chrysalis_stage

Hey there fellow book lovers, As some of you may know I signed up to take part in the 'UK Three Peaks Challenge' in September, which is to climb the 3 highest peaks in the UK in 24 hours, that includes climbing and travelling to locations. The first peak to climb is Ben Nevis is Scotland, then onto Scafel Pike in England (climbing in the dark!) and finally Snowdon in Wales. I am very excited but also nervous about this task and would appreciate any support you are willing to provide whether that be a donation/sponsor money or tips from people who have tackled these peaks before singularly or in 24 hours. I have signed up to do this for my own personal goal as well as in order to raise money for the charity Mind. Mind is such an important charity, it affects us all, we all know people suffering from mental distress whether that be a family member, friend or even yourself. Mind is there to care, educate and encourage good mental health. I personally know of many people affected by mental health problems, short term and long term but I am doing this challenge in memory of my Uncle John who took his own life in 2008. I believe Mind is a much needed charity as mental health is still such an taboo subject, they need all the help they can get in order to help us in return. Anyone that would like to know more about Mind here is the '[/url]So I ask all the generous souls out there to help me raise £500 for Mind, £400 needs to be raised by the 1st of July. Pennies or pounds, whatever you can afford, it all makes a difference and thank you for taking the time to read this. Sponsor me online by going to If anyone would like to sponsor me but is not a fan of using an online system they may contact me for my address. People not a resident of the UK may also sponsor me, their donation will just be processed in GBP. I would like to also say a big thank you to Michelle and Roland Butter who have both kindly sponsored me already, much appreciated!

Prince of Persia & Centurion

Oh I have that on my tbr list, looks like a great read, looking forward to it. Currently reading Soulless by Gail Carriger and started The Ancestor's Tale by Richard Dawkins on friday - love it!

Oh new territory is always fun, Kidsmum, good to hear you have this ready to read, I hope you love it and maybe end up reading other books of Mieville's, he is a rare writer

I use goodreads - slightly addicted to it.

Hey chesilbeach, I read Nature's Numbers in April and it is an interesting read. I hope you enjoy it! I happen to work in the same building as Prof. Stewart at the moment. Have his latest book to read, Mathematics of Life, which I hope is better. Good to hear, I have Game of Thrones ready to begin, my personal plan is to start it after seeing the 10th episode. Currently making my way through a few books, focusing on Soulless by Gail Carriger, a light, humorous read.

H. G. Wells - The Island of Dr Moreau - 176 pgs Synopsis: Adrift in a dinghy, Edward Prendick, the single survivor from the good ship Lady Vain, is rescued by a vessel carrying a profoundly unusual cargo – a menagerie of savage animals. Tended to recovery by their keeper Montgomery, who gives him dark medicine that tastes of blood, Prendick soon finds himself stranded upon an uncharted island in the Pacific with his rescuer and the beasts. Here, he meets Montgomery’s master, the sinister Dr. Moreau – a brilliant scientist whose notorious experiments in vivisection have caused him to abandon the civilised world. It soon becomes clear he has been developing these experiments – with truly horrific results. My random thoughts: Enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone but especially any biology students or people that work with animals. I was prepared to give this book a definite 4 stars but the final chapter 'The man alone' really touched me as did 'Doctor Moreau explains' so for those two chapters I give this book 5 stars. As the back of the book states 'A parable on Darwinian theory......a fascinating exploration of what it is to be human' that it sure is. A very thought provoking book which hopefully encourages every reader to look at other animals as our cousins not unreasonable beasts and to take a hard look at our power over other species. First published over 100 years ago in 1896 and still, maybe even more, relevant today, a total classic, I wish I'd read this sooner. Seeing as the story itself is barely over 100 pages, everyone should read this!

