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We had to read in school Andre Gides La Symphonie Pastorale in French (I went to a french school, despite being an english speaker at home). I had never had trouble with french books before this one; it is really short, but I just couldnt get into it. We used to have tests about each chapter as we went along, which I always failed. Then one day I stumbled across an english transaltion in the public library The Pastoral Symphony, and I finished it off within 2 hours, it was so moving, so beautiful, filled with so much meaning beyond the plot. Since that day, I read all the english transaltions of my school books before we started to ponder them slowly in french. I do feel guilty at not being able to fully appreciate them in thier original language... but this book I was forced to read remains one of the most powerful and inspiration books I have ever read...

The Power of One - Bryce Courtney

In grade 9 (about 14 years old) we had to read To Kill A Mockingbird in school. I made it the whole way through thinking that the Scout character was a boy. I got a very poor mark on my essay about it.

having travelled there recently made the book so much more interesting. We stayed in a good budget hostel right on central park. I loved the book's description of how the Dakota hotel was considered uptown and so far from the city when it was built. The book ended pefectly I think, bringing it all together. felt a bit like "the Metropolis Case" another New York set book I have reviewed, for anyone who can't get enough of the city.... Now I'm reading his Dublin saga, which starts a bit slow. Planning a trip to Dublin in october may inspire me to finish the read....

A Second Quarter Review April Nightrunner Series (last two book of the series: Darkness Returns, White Road) Lynn Flewelling http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/8417-nightrunner-series-lynn-flewelling/page__p__256926__fromsearch__1#entry256926 Scorecasting – Moskowitz Non fiction New York - Rutherfurd http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/8416-new-york-rutherfurd/page__p__256923__fromsearch__1#entry256923 The Last Jew – Noah Gordon At swim 2 boys (didn’t finish, confusing) Tales of the City - Maupin http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/8418-tales-of-the-city-armistead-maupin/page__p__256927__fromsearch__1#entry256927 Dragon Heaven / Dragon keeper – Robin Hobb May Arrows of the Queen trilogy - Mercedes Lackey Guns Germs and Steel - Jared Diamond Non fiction Pandora's Seed -S Wells Non fiction Transportation of Place (photologue) - A Robbins Skystone Series - Jack Whyte (liked book 1, got bored 3/4 of the way thru book 2, decied not to finished the series) June Helen Forester omnibus (Twopence to cross the Mersey, By the waters of Liverpool, Lime Street at two, Liverpool miss) - Helen Forrester http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/8645-blackout-all-clear-connie-willis/page__p__262500__fromsearch__1#entry262500 Black out, All Clear - Connie Willis http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/8645-blackout-all-clear-connie-willis/page__p__262500__fromsearch__1#entry262500 Vera Wright Trilogy - Elizabeth Jolley (didn’t finish, confusing timeline) Cuppa Tea and An Asprin - Helen Forrester Freedom - Jonathan Franzen Maurice - EM Forster We had it so Good - Linda Grant Oh, and I am also watching Games of Thrones online (but I have already read the books) Next up: Dance with Dragons - Martin Instance at the Fingerpost - (honest, its waiting at the library with my name on it!) Princes of Ireland / Dublin Saga – Rutherfurd Doomsday Book – Willis Redemption - Leon Uris and watching the Middlemarch tv miniseries Any recommendations on modern life in the UK? Such as university life, city life (especially outside of London) Or any good stories set in Wales?

After reading these two in quick succession (they are after all, one book split into two for publishing) I debated if they were historical fiction or sci-fi, but settled on the later. The story is mostly set in WWII London, but with use of time travel, including a discussion on the merits and ethics therein. Three time-travelling historians become ‘stuck’ in 1941 during the Blitz, unable to return home after their assignments are complete. The story weaves through past and future time with close calls, second chances and inescapable conclusions. A frantic, searching read, where the reader never gives up hope, both for a rescue of the characters and a British victory in the war. Strong supporting minor characters grow to fill important roles as the plot thickens, leaving the reader to contemplate fate, destiny and free will. Over all, I was enthralled by these books, dashing madly to pick up part 2 from the library. But more than time travel, the books really tell the civilian story of the war, as captured in this quote: "No one person or one thing won the war. People argue over whether it was Ultra or the evacuation from Dunkirk or Churchill’s leadership or fooling Hitler into thinking we were invading at Calais that won the war, but it wasn’t any one of them. It was all of them and a thousand million other things and people. And not just soldiers and pilots and Wrens, but air-raid wardens and plane spotters and debutantes and mathematicians and weekends sailors and vicars… and canteen workers and ambulance drivers and ENSA chorus girls and historians... Doing their bit. No one can be in a chaotic system and not affect events.” Recommended for anyone who like historical fiction AND Sci-fi Next, I will read her earlier books based on time travellers, and review the rest of the series.

