Chrissy

I adored Phillip Pullman's Dark Materials Trilogy, and have read them all a number of times. Another favourite has been the Septimus Heap series by Angie Sage - they are fab! And Terry Pratchett? He gets a thumbs up everytime from me!

How many 'justs' can I include in one reply? Sorry!

I think there can be a snobbery about reading, but proper readers, (who do it just for the joy) just don't care - we are just open to new reading experiences!

oooh, interesting proposal with Mr Bolam, but I think not. However much I love JB, he would not be Banks for me. The phroar factor that Alan Banks needs just isn't there! I reckon he would have to be northern, but not specifically Yorkshire! I have read pretty much all of Peter Robinsons books, and I think he is fantastic, I envy you reading them for the first time! Enjoy!

Sara Paretsky - V.I. Warshawski Carol O'Connell - Mallory Manda Scott - Kellen Stewart Peter Robinson - Alan Banks Lisa Gardner - Pierce Quincy & Rainie Connor Barbara Nadel - Cetin Ikmen These are just the ones off the top of my head, although I will have to slip in...... Dorothy L Sayers - Lord Peter Wimsey & Harriet Vane (later Lady Peter!)

I adored Midnight's Children, all I could say when I finished it was "Wow" I love the Moor's Last Sigh, and could really recommend Haroun and the Sea of Stories.

I am also a fan of James Clavell, and I would definitely recommend that you read them in their timeline order, you'll get more from them that way! Two further books I'd go for are Escape, a 'tangent' novel from Whirlwind, and The Children's Story - this last one not from his Asia Series, but still worth reading! Tai Pan was made into a film with Bryan Brown, Shogun was beautifully made with Richard Chamberlain, and I recently discovered Noble House with Pierce Brosnan. I hope you enjoy them all!