Angury

Excellent review - you've mentioned all of the reasons why I love this novel as well. It's difficult to explain to people why this book is so good when the plot sounds so 'simple' but this book has stayed with me even months later. Glad you enjoyed the book just as much as I did.

Great to hear you enjoyed Equal Rites. I always turn to the Discworld Series when I don't really want to read anything but am feeling a bit bored. His writing always cheers me up.

What are your thoughts on Charles Dickens? I know his stories are well known but I'm in two minds about reading his works. Would you say his writing is pretty good, or is it mainly the strength of his plots and his characters which makes him so well known?

I've read Anna Karenina and The Death of Ivan Ilyich - which is probably my favourite work by Tolstoy. I've read two of Dostoevsky's works - The Brothers Karamazov & Notes from the Underground and have The Idiot on my to-read list. My all-time favourite author is Vladimir Nabokov - when I read his writing I feel like I'm watching genius at work. Have you read anything by him?

Hi Dolly - welcome to the Forum. I too am a big fan of War and Peace. Have you read any other books by Tolstoy? He is probably one of my favourite writers - I find he is particularly good at character development and plot. I think I have a bit of a soft spot for Russian writers. I look forward to seeing you around the Forum.

Do you remember what made you put it down unfinished? I'm curious to hear other peoples' thoughts on the novel as I feel like mine are a bit too positive. I'm enjoying Don Quixote so far. It's fun to read, great plot and a nice way to relax. Plus, you look clever reading a big book! Please do give it another try! Yes, I was also tempted by the fame around Don Quixote. It's interesting how my perception about a book changes when it's well known and reputable. If Don Quixote were just any old book, I probably wouldn't read it as it's not my kind of thing. But constantly on Top 10 Books lists and rave reviews? Yes please! Thanks Willoyd, that's lovely to hear. I agree with you, I often find older books easier and more enjoyable to read. I love the richness of the writing and it makes me feel like I'm reading art. I'm using the translation by John Rutherford. I must admit, I've never been that focused on certain translations of booked, I just tend to go for the one with the nicest cover. I think the only novel I became concerned over accurate translation was In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust. Now there's a 6-star book!

I was referring to Willoyd when I said I agree with him - of course I agree with you as well!

Because I didn't 'get it' when I first read it and really just ploughed on because I don't like leaving a book half-finished. The result being that I finished the book with no idea of what I was actually reading. But yes, I agree with everything you've said above, Willoyd.

There are quite a few books I'd like to re-read - particularly books which I read when I was younger and didn't really 'get.' The only problem is that my family have never seen the 'point' in re-reading books (to be honest they don't see the 'point' in reading fiction either..) and despite disagreeing with them, I find myself very hesitant to pick up a book I've already read. Some books I would eventually like to re-read: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath Catch-22 by Joseph Heller ..so quite a few. I think when I was younger I used to read more for the plot and action rather than the words used, the writing style, the underlying meaning etc.

It's raining and horribly windy here. We had quite nice sunshine this weekend; I wonder if that will be the last of it for some time.. I was planning on going out and doing some shopping but with this weather I'd rather sit inside with a warm cup of coffee and a book.

To be honest, I didn't enjoy A Bridge of Clay as much as the other two books you mentioned. That's not to say it's not good - and it seems to have received a lot of excellent reviews. Zusak is without question a fantastic storyteller and the novel will grip you. I would recommend it. I just finished reading Moby Dick last night. It's not as difficult as people make it out to be. It is very well written, almost like poetry in the sections where he describes the whale. I know a lot of people complain that it feels like one is reading an Encylopedia about whales rather than a novel, but I really didn't get that feeling at all. The chapters on the anatomy of the whale don't read as dry textbooks - they are filled with beautiful metaphors and imagery, and these chapters very much integrate with the flow of the novel. I'm now about to read Don Quixote. I tend to go through episodes of wanting to read big novels, and Don Quixote stood out to me because of how famous it seems to be and the positive comments it attracts. Quite looking forward to it.

One of my favourite books. It stayed with me after I'd finished it. Glad you enjoyed it. I just finished reading Moby Dick last night. It's not as difficult as people make it out to be. It is very well written, almost like poetry when he describes the whale. I know a lot of people complain that it feels like one is reading an Encylopedia about whales rather than a novel, but I really didn't get that feeling at all. Would definitely recommend. I am now just about to start Don Quixote - I've heard a lot about this book.

I'm currently reading Moby Dick - not as dry as I thought it might be! What about yourself? I know you said you'd just finished reading Matt Cain.

I quite enjoyed The Luminaries. Not the best book I've read or the most exciting of plots, but I thought it was well written with an interesting concept. Looking forward to hear what you think of it - it does seem to divide opinions. I just started reading Moby Dick by Herman Melville a few days ago. It caught my eye after I saw a Youtube Video about how it's not as hard as people make it out to be and is in fact very deep, covering matters such as philosophy, spirituality and religion. I'm enjoying it so far. The writing is lovely but I can tell it's not for everyone. Just waiting on the dreaded chapters on the Encyclopaedia of the Whale that everyone seems to hate.

I wanted to revive this thread out of my love for Botton. Has anyone read Status Anxiety by him? It's next on my to-read list and would love to hear people's thoughts.

I agree with this. After a certain number, a list (for me) just loses its' significance. I'd rather have a list of 'Top Five Books' (with the writers' reasons why) rather than a ream of bullet points that go on and on and on.

There is a way you can get the ads to 'fit to screen' for mobiles/ipads etc so they don't take too much room (no idea how you do it for a forum, it's just a problem I've had with websites I've been involved with in the past). The ads don't bother me at all; there's not too many and they don't get in the way. It's just like visiting any other website for me to be honest. Anyway, I just wanted to thank you Hayley for your hard work.

That would be fantastic. I thought the episode yesterday was the best one yet. I also felt like Jodie was really able to capture the Doctors' persona in this one; she felt more like the doctor to me in this episode than in any of the previous. I enjoyed the storyline, I thought the multiple companions were used well in the plot and I thought the ending was done in a nice, not-cheesy sort of way. Also - I loved the character of Kira. She was so sweet.

Welcome to the forum Eliot. I look forward to hearing more about your reading!

Hi Athena! I've been good thanks. Since this forum has been up and running again I've found increased motivation to read more and get back to writing again. It's so nice to be back. What about yourself? How's your reading going?

What are people's thoughts on the new doctor? I've been watching the new series with an open mind and was actually quite surprised by how much I've enjoyed the episodes so far. Not a fan of having so many companions, but I feel like the new doctor's personality works really well. I also think the episodes so far have been done very well; interesting plot lines which keep you hooked to the end. Just hoping for a bit more characterisation of the doctor.

I'm working Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Eve & New Years Day this year. I'm actually really happy for about this because 1. I don't do anything for Christmas or New Years Eve so I'd rather be working than sitting at home doing nothing. 2. I'm really interested to see what sort of things turn up to the hospital during these bank holidays. Should be exciting!

I was so thrilled to hear that the forum was coming back. This is probably one of the few forums that I check regularly and feel like I'm part of a community. I updated my log to include the books I have read in the past year; there was a bit of a gap at the start of the year when I was a bit busy with my job, but I've made up for that in the past few months. I'll write a few reviews of the books I've read more recently in the next couple of days.

A fascinating to-read list as ever, Monsieur. I wish you a happy 2018 filled with joyous reading and captivating books.

What an incredibly insightful post. Your review makes me want to reread the novel and see the protagonist from an entirely different point of view.