Janet
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Posts posted by Janet
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I'm pretty certain The Black Rabbit... book was 99p as a Kindle Deal of the Day book which was why it was so cheap. It's currently £3.99 on Kindle and £6.?? in paperback.
Oops at the Guardian getting Mikael Niemi's nationality wrong!
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Wow, that's a great achievement. And 18 books in a month is just staggering!
Well done. -
I was rather surprised at how short it was, and how little happened! I've looked up the series, and there are only a few more books in it, so I guess the television series must have been inspired by it, rather than an adaptation, but I would like to read the other books, as I enjoyed this one so much.
Since reading this for the challenge I've gone on to read all apart from the last one (which is on my 'to read' pile). The stories contained in the rest of them make up the TV series. I'll be interested to know what you think of the others.
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I have bought my last book of 2014.
I've been meaning to buy this since I read about the Paddington sculptures in London at the start of November. I thought I'd got my original copy of it but I was unable to locate it (I'm sure I have a Paddington book from my childhood somewhere but it may not have been this one). I'm looking forward to reading it - I loved the books and also the animated series of it.
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Oh goodness - twitchy feet here I come!...although it didn't do my fear of heights any good!
I have finished Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw and Winnie-the-Pooh by A A Milne. Unless I manage to read a book this afternoon (unlikely as Peter has finished work early so we're popping to Wells for coffee and cake!
) that takes my total number of books read up to 57. Not as many as the last few years but I'm pleased with that total. I need to do a 'year in review' now. -
It was certainly a very atmospheric read and that particular bit was quite creepy, wasn't it!
I want to read her other book now - have you read it? -
I know someone on here has read Hollow Frost Hall by Emma Carroll (Claire has, I think). I've had it on my wish list for a long time now (I was attracted to it in Waterstone's due to its beautiful cover!).
I am wondering about suggesting it for my Book Club. It's my turn next so I'll be announcing it to the group next Monday and then we'll be meeting some time in January to discuss it.
I wanted a wintery or Christmas themed book so this seems perfect... however, one of our number really doesn't like ghost stories! She freaked out when I chose The Woman in Black by Susan Hill back in 2009 (I didn't know about her fear back then) - she did manage to finish it but had to read it out in the garden in one sitting on a weekend so her husband was home! She also managed The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters, but it was uncomfortable reading for her.
So really I'm wondering... as it's a children's book, just how scary is it? I don't want to pick another book that my friend is going to struggle with, but I'm struggling to think of anything else to choose!
Yes, it was me who has read Frost Hollow Hall. It would be perfect to fit your winter theme, but there was one bit I found particularly creepy, and I'm not normally affected by ghosts in books. As a comparison, I wasn't that bothered by The Woman In Black although I thought it was atmospheric and I enjoyed reading it, and despite Frost Hollow Hall being aimed at the 9-12 age range, I did find just that one scene (not more than a few pages) quite scary, and gave me goosebumps.
After consulting my friend in advance I did go for Frost Hollow Hall which I finished just before Christmas. I very much enjoyed it, although there was something about it that bugged me a bit. I need to catch up on some reviews as I'm behind again!
My friend said she would read it to her eldest child (he's 12) so it wasn't so scary for her as reading it alone - I don't know how she's got on with it though (or whether she's even started it!). We're not really meant to discuss the book before the night of Book Club, but one of our members loved it so much that she couldn't resist telling me when we popped round with her Christmas card. She listened to an audio version and said she was at a spooky part when her running app spoke to her and made her jump!
She texted me just before Christmas to say that the family had it on in the car on their journey to stay with some family in Devon and that her children were mesmerised by it!Which scene was the bit that gave you goosebumps, Claire?
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This was the first book I downloaded when I got my first Kindle and I thought it was great too.Broadmoor Revealed: Victorian Crime and the Lunatic Asylum - Mark Stevens
I’ve had this book on my list for quite a while. I think it may be one of the first Kindle books I bought (it may have been a freebie at the time), but only now just getting around to reading it.4/6
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Thanks, Gaia - it is rather gorgeous.
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Will do, Gaia. In fact...
I bought this beauty today.
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I had £20 of Amazon vouchers, £18 of which has already been spent....
Good skills, Alex!
