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I wondered what people think of the Aberystwyth series by Malcolm Pryce? I read the first one, Aberystwyth Mon Amour, and didn't really get it! I was so confused by the bizarre cast of incongruous characters, I completely lost the plot, literally! I had little idea of what was going on, and I cared even less! I found myself comparing it to Jasper Fforde, who seems able to sustain an exciting plot, while setting it in a fantastical and unfamiliar parallel universe. With Fforde, I find the setting entertaining and engaging - with Pryce, just dense and confusing! I really wanted to like them! And am considering persevering and trying another one - any recommendations?

I read this over Christmas and was really disappointed. I think it was because I arrived after all the hype! I was thoroughly confused by the first third, which was all about financial corruption and legal proceedings. I was beginning to think, where on earth is this 'thriller' I've been promised?! Finally, when Blomkvist becomes involved in the murder investigation, it begins to get a bit exciting, if exceedingly contrived. It's pretty graphic throughout, and I'm not a delicate reader at all, but I felt it was rather extreme. I definitely don't want to watch the film! It is page-turner, but not in the same league as The Da Vinci Code, and I find it utterly implausible that the case had remained unsolved for 40 years! I did enjoy it, but not enough to attempt the next book in the Trilogy. I'm looking forward to the biography of Stieg Larsson, which I think will be much more intriguing!

I had no idea that Stephen Gately had written a book. I'll definitely try and get a copy - it sounds great! And having looked on Amazon, the cover looks really exciting.

I'm about 10 pages from the end of American Gods and am excited but reluctant to finish it! It felt like a real epic journey, and I have to say I enjoyed it best as it was getting going - setting the scene, introducing the characters, etc. I felt the end was rather random. You couldn't really call it a 'twist' because you never fully understood what was going on anyway. But I love Neil Gaiman's writing - I find it really evocative and inventive. And I have to say, I loved that sex scene - I thought it was beautiful and ethereal. The way he introduces and builds characters is so engaging, and I relish all the little incidental observations and details he includes here and there. I found Shadow both a profound and poignant character - you do seem to observe him rather than connect with him. And I loved the mythic-sounding chapters interspersed amongst the narrative. And that opening chapter just punched me in the gut! I feel I might've got more out of it if I'd recognised alot of the gods he mentioned - there's clearly clues for the discerning mythologist or theologist, and I wish I'd known more. All in all, hearbreaking, epic, thoroughly entertaining, and in typical Gaiman style, utterly imaginative and original! Loved it!