Just a short note,slightly off topic,
Lorna,did I get this right: Pat Williams says(writes): "your brain is a muscle"? One big muscle or several tiny ones?
I think using your brain could possibly push the boundaries of it, increase blood flow and produce chemical reactions and pathways for these,etc, but exercising your brain like a muscle? It is not the same.
Hi Kate,
' READING IS TO THE MIND WHAT EXERCISE IS TO THE BODY'
This is a quotation from Sir Richard Steele , the 18 th century Irish writer and politician.
Pat Williams in his book ' Read for your Life ' says some things never change.
As pumping iron and exercising biceps, triceps and deltoids is beneficial to the body, so reading books, learning new vocabulary, absorbing fresh ideas and concepts , discussing what we've read with fellow readers , strengthens our MENTAL muscles.
He means the very act of reading kind of gives us a brain workout , because we're giving our brains an activity . Our brains grow nerve cells ,maintain complex networks and connections, breakdown old unneeded ones. In order to keep all these functions ticking over , the brain needs stimuli's.
If you'd like a sound bite : Books Build Brains ! maybe a little extra Dopamine gets made along the way too !
' READING IS TO THE MIND WHAT EXERCISE IS TO THE BODY'
This is a quotation from Sir Richard Steele , the 18 th century Irish writer and politician.
Pat Williams in his book ' Read for your Life ' says some things never change.
As pumping iron and exercising biceps, triceps and deltoids is beneficial to the body, so reading books, learning new vocabulary, absorbing fresh ideas and concepts , discussing what we've read with fellow readers , strengthens our MENTAL muscles.
He means the very act of reading kind of gives us a brain workout , because we're giving our brains an activity . Our brains grow nerve cells ,maintain complex networks and connections, breakdown old unneeded ones. In order to keep all these functions ticking over , the brain needs stimuli's.
If you'd like a sound bite : Books Build Brains ! maybe a little extra Dopamine gets made along the way too !
Hi Nonna.
Tony Benn is a left-wing politician in the British Labour Party. He used to be a Lord (the 2nd Viscount Stansgate) but disclaimed the title in 1963, as soon as the Peerage Act of 1963 allowed him to do so. He thus lost his automatic seat in the House of Lords, but was able to stand in General Elections for a seat as an MP in the House of Commons. He successfully did so, and served in several senior posts for subsequent Labour Governments. He was famous for defending workers' rights, and proposing further nationalisation - particularly the taking over of the banks by the state. He is considered a great left-wing intellectual and writer, and his son Hilary now also serves as an MP.
Sir Ian Botham is one of England's finest and most favourite cricket players. He has now retired, but is a prominent TV cricket commentator and charity fundraiser.
Nelson Mandela I'm sure you know.
James Keir Hardie was one of the founding fathers of the British Labour Party, early in the 20th century. As both of his parents were disabled, he had to start work at the age of 8 as a baker's boy, and then went down the mines a few years later. He fought for miners' rights and Votes for Women (befriending the Pankhursts), and subsequently became an MP.
Spike Milligan KBE (1918-2002) was a comedian. His father was born in Ireland, and served in the British Army in India, where Spike was born. Subsequently Spike served in the British Army in World War 2, but after the war was nevertheless refused full British citizenship, so took up Irish citizenship instead. When he died he was buried in Ireland, and his headstone reads, in Gaelic, "I told you I was ill!"
Spike was the founder and main writer of "The Goons", a comedy act on British Radio and TV in the 50s, 60s and 70s, following which he did many shows on his own. He also wrote many funny books and poems.
Ray.
Tony Benn is a left-wing politician in the British Labour Party. He used to be a Lord (the 2nd Viscount Stansgate) but disclaimed the title in 1963, as soon as the Peerage Act of 1963 allowed him to do so. He thus lost his automatic seat in the House of Lords, but was able to stand in General Elections for a seat as an MP in the House of Commons. He successfully did so, and served in several senior posts for subsequent Labour Governments. He was famous for defending workers' rights, and proposing further nationalisation - particularly the taking over of the banks by the state. He is considered a great left-wing intellectual and writer, and his son Hilary now also serves as an MP.
