Tristan

That makes two of us then. Sappy, happy-ending love stories are so tedious. You're welcome.

Well, I'm happy that you are. I'm really not sure it will be all that (chances are high it won't and ,as a review, will fail in all respects), but I do promise It won't contain any spoilers, since you haven't read it yet.

On that note, you might also try his 'Sarassine', a little book I was very impressed with some time ago. Has more or less the same themes as Sirinrob mentioned above, if I remember correctly.

Thy will is my command. Well, yes, of course I'll write one. Not that my thoughts on the subject will be that particularly mind-blowing or extraordinary, but I'll give it a well-aimed shot. I promise.

I can't wait to finish it!

Oh, I wish I lived in Finland. Sounds so much more appealing than dreary Belgium, doesn't it? But euhm, yeah, welcome.

Welcome to our humble abode.

Smokey Bites the Dust

@Bookjumper: that Annotated Dracula does look rather tempting.. more than 600 pages.. hardcover.. oh, damn you for tempting me like this. Well, perhaps I'll pick it up sometime later. For now, the version already in my possession more than suits my needs. @all the others: thanks for the suggestions. I will definitely attempt to check them all out at some point in time. I promise.

My room is the only place in the house with the sufficient level of solitude and peace required for reading, which I do mostly lying on my bed, a cup of coffee always on the ready. I don't go downstairs, it's ghastly.. For there, I would have to face two tv's blaring + the annoying, and overbearing voice of my sister, who can't seem to ever shut up. My room is my sanctuary.

Introductions, prefaces, short biographies, notes, appendices.. you name it, I'll read it. I even actively search for that stuff in books. I'm such a nerd in that regard. Thanks for the encouragement, Nicola and Bookjumper. Much appreciated.

AND references to European mysticism, I read just know. Very interesting.. Damn, I was afraid this would happen. Recommendations.. A crisis for my wallet will ensue, I'm sure. But keep them coming regardless, always eager to learn.

There are definitely some references to history and words modern readers won't understand, which can be troublesome sometime.. But I am fortunate, for I own the Penguin Classics edition, which contains the notes, that explains all that stuff. I love going to the back of the book, to learn what those strange words actually mean. I really want to try them out in conversation, to see the reaction of the person I'm talking to. He/she will think I'm a freak or something. Not that they don't do already. I can be sort of eccentric sometimes..

Well, it all depends on how those more "serious" books are packaged, really. A while back (for research) I read 'Among the Believers: an Islamic Journey' by V.S. Naipaul. Not the most easy material to read in terms of its complexity sometimes, but it was told in a very straightforward manner, using characters to convey a point or historic fact. Love it to death, I suggest it for everyone to read. Really opened my eyes to certain issues. Glad I picked it up, and began flipping the pages.

I feel it. It's time.. time, for me to unabashedly step out of the shadows. Time, for me to lay bare my deepest and most intimate thoughts about.. literature. What, did you have something else in mind, you to voyeurism addicted sensation-seekers? For shame.. Yes people, that crazy Belgian has finally decided to give this whole "log-maintaining" business a try. I really do hope you will all (well, most of you anyway, can't please you all, now can I? ) find it reasonably interesting, and can at least find some merit in this log of mine. It will contain almost everything. Progress in reading, reflections, new purchases and also some tidbits about my personal life. Reasons? Well, firstly, it serves as a journal, a safe heaven to organize my thoughts, and as a forum to exchange idea's with all you charming people. So, let's kick off, shall we? Where to begin? I'm quite new to this exciting world, having only sporadically read books in my life ( a fact I've already mentioned in my introduction ), so I'm by no account an experienced reader. But I know what I like, and those are classic gothic stories. So, having already purchased Dracula and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, I yesterday went with my girlfriend ( lovely girl, and an avid reader herself ) to an almost lovelier book shop, in search of the perfect addition to the prior 2 books.I wound up spending almost an hour there. It was a great experience, only topped by the discovery of a gorgeous ( and unbelievabley cheap!) english version, hardcover edition of Wells' 'The Invisible Man' (is this technically gothic?). I was ecstatic, to say the least. That's it for now. Now I'm off finishing Dracula, which has me completely and utterly in its spell. I'm so glad I've returned to books. It's an entire new world that's opening its doors to me. A world of which I've only scratched the surface, I feel.. Darn, this was a long post.. My apologies.

Already mentioned this in my introduction thread, but I'm so unbelievably bored so what the heck.. 22, people.

The Road, have to review it for a school assignment.

Creepin' Death - Metallica

Here Without You - 3 Doors Down

How Soon Is Now - The Smiths