Janet's Log - stardate 2013

[Athena]

I'm glad to hear you liked it! Sorry to hear that there's not a twist, I was also led to believe there was one. I haven't read the book yet but it may be one of my next chick-lit reads (when I read chick-lit). I'm with you on the Britishness vs. Americans for films, I thought the Shopaholic film was nice but it would have been so much better if it had been set in the UK with all British actors.

[Janet]

Hmm - I guess there is a twist if you don't work out the storyline before you get to it!    I do hope you enjoy it when you get round to it.

[Athena]

Thanks ! What will you read next?

[Janet]

I've just started a book called A Yorkshire Boyhood by Roy Hattersley - he was a British politician for the labour party until 1992 - and was deputy leader of the Labour Party.   I'm not a political creature really (although I always vote    ) but this isn't about politics (or if there is politics in it, they won't be the major feature) but is rather about his boyhood.  I flicked through the first few pages in the library and it sounded like something I'd enjoy so I took a chance.  It's not my 'normal' sort of autobiography. 

 

I haven't read enough yet to tell whether I'll like it or not. 

 

ETA:  I *think* he wrote a column in a national British newspaper, but I'm not sure if he still does. 

Edited May 27, 2013 by Janet

[willoyd]

ETA:  I *think* he wrote a column in a national British newspaper, but I'm not sure if he still does.

He still does. He writes a regular column for the Daily Mail, "In Search of England", which has led to a book of the same name containing a selection of these articles (they're quite entertaining!). He also writes regularly for the Guardian - more political commentary. He's quite a prolific author, both non-fiction (e.g. his latest book on the Devonshires; I have a copy of his book on the Edwardians) and fiction (of which I have no experience!). Edited May 27, 2013 by willoyd

[Janet]

Thanks, Willoyd.    I like the sound of In Search of England (I have an H V Morton book of the same title on my wish list!) and they actually have a copy of the Hattersley one in our library here (miracle of miracles!) so I will try that at some stage. 

 

I'm on P48 of A Yorkshire Boyhood and I'm enjoying it so far!

[frankie]

I finished The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson this morning.  I wanted to love this (especially as Kay was kind enough to send it to me for Christmas) but I'm afraid I just didn't. 

 

Too bad you didn't enjoy the novel (sorry that I'm even bringing this subject up, but I'm so far behind reading people's reading logs!), but you shouldn't feel bad about it, we can't all like the same books. I think maybe partly it's the fault of all the hype around here that made you expect so much from the book, and I think I was one of those hyping the book

 

 

 

I was going to ask you what a 'seance' is but then I figured it out. A great review, this is going on my wishlist! You mentioned wanting to read The Ghost Writer, too, and coincidentally I already have that on my wishlist, I just can't remember who it was that made me add it there... Someone on here for sure, as is usually the case

 

I'm not meant to be buying any books this year* (I'm failing miserably at that!) so it probably won't be any time soon, but if I find it second-hand then I will definitely buy it! 

 

*I might have bought another book today, taking my total new books in 2013 to 33.   I need help!

 

Now now Janet, you don't need help, you only need a new bookcase...

 

 

I'm working my way through my reviews!  Only four more to go and then it'll be the turn of Replay!

 

Would I  make it worse if I told you I've already written my review of Replay, but I'm struggling over the others, and that I can't bring myself to post in the wrong order?!     

 

I'm glad you enjoyed the book! Have you been 'harassed' to read another sci-fi/fantasy novel already?

 

 

 

Great review Janet, I would add this to my wishlist if chesilbeach's review hadn't already made me do so

[~Andrea~]

I was going to ask you what a 'seance' is but then I figured it out. A great review, this is going on my wishlist! You mentioned wanting to read The Ghost Writer, too, and coincidentally I already have that on my wishlist, I just can't remember who it was that made me add it there... Someone on here for sure, as is usually the case

It might have been me, I'm a huge John Harwood fan, and if it wasn't then I'm going to recommend him all over again Both books are great!

