The 'nearly the end of the year' stats

2009 reading stats totals!

Total books-99
1001 books-14
Books by Males- 45
Books by Females-51
Compilations-4
Fic-60
Non Fic-39

I may read Bonjour Tristesse by Francoise Sagan in the next few days which would then take me to my target of 100 books with 15% being 1001 books-if I get time.

Definitely the most even split of a years books comparing males/females, and probably fic/non fic too.

I am going to make some reading resolutions for 2010 - one of which will be to read more books that I already own!

My December 2009 reads

Classic Football Debates settled Once and For All- danny Baker and Danny Kelly
Skipping Christmas- John Grisham
Arctic Monkeys- Seamus Craig
Have a Little Faith- Mitch Albom
Dear Me- Letter to my 16 year old self- Misc.
Baby Next Time- Nicole Klieff
The midwives Apprentice- Karen Cushman
A Random History of Football- Colin Murray

Have a Little Faith was a book which impacted on me- Mitch Albom manages to be thought provoking and stimulating whilst also being sentimental, without being sickening....perfect. I also really enjoyed Skipping Christmas to get me in the festive mood.

Revolutionary Road- Richard Yates
Jelleymans Thrown a Wobbley- Jeff Stelling
Hope for the Flowers
Round Ireland with a fridge-Tony Hawks
Eat, Pray , Love- Elizabeth Gilbert
Frank Skinner on the Road- Frank Skinner
Disconnected- Sherry Ashworth
Lucia, Lucia- Adriana Trigiani
Eclipse- Stefanie Meyer

Book July 09-9
1001 books-0
Books by males-4
books by females- 5
fiction-5
non fic- 4

One Red Paperclip- Kyle McDonald
Looking for Enid- Duncan McLaren
The Old Man and the Sea- Ernest Hemingway
13 Little Blue envelopes-Maureen Johnson
Enid Blyton the Biography- Barbara Stoney
Teacher, Teacher-Jack Sheffield
Time TRaveler's Wife- Audrey Niffenegger
Mister Teacher-Jack Sheffield
Marked-PC and Kristen Cast
Twenties Girl- Sophie Kinsella

Books Aug 09-10
1001 books-1
books by males-5
books by females-5
fic-7
non fic-3

Further confessions of Georgia Nicholson- Louise Rennison
Wuthering Heights- Emily Bronte
Love Aubrey- Suzanne De Fleur

Books Sept 09-3
1001-1
books by males-0
books by females-3
Fic-3
non fic- 0

Girl Friday-Jane Green
The Book of Tomorrow- Cecelia Ahern
The Shops-India Knight
Take That- Take one
Take That-Take Two
Mad about the Boys- Claire Blake
Mother of the Bride- Ilene Beckerman
Brothers- Ted van Lieshout
The Summer Book-Tove Jannson

Books Oct 09-9
1001 books-1
books by males-3
books by females-6
fic-4
non fic-5

Shadow of the Wind- Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Her Fearful Symmetry- Audrey Niffenegger
What We Do for Love- Ilene Beckerman
Chicken Soup for the new mothers soul
Chicken soup for the mothers soul
Very Valentine- Adriana Trigiani
The Stork Club- Imogen Edwards Jones (reread)
Letters from Father Christmas- JRR Tolkien

Books Nov 09-8
1001-0
Books by males-2
books by females-4
Compilations-2
fic-3
non fic-5


July-November

Books read-39
1001 books-3
Books by males-14
By Females-23
Compliations- 2
Fiction-22
non fic- 17

Fic- 57
Non Fic-33

First half of 2009 Stats

Books read-Jan- June- 52
1001 books- 11
Books by males- 26
Books by females-26
Fiction- 36
Non Fiction-16

Interesting!

Second half of the year to follow!

