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OCTOBER BOOK CHOICES - YOU DECIDE!

Which books would you like to read in October? All you have to do is vote for one of the books listed here. Read the blurbs below to see if there is anything of interest to you and place your vote. The book with the most votes by 21st September will be chosen for discussion from 1st October.

There is another poll running so please take at look at that one too. Two books will be chosen, but don't feel you have to read both if you don't want to!

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1.

Atonement - Ian McEwan 384 pages

McEwan, Booker Prize-winning author of Amsterdam, has created a symphonic novel of love and war, childhood and class, guilt and forgiveness that provides all the satisfaction of a brilliant narrative combined with the provocation readers have come to expect from this master of English prose.

2.

A Room With A View - E M Forster 240 pages

Forster's social comedy is a witty observation of the English middle classes as they holiday abroad in Florence. One of these tourists is Lucy Honeychurch, a young girl whose heart is awakened by her experiences in Italy.

3.

The Book of Illusions - Paul Auster 336 pages

Six months after losing his wife and two young sons in an airplane crash, Vermont professor David Zimmer spends his waking hours mired in a blur of alcoholic grief and self-pity. Then, watching television one night, he stumbles upon a clip from a lost film by silent comedian Hector Mann. Zimmer’s interest is piqued, and he soon finds himself embarking on a journey around the world to research a book on this mysterious figure, who vanished from sight in 1929 and has been presumed dead for sixty years.

4.

Light On Snow - Anita Shreve 288 pages

Light on Snow is a beautifully sad reflection on life and loss, grief and hope and recognising the time in our lives to forgive others and ourselves and move forward. Anita Shreve has proved once again that she is a gifted exponent of the human psyche and the dual frailty and immense strength of the human spirit.

5.

The Abortionist's Daughter - Elizabeth Hyde 304 pages

Two weeks before Christmas, Diana Duprey, an outspoken abortion doctor, is found floating in her pool, a bruise the size of a golf ball visible through her dark curls. A national figure, Diana inspired passion and ignited tempers, never more so than on the day of her death.

Her husband, Frank, an attorney in the D.A.'s office for more than twenty years, had fought bitterly with her on the day of her murder. Yet to reveal the nature of their fight would cost him not only his career but something greater still — a relationship he will go to any lengths to protect. Diana's daughter, Megan, a college freshman, had also quarreled with Diana that day, and her role in her mother's murder will prove more significant than she ever could have anticipated. The Reverend Stephen O'Connell, founder of the town's pro-life coalition, obviously had issues with Diana, but his anger extended beyond the political to the personal — namely, Dr. Duprey's involvement with his own troubled teenager. Meanwhile, the detective on the case grapples to make sense of it all. His investigation implicates many in this town and reveals a series of gross miscalculations, each one challenging what we know, or think we know, about community, fidelity, justice, and love.

6.

Marley and Me - John Grogan 343 pages

John and Jenny were just beginning their life together. They were young and in love, with a perfect little house and not a care in the world. Then they bought home Marley, a wiggly yellow fur ball of a puppy. Life would never be the same. Marley quickly grew into a barrelling, ninety-seven pound steamroller of a Labrador retriever, a dog like no other. He crashed through screen doors, gouged through drywall, flung drool on guests, stole women's undergarments, and ate nearly everything he could get his mouth around, including couches and fine jewelery. Obedience school did no good - Marley was expelled. And yet, Marley's heart was pure. Just as he joyfully refused any limits on his behaviour, his love and loyalty were boundless, too. Marley shared the couple's joy at their first pregnancy, and their heartbreak over the miscarriage. He was there when babies finally arrived and when the screams of a seventeen-year-old stabbing victim pierced the night. This is the heartwarming and unforgettable story of a family in the making and the wondrously neurotic dog who taught them what really matters in life.

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I'm an auntie! Kelvin

lisa2062 · Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 6:00 pm Post subject:

It was a tough choice between Atonement (really want to see the film) and A Room With a View as I've seen the film and loved that. Went for the last one, but would be just as happy to read the first one. Lisa x

heathera · Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 8:48 pm Post subject:

This is hard to make a choice between....! Light on Snow and The Abortionists Daughter have been on my tbr for months and I really want to read both of them SOON! However Room With A View.... I loved this book when I took A'Level English many moons ago, and have always wanted to visit Florence since then. I'd love to revisit that book. I still have my school copy full of notes!

Hmm, decisions, decisions!
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Currently Reading:

The Moonlit Cage - Linda Holeman

1001 Book Challenge:
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2008 - 14
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nicnic · Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 10:47 pm Post subject:

There's not much on this list for me. I voted for The Book of Illusions by Paul Auster because I nominated it but I caved early and have started reading it already.

I wouldn't mind Room With A View but I'm not keen on Atonement.
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Currently reading: Man in the Dark by Paul Auster

mummymelly · Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 6:40 pm Post subject:

Have voted for one that I didn't nominate this month but I have in other months...The Abortionists Daughter.
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Swap List: http://tinyurl.com/33pg6r
Currently Reading "Switchcraft" by Lowri Turner

Amie · Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 7:22 pm Post subject:

I've voted for Atonement because after seeing the film I really want to read the book.
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Kill the tbr - currently 124
Currently reading:
War and Peace - Leo Tolsty
Wild Swans by Jung Chan
The Golden Notebook - Doris Lessing

Tigerlily · Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 8:08 pm Post subject:

Voted for Atonement as it's on my tbr and really want to see the film.
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Reading: Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg
Reading Challenge 2009: 8
2008: 4
2007: 10

blueflower · Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 8:43 pm Post subject:

voted for The Book of Illusions had a look on amazon and thought it sounded my kind of book.

lovely treez · Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 8:31 am Post subject:

Voted for Atonement as it's on TBR pile and if it wins it will encourage me to read it.
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Currently reading - The Italian Boy - Murder and Grave Robbery in 1830s London - Sarah Wise

willie96 · Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 8:33 am Post subject:

lovely treez · Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 10:41 am Post subject:

willie96 · Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 12:06 pm Post subject:

blueflower · Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 7:44 pm Post subject:

willie96 · Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 7:09 am Post subject:

blueflower · Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 7:12 pm Post subject:

Cocoa · Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 8:02 pm Post subject:

I have voted for Marley and Me as its been on tbr list for ages as its my two favourite things reading and dogs

Also would like to read atonement. Have already read abortionist daughter which was really good.

willie96 · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 8:42 am Post subject:

amarie · Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 3:46 pm Post subject:

I went for Atonement too! but could have chosen Light on Snow or The Abortionist's daughter as hva both on TBR. I recently gave up on Enduring Love by Ian McEwan so it'll be interesting to see if I can finish this one....if it wins the poll.
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http://www.readitswapit.co.uk/MyBooks.aspx

Tigerlily · Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 4:23 pm Post subject:

I've made a start on Atonement and enjoying it from the first word (on page 20 something). It's supposed to be his literary masterpiece, so I'll be interested to see how it compares to Enduring Love too.

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Reading: Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg
Reading Challenge 2009: 8
2008: 4
2007: 10

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