Booknutt

I hope you enjoy it, Sue - it really is quite different to what became the standard format - the old "formula" doesn't apply. If you're a bit uncertain - how about ordering it in your local Library first? That's my usual M.O. with newly published hardbacks. Then, in about 6 months when they go into paperback - I'll buy a copy to enjoy repeatedly, and keep.

I think you'll find this one a refreshing change, M'Lady I won't spoil the experience for you by giving too much away ... but even the modern-day "baddie" turns out to be quite a surprise - in a good way! Yes - I suppose it's easy for any author to get into a rut with their plots. How much of that is the "fault" of the fans, though? We tend to like what we like - so it's a shot in the dark for any author to give up the tried and tested. It's paid off for our Barbara this time - I loved Time's Legacy. Enjoy.

I'm gonna sulk if somebody else doesn't talk about my current favourite Erskine, "Time's Legacy" ... so there!

I've just started "Pillars" - and it's largely due to the fact that I like the T.V. version, so the jury is still out as to whether I'll stay the course. Already though, I'm using the "Jack" of the T.V. version to focus on, instead of the "Jack" of K.F.'s imagination - as the carrot haired slack jawed virtual village idiot the author describes isn't very appealing to me! Call me shallow - but I prefer the auburn haired, pleasanter-featured T.V. Jack, by far. Also - it's struck me already (only a few pages in) that making Jack (a gifted artist and stone mason) a halfwit, surely isn't true to life? Artists need a good sense of perspective and judgement, also balance and appreciation of form ... don't they?! I won't pick too many nits though - as with any novel, I'm prepared to allow a bit of leeway regarding detail. After all, novels are for entertainment first, and accuracy second. I may be some time in the reading though, as I'll dip into other books too, along the way.

I'm really pleased that there's to be a new series of "Downton" next year - thanks for the info, Ruth! I like Hugh Bonneville too, Janet - and am fond of his Lord Robert. Such a pity that the decent bloke His Lordship is can't have a son or two - 3 daughters (with only one of them likeable) is a bit of a shame, especially when it means losing the home he loves. Maybe if there's to be another series, an illegitimate son will turn up, to throw a spanner in the works?! Maggie Smith is great, too - an elegant touch of comedy or distain, don't we think? I loved the story about the missing snuffbox. It was a hoot how Anna and Bates set up the nasty Thomas and Miss O'Brien to effectively "finger" themselves as the thieves!

Good point, Vladd. Still - what's wrong with having a few more trees around (wherever they are)to just breathe oxygen around this human-being polluted world of ours? Not to mention giving countless species of creatures a home. Hopefully, as the situation resolves itself into paper book and e-book balance, some of these areas will be left alone to just live ... and benefit all of us, too. By the way - wot's so terrible about energy-saving lightbulbs, anyway? They're in every light in my home ... saving me loads of wonga!

FESTIVALS AND CELEBRATIONS by White Eagle The Festival of All Souls and of Remembrance The fesivals which fall at this time, the ancient festival of Hallowe'en, the Festival of All Souls and All Saints, and the more modern Festival of Remembrance, are a reminder that deep within every soul lies the power to commune with heavenly beings and with this inner world of Spirit. At this time of year our thoughts turn inward to the world of Spirit to those who dwell therein, and the two worlds are very close; and, as if to balance the loss of physical sunlight, there comes a special outpouring of spiritual life onto the earthplane which, in those who can attune themselves to it, helps to strengthen their conscious contact with the Spiritual Sun, the Source of all life. In this union with God comes also the comfort of true communion with loved ones who have withdrawn from the body of the flesh. The time is essentially one of communion with the world of Spirit. White Eagle. Anyone else got anything to add from their books about Hallowe'en - the most spiritual time of all!

Agreed - I don't like the Sunday night show either. The dance-off was a good spot, and we could see that the condemned couples really tried their best one last time. Actually - it's only fair that they have that chance. Also the Sunday night show is a blinkin' nuisance! Half an hour - and most of that taken up with other people dancing or singing, or clips of the performances of the celebs. It's like a "filler" - which I admit I've recorded (the last 10 minutes, anyway) and watch later. Either do it all on one night - or bring back a decent length show on Sundays. (I still admire our Ann for her spirit, if not her style. Next week - she'll arrive on a skateboard!