Books read June 2009

The Five Love Languages- Mark somebody
Postcards from the Boys- Ringo Starr
When the wind blows- Raymond Briggs
Ethel and Ernest-Raymond Briggs
Sarah's Key- Tatiana de Rosnay
Love's Work- Gillian Rose *
Frost in May-Antonia White
Toddler Taming-Christopher Green

Books read-8
1001 books-1
Books by males-5
Books by females-3
Fiction-3
Non- Fic-5

Books from May 2009

Notes From A Small Island-Bill Bryson
Angels and Demons-Dan Brown
Panic on the Streets- Smiths Fan Guide

Books read-3
1001 books-0
Books by males-3
Books by females-0
Fiction-1
Non-Fic-2

Books from April 2009

The Girl Next Door-Elizabeth NOble
Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont- Elizabeth Taylor

Books read-2
1001 books-0
Books by males-0
Books by females-2
Fiction- 2
Non-fiction-0

Dead Girls Don't Write Letters- Gill Giles
We Don't know What we're Doing- Adrian Chiles
My Favourite Wife- Tony Parsons
The Last Virgin- David Belbin
Baby Love- Rebecca Walker
Notes on teh Refrigerator door
Festival-David Belbin
Local Girls-Alice Hoffman
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie- Muriel Spark*

Books read-9
1001 books-1
Books by males-4
Books by females-5
Fiction-7
Non Fiction-2

Books I read in February 2009

Cold Comfort Farm-Stella Gibbons
Around the World in 80 dates-Jennifer Cox
When Zachary Beaver came to Town-Kimberly Holt Willis
The Catcher in the Rye- JD Salinger*
New Moon-Stephenie Meyer
Elsewhere-Gabrielle Zevin
Pay it Forward- Catherine Ryan Hyde
A Clockwork Orange-Anthony Burgess*
Through teh Looking Glass and What Alice Found There-Lewis Carroll*
ways to Live Forever-Sally Nicholls
The Alchemist-Paulo Coehlo*
The Ice Queen-Alice Hoffman

Books read this month-12
1001 books-4
Books by males-4
Books by females-8
Fiction-11
Non Fiction-1

Books read this year- January

What Mothers Do-Naomi Stadlen
Yes Man-Danny Wallace
84 Charing Cross Road- Helene Hanff
The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street-Helene Hanff
Free Range Knitter- Stephanie Pearl-McPhee
Emma-Jane Austen *
The Little Prince- Antoine de saint Expurie )Can't spell his name!)*
Twilight-Stephenie Meyer
Oscar adn Lucinda-Peter Carey*
Educating Esme- Esme Raji Codell
The Fib- George Layton
The Swap-George Layton
The Trick-George Layton
For One More Day-Mitch Albom
Jonathan Livingston Seagull-Richard Bach
Of Mice and Men-John Steinbeck*
Angus, Thongs and Full Frontal Snogging-Louise Rennison
Alice in Wonderland- Lewis Carroll*

Books finished-18
1001 books-5
Books by Males-10
Books by females-8
Fiction-12 (although the George Laytons are based around his childhood, not actually autobiogaphical)
Non Fiction- 6

Books I gave up on in 2009

The ones I couldn't finish!

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close- Jonathan Safran Foer
Vernon God Little- DMC Pierre
On The Road- Jack Kerouac
Rabbit, Run- John Updike (Will try this another time though)
The Birthing House- Christopher Ransom

So during 2009 I have given up on 5 books....

Nearing 100....

My target for the year was 100 books, with 15 of those being from the 1001 books you must read before you die list.

Amazingly, I may just hit that target! I am slightly scared by that, as it will easily be the most I have read in a year, and think I should have used the time for cleaning and then my house would be spotless!

However, I have really enjoyed my reading this year, I intend to do a reading inventory at the end of the year with -

how many books read
how many 1001 books read
male/female author ratio
fic/non fic ratio

Thought it might be interesting. I think this year the male/female ratio will be pretty even, and that fic will outstrip nonfic at about 65/35-but we will see!

Another slow reading month!

Not doing so much reading at the moment, I just can't get motivated to do it. Have had a few bugs and generally feeling a bit like I just want to hibernate, and books have been pushed to the side.

I did read 'What we do for love' by Ilene Beckermann, another decent read, but not as good as The Mother of the Bride' that I read last month. Basically it follows her lovelife from a teen through to her life now as she is in her 60s.

I haven't been book buying (at least, not for me-got a few for hubby for Christmas), so feel quite proud of myself, but have numerous library books that are just not getting read- need to do something about that.

Also slightly stressheady about the Book Group as can't find a cafe open late enough to meet there- argh!

