Amazing Lorna.
I was looking for it this morning having read two novels recently.
Firstly, 'The hand that first held mine' by Maggie O'Farrell. What I thought was going to be an easy read had me somewhat gripped, I couldn't put it down and it has haunted me since.
The story of two controversial young women, becoming mothers linked by three men with intrinsic connections evoking disturbing psychological effects for one of the latter.
Secondly, 'Tiger Hills' debut novel of Sarita Mandanna. Incredibly descriptive story of the life and social interactions of the families of the beautiful principality of Coorg in India. To describe it would spoil the enormous pleasure I got from reading this wonderful book. It taught me a great deal about Indian culture and painted vivid pictures of a country I would dearly love to visit. Thankfully it was a book that I could put down and pick up at various times without that almost addictive sense of, 'must finish that book.' I didn't want it to end.
Hi J/C !
Thank you, this is just what we want to hear. And , two for the price of one !
" I couldn't put it down" and "it's haunted me since" are real inducements to seek out these titles !
And maybe you'll get your visit to India one day. Who knows !
------------------------------------------------------------
Just the knowledge that a good book
is awaiting one at the end of a long day
makes that day happier.
Harriet Beecher.
Happy reading, everyone !
Thank you, this is just what we want to hear. And , two for the price of one !
" I couldn't put it down" and "it's haunted me since" are real inducements to seek out these titles !
And maybe you'll get your visit to India one day. Who knows !
------------------------------------------------------------
Just the knowledge that a good book
is awaiting one at the end of a long day
makes that day happier.
Harriet Beecher.
Happy reading, everyone !
Hi Lorna
On reflection I really should have mentioned that Maggie O'Farrell was the winner of the 2010 COSTA Novel Award
Happy reading folks
On reflection I really should have mentioned that Maggie O'Farrell was the winner of the 2010 COSTA Novel Award
Happy reading folks
Thanks for that J/C.
The next award coming up is the Orange prize for women Fiction writers. To be announced in June. Looking at the short list of 6 books, half of the offerings are first novels.
Generally speaking, what do you think about award winning books ? Does it encourage you to buy and read them , or the opposite -- avoid at all costs ?
I can think of a book i read by Penelope Lively ; ' Moon tiger' - all about a dying woman looking back on her life and reliving her youth spent abroad in wartime Egypt. Her story is enmeshed with others , who must have their say as well.
It was a set book on a literature course I did, otherwise , i don't think i would have picked it out.
It proved to be a memorable read, having been awarded the Booker prize in late 1980's.
Maybe we are not such good judges of what we'll enjoy reading , as we think we are.
All the best, happy reading !
The next award coming up is the Orange prize for women Fiction writers. To be announced in June. Looking at the short list of 6 books, half of the offerings are first novels.
Generally speaking, what do you think about award winning books ? Does it encourage you to buy and read them , or the opposite -- avoid at all costs ?
I can think of a book i read by Penelope Lively ; ' Moon tiger' - all about a dying woman looking back on her life and reliving her youth spent abroad in wartime Egypt. Her story is enmeshed with others , who must have their say as well.
It was a set book on a literature course I did, otherwise , i don't think i would have picked it out.
It proved to be a memorable read, having been awarded the Booker prize in late 1980's.
Maybe we are not such good judges of what we'll enjoy reading , as we think we are.
All the best, happy reading !
Hello all
I think I am a bit influenced by award winning titles but often in the past I've found them hard going.
Possession, by A.S. Byatt, won the 1990 Booker Prize but fell into that category for me.
It was however compelling reading. An intellectual and compplex love story but memorable.
I always read the synopsis of anything I pick up first as I'm sure most people do but often I watch with amusement people who hover round the book shelves in supermarkets and I'm quite sure that they do select ones with the most appealing covers and evocative titles.
I think I am a bit influenced by award winning titles but often in the past I've found them hard going.
Possession, by A.S. Byatt, won the 1990 Booker Prize but fell into that category for me.
