Kylie
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Posts posted by Kylie
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It's a good book, bree, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. And another book with a good film adaptation - in fact I saw the film version first, and when I came to read the book, I was surprised how true to the book it was, and a great cast to boot! Hope you enjoy it too.
It's a very good book, good film too! Hope you enjoy it Bree.
Oh dear, I really disliked this movie! My ex wanted me to watch it and I thought it was really silly. However, I only saw part of it and I've only heard good things about the book, so I might give it (the book) a go one day. If I enjoy the book I might even give the movie another chance!
I've read a little more of The Great Typo Hunt.
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Steve, your cat is adorable.
I was asked to review Willard Price, so I've just started it. I'm not bothered by the title as they tend to be a separate entity - how many completely ignore capital letters, for example.
The title is also the 2nd chapter heading, and they have it correct there.It's really interesting that they've written the title two different ways! I don't know if I feel better that they have it correct in one place, or whether I wished they had at least been consistent in the error (there's no pleasing me!)
Speaking of which, I was in a jam shop yesterday and noticed a jam of 'Mums Tomato Sauce'. I ranted about that typo to my Mum for a few seconds and then noticed that a different shaped bottle showed 'Mum's Tomato Sauce'. I was somewhat pacified but again, consistency is so important!
Hey, just noticed you've got this
I read, and really really enjoyed The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter and have always been interested in her other works. The title of this alone intrigues me enough to want to read it 
would love to know if you've read any other Angela Carter and what you thought, if you have I'm the same as you, Hanananah. I've read and enjoyed TBC and am now keen to try other things she has written.
The Passion of New Eve is a novel rather than short stories. I was going to say that it would be interesting to read how her writing style in novels compares to her short stories, but I think Well at least now you can read the mass market edition and keep your larger edition in pristine condition!
Ah, good thinking, Chesil!
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It's a shame you didn't like The Regulators. I must say, I'm still kind of curious to read it though. It sounds interesting enough. Is it a massive book? I really love the cover of your edition. When Bachman's books first came out, were people aware that Bachman = King? Or did it only become known after a while? I guess it couldn't have been a secret for a long, if it ever was a secret, given that the characters in The Regulators were named for the characters in Desperation.
I forgot that you were giving away Lolita. I suppose I probably asked this last time I saw it (knowing me!) but have you read it before?
LOL @ 'ass of u and me' - I'd forgotten about that phrase.
It's one of my favourites. I use it whenever I can.
I don't actually mind that Hugh Grant's in it. I used to dislike him loads, but I liked him in the Bridget Jones Diaries, eventhough he played the character of the biggest arse ever. And I think Toni Collette's in the movie, she's a superb actress, I love her
Aw, I was hoping you didn't know about Collette so I could make you happy with the news.
She does really well in About a Boy, of course. Have you watched it yet?Oh dear. Both you and Janet disliked High Fidelity? I bought this on DVD a little while ago. I haven't read the book though.
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Bloody hell, an excellent haul! Thank lords for awesome ex co-workers and their great taste in departing gifts, aye?
I'm particularly happy about the Fforde book (especially since you have it twice over
). Manguel, the book person, has written about men? Interesting! Wohoo for Dorothy Parker Steinbeck and Pratchett are always good, too! And I see you bought the copy of the Vonnegut book I've gotten rid of 
Awesome!Thanks! Manguel usually writes non-fiction, but this is one of perhaps two fiction books he has written.
The Dorothy Parker book sounds quite good and funny. The co-author is a playwright but this book is a novel.
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Joseph Heller Catch as Catch Can
Joseph Heller Picture This
Well I couldn't really expect you to not buy these at some point, I know you like Heller.
I didn't even know that Catch as Catch Can existed until I saw it in the shop. It's a collection of other things he wrote for newspapers etc.
Dan Rhodes Anthropology
Rhodes gets the thumbs up from me, too
Yep! This looks really very short as there is not much text on each page.
Sun Tzu The Art of War
Jealous! I so want to read this so I can debate like Rory and Paris
I've wanted this for a while. I see it mentioned so often and it still seems to be relevant today, so I'm really curious to know what it's like.
