willoyd

Completed the Popsugar Reading Challenge tonight, with The Midwich Cuckoos fulfilling the science fiction novel category. Good one to finish on. Little Pixie - we're (OH and I) off to see When We Are Married later on this autumn. Everything says to me that Priestley is distinctly underrated nowadays. I'm looking forward to getting my head into his essays.

Reading Update Completed a couple of books this weekend. Firstly, finished off Robert Goddard's Set in Stone on Saturday morning. A solid enough mystery/thriller, that I would have probably enjoyed more without an unnecessary supernatural element. It also had an ending that left me slightly bemused - hopefully somebody on the English Counties board might be able to help out - but I've read worse. Also read Through the Looking Glass, short enough to complete in a single sitting on Sunday evening. Liked the chess element that one could follow (I played along as I read it). One of those books where you recognise all the elements, but have never actually strung them altogether. Overdue for reading! Also attended three sessions at the Ilkley Literature Festival. First off was Emma Wells on Pilgrim Routes. Somewhat disappointed with this one: the book comes across as a somewhat superficial guide to seven routes, most of which aren't actually pilgrim routes but simply walking routes with a religous theme developed for the tourist industry by local authorities etc (with a couple of honourable exceptions). Not even much of a discussion on any possible change in the nature of 'pilgrimages' that these might have marked. As there was another talk that I would have gone to, was doubly disappointed. In contrast Peter Wilson discussing his monumental book The Holy Roman Empire was engrossing. We spent several weeks this summer cycling across the northern reaches of the old HRE, so this was doubly appealing. Several myths were succinctly and effectively dismissed, and he provided sufficient of an overview to really make me want to go out and tackle what looks to be a formidable brick of a book but it is on a topic that increasingly intrigues. Finally, we (OH and I) were thoroughly entertained by a fistful of varied names (including Margaret Drabble, Barry Cryer and Kenneth Tynan) reading extracts from works by JB Priestley to mark the publication of the Notting Hill Editions collection of essays of his, Grumbling at Large. On trawling through Amazon afterwards, I was surprised to discover a real paucity of Priestley essays available in print, even on the second hand market. He isn't very fashionable outside Yorkshire (and not that much inside it either it appears), but everything I've read or seen of his I've distinctly enjoyed. Shades of a rather more old-fashioned and (deliberately) curmudgeonly Alan Bennet. Next up, we're off to see Tracey Chevalier on Tuesday, our only midweek fixture given the pressures of work, although I might try and add a couple of events next week if observations, consultations or assessments don't get in the way.

Mini-reviews Some books read in September The Muse by Jessie Burton ***** A twin-stranded story, set in 1960s London and the Spanish Civil War, centred on the mystery of the 'authorship' of a painting painted during the latter period. I've not read The Miniaturist yet, so this was my first experience of Jessie Burton's work, and I loved it. It's not without fault, not least the way the 1960s strand central character's voice was written in a Caribbean accent when she spoke, but a standard English voice when she thought, but she and others otherwise still kept me interested. The story itself was thoroughly intriguing, with a twist at the end which, whilst partially guessed, still managed to catch me out. Another World by Pat Barker *** Pat Barker's writing is consistently excellent, but I have to admit that her narratives tend to disappoint. Sacrilege I know when considering that includes her Regeneration trilogy, but it was really only the first of these that grabbed me. Another World continued that pattern. It didn't help that the actual plotline simply didn't reflect the blurb, which I found thoroughly misleading. Instead, the story centres primarily on the tribulations of a family's relationships, with both partners bringing families with previous partners to that relationship. Even then, to be honest, it all felt a bit pointless, and I reached the end of the book feeling that it had been a pleasant enough, but rather directionless, read. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen ***** Not my favourite Austen (that remains Sense and Sensibility); indeed it's amongst my least (only Northanger Abbey ranks lower), but Austen's weakest writing is still better than almost all others. It took me a while to get into the novel, but that really stemmed from only being able to read in small bursts. Once I could settle down, I became far more deeply immersed. This was my first reread (most other Austens are on their third or fourth), but I came away having enjoyed it rather more than first time round: in particular, Fanny Price came across as far more interesting, and rather less insipid, than previously, even if I found my regard for Mary Crawford growing too! In all, I felt the book showed a greater sophistication and subtlety than I appreciated first time round. It does, however, lack the wit of some of her earlier novels, taking itself rather more seriously. It seems to me that Jane Austen's novels sense of fun declines somewhat as she gets older; I do wonder how her writing would have developed if she had lived longer. A Short History of the Vietnam War by Gordon Kerr *** Pretty much does what it says on the tin: a usefully succinct and illuminating overview of a conflict that dominated news reports throughout my childhood. Not much else to say really, other than it was interesting enough and short enough to read in a couple of sittings. [

