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Patti (P E) wrote: "Sorry, I know it's the wrong thread but I know Geoff is looking at this one.

Geoof can I pre make the prossie sauce or should I make it just before serving?"

It's that quick to make Patti that you probably won't need to pre make it. I see no reason why you can't pre-prepare it if you need to. Might just need a little water to thin it down though when you come to use it.

By the way, I look at nearly all the threads as I get emails telling me about posts.

Oh right. Sorry about the thread creep, everyone. I'll delete these last few posts in a few minutes.

I think I'll pre make it. Don't want to ruin it if I have a glass of wine.

dont be silly its fine Patti

By the way, you don't need to constantly look at emails. Just click 'unread topics' over there on the right under the search thingy. That's how i find all the new comments so quickly.

Patti (P E) wrote: "By the way, you don't need to constantly look at emails. Just click 'unread topics' over there on the right under the search thingy. That's how i find all the new comments so quickly."

Ooo, cunning.

Yep. If you see something you'd like to respond to but haven't time at the moment, click mark unread so you see it again later.

Okay, has anyone noticed how LONG books used to be? And conversely, how short they appear to be getting? I just finished "How Can I Talk If My Lips Won't Move" and picked up "Lady of Hay." Lady of Hay was written probably 25 years ago (?) and is over 500 pages long. I was reading 25 years ago, and I wouldn't have batted an eyelash over a 500 page book. Every book you read had all this superfluous dialog that did nothing to advance the plot, wordy descriptions that did nothing to give you a sharper idea in your head about the setting, and lots and lots of filler that could be removed in an instant without losing any of the plot. This is how all books were.

So I've been reading long enough to have reached the end of any other book, and I'm still only 44% into it. I am trying not to read it like a writer - particularly a writer who chopped 40,000 words out of her last manuscript - and simply enjoy the story. It's tough, though, you know? When you're writing, you have no idea which things are going to date your work in 25 years. But when you're writing NOW, you know what things are dated for today, and there they are in this book: everywhere.

So it's a cautionary tale for authors. The last cautionary tale I offered was Connie Willis and her Doomsday Book. Half of the story takes place in 2054 - or some year in the future - and nobody can reach anyone by phone because no one has a cell phone. They're all still tied to land lines, and frantically trying to reach people who don't pick up - because there is no voicemail either.

Writing is fraught with peril, is it not?

That said, there is nothing to say that in 300 years time, dated or not for the present, the book won't make it to the list of classics/must read/taught books !

Just finished 'girl on a swing', which I really enjoyed and just started 'pets in a pickle'. (I'm a sucker for cute animal books!).

Janet, I bought Pets in a Pickle, it looks good but I dont know when I'm going to get to read it!

Nell I remember Lady of Hay coming out & how I could not wait to get home clutching my new book.
I still enjoy gettin my teeth into a good long book, I read so much that I feel a longer book means that I get to know the people I am reading about a little better.
I don't mind at all about things being out of date & just try to enjoy what I am reading at the time.
I have just finished The Kult which I enjoyed very much. I am about to start The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips, it's the book my neice has chosen for our book club, we have a lovely time talking about books together.

just finished Six Seconds not sure what to start next

Anita wrote: "I have just finished The Kult which I enjoyed very much."

Really pleased to hear you enjoyed it :)

I've finished The Warsaw Anagrams. I loved the prose style - Zimler writes beautifully - and the characters were good, especially the wonderful Izzy. There were elements of the plot that didn't really gel for me, but the writing was good enough that I didn't really care. It's an obvious thing to say, but this is a grim read, with a terrible setting and some harrowing crimes and there's not a lot of relief from misery and pain. Those in a fragile state of mind might want to avoid it.

I've moved on, with great relief, to A Proper Companion.It was a freebie and although she's no Georgette Heyer, she's not bad. Some elements of language slip through - the use of the word 'gotten' would probably have made tongues click in the upper echelons of American society in the 19th century. It certainly wouldn't have passed muster in England at that time.

However, it's a good story, with a doughty dowager, a pretty, clever heroine and an absolute knock-out handsome earl, so I shan't nit-pick any further.

I've just finished Boys From Brazil - I had forgotten how well Ira Levin writes until I treated myself to three of his books in the Amazon sale. I'm now reading a book by Iain Rowan - . It's a book of short stories which I don't normally enjoy but these are well written and intriguing.

I really enjoy short stories. Thanks for that link, Linda! Clicky-click!

Audrey (Seaholly) wrote: "just finished Six Seconds not sure what to start next"

How was it Audrey? I am about 30% into it, quite engrossed actually, but I am worried I have already guessed what's gonna happen...

Hi Audrey, Lorraine wasn't Six Seconds a freebie? what did you think? have looked at it but wondered if it really was for me.

Several people have said they enjoyed it, Anita.

I'm glad I got it free. It's dead expensive now!

Yes, it was free a week or two ago :) I'm only a third into it, it's well written I think, and am not going to spoil it but it's quite an emotional read as well. Can't say as far as the plot is concerned, as I think I am still in the "background" of it at the moment, but getting there and it sure is intriguing....

I quite enjoyed it was very fast paced a bit predictable but a good read none the less.
Imagine we are actually talking about a book.lol. ;)
I got it when it was free. best kind of book imo

Thanks all, I will give it a go, yes Patti I am also glad it was free.

