I loved this book of short stories – especially the ones about Nathan. He is absolutely one of my favourite authors and I am v.excited as we’re going to get to meet him next week at a signing of his new book!

This started off so well. It had all my fave ingredients – a big mysterious house with fantastic grounds and hidden corners, an old diary, a boy finding his way. I expected an Enchanted Castle/Moondial type of story, but unfortunately it turned into something much weaker than I anticipated. It felt as if the author got bored and that the editor wasn’t getting her to tighten up enough.

The plus points are the conservation issues at the heart of the novel and also Hussey’s descriptions of the natural world. I wouldn’t say it was a classic though.

Glad I caught this on the last day of the exhibition. I discovered that I like the big, bold graphic stained glass effect Gilbert & George in small doses, but not in big dollops. Being the traditionalist, I actually preferred much of their early work – pastoral scenes, collectable etchings, young be-suited men wandering in empty houses.

The later stuff has it’s place, but for me, it seems that they mainly work their subjects around breaking taboos. They’ve done sex, excrement, christianity, fundamentialism, terrorism. Where can they go to next? Soft-focus florals would really break the mould.

I allowed myself a rare guilty pleasure yesterday and spent the whole day reading this book.

The writing is marvellous – dense, yet efficient and the characters are built incredibly well, especially Gideon Mack who despite his odd experiences, remains a sympathetic protagonist.

The story is very well-constructed. I have always been a fan of British legend & myth so it’s a joy to see Robertson covering this subject so well. There are so many questions raised throughout – some are answered, but many are not, especially the role of religion in today’s society which is debated at length in the novel.

A must-read.

Bright Lights, Big City was a revelation to me. As a twenty-something trying to negotiate the slippery career ladder in London, this book really made me feel something true. It also made me thing that the protagonist really could find something true in his life. And maybe the author too.

If reading The Good Life is anything to go by then Mr McInerney has let us down terribly. He’s evidently still stuck in the same quandary that he had when he was in his 20’s. Money or life? Where’s the happy medium?

The book starts well, if a little slowly. The characters didn’t excite me hugely, but there was potential.

The treatment of 9-11 was luckily dealt with sympathetically and is by far the most real part of the book concerning both writing quality & narrative.

BUT the bit that really let it down was the love affair between the 2 main characters. It was superficial, cliched and the writing was occasionally diabolical. Frankly, I didn’t care what they did. I just wanted them to get off their spoiled arses and stop whinging.

So overall, below par. Maybe I will understand this book better if I ever become a rich, bored middle-aged woman having an affair, but as I intend never to be bored or unfaithful, I doubt it.

My best friend bought me this as a belated birthday present and it’s wonderful!

The design is gorgeous. The recipes are ordered in the colour of the rainbow and are very easy to make. The author has included all her favourite dishes for her family. She also adds entries about memories from her childhood and explains how she tries to sprinkle this magic into her own children’s lives.

I have been so taken by this book that I have sent a copy of Falling Cloudberries (another recipe/travel book by Tessa Kiros) to my 16 year old sister for her birthday. She enjoys cooking and wants to see the world so I hope it inspires her.

I love this film simply because it portrays a perfect view of England – green fields, stately homes and leisurely summer picnics – Merchant Ivory productions move me for the same reason (and the acting is better!). It’s the ideal that I hanker for and that still exists fleetingly if you go searching for it in the right places – down country lanes, cobbled streets and teashops. The only snag with this version is Gwyneth. I find her a touch too caustic and spoilt. I was quite charmed by Jeremy Northam though.

There’s another variation on TV tonight with Kate Beckinsale (not too fond of her either). Interested to see how this compares.

I’ve now read all books in the ‘trilogy’ by Maxence Fermine and they were OK, but didn’t ultimately speak to me on a personal level. I felt that they had a confusing message, but maybe that’s part of the philosophy?

I much prefer Paulo Coelho.

Methinks it’s a thumbs down for Graham Greene. This wasn’t the most boring book that I’ve read and it had a lot of racy ingredients for the time – spliff, sex, smuggling, but it definitely didn’t hit the spot. I will try one more and then it’s adios.

This is the second time that I have read this novel and I had forgotten how much I dislike it. Self pitying characters indulging their angst. Yuk!