What are you reading?

I am just getting to eat pray love by Elizabeth Gilbert -  so far I am loving it

Great book! I thought it was super funny.

I keep Wind in the Willows lying around (laying around?) and pop it open randomly almost every day. My favorite part is at the beginning when ratty takes mole on the picnic, and mole unpacks the hamper. A warm clearing by the river and all kinds of little pots of goodies...

To me, Wind in the Willows is a fantastic guide for life. I don't think there are many problems in the world that you can't find a solution for within its pages.

I think my favourite bit might be when Mole smells his little house and takes Ratty back there. It gives me such a sense of the importance of home and of belonging.

I was reading Spring Magic by D.E. Stevenson, which I'm adoring, but have to put it on hold to read Zuleika Dobson for book club.

I'm reading The Book of Tomorrow by Cecilia Ahern. Pretty good so far.

I'm re-reading Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier. Wonderful interpretation of the Wild Swans fairytale.

To me, Wind in the Willows is a fantastic guide for life. I don't think there are many problems in the world that you can't find a solution for within its pages.

I think that more and more...everybody has a horrible friend like toad; but he's your friend and you stand by him time and again..

And the bit where Rat meets the sailor mouse, I used to dislike that chapter because it doesn't seem to fit, but it is almost a perfect description of a mid-life crisis plopped into the midst of a child's book.

Upon recommendation on this forum, I'm reading Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain. It's a fantastic memoir of a young woman's experiences during WW1. I also recently read, the Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. I can't recommend that one enough!

To me, Wind in the Willows is a fantastic guide for life. I don't think there are many problems in the world that you can't find a solution for within its pages.

I think my favourite bit might be when Mole smells his little house and takes Ratty back there. It gives me such a sense of the importance of home and of belonging.

Yes! "Dulce Domum" Always liked the Rat and Mole characters more than Toad.

And the bit where Rat meets the sailor mouse, I used to dislike that chapter because it doesn't seem to fit, but it is almost a perfect description of a mid-life crisis plopped into the midst of a child's book.

I think it's really two books in one. There are the silly chapters about Toad and his adventures. And then there are those that are really very mystical and spiritual - like 'The Piper at the Gates of Dawn,' where Ratty and Mole go searching for the missing otter boy and have a sort of spiritual experience.

Yes! "Dulce Domum" Always liked the Rat and Mole characters more than Toad.

Me too. I'm not a Toad fan.

I'm re-reading Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier. Wonderful interpretation of the Wild Swans fairytale.

I love that book! It doesn't hurt that the Seven Swans fairy tale is one of my favorites.

I love that book! It doesn't hurt that the Seven Swans fairy tale is one of my favorites.

I love her take on it. I just wish she hadn't gone quite so epic tragedy-esque with the rest of the series. It got a little over the top after the first couple of books.

Have you read Robin McKinley? She does fairy tale renditions, mostly Beauty & the Beast, but also Sleeping Beauty and Donkeyskin (hers is called Deerskin, and is one of my favourites...very similar to Daughter of the Forest).

Have you read Robin McKinley? She does fairy tale renditions, mostly Beauty & the Beast, but also Sleeping Beauty and Donkeyskin (hers is called Deerskin, and is one of my favourites...very similar to Daughter of the Forest).

She's amazing! She's also done a version of Robin Hood that is one of my favourites. There's also that old "Fairy Tales" series (Tam Lin, by Pamela Dean, was one of the series.).  They are fascinating reworkings of the stories.

Have you read Robin McKinley? She does fairy tale renditions, mostly Beauty & the Beast, but also Sleeping Beauty and Donkeyskin (hers is called Deerskin, and is one of my favourites...very similar to Daughter of the Forest).

I haven't read any of her stuff but I've heard good things about her.

She's one of my favourite authors. A couple of her books have fallen flat with me (Dragonhaven, mostly), but her others are just so good. (Especially if you're a fan of horses and/or dogs.)

I've been adding tons of books to my to-read list from here...now I just need time to read them!

I think it's really two books in one. There are the silly chapters about Toad and his adventures. And then there are those that are really very mystical and spiritual - like 'The Piper at the Gates of Dawn,' where Ratty and Mole go searching for the missing otter boy and have a sort of spiritual experience.

I've loved the Wind in the Willows chat!  I agree with what you've all been saying.  To me the book is even better to read as an adult because of the language and descriptions.  I think my favorite bit is probably what I quoted before, but there are lots of parts I like.  I like Mole best but Toad is a fabulous character and I love him too.