Jump to content

Janet's reading 2010


Janet

Recommended Posts

  • Replies 155
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

We are indeed agreed! <--- Hey look, poetry and everyfink! :)

 

Mine was a birthday present from my hubby (who worked out how to access my Amazon Wishlist, to my surprise) and the children. It's heading over for my Mum to read next.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks, Poppy. :)

 

I read Buster Fleabags by Rolf Harris this afternoon.

 

Lots of little adventures of Rolf and his beloved dog Buster Fleabags, this book is one of the 'Quick Reads' bought out for World Book Day and is therefore a very short book.

 

I am a Rolf fan (I love his artwork - the BBC programme Rolf on Art back in 2001 is one of my favourite 'non fiction' TV shows) and I would like to know more about the man and this has given a good taster. I must get hold of his autobiography, Can You Tell What It Is Yet?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

026-2010-Jun-07-JonathanLivingstonS.jpg

 

Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach

 

The �blurb�

People who make their own rules when they know they�re right� people who get a special pleasure out of doing something well (even if only for themselves)� people who know there�s more to this whole living thing than meets the eye: they�ll be with Jonathan Seagull all the way. Others may simply escape into a delightful adventure about freedom and flight.

 

This book, quite simply, is unique.

 

If only the blurb hadn�t already used the word delightful. This is the exact adjective that I would have used myself to sum up this little, but gorgeously written, novella.

 

Fewer than 100 pages long, and that includes some drawings and photographs of seagulls, this tells the story of Jonathan Seagull, a bird who is determined to learn the art of flying - despite strong objections from his flock, which eventually see him ostracised by the rest of the group.

 

 

But rather than be dejected, Jonathan strives to create perfection in his flying, until eventually he transcends to a higher plane where he is able to help others just like him�

 

 

I didn�t know much about this book before I bought it. I�d added it to my Amazon wishlist a long time ago, but couldn�t remember why! I was lucky enough to come across it for �1 in a charity sale, and I feel sure that I�ll read it again, even though I don�t often re-read books.

 

I think it�s quite an expensive book for the length of it (currently it has an RRP of �6.99) but I�d say definitely get it from a library and read it, just for the sublime writing alone.

 

The paperback is just 93 pages long and is published by Element. The ISBN number is 978-0006490340.

 

9/10

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm sorry to say that I really didn't enjoy this book very much. :lol: In complete contrast to you, it's one that I definitely won't be re-reading and also one that I will probably give away at the next opportunity (which is a rare thing for me to do).

 

I think it's just me though. It's becoming apparent to me that I'm not really into these short, fable-like books. I guess I like my morals to be meatier.

 

I'm glad you enjoyed it at least. :blush:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

028-2010-Jun-17-Incendiary.jpg

 

Incendiary by Chris Cleave

 

The �blurb�

You aren�t stupid. You know there�s no such thing as a perfect mother. Plenty of other books will tell you there is, but this one won�t lie to you.

 

I was weak and I cheated and I was punished, but my god I loved my child through all of it. Love means you never break, and it means you�re stronger than the things they do to you. I know this is true because I have been through fire, and I am the proof love survives.

 

I am not a perfect mother but I will tell you the perfect truth, because this is you and me talking. This is my story.

 

Written in the form of a letter to Osama Bin Laden following an attack on the Emirates Stadium, this tells of the downward spiral into despair of the unnamed protagonist after the death of her husband and son in the tragedy. Racked with guilt about her actions at the time of their deaths, she writes an impassioned letter to Osama telling him of her loss and life after the devastating act of violence.

 

Again, like in his later novel The Other Hand, Chris Cleave writes from the female perspective - and he does it so well. The protagonist is believable, and although she shouldn�t be likeable, the reader still manages to feel empathy for her.

 

In spooky irony, this novel was published on the day of the July 2005 London attacks.

 

Of Cleave�s two novels I preferred The Other Hand, but this is an excellent read, and I�m looking forward to seeing what he has in store for us next.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

029-2010-Jun-19-LifesTooShortQuickR.jpg

 

Life’s Too Short by Various Contributors

 

The ‘blurb’

A short, sharp shot of laughter and tears.

 

What does it feel like to drive a lorry out of control? What really goes on in a school of unruly children? Could you travel all over the world for work?

 

Whether we love it or hate it, work has a huge impact on our lives and in recent times working life has totally changed. So what is life really like at work today?

 

From builder to baker to social care worker, these writers let us know. Some of their stories might make you laugh and some might make you cry. The one thing they all prove is that you can never be sure what your working day will bring

 

This is the last of the four books that I won in the World Book Day competition to be read.

 

It's set of short accounts of experiences at work written by members of trade unions who won a competition run by unionlearn, which is a government initiative set up in 1998 to fund union-led projects aimed at increasing union capacity in learning and skills.

 

Some of the stories are amusing and some touching. I wasn’t over enamoured with the one about the dead dog though!

 

The books I won were:

 

Life's Too Short by various contributors

The Perfect Murder bu Peter James

Traitors of the Tower by Alison Weir

Buster Fleabags by Rolf Harris

 

Of the four books, this was my least favourite, but it is a good book for the target audience. My favourite was the Rolf Harris one, followed by Alison Weir and then Peter James.

 

Huge thanks again to Kell for organising the competition. :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Aww, that's a shame. :D

 

I use the Cambridge School Shakespeare where possible. It's the original language, but they give you translations of the mostly-unknown-these-days words, which I like.

 

I have Romeo and Juliet, The Comedy of Errors and Twelfth Night on my 'to read' pile - I'm going to try to do them all this year. :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think something like that would help. There is a glossary in the back of the ones I've got to be fair. I think part of the problem is that I tend to read in bed before going to sleep, so I'm usually quite tired by then. I am intent on giving both Othello and twelfth night a good stab in the near future. I hope Twelfth night will be a bit lighter and easier.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I really liked Othello, which was my first Shakespeare - I did it a few years ago as a GCSE English mature student.

 

I've just found Hamlet on the bookcase in the hallway - another to add to my 'to do' list!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sorry Laura - I don't know how I missed your post. I bet that was good. I would have loved to have seen it. :(

 

I finished Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy by L A Meyer this morning - thoughts to follow.

 

I sat in the garden this afternoon and started I'm Not Scared by Niccol� Ammaniti, which (unsurprisingly) covers Italy in my World Challenge. :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have a chance to see a production of Hamlet - I don't actually know the story but have it 'to read' - but it's with a modern-sounding setting so I'm not sure...

 

A reworked interpretation of Shakespeare's well known tale of family tragedy and betrayal.

 

Focussing on the journey of an adolescent boy through a minefield of death, drugs and endless mind games, this story resonates with modern audiences whilst retaining the original language.

Hmm... :D

 

I finished I'm Not Scared this morning - for a book purely impulse purchased as it fit my 'World' challenge, it was really good! :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


×
×
  • Create New...