Jared Diamond Why is Sex Fun?
If you need a book to tell you why, I think it's a lost cause....
! I have a few books Diamond has written, mostly about the rise and fall of civilisations and whatnot. So it's more of a (fun) scientific book. It discusses why humans are the only species (or maybe one of two; I can't remember) that have sex for fun. 
I'm sure there's other stuff to it too...David Malouf Johnno
He's Australian, of course you had to get the book!
I'm so proud that you know that.
And it was on sale, so I had to get it!LM Montgomery Chronicles of Avonlea
LM Montgomery Further Chronicles of Avonlea
Wohoo for Montgomery! I'm not sure which books these are, I've probably not read them. I don't think that many of her novels have been translated into Finnish, so I never had a chance to read these as a kid. I wonder if these are the books that Road to Avonlea is based on, as well as the Story Girl book (which I didn't particularly enjoy).
I don't know much about Road to Avonlea, but I think there's a good chance that it's based on these books. I believe the Chronicles are about other characters that live in Avonlea, and so is the show? I'd love to see that show one day. As I recall, you rate it very highly.
What a shame it is when all books in a series are not translated into different languages. You might have seen my post recently about the German author, Walter Moers, and one of his books that hasn't been translated into English. I'm sure I've read similar stories about other series' too.Astrid Lindgren Karlson Flies Again
I don't think I've read the book, or at least I don't remember it. All Lindgren books are amazing, though!
Yep, I reckon you're right!
Claudine Monteil The Beauvoir Sisters
Mega jealous! I had no idea there were sisters, too. Should make interesting reading!
I think so too! It appears there were two sisters and they had an interesting relationship.
Wendy Jones The Thoughts and Happenings of Wilfred Price, Purveyor of Superior Funerals
I love the sound of the title. And yeah, I agree, there have been a whole lot of cutesy long titles around for a while now, and I kinda know what you mean by them getting pretty tiring, but I can't help but like them anyways. I'm totally intrigued by this, only because of the title. I should google the book, since you've given us no indication what the novel is about, but a rather long rant post on some missing comma or something...
Before you gasp with horror and annoyance, I agree, I would be mega annoyed if I saw a copy of that without the meaningful, purposeful comma. I can't believe people in the book publishing business can be so oblivious to common knowledge and grammar!! Same here (I can't help but like them anyway); otherwise, I guess I would refuse to buy them no matter what the content of the story is).
Wohoo for liking the book, I hope it's brought your mojo back billionfold!!
Lol for having first written about Sputnik Sweetheart, then noticing error, editing, and making me confused because I read your posts in order and was mighty baffled
So sad about the copy gone missing Maybe it'll turn up somewhere, someday? Maybe evil Shel ate the book?
It did rather bring my mojo back! For a short time at least.
Haha. Sorry for confusing you. I tried to fix the post quickly! I still haven't found it, but I think I had a dream last night that I did, so hopefully my dream will come true for once. Don't you blame it on poor Shel!
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So it could be FULL of books? In that case, thank you good sir for my gift.
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Well, I haven't the read the books, but I hate them. I'm neither insecure nor fearful, but yes, I am too intelligent to read them. I'm not saying that those who read them are not intelligent, or that they are less intelligent than me, but I have better things to do with my time (and far better books to read) than to read poorly written fan fiction. Nearly every single review I have read, even from those who have enjoyed the books, say that they are poorly written. I've read enough snippets online to know that I agree and they're not for me. Why can't I have that opinion? Surely you have also avoided books that you know you wouldn't enjoy? Call me a book snob if you will. I don't care.
I really hate these books, more than I can say. I'm sick to death of seeing them everywhere, hearing about them, seeing them in shops. I hate how people jump on the bandwagon and that nearly everyone seems to hate them but they have still sold in their millions. Yes, I'm upset that brilliant novels written by lesser-known authors sit unsold on shelves while these books sell so well. I'm sad that poorly written crap will long be at the top of 'fastest selling' and 'best selling' lists and that it causes arguments and name calling between people. I hate that my Facebook updates from publishing companies now seem to be all about this series. Don't other books exist anymore? I've long held the same opinion of the Twilight books, but not quite to this extent. Yes, it's vitriolic. No, I don't care. We all have bug bears that annoy us to no end. This is mine.