Not yet, but it's my book group's choice for next February, so will read it over the New Year period.

Just finished Set in Stone. I'm being very thick, I know, but can anyone explain the ending (literally, that thing right in the last few lines) to me please?

Tried Cloud Atlas for the third or fourth time, but have definitively decided enough is enough. I loved The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet, but this was dreadful. Having said that, didn't read enough of it to count as being 'read', so I maybe am being unfair, but having dipped in to later parts and read the Wikipedia plot summary, I can't say I'm remotely inclined to carry on trying. Really surprised, as was looking forward to this.

A diversion from Lorna Doone to read The Swerve by Stephen Greenblatt - satisfying the NBA Award winner category in this year's Popsugar Challenge, now at 38/40. To be honest, a rather disappointing read, puffed up rather excessively as about the discovery of the book that kickstarted the Renaissance. An interesting enough read of sorts, but not what it said on the cover, and all felt rather inconsequential. Perhaps more to the point personally, this was my sixtieth book of the year, only the fourth time I've topped this figure in a year, and the first time I've reached that figure before December (the previous earliest was last year, on December 5th).

Personal opinion, but yes, I don't think it matters. I read The Warden long after Barchester Towers, and I'm sure it didn't affect my enjoyment of either: it was like reading a prequel. Personally, I prefer the latter, but enjoyed both, and they work well side by side.

Yes, that's the one. I picked it up to browse as it's in the buy-one-get-one-half-price deal at Waterstones, and it's somewhat different take on human history immediately appealed: we'll see! It's barely 200 pages, not all of them complete so isn't a massive investment, but I think/hope you would find it a rewarding one! Definitely recommend trying it. Exactly!! But in Fanny's defence, she almost has to be the way she is, simply to cope with her circumstances. She couldn't afford (literally) to be similarly spirited. And she certainly develops an eye/ear for what's right and wrong (at least by the mores of the time). She'd certainly be a good friend.

Another Reading Update Continuing with the updates.... Finished Ella Minnow Pea this week, a quick read that took barely a day. Loved the concept, whilst watching the author deal with the technical challenge was really interesting. 4/6, so a good rating. Otherwise, have been trying to settle to Lorna Doone, the Somerset book for the English Counties, which is still attempting to take off after a hundred pages or so. Have additionally been distracted by Stephen Greenblatt's The Swerve, part of the Popsugar year long challenge that I've almost finished, without even mentioning that little thing called work (have the most difficult class I've ever taught this year, and they are horribly time consuming), so probably a wee bit unfair to effectively criticise. Also bought a few books on special offer etc today: Sixty Degrees North The Great British Dream Factory Sapiens The Bible for Grown-Ups The Ilkley Literature Festival starts at the end of the week coming too. Am scheduled to see quite a lot at weekends, including quite a lot on the science thread, but only Tracey Chevalier during the weeks, on the 4th. Looking forward to it all. Will inevitably lead to a bit of a drain on the resources, but will try and restrain myself this year!

Thanks for that. I don't usually have a problem with 'flowery' language - rather the reverse it seems - but it's taking a while to get any momentum going on the narrative. My parents lived in Minehead for a few years, and I've run all over Exmoor, so am reasonably familiar with it (although haven't really related where I know to anywhere much in the book). Beautiful part of the world - must go back (love the nearby Quantocks too).

Completed Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn. A quick but intriguing read. 4/6. Also about 100 pages through Lorna Doone. Struggling a little bit to settle to it.

SPOILER ALERT I don't think though that listening to a book your struggling with will have helped: 14+ hours, when the book took barely a third of that to read it. I really enjoy audiobooks, but only when I'm in tune with the book.

Have you read it through to the end?

