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1BekkaJo
The last one was becoming a bit sluggish so - new thread. I figured I'd do a quick recap of the year to date, mainly because I'm starting to lose track!
1) Kidnapped - 1,001
2) Dragonheart
3) Giovanni's room -1,001
4) The God of Small Things - 1,001
5) Metamorphosis
6) Of Human Bondage - 1,001
7) Dancing Shoes
8) Bonjour Tristesse - 1,001
9) Oroonoko - 1,001
10) Castle Rackrent - 1,001
11) The Crow road - 1,001
12) Tarka the Otter - 1,001
13) Thud
14) Moll Flanders - 1,001
15) Making Money
16) Half of a Yellow Sun - 1,001,
17) Rameau's Nephew - 1,001
18) Predators and Prey
19) Retreat
20) Unseen Academicals
21) Camilla - 1,001
22) The Trial -1,001
23) Where Angels Fear to Tread - 1,001
24) To ride Hells' Chasm
25) Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief
26) Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters
27) The Murder of Roger Ackroyd - 1,001
28) Adrian Mole: The Prostrate Years
29) Welcome to the Jungle
30) The Wind-up Bird Chronicles
31) The Vicar of Wakefield - 1,001
32) Percy Jackson and the Titan's Curse
33) Percy Jackson and the Battle of the Labyrinth
34) Hideous Kinky - 1,001
35) The Castle of Otranto - 1,001
36) Goodbye to Berlin - 1,001
37) Ballet Shoes
38) Breakfast at Tiffany's - 1,001
39) Mean Streets
40) Tristram Shandy - 1,001
41) Fingersmith - 1,001
42) Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian
43) Crome Yellow - 1,001
44) Carpet People
45) Theatre Shoes
46) Evelina - 1,001
47) Changes
48) The Man of Feeling - 1,001
49) Apple Bough
50) White Boots
51) Wild Magic
52) The Virgin Suicides - 1,001
53) The Black Butterfly
54) Wolf Speaker
55) Tennis Shoes
56) The Emporer Mage
57) The Realms of the Gods
58) Norwegian Wood - 1,001
59) The Circus is Coming
60) Don't Move - 1,001
61) The Riddle of the Sands - 1,001
62) Party Shoes
63) The Day of the Triffids - 1,001
64) The Garden Party - 1,001
65) Thursday's Child
66) The Professor's House - 1,001
67) American Gods
68) The Death of Ivan Ilych - 1,001
69) Cry the Beloved Country - 1,001
70) Far to Go
71) In Pursuit of Love - 1,001
72) Kim - 1,001
73) The Magic of Recluce
74) The Towers of Sunset
75) The Order War
76) The Death of Chaos
77) The Fall of Angels
78) Roxana - 1,001
79) Thank You, Jeeves - 1,001
80) Jacob's Room - 1,001
81) The Yellow Wallpaper - 1,001
82) The Chaos Balance
83) Dragongirl
edited again because I HATE touchstone's sometimes!
1) Kidnapped - 1,001
2) Dragonheart
3) Giovanni's room -1,001
4) The God of Small Things - 1,001
5) Metamorphosis
6) Of Human Bondage - 1,001
7) Dancing Shoes
8) Bonjour Tristesse - 1,001
9) Oroonoko - 1,001
10) Castle Rackrent - 1,001
11) The Crow road - 1,001
12) Tarka the Otter - 1,001
13) Thud
14) Moll Flanders - 1,001
15) Making Money
16) Half of a Yellow Sun - 1,001,
17) Rameau's Nephew - 1,001
18) Predators and Prey
19) Retreat
20) Unseen Academicals
21) Camilla - 1,001
22) The Trial -1,001
23) Where Angels Fear to Tread - 1,001
24) To ride Hells' Chasm
25) Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief
26) Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters
27) The Murder of Roger Ackroyd - 1,001
28) Adrian Mole: The Prostrate Years
29) Welcome to the Jungle
30) The Wind-up Bird Chronicles
31) The Vicar of Wakefield - 1,001
32) Percy Jackson and the Titan's Curse
33) Percy Jackson and the Battle of the Labyrinth
34) Hideous Kinky - 1,001
35) The Castle of Otranto - 1,001
36) Goodbye to Berlin - 1,001
37) Ballet Shoes
38) Breakfast at Tiffany's - 1,001
39) Mean Streets
40) Tristram Shandy - 1,001
41) Fingersmith - 1,001
42) Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian
43) Crome Yellow - 1,001
44) Carpet People
45) Theatre Shoes
46) Evelina - 1,001
47) Changes
48) The Man of Feeling - 1,001
49) Apple Bough
50) White Boots
51) Wild Magic
52) The Virgin Suicides - 1,001
53) The Black Butterfly
54) Wolf Speaker
55) Tennis Shoes
56) The Emporer Mage
57) The Realms of the Gods
58) Norwegian Wood - 1,001
59) The Circus is Coming
60) Don't Move - 1,001
61) The Riddle of the Sands - 1,001
62) Party Shoes
63) The Day of the Triffids - 1,001
64) The Garden Party - 1,001
65) Thursday's Child
66) The Professor's House - 1,001
67) American Gods
68) The Death of Ivan Ilych - 1,001
69) Cry the Beloved Country - 1,001
70) Far to Go
71) In Pursuit of Love - 1,001
72) Kim - 1,001
73) The Magic of Recluce
74) The Towers of Sunset
75) The Order War
76) The Death of Chaos
77) The Fall of Angels
78) Roxana - 1,001
79) Thank You, Jeeves - 1,001
80) Jacob's Room - 1,001
81) The Yellow Wallpaper - 1,001
82) The Chaos Balance
83) Dragongirl
edited again because I HATE touchstone's sometimes!
2alcottacre
Welcome to the multi-thread club!
3cushlareads
Found you!
4ronincats
Bekka, you can cut and paste your list from your other thread instead of typing them all in again. If you edit your list message, and copy from that, you can even get the touchstones.
5souloftherose
Found you!
6BekkaJo
ta Ronincats - unfortunately I hadn't been keeping a running list on my old thread... silly me! Which would show why I managed to miss no.7 -doh!
7BekkaJo
So due to my abysmal counting back at the beginning of the year;
7) Dancing Shoes - Streatfeild
Not the best, not the worst Streatfeild I've read this year. This is a very quick children's read about Rachel and her adopted sister who lose Rachel's mother and are sent to live with Rachel's uncle and aunt. The Aunt runs 'Wintles Wonders' which provides small troupes of young dancers to pantos etc. I really empathised with Rachel since, like her, I cannot imagine anything worse! Anyway, all works out in the end - and I do like the moral, which is essentially you cannot make someone into something they are not, however much you may have their best interests at heart.
