Ali9321

Cheers for the tip off Don't yet have kindle but have it on netbook - always love a freebie!!!

OK finished it and WOW - what a story!!! That book goes very very high on the list of favourites from Stephen King (nothing can beat The Stand though!!!) Am I the only person who thought the size was quite modest for a Stephen King book?! Lol! Really whizzed through this book - last night I had to stay up to finish it, I was so close to the end I had to find out what happened! I've already bored so many people with how great it is and my book now doing the rounds of friends! When I remember how to do spoilers I'll add more!!!

I'm with Rawr - I liked all the books and didn't find the last three contrived. I struggled a little with the first book but perservered as I know historically (pre Pet Sematary) I used to struggle with the start of Stephen King books. I found each book quicker to get into and the story just swept me away I want to go back and read this whole series again - who knows when I'll find the time to do that! Definitely give them a go and make up your own mind re the last ones, they're definitely not universally condemned

Not reading any of posts for this yet but just to say I've finally got a copy and have time to read it (the joys of being ill!!!!!!!) I'm about a third of the way through now and loving it - a real classic Stephen King book so far. Given I'm not a fan of time travel stories I'm guessing that's a good sign! I already want to read IT again after the first part of this book, I've not read that for years. I'll; be back when I've finished to read this thread properly!

need to catch up on itvplayer - my aerial still only liking the beeb since the storm in dec and itv player doesnt like playing live (grrrrrrrrr) Be back when I've watched it - as I suspected by the sound of it corey isnt good but perlease can he stay!!!!!!!!!!!

Yup watched it and yup loving it. I like the changes, though I do miss Jason. I think the Louie is good so far and I think he has the potential to be bitchy (tho probably slightly less offensive than Jason!) As for the lineup I hardly knew any of them but even the ones I didnt have a clue who they were once I'd seen their "story so far" and dance I enjoyed so I'm hooked for another year. And they have Cory Feldman!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOW did they get him????????????? OK so I think he's wallowing in some obscurity after being a child star but wohooooooooooooooooooo Sadly from the wee bit we got about him looks like he won't be around long but I'll take what I can get And Daniel Whiston (?) is still there as a professional so I'm happy. He's lovely and been great every year

Ok 2p worth! Wow - interesting to read the other comments and dawnbirduk I'm glad you commented or I'd be feeling rather bad for being so negative! Interesting to read how everyone viewed it....

Sorry it's taken so long to join the discussion. Going to post answers to the original questions and then go back through the thread and read what everyone else thought and maybe add more 2p worth after that!!! 1. Which story was your favourite, and why? Puss-in-boots - it was the only one I felt that flowed well and grabbed me from the start. I struggled with most of the others, some of them had some redeeming features but this was the only story I (mostly) enjoyed 2. Who was your favourite character (from one story or from each story), and why? Puss in boots I guess - I liked the humour in this story 3. Was there a particular part that you enjoyed or disliked more than the rest? I didn't like the pointless sex references - I am not a prude at all but in this book they seemed mostly pointless and didnt add anything to the story except to shock. I think there are better ways to do that. That and the story the Snow Child - really did not see the point of that one at all 4. Was this the first book you've read in this genre, or by this author? Has it encouraged you to read more? Short stories I have read before and enjoyed. I would happily go and read that format again. Books by this author I'm afraid after reading this I would avoid. 5. Were there any parts or ideas you struggled with? I read books to enjoy a story and the ideas in them; A lot of books I read I understand are "snubbed" by literary critics - I think that's probably a good thing! The thing I struggled with most was the feeling that the author tried too hard - possibly to get brownie points from the literary critics. Maybe I'm too cynical but it felt like a book that was written for their approval, not for the enjoyment of the "constant reader". I prefer books that are written to be read I'm afraid, yes I am happy for a book to challenge me with concepts and ideas but it first and foremost has to be a darn good yarn and keep my interest and keep me wanting to read more. This book, I'm afraid did not do that. 6. How did you find the experience of reading a collection of short stories? Were you able to engage with the characters in the same way? I didnt' engage with the characters but I don't think that was the fault of the short story format. I have read collections of short stories before and been engaged with the characters. 7. Overall, did you find it an enjoyable experience? Not really no, but I am proud of myself for reading it - I did enjoy one of the stories (well almost two as Company of Wolves wasn't too bad but a little muddled). Sorry not to be more positive - just being honest! edited because apparently this evening I can't spell!!!!!!!!!!

