Hermaj- prowling tiger? no one is surprised!

Toms- I am a big dreamer-the nighttime dreams- and am always wowed by how insightful that my subconscious is-it tells me what is going on … anyway, my littlest grandchild, three yo, stayed with me,and I dreamt all night about clones… I know it was not about real clones, but still was distressed all night and held him close. Tiny, tiny little bones-I am the only gma he will stay with- and he has 4 others to choose from- it’s a long lived family. He is the furthest grandchild from me… and I annoy my children by saying how incredible they all are…so he is kind of attached to my kindle- somehow mine is better? and he loaded it up, but told me, I can get this app because it says f.r.e.e.–no, he’s three- and already reading, in a fashion. Have been reading Percy Jackson- another grandson is eight,…someone needs to understand what he is reading. granddaughter is ten, last Nov- she just finished the last book in the Hunger Games…which I get is kind of too old for her, but her teachers were not allowed to teach her anything else?.. my kids are doing okay

just got elly griffiths- will let you know

Aah .. this Brit here remembers getting snowed in at Penn Yan, NY, – Amish country – some winters back !

Anyway, back to the OP question. Let me see what is on my bedside table that I am reading. Well, copies of ‘Fast Diet’ and ‘Fast Exercise’ by Michael Mosley, et al., of course (honest !). I keep dipping into them on a daily basis. A copy of ‘Cosmos’ by the sadly missed Carl Sagan. It’s full of mind-boggling facts. Also a travel guide to the Azores, which I find intriguing but a place I have never yet visited.

There is a steady turnover of books by my bed but I rarely read fiction these days.

In my more conceited moments I think there is possibly a book in me, but I cannot be bothered to write it. And if I don’t, nobody else will. And who on earth would read it anyway ? !

Hi all, my reading and music habits vary but musically, I like Blues and Jazz, (I lack knowledge) Miles Davis Howling Wolf and his Genre. I am also a fan of ex Rolling Stone Bill Whyman. His “Willy and the Poor Boys” cd is fantastic. A very knowledgeable authority on Blues music is our Bill. Book wise I like Stephen King and Dean Koonz. I have also just dug out “Birdsong” by Sebastian Faulks to read again. Another favourite is “To Kill A Mocking Bird”, superb as is the film. A book I thought I had lost has just surfaced and I recommend is by American writer Stephen Crane, “The Red Badge Of Courage”, is about a young mans experience during the American Civil War. A superb description of the psychological impact of war that stands even today. I believe a film also exists with Audy Murphy in the main role. The “Hornblower” books by C.S. Forester are a good read also. I do like war books but those written describing the impact and experiingences war has on an individual. Possibly because my father was wounded in the 2nd world war I find such books interesting to read.
Best wishes to you all with your reading, listening and your 5:2 way of life.

Hi toms/piper,

I’ve just seen my post is full of typos. Good thing IQ and general mental ability/agility isn’t judged on the basis of manual skills – including typing. I would be right down with the remedials. Which is why I never, ever offer my services as a proof reader or copy editor.

hermaj- “her majesty” guessed that one a long time ago! I also have great nephews. It’s nice to be around the young- keeps the spirit fresh. Lots of unconditional love. And we don’t care about the typos! It’s so good to here from you. I’m a remedial typist, also.

couscous- Piggy was a goner from the beginning. It’s kind of a traumatic memory for me. I don’t have to think Golding is right about human nature. I’ve been thinking about reading Red Badge for a while. I’m so tired of junk books. Military/war is not my favorite topic, but I’ve read a few. Killer Angels is worth a look, also Catch-22…if you can get past the misogamy,(and believe me, it’s hard)… it’s brilliant.

Liz- I haven’t tried Wuthering Heights, might give it a go, also.
People on this side of the world love To Kill a Mockingbird- even name their girls Scout. Gotta love a book that ends with this kind of magic.

Hondakawi- haven’t read Joel, but have seen him for years, on lots of different shows. I agree, eating healthy food is the way to go.

USA- love most music

USA, thanks for the info. I’m in Manchester. Love to know when you lived in London, if that’s ok to ask?