November- Her Fearful Symmetry and The Shadow of the Wind

These are my two current books but I am having to juggle them as the Niffenegger needs to go back to the library on Thursday. Easy to read and not that bad consdiering it has had mixed reviews. People seem to be expecting another The Time Travellers Wife', but why? I hate authors who get pigeonholed and never vary their writing. Anyway, that needs reading.

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon is for book group and that is also easy reading-it is not a real page turner, but I love that it is set in Barcelona. I often wonder how much is lost in translation too-maybe it would be better in Spanish? It reminds me of The Da Vinci Code, can't quite place why, but it is that style.

I am also cutting back on my book consumption. I am NOT going to buy any more books until February! I have lots of library books to read and know I am getting some books for Christmas, plus a huge TBR so in all I am making a conscious decision to not buy any more-even from charity shops. No more swaps either, infact I am thinking about leaving bookmooch and disabled my RISI account a while back.

Desiderata

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,and remember what peace there may be in silence.As far as possible without surrenderbe on good terms with all persons.Speak your truth quietly and clearly;and listen to others,even the dull and the ignorant;they too have their story.


Avoid loud and aggressive persons,they are vexations to the spirit.If you compare yourself with others,you may become vain and bitter;for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.


Keep interested in your own career, however humble;it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.Exercise caution in your business affairs;for the world is full of trickery.But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;many persons strive for high ideals;and everywhere life is full of heroism.


Be yourself.Especially, do not feign affection.Neither be cynical about love;for in the face of all aridity and disenchantmentit is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,gracefully surrendering the things of youth.Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.Beyond a wholesome discipline,be gentle with yourself.


You are a child of the universe,no less than the trees and the stars;you have a right to be here.And whether or not it is clear to you,no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.


Therefore be at peace with God,whatever you conceive Him to be,and whatever your labors and aspirations,in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.


With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,it is still a beautiful world.Be cheerful.Strive to be happy.
Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952

Brothers-Ted van Lieshout

Interesting book about a boy whose brother dies, and it leaves him pondering his rold in the family, whether he is still a brother and his sexuality.

Aimed at teenagers, I really liked the concept of this book, and how it is written in part in diary form.

There is one fairly graphic gay sex scene-so perhaps worth reading first if you are thinking about giving this to a younger teenager.

End of October reading panic!

I have had a sudden burst of reading! Admittedly, nothing heavy, challenging or thought provoking really, but I have found the energy to pick up my books and read.

Three books I have read have been about Take That- Take One and Take Two (they are mainly photos, but with commentary on the pictures by the band) and Mad about the Boys by Claire Blake-a woman who wins the lottery and spends the money following Gary Barlow-yes, really!

Then last night I picked up something that did affect me- Mother of the Bride by Ilene Beckerman. I don't know where I first heard about this book, but it had been in my little 'penguin books' wishlist journal for a long while. I got hold of it from a book mooch, and it just called out to me yesterday from the shelf. It really touched me-it is a book not so much about being Mother of the Bride as it is about being a Mother. Ilene seems to be on my wavelength, talking about how as parents we are always anticipating our children's next steps and then BOOM- they are all grown up. Yes, I am an emotional person anyway, but the way this lady writes about motherhood just really touched my heart. One part, near the end, really made me think. Paraphrased, it went along the lines of ' When my daughter was writing her wedding thank you cards, I thought of how she was the best gift I ever had. I never wrote to say thank you'. My little boy is my absolute world, and I am so thankful for him that it is untrue. I don't want him to grow up!

I have also caved today and bought two books off amazon-both in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. I think i should get shares in Kleenex....

October reads

Throughout October my reading has again been very slow (and also shamelessly trashy!). I did make an attempt at Rabbit, Run by John Updike, but it was a library book that needed to be returned so gave up on it-I haven't given up on it forever though, I think I might go back to it when I am in the right frame of mind. There is definitely something to be said for reading a book when it is what you feel like reading, rather than forcing yourself to read it.

I completed Girl Friday by Jane Green, which I enjoyed-very typical of her kind of book, but I enjoyed it more than I have some of her other recent ones.

I also read Cecelia Ahern's latest offering, The Book of Tomorrow, which again I found a good read. I like that her books are slightly fantastical, but not too 'out there'. As it was from a teenagers point of view too that won points with me.

Other than that I am reading India Knight's shopping book, which is interesting-I like getting hints about shops where they have excellent products, customer service and where I should be buying from online.

