smilerbabeuk
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Posts posted by smilerbabeuk
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I often pick up the meanings of words through context when reading. I have never had to get out the dictionary while reading. However, when I was writing essays/dissertation for a'levels and degree, I regularly had the dictionary out to check that the word I used meant what I thought it did. I don't remember getting any wrong. I think that makes me a lazy reader, but I've grown in confidence with language and vocabulary since I realised I know more than I thought. Hope that made sense!
I also think I had a headstart on understanding old fashioned language through bible reading from a very early age. I moved onto classic literature when I was about 11 or 12. My problem was less about understand the words, more not getting the subtext.
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I grew up with parents who both read a lot, my dad never watched tv he always sat at the kitchen table away from the noise reading. I do that now sometimes, sit in the kitchen reading while my kids watch tv. Both my kids like books, especially my 4 year old son, which I'm really pleased about. My husband is dyslexic and doesn't read much, but he's making an effort to since we saw a documentary showing how boys reading is influenced by their father. I'm proud of him for doing it, cos he takes a long time to comprehend what he's reading so its more a struggle than a joy for him but he wants to encourage our kids.
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I think that older books tend to focus much more on what was impressive about the hero, very much play down any flaws. So you get heroes like Sherlock Holmes who seem somewhat invincible.
Now books are much more about overcoming flaws to achieve great things, much more about the ordinary aspects of the character than the extraordinary.
There will always be heroes, but nobody writes about people that are nothing but impressive except in children's books.
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Sebastian Faulks, in his BBC2 show last weekend stated that the literary hero is dead. My first reaction was to think 'of course its not', but the more I think about it the more I think it may be true. It does depend on how you define a hero, whether they are simply the male lead character or if you take it as someone with exceptional courage, nobility or strength. The latter, a dictionary definition, doesn't really appear any more in literary works. They are full of the normal, flawed, conflicted man rather than the 'hero'.
So do you agree? Is the literary hero dead?
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But Emma is supposed to be really beautiful and not know it. There's even a bit in the book about taking glasses off and shaking the hair out. Anne hathaway sounds perfect to me.
I wasn't that keen on One Day to be honest. There were moments of insight, but I felt the characters were cliches / stereotypes and I didn't really care for any of them.
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I agree that the writing style left it somewhat confusing in places. At the beginning it did get in the way of the story for me, left me constantly re-reading bits and getting frustrated. However, I did overcome it mostly once I assumed he meant cromwell.
Good story, has left me wanting to know more about the history of the monarchy. I would have rated it 8/10 but the awkward writing style has lost it an extra point. 7/10
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I bought Anna Karenina about 15 years ago and have still never finished it. I must have started it about 3 or 4 times, but I've never summoned the strength to finish it. I think thats why all the Russian authors intimidate me.
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I will investigate these suggestions further, thanks for your help.
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I'm looking for a book on the history of the British /english monarchy, from 1066 or even before up to Henry 8 or Elizabeth 1. I'd prefer a fairly easy read rather than a heavy academic book if possible.
Any ideas?
Thanks in advance for any help.
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10 stapler
New list: excuses given for not coming into work
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I really need to change mine. its after an ex-boyfriend whose nickname was smiler - hence smiler(s)babe. I added the uk since the email I set up with the name was taken. I still have that email and I use smilerbabeuk everywhere even though I have been married for nearly 8 years to someone other than smiler. my husband doesn't know where it came from and most people assume its to do with smiling a lot. I can get away with it until someone asks....
trouble is, what to use instead??!
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I love this website: http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/
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Unfortunately Jo very rarely responds directly to people's posts ...
unfortunately Jo is having a bad hair day and seems to have a blonde poodle
Unfortunately Jo had never steered before
I like this game! The second one is true most days!
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One of the reasons huck finn is a classic is because it was ahead of its time with regard to racism. Its set in a racist time, so the words and story is accurate social history, but huck realises that his initial thoughts and attitudes are wrong. It's about anti-racism. How can you be offended by that. Besides, changing the words in a book won't wipe away the realities of our history. It's wrong to change them.
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I have the kindle app on my phone and have noticed some books in the store are designated kindle editions. Does this mean they are different? Are they edited or condensed? Just wondering, because that feels like cheating, I wouldn't want to say I've read a book if its condensed.
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I thought this was one of the most beautiful books I've read. It's such an uplifting story, so full of hope and the power of the good things in life. Absolutely fabulous.
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Your favourite read of the year?
tough one! the two that really stick out for me are At Home by Bill Bryson and The Other Hand by Chris Cleave
Your favourite author of the year?
Bill Bryson
Your most read author of the year?
Elizabeth Chadwick
Your favourite book cover of the year?
Is it bad to admit I don't really pay attention? I do pick up a book according to its cover and title font, but then it goes outof my mind completely.
The book you abandoned (if there was more than one, then the one you read the least of)?
The Alchemist by Paul Coelho. I haven't totally abandoned it, but it won't get finished this year.
The book that most disappointed you?
Love in the Time of Cholera and The Memory Keepers Daughter.
The funniest book you read this year?
Down Under - Bill Bryson
Your favourite literary character this year?
Charlie St Cloud
Your favourite children's book this year?
Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
Your favourite non-fiction book this year?
At Home by Bill Bryson
Your favourite biography this year?
Not sure if this counts, but the only vaguely biography style books I read were historical fictionalised accounts based on known facts of a persons life, mostly by ELizabeth Chadwick. I particularly liked the one about Roger Bigod in The Time of Singing.
Your favourite collection of short stories this year?
The Awakening and other stories by Kate Chopin (not necessarily favourite, more like only!)
Your favourite poetry collection this year?
not really read a collection, only the odd single poem.
Your favourite illustrated book of the year?
The Great Dog Bottom Swap by Peter Bently
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Do you buy new or second hand? Do you feel bad buying secondhand? I have a friend who is an author and she thinks you shouldn't be able to buy second hand, but I buy most of mine that way. I couldn't afford to buy new and I like to think I'm being somewhat environmentally friendly as the other option for books that people don't want anymore is to throw them away. The idea of that bothers me!
So what do you think? Are you chuffed when you find a book you want for a bargain or do you feel you are somehow cheating?
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I've just started the Memory Keepers Daughter.
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I'm in the middle of Love in the Time of Cholera. Don't get that's in top 100 of all time. It's average as far as I'm concerned.
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I am reading Love in the Time of Cholera. I'm about 185 pages in, but I find that I am not gripped. I will finish it, but not loving it.
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I have read most of Surfacing by Margaret Atwood today, am hoping to finish it tonight. I've found it really eye opening. I don't think I've read anything like it before, time or place wise.
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I am looking for the help finding the title of a book I read a while ago. It was about a brother and sister growing up in Africa, she moves to the UK and becomes a top model while the brother stays in Africa. I think the title may have something to do with a tree? could be wrong though.
can anyone help with the author or title, or give me an idea where else to look?
thanks in advance
Favorite book of the year so far?
in General Book Discussions
Posted
Interesting the same few books keep coming up. I shall definitely be bumping Room up my tbr mountain.
I've given 5 stars to four books this year so far:
The Help
Frankenstein
Stuart, a life backwards
Year of wonders
With hindsight though, I'm not sure the last belongs in the same league as the other three. Maybe I'll downgrade it to 4 and 3/4 s instead.