frankie
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Posts posted by frankie
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Hey frankie!
Just thought I'd pop in and say hello You seem to be having a good reading year so far, hope it keeps up for you!
It seems to be going very well for the both of us, indeed!
I should pop in at your reading blog now, knowing that you've now finished Therapy. I wanna see what you thought of it! 
Like you, I do like the lists, and I like the recommendation side of things, but part of me knows I'll never complete them because there are books on there I know I'll never read. On the BBC's "100 Books..." list, for example, is The Lord of the Rings trilogy - they hold no interest for me at all, so I'm defintely not going to get to 100% on that list!
That said, there are things on the list that I never expected to read that I have and it's turned out I loved them.
Yes, the 'women's fiction' thing seems a lifetime ago. At the time, I enjoyed them, and they fitted in with my life (the children were young, I didn't have the time for more in-depth books), but having tried more recently to read a 'chick-lit' book, I found it lacked substance and was no longer for me. I do think they have their place though - each to their own - I'd never criticise anyone for reading and enjoying them.
I hope you guys enjoy Mr Rosenblum's List. It's a 'gentle' read, but I enjoyed it very much, but the reviews I read afterwards were mixed.
As you might already know, I have a few lists and challenges myself, and eventhough I'm committed to completing them, I know that I'll never be able to finish the 1001 Books -challenge, but I won't let it bother me. There are too many books on the list, and there are bound to be ones that I won't like and can't finish. The fact that I know this and give myself the permission to skip a book or two keeps me motivated and going, there'd be no joy in it otherwise. But each to their own
Like you, I wouldn't criticise anyone for reading chick lit either, but I do wonder about people who read chick lit only. Like I would wonder about people who would only read classics. I think all the different genres are there because people enjoy them, but I cannot imagine sticking to only one genre and being happy.
Wow! I'm envious of how many books you've gotten to already this year, I feel like I need to pick up the pace--gah! There simply aren't enough hours in the day! D:
Ah, the idea of a 48-hour long day...
Don't feel bad, I've stopped watching TV this year (due to an ill-behaving digibox 
) which has definitely left me with more hours to 'kill', thus giving me the chance to read more. Oh dear! It did get mixed reactions on Amazon. I really enjoyed it (even if it was a bit twee) so I'm sorry you didn't - but like would be boring if we all liked the same stuff!
ETA: I'm not sure how I managed to quote you in here when this was posted in the 'Book Activity...' thread! Too many windows open I guess! Ah well, here's as good as anywhere!
Hehe, Kylie did that too, and only some weeks ago
I'm a bit surprised to hear it got such mixed reviews, because all the people here who I know have read the book have enjoyed it. Then again, when I think about it, I can only think of you and poppyshake writing a review on it... So that's only two 
However, like I told Kylie in the Book Activity -thread, don't be fooled by that post of mine about being really bored with the novel at one point 
The review is to appear shortly.Edit: Janet, what does 'twee' mean?
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Biggest Loser, Aussie style
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Okay, here are my newly arranged and organised bookshelves. The cardboard boxes beside the bookcase are a new 'feature', and you can also see my furry posse from Oz. The smaller 'bookcase' that also functions as a TV stand holds my Australia books (not all of them) and there's a row of Rory books in the back (you won't be able to see them). I also own a drawer full of books but that would make a boring pictures, because you can't see the books.
Edit: Oh man, I can't believe I let you guys see my Dr Phil book. I'm so ashamed
Well there it is. 
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Nice to hear you'll be joining us Ooshie! And don't worry, I still need to finish my current read before I can start Madame Bovary, and I'll be expecting MB to be a slow read for me, kind of a forced effort...
You'll have plenty of time to join us! -
Have managed to acquire a few books over the weekend.
About a Boy- Nick Hornby arrived in the post
I picked up 2 for myself from Waterstones;
Sheep Chase- Haruki Marukami
Something Rotton- Jasper Fforde (at last they had it in stock!)
And The Good Man Jesus and The Scoundrel Christ- Phillip Pullman for my sister
I also found out Jasper Fforde is visiting my favourite Waterstones next Monday, I am hoping I can finish work early to go.
