See how Ive changed the subject because Ive not yet learned how to enter my short story.(Coward) Im reading "Fear of Flying" by Erica Jong.It says on the back of the cover"the modern classic that changed the way we thought about sex" (Ill let you know !!!).Its very funny up to now(and sexy).Great humour...energetic, bawdy.Gay,witty,thoroughly uninhibited.Cant believe I bought it out of Age Concern charity shop,for 60p. :hihi: :hihi:

See how Ive changed the subject because Ive not yet learned how to enter my short story.(Coward) Im reading "Fear of Flying" by Erica Jong.It says on the back of the cover"the modern classic that changed the way we thought about sex" (Ill let you know !!!).Its very funny up to now(and sexy).Great humour...energetic, bawdy.Gay,witty,thoroughly uninhibited.Cant believe I bought it out of Age Concern charity shop,for 60p. :hihi: :hihi:
Pattricia,nobodys replying to you.No one wants to tell you what they are reading at present,so Im sending this post just to give you one reply. :thumbsup:

Pattricia,nobodys replying to you.No one wants to tell you what they are reading at present,so Im sending this post just to give you one reply. :thumbsup:

Everyone's in bed reading a good book which they won't tell anyone about. :)

Everyone's in bed reading a good book which they won't tell anyone about. :)
Must be a dirty book then.!!!! :hihi:

I would tell you about the book I have borrowed from the library, but it is a load of rubbish and I prefer to avoid litigation if humanly possible.

I would tell you about the book I have borrowed from the library, but it is a lod of rubbish and I prefer to avoid litigation if humanly possible.
Oh, if only I knew what litigation meant, Proffessor Higgins.!!!!

I've just finished reading a lovely book I recently bought in Litton. It's traces the history of Cressbrook - the development of the village, the mill, the houses, the hall, the school, the silver band, etc. It reveals in detail the lives of the farmer's wife, the postman, the mill workers, and more.

£12.50. well spent. Most enjoyable read.

See how Ive changed the subject because Ive not yet learned how to enter my short story.(Coward) Im reading "Fear of Flying" by Erica Jong.It says on the back of the cover"the modern classic that changed the way we thought about sex" (Ill let you know !!!).Its very funny up to now(and sexy).Great humour...energetic, bawdy.Gay,witty,thoroughly uninhibited.Cant believe I bought it out of Age Concern charity shop,for 60p. :hihi: :hihi:

i love to read help yourself books.i dont know why is that,is just positive thinking for me ,as i am a pesimistic person.but what i really enjoy are classics .:)

I've just finished rereading Woken Furies by Richard Morgan.
Quality Sci Fi if that's your thing.
Unfortunately until Amazon deliver i'm reduced to reading some old Gregory Brendford which i'm only perservering with to satisfy a bemused curiosity, it's a bit like car crash tv.

Currently re-reading all my Pratchetts from first to last but between each Pratchett I am reading a normal book which at the moment is The Pure in Heart by Susan Hill - a detective novel

Im just waiting for Pratchetts THUD to come out in paperback...then ill be in like flyn.

i'm reading the diary of anne frank. it is an absolutly amazing book. i hav just finished reading sophies world (can't remember who it is by) which was quite a weird thriller. i recommend them both. does anyone know of any other good books worth reading over this summer? i'm desperate!

i'm reading the diary of anne frank. it is an absolutly amazing book. i hav just finished reading sophies world (can't remember who it is by) which was quite a weird thriller. i recommend them both. does anyone know of any other good books worth reading over this summer? i'm desperate!

Jostein Gaarder wrote Sophie's World and it is brill - if you liked it I'd recommend the Solitaire Mystery which is also by him

thankyou, taxman i'll have a look for it at the library

i'm reading the diary of anne frank. it is an absolutly amazing book. i hav just finished reading sophies world (can't remember who it is by) which was quite a weird thriller. i recommend them both. does anyone know of any other good books worth reading over this summer? i'm desperate!
Sam, I think it depends on which type of novel suits you.Thats why I like this writing part,as everyone likes different writers. Now if a writer doesnt grab me in the first two pages, I dont go any further.I cant for instance stand Romantic novels(the Catherine Cookson type)as its just not my scene.Ive got a funny sense of humour,thats why I like"Fear of Flying"by Erica Jong,but you may not.I also dont like Sci-Fi,but think I should try & read it.I would never recommend a book to another person,as they may hate it.

At the moment I'm reading 4th of July by James Patterson, I've enjoyed all his books especially The Lake House. I'm also reading Pat Cash's Autobiography but that is a tad hard going. Unlike you Pattricia if I start a book I usually HAVE to finish it unless it is total garbage. I too have no idea how to post a story on line so I'll just read other's efforts for the time being.

At the moment I'm reading 4th of July by James Patterson, I've enjoyed all his books especially The Lake House. I'm also reading Pat Cash's Autobiography but that is a tad hard going. Unlike you Pattricia if I start a book I usually HAVE to finish it unless it is total garbage. I too have no idea how to post a story on line so I'll just read other's efforts for the time being.
Thank goodness,you have no idea how to post a story.Join the club.It took me months to learn how to join SF,then months to get an Avatar,so I suppose I will be posting my first story around Christmas time.Shoeshine & Joep are so polite & helpful, that I dont like taking advantage of them.Ive got to try & do it myself,so keep reading Joep thread on "Downloading & Uploading".I read it every night, as I can only take small amounts of information in,at one time.Sometimes things "come" to me later on when doing another household task,and I think"oh, yes thats how its done" Ive nearly written a short story with this lot.I suppose nobody will read it ,when I eventually do it. :hihi: :hihi:

Pattricia I promise (hand on heart) to read your story. I will learn how to post a story eventually, as will you and in the meantime it is nice to read others excellent efforts Cheers.

At the moment I'm reading 4th of July by James Patterson, I've enjoyed all his books especially The Lake House. I'm also reading Pat Cash's Autobiography but that is a tad hard going. Unlike you Pattricia if I start a book I usually HAVE to finish it unless it is total garbage. I too have no idea how to post a story on line so I'll just read other's efforts for the time being.

James Patterson is a fav of mine, particularly his Alex Cross books. I've just got 'The Jester' out of the library, so will post after I've read it. Like you nan, I nearly always finish a book once I start it. Its sometimes not rally worth the effort though! I've just joined the writers group, although its a long time since I did any, hopefully I'll be spurred into action eventually.

I have just read " May Contain Nuts" by Tony Parsons. Such a funny read made me giggle and smile most of the way through.