It was however compelling reading. An intellectual and compplex love story but memorable.
I always read the synopsis of anything I pick up first as I'm sure most people do but often I watch with amusement people who hover round the book shelves in supermarkets and I'm quite sure that they do select ones with the most appealing covers and evocative titles.
Perhaps I need to go back to spelling class 
Thanks J/C,
You're doing sturling work on this thread. I probably need that class to.
We're in good company tho !
A.A. Milne said via Pooh , "My spelling is Wobbly.
It's good spelling but it Wobbles, and the letters get in the wrong places."
-----------------------------------------------------
Andrew Jackson said " It's a dammned poor mind that can only think of one way to
spell a word"
I do so aggree, Happy Reeding everyone.
You're doing sturling work on this thread. I probably need that class to.
We're in good company tho !
A.A. Milne said via Pooh , "My spelling is Wobbly.
It's good spelling but it Wobbles, and the letters get in the wrong places."
-----------------------------------------------------
Andrew Jackson said " It's a dammned poor mind that can only think of one way to
spell a word"
I do so aggree, Happy Reeding everyone.
Thank you Lorna, I'll take comfort from those quotes.
Made me laugh.
Made me laugh.
I will admit to the influence of book prizes, although not to the extent of some friends who every year buy all the books shortlisted for the Man Booker prize!
Hi fellow readers , and a Happy St George's Day !
Our beloved 'Reading ' thread has slipped back to p 13 !
So much for my plan to encourage you all to write frequently, to keep it in the forefront! 'We would, I hear you cry, if only we could find it !'
Anyway , am reading just a page or two every day of the Mark Twain autobiography, and wanted to share with you a few lines which really stood out for me.
It's from p220, if you have a copy ;
" What a wee little part of a person's life are his acts and his words !
His real life is lead in his head, and is known to none but himself. All day long,
and everyday, the mill of his brain is grinding, and his thoughts ( which are but
the mute articulation of his feelings) not those other things, are his history.
His acts and his words are merely the thin crust of his world, with it's
scattered snow summits and its vacant wastes of water --- and they are so
trifling a part of his bulk. A mere skin enveloping it
The mass of him is hidden -- it and its volcanic fires that toss and boil, and
never rest, night nor day.
They are his life, and they are not written, and cannot be written.
Biographies are but the clothes and buttons of the man--- the biography of the
man himself cannot be written.
I told you it'd be different !
Happy reading everyone.
Our beloved 'Reading ' thread has slipped back to p 13 !
So much for my plan to encourage you all to write frequently, to keep it in the forefront! 'We would, I hear you cry, if only we could find it !'
Anyway , am reading just a page or two every day of the Mark Twain autobiography, and wanted to share with you a few lines which really stood out for me.
It's from p220, if you have a copy ;
" What a wee little part of a person's life are his acts and his words !
His real life is lead in his head, and is known to none but himself. All day long,
and everyday, the mill of his brain is grinding, and his thoughts ( which are but
the mute articulation of his feelings) not those other things, are his history.
His acts and his words are merely the thin crust of his world, with it's
scattered snow summits and its vacant wastes of water --- and they are so
trifling a part of his bulk. A mere skin enveloping it
The mass of him is hidden -- it and its volcanic fires that toss and boil, and
never rest, night nor day.
They are his life, and they are not written, and cannot be written.
Biographies are but the clothes and buttons of the man--- the biography of the
man himself cannot be written.
I told you it'd be different !
Happy reading everyone.
For reasons that escape me, I have been searching anongst my bookcases for "The Diary Of A Nobody". I have a fancy to re-read it - it is short, easy to read, comic and a little nasty.
It was first published in installments in Punch & in book form in the late 19th century. The author turned out to be 2 brothers who were quite well known in the London theatrical scene of the time.
It is the fictional diary of a rather unremarkable London City clerk - Mr Pooter - who sees no reason why his diary should not be at least as influencial as those of "Somebody's"
Mr P has a heightened sense of dignity, and takes himself very, very seriously.
