Rory Gilmore's Book List Challenge

[frankie]

Great to hear you're joining us as well, Ooshie

 

This is completely off-topic but I just noticed you're from Scotland and I thought you might be able to help me with some of the words in Trainspotting. What does 'weedjies' and 'soapdodgers' mean? I got the impression that they have something to do with people from different classes or maybe even people with questionable racial beliefs?

 

Edit: Apparently only Kylie has already read The Bell Jar, good thing the novel was brought up in this thread

[Ooshie]

To me, a weedjie would be a Glaswegian (someone from Glasgow). I had never heard the term soapdodger and would just have assumed it was someone who didn't wash often (dodging the soap!), but I have just googled it and Probert Encyclopaedia informs me that it is Scottish and Northern Irish slang for a Protestant! Never heard that one before... (Although Urban Dictionary agrees with me about it being someone dirty, smelly or generally unkempt - complicated!)

[frankie]

Wow that was quick, thanks Ooshie! I wonder if 'weedjie' comes from Glaswegian, that would make sense to me. I thought it was a really nasty term for a particular group of people, I didn't think it would refer to people from a particular area. I suppose the drug users from Leith aren't big fans of Glaswegians

 

Ah, why didn't I think of soap dodging! I think in this book it just means people who have better things to do than take care of their personal hygiene, I don't think the term has anything to do with being a Protestant. It's weird that those two concepts have the same term though

 

Another thing I've found a "bit" weird in Trainspotting is that people are often referred to as c-unts, both female and male. Oh, the language that people use!

[Ooshie]

Yes, c-unt is used for people of both sexes (in England as well as Scotland). In fact, I would say it is probably used more often for males! Regarded as very offensive by most people, of course, not a term to drop into the conversation should you be having a nice chat with any Brits...

[frankie]

Yes, c-unt is used for people of both sexes (in England as well as Scotland). In fact, I would say it is probably used more often for males! Regarded as very offensive by most people, of course, not a term to drop into the conversation should you be having a nice chat with any Brits...

 

Yep, it was really weird to learn it's also used for males, I had a hard time understanding who the person was talking about when there were only males around, until I realised it's used for both sexes. Yes, of course it's very offensive, but I was just wondering if it's more okay to say that in Scotland, or if it's still very offensive but the characters in the novel are just such a nasty lot they don't care

[Ooshie]

Definitely just a nasty lot I think!

[Kylie]

Gosh, I go to sleep for a few hours and miss all the excitement!

 

I love the idea of putting the list of our read books at the beginning of the thread with our ratings for them. I was just thinking recently about the impressive books we've been reading, both in quality and sheer size. Here are mine:

 

- Gone with the Wind 5/5

- Wuthering Heights by Emily Bront� 4/5

- The Crimson Petal and the White 4/5

- Wicked 4/5

 

Edit: After Hornby and The Bell Jar I will need to have a little break myself because I'll be reading Miss Smilla -book for the reading circle for June and I know some of you are going to do the same.

 

Like you, though, frankie, I will need a wee break after that for Miss Smilla

 

Yay! I'm glad you'll both be joining in the circle.

 

Edit: Apparently only Kylie has already read The Bell Jar, good thing the novel was brought up in this thread

 

Ooh, I wish I could re-read it with you. Hmm, maybe I could skim-read it so I can keep up with the conversation.

[frankie]

Wow Kylie, seems like you have the highest ratings for all the 4 novels, this challenge has been very good to you

 

Ooh, I wish I could re-read it with you. Hmm, maybe I could skim-read it so I can keep up with the conversation.

 

Why can't you re-read it with us? Too many first-read books to plough through?

[Kylie]

Wow Kylie, seems like you have the highest ratings for all the 4 novels, this challenge has been very good to you

 

I know, it's been great for me! I'm sorry you haven't been enjoying them as much though.

 

Why can't you re-read it with us? Too many first-read books to plough through?

 

Exactly - too many books to read. I should be able to participate though. I think I remember enough of it.

[frankie]

I know, it's been great for me! I'm sorry you haven't been enjoying them as much though.

 

That's alright, I didn't expect to enjoy Wicked, but I am a bit disappointed in TCPatW and WH. But there are loads of other books to enjoy

 

I started The Complete Polysyllabic Spree a while ago, I'm really excited about this one!

 

Edit: I just looked at post #4 on the first page, it looks really great and official Thanks Abby!

Edited May 21, 2010 by frankie

[AbielleRose]

How are you lovely ladies doing this morning? Or, I guess night and afternoon in your particular corners of the world.

 

The Polysyllibic Spree does look very interesting, how far are you frankie?

 

So far I have ratings from: myself, frankie, Ooshie, Lucybird, Kate, and Kylie. Can you guys think of anyone we may be missing and if so should we just patiently wait or send them a little PM or something in case they miss our little conversation about the ratings? I'll post the averages in a bit if that sounds good with everyone and we have everyone who has/wants to participate in this little thing.