Just finished You're Next I found it slow to get into but once I did it was a great read.

Starting The Riddle of the Sands

*pokes head in*

I (vaguely) just finished I, Robot

And I just started The Hunger Games

I was prepared to either love it or hate it. Given the fact so many people have told me to read it and that I hated the plot but so far I'm just 'meh' about it.

I'm in the middle of the Hunger Games and I think its pretty good so far - getting to the exciting bits now.

I'm still reading the free easy reading books that I had downloaded thinking I would need plenty to read on holiday - I'm not counting them in my book challenge so I do need to get back to "serious " reading. I haven't decided which to try next - the kindle needs charging first.
I was looking at my recommendations on Amazon - think they are having a blip again as one suggestion was a Keep Fit DVD because I had read a crime/murder book.

I finished Mary Queen of Scots Makers of History and started The Kult over the weekend. I'm completely hooked and had to force myself to put the book down last night so i could get some sleep (at the biggest cliff hanger so far - someone has just let out a blood curdling scream at the end of a chapter and then it moves on to another character in the next!!! ahh!!) Can't wait till tea break to see what happens next.

Louise-Lesley wrote: "*pokes head in*

I (vaguely) just finished I, Robot

And I just started The Hunger Games

I was prepared to either love it or hate it. Given the fact so many people ha..."

Whatever you do, don't watch the film of I, Robot. Actually, you can, but treat it as a film that is not based on a book.

Both my wife and daughter have read the Hunger Games. They were reduced to tears after each book. They are trying to get me to read it, but I desperately resisting as I read mostly at work during lunchtime. Don't want to be sitting there blubbing, and I know I will.

Don't listen to Geoff DO watch I, Robot if only for that one bathroom scene... *sigh* ...
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Oh Geoff, you softie!

Very fitting, Simon.

Are you going to give us all one? Oh please...I want one.. pretty please..

Ingnite wrote: "Oh Geoff, you softie!"

I didn't used to be like that. It's definitely something that comes with age. I read one of Sophie's Torchwood fan fiction stories. The story brought home with a thud the loneliness of immortality and reduced me to tears so effectively that I only thought of the story the following morning and it reduced me to tears again.

Proud to be a softie.

Just had an entertaining time trying to catch up with the posts since I've been away - even some book talk in there too! lol

I haven't been reading anything properly for a week or two now but dipping in and out of things like some of the textvooks, The Homeowner's Hurricane Handbook (very interesting and informative) and Diabetes For Dummies^®, Mini Edition (which I didn't find much help) as my husband has just been diagnosed with the condition - early days yet and it doesn't seem too bad so far, not sure what type yet either but we're going back to the doctors on Wednesday to find out more.

Just got stuck into Six Seconds which is very good! Glad that I got it for free after reading how the price has gone up. Grab all freebies while you can - you can always delete the dross later!

:0)

Geoff (G. Robbins) wrote: "Ingnite wrote: "Oh Geoff, you softie!"

I didn't used to be like that. It's definitely something that comes with age. I read one of Sophie's Torchwood fan fiction stories. The story brought ho..."

If you want the loneliness of immortality writ large you want Cornelius Harker's Words to the Wise saga. Lump in the throat moments on that topic here.

Ingnite wrote: "If you want the loneliness of immortality writ large you want Cornelius Harker's Words to the Wise saga. Lump in the throat moments on that topic here."

I'll have to look those up Ingnite.

Jud (judder) wrote: "Don't listen to Geoff DO watch I, Robot if only for that one bathroom scene... *sigh* ...
"

It seems you see something in that film that passed me by Jud.

Well I saw it too Geoff. A girl thing. ;)

Has anyone that has read the Hunger Games also watched Battle Royale, the film, by any chance?

Can't say that film appeals to me. Seems it would be rather disturbing.

Just finished The Quiche of Death. It was ok but too slow paced for me. I like a book that makes me eager to find out what's going to happen next and can't wait to pick it back up again when I have to put it down. This one didn't do that for me. It's a shame because I really liked the main character Agatha Raisin, but I don't think I will be reading anymore in the series.

Just about to start The Kult. If I can get it to download passed 43%. It's been stuck there all day. I think the weather is playing havoc with 3G. Been trying all day to get a sample of young Sophie's book too.

Still dipping into Twenty Tiny Tales between other books. Loving these short stories and am trying to stretch it out ;-)

The Kult is certainly a page turner, Maureen! I hope the restart works!

awwww. just caved in and bought The Kult after hearing you all talk about it... it's going to be next after I have finished Six Seconds... well that's unless the next book selection comes out first...

Thanks Patti...the re-start worked a treat! (Saw your post about it on the other thread). I should have thought of doing that. I even took my Kindle a wee walk to the shops earlier today thinking that the signal might be stronger outside. Seems daft now ;-)

The next group read will start when The Crysalids finishes on the 17th of September, Lorraine. You have time, if you hurry. Which won't be a problem with the Kult, I think. It's a bit hard to put down.

Thanks Patti... even more eager to get to it now lol !

Have read a sample and it does look good I have just enough left on my gift cert. Think I might treat myself

Lorraine wrote: "awwww. just caved in and bought The Kult after hearing you all talk about it... it's going to be next after I have finished Six Seconds... well that's unless the next ..."

Thank you :)