bobblybear

I'm going to start The Observations by Jane Harris; I bought it back in 2010 so now it's about time I start it. I also need to catch up on reviews. I have two I need to do for 2013, and another two for this year, but I'm really struggling.

I finished Dracula this morning. Not sure what to read next. One of my older books, hopefully....I'll have to go through my TBR list and see what grabs me.

I didn't like A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian either. I didn't even finish it - that's how much I disliked it.

I didn't recall that part either, so it was a shock when it happened, and I had to stop and re-read the paragraph again. I didn't remember anything about it. In fact, before I started reading it this time around, I vaguely thought that they had murdered Bunny just to see if they could get away with murder. I had no recollection at all of the bacchanal. For a book I enjoyed so much, I'm surprised how little I remembered of it.

Oooh, I'm so happy to see The Stand on your list of books to read this year!

Happy reading, Kylie! I haven't looked at your lists properly yet, but when I get more time I'll do so and comment a bit more.

Happy reading in 2014! You have lots of Stephen King on your lists, and also House of Leaves. So many people have that book on their lists!

That's ok....you still have the rest of the year to reduce your TBR pile by one!

I'm about a third through Dracula by Bram Stoker. Brilliant so far!! Finally, a classic that I am really enjoying!!!

I don't really have a plan, but my very general goal is to reduce my TBR pile down. I don't do any challenges, because I find that puts pressure on myself to read a particular book when I don't really feel like it (and inevitably there will be some books in Challenges that I have no interest in, but I would feel 'forced' to read out of obligation. I just tend to read what I feel like when I feel like it (which is probably why I have many books on my TBR pile that are over 10 years old). Partway through last year I did a couple of plans of about 7 - 10 books each, but I think I abandoned it fairly soon, as I found it too restrictive. Sometimes you just don't feel like reading a particular book, and then the next day, for no reason, you really want to read that book. You can't really plan around that, so I'd say I just go with the flow.

Welcome back, Stephanie! I'm a big fan of the Kindle too!

That's a bargain, Marie! Of those, I've only read The Brave, which I enjoyed (but then again, I haven't read a Nicholas Evans novel that I didn't like).

I've just bought Life After Life and The Luminaries. £0.99 each...such a bargain!

Thanks very much for your comments, Willoyd. Yep, I do like the Kindle bargains. Some comments on your comments below: I hope to read Capital this year. That one was a £0.20 bargain, but I had heard of John Lanchester previously (due to a book on economics he had written) so he was on my radar. It got many mixed reviews, which is probably why I didn't read it straight away. The Crow Road was another Kindle bargain, recommended by a couple of people at work. I'd enjoyed The Wasp Factory (perhaps 'enjoyed' isn't the right word!) so thought I would try another one of his books, even though I am told those two are vastly different. Ash is probably one that will remain unread, unless I am absolutely desperate! I haven't heard a positive thing about it, and only bought it because it was £0.20 and it hadn't received all those negative reviews at that point. I'm glad A History of 20th Century Britain is simplistic, as I want a book to use as a starting point, so I can find what interests me and read more from there. I started reading Dracula this morning, and I'm really enjoying it so far. I'm finding it a very easy read, considering how I've struggled a bit with classics. I couldn't finish Sophie's World either...I've made several attempts at it, but have always given up. However, I still feel there's something in it for me which is why I still have it on my bookshelf. The Surgeon of Crowthorne is one I'd like to read this year. I've had it for over 10 years, and it sounds fascinating but as often happens, other books have gotten in the way. Thanks, Devi! You too. Thanks, though it may be a while before I get to those particular ones. Thanks, Vodkafan! I finished The Secret Life of Bees last night. It was pretty good, but I think I preferred The Help because it seemed to have a more in-depth story. Or maybe because of the ages of the main characters meant I could relate to them more. Hope you have a great reading year too!

I fell off the wagon.....and bought some Kindle books for £0.99 each. The Luminaries - Eleanor Catton The Ocean At The End of the Lane - Neil Gaiman Life After Life - Kate Atkinson One Summer: America 1927 - Bill Bryson Absolute bargains, but I'd hoped to hold out a bit longer before acquiring more books.