Other book news is that a work mate and I have started a work book group-our first chosen book is The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafron, which I think I am going to love devouring-set in Barcelona, so I will have plenty of opportunity to daydream! We aren't planning to have our first meeting until December, so I have time to savour it.

Bad blogger!

I am a bad blogger-and infact a bad reader too of late. I haven't done very much reading at all. Throughout September I only managed three books- Further Confessions of Georgia Nicholson by Louise Rennison (a teen book), Wuthering Heights-Emily Bronte and Dear Aubrey by Suzanne Lafleur. I have also been reading Jane Green's most recent book, 'Girl Friday' which I got out of the library. I have been really distracted as I had an audition for Countdown, am revising for a music exam, started Spanish classes and am now back at work.

Had the most lovely afternoon in Haworth at the Bronte Parsonage Museum. It is such a beautiful village and it is quite eerie that you can see the sofa Emily died on and the room Charlotte died in!

Twenties Girl- Sophie Kinsella

I don't really enjoy fluffy romance type chicklit as much as I used to so wasn't sure what I would think of this, but it was a quick read (read it in two days), a bit of a twist with the ghost story interweaved with family drama and of course a bit of a love story. I liked the 1920's references too, always a fan of books set in 1920's or 1950's if anyone knows of any ....

I think my next book will be Wuthering Heights as I want to watch the ITV adaptation of it (sky +ing it).

Marked- PC and Kristin Cast

I felt I needed real pure escapism and therefore decided to try this vampyre book-think Twilight, crossed with Sweet Valley High, crossed with the naughtiness of Jilly Cooper and you are just about there.

This is the first in a series of books, the 'House of Night' series, and is aimed very much at older teenagers, I would say 14+.

I feel like I have enjoyed it, and it is certainly an easy read, but perhaps I am really too old to be reading it! I am still going to read the next book in the series though-I expect I will take it on holiday with me.

I have also been dipping in and out of a few other books, Mister Teacher by Jack Sheffield and a few non fic parenting books.

The Time Traveler's Wife-Audrey Niffenegger

Have just finished this in anticipation of going to see the film at some point soon (it is released today).

Whilst it was not a 'perfect' book for me, it was definitely one that tugged on the heart strings. If you haven't read it and you plan to-DON'T READ ANY FURTHER!

I found the scene where he was in the Art Institute with Alba totally heartbreaking-what I wouldn't give for just one memorable moment with my own Dad,and if i got to give him that hug, no teacher would dare to try and stop me. Funnily enough, I worked out that Alba would have been 5 years and 3 months when Henry died-only one month different to how old I was when my own Dad died. Although of course she has the pleasure of spending time with him even after his death, albeit, in an abnormal way.

The love story between Henry and Clare could have been a bit weird in that he goes back and sees her from when she is 6 years old, but thinking about it, I would love to go and meet my husband at 6 years old and see how different he was then!

The miscarriages and Clare's longing for a baby are also a painful read, despite knowing from comments about how Clare is 'plump in 2001' that she will eventually have her much longed for baby.

Henry's death is also difficult to read-first mentioned from Clare's perspective when she realises it is a 'bad day', then from Henry's when he 'knows how it happens', and finally as it actually happens.

The end of the book makes me just want to cling on to my beautiful husband and child and never let them go-if only we all knew we would get just a moment longer.

Correspondence with Jack Sheffield

My message.....

Jack,

Having just read 'Teacher, Teacher', I felt that I needed to write to you to let you know the impact that it has had on me.

I am a nursery nurse at a reasonably large inner city school in Sheffield, and work in the nursery with 3-4 year olds. I have been feeling rather flat lately, I have been in the same role for coming on five years, and although I enjoy parts of my job (working with parents and building up links with the families, phonics-thankfully I don't have to do numeracy as we work on a team based teaching!, the amazing things teh kids say) I feel like things have gone somewhat stale.

Reading your book has reminded me that working with children is such an honour-people are entrusting us to educate, shape and mould their child. I think I needed that kick to remind myself of that.

Unfortunately, I don't go back until 7th September-ridiculously long summer this time- so I only hope that your words will stay with me until then.

Thank you for helping me see that it is hard work but worth it.

Kate


And the reply....

