Poppy's Paperbacks 2012

[poppyshake]

Oh, I'm so sorry poppyshake, where was naughty frankie when you needed her? I'm here now, and I have your back, sister!

 

Everybody, lay off of poppyshake's case, Frankenstein is a dreadful and a boring book!!

 

Hee hee hee

Awww frankie thank goodness I am no longer a voice in the wilderness

'Frankenstein is a dreadful and a boring book!!' - I should have just written that .. no spoiler tags needed and to the point I think

LOVE your Frankenstein review Poppy (a book I thoroughly hated) . Totally agree with all you've said. I'm just amazed you still gave it a 6!!

Thanks Andrea I couldn't quite bring myself to give poor old Mary less than a six .. she had come up with a great premise after all (and I think I gave her an extra point just for taking on the men and apparently winning .. but tbh their stories must have been sh*te ) but I thought that's where it ended. It was like a good trailer for a terrible film .. all promise and no delivery. Thankfully it didn't cost me £20 with additional expenses for popcorn and 3D glasses .. I would've been right annoyed then

[poppyshake]

I can’t believe I’ve missed your review of Love Story, eventhough I’ve posted on your thread after you wrote it! I have to say that I didn’t know it was made into a movie after I’d read the book and people on here told me there was a movie.

I’m glad you were pleasantly surprised. Didn’t you just love the dialogue between the couple?

I loved the dialogue .. most romantic ever .. even when they were slinging insults

I hope you enjoy the movie when you get around to seeing it .. I thought Ryan and Ali were perfect but I imagine it's a lot easier to read the book after you've seen the movie than the reverse. You may have your own ideas about how the characters look/sound and those two might fall short.

I had no idea there were others before Alan, I’m quite shocked now! You two are such an amazing couple that I didn’t really think there could be a time when you two weren’t an item

Yes, Alan would be quite shocked too .. we'd best not tell him I'm glad I did my homework first .. even though it was the worst kind of homework ever. I found out what I liked and what I didn't. Clever people probably get it right first time which is to be recommended because otherwise there's a whole lot of sh*t to contend with but it's never too late to strike gold

Yes that is definitely very much my man And going by the ooh la la you are not appalled either

Let's just say .. I can see the attraction

Suite Francaise - Irene Nemirovsky

Frankie: I’ve not read this, but I’ve read The Ball (if that was the title, I’m not 100% sure) and I liked it very much and I’ve always wanted to read more by her after that.

She has a good reputation ... and this is a book that I see everywhere. I thought it was about time I read it (but I still haven't )

The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath

Frankie: Excellent =)

I've no worries about this one .. I know it will be excellent

Ella Minnow Pea - Mark Dunn

Frankie: This is on my wishlist, it’s a Rory Gilmore read. I know Kylie swears by it, so it ought to prove to be good!

If it's good enough for the mistress etc etc. Again it's got a great reputation .. I don't think I've ever read a bad review of it (someone will now tell us they thought it was a pile of horse dung )

The Scarlet Letter - Nathaniel Hawthorne

Frankie: I can’t wait to see what you make of it, I got a copy of my own last year.

I have no idea why but I'm a bit frightened of this one ... so very brave of me to buy it .. well done me!

A Room of Ones Own & Three Guineas - Virginia Woolf

Frankie: Wohoo for Woolf! =)

And an especially big wohoo for this book in particular because something about it rings all my bells (and that's just in theory .. in practice I'm convinced it's going to bang all my gongs too! )

[Kylie]

If it's good enough for the mistress etc etc. Again it's got a great reputation .. I don't think I've ever read a bad review of it (someone will now

 

Well, just remember that I enjoyed Madame Bovary, adored Frankenstein and loathed How I Live Now. Perhaps you shouldn't take my views into consideration. That said, I quite enjoyed Ella Minnow Pea when I read it, but I didn't fall in love with it until a while afterwards. It grew more and more in my esteem the more I thought about it.

 

(Speaking of MB, I recently read that it's going to be made into a movie.)

[poppyshake]

Well, just remember that I enjoyed Madame Bovary, adored Frankenstein and loathed How I Live Now. Perhaps you shouldn't take my views into consideration. That said, I quite enjoyed Ella Minnow Pea when I read it, but I didn't fall in love with it until a while afterwards. It grew more and more in my esteem the more I thought about it.

