karen.d

Great review! I wasn't planning to ever read this book, because it didn't seem to be the sort of book that I would enjoy. However, a friend raved about 'One Day' and gave me the book to read. As to not to be impolite, I thought that I would give the novel a go and I absolutely loved it. In fact, 'One Day' is one of my top reads of 2011. The characters are realistic and so is the plot. I also liked the fact that Nicholls did not portray the idea of love as something that is all hearts and flowers. I also thought that the concept of taking each chapter of the book as one more year in Dexter and Emma's lives, to be an innovative approach. I did find that the ending was wrapped up a bit too nicely though . However, like someone said on this thread, I felt so involved in Dexter and Emma's lives that I didn't want the novel to end. I would have been happy for the story to continue. I have been tempted to watch the film version of 'One Day', but I think that I will resist. The reason being is that no actor can match up to the 'Dexter' and 'Emma' that have imprinted themselves in my mind, after reading the novel. Therefore, I know I will end up feeling disappointed.

I've just finished 'The Long Song' by Andrea Levy. In general I enjoyed the novel, but found the use of different perspectives to be both jarring and at times, a little confusing. Now I'm just about to begin reading 'The Pale Horse' by Agatha Christie. I have only read one of Christie's novels before, but I would like to read more.

I have to admit that I also read the translation of 'Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea' however I really enjoyed it. It's exciting and I loved the complexities of Captain Nemo. I do prefer 'Around the World In Eighty Days' though.

'League of Extraordinary Gentlemen' Book Challenge' Details/Rules: 1.The goal is to read the classic books and the classic novels to see how they all tie together. 2. What counts: books, eBooks, audio books 3.Crossovers from other reading challenges count. The books are (in no specific order): Dracula- Bram Stoker Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea- Jules Verne- *** Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde- Robert Louis Stevenson * The Invisible Man- H.G Wells The First Men in the Moon- H.G Wells Any Fu Manchu novel Any Sherlock Holmes novel Any Allan Quatermain novel Any James Bond novel and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen graphic novel to tie it all together

I've haven't managed to finish 'The Long Song' by Andrea Levy, so that is going to be my first read of 2012.

I've just finished watching 'Hugo'. It wasn't what I expected at all, but I loved it. It's imaginative, funny and I also love its homage to film history. One thing I do find rather odd however, is that the film has an all British cast (as far as I could tell) and yet, is set in France. I suppose it's better than having to listen to terrible attempts at a French accent.

Lose

Beat

Ok thanks I will search out his drawings

I like films like 'Goodfellas' and 'Pulp Fiction' which do have gore and violence in. However, the difference I found with these films and 'Drive' was that they did not just contain gore, but actually had a story to them too.

Went to see 'Drive' last night. It started off really slowly and then turned into a blood bath! It's a horrible film.....I wouldn't recommend watching this just after dinner.

I intented to read over Christmas, but never found time. However, I have progressed to page 73 of 'The Long Song' by Andrea Levy. I'm enjoying it so far.

I love Downton Abbey and was gutted to miss the Christmas special. Hoepfully I'll be able to watch it soon. I've just finished watching the 'Outnumbered' Christmas special.

Thanks for the welcome! So far I'm really enjoying joining in the discussions on the boards

Thanks and welcome to the boards too!

I find drawing very difficult but you're right, it is rewarding. The problem I have found is that I think school's don't help their pupil's to find an individual style of their own. They only want to mould pupils exactly the same and those who take a long time to progress in Art (like myself), get left behind. That's why I love my Art class. People of all levels and styles are welcome and everyone encourages each other. It's the freedom of the class, which I think has helped me to progress in drawing and painting. Thanks for suggesting Van Gogh's paintings, I will try and look at some.

This was done in Charcoal (Conte) pencil. I have been going to Art classes for the last 4-5 years. I failed Art at school and thought I couldn't do any kind of Art, but then I saw a tv series with Rolf Harris called 'Star Portraits' which made me go out and buy a sketchbook. Then I got really into drawing/painting and my friend told me about art classes she goes to and I decided to join. I was terrible when I first started (it was particularly intimidating as my teacher and most of the rest of the pupils are Spanish) and I still find drawing difficult, but I'm slowly improving.

Welcome to my reading list. This is the place I will be listing the books I have read over the next 12 months. My Rating: * Didn't like it ** It was ok *** Liked it **** Loved it ***** A Must Read January 'The Long Song'- Andrea Levy *** (398 Pages) 'The Pale Horse'- Agatha Christie *** (191 Pages) 'Something Dangerous'- Penny Vincenzi * (Unfinished) February (Started in Jan) 'Fall of Giants'- Ken Follett ** (941 Pages) 'The Hound of the Baskervilles'- Arthur Conan Doyle ***(154 Pages) March 'Time's Legacy'- Barbara Erskine * (520 Pages) 'You got Nothing Coming'- Jimmy Lerner *** (413 Pages) 'The Lakes of Dreams'- Kim Edwards ** (377 Pages) April (Started In March) 'Wuthering Heights'- Emily Bronte ***(331 Pages) 'The War of the Worlds- H.G Wells ** (182 Pages) 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde'- Robert Louis Stevenson * (81 Pages) 'I Capture the Castle' - Dodie Smith ***(408 Pages) 'The Hunger Games'- Suzanne Collins ***** (454 Pages) May June (Started in April) 'The Passage'- Justin Cronin *** (766 Pages) 'We Bought a Zoo- The Amazing True Story of a Broken-Down Zoo, and the 200 animals animals that changed a family forever ***** (313 Pages) July (Started in June)'The Dandelion Clock'- Guy Burt *** (416 Pages) 'The Art of Racing in the Rain'- Garth Stein ***** (321 Pages) August 'May I Have Your Attention Please?'- James Corden *** (341 Pages) 'War Horse'- Michael Morpurgo **** (181 Pages) 'World Without End'- Ken Follett (Unfinished) 'Catching Fire'- Suzanne Collins ***** (472 Pages) 'The Somnambulist'- Essie Fox (Unfinished) September 'The Elegance of the Hedgehog'- Muriel Barbery **** (320 Pages) 'Don Quixote'- Cervantes (Unfinished) October (Started In Sept) 'Game of Thrones'- George R.R Martin (Unfinished) 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' (Spanish Version)- Roald Dahl *** 'Eclipse'- Stephenie Meyer ** 'Breaking Dawn' - Stephenie Meyer ** November 'Mockingjay'- Suzanne Collins ***** 'The Art of Racing in the Rain' by Garth Stein- A re-read December (Started in November) 'The Stand'-Stephen King (Currently Reading)

I have worked out how to do it! Here is a photo:

Here are some photos of a cat picture, I have drawn in my Art Class recently.