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I'm nearly finished 'Daniel Isn't Talking' by Marti Leimbach, keep forgetting about this thread - have been reading lots of randomness recently!

That's a fantastic book, and I enjoyed the tv adaptation too.

I have been spending my summer rereading Elinor M Brent-Dyer's Chalet School books, which I have always loved. They aren't terribly PC these days, though...

I've also just enjoyed The Ship of Brides, by Jojo Moyes, which is about Aussie brides travelling to their British hubbies on an aircraft carrier in 1946. Very good book. I also loved The Memory Keeper's Daughter, by Kim Edwards. It's starts out in the 60s, when a young doctor has to deliver his wife's baby, and unexpectedly she has twins. The girl, who is born second, has Down's Syndrome, and he decides to spare his wife the pain of knowing this by sending the child to an institution (the norm in those days), while telling her that the baby was still born. The results of his actions are told really brilliantly in the book. It's one to stick with you for a long time.

My current book is The Bottoms, by Joe R Lansdale. It's similar in style and content to To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, which is one of my favourite books ever.

Awww The Chalet School!!!! Brings back memories. I have been reading a few Enid Blytons to my children which has been a big trip down Memory Lane too.

For me - I have read recently some Sara Macdonald novels - been really impressed. Has anyone else read any of her stuff?

I don't think I have Milly. I will look out for her...

I read the Memory Keepers Daughter recently Vagabond and found it moving. I bought a copy for a friend.

I LOVED the Enid Blyton stories. My favourites were Mallory Towers though. nothing could top those midnight feasts

I am now 'reading everything must go' by Elizabeth Flock. Loved her book ''But inside I'm screaming' but this one doesn't quite match up. In fact to quote ellie ''it's a bit crappy''

My daughter has just read Mallory Towers and she loved them just as much as I did - I used to want to go there, my mum spent ages convincing me it wasn't a real place and actually we can't afford it so get on with it love

I have read the Enchanted Wood series to them and we are now on the mystery series - Ring o'Bells Mystery, Rilloby Fair Mystery etc.. they plead every night for another chapter.. good job I like the stories or I would be going mad!

Told you it looked dodgy.


I read the Memory Keepers Daughter, but to be honest am totally getting fed up with all these formulaic American soppy books. They seemed to be aimed totally at women and show a complete lack of imagination. Jodi Picoult is another one.

I think I may just be turning into a literary snob and will in future only read Dostoevsky or cricket manuals.

Sawwy Ellie. I get a bit sentimental now and again. I'm such a *woman*!!

There must be tablets you can take to stop you becoming a literary snob, though! You can't be resorting to Dostoevsky and cricket manuals!!!!!!!!!!!

Dostoevsky and cricket manuals???? You must be bored now the boopies have gone.

If you want a really dull book, I recommend The Trumpet Major by Thomas Hardy. (it's probably great, but I had to force-read it at school, which is never a good thing).

For some reason, couldnt get into the Jane Austen Book Club either.

I loved Tess and Far from the Maddening Crowd TD but havent read the other one. Books that you are forced to read are always tedious. I loathed the Jane Austen Book Club btw.


And Jo I can be as sentimental as the next person, but I guess I have just overdosed on slushy books. I need something raw and violent that doesn't have a happy ending (but enough of my sex life lol)

How VERY dare you slate THE JODI

I must be alone in liking The Trumpet Major! I did it for O level (yes, I'm THAT old), and I even liked it at that age. I'm not a great Hardy fan in general, though agree with Ellie about Tess and Far from the Madding Crowd.

I hated the Jane Austen book club, btw - it was a great idea that just went painfully wrong!

I reckon Jodi Marsh could write better books.

yes well you always did admire the work of those you fancy

Well I can think of a better use for those belts that she wears around her bewbies. And with a bit of discipline from me, I could turn her into a much better person.

Just started Anita Brookner's The Bay of Angels, which is wonderfully understated and beautifully written so far.