You are not sure whether to ridicule him or sympathize. The rigid class system & snobbery of the time are easy to condemn, but then so are Mr P's pretensions , vanity , & delusions.
I wonder where that book has gone?
It was first published in installments in Punch & in book form in the late 19th century. The author turned out to be 2 brothers who were quite well known in the London theatrical scene of the time.
It is the fictional diary of a rather unremarkable London City clerk - Mr Pooter - who sees no reason why his diary should not be at least as influencial as those of "Somebody's"
Mr P has a heightened sense of dignity, and takes himself very, very seriously.
You are not sure whether to ridicule him or sympathize. The rigid class system & snobbery of the time are easy to condemn, but then so are Mr P's pretensions , vanity , & delusions.
I wonder where that book has gone?
The Grossmith Diary , or rather written by them "The Diary of a Noone" can stil be found.
It's probably now not very PC but certainly entertaining as you say.
You can pick up a copy of it on amazon Penguin classics Used for about for as little as £0.01 ; the postage costs the most, £2.80. At least it wouldn't be expensive to re purchase.
I've just finished reading, " Pity The Nation" Lebanon at war by the war correspondent, Robert Fisk. It's an eye-witness report of nearly two decades.
I think the one thought that comes through is that it was written and published in 1990.; we have still learnt so little and the western world remains blind.
It's probably now not very PC but certainly entertaining as you say.
You can pick up a copy of it on amazon Penguin classics Used for about for as little as £0.01 ; the postage costs the most, £2.80. At least it wouldn't be expensive to re purchase.
I've just finished reading, " Pity The Nation" Lebanon at war by the war correspondent, Robert Fisk. It's an eye-witness report of nearly two decades.
I think the one thought that comes through is that it was written and published in 1990.; we have still learnt so little and the western world remains blind.
Hi fellow readers !
Am in recovery from a delightful cough , so have been trying to recuperate , which for me means a good chance to read.
We don't realise the power of Books, do we? Terry Pratchett says this in "Soul Music "
The library didn't only contain magical books, the ones which are chained to the shelves and are very dangerous.
It also contained perfectly ordinary books, printed on commonplace paper in mundane ink.
It would be a mistake to think that they weren't also dangerous just because reading them didn't make fireworks go off in the sky.
Reading them sometimes did the more dangerous trick of making fireworks go off in the privacy of the reader's brain.
Any one read such a book lately ?
Happy continued Bank Holiday reading !
Am in recovery from a delightful cough , so have been trying to recuperate , which for me means a good chance to read.
We don't realise the power of Books, do we? Terry Pratchett says this in "Soul Music "
The library didn't only contain magical books, the ones which are chained to the shelves and are very dangerous.
It also contained perfectly ordinary books, printed on commonplace paper in mundane ink.
It would be a mistake to think that they weren't also dangerous just because reading them didn't make fireworks go off in the sky.
Reading them sometimes did the more dangerous trick of making fireworks go off in the privacy of the reader's brain.
Any one read such a book lately ?
Happy continued Bank Holiday reading !
Lorna a “Happy Bank Holiday” also to you.
Gosh what a question; any one read such a book lately?
Perhaps we could answer.
“A collection of sheets of paper, or similar material, blank, written, or printed, bound together; commonly, many folded and bound sheets containing continuous printing or writing”.
For some a book could be pages and to others volumes.
Years ago; I wandered around Italy writing or rather jotting down my thoughts and then in a fit of depression I burnt them. I’d been homeless for so many years that it was not important at the time.
Do I regret? Perhaps in away, yet those words that bellowed out in smoke and covered the hills of Tuscany are there for eternity.
Now, recovered and in a somewhat more stable form of mind and on a new journey or path and yes, even a new home where I now live independently; I ask myself.
Are we chained to a book or books, are we chained to thoughts that no one can steal from our minds?
I believe that reading and writing down the written word cannot chain our souls but only free them!
For without one written word that is read our society can only be impoverished.
