chesilbeach

It was while she was lying in bed that Isabel Dalhousie, philosopher and editor of the Review of Applied Ethics, thought about the things we do. The Lost Art of Gratitude by Alexander McCall Smith

No, you're not alone Andrea. I was ambivalent about it, as I didn't find it particularly original, and just felt I'd read or seen it all before in other books and films. However, I can understand why people do love it, it just wasn't that great for me.

I've finally finished the review book I was reading, and decided to follow on with some light entertainment, so I started and finished Frostbitten by Kelley Armstrong today. A library book which I was the first person to borrow, so it was like having my own pristine hardback copy! It was fantastic to be back with the werewolves again, and I loved the new location, the new supernaturals and the new characters. It was a fun, thrilling read. I've also picked up The Lost Art of Gratitude by Alexander McCall Smith from the library today, very pleased that I got it so soon after publication, and I'm only the second person to borrow it, so it's in fantastic condition! As always with the new Isabel Dalhousie books, I can never resist starting it as soon as possible, and read the first three chapters this afternoon. I've also had my next two books for my book group since my last update, but I've already read one of them, so that leaves me with Keeping The World Away by Margaret Forster to put to the top of my TBR pile, along with the other book I borrowed from the library, a collection of short stories called The First Person by Ali Smith.

Started and finished Frostbitten by Kelley Armstrong today, picked up The Lost Art of Gratitude by Alexander McCall Smith from the library, and have read the first three chapters already

I read this a few years ago, Kylie, and I thought it was excellent, but I've never known anyone else who's read it, so I'll be interested to see what you think. My book activity today has been to make a start on Frostbitten by Kelley Armstrong, and I've already managed about 130 pages. After reading a weighty old tome for the past few weeks, it's great to be reading something lighter for pure entertainment!

Having read two Jodi Picoult books for my book group, I will never read another one of her books. I found them formulaic, artificially sentimental and the characters were wooden and unbelievable. Never again, I tell you, never again!

Hello!

Hi

Hello!

Personally, I would read them in order because although they tend to be very separate stories, there are a few threads from each book linking it to the story in one of the later books, and I read a few out of order and found out a few personal character storylines had been developed that I hadn't found out about, but they weren't the main plot of the books, just part of their personal story. It didn't spoil the book but when I read the earlier books, I sort of knew how certain characters stories would join or separate, so like I said, I'd read them in order if you can.

Mississipi Burning

There is nothing boring about your favourites Sue! I don't really know much about classical music, so every now and again, I treat myself to a new CD - just pick one out from a composer I don't have and see how I get on! It's been pretty good so far, but I've reverted to type and just bought a book to try and find out more My favourite composers at the moment are Chopin, Debussey, Mozart and Beethoven. I really like piano pieces, so I've been trying to find some more to add to that collection, and I think Rachmaninoff will fit the bill nicely, so that may be my next foray into the classical section I also like choral works, my favourites being William Byrd's Mass for 5 Voices, and words just fail me as to how good it is.

Another jazz fan here too (amongst other things!). For me, Harry Connick Jr was my introduction to jazz piano, but not all of his albums are jazz piano - he's branched out into other genres at times, and he sings as well, so go for the early recordings when he was a child/teenager for just piano pieces. Oscar Peterson is a absolute legend on piano, so he would definitely be worth looking into. If you don't mind a vocal accompaniment to the piano, one of my other favourites is Blossom Dearie who was unique but simply wonderful in my book, and Nina Simone is an incredible piano player as well. If you want something less traditional and more modern, you could try The Bad Plus, who are a trio who compose their own pieces as well as rework some modern pop/rock songs. My absolute favourite singers are Ella Fitzgerald, who is simply the best singer I've ever had the pleasure to listen to (the only thing that makes me wish I'd be born earlier so I could have heard her live), and Claire Martin who is stunning both recorded and live.

I've finally caught up with my backlog of podcasts. I feel so sorry for Lilian at the moment, but the real emotional heart of the story for me is Peggy and Jack - virtually every scene breaks my heart and I end up with tears in my eyes or rolling down my face. I've had to stop listening in the car!

I've never watched Black Books, but I love all the cast so it's one I think I'll probably get the box set of to watch now. It started last week (19/10/09) and is on every Monday night at 10pm on Dave.

I'm so glad you enjoyed Bitten, peacefield! I've loved the whole series, and I've got the latest one Frostbitten sat next to me on the coffee table, tempting me to start it, but I must finish my current book first, however, I do keep looking longingly to my left, itching to get going with it!

Hi Rachel

Eclipse is probably my favourite of all the books (although each time I read Twilight, I claim that's my favourite, then I read Eclipse again, and I change my mind again ), so I hope you enjoy it CW. I have to say, I was never that bothered about watching the film of Twilight, because I thought it could never match up to the book, but then I joined BCF and before I know it, I'm looking at the "What are you watching?" thread and all I can see is peacefield watching that film again, either with or without the commentary (mostly with), so I go hunting around and find all the Twilight threads. Then I'm sucked into buying the DVD to watch the film, and although I don't think it's better than the books, I did watch it every day for about three weeks, and now I'm considering taking the day off work to watch New Moon at the cinema during the day when there aren't any screaming teenagers around!

Hello!

Hello Jeni! Lots of us who've enjoyed the Twilight books and/or the Sookie Stackhouse books have also enjoyed the Women Of The Otherworld series by Kelley Armstrong, so that would be my first recommendation for you.

Great review of The Water Road willoyd, that sounds like exactly the sort of book my friend likes reading so that's one Christmas present for him sorted out then! (Of course, it's also the sort of book I like, so it's a double whammy of a gift )

Correct! Well done, Fi Over to you for the next one.

No, not Wayne's World, sorry.