bobblybear

Something Athena asked on my Reading Log.....what year was The Secret History set (the college years)? I remember wondering this as I was reading it, but I couldn't find any 'cues' to clue me in. There was no mention of internet, mobile phones, or emails, so it can't be too recent, but then it didn't feel like it was in the 1970's or prior. Anyone have any ideas?

Actually, that's something that I wondered about while I was reading it, as it was never specified (or at least I can't recall!). The way it was written, it was quite difficult to pinpoint a time, but I'm thinking reasonably modern times, maybe 1980's? Or actually it could even be much earlier. There was no mention of internet or email, or mobile phones. I might ask this in the Reading Circle thread to see if anyone else has any idea. It's well worth a read. You've probably heard it mentioned a lot recently because it's this month's Reading Circle book. Thanks, Marie! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, if/when you get around to reading it.

Only one left from 2013, but I've just finished my 4th book for 2014 so I better get cracking before I forget what I've read.

I use Amazon for my wishlist because it's a very easy and convenient option. It's quite large though and I seem to be constantly adding to it, rather than buying things from it.

I finished Sinema: The Northumberland Massacre. What a load of rubbish! Hopefully my next read will be better.

I started Sinema:The Northumberland Massacre last night. I bought it for my Kindle in 2011 so it's about time I read it.

Hi Claire - welcome to the forum!

Welcome back, Noll (just catching up on this part of the forum!).

Welcome (back) to the forum!

I just finished The Observations by Jane Harris. Really enjoyed it, but I'm still trying to finish reviews from 2013 before I get started on 2014.

The Secret History - Donna Tartt I have really struggled to review this, and I have no idea why, especially since I loved it. But here goes....The story is narrated retrospectively by Richard Papen, and he tells of his time at a Vermont College. The book opens with him confessing his involvement in the murder of a friend while he was at the college, and then details the chain of events (through his eyes) that led to the murder, and it's consequences. The novel is beautifully written and even though the major plot point is revealed in the first paragraph and the story actually follows a very slow pace, it is still so compelling to read. The characters are very well fleshed out although they still remain somewhat enigmatic at the end. I suppose I would describe this as a character study, because it's the characters that are more memorable than the story (that's not a criticism - it's just that this was a re-read for me, and I didn't remember anything about the plot - aside from the murder - but I remembered a lot about the characters). I also suppose that Richard was fascinated by his fellow students, right from the start and as we were told it through his eyes, we can't help but feel his influence. Even though it was a re-read, I enjoyed it just as much the second time around, and can't really find any faults with it. One of my favorite reads ever. 6/6

Will keep that in mind.....but there's only two slices left. It doesn't hang around for very long.

Thanks! They are exams for CIMA (Management Accounting). All the best for your exams, Emelee. Ethics and philosophy sounds very heavy on the theory - not my strong point! Yup, I saw some Easter Eggs in Boots. Thank you! Thank you! Ouch! Sounds painful! I'm a bit 'Victorian' like that as well, and have nearly fainted before when I have banged my elbow and my knee. Hope you feel better soon. How did you get Jojo registered for Search and Rescue? I had a look at their website a while ago, just out of curiosity, and they said something about not accepting dogs from the general public, and that dogs need to be on some kind of pre-selected list. Sounded all a bit complicated! Hope you have a nice visit to Amesbury. I've never been, but heard it's more impressive than Stonehenge.

Unwind sounds disturbing, so I have added it to my wishlist. I'm definitely planning on reading Gillespie and I at some point. I'm about 95% through The Observations....I thought I'd finish it this morning but I had to leave for work. I did a search on here for posts about the book but couldn't find anything. I'll do another search, probably using the authors name, instead of 'observations'.

I'm eating some bread I've just made. It's the first decent loaf I've baked (those on Facebook will have seen my previous soggy, lumpy, misshapen attempts ). My work colleages' advice ('It's too wet!' and 'You haven't kneaded it enough!') has paid off.

I most definitely prefer my Kindle. It just makes reading so much easier and convenient. I will still read tree books, mainly because I have so many on my shelf that are unread, but I prefer to read ebooks now. On Amazon, you can request a book to be published on Kindle, but I don't know how effective it is. I suppose if they have hundreds or thousands of requests they will do a Kindle version. It seems like all new releases have a Kindle version, but many older books don't. Guess I just have to be patient, but if I really want to read something then I'll read it - ebook or treebook.

I have this on my wishlist, and I'm hoping it will come out for Kindle soon. I read Starship Troopers last year, and found it different to what I expected. If I recall correctly, it got a bit philosophical toward the end (or maybe it was political, I can't remember! ).

Talisman, that just sounds like a whole lot of messing you about! Best avoided, I think, and I hope you find a more suitable job soon. The good news for me is that today I found out I passed my exams. The bad news is that......it means I have to start studying for my next exams!

Nice review. I must read more of her books!

I'm just over the halfway point, and I'm really enjoying it. I wasn't expecting too much from it either so it's a very nice surprise.

He's still a very good boy....very obedient and well-behaved. He has calmed down a lot, and spends a lot of the day sleeping (which is actually a blessing). He's dreadful for begging for food, though, but that's typical of a lab. He likes to wrestle a bit, and can sometimes be a bit cheeky, but really he's the sweetest pup. Honestly, we couldn't have asked for a better dog......we both feel so lucky!

Lovely photos of Jojo and Obi! The agility training sounds like fun, hopefully she will sleep a lot later. Here's a pic of Reuben (already posted on Facebook)....can you believe he's two years old today?!

Oh no! I hope it's not because you aren't enjoying the book!

I'm very impressed with The Observations by Jane Harris. Anyone read this one? I really should have read it earlier, instead of letting it sit on my Kindle for nearly 4 years!

I've had good experiences with Amazon's Customer Service too. I'm glad that they can transfer your books from one Kindle to the other....it's something I'm dreading doing when I get a new Kindle.