Anika

Another one is Isabella Linton for falling in love with Heathcliff. That 'bad-boy' image (i.e. sexy & dangerous) may be attractive initially, but it's usually a regrettable choice in the long run.

Oh, yes! I'm a big re-reader of books I like too! That's the best thing about having a 'sick-day' in bed! I can get through (re-reading) about 2-3 novels in a day. (Nothing else to do, but be sickly so the distraction helps!) But mainly, I like to take my time over a good book the first time through. Sort of savor it, especially if the writing is exceptional, and I usually make sure it will be before I even start reading any book! Why waste your time, otherwise. I guess what I don't understand is this new 'signature' thing some people have about HOW MANY books they've already read so far--like it's a RACE, or something......? A competition. What does it matter? And how can you enjoy any book when you're more worried about hurrying through it? Just so you can say you read, 'such-and-such'--? So what! If it's a modern author who churns 'em out--- Big deal! How is that accomplishing anything? I just don't get it....... call me lost and bewildered, but I thought reading was a personal communication with one's own brain and emotions (if the book is good enough to affect them!) NOT a speed trial!!

and DOUBLE>>>!!! I used to live in them as a kid, but now I have money of my own. (And, a car!) If I just want to read something current I get it at the local used-book store and then give it away later, and I decide when later is! Could be a year or two. Imagine the fines for a book that late!

Yes, this is sometimes a problem for me, because I'm too drawn into the plot and esp. at the end, I am assimilating the denouement of the story. But, I always have a 'face' in mind for the characters when I read, and I never forget those!

Whuthering Heights ~ by Emily Bronte The Heart is a Lonely Hunter ~ by Carson McCullers Les Miserables ~ by Victor Hugo Madame Bovary ~ by Gustave Flaubert The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling ~ by Henry Fielding

'Two Centuries of Garden Writing' edited by Claire Best & Caroline Boisset

Mr. Hyde. ( Of 'Dr. Jekyll and.....') Sometimes, I think I have an evil alter-ego dying to have a life of her own! When you're nice to everybody all the time, they seem to take advantage of it. I'd love to set certain people straight (i.e.--lazy slackers at work, that goof off all day!) and get away with it.

The Sarah Caudwell mysteries would make a funny tv series. Too bad there aren't more of them.

I'd like to sit down and have a chat with Sherlock Holmes, I think. Then pop over and pose for one of the Pre-Raphaelite artists. I suppose if I tossed Rossetti's poems in the machine it would get me there, heh?

Torrent

'On Gardening' by Helen Dillon

Trepidation

It doesn't bother me at all.

"Thou loggerheaded guts-griping flax-wench" (flax-wench?) I gotta leave this thread alone for a bit. It hurts to laugh that hard. .

...scan the horizon, until he saw...

"A weasel hath not such a deal of spleen as you are toss'd with" (.....can't wait till my boss ticks me off again cuz I'm ready now! )

horology

I can't afford it either right now, so they'll just have to sit there waiting for us, heh?

It's all those written emotions exuding from the books. I can relate to that.

There's a first edition (used but w/. DJ) available at Abe books for $46.00 dollars ~with the handy currency-converter gizmo, it says 28.75 British pounds. Not sure how much shipping is (for here it's $5.00) Another site I like 'Bookfinder.com' lists one available at Blackwell's in U.K. for $61.63 (book @ $56.03 + shipping $5.60). It also lists the one at Abe (Hackenberg Booksellers, Calif.), plus some other locations, four of which are cheaper than Amazon. Hope one of these works out for you!

Agatha Christie's 'Poirot' and John Mortimer's 'Rumpole of the Bailey' were my introduction to the mystery-genre, though lately I have been reading a lot of Conan-Doyle and Dorothy L. Sayers. I prefer the good 'ole cosy mystery usually, sans the near-demise or recurrent pummeling of the main character.

'Paul Drake' was the detective and 'Della Street' was the secretary. The tv series used to come on late at night here, and I watched it quite often when I couldn't sleep. My mom was a big fan of Gardner's and has read every one of the books--some of them 2-3 times.

I found a box set of 'Lord of the Rings' on sale, so I took it to work when I had a boring assignment to do (which was supposed to last a week). I'd seen all the movies, but had never read the books. While listening to the tapes I got a new appreciation for this story because the prose is so eloquent. I never realized I would enjoy it so much!

I'll stand behind you with 'Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell' in case you miss. And they should have a soundproof room in the back of the store designated for cellphone usage. (Oh! don't even get me started on this pet-peeve! )