Oh and am almost finished with When God was a Rabbit- Sarah Winman
A great haul Lucy, and how extremely exciting about the Jasper Fforde visit!! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you
I have 50 more pages to go with Totta, then it's on to Madame Bovary.
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The Finnish version of Idols, auditions.
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There's a National Geographic documentary about kangaroos on TV, it's fascinating.
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I watched Interview with a Vampire last night, BF's never seen it before. He quite liked it, and so did I, but I do prefer the novel.
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Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, US version.
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I finally watched Breakfast at Tiffany's and I really loved it. I feel like reading the book again. Audrey Hepburn is adorable!
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I hope I have the same opinion of Anna Karenina as you do, Sue.
I never think to research translations beforehand and they all claim to be the best on the cover. I have the recent edition that Vintage published, translated by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky.Don't be scared Kylie, and just go for it
It's a massive read but I liked it okay, eventhough I wasn't the biggest fan of the character of Anna. I've been reading Riikka Pulkkinen's novel Totta and I'm really liking it so far. Should be able to finish it today or tomorrow and then I can dive into Madame Bovary.
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Does that mean you didn't enjoy Rosenblum?
Let's just say don't let my previous post fool you
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Wow, you flew through Rosenblum! I'm only 75 pages in.
I reckon you should go to the library. It could be worse; it could be -30.
I was so sick of reading Rosenblum at one point that I decided to just keep reading til I finished it. But don't worry, I went to the library and found Riikka Pulkkinen's novel Totta, which was a candidate for the Finlandia book prize in 2010, and the book's so popular that I only got the quick loan which means I can only have it for one week so I must read it asap. Therefore you'll have loads of time to read Rosenblum alongside Madame Bovary
And, it was more than -30 degrees this morning, but luckily the sun is shining and it's warming us a bit. According to the weather forecast we should be having 2-3 more weeks of -20-30 degrees
I'm so happy I got the Room by Emma Donoghue, I've been wanting to borrow it for a couple of months now!
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I finished Mr Rosenblum's List last night, will write my thoughts on it later today. Now I'm going to start reading Madame Bovary and Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk.
Edit: I'm debating whether I should go to the library and borrow Emma Donoghue's Room, which has been finally returned, but it's like -25 C out there.
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It's definitely making up for last year's AWOLness
Oh my goodness Charm, you've already read eighteen (18!!!) books this year! You're a machine -
I'm trying out The Who's greatest hits. To get me ready for the flares season
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Excellent! For me, it's a slow read for some reason, so you should be able to catch up with me soon enough, and I've only read like 1/3 of it
Yay, I'm happy to have you join me in reading it -
Hello guys! Kylie and I are going to start reading Madame Bovary pretty soon because it's a book they're going to talk about in the First Tuesday Book Club -show in Australia, and I was wondering if any of you would like to join us in reading it, after all it's also on the Rory list?
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Cool! I've been meaning to reply to you about that among other things but you beat me to it here
I'd like to finish Mr Rosenblum's List first, I'm on page 96. Would you like to join me in reading that, before moving on to Madame Bovary? Or shall you get a headstart and let me join you when I'm done? -
Frankie, I think you're only about a day behind us in watching The Biggest Loser.
I think there are a few less ants around today.
I'm currently watching The Vampire Diaries.
Kylie, I know
I'm only about 12 hours behind you guys because of the time difference, I'm not actually watching the show from TV if you know what I mean
They've never shown the Australian version of the show here in Finland, only the Finnish and the American one, which is too bad
Glad to hear the ants are now aware of your cunning plans and are taking steps towards making a run for it
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Yeah, I'm afraid it's the whole sci-fi genre that doesn't appeal to me. I've read three from that section, and enjoyed them all, actually, but it's just not a subject that appeals to me.
Before I joined BCF, I only really read 'women's fiction' but my tastes have changed enormously and I've gone right off that now - so I know there are probably some there that I'd enjoy, but I just tend to shy away from the sci-fi shelves.