I still trust you 100% to recommend reads to me and would take your word over Waterstone's anyday .. and, as I've said before, we have to part company somewhere or it would just be freaky

(Speaking of MB, I recently read that it's going to be made into a movie.)

Oh please say they've cast Keira Knightley .. then I can get double pleasure out of loathing it

[Kylie]

No, they've cast the girl who played the title roles in Alice in Wonderland and Jane Eyre (Mia something - I think she's Australian).

[Janet]

She was fab in Jane Eyre! (Sorry - you can't use Kiera as an excuse! )

[poppyshake]

Ooh the girl that is astonishingly like Gwynnie you mean? I thought it was her sister when I saw Alice. Oh she's good .. or what I've seen of her so far anyway but that's not enough to make me want to watch .. though of course .. contrary to how it normally works ... the film could be a vast improvement

[poppyshake]

Where are my reviews? .. the one's I said I was going to write this week? If I give you the titles .. will you please write them for me? Include LOADS of waffle otherwise no-one will believe I wrote them .. waffle and lame jokes .. for real authenticity. Any/all contributions welcome .. thank you

[vodkafan]

Your jokes and waffle are unique poppy we wouldn't be able to fake it if you paid us.

[poppyshake]

You mean I'm going to have to write them .. oh bother! I'm sure the amount of chocolate I'm eating is dulling my brain .. next week I will eat more oily fish and see if I can't get my act together.

[willoyd]

I have read Neverwhere and luuurrrrrrrvvvvvved it. I'm a big fan of Neils anyway and that's my fave of his.

Oh dear. Just as you are raving about a book and author I've tried but really couldn't get on with (all plot and no substance - he says as he dives for cover!), I've been raving (sort of!) about a book you can't abide (Madame Bovary?!).

 

 

and so is Rivers of London [gripping me now]

At least we agree on this one!

[poppyshake]

Oh dear. Just as you are raving about a book and author I've tried but really couldn't get on with (all plot and no substance - he says as he dives for cover!), I've been raving (sort of!) about a book you can't abide (Madame Bovary?!).

Well, you wouldn't be alone in not liking Neverwhere or Neil and thankfully I've found allies who share my aversion to Madame B. It wouldn't do for us all to like the same would it? Agreeing with each other constantly would soon get boring .. but, I must say, we're all very polite about it. Almost like 'I'm dreadfully sorry old bean, but I thought it was codswallop! .. still, you'll stay for a sherry won't you?'

At least we agree on this one!

It's a cracker isn't it?

[willoyd]

It's a cracker isn't it?

It certainly is, and Moon Over Soho is equally enjoyable. it's not often I champ at the bit waiting for books to come out, but am currently really looking forward to two new ones - one of which is number three in the series (Whispers Under Ground, June 21st). FWIW, the other one is Hilary Mantel's Bring Up The Bodies (not long to wait now - May 10th!). Much as I love the Kindle, these'll both be bought in hardback (I've saved a book card for them!).

Edited April 15, 2012 by willoyd

[poppyshake]

I'm going to attempt to make a start. I'm not going chronologically .. I'm going to start with whatever takes my fancy (in other words ... the stuff I can remember )

 

 

De Profundis - Oscar Wilde

 

Book Blurb: De Profundis is Oscar Wilde's eloquent and bitter reproach from prison to his lover, Lord Alfred Douglas ("Bosie"). In an extended letter, Wilde accuses Lord Alfred of selfishness, shallowness, parasitism, greed, extravagance, tantrums, pettiness, and neglect. He contrasts this behaviour towards him with the selfless devotion of his close friend, Robert Ross, who became Wilde's literary executor, gave the work its title (from the opening of Psalm 130) and who published a shortened version of it in 1905.

 

Review: Absolutely fascinating. This is Oscar's 50,000 word letter to Bosie (and my 50,000 word review of it ) .. written whilst in Reading prison on paper that was apparently rationed out at one sheet per day. Perhaps this accounts for the unpredictability of the prose because, although it does still flow beautifully, his mood and attitude change constantly.

 

It's an eye opener. I knew of course about their relationship but didn't know many details. It's written down here in a way that, were you Lord Alfred, your face would still be ablush more than a hundred years later, though I have to say .. from Oscar's descriptions .. that had Bosie seen it (and he claims not to have until much later) he would have never got past the first few sentences. He would have given one enormous yawn and then asked his valet to ring for a cab.

