Frankie reads 2013

[julie]

Frankie

Do you number them in order of the one you want most ? Or do you just let her choose so it'll be a bit of a surprise ?

 

This is a much better idea than letting someone choose an item for you when they have no clue what you'd want .

The Hubster found out on one of our first Christmases . He bought me PANS .

 

He soon found out that I have no interest in getting any item you do HOUSEWORK with for a gift . I can buy the boring crap for myself .

 

We usually buy our own stuff now so we both choose whatever we want . Not very exciting , but it works .

[frankie]

Frankie

Do you number them in order of the one you want most ? Or do you just let her choose so it'll be a bit of a surprise ?

 

I'll let her choose, I like the surprise element. I also try and not to look at the list after I've sent it to Mum, so I'd forget which books I've put on it, so it would be even more of a surprise

 

This is a much better idea than letting someone choose an item for you when they have no clue what you'd want .

 

Most definitely

 

The Hubster found out on one of our first Christmases . He bought me PANS .

 

He soon found out that I have no interest in getting any item you do HOUSEWORK with for a gift . I can buy the boring crap for myself .

 

It's always so mind boggling when men think women would be happy with items that are to do with household chores.

 

I was at a shop today, and the guy infront of me bought some cute looking stuffed toy. Who knows, maybe it's for himself, but I thought maybe he was going to see a girl, and give it to her... And I thought it was cute. But then he left the line to get two beers and I thought, well, what girl doesn't like beer as well...

 

We usually buy our own stuff now so we both choose whatever we want . Not very exciting , but it works .

 

Maybe you could also give hubby a list of books and tell him to choose one of them, and not tell you which one it is Put enough books on the list that you can't remember them all, and you'll be happily surprised!

[julie]

Frankie

Very funny about the guy with the 2 beers and the stuffed animal . I like watching what people buy ,trying to figure out who they might be buying the stuff for .We have a local "fellow" who wants to be a "lady" ,so it's fun getting in line behind him to see what all he picks .

He overdoes it a bit ,which makes him stand out a bit too much. If he wants to blend in and not be noticed ,then he needs to stop buying the matching red beret to go with his plaid skirt and red sweater set , red nail polish , black tights, and red lipstick .

He might blend in better too if he wasn't built like a football player .

He chose the name Jessica , which also doesn't match ,plus he could sing baritone in the church choir ,so he stands out in a crowd no matter what he does .

He'd be the most interesting shopper in our town . Everyone else buys boring stuff like milk, Budweiser and cigarettes . Or Ho-Ho's .

[frankie]

If he's built like a footballer, there's no way he could really blend in, so why even try I bet he just wears what he wants, good on him 

 

And I don't normally look at what other people buy, it's their own business, I don't like people looking at what I buy either. But I couldn't help but notice the stuffed toy, as it was neon yellow

Edited October 28, 2013 by frankie

[julie]

I forgot to say the Hubster is used to the system we have and I don't mind it myself. Let's just say we had many Christmases that weren't pleasant when the family all came in ,so we downplay the holidays now . We buy things we want and have a good meal, but other than that, it's no different than any other day .

It might sound a little warped, but it's too sad to make a big deal out of it . It's better to do it as we do ,and not put too much emphasis on it  . I take the tree down on Christmas day as soon as we eat .

I know it sounds weird, but it's the best way we have of celebrating a LITTLE bit , but not putting too much emphasis on it, because it makes me really sad .

[poppyshake]

Last Christmas I gave my parents a list of books that are on my wishlist and said if they wanted to give me books, they  might find the list a useful reference, and then I taught them how to order books online Mum learned it on her own eventually, and she's been ordering books for herself ever since then

 

I thought I would send Mum a list for this year, too. I just went through my wishlist, and have now come up with a list from which Mum can select a book to get for me, if she so wishes. I'm getting all excited just by looking at the list

 

Cuckoo by Julia Crouch

Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen

The Journal of Dora Damage by Belinda Starling

Lady Into the Fox by David Garnett

The Library of Unrequited Love by Sophie Divry

Life, Liberty And the Pursuit of Sausages by Tom Holt

The Man in My Basement by Walter Mosley

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

Confessions of a Sociopath: A Life Spent Hiding in Plain Sight by M. E. Thomas

The Sociopath Next Door by Martha Stout

A Queer and Pleasant Danger: A Memoir by Kate Bornstein

Zombie Spaceship Wasteland by Patton Oswalt

Some of these seem very familiar  Oooh I don't know if mum ought to be buying The Journal of Dora Damage ... what if she flicks through it??     .. she will want me to send those socks back for ever even hinting that you might like it  

 

It's amazing how quickly we can learn to order books online  I remember a time when I thought I would never shop on the internet .. far too risky ... 'ooh look ... books'      

[bookmonkey]

Frankie

Do you number them in order of the one you want most ? Or do you just let her choose so it'll be a bit of a surprise ?