Who's watching the new series of "Strictly" then? I just love the energy of this show - and the music, and the glitter, and the costumes ... and the guys This year I'm rootin' for Scott Maslan - I think he did wonderfully last night. Quite a change from his "day job" of being on crutches, or in a wheelchair, in Eastenders. At least he'd get a bit of rest to recharge the batteries for the dancing. I never thought I'd be encouraging Ann Widdicomb, either - but I have to say this lady is giving it her best shot, even though she'll probably be out of the comp shortly. Never underestimate a portly figure, folks, she's fit enough not only to dance, but to do the run up those stairs to Tess, too, and is often less puffed than many others at the top. Who's your favourite this year, then?

I've just had a THOUGHT (hold the presses, out there!) Could we class e-books as supportive of the environment? They don't use paper, after all. Our dwindling tree species must be heaving a sigh of relief, worldwide.

Blimey Ian! Look what you've gone and started! The e-book/paper book debate creates quite an uproar on or offline! By the way - you're not alone, my fellow middle aged old Grump, for I'm of very mixed feelings about the question, myself. As has been stated here - e-books are wonderful for transporting loads of books with you in a handy form, or for me the attraction is that I can store loads of my favourite authors at home without taking up half the livingroom with gradually ageing paper copies. An e-book copy will stay "fresh" forever! But I'd miss the comfort of an actual book in my hands, particularly something I've loved for years, with it's own unique "feel" to it. So - I'll do a balancing act, and have both in my life. P.S. Keep going with that quill and parchment, Ian - we are where we've grown from, and the old ways should be respected, too.

Umm ... so if you dropped a paper book in the river, Ian?!! I do see what you mean, though.

Yeah, Karsa - it's lonely here!

"They Walked with Jesus" by Dolores Cannon I've recently started this book - and actually expressing how great it is ... is impossible! For anyone believing in a basically Christian faith it's a revelation - a chance to feel something off what these experiences were actually like, and a window into life of those times. Also - the reading of it will stimulate the past life memories of anyone here nowadays who was actually also around back then. For anyone who is a sceptic, it's still an interesting book - as it also explains something about past-life regressions, and why they can be so important to us, whether we believe, or not. There's also some very interesting info on how to recognise truly-believed fantasy past-life memories, and genuine ones.

I've just come across this new author, who has brought out "Celtic Maidens" (her first book) a Barbara Erskine-ish novel of past and present lives, with a touch of romance, and threat - courtesy of a crazed murderer who follows the lovers of the story through time, to terrorise them in the modern world! Sounds like good stuff! Anyone ing it? What do you think?

I have to say I hope you're wrong 100th Idiot (you really shouldn't be so hard on yourself, dear! ) and traditional books will always have a place among us. I'm a Star Trek "Enterprise" fan, and love the way actual books (hardbacks, too) still have a place in the recreational of the crew. I'm currently reading Victoria Holt novels, many of which are out of print now but I'm requesting them from my public Library, where such "golden oldies" are preserved in their Central Stores. It's lovely to have a hardback book in my hands with such a better quality of paper than the ones we're used to nowadays. Something the "more mature reader" like me took for granted, back then - but a big part of the pleasure of the hobby! Yes, I agree - get collecting, people!

Is anyone any Victoria Holt, these days? I've been a fan of hers for many years, and am currently working through as many of her novels as I can get my hands on, again. (Local Libraries, or charity shops are good places to scavange a few, for many of her books haven't been re-printed for some time) Thankfully though, a few have, in recent years - Mistress of Mellyn, Bride of Pendorric, Shadow of the Lynx, and Shivering Sands, to name some. V.H. produces a wonderful historical mystery/suspense/touch of romance Gothic-type novel which draws the reader in, and makes 'em feel the danger of the stories. Great stuff! For anyone who hasn't yet enjoyed any - a bit Jane Eyre-ish. I've just finished "The Shivering Sands" (again) and though it wasn't "new" to me, it had no problem gripping me, to the last page. These are what I call real "cold weather" stories. A cosy armchair, a cuppa, and a bar of chocolate - what better way to escape Autumn/Winter? What favourites have the rest of you got?