I've held my tongue for a long time for fear of offending the people who like these books, but criticising someone for choosing (with good reason!) not to read them is ridiculous. That's my opinion and I'm entitled to it. I don't need to read a book to know I'll hate it. Calling people names and implying things about their personalities based on whether or not they decide to read a book is not fair.
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Kylie, you can borrow my Mr Pointy some time
Ummm...thank you?
That doesn't look big enough to contain a book.
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Doh! That explains why I was able to find the edition I wanted (because it has been out for a while). I thought it was the most recent book! How I could have been so silly? I really need to keep better track of my books. So now I have two edition of OoOTiM. But it's OK, really, because I got the first one very cheap and I bought it online and accidentally bought the mass market paperback size instead of the larger size. I was quite upset with myself because it didn't match the rest of my books. At least the one I bought today is a perfect match.
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Thank you everyone! I went and handed in my pass today and said the rest of my goodbyes, so it's all over now! VF, yes, I have been working from home for the past 5 months to see if I could make it work financially, but I was only on leave from the bank. I didn't make my final decision until a couple of weeks ago.
I spent my book voucher today and I'm very happy with my purchases; there's a good variety, I think!
Jasper Fforde One of Our Thursdays is Missing
Alberto Manguel All Men are Liars
Dorothy Parker and Arnaud D'usseau The Ladies of the Corridor
Terry Pratchett Jingo
John Steinbeck The Pearl
Kurt Vonnegut Palm Sunday & Welcome to the Monkey House
I didn't think Fforde's latest would be available in the edition size I wanted, but it was!
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That sounds very promising, Michelle. I look forward to your full review.
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I'm so cool.
Do I get a prize?
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Isn't Mr Pointy the name that Buffy gave to her stake?
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I've started reading Cloudstreet but I have to say, I haven't been able to get into the story
Does it pick up anytime soon?Aww
How much have you read? Wait until they move into the house and it'll pick up then (I have no recollection of when this happens - it could be on page 2 for all I know). It's a family saga in the same vein as Middlesex, so I'm hoping you'll get into it more!I received two books in the mail yesterday:
Kingsley Amis The King's English
Morris Gleitzman Now
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Thanks Steve! I didn't know you had a cat! Boy/girl? Name? Colour?
Jasper only talks when he's hungry. Most of the time when I talk to him, he looks at me like I'm a damn fool - probably wondering when I'll cotton on to the fact that he can't talk back to me.
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And now for some specific movies. Has anyone seen:
The old silent movie called Metropolis, directed by Fritz Lang.
The 1950s and 1980s versions of Nineteen Eighty-Four, directed by Michael Anderson and Michael Radford, respectively.
Battle Royale (2000), directed by Kinji Fukasaku.
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I thought I'd start a thread where we can ask for opinions about particular movies we'd like to see, or ask for ideas for genres etc.
I've become interested in some directors recently, but I'm having trouble knowing where to start (or continue) because there's an extensive body of work between them.
I watched a documentary on Woody Allen recently, which was excellent. I've seen Annie Hall and Manhattan, and I found out that he did a dystopian movie called Sleeper, which I'll be buying any day now. What do you think of these movies, and what others would you recommend?
Also, I've never seen anything by Fellini before. Any ideas where to start? I'm thinking La Dolce Vita, and 8 1/2.
Lastly, I recently watched the Marx Brothers in Duck Soup and absolutely loved it. What other Marx Brothers movies would you recommend?
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I think it's reasonably good, but perhaps hasn't lived up to the hype I've witnessed. I think it'll be better once I get into the story a bit more and can tell the characters apart etc. It's still all very new.
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I don't think I've mentioned this yet...
I officially resigned from my job at the bank a couple of weeks ago! I've been on leave for the past 5 months while I tried out my editing job full time. I was due to go back tomorrow. So today is officially my last day as an employee. I worked there for 12 years, so it was rather strange walking through the building knowing I wouldn't be back...except I will, because I have to go back in to hand in my pass and say goodbye to some people.