First time I have been on this thread, please can people give me feedback how to come a fully fledge member re posting stories. I write small stories for my amusement, whether they are of any interest is another story so not sure whether I would be out of my depth.

Can people join, read previous postings and then decide whether to add their own stories.....help!
Many thanks. x

See how Ive changed the subject because Ive not yet learned how to enter my short story.(Coward) Im reading "Fear of Flying" by Erica Jong.It says on the back of the cover"the modern classic that changed the way we thought about sex" (Ill let you know !!!).Its very funny up to now(and sexy).Great humour...energetic, bawdy.Gay,witty,thoroughly uninhibited.Cant believe I bought it out of Age Concern charity shop,for 60p. :hihi: :hihi:


im reading pride and predjadice again:rolleyes: lol

i love this book and this will be the third time i have read it :D :love:

At the moment I am reading Bill Hicks auto,

I just finished Stephen Kings The Stand and its taken me an age to read it.
Im now just starting on Kings "Christine" and it looks as if its going to take me even longer to get through.
I used to get through a novel in a day or so but these days it takes me months.

I'm in the middle of reading "The Brightonmicon" by Robert Rankin.

I read several of his books quite some time ago

Raiders of the Lost Car Park
The Brentford Triangle
The Book of Ultimate Truths
A Dog called Demolition
Waiting For Godalming

but it wasn't until his name cropped up on a post either here or elswhere on SF that I chose to look for further works of his in the library.

I look forward to making a re-acquaintance with his works, they really are worth reading.

I've just started Wuthering Heights.. never read it so I thought I'd give it a bash.

I've just started Wuthering Heights.. never read it so I thought I'd give it a bash.
Oh GOD that brings back some memories!

Just finished "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro. Very disturbing and absorbing.

Just started Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka which seems good up to now.

Last week i finished The Time Travellers wife which i really enjoyed...gave me funny dreams though about time travelling....:)

Going to start 'Cloud Atlas' next.

Hi all,
I haven't posted in this group before.
I'm reading Aimee and Jaguar by Erica Fischer - a true lesbian love story set in Berlin during the 2nd world war - heartbreaking, but a fantastic read. Would highly recommend.

Just started Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka which seems good up to now.

I killed a thread (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showpost.php?p=1215986&postcount=671) by recommending this book :( . I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, and that everybody else gives it a go.

Please report back on your opinion.

I read the Time Travellers wife a couple of months ago, thought it was fab!

Not reading anything at the moment, I've started some books but they just don't seem to flow.

Think I need a funny read without being too hard work. Any ideas?:hihi:

Brisbane theres a funny Chick lit novel i read ages ago called 'Can you Keep a Secret?' by Sophie Kinsella which i found a very easy, light hearted funny book which made me laugh out loud many times.

I'm supposed to be reading "Gentlemen and Players" by Joanne Harris and although it is very good I've been unable to get a really good run at it because I've been busy and hence I've not got into it quite how I should have.

Thanks Rooty!
I've jotted that down and might have a wander into town tomorrow to check it out. Thanks :)

just finished reading ' the unbearable lightness of being in abbaryswyth' by a guy called malcom something-not sure!!- but i liked it ok. it holds its own for the first few chapters but it kinda runs out of steam.
blessed rasta.

At the moment I'm reading 'Island Madness' by Tim Binding. It's dead good. Read another of his called 'The Perfect Execution', then saw this one in a charity shop so thought I'd pick it up. Very enjoyable - it's a sort of murder mystery woven around how it is to live in a place occupied by the Germans during the war (Guernsey). Brilliantly written!

I'm reading "The Stranger House" by Reginald Hill, who wrote the Dalziel and Pascoe books.

It's a murder mystery set in the Lake District and I'm really enjoying it's blend of modern crime with historical intrigue.

The heroine is a feisty redhead - right up my street!

I'm half-way through The Toyminator by Robert Rankin.

It's Robert Rankin as usual.......an unlikely mix of a sort of Toy World mixed in with our world, full of humour and fast-moving fantasy action.

I shall be a bit sad, as usual, when I have finished Rankin's book. Never mind. I intend to seek out more of his work. :)

Hasta La vista... Barbie...?

Hasta La vista... Barbie...?

If you haven't read it, you are closer to the zany plot than you think. :)

If you haven't read it, you are closer to the zany plot than you think. :)
The newest book Ive read for years is a Terry Pratchett book and thats a year old now.
Ill have a look for the toyminator when we go to town on thursday. It looks like its the kind of thing I go for.

Brisbane theres a funny Chick lit novel i read ages ago called 'Can you Keep a Secret?' by Sophie Kinsella which i found a very easy, light hearted funny book which made me laugh out loud many times.


I fancy reading this.Am going to the library on Thursday so will ask for it.(Saves money if you dont like it) but what does "Chick lit" mean ?

PD James The Children of Men. It's very different form the film, and to be honest, I think I prefer the film.

I also recently read David Mitchell's Black Swan Green. I preferred it to CLoud Atlas, but not much. I really don't rate his writing.

And for some easy chick-lit, I read 'My Best Friend's Daughter'. Hardly a taxing read, but it carries you along easily enough.

I'm reading "The Stranger House" by Reginald Hill, who wrote the Dalziel and Pascoe books.

It's a murder mystery set in the Lake District and I'm really enjoying it's blend of modern crime with historical intrigue.

The heroine is a feisty redhead - right up my street!


I have finished another of his - Dialogues of the Dead?? It dragged in places but it was worth it for the ending. So will try another of his.

Am now re-reading Maskerade by Terry Pratchett, for about the 5th time I think

Have now started The Brightonomicon by the insane genius that is Robert Rankin

I'm in the middle of Enemy Within by Paul Adam, a good story but nothing remarkable about it EXCEPT that it's written by a true Sheffielder.

It goes into some amazing details about Sheffield so much so that its unnerving. For instance, it tells you the types of sandwiches served at the Millenium Galleries cafe. It also tells you about the lettering used for the floors at the Hallamshire Hospital ( and gets them correct). I'm haven't got to the bit about Hendersons Relish yet but it's bound to be there somewhere!

I'm not used to seeing Sheffield mentioned in books and was so intrigued that I 'googled' his name apparently he was born in Sheffield, studied law in Nottingham and then moved back here.

The book itself is about the Miners Strike and makes a lot of sense, try and read the book and see if you agree.

