BB FANS

it must surely be the same supermodel? Was it Desert flower? that is her first book though she has written a few along this topic.

Possibly but the names of the book and the model don't ring any bells, even though the story does.

I've had a really dissapointing few books lately. Still trying to find something that hits the spot. I have two on the go at the moment. Martha Becks 'leaving the Saints' the author was raised as a Mormon and left as an adult. I was just curious to read about what kind of life, expectation and rules they have. The other book I am reading is Gilead by Marilynne Robinson which ellie said was vey good a few months back. Other than that I have a huge stock pile of books to be read that I have picked up along the way. Its a bit embarrassing really

Oh I think you will like Gilead Boopy, at least I hope so, and I know what you mean about being disappointed. I have felt that way about my last couple of books but loved (though that might not be the right word) Night by Elie Wiesel and am now loving Specimen Days by Michael Cunningham.

Oooh Ellie, you've read Night. How was it?

I'm reading Finding Sanctuary by the the head monk at Worth Abbey, where they filmed the TV series The Monastery.

It's all about finding calm and peace in everyday life. When I get time to read it, lol.

TD, I would find it hard to descrie Night. How do you put words to a book like that? The honesty of it blew me away and it moved me in the same way as Primo Levi. I dont know what else to say, as this is the kind of book that is beyond words.

Some books you can't describe, you just have to read them.

I still really want to read it - in fact what you've said makes me want to read it more, really.

Well it is definitely a book which should be read, should be compulsory in fact. But I think I would struggle to give it a true literary critique, as it just isn't that kind of book. You can't argue with that kind of book, can't discuss whether it is well written, what it's narrative persepective is, how well it flows etc, you just have to accept it, try as much as is humanly possible to understand it and give it and it's author the respect it deserves.

I've just ordered it from the library. My daughter insists I shouldn't until I get through a few of the boxes I have at home but I'm an addict.

I am now reading The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood, which is one of a series of books written by different authors giving a different slant on the classic myths. This is the story of Odysseus and his wife Penelope and their life together, culminating in the murder of 12 of Penelope's favourite maids by Odysseus and his and Penelope's son. Odysseus has gone of to help take over Troy, to return Helen to her husband and this sparks of a serious of events which end in a bloodbath. I was already familiar with the Homer's The Odyssey but this is great as it gives a voice to Penelope, who's character was very two dimensional and was soleley described as just being a woman of great virtue.

I am really enjoying reading this and will probably get some of the other books in the series. There are two others out at the moment, one about Heracles and one about myths in general, with 100 planned in total.

I did read somewhere that there have been accusations of the dumbing down of the classics in relation to this series of books, but I am all for making the classics more accessible and if this does, then great.

My reading list for this month is....

Love in the present tense Catherine Ryan Hyde
The tenth circle ...Jodie Picoult (sorry ellie!)
Betrayed...Lyndsey Harris
For a house made of stone...Gina French
George Orwell's collected essays (currently reading. recommended by a well read someone on here )
The Bluest eye...Toni Morrison


I am also reading Narnia to my son at bedtime. One of the best books ever written

Oh I didn't know that Toni Morrison had a book out, I think she is a brilliant writer. the George Orwell one looks interesting also, but as for the unmentionable one.

The Toni Morrison one I think was possibly one of her first books ellie it was written about 1969. It's about an ugly black girl who wants blue eyes to make her accepted by white people.(so she can be one of them) Beautifully written with some wonderful paragraphs in there but also very sad.

The Orwell one I have read several of the essays and all brilliant.

The pop fiction (picoult) I haven't read yet but I might bring it with me when I visit

I'd be interested to hear how you got on with this book TD.

haven't got very far with it yet BBoop, will report back when i've got a bit further.