We're going away for a couple of nights to Exeter so I shall take mine with me... although I don't like spending them straight away - I like lingering over my choices and the anticipation of spending them is as good as the actual act of doing so!
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I had two lovely books from the lovely Kay for Christmas - The Dynamite Room by Jason Hewitt, which has been on my Amazon Wish List since July - I think following one of Kay's excellent reviews, and an Audio CD - Stephen Fry presents Stories for All Ages (Oscar Wilde) which I'm really looking forward to. Stephen Fry reading Oscar Wilde - what could be more perfect?
Thank, Kay. 
I also had three Waterstone's vouchers - one from Peter, one from my Mum and one from my son's girlfriend. £65 in total.
How lucky am I?!
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I think it's going to have to be a reread of A Christmas Carol!
A great choice.
I did my annual read of it last week.I started Frost Hollow Hall by Emma Carroll yesterday. So far, so good.
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WARNING --- THERE ARE SPOILERS AHEAD FOR CHAPTERS 52 – 54
Summary under spoiler
(52) Nicholas runs from Newman Noggs in an effort to go to Madeline’s aid, but he quickly realises that if he continues to run with Newman chasing him and shouting “stop, thief” then someone will prevent him from getting to her anyway so he allows Noggs to catch up with him. Noggs tells him not to go to Madeline so Nicholas says he will go to Ralph’s house instead. Newman persuades him that neither course of action is a good idea. Nicholas despairs of being able to assist Madeline – he can’t engage the help of the Cheeryble brothers because they are overseas. He can’t talk to the nephew or Tim as that would break the brothers’ trust.
Nicholas is giving up hope of being able to help but Newman persuades him not to give up, so Nicholas resolves to visit Madeline in the morning to try to talk her out of the marriage.
Meanwhile, Miss Morleena Kenwigs has been invited to a dance. Her mother realises that Morleena is in desperate need of a haircut, but as Mr Kenwigs is out and Mrs Kenwigs has to stay at home, it’s looking unlikely that this will happen. Mrs K slaps Morleena as she blames her for the state of her hair – she’s also worried that Morleena will reveal what she’s wearing to the dance. Noggs returns home and Mrs Kenwigs asks him to take Morleena to the hairdressers.
Once there, they see Mr Lillyvick – he is having a shave. He asks after the family, especially the new baby boy. He asks Morleena if the Mr and Mrs Kenwigs were upset by his marriage. Morleena confirms that they were but tells him they are now over it. Mrs Lillywigs goes home with Morleena and Noggs. Initially they are not happy to see him and accuse him of turning his back on them. Relations thaw when Mrs Lillyvick reveals that his wife has eloped with another man – and that she stole “twelve teaspoons and twenty-four pound in sovereigns”– he is going to change his will so that the Kenwigs’ children will inherit some money after all.
(53) After a restless night, Nicholas rises early and goes to visit Madeline. He is very early so he paces the streets of London waiting for it to a suitable time for him to call on her. There is some reflection on how things seem worse in the daylight than they do at night-time. He eventually calls at the Bray’s house and is worried about gaining entrance, but the front door is ajar so he lets himself into the house and knocks on Madeline’s door and is told to enter.
Madeline and her father are sitting together in the room. Nicholas is shocked by the change in Madeline’s appearance – she is very pale which makes her brown hair look virtually black. She looks mournful and the house, which has always in the past had attractive touches such as vases of flowers, has no such decorations. Mr Bray tells Nicholas to carry out his business quickly and then leave. He knows that the Cheeryble brothers have been helping Madeline but says that they no longer need to. Nicholas is angry and tells Mr Bray that he shouldn’t be forcing Madeline to marry. Madeline is concerned for her father’s health saying that he’s ill, and he then has a fit, although he quickly recovers. Nicholas tells her that she’s marrying a bad man – but she claims she has to go through with the marriage – it’s her choice. Nicholas tries to persuade her to delay the wedding by a week but she refuses.