7) Dancing Shoes - Streatfeild
Not the best, not the worst Streatfeild I've read this year. This is a very quick children's read about Rachel and her adopted sister who lose Rachel's mother and are sent to live with Rachel's uncle and aunt. The Aunt runs 'Wintles Wonders' which provides small troupes of young dancers to pantos etc. I really empathised with Rachel since, like her, I cannot imagine anything worse! Anyway, all works out in the end - and I do like the moral, which is essentially you cannot make someone into something they are not, however much you may have their best interests at heart.
8wookiebender
The Aunt runs 'Wintles Wonders' which ...
Oh dear. I read that as Witless Wonders. Thought it was a bit cruel to small children for a minute there. *blush*
I've never read any of the "shoes" series, but I should one day. Sounds like my cup of tea!
Oh dear. I read that as Witless Wonders. Thought it was a bit cruel to small children for a minute there. *blush*
I've never read any of the "shoes" series, but I should one day. Sounds like my cup of tea!
9BekkaJo
There prob wont be any reviews for a while. I can't read at the moment, my brain won't stop and let me be.
I went for my consultant clinic appointment on Thurs - should just be a routine chat about me and baby and any problems. Was happily sitting - about an hour later than my appointment because it's always delayed, when a nurse calls me into a room. Bit surprised but okay off I toddle. So it turns out that the result of my double test (the blood test that tests for Downs) had come back. Now my age range puts me in the 1 in 1,098 or so category. My bloods put me at 1-16. I was just so so shocked. I never expected that one. So n ow its an amniocentisis (sp prob wrong) on Monday to check if it is Downs or another chromosonal syndrome. I am just so so sad and stressed and if it's something worse I just don't want the baby to have to go away.
Sorry once again for my stress on the thread but I just need to get this out a bit. Fingers crossed everything may turn out all right, it's just the way the doctors are treating me it doesn't feel like it will be.
Oh and to add an extra couple of kickers, my husbands older brother had Downs and died three days after birth from liver failure. And my parents are unbelievably opposed to me keeping the baby if it had Downs - and my husband would never forgive me if I didn't keep it. Oh and I have acute tonsilitis because I'm run down and can't sleep.
Someone just shoot me now please?
I went for my consultant clinic appointment on Thurs - should just be a routine chat about me and baby and any problems. Was happily sitting - about an hour later than my appointment because it's always delayed, when a nurse calls me into a room. Bit surprised but okay off I toddle. So it turns out that the result of my double test (the blood test that tests for Downs) had come back. Now my age range puts me in the 1 in 1,098 or so category. My bloods put me at 1-16. I was just so so shocked. I never expected that one. So n ow its an amniocentisis (sp prob wrong) on Monday to check if it is Downs or another chromosonal syndrome. I am just so so sad and stressed and if it's something worse I just don't want the baby to have to go away.
Sorry once again for my stress on the thread but I just need to get this out a bit. Fingers crossed everything may turn out all right, it's just the way the doctors are treating me it doesn't feel like it will be.
Oh and to add an extra couple of kickers, my husbands older brother had Downs and died three days after birth from liver failure. And my parents are unbelievably opposed to me keeping the baby if it had Downs - and my husband would never forgive me if I didn't keep it. Oh and I have acute tonsilitis because I'm run down and can't sleep.
Someone just shoot me now please?
10cushlareads
BekkaJo, I am so upset reading your post and don't know what to say, except that I am thinking of you and your husband. I really hope that all the potentially horrible decisions evaporate tomorrow when you have the amnio. Thank goodness you don't have to wait past tomorrow.
11ronincats
Bekka, I'm so sorry that you have to deal with this. Take just one step at a time, and take care of yourself.
If the baby does have Downs Syndrome, things have changed tremendously in the last 20-30 years in terms of expectations of what the children are able to do. They can be tremendously rewarding even though also challenging. There are many support groups of parents, and many interventions that help the children develop. Some even go to college.
It is a decision for you and your husband. NOT your parents. Sorry, but that's the way it is.
Prayers and positive thoughts going your way non-stop.
If the baby does have Downs Syndrome, things have changed tremendously in the last 20-30 years in terms of expectations of what the children are able to do. They can be tremendously rewarding even though also challenging. There are many support groups of parents, and many interventions that help the children develop. Some even go to college.
It is a decision for you and your husband. NOT your parents. Sorry, but that's the way it is.
Prayers and positive thoughts going your way non-stop.
13BekkaJo
Thanks guys. I'm on my knees today - just feel like I'm cracking up. I think feeling appalling physically has just destroyed me mentally.
#10 Sorry to upset you my dear :(
#11 + 12 Thank you - I know this is true, but I've spent my entire life trying to make my parents proud of me and never really feeling like I achieved it. Bit broken by their reaction - my Mum doesn't even dare tell my Dad that we would (we think) keep a Down's baby, becasue he'll be so devestated. Mehhh.
Unfortunately the results don't come down straight away - it's late in the week for first results (i.e Down's, Spina Bifida and some other more likely ones) but end of the following week for definitive results. I think I'll be bald by then. One blessing is that I'm off work this week anyway, so I don't have to explain - not sure I could take that right now.
Sorry to be a downer. Am going to try and force my aching head into some comfort reading and go to bed early.
#10 Sorry to upset you my dear :(
#11 + 12 Thank you - I know this is true, but I've spent my entire life trying to make my parents proud of me and never really feeling like I achieved it. Bit broken by their reaction - my Mum doesn't even dare tell my Dad that we would (we think) keep a Down's baby, becasue he'll be so devestated. Mehhh.
Unfortunately the results don't come down straight away - it's late in the week for first results (i.e Down's, Spina Bifida and some other more likely ones) but end of the following week for definitive results. I think I'll be bald by then. One blessing is that I'm off work this week anyway, so I don't have to explain - not sure I could take that right now.
Sorry to be a downer. Am going to try and force my aching head into some comfort reading and go to bed early.
14souloftherose
Bekka, just read your messages from #9 onwards. So sorry to hear you're going through this at the moment. My thoughts and prayers will be with you and your husband. Hopefully comfort reading and rest will help you get through the next couple of weeks.
15richardderus
Please never apologize for being a "downer" to people who want to help you back into a happier frame of mind! If we didn't want to, we wouldn't be here.
You've had a shock. You feel some strong and scary feelings. That's the way it needs to be, and everyone here will be in your corner, no matter the feelings, no matter how scared or angry or whatever you get.
Because you're you, we like you, and we all want you to get your feet back under you. Until that happens, let your online friends help support you.
