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One moment in time - Whitney Houston

In Youth is Pleasure (1945) Denton Welch I've been putting off reading Welch for a while because, due to various opinions I respect, my expectations have been raised to quite a significant level (the English Proust, you say?). This seems like a good place to start and while I enjoyed the book and was impressed by the writing, it never really became anything more than a charming tale of adolescence. The story revolves around Orvil Pym, a fifteen year old boy who, for a few days in the summer holidays, leaves his boarding school to spend time in a hotel in Surrey with his father and two brothers (plus an additional trip down to Hastings). He never really feels connected to his brothers (especially the eldest, Charles) and finds himself wandering alone by the river or investigating abandoned buildings. He has various flights of fancy and creates a myriad of imagined scenarios (often self-indulgent and self-pitying) but ultimately feels dread at the idea of having to go back to school. Meanwhile the plot (such as it is) has a curious exploration of proto-sexual feelings, most of which are directed at the newlywed Aphra but which also seem to be aimed (subtly) in the opposite direction until a genuine sense of homoerotic tension is cultivated. It's very respectfully done and always maintains an ambiguous nature. All in all, the book is very light and bounces along without ever offering anything too challenging. There are moments where you can really see why people have such a high opinion of Welch, where his prose becomes utterly drenched in metaphor and simile, with rich, inventive descriptions and clever analogies. It makes for a highly nourishing experience but, for me, it never quite hit the heights I was hoping for. But I could see what people are talking about. The book is very charming and I look forward to reading more of his work. 7/10

Rosie stood there, wet, cold and bedraggled. We had missed the last bus and been forced to hitchhike. Unfortunately, no-one stopped and we'd walked the whole way, 10 km, in the pouring rain. To add insult to injury, Betty's cake shop had been closed. 'He can call his own damned ambulance!' she cried. 'Serves him right.' The worm had turned! 'Go and have a hot shower love, get into your onsie and I'll make you a nice cuppa.' For all today's misfortunes, I felt that at last ...

One Love ~ Bob Marley and the Wailers

Toad (Wind In the Willows)

I visited in 2004 and 2007. Hot summer, cold, grim winter. Boy they adore alcohol,making UK seem like an Islamic caliphate of some type. Wild amounts of boozing, carousing, and partying..oh..they loathe Russia ,which state claims rights to Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Georgia disagrees. Khachapuri is hearty cheese bread. Nice.

Even though I'm not a kid anymore, I sometimes read children's books. The atmosphere in the book is so kind and warm. I really liked it.

dhobi

'Well..I have 11 pounds ..64 p , and between you and me, we'll be well able to catch a 75 to New Cross, walk 10 minutes to Betty's cakes, and a second bus to our house..it's simple'. When we got back, tired and wet, she spotted the answer machine flashing. 'Two messages..message one..' Oh 'ello, its PC Plodder from the local nick. Am ringing up cos we appear to ave an outbreak of the runs round about here right now. A Mr Cross tells us the free burgers were courtesy of a Jimmy Disgraceful, cat sanctuary owner and general dogsbody..ring us.' Message 2. 'Rosie please get me an ambulance I have terrible guts..that damn burger...' Silence reigned very suddenly...

One more chance - Pet Shop Boys

wallah

off, straight back to the bordello and into the arms of Madame Legs, for all we knew. As you might expect, I was not happy. 'What a bloody cheek! That's the last time I rescue your blighted father from anywhere!' 'Daddy's obviously not himself, we must be patient with him.' Any vestige of patience I had left for anything, completely disappeared when I realised I'd left my wallet in the car and we had absolutely no money for a bus fare. 'So what do you suggest we do now?' I snapped.

Taking a Chance On Love ~ Anne Shelton

I don't think I can do ten right now. Looking at it, I will commence with 1. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky. 2. In the Eye of the Sun. Ahdaf Soueif.. TBC....😅

Office

form book clubs cos

offer financial inducement, pecuniary endorsemement, monetary reinforcement, to get daddy away from those pesky police..oh daddy..' Down we trundled to the police station 🚉, to be met by PC Colin Stoopid, who declared daddy to be fit and ready to go. ' No need for any manny, Ms we don't accept bribes ere', he said, 'and tell yer dad that when e parses an ouse saying Madame on ve door, vis means aaahse of ill reputation, eez not suddenly Dan's la France or anything.. boi naaw..' , and daddy appeared, unruffled by the experience. 'I say what a spiffing turnout,both of you here...well I'm driving back home..you will get the bus right opposite' and at that, he drove...

Comes Along a Love - Kay Starr

let you know. I didn't want to upset you, darling.' 'Surely there's been some mistake! Dear Daddy would never be seen in a house of ill repute. He must have entered the wrong premises by accident and he was just giving the lady a friendly hug when she gave him directions. You know how affectionate Daddy is.' I can't say it's a side of his nature that's ever been evident to me, but now wasn't the time, perhaps, to bring that up. 'We must go and rescue Daddy immediately, bring the cheque book, we may need to ...

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like-minded individuals willing to

Someday Never Comes ~ CCR

RIP - Duane Eddy Rock ‘n’ roll pioneer dies aged 86©Provided by Metro Rock ‘n’ roll pioneer Duane Eddy has died aged 86. The Grammy-winning artist died of cancer on Tuesday in hospital in Tennessee, surrounded by his family. His representative told Variety: ‘Duane inspired a generation of guitarists the world over with his unmistakable signature ‘Twang’ sound. He was the first rock and roll guitar god, a truly humble and incredible human being. He will be sorely missed’

For me, that book will always be 'Borrowed Life' by Erich Maria Remarque.