Roland Butter
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Posts posted by Roland Butter
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Glad to have you aboard, Amakash.
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Ralph Ellison: Invisible Man
A classic I've been wanting to read for a while. If I'm having trouble getting through this list, this is one that can probably wait until next year.
I'd certainly recommend that, Kylie. Definitely a "classic".
John Kennedy Toole: A Confederacy of DuncesAlso hoping to read this one by the end of this month because it's going to be featured on a book review TV show in early September.
I'd be interested to know what you think of this, if you do read it. I read it a couple of years back and didn't get on with it, but many people rate it highly, I know.
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I'd certainly recommend David Sedaris' Santaland Diaries. It had me laughing out loud (but don't leave it anywhere your maiden aunt ...)
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Glad you've joined us, Jo.
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Welcome to the Forum, Matt.
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In fact, I keep track of how many pages I've read so far and I've just worked out that each book I've read this year has had an average of 283 pages.
WHAAAATTT!!!!????
Kylie, Kylie, Kylie .... That goes beyond the call of duty
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I think I'm a fairly slow reader.... I average 1 book per week.
I started Half of a Yellow Sun 13 days ago and I'm still only half way through it!
Now, where's Louise when you need her? ...
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Please tell me, Kylie, that you're not one of those people who reads as they walk along the street! Now that's something I do find strange.
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He does have a reputation of being a bit of a %$!!%& ....
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Doesn't really worry me, to be honest. I don't tend to keep books for the sake of it anyway. Once I've read a book, I'd much rather pass it on for someone else to read, than have it lying around cluttering the place up.
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I used to love Moonlighting as well. Great theme tune, guest appearances from the likes of the Temptations sometimes, and generally tremendous screwball comedy. They re-ran them a couple of years ago on cable.
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Welcome, Sara. I think you double our Finnish membership
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Guten Tag, Johanna. Wie geht's dir? (That's about all I can remember from my schooldays, sadly
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McCarthy's Bar by Pete McCarthy and The Groundwater Diaries by Tim Bradford are among the few books that have made me laugh out loud.
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You're probably right about that! Maybe I've been unlucky (at the 397 different Waterstone's stores I've visited) but a knowledge of the book industry (or indeed, of books) hasn't been an attribute possessed by many of the staff I've come across. More an ability to avoid customers and, if collared, to deal with their queries as monosyllabically as possible while staring at a point somewhere on the horizon.
OK, that's a bit unfair, I know, but if I go to a garage I expect the mechanics to know more about cars than I do, so why should a bookshop be any different?
I'd guess the manager was probably a bit frightened by you, to be honest. Bookselling is such a poorly paid job that most store managers probably want pliable youngsters who are grateful for their
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I haven't tried that and don't think i will.
Good call, Laura! My wife drinks redbush tea a fair bit, but I'm not a fan. Can't be doing with all that hippy stuff myself ...
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Welcome Marcia - hope you enjoy being a Forum member.
If you like historical fiction, I know that many people here rate C J Sansom's "Matthew Shardlake" mysteries very highly.
Enjoy.
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Yes, I remember seeing Shadowlands on TV a few years back - top quality drama.
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I have yet to enter the world of Stephanie Plum, but have one on my TBR - am I likely to be come addicted to them. What makes them so good/bad?
I'm a fan of the Stephanie Plum series, too, although there have been times when, as with the most recent one, I've felt they're getting a bit stale. That's the problem with most fiction series, I guess - in fact, I seem to recall that was the debate that was going on when I first joined the Forum many moons ago.
I think what really makes them attractive is that the characters are very likeable. Stephanie Plum is the world's worst bounty hunter, who often brings in the bad guys because of, rather than despite, her incompetence, and the supporting cast of characters is equally quirky.
They're an easy read, too. I'm probably one of the slowest readers on this Forum, but even I get through one in two or three days. They're ideal if you just want a slice of untaxing and humorous crime fiction without having to worry too much about the meaning of life.
Enjoy!
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G'day, Coffeebean!
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Good one on BBC4 last night. Black Power Salute - the story of the "Black Power" protest at the 1968 Mexico Olympics by 200m medallists Tommie Smith and John Carlos. That brought back a few memories.
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I'm sorry I missed that, H&D. I got interested in Judaism when I worked for a construction company owned by three very devout Orthodox brothers, whose faith impinged on almost every aspect of the company's operations. (The bit about being out of the office an hour before sunset on Friday was particularly popular with staff, especially in December!). They even had a "house" rabbi to ensure the company stayed on the path of righteousness. Being one of the world's biggest agnostics, I found it fascinating to see how people could bring aspects of their faith into even the most mundane activities.
I'll watch out for it if it comes round again.
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That sounds like one I'd be interested in - I'll add it to the pile. Thanks, tambo.
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That makes no sense! It was said that the decision (although it was unpopular and led to Darrel Hair being banned from umpiring for a while) was within the laws of cricket. The ICC are now overturning their own laws! They keep changing them to suit themselves and in the process they're making umpires, teams and countries look silly.
Agree with that, Kylie. Darrell Hair was hung out to dry on that one - disgraceful treatment of one of the best umpires the game's had in recent years.
Good news, though, that you can change the result of games retrospectively. As a Fulham supporter, I'll be lobbying to have the result of the 1975 Cup Final overturned (you may have to look that one up ....)
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A Northern Soul classic there, Kell! Sadly, Al Wilson passed away about three months ago - a much underrated singer. I loved his Searching for the Dolphins and Show and Tell, too.