^ Nearly four days without purchasing a book - I was doing so well, and now you've ruined it for me! Oh no, I've just had a look at their 'Best of the Year' on Kindle and The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton is only £0.99 so that's another one purchased.

I think it's the idea that sounds awful rather than the actual process. And if it's had a high success rate (around 90%, depending on illness), then they should really look into it more. From what the author was saying, it's not a common procedure yet, largely due to the 'ick factor'.

Well, I didn't find Bonk as readable or as interesting as the subject matter should be. In fact, I don't remember too much about it at all. But whichever one you read first, it will give you an idea as to her style and humour - those are pretty much the same across all her books. Happy reading, whichever one you choose to start with!

I would recommend Stiff, but I suppose it's which subject matter you find more interesting.

Frog Music by Emma Donoghue. I liked Room, so I'll be interested to see what she brings out next. Mr Mercedes by Stephen King. I'll always give his books a go. To Rise Again at a Decent Hour by Joshua Ferris. Not only does the premise sound interesting, but I enjoyed his previous book: Then We Came to the End. It's one that the Amazon reviews have always puzzled me. It's received more 1 star reviews than 5 star ones with some people being absolutely scathing of it, yet I really enjoyed it. The Message by Naomi Klein. I found No Logo to be very insightful so I look forward to this one on Climate Change. Forensics by Val McDermid. I haven't heard of her before but a (non-fiction) book on forensics can only be interesting!

Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal - Mary Roach Gulp is the fifth book by Mary Roach, and as the title suggests it is about all aspects of the digestive system - the organs and their processes and functions. Actually, it's not only digestion she covers; there is a rather interesting chapter on prison inmates smuggling objects up their rear-end (it’s quite impressive, who would have thought you could fit a Blackberry phone up there - I’ll take her word for it ). I really enjoy her books – they balance science with a bit of humour, and rather than asking dry, academic questions, she tends to focus on the subject matter that most people find interesting. I learned quite a bit from this book. For example, I now know that humans replace their stomach lining every three days, how much it takes to rupture the human stomach (3 - 4 litres, though you can get away with 7-8 litres if you eat very slowly), and that we have taste receptors in the gut, the voice box, the upper oesophagus, but only the tongue receptors report to the brain. Some other interesting tidbits are research into changing peoples gut bacteria (through ‘donor feces’), when they have digestion diseases (which has had a high success rate), the process of testing dog and cat foods, megacolon (if you do a Google Images search of 'Megacolon museum', you can see a picture of an enlarged colon which she discusses in the book), and possible theories on what Elvis died of (megacolon). I've read all of her books and this one would be my second favorite (after Stiff). 4.5/6

Oooh, nice long TBR you have there. That will keep you busy for a while! I bought The Goldfinch recently and will read it in the next few months. I also bought Half Of A Yellow Sun a couple of weeks ago on the Kindle (it was a deal of some kind), so I have that to look forward to as well, as I have heard it mentioned a fair bit. Other recommended ones on your list: A Short History Of Nearly Everything Bill Bryson Prey Michael Crichton Ubik Phillip K. Dick The Secret Life Of Bees Sue Monk Kidd Gone Girl Gillian Flynn The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox Maggie O'Farrell Happy reading in 2014.

Interesting TBR list you have, Janet. There aren't too many that I have on my list (some of the Dickens), but I notice you have Life of Pi on Kindle. I bought it when it was £0.20 as well - bargain! It really is a wonderful book, and I hope you enjoy it when you get around to it. The Making of Tesco: A Story of British Shopping by Sarah Ryle, caught my eye, so I have added it to my wishlist. Happy reading in 2014!

Thanks, Marie H. From what everyone is saying, it sounds like I will enjoy it (though I'll be bawling my eyes out at the same time! ).

I enjoyed Divergent. I haven't read the sequels though. It's great when a book is so good that you literally can't put it down.