I really wanted to read 'The End of Alice', which sounds like an extraordinary book, but 'Music for Torching' was on the 3 for 2 at Waterstones and books are expensive.

Mmmm books, books, books. I love books.

Of all the ones I have read about that did seem to be the most interesting...certainly the darkest.

I can't put my finger on why, probably the characterisation, but she reminds me a bit of John Irving. Seeing that he is my favourite author and he takes his time writing, I think Homes may well fill the Irving void.

Have 'The Sopranos' whacked the novel?

Really? That'll have to be next on my list, then. I'm getting pretty desperate for some new Coupland.

The Gum Thief is out soon(ish) - start of October, I think.

I done finished a'reading The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn for the first time. I reckon that Twain fella can spin a yarn mighty fine and now I dasnt not talk about it excepting in the style of an adolescent Southern boy born betwixt 1840 and 1850.

After a few weeks away from it I finished Cormac McCarthy's No Country For Old Men, which was both a blistering and thrilling noir/Western/chase story and an interesting look at the post-millenial malaise against the backdrop of the Texas/Mexico border. However, whilst I enjoyed the book I did find McCarthy's politics, voiced by the character of Sheriff Bell whose journal-style ramblings marked the beginning of each chapter, encroached too much on the story at times and, since I disagree with them, it did somewhat detract from my enjoyment of the book. It was still very, very good though and I now look forward to the Coens' film version with much anticipation.

I have now started Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man, which I'm roaring through and have found very engaging. It helps that I had to study the Tuskegee Institute and Booker T. Washington for my degree, otherwise I would be completely lost amongst the many references to them.

I read this a long time ago and loved it. I really should be give it a re-read.

Over the past week or two, I've read Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, which is still my favourite of the whole series so far.

Now I'm onto Half-Blood Prince with plenty of time to spare, so I'm going to try and read this one a little slower. Less than ten whole days until the final one is out! I'm getting rather excited now.

I'm halfway through The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera after finishing the absorbing and beautiful Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie.

Having never read either of these 'modern classics', I'm feeling much more cultured. I like the somewhat modernist style of Kundera's writing and the story is elegantly woven.

I need to start reading more books.

Shame I haven't got a clue where to start.

Start at leaflets and work your way up?

This is one of the only threads I never really look at, because I start to feel completely intellectually inferior to most people.

I know I'm an idiot, but I don't like having it proved to me.

You certainly aren't an idiot SG. Now, what genres do you like? I am sure that people could come up with some starting points.

I'll try anything really, I'm trying to get out of this 'I only like...' habit, and attempting to be more open-minded.

I think you'd like some of these authors:

Tom Holt
Christopher Moore
Terry Pratchett
Tom Robbins

I've read The Fifth Elephant by Pratchett, and enjoyed it, but I couldn't help thinking that I didn't get half of what the novel was about...

I'm currently reading Kate Mosse's Labyrinth, recommended to me by my parents because I'm interested in Grail stories. It knocks The Da Vinci Code into the slush pile.

After that I've an interesting looking novel to read, combining crime and Edinburgh. And it's not by any of the usual suspects.

I find Pratchett overrated - I've read a couple of his books but found them somewhat formulaic and desperate to get onto the next gag.

Yeah, his books do get like that from time to time, and The Fifth Elephant is probably the worst example of him trying to be too clever for his own good. I'd highly recommend Guards! Guards! as a better Pratchett book overall with a stronger plot and better jokes.

*nods furiously*

I need to read everything of his now.

Labyrinth is a fantastic book and one I would definitely recommend.

~Takes notes~

Ok, I'll have to check them out. I've not heard of any of them but Pratchett, but maybe that's a good thing, going in without any prejduice.

I will second that Pratchett but I would start with Going Postal - it is the best of his recent stuff in my opinion. In addition, I would have a look at any of the books with The Watch featuring heavily. I don't really know you but I have a feeling that you might like the Vimes character.

I would recommend Neil Gaiman as well. Start with either American Gods or Neverwhere and become addicted from there. Good Omens is fantastic as well - a joint effort between him and Terry P.

After that, my reading tends to slide every more into the fantasy fiction realm, which is a specific taste. If you want any suggestions down that line, let me know and I will wave Terry Brooks books at you.

