Poppy's Paperbacks 2012

[Karsa Orlong]

Well, *I* can't believe you didn't love Dracula, Karsa!

 

I know, I know, I'm in the minority

 

I like to be different, reminds me of one of my favourite songs: "Against the run-of-the-mill / swimming against the stream / life in two dimensions is a mass production scheme"

 

It's often the case isn't it. I didn't like Anna Karenina all that much and I thought I would, as for Madame B (I'm not using her full name .. my fingers won't type it anymore ) ... I threw it across the room

 

I think the last book that made me want to do that was by Richard Laymon. It was the first and only book I will ever read by him. Unfortunately, it was on my Kindle, so throwing it across the room might not have been a good idea

[poppyshake]

I think the last book that made me want to do that was by Richard Laymon. It was the first and only book I will ever read by him. Unfortunately, it was on my Kindle, so throwing it across the room might not have been a good idea

Haha .. another advantage of books over Kindles .. you can lob them with very little damage done to either book or surroundings

[poppyshake]

 

Running with Scissors - Augusten Burroughs

 

Waterstones Synopsis: This is the story of a boy whose mother (a poet with delusions of grandeur) gave him away to be raised by her psychiatrist, a dead ringer for Santa Claus and a certifiable lunatic into the bargain. Suddenly at the age of 12, Augusten found himself living in a dilapidated Victorian house in perfect squalor. The doctor's bizarre family, a few patients and a paedophile living in the garden shed completed the tableau. Here, there were no rules or school. The Christmas tree stayed up until Summer and valium was chomped down like sweets. When things got a bit slow, there was always the ancient electroshock therapy machine under the stairs.

 

Review: My main thought when reading this book was that I hoped Augusten had made at least some of it up, I couldn't quite believe that anyone could have had such a bizarre and unsettling childhood. I don't expect all families to be like the Walton's .. I know there are some pretty weird people out there (most of them are relatives ) but goodness gracious! .. you couldn't have found more dysfunctional people if you searched the Yellow Pages.

 

Augusten's mother Deirdre is a chain smoker who writes 'confessional poetry' .. she wears 'wildly coloured gowns' and everything she says sounds 'like it went through a curling iron'. His father is 'a highly functional alcoholic professor of Mathematics at the University of Massachusetts' who has 'the loving, affectionate and outgoing personality of petrified wood.' They loathe each other and home is a battleground .. which is around the time that Dr Finch steps into their lives .. 'As the mood in my home changed from one of mere hatred to one of potential double homicide, my parents sought help from a psychiatrist'. Deirdre becomes increasingly crazy .. 'not crazy in a let's paint the kitchen bright red sort of way but crazy in a gas oven, toothpaste sandwich, I am God sort of way' and her visits to Dr Finch become daily. Her relationship with Augusten's father completely breaks down and they soon separate. Augusten thinks this is his chance for some stability .. possibly life will now be 'fabric-softener, tuna-salad-on-white, PTA meeting normal' .. no such luck. His mother, unable to deal with herself let alone a child, takes Augusten to Dr Finch's house and leaves him there .. thinking it a 'safe place' for him. The house is a complete shock ... 'in a neighbourhood of whispers it was a shriek' ... but the inhabitants are infinitely worse.

 

They have their own special code of conduct which means that practically anything goes. They holler and shout at one another because bottling up anger is bad, they live in filth, throw food around, curse, eat dog food, indulge in the worst sort of anti social behaviour, dish out drugs, drop out of school .. in fact it's pointless listing it all .. there are no taboos.

 

To give you a flavour - and that's perhaps an unfortunate word to use in the circumstances - and to help you to decide whether this is a book for you, I will just relate how at one point it comes to Dr Finch that God is trying to communicate with him via .... and there's no polite way of saying this .. his poo. He does a humongous coil one morning which appears to have it's tip pointing skywards and he takes it as some sort of sign from God. He gets his daughter to scoop it from the toilet pan (with a spatula that you just know comes from the kitchen drawer ) and takes it ('dripping') out to the garden where they inspect it on the picnic table .. this is repeated EVERY DAY until constipation indicates that God has stopped favouring him. I was constantly gagging ... there is so much here about squalor, food and toilets that my stomach was forever rolling.