{{{Bekka}}}
You've had a shock. You feel some strong and scary feelings. That's the way it needs to be, and everyone here will be in your corner, no matter the feelings, no matter how scared or angry or whatever you get.
Because you're you, we like you, and we all want you to get your feet back under you. Until that happens, let your online friends help support you.
{{{Bekka}}}
16Deern
I am so sorry, Bekka, I don't really know what to say. But don't you worry about us here and don't apologize - we are here for you. I am thinking of you and your husband and I hope you will get the results very soon.
And really, I know how hard it is not to feel guilty when it comes to meeting parents' expectations, but during the next few days this should not be your main concern. Their reaction was probably a typical first reaction after receiving a shock, a bit rash. They are certainly not disappointed, but worried about you and assume this might be the least painful way for you.
And really, I know how hard it is not to feel guilty when it comes to meeting parents' expectations, but during the next few days this should not be your main concern. Their reaction was probably a typical first reaction after receiving a shock, a bit rash. They are certainly not disappointed, but worried about you and assume this might be the least painful way for you.
17mckait
This is not an easy time for you.. but I think that what Deern says is right. your parents are not disappointed, but worried...in the end, I would hope that they will support you if you have to make any difficult decisions. sending positive energy your way..18Eat_Read_Knit
Bekka, I'm so sorry to hear about all you're going through. You and your husband are in my thoughts and prayers. (((Hugs)))
20-Cee-
Oh Bekka, how hard it is to wait for tests & results... to not know... to imagine the worst. Try not to come up with solutions for every possible scenario. You just don't know yet. I know, easier said than done!
Sounds like you need to rest, take good care of yourself and take comfort in your husband right now. He needs you, too.
Prayers for you, hubby, baby and grandparents.
glitter-graphics.com
Claudia
Sounds like you need to rest, take good care of yourself and take comfort in your husband right now. He needs you, too.
Prayers for you, hubby, baby and grandparents.
glitter-graphics.com
Claudia
21nittnut
I'm so sorry - that is so stressful. We will pray for good results and for peace.
For what it's worth, my husband and I both have cousins with Down's Syndrome. They have been a delight in our lives. My husband's cousin graduated from high school, worked for Microsoft for years, held season tickets to the Mariners. One of our favorite things when we lived near them was to go to a baseball game with him. My cousin has a job in a nursing home, basically to go around and hug all the residents and talk with them. She loves it, and they love her. I am not saying you should want to have a baby with Down's Syndrome, but I hope that it helps, just in case, to know that your baby could grow up to live a productive and happy life.
For what it's worth, my husband and I both have cousins with Down's Syndrome. They have been a delight in our lives. My husband's cousin graduated from high school, worked for Microsoft for years, held season tickets to the Mariners. One of our favorite things when we lived near them was to go to a baseball game with him. My cousin has a job in a nursing home, basically to go around and hug all the residents and talk with them. She loves it, and they love her. I am not saying you should want to have a baby with Down's Syndrome, but I hope that it helps, just in case, to know that your baby could grow up to live a productive and happy life.
22verdelambton
Oh hell. Not knowing what exactly the situation is and being unable to find out for so long must be absolute torture. I'm sure I couldn't even begin to imagine what you're going through right now. Sending my warmest thoughts your way and hoping really hard for good news.
23cameling
My prayers and thoughts are with your Bekka .... I would be a wreck if I was in your position of not knowing the results of your test for such a long time. I hope you are surrounded by people who will just hug and hold you and your husband.
24wookiebender
Big *hugs* and I echo everything above. Thinking of you.
25alcottacre
I will be praying for you and your husband and your unborn child.
26BekkaJo
Thank you all. I'm a little calmer today - only a couple of hours and we'll be that step closer to knowing.
Hopefully the amnio will be straightforward - the doctor is really nice and actually did my one and only operation about 5 years ago, so I trust him. My friends Mum will be doing the scan side of it as well, which will also be comforting cos she is very sweet and Mum like.
Hopefully the amnio will be straightforward - the doctor is really nice and actually did my one and only operation about 5 years ago, so I trust him. My friends Mum will be doing the scan side of it as well, which will also be comforting cos she is very sweet and Mum like.
27alcottacre
It is great that you will have people you know and trust around you today. I am sure it makes things at least a bit easier.
28tymfos
Just wanted to say my thoughts and prayers are with you and your husband and unborn child. And to echo what so many folks have said -- this is a decision for you and your husband. I'm glad you have medical folks taking care of you that you feel comfortable with. I'm just sorry your parents aren't more supportive, but I suppose it is a shock for them.
29BekkaJo
Amnio went fine - very text book and over in about 10 minutes. Quite painful, really uncomfortable and exceedingly weird sensation, but it's done and now it's a waiting game.
30arubabookwoman
Bekka--I am so sorry you and your husband are going through this painful experience. I hope that the results of the amnio are positive for you, but in any event the not knowing is probably one of the worst feelings to go through. I am thinking of you and sending hugs your way.
32JanetinLondon
Hi. I would also like to say that I, too, know a young man with Down's - his parents are good friends of ours. Yes, it was hard work for his parents while he was growing up, but he is a truly nice guy, lives semi-independently in a community, has a girlfriend, works as a gardener, and I would take him as a neighbor over pretty much anyone else I come across. Not saying this should definitely be what you decide - only you and your husband can do that - but that you shouldn't be scared by negative stereotypes of how your life would develop if you did have a Down's child. I wish you all the best in this very difficult decision making period, and for the future.
33BekkaJo
The wait is over. the nurse rang this morning with the best news possible - all the preliminary tests are normal (downs/spina bifida and the other most likely things). I feel kinda numb at the moment. Happy certainly but still kinda numb with the relief. We still have to wait another full week/maybe more for the final definitive results - but the odds are really low so I'm hopeful again.
Thank you all for your kind support - hopefully I'll actually be able to get back to some books soon. At the moment all I've been doing is watching Project Runway (one of my recently acquired guilty pleasures) up to the current season. I think I'll go finish that off and complete my brain melting. :)
Thank you all for your kind support - hopefully I'll actually be able to get back to some books soon. At the moment all I've been doing is watching Project Runway (one of my recently acquired guilty pleasures) up to the current season. I think I'll go finish that off and complete my brain melting. :)
35richardderus
{{{Bekka}}}
Very hopeful news! And Project Runway is the perfect guilty pleasure...what could possibly matter less than dresses for skinny women? Makes all the drama absolutely guilt-free! I'm hooked, too.
Very hopeful news! And Project Runway is the perfect guilty pleasure...what could possibly matter less than dresses for skinny women? Makes all the drama absolutely guilt-free! I'm hooked, too.