 

This is a much better idea than letting someone choose an item for you when they have no clue what you'd want .

The Hubster found out on one of our first Christmases . He bought me PANS .

 

He soon found out that I have no interest in getting any item you do HOUSEWORK with for a gift . I can buy the boring crap for myself .

 

We usually buy our own stuff now so we both choose whatever we want . Not very exciting , but it works .

 

I've actually asked my dad for pots for Christmas.  I badly need new ones, and Dad likes to get practical things.  

[Athena]

I hope you enjoy the book you get from your parents, Frankie !

 

@ julie

I also think it's not nice to be receiving gifts to help with the housework, unless I asked for them (ie. I asked some of my family members for some items).

[julie]

Bookmonkey

Nothing wrong with asking for an item you need ,like something for the house . We all have our own likes and dislikes . It's great if you need something specific and that's what you ask for and receive .         I guess I just meant that for me, I'd rather not get items to do housework . 

[poppyshake]

 Men can be a bit hopeless when choosing gifts .. if it's not hotpants it's an iron  I'm probably over generalising but, as a rule, they don't do as much shopping for others as we do  .. we are rather excellent shoppers  I do a lot of hinting and pointing and bare faced book/product name-dropping  Hubby still likes to go out on a limb occasionally but he knows a washing up bowl wouldn't be appreciated .. unless it was spotty of course  

[julie]

Poppy

You have a real gem in the "Husband Buying Presents " Area . He is all the time bringing you home special treats . I'd give him a gold star for the number of gifts that have turned out to be nice .

Hubster always says " I don't know what you'd like " .

 

Good grief, he's only known me for 42 years . I think it's more a matter of he HATES shopping ,so would rather I'd buy things for myself . He hates it so much, I'm the one that buys the tires and oil for the cars , the repair parts for the toilet,  etc.. I bet he goes for YEARS without stepping into a store of any type .

[frankie]

I forgot to say the Hubster is used to the system we have and I don't mind it myself. Let's just say we had many Christmases that weren't pleasant when the family all came in ,so we downplay the holidays now . We buy things we want and have a good meal, but other than that, it's no different than any other day .

It might sound a little warped, but it's too sad to make a big deal out of it . It's better to do it as we do ,and not put too much emphasis on it  . I take the tree down on Christmas day as soon as we eat .

I know it sounds weird, but it's the best way we have of celebrating a LITTLE bit , but not putting too much emphasis on it, because it makes me really sad .

 

I don't think it sounds weird at all. You celebrate Christmas in your own way. The way that suits you best, and there's nothing wrong with that   I think it's absolutely better to do it your way than be pressured into going the whole nine yards when you really don't feel like it.

 

Some of these seem very familiar  

 

Yep, when I was writing the list, I thought this sounds like a list of books poppyshake has read, doesn't it... Do you want me to tell Mum that the sociopath book is not something I was recommended by you?

 

Oooh I don't know if mum ought to be buying The Journal of Dora Damage ... what if she flicks through it??     .. she will want me to send those socks back for ever even hinting that you might like it  

 

Are there naughty pics   Maybe the pics are in English, and she won't get them

 

It's amazing how quickly we can learn to order books online  I remember a time when I thought I would never shop on the internet .. far too risky ... 'ooh look ... books'      

 

it's actually scary how easy it is So easy to hoard your house full of books and bank account out of money

 

 

I've actually asked my dad for pots for Christmas.  I badly need new ones, and Dad likes to get practical things.  

 

It's different if you ask for household items yourself, of course! There's nothing wrong with that. I'm actually thinking about asking for an electric toothbrush, no matter how boring that sounds...

 

I hope you enjoy the book you get from your parents, Frankie !

 

Thanks Athena! I feel I shouldn't be asking any, though, because I haven't yet read the two books I got from them last year Too many books, too little time!

 

 

 Men can be a bit hopeless when choosing gifts .. if it's not hotpants it's an iron  I'm probably over generalising but, as a rule, they don't do as much shopping for others as we do  .. we are rather excellent shoppers  I do a lot of hinting and pointing and bare faced book/product name-dropping  Hubby still likes to go out on a limb occasionally but he knows a washing up bowl wouldn't be appreciated .. unless it was spotty of course  

 

I wouldn't mind hotpants... But I'd like him to pay for the liposuction and butt implants, too

 

You've taught Alan well... Maybe we don't actually need tips from Alan to our other halves (those who have them, that is), but we rather need tips from you on how to train our men

 

Good grief, he's only known me for 42 years . I think it's more a matter of he HATES shopping ,so would rather I'd buy things for myself . He hates it so much, I'm the one that buys the tires and oil for the cars , the repair parts for the toilet,  etc.. I bet he goes for YEARS without stepping into a store of any type .