[frankie]

It might have been me, I'm a huge John Harwood fan, and if it wasn't then I'm going to recommend him all over again Both books are great!

 

I got curious and went and checked my wishlist, and it turns out it was Weave and peacefield whose reviews/recommendations made me add the book to my wishlist. But you've now been added to the bunch

[Janet]

I don't have room for any more bookcases, frankie! I haven't been harassed about fantasy/sci-fi since Replay - phew!

 

The Seance was great I love the Victorian period of British history, so that helped.

[frankie]

I don't have room for any more bookcases, frankie!

 

And I suspect it would be out of order to ask if you could move into a bigger place?

 

I haven't been harassed about fantasy/sci-fi since Replay - phew!

 

But didn't you find it easy to read? Don't you know think that you could tackle other similar books too? (And no, I'm not trying to get you into anything with this question, I'm just wondering if you felt you had perhaps 'achieved' something, so to speak,  if you know what I mean.  )

 

 

The Seance was great I love the Victorian period of British history, so that helped.

 

I was googling for a book about a Victorian period asylum and happened to notice John Harwood has written a new book called The Asylum, it's out this year, and I already told Andrea about it and I thought I'd mention it to you too, in case you're interested Sounds like just the kind of thing to read!

[Janet]

Lol - I don't think I'd get Peter to agree to move just to get more bookcases!

 

Replay wasn't at all difficult - I could read more like this. My real aversion is to the idea of things set on other planets with aliens - like Star Trek type things...

 

Thanks for the info about The Asylum.

[pontalba]

Lol - I don't think I'd get Peter to agree to move just to get more bookcases!

 

Replay wasn't at all difficult - I could read more like this. My real aversion is to the idea of things set on other planets with aliens - like Star Trek type things...

 

Thanks for the info about The Asylum.

Well, why not!  It's only reasonable.  One reason we don't move is I cannot imagine moving these books!  But, if we could get a bigger house......I'd be sorely tempted.  lol

 

Um, and yet.  You have "stardate" in your thread title....../raised eyebrows, questioning...../ 

[Janet]

Um, and yet.  You have "stardate" in your thread title....../raised eyebrows, questioning...../ 

My parents used to watch this in the early 70s (I think!) - I loved the funky theme tune and remember the "captain's log, stardate..." bit, so when I typed Janet's Log it just seemed appropriate!  I don't remember much else apart from the teleport thing (and fazers?) and Kirk, Spock, Scotty and the one played by George Takei (oh, and a woman beginning with 'U' maybe?) - I don't really remember the story lines though. 

[frankie]

Lol - I don't think I'd get Peter to agree to move just to get more bookcases!

 

Okay, let's leave it there, we definitely don't want you two to go separate ways because of books It would be kind of a bummer, what with just having had your anniversary, too...!

 

 

 

Replay wasn't at all difficult - I could read more like this. My real aversion is to the idea of things set on other planets with aliens - like Star Trek type things...

 

I'm really not into the planets and spaceships either. ET I can deal with, but then again he was quite cuddly.

 

 

Um, and yet.  You have "stardate" in your thread title....../raised eyebrows, questioning...../ 

 

Oh!! A very good point, pontalba

 

I only noticed the stardate a few months ago. Janet, has it been there all along, these five months? I did wonder about it, but eventhough there's the word 'star' in it, I didn't associate it with sci-fi...

 

My parents used to watch this in the early 70s (I think!) - I loved the funky theme tune and remember the "captain's log, stardate..." bit, so when I typed Janet's Log it just seemed appropriate!  I don't remember much else apart from the teleport thing (and fazers?) and Kirk, Spock, Scotty and the one played by George Takei (oh, and a woman beginning with 'U' maybe?) - I don't really remember the story lines though. 

 

Oh! And Burt Campbell went to space, did he not! Remember?

[Brian.]

