What’s round and bad tempered? (The answer to this classic cracker conundrum is at the bottom of the page)
Having had to force myself away from the blog to get stuff done recently, like move house and then and bodily move people out of my way whilst Christmas shopping etc. I came to realise how much I enjoy the interaction I get with you guys. I probably spend more time with your blogs than I do with my friends around my home town, not only that but it’s nice to have a voice that people are genuinely interested in listening too.
as of yesterday though, I am now officially mobile and WiFi’d up so will be accessing your blogs at all times of the day and night and sometimes even twice a day. So far I have added 23 of you to my favourites, with more to follow when I get around to it or more accurately when I get my head out of a book.
Speaking of books, as I so often do, the December haul of books has been kind to me, with a Tim Moore travel book, Everything’s Eventual and Jostein Gaarder’s last book The Castle in the Pyrenees, amongst others. Although the highlight arguably being a paperback version of Helen Cresswell’s, The Watchers: A Mystery at Alton Towers, which to my knowledge is out of print at the moment. So far the prologue is progressing nicely with an air of mystery, just what I like.
Earlier on I had my first introduction to The Railway Children, the 1970’s film version, which I really enjoyed, although I now feel like I have probably missed an even better book, but then again it is Christmas and you have to get into the spirit. I will probably make this an annual festive film though, along with Tron, The Wizard of Oz and one of the first six Star Trek films.
So from me and the kids, until next time, toodle-oo!
Answer: A vicious circle.
Book to the Future 
“You are Awful (But I Like You)” – What a fun title, and looks like a good read! Glad you’re settling into your new home and have wifi now – it always takes a few weeks to feel at home, and the hustle and bustle of Christmas made things a lot more chaotic, I’m sure!
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It was an experience, that would be the polite way to describe it, things are coming together now though. The major part of the stress is over, just have to move the rest of the books in. That could take a while. You Are Awful is a travel book of a different sort, Tim takes us to all the bleak places people don’t want to go apparently. Including a popular holiday resort which I loved as a kid and the two cities sandwiching my town, so it promises to be a familiar read for me. I shall review it when I read it and that hopefully shall be soon as it has jumped to the front of my list near enough. The WiFi is truly heaven as well.
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It will be interesting to read about the towns near your home town- to see where your perspectives align, or where they don’t.
That’s what originally drew me to Hemmingway’s books (and Stein, Fitzgerald, etc): I was curious to see how they viewed my hometown of Paris, despite the obvious difference in time period as well. And then I was just drawn into their writings in themselves, regardless of the subject matter.
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If you are going to get drawn into authors then that is a heavyweight line up to get into. I have (so far) only read Hemingway and that was mixed, the Old man and the Sea was wonderful but A Farewell to Arms left me in two minds, I do have For whom the Bell Tolls though and that shall act as a decider.
Being a naturally cynical person, not my fault!) I’m sure I will enjoy and agree with the negative views a lot more.
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You might like Hemmingway’s A Moveable Feast – that’s the first one I read by him oddly enough – it’s a memoir in fact, of his time in Paris and his encounters with Stein, Fitzgerald, Pound.
Looking forward to reading your posts on your new books in the next few months 🙂
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It seems very disjointed review wise for the last few months or maybe that is just in my head. No matter there shall be more this year, many more and more frequently that the last month or so. I shall check out A Movable Feast as soon as I have the cash, that’s how easily I can be led, it’s a good kind of way to be, books wise.
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That’s pretty classically British that you grew up near (and enjoyed!) places considered the bleakest holiday spots around. …..”You were lucky to have a holiday resort! We used to DREAM of going to a holiday resort! We had to pitch our tent in a pothole in the road and had our fun breathing in the fumes every time a lorry went past, if we were LUCKY, but you try telling young people that today….” and so on and so forth.
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Classic sketch, those Yorkshire men never change either, they are only a relatively short jaunt from where I live and they all sound t’same. I never saw the holiday resort in question as bleak, but these days I do. It was better in my day I tell thee. Now where is my pint of stout gone.