36lauralkeet
That's wonderful news, Bekka. Enjoy your reading when you return to it.
37nancyewhite
This exact thing happened to me. I know how you feel. I'm sorry it is so scary and glad you got the outcome you did. Take it easy for a few days.
38Eat_Read_Knit
Great news, Bekka. I'm so pleased all is well.
39alcottacre
Fantastic news, Bekka!
40verdelambton
That's wonderful news Bekka. I'm so pleased for you.
41arubabookwoman
I'm so happy for you! Now rest and relax.
43-Cee-
WooHoo! Very excited for you... and baby!
No matter what, this baby will be a special blessing.
Hugs all around! ((((Mom-baby-Dad))))
No matter what, this baby will be a special blessing.
Hugs all around! ((((Mom-baby-Dad))))
44wookiebender
Great news, Bekka! Enjoy your trashy TV too, you've earned it after the last week.
45cushlareads
Fantastic news!!
46souloftherose
Great news Bekka, so pleased things are looking more hopeful. Get some rest, enjoy Project Runway.
48elkiedee
Congratulations, all the baby news has kept me frantically reading your thread. I had a CVS test with Conor (my age related risk was much higher as I was 39), and I know how scary that whole process can be.
Nothing wrong with reading children's books. I'm still rereading Joan Aiken's books, and also The Worst Witch.
Nothing wrong with reading children's books. I'm still rereading Joan Aiken's books, and also The Worst Witch.
49BekkaJo
Thanks guys. Still feeling a bit shellshocked but much better. Can't seem to focus on books which is bothering me, but I guess that'll come back soon.
#35 I'll admit I'm more ashamed of my Top Model addiction (in any country that speaks English). *Hangs head in shame and feels compelled to go read some huge dusty classics to reclaim some brain cells*
#35 I'll admit I'm more ashamed of my Top Model addiction (in any country that speaks English). *Hangs head in shame and feels compelled to go read some huge dusty classics to reclaim some brain cells*
50tymfos
I'm sure your "focus" for books will return eventually. Give yourself a break! I'm just so glad that the news you've had is so good now!
51BekkaJo
I forgot about this one amidst the hubbub;
84) The White Order - Modesitt
I finished this off whilst I was ill but, whether its all the stress or just the series tailing off a bit, I didn't enjoy it as much as the earlier ones. It may also be that Modesitt is, in this novel and next few, writing from the 'Choas' side of the fantasy world (read baddie, only not really becasue everything needs to balance etc) in order to try and show different perspectives. Whilst I admire what he's trying to do, it's just not as much fun as the Order novels.
Since this one I seem to be playing with books - I can't really get stuck in. I've started the next Modesitt, read a bit more of Wild Swans, started The Hound of the Baskervilles and The City, the City. The later is, I think, going to be very good - at the moment it's taking a lot of concentration which I don't have :/
84) The White Order - Modesitt
I finished this off whilst I was ill but, whether its all the stress or just the series tailing off a bit, I didn't enjoy it as much as the earlier ones. It may also be that Modesitt is, in this novel and next few, writing from the 'Choas' side of the fantasy world (read baddie, only not really becasue everything needs to balance etc) in order to try and show different perspectives. Whilst I admire what he's trying to do, it's just not as much fun as the Order novels.
Since this one I seem to be playing with books - I can't really get stuck in. I've started the next Modesitt, read a bit more of Wild Swans, started The Hound of the Baskervilles and The City, the City. The later is, I think, going to be very good - at the moment it's taking a lot of concentration which I don't have :/
52BekkaJo
Happy and soooo relieved. My definitive test results came back and all is normal - baby is a-okay.
54verdelambton
Woot! That's great news.
55souloftherose
Wonderful news Bekka - that's made my day :-)
56Eat_Read_Knit
Excellent news!
57alcottacre
What terrific news! I am sure you must feel as if a great weight has been lifted from your shoulders.
58-Cee-
How wonderful and exciting! Onward with happy thoughts of bouncing baby slobbers and hugs!
To ease yourself back into books, you might want to go book shopping for baby. Reading together guarantees snuggles! ;)
To ease yourself back into books, you might want to go book shopping for baby. Reading together guarantees snuggles! ;)
61BekkaJo
Sorry for the big AWOL. Thank you all for your kind thoughts. I think we are gradually gradually returning to normal. The bump has taken advantage of this to grow hugely lately – plus the pregnancy is so different I am beginning to wonder if it’s a boy… time will tell I guess!
85) The Hound of the Baskervilles – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
My first foray into Sherlock Holmes and I really really enjoyed it. Something about the writing totally appealed to me and I loved the Holmes/Watson relationship. Yes it was slow in patches but it’s warmed me to Holmes – I think I’ll be reading more Sherlock soon.
85) The Hound of the Baskervilles – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
My first foray into Sherlock Holmes and I really really enjoyed it. Something about the writing totally appealed to me and I loved the Holmes/Watson relationship. Yes it was slow in patches but it’s warmed me to Holmes – I think I’ll be reading more Sherlock soon.
62alcottacre
#61: The Hound of the Baskervilles is one of my favorites. I enjoy the old Basil Rathbone film version too, although it differs from the book.
64verdelambton
#61 I'm not sure whether you get the BBC in Jersey but, if so, did you see the BBC mini series Sherlock starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman over the summer? I caught it while I was over there and really enjoyed it. I've never read any Sherlock Holmes but might just do that now.
65wookiebender
How funny, I just picked up the second Sherlock Holmes adventure - The Sign of Four - this morning! I'm being obsessive (nothing new there) and starting from the beginning with plans to read them all. (Not that he wrote *that* much!)
#64> I've seen the first episode ("A Study in Pink") and rather liked it, but had a few quibbles too. I thought Martin Freeman was an *excellent* Dr Watson however.
ETA: Don't worry, your book concentration will come back. But for the moment, just enjoy yourself! And congratulations on the good test results!!
#64> I've seen the first episode ("A Study in Pink") and rather liked it, but had a few quibbles too. I thought Martin Freeman was an *excellent* Dr Watson however.
ETA: Don't worry, your book concentration will come back. But for the moment, just enjoy yourself! And congratulations on the good test results!!
66BekkaJo
Ta Wookie :)
Re the TV Sherlock (and yes we have the same TV as UK) my hubby watched it, loved it and is angry at me for not having seen it! I just never got round to watching it before we ran out of room on the Sky plus box! I will have to make an effort to see it though - everyone I know who's seen it said that the first and third episodes were brilliant.
Re the TV Sherlock (and yes we have the same TV as UK) my hubby watched it, loved it and is angry at me for not having seen it! I just never got round to watching it before we ran out of room on the Sky plus box! I will have to make an effort to see it though - everyone I know who's seen it said that the first and third episodes were brilliant.