My parents used to watch this in the early 70s (I think!) - I loved the funky theme tune and remember the "captain's log, stardate..." bit, so when I typed Janet's Log it just seemed appropriate!  I don't remember much else apart from the teleport thing (and fazers?) and Kirk, Spock, Scotty and the one played by George Takei (oh, and a woman beginning with 'U' maybe?) - I don't really remember the story lines though. 

 

George Takei was Sulu and the woman was Uhura. The cast, but her role especially was a landmark in television because of its multicultural mix. Uhura was one of the first black characters in a major TV show not to be of 'low status'.

[Janet]

Okay, let's leave it there, we definitely don't want you two to go separate ways because of books It would be kind of a bummer, what with just having had your anniversary, too...!

 

Yeah, I'd rather than didn't happen! 

 

.I'm really not into the planets and spaceships either. ET I can deal with, but then again he was quite cuddly.

 

I've never seen ET!    Or Star Wars, or Alien/Aliens, or Close Encounters...!  I ought to try ET some time.

 

.I only noticed the stardate a few months ago. Janet, has it been there all along, these five months? I did wonder about it, but eventhough there's the word 'star' in it, I didn't associate it with sci-fi...

 

It's only been there for about a month or so.    

 

.Oh! And Burt Campbell went to space, did he not! Remember?

 

He did!  I can't clearly remember all the story lines now, but I loved Soap! 

 

George Takei was Sulu and the woman was Uhura. The cast, but her role especially was a landmark in television because of its multicultural mix. Uhura was one of the first black characters in a major TV show not to be of 'low status'.

 

Thanks, Brian.  That's interesting.  

 

I follow George Takei on Facebook - he's a funny guy!

[pontalba]

My parents used to watch this in the early 70s (I think!) - I loved the funky theme tune and remember the "captain's log, stardate..." bit, so when I typed Janet's Log it just seemed appropriate!  I don't remember much else apart from the teleport thing (and fazers?) and Kirk, Spock, Scotty and the one played by George Takei (oh, and a woman beginning with 'U' maybe?) - I don't really remember the story lines though. 

 

In a very real way it was a series of morality plays.

As I recall, it was also billed (at the time of it's airing 1966-1969) as the Wagon Train to theStars.

 

Ok, I better clarify......Wagon Train was a very popular Western TV series on fro 1957 - 1965  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wagon_Train

I know, TMI

George Takei was Sulu and the woman was Uhura. The cast, but her role especially was a landmark in television because of its multicultural mix. Uhura was one of the first black characters in a major TV show not to be of 'low status'.

That is right.  In fact I read once that Nichelle Nichols (Uhura), when offered the role, went to the Rev. Martin Luther King for advice.  Should she take it or not, I believe she was not too enthralled with the idea.  He advised her to take it so as to give young black girls a proper role model. The rest is history.

[Janet]

I can't say I've ever heard of Wagon Train.    That's interesting about Nichelle Nichols asking MLK for his advice. 

[pontalba]

I can't say I've ever heard of Wagon Train.    That's interesting about Nichelle Nichols asking MLK for his advice. 

I figured, hence the link to explain it.

I watched it, always enjoyed as a kid.  It was pretty popular.

[Janet]

A Yorkshire Boyhood by Roy Hattersley

The ‘blurb’
“It was not until he was dead and I was forty that I realised my father was once in Holy Orders," Roy Hattersley tells us in the opening pages of A Yorkshire Boyhood, so setting the tone for an elegant, continually surprising book.

I picked this book up when browsing at the library – I was rather intrigued to read that Roy Hattersley’s father had been a catholic priest before leaving the church to marry Roy’s mother. I’m not really a political person (although I do always use my vote) so it’s not my usual type of read but I thought I’d try it. I was pleasantly surprised.

When Roy’s parents decided to get married and move in together, they faced great opposition due to Roy’s father (also known as Roy) leaving the priesthood. They, together with Roy senior’s two brothers and Roy junior’s maternal Grandmother moved away from the gossip of Nottingham, initially to South Yorkshire and then to Sheffield. They were very poor when they first moved away and initially had no jobs, but were helped financially by Aunts of Roy’s mother, known collectively as “Worksop”, that being where they lived.