 

Aw shucks, thanks frankie

[frankie]

Morning Abby, it's 4.25 PM hereabouts

 

I'm on page 40 at the moment and I've come here to tell you this book is dangerous!!! I've had to add 3 books to my wishlist already. And there are so many pages left to read! (if you're curious, the books are George and Sam: Autism in the Family by Charlotte Moore, The Fortress of Solitude by Jonathan Lethem and How to Breathe Underwater by Julie Orringer. The last one is in the Rory list, thank goodness!)

 

You/we should ask Fiona for her ratings as well, I can't remember any others at the moment though I haven't seen her around in this thread (or much elsewhere) for what seems like ages, I hope she's doing alright.

 

Edit: 10 pages later I've added two more books to wishlist. I just know Kylie will want to add Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss to her wishlist when she'll get to the part where Hornby is discussing the book

Edited May 21, 2010 by frankie

[Ooshie]

Thought my Nick Hornby book might have arrived today, so didn't start anything else last night. But it's not here Hopefully it will come tomorrow and I will be able to make a start! (Still, it has made me rescue Shadow by Karin Alvtegen from the car where it has been sitting half-read for weeks now - I will read that today instead )

 

Post 4 looks lovely, CaliLily, thank you!

[AbielleRose]

Uht oh, frankie! If your list has already grown that much maybe I shouldn't be reading this one! I've already added 3 more to my list I need to pick up later today!

 

I'll send Fi a PM to see if she wants to add her ratings. After I hear back from here I'll figure the averages and post.

 

Thanks, Ooshie! Hope your Hornby comes soon!

[frankie]

That's a darn shame about the Hornby novel Ooshie, what a soapdodgy thing to do I hope it arrives bright and early on Monday morning (unless post gets delivered on Saturdays in the UK as well)

[Kylie]

I just know Kylie will want to add Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss to her wishlist when she'll get to the part where Hornby is discussing the book

 

You know me too well Frankie! As it happens I've already read and loved Eats, Shoots and Leaves. It's a terrific book. Lynne Truss is hilarious.

[frankie]

You know me too well Frankie! As it happens I've already read and loved Eats, Shoots and Leaves. It's a terrific book. Lynne Truss is hilarious.

 

Aaaah, I should've known you've already read it I hope you'll enjoy Hornby's thoughts on the book

 

I'm on page 225 and will finish today. 11 books have made their way on my wishlist so far.

 

Edit: I hope nobody gets any big ideas and sends me Eats, Shoots and Leaves even if I might need it the most

 

Edit no 2: I've finished the book now and 18 titles made their way to my wishlist. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book and I wish there were more to read.

 

My rating: 4/5

Edited May 22, 2010 by frankie

[Ooshie]

That's a darn shame about the Hornby novel Ooshie, what a soapdodgy thing to do I hope it arrives bright and early on Monday morning (unless post gets delivered on Saturdays in the UK as well)

 

We did get post delivered today, but still no Hornby! The joys of living in rural Scotland Still, I will enjoy sitting out in the garden in the sun looking over at the hills to make up for it *thinks - do I have the ingredients for a summer cocktail? Yes!!!*

[frankie]

We did get post delivered today, but still no Hornby! The joys of living in rural Scotland Still, I will enjoy sitting out in the garden in the sun looking over at the hills to make up for it *thinks - do I have the ingredients for a summer cocktail? Yes!!!*

 

Hey, at least you get post delivered on Saturdays as well, rural Scotland vs Finland 6-0. Too bad you didn't get Hornby, but cocktails sound nice anyways Oops, I pluralled your singular drink If you get tipsy you can blame it on me!

[Kate]

I took the Hornby book out the library the other day and started it today. About 30 pages in - so far so good!

[Ooshie]

4/5 from me for The Bell Jar - I hadn't expected to enjoy it, but found the story of Esther's life and mental health problems very engaging; particularly as it is so autobiographical. It hasn't made me want to read any more about Plath, though, as usual I prefer just to stick with fiction!

 

I wasn't enjoying The Polysyllabic Spree last night and still haven't decided if it was because I'm not really feeling well or if I just don't like the book. I'm going to give it another try now and see how I get on.

[Lucybird]

Borrowed The Polysyllabic Spree from the library a couple of days ago and am about halfway through now, adding a few books to my wishlist along the way! Wicked was already on loan so may look in the local library instead this weekend.

[Kate]

An interesting article:

 

http://www.smartpopbooks.com/1500

[Chrissy]

Thanks for posting that link Kate, it was really interesting. I have saved it to favourites as the site looks intriguing.

[Ooshie]

Finished The Polysyllabic Spree, which I really didn't enjoy. I think I would have got on better with it if I had read one essay at a time, maybe just one or two a week, rather than reading it as a complete book. Just 2/5 from me.