Hermaj, used to be a proof reader for an ad agency! Luckily, nobody minds typos on here! As long as we get the drift. Haven’t posted for a while, but will try to get going again now. Happy fasting all.

USA- of course I listened to your link- very emotive!

USA, read about your new job. All the very best of luck, hope it turns out as you want it to. Take care, hope you’ll be posting again when you finish your training. Happy fasting when you begin your ADF again. Congrats.

USA- 16 weeks! Congrats and best wishes. Come back when you can. You’ll be missed.

Yes Hermaj, we had to book November 2012 for January 2014! Demand for tickets was so great they put another performance on. You will not be disappointed. Post your findings afterwards! Will be on pins now hoping you enjoy it. Haven’t read the book myself. Have just read Before I go to Sleep SJ Watson. Intriguing but not sure about ending. Also the shock of the Fall Nathan Filer. Fantastic read, it was very affecting. Would recommend both. Am lending the Kindle to the daughter in law, as I have done nothing but read on fasting days, it helps a lot. Will insist she keeps it for a month – (no panic though, if I get desperate have some real books to read)!

I have just finished Big Brother by Lionel Shriver which was about a successful woman whose brother, who had been a successful jazz pianist, decided to land his 385lbs on her doorstep for a visit. She hadn’t seen him for a few years and felt surprised/embarrassment/pity for him. She then devoted a year to helping him to lose weight much to the disgust of her husband. There is a twist at the end though.
I enjoyed reading it and would recommend it as a light read.

Just finished Life of Pi. Oh dear, made me cry at the end. Next one Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. Fingers crossed, had mixed reviews.

Toms – if you have seen the movie Salmon Fishing in the Yemen then you’ll be in for a surprise.

Not sure why some American film-makers feel the need to sanitize stories. I read the book first and then saw the movie on a flight to South Africa (16hrs from Australia). Am nuts about Ewan McGregor but preferred the book.

Am currently enjoying The Spies of Warsaw, having seen the TV series with David Tennant. Looking forward to getting other books in the series for my Kindle.

Nicky F, hello! Have not seen the film, but did watch the film of Pi after finishing reading it. Film was nowhere near as powerful as the book, as you say, there seems to be a need for sanitising stories. Will add Spies to my list. Not got much reading time at the moment, as am on the allotment now wearing out my joints! Keep posting titles to add to the list!

Couldn’t agree more, Ken. I’ve read and enjoyed most of Sebastian Faulkes’s books, but I don’t think he’s ever bettered Birdsong. I’ve read it at least twice. Maybe it’s time for a re-read.

Hi all. Birdsong is excellent. Have read more of Faulkes but not all. Just finished Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. Anyone else read it? Haven’t posted much recently, been allotmenting, (if there is such a word), and completely cream crackered when I get home, but as soon as someone posts on this thread I have to check it out. Happy fasting and reading all.

Vicki, hello. Glad you found there’s more to Manchester than greyness and rain! Must have been a very interesting experience tracking down your husbands origins. Never seen the film of Salmon fishing, probably won’t bother as the films are never true to the novels. Life of Pi was definitely not. Have quite a few titles waiting to be read at the mo, but may look up Wilberforce at some point, your description is intriguing. I see you’re doing really well with your fasting, hope it continues to go well for you. Always glad to hear of reading recommendations.

Just found this topic and it looks like I’m a few years too late, but what the hell. Even if no one will ever see it, I’ll throw in the fact that my most recent novel is about a 29-year-old woman’s efforts to lose weight. She keeps falling off the wagon and by the time she finally stops looking for a magic bullet and starts looking for herself, she’s been on and off so many diets that she should be a weight-loss expert herself. One reviewer called it a great selection for a book club. It’s called Rita Just Wants to be Thin and this is the link. http://www.amazon.com/Rita-Just-Wants-Be-Thin/dp/1495312658

Rita isn’t me but her weight-loss/weight-gain story is my story. The diet that is working for me is 5:2. I’m down 22.5 lbs so far and counting.

As for me, I am currently reading Flaubert’s Parrot by Julian Barnes and a sci fi novel from the 70s called Lucifer’s Hammer.

WE R WORKING !