Janet Posted June 9, 2012 Author Share Posted June 9, 2012 Book 27 - finished April The Evacuee Experience by Michael Roberts The ‘blurb’ In this interesting and touching memoir, Michael Roberts gives an intimate firsthand account of being a child evacuee during the second world war. To a little boy of 6 the world seemed a very dark place when he and his brothers were put in a train to who knew where, leaving their parents behind for 5 years. Mick was taken in by a woman in Clapham, Bedford, who to him looked like a witch. He received no warmth or kindness and tried to run away, but was brought back to face a hard time. There were however lighter times where the teachers at the village school were kind and he made many friends with the children. Clapham was a village he would never forget and this is his story.... This is a non-fiction account of three brothers who get evacuated to a village near Coventry in WW2 and written by one of them. It was okay and I quite enjoyed it, but it’s only short and a quick read and whilst it’s not great literature (well, it’s non-fiction, but you know what I mean) it was interesting to read of the author’s experiences. It was a feebie when I downloaded it but it costs now and I’m glad I didn’t pay for it as there wasn’t a lot of substance – it’s not the sort of memoir that I could see ever getting published in print, but I guess that’s one of the things the Kindle is good for – it allows ordinary people to get their stories ‘out there’. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted June 9, 2012 Author Share Posted June 9, 2012 #28 - read April Down Under by Bill Bryson The ‘blurb’ It is the driest, flattest, hottest, most desiccated, infertile and climatically aggressive of all the inhabited continents and still Australia teems with life - a large proportion of it quite deadly. In fact, Australia has more things that can kill you in a very nasty way than anywhere else. Ignoring such dangers - yet curiously obsessed by them - Bill Bryson journeyed to Australia and promptly fell in love with the country. And who can blame him? The people are cheerful, extrovert, quick-witted and unfailingly obliging; their cities are safe and clean and nearly always built on water; the food is excellent; the beer is cold and the sun nearly always shines. Life doesn't get much better than this... I love Bill Bryson! So far I've read Notes from a Small Island, Notes from a Big Country, The Lost Continent, Neither Here Nor There, Shakespeare and the African Diary – Down Under is my favourite so far! I must confess I don’t know a great deal about Australia (apart from the stuff everyone knows) and I don’t suppose I’ll ever get to visit due to cost and also my fear of flying. This book is just fantastic because Bryson talks not only about the things one knows – or thinks one knows – but also about the more obscure things that only someone who has travelled the country or lived there would know. As usual it had me laughing out loud and I felt I really got a good insight into the country. I seldom re-read books, but I’m fairly certain I’ll pick this one up again one day. Fantastic stuff. The only criticism I can level at the book has absolutely nothing to do with the content – but rather the font used. I think it’s peculiar to the publisher, Black Swan, as my mother-in-law loved Joanna Trollope and they have the same font but I find it rather crowded! Not that it would ever stop me from reading more of his works… although I’m still to pluck up the courage to pick up my nemesis Short History of Nearly Everything! One day… If you’ve never read Bill Bryson before I urge you to give him a try! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 Great review, Janet. Down Under has long been my favourite too. I wondered if it was because I was biased, but now I feel more justified, thank you. As I recall, he mentions my home town of Penrith in the book, but unfortunately I think it's only to discuss our big club full of poker machines, which has the dubious honour of being the largest non-casino gambling whatsit in the southern hemisphere...or something. I watched a documentary recently about two Aussie guys travelling up the east coast, following the Great Australian Divide (a mountain range); they visited Penrith too and only focused on the club! You'd think we are a town full of gamblers, but we have lots of lovely natural features and whatnot. and I don’t suppose I’ll ever get to visit due to cost and also my fear of flying. *makes a mental to note to bring a Janet-sized suitcase and some tranquillisers when I visit next year* That takes care of those two problems! Another favourite Bill Bryson of mine is A Walk in the Woods, which is about Bryson's treks along the Appalachian Trail in America. I thoroughly enjoyed A Short History of Nearly Everything. As you know, Bryson has a knack for making everything interesting, so it's very readable and fun(ny). Although I will admit there were a couple of sections nearer the end that I was having a hard time following. I think I'll have to read At Home next. It has been far too long since I last read Bryson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chesilbeach Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 I've always bypassed Bryson when trawling the Travel Writing section, but you've convinced me to try his books now, Janet. Have added Down Under to my wishlist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted June 11, 2012 Author Share Posted June 11, 2012 Great review, Janet. Down Under has long been my favourite too. I wondered if it was because I was biased, but now I feel more justified, thank you. As I recall, he mentions my home town of Penrith in the book, but unfortunately I think it's only to discuss our big club full of poker machines, which has the dubious honour of being the largest non-casino gambling whatsit in the southern hemisphere...or something. I watched a documentary recently about two Aussie guys travelling up the east coast, following the Great Australian Divide (a mountain range); they visited Penrith too and only focused on the club! You'd think we are a town full of gamblers, but we have lots of lovely natural features and whatnot. As soon as I got to Penrith’s mention I thought of you! (And of my Aunt, who lives in Penrith in the UK!). I think it did only mention the casino. I suppose it’s difficult to put a lot of detail in but it’s a shame