Sir Ian Botham is one of England's finest and most favourite cricket players. He has now retired, but is a prominent TV cricket commentator and charity fundraiser.
Nelson Mandela I'm sure you know.
James Keir Hardie was one of the founding fathers of the British Labour Party, early in the 20th century. As both of his parents were disabled, he had to start work at the age of 8 as a baker's boy, and then went down the mines a few years later. He fought for miners' rights and Votes for Women (befriending the Pankhursts), and subsequently became an MP.
Spike Milligan KBE (1918-2002) was a comedian. His father was born in Ireland, and served in the British Army in India, where Spike was born. Subsequently Spike served in the British Army in World War 2, but after the war was nevertheless refused full British citizenship, so took up Irish citizenship instead. When he died he was buried in Ireland, and his headstone reads, in Gaelic, "I told you I was ill!"
Spike was the founder and main writer of "The Goons", a comedy act on British Radio and TV in the 50s, 60s and 70s, following which he did many shows on his own. He also wrote many funny books and poems.
Ray.
Thanks Ray, for all that information , very helpful. Knew a little 'bout Keir Hardie through reading about the suffragettes, but didn't know his childhood had been so bad.
----------------------------------------
Morning all who like to read !
It's taken me ages, and in the end I can't stick to 5 , it's gone up to 10. Here are my top books.
1. Worzel Gummidge - it was the first book I ever read on my own, and I still remember to this day , what an amazing feeling it was to be able to read myself a story , with no help from anyone else.
2.Rebecca - Daphne du Maurier
You've heard me several times banging on about Max De Winter and his mouse like wife , and it just shows you don't have to like the characters necessarily to love a book ! The book is such a spellbinding read, a psychological thriller , heavy on atmosphere. I would have made it top, but old Worzel holds that special place.
3. Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte. I can already hear some of you groaning ! I've read it several times and Jane's my heroine ! What she went through, and what she endured ! Have read books about the Bronte sisters and Branwell, what a struggle for them to be published. Have never visited the Parsonage , but hope I do one day.
4.Monet's House and Garden. --- a book to savour, and dream about living in this idyllic part of France.
5. Hidden Lives - Margaret Forster. I like all her non-fiction , but particularly this one. Traces a family's history, reveals secrets and also interesting for it's social history.
6. Ladies Maid - also Margaret Forster - account of life of Elizabeth Barrett -Brownings through the eyes of Wilson , her maid.
7. A Walk Around The Lakes -- Hunter Davies. I love that whole area , and this is written in very conversational style.
8. Reason for Hope - Jane Goodall. She's a naturalist and world authority on all things conservational. Spiritual aspects as well in her writing.
9. Larkrise to Candleford -- Sorry to fans, but I couldn't watch the t.v. version. It's very much an observational book , very little direct action, just written in a commentary like style. Not a bit as you saw on screen.
10. Untold stories - Alan Bennett. Without a doubt, one of my very favourite writers. This was written when he thought he'd only a year or two to live. Not so , fortunately. His usual blend of comedy and pathos , delivered in his quiet, unassuming way. I'ts the one i'd take to my desert island.
Done ! Next one please ! You can make it 5 or 10 , fascinating isn't it.
----------------------------------------
Morning all who like to read !
It's taken me ages, and in the end I can't stick to 5 , it's gone up to 10. Here are my top books.
1. Worzel Gummidge - it was the first book I ever read on my own, and I still remember to this day , what an amazing feeling it was to be able to read myself a story , with no help from anyone else.
2.Rebecca - Daphne du Maurier
You've heard me several times banging on about Max De Winter and his mouse like wife , and it just shows you don't have to like the characters necessarily to love a book ! The book is such a spellbinding read, a psychological thriller , heavy on atmosphere. I would have made it top, but old Worzel holds that special place.
3. Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte. I can already hear some of you groaning ! I've read it several times and Jane's my heroine ! What she went through, and what she endured ! Have read books about the Bronte sisters and Branwell, what a struggle for them to be published. Have never visited the Parsonage , but hope I do one day.
4.Monet's House and Garden. --- a book to savour, and dream about living in this idyllic part of France.
5. Hidden Lives - Margaret Forster. I like all her non-fiction , but particularly this one. Traces a family's history, reveals secrets and also interesting for it's social history.
6. Ladies Maid - also Margaret Forster - account of life of Elizabeth Barrett -Brownings through the eyes of Wilson , her maid.
7. A Walk Around The Lakes -- Hunter Davies. I love that whole area , and this is written in very conversational style.
8. Reason for Hope - Jane Goodall. She's a naturalist and world authority on all things conservational. Spiritual aspects as well in her writing.
9. Larkrise to Candleford -- Sorry to fans, but I couldn't watch the t.v. version. It's very much an observational book , very little direct action, just written in a commentary like style. Not a bit as you saw on screen.
10. Untold stories - Alan Bennett. Without a doubt, one of my very favourite writers. This was written when he thought he'd only a year or two to live. Not so , fortunately. His usual blend of comedy and pathos , delivered in his quiet, unassuming way. I'ts the one i'd take to my desert island.
Done ! Next one please ! You can make it 5 or 10 , fascinating isn't it.
Ah, thank you, Ray.
I'm not much on politics....but will check out Keir Hardie & Spike Milligan's books....and some of Lorna's picks....for something good to read. I like to get a "pile" of books purchased for the winter months, when I dont go out as much....hate driving in the storms, slippery roads....and by mid-Novemeber we usuaully have some awful roads here...
hope you are all having a good day, today.....
I'm not much on politics....but will check out Keir Hardie & Spike Milligan's books....and some of Lorna's picks....for something good to read. I like to get a "pile" of books purchased for the winter months, when I dont go out as much....hate driving in the storms, slippery roads....and by mid-Novemeber we usuaully have some awful roads here...
hope you are all having a good day, today.....
Not that I have favourites, but my son's middle name is Keir......
Today I got to thinking about childhood and with the C word fast approaching , it was time to look forward to the much awaited . . . . . . . and perhaps now long forgotten , annual.
What memories does anyone have of these boxes of delight ?
My little sister always favoured Bunty --- I couldn't stand the four Marys in it.
My choice was Princess , tho I now can't recall any of the stories or characters in it.
Did you love these big shiny books designed to keep children quiet while Mothers scurried about basting turkeys and boiling up puddings, in an era when 24 hr t.v. simply did not exist!
Share any memories you have !
What memories does anyone have of these boxes of delight ?
My little sister always favoured Bunty --- I couldn't stand the four Marys in it.
My choice was Princess , tho I now can't recall any of the stories or characters in it.
Did you love these big shiny books designed to keep children quiet while Mothers scurried about basting turkeys and boiling up puddings, in an era when 24 hr t.v. simply did not exist!
Share any memories you have !
Lorna, I too loved Jane Eyre, reading and almost finishing the book right through the night, as I did sometimes in those days(in my teens), so absorbed in the book that I pushed the prosaic reality of having to go to school in the morning out of my mind, until it got light and only a couple of hours were left to catch any sleep.By that time I got to the wedding bit. From the moment she locked herself in her room and did not even want to discuss his wretched marriage with Rochester I went off her, though. How could she ignore his cries that followed her when she left him! And when she coolly rejected the offer of living in sin with the most romantic of the Mr. Rochesters portrayed on the silver screen, Orson Welles, I could not understand that at all. And she even considered going off with that insipid goody-goody preacher! There was always a slightly prim and proper aspect to the character of Charlotte Bronte's heroines.
Thanks Kate,
That's what's so fascinating about the character tho isn't it! This constant attraction between Jane and Mr R. All the time you feel the under currents as her moral beliefs fight against her instincts to abandon respectability and just be forever together.
And what a great line to end with , Reader , I married him.
