Vodkafan's book list 2013

[vodkafan]

 

Where is this magical place?! Completely admire you for coming home with only 10, I suspect I should have tried to come home with 50...

 

Alone in Berlin is extremely high on my wish list after someone (Brian?) reviewed it here, so I shall be curious to see what you think of it when you get to it.

 

 

Bit of a niche fetish but glad to see it spreading

 

 

You too Tim? 

 

Wow, those sound like some amazing deals!

 

 It is the town recycling centre. It has a shop attached to it filled with the stuff that some folks inconceivably throw away  .  I should go there more often, as it is on the way to the gym. It has some beautiful old furniture in it too , sadly I don't need any more furniture, I can't fit it in..great place for DVDs, old pc/console games old vinyl records, books, home gym stuff, bikes, camping equipment, tennis rackets, there were like 3 golf bags there today all filled with the clubs..yes Athena prices are amazing... 

[Brian.]

Alone in Berlin is a fantastic book in my opinion and you got a real bargain picking it up for what you paid.

[Karsa Orlong]

Ditto what Brian says, it's a brilliant book.

[vodkafan]

Alone in Berlin is a fantastic book in my opinion and you got a real bargain picking it up for what you paid.

 

 

Ditto what Brian says, it's a brilliant book.

 

I had never heard of it. But the blurb on the back cover sounded interesting . It sort of ties in with the world of The Book Thief, which I have not long read, so it seemed destiny that it should fall into my hand.

[Devi]

Perfume - Patrick Suskind

 

I read this late last year, was certainly different to the movie! When I think back I think I enjoyed the movie more than the book, not to say the book wasn't bad. Look forward to reading your thoughts when you get around to reading it.

[vodkafan]

Perfume - Patrick Suskind

 

I read this late last year, was certainly different to the movie! When I think back I think I enjoyed the movie more than the book, not to say the book wasn't bad. Look forward to reading your thoughts when you get around to reading it.

 This is actually a re-read for me! I got it because 2 of my kids were fascinated by the film and thought they might want to read it.

[Devi]

 This is actually a re-read for me! I got it because 2 of my kids were fascinated by the film and thought they might want to read it.

 

So what did you think of it? Have you seen the movie then too?

[vodkafan]

I read the book many years ago and loved it. Watched the film for the first time only last year and a lot of the plot details had slipped my mind. But I enjoyed the film too. I think it did the spirit of the book justice even if not 100% accurate. Both highly original.

[Kidsmum]

5 for £1 !!!! Sounds dangerously hard to resist 

[bree]

Also, my rucksack fetish continues

 

Is a rucksack the same as backpack, vodkafan?

Or it there some technical difference?

And how many do you own?

[Athena]

In Dutch we call a backpack a 'rugzak' ('rug' meaning back (of a person or animal) and 'zak' meaning bag).

[bree]

^^ Thanks Athena - it looks like "rucksack" was derived from Dutch then!

Makes sense after you explained it.

 

Edit: Or German

Edited February 7, 2013 by bree

[vodkafan]

The word is almost the same in Norwegian and Swedish too. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backpack

 To answer your question Bree I have a changing collection of rucksacks. I like to try different ones but I never have more than 2 or 3 at any one time.

At the moment I have the one I just bought to give to my daughter;

 then a 1970's shortback "H"  external frame rucksack;

my "soft"  comfy everyday rucksack based on a wartime german design

and a Swedish ex-army surplus military backpack, which is crap.

 

The ones I am looking out for are old longback H frame and A frame rucksacks, I used to have them years ago but now they are very rare, nobody makes them any more.

[bree]

Thanks for explaining vodkafan - I don't know much about the technical words - but I do love looking at different backpack designs.

I had a faithful Northface which I finally retired - and recently got a gorgeous green Osprey Kestrel.

It's perfect for short-travels and for hiking.

 

Not sure what frame that is though!

[vodkafan]

Thanks for explaining vodkafan - I don't know much about the technical words - but I do love looking at different backpack designs.

I had a faithful Northface which I finally retired - and recently got a gorgeous green Osprey Kestrel.

It's perfect for short-travels and for hiking.

 

Not sure what frame that is though!

 I will look them up try find some pictures!

[vodkafan]

Ah the Kestrel is an internal frame very modern. Contoured back. Was it comfy?

I found this for North Face. Did your old ruck look anything like this? Which did you prefer?

 

[vodkafan]

Here is my everyday comfy German rucksack. It has no frame at all. The pockets are useful size.

[bree]

Ah no, my Northface had a built-in section for laptops - I think that design is obsolete now - couldn't find a picture of it!

 

I like the Kestrel much better - I think it suits my frame better - and I'm amazed at how much I can pack in and still not feel the weight. It also never looks "bulky".

The Northface was shorter and broader than the Kestrel - and my shoulders would feel the weight after a while - no matter how I adjusted the straps.

[bree]

Ah that's a wonderful one James - it wouldn't suit my needs - but I love the design.

The buckles are particularly nice.

[vodkafan]

Here are pictures of an  external frame ruck. They were popular in the 1930s-50s.  But the design goes back much further, I have seen a Norwegian one dating from 1890's .This is an "A" frame as the frame looks like an A .

 

Edited February 8, 2013 by vodkafan

[bree]

They look rugged - lovely ones!

I think I'm beginning to understand why you like them so much

[vodkafan]

Later on in the 60's and 70's the "H" frame became all the rage. This was  derived from the loads carried by the Ghurkas !  carried very high on the back . This is my favourite type, very comfy

 

[bree]

I've seen similar worn-out ones here James!

Not in a shop though.

 

Wouldn't the frames get you a bit stiff-backed on long hikes?

[vodkafan]

They look rugged - lovely ones!

I think I'm beginning to understand why you like them so much

 

I guess I like them the way women like handbags. I can't help it. 

[vodkafan]

I've seen similar worn-out ones here James!

Not in a shop though.

 

Wouldn't the frames get you a bit stiff-backed on long hikes?

 It's all about getting the proper fit. You can get long and short back H frames. No they can be very comfortable. But any rucksack that doesn't fit you properly can hurt you. It is about loading your spine after all.