I know exactly where you're coming from, I feel the same way about science fiction. It's not something that I would pick to read myself, but the few novels I have read I've actually enjoyed. Knowing that, I still don't voluntarily go for other sci-fi books. However, nowadays I'm trying to 'broaden my horizons' as much as I can, and give pretty much everything a go. Having a list like that is really useful, because I wouldn't know what to pick myself. And because I'd be reading the books to cross them off from a list, it would feel more like I needed to read them and therefore had 'no choice'. Of course that's not for everyone, I certainly know that there are far too many great novels out there to be read, and time is wasting as we speak...
Hehe, having been here for a few years now, and having taken a look at what all the different people here read, and having had the chance to glance at your own reads, I wouldn't have figured that you used to only read 'women's fiction' because your choices of books vary so much. That only goes to show what this forum can do to a person
Well what do you know Hubby sorted out my bookshelves this morning & it seems I have Heart of Darkness, I don't even remember buying it
Maybe you didn't buy it, maybe it was your evil hubby, trying to force you to read it!
Nah, don't listen to me, give the book a go and see how you like it. -
Great reviews Frankie, I've not read Heart of Darkness but love the movie Apocalypse Now & I have an Ishiguro book on my TBR pile (When We Were Orphans,I think that's the title ???) To be honest I don''t think I could read Night or The Kiss, that kind of stuff gets under my skin & messes with my head, mans inhumanity to man & all that, so I tend to avoid it.
Heart of Darkness was a title we studied at an English lit course and the movie Apocalypse Now was mentioned quite a few times, I think I should watch it sometime if I get the chance, especially since I've heard so many great things about it. Ishiguro is definitely an author I want to read more by, so I'm very much looking forward to your review on WWWO whenever you get to reading it
I can definitely see why one would like to steer clear from titles like Night and The Kiss, they're really aggrevating to read and they can only end up making one sad. Sometimes I wonder myself why I read those kinds of books. At least they are a good test to see if one still has their ability for empathy left. And I confess, I am interested in all things psychological, I read true crime as well
well at least that's good to know, well done them. I do believe in free speech but I wish the powers that be would do something about websites that promote hatred and violence, I guess it's just not possible to police it. But I have to believe that most people are essentially good ... it's too dispiriting otherwise (I mean I'm not Pollyanna or anything .. there's probably not a day that goes by without me wanting to throttle someone .. someone on TV usually.) I'm definitely going to read Elie's book because though, like I said, I have read a lot of Holocaust books already I don't think I've read any firsthand accounts. Thanks for highlighting it Frankie I know it'll be an uncomfortable read but it'll be food for thought too.
I also believe in the freedom of speech, but the line between free speach and pure incitement to for example ethnic hatred is hard to draw. I would think that at least putting up the addresses and phone numbers of people you've personally attacked against and whom you publically hate on a website should be prohibited. I feel that sometimes the society is more concerned about the rights of the perpetrators than their victims, which to me is total BS.
You're definitely right about us needing to keep believing that most people are good and would not tolerate discrimination. The least we can do is pass on those values to our offspring when the time comes.
Definitely Frankie, well said
Thanks Weave
Great reviews, Frankie! I can't wait to read Night now (if that's the correct phrase to use for a book that will be difficult to read because of the content).
Yeah I noticed in the Book Activity thread that Paula sent you the books, that's so nice of her! I can't wait to see what you think of them. Day sounds particularly good but unfortunately our library doesn't have any copies of it. When I go to see BF next time I'll take a look in his library.
No redeeming qualities at all?
There must've been something because I gave it a 3/5. I did start enjoying the novel towards the end, and I enjoyed reading and thinking about what living in the 'jungle', with only one goal in your mind can do to you and how it can mess with your head.
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I think it's a very common experience, no matter how intriguing a book might seem, the massiveness of it can put you off it. I should've known you did it yourself, I just realised you have a link to DeviantArt in your signature
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A twister mystery I haven't read in a long time. In fact Fitzek must have taken "twisty" lessons from Nabokov.
