frankie

Quickreads, quick fix!

So very tired. But happy. I've enjoyed the work and the company of the employer I recommended her some books after hearing her talk about some books she's really enjoyed. I mentioned a few titles to her yesterday but we didn't have time to check them on the computer, and didn't have time for that today, either, but she really wanted me to write the titles down so she can look them up herself. The first one is a Finnish novel about a reporter going undercover and visiting old people as a nurse or caretaker of some sort, in order to write an expose on how old people are treated. It was a really thought-provoking novel, and it made me think about what it's going to be like when we get old. It paints a very bleak picture, and it can make you depressed, so better not to think about it too much. But my employee really liked the sound of the novel. She's read Untinen-Auel's novels so of course I recommended her Linda Lay Shuler's books. Then I suggested she read A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. I have loads of other suggestions but I thought we ought to start small My own reading's been suffering though. Too tired.

Well you're the first one to comment, and at least you've read one of his books! It was a little weird, you say? I wonder in what respect. But I don't suppose you remember ...? I find the Hollywood aspect of the novel rather appealing. It kind of reminds me of They Shoot Horses, Don't They?, for some reason.

I'm a bit confused: when is the actual Halloween weekend? I thought it was next week, but now I'm thinking I may have gotten the date wrong?

I finished Etta and Otto and Russell and James last night and found the last 40 or so pages lacking. It left me with so many questions! And I don't know if it's just me, or was it supposed to be like that. Going to bed soon, need to start another novel.... Wohoo!

Am somewhat mega tired. A friend of mine told me about this personal assistant's temp job last Thursday, and I went for an interview the next day, last Friday, and started work today. It all happened so fast! It's only for two weeks, but I ain't complaining. I could use the experience, and the money, and my employer is such a fun and nice lady She actually told me today that it's a shame that I hadn't applied for the job a month or so ago, because that's when she was looking for a new full-time employee and now someone else has filled the position. I took it to mean that if I'd been interviewed then, she might have hired me full-time! But it was at the time when I was looking for a new flat and had no energy to be looking for a job simultaneously. Oh well, such is life sometimes. This is my first job as a personal assistant so it's all very new to me. The term personal assistant might be a bit misleading, though, I find. What it means is that I'm working for a person who has a disability or disabilities of some sort, and I help them with different aspects of their everyday life: cooking, cleaning, doing the laundry, shopping, etc. I think I'm pretty darn lucky that my first employer is such a nice person with such a great attitude in life. She has so many funny stories, I don't know how she remembers so many things that have happened in her life! What's a tremendous bonus, is that she's a bookworm and loves dogs That was totally coincidental! Her sister has two dogs and she told me about them and I saw a picture of one of them, too. He looked soooo adorable!

Weird what college can do to you! :D So cool that you finally found a real, full size chair that, even though it's not totally designer-guaranteed antique, is old and totally fanciful and in your price range! I'd definitely like to see pictures of your collection, big and small In answer to your question, yes, I am glad I asked I'm quite sure other people would find your chairs interesting, too! Edit: I find it so curious that you've been meaning to start your own thread and post on the subject, and here I asked you about it! Well, you did mention them yourself first, so it's not that great of a coincidence...

Okay, I couldn't resist: Started watching Soap on youtube

I think there's a fair chance that you will enjoy it

How old were you when it was on TV and it was DENIED from you? I think it was sometime during the 90's that I watched it on TV: it was a re-run of course. Mom told me that she used to watch it when it first aired. The show was hilarious I used to tape the episodes and I would watch them over and over again... I really miss my VHS tapes Some day I'm going to buy the DVDs!! So have you ever watched the show, later in life when you got older? Were your parents fans of the show? Yep, it was quite out there... On a whole other level! I used to have such a huge crush on Jodie And the first time I saw Billy Crystal play someone else, I felt so mad and cheated! He was the embodiment of Jodie and my teenage self wasn't having any of his other roles I still haven't forgiven him and I try to avoid anything that includes Billy Crystal. Confused? You won't be, after this episode of... SOAP! Tittidi-ti-di-tidididi....

Nathanael West's novel The Day of the Locust has come up a number of times during my literature courses at uni. I'm pretty sure I've had to read a chapter or two of the novel... Then a few years ago I watched a movie called Lonely Hearts Killers, which somehow led me to the novel Miss Lonelyhearts. The movie is not based on that book, but it's a similar concept about personal ads. I haven't managed to read the book yet, but it interests me, as does TDotL. Has anyone read any novels by Nathanael West? Any thoughts on them? I wikied the author and found out that West unfortunately died at an early age, he was killed in a car crash, and so there are only 4 novels by him.