The memoir tells of life from this point up to when Roy left Sheffield City Grammar school to take economics at university. He was originally going to study English, but changed when advised that economics would be a degree more suited to life as a politician – a career that Roy had long held ambition for.

The book is full of amusing anecdotes of growing up in the 1930s and 40s and is written with warmth and in an easy reading style. Roy was a poorly child, suffering from asthma and also frequent bouts of bronchitis. On snippet to give a flavour of the writing tells of 1940 when the Germans were bombing Sheffield on a regular basis:

(Cut for length)

“By the time that the air raids became a regular hazard, preparing for bed each night had become a complicated ritual. If I resisted the detailed and heavy-handed washing that my mother administered before she filled the stone hot water bottle, I was sternly told to remember that ‘something might happen in the night’. The thought of the air raid warden’s contempt when he dug me from the rubble and discovered that I had dirty hands and feet always made me submit to the flannel. My father invariably winced with disapproval whenever my likely death was used as an argument for improved hygiene. But the desperate expedient never frightened me. It merely made me conscious of my duty to prepare for the worst. Part of my preparations involved preparing my teddy bear for sudden evacuation. Teddy must have been the best dressed bear in wartime Sheffield. He had a home-made siren suit (the sort that Winston Churchill popularised), several pairs of pyjamas
and a couple of garments which, from a distance, looked like the army’s battle dress. On closer inspection, they all turned out to be made on the same ‘Worksop’ pattern. But when his stiff arms were pushed into the pyjamas, I always insisted that the rest of his wardrobe was bundled up and tied round him like an evacuee’s pathetic parcel. With Teddy read for a good getaway, I slept peacefully until asthma, or the Luftwaffe, attacked.”

The book contains many references to Roy’s beloved Sheffield Wednesday and his love of cricket, and (mostly) fond memories of his school days and also of times, wistfully remembered, of playing in the streets – a time of war but also a time of great freedom. I don’t know much about Roy Hattersley’s adult life really (apart from that gleaned from his lisping, spurting Spitting Image puppet!), and I’m not really interested in politics, but I shall definitely look out for some more of his writing.

The paperback is 294 pages long and is published by Abacus. It was first published in 1983. The ISBN number is 9780349116556.

4/5 (I really liked it)

(Finished 31 May 2013)

[Karsa Orlong]

 I haven't been harassed about fantasy/sci-fi since Replay - phew!

 

That can change

 

 

 

Replay wasn't at all difficult - I could read more like this. My real aversion is to the idea of things set on other planets with aliens - like Star Trek type things...

 

Ooh, a challenge!  I think there's a danger of tarring everything with the same brush - there's infinitely more to SF than Star Trek   

[pontalba]

The Rook, The Rook, The Rook, The Rook, The Rook, The Rook, The Rook............................

 

am I being too pushy??  Who, me??  Who said that??

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Janet]

.Ooh, a challenge!  I think there's a danger of tarring everything with the same brush - there's infinitely more to SF than Star Trek   

I know that really - I was being a bit tongue in cheek.   I have actually read over the last few years - and really enjoyed (especially the latter) The Day of the Triffids (read this at school too), The Midwich Cuckoos and The War of the Worlds.

 

The Rook, The Rook, The Rook, The Rook, The Rook, The Rook, The Rook............................

 

am I being too pushy??  Who, me??  Who said that??

Did someone mention The Rook?!    I've looked on Amazon but there is more than one book with this name!

[pontalba]

I know that really - I was being a bit tongue in cheek.   I have actually read over the last few years - and really enjoyed (especially the latter) The Day of the Triffids (read this at school too), The Midwich Cuckoos and The War of the Worlds.

 

Did someone mention The Rook?!    I've looked on Amazon but there is more than one book with this name!

 

Love, love, love The Day of the Triffids!

 

The Rook is by Daniel O'Malley... http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/11186-pontalbas-2013-reading-list/page-7