Hello Kate,
Thank you for letting me know you enjoyed Teacher, Teacher! and that it had such an impact on you.
You may be interested to know that the follow-up novels, Mister Teacher and Dear Teacher, are curently in Waterstone's and that early next year the fourth in the series, Village Teacher, will be published.
If you have time to write a brief review on either the Waterstone's or Amazon websites this will help to spread the word of my novels. Either way, I am grateful to you for supporting my writing.
I note you work in a Sheffield school - I've just been invited to take part in the Sheffield Off the Shelf Literary Festival at Crystal Peaks Library on the afternoon of 20th October.
Enjoy your well-earned holiday and very best of luck in your teaching. I hope your career proves as rewarding as mine turned out to be - from your comments, I'm sure it will.
Best wishes and happy reading,
Jack Sheffield

Teacher, Teacher-Jack Sheffield

This book was on the 'what our staff are reading' shelf at the local Waterstones, and having picked it up, read the prologue and wanting to buy it there and then, I reined myself in and put a hold on it at the library.

Jack Sheffield has based his books around his time as a headteacher in a small village school in Yorkshire during the 1970's. I imagine that the books are a mixture of fact, nostalgic 'what if's' and fiction to make it more exciting to the reader (the books are described as novels) , but I found myself laughing and crying at this book (the chapter Dance with your Eyes-honestly, I was in floods of tears).

I wonder if part of its appeal to me is that I work in a school, and so I can think of stories which would fit with life at Ragley and really relate to them.

However, my request for the most recent book in the series from the library showed that there are 14 holds on it, so obviously Jack Sheffield appeals to a wide audience. Maybe the simpler life is what appeals, maybe the romance of nostalgia, maybe the 'characters'...but there is something about this book that has left an impression on me, and has even made me think about what I can offer in my job role.

Working with young children is an honour, and that is something that we who work in schools often take for granted. Jack Sheffield has reminded me of that. I even emailed him via his site to thank him for it!

13 Little Blue Envelopes- Maureen Johnson

Oh, how I adore teen books! I know that some people think that they have little literary value and that they can't really offer much to the adult reader,but I completely disagree. Not only does it make you think about what life is like during that limbo period of adolescence, but a lot of books aimed at teens don't try to be clever, or wordy, or something that they are not.

I got this recommendation from 'Book Lust' I think, or if not there then it was certainly another 'book about books'. At the time it was only out in America, but now it has been published in the UK too.

This book is all about Gin, who is left 13 little blue envelopes by her dead aunt Peg. The envelopes give Gin instructions to follow and lead her on an adventure across Europe.

It is a short read and I found it was the sort of book that made me want to just run away and explore!!!

Enid Blyton- Barbara Stoney

Yes, I got this out of the library after being tempted by it! It was in the reserve stock and has stickers on it saying that if it gets spoilt there will be a large fine, I think perhaps I will tell them that it has been back in print for the past few years, as I expect that it was because it was so hard to get hold of that they are so precious about it.

I remembered bits of it from reading it previously, and I get swept away by the beautiful houses that Blyton lived in...I want to live in the country!

I do think it was worthwhile reading this and the Duncan McLaren book close together, there are very few books about Blyton really so it was good to have them to compare.

The Old Man and the Sea- Ernest Hemingway

I finished this yesterday and, I hate to say it, I was really quite underwhelmed. It had been hyped up so much, and it was recommended to me, and the fact it was only 98 pages made me think that it was worth a go, but sadly, it wasn't what I expected.

It should have been called 'The Old Man and the Fish', as that was what it was about. I might be a bit naive, but I thought it would be less about the act of killing the fish, and more about how he dealt with life on the sea. Admittedly, there was some of that (and those bits I didn't mind, and the bits focussing on his relationship with 'the boy'), but for me it was too much about fishing, teh brutality of fishing etc.

Sometimes when I am reading, I wonder if I am seriously missing something, and I wondered about that reading this.

Anyway, I am glad I tried it as we went to Hemingway's birthplace in Oak Park in Chicago a few years back and I had vowed to read some of his work. So at least I did what I said I would!

The Birthing House-Christopher Ransom

Hmmm.

