BookBee8

You're making me wanna read the series again!! I hope you enjoy Checkmate. It made me cry. All the first three did.

Argh, I know that feeling when you just want to read but you have to be somewhere else! Luckily, I managed to read the last one, Double Cross, in a day at the weekend so it didn't interfere with anything . I personally like the first one the best but the other three (or four in my case) are all so good. I'm so excited that so many people are going to read them. Oh my days!! I almost forgot!! I was in Specsavers today and there was this woman on the phone. She was talking really loudly and so I couldn't help but overhear most of what she was saying. She mentioned Noughts & Crosses and was mostly talking about theatre and agents. I figured she was a theatre actress of some sort. Turns out, she played Minerva (Sephy's sister) in the official play production of Noughts & Crosses! How cool is that.

Good! It's worth it, hehe.

Thanks . I'll go into town on Saturday and buy one!

We're having a Dominos to celebrate my boyfriend getting a good grade in an assignment (any excuse!)

I hope you enjoy it here!

I was looking for a magazine to get me started but couldn't find one in my local newsagents. I'm going to keep looking though!

Aw Thanks you guys! Lexie, you should get it! It's a very short book and could easily be read in one session, hehe. Roxi, I hope you enjoy it when you get around to reading it, I'll be interested to know your thoughts on it.

You have no idea how glad I am that you joined this forum! I've been all alone with my love for this series. Now we can recommend it together!

Sorry everyone!

Do I even need to answer this? (Noughtsandcrossesnoughtsandcrossesnoughtsandcrosses...)

I wasn't overly impressed with Midnight Sun. I know it was only a draft but I didn't like the idea at all really. I didn't like knowing Edward's every thought.

8. THE READER - BERNHARD SCHLINK (15.02.09-18.02.09) For 15-year-old Michael Berg, a chance meeting with an older woman leads to far more than he ever imagined. The woman in question is Hanna, and before long they embark on a passionate, clandestine love affair which leaves Michael both euphoric and confused. For Hanna is not all she seems. Years later, as a law student observing a trial in Germany, Michael is shocked to realize that the person in the dock is Hanna. The woman he had loved is a criminal. Much about her behaviour during the trial does not make sense. But then suddenly, and terribly, it does - Hanna is not only obliged to answer for a horrible crime, she is also desperately concealing an even deeper secret. The Reader is a relatively short novel that tells the story of Michael Berg and his experience with an older woman that hides a deep, dark secret. The book is divided into three significant sections; firstly Michael at fifteen in the summer when the affair took place, secondly Michael as a student during the trial and finally, the years following the trial. The book reads like an autobiography (I later found out that the novel is partially autobiographical) as for the most part, it switches between living the moment and in hindsight, looking back on it. To add to this, the chapters are all very short and feel like snippets of meaningful memories. These chapters often began with key plot points which were then elaborated on in the pages that followed. In other novels, this tactic would not have worked but for The Reader it added to the feel of the story and seemed appropriate. Despite the novel having three parts, the novel seems split into two by the distinct change in the writing style after Michael discovers the truth about Hanna. The contrast is very noticeable. The Reader is ultimately a novel about the aftermath of the Holocaust and the inevitable ripple effect that it caused. However, The Reader cannot be defined by any set genre as it crosses over many. An element of complex romance mixed with the examination of post war Germany has led to a gripping read. The horrors of the past was analysed by both the characters and the author, with the students involved in the trial condemning the older generation for both their actions and lack of action. The novel poses endless questions for the reader to consider. This starts from the very beginning with the introduction to Hanna Smitz. Her motives are immediately questioned by the reader. Michael is drawn to her despite the age gap and this leads to life changing consequences. The story of their affair is written in a way that is very easy to read. However, the second half of the book provides a deeper exploration of Michael's character. This is inevitably harder to read - not only because of his inner turmoil - but also due to the area being discussed. As the reader, it's easy to empathise with Michael's conflicted emotions towards Hanna. A quote: "I wanted simultaneously to understand Hanna's crime and to condemn it. But it was too terrible for that. When I tried to understand it, I had the feeling I was failing to condemn it as it must be condemned. When I condemned it as it must be condemned, there was no room for understanding" Page 156. I had a hard time picking critcisms with The Reader. This was not because it was a perfect read, but due to the nature and subject of it. The impact of the novel may overul any minor negatives for some. One critque I had was that for over fifty pages, it felt like I was waiting for the story to begin. However, in hindsight, that seems insignifcant. The blurb suggests that Hanna's hiding an even deeper secret than the crimes she commited. A secret that she is deeply ashamed of. However, the secret is not as huge as the blurb makes out. Although, it does link with several plot points. The Reader is an intense book that is morally complex. The term 'thought provoking' tends to be over used by me but it is exactly fitting for this novel; it leaves the reader with a lot to think about. It's both moving and powerful with a depth that is endless. It's definitley a book I would recommend to all. 8/10 I watched the movie adaptation and was hugely impressed. They stayed loyal to the book and the actors were superb. Kate Winslet's portayal of Hanna was spot on, she played it perfectly. David Kross, who played the young Michael, was fantastic and managed to convey his inner turmoil amazingly.

Oooh, I love these. I like the fourth (I think) one along with the unusual bookmarks. I don't understand how those hook ones work though? Very pretty

Hi Bee, I'm BookBee! Let's hope they don't get us confused. Welcome to the forum!

I didn't think much to either of them to be honest. They're both a bit far fetched (as all of hers are) and average reads. Nothing special but worth a read if you're a fan of hers. I second this. If you can get cope with the format (it's all letters, emails and postcards etc) then this is an enjoyable read.

I read these last year. Have you read her others?

I haven't read The Guardian. I tend to find his books quite 'nice'. I don't think I could ever class them as favourites but I do enjoy them. I liked A Walk To Remember and I've read At First Sight too which was very sad. I'm really looking forward to A Swift Pure Cry and I've heard so many good things about To Kill A Mockingbird that I can't help but expect a lot from that one too.

Haha, that's why I didn't like New Moon. Far too much Jacob for my liking. I thought it was too slow paced as well. Exactly, after following a series through, you kinda want that perfect ending. You'll have to let me know what you think when you finish it!

That's the second person to recommend The Rescue. I usually enjoy his books so I think I'll read it soon (ish!), have you read any others by him? Which ones are on your list?

Wow, I'm glad to hear someone say positive things about Breaking Dawn! I prefer it to New Moon but others seem to dislike Breaking Dawn quite a lot.

I can read in the car, I do get headaches but it's not too bad. I can't read outside very well though and definitely not on the beach.

Exactly what I was going to ask .

I've had Bookends on my TBR for so long! I'm glad you say you enjoyed it though, it sounds like the perfect holiday read!