 

The letter is written as a response to Bosie's letter asking for permission to publish certain letters (for money .. what else) and this is a stab to Oscar because it's practically the only missive he's received from Lord Alfred since being imprisoned but it's also a fairly detailed account .. according to Oscar anyway .. of their life together. And not a very flattering one it has to be said. Sad and sorry tales of greed, neglect and gross misconduct with Oscar playing a role somewhere between lovesick admirer and cash dispenser and Bosie playing a sort of dandified leech. Oscar recounts how he tended Bosie night and day after he fell sick with influenza at Brighton .. 'not merely with every luxury of fruit, flowers, presents, books, and the like that money can procure, but with that affection, tenderness and love that, whatever you may think, is not to be procured with money' .. he never left the hotel, sent for special London grapes and sat with him every evening until he was quite recovered. Soon after Oscar falls ill with the same influenza .. I expect you can guess what follows .. Bosie does not stay with him, leaves him quite alone with no man servant and nobody to fetch him so much as a drink or medication .. there are no grapes .. London or otherwise. Infact he goes out on the town spending Oscar's money but when Oscar eventually crawls down to the sitting room in search of water and finds Bosie there (just a fleeting visit for a change of clothes) ... ' you fell on me with every hideous word an intemperate mood, an undisciplined and untutored nature could suggest. By the terrible alchemy of egotism you converted your remorse into rage and accused me of selfishness in expecting you to be with me when I was ill, of standing between you and your amusements of trying to deprive you of your pleasures.' .

 

Oscar does occasionally say that he blames himself, but the overall feeling is that he blames Bosie and Bosie's parents and there is at times an element of whinging about it and self pity. Now he can't be blamed for this, particularly as Bosie is the most self obsessed, selfish, vain, ungrateful, popinjay that ever drew breath but he didn't exactly hide his bad nature under a bushel ... it couldn't have been more obvious. What I guess I'm saying is that I would have credited Oscar with more sense than to give his life and love so unworthily .. I felt that I had a better handle of Bosie's character than he did, just by reading his account of him ... the Bosie you read about here is incapable of repentance. Also Oscar was a good deal older than Bosie .. Bosie was 21 at the beginning of their relationship and Oscar 36 (however, I don't think Bosie improved with age.) I'm not defending him .. he was one of the biggest little 's I've ever had the misfortune to read about, I'm just thinking that Oscar really should have known better. I suppose love will do strange things to a person, even someone as extraordinarily intelligent as Oscar but really .. what a terrible waste. Reading the accounts of all the times Bosie had behaved badly and subsequently been forgiven it struck me that .. had Oscar not been sent to prison (something else he puts squarely on Lord Alfred's shoulders) .. then this cycle of abuse would still have continued and therefore, it came as no surprise to read that he and Bosie were eventually reconciled after his release. And even though I think it just meant that they met and were civil, it did still make me want to kick him in the pants.

 

Parts of the letter are spent discussing Oscar's spiritual development .. his thoughts on Christ as 'the most supreme of individualists' and how his (Oscar's) nature had altered for the better .. had become more humble .. by his imprisonment. There are some beautiful passages as you would expect especially when Oscar is recounting prison life, how it had affected him, how it's enriched him, what his future hopes are, what his true friends have done for him and mean to him etc etc. And whether there's an element of self pity about it all or not (and at times it does get a bit 'it's all your fault .. you worthless scumbag') you have to remember his diminished circumstances and crushed spirit .. what he has been used to and is now reduced to etc etc. The following passage is fairly typical of the tone ... I will put it in spoiler tags for those that want to discover it for themselves .. that way my review will appear .. a bit .. shorter

 

