Seiichi

It's been years since I read the book but generally I felt the same. It was a gripping read. Sadly, I'm referring only to the first half of the book, which had given me such high expectations for the ending. Ultimately, I felt let down by the explanation of how things come to pass. After following the scientific investigation of the Ring curse, I wasn't really prepared to suspend my disbelief in order to accept the ending.

I think the best books are the ones that involve as little as the supernatural as possible. I remember enjoying Gerald's Game and Misery, and two of the books he wrote as Richard Bachman: The Long Walk and The Running Man. Then there are the novellas he wrote: Rita Hayworth and The Shawshank Redemption, Apt Pupil, and The Body. The Shining is worth a read. I'd be hesitant about recommending IT, which I found so-so. Then there's The Stand... The Stand is a book that divides opinion and it seems that you either love it or hate it. I'm going to speak up for the people who bought The Stand and hated it by quoting Blackadder: "I just think that more could be achieved by giving them some real toilet-paper."

I wasn't too concerned about the religious stuff. I accepted it as the normal way of thinking in those days, although at times I didn't know whether FitzRoy was just a devout Christian, a religious maniac, or simply having a manic episode. Concerning the last part of the book, to be honest, I don't think Thompson could have done that much. I'm in two minds about the inclusion of the Jemmy Button storyline. When I first read it, I felt that Thompson was just drawing things out. Then again, it's a story that highlights how FitzRoy's path was one filled with good intentions that didn't turn out the way he had hoped, and for this reason I don't feel too bothered about its inclusion. As far as I know, the meetings with Darwin after the voyage never took place and Darwin never told FitzRoy about his theory. I've a few ideas about why they might have been written into the story, but even when I take these into account, I still view these sections as extra padding.

I appreciate that he's a great storyteller, and some of his critics acknowledge this fact. The thing they seem to have a problem with is the way he writes, which isn't really an issue for most readers, but is for some. What made me stop reading his books was that I was left feeling underwhelmed at the end of each book (not the ones he wrote as Richard Bachman, though). They're easy to read and seem like good books at the time, which is what matters (at the time), but for me those books are only vaguely memorable. I can look back and say which books I enjoyed. I'd even recommend a few of those titles to people, However, if I were to read them again, I'm likely to come to the conclusion that they weren't as great as I originally thought them to be.

You shouldn't really feel too bad. It was mentioned on radio a few weeks ago that during economic downturns book sales actually increase.

Completed Books 1. Bad Science, Ben Goldacre 2. Them: Adventures with Extremists, Jon Ronson 3. Farewell Waltz, Milan Kundera 4. The Outsider, Albert Camus 5. The Graveyard Book, Neil Gaiman 6. In Defence of Food: The Myth of Nutrition and the Pleasures of Eating, Michael Pollan 7. Imprimatur, Monaldi & Sorti 8. The Secret Life of E. Robert Pendleton, Michael Collins 9. The Memory Artists, Jeffrey Moore 10. This Thing of Darkness, Harry Thompson 11. The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exup

I finished this a couple of days ago. As a fictional retelling of events, it was enjoyable. It's more about FitzRoy, beginning with his first command of Beagle, and following his life to its end. The ebb and flow of the book seems to follow his life and career with the most interesting parts being his command of the Beagle. It's a colourful picture of naval life that gives us the impression of how his experiences shaped his own theories. The book was a bit of a struggle to get through once his naval career was done with. It's not an easy part of his life, and one filled with tragedy. The direction of the book at this book seemed a little confused, but by the end of the book all could be forgiven. I've some doubts about the historical accuracy of the book. There's no doubt that considerable research has gone into it. It's more a question of how much of the history has been embellished. Nonetheless it's a rewarding read and, despite its flaws, I wouldn't have any problems recommending this book.