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Do you use an e-reader? It can’t ever replace books, of course, but it can be handy for travel. I don’t do much reading on mine, though, cause, well, angry birds. (SHAME) I am reading the 50 Shades series on them (DOUBLE SHAME) so that people in my real life can’t see the crap I’m reading. It is useful for that.
They were having a marathon of Star Trek films the other day. My favorite is “The Undiscovered Country” with all the Shakespeare references. Which is your favorite?
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I haven’t touched an e-reader,although I would be interested in my getting my hands on one for the purposes of a blog post contrasting the two reading experiences. I find with a shiny book cover on view i get into more interesting conversations with people and passing drunks. the results on how good the conversations are, are mixed to say the least.
Good question I enjoyed the mildly trippy SFX on The Motion Picture, Khan’s literary references in the second were good too. I like The Final Frontier and The undiscovered Country too, the latter for the Shakepeare stuff, Shatner should join the RSC! The Final Frontier is a total nostalgia trip too, heck they are all enjoyable, even the one with the whales is growing on me.
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YAY – You’re Wifi’d!
Hope you got some fun in-between all that hustle & bustle.
Happy Holidays to you!
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All hustle and bustled out now. looking for days off for naps and reading. I haven’t really read a book since the 22 December. I’m slipping.
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Our cracker conundrum this year was beautifully boxed but empty crackers! And not enough time to get creative with the contents – they were a gift so can’t be too ungrateful. Enjoying ‘The NIght Circus’ at present and can’t wait to choose the next read off the bookshop or perhaps the kindle since its been long neglected recently.
Look forward to more from you in 2013!
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Another book added to my list, I may make a separate list just for the books you recommend, the fun is in trying to keep up and of course save up!
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Reading the reviews is enough for the title to enter your psyche and then one day when you’re ready the book(s) will appear in front of you and you will recognise it.
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Well I did in fact purchase The Night circus on your recommendation, the only thing that worries me is that it is likened to Audrey Niffenegger’s works. I hope it is more substantial than The time travelers Wife.
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You’ll have to read it and see, it does require a bit of openmindedness and use of the imagination, in that respect you could say it has something in common with Niffenegger, but my take was that Niffenegger liked the book, not quite the same thing. Anyway, forget all that, your own opinion is what’s important.
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I am looking forward to reading it, that is my one luxury item for the month of January paid for anyway. I’m happy to suspend my disbelief, Shakespeare taught me that. I shall read and recview it
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Hmm I want to read that last book by Jostein Gaarder. I only read Sophie’s World but I have a copy of the Ringmaster’s daughter which is sitting in my to-read pile. Your intro is touching. I am addicted to reading your blogs, too!
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The ringmaster’s Daughter is one of my least favourite Gaarder books, but The Castle in the Pyrenees is apparently a return to form, so I shall review it when I get around to reading it. Sophie’s World was a clever book and a nice overview of Philosophy, I think my all time favourite though it The Solitaire Mystery, for me it was the most magical of all his books.
You always have such wonderful compliments for me, I shall continue blogging much more to keep feeding your addiction!
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Hmm you always give me book recommendations and I’m afraid I have to start listing them down soon and add it in my Goodreads shelf. Sophie’s World is interesting, but it took me a long time to read it. I hope the others will prove to be entertaining and light. 🙂
Aha! Am I addicted? Then please indulge me and blog more.
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Anything to keep you happy my dear!! I have a few book reviews you may find interesting coming up in the next week or so. For a light and short but fantastically heart warming tale. I read it in one sitting. The Solitaire Mystery is a more complex beast but has at its heart a magical realism that makes it very enjoyable.
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I feel like a spoiled young reader, which perhaps I am. Thank you! I will be looking forward to read them.
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I am all about the book choices. I will keep recommending them as that is my new hobby.
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And a very good one, I must point. I like receiving book recommendations from you. Problem is I feel overwhelmed when I see my TBR list.
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sorry, well maybe a bit sorry, but I like to give you a choice and of course you can always bully/charm your friends into getting you one. I regret to inform you that shall be adding to your list still.
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