I remember again, when an execution was put into my house, and my books and furniture were seized and advertised to be sold and bankruptcy was impending, I naturally wrote to tell you about it. I did not mention that it was to pay for some gifts of mine to you that the bailiffs had entered the home where you had so often dined. I thought, rightly or wrongly, that such news might pain you a little. I merely told you the bare facts. I thought it proper that you should know them. You wrote back from Boulogne in a strain of almost lyrical exultation. You said that you knew your father was "hard up for money" and had been obliged to raise £1,500 for the expenses of the trial, and that my going bankrupt was really a "splendid score" off him, as he would not then be able to get any of his costs out of me! Do you realise now what Hate blinding a person is? Do you recognise now that when I described it as an Atrophy destructive of everything but itself, I was scientifically describing a real psychological fact? That all my charming things were to be sold: my Burne-Jones drawings: my Whistler drawings: my Monticelli: my Simeon Solomons: my china: my library with it's collections of presentation volumes from Swinburne to Mallarme, from Morris to Verlaine; with it's beautifully bound editions of my father's and mother's works; it's wonderful array of college and school prizes: it's editions de luxe, and the like; was absolutely nothing to you. You said it was a great bore: that was all. What you really saw in it was the possibility that your father might ultimately lose a few hundred pounds, and that paltry consideration filled you with ecstatic joy. As for the costs of the trial, you may be interested to know that your father openly said in the Orleans Club that if it had cost him £20,000 he would have considered the money thoroughly well spent, he had extracted such enjoyment, and delight, and triumph out of it all. The fact that he was able not merely to put me into prison for two years but to take me out for an afternoon and make me a public bankrupt was an extra-refinement of pleasure that he had not expected. It was the crowning-point of my humiliation, and of his complete and perfect victory. Had your father had no claim for his costs on me, you, I know perfectly well, would, as far as words go, at any rate have been most sympathetic about the entire loss of my library, a loss irreparable to a man of letters, the one of all my material losses the most distressing to me. You might even, remembering the sums of money I had lavishly spent on you and how you had lived on me for years, have taken the trouble to buy in some of my books for me. The best all went for less than £150: about as much as I would spend on you in an ordinary week. But the mean small pleasure of thinking that your father was going to be a few pence out of pocket made you forget all about trying to make me a little return, so slight, so easy, so inexpensive, so obvious, and so enormously welcome to me, had you brought it about. Am I right in saying that Hate blinds people? Do you see it now? If you don't, try to see it.'

 

This letter was never sent, it was signed prisoner C33 and entrusted to his friend Robert Ross. Oscar intended for him to make two copies, sending one to Oscar and one to Bosie but it's unclear as to whether Bosie actually received a copy. He cannot have failed to see it later though upon publication (indeed I think I read somewhere that he reviewed it for some publication or the other) .. though he claims not to have had an inkling that it was about him A shortened version was published in 1905 and this fuller version was included in a publication of Oscar's letters in 1962.

 

So, in a nutshell, this is what Oscar would have written in OK magazine, in the hopes that it would put an end to the extraordinary amount of kissing and telling that Lord Alfred had been doing in his absence. It wouldn't though of course because, although Oscar has got a much better story to tell, Bosie looks far better in a velvet jacket and knee-breeches

 

It just goes to show that when love comes in the door .. genius goes out the window.

 

9/10

[poppyshake]

It certainly is, and Moon Over Soho is equally enjoyable. it's not often I champ at the bit waiting for books to come out, but am currently really looking forward to two new ones - one of which is number three in the series (Whispers Under Ground, June 21st). FWIW, the other one is Hilary Mantel's Bring Up The Bodies (not long to wait now - May 10th!). Much as I love the Kindle, these'll both be bought in hardback (I've saved a book card for them!).

Woohoo I'm very happy to hear it. I'll also be buying both as I'm getting to be quite a fan of Aaronovitch's and I loved Wolf Hall

Edited April 16, 2012 by poppyshake

[vodkafan]

Liked your review for De Profundis poppy very funny.

 

 

and how his (Oscar's) nature had altered for the better .. had become more humble .. by his imprisonment.

 

 

 

That reminded me of Monty Python...." It's really made me respect the Romans"

[poppyshake]

Liked your review for De Profundis poppy very funny.

That reminded me of Monty Python...." It's really made me respect the Romans"

lol .. terrific race the Romans!

 

I don't know what's wrong with me .. my mojo has fled I've been too tired to read what with work and planning Alan's birthday celebrations .. not to mention stuffing cake practically 24/7 ... it's just not like me .. well the stuffing cake bit is but the reading lethargy isn't. I need to buck my ideas up but you can't make yourself read .. not like you can make yourself eat cabbage say .. you have to want to read or you just end up seeing the same sentence over and over again whilst daydreaming about eclairs and Colin Firth .. possibly intertwined in some way!

 

I know I said I was going to set myself a ridiculously low target this year but in reality I didn't want to read less than last year because my reading tally has been getting progressively worse and last year's was disappointing enough. This is not the Olympic spirit .. I should be striving to at least equal my personal best which was 141 .. so far I have read 26!! and that means .. *runs off to find a calculator* .. that I need to read 115 by the end of January and with my mojo nowhere in sight that looks as likely as Boris Johnson winning the 100m sprint .. even on his bicycle.