This was sitting on my bookshelf and was nearly destined to be one of those books I'd never get around to reading. With 2009 marking 200 years since Darwin's birth and 150 years since the publication of On the Origin of Species, it seemed like a good time to read this book. From the dust jacket: The year is 1828. Brilliant young naval officer Robert FiztRoy is given the captaincy of HMS Beagle, surveying the wilds of Tierra del Fuego, aged just twenty-three. But FitzRoy hides a dark secret: hereditary manic depression that can strike at any time. He is seized by two ambitions---that he can prove, contrary to the spirit of the age, that black and white men are equal; and that he can prove the truth of the Book of Genesis. To this end, he takes a passenger: a young Charles Darwin. This is the story of a deep friendship between two men, and the twin obsessions that tore it apart, leading one to triumph and the other to disaster... Science is there to prove the natural laws of God. This is the mutual understanding that unites FitzRoy and Darwin as they embark on Beagle's second voyage. Initially, both men believe in the story of creation, the difference between them being that FitzRoy interprets scripture literally whereas Darwin adopts a figurative interpretation. As we follow Darwin, we see how his observations and experiences cause him to revise his beliefs, eventually coming into conflict with FitzRoy. The contrast between the two men is stark. FitzRoy is portrayed as a noble and honourable gentleman who places public service and duty above personal interest. On the other hand, the picture of Darwin is unflattering. Thompson's Darwin is an arrogant man in possession of breath-taking naivety and views that, although common at the time, would be unpalatable to the modern reader. Ultimately, this is FitzRoy's story---a story of a tragic hero who never gained the recognition or appreciation he deserved in his lifetime. This Thing of Darkness highlights the fact that FitzRoy was much more than that man who captained the ship on which Darwin travelled: he was a pioneer in his own right. In the end, he gave so much, yet received so little for his efforts, whereas Darwin went on to enjoy success, which he owed to the grace and services of others. The strength of the book lies in its accounts of the survey missions FitzRoy commanded, especially the second in which we learn how Darwin's observations came to shape his theories. This is also where the sometimes heated discussions of creationism versus transmutation theories takes place with FitzRoy defending creationism based on his own interpretations of Darwin's evidence. Once the voyage is over, the novel loses momentum as loose ends are tied up. It feels as if the end of the book has been padded with filler material. As the remaining decades of FitzRoy's life and career are covered, the narrative shifts away from him and borders on losing focus. It's a pity because it was after the voyage and at the end of his career that FitzRoy's own research came into fruition.

It's been a long time since I bought anything from a bookshop. I prefer to browse in the bookshop, make a mental note of anything I like, then buy online.

I think it depends on whether whoever is responsible for laying out the book properly distinguishes between the front matter, main matter, and back matter of the book, and treats each logical section of the book differently. I prefer it when the front matter (cover page, copyright, TOC, preface/introduction) is distinguishable from the main body of work, and given its own page numbering style, otherwise the whole book looks like it's been printed from a word processor with no care given to the book design.

Yes, it's one of those books which passes the time, but doesn't stand the test of time. I was new to this genre and bought the book to fulfil my book club requirement, so it was something new. As things turned out, it was the first Harlan Coben book I read and also the last. It wasn't a compelling enough read to make me want to go out and buy (or even look at) his other books, but still there was something about the plot that made me recommend it to others at the time, despite the laziness of his characterisations.

You could also try some of the classics. There's The Dream of Red Mansions (Dream of the Red Chamber), which is one of the first novels to have been written. For fantasy, there's Journey to the West --- that's if you want to read the story behind the BBC's Beijing Olympics animated introduction and understand some of the religious aspects of China. I think most of the contemporary fiction I know would be more suitable for older teens and adults. I used to own The Picador Book of Contemporary Chinese Fiction, which is a book of short stories. I remember having mixed feelings about the book but at least it gives a picture of what Chinese life is like.

I remember reading this book and recommending it to people. It's been many years since I read the book so although I have a recollection of the plot and ending, I only have hazy impresssions of the characters. I'd have to disagree that Eric Wu is an excellent character - he's the only character that stands out in my memory. I remember thinking that his character is too stereotypical, and that impression seems to have lodged into my brain. The "Bruce Lee" reference probably says it all. I was reminded of some of the "Whoaaa! Hiya!" (insert kung fu style arm movement) chants orientals are sometimes subjected to by westerners (invariably, young boys). Eric Wu seemed to fit into this stereotype and the stereotype of those in his profession. No doubt his character is intriguing to some, but to others ... /sigh

You would expect a book dealing with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) to be bleak, but this isn't the case with The Memory Artists. Yes, the tragedy of Noel and Stella's situation is presented, but Jeffrey Moore takes care not to linger on the heartbreak for too long, instead opting for a humorous approach to the subject. Above all, we're reminded that, with the right support, the life of an AD sufferer need not be all doom and gloom. At the beginning of the book Noel deals with his mother's problem alone. He can't even confide in Norval, his one and only friend, out of fear that his mother might be on the receiving end of Norval's caustic wit. In Norval's eyes Noel is a genius: it's only a matter of time before Noel creates his own great work of art. Sadly, Noel knows that he lacks the creativity and that Norval's prediction will never become true. The turning point for Stella and Noel comes when JJ, arrives at their home, followed by Samira. The later arrival of Norval completes the mix: the "memory artists" bring with them their own creative input on how to treat Stella, and effect a renewed richness to her life. The characters are unique in their own way, Norval and JJ being the two extremes. Under normal circumstances JJ's seemingly unending and insufferable joking would test anyone's patience, yet you can see why a character with his qualities is integral to the book. Norval's irreverence would also be testing, but for me he's the most engaging character---someone who fiercely guards the secret of his past, unable and perhaps unwilling to let go of his memories. Some people may find the book gimmicky in parts and the structure not to their tastes, but it doesn't take away the fact that there's an intriguing story behind it all.

Is there any particular genre you're interested in?

That reminds me of some old books that have blank pages at the end with the heading "Notes".

