Scarlette

Agreed. One of my favourite things about Edward is that he's so protective and respectful of Bella - delightfully old-fashioned. Now, that is interesting. I'm not convinced, either, though... This article reminds me of another I read about Edward and Bella's "unhealthy" relationship. Apparently Bella is too obsessed, dependent on Edward. But then, aren't all teenage girls somewhat like that with their first boyfriends? I don't know, because my first boyfriend only came after my hormonal teenage years - thank heaven! But I digress... I think people need to realize that teenagers are in fact entirely capable of telling fantasy from reality. Twilight is pure fantasy. I doubt any teenagers are going to turn to Mormonism after reading that novel. Neither will they start looking for a beautiful pale boy to have an obsessive relationship with.

Terry Pratchett. He's pictured wearing a very nice hat inside the cover of some of the Discworld novels - and a good hat makes a good man . Also, he's very funny in a very sarcastic way and that's something my wicked sense of humour can appreciate.

Authors' pictures are almost always a surprise to me. It's interesting to see a smiling, happy face pictured on the back of a quite serious novel and a moody face on a light hearted read - which does happen sometimes. Also, their ages sometimes surprise me as I often picture them older/younger than they really are, according to their style of writing.

Interesting and varied views. I'm pondering something else, now... Could it be all in the writing? Perhaps some authors are simply more talented at writing about disturbing things? Another thought: Something written is only as upsetting as the images your own mind can conjure. But I find that sometimes authors leave very little to the imagination when it comes to violence.

Welcome to the forum!

I'm interested in others' opinions, since I'm in two minds about violence/gore in novels, myself. Give me a war story and I'll devour it and while the violence may bother/disgust/upset me, I will feel that in that particular setting it is realistic and expected. The same with crime novels. On the other hand, however, I often shy away from, say, horror novels with the potential to be gory, since I'll most certainly find them upsetting and feel that said gore was written simply to try and be... well, gross. So, opinions. Are oozing corpses and lost limbs more acceptable in certain genres/storylines than others or do you prefer avoiding it entirely?

I take a look at the title (since that's usually the only thing you can see without taking the book of the shelf), then the cover, and then the synopsis. Usually if I feel satisfied then, I'll buy it. I very rarely take a peek inside. And if it's a book by a favourite author I don't even do that much.

I've read them. I don't really remember them, though, but I read them years and years ago. I think I'd like to read them again.

I thought my mind was playing tricks on me or that I perhaps missed it, but you're right and I noticed it, too... I can't recall if it's mentioned later on... hmm... *thinks*

Hello! I don't really know any German - I don't speak it anyway - but I think my first language (Afrikaans) is quite the same as German, so I'll say Welkom!

I've read that divorce letter joke, before, but it's no less hillarious the second time around!

Ooooh, I want to tell you, I want to tell you! *restrains herself* But, I won't do that and spoil the fun of finding out for yourself. I absolutely loved this book. It's one of the best and most intriguing I've ever read. I should reread it sometime.

This book has such a gorgeous cover - the one I saw did, anyway - and I do so love the Victorian Era.... But if it's too gory I don't think I'll enjoy it... What to do, what to do...

Lestat can beat all the other vampires with his hands tied behind his back whilst jumping on a pogo stick...

Contemporary fiction, crime, horror and historical fiction. These are the genres I prefer in general. I couldn't choose just one, I have two many books that I've enjoyed from all those genres. I'm giving classic fiction a try, now, and it's an interesting change from what I would usually read.

Hello Beth! Have some welcome cookies *hands cookie*

This sounds like a very interesting novel. I quite like stories set in wartimes (or postwar, even) and this one sounds like a fascinating read. The characters sound like my kind of people - I tend to be grumpy and indecisive at times.

I haven't had the chance to watch The Tudors, yet. Over here it airs on an additional TV channel, which I can't afford to pay for. Am seriously considering buying the box set DVD's, though... It looks to be a terrific series, anyway. I can never resist a dose of good old-fashioned royal scandal. By the way, Wilde Lily, I love your new avatar. It reminds me of the cover of a book I saw in the bookstore the other day. I think it was Grimm's Fairytales, published by Vintage.

People who have those instant messaging programs on their cellphones and insist on having a conversation with both you and the person on the messenger at the same time - only, they end up ignoring you mostly, because their eyes are glued to that little screen. Now that bugs me. It's terribly rude, also.

I thought it might somehow impact her

I didn't feel like serious literature today, so I reread Twilight and something caught my eye... Whatever happened to Bella's fear of blood? It was mentioned in Twilight, but not again? Or is my memory misleading me... Hmm... should I have put that in spoiler tags? Or no... since that bit of info doesn't really spoil anything...

I've always been fascinated with London, and I keep picking up this book in the bookstore, but never actually buying it. I think it's time I do. I can add it to The Pile.

Hello Suzanna! *waves*

I am such a horrid Johnny Depp/Tim Burton fangirl, so give me anything with either one of them involved and it will be my favourite film for eternity. I was slightly upset by The Hand that Rocks the Cradle, I cried like a baby when I watched Finding Nemo, and I think that Interview With the Vampire is possibly the best vampire film ever made. And that is my film preferences in a nut shell. Or a popcorn puff, for that matter.

I can't remember any dreams, but I had trouble going to sleep after reading The Historian before bedtime... Spooky... (isn't that ghost thingy cute?) I don't remember dreams about specific stories or characters, but I do often dream about buying books I've read or want to read.