 

Augusten turns out to be something of a chameleon because his early horror at life with the Finches soon turns to acceptance and by the time you've turned a few pages he's embraced all their oddities and become a fully paid up member.

 

The thing is, though it makes your hair stand on end, your stomach roll and your eyes goggle .. Augusten relates it all with such humour that, more often than not, you're thoroughly entertained as well as disgusted. There are some very explicit as well as disturbing bits .. you need to have a broad mind as well as a strong stomach. Very early on Augusten figures out that he is gay and embarks on a relationship with Neil .. one of the Finches adopted sons .. ok, that's not so bad .. but Augusten at the time is 14 and Neil is over 30. There's no getting away from it this is child abuse even though at the time Augusten believes himself to be in control.

 

I was quite angry at his mum for most of the book but with the ending comes a revelation that puts her behaviour into some sort of context. It didn't come quite out of the blue, I had an inkling already but certainly it comes as a great shock to Augusten who begins to re-evaluate all that's gone before.

 

I still have to believe that he has exaggerated for the sake of a good story because otherwise parts of it are just too appalling to be funny. Certainly the family (who were renamed the Finches) dispute the story and appear to have bought a lawsuit against him but I'm not quite clear as to the outcome .. what I've read is inconclusive. Still he knows how to write a 'memoir' that's for sure.

 

9/10

Edited February 22, 2012 by poppyshake

[frankie]

This will give me nightmares .. I don't want him posting any of his private parcels in my letterbox

 

Well okay, I suppose you can avoid it all if you just don’t talk to the poor innocent bugger

 

 

Alan has a petrol can in his car .. I'll dab a bit of that on .. better not sit too near the fire though

 

Oh you are such a nice obliging woman

 

I didn't know it either till David Brent said it in 'The Office'

 

Hm. I wonder who said it first!

 

pic of Dracula book

 

Just like Kylie, I’m so happy but not that surprised that you enjoyed this book so much!

 

 

Today and yesterday I received book presents through the post

pic of books

 

Hehe you are quite welcome! I love what you’ve done with the books, makes a pretty picture! J And I do hope you enjoy the books!

 

 

Valentines Day

 

pics of poppyshake's wonderful valentines

 

 

*swoon* That’s my idea of a great gift, whether it be Valentine’s Day, Christmas or my Birthday… *sigh*

 

Hehe, I hope you enjoy Candide! When you have finished it, I suggest you search for the appropriate thread here on BCF and read the others opinions, and tell us what you thought of it! Can’t wait

 

(sorry, I couldn't get the pics in so had to write what was there instead. And I'm soon to be called to eat so have to post in smaller bits and pieces...)

[frankie]

Soppy Alert : The bookmark says .. 'If you live to be a hundred I want to be a hundred minus one day so I would never live a day without you'

 

*another sigh*

 

 

Running with Scissors - Augusten Burroughs

 

The thing is, though it makes your hair stand on end, your stomach roll and your eyes goggle .. Augusten relates it all with such humour that, more often than not, you're thoroughly entertained as well as disgusted.

 

This is what I love about Augusten Burroughs and what I always say when I try to make people read his books I love Burroughs. I’m so gutted that he’s gay, I’d love to make him mine!!

[Devi]

Running with Scissors does in it's own twisted way, seem like it would be an interesting read, a different kind of read, but an interesting one at that... I can't believe I am saying this but I think I may have to check it out hahaha.

[frankie]

Running with Scissors does in it's own twisted way, seem like it would be an interesting read, a different kind of read, but an interesting one at that... I can't believe I am saying this but I think I may have to check it out hahaha.

 

I would heartily recommend it.

[poppyshake]

Hm. I wonder who said it first!

