War of the Worlds- A Review

Surprised myself at how quickly I read this- must be a good sign. I finally understand now about all the panic when the radio-version was first broadcast. H.G.Wells writes in a realistic and gripping manner which makes you want to read on and on. Even knowing what would happen from TV productions, I found the book hard to put down. A true classic!

I've actually found myself inspired to try listening to the radio programme again (if I can find a copy). I seem to remember trying to sit down to it 10 or so years ago, but I was younger then so I think its well time for another go. Will try to remember to post something here if I do.

This book was part of a ring, so please don't request it from me!

'Our Tragic Universe'- A Review

Exploring and debating the reality of the universe, I found myself contemplating many of the issues rasied in this fictional story. It is as if the characters' journeys are a distorted image of real life and the inner struggles than many go through. The idea of structuring this around an author appealed to me, as did the idea of trying to explore the world without genre stereotypes. The story was slow or almost non-existant in parts, so I had to use my imagination to full in the gaps (something I don't mins doing, but others might feel should be the job of the author alone). Worth giving a go- you may enjoy it like I did!

Please note that this review correponds to an uncorrected proof copy!

Born Free Books

I've just joined Born Free Books

It's a brand new book-sharing site, along similar lines to BookCrossing. It's clean-looking and its designer is committed to the principles of keeping as many people reading as possible.
The site says:

If you're anything like us, you're sitting on a veritable goldmine of information and adventure; but you've unlocked every ancient treasure and solved every murder mystery. Instead of allowing these assets to collect dust in a shady corner, why not liberate them using this Born Free Books service and community. Don’t worry; they won’t be completely gone as we will add them to your virtual online library where you can enjoy the history of your reading in a beautiful 'coverflow' environment and follow your books as they travel the globe – delighting, enlightening, entertaining and thrilling.

Those of you who know me from BookCrossing- don't worry, this doesn't mean I've given up on BC.
I simply intend to widen the range of my books by using a combination of both sites. I'm not sure exactly how this will work yet, but be reassured that I intend to make it work.

Why not pop across and join BornFreeBooks now?! You'll be supporting a fledging site with a lot of potential! You can share your love of reading in yet another way! Plus, if you're one of the first 1,000 members you get a free Born Free Books Starter Pack! It would be great to see you there!

Wild Release #50

Made a trip over to Gloucestershire in the glorious sunshine yesterday. Whilst there I dropped off a book on a bench outside the car park. Someone had picked up the book by the time I went past again in the afternoon! Hopefully they'll find the BookCrossing sticker and let us know where it goes.

The was The Painted Veil and you can find more about the BookCrossing copy by clicking here

Stream of Suggestions: To Say Nothing Of The Dog

Those of you who have been keeping an eye on my reading challenges page will have noticed that I recently signed up to 'The Stream of Suggestions Reading Challenge'
This challenge is to follow a trail of authors from one book to another mentioned one to the next.

My first book for this challenge will be 'To Say Nothing Of The Dog by Connie Willis'.
I've chosen this book because it includes a multitiude of references to other books. This will give me plenty of scope to back-track should I hit a dead-end.
Here are the books mentioned, presuming they're all real of course (from which I can choose any of their authors to read next in the challenge):

• Alice in Wonderland
• Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome
• The Taming of the Shrew
• Howard's End by E.M. Forster
• Oliver Twist
• The Lady of Shalott
• The French Revolution by Carlyle
• The Admirable Chrichton
• The Importance of Being Ernest
• Through The Looking Glass
• The Wind in The Willows by Kenneth Grahame
• Commentaries by Blackstone
• The Industrial Revolution by Tonybee
• The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins
• Strong Poison
• An Old-Fashioned Girl
• Have His Carcase
• A Study in Scarlett by Arthur Conan Doyle
• Descent of Man by Darwin
• The Decline and Fall
• The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
• The Fountain Pen Mystery
• The Seasons by James Thomson
• Murder in Three Acts by Agatha Christie
• The Sittaford Mystery
• The Masqued Murder

I'm thinking, at the moment, that I shall probably read either Three Men in A Boat or Alice in Wonderland as the next book in this challenge, although I may try one of the murder mysteries (to link with The No Ruts Reading Challenge should I find one of the authors hidden in my extensive unread collection)

Further reading for this challenge will be posted on my current reading challenges page, and I'll also post a summary of links under the 'Stream if Suggestions' label.

To Say Nothing Of The Dog (A Review)

No, not the classic book of the same name, but a time-travelling romp by Connie Willis. Truly enthralling, this is a tale of dogs, cats, rivers, love and unexpected consequences. I found it both thought-provoking and entertaining. The characters of Henry and Verity were well-rounded, whilst others were hilarious or simply added to the events in a silent but meaningful fashion. A book that I would like to own someday, so that I can read it again and again.

If you want to read it yourself its still possible to join the ray on BookCrossing

'Watermelon' makes its way to London

I've been waiting a while for one of my wild released books to be caught in the wild for a second time. And now, just before my first BookCrossing anniversary, its finally happened. A journal entry has just come in (click here to see it) saying that 'Watermelon by Marian Keyes' has made its way to Oxford Train station and is now on its travels to London. Hopefully someone will pick it up there so that the book can continue its adventures.
Who knows, maybe it'll become an international book?