#61. The Rumor by Elin Hilderbrand From the book cover: Madeline King and Grace Pancik are best friends and the envy of Nantucket for their perfect marriages, their beautiful kids, their Saturday night double dates with their devoted husbands. But this summer, something's changed, and if there's anything Nantucket likes better than cocktails on the beach at sunset, it's a good rumor. And the rumor has it... ... that Madeline, a novelist, is battling writer's block, with a deadline looming, bills piling up, and blank pages driving her to desperation - and a desperately bad decision; ... that Grace, hard at work to transform her backyard into a garden paradise, has been collaborating a bit more closely than necessary with her ruggedly handsome landscape architect; ... that Grace's husband, successful island real estate developer "Fast Eddie" Pancik, has embarked on quite an unusual side project; ... that the storybook romance between Madeline's son, Brick, and Grace's daughter Allegra is on the rocks, heading for disaster. As the gossip escalates, and they face the possible loss of the happy lives they've worked so hard to create, Grace and Madeline try mightily to set the record straight - but the truth might be even worse than rumor has it. Thoughts: A readable book which is not something to frown upon if one's been having problems with one's mojo... However, if I had my usual reading capacities intact, this would've been very much a meh book. It's now only semi meh. Or rather, a full-on meh, but I'm just happy to have been able to read a book. I liked the cover, too Very soothing. A sunny day on the beach. I wish it was summer and the sky was clear and the sun was shining and it would be warm again... As it just so happens, I finally visited the seaside this Monday for the first time since I moved to south. The beach wasn't as white and soft as one would have liked, but the sea was there! It was a cold day, though. But I did get to walk along the beach Very much off-topic, but why not, when one hasn't got that much to say about the actual novel... 3/5

Yep, it's really good! I read all those pages in one go True, I did have problems falling asleep and so I read more than I would have, otherwise, but I really enjoyed what I read!

I started reading Etta and Otto and Russell and James by Emma Hooper last night, got to page 164. Very much liking it so far!

Hello and welcome to the forum

I finished The Rumor by Elin Hilderbrand, my first read in what feels like ages!

Seconding this recommendation! I would also suggest The Rabbit Back Literature Society by Pasi Ilmari Jääskeläinen. Highly recommended! I'm also thinking of Death and the Penguin by Andrey Kurkov, but I can't promise 100% that it's set in the wintertime... It's the penguin in the novel that makes me think it might be but that's really neither here nor there, so .... Another title that comes to mind is The Stranger Next Door by Amélie Nothomb, but again, I'm not 100% it's set in the winter... I think it is, at least in part. Also definitely recommending Harbour by John Ajvide Lindqvist. A novel that came to mind initially but which I am not personally recommending as I didn't enjoy the last 1/3 of it: Smilla's Sense of Snow by Peter Høeg. We also have a thread for winter/snow/Christmas, but most of the recommendations are Christmassy read and/or not spooky, but if you want, you could always go through the thread and see if there's anything there

I don't own a smartphone.

Whereas my previous closest library was just a block away from my flat, now I have 1 kilometer to walk. I think it will do me good, to have to walk there (I could take the tram but walking's free!)

Yay for enjoying the Barclay novel! I've not read this particular book but I know what you mean about his writing style being engaging and readable. That's what I've found his other books to be like

Hello and welcome to the forum! This place has been a real inspiration for a lot of people and the amount of recommendations and suggestions is sometimes more than one can handle I hope you like it here

Visited my new 'home' library today for the first time ever. I've seen the building many times when I've been on my way to a friend, but have never been inside. I set off at 1 PM with a map. I know some streets in my new neighborhood from before, but not all the streets in between, connecting the different places. I knew it would take me about 15 minutes to get to the library... I went for a walk yesterday, too, and missed this one street that would conveniently lead me to the subway station and the library, and I missed the same freaking street today, too. So I ended up going around in circles... Even though I had a freaking map! At one point I'd reached the bloody subway station even though it was in the wrong direction... And I ended up in one particular street where there's a secondhand bookshop twice!! It was so annoying... It took me an hour to find the freaking library! By then I was so cold that I popped in a kiosk and got a coffee. I was drinking the coffee in front of the library when this guy came out through a side door and started smoking. I asked him if he works at the library and if he knew how I could ask for a job. But he was 'only' doing his civil service thing. We talked for a while and he then asked if I was from Joensuu My dialect is a dead giveaway... Anyhow, then I went in and checked out the library. A bit small... Not that many books around. Surprisingly few titles! I guess all the branch libraries over here are small... But it was a nice and comfy library. I needed to scan a document for a thing and the customer service was great and obliging. I also found a few titles I've been wanting to borrow for a while: Mike and Psmith by P. G. Wodehouse (have never seen a copy of this before!), Etta and Otto and Russell and James by Emma Hooper (started this once before but then mojo ran away) and The Truth about the Harry Quebert Affair by Joël Dicker. And this one's a signed first edition I saw the signature on the first page and thought it was a poor joke, but then read the sticker on the front cover When I walked back, I decided to just follow the tram tracks, and by golly, I was home in 15 minutes... Well it was good exercise! Fresh air!

I don't think you realize that you're far ahead of me this year already... I've acquired 29 books and have only read 5 TBR books

How was it? I had to give up Dear Mr. M by Herman Koch because of the due date.. Started reading The Rumor by Elin Hilderbrand.

I've not been a huge fan of the third season, but things just got interesting. Finished watching episode 9: About Last Night. Can't wait to find out what Dexter's going to do about the whole thing! Where's everyone else at?