brightphoebus

Thanks, iff I'll put this on the TBR list right away. I really enjoyed Where I Left My Soul and The Sermon On The Fall of Rome but this one seems to have escaped me.

Half-Blood Blues - Esi Edugyan

Have you heard of the Backlisted podcast, DP? It is something of a boy's club and can sound smug sometimes, but it's worth listening to to find out about striking writers from the past. A guest comes on to join the panel in going in depth to discuss the book and the author - they also talk about what they are reading at the moment. Thank you for the Read Like A Writer tip, will get on that immediately.

Of Human Bondage Somerset Maugham

Oh, such great news Hazel!

Right, this goes on the TBR list!

Thanks, Mr HG, will definitely read.

The Dead, yes please!

Oh my gosh, Toibin is the man! What a fantastic writer and all-round top bloke. I've read all his fiction and loved every one of them. I even sent him a fan email once in a fit of misguided enthusiasm (and got back a standard answer, embarassing )

Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? Jeanette Winterson

Momac and meg, I'm sorry for the worry and pain that has just ocurred for you both. I do hope your daughter improves every day, Momac, and her medication stabilises everything again. Meg, there is quite a bit of genetic disability in my family and I know the feeling when you get a diagnosis that confirms what you already know - it comes as no great surprise, but you are still shot through with anxiety and uncertainty as your world shifts. My thoughts are with you and I wish you and your close family all the best.

Assymetry by Lisa Halliday. What a fab piece of writing. Sad to be finishing it.

Oh, the books are great! Highly recommended.

Dragon Teeth - Michael Crichton (I cheated)

Definitely. I've just finished Frances Hardinge The Lie Tree, aimed at CYA and enjoyed it very much. On the radio recently I heard someone bemoan the loss of plot in novels other than crime novels, but in the best CYA you get all the characterisation and atmosphere but with great plots too.