Gride is looking forward to his nuptials. He is a bit bothered that he let Ralph make the arrangements rather than doing it himself – now he must pay Ralph for acting on his behalf. He plans a sumptuous wedding feast and will ‘make back’ the money by reducing the grocery order the next week. Nicholas arrives and tells Gride that Madeline detests him (Gride doesn’t know who Nicholas is, and Nicholas refuses to tell him). He asks Gride to postpone the wedding for one week. He says that there are people – “wealthy friends” of Madeline’s - who will pay him if he agrees not to marry her. Gride thinks to himself that although he could accept Nicholas’ offer he would rather get one over on Nicholas by marrying Madeline and therefore preventing Nicholas for having her for himself. Worried that Nicholas will hurt him, Gride shouts from the window – Nicholas leaves the house and Gride bolts the door, telling his housekeeper that he will get up at half-past-five tomorrow in order to get married.
(54) Gride gets up early for his wedding. His housekeeper mumbles that he should be happy to have her look after him – and that if he must get married he should choose someone nearer to his own age.
Gride thinks that Nicholas must have found out about the wedding by overhearing discussion at the Bray’s house. Gride is scared of Ralph, who he now tells about the visit from Nicholas last night. Neither of them know that it was Nicholas. They go to Madeline’s house. The atmosphere there is rather gloomy, more suited to that of a funeral than what should be a happy occasion like a marriage. Bray tells Ralph and Arthur that Madeline was unwell the previous evening and that she is weepy this morning, but ready to get married. He is concerned that it is a cruel thing to allow his daughter to marry a man like Arthur but Ralph dismisses his concerns, telling Bray that Gride won’t live for long and that Madeline will then be financially secure and can marry who she likes.
Nicholas and Kate arrive at the house, much to the anger of Ralph. Gride says that Nicholas was his visitor the previous evening. Ralph orders that Nicholas and Kate should leave but they refuse. He threatens Nicholas, but says he doesn’t want to hurt Kate. Ralph accuses Nicholas of bringing Kate because he is a coward but Nicholas informs him that Kate has come to try to persuade Madeline not to go through with the wedding. As this exchange takes place they hear a thud from upstairs, followed by screaming. Bray is dead. Nicholas gives his card to the Bray’s landlady and he and Kate escort Madeline to a coach to take her back to their home.
How mean of Mrs Kenwigs to slap Morleena just because she needed a trip to the hairdressers! At least their fortunes have been restored now that Mr Lillyvik’s wife has done a bunk. It didn’t take her long, did it?!
It’s interesting that in chapter 53 Dickens writes that the daytime brings obstacles that “were scarcely taken into account” at night. For me it’s the exact opposite! I am a bit of a worrier and in the dead of night if something is on my mind it seems like an enormous problem/situation/dilemma, but in the morning it never seems as bad!
Not meaning to wish death on anyone (even a fictional character!
) but I’m glad that Madeline hasn’t got to marry Arthur Gride after all. Now Nicholas has taken her back to his house there is potential for the two of them to get together. The pace is certainly picking up now. I’m typing this after reading these chapters in the agreed schedule and will do so for the next two instalments so my thoughts won’t be with the benefit of knowing what is coming up.
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I finished Nicholas Nickleby this morning. What a fabulous book with so many layers. 5/5
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Good one!
I shall do mine in a day or so!
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We don't get paid sick days until after three days either.
We're having a departmental Christmas lunch (about 40 people are going
) for the first time in about three years too, Steve, and also like you I'm missing it. However I'm missing it to go to a wedding, so at least it's for a lovely reason. ETA: I thought this was Steve's thread.
Sorry for hijacking your thread! I hope you're fully on the mend now. Thanks for the Christmas card. -
I got them all - a couple of them were more by luck than judgement!
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Yup, I've read up to chapter 54 and have typed my summary and a few notes today, but I'm not planning to post them until we're all up to that place. I shall do the same with the next section (and the last, when I get to it) and do my summary/notes after the final chapter of each section so I won't know what's coming up when I post my thoughts on chapters 55 to 58 (four instead of the usual three).
I think that makes sense!
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Hello, Sari.
Is your computer fixed? Remind me again what FTBC (FT Book Club...?) stands for - I can't remember.
I finished Walking Backwards to Christmas by Stephen Cottrell this morning and have also read this week's instalment of Nicholas Nickleby. I'm going to attempt to finish it (ahead of schedule) by next week if I can - but certainly by the end of December. -
I've got 12 so far. I'm going to have a break from it to see if I have any light bulb moments (although I've got the light bulb one!