It appears it was Oscar Wilde .. just as you'd expect

Hehe you are quite welcome! I love what you’ve done with the books, makes a pretty picture! J And I do hope you enjoy the books!

I will, I know I will .. I've already dipped in and found stuff that made my mouth water

*swoon* That’s my idea of a great gift, whether it be Valentine’s Day, Christmas or my Birthday… *sigh*

I had to wait a LONG time before these nice things started happening to me. I won't say that previous Birthdays/Valentines would have found me scrubbing floors with a bucket full of my own tears .. but it was something like that.

Hehe, I hope you enjoy Candide! When you have finished it, I suggest you search for the appropriate thread here on BCF and read the others opinions, and tell us what you thought of it! Can’t wait

I don't mind how suggestive you are I always follow your suggestions because they always turn out to be bl**dy brilliant ideas and so I will definitely hunt out the thread and put my two penn'orth in.

[poppyshake]

This is what I love about Augusten Burroughs and what I always say when I try to make people read his books I love Burroughs. I’m so gutted that he’s gay, I’d love to make him mine!!

That's him and David Mitchell ... and wasn't it Ciaran Hinds too? Are there any more? What is the ultimate frankie 'make him mine' shopping list?

[poppyshake]

Running with Scissors does in it's own twisted way, seem like it would be an interesting read, a different kind of read, but an interesting one at that... I can't believe I am saying this but I think I may have to check it out hahaha.

It's definitely different and interesting .. and mad Frankie recommends it and you can't go far wrong with a frankie recommendation .. they're all gems

[frankie]

It appears it was Oscar Wilde .. just as you'd expect

 

HAH! I guess I shouldn't be so surprised that such a wonderfully delicious and tickling saying has been discovered such a long time ago Hats off to Mr Wilde!

 

I had to wait a LONG time before these nice things started happening to me. I won't say that previous Birthdays/Valentines would have found me scrubbing floors with a bucket full of my own tears .. but it was something like that.

 

Oh boy! I thought Alan was perfect from the get-go! So I suppose you've had to do some serious training? I'm glad of this fair warning, I suppose I must start lowering my own expectations...

 

I don't mind how suggestive you are I always follow your suggestions because they always turn out to be bl**dy brilliant ideas and so I will definitely hunt out the thread and put my two penn'orth in.

 

 

Hehe, thank you kindly It is a mutual thing we got going on!

 

That's him and David Mitchell ... and wasn't it Ciaran Hinds too? Are there any more? What is the ultimate frankie 'make him mine' shopping list?

 

Ciaran Hinds, yes, but he doesn't quiet compare to David Mitchell and Augusten Burroughs. Although, I think the ultimate 'make him mine' man is Jonathan Davis from the band Korn And no, I don't usually swoon after bands and singers, I've grown out of that, but there's something (well, everything!) about Jonathan that makes me tick

Edited February 22, 2012 by frankie

[julie]

Soppy Alert : The bookmark says .. 'If you live to be a hundred I want to be a hundred minus one day so I would never live a day without you'

 

I think he's worried he might have to make his own toast

 

Isn't that sweet ? And yes, I have a husband that would probably have problems making his own toast, too .

[Devi]

 

It's definitely different and interesting .. and mad Frankie recommends it and you can't go far wrong with a frankie recommendation .. they're all gems

 

well you will be pleased/disturbed to know I added it to my shopping list of books!

[frankie]

Isn't that sweet ? And yes, I have a husband that would probably have problems making his own toast, too .

 

Only because they'd be crying their eyes out due to their huge loss and thus being unable to see what they were doing!

[julie]

Only because they'd be crying their eyes out due to their huge loss and thus being unable to see what they were doing!

 

Thank you Frankie

I think my husband might go berserk if I weren't here for the White Noise in the background . I'm always talking,so I think he'd have problems adjusting to the quiet. Maybe he'd end up going downtown and sitting on the Square so he had some traffic noise .