 

If he hates shopping in general, then we can't judge him too harshly, I think... I'm sure he compensates for that with his other qualities

 

[frankie]

#60

One Dog And His Boy
 

by Eva Ibbotson

 

 

 

Blurb: Hal's parents refuse to let him have a dog – until they discover the Easy Pets Dog Agency. They don't tell Hal that the clever puppy he chooses is not his for life, but only for the weekend.

Hal and Fleck must find a way to be together.

Thoughts: I got this from chaliepud as a part of our book swap, thank you chalie!

As most of you know, I love dogs and I'm always up for a doggy read This was rather a lovely read, I could really identify with Hal for wanting his very own dog so very much. I have to say that the book was a bit predictable, but there happened a few things that I wasn't expecting, so it did redeem itself It was fun reading about the backgrounds of the different dogs, and not just get the story from the people's perspective. What darling creatures

I also liked it how we got to know about Hal's parents, so that they weren't just one dimensional characters.

 

4/5

[Athena]

This sounds good ! Is it an adult book or a children's book (or YA)? Not that it matters, I was just wondering.

[frankie]

#61
 

Replay
 

by Ken Grimwood

 

 

Blurb: Jeff Winston was forty-three and trapped in a tepid marriage and a dead-end job, waiting for that time when he could be truly happy, when he died.

 

And then he woke up and he was eighteen, with all his memories of the next twenty-five years intact. He could live his life again, avoiding the mistakes, making money from his knowledge of the future, seeking happiness. [Edited a bit out so as to exclude a spoiler]

Replay is a brilliant speculation on time and life, warm, wise and deeply satisfying.

 

 

Thoughts: I got the book as a Christmas present from Steve, thank you! Sorry it took so long for me to get to it

 

And this is actually one of the books that are on the list that Steve gave me as part of our sci-fi/fantasy vs 'normal' books reading challenge. The 2012 list, though I've still to read a book off the 2013 list!

 

I find this a hard book to review. I started reading it a few times earlier but I wasn't in the right mood, and so it wasn't until now that I picked it up again and finished. I did enjoy reading the book. I think we've all entertained the idea of getting to live certain moments of our lives again, either to experience those magical moments again or to do things differently, to make things 'right'. However, I suspect none of use have thought about how we would live it all again, if we had the chance to go back to our high school years, for example. That's a long period of time! So it was wildly interesting to see how the main character set about it. What would he do the same, what would he do differently?

 

At some point it got a bit repetitive, in my opinion, and I had already started to think if it was going to continue that way til the 'bitter' end, but then there were a few major twists I most definitely didn't see coming.

The first one was

 

Pamela Phillips. Another replayer No matter how convincing Jeff was when he talked about how he'd never heard of Starsea, I thought it must be just some sort of mix up... I never in my wildest dreams thought there would be another replayer. That definitely took it to another level for me as a reader, and I got freshly excited about what would happen next.

 

 

The second one was

Stuart McCowan. His story was... mind boggling And I thought okay, this is a weird turn, Antareans... I really took him at face value, and that scared me crapless when I read further and Jeff and Pamela talked about him and agreed he was just crazy. I was so embarrassed I hadn't realised that A very interesting twist, though

 

 

 

I have a few complaints about the book, though, and even though I really enjoyed the novel, it's odd how I am a lot clearer on what I
disliked about the book compared to what I liked about it. Here goes:
 

Niggle 1: 

 

Money. Money money money. I understand Jeff not wanting to repeat college again, and I even understand him wanting to bet on the horse race every single time. We all need money, we need stability. But what I didn't get was how he was at first so obsessed by it. And even during the later replays he would go and make a damn good living for himself. Bar that time when he was a farmer.

 

It made me wonder why he didn't go and venture out and go for different kinds of dream jobs of his. Had he never had any other aspirations? It never seemed to be about working for him, it was about money. At least that is my impression of him.

 

 

 

Niggle 2:

I found it odd how during his first replay he called his Mum and Dad and was really taken aback to hear them so young again. But after that we didn't really hear about them. I think his Dad never gave up smoking, so I think he at least tried to make him quit, but I would've thought that even still he would've been more in contact with him. Especially when he didn't seem to have any problems with them?

