Nollaig

LMAO!! Oh that made me laugh. Never heard that one before.

You'll love it

Alice Ferney Angelina’s children (1997) Genre: Fiction Synopsis: 'Few gypsies want to be seen as poor, although many are. Such was the case with old Angelina's sons, who possessed nothing other than their caravan and their gypsy blood. And, like their mother, they spat upon the very thought that they might be pitied.' So begins the story of a tribe exiled, outlawed and ostracized by society. Esther, a young librarian from the town, wants to teach Angelina's grandchildren to read. She runs into a wall of suspicion but eventually manages to tame the children and gain Angelina's confidence. Dealing with the widow's five sons is another matter. General Ramble: I read this book upon recommendation and as part of my Around The World Challenge. I have to admit it’s not the sort of thing I would have picked up otherwise – but I’m glad that I did. This book draws you into a world many of us are well aware of, but perhaps don’t really know anything about. It excludes the outside world and we spend the duration of the book within a Gypsy microcosm. A mostly unbiased narration allows the reader to determine for his/herself where their sympathies lie – but I think it’s safe to say most readers will come round to the perspective of the Gypsies. It is credited as being ‘A beautifully feminine and fertile book’ which is certainly the case. Although the narration is third person, it’s easy to feel the story swaying more towards the Gypsy women and their view both of life and their men. A short, powerful read with realities which linger even when the covers are closed. Rating: 8/10 *************************** Postcards to the usual address (Full Ramble On My Blog) All comments welcome of course! Thanks for reading!

That doesn't sound like much. I can just imagine reading about 30 DS pages and finding I'm only 8 pages through the book or something I wouldn't like that at all.

How can you NOT have a TBR pile?

I have more than 20 waiting to be read.

I'm currently re-arranging funds so as to afford Dorian Gray. Want. Must have. x_x

A collection would be nice, but I wouldn't spend €180 buying 6 books when I'd only ever want one of them. The others are irrelevant to me - Oscar Wilde to me is the kind of classy dude who deserves to be the one beautiful leather bound gem among 50 ordinary paperbacks. It's one of my all-time favourite stories - and I think everybody knows about my fondness for Wilde's way with words!

Uh yeah, totally. I think I might have to start doing the lottery. I don't even want the others, I just want Dorian Gray.

Oh lord. They have "The Picture Of Dorian Gray". Nearly €30. *cries* Why can't I be rich/NOT a student?

I notice you're reading Ironside by Holly Black - I'm curious to know what you think? I haven't read it, but I've read Tithe and Valiant. I thought Tithe was poorly written but a great concept, and I actually thoroughly enjoyed Valiant - much better characters, much more carefully executed and works well as a stand alone novel. I've been put off reading Ironside simply because it returns to the arena of Tithe, and I couldn't stand those characters at all.

Meant to get to this last night and got distracted: I agree with everything you said, BookBee. It's a great read but it kinda loses track of itself. Glad you enjoyed it though!! And great review btw, do you write a bookblog at all? You should.

Oh I'm sure we can, whose gonna stop us once the challenge is over? Once you read your assigned book first. Though I have to admit nothing is jumping out at me

Oh it's adoreable!! You see these driverless cars driving madly around, reversing under things, one is wedged on its side in a tiny space, another drives off a ramp to hide in a rubbish bin, it's soooo funny!

We've eight people now... should get two more and round it up to then, that'd be a good number right?? You should pick one Purple Poppy! Edit: Or that.

I'd love a leather bound book but it would get so lonely among all my jealous second hand paperbacks

I don't see the basis for comparison, to be honest. Are they similar in any way, other than being hyped up kids books you either love or love-to-hate? (None of which has anything to do with the story/structure, or, thus, the basis for comparison.)

Inkheart IS brilliant. I have the next, but have never gotten too far into it, so I'm going re-reading it this year when I'm dedicating more time to books. I think Inkheart is a little drawn out, but I think that if that's the only factor readers are left considering at the end, then they've missed the entire point, and heart, of the story. Also I would note the point I made in my ramble, LOTR is 'drawn out'. Inkheart is not what I would call 'drawn out.'

Favourite genres: Fantasy/Sci-Fi, Horror, Young Adult. Favourite authors: No favourite authors, but the authors of favourite books include: Phillip Pullman, Cornelia Funke, Oscar Wilde, the Brontes, Linda Newbery, Celia Friedman, James Herbert. Basically, anyone from the above mentioned genres. Book recommended to be read: "A Certain Slant Of Light" - Laura Whitcomb In the class of the high school English teacher she has been haunting, Helen feels them: for the first time in 130 years, human eyes are looking at her. They belong to a boy, a boy who has not seemed remarkable until now. And Helen

I'm a very odd reader. I like what most people hate. But I'll think about it, and maybe I'll get lumped with a recommendation I can get cheap in a charity shop? edit: Okay I have a suggestion, but it's sorta Young Adult-y, is that okay? It's one of the best unheard-of books I've read in years - and my ramble of it on here got a good reaction. If something more adulty is preferred, then I'll recommend my current reading instead, coz its great.

I like the car ad where all the cars play hide and seek. Its soooooooooooo cute.

I'd be interested, but I doubt I could afford to buy the book I was allocated and I have even less confidence in my ability to suggest a book.

Oh we're there alright. I read HP when it came out, so I was.... *checks wiki* about 9 going on 10. I read it, told my mum not to bother bringing me anything else by that author, and to call me when it got turned into a movie. She laughed, but only til the movie came out.

I actually resorted to chicken burgers tonight. I couldn't be bothered going to the shop to get proper chicken.

Not as hard as 99% of the human race, dear, trust me.