Finished Mansfield Park. Struggled a little bit earlier on simply, I think, because I was reading in too small chunks. As soon as I settled down to read it 'properly', I found myself loving it,it became near unputdownable, and I rattled through the last half. Not my favourite by some way (that remains Sense and Sensibility, with Emma very close behind), but still better than the best that most authors achieve.

Well, that's three of those on my all-time favourites list - so I think our tastes may somewhat differ! (One of the joys of reading, after all!).

If you are, so am I. I did something similar with the Laurie R King 'Mary Russell' paperbacks, because the American covers and bindings were so much more attractive than the English versions.

Finished Mansfield Park, started A Short History of the Vietnam War. A bit of a contrast!

Reading Update The rate of reading, and the amount of time I can spend here, has reduced fairly dramatically as it's September, and September means the start of the academic year. I look forward to the (hopefully not too distant) day I can dump it all - this past year has definitely convinced me that my time as a classroom teacher is coming to an end, and if it hadn't, this past couple of weeks definitely has, as long as I can afford it! Full or mini-reviews to follow later, but three books read finished since the last update: Jesse Burton's The Muse: loved this, one of the best new books I've read this year; great twist near the end. 5 stars. Pat Barker's Another World: read as part of the English Counties Challenge. Well written, but I got to the end and couldn't really see the point. 3 stars. Jane Austen's Mansfield Park: another English Counties book, this one a reread. For the first week or so, I was reading at the rate of 20 or so pages a day if I was lucky, and found it a bit of a struggle, which surprised me as I remember it more fondly than that. However, as soon as I settled down to read it properly this weekend, it flowed so much better, even if I think the last dozen or so pages is a bit of an authorial wrap-up rather than a properly written ending. Still not amongst my favourites, probably ranking just above Northanger Abbey and below the rest, but definitely one that improves. Whilst Fanny, not the most highly regarded of Austen heroines, did grow on me somewhat, I still retain a sneaking, indeed quite strong, regard for Mary Crawford! 5 stars.

Sorry to take so long to reply - been snowed under with the start of the academic year and not been here very much if at all the last week or so. I've read 39, so just 9 to go. Most of those left are predominantly chunky classics, so will take some time to get through even though I'm looking forward to them (Mill on the Floss, Lorna Doone, Sons and Lovers, Tom Brown's Schooldays, Old Wives' Tale) - probably not ones to read one after the other. I'm currently rereading Mansfield Park, which, whilst it's not my favourite Austen (in fact, it's my second least favourite, just in front of Northanger Abbey), is still an enjoyable read. Swallows and Amazons will be OK and a reasonably quick read, although I know it so well that it seems a bit pointless rereading other than for the challenge. Otherwise the only reread will be Dracula (which I haven't read for sometime, so will almost be like a new read), and the only one I'm actually not looking forward to is Set in Stone. As Janet says, Another Place is definitely not a war story. Not quite what I expected from the blurb either, which was a slight disappointment as that appealed. Mainly a modern day story, looking at the various stresses and strains operating in a modern day family where the parents have both had previous marriages and children from those relationships. A relatively straightforward read, but one that left me wondering slightly what was the point of it. I'd agree with Janet's rating.

Completed the Tyne and Wear novel, Another Place, today. Beautifully written, as are all Pat Barker's books, but never completely engaged me. Admire it? Yes. respect it? Yes. Love it? No. 3/6.

Finished reading Another World, the Tyne and Wear selection for the English Counties challenge. A decent enough read, without ever really becoming unputdownable. A bit more straightforward and less intricate than I expected from the blurb. 3/6

I didn't give up, but I do agree that it was thoroughly disappointing. Has put me off reading any of her stuff since.

Two other Austen references jump to mind: (1) the Dashwoods are the central family in Sense and Sensibility (including, of course, Elinor and Marianne); (2) Cassandra was the name of Jane's much loved elder sister. I 'discovered' Elizabeth Taylor at the start of this year, and have enjoyed what I've read so far, so must look this one up! Thanks for the interesting review.

Yes, he has the same effect on me. I've just thought of another. I loved Lord of the Rings, was indifferent to The Hobbit, but have absolutely no intention of reading any of the other Middle-Earth books, including The Silmarillion.