This years Viz annual - The One Stringed Banjo:)

Nigel West's history of the Special Operations Executive

CG Jung's 'Four Archetypes'.

I am reading a paperback from the local library. The cover looks very "Art Noveau"

It's "A Daisy Dalrymple Mystery".....Murder on the Flying Scotsman, set in the early 1920s.

I won't go into the details, but I was suspicious when I saw an exstensive Family Tree on the 4th page, prior to the Prologue......

It took 60 pages to get into the story, with family characters popping in and out of a bl**dy railway carriage where Miss Dalrymple happened to be seated. I virtually lost the will to live just reading the character introductions.

I am now on page 161 and it's starting to get into the plot! :loopy:

How to write a mystery novel......NOT!

I shall see it out though! I am not a quitter! :hihi:

I am reading a paperback from the local library. The cover looks very "Art Noveau"

It's "A Daisy Dalrymple Mystery".....Murder on the Flying Scotsman, set in the early 1920s.

I won't go into the details, but I was suspicious when I saw an exstensive Family Tree on the 4th page, prior to the Prologue......

It took 60 pages to get into the story, with family characters popping in and out of a bl**dy railway carriage where Miss Dalrymple happened to be seated. I virtually lost the will to live just reading the character introductions.

I am now on page 161 and it's starting to get into the plot! :loopy:

How to write a mystery novel......NOT!

I shall see it out though! I am not a quitter! :hihi:You dont seem the "Daisy Dalrymple" type shoeshine.! :D

You dont seem the "Daisy Dalrymple" type shoeshine.! :D

I'll read anything, pattricia, except the Sporting Chronical and the football results!

I remember the first word I ever read on a paper. I can even remember where I was and what I was doing too.








It was the word "Izal" :o

Shoeshine - I'm amazed. I'm reading "Mistletoe and Murder" - a Daisy Dalrymple mystery, borrowed from my local library. I must say I'm finding it hard to be gripped and am tempted to skip onto my Agatha Raisin. Would you recommend persevering and are the others in the series any better ?

Anyone reading books they got for Christmas? I'm timesharing between my gifts of "Michael Palin's Diaries" and Ben Elton's "Chart Throb". That's several inches of hardback! :D I've been quite impressed by Elton's writing from what I've read so far: "Gridlock", "High Society", "Dead Famous"; easy to read and unputdownable :huh:

I was tempted to buy Michael Palin’s Diaries at Christmas. What’s it like?

I have just finished two books this week “Case Closed” by Gerald Posner which is the definitive book about the John F. Kennedy assassination and cuts through all the BS I have read in many of the other assassination books. Highly recommended if you have an interest in history and like solving information jigsaws, it was a pleasure to read a book on this subject where the pieces hadn’t been sculpted by the author to fit their personal hypothesis of events.

The second book I have just finished is “Vulcan 607” by Rowland White which is about the RAF’s first “Black Buck” raid on Port Stanley airport during the Falklands War.

I’m left with a sense of wonder that they managed to hit anything at all considering the half-assed way they way about things, for instance, they found the old bomb racks in a scrap yard and had to scour the world for Vulcan refuelling probes that hadn’t been filled with cement…talk about a wing and a prayer. Some intrepid Heath-Robinson engineering held together with green string and sticky tape.

Not recommended reading I’m afraid, I lost interest 2/3 of the way through and was getting really hacked off with how much taxpayers money was wasted on inter-service rivalry when a couple of Navy Sea harriers with a laser designated 1000lb bombs could have caused more damage. Don’t get me started saying we didn’t have laser designators in the Falklands WE DID! I saw them on the news. [throws book out of window in disgust!]

Anyone reading books they got for Christmas? I'm timesharing between my gifts of "Michael Palin's Diaries" and Ben Elton's "Chart Throb". That's several inches of hardback! :D I've been quite impressed by Elton's writing from what I've read so far: "Gridlock", "High Society", "Dead Famous"; easy to read and unputdownable :huh:

I'm just coming to the end of High Society, a good book for the boring train journey to work...

i read a lot of non fiction-biographies, any religious books from any religion i can find and books about said religions. i'm not a bible basher or tree hugger or anything though. and a lot of, i'm kind of ashamed to say, slef help stuff and that. just finshed 'the eniagram'. but i do read some fiction. re reading paulo quelo's the alchemist at the moment. good book.

I'm just coming to the end of High Society, a good book for the boring train journey to work...

Is that the High Society that was made into a musical ?

Thought I might as well drop my two-penneth in:

Just started reading Stephen King's "Lisey's Story". I know he gets a lot of bad press, but he's a model pro who always entertains. It's good, typically-King stuff.

Recently read Brett Easton's old gut-churner "American Psycho". I wish I could say something original about it, but like most people, I found myself sometimes feeling ill, sometimes laughing out loud, and ultimately confused.

Oh, also, I recently discovered Glen Duncan's "I Lucifer". Marvellous book, fantastic writer.

Do people on the forum actually hardly read anything or do they just not talk about it? I have a good hours reading every day just on the way to and from work and get through loads of stuff.

I read all sorts. Novels of all types, Natural History, Biographies, History, Science and lots more.

At the moment I'm reading "Shout - The True Story of The Beatles" by Philip Norman.

There is so much in it - not just the main narrative, but all the stories of related people and the history of the period. I'd advise anyone who has even a passing interest to give it a try.

I have just finished reading 'Carrie' by steven king. Great book highly recommend it.

The mention above of Paul Adam caught my eye. I've just started his "Sleeper" which seems to have nothing to do with railway track beds.
The plot seems to revolve round a Stradivarius violin.

I'm reading the collected works of M R James.... and loving it (again)

Do people on the forum actually hardly read anything or do they just not talk about it? I have a good hours reading every day just on the way to and from work and get through loads of stuff.

I read all sorts. Novels of all types, Natural History, Biographies, History, Science and lots more.

At the moment I'm reading "Shout - The True Story of The Beatles" by Philip Norman.

There is so much in it - not just the main narrative, but all the stories of related people and the history of the period. I'd advise anyone who has even a passing interest to give it a try.

Yeah, I read boatloads of stuff as well. I've got a theory; Writers who don't read much don't write much either. Anyone care to prove me wrong?

Yeah, I read boatloads of stuff as well. I've got a theory; Writers who don't read much don't write much either. Anyone care to prove me wrong?
Yes. I usually have two or three books on the go at once, and my living room could be mistaken for a library. I don't write nearly as much as I'd like to, though.

