Bunce

I've been reading Sebastian Faulk's Engleby for my own pleasure, whilst also reading Simon Armitage's Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Cormac McCarthy's No Country for Old Men for university.

Having read Moab is my Washpot, I'm fully aware of Stephen Fry's infatuation for language and literature. I've got so much reading to do for university I've put The Fry Chronicles aside for such a prolonged period I decided to get the audiobook and listen to it in bed. However, it is impossible. No matter how soothing Fry's voice is - the language is being wasted by me not reading it. I can't feel the full effect of the book if someone is simply reading it to me as I can't engage fully with the text. I'll probably read this over Christmas. A nice review, as always, Ben.

Just about to enjoy Part II of George Orwell's 1984. Brilliant.

I must admit, I'd forgotten I'd create a to-read this for this year, so that list has only just come back in through the window, having been chucked out previously as I was unaware I'd made a list. That being said, I have refrained from reading that much this year, so as to not get engulfed within books, and to alternatively focus solely on revision. I can't even think of that books I've read recently, if I'm honest. I'm currently reading 1984 by George Orwell. So far, so good, and it's safe to say it's living up to its reputation as a must-read. I'll give further insight when I've finished the book.

The few classics I've read, I've loved. However, upon attempting Wuthering Heights I wasn't able to finish the book as nothing about it, at the time of reading, appealed to me. I might attempt to re-read the book again later on this year, but for now I'm quite tucking in to some other classics that do appeal to me, such as Great Expectations which is the book I'm currently working my way through.

The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde. It's been a while since I started this book, got enthralled from the off, but then sadly had to have a few days away from the book in order to catch up with some coursework and such. However, having picked it up again a few days ago, I have now finished this masterpiece, and I dare call it that, by Oscar Wilde. The writing was excellent, as was to be expected from the brilliant Oscar Wilde. If Stephen Fry admires the man, you know he was nothing short of a legend. I'm ever so glad I read this book - and mainly thanks to Ben's glowing review of the book - I bypassed other books in my to-be-read pile in order to read it. It's a classic, for sure, and definitely worth a read. A great, innovative storyline that is near-on perfectly written. It was a pleasure to read.

Your reviews, both on here and your blog, are both great, Ben. As you are more than aware, I too thoroughly enjoyed Moab is my Washpot, and I'm really glad you enjoyed it as much as I did. You'll be delighted to know that I'm loving Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray; it's been nothing short of a fantastic read so far, and I expect it to continue for the remaining 30% of the book I have left to read.

After a couple of days absence from reading in order to catch up with some coursework, I today got back in to Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray, and am now 70% through it. I'll probably get it finished before or during the weekend, depending on how much homework I receive in the next two days.

I've been lacking in the reading department in the past few days, but managed to get through a few chapters of The Picture of Dorian Gray which I'm about to pick up and continue again now, right after I've completed this post. I have 59% of the book left to read according to my Kindle, so I'm hoping to get more than half of the book read before I go to bed.

It's coming on now, isn't it? Yesterday I added the books that are sat on my shelf that I have since forgotten about: Fugitive Pieces by Anne Michaels, Small Island by Andrea Levy, We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver, The Wrecker by Clive Cussler and Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. 1984 is a book I've previously began and became intrigued by immediately. Unfortunately, the time I'd started it (I was in the library with no work on me so I picked it up, sat and read it for half an hour or so...) I was already on a couple of books and didn't want to restrict my enjoyment of the other books by also reading it. After The Picture of Dorian Gray, that'll probably be the next book on my agenda. That is providing The Fry Chronicles doesn't keep telling me to pick it up and read it in the meantime!

Hi, Kylie. You can call me Greg, if you like. If I was in your situation, I'd recommend to read Moab is My Washpot first, with it being the prequel to The Fry Chronicles. I've come to notice you're a fast-paced reader, so you'll get through the text in next-to-no-time, no doubt. Plus, it's fantastic. If you get round to reading The Fry Chronicles before I do, you'll have to share your thoughts with me. Where did you buy The Fry Chronicles, may I ask?

Forums, such as this, would rarely get any viewers if differing opinions were to disappear from existence, and all that was left was agreement and loving of all the books posted on here. Could you imagine it? "This books amazing, I think you should get/read it" ... "Oh my sweet baby Jesus, you're right, it is amazing. I'm so glad I bought it." Do you see my point? There would be no worthwhile discussion or debate on this forum if everyone loved the same books. Books are different, people are different, so it's natural for there to be divides in opinion somewhere along the line. As Chrissy said, there are numerous factors that may affect one's interpretations and thoughts to a particular book. Personally, I love the various opinions on books. And, if I find a book I like, I'd rather read a post by someone who dislikes the book mentioning their reasons as to why they didn't enjoy it as much as me (that's when the discussion/debate comes in!), as opposed to someone agreeing with my sentiments.

Harry Potter was, and still is, an icon. However mysterious and magical the stories of him and his friends are within the imaginary world of Hogwarts, his characteristics; kindness, tenderness and his never-say-die attitude is one to look up to - not only for kids, but for adults too. This is a reason I believe Harry Potter became the phenomenon that it now is, and rightly so. J. K. Rowling presents the protagonist, Harry in a loveable way, and is also quite charming. I would love to be Harry Potter - another great characteristic of his I'm allured to is how he is deceivingly strong (in a magic sense), but is never tempted to abuse his powers. Another character I would like to be, even if she is female, is Jane Eyre. Jane Eyre, although she's not always ridden the 'high-life' as such, nor does she have magical powers, is a great protagonist any reader can empathise with. She has morales, and morales that, in my eyes, are right. She is kind-hearted, caring, giving, loving, good-looking (at least, that's how I picture her...) and well educated. All that, and she's rich. Bonus!