I went in for a farewell lunch with my workmates a couple of days ago. They gave me a very low-key farewell, which I appreciated, because they know I'm rather shy and hate to be the centre of attention. Usually the whole department would have an afternoon tea (about 40-50 people) and there'd be speeches and a presentation, but there's no way I could do that! It was awkward enough with just my workmates (about 9 people). They still gave a little presentation and I had to make a small speech (I sucked) and then they gave me one of those huge cards that everyone signs. I didn't want to open it because I thought I might cry, but they insisted because there was something in there...a $75 book voucher! What awesome workmates.
Needless to say, they're well aware of what a book nerd I am. 
I couldn't imagine saying final goodbyes to everyone, so I just refused to do it.
I have a couple of really good friends there and I'll definitely make the effort to go in for lunch every now and then, and I think I'll still be invited to the occasional night out that we recently started doing together. I think I'm mostly compartmentalising it and not thinking too much about what I've given up—friends, an easy job with a good, stable income—in favour of a job with no human contact, where I have to work much harder for less money and an unstable income. I rang my Mum today and she questioned whether I had been drinking an energy drink (I hadn't) because I guess I sounded all wound up and excited. Well, after days of talking to no one but a cat and getting no response, wouldn't you be excited to talk to someone who talks back?
Anyway, for all the bad points I just listed, I absolutely love the job, which is what matters the most. I can sit around in my jammies all day (if I want to - I don't often do it) and I can work my own hours and take on as much work as I want. And no more 3-hour 'round train trips into the city with rude, loud people! Hooray!
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I used to carry around a small notebook everywhere for just that reason. If a song came that I didn't know, but that I really liked, I'd write down as many lyrics as I could and then look it up later. Also good for making lots of lists, writing down great quotes from books etc.
Maybe you could do something like that. I can't remember the last time I wrote on my hand. I think I would feel like a naughty child if I did! Haha. -
I voted for the second option. I actually already own the book, so I will definitely be reading it in the future. I've watched the first one or two episodes of the show as well.
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The cover has been released. It's lucky I don't (often) judge books by their covers, because if I did there's no way in heck I'd buy this. It reminds me of covers from the 80s. Blech. Very uninspired. But it's also very eye-catching. Think I'll wait and see if they come up with something better for the paperback.
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I guess I rather like having the time difference then. Although now that I work from home I can watch it any time it's on.
Wow, there have been a lot of crashes tonight. It's a very exciting stage!
What do you think of the controversy surrounding Lance Armstrong? I really don't want to believe that it's true. How can he have passed every single drug test over the years and now they're saying he was taking drugs? It's weird.
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Haha. Sorry Ben but once again I'll have to put it off a bit longer. I got sidetracked with other things and am now busy with work. I'll see what I can do in the next week.
Cloudstreet by Tim Winton
in Previous Reading Circle Books
Posted
Yes, the book is depressing, but that's unfortunately the way it was for many families around that time! A lot of Australia's classic novels are similarly depressing (For the Term of His Natural Life by Marcus Clarke and The Harp in the South by Ruth Park are two other examples).
I think it's important to keep in mind Australia's convict and working-class history, which doesn't make the story any less depressing, but hopefully it will help to explain why it is so depressing. The brilliance of Cloudstreet, in my opinion, is that it so accurately depicts the struggles of working-class Australians. To portray it any differently would be an affront to our history and culture. As an example, the serial killer was an actual person who terrorised the area for several years (more information at Wikipedia), so it was included in the story to help place it in a historical context.
Unfortunately, I can't remember the part about the aborigine. I did a bit of searching on the Internet and the consensus seems to be that he appears to remind the characters of the importance of family. I have no idea why Quick glowed in the dark! I agree with Bree that 'some things are there just to set the mood and atmosphere'.
I can't really answer the specific questions, because it has been a while since I've read it, but I don't think a sequel would work for Cloudstreet. It is one of my favourite books and stands wonderfully and perfectly on its own, I feel.