Someone once said and I forget who at this late hour,
“A good book on your shelf is a friend that turns it’s back on you and remains a friend”.
R.D. Cumming said, “A good book has no ending”.
We may have different tastes but all of us that read hunger for the words that leap from the page to conjure up new thoughts and ideas.
NCN.
Sorry for the long post and probably somewhat out of topic.
In reply to your last question, “Any one read such a book lately?
The answer is yes!
But be aware, books can be dangerous. The best ones should be labelled;
"This could change your life."
Gosh what a question; any one read such a book lately?
Perhaps we could answer.
“A collection of sheets of paper, or similar material, blank, written, or printed, bound together; commonly, many folded and bound sheets containing continuous printing or writing”.
For some a book could be pages and to others volumes.
Years ago; I wandered around Italy writing or rather jotting down my thoughts and then in a fit of depression I burnt them. I’d been homeless for so many years that it was not important at the time.
Do I regret? Perhaps in away, yet those words that bellowed out in smoke and covered the hills of Tuscany are there for eternity.
Now, recovered and in a somewhat more stable form of mind and on a new journey or path and yes, even a new home where I now live independently; I ask myself.
Are we chained to a book or books, are we chained to thoughts that no one can steal from our minds?
I believe that reading and writing down the written word cannot chain our souls but only free them!
For without one written word that is read our society can only be impoverished.
Someone once said and I forget who at this late hour,
“A good book on your shelf is a friend that turns it’s back on you and remains a friend”.
R.D. Cumming said, “A good book has no ending”.
We may have different tastes but all of us that read hunger for the words that leap from the page to conjure up new thoughts and ideas.
NCN.
Sorry for the long post and probably somewhat out of topic.
In reply to your last question, “Any one read such a book lately?
The answer is yes!
But be aware, books can be dangerous. The best ones should be labelled;
"This could change your life."
Lorna, I have read some books that have either fired my imagination, astonished me with use of language or ideas or in some way left me feeling "I must pass this on" I soon learned my lesson. A bit like PD medication & reactions to. The worth of a book is to be measured by what you can carry away from it and that must depend upon the reader, the reason for reading, the current physical & emotional state of the reader & for all I know , the weather.
Some books are meant to be tasted, others swallowed & a few chewed & digested. And which of these is not dictated by the book, but by the relationship between the 2..
I think that to be told "this book will set off fireworks in your brain" or "this book will change your life" affects how you read & what you may gain or otherwise. I see absolutely nothing not admirable in reading for pleasure, not expecting the writer to redeem humanity and stopping if you are bored. Children do.
I think there there are many different but equally valid reasons to read. The joy of words, the wonder of new ideas, escapism, for knowledge, because you are enjoying the story, to remember, to forget.
I cannot think of books as lumps of lifeless paper. To me they represent minds, alive on the shelf & I feel priviliged to have access to them.
I do like ncn's idea of books being friends. Quiet, constant friends, accessible wise counsellors, patient teachers, from whom we can learn much but also in whose company we find pleasure, peace, and yes even distraction.
dear Lorna, you did ask!
Some books are meant to be tasted, others swallowed & a few chewed & digested. And which of these is not dictated by the book, but by the relationship between the 2..
I think that to be told "this book will set off fireworks in your brain" or "this book will change your life" affects how you read & what you may gain or otherwise. I see absolutely nothing not admirable in reading for pleasure, not expecting the writer to redeem humanity and stopping if you are bored. Children do.
I think there there are many different but equally valid reasons to read. The joy of words, the wonder of new ideas, escapism, for knowledge, because you are enjoying the story, to remember, to forget.
I cannot think of books as lumps of lifeless paper. To me they represent minds, alive on the shelf & I feel priviliged to have access to them.
I do like ncn's idea of books being friends. Quiet, constant friends, accessible wise counsellors, patient teachers, from whom we can learn much but also in whose company we find pleasure, peace, and yes even distraction.
dear Lorna, you did ask!
