Alexi

I do that too J - I picked one up from the Phillippines last week by the same method! You're doing really well with your challenge. I've stagnated a bit!

I've had it on the TBR for 18 months! I wish I'd read it sooner now, but I feel I enjoy books more by picking them up when I fancy the,, and not stressing about how long they've been on the shelf for. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Sorry to hear that addiction of any form can be so damaging.

I know I haven't read it - really must put that right soon! Also added Of Mice and Men to my immediate wishlist! (have had to segregate wishlists now!)

#23 Before I Go To Sleep by S J Watson Synopsis: Memories define us. So what if you lost yours every time you went to sleep? Your name, your identity, your past, even the people you love - all forgotten overnight. And the one person you trust may only be telling you half the story. Welcome to Christine's life. (From Amazon) Thoughts: Wow. Loved this one. It feels really cheesy saying I couldn't put it down, but I stayed up hours past my bedtime to finish it and even shed a tear on public transport! Christine wakes up every morning not knowing where or who she is, as she can't store memories while she sleeps. The book is told from her perspective, so we get a taste of the confusion, embarrassment and difficulty she faces as a result. I'm not going to say anything else about the plot, because I think it's important to go into this one unspoiled, but I loved it. The pacing was great, slow enough that I raced on eager to see if my theories were correct, but fast enough to keep me interested. I think the reason this book works is the author's ability to tap into our heroine's emotions - I was really rooting for her, and felt the sadness, confusion and anger she felt as she endeavoured to unwind the mysteries surrounding her life and the people in it. One of my favourites of 2013 so far! 4/5

I took them ten years ago, and studied Lord of the Flies, Romeo and Juliet and some poetry. Can't seem to remember the rest. The thing I remember most is having Lord of the Flies read out loud to me in English lessons for six weeks, and thinking it would be a much better use of my time if I read it home and analysed it in class.

Wise words J. Every couple is unique. Communication and a willingness to work through problems is the most important thing IMO.

Officially given up with Money by Martin Amis. I'd worked my way through to page 100 but it was becoming a chore to pick up. I've started Before I Go To Sleep by SJ Watson instead.

You've inspired me to pick up a Christmas Carol when we get closer to December. Glad you enjoyed Oliver Twist! One day, I might have to pick up a Dickens I'm unfamiliar with!

I'm struggling with my current book - Money by Martin Amis. Obviously, the very point of the book is the dislikeable main character, but it does mean reading about his continual horrendous behaviour hard. I basically just think he's a turd.

This really tickled me! He's right of course, I've just got this great image of him binning it with a flourish!

#22 Armed Struggle: The History of the IRA by Richard English Synopsis: The IRA has been a much richer, more complexly layered, and more protean organization than is frequently recognized. It is also more open to balanced examination now--at the end of its long war in the north of Ireland--than it was even a few years ago. Richard English's brilliant book offers a detailed history of the IRA, providing invaluable historical depth to our understanding of the modern-day Provisionals, the more militant wing formed in 1969 dedicated to the removal of the British Government from Northern Ireland and the reunification of Ireland. English examines the dramatic events of the Easter Rising in 1916 and the bitter guerrilla war of 1919-21, the partitioning of Ireland in the 1920s, and the Irish Civil War of 1922-23. Here, too, are the IRA campaigns in Northern Ireland and Britain from the 1930s through the 1960s. He shows how the Provisionals were born out of the turbulence generated by the 1960s civil rights movement, and examines the escalating violence that introduced British troops to the streets of Northern Ireland. He also examines the split in the IRA that produced the Provisionals, the introduction of internment in 1971, and the tragedy of Bloody Sunday in 1972. He then discusses the struggle over political status, culminating in the Hunger Strikes of the early 1980s and describes the Provisionals' emergence as a more committed political force throughout that decade, a politicization that made possible the peace process that has developed over the last decade. English offers a dazzling synthesis of the motives, actions and consequences of the IRA. Neither romanticizing the IRA nor condemning them outright, this is a balanced, definitive treatment of one of the world's leading revolutionary movements. Thoughts: I went into this with embarrassingly little knowledge of the situation in Ireland, or the troubles. I was recommended this as a text which deals thoroughly with the background which led up to the bits that had first intrigued me - the bombing of the north west of England in the 1990s. One of the reviews on goodreads tells me it's not a book for beginners, but I thought it was absolutely excellent. It packs in a mountain of facts and it isn't one to be skimmed, but it's richer for that. Starting with the 1916 Easter Rising, this book takes us right through to 2002 and is (as far as this novice could see) a balanced, fair account. The author goes to great pains to explain the awful discrimination Catholics faced in Northern Ireland and the role of the police and army, while emphasising the dreadful violence which the IRA carried out and the suffering they consequently caused. You definitely need to have a big interest in the subject (although mine lies in politics in general), but if so this book is definitely worth a read. 4.5/5

Thanks so much guys I had a great day. I got two books: The Angel's Game - Carlos Ruiz Zafon ( Frankie!) The English Patient - Michael Ondaatje. I've also finished my current non-fiction on the IRA (review to follow!) and started Money by Martin Amis.

