Timstar

Finished A Crowning Mercy, a bit disappointing but not bad. Would have benefited from being shorter to be honest.

Finally got round to updating the first few posts on this thread... mostly, leaving my TBR pile for now as in the time it takes to write it all out I could have shortened it! I started Forever Free, the sequel to The Forever War by Joe Haldeman, even though i'm still half way through A Crowning Mercy... just couldn't resist some Sci-Fi . Both are enjoyable so far.

Nothing to be upset about! That's my plan as well

Watched Expendables 2 which was much better than the first but still very cheesy. Also saw A Dangerous Method, which had brilliant acting but I still don't like Freud. I do like Keira Knightly though..

bah... normal = boring

It's fairly new... also amazing, I highly recommend it!

Finished a few books recently: 11.22.63 (Audio) - Stephen King 10/10 Tales of the Dying Earth - Jack Vance 7/10 Stardust - Neil Gaiman 7/10 Books of Blood Vol. 1-3 - Clive Barker 7/10 The Mysterious Island - Jules Verne 7/10 Starting A Crowning Mercy by Bernard Cornwell.

Wow great review, not many books get the 'Steve 10'. I am looking forward to reading this now

I have just finished The Belgariad and can certainly recommend that as well!

Downloaded some Kindle freebies. The first five Barsoom/John Carter novels by Edgar Rice Burroughs as well as the first Tarzan and The Land that Time Forgot. Also The Lost World by Arthur Conan Doyle.

Cheers, I'll keep an eye out

Its a good deal relative to the RRP... but my scrimping means I need charity shop/second hand prices... I.e £2 ea

Thanks for the tip! I have been looking for this quite cheap, guessing the others won't come down in price anytime soon.

Finished the audiobook of 11.22.63 by Stephen King and really enjoyed it, such an amazing story with great in-depth characters and events. Defintely one of my favourite King novels. It was my first audiobook that I got as a freebie from audible, I did like the format and it was great for listening to in the car etc. but I don't think I will get anymore, it is just not the same as a good paperback.

Bought the complete Sherlock Holmes collection for the Kindle and read A Study in Scarlet and I really enjoyed it! Looking forward to reading some more

The Dark Knight Rises... Finally! very good

Yeah it was great thanks, very relaxing and a beautiful place. Got a few more books today... Legend, The King Beyond the Gate and Waylander by David Gemmell. Brand new for £5... not bad.

The Phoenix Conspiracy by Richard Sanders. Calvin, an intelligence operative, is sent to eliminate a dangerous traitor. But, as he chases his prey across the stars, he realizes they are both pawns in a shadowy chess game. One that threatens humankind everywhere. If he is to uncover the conspiracy he must confront--and embrace--the darkest elements of the galaxy. And throw himself, his career, and everyone he loves into the line of fire. Review This is a kindle-freebie that looked quite interesting and I'm so glad I read it is an absolute gem. This felt like a Dan Brown book... set in space. Not as fast paced as a conventional thriller but it moves very well to keep the reader interested, and slowly reveals the mystery as well asking more questions as the story progresses. Very little description of the technologies so it is not weighed down realism and problems of conventional space travel, which works really well for this type of story and also makes it ideal for those new to sci-fi. The problem is that the sequel is about £5. Overall 9/10

I did the same with my holiday, took one tree-book and my kindle, really helped to get so much reading done! Hope you had a great holiday Ben.

The Machine by D. G. Jones Synopsis There is only THE MACHINE and those who live within it. Told through the unconventional, simple language of blue 7, one of the millions of workers who scurry through its metallic entrails, THE MACHINE tells of a brutal regime and the beginnings of rebellion within... Working without purpose and without end, humanity lives and slaves to maintain the huge mechanical monster, beyond which there is nothing. Blue 7, has spent his lifetime working and wondering the function of THE MACHINE, but someone has noticed him, and slowly his world begins to unravel in a blood-soaked violent struggle that threatens not only him, but THE MACHINE itself… Review This was the first book I read on Kindle after reading some great reviews and it being relatively cheap. The concept is simple yet brilliant. As the whole of society works tirelessly towards running and maintaining The Machine, the world as they know it, one man known as Blue 7 starts to experience some strange events and it looks like someone is out to get him. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this book, it gives great description about the lives of the people in The Machine and as the reader we know no more then they do about what The Machine is or what its purpose is. The novel is quite brutal, not just in the dystopian environment, but with torture and mass executions as common place. I have seen it described as a 'modern 1984' and I would say this is not far off to be honest, the prose can't compare to that of Orwell of course but world certainly has a similar feel of bleakness and hopelessness. Other then the unknown Machine itself, there aren't many sci-fi elements which definitely helped to ground the novel in reality and allows the reader to relate to the situation in which these people live. Jones has created a world with endless possibilities and I hope he writes more and explores some them. For £1.50 I would certainly recommend this. Overall 8/10

Enchanter's End Game by David Eddings Synopsis The conclusion to the epic fantasy series The Belgariad. The prophecy is nearly fulfilled and the world could be saved or be plunged into darkness. It all rests on farm boy, Garion's head as he prepares to battle the evil god Torak. Review Got there finally, the series has been brilliant so far and the finale did not disappoint. The story has you gripped from the start as the fates of the characters, you have come to love, are all decided. The world Edding's created is vast and imaginative and filled with memorable characters and fantastic creatures. Don't think there is much more to say about this series, it is simply brilliant. If you like fantasy and haven't read this yet I would highly recommend it, also great for beginners to fantasy . Overall 9/10 Series 9/10

oh don't worry, I'll do my part.

Got back from my honeymoon, managed to get some good reading done on the beach Enchanter's End Game (Belgariad 5) - David Eddings. 9/10 The Machine - D. G. Jones - 8/10 Ladies Night (Short Story) - Jack Ketchum - 7/10 The Phoenix Conspiracy - Richard Sanders - 9/10 Infinity Blade (Short Story) - Brandon Sanderson - 7/10 Study In Scarlet - A. C. Doyle - 8/10 The Crossing (Short Story) - Jack Ketchum - 6/10 Also started The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne which is great so far!

Thanks! I think it went quite well, I may not have enough experience in genetics which may be held against me, but other than that I think I am a strong candidate. Had to do loads of driving today and my car is without air-con so not pleasant in this heat lol. Driving again tonight, got to go to Gatwick

Thank you! Got a job interview in Cambridge tomorrow with the Medical Research Council so fingers crossed I can get it as I need to support the new family