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100 pages a house. That's not bad going. I'm 200 years old and only 300 pages in. That's worse, I think.

At risk of sounding like one of the kids that I'm down with, Sarah, OMG, you are so going to love this book of shorts. It is, like, well chocolate, guy! And, if you end up loving these shorts, you should have a go at Christopher Fowler. He's also a-maze-ing! Dark, gothic, creepy. Remember: If you like it, do it. If you don't like it, do it, you might like it! Let me know what you think. I get sooooooo excited when someone else loves the stuff I love!

The Stormwatcher by Graham Joyce The Dordogne in August. Each morning, a dense damp mist drapes the landscape like thick muslin. Each afternoon, the sun beats down from an unchanging blue sky. But the rising Mistral signals a change in the weather. In a carefully restored farmhouse with a swimming pool, James, an English advertising executive, his French wife Sabine, their two children and their friends sit uneasily around the dinner table. This should be at the beginning of a wonderful holiday, but Jessie, the eldest of James and Sabine's children, is disturbed. She talks to a face in the mirror, responds to whispered commands no one else can hear. Sabine is determined to find who in the company is poisoning her daughter's mind. Sexual and personal conflicts, disturbing psychological failings, secrets and lies beckon the approaching storm. In a matter of days everyone is implicated in a tragedy which will sweep aside the web of deception and artifice they have built atound their lives. When I first started reading this book, because I don't read the blurb, I thought I'd inadvertently picked up a book for teens. It very, very quickly proved to be not a book for teens. The reason I thought this way at first is that Graham Joyce is a very skilled writer. The parts written from the 11 year old's perspective reads like the thoughts of a young girl. I thought she was the main protagonist from how it was written. It's not for youngsters, this book. The novel covers the human condition, the class system, relationships, love and betrayal. Read this and you will identify with one of the characters, of this, I am sure. During this book, I have questioned actions I've made in the past, regrets that I have; I've pondered on past relationships, making me wonder about my own need to 'fix' people; I've thought about my personality type and the impact I have on those around me. It has made me quite introspective at times, even at work with my mind supposedly on other things. But then, reading does this to me. I've always been a bit of a soul searcher and this has increased in potency since the break-up of my marriage. It's not at all attractive, I'm afraid, but I tend to keep it all to myself, fortunately for my friends. There are so many passages I would quote from, but the following is one I particularly liked... "Temperature is not the same as heat. Heat is a form of energy, whereas the principle of temperature is the transfer of heat between bodies. In the case of two bodies at different temperatures, heat will always flow from the hotter to the colder body until the temperatures are identical and thermal equilibrium is reached." This comes from the tiny chapters interspersing the plot, drawing the similarities between the weather and relationships. I love the way this guy writes, and I want more of it. I'm off to Waterstone's! I would thoroughly recommend this book (just be warned that the language can be a little 'fruity' at times...) 9/10

I won't be reading that book, then. I also have Ackroyd's Biography Of London, and have been reading it since Jesus was a little lad in nappies. I think I may die before I finish it. I wonder how it ends... Hope you're well, good fella.

This is really silly, but it totally bugs me when people don't indicate properly at roundabouts. And it is tremendously annoying when one is driving and someone in the seat behind you either sneezes or coughs without covering their mouth and you can feel it go all over your freshly shaved head! Aaaaaaarrrrrrghh! He he he...

A book immediately springs to mind for me, here. It's called The Locust Room by a chap called John Burnside. It's not really anything to do with prologues, but there is an unpleasant character in the book who we only come across in the first person (if memory serves...although I have a doubt, now that I come to write about it...) and these are separate chapters. The character is only central to the plot by way of his presence creating an atmosphere in Cambridge. I found this book very compelling and thought I'd just wave it around in case you're interested in having a look. *waves said book around head whilst smiling impishly* Thanks, people.

I love Ian McEwan as well. I started with Enduring Love, which I strongly recommend to you. I hope you're well, chum.

I really enjoyed The Time Traveller's Wife. I found it very moving in parts. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Oooh, no, Paula! You said I'd like 'em, so I was going to get it on the strength of your recommendation, my friend. I was just thanking Lexie, too! Everyone's really lovely, aren't they!?! Hope you're enjoying your weekend. I've got to go and see me mum in a play tonight. Not sure what it's about. She used to be professional (actress, singer, model - insufferable, really) as did some of the other dudes in the company, so it should be alright. I just hope mum doesn't have anything to do with sex in it. Or swearing. *shudders*

Hiya. It never ceases to amaze me how differing people's opinions can be. I really, really, reeeeeaaaallly enjoyed The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. I hope the fact that you were a little underwhelmed by it doesn't put you off reading the second book. I thought it was even better! I'm almost near incapacitation with excitement about the third and final instalment! It's blooming great news that your reviews are being used in promotional material! How'd you manage that!?! Well done, mate!

I also promise to read it.

I'm going to buy this one, as well. No wonder I don't have any money at the end of the month...

My friend, this does not make you sound awful at all. If the mere thought of the blessed things bores you, then avoid them at all costs. I believe that I would feel the same if someone suggested that I read a Maeve Binchy jobbie (my Nan loves them). But Pullman really is terribly good. Do try The Historian. I am confident that you will not be disappointed.

I will indeed be purchasing her new one as soon as it arrives in Waterstone's. I love that shop! Oooh, this is a weird story. I used to visit the Waterstone's every Monday when I worked in Burton-Upon-Trent about...err...six years ago. There was a chap who worked there that I got chummy with and he used to recommend bits and bobs to me - particularly up-and-coming authors. When I moved to my current house about 5 years ago, I started visiting Waterstone's in my local town. And the same fella was working in that store, so he continued to recommend new stuff. Then, last year I was on holiday down South and I popped into a Waterstone's in Bournemouth (because I can't pass one without going in!) and the same chap was working there! He recommended something else. Good man. But I found this more than a little strange - I promised him I wasn't some crazed stalker. Weirdness.

Thanks Lexie. I'll pick one up tomorrow.

I shall locate some on the strength of your recommendation then, my friend. Have a great weekend.