Aw thanks J I'm going to buy myself a present from my amazon wishlist, but decided it might be prudent to wait until the end of the day

I certainly don't think you're daft - it can be really scary to watch. I think I was 11 when I went on a school trip to Blackpool and there was a slot machine bit. There was someone there who looked like they were suffering for money - holes in clothes etc - clearly drunk throwing coins down them. I still remember that vividly 15 years later. My parents went to Vegas a couple of years before I did, and my Dad told us all he would play a couple of games of blackjack. He told us all to approach it as if you will lose all you have and you're paying for an evening's entertainment - never gamble more than you would want to spend on a night out!

I'm not sure you'd enjoy it if you have an aversion to gambling J they are dealing in HUGE sums, and while they win heavily they do come into contact with nasty figures from the casinos who aren't keen on that (I don't think that's too spoilery!) I haven't gambled at all since I went to Vegas (2010), and gambled a little there but spent more time soaking up the atmosphere and partying in the nightclubs (girls drink free, it's magical - although it feels too sexist to wholeheartedly approve!). So while I don't gamble myself I certainly don't mind watching and reading about others - as long as they aren't people I love after one too many.

#21 Breaking Vegas by Ben Mezrich Synopsis: The book Vegas doesn't want you to read... Another page-turning true story of the underbelly of Las Vegas from Ben Mezrich, a successor to his bestselling Bringing Down the House. (From Amazon) Thoughts: I've seen the movie 21, but I believe that is based on the predecessor, Bringing Down the House. Breaking Vegas might have a less snappy title, but this is an enthralling tale that goes far beyond card counting and tells of a group of students who are using three techniques to beat the house which are lot murkier than that. The author discusses the "grey area" of legal/illegal in this tale, and I'm rather inclined to think these techniques err on the illegal side. In theory, anyone can card count, these techniques relied on seeing cards you weren't supposed to see to give a fantastic advantage. That aside, we visit Las Vegas, Aruba, London, Amsterdam and Monte Carlo in a lavish world tour of money, excess and gambling. It's a great read, and I think Mezrich tells it well. He builds suspense towards the (inevitable) downfall, and intersperses the narrative with snippets from the present day, where he is interviewing for the book. I really enjoyed it, and I shall look out for more of Mezrich's non fiction in the future. I also really, really want to go back to Vegas again now! (4/5)

Noted!!

J - with regards your spoiler about Oliver Twist, that was the biggest difference I noticed from the film to the book. Obviously there are some additional plot threads too, but in terms of things that appeared in both I mean! I've recently acquired Mrs 'Arris Goes To Paris from the library, so really good to see some positive reviews! Well done everyone, some amazing progress being made!

I always dither about whether to read them because some, such as a recent one I read for The Color Purple can really put the book in context. Some of them, as you say, must be designed for someone who has already read it!

Glad to be of service Speaking of, I picked up Prisoner of Heaven while doing my weekly food shop (often my downfall, I get SO bored and need distraction!) but left it in the end because I felt I MUST acquire Angel's Game first... So I bought a Phillippa Gregory novel instead. Fail.

I have to say, the spoilering in introductions is one of my biggest pet peeves! It's titled introduction, therefore surely supposed to be read before the main event?!

I bought that last week, so will eagerly await your thoughts!

I'm currently on a non fiction kick too - I didn't think it's odd at all, although I would say that I like to learn about things, and I often find non fiction just as entertaining as fiction. I'm currently reading about the history of the IRA, and that's just as dramatic/horrifying in places as any fiction could be. I also just finished Breaking Vegas, which I know you recommended, which I'm assuming is a dramatised account but is certainly edge of your seat stuff.

my favourite of hers is Can You Keep a Secret? Which I very much enjoyed, but I did read it about five years ago now. I didn't enjoy the fantasy element of Twenties Girl so much. I shall definitely look out for your Game of Thrones review! It's on my TBR, but I keep putting it off due to the size... I haven't seen the tv show yet though.

Aw thanks Frankie!! I do intend to read the others at some point, but I've hit 200 on the TBR now so am supposed to be reducing it not increasing! Hmm. I'll blatantly acquire them next week.