In answer to my own post, I found helen Forrester my review is posted at: http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/8607-helen-forrester%e2%80%99s-autobiographical-series/

A review of Helen Forrester’s autobiographical series, including: Two Pence to Cross the Mersey, Liverpool miss, By the Waters of Liverpool, Lime Street at Two I recently completed the omnibus (four books bound into one) and was deeply moved by the stories. Two Pence to Cross the Mersey tells the story of Helens family, who after having lost their wealth during the depression, move to the slums of Liverpool. At age 11, she is forced to stay home to care for the younger children and keep house while her parents search for work. The story chronicles her new life in abject poverty as suffers from cold, hunger and isolation In Liverpool Miss, Helen battles to find work and improve her education. By the Waters of Liverpool, Helen finds that despite a steady income, her family’s mismanagement of money means that household conditions improve slowly, but she begins to assert her independence, and find time for herself. Lime Street at Two, the story recounts the struggles of civilians during WWII, including blackouts, bombing, rationing, loss of loved ones as well as the changing position of women in society. The books read smoothly like historical fiction, and I had to remind myself that they were autobiographical. I think the stories represent many women during that era, and provide a wide view into a life where freedoms and privileges are hard fought. The books would be suitable for a mature YA reader, or recommended to any young woman who grew up with too many fairy tale stories. These books are fiercely real, where a fictional woman would have been ‘rescued’ Helen Forrester had to find her own way. Overall, worth the read (and emotional investment), an inspiring story of overcoming personal challenges.

Tales of the City - Armistead Maupin Inspired by Rutherfurds New York, I went looking for a book about San Fransisco. Not exactly a chronology, more like a snap shot of a group of adrift singels in the 1970s. Does this even count as historical fiction, since it was written at that time? As I read it, all I could say out loud was, this is the wierdest book I have ever read. but I mean that as a compliment. The story relies highly on dialogue and current affairs of the time. The chapters are purposefully short, and often leave you guessing who the subject is by thier location, manerisms and conversations. There really is no plot. It is just descriptions of lost lonely people from all over, looking for sex and the meaning of life in the city. The characters might be described as silly or without direction, but I think that was intended to describe a lot of people at the time. The city is full of people trying to recover from the sixties and learn about the changing roles of men and women in relationships. It deals harshly (realistically?) with topics like race, sexism, sexuality, drugs and family expectations. Definatly a mature read. I would love to read the review of someone who lived or travelled there at the time, was that really how lost everyone felt? My father once recommnded to to be The Drifters (Michener) as his desciption of living through the 60s. The copy I read included More Tales of the City and Further Tales of the City. The last one had a bit of mystery suspense plot to it, but really just the continuation of the lives of characters you already love. A strange read, if you are looking to be transported slightly back in time for a short while, or maybe you want to relive your glory days. jj

NightRunner Series Lynn Flewelling Luck in the Shadows, Stalking Darkness, Traitor's Moon, Darkness Returns, White Road Though to review a whole series... but here I go... A well rounded and throrough piece of fantasy writing. Very creative, a slighly different take on dragons, magic and romance than I have previously read. Reminiscent of Robin Hobbs work, where you feel the same deep connection to the main characters. The lands, politics and religion of the setting are realistic and detailed but not over complicated. It covers some very interesting international relations, diplomacy and wars. Definatly gay fiction, though it is subtle in the first 2 books. It is part coming of age story, part love story and part political intrigue thriller. Traitors Moon was probably my faviorite all around, with Darkness Returns being too slow paced. White Road was the most action packed, but you really would have to read all the previous books for it to make sense. The author has indicated it is not written as a series, more like ongoing stories, with the possibility for another book. I have added to my to-read list, her next series the Tamir Triad, set earlier in the same land, with high expectations

Ok too much reading, not enough writing.... Well, after not enjoying some of his earlier works (Russka) and finding London a bit better, I decided to give his newest book a chance. Partially, I was inspired by a recent trip to the city (not long enough at only 4 days), so I had a bit of familiarity with the geography of the city. Also, when I got home, I watched the entire series "New Amsterdam" about an immortal man living in the city, watching it change over time(series got cancelled, the NY detective bit has so been done already) Anyways, So on to New York. Starting with Dutch Colonisation, the story moves through war of Independance, civil war, dirty thirties, until modern September 11th. Though following the Master family, the author weaves other families in and out of the story, including slaves, soldiers, socialites and immigrants. Taking place mainly in Manhattan, the book does expand a bit out to the other boroughs as characters move and return. This book interconnects the families in a more a natural manner than his previous few, giving me hope that he will replace the void left by JA Michener. The wait line at the library for it was a good indication that it would be a strong piece of writing. Overall, and excellent work, well researched, great pace, with an inspiring ending. I am keeping my eyes open for more of his works in the future.