China Mieville - Kraken - 481 pgs Synopsis: Deep in the research wing of the Natural History Museum is a prize specimen, something that comes along much less often than once in a lifetime: a perfect, and perfectly preserved, giant squid. But what does it mean when the creature suddenly and impossibly disappears? For curator Billy Harrow it's the start of a headlong pitch into a London of warring cults, surreal magic, apostates and assassins. It might just be that the creature he's been preserving is more than a biological rarity: there are those who are sure it's a god. A god that someone is hoping will end the world. My random thoughts: Packed with fantastic ideas and thought-provoking elements. There were moments I wanted more description (I felt the same reading perdido street station) and wondered where the story was heading but I am in awe of Mieville's imagination, I love it, he makes me want more from him. His style of writing with new or unused words is always refreshing and challenging which I totally enjoy. Loved the idea of Wati's character, Collingswood's chavy style did irritate me at times although I enjoyed her witty remarks. I liked the character of Marge, she felt like me as a reader, delving into the unknown, more so than Billy. Even the 'bad guys' were brilliant, Goss & Subby and Tattoo brought horrific but great imagery. I will definitely need to re-read this book, it is jam-packed with imaginative scenes, many paralleling problems in our society. Random comment: The kraken cult's location beneath the church always reminded me of Midian and the Nightbreed in Cabal by Clive Barker. As much as I enjoyed it, I do prefer the bas lag books but overall I would recommend it, it is the most humorous book of Mieville's I have read so far with many references to British pop culture. This book won't be everyone's cup of tea, but it is definitely worth a look to see if it is! I was personally hooked as soon as the natural history museum was mentioned, although only really used as a locale at the beginning and the end of the book.

Planet terror

The weirdness is so loveable, even the horror aspects and the humour is spot on. Kraken is like a big olde tease though, it is packed full of such imaginative side characters and anecdotes with many not developed further than a mention and I found myself gagging for more description as they are so interesting. Mieville's imagination knows no bounds it seems, but I must say I do think I prefer the bas lag books, just because of the scale of the world building. It will definitely require another read to absorb everything and pick up things I missed as there is alot of fantastic elements to remember. As silly as it sounds I'm very happy to have China Mieville's books in my life!

Easily over 500, that includes some books I have counted as 1 when they are a bind up of roughly 3 books, large textbooks and I haven't counted all the books I have kept from my childhood, (on one bookshelf and in a large box under my double bed) I only have three bookcases atm, with a total of 15 shelves but only 11-12 of them are full of books. Going through my shelves just reminds me of the books I want and don't own yet, it puts me in a greedy hoarding mood. I must read the books I own and haven't read yet though before I purchase more, some I could easily get rid of to make space for others in the future....thats what they all say

Good to hear It is a bit nippy, fingers crossed it is better tomorrow. All great reads Kylie, I wasn't too keen on Beloved when I started it but it developed nicely and I am now 'enjoying' it.

Hope you enjoy 'The Greatest Show On Earth' bobblybear, it is a very good read imo. Wish it was nice here to sit out and read, it is very overcast and grey here in the West Midlands, UK I have under 100 pages left to read of Kraken by China Mieville and under 100 pages left of Beloved by Toni Morrison, I hope to have both finished by next weekend. Also reading Haruki Murakami's Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman on and off; some great stories, others a little confusing but all good. Making way through Wormwood Forest: A Natural History of Chernobyl by Mary Mycio which is very interesting!

Norwegian Wood - was intense!

I have had seeking whom he may devour on my bookshelf for so many years and started it many a time but not finished it, never heard anyone mention it before tbh, one day I'll finish it. I wasn't aware that it was part of a series?

`I popped into Poundland the other day and came out with 3 books so £3 for 3 hardbacks, Fen Runners by John Gordon Tender Morsels by Marco Lanagan The Swan thieves by Elizabeth Kostova

I'd read they were filming or planning it a while back, have they said when it will be roughly, what season.....spring hopefully! I suppose if it is coming soon that usually means very soon, well when the adverts say coming soon they do...can't wait, but also nervous, hope they do it justice! I can't lie I will be annoyed at anyone who watches it and thinks they know the story without having read the book before or after.

I picked the book up from tesco last night

I shal be watching BBC2 tonight from half 7 onwards as it is dedicated to 'World Book Night' for a few hours that's after a jaunt to Warwick Uni Arts Centre to see if I can pick up a free book. I always prefered The Book Show on Sky Arts over The TV Book Club on More 4 which more often than not bored me to death which always felt awkward watching, probably due to the multiple presenters.

Have you read The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks? It is apparently on par with American Psycho. Also 'The Cannibal Within by Mark Mirabello