Just to add something about bookbinding. In traditionally bound books, sheets of paper are folded and grouped into signatures, which are then sewn together. The page edges opposite the spine are then trimmed so they become flush. If you have 4 sheets of paper per signature, then the total number of pages in the book will be a multiple of 16 pages. How the text is printed on each sheet will determine how many blank pages you'll have at the beginning or end of the book.

Generally, I'll only get a hardback if I want the book permanently on my shelf, otherwise I'd opt for the paperback, which I'll try to handle very carefully, read quickly, and resell or give away. I prefer to read hardbacks because they're of better build, and use better quality paper. As far as paper quality goes, nothing beats an Everyman's Library hardback.

I read his books around that age as well (15 or 16 years ago in my case). I remember the book list I had to keep for my GCSE English consisted mostly of his work. I was told to read something else, but then I listed the ones he wrote as Richard Bachman and that seemed to appease my English teacher. I suppose part of his appeal is his style of writing. He uses language that easily draws you in. I stopped reading his work after The Plant - the book he was serialising over the internet. Tastes change; I don't see myself reading any of his books ever again, although I can still appreciate the appeal of his early works.

I would have thought the longest novel was

Mort is the one I read too. That was a very long time ago, though. There's Guards! Guards!, which I've listened to and enjoyed.

From the front flap: My thoughts: I've placed this under crime/mystery fiction although this book belongs just as much to the literary fiction category and should perhaps be approached with that in mind. As a crime/mystery novel, there's no suspense to justify reading past the first half of the book, when the cold case investigation actually gains some kind of momentum. By that point, the reader should have a strong suspicion of what's to come. The journey from suspicion to truth can be painfully tedious as we follow Ryder, the investigator, conduct his interviews. The book eventually splits into two threads: one following the murder investigation, the other the relationship between Adi and Horowitz as they deal with the uncertainty of Scream's success and the media interest in the real-life murder mystery. For Adi, her involvement with Pendleton takes its toll. Her final chance at a thesis depends on the literary success of Scream and the subsequent revival of Pendleton's literary reputation, but at the same time she's convinced Pendleton's guilty of murder, a thought shared by Horowitz whom she asks to champion the novel. Horowitz's reputation is at stake, but whereas it's possible to sympathise with Adi's predicament, it's hard to take a liking to Horowitz, someone steeped in intellectual facetiousness. Casting aside the fact that Horowitz had "sold out" and gone on to enjoy great literary success, it's easy to see why Pendleton would dislike him so much. Similarly, it's difficult to like Ryder. Given that we have to follow his investigations, reading through his passages can be a chore. Had he taken his own advice on conducting investigations, he could have saved everyone a lot of time. Beset by his own problems, he's psychologically unfit to conduct an investigation, his only redeeming feature being that his investigation does come to an end. Secrets are uncovered --- that's more or less obligatory in any crime novel. However, it's difficult to see how Ryder could have been so successful in the past given how haphazard his method is. By the end of the book, readers could be forgiven for thinking whether they had to endure through Ryder's investigation and whether it could have been conducted in the background, leaving the focus of the novel solely on Adi and Horowitz and the repercussions of their actions. Then again, that would have made for a much shorter novel.

I'd recommend reading something light and undemanding first (maybe Stardust, by Neil Gaiman) and then move on to The Hobbit (but not Lord of the Rings) at a later date. I definitely recommend His Dark Materials and maybe Terry Pratchett's novels. I've only read a couple of the Discworld books so I couldn't recommend which one to try first but I'm sure someone around here could.

I've only read one autobiography/biography which hasn't been mentioned yet, and that's Freud Ego by Clement Freud. It's written in a raconteur style and leads the reader in no doubt that he's led a rich and varied life, but one that's no more special than anyone else's. There's no intrusion into his private/personal life, nor anything designed to appeal to readers' sensibilities; it's a collection of episodes from his life told in a matter of fact manner but interspersed with flashes of wit. If, like me, you've heard him on Just A Minute and enjoy his contributions there, this book is unlikely to disappoint you.

People do buy from private sellers on Amazon because the prices set can be very competitive, but I imagine the situation is very different when it comes to antiquarian/collectable books. My own preference for buying collectable books is either on eBay or through AbeBooks. As a seller, the good thing about Amazon is that you're not charged a listing fee unless your item sells and that you're not charged for relisting an item (unlike on eBay). Amazon may charge you more but at least in the meantime you're not losing money on listing an item that may take a very long time to find a buyer. (Apologies if you know this already.) When you're dealing with antiquarian/collectable books, it's a good idea to know how dealers usually describe their own books so you get a feel for how your own books compare. When collectors look for First Editions, they're usually also looking for ones from the first print run, which are hopefully signed by the author but not inscribed to anyone, i.e., a "1/1 Signed" copy of the book, and one that's Fine (F) or Near Fine (N/F). (Good book collector sites will have an explanation of the terms used to describe a book.) The best advice, especially for special interest books, has already been given by Kell: the best way of valuing a book is have an expert do it for you.