Vodkafan's 2010 reading log

[vodkafan]

Hi Vodkafan. Nice to see you back :) 52 books, 7 to go- hmmm - doable but depends which books too. I am reading Les Mis ( a doorstep at over 1000 pages) for the Nov circle at the moment, and I must admit it took a bit of getting used to. Doing fine now... Would definately not manage to read 7 such books before Christmas, but I think that counts as 3, doesn't it ?

 

1000 pages? Wow yes 7 of those would be a struggle. But 7 ordinary books? No problem. When I am in a real reading mood (and have the time) I can easily read a book a day. Thanks for the welcome back.

[vodkafan]

Well I just finished The Forgotten Soldier by Guy Sajer.

I read it many years ago as a teenager and it made a huge impression on me.

I am glad to say its power has not diminished. Some things he said and his world view made much more sense to me now I am adult. I will try to write a review soon.

Reading a very different book now, Courtesans by Katie Hickman One of those entertaining history books I like. Bye for now

Edited November 6, 2010 by vodkafan

[vodkafan]

Just finished Courtesans by Katie Hickman. Took me most of the month because I have had hardly any time for reading. But it was a superb book.

Edited November 27, 2010 by vodkafan

[vodkafan]

Just finished Mrs Kimble. Very interesting book, trying to get my wife to read it. The first couple of pages (sort of a prologue) were a real hook, then the following first chapter was a bit slow but it soon got very engrossing and un-putdownable.

[vodkafan]

Hi fellow readers.

I just finished Marianne Dreamsthis is a children's book by Catherine Storr. It had special significance for me. I had not read it before but I know the story from a long time back. It was made into a TV series way back in the 70s when I was a kid. I only recently found out it was a book so had to read it. The book was better though.

That was book number 49. Only 3 more to go to reach my target. It has been a hell of a year for me. I have enjoyed it on here but I feel a bit of a stranger here now.

[Chrissy]

That's probably as you haven't had some 'chat' time on here of late VF. It's great keeping up with our reading stuff, but the other, and at times, non consequential chit chat that takes place makes this a community rather than just a dry forum.

 

Come chat with us if you get a chance, we'll soon stop you feeling like a stranger!

[Kidsmum]

Hi fellow readers.

I just finished Marianne Dreamsthis is a children's book by Catherine Storr. It had special significance for me. I had not read it before but I know the story from a long time back. It was made into a TV series way back in the 70s when I was a kid. I only recently found out it was a book so had to read it. The book was better though.

That was book number 49. Only 3 more to go to reach my target. It has been a hell of a year for me. I have enjoyed it on here but I feel a bit of a stranger here now.

 

 

Hi VF My reading always suffers when I've got a lot on my plate & then I feel guilty for not reading anything but still adding to by TBR pile

 

Don't feel like a stranger, I was wondering how you were doing as I'd noticed you hadn't been around a lot lately

[vodkafan]

Thanks Chrissy and Kidsmum. Nice to know someone is still reading my blog. I will try to get into it and write some reviews of the last few books I have read.

[frankie]

I hear you vodkafan, I also feel a bit like a stranger on here because I haven't spend so much time here lately, but the best remedy for that is to just start chatting away. So get going mister

[vodkafan]

I hear you vodkafan, I also feel a bit like a stranger on here because I haven't spend so much time here lately, but the best remedy for that is to just start chatting away. So get going mister

 

Yep I know you are right Frankie. See you around !

[Kylie]

I hope you're doing well VF. I hope you'll start hanging out here more often.

[vodkafan]

I hope you're doing well VF. I hope you'll start hanging out here more often.

 

OK Australian Mistress of Books how can I refuse?

[Kylie]

OK Australian Mistress of Books how can I refuse?

 

That's right, otherwise I'll start cracking the whip!

[frankie]

Uh oh, the Whip! Vodkafan, start posting, and soon!! What have you been reading lately? And how's life been for you? I hope you're dandy

[vodkafan]

Uh oh, the Whip! Vodkafan, start posting, and soon!! What have you been reading lately? And how's life been for you? I hope you're dandy

 

Hangs head in shame...no reading today or yesterday...been so busy fed up of cheap Christmas fairy lights that keep failing..no fun when you have to check every bulb of a 100 bulb line.

[Kylie]

Fairy lights have been bugging me a little too. Maybe I could ask your advice?

 

I have two sections of lighting on my tree that have stopped working. One didn't work from when I first hung them, and the other has just stopped in the last couple of days. Do you know why whole sections stop working at a time and not just one bulb here and there? I don't understand it.

[Chrissy]

OOo, a Christmas mystery about to be resolved....

 

......*gets cup of tes and settles in to VF's thread to await the answer to an eternal Crimbo question*

[vodkafan]

Standard old fashioned fairy lights are wired in series- that is the voltage has to go through each and every bulb to complete the circuit. So if any one bulb fails to light the whole thing does not work. You have to find the one that doesn't work and replace it. Sometimes the bulbs are OK, one has just come loose is all. Sometimes the first bulb nearest the plug is a fuse bulb, it is white coloured and different to the others. That is designed to fail first, you should have spares of this and should always check this FIRST.

Some of the new sets of lights that are in like sheets to cover windows have different wiring and are controlled by thyristers and things so they flash on and off and do fancy things. I could probably work these out but I am too lazy- when these go wrong I save some of the bulbs , bin the rest and buy a new set instead.

Next year I am going to buy sets of LED lights instead they are more reliable and use less power.

 

Here endeth the lesson

[Kylie]

Thanks o knowledgable one! I'll check out my lights tomorrow.

[frankie]

Wow, I never knew Christmas lights could be so tricky! My Dad's always been the one to set them up and I'm not looking forward to the time when he retires from the post.

[Kidsmum]

Hangs head in shame...no reading today or yesterday...been so busy fed up of cheap Christmas fairy lights that keep failing..no fun when you have to check every bulb of a 100 bulb line.

 

 

When I was a kid the fairy lights always caused an argument in our house as my Dad would have them stretched out on the floor while he tested them with his electric screwdriver & my Mum would wander in & stand on them, crunch!!! Happened every year without fail

[vodkafan]

When I was a kid the fairy lights always caused an argument in our house as my Dad would have them stretched out on the floor while he tested them with his electric screwdriver & my Mum would wander in & stand on them, crunch!!! Happened every year without fail

 

That is quite funny...probably not for your dad though

[vodkafan]

Don't think I am going to make my target of 52 books this year.....I am reading 50 and 51 together but will probably only finish one of them..just too much to do in preparation for Chrimbo.

Not too worried though 50 books is still a goodly amount considering the year I have had !

Christmas trivia: Today we took all the kids (except the grown up one at uni) to the supermarket and did our traditional thing..we let them put any special food they like to eat for Christmas in the basket with no arguments. It came to £207 !!

We don't mind though. We started this family tradition years ago back when we did not have very much money, but we always saved some so they could have this one freedom.

[Chrissy]

That's a pretty cool tradition VF. Do the kids take time to consider what they are going to choose or do they go batty on the day?

 

Oh yeah, if you really want to meet your target, wouldn't a couple of kid's books count?

[vodkafan]

That's a pretty cool tradition VF. Do the kids take time to consider what they are going to choose or do they go batty on the day?

 

Oh yeah, if you really want to meet your target, wouldn't a couple of kid's books count?

 

A bit of both . They write lists but then put nice things in as they see them going around.

I am not too worried about my target. I don't like to rush books just for the sake of getting them read. I have about 40 pages left of "Dina's book" I should finish that comfortably.