bobblybear

Nice review. Another one to add to the ever-expanding wishlist.

Hello Paulina. Welcome to the forum.

Hello Hayley and welcome to the forum.

Great name for a dog. I've never read I Am The Messenger (looks like I may have to change that), but I loved The Book Thief.

Nice review. I, too, have had Pompeii on my TBR list for a number of years. It sounds like a great read but for some reason I've never quite fancied picking it up. I shall bump it up my reading list, methinks!

I'm now reading The Crime of Julian Wells by Thomas H Cook. It's good so far. I was a bit apprehensive about starting it as I loved Red Leaves but couldn't finish The Quest for Anna Klein.

Sounds interesting. I have added it to my wishlist.

Tex - S.E Hinton S.E. Hinton was one of my favourite authors when I was in my early teens. I read her books over and over, but haven’t read this one in close to 20 years. I’ve been looking on and off for her books on the Kindle for a while now, so when I saw this one was available I snapped it right up. Tex McCormick is a happy-go-lucky 15 year old whose life revolves around his horse Negrito and his best friend (and neighbour), Johnny. He lives with his older brother Mason, who has to look after both of them in the absence of their father who is doing the rodeo circuit for months at a time. Money is tight and at the start of the book, Mason sells Negrito in order to pay the bills. This sets up the relationship between the brothers for the remainder of the book. The books by this author were good when I read them back then and they are still just as good now. Although Tex was written in 1979, I think it has aged very well. It still deals with the same teenage issues and angst that are relevant today, except maybe they are a bit more grittier. I loved this book so have to give it my top score. It's always worrying when you read a former favorite, in case it doesn't live up to how you remembered it, but I can say I enjoyed it as much as I did back then, even though I am a lot more critical now! 6/6

The Snow Child - Eowyn Ivey Jack and Mabel are a middle-aged couple who have moved to Alaska in order to start a new life. They are still grieving over the loss of their unborn child several years ago, and this move was a way to distance themselves from their painful memories. Both are desperate for a child but all too aware that the chance has passed them by and their childlessness has consumed every part of their lives. One day, on the first day of snow they build a snow girl. The following day, they see a child running through the woods, and as the days pass they question whether this child has been created out of the snow. Apparently this is based on a very well known Russian folk tale. It's the first I have heard of it, but just about every review makes reference to it so it must be quite well known. It’s a slow read and not a whole lot happens for a great deal of the book. It's the kind of book for 'book-lovers' I think, rather than casual readers, because it's not very plot-based. Very little happens in the book and the story itself could be condensed into a novella, but then again it's more about the experience and growth the characters (Jack and Mabel) go through, rather than 'their story'. Nothing much may happen but by the end of the book they have both changed in many ways. I really liked Mabel and Jack's experiences in the 'wilderness' and their efforts to make a sustainable life for themselves. I enjoyed reading about their interactions with their neighbours and the sense of community they have built between them. I actually found that more interesting than the parts with the 'snow child' but that's just my preference. I would have preferred the book to end a bit more conclusively, and I admit I did grumble a bit when I finished it. I also looked on the trusty internet for other opinions, in case I missed something (good ol' internet ), and most people seem to be quite satisfied with the ending, perhaps reading a bit more into it than I did. All in all, an enjoyable read....I do think it's a book best read in winter (when snuggled up in front of a fire ), rather than summer. Maybe if I'd done that, I would have scored it higher. 3/6

Updated reading plan: While We're Far Apart - Lynn Austin Origin - Randolph Lalonde Chicken, Mules, and Two Old Fools - Victoria Twead The Tommyknockers – Stephen King The Crime of Julian Wells - Thomas H Cook A Long Way Down - Nick Hornby The Snow Child - Eowyn Ivey The Thoughts and Happenings of Wilfred Price, Purveyor of Superior Funerals - Wendy Jones The Etymologicon: A Circular Scroll through the Hidden Connections of the English Language - Mark Forsyth - currently reading Where'd You Go, Bernadette - Maria Semple Walden on Wheels: On The Open Road From Debt To Freedom - Ken Ilgunas - currently reading The World's Greatest Idea - John Farndon Megacatastrophes! - David Darling & Dirk Schulze-Makuch Born Liars: Why We Can't Live Without Deceit - Ian Leslie Gone Girl - Gillian Flynn Case Histories - Kate Atkinson NW - Zadie Smith

Thanks. It is a very unique read, mainly due to the format of the story being told. It's quite a fun read as well, even though the subject matter is somewhat serious.

I finished The Tommyknockers last night and I'm so glad to be finished with it. Talk about a bloated book. I'm still reading The Etymologicon, which blows my mind every time I pick it up. I'm also dipping into Walden on Wheels. I think I'll finish those two before starting on another one, or else I'll get completely confused.

Given that most of the books I buy these days are for the Kindle, it's Amazon for me.

Hello Jean, and welcome to the forum.

That's totally understandable. When we got Reuben, I only finished one book in that first month.

At least you gave it a go. Nothing worse than reading something you're hating. Just as a suggestion, how about reading Summer next, so this thread can get a bit more activity?

Orange and mango squash.

Granary roll with leftover barbeque pulled pork.

Nice review of Gone Girl. I really enjoyed all the twists and turns, and I thought it was so clever

Glad you enjoyed it; I shall read your review shortly. The Tommyknockers is really dragging on now. I've had to put it down for a while, so I'm now reading Walden On Wheels: On the Open Road from Debt to Freedom. Good so far.

I really must get around to reading Divergent. I bought it a few weeks ago when it was on offer on the Kindle. I shall make it part of my next reading plan.

I'm about halfway through The Tommyknockers. It's a lot longer than I recall, and there is so much I have forgotten about it. It's a bit verbose, but I'm still enjoying it.

Fried egg bap for brekkie.

Hello and welcome to the forum!