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WARNING --- THERE ARE SPOILERS AHEAD FOR CHAPTERS 49 – 51
Summary under spoiler
(49) Nicholas spends time with Madeline and finds himself falling for her even more strongly. He and his family are living a happy life – the only blot on the landscape is Mr Snawley who is still trying to get Smike back. Smike’s health suffers as a result of this and Nicholas takes him to the doctor as he is concerned Smike might be suffering from a “dread disease which so prepares its victim, as it were, for death…”. The physician tells them that the results are inconclusive but that there is no particular reason to suppose the illness is unduly serious. Smike’s condition doesn’t deteriorate any further so Nicholas hopes this means he will recover.
In later life Nicholas will recall how happy they were at that time in their lives. How they enjoyed spending time in each other’s company and how when Kate was out they eagerly waited her return, finding life a bit dreary when she wasn’t around. He will recall how Smike always seemed to be very happy when Kate was around.
The Cheeryble brothers have become increasingly impressed with Nicholas and have starting giving items to the family to improve their comfort. They start to visit the Nicklebys on a regular basis – as do Tim Linkinwater (who had previously had few friends but who really enjoys the Nicklebys company) and their nephew Frank, who drops in at least three times a week. Mrs Nickleby ponders how attentive Frank is and puts it down to his fondness for her – she hopes he will marry an English girl.
Miss La Creevy makes a visit to the family. She says that on her way she saw Tim Linkinwater and Frank Cheeryble who are also on their way for a visit. She asks where Smike is and they are surprised to discover that he has gone to bed and Mrs Nickleby remarks that Smike also took himself off to his bedroom early the last time Frank visited – but that he doesn’t actually go to bed when he goes up – she thinks that’s most extraordinary. She comments that he seems to be turning into “the Thirsty Woman of Tutbury [and] the Cock-lane Ghost”
Tim and Frank arrive at the house. Mrs N apologies that Nicholas is not yet home and (after making theatrical nods and winks at Kate) states that Kate must act as herself and Nicholas until he gets home. Kate is somewhat embarrassed by her mother’s behaviour. Neither Nicholas nor Smike put in an appearance, but Mrs N, Miss La Creevy, Tim, Mr Linkinwater and Kate socialise together, although Kate is very quiet. As they chat a servant appears to tell them of a commotion and they discover that someone is attempting to climb down the chimney! It’s Cucumber Man from next door! Kate tells the men that the neighbour is mad but Mrs Nickleby defends him saying he’s only thought of as mad by people who want to get their hands on his money and that he’s eccentric, not mad.
The neighbour starts making a hullabaloo and Miss La Creevy enters the room curious as to what is going on. When he sees her, the neighbour starts kissing her hand, causing her to hide behind Mr Linkinwater. Mrs Nickleby thinks the neighbour has confused Miss La C with her. She also thinks it’s her fault the neighbour acts the way he does. Tim and Frank take the gent home and then bid their own farewells.
Nicholas returns home. He goes up to see Smike to find out what the matter is with him. Smike says he will explain one day.
(50) Verisopht and Hawk are at Hampton Races. They are gambling but Hawk can’t relax – he’s concerned that people recognise him after his altercation with Nicholas but thinks it easier to face lots of people in one go. There remains a scar on his face and he attempts to cover it up with his glove when he talks to people. Hawk meets a man that he dislikes intensely. The man asks why Hawk didn’t ensure that the fray with Nicholas was reported in the paper. Hawk tells him to look in the papers the day after tomorrow but doesn’t tell the man why.
Hawk mutters to Verisopht that although he’s not going to murder Nicholas he does intend to inflict “whipcord cuts and bludgeons bruise” on him. Hawk has invited Nicholas to meet him so that he may confront him but Verisopht prevents the meeting. The pair quarrel and Verisopht informs Hawk that he will attempt to stop Hawk hurting Nicholas. He reflects that rather than helping him to pursue Kate, Hawk was pursuing her for himself – he is ashamed of his earlier behaviour towards Kate and Nicholas. Later on Verisopht and Hawk and their friends go gambling again. They drink lots and, with another party of men, they become riotous until Hawk and Verisopht come to blows.
The next day Verisopht and Hawk meet in the country with two witnesses. The duel and Versopht is killed. Hawk and the witnesses, Messrs Westwood and Adams flee the country – Verisopht lies dead on the ground.
