to get into and was a complex and tricky read. In addition, Salman Rushdie had a 'reputation' due the furore surrounding the pblication of 'The Satanic Verses'. Midnight's Children is a wonderful book, that uses language and structure unlike any other book I have ever read. It is vibrant, alive, compelling, surprising and endearing. You don't have to know about the history of Partition, or Indira Ghandi but a little knowledge can only enhance your enjoyment and understanding. I have read the book a couple of times, and I recently bought the unabridged audio cds (22 in all!), and am listening to it with joy in my heart whenever I am able to get some gardening done.

I have just had a brilliant time making music (well, making sound!). It is such a good one.

I think you may have found it BelleS! This is the cover

Day 8 Most over rated book I have chosen 'Captain Corelli's Mandolin' for this category. I adored Louis de Bernières' Latin American Trilogy and had high hopes for this novel, and they just were not not met. He is an extraordinary writer who can describe a character or scene so well you can feel the heat prickling on your skin, and you get heady from the aromas the words evoke. CC'sM started really well, was lyrical and enticing, but by the end I just felt cross and antagonised ~ not a typical reaction from me toward a book. I know that at the time of reading I was definitely in a minority with how I felt, but I have never got over my reaction to the book, and the promise of a great story that was torn from my hands. So yes, I consider this book to be over rated somewhat!

Hello Gingerbreadman. I just re read your limerick (that I had deleted!) and have no idea why I thought it was inappropriate! Sorry about that. Do you want to re write it so it can be shared? In the meantime..... There was an old Mod on the forum Who deleted some posts like a moron She said "I don't care, You can all sit and stare" While I'll find more threads to wreck hell on!

I don't think it would be to everyone's reading taste, but I was given the book by some one who assumed I would not be able to read it. When I not only read it, but thoroughly enjoyed it I think it kinda spoilt their fun! It is a vast book that covers so many decades and events, but without losing the intimate and the ordinary in the telling.

Day 7 Most under rated book I am going to say 'Earthly Powers' by Anthony Burgess. In his writing prime, Burgess was highly rated (Clockwork Orange etc), but I have always felt that this particular book passed by without much fanfare. I may be wrong, but I am yet to meet someone who has actually read it! It is the interwoven story of the lives of two families, as mainly seen through the eyes of the central character Kenneth Toomey. It begins just prior to the First World War, and travels many a path to bring us up to the 1980's.

I'm not sure that we can be too certain of this.

Janet, I found it and put it back! Still no reading taking place, but I think I understand why now and am taking measures to get my mojo home and a'working.

Day 6 A book that makes you sad I think I will go with 'The Time Traveler's Wife' by Audrey Niffenegger for this spot. Although I have sympathy for the main character of Henry, it is Clare that takes my heart in this book. She is cast adrift through her love for him, and remains constant and true throughout. This is fictional love where longing and angst are the mainstay, but I found my heart aching for Clare at times, and the closing pages still brings tears to my eyes when I consider the years of missing she has endured.

Jeffrey Deaver is a great author, and his Lincoln Rhyme series (starting with 'The Bone Collector) is brilliant. LIsa Gardner, Karin Slaughter and the first 12 Scarpetta books by Patricia Cornwell are also worth investigating. All of them have written series which is great if you like their style. Carol O'Connell is a favourite author of mine, and her Mallory series as well as her two stand alone novels are worth a read. Young Adult series by Suzanne Collin's 'unger Games'trilogy is gripping from start to finish, and Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments series is an enjoyable set from the supernatural side of things.

What kind of parameters Katrina? You say it's for your Historian's Craft Class, but what areas / periods does that cover?

Well folks? What's the verdict regardng this series so far, now that we have entered the 'mid season break'? Complicated for sure, it will take some good story telling to make sure there are no loose ends to the threads that have been woven to date. I have enjoyed the series, and watching last night's episode with my 10 year old great-nephew was fab with us turning to eah other every few minutes and saying "Ooh look there's a - - - -, and he's/she's on the doctor's side" etc. Not all the questions I have asked in my head have been answered, but that's probably just as well. And I'm not sure what I think of this break business. Tut!

