chaliepud

If not, this may help... http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/6653.Books_Set_in_London I would also add Blackout by Connie Willis (though you would have to be prepared to read the sequel, All Clear. Her Fearful Symmetry was also a good read, by Audrey Niffenegger, I preferred it to The Time Traveller's Wife.

Do they have to be classics Janet?

A slightly quirky but nevertheless wonderful story of true love is Eternal on the Water by Joseph Monninger.

Jellybird - Lezanne Clannachan

In my opinion it is a very good place to start. I just hope you didn't want the dreadful BBC adaptation!

Tess Gerritsen's Rizzoli and Isles series may fit the bill. Lots of murder and forensics.

Fellside - M.R. Carey

Before I Die - Jenny Downham

Finished One by Sarah Crossan, written from the perspective of a conjoined twin, a quick read but a powerful one. Now reading Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo, recommended by Ian. I love how you don't feel you are reading a book aimed at children when you read his books.

Nice book haul, Birdsong is particularly spectacular, have you read any Faulks?

My daughter and I watched the new Crystal Maze last night, with Stephen Merchant, it was alright. A lot of the puzzles seemed a bit simple though, not sure if that was just because it was a celebrity edition?!

Bee

Have you read The Girl with all the Gifts? Bit of a different take on the zombie genre.

Year of Wonders - Geraldine Brooks

Under the Dome - Stephen King.

Currently reading One by Sarah Crossan, enjoying it so far.

On Mystic Lake - Kristin Hannah

I have a few big books on the TBR, The Stand and Gone with the Wind are the two that I most want to read though. I'll get to them eventually I'm sure.

Not my best year as have been so busy but I've enjoyed what I've read in the main so can't complain. We are getting a new carpet in the living room on Monday so I will finally be able to refill my big bookcase that was emptied when all the work on the house started. I have decided that it will be my TBR bookcase, it used to be a shelf! If they fill it up I am hoping that it will put me off buying more books!

Glad to hear things are slowly getting back to normal Virginia, will take a long while for some people. Living in the UK we can hardly imagine what they are going through. How very exciting, planning a big trip, lots of us on here are in the UK so should be able to help you in all sorts of ways. Travel is an important thing to organise as whilst we have a great road system, getting anywhere on them can be very time consuming despite the short distances as the traffic is often very heavy, especially around the larger towns and cities. You may prefer to use the trains for some of your visit which are generally good if you avoid peak times. Also avoid school holidays at all costs as everything is busy then! I can give you dates for school holidays in my area (Surrey, just south west of London), many in the country will be the same or similar, although the Easter holidays tend to vary more from school to school. Is there anywhere in particular you are wanting to go? Gaia, I love that you are excited for your birthday already, I presume you have a birthday book wish list? Quiet day here, youngest is off school sick and waiting in for a new sofa for the new family room. It is a recliner and will look out through the new bifold doors into the garden so I anticipate a little reading occuring there!!

There must be a poetry/song writing prize he could have won? I wouldn't mind so much if he was a higher profile figure in the literary world but he hasn't done much for a long time.

HI Diane, good to hear that you enjoyed We Are All Made of Stars, what are you reading now? I'm having a slow year reading wise but I'm enjoying what I do read.

Mokka is very cute, amd very well behaved. Jojo loves to chase a ball as you know and will bring it back but hasn't the patience to put it on my hand like Obi does, she either drops it or throws it at me! Will you be seeing him again soon?

I'm glad it isn't just me, you have to be careful when you say it to people! I'll give it a go, I'm sure I have it in the loft somewhere as my daughter used to read lots of Morpurgo. Thanks Ian.

Welcome Albas.