Ahem This might be considering lowering the tone of the books but I recently finished The Twelve Days of Christmas by Trisha Ashley and I really wanted to try the recipes at the back of the book. Unfortunately I've lent the book to a friend so I will have to wait but one of the recipes was a bready saffron roll type thing which was traditional for New Year - sounded very good Well all the recipes that didn't mention raisins etc sounded so good I wanted to try em!

I was introduced on holiday last year to the joys of the Cumberland Rum Nicky http://www.greatbritishkitchen.co.uk/recipebook/index.php?option=com_rapidrecipe&page=viewrecipe&recipe_id=384 I just wondered if anyone had tried to turn this into an alternative mince pie filling? I HATE raisins/sultanas/currants (along with brussel sprouts this make for great traditional christmas fayre!) but I thought the rum nicky filling might work quite well as an alternative Anyone got any thoughts?

I've seen this book pop up in a number of recent threads and almost put my 2p worth there, but then thought I better search to see where else it had been discussed. I really liked this book - the setting for the book definitely caught my attention (probably second only to the wolf in the title!) and the suspense was there and kept me turning the pages. Overall though it was still a good read!

This thread has added a few to my to be read list too Given I'm in Scotland (nowhere in the wilds though) this suggestion is top of the additions, thanks! Sounds really good

Homemade boston baked beans Though I say it myself even better than Mr Heinz's (tho that may be the addition of the ham hough during cooking!!!!!!!)

Dursleys definitely (after all the Malfoys have eye candy in the form of Lucius!!!! Yes I know I'm sad but sigh!!!)

Oooh, I think I have an audio copy of that on my to "read" list somewhere - thanks for the recommendation, I'll move it nearer the top. Sounds like it will be a fascinating story. I like reading about artic/antarctic exploration and found the Ranulph Fiennes biography of Scott a really intereting read the other year (although not recommended for reading while camping as even in the height of summer the last few chapters make you feel cold!!!!!!!!!!)

M*A*S*H Hill Street Blues High Chapparal Which I guess show's my age LOL! But reading here yup, agree with The West Wing as well (I've been lent the box set by my sister so currently happily reliving season three - LOTS more to go!)

Insomnia Whod've thought you could cry at the end of a Stephen King book!!!!!!!

Awwwwwwwwwww Another Frozen Planet fan! Tyree loves it! Along with any other David Attenborough programmes!!!!!!! Will dig out some pony pics since you insist

Lol Penguins ARE mad I think they're so fun to watch And killer whales are just trying to get by Although still amazed by the seal "football" footage in Trials of Life! Loving this series - I think those guys were pretty brave being so close to the hungry polar bear (even if the boat full of guns was just out of shot!) Pup really enjoys David Attenborough series! He's woken up to watch most of this series, especially the bits with penguins or wolves. Nothing in this series has beaten his interest in the hissing chamaeleon from the Madagascar series though! LOL

A bit of a departure from the norm that I really liked was Indian Killer by Sherman Alexie I know you can't necessarily believe what you read on the wiki but I had to chuckle at them having the line from Sherman Alexie "it's a feel good book about interracial murder" !!!!!! I really enjoyed it but it was quite frustrating at the same time!

I'm with you guys - thought last weeks wasnt good The nice atmosphere they usually have was gone and I just wanted them to be back where they usually are Not long now though!!!!!

HOW have I missed this thread until now!!!! Love love love Strictly! It's one of the few things to look forward to as the nights get longer in my opinion!!!!!! Think they have a good bunch this year

Been struggling with this one, but not the fault of the book - just life got in the way and seemed to have stopped me reading! I even took it on a long weekend away and was so tired after the walking that barely got anything read! I'm finding it impossible to not picture the actors as the characters, but they do fit really well together - not yet sure whether that's because they chose well or that my brain is being insistent! I am finding I feel like I'm there when I'm reading the descriptions of the country around Cold Mountain Still good. Just wishing I had more time!

I was really cynical about this series and really couldn't see how they could have such universal appeal - thought it was all hype. I think three of the books were out before I was loaned them over christmas during a book swap I had with a woman at work (we each gave the other about 6 books we liked to expand our horizons) She slipped the first three in as extras and on christmas eve I settled down to read the first one, still highly cynical!!! I barely looked up all afternoon!!!!!! The next three were devoured quickly too and then I think I had to start the waiting game for the publication of the others Definitely give them a go. I really didn't think they were up my street but I loved every single one.

I second Poppy - I think cute little dude is actually a great description of him!!!!!!!!