[The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett]

I have lost count of how many times I watched the film and read the book...

It's such a simple story when you think about it, but wow, it makes me feel all warm inside every single time.

[A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens]

Wonderful story!

[Ulysses by James Joyce]

I read it at school, which was great as we were obviously helped with the language and made it more accessible.

I think it should be compulsory for all schools, as it is one of the most valuable works of art we are lucky to have.

 

You put it so nicely Inderjit Sanghera:

Ulysses is an extraordinary book, in terms of its grammar and syntax, its characterisation, its originality, and the various different forms, pastiches and parodies which run through the work.

[E.M. Forster]

I only read A Room With A View for now, and absolutely loved it. The film adaptation is very good too.

[Why Is The Great Gatsby Great?]

 

I loved The Great Gatsby, such a moving story. The part where no one shows up at Gatsby's funeral gets me all the time... It's written in such a way that you end up feeling so enveloped in the tragedy.

 

 

Can anyone recommend a good film adaptation? Have any been made that are worth watching?

[Show us your desktop!]

For some reason it will not let me post it... Anyway, aww vina87, your wallpaper is adorable.

[Tried once, never again?]

Liver! Tried it once (as a child... but still!), never again!

[Ever tried food after reading about it in a novel?]

I recently read a passage in a book (well, a children's book I have forgotten the name of, for my son) which beautifully described French Brie. I then tried it a few days later, and it was delicious!

[Self publishing on Kindle - a good or bad thing?]

I think it's a great idea, it gives all new authors a chance, and allows for more creative works to be exposed to us, without the publishers' "filter" which might unintentionally block new trends in their rise, just because they are, in fact, new.

Besides, think of it this way, poor quality work will always be filtered out by us readers: let's not underestimate the power of word of mouth!

 

Deborah

[The number of typos on Kindle]

I usually don't bother finishing the book when it has typos and spelling mistakes, as I find it really annoying...

[The unread book that you've owned longest]

The Lord of The Rings... The film came out when I had just reached half way, and I just couldn't bring myself to continue it after!

[reading the same paragraph about 5 times before it sinks in]

Oh the same happens to me sometimes, but it is usually to do with my mood.

 

 

Deborah

[How do you keep your books?]

I can never part with books... I keep them all organised on bookshelves in our living room and in the study room.

[Have you ever found anything inside a book?]

The most exciting thing I have ever found in a book was a four-leaf clover....

[Interesting Book Dedications?]

What a great post! I always read dedications.

The first that comes to mind is A Series Of Unfortunate Events, Snicket's dedications to his beloved Beatrice manage to make you smile, even though they convey such sadness in reality.

[How many books do you read at once?]

Usually, just the one.

[What are your top three classics?]

Here are my favourites:

 

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Black Beauty by Anna Sewell

[A new first line of current book]

The best of us start their week off with a long commute to their office; I started mine, with last night's take-away leftovers.

[Hardback vs paperback]

Hardbacks all the way for me, it gives it that precious feel.

 

I like to sniff books too, does that make me weird?

 

Rawr, I share your obsession! I love sniffing books too

[Puffin Books ~ Top Children's Books Guide/List]

Thanks for this, I'm curious to see what they recommend.

 

 

Deborah

[Which is the best book in the Chronicles of Narnia?]

I had to go with The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, my absolute favourite.

[Suggestions for a 6 year old..]

Hello. Perhaps give Big Nate a try, or The Magic Thief?

[*Results* - Your 'Top 5' Childrens'/Young Adult books]

Hmm this is a difficult one. But I think my choices would be:

 

The Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Anne of Green Gables, by LM Montgomery

The Witches, by Roal Dahl

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, by C.S.Lewis

[Want to learn more about the medieval times.]

The Name of The Rose is the best novel I have come across set in Medieval times. I also read Ivanhoe as a child, but don't remember enjoying it as much...

[Books for racist children?]

Reunion by Fred Uhlman is an excellent book for this age range. I read it at school as a teen and found it very touching. It's the story of a friendship between a German boy and a Jewish boy, based in Nazi Germany. It's quite short as a book, and very well written, which allows you to fully appreciate the story. I would strongly recommend it.

 

Deborah