I did Abd ! And thanks to you and NCN For your thoughtful and considered replies !
This thread has a mind of its own , i found it on p 14 this time on 'Daily Life '
What is happening !
Happy reading all.
This thread has a mind of its own , i found it on p 14 this time on 'Daily Life '
What is happening !
Happy reading all.
Today was a busy one and I had only time to read one book I'd picked up in a charity shop the other day.
“Apricots on the Nile” A Memoir with recipes.
By Colette Rossant.
In 1937 , five year old Colette arrived in Cairo from Paris with her Egyptian –Jewish father and beautiful mother.
When the father dies she is abandoned to her wealthy grandparents.
Spending hours in the spiced filled kitchen and so the story grows.
At fifteen on returning to Paris, she will never see Egypt again for almost thirty years.
The book is funny, moving and has some remarkable recipes attached also.
177 pages of pure delight that can be read in an afternoon, a must!
“Apricots on the Nile” A Memoir with recipes.
By Colette Rossant.
In 1937 , five year old Colette arrived in Cairo from Paris with her Egyptian –Jewish father and beautiful mother.
When the father dies she is abandoned to her wealthy grandparents.
Spending hours in the spiced filled kitchen and so the story grows.
At fifteen on returning to Paris, she will never see Egypt again for almost thirty years.
The book is funny, moving and has some remarkable recipes attached also.
177 pages of pure delight that can be read in an afternoon, a must!
Hi fellow readers.
177 pages, ncn , of pure delight ---- that's power !
Thanks for your review. Have noted the title.
Continuing the theme of "How powerful are the books we read ? ", I came across this to share with you all.
You are never the same person when you finish a book.
Even one that is read purely for escape or entertainment.
A conviction may take route or deepen.
The imagination may be sparked.
A new perspective may dawn.
Philip Yancey - from Indelible Ink
2003.
Happy reading,
177 pages, ncn , of pure delight ---- that's power !
Thanks for your review. Have noted the title.
Continuing the theme of "How powerful are the books we read ? ", I came across this to share with you all.
You are never the same person when you finish a book.
Even one that is read purely for escape or entertainment.
A conviction may take route or deepen.
The imagination may be sparked.
A new perspective may dawn.
Philip Yancey - from Indelible Ink
2003.
Happy reading,
Hi,
Its been a while since i have posted on this thread.However,having always kept track of things on here and looking out for interesting books to read.I have been reading as Lorna has,both "The English patient" and "Room".
Firstly "Room".I found this book really easy to read.The text layout ,made for rapid turn over of pages,chapters fly by,helped by the gripping nature of the storyline which has you wondering and guessing.The need to turn over "just the next page" is compulsive.
A young woman is abducted by a nasty piece of work,imprisoned and isolated in a purpose built,reinforced building in his back garden.The monster visits her regularly,keeping her imprisoned with bare essentials so he can basically have his way with her on a regular basis and in so forms a strange twisted relationship from his perspective but survival from hers.
She has a child to him,she protects the boy at all costs,the narration mainly from the boys perspective growing up in this isolated small room with just a TV with a confused reality due to the isolation and knowing no different.He is intelligent and the focus is the unusually intense bond forced upon Mother and child at the mercy of a pervert who could end their lives at any time.
The focus is on escaping one day.Without spoiling,the book keeps you enthralled and has you asking questions and wondering throughout.A will to survive,a Mothers instinct to protect and love and a childs perception of life in a limited environment,his Mothers ways of helping him come though it and the psychological effect on them both.
A highly recommended read.
"The English patient".Set around the main characters,Hanna,The English patient,Kip and caravaggio.The storylines emphasis swings from one character to another.Going back in time then back to the present.A tale to unravel surrounding a seriously burnt man"The English patient",who is bed ridden with his life slowly ebbing away.
The books emphasis half way through seem to revolve more around Kip,his relationship with Hanna,the nurse looking after TEP,Kips religious beliefs and his role in the war as a bomb disposal expert and the low life expectancy and dangers involved.The detail and research involved reveals areas of the war not usually focused upon which are interesting and revealing.