(51) Arthur Gride sits in his house going through his clothes trying to decide what to wear for his forthcoming wedding to Madeline. He chooses a green suit that he considers lucky, for when he bought it from the pawnbroker he discovered a shilling in the pocket that had laid there undiscovered by the broker. He calls his housekeeper, Peg Silderskew, and asks her to mend the suit. She tells him it doesn’t matter what he wears since Madeline won’t be looking at him – she’s concerned about her job. Gride assures her that her position is safe, although they will have to tighten their belts with another mouth to feed. He is not going to keep Madeline short of provisions as he wants her to keep her looks.
Noggs visits the house with a letter from Ralph. Gride reads it – the contents clearly make him happy. As he goes from the room he drops the letter, and Noggs quickly picks it up and scans it. Ralph is telling Gride that Madeline’s father, Mr Bray, has agreed to the wedding. Gride is not to visit the girl before the nuptials because she doesn’t like him and it might make things difficult. Newman hears Gride returning and quickly puts the letter back on the floor and pretends not to have noticed it. Gride replies to the letter and then offers Noggs a drink. Not caring for the man at all, Noggs would normally have said no, but because he knows what an old skinflint Gride is, and how he won’t like to share is drink, he agrees to a toast to Madeline. After finishing his drink, Noggs returns to Ralph’s office. He informs Ralph that a man – a Mr Brooker - has been hanging around the premises trying to arrange a meeting with Ralph. Ralph calls the man an idle ruffian, a swindler and a liar and tells Noggs that if the man approaches him again, Noggs should call the police.
Later that day Noggs goes to wait for Nicholas. He won’t call at Nicholas’ place of employment because he is embarrassed by his shabby appearance. He tells Nicholas that there is a secret concerning Ralph and that he hopes to get to the bottom of it but for now he’ll keep his thoughts about what it might be to himself for fear of disappointing Nicholas. In discussion Noggs discovers that the object of Nicholas’ affections is Madeline Bray. When Newman tells Nicholas of the enforced marriage that is going to take place between Madeline and Gride he is very angry and he rushes out of the house to go to try to save Madeline from her fate. Alarmed that Nicholas might do something desperate or even murder someone, Noggs tries to draw attention to Nicholas in the hope that someone will stop him – he shouts that Nicholas is a thief.
I presume the ‘dread disease’ referred to in chapter 49 is cancer? We are in the happy position of knowing that the only thing wrong with Smike is that he is pining for Kate. I don’t think he stands much of a chance with her, but who knows? I had wondered at one stage whether Verisopht, who was showing definite signs of reform and regret, might end up with Kate, but after the duel that’s clearly not the case!! One thing is for certain… Kate isn’t short of suitors. Personally I think (for the moment, at least) that she will end up with Frank Cheeryble but I could be completely wrong!
I googled a lot of phrases that appeared in these particular chapters. The “Thirsty Woman of Tutbury [and] the Cock-lane Ghost (as referred to by Mrs Nickleby when she was talking about Smike retiring to his room) both refer to famous frauds – clearly Mrs Nickleby doesn’t think there is anything wrong with Smike and I hope she’s right.
I also Googled duelling. According to Wikipedia, (so it must be true! ), the last duel on UK soil took place in 1845. As NN was written before this date I suppose it would have been an acceptable way to sort out arguments – even though to modern audiences it seems quite barbaric!
Gride is the most contemptible character, isn’t he?! I haven’t read any further than chapter 51 yet, so this is pure supposition, but I can’t believe the marriage will go ahead. I’m sure Nicholas will save the day and rescue Madeline. I do hope so, for Madeline’s sake.
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You've inspired me! I'm going to dig out my copy and start a new tradition!
Thanks.I love your collection, Janet.
I hope you enjoy your re-read, dtrpath27.
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Yesterday I finished All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot. I thought it was the main Counties Challenge book for North Yorkshire but it's the alternative for those who have already read Dracula (which I haven't yet). I guess that doesn't matter though.
I have now started my annual re-read of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. One of my favourite books ever!
I have seven paper versions of it but am actually reading it on my Kindle!
Your Book Activity - January 2015
in Past Book Logs
Posted
I bought A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond yesterday so I read it this morning. It was every bit as good as I remembered.