67Deern
I also loved The Hound of Baskervilles but haven't read any other Sherlock yet. I started The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes last year, but as usual can't get into short story mode. I'll try again soon, this is typical autumn reading for me.
And also from me congratulations on the final test results!! :-)
And also from me congratulations on the final test results!! :-)
68TadAD
>65 wookiebender:: I think The Valley of Fear was my favorite Holmes, but The Sign of Four was probably my second. It really gave us much more of Sherlock's character than we had in A Study in Scarlet.
69BekkaJo
I'm a happy preggy lady today - 20 week scan showed that, apart from not wanting to be photographed (so very much like it's mother), baby is normal and healthy and all good. Contented sigh.
70alcottacre
Great news!!
72cushlareads
Yay!!
73BekkaJo
86) All Quiet on the Western Front
What an amazing book! It is heart rending and poignant in so many ways – the dislocation of self from society and family are more feeling portrayed than anything else I have ever read.
That said, I came to put my star in my 2006 edition 1,001 book (as always) and read the info in there. I always leave it till after for fear of spoilers – and sure enough, there’s a big one. But then I found out that the ending that the 1,001 notes is completely different to the ending in my volume. To the internet! Found out that there are two different endings – am just trying to locate a version with the other ending in so I can compare. Will report back once I’ve read it.
What an amazing book! It is heart rending and poignant in so many ways – the dislocation of self from society and family are more feeling portrayed than anything else I have ever read.
That said, I came to put my star in my 2006 edition 1,001 book (as always) and read the info in there. I always leave it till after for fear of spoilers – and sure enough, there’s a big one. But then I found out that the ending that the 1,001 notes is completely different to the ending in my volume. To the internet! Found out that there are two different endings – am just trying to locate a version with the other ending in so I can compare. Will report back once I’ve read it.
74alcottacre
#73: Not sure which ending you read (I did not even know there was an alternative ending), but I thought All Quiet on the Western Front was just a terrific book.
77alcottacre
#76: That was the ending I read too.
78BekkaJo
I've just finally managed to get to the library and check this out. It turns out that the 'alternative' ending was designed to send me on a wild goose chase... I feel like a bit of an idiot, but my only claim is that I was misled by the internet! Another author has written an alternative ending - which lead me to believe (originally) that Remarque had written a different one. And not that the final paragraph was merely on a penultimate page of my book which was stuck to the next...
Sigh... excellent book though.
Unlike;
87) The Plague - Camus
I finally finished this! I feel this needs a cheer. It's taken me so very long - for a book that's only about 240 pages long it felt at least a thousand. I really enjoyed The Outsider when I read it earlier this year but this I loathed. I can see that it is important and that it is a moving portrayal of people/comunities acceptance of horror and mechanism for coping with pain - and a wonderful allegory of the occupation of France etc etc etc. Screw it - I still hated pretty much all of it. It could have been the wrong time to read it, but I am definitely giving myself 10-15 years before I even consider trying it again.
Hope that didn't put anyone off it...
Sigh... excellent book though.
Unlike;
87) The Plague - Camus
I finally finished this! I feel this needs a cheer. It's taken me so very long - for a book that's only about 240 pages long it felt at least a thousand. I really enjoyed The Outsider when I read it earlier this year but this I loathed. I can see that it is important and that it is a moving portrayal of people/comunities acceptance of horror and mechanism for coping with pain - and a wonderful allegory of the occupation of France etc etc etc. Screw it - I still hated pretty much all of it. It could have been the wrong time to read it, but I am definitely giving myself 10-15 years before I even consider trying it again.
Hope that didn't put anyone off it...
79alcottacre
#78: Sorry you did not like The Plague more. We did a group read of it earlier this year and while I will not claim to have 'loved' it, I certainly could appreciate it.
Cheering for Bekka finishing!!
Cheering for Bekka finishing!!
80wookiebender
I'm late to the party, but yay for the happy baby! (Mr Bear mooned the camera on his first ultrasound.)
I've read one Camus, The Stranger. I did rather like it, although I thought about it completely differently to everyone else. (Whoops, missed the point there!) But might leave The Plague for another day. :)
I also loved All Quiet on the Western Front, and agree with you, I never read the "1001" description until afterwards! Just because it's a classic doesn't mean everyone knows how it ends, or wants to know before reading it! I'm also glad that Remarque didn't write a happy ending to it. That would have been quite wrong.
I've read one Camus, The Stranger. I did rather like it, although I thought about it completely differently to everyone else. (Whoops, missed the point there!) But might leave The Plague for another day. :)
I also loved All Quiet on the Western Front, and agree with you, I never read the "1001" description until afterwards! Just because it's a classic doesn't mean everyone knows how it ends, or wants to know before reading it! I'm also glad that Remarque didn't write a happy ending to it. That would have been quite wrong.
81cushlareads
I loved All Quiet on the Western Front too. I didn't know there were spoilers in the 1001 book - that is SO annoying!! (I just use the electronic list.)
A few months ago my husband read Anna Karenina and said "I didn't know that XYZ happened" (the ending of Anna Karenina, which apparently the whole world knows except me), and my response was a very chilly NEITHER DID I!
Well done on finishing the Plague. I read some of L'Etranger at school but can't remember it.
A few months ago my husband read Anna Karenina and said "I didn't know that XYZ happened" (the ending of Anna Karenina, which apparently the whole world knows except me), and my response was a very chilly NEITHER DID I!
Well done on finishing the Plague. I read some of L'Etranger at school but can't remember it.
82BekkaJo
88) The Chalet Girls Grow Up - Merryn Williams
As some of you may know I love the Chalet school series by Elinor Brent-Dyer. I’m (supposed to be) grown up but I can still re-read these and adore them. I love the innocence and the hope of the books – the belief that everyone can be something and that we can help make the world a better place just by being in it.
Then I read this. I’ve put of buying it for ages because I was worried that the author wouldn’t do the characters justice – as with some of the other fill in novels written by different authors. This is nothing like the fill ins. This is an appalling travesty and I am genuinely horrified by it – beware a spoiler filled rant coming up.
