Fruska

After starting this book in February and after picking it up...putting it down several times I finally finished it last night. Incredible book. Yes it felt like a mammoth task to pick it up each time but as soon as I did I was there. Normally, I tend to skim the odd bits of books, but with this one I felt I had to read every single word properly as it was so intricate and you could so easily lose some brilliant nuances. I'm looking forward to the sequel although with some trepidation because I know that bit of history...

I think, for me, it the solving of a problem. Or perhaps bringing a sense of justice and morals to a world that is getting out of control. I love a good detective that cuts a lonely path through life in the pursuit of justice and the chance to make a difference. I love resolution but the stories that rattle around my head longest are the ones were they can't bring the criminal to justice. Admittedly that seems to happen more on t.v. and there are very few books that end like that.

I'm going to see this in August at the RSC with the guy in my avatar playing Lear. Really excited! I've seen the McKellan dvd and that was pretty fantastic, but there is nothing like seeing it live. I will be reading it after I've been to see it. My favourite Shakespeare play is Richard II, which I've seen twice now- Kevin Spacey at the Old Vic, and as part of the Histories cycle at the RSC two years ago. The RSC one is the best thing I've ever seen on stage!!! I love Shakespeare!

I did have a list of a few books when I posted on here and I thought I would mainly be told about the books I already had on my list. I was wrong! You've given me some great ideas. Would never have thought of Lady Chatterley!! I'll be looking up all your suggestions. Thank you!

Hi, I'm setting out on a journey as a fiction writer and the period I want to write about is World War One and its aftermath, up until the outbreak of the Second World War. I'm building a list of books to read for reseach, and to get a feel of the period. It was the 'Golden Age of crime writing' so I've read Christie, Sayers etc. I'm interested in fiction and non-fiction. A search on amazon for "World War One" only came up with books about about World War Two, which was annoying! Any suggestions would be very welcome!

And Then There Were None is one of my favourites as well! I've just read The Killings at Badger's Drift (Midsomer Murders) and absolutely loved it. My current favourite is Dark Fire by C.J. Sansom. I just love Shardlake...especially when I imagine him played by Branagh!!

I didn't fall in love with Shakespeare until after I'd finished my English degree, which is a bit of a shame! I think after I'd seen a few of the plays live I really began to see what all the fuss was about. Although I'd seen Ben Jonson and Marlowe plays the first Shakespeare I saw was Branagh's Richard III at the Crucible. It was brilliant and since then I've hardly been able to feed my live Shakespeare habit enough!! I go to the RSC whenever I can (hence my avatar) and my favourite play is now Richard II. I saw most of the Histories cycle at the RSC and it was one of the most amazing experiences ever. Wonderful speeches and vivid action (the French on trapezes!!) I'm steadily reading my way through all of Shakespeare's plays and this year I'm off to see King Lear, Romeo and Juliet, Antony and Cleaopatra, and, er, Le Morte D'Arthur.

I've recently been looking at a bit of more modern poetry. The most accessible one I've found is Simon Armitage. I read his modern translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight which I really enjoyed. I want his Book of Matches next, but you're right, modern poetry is expensive. Currently reading Andrew Motion's In The Blood, which is wonderful. It's the memoir of his childhood and although it is prose it feels like poetry, it is so beautifully written and I'm really encouraged to try his poetry next.

You can now get the David Tennant Hamlet on dvd. I saw it live and it was brilliant. Doesn't quite eclipse my love of the Branagh version though. Also Branagh's version of Much Ado About Nothing is wonderful! Michael Keaton as Dogberry is fab! Very funny and you can forgive some wooden acting in the lesser roles. A very interesting adaptation is Ian McKellan's Richard III. I also love the BBC adaptation of Coriolanus with Alan Howard. True, its a bit dated, but its well spoken.

I read that book last year and absolutely loved it. Some great stories. Love the one about the older guy who swore he could run 100m in a ridiculously fast time...and then did!

Don't be put off by its length, the pages will fly by. The BBC series was vastly superior to the film. The actors in the film were all a bit too pretty. Dobbin is so loveable, I just wanted to slap Amelia and I was cheering for Becky until...well, I won't spoil it!!

You can't go wrong with Oscar Wilde. I defy anyone to read The Happy Prince without sobbing loudly! The Importance of Being Earnest and An Ideal Husband are quite rightly hugely popular but Lady Windermere's Fan is my personal favourite...absolutely heartbreaking!

I'm always surprised that Gaskell is referred to as a 'cosy' author. North and South??? The harsh realities of life for a factory worker. Cranford?? Has anyone counted the number of deaths? The poverty and hardships so many of the characters face, but they do so with fortitude and dignified determination.

There is a version done by ITV with Charles Dance (I think) as Maxim. Can't remember who else was in it. It wasn't are brooding or gothic as the Hitchcock version.

Persuasion by Jane Austen, because I identify with Anne. To The Ends of the Earth by William Golding. Beautiful, sad, funny, everything I want a book to be I found in that trilogy and I never wanted it to end. Hamlet - I studied it at school and have never lost my fascination with it. Everything you ever felt in life is there, and whenever I'm searching for an answer that's where I find it.

I think Shakespeare's Richard III is a fab villain. Can't help myself falling under his spell every time I read/see it! Also Bradley Headstone in Our Mutual Friend, although you could say he was driven to his actions rather than setting out to be evil.

I agree with Brainfreeze, there are worse addictions! I'm a bookaholic too. Got to take some stuff to charity shop this afternoon...bet I come back with books!

I've got this one to read. Bought it when I read his first novel, Shopgirl. Shopgirl is far better than the film, and I found it surprising. I wasn't expecting such a moving book from a stand up comedian. I think I should now go and watch Roxanne!!

Bought a notebook at the weekend from Smiths to use as a book journal. Realised later they've misquoted Keats on the cover. Heigh ho! I've been scribbling my thoughs on Barchester Towers all weekend...you've unleashed a monster!

It is a lovely idea and I started one once, but after a few months my enthusiasm dwindled and it got put to one side. Really keen on starting again though. I do keep a quotes book and that really needs updating! I think you may have convinced me to start again!!

I read that last year and loved it. The relationship between Margueritte and Percy was engrossing, and the next book is on my Amazon wish list!

I normally give it 100 pages. I tend to find myself skim reading, and I reach a point where I haven't got a clue what's going on I've skimmed that much. It's then that I decide 'life's too short'!

Hello, I'm a bit of a newbie, so if I crash the etiquette please forgive and put me right! Lord Peter Wimsy (Sayers) for me! He's Bertie Wooster with a brain! Vane/Wimsy is one of the best romances ever! Also Inspector Alleyn (Marsh) I like them aristocratic obviously! Out of the modern ones Morse and Rebus. Fave on TV is Mrs Bradley but didn't like the books.

Soooo pleased to find I'm not alone...Catcher in the Rye and 1984 for me. Also, was really looking forward to The Historian and Glass Books of the Dream-Eaters and both were huge let down...flung them across the room in disgust after 50 pages!!

Like others here I love lists and spreadsheets. In my defence can I just say that I inherited quite a few books. My speadsheet showing the current TBR list stands at 575:blush:, and that is after I whittled a few out that I thought I wouldn't get round too. I'm amazed the ceiling isn't now the floor because they mostly in the loft! I'm working on read 4 buy 1 at the moment, and then I start browsing...