 

 

Niggle 3:

It was weird how at times he was complaining about having to relive his life, and yet he would always think 'in next replay I will do better, I will do this, I will do that'. And later on he would always want there to be a next life. It's like you can never be happy or even content, but yet you want more. I don't know if that was the point the author was making, though...

 

 

Niggle 4: I thought the epilogue was odd. Or not odd as such, but unnecessary. I didn't feel there was any need for it.

 

Niggle 5: I also realised, and I thought it was quite astonishing, that I didn't actually come to like any of the characters. Liking characters in a book I'm reading is important to me, so I found it really odd that in this one, I didn't have any favorites. I didn't take to any of them.
   

Not a niggle, but observation:

Oh and another point: the way he tried to make Linda like him at the beach was really creepy And quite honestly it made me think of Ted Bundy. I know Jeff's nothing like Ted Bundy, but he could've been in Linda's eyes. I've read a true crime book on Ted Bundy and I remember how he once kidnapped two women off a popular, crowded beach on a beautiful summer's day.

 

It made me wonder how thick Jeff really was: to think he could persuade someone to like him, insisting that they would like him if they gave him time. That he knew they would like him. Creepy!

 

 

I know that's a long list of things that bothered me, but I did really enjoy the book. And I have a feeling the book's going to stay with me for a long long time. I was very torn when I was rating it: I thought 4/5 isn't enough, but I also thought 5/5 was too much. I wish I
could've given it 4,5/5, but I don't do halves, so 4/5 it must be.

4/5

Edited October 30, 2013 by frankie

[Karsa Orlong]

 

Thoughts: I got the book as a Christmas present from Steve, thank you! Sorry it took so long for me to get to it

 

You're welcome!  And tut tut.

 

 

 

And this is actually one of the books that are on the list that Steve gave me as part of our sci-fi/fantasy vs 'normal' books reading challenge. The 2012 list, though I've still to read a book off the 2013 list!

 

And tut tut.

 

 

 

 

At some point it got a bit repetitive, in my opinion

 

That's one of the reasons I love it - it lulls you into that feeling just to the tipping point, and then pulls itself back and kicks everything up several gears

 

 

 

 

Niggle 1: 

 

Money. Money money money. I understand Jeff not wanting to repeat college again, and I even understand him wanting to bet on the horse race every single time. We all need money, we need stability. But what I didn't get was how he was at first so obsessed by it. And even during the later replays he would go and make a damn good living for himself. Bar that time when he was a farmer.

 

It made me wonder why he didn't go and venture out and go for different kinds of dream jobs of his. Had he never had any other aspirations? It never seemed to be about working for him, it was about money. At least that is my impression of him.

 

 

 

I think there's an element of truth in that but I thought it was something that he 'grew' out of as he went along, as he changed as a person.

 

 

 

 

Niggle 4: I thought the epilogue was odd. Or not odd as such, but unnecessary. I didn't feel there was any need for it.

 

I wonder if that was the set up for the sequel he was writing when he died.

 

 

 

 

Not a niggle, but observation:

Oh and another point: the way he tried to make Linda like him at the beach was really creepy And quite honestly it made me think of Ted Bundy. I know Jeff's nothing like Ted Bundy, but he could've been in Linda's eyes. I've read a true crime book on Ted Bundy and I remember how he once kidnapped two women off a popular, crowded beach on a beautiful summer's day.

 

It made me wonder how thick Jeff really was: to think he could persuade someone to like him, insisting that they would like him if they gave him time. That he knew they would like him. Creepy!

 

 

Yeah, some of his early dealings were pretty creepy and/or hedonistic.  Again, I liked that he grew out of that and changed

 

 

 

I know that's a long list of things that bothered me, but I did really enjoy the book.

 

Nothing wrong with a negative positive review   Shows you took the time to give it some thought    

Edited October 30, 2013 by Karsa Orlong

[frankie]

I forgot!

 

Who are the people who've read Replay? I know there are at least, what, 3-4 (5?) of you, but I can't remember you all If you could please holler, I'd like to go and visit your reading logs to read your reviews on the book! I don't think I fully read them all in fear of spoilers. Thank yous!

[poppyshake]

Yep, when I was writing the list, I thought this sounds like a list of books poppyshake has read, doesn't it... Do you want me to tell Mum that the sociopath book is not something I was recommended by you?