Day 5 ~ A book that makes you happy I pondered this for a while, and came up with quite a few books, but I narrowed it down to two. Marge Piercy's 'Gone To Soldiers' is my first choice. It's a curious one because it is a complex and harrowing read at times, but has always left me with a sense of the stength of the female spirit no matter the trials and tribulations one is put through. Happiness comes from within, and I think this book ewminds my sense of contentment (and discontent) that all will be well. My second is Eva Ibbotson's 'The Great Ghost Rescue'. Yes, it's a children's story, but well paced with lovely characters and a great conclusion. This is a book that showed me that I wasn't an ineffective child, that I could have a voice in the world if I so chose, and that I could make a difference. Not bad for a short book with whacky characters!

How extraordinary that you felt that way, as I'm the same with Silas. All the others I have a certain image, but Silas is almost hidden from view in my mind with his personality exuding larger than his look.

4. Miss Lupescu is a Hound of God in the novel - in other words - she is a werewolf. What do you think of having a werewolf as a benevolent creature rather than a monster? I always thought of werewolves as people with problems, rather than beasties and monsters, so the benevolence of the character felt correct. I mean, the whole premise of the book is strange yet somehow it works. 5. I have always thought of vampires as scary beings, certainly not creatures that I would imagine as protectors - Twilight notwithstanding , however here an important character in Bod's life is Silas, the Vampire protector. What do you think of this grumpy, but charismatic being? I loved Silas, he is charasmatic and wise with a way of getting things sorted as required. He is written as a person of integrity and regard, but not as a father figure which I thinl works better for this story.

Ok Mona, I'll try and behave! Day 4 ~ Favourite book of favourite series 'Flight Of The Stone Angel' This was the first book from the series that I had read, and was in fact about four or five books in. It was this book that went a long way to explain why the main character was the way she was. Carol O'Connell is particularly good at depicting differences in people that make them a celebration of quirkiness, but additionally has an exceptional talent with her child characters. This story in particular transports you to each scene to the extrent that you are truly breathing the same air as the characters. From this book I became a devoted fan.

Day 2 ~ A book that you have read more than 3 times This was tricky as there are quite a few, so I will just have to name a few! Marge Piercy's 'Gone To Soldiers' Anthony Burgess's 'Earthly Powers' Carol O'Connell's 'Judas Child' Audrey Niffenegger's 'The Time Traveler's Wife' And this is aside from book series that I have run through a few times, such as Phillip Pullman's 'His Dark Materials', JK Rowling's 'Harry Potter and the...' Day 3 ~ Favourite series Another tricky one to answer with just one answer, especially in my favoured genre of crime fiction, but one series that kept popping back into my mind when I came to answer this one is Carol O'Connell's Mallory series of books. Carol O'Connell is an exceptional writer. Her characters are so well drawn it hurts, and the stories themselves are thrilling, intelligent and brought to a close with brilliant conclusions. Notable mentions; Jasper Fforde, Terry Pratchett, Peter Robinson, Manda Scott, Val McDermid, Jeffrey Deaver, James Clavell & Karin Slaughter.

I couldn't have expressed it better myself!

Day 01 ~ Best book you read last year I wasn't keeping note of last year's reading, but the stand out book for me was Sebastian Fitzek's 'Therapy'. A stunning, startling and unsettling rollercoaster of a read that thrilled me. I had no clue to as to what was going on through most of the book, but the writing kept me reading on with relish. This is the madness of fatherhood when a child is lost. Even a year later, the book still holds me.

OK, a slow mojo is making reading a bit tricky right now. I am quietly reading 'The Graveyard Book' by Neil Gaiman to refresh my mind on the story for the Reading Circle. Meanwhile, I will be 'doing' the list that Frankie has shared with us all. It's the first of the month, so what better day to start? 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 "

1. Is fantasy a genre that you feel comfortable reading? I find well written fantasy very easy to read, and can escape into it quickly and completely. 2. Is this the first Neil Gaiman book you are reading? This was the first Neil Gaiman book that I had read, I thought it was so quirky and descriptive that I knew I would have to read more by him. I have since read 'Neverwhere', and have 'American Gods', 'Anansi Boys' & 'Good Omens' on the shelf waiting to be read. In fact my big brother bought me 'American Gods' and has been harrassing me about reading it! 3. What made you read this book? What did you think of this story? I had heard so many good things about Neil Gaiman, so when I saw this title in a charity shop I bought it without hesitation. I love the story. It is dark and macabre at times, but remains character centred throughout. At first read I was able to quickly form an impression of the various characters, and could invisage each scene in such detail due to the quality of the writing.