The hardships and pure physical,emotion and psychological trauma suffered by everyone during the war including specifically,the medical core,bomb disposal and intelligence,paint a totally different aspect of the war in this book generally overlooked.
Without revealing too much,i found the book was well written,containing a great deal of research.The plot had you guessing until towards the end,when even then was open to interpretation.I had a great deal of empathy towards the characters each richly painted by the Author.The main drive throughout the book being the need to find out just who this burnt man was,what was his history and the the relationships of the main characters entwined by fate towards the ultimate conclusion.
Thoroughly enjoyed and again,thoroughly recommend.
Apologies for waffling,
All the best
Titan
Its been a while since i have posted on this thread.However,having always kept track of things on here and looking out for interesting books to read.I have been reading as Lorna has,both "The English patient" and "Room".
Firstly "Room".I found this book really easy to read.The text layout ,made for rapid turn over of pages,chapters fly by,helped by the gripping nature of the storyline which has you wondering and guessing.The need to turn over "just the next page" is compulsive.
A young woman is abducted by a nasty piece of work,imprisoned and isolated in a purpose built,reinforced building in his back garden.The monster visits her regularly,keeping her imprisoned with bare essentials so he can basically have his way with her on a regular basis and in so forms a strange twisted relationship from his perspective but survival from hers.
She has a child to him,she protects the boy at all costs,the narration mainly from the boys perspective growing up in this isolated small room with just a TV with a confused reality due to the isolation and knowing no different.He is intelligent and the focus is the unusually intense bond forced upon Mother and child at the mercy of a pervert who could end their lives at any time.
The focus is on escaping one day.Without spoiling,the book keeps you enthralled and has you asking questions and wondering throughout.A will to survive,a Mothers instinct to protect and love and a childs perception of life in a limited environment,his Mothers ways of helping him come though it and the psychological effect on them both.
A highly recommended read.
"The English patient".Set around the main characters,Hanna,The English patient,Kip and caravaggio.The storylines emphasis swings from one character to another.Going back in time then back to the present.A tale to unravel surrounding a seriously burnt man"The English patient",who is bed ridden with his life slowly ebbing away.
The books emphasis half way through seem to revolve more around Kip,his relationship with Hanna,the nurse looking after TEP,Kips religious beliefs and his role in the war as a bomb disposal expert and the low life expectancy and dangers involved.The detail and research involved reveals areas of the war not usually focused upon which are interesting and revealing.
The hardships and pure physical,emotion and psychological trauma suffered by everyone during the war including specifically,the medical core,bomb disposal and intelligence,paint a totally different aspect of the war in this book generally overlooked.
Without revealing too much,i found the book was well written,containing a great deal of research.The plot had you guessing until towards the end,when even then was open to interpretation.I had a great deal of empathy towards the characters each richly painted by the Author.The main drive throughout the book being the need to find out just who this burnt man was,what was his history and the the relationships of the main characters entwined by fate towards the ultimate conclusion.
Thoroughly enjoyed and again,thoroughly recommend.
Apologies for waffling,
All the best
Titan
I eventually overcame my mistrust of all the hype surrounding "Room" I was afraid that it might have a voyeuristic nature & impose comparisons with true life crimes, I also am rather suspicious of child narrative.
My fears were unfounded. Some of my spheres of interesst are explored - study of child development, the power of language, the power of parental love and the changing nature of the child/parent relationship. And done with what came across to me as a poetic quality, with fairytale & religious metaphor.
I was , at first, disappointed when the tone changed to a more easily understood one, but I soon understood!
I think "Room" is a brave novel
My fears were unfounded. Some of my spheres of interesst are explored - study of child development, the power of language, the power of parental love and the changing nature of the child/parent relationship. And done with what came across to me as a poetic quality, with fairytale & religious metaphor.
I was , at first, disappointed when the tone changed to a more easily understood one, but I soon understood!
I think "Room" is a brave novel