I agree with you in a way; it would be very unusual to find a writer who didn't read many books by other authors. I don't think it necessarily influences their level of productivity.

Yes. I usually have two or three books on the go at once, and my living room could be mistaken for a library. I don't write nearly as much as I'd like to, though.

I agree with you in a way; it would be very unusual to find a writer who didn't read many books by other authors. I don't think it necessarily influences their level of productivity.

I agree with you there, Hecate. I dont think it necessarily influences a writers level of productivity, if they read books by different authors. I also dont think it makes you a good writer, just because you read a lot of books.

...I also dont think it makes you a good writer, just because you read a lot of books.
I think it's essential to read widely, particularly in the genre in which you write. Doing so not only allows you to soak up form and technique by osmosis, but also keeps you up to date about what's currently being published and why.

After all, in most professions, you learn from the masters* (or at least those who have the greatest experience). If you aim to be a published writer (or at least a better writer), then you study those who are already where you want to be: published.


*Note that this category does not include Dan Brown...

I think it's essential to read widely, particularly in the genre in which you write. Doing so not only allows you to soak up form and technique by osmosis, but also keeps you up to date about what's currently being published and why.

After all, in most professions, you learn from the masters* (or at least those who have the greatest experience). If you aim to be a published writer (or at least a better writer), then you study those who are already where you want to be: published.


*Note that this category does not include Dan Brown...

Oh dear, I seem destined to remain out of date then because almost everything I read was written at least 50 years ago. I'm afraid I might be one of those annoying old-fashioned people who protest that writing standards aren't what they used to be. :P Although having said that I do enjoy Marcia Willett books (good holiday reading). And I like Bill Bryson travel books too... Oh and I've enjoyed one or two of Michael Palin's books so might try to get hold of the diaries next time I'm in England, since others have mentioned it here. Another reason for constantly re-reading old stuff is the expense of getting hold of newer books when you're not in the country.

At the moment I'm reading Lord of the Rings AGAIN. My daughter's reading it too and when she was ill last week she asked me to read her a chapter out loud. It's amazing how that makes you slow down and really appreciate Tolkein's fantastic use of language. When you're reading something for the umpteenth time you do tend to skim, so reading it loud made me properly aware of the author's skill ... and how that's something I'll never aspire to. ;)

Oh dear, I seem destined to remain out of date then because almost everything I read was written at least 50 years ago. I'm afraid I might be one of those annoying old-fashioned people who protest that writing standards aren't what they used to be. :P
That's fine, of course, but if you write to get published (which of course you might not), then you probably won't stand much of a chance unless you have an outstanding and truly original voice that can transcend what's going on in publishing.

For example, I love crime fiction. I read a lot of Agatha Christie. Genius as she was, and popular as she remains, if a new author attempted to write crime fiction for today's market based on the style of 50+ years ago, the manuscript would be hastily consigned to the publishers' slush piles.

You might have a cunning modern slant on a 30s crime story, but you still need to obey the conventions of the modern crime genre if you want the book published in 2007. Christie sells because she's Christie, and the books are classics. The linear narrative and Poirot-esque final scene denouement just wouldn't be acceptable in a modern crime novel (unless it was deliberate pastiche).

Oh dear, I seem destined to remain out of date then because almost everything I read was written at least 50 years ago.

I don't see that reading old fiction is going to make you out of date. Most writers still tell stories with structures just the way Aristotle summed them up way back then. Structure is timeless, and your use of language is going to be contemporary whether you like it or not - unless you actually live in a timewarp. (If you ARE living in a timewarp - cool, can I visit? Ooh, maybe I already have...)

The real worry is that writing fiction is itself becoming out of date. I know plenty of people who think it's odd that I like to read a lot. These are the people who love watching reality TV. Seriously, it worries me.

darren,
I'd be more worried for them to be honest.

Structure in a novel isn't timeless. A linear narrative structure, with the plot hurtling unerringly from A to B, as it does in many Agatha Christie novels, simply wouldn't be acceptable to a publisher today.

If you read blogs and forum contributions by those associated with childrens' publishing, you'd be surprised by the number of fledgling authors who attempt to write for today's children having based their writing on the books they read as children. By that, I don't mean the fundamentals of story (which are timeless); I mean a manuscript written in a sub-Blyton style, for example.

unless you have an outstanding and truly original voice that can transcend what's going on in publishing....

That's me folks! :thumbsup: (I wish)

...unless you actually live in a timewarp...

That's me, too! :thumbsup:

Well, I've always said moving to a village in southern Germany is like going back a generation. It's quite good, too, most of the time!

Oh and by the way, could someone please tell me how to include more than one quote in a reply. I know it's been asked elsewhere before but I can't find it. :help:

I still dont believe that reading a lot of books (which I do) makes you a good writer . Also some people think if you are seated in a relaxing atmosphere e.g.Garden, sea-shore, that you will write better. I dont believe this. With writing, youve either got it, or you havent. Im thinking William Shakespeare.What books could he have read for inspiration ? There couldnt have been many around.

Structure in a novel isn't timeless. A linear narrative structure

I hear what you're saying, but I'm not convinced narrative structure is the same as plot structure. Take Pulp Fiction as an exmple of how a fresh narrative structure can make an average plot more entertaining... And of course there will be many examples (Christie, arguably) where average narrative can constipate plot structure.

Plot is timeless, at least in terms of classic structure, hero's journey etc.

I still dont believe that reading a lot of books (which I do) makes you a good writer.

Maybe not, but NOT reading widely will hamper your development, and render you blind to cliche. Hmm, so actually, I guess reading widely WILL make you a better writer after all

I hear what you're saying, but I'm not convinced narrative structure is the same as plot structure. ...
Narrative structure is the structure of the story; the way in which the plot is presented to the reader.
...Take Pulp Fiction as an exmple of how a fresh narrative structure can make an average plot more entertaining... And of course there will be many examples (Christie, arguably) where average narrative can constipate plot structure. ...
Yes, the structure of many Christie novels is linear: introduction to characters -> murder of one of the characters -> interview of the characters to establish motive and alibi -> final scene where Poirot reveals the solution.

The Pulp Fiction screenplay is clearly more modern and very definitely non-linear.
Plot is timeless, at least in terms of classic structure, hero's journey etc.
I'd agree with that.