Well, I am 160 pages in and seriously considering giving up on this. Lots of people I know, who like similar books to me, said it was tosh, and I have to admit I am not really enjoying it and I don't know whether to persevere or not. There is a load of sexual stuff that is not necessary, and the storyline (which sounded OK from the blurb) is weak, the writing is poor...oh dear! It is due back at the library on Friday and has holds on it so it will cost me to keep it past then, and I don't think I am willing to pay to keep it. Infact, I think I have made up my mind!

Also, my library classified this as horror, and whilst it is a bit creepy, I wouldn't class it as horror, only the horrific storyline, horrific writing.....

Looking for Enid- Duncan McLaren

I finished this today, and it was an interesting selection of theories, but my word, the man is a bit strange in his overboard fanaticism! This book was based on fact (mainly from the Barbara Stoney autobiography, which I have read previously but now want to reread!), and hypotheses from the authors (overactive?) imagination. I am not poo-pooing it, but it seemed like a lot of speculation, some of which I agreed with and some which I thought 'how on earth did you get that idea?!

I guess my next book will be The Birthing House by Christopher Ransom as it needs to go back to the library on Friday. Lots of people I know have read it and it has had quite a lot of negative reviews to be honest, so I am not sure what I will think of it. Guess there is only one way to find out!

I also cracked and ordered some books off Amazon, I am considering applying to do a midwifery qualification and so ordered some different books that are memoirs of midwives both in the Uk and America- we will see if it inspires me!

One Red Paperclip-Kyle McDonald

I have just finished One Red Paperclip by Kyle McDonald, the true story of the man who traded a paperclip for a house. OK, it took 14 swaps, not just one (that would be ridiculous), but it was a novel read, didn't take much concentration and had me giggling out load in parts. I guess I will be putting my copy on bookmooch at some point soon, when I actually get around to it.

By the way, I am still reading Round Ireland with a Fridge at bedtime, but have also started a book about Enid Blyton, it is by Duncan someone or other, and is slightly strange. The man is truly obsessive!

I saw a book today that I am now lusting after, I cant remember who it is by, but it is called Love, Aubrey and looks like an interesting one. Me thinks it might go on the birthday wishlist.....

My new blog, and my reading history

Well, I decided that I would start this to record the books I read, the books I want to read, the books on the TBR (to be read) pile and generally to talk about all wonderful bookish things.

I am not a small time reader. I learned to read from my Mum's homemade flashcards that were kept in an old tobacco tin, I think I was about three when I first began to read. By the time I was five or six I was reading Enid Blyton's Famous Five books (infact, pretty much any Enid Blyton books-I loved the old Dean hardbacks the best) and not long after that I read the Narnia books for the first time.

In recent years I have read on average 65-70 books a year. Except for 2007 when I was pregnant which seemed to seriously affect my ability to look at the printed word for some reason! My goal for the start of this year was to read 100 books, and that at least 15 of them would be from the '1001 books you must read before you die' list (google it if you are interested!). I'm on track for that so far :)

I get most of my books from charity shops, the library or from two fabulous book swap websites- www.readitswapit.co.uk and www.bookmooch.com . Currently I have about 200 books TBR and a 'wishlist' of around 370 more that I want to get hold of, although this is ever growing....

I have been keeping a very brief book journal since February 2006, and flicking through it now I have been reminded of some of my favourite books of the last few years...
Tuesdays with Morrie- Mitch Albom
Jane Eyre- Charlotte Bronte
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas- John Boyne
A Christmas Carol- Charles Dickens
A Thousand Spledid Suns- Khalid Hosseini
84 Charing Cross Road- Helene Hanff
Pink for a Girl- Isla McGuckin
Goodnight, Mr Tom- Michelle Magorian
Twilight- Stephenie Meyer
Nineteen Minutes- Jodi Picoult
Pay It Forward-Catherine Ryan Hyde
I Capture the Castle- Dodie Smith
We Need to Talk about Kevin- Lionel Shriver
Of Mice and Men-John Steinbeck
How to be Lost- Amanda Eyre Ward
Babycatcher- Peggy Vincent

So, onto what I am reading now!

My current read is Round Ireland with a Fridge by Tony Hawks, which was loaned to me by a friend a bit back when I decided to try a bit more non-fic. I am enjoying it, and finding it an entertaining concept (men do the strangest things!), but for some reason it isn't grabbing me enough to make me want to sit down and devour it in one sitting. It is a 'by the side of the bed' book for me at the moment.