Hi all! I've not yet read these books but am anxiously awaiting their arrival from the library. From the activity in the forum it looks as if I am going to really enjoy these books! Any reading suggestions? Should I expect to spend all day and night reading? Should I prepare my family? i.e. 'Y'all are on your own for food for the next X days ... oh, and don't expect me to clean or do laundry, either. I'm reading!' Should I make sure I've stocked enough tea, wine, cookies, whisky, kleenex? Should my husband be prepared for extra nocturnal activities?

I'd say yes to all your questions. When I said to my husband that I just can't start reading any other book now that I've finished the trilogy (SG first time), he said maybe it's better. Because I really did only the absolutely necessary trivial things like working, laundry, cooking and otherwise I had my nose in the book all the time. I even neglected preparing our trip to Paris in two weeks time and he knows I love doing that, reading tripadvisor and so on. But I've still got enough time and anyway its Paris for the fourth time, so what can go wrong?
Happy reading, lucky you, reading it for the first time.

OK, I think that all these distractions are going to force me to read some new books while waiting for DG!

Shame, shame!

The more the merrier. Laura and Repoman, you'll find a lot of issues to discuss and think about and PS does a good job of letting you see it from both perspectives.

Definitely clear your calendar....especially since you will know that there are 3 books to this series unlike I mistakenly thought and wasted some time before finding 2 and 3.

It's on my list. I just finished Ice/Fire (still more books to come, but I finished the latest).

I ordered from interlibrary loan, so hopefully they will be here soon!

I just got my copy from the library... I'm in the middle of another book right now (Before Versailles by Koen). I'll attempt this book as soon as I'm done and now I'm really looking forward to reading it while everyone else does too!
Happy reading!

Oh, yeah! Other new readers with whom to indulge!

As Pauline said, the more the merrier. You won't be disappointed. Three books are a breeze when you consider some other addictive series that on the 8th installment. Enjoy TBH!

Ok, I'm just starting this book...I've read up to page 87 and I love it! I can't comment in TBH first book because I see there are spoilers there. I just want to say that I'm enjoying it already. The first few pages seemed very dull, but then when everything started I was pulled in. I hope it continues this way! I'm going clamming today and I can't believe that I've packed the book in the boat!

I have to say that I was pretty much caught when I read the dedication to her grandparents with the description of all they'd lived through (ending with un-air-conditioned summers in NY).

celestem, if you're already pulled in it will only get better, or worse for your family and loved ones, I just couldn't get my nose out of the book whenever I had the chance.

Waiting to hear your comments, join in as soon as you can.

I'm over halfway through...the characters are driving me nuts though. I wish someone would step up and just admit it all!!! The setting is very interesting, especially since I've always loved Russian history. The storyline is tragic (so far) and it is frustrating for me to read, but I'm mesmerized so far.

I know what you mean, Celestem. I wanted them to be able to admit it, too, but I see why they felt they couldn't. And, I think the setting in Leningrad during the war was one of the things that really grabbed me (and broke my heart).

I think the setting in Leningrad during the war and the Stalin era is fascinating and so interesting. It's one of the aspects of WW2 which we usually don't get to hear so much about. As I mentioned in one of my posts before, in the last twenty years since the gates opened, many russian jews have come to live in Israel and from them you hear that the descriptions of that era are very accurate, so that makes it all the more interesting.

I know what you mean about driving you nuts but you don't know the half of it yet.

I am *still* waiting for these books to arrive from the library! I might have to break down and order them via e-book.