Maybe not, but NOT reading widely will hamper your development, and render you blind to cliche. Hmm, so actually, I guess reading widely WILL make you a better writer after all
Isn't there a Stephen King quote somewhere in 'On Writing' about how reading others' work and endless practice will make an average writer good, but won't make a good writer great?

my personal take is that you do need to read as widely as possible- i hae a thing for intructuion manuals at the moment. things just seep into you. new ways of saying things and that. but i do think that reading widely with the express aim of finding other ways of doing things can be detrimental to, not only your own 'voice' but even your basic writing. thank you, kaimani, for being the minister of stating the bloody obvious.

Isn't there a Stephen King quote somewhere in 'On Writing' about how reading others' work and endless practice will make an average writer good, but won't make a good writer great?

I would say that reading others works will make a bad writer average,and an average writer a little better.:hihi: :hihi: Just my opinion that, but its nice to hear what others think.

I always say, “You can learn to write, you can learn to write better but you have to have a gift to be a good writer”
But what is a good writer we all have our own opinions.

:huh:

I always say, “You can learn to write, you can learn to write better but you have to have a gift to be a good writer”
But what is a good writer we all have our own opinions.

:huh:
Very good point. I suppose a starting point would be to say that good writing is that which is deemed worthy of publication. There are a hell of a lot of very poorly-written books out there, though (Dan Brown et al take a bow).

What defines a good author? There are some authors out there whose writing style and use of language is so easy to read one of their books is like inhaling information.

Alternatively there are some bad authors that have the opposite effect, to read their excruciating tomes feels like some kind of punishment.

But this is subjective, “great literary minds” may argue the Sylvia Plath & J.D Sallinger are ‘good authors’. Having read their work I would disagree. I can only attribute my inability to appreciate the “genius” of their work to the fact I am insufficiently deranged.
(Insert sarcastic rebuttal HERE, folks--->_______________ )

But I do agree that the more books you read the better writer you would become, you do indeed pick things up by osmosis or, if you have an analytical mind, you can consciously dissect the other writers work and learn from the way they do things.

Wow. this discussion is heating up nicely!
I guess one question to be answered is: what do we mean by a good / average / great writer? You could argue that how many people continue to buy work by a particular writer is the judge - but there are some pretty obvious arguments against that...
But, taking the general principle that any writer worth his / her salt does in fact want to improve, along with the (I think fair) assertion that storytelling is a skill learned... it seems to me that reading widely is something that a writer would want to do. Or summat.

I'm reading "Celtic Faery Shamanism" and "100 ways to improve your horses health" at the moment. I tend to read two what I call "learning books" at the same time, then get my head into a fiction book, read it all then back to two learning books. I enjoy learning from books, but ussually need to have two subjects on the go at once.

it's tricky 'arguing' about who's good who's bad. i think tolkein was a brilliant mind-in some rainman kind of way- but he was not only a bad writer but a pretentious one. i would differ with spook about sallinger.

i was born too close to my feminine side so, for me, a great artist is one who 'moves' me. i find it hard to learn anything or enjoy a book if it appeals to just the head. i get text books for that. but there are some pretty cereblal(sorry bout spelling. and couldn't think of a different word) writers out there who do appeal to sides of me i never knew i had.

but i would say, in closing, you honour, that great writers are those who are bad sometimes, good most times and brilliant the one or two times they get. bad ones are those who are, well, bad the majority of times and abysmal the more times than one should.

I like reading Barbara Erskine books. they are really good. She brings past and present together.

I am currently reading one of her books and am thinking of reading Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte its really good.

I think I am going to try and read all the Bronte sisters books.

Reading 'Vanishing Acts' by Jodi Picoult. Someone gave it to me for my birthday, I wouldn't have chosen it myself. It's not bad, not many laughs though...

Birdman by Mo Hayder. I've just finished Tokyo which was pretty good/gory.
I have to say the author's photo on the inside cover always tends to put me off a bit. I tend to over-judge them as a writer, rather than suspending my disbelief and just getting into the story.

Im working my way through "From a Buick 8" by Stephen King at the moment.
Im only a couple of chapters into the book and so far its looking very promising.

Isn't there a Stephen King quote somewhere in 'On Writing' about how reading others' work and endless practice will make an average writer good, but won't make a good writer great?

There is indeed! I think I'll eventually end of as 'good', and certainly publishable, but I'm not holding my breath for the Nobel Prize in Literature. You can learn the craft in the same ay you learn how to do certain things in woodwork, but it won't make you a Hepplewhite or an Adams.

Oddly enough I'm currently reading a friends first novel, in manuscrpt form, and it's rather good. The story is excellent and whilst it coudl do with a little tightening up in places I'm at the 'You sod' stage, wishing I'd thought of the basic scenario. :) He'll get to 'good' with practice.

In terms of books, I'm currently about half way through Al Gore's 'Earth in the Balance', his environmental book from the early 1990s. Scarily accurate stuff.

People, read Jasper Fforde! It's wonderful stuff. I laughed tears, and I will never be able to see Richard III again without disgracing myself badly. The first one is the The Eyre Affair.

I just finished the Buick 8 book...
Anyone else read it...? If youre considering buying it then DONT! I know that King stories have a tendancy to just... fade away, but the entire book faded away right from page one!

Im reading "Trout Of The World" by James Prosek. I got it mostly for the beautiful illustrations of trout, on every page. It is unusual in the fact that the author is also the illustrator, which I find amazing, as the drawings are beautiful.

reading 'children of the light'. pretty good book by a guy called robert stone. strnge thing is it's the first ever book i've spent more than a week going thru. ever. it's one of the top, say, twenty i've read. but it doesn't give me that need-to-know-what-happens next thing. when i'm reading it i do 'get lost in the pages. but if i put it down, or get distracted i simply just forget it. there are worse books, some really bad, that i have finished in relatively short time but this one's a strange one.
might be something to do with my mindset at the moment. i struggle to write for ten minutes a day. have to resort to replying e mails just so i can say i wrote something that day. it's not really writer's block i guess coz i can still come up with ideas of how to progress a story or concepts for new ones. but the moment i sit at my computer or take out a pen and pad everything turns to ****. highly irregular, indeed. and now it's spread to not being able to read, i guess, so this is driving me nut. i'm driving me crazy. walking around face screwed up like i'm having heat flushes. hope it goes away soon. any tips pleaaaaaaaaaaase, guys. otherwise i'll be the first person to plead insanity in a murder case on grounds of 'book rage.'

