Ha! Well at least you're getting fit because of it. I couldn't get into this book either. I'm fairly strict nowadays with books - if I can't find a reason to finish it (good writing, good story, classic, loyalty to author, of some importance) I chuck it.
My recent post We, the Giveaway has a WINNER!

Great review Carin, I've been looking forward to when you posted this. I enjoyed this book too but with reservations.

I personally thought the characters were quite weak and I felt that they just fulfilled a role they were slotted into.

Troubled hero guy with a massive chip. Poor urchin child rescued from horrid people. A lot of people seemed to find a few of the scenes shockingly violent whereas I did not. Maybe I'm just totally desensitised to that kind of stuff but I thought those scenes were actually pretty tame. I didn't feel it was graphic from the language he used - which was confined mostly to the word 'gore' whenever it got particularly bloody.

Despite all that, I still actually really enjoyed this book as much as you did and I can't wait to read the second. Sanderson is a brilliant story teller, even with the criticisms he made me want to keep on reading at every turn. The same with Elantris - which I wholly recommend.

My recent post Another Book Ban

Aw, congrats!

You've been so thrilled about this book I definitely want to read it. I'm glad it is accessible - so you would say easy enough for the general reader? Non-fic shouldn't just be for the academics!
My recent post Books in Translation Reading Challenge

I was uh supposed to take part in this readathon too, but managed ten pages. Ooopsie. Not the most auspicious readery start to the year!

I'm glad you enjoyed On Chisel Beach Carin - I really like Ian McEwan too, there's something about how he writes.

2011 has been a bit blah for me too books as well as just in general I'm sure I've been more grumpy then ever before! But 2012 is going to be a better year - it will be if we make the choice for it to be good!

You're one of my best friends Carin, thanks for all your support to over the last year. *blog hugs*
My recent post 2011: The Best Of

Cariiiiiin why did you post a link to that Folio society? Whhhhy when you know I have a weakness for pretty books. And the have they Kevin Crossley-Holland Arthur trilogy books and I love that man. But it's £90!

I too do most of my book talk online as well, I think that's natural as there's hundreds and thousands of readers around the world and it's easier to get in contact with vast numbers of people online then it is off. I joined an in-person book group too a few months ago though and it's great actually being able to meet people who like reading too and don't think it's some weird past time for anti-social loners.

I'm so happy to see a blog post from you Carin, and you know what it doesn't matter if you can only post once or twice whenever blogs should be fun not work.

2012 is going to be a great year. We should all work towards being happy.
My recent post Book-Sniffing

I haven't read this but it's always been something I have wanted ever since looking at it in a bookshop (and subsequently getting it via bookmooch) but I haven't got around to reading it yet. It was the first line that drew me in.

I am looking forward to it and curious still since reading your review. I have only read one book by Somerset Maugham which I really enjoyed. (The Painted Veil) so I'm glad to find they're somewhat comparable.
My recent post Book Review: The Dark Lord of Derkholm–Diana Wynne Jones

This is the first (and so far only but not the last) King book I have read and I walked around like a practical zombie when I was reading it. I would read walking from room to room, bumping into things as I went - it gripped me that much.

I must pick up his other books. I have many of them but I had a bit of a scare with It. As in I read 1000 pages before throwing it at the wall. It wasn't that I didn't enjoy it so much, it was just that he could have cut a few hundred of the pages out. I love a good chunkster - but IMO if you're going to write a fat and heavy book, it better be worth the time. Every page should be justified.

But I do mean to pick another of his up. Haven't decided yet.

Anne Perry is a crime author and she murdered her best friend's mother didn't she? However - I do believe in redemption and forgiveness and she's the one who has to live with that crime for the rest of her life. As far as I know she hasn't gone around killing anyone else.

Racists, homophobics and sexist authors - modern day authors I mean then I'd avoid like the plague. You can appreciate that their art is perhaps worthy of praise but on a moral grounding I don't think they should be given any attention. There are loads of other good authors, or artists who are more worthy of the attention. People like that should be buried in the ground.

As for sport... I'm a little biased as I can't stand it. Boring! I can't stand the whole celebrity lifestyle and WAGs. You have these WAGs publishing best selling books about their lives. How they met their footballer, had lots of sex and got rich. I bet it's riveting stuff. I think the celebrity has taken over a little too much - shouldn't it be about the sport itself and not their wives and/or girlfriends?

Earlier this year we had the whole cafuffle about the effing super-injunction that got as far as being discussed in parliament. I mean come on... I don't believe in super-injunctions and I am in no way supporting it - but this tabloid media greed about publishing tell-tale stories like this is just disgusting.

And British culture seems to be based around boozing. It's what the British do. They go down the pub and get drunk. No. British culture might have been spending an evening down the pub but it did not entail getting stupidly drunk and staggering around in gutters as they do now.

But that's all footballers seem to do nowadays. Get drunk. Sleep around with girls and get photographed doing it. You'd think they would actually have learnt by now. It's part of this celebrity culture that has seeped over into what is considered normal every day life.

Is it all their fault? Well no... that would be naive to say that. They are role models for so many young people and the only ones who get attention are the ones up to no good.

It's embarrassing being from the nation known for our bad behaviour abroad. Apparently when Germany was hosting the World Cup they brought in extra security to control us unruly British.

It should be about the sport... but nowadays it's equally as much about the player and their extended family of affairs. So yes, I think for them it does matter. It shouldn't have to, but it does.

My recent post We, the Drowned–Carsten Jensen

Similar to you, I comment when I have something to say. So usually on posts like this - which aren't usually book reviews but something you can discuss and talk about. With book reviews, if I haven't read it or even heard of it, then I feel I have very little to say.

However saying that, it's always nice to know someone has taken the time to read and comment even if the comment itself doesn't really say very much.

I am also more likely to make a comment on blogs where I know the blogger is likely to make a reply or take part in the conversation. If I am reading a blog and make a comment, and that blogger never replies once to their topic I think it's a bit rude personally and so I won't bother coming back. I don't mean that I want people to respond directly too me, but to at least take part in it.
My recent post Travels With My Aunt by Graham Greene (a distracted review)