bobblybear

Forever - Judy Blume My only memory of this book was that it was passed around at school amongst friends and we all had a good giggle at the ‘sex bits’. I don’t actually know if I read the book in full when I was a teenager. Maybe our library was one that banned it, as I'm sure I would have read it if it were available. Out of all the Judy Blume’s I have read it’s probably my least favourite. It’s about firsts – first serious relationship, first time having sex, first complications in a relationship. I found it quite touching because of the optimistic view that Katherine and Michael have about their relationship, and their belief it will last forever, but I suppose you do think that way as a teenager. It’s a bit dated, but that’s not surprising given that it was written in the 1970's. I wouldn't have thought that it would have the same impact on today's teenagers, but looking that Amazon reviews it would appear that it does. It's not the book I would recommend to start with if you haven't read a Judy Blume before. Like her other books, it's a very quick read and could be read in a couple of hours. 3/6

Hello SunnyShadows. Welcome to the forum!

Finished Capital by John Lanchester. Most definitely one of my favourites of the year. Now I have started Dark Places by Gillian Flynn. Oh, I also bought The Giver by Lois Lowry as it's today's Kindle Daily Deal.

Maleficent. Really liked it!

I got 6/10. A fair few of them were guesses.

Mr Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore is set in a bookshop. Unfortunately I didn't get on with it (haven't reviewed it yet though), but a lot of people seem to enjoy it.

Same with me - I've had the Paperwhite for a few months now and am happy with it. It would be a bit wasteful for me to upgrade now. That's what happened with my Keyboard. As I'm right-handed, it was the right-side button for me that didn't work everytime. Got worn out I suppose.

My husband doesn't read at all, so all the books on the shelf are mine. If he did read, I don't think I would be bothered about merging them, as I'm not very fussy about how they look on the shelves. I don't have a strict shelving system....it's vaguely done by book size, but apart from that it's very random. I think it makes it a bit more interesting if you mix books or don't have a particular filing system, as you can often stumble across something that you never knew was there.

About 70% through Capital. I really hope I finish it this weekend, but I've been so tired lately. I think it's a combination of work and the clocks changing (which always seems to make me feel tired for a few weeks ). Have bought some vitamins to see if they pep me up.

The temperature has dropped in the last couple of days, and it's quite cold now. I've succumbed, and put the heating on.

Deenie - Judy Blume This was a firm favourite for me when I was a teenager, so I was quite excited to be able to read it again 25-odd years later. Deenie is a 13 year old aspiring model. Actually it is her mother who keeps pushing her into modelling, whereas Deenie isn't too bothered. During cheerleader tryouts, the gym teacher notices something off about Deenie’s posture and suggests a visit to the doctor. From there, there are further visits to specialists, and it transpires that Deenie has scoliosis. Forced to wear a brace, Deenie is concerned about fitting in amongst her peers at school, especially with the boy she is keen on. While I enjoyed reading it again, it wasn’t as good as I thought it would be. I remembered it having more depth to it, and being more detailed, but I guess it just seemed that way when I was a teenager. It's a pretty typical Judy Blume book, with somewhat controversial teenage topics being discussed, and the usual dramas about boys and fitting in. It was a short read, and can be finished in a couple of hours (or less). Glad I read it, but I doubt I will read it again. 3/6

Hope you enjoy it better than I did, Janet. I recall having a bit of a rant when I was reviewing it.

I have anxiety about being late too. I show up for exams 1-2 hours early. I just can't relax until I am there (for an exam, or interview, or whatever), so I usually leave far too early. I've tried to leave a bit later, but I usually end up so anxious, I get stomach cramps. I also have a bit of phone phobia. I absolutely hate making phone calls (unless it's to people I know). I feel so nervous and keep rehearsing what I am going to say, and still delay making phone calls for days.

I am really enjoying it so far......very interesting reading. Another case of 'Why didn't I pick this one up sooner?'

Hope you enjoy it when you do.

Are you There God? It's Me Margaret is one of my favourite Blume books. Are you talking about the sanitary pads that used to be worn with a belt? I remember struggling to figure that one out too.

Great reviews - sounds like an interesting read!

I rarely analyze books.....for the most part I just read them and enjoy them at face value. But if it is a more interesting book, with subtext I don't quite grasp, I will google it or see if there is a Wikipedia entry. Often, that helps with finding plot links and also bits of trivia. I like to read comments and reviews when books are left open to interpretation, as so many people have many interesting ideas and theories about events that happen during the book, or after the story ends.

I couldn't get into Desperation and The Regulators. They just didn't grab me, but that was quite a few years ago when they first came out. I really must go back through his books and read the ones I haven't yet read. Frankie - as you liked Dolores Claiborne, have you seen the movie? It's very good. I don't remember enjoying the book that much, but I really like the film and have seen it several times.

Oh cooooll!! Thank you very much! Congrats to the other winners. There's a movie about this, called Buried. I bought it a while back, but have never got the courage to watch it.

Oh brilliant! Thank you! Congrats to Athena and Sara.

It's been years since I read Watership Down (I first heard of it because it was mentioned in Stephen King's The Stand), and while I can't remember the details, I do recall enjoying it a lot. It's a book I want to re-read, but at the same time I don't want to be let down if it isn't as good the second time around. Have you read any other Richard Adams? I struggled a bit through The Plague Dogs, and I still have Shardik on my shelf to be read at some point. I've just looked on my bookshelf, and I have a copy of Watership Down. Funny, but I forgot I had it and thought I'd read a library copy. It's a second hand copy - I've just flicked it open and there's a pink bit of paper with (handwritten) "Hi! Hope this book is enjoyed - Thanks. Regards .....(can't read the name)". It's a pretty ratty copy, but has some nice illustrations at the start of each chapter. Hmm, I may re-read it sooner rather than later.

Which Judy Blume did you download? I think they have stood the test of time, but seem to be a lot shorter than I remembered.

Nice review of The Handmaid's Tale. I have attempted to read it several times (I think I finished it each time, but it was mostly skimmed), but could never fully appreciate it. Perhaps I was too young, but whatever the case I have still kept a copy on my bookshelf, because I'm convinced I will understand and enjoy it more fully at some point.

I think I might have to save them up for the weekend, as my working week just seems to be so hectic these days, and I don't have much energy when I get home. One day this week I was in bed before 9pm. I finished The Crow Road. What a relief to finish it! It had some very good parts, but mostly it was a confusing (for me, anyway) mismash. I've started Capital by John Lanchester, which has received many positive comments on here recently. Good so far!