I know the feeling; it’s like the male version of perpetual PMT, try cheese on toast with plenty of Henderson relish it does nothing for PMT but it don’t half taste good. :loopy:

I've just finished reading The Plant Life of Snowdonia (Ed by Peter Rhind and David Evans), and I'm now part way through Field Guide to Orchids of Britain & Europe (by Karl Peter Buttler). Looking forward to putting into practice what I have learned about identifying plants (and especially wild orchids) on forthcoming holidays to Snowdonia this year. :thumbsup:

"The Child Garden" by Geoff Ryman.

It's clever, imaginative, humourous, deeply sad, and full of wonderful characters.

I just picked up Ben Eltons 'dead famous' from the charity shop for a squid, so I'm going to have a bash at that tonight.

Just started fighting my way through Terry Pratchetts "Thud".

Buggrit, Millenium hand and shrimp!

Currently almost finished Stephen King's Cell, and also about halfway through a Kathy Reichs book that I've forgotten the title of.

In fact, I'm off to finish Cell before Lost comes on.

I'm reading the Great Gatsby again, excellent book.

I have just finished ‘Lucky Man’ by Michael J. Fox. – It is utterly brilliant! Compelling, intensely objective and above all, intelligently written it gives an insight into his struggle with Parkinson’s disease told in his dry sardonic style.

In a memoir such as this you’d expect the subject matter to be depressing or for the author to suffer from a little self pity. Not a bit of it, when you turn the last page you are uplifted by the journey he has taken, along the way you smile, cry, cringe and laugh out loud.

His Hollywood career gets second billing in this tale, he does touch upon the ‘goldfish bowl’ that the his fame and the media put him in and there is a memorable chapter when the media tried to gatecrash his wedding day using helicopters and a pantomime horse, but what makes the story eminently readable is it is told with humility in a candid, self depreciating style.

Highly recommended.

I like Autobiographies, and I like him. I think I will buy this book tommorrow.

Im reading `Desperation` By Stephen King at the moment, the series is on tv and I havent watched it, but if its anything like the other stories of his that get put into film, then it`ll be pretty crap.
The book is excellent so far though.

I absolutely enjoy Virginia Andrews books but I can't get into the 1 I have at the moment, stolen from the hospital, SORRY, honest!
So I am back to reading my mags when I go to bed at night.
My 8 y o daughter is reading Jacky Daydream by Jaqueline Wilson that we got her for Easter, she has 2 chapters left & has thoroughly enjoyed it to the point where I may read it myself.

"Chasing Vermeer" by Blue Balliett - it's a new children's book. Reminds me of "From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler" by EL Konigsburg - AND it contains coded letters which are great fun to decipher :)

Just finished The Interpretation of Murder which was excellent.

Now reading Hearts in Atlantis by Stephen King. Good so far.

Re reading The Dune novels by Frank Herbert

I've just finished reading a lovely book I recently bought in Litton. It's traces the history of Cressbrook - the development of the village, the mill, the houses, the hall, the school, the silver band, etc. It reveals in detail the lives of the farmer's wife, the postman, the mill workers, and more.

£12.50. well spent. Most enjoyable read.

That sounds interesting, does it mention the Bramwell family at all?

We are researching Bramwells at Wardlow, Litton and Ashford.

Thanks :)

See how Ive changed the subject because Ive not yet learned how to enter my short story.(Coward) Im reading "Fear of Flying" by Erica Jong.It says on the back of the cover"the modern classic that changed the way we thought about sex" (Ill let you know !!!).Its very funny up to now(and sexy).Great humour...energetic, bawdy.Gay,witty,thoroughly uninhibited.Cant believe I bought it out of Age Concern charity shop,for 60p. :hihi: :hihi:
Read it.....it seems you enjoyed it.......I did

Reading Arthur and George by Julian Barnes - really enjoying it.

Just finished reading Alex haley's Roots. Brilliant!!

I am reading 'Reapers Gale' by Steven Erikson.
Probably my favourite author of the moment, the novel is off to a kicking start.

Not for the faint hearted though, the world he's creating is vast and massively complicated.

See how Ive changed the subject because Ive not yet learned how to enter my short story.(Coward) Im reading "Fear of Flying" by Erica Jong.It says on the back of the cover"the modern classic that changed the way we thought about sex" (Ill let you know !!!).Its very funny up to now(and sexy).Great humour...energetic, bawdy.Gay,witty,thoroughly uninhibited.Cant believe I bought it out of Age Concern charity shop,for 60p. :hihi: :hihi:
Tony Blackburn 'The Living Legend' An Autobiography

At present, I am reading the latest novel by Julian Stockwyn, Command
which follows the career of a young naval officer at the time of the Napoleonic Wars.
This is the seventh book in the series and I have enjoyed them all.

I've just read the Mysteries of Crickley Hall by James Herbert. Fab read! Loved it, even though now have to sleep with the light on :hihi: :hihi:

I've just read the Mysteries of Crickley Hall by James Herbert. Fab read! Loved it, even though now have to sleep with the light on :hihi: :hihi:

Was it that frightening brisbane ? :D

It's funny Pattrica, I can't stand to watch scary movies as I lie awake thinking of ghosts all night but books, I love them! It was scary but the light didn't have to go on. I loved the Magic Cottage by James Herbert too. This read was equally as good if not better!:)

It's funny Pattrica, I can't stand to watch scary movies as I lie awake thinking of ghosts all night but books, I love them! It was scary but the light didn't have to go on. I loved the Magic Cottage by James Herbert too. This read was equally as good if not better!:)

Yes, a scary book is so much better than a scary movie isnt it ?

Yes, a scary book is so much better than a scary movie isnt it ?

I would agree..
A scary movie shows someone else's horrors; a scary book creates your own!

I recently read Orwell's 'Animal Farm', and I'm currently reading 'The Heart of the Matter' by Graham Greene. I do love my Graham Greene! For some reason, I seem to be mysteriously attracted to 'between-the-wars' authors...

Has anyone read anything by Haruki Murakami? Which of his works would you recommend I start with?

I'm currently reading 'The Fifth Elephant' by Terry Pratchett :|

Afraid I am a little old fashioned. I bought ten Agatha Christie books from a charity shop, and at present I am reading ' One, Two, Buckle my Shoe'

Im finding " The Concise Oxford Dictionary" (ninth edition) very interesting at the moment, as I post on a thread called " Your Word of The Day" and I can look up interesting long words(and get the spelling right as well) :D

Mr Nice - Howard Marks

I'm just reading The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (May not have spelt that correctly) so powerful it almost made me sick. It is beautifully written from the viewpoint of a loathesome narrator, who may or may not redeem himself.
Like others I was emotionally torn apart by The Time Traveller's wife.
Also read Dog-fighter by Mark Boranowski. A superb love story with some amazing phrases which like all the best books made me distraught at the thought of the inadequacy of my own feeble attempts at literature.

