chesilbeach

Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris arrived at the library yesterday, so, of course, I couldn't resist picking it up and starting on it straight away! I couldn't stay awake long enough to finish it last night, but I've just finished it off this morning. Can't wait for the next one to arrive now! How right you were Charm, I've just got to know Quinn *sigh* I just hope he sticks around for a while

I think she gets a vague mention in the first book, just to say that she'd gone off the rails I think, but it's just a brief paragraph at most.

No, the two aren't related other than they're written by the same author. You can quite happily read them independently and in any order. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

'Marx has completely changed the way I view the world,' declared the Palli

I've been looking at A Fraction of the Whole by Steve Toltz every time I go into a bookshop, so I'd be interested to hear what you have to say about it.

I've just finished Cider With Roadies by Stuart Maconie. This is a memoir of Stuart growing up and the impact music had on his life, before making a career as a music journalist, while all the time giving us a whistle stop journey of the changing faces of British pop music. After I read his second book, Pies and Prejudice, I was convinced I would love his first book, because he has a distinctive style of writing that I love, and as with most people, music had a huge influence me during my teenage years. I was actually slightly worried during the first half of the book, because although I was still treated to the same humour and warmth for the subject, I wasn't enjoying it as much as I'd hoped. But then, suddenly, my first musical memories were reawakened, and I was slap bang in the middle of my childhood favourites, and I suddenly found the book I'd been dreaming of from the beginning. By the end, I was laughing out loud, nodding knowingly and eventually putting the book down with a contented sigh.

The Guardian newspaper have a feature where they get an author to pick their top 10 books on a particular subject (usually related to that authors latest book in some way), and I noticed today that the current top 10 is from Jeffrey Deaver, and knowing there are many fans over here, thought I'd let you know about, it in case anyone's interested. His top 10 is based on novels featuring computers or the internet - click here

I'm not sure I agree with you about Dumas treatment of women. I think the flaw with his characterisation for me, is that all the characters (not just the woman) tend to be one- or two-dimensional, in that I felt he describes their main positive and main negative aspect of their personality and then leaves it at that. I'm not sure I've exactly described what I mean here, so I hope it makes sense. But from that, with regards to the female characters, I feel as though he did try to cover a wide range of personalities, but is limited by the society at the time. My reading experience is a lot different from yours, Andy, because I have very little knowledge of this period of history, and most of it would come from watching entertainment films set in this era, which can't be a true reflection, no matter how well researched. However, my approach to the book was that it was primarily for entertainment, so I was happy to overlook any factual inaccuracies (if I even know about them). It was only after finishing the book that I found out it was originally written as a serialisation, which in retrospect, makes the format of the work more successful, in that it achieves enough action in each chapter, and if not always ending with a cliff hanger, at least leaving the reader wanting more.

I still intend to read Club Dead, but I don't think it really matters that I've read them out of order, even though I usually hate doing that. I have read Dead To The World and it's probably my favourite of the series so far - it might have something to do with Eric

Dead as a Doornail arrived at the library today, so picked it up this afternoon, and finished it early this evening! Just couldn't resist As I'm still waiting for Club Dead (which according to the library website has been "On Its Way" for a couple of weeks), I liked Dead as a Doornail because I learned much more about the werewolves and shape shifters. I did guess the identity of the sniper, but hadn't picked up the surprise at the end. I am loving Eric more and more, though, but I still have a soft spot for Sam.

I liked it too - I think it paints Bella in a better light as well, being able to see her viewed objectively.

I read this book with my reading group, and I was the only one who thoroughly enjoyed it. Most of the others were ambivalent, but I remember being unable to put it down. I loved the diary format, although it does tempt you to keep reading ("I'll just read one more day ..."). I've also read Restless which I liked even more, and keep meaning to pick up some more books by this author.

You Only Live Twice - Ian Fleming

Another couple of books for you to try are: Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner Babyville by Jane Green

I have to say, I didn't really think this series of Torchwood was that good. I was looking forward to a change of format, with a five-part story, but by the end, I felt it was overly long and padded, and didn't have the right tone for the series. The premise of the story was good, but I don't think it warranted five episodes, and I could have quite happily watched it as a much tighter two-part story in a full 13 episode series. I didn't think the dynamic of the team worked with just Jack, Gwen and Ianto, even if you take bringing in Rhys and Lois, it didn't work for me. Having said that, the direction was brilliant, from my favourite Doctor Who director, Euros Lyn. His style of framing and cinematography is always beautiful, and he always seems to make effective use of brevity and understatement in his work at some point. I did have my suspicions that this would signal the end of Torchwood in general, as I can't see the point of Russell T. Davies leaving Doctor Who but staying with Torchwood and Sarah Jane Adventures, so I think this is the end of Torchwood, and SJA will finish after the third series this autumn. I hope I'm wrong, but we'll have to see.

Well, I'm pleased to tell you that I really enjoyed Any Human Heart as well, Janet! After that, I also read Restless by the same author which was also very good. I keep meaning to look out some more of his books, but haven't got round to it yet.

I'm guessing the Australian tv coverage isn't anything like the UK, but here, all the channels are constantly reminding us of 2005 Ashes and have mostly conveniently forgotten the last series, but it does mean that I've had my memory jogged about it! Australia looked pretty good then after winning the first test, but England came back from that, so I wouldn't write us off just yet! Harmison back in the squad for Lord's - let's hope they pick him for the team. I think he worries the Aussie batsmen a bit, so it would be good to see him and Flintoff in the attack.

Fantastic effort by Anderson and Panesar to hold on to the last wicket to draw the match. Phew! I can relax now

Could I get any closer to the edge of my seat???? 4.4 overs to go ...

I think I'll read the second book, but will probably wait for it to come out in paperback first. I'm going to a reading the author is giving later in the week, so will be intrigued to hear him talk about the books, and find out if this is definitely going to be a trilogy and what he'll move onto afterwards.

I've set the recorder for the first episode on Friday (as I'll forget otherwise!), and can't wait to have a look at it, since I'm loving the books so far. Kell, I agree with you about the soulmates issue, but without having seen the tv series yet,

Even though my reservation for Club Dead is apparently on the way (according to the library website), and even though I usually go to great efforts to make sure I read books in a series in the right order, I couldn't resist reading Dead To The World, the fourth in the Sookie Stackhouse series last night, and it was just sat on the table next to me, begging to be read! These books are just great fun, and I don't think I care that I know the rough gist of what happened in book three, I'll still be happy to read it, and see how it plays out. Just off to reserve the next batch in the series from the library now (but I know when my book buying habit kicks off again in a couple of months, I'll definitely be adding these to my bookshelves, so I can read them again). A year ago, I wouldn't never have dreamt that I would be a fan of vampire books in a million years, but what with the Twilight saga and now Sookie, I can see me picking up Dracula and scouring the forums for other recommendations at this rate, so that I can sample the full range and breadth of vampire stories!

I read Grave Sight today, and although it was okay, it's not really my sort of book. I liked that there wasn't anything too graphic in the way of violence, but the reason I thought I'd try it was because I'd liked the Sookie Stackhouse books by the same author. I was hoping this have similar humour and mystery mixed in, but unfortunately, there wasn't much in the way of humour in it. I don't think I'll be reading any more of the Harper Connelly books, but will definitely be going back for some more Sookie!

Me too! Not only did I manage to escape Waterstone's without a purchase, but also an Oxfam bookshop as well. (Although I suspect it was only because they didn't have the books I wanted )