So the author must have really hated the books then. Because not only does she use nothing of the style but she really uses nothing of the characters – she just paints them as she wants. She shows people who have been friends for years as never having liked each other. She shows the relationship between Jack and Joey Maynard in an appalling light – one of the whole ideas of the books is that Jack and Joey were united in the way they thought about things. In fact in a snapshot of Jack’s thoughts she makes him wonder when they stopped communicating and traces it back to Joey waking him to go and get the Matron from the school to bring her other when she is near collapse after her sister has died. This book makes it seem that Joey waking him when he had had a busy day is a sign of her selfish obsession with the school – when really it is supposed to show that he cares for the staff too and is also always there for them and Joey. Whilst the idea that Joey is obsessed with the school is probably correct, her it portrays her as an absentee Mum and her children – well! With the exception of a few they seem to turn out stupid and make dreadful life choices and end up unhappy and divorced. Yes the rates of divorce increase through the 70s,80s and 90s, but this author is out of control. Bad things happen – I’d be an idiot if I didn’t suggest that some bad things would happen to a family of 11 children. But (MASSIVE SPOILERS NOW) lets run through and you see if this is too much drama!
Len, married too young, abusive husband, too many children, husband runs off with Mry-Lou of all people, divorced, one child dies, one has a teen pregnancy for a half black child, youngest child nearly dies from drugs then has masses of depression, Len nearly tops herself.
Con, lives in London working for a magazine, ends up writing what is essentially Mills&Boon, has an ectopic pregnancy and the man in that situation sleeps with a 6th form girl.
Margot, health destroyed as a nun, eventually ceases to be a nun as can’t take the orders, falls in love, tries to get pregnant to keep the man, he runs off with a younger woman with a child.
Steve, marries a money hungry horrible woman.
Charles – okay so he doesn’t do so badly.
Mike – multiple flings, gets kicked out of Dartmouth, trapped into marriage after getting girl pregnant, 3 kids then divorced then re-married.
Felicity – portrayed as really stupid, marries at 17, lots of money, then he leaves her for his secretary she becomes bitter and unhappy
Felix – steady string of affairs with actresses in London but not too bad on the whole I guess.
Cecil – happy married in Wales with 2 children.
Phillipa – women’s activist and really mean.
Geoffrey – portrayed as an idiot who ends up on the dole in Birmingham living with a horrible man with three kids off different men.
The author has turned this into the worst kind of sit-com.
The idea of family, so pivotal to the original books is completely destroyed – at one point Con thinks of Mollie Maynard as ‘our horrid Aunt Mollie’.
Plus what she does to Joey is unacceptable. And Jack. A good catholic man, yes caught in a bad situation with the san reaching the end of it’s usefulness and money not being that abundant. But he was supposed to have been dedicated to his wife and family. There is no way he would have shot himself.
I’m a bit pissed off aren’t I?
I’m begging you though – if you loved the books and haven’t read this, never never do. I’m just hoping that when I pick one of the originals up for a comfort read next time, this doesn’t haunt me.
As some of you may know I love the Chalet school series by Elinor Brent-Dyer. I’m (supposed to be) grown up but I can still re-read these and adore them. I love the innocence and the hope of the books – the belief that everyone can be something and that we can help make the world a better place just by being in it.
Then I read this. I’ve put of buying it for ages because I was worried that the author wouldn’t do the characters justice – as with some of the other fill in novels written by different authors. This is nothing like the fill ins. This is an appalling travesty and I am genuinely horrified by it – beware a spoiler filled rant coming up.
So the author must have really hated the books then. Because not only does she use nothing of the style but she really uses nothing of the characters – she just paints them as she wants. She shows people who have been friends for years as never having liked each other. She shows the relationship between Jack and Joey Maynard in an appalling light – one of the whole ideas of the books is that Jack and Joey were united in the way they thought about things. In fact in a snapshot of Jack’s thoughts she makes him wonder when they stopped communicating and traces it back to Joey waking him to go and get the Matron from the school to bring her other when she is near collapse after her sister has died. This book makes it seem that Joey waking him when he had had a busy day is a sign of her selfish obsession with the school – when really it is supposed to show that he cares for the staff too and is also always there for them and Joey. Whilst the idea that Joey is obsessed with the school is probably correct, her it portrays her as an absentee Mum and her children – well! With the exception of a few they seem to turn out stupid and make dreadful life choices and end up unhappy and divorced. Yes the rates of divorce increase through the 70s,80s and 90s, but this author is out of control. Bad things happen – I’d be an idiot if I didn’t suggest that some bad things would happen to a family of 11 children. But (MASSIVE SPOILERS NOW) lets run through and you see if this is too much drama!
Len, married too young, abusive husband, too many children, husband runs off with Mry-Lou of all people, divorced, one child dies, one has a teen pregnancy for a half black child, youngest child nearly dies from drugs then has masses of depression, Len nearly tops herself.
Con, lives in London working for a magazine, ends up writing what is essentially Mills&Boon, has an ectopic pregnancy and the man in that situation sleeps with a 6th form girl.
Margot, health destroyed as a nun, eventually ceases to be a nun as can’t take the orders, falls in love, tries to get pregnant to keep the man, he runs off with a younger woman with a child.
Steve, marries a money hungry horrible woman.
Charles – okay so he doesn’t do so badly.
Mike – multiple flings, gets kicked out of Dartmouth, trapped into marriage after getting girl pregnant, 3 kids then divorced then re-married.
Felicity – portrayed as really stupid, marries at 17, lots of money, then he leaves her for his secretary she becomes bitter and unhappy
Felix – steady string of affairs with actresses in London but not too bad on the whole I guess.
Cecil – happy married in Wales with 2 children.
Phillipa – women’s activist and really mean.
Geoffrey – portrayed as an idiot who ends up on the dole in Birmingham living with a horrible man with three kids off different men.
The author has turned this into the worst kind of sit-com.
The idea of family, so pivotal to the original books is completely destroyed – at one point Con thinks of Mollie Maynard as ‘our horrid Aunt Mollie’.
Plus what she does to Joey is unacceptable. And Jack. A good catholic man, yes caught in a bad situation with the san reaching the end of it’s usefulness and money not being that abundant. But he was supposed to have been dedicated to his wife and family. There is no way he would have shot himself.
I’m a bit pissed off aren’t I?
I’m begging you though – if you loved the books and haven’t read this, never never do. I’m just hoping that when I pick one of the originals up for a comfort read next time, this doesn’t haunt me.
83cushlareads
That sounds really awful, and you're making me want to read some of the originals because I can't remember what happens near the end of the series!! In fact I can't remember a thing. I recognise the names, but that's about it, and I used to devour those books.
Hmmm...wonder if they are in Wgtn library for a re-read when I get back. (Or my parents' garage in boxes!)
Hmmm...wonder if they are in Wgtn library for a re-read when I get back. (Or my parents' garage in boxes!)
84Deern
I haven't read any of the series, but now I'd also like to take a look at the originals.
I try to see sequels by different authors as published fan fiction. Take Gone with the Wind as an example: every reader had some phantasies about how the story might continue. One of those readers got her idea published, but it's not 'GwtW II' and I can still dream about my perfect ending.