Please I would prefer her to think well of me (which will involve us having to lie I expect ) 

Are there naughty pics   Maybe the pics are in English, and she won't get them

I forgot you'd be reading it in English  no .. thankfully there are no pics which I'm very glad of   

I wouldn't mind hotpants... But I'd like him to pay for the liposuction and butt implants, too

I have some spare butt  .. perhaps if we just traded bits and pieces we wouldn't need expensive implants or the lipo

You've taught Alan well... Maybe we don't actually need tips from Alan to our other halves (those who have them, that is), but we rather need tips from you on how to train our men

It's just basic nagging (level three most probably ) 

I forgot!

Who are the people who've read Replay? I know there are at least, what, 3-4 (5?) of you, but I can't remember you all If you could please holler, I'd like to go and visit your reading logs to read your reviews on the book! I don't think I fully read them all in fear of spoilers. Thank yous!

Not me  Janet though  I must get around to it .. despite the niggles  Great review frankie  

[frankie]

This sounds good ! Is it an adult book or a children's book (or YA)? Not that it matters, I was just wondering.

 

I would say it's a children's book

Edited October 30, 2013 by frankie

[frankie]

 

You're welcome!  And tut tut.

 

And tut tut.

 

 

Fix that record

 

 

That's one of the reasons I love it - it lulls you into that feeling just to the tipping point, and then pulls itself back and kicks everything up several gears

 

Yep, it was fully appreciated by this reader! Those were some real hard-core 'woooow ' moments

 

And of course now I want to watch 

Starsea

 

I think there's an element of truth in that but I thought it was something that he 'grew' out of as he went along, as he changed as a person.

 

True, but I thought it was rather lazy and uninventive of him. Although I did appreciate it when

he rented an office, got some employees and then went inside his office and read for hours on end

 

 

 

I wonder if that was the set up for the sequel he was writing when he died.

 

Oh yes, that would definitely make sense, I didn't think of that.

 

 

Yeah, some of his early dealings were pretty creepy and/or hedonistic.  Again, I liked that he grew out of that and changed

 

Yes, he did change However, I found it a bit odd

 

that he was over 50 years old altogether when he met Linda on the beach, so I would've expected him to be mature enough to realise how he would come off. I mean, when he was saying to Frank and Judy that the bets were 100% sure, he saw how skeptical they were at first, so because of that, too, he should've realised what would happen with Linda if he pushed it.

 

And he didn't learn it very quickly, because the way he went to meet Pamela during a later replay was also really creepy (going to her family house when she was a teenager, her not recognising him, and her father understandably thinking he was a creep). But I did like it how later he would settle in the town where he knew he'd find Pamela, and he would look out for her, and Pamela would notice him, and yet he did nothing, just bided his time That was sweet

 

 

Edited October 30, 2013 by frankie

[chaliepud]

I would say it's a children's book

 

Yes, definitely, I bought it from the children's section (age 9-12 if I remember correctly in Waterstone's)

 

I have read Replay frankie, but sadly no review.. unless you count a mark out of 5, you probably don't!  (Which was 4 by the way, though in retrospect I think I'd raise that to a 4.5)

[frankie]

Please I would prefer her to think well of me (which will involve us having to lie I expect ) 

 

Don't worry, I have no qualms about lying to my Mum when it's for a good cause Mummy cannot dictate who I can be friends with, I'm old enough to decide on my own! 

 

 

I have some spare butt  .. perhaps if we just traded bits and pieces we wouldn't need expensive implants or the lipo

 

Actually that gives me an idea... Maybe I just need to get my rolling pin and roll out my love handles a tiny bith southwards... That would make for a nice shapely booty, me thinks...

 

It's just basic nagging (level three most probably ) 

 

Is there a book on it you could recommend?

 

Not me  Janet though  I must get around to it .. despite the niggles  Great review frankie  

 

I did wonder if you've already gotten to it... I knew Janet would be one, and pontalba, and I think also bobblybear, and I think maybe chalie, too...? I didn't pay too much attention back then, because I felt guilty for not having read my copy yet myself

 

And yes, I think you would like the book! I can't wait to hear your thoughts on it

[frankie]

Oh and I have to add this regarding Replay. Some of the thoughts/niggles weren't major issues with me, but I wanted to include them in my review because I thought that would possibly make for some discussion on the book. I know sometimes it's easier to talk about a book when you say something not so positive about it, because others are likely to disagree if they've really enjoyed the book, and that's what creates a dialogue

[Karsa Orlong]

I wish I could remember all the detail to discuss it properly now.  Gives me an excuse for a re-read, I suppose

[frankie]

I wish I could remember all the detail to discuss it properly now.  Gives me an excuse for a re-read, I suppose

 

Mwahahaha, I remember it better than you

 

 

I'll be popping in to the mailbox now, to see if Dresden Files has arrived! Or a surprise book by chalie....!