I have the Sword of Shannara trilogy, well, my dad does, because I lent him them, I haven't read them myself. Any good?

Yesyesyesyesyes.

Well, I liked them anyway. Quests, rangers elves, bad things in the forest. If that appeals, you will probably like them too.

Yes, that kind of thing appeals. I like the LotR fillums, I just haven't got round to reading those books fully yet. But I know I like questy type things.

I have never managed to get through The Lord of The Rings. I've tried three times. Too many words, not enough quest if you ask me!

You may also like The Magic Kingdom For Sale: Sold! Twentieth Century man in olde worlde setting. Having a quest. Could have been Terry Brooks again. I will check. We need Ade in here - he is a font of knowledge on this stuff.

No, I found that too. Far too descriptive.

In a similar vein, this is what puts me off Stephen King's writing style too. 4 pages describing a beach in Maine. A paragraph describing something that actually happens.

True true. Although I would say that Misery is a smashing exception to that rule. Also you should try The Bachman Books and his other novellas. Preciously short and succinct.

I read what became 'The Running Man' when I was at school, and enjoyed that, so I might give it a go. I've also got a couple of Ellroy books to try, and some Pullman that the lassie lent me a little while back now.

Running Man is one of my favourites. The film doesn't do it justice, but I am a sucker from trashy action films so I couldn't hate it.

Ooh and Pullman - goooood. The lassie has good taste.

I wouldn't know, I haven't read them yet.

I can almost hear the collective gasp.

Where did you get up to in LOTR? I'm just asking because there is a lot of description, but you become totally immersed in the world as you read on.

Thanks to Craig I started The Steep Approach to Garbadale by Iain Banks this morning.

And I recently finished 'The Beach' which was good.

My record is halfway through Fellowship, and then either real-life or frustration with the book has got in the way. I plan to keep trying, though.

That's a similar point to many people, I believe. My first read all the way through took six weeks of commuting to work, and it was like living an alternate life for a couple of hours a day. You live and breathe with the characters and feel like you are on their journey too. You really should try, it is ultimately very rewarding and soooo much better than the films.

Ahhhh, the downside of living only 10 minutes' walk from work, see.

But I'll give it a go, like you say. I enjoy that kind of stuff, and I've read countless bestiaries about the universe, so it can't be a chore, really.

I heartily agree. The Magic Kingdom books are really under-rated as well.

Glad you got it.

The last book I spent time with was Elephant House by Kevin McDermott. It's photos of Edward Gorey's house with some text thrown in. All the photos were taken a week after Gorey's death, and it's the state of things in the house that's so appealing to me. It's the kind of place I'd want to spend weeks in, just looking around.

Just finished this, it is a bit of a cracker - sort of epic, but not totally overblown. Now I'm onto Fight Club - Chuck Palahniuk. Just a quick one to power through before looking into some of the suggestions mentioned in the posts above...

That's Me In The Corner by Andrew Collins.

I've only read a chapter so i can't give a critical opinion or anything.

just finished the word for world is forest by ursula k. le guin. i am not quite sure how i feel about it. it was definetly not a bad book by anymeans but i did not enjoy it as much i have her other work. i really like the settings and the world she created, i just dont think the characters were as strong as they could have been. to me they just seemed like unimaginative stereo types...

The Devil In Amber by Mark Gatiss
Another tale of (slightly twisted) derring do starring artist/assassin Lucifer Box. Not quite as good as Vesuvius Club, but still entertaining, if a little rushed toward the end.

Finished Half-Blood Prince with plenty of time to spare, even though I was going slow. It's still my least favourite of the series, but I have found myself liking it a lot more after this latest reading.

I think I'll lay off reading for the next few days.

I might start 'The Subtle Knife' tonight, depending on tiredness.

I've just started reading Kate Atkinson's One Good Turn which is apparently an Edinburgh-based murder mystery.

Have you read Northern Lights, the first in the series yet? If not then it'll make no sense whatsoever.

I have, yes. At then end of last year, to be true, but I have read it.

Cool. I only asked because some of your earlier posts suggested you hadn't read any Pullman. Hope you enjoy it!

I bought 'To The Lighthouse' by Virginia Woolf today. Looking forward to it.