I try to see sequels by different authors as published fan fiction. Take Gone with the Wind as an example: every reader had some phantasies about how the story might continue. One of those readers got her idea published, but it's not 'GwtW II' and I can still dream about my perfect ending.
85alcottacre
#82: I have never read any of the 'Chalet School' books either, but thanks for the heads up about missing that book! I will try and find the originals.
86BekkaJo
#83 Please please do aviod it. I am actually going to bin my copy so no-one else can read it. And I NEVER do that with books.
#84 I know the feeling - sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. But I have never come across anything that horrified me as this one.
#85 They are wonderfully innocent and gentle. Some are really easy to get hold of and some are really quite rare.
#84 I know the feeling - sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. But I have never come across anything that horrified me as this one.
#85 They are wonderfully innocent and gentle. Some are really easy to get hold of and some are really quite rare.
87BekkaJo
89) The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Whilst I really enjoyed Hound of the Baskervilles last month, this was even better - loved it! It's 12 short stories and all are excellent. I just heartily enjoyed trying to get to the answer before Sherlock - I definitely didn't manage very often (some of them are really obscure)! This is totally timeless and I'd recomend it to anyone who hasn't read it yet.
Whilst I really enjoyed Hound of the Baskervilles last month, this was even better - loved it! It's 12 short stories and all are excellent. I just heartily enjoyed trying to get to the answer before Sherlock - I definitely didn't manage very often (some of them are really obscure)! This is totally timeless and I'd recomend it to anyone who hasn't read it yet.
88AndreaBurke
Just read Sherlock's Adventures and loved it. I need to find your first thread to see what you thought of The Wind Up Bird Chronicle- it's been sitting on my bed side table for months.
And congrats on reading so many 1001 books! Seems like you should be nearing the 1001 mark ;-)
And congrats on reading so many 1001 books! Seems like you should be nearing the 1001 mark ;-)
89BekkaJo
LOL! I wish - I'm up to 202 I think!
Wind-Up Bird is brilliant. The more time that passes since I've finished it, the better I remember it being. It's not an easy read but definitely a really rewarding one.
Wind-Up Bird is brilliant. The more time that passes since I've finished it, the better I remember it being. It's not an easy read but definitely a really rewarding one.
90BekkaJo
90) The City and the City - China Mieville
At first I wasn't so sure about this. It is confusing - mainly because you really need to read big chunks at once. Once I had the time to really delve into it I realised how stunning and amazing it really is. Such a surreal mixture of sci-fi and detective mystery. Mieville's use of language is brilliant - some phrases really blew me away.
Anyway, thank you Mark for the excellent review which prompted me to buy this!
At first I wasn't so sure about this. It is confusing - mainly because you really need to read big chunks at once. Once I had the time to really delve into it I realised how stunning and amazing it really is. Such a surreal mixture of sci-fi and detective mystery. Mieville's use of language is brilliant - some phrases really blew me away.
Anyway, thank you Mark for the excellent review which prompted me to buy this!
91nancyewhite
I loved The City and the City when I read it earlier this year. I was already used to Mieville's style from Perdido Street Station which I loved as well. I think that The City and the City is more accessible, but hope you'll try the other one of these days as well.
I agree with you that they take some effort and focus, but am glad you found it rewarding in the end.
I agree with you that they take some effort and focus, but am glad you found it rewarding in the end.
92wookiebender
The City and the City was an excellent read, I'm glad you liked it too!
93iansales
I thought it very good. As did a lot of people, as it's won the Hugo, Clarke, World Fantasy Award and BSFA Award. I reviewed it here.
94souloftherose
#90 Already wishlisted, glad you enjoyed it!
95BekkaJo
Sorry for the lots of absence and lack of books... NaNoWriMo is sucking all my time - I'm not getting to read that much :/ Plus the builders are gradually breaking down my will to live, as well as ripping open nearly every wall in my house. It's not a great time...
96alcottacre
I hope the builders get done soon so you can have peace and quiet at your house!
97BekkaJo
91) The Colours of Chaos - Modesitt
Finally finished this. It's been pottering around in my bedroom since I finished the last one of these and I never got round to finishing it. It's quite the tome! Either way, I definitely prefer the Modesitt novels from the Order perspective. That aside, this felt as long as it was. Not gonna put me off reading the rest of his though!
Finally finished this. It's been pottering around in my bedroom since I finished the last one of these and I never got round to finishing it. It's quite the tome! Either way, I definitely prefer the Modesitt novels from the Order perspective. That aside, this felt as long as it was. Not gonna put me off reading the rest of his though!
98BekkaJo
Oh and up to 38k of my NaNoWriMo - I may actually make the 50k deadline of the end of the month. Maybe...
Either way December is looking good right now! The latest Wheel of Time arrived at the beginning of the month and I've been very restrained in not reading it, knowing that I wouldn't get any writing done.
Oh and on a building update, I came home today thinking everything looked fairly normal. Gave my daughter dinner (we were running a bit late) and headed up to shower her. Turns out the dividing wall in our bedroom has been started. So tonight I will be climbing through a wall into bed. Think it's time to take the bed frame to pieces and sleep on the mattress :( At over 6 months pregnant that just does not appeal.
Either way December is looking good right now! The latest Wheel of Time arrived at the beginning of the month and I've been very restrained in not reading it, knowing that I wouldn't get any writing done.
Oh and on a building update, I came home today thinking everything looked fairly normal. Gave my daughter dinner (we were running a bit late) and headed up to shower her. Turns out the dividing wall in our bedroom has been started. So tonight I will be climbing through a wall into bed. Think it's time to take the bed frame to pieces and sleep on the mattress :( At over 6 months pregnant that just does not appeal.
99cushlareads
That's really funny!!
You are a legend for doing NaNoWriMo at 6 months pregnant with a toddler. Looking forward to seeing you get published! (but perhaps after you have had the baby and sorted out the wall in the bed...)
You are a legend for doing NaNoWriMo at 6 months pregnant with a toddler. Looking forward to seeing you get published! (but perhaps after you have had the baby and sorted out the wall in the bed...)
100alcottacre
Congratulations on doing so well on your NaNoWriMo project, Bekka!
101BekkaJo
Ta guys - though I think you are very optimistic there Cushla! For some reason (probably reading The City and The City when I started writing) this is some sort of noir detective thing. Feels like a bad episode of CSI a lot of the time.
102alcottacre
I like noir detective things. I hope you share it with us when you are done!
103BekkaJo
92) The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
Another 1,001 off the list - and this totally deserves it's place. I don't want to explain too much of it becuase it would be far too easy to give things away. Instead I will say that I LOVE his writing, I really think he is a truly gifted author. His description is amazing. Add to that fact that his brain is genuinly weird - I mean this book is so strange, and you have a winning combination.
