KindleWorm

I think I can narrow my favourites to two so far this year: The Life of Pi, Yann Martel - awesome book, and totally not what I was expecting. Before I go to Sleep, SJ Watson - debut book by a chap who worked for the NHS for years and decided to try his hand at writing - damn fine job he did too! Very unusual and gripping read about a woman with severe amnesia - highly recommended.

Interesting thread... I have to say the word disturbing fits the bill on a series of books by Dean Koontz that I read recently - his Frankenstein set (five books in total I believe - I heroically made it to number four) The premise is quite chilling in itself - Victor Frankenstein is not dead after all and Koontz picks up where Mary Shelley left off and brings Dr Frankenstein into the 21st Century. His desire to create has not diminished in the intervening years and he literally farms humanoids that have modified personalities. His replicants are already planted (undetected) in society with a desire to kill all humans as soon as the command is given. Cue a dramatic "take over the world" theme. For me the idea of farming humans with distorted personalities is disturbing enough and some of the characters (for want of a better word) are definitely macabre. But for me the most disturbing aspect of this series was the appalling quality of the writing. It got worse with each book until it was quite clear Koontz had run out of steam, storyline and direction. I suspect if the man wasn't already a popular author these books would not have made it to publication. Steer clear of these books or you will be disturbed on a number of different levels!

Interesting thread - I'm always amazed as some people's ability to read anywhere... I think it's akin to the skill of being able to fall asleep anywhere too! Is noise allowed? The TV or the children? I find it difficult to read with excessive distractions. Unless the book is intensely gripping. I prefer reading with quiet music in the background. Indoors or out? Morning or Evening? Prefer reading indoors, although I have read a lot more outdoors now I have Kindle which gives you glare-free reading (no, I don't have shares in Kindle, honestly!) Do you read on sofa or do you prefer to snuggle in bed with a good read? I like both - but snuggling on the sofa with a book requires a fleecy blanket/throw of sorts. Is a cuppa close to hand? Do you feast while you read? Cup of tea definitely. In the days before becoming a wheat & dairy-free zone, then I would have devoured biscuits as well! Does everything have to be just so? Ideally, yes - ambiance is important - but if the book is good enough, then your environment can often melt away. (For me this is a sign of a great book as I am very easy to distract!)

I am currently reading The Girl on the Swing by Ali Cooper. Another good buy on the Kindle (I hate paying full price for e-books!). Interesting, well-written story so far about a female Doctor dealing with the loss of her son and coming to terms with "past lives" that regularly merge with her day-to-day existence. The pace is a little slow perhaps, but the Doctor's character is thoughtfully and sympathetically drawn enabling the reader to suspend disbelief as the articulate and professional medic describes her supernatural experience in a matter-of-fact way... I'm very interested to see where it takes me.

Thanks everyone for your kind messages of welcome - this seems like a very friendly and relaxed place - I think I will enjoy it here! After mentioning my librarian badge in my intro, I managed to track it down and pin it to a little squirrel in my study (who is now guardian of the many bookcases!). Another reason to love the Kindle is no more rearranging of countless books to accommodate new books!

Welcome newbie, from another newbie!

Good evening - just a few words of introduction... My name is Lisa and I live on the outskirts of the Cotswolds with my hubby and our two cats. We currently have a small flock of goldfinches visiting our bird-feeders every day, and I fear we may need to re-mortgage the house to keep them in sunflower hearts and nyger seed! I don't think the cats are impressed. I have always been an avid reader - since before starting school - so much so I was a librarian of sorts in all three of my tertiary system schools! I think I even have a little green and brass librarian badge somewhere (yes I know, geek alert!) I have recently bought myself a Kindle and loved it so much I convinced hubby to buy one for himself so we can competitively read and discuss the books as we go. It was marvellous taking two Kindles on a two-week holiday and just picking and choosing what to read when. Maybe this obsession explains my username... I stumbled upon the forum when Googling "book reviews" - I am hoping to get some ideas for even more books to read and just generally find out what like-minded people are interested in/talking about. My tastes in reading are fairly eclectic... but I must confess I adore the Harry Potter books as they re-introduced me to the world of glorious escapism that three years of an English degree (many moons ago) had somehow squeezed out of me!

Mid(ish) 30s - I'm clinging on to them for as long as possible!

Born in London, grew up in Northampton and now live in the Cotswolds