Reading " The History Boys " by Allan Bennett.

"Glasshouse" by Charles Stross.

Havent read it yet but someone told me it was good. Its called " The Consolation of Philosophy" Dont know wether I will be able to understand it though.

Havent read it yet but someone told me it was good. Its called " The Consolation of Philosophy" Dont know wether I will be able to understand it though.

You can't fail to understand it, it is the key to all understanding:)

rosary girls, in fact read it saturday.
so just about to start with the new Inspector Banks novel.

You can't fail to understand it, it is the key to all understanding:)

Really ? Is it as good as that ?

I'm just about to open up "Master and Commander", by Patrick O'Brien, recommended to me by my uncle over in Canada.

His taste is usually excellent, so I'm very much looking forward to the read.

I'm reading Harry Potter 5 at the moment, in preparation for the release of the film next week.

I'm re-reading all of the Harry Potter Books in preparation for the Deathly Hallows release! My claim to fame would have to be working for Barry Cunningham who signed JK Rowling to Bloomsbury, can remember how excited we all were to read something so great from the unsolicited manuscripts pile for a change! I still have nightmare about the picture book someone sent me to read about a talking shed (!) my absolute worst unsolicited manuscript ever, and not a pre-school book that was ever published as far as I am aware LOL, and breathes a sigh of relief.

The Blair years : Extracts From The Alastair Cambell Diaries.

Who would believe that such an obvious nutter could ever have been the Prime Ministers most trusted friend and adviser ? All the same its an interesting read.

I've had three books on the go recently!

I re-read 'The Shining' a couple of weeks ago - I'd forgotten what an excellent book it is.

At the moment I'm re-reading Alvin Toffler's 'Future Shock' - written in 1970, and slightly dated in places, it's still an interesting read about how people thought the future was GOING to be.

Last week I had a train trip to make and I read Bill McKibben's 'The End of Nature' - an essay written in 1990 about Global Warming and it's impact on how we PERCEIVE the natural world. Very thought provoking stuff.

I think I would like to read " The Shining". It was a film wasnt it ?

I think I would like to read " The Shining". It was a film wasnt it ?
Yes it was made into a film starring Jack Nicholson....totally brilliant adaptation.

I have just read "Jake and Mimi" by Frank Baldwin. This is a thriller/erotic/murder story of childhood repressed memories that races away to create a breathtaking look-back into your own liife as a child.
I did not want this book to end; I was absorbed into the book after the first couple of lines, and I love books that do that. Seriously recommended.

I have just read "Jake and Mimi" by Frank Baldwin. This is a thriller/erotic/murder story of childhood repressed memories that races away to create a breathtaking look-back into your own liife as a child.
I did not want this book to end; I was absorbed into the book after the first couple of lines, and I love books that do that. Seriously recommended.

This novel looks good. I will look it up.

Yes it was made into a film starring Jack Nicholson....totally brilliant adaptation.

The Shining was a good movie but I liked the novel more; a few years ago Stephen King did a different adaptation for TV and I enjoyed that more than the film, but the film stands well on it's own.

One weirdness - I saw The Simpsons version - 'The Shinning' before Is aw the film but after the book - it's still a good laugh. :)

I've just read "Chasing Angels" by Sally Zigmond--it's a novella, and I'll admit that Sally's a friend of mine. I really enjoyed it, and wish she would publish more.

I've just read "Chasing Angels" by Sally Zigmond--it's a novella, and I'll admit that Sally's a friend of mine. I really enjoyed it, and wish she would publish more.

What is a "novella".? How lucky to know a proper published authoress.

A novella is longer than a short story but shorter than a novel. There are arguments about the exact size but a novella could be defined as having a word count between 17,500 and 40,000 or 60 to 130 pages.

I’ve never read anything by Sally Zigmond but I have just looked her up on the internet and she offers some very sound advice – like a more concise version of Stephen Kings “On writing” – especially the tip that you should put your writing in a drawer for at least a week before re-editing.

The top ten mistakes new fiction authors make. ( http://www.writing-world.com/fiction/mistakes.shtml) by Sally Zigmond - this really is very good and should be required reading for the group members!

A novella is just a shortish novel. "Chasing Angels" is about 140 pages long, and only about 40-50,000 words, I think. So short for a novel. And yes, I'm lucky to know Sally but that's mostly because she's a lovely friend. We're having lunch together tomorrow, and I am very much looking forward to it.

Ooops, soory--posted over you, Mantaspook. Yep, that's Sally. She used to edit a literary magazine, and is very good at writing and criticising short stories. She's shredded several of mine!

I am re-reading Audrey Niffenegger's Time Travellers Wife. just moved house and found it in a box!

I am about to start The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Penny. It has been sat on my desk for weeks but I just haven't found the time to pick it up before now.

Have been sorting out lots of books to go to charity shops or sell, and rediscovered a box of books not yet read * - just like Christmas, but no need to write thank you notes! So am reading Anita Shreeve's 'Body surfing' and have a whole pile of books to keep me busy for a while - bliss.

* had to move loads of things whilst I decorated the dining room, where the majority of my bookcases are, and it has been a long job putting eveything back.

I am reading " You Cant take It With You" by Jane & Mike Tomlinson. She is dying with cancer and has done lots of charity work (running etc) . I had previously read her first story of her discovering that she had breast cancer called " The Luxury Of Time" which was excellent.

im reading SF :P

im reading SF :P

We noticed. :)

[QUOTE= Just started Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka which seems good up to now.[/QUOTE]

My sister-in-law, in Sheffield, recommended this book but I haven't managed to find a copy locally (most tractors here are John Deere or Ford anyway). i will have to try Amazon.

Regards

Currently almost finished Stephen King's Cell, and also about halfway through a Kathy Reichs book that I've forgotten the title of.

In fact, I'm off to finish Cell before Lost comes on.

Hi,

I have just finished Kathy Reich's latest book. Her books are well written -in addition to writing who-dun-it's she is a consultant pathologist and forensic science specialist in both in the US and Canada. Therefore, her books are very technical and you need a strong constitution to read them.

Regards

Nobody has mentioned "Birdsong", by Sabastian Faulks. This is a very good read, set in France before and during WWI.