If you've never read it, go on , give it a go this Winter.
That's what's so fascinating about the character tho isn't it! This constant attraction between Jane and Mr R. All the time you feel the under currents as her moral beliefs fight against her instincts to abandon respectability and just be forever together.
And what a great line to end with , Reader , I married him.
If you've never read it, go on , give it a go this Winter.
Personally, I thought Emily's Wuthering Heights a far better novel. Even Sir Cliff did not change my mind, although he did put me off the name Isabella
Hi !
Got to admit, A.bd. I 've just had to look up a resume of Wuthering heights.
I read it and remembered why I didn't get on with it . Really confusing family relationships , couldn't keep up with who was in love with who , and who wasn't really in love , just using another person to get back at someone else !
And then there's Hindley and Hareton , to confuse one even more.
I'll grant you , setting and atmosphere very powerful
Poor old Emily , only wrote one book and died young. Guess she'd have been pleased she made it on to the exam syllabus tho !
I'm for Jane , you're for Catherine ! I'll still speak to you , don't worry !
Any other fans of W.H.s to support A.bd ?
Got to admit, A.bd. I 've just had to look up a resume of Wuthering heights.
I read it and remembered why I didn't get on with it . Really confusing family relationships , couldn't keep up with who was in love with who , and who wasn't really in love , just using another person to get back at someone else !
And then there's Hindley and Hareton , to confuse one even more.
I'll grant you , setting and atmosphere very powerful
Poor old Emily , only wrote one book and died young. Guess she'd have been pleased she made it on to the exam syllabus tho !
I'm for Jane , you're for Catherine ! I'll still speak to you , don't worry !
Any other fans of W.H.s to support A.bd ?
Hi,
Having given five of my top books already.Here is an additional 5 books i enjoyed a lot as a child/teens and still enjoy now.
1. When Shakespeare lived in Southwark by E.K.Seth.(my edition 1944).Main character is a boy called Miles,runs away from home,joins a touring theatre company,ends up with band of thieves.Love it still,in fact read it again approx 2 years ago.
2.The Hobbit J.R.R.Tolkien.Everyone knows the tale.I think it was compulsory at the time in Primary schools for teachers to sit the class down and read a section to them each week.I used to sit engrossed.Probably about 9 at the time(1973).Still love it.
3.The adventures of Binkle and Flip by Enid Blyton.Two naughty,inquisitive Rabbits and the scrapes they get into.Yes ive also read that recently too.
4.Peter Pan in Kensington gardens by J.M.Barrie.Paid £68 for an early Arthur Rackham illustrated version a number of years ago.
5.Peter and Wendy J.M.Barrie.Early 1911 edition.Love the smell and feel of old books.
Happy reading
Titan
Having given five of my top books already.Here is an additional 5 books i enjoyed a lot as a child/teens and still enjoy now.
1. When Shakespeare lived in Southwark by E.K.Seth.(my edition 1944).Main character is a boy called Miles,runs away from home,joins a touring theatre company,ends up with band of thieves.Love it still,in fact read it again approx 2 years ago.
2.The Hobbit J.R.R.Tolkien.Everyone knows the tale.I think it was compulsory at the time in Primary schools for teachers to sit the class down and read a section to them each week.I used to sit engrossed.Probably about 9 at the time(1973).Still love it.
3.The adventures of Binkle and Flip by Enid Blyton.Two naughty,inquisitive Rabbits and the scrapes they get into.Yes ive also read that recently too.
4.Peter Pan in Kensington gardens by J.M.Barrie.Paid £68 for an early Arthur Rackham illustrated version a number of years ago.
5.Peter and Wendy J.M.Barrie.Early 1911 edition.Love the smell and feel of old books.
