Slim Jenkins

Books rarely make me laugh either...perhaps because I don't read 'comic' novels...but...Donleavy's 'A Fairy Tale of New York' had me guffawing years ago. That and 'The 2nd Armada Book of Fun', which I've had since it was published in 1971. Sample: Ist cannibal: I don't like my mother-in-law 2nd cannibal: Well just eat the chips

Life's full of 'em! I love football...hate aspects of it...use the local butcher and the supermarket...love jazz...hate Jamie Cullum...you're thinking in the outmoded either/or pattern! Contrariness is all the rage these days. Not that I think I'm being contrary...it's the way the world is these days...possibly longing for a chat over the fence...making do with the online community...:lol:

I use Amazon too...you can't argue with a selection that big...buy lots from the s/h private sellers. Likewise with music. You go in a shop and their selection pales compared to online...natural evolution! And who doesn't enjoy those packages coming through the door?

I go in Borders sometimes but never like the (lack of) atmosphere...much prefer dusty little shops manned by a grumpy b*stard wherein s/h gems can be rescued from the shelves...those special books you never knew existed...or ones you saw many years ago and didn't buy...the historic treaures that you know you may never find again...it's close to religious experience, collecting these 'documents'.

You mean they turned down all those Mills & Boons? I've experienced the same thing a few times....offered what I considered to be quality books in good condition and they take five out of twenty. Now the local community shop gets them. In my experience s/h booksellers are a miserable breed. Perhaps they're all frustrated writers...surrounded by rows of reminders of what they failed to do. I used to sell s/h books on Camden market. A woman once complained that I was selling a paperback for

Or snowdrops in July/////:lol:

Oh I'm not displeased...hence the

To say it 'changed my life' would be overstating things but 'On The Road' made the greatest impression, I think. It showed me that novels could be more liberating than I ever thought possible and a lot more 'hip' than what I'd been forced to read at school.

Oxfam book shops (nothing I love more than looking in them!). Also buy from Amazon. There used to be a fantastic shop in Camden called Compendium...it had a good attitude and, I suppose, shared my view of literature. The guy that worked in there had similar taste to me so he would always tip me off about what was worth reading. Who has a relationship with their bookseller anymore? Just people selling us books...and shops pushing stuff at me that, usually, I have no interest in...

Good choice! Mine's the Collins English Dictionary...not that I remmember much from it.

Thanks to all who've bothered to welcome me. It's turned into a nostalgia thread! 'Our memories are card indexes consulted, and then put back in disorder by authorities whom we do not control'. - Cyril Connolly

I find that hard to believe...pretty basic skills required...perhaps he reflects the state of 'musicianship' amongst the current young generation? He's rubbish!

Plays and likes anything? What is he? A genius with no identity?

Thank you for allowing me to join you... Thanks Judy - I knew a generation gap had opened up behind me when a lad asked me to tell him all about Punk Rock...

Thanks for the welcome you lot.