 

It's not as if I've been reading terrible books (I mean Steve hasn't yet recommended any to me ) .. I've been reading some great books. Caitlin Moran's book made me laugh so much I was sure I'd loosened something and Rivers of London was a delight. Why does this happen? I have got well over a hundred books waiting in the wings to be read and some of them are bound to be crackers but I keep looking at them like it's Monday and Shepherds Pie has turned up again. It can't be a phase .. I'm too old to have phases it must be some sort of sickness

 

If any of you know a remedy or have any advice please pass it on, similarly if you have any tiny scraps of mojo to spare I would be most grateful .. last night, when I went to bed, I WATCHED THE SNOOKER .. rather than read :o ... that is bordering on tragic. If it happens again tonight I'm taking myself straight to A&E in the morning (or Waterstone's .. whichever's nearest.)

 

ME!

[julie]

Hi Miss Poppy

 

When I get into a reading slump, I usually pick up something totally out of the ordinary. Usually a nonfiction book of some sort that gets me back on track. Sometimes if I read too much fiction on a row, then I need a little shove in another direction to restart my brain .

So possibly a travel narrative ? Maybe some type of memoir of someone who sounds interesting ?

I'd suggest true crime, but I think you said you don't much care for it .

I don't have a huge stack of Mojo myself, but I'll be willing to split if with you 50/50 .

[willoyd]

I know I said I was going to set myself a ridiculously low target this year but in reality I didn't want to read less than last year because my reading tally has been getting progressively worse and last year's was disappointing enough. This is not the Olympic spirit .. I should be striving to at least equal my personal best which was 141 .. so far I have read 26!! and that means .. *runs off to find a calculator* .. that I need to read 115 by the end of January and with my mojo nowhere in sight that looks as likely as Boris Johnson winning the 100m sprint .. even on his bicycle.

 

And there, I think, is at least partly the reason why!! Reading is not an Olympic sport. It's not about targets and striving to equal or beat personal bests. You don't NEED to read 115 by January or, indeed, need to read any number of books by any time, any where or any how.

 

Reading is about the enjoyment of books. It's about savouring them, wrapping yourself up in them. If all you're worried about is finishing one book so you can move on to the next, the whole point of reading is lost. So...you've read 'only' 26 books, I've read 16 (actually, I'm quite happy about that number). And what counts as a 'book' - how do you compare Les Miserables or A Suitable Boy with, say, Mrs Dalloway or Heat and Dust?

 

Reading is not a sport, but if you are going to treat it like one, there are things you can learn from it. For instance, I have coached at elite, national squad, level in sport, and I can assure you that no athlete would try to sustain competition all the year round, year in year out. They have to take time off, they have to pace themselves. And even then, most can only sustain that sort of commitment for a few years. Almost all find a point where they can't keep it going. But reading is for life - that means it has to be approached in a completely different way. So, yes, take pleasure when you have a 'good' year, but that's just an aside. Again, in sport if you focus on the result, you'll never achieve that result. What gets you places is when you focus on the process and recognise that the result can only be that - the result of the process. So, focus on the enjoyment of reading, taking pleasure in the books, and leave the results to happen. And if they don't, what is important, the fact that you've read X books, or the fact that you've enjoyed them?

 

So my suggestion is to bin your target immediately, and start focusing on what is it that you enjoy in your reading. In other words, slow down and get out of the rat race!

 

I'd also echo julie's suggestion: I deliberately mix my reading, with plenty of non-fiction thrown in - not just travel, but history, science, biography, language, sport etc etc. But then, I only read 40-50 books a year

Edited April 26, 2012 by willoyd

[Ruth]

Great review for De Profundis I really like the sound of that book.

 

I'm another one with an aversion to Madame Bovary. I finished it, but didn't really enjoy it. I have an aversion to Keira Knightley as well. I'm sure she's probably a lovely person, but I just don't like her acting. At all. And she was TOTALLY WRONG for Lizzie Bennett!!! She only seems to have one facial expression, which is jutting her jaw out in a defiant manner.

 

That all said, that Mia Wasikowska is a good actress; she was good in Jane Eyre (not as good as Ruth Wilson though). But I still couldn't be persuaded to watch that film.