So basically, next time you fancy reading something that is brilliant, fairly short and completely out of box, grab a copy of this.
Another 1,001 off the list - and this totally deserves it's place. I don't want to explain too much of it becuase it would be far too easy to give things away. Instead I will say that I LOVE his writing, I really think he is a truly gifted author. His description is amazing. Add to that fact that his brain is genuinly weird - I mean this book is so strange, and you have a winning combination.
So basically, next time you fancy reading something that is brilliant, fairly short and completely out of box, grab a copy of this.
104arubabookwoman
I agree with your comments on The Wasp Factory. Did you know he also writes science fiction?
105cushlareads
OK, I've seen that book and never given it a second look. With you and Deborah both loving it I will look for it in the library soon.
106arubabookwoman
Cushla--be aware it's a very strange book (or at least the characters are very strange and not socially acceptable kind of people). It's definitely not for everyone's taste, but an excellent book nevertheless.
107Deern
I liked The Crow Road a lot and I will put this one on my tbr for early 2011. Thanks for recommending it!
110klobrien2
Congratulations, BekkaJo!
And thanks for the heads up on Wasp Factory--it's going on my TBR, for sure.
Karen O.
And thanks for the heads up on Wasp Factory--it's going on my TBR, for sure.
Karen O.
111alcottacre
#109: Congratulations!
112richardderus
Bekka, that's great about your NaNovel! I punked out a little over 10K words :-(
113BekkaJo
Ta Richard - though I sincerely doubt that even 10k of mine was actually readable... I just musn't musn't let it die - it's nowhere near finished (I'd estimate about 75k at least) and I would really love to get it done. If I can only stop killing people off in it...
114richardderus
Yeah, there shouldn't be all-new characters at the *end* of a book! XD
115BekkaJo
Not all new characters maybe. In fact I haven't killed off any majors - yet. It's more the death count (often nameless vics) who're getting out of control.
Still, my friend who also did one killed off over 95% of the earth's population, so I'd have to go some to beat that :)
Still, my friend who also did one killed off over 95% of the earth's population, so I'd have to go some to beat that :)
116richardderus
Got both of y'all beat: I destroyed the Earth, made the only survivors all men, and stuck 'em on the Moon.
117BekkaJo
Sounds like fun! I just got to waste a lot of words on gratuitous torture room descriptions... a strong editing hand is needed methinks!
Still, it's done and I get to read again. Not that I'll most likely get a review down for a while - am in the middle of two tomes and just started a third! Somehow I never will learn.
Still, it's done and I get to read again. Not that I'll most likely get a review down for a while - am in the middle of two tomes and just started a third! Somehow I never will learn.
118richardderus
Somehow I never will learn
Yes'm, that'd be what us Murrikins call "addiction", it would it would.
Yes'm, that'd be what us Murrikins call "addiction", it would it would.
119BekkaJo
At least it's one addiction I can cope with. Better than the chocolate related one. I think...
121BekkaJo
Mmmmm indeed. I gave it up for about 18 months, but broke when I got pregnant again. Now I am completely re-hooked. Sigh...
123BekkaJo
Evil monkey!
I did have a fit when I looked at myself in the mirror at the swimming pool today though... admittedly most of the fit was a sudden realisation that I am actually exceedingly pregnant now! Why this came as such a shock I have no idea...
Damn, now I want chocolate. Need to put Cass to bed and hubby is out. No way to get to chocolate. DISASTER!
I did have a fit when I looked at myself in the mirror at the swimming pool today though... admittedly most of the fit was a sudden realisation that I am actually exceedingly pregnant now! Why this came as such a shock I have no idea...
Damn, now I want chocolate. Need to put Cass to bed and hubby is out. No way to get to chocolate. DISASTER!
124BekkaJo
93) The Towers of Midnight - Robert Jordan (kinda)
Is it blasphemous to say that I almost prefer Sanderson's writing? He's done a brilliant job of conitnuing this series after Jordan's death, so hats off to him. This is about 800 pages of hardback long. When off sick on Tuesday I read about 700 of them in one go. I feel a bit bloated on the pleasure of it!
I can't really explain much about this - come on it's book 13 and the penultimate book in a huge epic, pretty much anything would be spoilers at this point. I will just say that for several books now I've been wondering how this will all end - and we're getting close. Things are lining up for the Last Battle and it's going to be a doozy. Now I'm just a bit traumatised because I have to wait for the next one :(
Is it blasphemous to say that I almost prefer Sanderson's writing? He's done a brilliant job of conitnuing this series after Jordan's death, so hats off to him. This is about 800 pages of hardback long. When off sick on Tuesday I read about 700 of them in one go. I feel a bit bloated on the pleasure of it!
I can't really explain much about this - come on it's book 13 and the penultimate book in a huge epic, pretty much anything would be spoilers at this point. I will just say that for several books now I've been wondering how this will all end - and we're getting close. Things are lining up for the Last Battle and it's going to be a doozy. Now I'm just a bit traumatised because I have to wait for the next one :(
125souloftherose
Merry Christmas Bekka! Hope 2011 is a great year for you and the new baby :-)
126richardderus
Happy St. Stephen's Day! Or Boxing Day! Whichever you prefer, Bekka, may it be a happy, happy occasion!
127BekkaJo
Thanks guys! Just got home from a Boxing day party at my sisters - have left my husband there drinking 7.5% cider, so what state he will be in when he finally rolls in I don't know! Still, good fun, good food, good friends. But I'll admit that I can't wait for Cass to be in bed now so I can put my feet up! Looong couple of days.
128alcottacre
I hope you get some rest, Bekka!
129BekkaJo
GArrrr. Unless anyone can think of something really really short for me to read in the half hour I have to myself (if that) I think I'm stuck on 93 for this year. Not that bad I guess, but I would have liked to have gotten to 100 given how many kids books I read! Unfortunately my hubby has flu - proper, not just man flu. Cass has been being a pickle and isn't too well and I'm having lots of bump pain. So not much reading going on.
Still, Happy New Year's to all and I hope that everyone has a great night tonight. X
Still, Happy New Year's to all and I hope that everyone has a great night tonight. X
130alcottacre
93 is very good! Happy New Year to you too!
ETA: I hope your hubby gets over the flu quickly!
ETA: I hope your hubby gets over the flu quickly!
131cushlareads
93 books is fantastic!! Hope you are all better soon and happy new year.
132souloftherose
#129 Sorry to hear about real flu, bump paid and pickleness. Hope everyone feels better soon.
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
