ian

Finished Different Seasons. What can I say about this book. It was possibly one of the first pieces of proper adult fiction I ever read in my teens. I must have re-read it a dozen times till I moved out of my parents' house when it went missing. Re-reading it now was a bit like seeing an old friend after many years. There were whole paragraphs that I remembered completely. And it's still as enjoyable now as it was then, so I can only give it 5 out of 5. While I'm in Stephen KIng mode, I'll continue with another old book of his - this time one I've never read before - Pet Semetary.

This could be very good. Hopefully, if it's sucessful, it will make its way over here. Hannibal Lecter is such an interesting charactor, I suppose it was too good to leave to just a couple of films. It's a pity that the books went a bit downhill (in my opinion, anyway) after "Silence". Hannibal (the book) read like a film script rather than a coherent novel.

It's the craving I've had for a kebab the last few days that made me start this thread! And yes, I'm talking about the artery-clogging, death-in-a-pitta that is the chip shop kebab. Lamb (allegedly), smothered in Chilli sauce, mint sauce & lemon. Just thinking about it makes me feel unhealthy and greasy. Plus, if I have one, I figure I might as well go the whole hog and have a potato scallop or two with it.

Do not trust this person - they are fibbing!!!! (Although it would be interesting!) A carvery is a restaurant where you have a variety of roasted meats (generally Chicken/Turkey, Gammon and Beef). You choose the meat, then help yourself to any of the vegetables on offer, buffet style. I'm not suprised you haven't heard of it, as it's basically British food, and as we all know, British food is usually considered one of the worst in the world!

So you're going out for a nice meal. If you had completely free choice as to the type of meal what would be your first choice? Indian? Chinese? Or something a bit different? I don't often get to choose myself, the venue is usually dictated by either Ruth or the kids. I don't mind that, I like all food too much to be that bothered! Ruth is always going to pick Indian, whereas the kids usually want McDonalds But personally, given a free choice, I'll go for a carvery. Next up would be Mexican

I'm going to subvert the rules just a bit. My day can be summed up by a painting today. You guessed it - The Scream by Edvard Munch

Grocery

Two weeks of eating Bran Flakes got too boring, so toast & marmalade this morning.

I can't rememeber the last time I saw a band live, it's been that long. But in the past I've seen some awesome gigs. Iron Maiden - Donnington 1988 ACDC - saw them about 5 times over the years (sadly never with Bon Scott), amazing every time. The Black Crowes - Wolverhamptin Civic (can't recall when though!) KIngs X - several times at the Hummingbird in Brum, and Rock City, Nottingham. Fantastic live band. Faith No More - also at the Hummingbird. Came out sporting a black eye and covered in other bruises. It was worth it! Metallica used to put on a good show too - till they sold out!

I'm continuing the theme of re-reading books I first read years ago. I picked up a Kindle version of Different Seasons by Stephen King. For those who don't know it, it's four short stories (one for each season) and contains "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption", which of course became the film The Shawshank Redemption.

Welcome to the forum, Maria!

Books I've read over the last couple of years that have stayed with me after I've finished them are A thousand, splendid suns - Khaled Hosseini Life of Pi - Yann Martel and the book I've just finished - Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks I would have included 11/22/63 by Stephen King, but I know you don't really like his books

I've picked a piece of absolute reading indulgence for myself, straight from my childhood. I think I was about 12 when I last read this, and loved every word. The Called of the Wild by Jack London

Welcome back, Pixie - Hope you are well? Nice to see you back here!

I'd agree that it's hard to empathise with Stephen, but I put that down to him being such a cold, reserved character.

Just finished Birdsong, and I've put a review in general fiction. I've not got anything else lined up for the moment, so I'll probably get a bit crabby till I start reading again!

I've just finished this book, and as I couldn't see a thread on it, I thought I'd start one. I'd not read any Sebastian Faulks before, and after several disappointing attemptsin the past at reading "serious" fiction, I approached this book with some trepidation. Would I like it? Would I understand it? It's also worth mentioning that I didn't see the recent BBC adaptation of the story, so I knew almost nothing about the book prior to starting it. The story follows the life of Stephen Wraysford. Beginning in 1910 when he is sent by his employer to Amiens, in northern France to study french textile manufacture. He stays with the family of the factory's owner, Azaire, and begins an affair with Azaire's wife, Isabelle. The narrative then jumps forward to 1916, where Stephen has joined the army and is fighting in the trenches of the Somme. The story then alternates occasionally between this and 1979, where Elizabeth Benson, curious about her grandfather, who she never knew, starts to dig into his past. That's as much of the story as I feel I can tell without spoiling it for someone who hasn't read it. I needn't have worried about enjoying this book. Although I found the initial section, set in 1910 a little slow, the rest of the book is both compelling and incredibly moving. The scenes describing the battle of the somme are very realistic and really bring home the horrors of war. Although the book occasionally jumps from 1916 to 1979, you never discover what happens to any of the characters till the very end of the book. This just makes you want to read "just one more page". I loved this book and would have no hesitation of giving it 5 out of 5. I'd be interested to here other people's views

I don't know whether to be delighted or horrified by this news! I suppose it all hinges on the quality of the scripts - which in turn probably hinges on whether Lucas writes them or they get someone sensible to do it.

21 guns - Green Day

Joan Jett and the Heartbreakers version of "I love Rock 'n Roll"

My daughter has been given notice that the day she moves out, I will be converting her room into a library. However, as she's 7 I have a while to wait, plus I believe my wife might have something to say on the matter! Oh well, I can dream!

I love my "real" books (obviously, on a book forum!) but I also love my Kindle. The thing I particularily like about the Kindle is that enables me to have loads of books without the worry of where to keep them. This, in my house, has always been an issue with actual physical books, to the point where I have to give them away - even when I don't really want to. Not so sure about the new Kindle Fire though. I've not looked in any great detail, so I may have it wrong, but it almost appears to be a glorified I-Pad. I like the fact that my Kindle is for books - and books alone.

I'm glad Brendon didn't win. Not that I had anything against him, in fact his skills are breath-taking. It's just that he reminds me too much of Laurence olivier in Marathon Man for my liking!

"It must be love" - by Madness, a cover version of a Labi Siffre original

Finished The Coffin Dancer bu Jeffrey Deaver and is the second book in his Lincoln Rhymes series. I thought this book was excellent, with the twists I was expecting coming form the exact opposite direction I was anticipating. Clever writing! I have the 3rd book to read, but I think I need to read a book that's been on my TBR for a long time now; Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks. I know next to nothing about this - I didn't see the recent adaptation and only got the book when I found it in a charity shop. Sometimes I think it's best to come at a book this way; completely free from expectation and bias.