Barbara Erskine's characters say "I gather" so much - I could smack 'em!

What about "Little Dorrit" folks? That, and "Old Curiousity Shop" are among the "less popular" of the C.D. novels - but I enjoyed them both, and though I love all the T.V./film adaptions too, learned much more about all the characters by actually reading about them. Yes - Dickens is delightfully "wordy" but descriptively, colourfully, wonderfully so! I can feel my mind (and vocabularly) expanding every time I have a nose-down into any of his novels. We don't use words enough, these days. P.S. "Pickwick Papers" is a good and funny "read" too.

Thanks, Ophelia! That's a great tip about trying the Library first for e-books. I'm a big believer in using our Public Libraries. Apart from anything else, it saves a fortune if I'm trying out a new author. If I like 'em, I can then buy-to-keep, instead of commiting myself and finding out the horrible truth, later ... I'm dithering strongly about getting an Amazon Kindle, currently, though I agree with the comments here that, certainly for some old favourites, there's nothing like having a "proper" book (and preferably hardback) in my hands. I'd never, for instance, read my Jane Austen's on Kindle, or similar - it'd be a complete insult to the lady authoress! Ditto my favourite Charles Dickens novels, and a few other favourites. I have to admit though that an e-reader would be a boon for me in other ways for I live in a teeny flat, and my Barbara Erskine collection alone takes up a considerable portion of my limited storage space. I've noticed that most (if not all) of her books are in the Kindle store. I'll never give up "proper" books, whatever I decide - for a living room without a few books is an empty place, isn't it, folks?

Lilywhite - what about trying Akabhan(that's an even worse spelling effort!) online, then? Worth the postage charges if you can get what you'd like delivered to your own front door! I'm just getting into online shopping, and could add it to my "new hobby" list. It's still spending money - but at least in comfort. Beef - well done on keeping your fish alive - I lost shoals of coldwater fish before I gave it up - much to the relief of the our finny friends, I'm sure. (Don't practise the knife throwing around the parrot will you? They're inquisitive birds! )

Do you have an Akabhan (pretty certain that spelling is a little off! ) near you Lilywhite? They're pretty good for a wide range of crafts from different kinds of stitching to cardmaking, to dressmaking or making soft furnishings. They also run some classes in all of the previous - but you'd need to check on that in your local area. They're online, too so give that a try. Their prices are fairly decent. A word of warning, though, they don't give refunds even if you have a receipt and pefect goods to return! The best they offer is a credit note, or a "swap" for something else - usually costing the customer a bit more. So choose carefully. Is anybody into crochet? I've just started fiddling, and though it's a lot frustrating while I'm at the practise stage, I do feel I could like this craft.

"The Amazing Power of Animals" by Gordon Smith Gordon is one of my favourite psychics, and it's interesting to read this fascinating book, for we tend to forget the importance of our animal companions in our lives. Both when they're "here" - and when passed into Spirit! It's great to know that our loved friends will not only be there to meet us again when our own time comes to pass over - for it's our love of them which gives them that individuality - but can also come back to visit us when we're low, and in need of their comfort, for animals have a sense of responsibility for us, too. I have personal experience of that - my much loved childhood terrier friend popped in for a visit a few years ago when I was travelling through a fit of the "blues" and provided support on many levels. Plus a bit of a shock - but a nice one!

What about "Oliver" gang? The Mark Lester version, of course! I've actually never seen this musical "live" but was taken to the cinema to see it with classmates on a school trip - and was mesmerised by the songs, music, and oolour. Quite some time ago, of course, - but it made such an impact on me that when I got my first VCR "Oliver" was the first tape I bought, and it was magic to settle down with in, in the comfort of my own home. Musicals are so important, aren't they? We need the upliftment and fun they bring into our lives.