Chrissy

Jasper Fforde'sThursday Next series, or his Nursery Crimes Division books I can definitely recommend as well written, up lifting, intelligent and humourous. For some reason Julian Rathbone is also coming to mind. I have read his 'Last English King', 'A Very English Agent'and 'Kings Of Albion'and enjoyed them very much as humourous and intelligent historical reads. Terry Pratchett's works I can also always recommend. Hope that helps to get you started.

Bizarrely as the second person to respond, I haven't read the Twilight series either! I recently read , and truly enjoyed the Cassandra Clare Mortal Instrument series (3 books to date); 'City Of Bones', 'City Of Ashes' and 'City Of Glass'. They are fast paced, really well described, there is the range of relationships from long term friends to new encounters and love. If you like a touch of the supernatural without it being overplayed, I can thoroughly recommend them. p.s. Welcome to the forum.

Christmas shopping ~ that's the problem! Can I ask the collective opinion of the deal between Aslan and the White Witch that allows her to claim Edmund in the way that she does? As a child, and my subsequent readings I just took it as a 'just is' type of situation. Now I am significamtly older, and have read it as part of the RC I am pondering this most than before. WW to Aslan, "You at least know the magic which the emperor put into Narnia at the very beginning. You know that every traitor belongs to me as my lawful prey and that for every treachery I have a right to kill." and more interestingly to me is Mr Beaver's comment, "Oh, said Mr Beaver. So that's how you came to imagine yourself a queen - because you were the the Emperor's hangman. I see."

Oh Katrina, I promise not to tell my husband that the idea for buying this book came from you.

Apollo 13. A well consructed movie.

Casual racism, and people who will use words in front of me that I have repeatedly asked them NOT to use.

I much prefer this to my expression of "accidentally on purpose".

That's probably as you haven't had some 'chat' time on here of late VF. It's great keeping up with our reading stuff, but the other, and at times, non consequential chit chat that takes place makes this a community rather than just a dry forum. Come chat with us if you get a chance, we'll soon stop you feeling like a stranger!

What authors or books are you interested in? Are there any particular genres you enjoy?

Who was your favourite character and why? It's between Aslan himself, or like Ooshie, Mr. Tumnus. Was there a particular part you enjoyed/disliked more than the rest? The Mr & Mrs Beaver scenes I love, as they bring a sense of normality (speaking beavers?!) to the proceedings. Was this the first book you've read in this genre/by this author, has it encouraged you to read more? I started with TL,TW&TW, but very quickly went on to read all the others in the Chronicles. Were there any parts/ideas you struggled with? None at all. Overall, was reading the book an enjoyable experience? I lived and breathed Narnia as a child, and have thoroughly enjoyed every reading since, so that's a big YES!

The thing that makes your search a bit tricky is that most fiction books have to propel a story. It would be difficult to name a book where nothing actually happens aside from the loving relationship. That doesn't mean that a loving and faithful relationship cannot be at the heart of the story, just that without challenges, events or occurences of some kind, be they minor or significant, the story would probably appear 'empty'. I will think about this some more, and come up with one or two titles that might be the kind of book you seek.

Thanks for the hugs Kylie. We have some great pics of the daft dog in the snow, and it really is great to have the memories and the photos.

I'm watching a highly emotionally charged episode of 'House'. Compelling stuff.

It's coming up to 2 months since we had our dog Cap put to sleep, and we have been doing ok'sh. We have been growing accustomed to his absence, but this snow has made us feel pretty sad. Cap turned into an overexcited puppy in the snow, despite any arthritis and heart murmur. Throw a ball, he would tunnel through loads of snow to find it, coming up all snow covered and grinning. He would literally leap about in the huge field that lies on the outskirts of our village, just diving in and out of snowdrifts for the sheer joy of it. I am thinking of him so much right now, the smiles mixed with the odd tear.

There are three threads that might offer you some inspiration for your Christmas wislist, The Book Award thread where some members have listed their favourites (and least favourites) of 2010. The One Book thread, where members have posted the one book they would give/recommend if they coud only choose one. Finally there is the One Year Left thread that asks what books you would read if you had one year left to live. I hope they help. I have had a terrible reading year this year, with my reading mojo being absent for most of it, so I can only properly recommend a few books; Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments books ~ 'City Of Bones', 'City Of Ashes' and 'City Of Glass' a great Young Adult supernatural story. Simon Fitzek's 'Therapy' is probably my wow book of the year ~ I loved it's brilliant and taut plot and the ending was stunning.

Tricky one to answer, but how about you name some books, genres or authors that you have enjoyed and we can take it from there!

I really don't know what to make of your first post here on the forum. Why are you asking such a specific and detailed question? Is this an interest of yours? an investment? Research for study? I really cannot tell.

Hello Cayleb, and welcome to the forum.

That looks more than yummy, but I cannot think of a word for it....maybe Yummilicious! If thiis is a result f your return to baking, then all I can say is that you never should have stopped!

The Gilmore Girls has just started it's cycle again on E4, daily mid morning 'ish. It's definitely in it's first season.

I think more details are needed if a title is to be found. You wouldn't believe the number of crime fiction books that have sisters in!

I can't imagine the horror for the families.

I have recently read and really enjoyed the Cassandra YA Clare Mortal Instruments Books ~ 'City Of Bones', 'City Of Ashes', 'City Of Glass'. I can thoroughly recommend them as inventive and well depicted.

A really nice cup of tea.

Mayo mostly! Paperclips OR staples?