[poppyshake]

HAH! I guess I shouldn't be so surprised that such a wonderfully delicious and tickling saying has been discovered such a long time ago. Hats off to Mr Wilde!

Yes all witty sayings .. if they're not by Shakespeare .. spring from Mr Wilde

Oh boy! I thought Alan was perfect from the get-go! So I suppose you've had to do some serious training? I'm glad of this fair warning, I suppose I must start lowering my own expectations...

Alan was perfectish from the get-go. I was thinking of all the toads and super-rats that came before him (one of which I was married to for four years ) I didn't meet Alan until I was in my late twenties and by then I had a sort of relationship train wreck behind me. I'm glad in a way though because straight away I recognised that he was a gem, maybe I wouldn't have otherwise.

There has been some training of course he has had to learn all about what poppyshakes like best .. but the fact that he wanted to learn it is everything

Don't lower your expectations frankie ... there is someone out there just right for you .. and a very lucky man he is indeed

Ciaran Hinds, yes, but he doesn't quiet compare to David Mitchell and Augusten Burroughs. Although, I think the ultimate 'make him mine' man is Jonathan Davis from the band Korn And no, I don't usually swoon after bands and singers, I've grown out of that, but there's something (well, everything!) about Jonathan that makes me tick

It's good to have options Is this your man?

ooh la la

well you will be pleased/disturbed to know I added it to my shopping list of books!

Yes well, if you hate it, remember frankie told you about it seriously though Devi .. hope you love it.

[poppyshake]

I think my husband might go berserk if I weren't here for the White Noise in the background . I'm always talking,so I think he'd have problems adjusting to the quiet. Maybe he'd end up going downtown and sitting on the Square so he had some traffic noise .

Lol Julie He would miss you for far more than that .. your coalminers boot sandwiches for a start .. where could he go to get them? .. he would try to replicate them himself but it just wouldn't be the same. The hubster knows .. because he is a very wise man .. that you are irreplaceable

[poppyshake]

I met up with lovely Claire (chesilbeach) yesterday morning and and we had coffee together

She very kindly bought with her a birthday present for me A lovely book that I've been wanting (I have the sequel already .. but didn't know it was a sequel when I bought it) .. a gorgeous bookmark and all put in a bag with hearts on what could be nicer? I am the luckiest girl in the world.

 

 

Thank you so much Claire I know I'm going to love it. Hope we can meet again for coffee soon .. when you've recovered

[julie]

Very pretty Poppy !

Love the bag --especially since I noticed in a previous post you like things with hearts on them . The bookmark looks nice --what doess it say ? ( I love bookmarks)

What is the book,and what is the one called that you already have ?

 

Very good shopper, Claire !

[poppyshake]

The book is Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch. The one I already have is Moon Over Soho .. they have very pretty covers and that's why I was drawn to them but I have it on good authority ... Willoyd's no less ... that they are cracking reads.

 

The bookmark says .. 'A good book is like an old friend' .. which is very true.

[julie]

Sounds great Poppy ! Hope you enjoy the new books .

[Kidsmum]

What a great pressie, love the bookmark Are those lights from Ikea Poppy I've got some similar ones & have them draped over the bookcases.

[poppyshake]

What a great pressie, love the bookmark Are those lights from Ikea Poppy I've got some similar ones & have them draped over the bookcases.

Yes, they did I throw them over everything

[vodkafan]

Hey Poppy that was so nice that you had a meet up with Chesilbeach. I had a meet up half planned with Bookjumper last year and I had a book present all ready but then she disappeared off the forum. Never mind.

[poppyshake]

Hey Poppy that was so nice that you had a meet up with Chesilbeach. I had a meet up half planned with Bookjumper last year and I had a book present all ready but then she disappeared off the forum. Never mind.

I do miss Giulia .. I wondered who'd frightened her away No, I think she's busy working on a book isn't she? I see her a lot on facebook.

Claire and I had a lovely time and hope to do it again soon