[Easy Reader]

I have an aversion to Keira Knightley as well. I'm sure she's probably a lovely person, but I just don't like her acting. At all. And she was TOTALLY WRONG for Lizzie Bennett!!! She only seems to have one facial expression, which is jutting her jaw out in a defiant manner.

 

WHAT you and me outside Ruth . I loved her as Elizabeth Bennett and much preferred that version to the bbc one.

 

anyway sorry for derailing great reviews Poppyshake I really must catch up on my own.

[poppyshake]

Hi Miss Poppy

 

When I get into a reading slump, I usually pick up something totally out of the ordinary. Usually a nonfiction book of some sort that gets me back on track. Sometimes if I read too much fiction on a row, then I need a little shove in another direction to restart my brain .

So possibly a travel narrative ? Maybe some type of memoir of someone who sounds interesting ?

I'd suggest true crime, but I think you said you don't much care for it .

I don't have a huge stack of Mojo myself, but I'll be willing to split if with you 50/50 .

Hi Julie Thanks for offering to share your mojo with me I appreciate it, I'll pay you back with interest if mine picks up again. I did pick up a memoir last night .. Dirk Bogarde's infact .. and it was interesting enough to keep my attention and stop me from watching the snooker. I'd like to find myself back in the mood where I can't wait to pick up my book but I might need patience with that.

And there, I think, is at least partly the reason why!! Reading is not an Olympic sport. It's not about targets and striving to equal or beat personal bests. You don't NEED to read 115 by January or, indeed, need to read any number of books by any time, any where or any how.

Reading is about the enjoyment of books. It's about savouring them, wrapping yourself up in them. If all you're worried about is finishing one book so you can move on to the next, the whole point of reading is lost. So...you've read 'only' 26 books, I've read 16 (actually, I'm quite happy about that number). And what counts as a 'book' - how do you compare Les Miserables or A Suitable Boy with, say, Mrs Dalloway or Heat and Dust?

 

Reading is not a sport, but if you are going to treat it like one, there are things you can learn from it. For instance, I have coached at elite, national squad, level in sport, and I can assure you that no athlete would try to sustain competition all the year round, year in year out. They have to take time off, they have to pace themselves. And even then, most can only sustain that sort of commitment for a few years. Almost all find a point where they can't keep it going. But reading is for life - that means it has to be approached in a completely different way. So, yes, take pleasure when you have a 'good' year, but that's just an aside. Again, in sport if you focus on the result, you'll never achieve that result. What gets you places is when you focus on the process and recognise that the result can only be that - the result of the process. So, focus on the enjoyment of reading, taking pleasure in the books, and leave the results to happen. And if they don't, what is important, the fact that you've read X books, or the fact that you've enjoyed them?

 

So my suggestion is to bin your target immediately, and start focusing on what is it that you enjoy in your reading. In other words, slow down and get out of the rat race!

 

I'd also echo julie's suggestion: I deliberately mix my reading, with plenty of non-fiction thrown in - not just travel, but history, science, biography, language, sport etc etc. But then, I only read 40-50 books a year

I agree with you but rest assured that even the year I read 141 I savoured them all .. or the good one's anyway. I don't just read in order to get my total up .. though admittedly I've made it sound that way. If that was the case I'd be far less picky .. I'd read everything and anything. The reason I like to set myself challenges is because I'm totally undisciplined and challenging myself with targets and booklists etc is a way of keeping me focused. Sadly I'm one of those people that can become easily distracted by things like the internet (not TV though thankfully or I'd be sunk) and before I know what I'm about I've wasted a few hours doing nothing which ultimately makes me grouchy. At the moment I'm not giving myself enough quality time to read .. I'm trying to fit it in first thing in the morning and/or last thing at night and it's a bit like trying to cook a good meal when you haven't planned anything or given yourself enough time .. you end up not doing a good job and not enjoying it. Last year I got into the habit of going to the top of the house (where it's always warm) and losing myself in my latest book for a couple of hours at least every day. I think I've only done that once this year.

 

I'm not overly worried about how many books I read (I was just being flippant) .. but I don't want to see my tally sink every year because that's a sign to me that all is not well in my world. Of course life changes and the amount of time you can devote to reading will always vary but my reasons for not reading much this year are not particularly edifying (facebook account opened about September of last year for one thing) .. plus it's having a negative effect on me. Your mind is more alive and buzzing when you read and I've always found it soothing to be transported to other worlds .. it's been a coping mechanism for me in the past because I am a bit of a stresshead. It's not unheard of for me to have a reading slump but it is unusual ... especially one where I don't feel particularly inspired to even pick up a book and that's what really worrying me about the situation.

