BB FANS

I'm reading The Know by Martina Cole

Oh I read one of hers years ago HC. It was about a woman gangster, a kind of would be Sam Mitchell type and it was absolutely dire. Badly written, naff plot, lots of stereotyping, predictable and terrible characters. This was about 15 years ago. Has she improved as a writer?

well this one is about a prostitute with a criminal son (young Phil Mitchell LOL) so she must write that style Its 400 pages and I've only just started it (about pg 60) so its not really into the plot yet but seems ok. It reminded me of a Lynda Le Plant type of thing. Is that her name? I think so

Lynda La Plante. That is exactly what it reminded me of too HC. The storyline of the one I read had potential, it was just so badly written. I hope she has improved and you enjoy it.

I am reading A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J Gaines. It is about a young black man on death row for a murder he didn't commit and his relationship with a teacher who reluctantly becomes his mentor. I have only just started it but it is heavy going, emotional wise.

A Million Little Pieces - James Frey - it's amazingly compelling

"In 'A Million Little Pieces', James Frey tells his story of drug and alcohol abuse and rehabilitation. He brings readers face-to-face with a provocative, new understanding of the nature of addiction and the meaning of recovery"

It had a very gangster, underworld feel to it. A sad story about the murder of a little girl whos mother is a prostitue. There are some likeable characters in there as well as some stereotypes. Like I said before it had a very Linda La Plante feel to it but I enjoyed it even tho there were some tough bits. I can't say I would want to read all her books as I would imagine they would all be quite similar. The covers certainly are! but am glad I read this one.

I'm now reading Goodbye, Dearest Holly by Kevin Wells. It is about the dissapearance and murder of Holly Wells who was killed with her friend Jessica. The girls lived very near to me and I went to Soham at the time to light a candle and say a prayer. I have only just started it but it will be interesting to hear her fathers story.

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath - I read it as a student - but it is very illuminating re electric shock treatments for mental health issues.. more people should read it

oh thats interesting Milly as I just mentioned electric shock treatment earlier in jest. What a coincidence. Maybe its me that needs it as I descend into insanity

HAS anyone read the book 1984?

yes for my English A level

I did too for my English lit O' Level. It was the main reason I started watching BB from the start.

I have just started 'Between A Rock And A Hard Place' by Aron Ralston. It is the true story of a man who went climbing and fell and caught his arm in a rock. After being stuck for 5 days he finally cut his arm off with a pen knife and survived and infact is pictured on the front cover with a piece of climbing equiptment attached to his false arm. Amazing story.

Have just lent it to my daughter for her GCSE...God I feel old

I actually read 1984 IN 1984 ...which was quite interesting