An eminent psychiatrist loses his 12 year old daughter. She simply disappears within a half hour of his having brought her to see an allergist for an illness that has plagued her for the last 11 months. The next thing we know, 4 years later, we find him strapped down in a clinic coming off of some powerful medications. The story he tells his doctor boggle the mind. What is real? What happened to his daughter, to him, and who is the woman novelist that visits him on his practically deserted island in the North Sea? She claims to be a patient referred by a colleague of his. Where is the doctor's wife? And why is everyone lying to him?
The double U-turn at the end of this novel left me exclaiming out loud several times, even to the last 3 or 4 pages. I read it in a little less than 4 hours, that included time out for dinner prep and rapid eating.
Highly recommended.
Wow, you must've read it in one sitting, which to me usually means that you couldn't put the book down. I loved hearing about your strong reaction to the twists and turns at the end, making you exclaim out loud several times
I have the book on my TBR, I really must get to it soon. Could you elaborate on your views on Fitzek possibly taking lessons from Nabokov? You've got me mighty intrigued!
Frankie Reads 2011
in Past Book Logs
Posted · Edited by frankie
Mr Rosenblum's List
by Natasha Solomons
Blurb: "LIST ITEM 2. Never speak German on the upper decks of London Buses.
Jack Rosenblum is five foot three and a half inches of sheer tenacity. He's writing a list so he can become a Very English Gentleman.
LIST ITEM 41. An Englishman buys his marmalade from Fortnum & Mason.
It's 1952, and despite his best efforts, his bid to blend in is fraught with unexpected hurdles - including his wife. Sadie doesn't want to forget where they came from or the family they've lost. And she shows no interest in getting a purple rinse.
LIST ITEM 112. An Englishman keeps his head in a crisis.
Join Jack as he leads a reluctant Sadie deep into the heart of the English countryside. Here, in a land of woolly pigs, bluebells and jitterbug cider, they embark on an impossible task... "
Thoughts: I remember having read very enthusiastic reviews of this novel on this forum and the blurb sounded intriguing, so I had to have it. Thanks again, poppyshake, for the copy! I found the idea of the novel very appealing mainly for two reasons, one of which I just realised myself: I like to read books about Jews and I'd heard that this novel was supposed to be funny. The other reason is that I am myself an alien to the British people and their wonderful country, and while I'm fluent in English, it's not my mother tongue and I can relate to the language barrier problems. I can also very well relate to being a foreigner in another country, feeling like I don't belong and at the same time wanting to belong so bad. I only realised that while I was about to start writing this review.
When I started reading this novel I felt like the book was okay but nothing more. I was very disappointed in it for not being as funny as was promised! I felt like I must be missing all the jokes that other people who've read the book have understood and marvelled at, and I had this weird feeling of being made a fool of. By the time I was on page 70 or so I was utterly frustrated and annoyed and to be honest, bored! To me, the novel was not funny-haha at all. To me the book was actually very sad. Here we have this Jack Rosenblum who's trying to make the best out of everything, to the degree that he doesn't listen to his wife's opinions and decides on their future plans by himself. He's determined to be happy and optimistic no matter what, which to me screams desperation more than anything. We also have Sadie, who's determined to be unhappy, to wallow in her sorrow and to live with the dead, like a hollow corpse of a humanbeing herself. These people are the very opposites and couldn't understand each other at all and that made me really sad for them. How are they supposed to have any kind of decent life together?
When I'd reached this point, I had a brief break and thought about the novel and my extreme reaction to it. I thought to myself, I want to finish the novel no matter what, and if the book seems more sad to me than funny, then so be it, I'll read it as a sad story and won't expect anything more from it. Thus I began to read it again and lo and behold: it worked. I started rooting for Jack, and hoping the best for Sadie. There was a turn of events that helped me a lot in my mission:
Sadie going after her precious pictures on the pond and Jack rescuing her.
After this everything seemed to change and I felt better connected to the characters. I even started to like the village folk. And I started to find little bits and pieces that amused me. For such a slow start it got really good towards the end and I can now say I really enjoyed the novel. I'm even considering keeping the book
4/5