Chrissy

I haven't had nutella in years! Oh dear, I think you may have triggered a craving.

Some years ago I got a little worried that I could read books with really violent scenes in them, yet still say I enjoyed the book. After a lot of thought I came to understand that if the writing was good, with characters I could like/admire/hope for, and a story that leads from criminal act, through investigation / twists and turns, to finally arrive at a close with a resolution (arrest of or death of the perpetrator), then that is what I was seeking. However heinous the crime, in a s*t awful situation there will always be people who seek to catch/stop the baddie, who will go above and beyond to achieve that. I know the book I am reading is fiction, while I also know that there is little an author can come up with that hasn't taken place somewhere in the real world. The book is a'safe' representation of a wholly awful world. It's the conclusion, the closure, the resolution that I am looking for when I read them. I know! I had an image of Frankie with a bloodied axe slung over her shoulder thinking "Waddu I do now?"

How lovely to read that you are formally retired. Congratulations, and I hope you enjoy your new version of busy!

The violence that takes place in her novels is highly descriptive, but I found this one tougher to stomach. Violence against woman is fairly typical in her books, but this one is so raw and specifically against the women characters, both physically and psychologically, it made me flinch at times. I like Karin Slaughter's writing, and the way the story is structured worked well, and the characters are well drawn. Good, but harrowing stuff.

It is definitely a well written book - but ay curumba! I hope that she has lots of fluffy kittens around, and lots of ornamental unicorns on her shelves to counter the darkness! I hope you are referring to the author with this statement! if not.....nice Frankie....good Frankie.......

If you ever need a book sitter, then let me know. I am sitting here with a stupid grin on my face looking at all your books! It must have been so satisfying to organise them.

The only books I think may vaguely be something related are Terry Pratchett's Tiffany Aching series; The Wee Free Men, A Hat Full of Sky, Wintersmith, I shall Wear Midnight, and finally The Shepherd's Crown. Tiffany develops as a potential witch throughout the series, and she comes to realise what 'witching' is actually about, and what folk need to hear or see from their local witch in order for her to succeed. I will think on it some more, but I am not sure I will come up with anything closer to what you are looking for. Good luck looking though!

It has to be the right actor in the role - the gender really shouldn't matter. Any one making a big fuss prior to seeing her in the role is just daft! Since the Eleventh Doctor, in The Doctor's Wife casually mentioned his Time Lord mate, Corsair had been different genders seemed like a good hint that a female Doctor was on the cards. However it all turns out, it should be interesting viewing.

40) Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter Karin Slaughter has never shied away from being graphically descriptive when conveying in her books the inhuman way that some people can treat others, but I was not quite prepared for the very visceral and harrowing depictions of violence in this novel.There is no distance created between you and the victims via the usual medical examiner / police officer / witness. I was actually unable to read the book anywhere near bedtime, and kept to daylight and fully awake reading. This story of those left behind when the oldest of three sisters disappears is well written. We are many years down the line, and the paths that have been taken both then and now are shown in sympathetic detail. But you cannot relax, as this is a thriller with psychological and heart stopping twist and turns, desperately painful recollections and often a sense of utter hopelessness. It is not a book I could recommend, despite the writing and structure being to Karin Slaughter's usual high standard. It is a hard book to read, and will be difficult to forget. If you have read and enjoyed her previous books, and are thinking of this one, just know that she has descriptively stepped things up a notch with this stand alone novel. It is raw and ragged. You Have Been Warned! What the blazes do I read now?

Septimus Heap series by Angie Sage Tiffany Aching series by Terry Pratchett Gobbolino The Witches Cat by Ursula Williams Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis Charlotte's Web by EB WHite As I contemplate the list further I am sure I will have my usual "How could I have forgotten........?" moments.

I finished reorganising our bedroom cupboards and drawers, and I can now open my cupboard door properly! (it has been a while since I could!)

@Athena I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. It is very sweet, and I quickly developed a real fondness for the characters.

Would Ellis Peters Cadfael series work for your students?

That is wonderful news! I hope that your goddaughter is doing well now.

39) Time Travelling With A Hamster by Ross Welford The title tickled my reading fancy! I am so delighted that it did, else I may have missed this little gem. From Amazon This is a touching and well written story of a young boy attempting to navigate the heart aching waters of parental loss, hope and the eternal questions of what makes us who we are. The characters are beautifully drawn, and the text tugs you along gently through young Al's adventures. A lovely, warm and well balanced novel.

