Member Matari

Hi

Saw a trail for this site in The Guardian newspaper last week - what a brilliant site...

I live in Coventry in the UK and work at the University as a researcher. If I have one addiction in life it is reading. I am NEVER without a book to read and my taste tends to be for fiction. The only exception is when I took my degree (Communication, Culture and Media) and had to read academic stuff - interesting, but not much fun...

One of my favourite authors is Stephen King - started reading him back in the 80s on a recommendation from my mum. Since then, I have read practically everything he has written. Find myself isolated somewhat because at the Uni people tend to read the classics and look down on poor old Steve - frustrating for me because I rarely get to discuss his books.

Other than King, I read crime fiction Michael Connolly, Lee Childs etc - and sometimes true crime, in particular Ann Rule. Not really into chick lit.

I have hundreds of books crammed into the house and am hoping that this site will allow me to streamline as I am running out of space. It will be interesting to see what I have got to be honest.

I am a heavy user of the local library - can't always afford to buy books, although when I can I go to Ottakers - great bookshop - or order from Amazon. Ottakers is - at the moment anyway - a 'proper' bookshop - friendly, the staff actually read books themselves and it has got a brilliant coffee shop. Unfortunately, I think it has been taken over by Waterstones - which is surely the deathnell. Waterstones in soulless, at least in the UK. The first time I ordered a book from Amazon - years ago now - it was a Friday night about 8pm; at 7am the next morning, the postman was knocking my door with the book! Fabulous service and luckily they have kept it up. I also get books from 2nd hand shops, charity shops and boot sales. I like nothing better than hauling home unread finds (and sometimes previously read finds) and closing the door and losing myself. Brilliant.

I never throw a book away - those that I have read and didn’t really like I give to the local library. Got to keep them open - they are probably one of the last 'free' services available to people who haven't got loads of money like me.

Anyway, if there are Stephen King fans out there, please send me a message.

18.8.06

PS As a Mac User am really pleased that LibraryThing hasn't discriminated against us...