pipread

Hello and welcome, I`m sure you`re going to love it here.

Anne Frank Remembered ~ Miep Gies Synopsis (from the cover) Anne Frank Remembered is the story of a tragedy, of a world gone mad with hatred, but it is also, finally, a story of hope and of human courage and kindness that will never be forgotten. Since they were published soon after the end of World War Two the Diaries of Anne Frank have been read and loved by millions of people throughout the world. Now for the first time the story of Anne and other members of the Frank family, who hid from Nazi persecution in the secret rooms of their office building in Amsterdam, is told from the outside by the woman who, with others, helped to hide them and acted as their link with the outside world. My thoughts I didn`t even know this book had been written until a few weeks ago, when I read a review of it on BCF. It sounded so interesting to me, a lover of The Diary of Anne Frank, that I reserved it at the library, and I`m very glad I did. Miep Gies is an incredible lady, she says in the prologue, "I am not a hero, I stand at the end of a long, long line of good Dutch people who did what I did or more - much more - during those dark and terrible times years ago, but always like yesterday in the hearts of those who bore witness. Never a day goes by that I do not think of what happened then." In my mind she was most certainly a hero. In this book she tells how she worked for and became a friend of Otto Frank and his family, and when Otto Frank asked for her help, when he was preparing to go into hiding, Miep Gies didn`t hesitate, she knew the risks involved, but helped anyway. She risked her life on a daily basis, searching for food for so many people, having to go further and further from home to find as much as she could when supplies got lower and lower and on more than one occassion she broke the curfew, because she couldn`t get home in time and was in danger of being caught. She spent time with the Frank family in their secret annexe, because she knew they craved the company and the news. Miep Gies carried the weight of their dependence on her but she carried on, even though it got increasingly difficult. Whilst doing all this - and more - she helped to run the business, and helped keep it going throughout the war. On the day The Annexe was discovered and the prisoners were taken away, Miep Gies took another risk, she went up into the annexe and picked up Annes diary, she placed it in an office drawer to keep it safe for Anne, when she returned. Reading this book and the horrors within it, of life during the Nazi occupation, I found it hard to comprehend how life went on at all, and how people found the strength to carry on. Many people joined the Nazis, but thankfully many helped support the jewish people. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anybody who has read and enjoyed, The Diary of Anne Frank, but also to anybody interested in the history of this period. "My story is a story of very ordinary people during extraordinarily terrible times. Times the like of which I hope with all my heart will never, never come again. It is for all of us ordinary people all over the world to see to it that they do not." Miep Gies. 8/10

When I reached my teens, I started getting migraines. I assume they were hormonal as I had one most months. Coffee, chocolate and cheese were also triggers, but so was bright sunlight, cold weather and skipping meals. I used to have migraines that went on for three days or more and all I wanted to do was sleep. After my first child was born the migraines were less frequent, and now I`m older, I rarely get them at all. I do however get a lot of bad headaches, and I feel as though I take far too many painkillers. Of my three children two suffered migraines, my sons started at the age of 6 but stopped altogether when he got to, 11 or 12. My daughter started getting them at 13 but luckily for her she only gets, 3-4 a year.

I tried Russka but couldn`t get into it, I`ll have to try it again sometime.

I agree, London is an incredible book, so much detail and very readable. I also read Sarum and The Forest, by Edward Rutherford as well, which were both good too. London`s the best one though, in my opinion.

I read Ring, a while ago, and enjoyed it, and I`m definately going to look out for this now!

Hello Liz welcome to the forum.

I think that your changing of, rule number 3, makes a lot of sense. You`re much more likely to complete the challenge now, as it will be more enjoyable to read a book that you`re in the right mood for.

South American food and wonderful cocktails tonight. We`re celebrating my sons birthday so we`re eating out.

pondered over whether his tricycle and three bags of shopping would go through the..........

It looks good so I`ll be recording it.

shortcuts! no walking around now, just go straight through, saves time and............

Lucky you - not only a specially signed, favourite book, but a thoughtful, considerate boyfriend too!

I do love chicken in lemon sauce, I think that`s tomorrows dinner planned!

Janet, You`re the only other person I know who`s read it I still keep thinking of it, I can`t remember a book having such a lasting effect on me. I must try more of his books I think. Oh that`s brilliant BookBee! I hope you won`t be disappointed.

If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things ~ Jon McGregor About the book This is Jon McGregors debut novel and it is a beautifully written, almost poetic story. The story is set on an ordinary street in northern England over the course of a single summers day. The streets residents go about there normal business, children play, a group of young men struggle to light a barbecue, another man is at the top of a ladder painting his windows. Perfectly ordinary events, until something awful happens to change things. For the most part we`re not told any names, we get to know people by the wonderful descriptions of them and the number of their house. We know that something dreadful happened, which affected the people who witnessed it, but we are kept in suspense until the end of the book. We get to know the characters and something of their lives, we hear it from the characters themselves, from neighbours and from the narrator. With his words the author captures the street, the people and events, it`s almost like watching a film, the descriptions are so clear. All the way through we are wondering what happens? is it....? or is it ....? This never affects the enjoyment of the story, and for all the description, it is never dull. To say I enjoyed this book is an under statement. I thought the use of language to describe people and seemingly insignificant things was wonderful. Even when I finished reading this book I kept thinking of it, the characters are so real, it`s impossible not to care about them. It made me realise how little we know about what goes on around us on our own street, just because we haven`t got the time or because things don`t seem important. Like The Book Thief, I think this book is something special. I thought it was brilliant and I will definately re-read it again one day. I really recommend it. 10/10

Chicken, chips and salad.

Hello and

Hello Termite welcome to the forum.

Kell, Xander is so cute!

I`d agree with the idea of trying short stories. It helps to be able to read in short bursts and in the past I`ve found this has helped me to relax and enjoy reading again. David I hope you find the cure that suits you soon.

I bought this yesterday because I thought it sounded good! It did only cost

I am not a hero. I stand at the end of the long, long line of good Dutch people.... Anne Frank Remembered ~ Miep Gies

Hello Katherine welcome to BCF.