Scarlette

I watched Juno, today for the first time. It was both amusing and heart wrenching. I was in tears midway through.

Bookjumper said what I wanted to say, only so much better. Besides that, reading gives me the kind of nourishing entertainment that television, films, video games never, ever will. I love living in a different world - a world of my own making, just as much as the writer's - for a while and getting to meet characters someone else brought into existence. Also, when you read a book, you get a most intimate glimpse of a stranger's thoughts and ideas. I've read quite a few books I had to literally close and put down for a while, because it I felt like I was peeking into someone's private world and seeing things that weren't meant for me. That's the kind of reading experience I'm constantly seeking.

I've never quite figured myself to be a lover of the fantasy genre - until I took a good look at my bookshelf and realized that at least half of my book collection contain at least some aspects of the genre or overlaps with it in some way. I guess I enjoy fantasy as long as it isn't too fantastical - although that statement requires an entirely separate explanation itself. I need to read something that has some basis in our real everyday lives.

I went to see Sherlock Holmes again, today.

I don't mind cracked spines - it's only embarrassing when they crack at particularly naughty bits and it seems like you've dwelled on those parts too long. I have many a cracked spined, moderately stained, dog-eared novel on my bookcase - and I myself caused said damage from reading and rereading and taking them everywhere with me. Like Bookjumper, I enjoy a browsing visit to the secondhand-store, but I prefer buying books in mint condition.

I'm having a mango again. I keep craving them! The woes of addiction...

I made Spaghetti Carbonara, tonight. Yum!

I have been reading The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett for ages now, and I'm giving serious thought to letting this one go and moving on to something else on my list, as I'm simply not enjoying it as much as the Discworld-novels I've read before. I love Rincewind, but this one is just a bit too much on the fantasy side for my tastes. EDIT: Alright, Colour of Magic has found a new home - I passed it on to my little sister, since she seemed to be interested. And I'm free to move on to more entertaining reads.

I've read a few more pages of The Colour of Magic, but I'm not enjoying this one as much as I did the others I've read in the series. The Death books are still my favourites, I think.

I watched the Simpsons Movie, today. I always get a kick out of their escapades.

Hello and welcome to the forum. The Lost Diaries of Arian Mole certainly is a very intriguing title - what do you think of it thus far?

Perhaps it's a matter of getting tired of seeing a book shoved into the limelight and kept there even after the novelty wears off?

I'm having a very nice and juicy mango. I'm trying to combat the heat by eating more fruit.

I agree with you, Fi. I think what I'm most afraid of is missing out on a great read. Which is why I'll try any book within my favourite genres, without paying attention to reviews, etc. I'm generally so out of tune with whatever is "in" at the moment, anyway, that it doesn't really affect me.

I've noticed a lot of comments along the lines of "I dislike/won't read so and so book because everyone else is reading it", etc. And I was wondering what everyone's thoughts are concerning the hype that tends to surround a lot of books these days - and I'm not just referring to the T-word... If the fact that a book is overly popular make you feel less inclined to read it, why so? And why should we care what "everyone else" is reading, anyway? Thoughts.

I really loved being scared by novels as a child. I devoured any creepy looking thing I could find in the library. These days, though, I very rarely find a good, scary story. In fact the only two novels that come to mind that frightened me as an adult, giving me that oh-so-good chills down the spine feeling, was Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire and Susan Hill's The Woman in Black. Especially good ghost stories seem to be a minority these days, anyway. I wish someone would have a go at that specific genre and give me something that will make me afraid to walk down my own corridor at night. I suppose no one gets a kick out of being scared of things that go bump in the night anymore.

I'm really looking forward to Elizabeth Kostova's Swan Thieves which will be available in February at my local bookstore.

I agree with you, completely, CaliLily. I almost feel sorry for Meyer, because all the fame this Saga has brought her came with just as much (if not more) criticism. I have to wonder about the series in general: what if the world didn't go Twilight crazy about it? Would she and series still be seen in the same light it is now? I doubt it. I think this is a good example of fame and fortune gone wrong.

Come now, Nollaig, all the cool kids are doing it... I think a book that gets me interested in reading it myself - whether it's a title, cover, or just seeing the reader enjoy it - would be something cool.

Nolliag, I almost want to say that you'll have to watch it to appreciate how the books play a part, but Rory is definitely an admirable bookworm and book titles and quotes play a (I feel) big role in the series - it surely makes for witty dialogue, anyway. I have already read a few books on the list. I would like to participate in the challenge if I have the time. That being said, and to answer one of CaliLily's questions, I think if I do participate I'd like to select the books myself. There are a lot of interesting reads on there, but also a lot that doesn't appeal or spark my interest at all.

I haven't read any Matthew Pearl, before, no, Peacefield. But I have heard good things about The Dante Club, so if The Poe Shadow turns out to be to my liking, I will certainly give that one a try, also.

I read (struggled through more like it) a few more pages of The Colour of Magic. Things will go better once I have my glasses...

Welcome to the forum, Graham!