Here goes; Favourite and least favourite Harry Potter books? Prisoner of Azkaban is my favourite. Everything really kicks up a gear – there has been darkness and menace, but now it’s getting really serious, and from here things will only get darker and more intriguing. This is closely followed by The Goblet of Fire - which is harrowing to read at times. I cannot choose a least favourite, because they all bring something to the series, and combined present a whole. Favourite and least favourite Harry Potter movies? Prisoner of Azkaban – great actors, good action. Order of The Phoenix gets a big nod for the scenes at Ministry of Magic. The Philosophers Stone is a bit cheese and ham, so the one I am least likely to watch again. Which house do you think you would be sorted into? Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff. Which house did Pottermore sort you into? Ravenclaw Favourite and least favourite characters? This is so tricky, do I say Hermione, Luna or Mrs Weasley? I love all three. I will go with Luna who refuses to be anyone other than herself, and is beautifully honest with her thoughts and emotions. Least - Umbridge, and the pleasure she derived from her worst actions. Favourite and least favourite professors? Professor McGonagall. Throughout the series she is ‘there’ for her colleagues and the Order, but mostly it’s the students and Hogwarts. Her firm and decisive manner often disguises her inherent love of the students. Can I /should I say Snape as least favourite? Yes, I know it’s all complicated, and he is certainly brave being a double agent, but this doesn’t change what a bullying, nasty, sneering rigid man he was. His love for Lily doesn’t let him off the hook for any of it. He allowed himself to be drawn into the Death Eaters group and he passed on information that he knew would lead to murder, and he went out of his way to make Neville’s life miserable. Unlike Harry, Dumbledore didn’t have Neville’s back! I wonder what Neville thought of Harry naming one of his kids after the man that was shown to be the thing he was most afraid of. Perhaps the name of the one who stood by him all these years, the one who stood up to Voldy when all seemed lost, and who killed Nagini might have been a better choice for a child's second name. Yes I know…….rant over and moving on! What would your patronus be? Welsh Border collie – often intelligent, occasionally daft. Needs regular walks and is a tad neurotic (and yes, I am describing myself!) What would your wand be made of? Rowan with dragon heart string core. Favourite spell? Accio (until I can find a tea making spell). Favourite subject at Hogwarts? Charms Favourite thing/s about Hogwarts? All the places to discover/explore. What would your post-Hogwarts occupation be? Chronicler. Someone’s got to record the events that took place in the run up to the Battle of Hogwarts! Was anything left out of the movies that you really wanted to see? The scenes regarding Marvolo Gaunt and his children. I felt the hatred of muggles / creation of Horcrux aspects were not given enough emphasis. Was anything you would cut out (or down) in the movies? The scene where Harry kills Voldemort. The book was very clear that when all his magical defences were down (all the horcruxes destroyed) then he would be reduced to being just an ordinary talented wizard, and he could be defeated. The film made it an epic performance, with all the whooshing around and crumbling into dust. What it should have been was a wand battle with a final strike and the man falls dead, all the mystery and mythology of him stripped away in those final moments. Favourite shop in Diagon Alley? Ollivanders Favourite place in the wizarding world? Hagrid’s Hut and the Forbidden Forest.

Sunshine On Leith. A really good film musical that uses 14 songs from the Scottish band The Proclaimers. It is a touching film that surprised me with it's depth. More than once I got teary, and definitely more than once I was singing along!

I can second Mort! The Death novels are wonderful.

Hello Tychi, and welcome to the forum. The Shepherds Crown is the final book in a 5 book series about a character called Tiffany Aching. To get the most from the books I would read them in order, otherwise there will be too many bits that won't make much sense, A number of the characters appear in the main body of Terry Pratchett's Discworld series so these 5 books will give you a good 'flavour' of his writing, although they are probably considered young adult books. The books in order are; The Wee Free Men A Hat Full Of Sky Wintersmith I Shall Wear Midnight Shepherd's Crown I have read them and loved them, they mature as Tiffany herself matures, but I love the folklore feel to them, and the nuggets of of "i never thought of it like that!" that hit me fairly regularly. If you want to dive into the main Discworld books, there are a number of threads on the forum that look at the series. Perhaps have a wander around those may help you decide, Good luck!

@poppy Popsicle, they are lovely! I had to watch both, despite the 'spoiler'!

@Virginia I was hot and tired BEFORE I read that, and felt hotter and more tired once I had! Glad that the journeying went well. It's been silly hot here, so I have been doing everything slowly and calmly for the last few days, rather than my usual manic pace. I always get up early, which is lovely in this heat - the birds are singing merrily and the air is cool. < Here's a snowflake for anyone needing a break from the heat!

@Athena It makes COMPLETE sense. If I get an urge to re read a certain book there is a part of my brain that will say "Too soon, I remember everything" OR "I remember the story, but not the details - go ahead". This little head voice will decide for me. With films (unlike books) you cannot control the stream of input - there is a bombardment of information (story, dialogue, characters, scenes, etc). If I have enjoyed a film enough at first viewing I will go back to it at some stage to try and catch stuff I may have missed. I have found in the past 5 years that my reading ability goes through cycles, and I can get very wobbly. Reading and writing is so fundamental to who I believe myself to be that I have had to become philosophical about this, while also finding ways to manage things - so re reading serves a proper purpose in that regard. To have to deal with the competing desires/requirements of the autism and ADD must be exhausting, and I am blown away by the compromise you have found - just so brilliant!

38) Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine Gina Royal is the definition of average—a shy Midwestern housewife with a happy marriage and two adorable children. But when a car accident reveals her husband’s secret life, she must remake herself as the ultimate warrior mom. (taken from Amazon) Rachel Caine has written about Vampires, Zombies and Djinn, and I was curious to see what she would make of a thriller. This woman can write! I was hooked from the off, and found the book hard to put down, and impossible to not think of. It has only taken me a few days to make my way through to the end. A comparable author would be Linwood Barclay or Harlan Coben. Awash with tension, the book nudges and cajoles you to the edge, guessing every which way on route. This is apparently the first of a series - it better bloody be!

Don't you go making it sound saucy! I actually watched the Deathly Hallows Part Two movie on Sunday morning. I like some of the changes that were made in the film, although I think the final fight between Harry & Old Voldy is a little out of place. I understand the watch vs. read thing, although I re read quite often I can more 'easily', and more often re watch a film. It's the passive of movie watching against the active of book reading. That's my theory anyway!