 

In order to try and kick-start my mojo I've been looking at books on Paris because it's something that has caught my interest lately and I'd love to plan a trip or just learn more. I haven't seen any that particularly fit the bill yet .. whether it be factual or memoir or travelogue. I have mostly forgotten the few French phrases I learnt in school and so could do with brushing up on that too. Hopefully that will help but mainly I've got to start using my spare time more wisely and not wasting it.

[poppyshake]

Great review for De Profundis I really like the sound of that book.

 

I'm another one with an aversion to Madame Bovary. I finished it, but didn't really enjoy it. I have an aversion to Keira Knightley as well. I'm sure she's probably a lovely person, but I just don't like her acting. At all. And she was TOTALLY WRONG for Lizzie Bennett!!! She only seems to have one facial expression, which is jutting her jaw out in a defiant manner.

 

That all said, that Mia Wasikowska is a good actress; she was good in Jane Eyre (not as good as Ruth Wilson though). But I still couldn't be persuaded to watch that film.

Yay .. my thoughts exactly on Keira .. I just cannot see the appeal. Because I disliked the story so much I can't see me wanting to watch Madame B .. I'm certainly not forking out money at the cinema for it but maybe when it comes to TV I'll give it a look. Mia as you say is a good actress and my expectations will be low so that might be an advantage. I loved Ruth Wilson as Jane ... exactly right I thought. I haven't seen Mia as Jane but my first thought is .. she's far too pretty.

WHAT you and me outside Ruth . I loved her as Elizabeth Bennett and much preferred that version to the bbc one.

 

anyway sorry for derailing great reviews Poppyshake I really must catch up on my own.

Sorry Sally I'm with Ruth on this one .. and it wasn't just Keira that I thought was wrong for the part .. nearly everyone else was, imo, woefully miscast .. however I don't want to trash a favourite of yours and I definitely don't want you to call me outside .. you look like you mean business

 

Hope you get on well with your reviews

[willoyd]

but my reasons for not reading much this year

 

26 books in the past 17 weeks, about 1 book every 4 days or so. Not much?! That's loads. Maybe not compared to the rate over the last year or two, but that definitely does not qualify as "not reading much".

 

The fact is that we all get bored/stale with doing things, even the things we love, especially if we do massive amounts in the first place. Best solution is usually to take a break, slow down, switch off, try including something different (and that could mean breaking out of the patterns you have got into - maybe putting aside that quality time? Half an hour to start with? Finding somewhere different to read? (Finding as many different places to read as possible?)

 

Whatever you say about not being overly bothered about the numbers - they are what you keep referring to, which indicates they do have an influence, even if subconsciously. However, I do hope you retrieve the passion soon! Good luck.

[poppyshake]

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26 books in the past 17 weeks, about 1 book every 4 days or so. Not much?! That's loads. Maybe not compared to the rate over the last year or two, but that definitely does not qualify as "not reading much".

 

The fact is that we all get bored/stale with doing things, even the things we love, especially if we do massive amounts in the first place. Best solution is usually to take a break, slow down, switch off, try including something different (and that could mean breaking out of the patterns you have got into - maybe putting aside that quality time? Half an hour to start with? Finding somewhere different to read? (Finding as many different places to read as possible?)

 

Whatever you say about not being overly bothered about the numbers - they are what you keep referring to, which indicates they do have an influence, even if subconsciously. However, I do hope you retrieve the passion soon! Good luck.

Thanks Willoyd .. I've definitely put aside more time to read this week and it's been great. I was shocked when I spoke to my nephew and niece about reading recently and my nephew (14) said 'I read facebook .. does that count' and my niece (12) said she was still reading the same Jacqueline Wilson book she started at Christmas .. when I was their age I literally ate books .. well not literally but you know what I mean .. my Mum used to say I read myself into headaches. There wasn't the same distractions then though .. no computer obviously (I think we were still using abacuses ) and minimal TV .. still, as I said before, to a certain extent I'm falling prey to these new Gods too .. the internet especially. I need to be more disciplined with it and at least limit my 'browsing' time.