he didn’t balance it with some of the nicer things there. *makes a mental to note to bring a Janet-sized suitcase and some tranquillisers when I visit next year* That takes care of those two problems! Hurrah! Can you bring sedatives too – with 24 hours in the hold of an aeroplane crammed in a suitcase I think I’ll need them! Another favourite Bill Bryson of mine is A Walk in the Woods, which is about Bryson's treks along the Appalachian Trail in America. I thoroughly enjoyed A Short History of Nearly Everything. As you know, Bryson has a knack for making everything interesting, so it's very readable and fun(ny). Although I will admit there were a couple of sections nearer the end that I was having a hard time following. I think I'll have to read At Home next. It has been far too long since I last read Bryson. I looked for A Walk in the Woods yesterday in town (I got a gift card for a shop called W H Smith for my birthday this year) but they didn’t have it in stock in the Bath branch, and one can’t use the card when ordering online. I also looked at another (I think it was called At Home ? But it was about 700 pages long and I can’t cope with holding a book that large, so I think I might have to (reluctantly) read it on Kindle. I might buy a paper copy too, to go with my other Brysons! I've always bypassed Bryson when trawling the Travel Writing section, but you've convinced me to try his books now, Janet. Have added Down Under to my wishlist I hope you won’t be disappointed, Claire. I know lots of people who love Bryson, and none who don’t, but from reading Amazon there are a fair few who don’t ‘get’ him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vodkafan Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 Hi Janet, you have read a lot of unusual books lately. The Bill Bryson one is the only one that jumped out at me that I might want to try though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted June 11, 2012 Author Share Posted June 11, 2012 Hi VF. I've never been one to stick to one style of book - I like to mix it up a little. I'm currently reading Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne (Kindle) and The Magician's Nephew by C S Lewis (paper)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chesilbeach Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 I hope you won’t be disappointed, Claire. I know lots of people who love Bryson, and none who don’t, but from reading Amazon there are a fair few who don’t ‘get’ him. I've seen/heard him interviewed a few times, and I liked him, but don't know why I've avoided reading his books. Will definitely not overlook him now though, and at least give him a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted June 11, 2012 Author Share Posted June 11, 2012 Hurrah - hopefully another fan on the way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willoyd Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 I hope you won’t be disappointed, Claire. I know lots of people who love Bryson, and none who don’t, but from reading Amazon there are a fair few who don’t ‘get’ him. Here's one who doesn't - at least not his travel books - I find his humour very forced. His language and science books are much better - but he's not trying to be funny. OH doesn't rate him either for the same reasons. But have to agree, we don't know many, perhaps any, others! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds - it's awesome! Some of it is different to the book but it's just such fun! It has a great cast too. We have this LP floating round somewhere, I always loved it too. I was VERY disappointed with the War of the Worlds remake starring Tom Cruise, I thought it was awful. Loved the original radio version. Great review, Janet. Down Under has long been my favourite too. I wondered if it was because I was biased, but now I feel more justified, thank you. It's my favourite too Kylie, so it's definitely not a case of you being biased (given our friendly rivalry ) I think this book contains one of the funniest things I've ever read ...... on his trip to Sydney. I wouldn't attempt reading this in public The only time I had seen anything at all of the real city was some years before, on my first visit, when a kindly sales rep from my local publisher had taken me out for the day in his car, with his wife and two little girls in back, and I had disgraced myself by falling asleep. It wasn’t from lack of interest or appreciation, believe me. It’s just that the day was warm and I was newly arrived in the country. At some unfortunate point, quite early on, jet lag asserted itself and I slumped helplessly into a coma. I am not, I regret to say, a discreet and fetching sleeper. Most people when they nod off look as if they could do with a blanket;I look as if I could do with medical attention. I sleep as if injected with a powerful experimental muscle relaxant. My legs fall open in a grotesque come-hither manner; my knuckles brush the floor. Whatever is inside—tongue, uvula, moist bubbles of intestinal air—decides to leak out. From time to time, like one of those nodding-duck toys, my head tips forward to empty a quart or so of viscous drool onto my lap, then falls back to begin loading again with a noise like a toilet cistern filling. And I snore, hugely and helplessly, like a cartoon character, with rubbery flapping lips and prolonged steam-valve exhalations. For long periods I grow un-naturally still, in a way that inclines onlookers to exchange glances and lean forward in concern, then dramatically I stiffen and, after a tantalizing pause, begin to bounce and jostle in a series of whole-body spasms of the sort that bring to mind an electric chair when the switch is thrown. Then I shriek once or twice in a piercing and effeminate manner and wake up to find that all motion within five hundred feet has stopped and all children under eight are clutching their mothers’ hems. It is a terrible burden to bear. I have no idea how long I slept in that car other than that it was not a short while. All I know is that when I came to, there was a certain heavy silence in the car—the kind of silence that would close over you if you found yourself driving around your own city conveying a slumped and twitching heap from one unperceived landmark to another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted June 12, 2012 Author Share Posted June 12, 2012 We have this LP floating round somewhere, I always loved it too. I was VERY disappointed with the War of the Worlds remake starring Tom Cruise, I thought it was awful. Loved the original radio version. I have resisted the Tom Cruise version, but then that wasn't difficult as I don't like him as an actor anyway! I imagine it to be very different from the book?! That quote is hilarious! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 I have resisted the Tom Cruise version, but then that wasn't difficult as I don't like him as an actor anyway! I imagine it to be very different from the book?! I feel the same way about Tom Cruise, so maybe that influenced my opinion. The movie was only loosely based on the book, I understand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted June 12, 2012 Author Share Posted June 12, 2012 If I see it on TV I might try it just for curiosity's sake! Today I have finished The Magician's Nephew by C S Lewis and bought Memoirs of a Fruitcake by Chris Evans with some of my WHS birthday voucher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 Did you enjoy The Magician's Nephew Janet? I've not long finished reading it and loved it. I didn't read the Narnia series as a child, much to my regret, you get a different perspective reading children's books as an adult and it's interesting to compare the two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted June 13, 2012 Author Share Posted June 13, 2012 Hi Poppy. I did enjoy it, thanks. The Narnia books were firm favourites and I read them many times from (at a guess - it was a long time ago!) the ages of about 8 to 11. I read The Magician's Nephew and TL,TW&TW to my children when they were younger, but to my regret I didn't get any further than that because for some reason I didn't fancy The Horse and his Boy so I didn't get round to picking it up. I don't really remember what this book is about so I'm not sure what it was about it that made me disinclined to read it! I saw the film version of Prince Caspian last week which made me resolve to read all 7 books again. I'm currently half way through TL,TW&TW so The Horse and his Boy will be next - but I will read it and carry on to the end of the series this time! The connection between the stories and the bible escaped me totally as a child, but as an adult I can see where Lewis has used it in his writing, certainly in the Magician's Nephew with the creation of Narnia and the parallels to Genesis. But really I'm just enjoying them for what they are - good fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pipread Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 #21 - finished March 2012 The War of the Worlds by H G Wells The ‘blurb’ The night after a shooting star is seen streaking through the sky from Mars, a cylinder is discovered on Horsell Common in London. At first, naïve locals approach the cylinder armed just with a white flag - only to be quickly killed by an all-destroying heat-ray, as terrifying tentacled invaders emerge. Soon the whole of human civilisation is under threat, as powerful Martians build gigantic killing machines, destroy all in their path with black gas and burning rays, and feast on the warm blood of trapped, still-living human prey. The forces of the Earth, however, may prove harder to beat than they at first appear. I loved War of the Worlds from start to finish! I guess it helped knowing the musical inside out (I love it!) even if there are some differences from the book. I've never read the book but I agree about the musical - it's brilliant! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted June 14, 2012 Author Share Posted June 14, 2012 I've never read the book but I agree about the musical - it's brilliant! Hurrah, another fan! We don't all go in the car together now the children are older, but it was one that all four of us liked so we always listened to it on long journeys. Such fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted June 15, 2012 Author Share Posted June 15, 2012 I have finished The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C S Lewis today. Still reading Around the World in Eighty Days and will start of The Horse and His Boy soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 Poppy, that Bryson quote is gold. Luckily I was at home when I read it! I used to have the musical version of The War of the Worlds, but I never really got on with it. Maybe I would enjoy it more these days, but I don't have it any more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted June 19, 2012 Author Share Posted June 19, 2012 Only 202 pages long and is a young adult book but I finished The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafón within 24 hours - I thought it was great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Andrea~ Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 (edited) Have you read Adrian Plass's autobiography Janet? Of all his books I think that's my favourite, it's more serious and poignant than his fiction. I also read Silver Birches recently. If you liked his other stuff you might like that too, I thought it was pretty good on the whole (It's also been published under the title Ghosts). I agree that Leonard Thin is weaker than the Sacred Diary, which I remember being quite funny, although it's years ago since I read them. Edited June 19, 2012 by ~Andrea~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted June 21, 2012 Author Share Posted June 21, 2012 Hi Andrea. No, those are the only Plass books I've read so far. The lady who loaned them to me has now given me The Sacred Diary of Adrian Plass Christian Speaker Aged 45¾ and An Alien at St Winifred's but I've warned her it may be some time before I get round to them - I haven't even read the 'blurb' of the latter. (Oh, the pressure of too many books to read!). I finished The Horse and his Boy by C S Lewis this morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Andrea~ Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 Ooh - I'd forgotten about An Alien at St Winifreds. I loved that one. Indeed. Too many books! Too little time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arukiyomi Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 sacred diary + some time = does not compute. You should read that through in one go. It's absolutely hiliarious. Has to be one of the funniest books I've ever read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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