bobblybear

I really loved White Teeth. Unfortunately I can't remember much about it but I do remember enjoying all of it. What did you think of the ending of Saturday?

Sorry to hear about your sad news Carm. You certainly seem to have had a rough time of it. I'm about 90% through PopCo and it's now annoying me no end. The preachiness of the last section is driving me up the wall. I read fiction to escape from real life, not to have someone's political views shoved down my through under the thin guise of a novel! It's almost like it has been written by two authors; the change in direction towards the end is not something I was expecting or am interested in. It's a novel - not a re-write of No Logo!

Oooh, I'm so glad you loved The Stand. It's beyond epic, isn't it? I've probably read it 7 or 8 times, and I still love to think of my favorite parts every now and then.

Thanks for the offer Poppy but I'll hold off for now as I have far too many book unread as it is. I may take you up on the offer later in the year depending on how much I decimate my TBR pile.

It's not out yet, release date is 28th February this year.

Awesome! It's such a compelling read, isn't it? It's one of my favorite books of all time, and the one I've re-read most. I'm about 70% through PopCo. I'm starting to feel a tad irritable with this book. It just seems to be going on and on and on; the plot just doesn't seem suited to such a long book, but at the same time I can't think what should be cut out.

I know, it just turns my stomach. I can't believe anyone would publish his books, and also doing restaurant reviews is beyond bad taste. Why on earth would any sensible level-headed person take a food recommendation from a self-confessed cannibal? And does he expect sympathy for not being able to find employment? Ugh! What I can't understand is how he did some of the most extreme things to his victim, and yet hasn't committed more murders. Usually people who do things like that keep on killing until they are caught. I don't recall him saying anything about it in the interview I saw, and I can't watch another interview with him because he's just vile. Makes me think of Se7en, when Morgan Freeman says that the FBI have been keeping track of who borrows certain red-flagged books from libraries. That's ok. Believe me I understand, I forget so much stuff after I finish a book, even if I found it so fascinating. Yeah, the problem is there are pictures of anything on the net these days and certain websites that do nothing but host these pictures. I can read about these true crime events but I think pictures would get stuck in my head forever. I only googled his name and hit images to see if he was the same person I was thinking of (he's quite odd looking I think), and there were quite a few extremely graphic pictures. If that's what google lets through a Moderate Safe Search I'd hate to see what comes up with Safe Search turned off!!

Well, this sounds fantastically bizarre so I have of course added it to my wishlist. Sounds quirky, which is something I usually enjoy although in some instances it can get silly. I'm surprised to hear it's over 500 pages - just from reading the first parts of your review I thought it would be a short book.

I was a bit disappointed in this. It started off entertaining and amusing, but then it got extremely repetitive. I still plan on reading World War Z though and the movie looks fantastic. I read this recently, and you've just reminded me that I still haven't got around to watching the movie. I'd imagine the book to be quite different to the movie (only guessing here) as a lot of what is discussed in the book probably wouldn't translate easily to film.

The Hot Zone is a great read - very scary stuff. Never read The Andromeda Strain, not sure why as I usually like Michael Crichton's books. Glad to hear you liked The Beach. The movie is ok, but can't live up to the book.

Sounds great. I bought it as it's only £0.20 on the Kindle; can't wait to get to it.

^ I've got that one on my wishlist and your review has made me want to read it more. The main part that got my attention is the mystery of the store, but it's not encouraging that it ends like a 'damp squib'. It still sounds like it would be my kind of book.

Aside from Manson, out of the other people I've only heard of Issei Sagawa, and that is one disturbing case. Not only for what he did but also that he was released and is living as a free man despite being guilty as sin. I've seen an interview with him and it just creeps me out.....and I probably shouldn't have just googled images with Safe Search set to moderate. Not very 'moderate' viewing. It's interesting about those people attributing certain qualities to 'Jane' or 'John' depending on how they killed. It must be quite awkward answering questions like that - I'd be worried what they would do with that information and if they could use it against me. With the dating profiles, did he go into detail about the responses they got (where they said they had killed a person), and what kind of things people asked of them? I wish it was available in English as it sounds like my kind of book!! I've had this one on my wishlist forever. I've heard it compared to Mark Haddon who I also like. I just need to get my TBR list down a bit. I really liked this book. It kept you on your toes and the twist was brilliant. Have now also added Sister to my wishlist.

Breathe sounds brilliant and I've just added it to my wishlist. I also have Pure by Julianna Baggott to read so it will be interesting to see how they compare.

I agree, he was a selfish weak-minded individual. And he didn't even get his comeuppance in the end. I can't read it again either as it would be the third time for me as well. Maybe in several years I'll re-read it but by then I'll probably have forgotten the story and what to look for.

That's a shame, as I thought it was very good. I hope you stick with it as you may change how you feel about it once you get to the end. I'm about 40% through PopCo. It's good but I'm trying to see where it will lead and what the other 60% of the book holds. I feel like I've read so much of it that I should be near the end, but clearly I'm not. I hope there are some changes to the setting, so the story can move on a bit.

You should work for Mythbusters, Frankie! I've had a bit of a think about it and I don't think it's possible either, for the same reason you said - she's simply too old to be Amy. The older daughter was called Eve. I'm kind of disappointed as I think that would have added a whole new layer to the story. Aside from those couple of posts I haven't found anyone else mention that theory. There is a bit of a mystery about Mrs Ross though, or maybe she's just supposed to be so inaccessible. ....'Rhubarb'....that made me laugh.

Great review of The Book Thief. I really like Rosa, but it did take me a while to warm to her. Under her brash and hard exterior, she was a very caring person who only wanted the best for others.

Glad you enjoyed The Book Thief and I like the message you took away from it.

^ Yes, don't look as I've posted something about the ending.

Oh noes!! Do you have a favorite book that you can re-read? I find that tends to help when my mojo takes a dip.

Thanks for posting that, Chesil. I have Wool by Hugh Howey on my wishlist as someone here had recommended it. I've added the Jared Diamond one to my wishlist as I really liked The Rise and Fall of the Third Chimpanzee. Also, I'm glad Margaret Atwood has another one coming out thought I have to re-read the prequels to refresh my memory. Doctor Sleep by Stephen King is another one I'm looking forward to.

The Sisters Brothers is one of today's 12 Days of Kindle deals, for £0.99. A bit frustrating as I bought it a week or so ago for £2.39. Grrrr.

^ Yeah, it was in last years 12 Day of Kindle sale as well. In fact I've noticed a couple that have been repeated like that.