Happy reading
Titan
Books I was forced to read (for exam purposes)
Great Expectations
The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter
Lord of the Flies
Ulysses
Far From The Madding Crowd
Plays:
Hamlet
Romeo & Juliet
A Voyage Round my Father
Poetry:
Ted Hughes (I heard him give a reading in the mid 70's
Stephen Spender
The war poets
Great Expectations
The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter
Lord of the Flies
Ulysses
Far From The Madding Crowd
Plays:
Hamlet
Romeo & Juliet
A Voyage Round my Father
Poetry:
Ted Hughes (I heard him give a reading in the mid 70's
Stephen Spender
The war poets
Hi Titan,
This is interesting, our memories of what we remember reading as children. If we really concentrate it's amazing what we can retrieve -- got to be a good brain work out , you'd think.
Abd. -- did you absolutely like or dislike the books and authors you'd remembered you'd read for exam purposes? Any that you started out hating, then changed your mind ?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now, for those who used to like to read, here's a few nosey questions from me! You know we readers like to know about the writers we admire. Well, I think it's interesting to hear how others organise their reading time and what do they do with their books when finished ?
Questionnaire ( JUST FOR FUN )
1. Where do you usually read ?
2. When do you usually read ?
3. Do you read one book at a time, or have more than one on the go ?
4. Do you read non-fiction in a different way or place , than you read fiction?
5. Do you buy books, borrow them from friends, go to a library , use the home delivery service that many libraries offer ?
6. Do you keep most of the books you buy ?
7. If not , what do you do with them ?
8. How many books do you have in your home ?
a) Less than 50
b) 50 to 100
c) More than 100
d) Don't know, I'd rather read them than count them.
9. How do you find out about new books you'd like to read ?
10. What do you think about supermarkets selling cheap books ?
Thanks all, hope you can find a few minutes to answer !
If you've time , please feel free to expand on your answers and give us as much detail as you like. Thanks.
I'll be back :)
This is interesting, our memories of what we remember reading as children. If we really concentrate it's amazing what we can retrieve -- got to be a good brain work out , you'd think.
Abd. -- did you absolutely like or dislike the books and authors you'd remembered you'd read for exam purposes? Any that you started out hating, then changed your mind ?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now, for those who used to like to read, here's a few nosey questions from me! You know we readers like to know about the writers we admire. Well, I think it's interesting to hear how others organise their reading time and what do they do with their books when finished ?
Questionnaire ( JUST FOR FUN )
1. Where do you usually read ?
2. When do you usually read ?
3. Do you read one book at a time, or have more than one on the go ?
4. Do you read non-fiction in a different way or place , than you read fiction?
5. Do you buy books, borrow them from friends, go to a library , use the home delivery service that many libraries offer ?
6. Do you keep most of the books you buy ?
7. If not , what do you do with them ?
8. How many books do you have in your home ?
a) Less than 50
b) 50 to 100
c) More than 100
d) Don't know, I'd rather read them than count them.
9. How do you find out about new books you'd like to read ?
10. What do you think about supermarkets selling cheap books ?
Thanks all, hope you can find a few minutes to answer !
If you've time , please feel free to expand on your answers and give us as much detail as you like. Thanks.
I'll be back :)
I have no idea why those particular books sprang to mind
Great Expectations I found difficult. Mind you I was only about 10. I am enjoying the serializion on radio 7
The Heart is A Lonely Hunter I loved & wept
Lord Of The Flies scared me
Ulysses I cerainly couldn't read in one day!
FFTMC well, I love Dorset but Mr Hardy & I do not get on
The plays: I would much rather see a Shakespeare play than read one, but that is my laziness. I do wish Hamlet wasn't such a ditherer. And Romeo I would rather not talk about. I was Juliet's understudy (You see, I progressed from being a tree)
A Voyage Round My Father - so very moving. I saw it with Ralph Richardson
The poets - I keep going back to them
Great Expectations I found difficult. Mind you I was only about 10. I am enjoying the serializion on radio 7
The Heart is A Lonely Hunter I loved & wept
Lord Of The Flies scared me
Ulysses I cerainly couldn't read in one day!
