Ooshie

Ashes To Ashes - David Bowie

1. Who was your favourite character and why? Smilla herself was my favourite character. I found her knowledge of snow and ice, and her ability to orient herself in any landscape or building without landmarks fascinating, and enjoyed learning more about Greenland/Denmark and the very different lifestyles and attitude she had experienced in each. I also liked her independence and strength of character. 2. Was there a particular part you enjoyed/disliked more than the rest? I have actually enjoyed the whole book, but I did find it took me quite a few pages to relax into the style it it written in. 3. Was this the first book you've read in this genre/by this author, has it encouraged you to read more? I have read this book twice previously (my very poor memory means that I don't remember anything about the plot and so can enjoy books again and again after a suitable break!), and after the first time I bought another Peter Hoeg (Borderliners) which I didn't enjoy and didn't keep. I haven't bought anything else of his since, although I might try again now. I would certainly read other books set in Greenland or Denmark, and I do enjoy thriller/crime books very much. 4. Were there any parts/ideas you struggled with? I found that the book as a whole needed more concentration from me than most; usually I just whiz through books without paying much attention, but if I didn't pay attention then I got a bit confused. 5. Overall, was reading the book an enjoyable experience? Yes, I have really enjoyed the whole book. I liked the character of Smilla and her independence, I loved learning more about Greenland, I was fascinated by the information on snow and ice, and I enjoyed the storyline.

My Folio Society books are in two tall bookcases, and I have custom-built shelves (thank you hubby!) covering one wall of the large-ish upstairs landing that has series and authors that I collect. My bedroom has seven short bookcases which have random books I have read, and also some TBR. The living room has the shelved part of a large dresser with all sorts of books including some reference books. The upper part of the hall has a short, wide bookcase with mostly reference books as well as some TBR, and in the lower part of the hall there is also a glass-topped ex-display unit from a shop with a mixture of books on all the shelves. The kitchen has two shelves of recipe books. My treatment room has a small bookcase with books on complementary therapies. My son's bedroom has a bookcase with some reference books and science fiction (mostly Philip K Dick) and a few Folio books (well, I had to start him early!). There are also random piles of books in the living room, my bedroom and the upstairs landing (the pile next to my computer desk has 23 books that I have read in it). I think that's all! Oh, no it's not, I just remembered another medium bookshelf on the upstairs landing and books in cardboard boxes in two roof space cupboards, children's books from my childhood and my sons! I don't have the nerve to start organising!

Fingers...

I have quite a few authors whose books I will buy because I know I will enjoy and feel comfortable with, and will often save until my reading mojo is wavering (I usually manage to save it before it's gone completely!). Anita Shreve, Cynthia Harrod-Eagles, Sue Grafton, Kathy Reichs, Linda Fairstein, Donna Leon, John Grisham and Michael Connelly all come into that category for me. Even if a book isn't their best, I know it will be an easy read for me and something I will look forward to in the evening even if I'm really stressed.

Charred...

You To Me Are Everything - The Real Thing

Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen

compulsion...

Imagine...

Kiss Me - Stephen "Tin Tin" Duffy

I have hardly drunk any alcohol for around the last five years or so, I just lost the taste for it after I went on a Reiki course. So it tends to be just celebration drinks now - champagne or a cocktail. Although in the winter I will sometimes have a Baileys or a hot chocolate with brandy in it to heat me up! Non-alcoholic, it's usually tea - Earl Grey, builders, herbal/fruit, whatever's going really.

Summer. Bricks or stone?

ruining your enjoyment by...

Suppressed...

Kiss From A Rose - Seal

The only two on your classics list that I have read are Anna Karenina and Madame Bovary, but I have Crime and Punishment, The Count of Monte Cristo, and Ulysses on the shelf waiting to be read. And quite a few of the others are books I would like to read!

I haven't finished it yet either, but should do in the next couple of days

I like your list, Nienna - looking forward to hearing what you think of them as you get through them

Touch...

Deja Dead - Kathy Reichs

Pretty Vacant - The Sex Pistols

Shallow grave. Cleanser or wipes?

Get On Your Boots - U2