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Now two-thirds through J.W. and my heroine has somewhat fallen from grace, though in many ways I feel sorry for her. She has been damaged in the past and is now being badly used by another of the principal characters. Still a very good read though, even if it does demonstrate just how very old...

I've just started "Judicial Whispers" by Caro Fraser, see http://forums.thebookforum.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=8232#post8232 I'm overlapping this with finishing "No Great Mischief" by Canadian author Alistair McLeod. It's about several generations of a Canadian clan, descended from an...

I've just started, Judicial Whispers, the seconed in Caro Fraser series of novels set around the barristers chambers at Caper Court. They're fairly middle of the road in terms of literary merit, but entertaining if you like reading about the world of work. Whilst this may sound like a strange...

I subscribe to BBC History magazine. It generally has a good mix of accessible but intelligent articles, ranging from ancient to twentieth century history. It also has a very good history book review section, which helps keep me up to date with new releases in the genre. I think we have a...

Fair comment. I never know whether I really agree with this line or not. It may seem a sacriligious thing to say on book forum but is perhaps the message more important than the medium? The 'at least it gets kids reading' line presumes that reading anything is superior to watching anything on...

Thanks Thanks for the warm welcome :)

Indeed! The proles being kept occupied with sport and trivia, it could never happen - just ask the editor of the Star or Hello magazine. Elsewhere in this forum I said I read to escape. You have reminded me that what I really meant was that I often read to escape from my humdrum existence, to...

Not necessarily. I've found that even bulletin boards on the most peaceable of subjects can turn a bit nasty. I think sometimes people forget that the tone they intend might not come across on screen. Fortunately, this forum seems very friendly and is more active than others I have come across...

Given that a lot, but not all, of the voting took place online, I suppose that it is likely childrens votes will have predominated over those, say, 50 or older. This would help explain why there are so many children's books - not just HP - in the top 100. Having said that, I never cease to be...

Want to win: Not sure. P&P? Jane Eyre? War and Peace? 1984? To Kill a Mockingbird? Don't want to win: Catch 22 (impenitrable), Gone with the Wind, Harry Potter. Think will win: Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings, probably the former. Remember all of the Potter books would have been in the Top...

I have read another of his novels - Half in Love. I finished it and got something from it, but then sent it to the charity shop since I couldn't imagine wanting to re-read it. I wonder if 'White Lightening' would strike me the same way? Let's see if anyone else has anything to say about it...

Jeeves I've only read one of the Jeeves books. I seem to recall I wasn't as entertained by it as I had expected to be. However, I've recently listened to an audiobook version of the same title - The Inimitable Jeeves - and quite enjoyed it. Perhaps they work better for me as audio entertainment...

Thanks for the advice. I often find that books that have a deep effect on other leave me stone cold. If I do have a go, I'll let you know what I think.

I agree this is an important book. I am probably one of those who would say that I admire (I am not sure if "enjoy" is quite the right word) this book, but that I do not generally go in for science fiction. In doing so, I would probably be basing my judgement more on stereotypes and assumptions...

Ali's message makes me want to read this book. Murphy's and Idun's comments then make me think I shouldn't bother. Would anyone like to try and pull me one way or the other. I'm certainly interested in books about how to make the most of life; I also like to be entertained. I don't like books...

Henning Mankell There's a profile of Mankell in this week's Guardian Review: http://books.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,12084,1074233,00.html Must give his books a try. Where should I start? Which is the first of the novels featuring the detective, Kurt Wallander?

P D James I've just finished "The Murder Room", the latest novel in the long-running series of Adam Dalgliesh stories by the British crime writer P. D. James. This is actually the first of her novels I have ever read, though I had some awareness of the central character from tv adaptations...

Another vote for Elizabeth George. Having read two of the more recent Lynley/Havers books first, I have just finished one of the earlier books in the series: "For the Sake of Elena". Of the three I have read this has been my favourite. It seemed to have more to say about the characters of both...