Hayley

Hi Emma I like playing on the xbox too, especially RPG's, but I've never tried World of Warcraft even though I hear it's a good one

It made me laugh too I think maybe because both of us watched the film without reading the book first, we didn't know how wrong it was in comparison! Lovely story as well, and very ironic!

Thanks I really want to start on American Gods but I though I'd be a good student and start on Robinson Crusoe And congratulations to your son! I hope I'll be in the same position in a couple of years

Thanks a lot Chrissy that would be great! And I'll let you know if I also feel the urge to slap Tess Also 'Neverwhere' sounds like a really interesting title, I might go and have a look at that as well

I'm sure it will be amazing like all his other books! October seems so far away!!

Thoughts on Neil Gaiman - Stardust : Another book I really enjoyed! I wasn't too sure about it when I started, the characters all seemed a bit bland and hollow, but then as I got further into the book I realised it was intentional. The descriptions of Faerie and the sheer imagination that went into creating this alternative world is amazing. I only wish it had been longer!

What about Neil Gaiman - Stardust? And I can confidently recommend this one becasue I've just finished it myself! The male protagonist doesn't get physically stronger but his character becomes stronger and he develops a better sense of who he is etc. throughout the book. Also includes romance. I think it would be a good one to try

I though that was a really good way to describe The Shadow of the Wind as well, and it definitely deserved its 5/5 in my opinion The Angels Game is very good too, it's a bit darker and I think reading The Shadow of the Wind influences your reading of it a bit (but I'm sure you'll read it and find out what I mean for yourself) Love Carlos Ruiz Zaphon. Wish more of his books were translated to English!

Levens yes I am, it was the one in Acocks Green. Either they've added one since I asked or the woman I asked didn't actually know! :/ Good to know I have an extra option though for future reference so thanks!

My library does the same levens, you can't take out books from the adult section if you're under a certain age, which I always thought was stupid and restricts kids from challenging themselves. My Mom or my older sister would have to get books out for me if I wanted one from the adult section. And Chrissy you're so lucky! We can only take 7 books at a time out in my library!

I think this thread is a really good idea When I first joined the forum I thought I'd end up feeling a little left out as everybody seemed to know each other pretty well already but you're all lovely and I'm really glad I found this forum! So thanks for giving me somewhere to post my ramblings on literature! I hope I can get to know all of you better and here's a hug for all of you from me

I barely ever think the film as good as the book version. I think it's because a film adaptation can never live up to our own imaginations. The Reader was one that disappointed me. It wasn't a bad film but I just didn't think it had nearly the same emotion as the book. I loved the Lord of the Rings films too but haven't read the books so I can't really compare (although I have read the Hobbit so I'm prepared for the next one)

I don't think it's wrong but, depending what the person was in prison for, it might put me off reading it a bit.

Although this is traditionally the opposite of what you're supposed to do, I can't help being attracted to unusual covers when I'm looking for a book. Or even buying a particular edition of a book with no other difference than one has a nicer cover. I think the great thing about it is, once I've finished reading the book, it will look pretty on my bookcase until I decide to pick it up again Does the cover of a book matter to you?

Thanks Also, while reading Stardust (and I really don't know how I missed this) I realised that it was the book the film was based on! I must be the only person who didn't make this link

I just thought of another one, Elizabeth Kostova's 'The Historian'. It's a bit of a mixture between horror and mystery and if your used to reading Stephen King, probably isn't going to seem very scary but its very well written and really keeps you gripped

mmm iv never heard of watermelon ale but it sounds lovely! I've got a much less interesting chocolate horlicks

I know what you mean, and I could be wrong because it's been a while since I read this book, but doesn't Jonathan write the journal while he's actually at the castle? Meaning we don't actually know if he escapes or if the diary is simply found? I know after a point it becomes obvious but I don't think he's the only person we feel suspense for either, what about Lucy and Mina? Or what about the 'race' at the end? Or maybe I'm just easily held in suspense I completely agree that the use of diary entries make it seem more realistic and therefore scarier though

I love big bang theory! not actually watching anything at the moment but ended up watching 2 episodes of horrible histories with my niece earlier. It's pretty educational even when you're 19!

You can get it for £1.48 plus £2.80 delivery from amazon UK (although I don't know if you live in the UK so sorry if that's useless lol) you can also get it for 99p from the works website (although I can't remember how much they charge for delivery) https://www.theworks.co.uk/search.asp?keywords=flanimals&x=0&y=0

I have to disagree UCLGeogPhD, I think it does have a sense of overwhelming peril, particularly as it builds up Jonathan Harker's sense of entrapment in the castle. I think maybe to us as modern readers it lacks 'action' because we're less easily shocked than a Victorian audience would have been but, for its time, I think it would have been pretty action packed!

I think it was called 'The Tigers Bride', I liked the ending of that one

I haven't actually finished this book but I'm pretty sure it fits your description... what about Duma Key by Stephen King?

I've been playing guitar since I was about 14 and can't read notation either but I can read tablature, which I suppose is a start! The ukulele sounds like an interesting instrument to learn, I don't think I've ever met anybody that could play it!

My thoughts on Terry Pratchett - Carpe Jugulum I finished this last night, another amazing Pratchett book. Its probably one of the Discworld books where it would make more sense if you've read previous books. For example I think some parts would only be funny if you'd read The Wee Free Men and possibly Witches Abroad. There's some beautiful imagery, as usual and of course a message or two that you could definitely apply to real life... "And sin, young man, is when you treat people as things. Including yourself. That's what sin is." (Granny Weatherwax) I always expect a lot from the Discworld novels, and I haven't been dissapointed yet, this one was no exception.