FFTMC well, I love Dorset but Mr Hardy & I do not get on
The plays: I would much rather see a Shakespeare play than read one, but that is my laziness. I do wish Hamlet wasn't such a ditherer. And Romeo I would rather not talk about. I was Juliet's understudy (You see, I progressed from being a tree)
A Voyage Round My Father - so very moving. I saw it with Ralph Richardson
The poets - I keep going back to them
To clarify - I was not accompanied by Ralph Richardson to the theatre. He was on stage
3rd time of trying to post this, so sorry if I sound terse
1 dining room or bedroom 'cos TV is in living room
2 Any hour
3 +1
4 No
5 Buy, borrow, home library service
6 Yes, 'til needs must ie no more space
7 Charity shop
8 c)
9 Friends, radio, librarian
10 Which supermarkets? Please do tell
1 dining room or bedroom 'cos TV is in living room
2 Any hour
3 +1
4 No
5 Buy, borrow, home library service
6 Yes, 'til needs must ie no more space
7 Charity shop
8 c)
9 Friends, radio, librarian
10 Which supermarkets? Please do tell
Thanks A.bd for being the first to do my survey.
Q 10. re - supermarkets . In my area Tesco and Waitrose sell books , sometimes reduced to even less than 1/2 price. This is tough for the independent book shops who can't afford such huge reductions.
If this happens in your area please tell us. Even the big chains like Waterstones and W.H. Smith may suffer if this becomes the norm, look what happened to Borders !
Q 10. re - supermarkets . In my area Tesco and Waitrose sell books , sometimes reduced to even less than 1/2 price. This is tough for the independent book shops who can't afford such huge reductions.
If this happens in your area please tell us. Even the big chains like Waterstones and W.H. Smith may suffer if this becomes the norm, look what happened to Borders !
Lorna's Survey:
1.anywhere, where there is a comfy chair/bed
2.when I know I won't be interrupted
3.one
4.prefer those now
5.library, 2nd hand bookshops/charity shops
6.yes
7.
8.probably between 2 and 3 thousand,becoming a problem...
9.browsing in library, bookshops, bibliography list in previously read books or look for books by same author, radio/tv documentaries.
10.excellent
1.anywhere, where there is a comfy chair/bed
2.when I know I won't be interrupted
3.one
4.prefer those now
5.library, 2nd hand bookshops/charity shops
6.yes
7.
8.probably between 2 and 3 thousand,becoming a problem...
9.browsing in library, bookshops, bibliography list in previously read books or look for books by same author, radio/tv documentaries.
10.excellent
Hi Lorna,
Here are the survey answers.
1. Mainly in bed before sleep,helps me sleep,hard though when Wife works shifts.Sometimes in living room,but having a quiet atmosphere is difficult in our house.
2. At night,rarely have time during the day.
3. One at a time.
4. No.
5. Buy books from Asda.Tends to be cheaper than Book stores.If i can't get what i'm looking for there then i'll order from small local book store.Also bought books from car boots and e-bay.
6. Keep all books i buy.
7. My book shelves are overflowing because i'm a hoarder.
8. C) More than 100. A lot more.Try 334.
9. Picked up books i fancied,word of mouth,TV/Radio.Recommendations e.g Richard and Judy,internet,e-bay etc.
10. Feel sorry for small independant book stores,but have taken advantage of cheaper books at Asda.
All the best
Titan.
Here are the survey answers.
1. Mainly in bed before sleep,helps me sleep,hard though when Wife works shifts.Sometimes in living room,but having a quiet atmosphere is difficult in our house.
2. At night,rarely have time during the day.
3. One at a time.
4. No.
5. Buy books from Asda.Tends to be cheaper than Book stores.If i can't get what i'm looking for there then i'll order from small local book store.Also bought books from car boots and e-bay.
6. Keep all books i buy.
7. My book shelves are overflowing because i'm a hoarder.
8. C) More than 100. A lot more.Try 334.
9. Picked up books i fancied,word of mouth,TV/Radio.Recommendations e.g Richard and Judy,internet,e-bay etc.
10. Feel sorry for small independant book stores,but have taken advantage of cheaper books at Asda.
All the best
Titan.