This book may appeal to Mick Coyle (and others) for it has a very detailed description of the Hero - and the hostess at the place where he is was guest - having "Close Encounters of the First Kind".

It makes my efforts in the same vain, for the May theme (remember "Still Trapped in Hillsborough") look very tame in comparison.

There is also a very graphic description of life in the trenches during the war, particularly the tunneling.

Regards

Hi, Falls. Changing the subject but how did you go on when you came to Sheffield earlier on ? Was it June time ?

rad rosary girld last weekend, reread a patricia cornwell this weekend.
got a new one in the car to start tonight.(can't remember what it is)

Hi, Falls. Changing the subject but how did you go on when you came to Sheffield earlier on ? Was it June time ?

Hi,

We arrived in England June 4th and left on July 27th . We spent a lot of the time in the Sheffield area but were not there when it became the "Venice of the North".

Actually we were in the Stockholm/Helsinki area when the flood came so missed all the excitement. We did however, see a lot of it on the BBC World Service TV.

It was strange to be watching helicopter rescues from places I knew. Also, the water flowing down the Wicker, my old neighbourhood, was almost unbelievable.

Regards

Yes, how extraordinary for you to see The Wicker flooded. Some of the businesses were so badly affected that they havent opened up since. I believe a fishing tackle shop has closed for good. My sister in Connecticut(originally from Sheffield) was amazed when I sent her a video link of the floods by E Mail.

The Cunard book of Cruising. Thinking of going on the QM2 from Southampton to New York next May. Must be after seeing Titanic.:cool:

The Cunard book of Cruising. Thinking of going on the QM2 from Southampton to New York next May. Must be after seeing Titanic.:cool:

Hi,

Taking the QM2 from Southampton to New York should be exciting. She is a great ship.

We are looking at taking what are know as a Relocation" cruise some time next year. As you know, many of the cruise ships operate in European waters during the summer but in October/ November ,they move their operations (relocate the ships) to ports in the southen US or Caribbean. Therefore, you might board the ship in, say, Southampton, cruise the Atlantic islands(ie Canaries or Mederia) and/or the Caribbean before disembark in places like Fort Lauderdale. In the spring they do the same thing in reverse. These are good value for money.

Regards

Hi,

Taking the QM2 from Southampton to New York should be exciting. She is a great ship.

We are looking at taking what are know as a Relocation" cruise some time next year. As you know, many of the cruise ships operate in European waters during the summer but in October/ November ,they move their operations (relocate the ships) to ports in the southen US or Caribbean. Therefore, you might board the ship in, say, Southampton, cruise the Atlantic islands(ie Canaries or Mederia) and/or the Caribbean before disembark in places like Fort Lauderdale. In the spring they do the same thing in reverse. These are good value for money.

Regards

Never been on a cruise, but the price has come down a lot in recent years. We only stop in New York(for 5 days in bed & breakfast only) but there are plenty of eating places in N.Y.Then cruise back again. I think its a 17 night one.

Never been on a cruise, but the price has come down a lot in recent years. We only stop in New York(for 5 days in bed & breakfast only) but there are plenty of eating places in N.Y.Then cruise back again. I think its a 17 night one.

Hi,

We are new to cruising - two so far. Same cruise line but different ships. We like them because you arrive, unpack and don't have to repack until its time to come home. The cruise line does the rest.

I spent a lot of my working life living out of suitcases - on and off planes, etc. I became good at packing or travelling light but overall, the novelty worn off before 1980.

17 days sounds about right. Anything shorter than, say, 10 days is going to be disappointing.

Regards

Hi,

We are new to cruising - two so far. Same cruise line but different ships. We like them because you arrive, unpack and don't have to repack until its time to come home. The cruise line does the rest.

I spent a lot of my working life living out of suitcases - on and off planes, etc. I became good at packing or travelling light but overall, the novelty worn off before 1980.

17 days sounds about right. Anything shorter than, say, 10 days is going to be disappointing.

Regards

Which cruise company do you regard as the best ? And what countries have you been to ?

Which cruise company do you regard as the best ? And what countries have you been to ?

Hi,

I'm probably not the right person to answer your questions. You need someone who has much more cruise experience and with different cruise lines.

Obviously, Cunard have a very good reputation and many people swear by them. We haven't tried them yet because they were not going to destinations on a schedule that suited us. Maybe another time. In some respects, cruising is like buying a car: not everyone buys the same make. Many of the smaller cruise lines also offer very good service. Its all a matter of personal choice.

As you are no doubt aware, cruising attracts all sorts of people and there is also a monumental amount of snobbery attached. For example, there are the ones who only travel with Cunard, as if they are the only ships on the ocean. I believe Cunard have separate dinning rooms for different classes of passenger and that seems to appeal to a lot of people (you don't have to mix with lesser mortals in the lower classes).

Others only cruise on UK operated ships while others only sail on American ships. Some have been on so many cruises that they have their favourite cabins on favourite ships. (Can you believe that?). Destinations are not important to them. Many cruise and never get of the ship at ports of call. Others never seem to leave the bar(s) - but that's another story.

Some only go on cruises to the Caribbean while other people (ourselves included) have the Caribbean way down on their list of places to visit - and so on.

Most cruise lines have award systems where you gain points and when you have been on enough cruises and have the points, you get invited to small private swoiree with the captain and senior offices. Of courses, the offices are masters at stroking the egos of these people. After all, its their bread-and-butter. If you don't like that sort of thing, you don't participate.

To answere your other point; we have, so far, cruised the western Med(Spain, France, Italy, Sardinia, etc.) and the Baltic (including St. Petersburg). We hope to do the Eastern Med - perhaps even the Black Sea - but it might not be for couple of years.

Our criteria are: First, and formost, the destinations(port of call); then which cruise line and ships are going there and on what schedule. No we don't have favourite ship or line.

Friends and family have sailed with different lines - large and small so we compare notes. We have never heard of anyone who has had a rotten experience.

Regards

You have given me so much helpful information there Falls. Thank you.

This last week I've been reading a fascinating book about something called the Voynich Manuscript.

It's an old, probably medieval, book that has never been decoded / translated and no one knows whether it's an elaborate practical joke, secret alchemical works or what it is.

Really interesting!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voynich_manuscript

This last week I've been reading a fascinating book about something called the Voynich Manuscript.

It's an old, probably medieval, book that has never been decoded / translated and no one knows whether it's an elaborate practical joke, secret alchemical works or what it is.

Really interesting!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voynich_manuscript

I love books like that, wether true or not.

Postman Pat, its a great story :)