Hayley

I haven't read any of her other books but might have a look at The Magic Toyshop since a few of you recommend it And Pickle I didn't know The Company of Wolves was made into a film! I might have to have a look at that as well! I completely agree with what a lot of you are saying about her style too, she fits so much into such a short space just by using the right words.

I watched my first Indiana Jones film today. I don't actually remember what it was called though lol, something about a temple I think but I actually enjoyed it much more than I thought I would! It was a bit cheesy but I was very impressed when I saw the kid from the Goonies was in it I watched Paul not long ago as well and thought that was really funny, I love Simon Pegg and Nick Frost

I don't usually read short stories either, this was one of my A-level texts, I thought it was a bit strange at first but it really grew on me! She really is a brilliant writer and I liked the alternative fairy-story theme Happy this post inspired you to read it!

I'm adding George Orwell's 'Nineteen Eighty-Four' to my list as someone just gave me a copy

Haha, thanks Kylie And that sounds like a good course Ben, I looked at doing that as well but the university I wanted didn't do combined, I can definitely recommend English Literature though, can't complain about a class where you talk about books for two hours! I hope you enjoy it

It might be because I've just finished it, so its stuck in my mind more but I think David Copperfield because it really made me feel attached to the characters.. and nearly made me cry

I'm confused, is Sepulchre the sequel to the Labyrinth? I haven't read Sepulchre but I assumed they were completely separate? :/

Being a pretty strange series of short stories I wondered what other peoples thoughts were on this one? For example what was your favourite story in it? I think mine was 'The Erl King' although I'm not completely sure why since I never did understand the ending properly! (if anybody else did by the way, particularly the bit about the fiddle, please tell me!)

it has a sequel??

Well that's a good sign I wanted to read some Neil Gaiman books since I read 'Good Omens' which he did with Terry Pratchett. Are you doing literature at university too?

I've just recieved my book list for this year from my university and thought making this might help me organise what I need to read! (while still reading my own books. of course!) Also I've read very few of the books on here so if anyone has any tips about them please let me know! First of all the books I've got lined up to read myself are: Terry Pratchett, Carpe Jugulum Neil Gaiman. Stardust Neil Gaiman American Gods Then for uni: 19th century literature... Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre Charles Darwin, On the origin of species Charles Dickens, Great Expectations Elizabeth Gaskell, Mary Barton Thomas Hardy, Tess of the D'Urbervilles Mary Shelley, Frankenstein Robert Louis Stevenson, Strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Oscar Wilde, The picture of Dorian Grey (and selected poetry which isn't specified yet) 18th century literature... Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe Jonathan Swift, Gulliver's travels Frances Burney, Evelina Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice (also poetry and short prose pieces from John Dryden, Alexander Pope, Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, Jonathan Swift, Aphra B ehn, Thomas Grey and Charlotte Smith) American Classics... The Norton Anthology of American literature (for Nathaniel Hawthorns The Scarlet letter, short stories from the latter and Edgar Allan Poe, Poetry from Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman and slave narratives by Frederick Douglass and Harriet Jacobs) James Fenimore Cooper, The last of the Mohicans Henry James, the American Herman Melville, Moby-Dick Mark Twain, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Edith Wharton, The House of Mirth Major Authors... (This ones about Austen and Dickens) From Austen; Lady Susan, Emma, Northanger Abbey Persuasion (and 'memoir of Jane Austen' by Austen-Leigh) From Dickens: A Christmas Carol and other Christmas writing Hard Times David Copperfield Oliver Twist (The two I crossed out are the two that I've read by the way, and a Christmas Carol is crossed out without the rest of the book because I havn't read the other 'Christmas writing') All help and advice appreciated!

I loved this book! I literally couldn't put it down. Might re-read it actually after spotting this thread

I'm thinking Narnia would be cool. but If I had a choice of any, I'd be with Cookie in Discworld!

I think there are two great things about classics: 1) they're classics because they've survived the 'test of time', so you already know there must be something good about them! They create a list of histories greatest authors. 2) The history behind them makes them even more interesting (for example Dickens portraying Victorian England and Gatsby Americas 'boom' years)... well it does in my opinion anyway

I only read a book review if it's in front of me anyway, like if I'm ordering off Amazon. Usually though I just look around in a bookshop until something jumps out at me. I think it's better though sometimes to read a book without any preconceptions

Oh yeah, I didn't think of that, I've never gotten anything other than books from my library! Its only small in there so they probably wont have it but I suppose it's worth a try! Thanks Kell Also I can't believe there's been absolutely no negative comments on the book so far, it must be worth a read!

Oh right! I was wondering why it was so much!! Thank you Raven

I had a look for the radio series on Amazon but it's £50! (and reduced from £80!) I don't suppose any of you know where I could get it cheaper? Your recommendations have made me really want it now! haha

wow, I had no idea it was a radio or tv series as well. It's looking like I might have to order it so far Although I am starting to worry that reading the book will make me hate the film! Oh well, I'll always love that cute little robot

I've been thinking of reading the hitch hiker's guide to the galaxy for a while now, I liked the film (particularly the depressed robot, which made me laugh constantly). I was thinking it might be a little bit like the Terry Pratchett books in its humour. Would anybody recommend reading it? (or not reading it)?

Reading your requirements, 'The Philosophers Apprentice' by James Morrow might be a good one, it definitely represents an innovative idea and I doubt anyone could guess the ending! It really makes you think. For another really good book which is very difficult to tell the ending to, I'd recommend Carlos Ruiz Zaphon's 'The Shadow of the Wind' which is one of my favourites

I'm enjoying it thank you. It got me reading things I never would have otherwise, like Beckett's Endgame and Wuthering Heights. I'm looking forward to getting my reading list for next year. Thank you for all the lovely welcome messages by the way everyone

Hi, I actually joined this forum about a week ago but only just found the introductions section! So I thought I'd better go back and start from the beginning My names Hayley and I'm 19. I'm studying English Literature at university at the moment, which I suppose isn't going to be particularly surprising to anyone. I read a lot of different genres of books but my favourite authors are Terry Pratchett and probably Carlos Ruiz Zaphon. Not a lot of my friends enjoy reading, as much as I try to persuade them, which is what led me to google search 'book clubs' where I found the 'bookclubforum'; after reading a few posts, I decided you all seemed like very nice people and I'd give it a go Still not entirely sure what I'm doing on here but I've made a few posts and I think I'll get the hang of it soon, I hope to have some interesting discussions with you all

I was wondering if anyone else had a character in a book who they aspired to be like, either as a child or now? I think mine was Matilda, it was one of the first Roald Dahl books I read and I watched the film to death when I was younger, I had the blue ribbon for my hair and everything