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What have you just read? Opinions, recommendations & reviews
Patricia wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "I love Coco Chanel's design and perfume. I find her a fascinating woman. I recommend that you either read Mademoiselle Chanel or [book:Coco Chanel: An Intimate Life..."Well, life was very hard on her. It made her tough. That she stayed in Paris during the Occupation doesn't surprise me at all.
Diane S. wrote: "Read Co Co Chanel but have not read Mademoiselle Chanel yet, but will soon.Finished Migratory Animals
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
Diane, have you read Coco Chanel: An Intimate Life? I went to see your rating but couldn't find it.
Chrissie wrote: "Diane S. wrote: "Read Co Co Chanel but have not read Mademoiselle Chanel yet, but will soon.Finished Migratory Animals
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
Diane, hav..."
I read this one Chrissie Mademoiselle: Coco Chanel and the Pulse of History.
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Diane S. wrote: "I read this one Chrissie Mademoiselle: Coco Chanel and the Pulse of History. "Oh my, that one looks good too. Does it discuss in detail her the inquiry after the war or her ten years in Switzerland?
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LauraT, I feel young inside it's just the outside that seems to disagree!"
When 20 I used to say that I was old inside and joung outside; now that I'm 47 I say simply that I'm old inside and out!!!!
Sandy wrote: "@Gill, if Ann is only "a bit" older than you are, then you must be only a bit older than I am. Consider yourself lucky to be in such good company! :D"I do!
Oh for goodness sake, Laura. 47 years is NOT old.Anyhow age doesn't matter, but rather what is in your head.
Chrissie wrote: "Oh for goodness sake, Laura. 47 years is NOT old.Anyhow age doesn't matter, but rather what is in your head."It's definitely not old, Laura!! Or I may as well give up now!!!
Evelyn wrote: "I have just finished The Robber Bride, 5 stars. These women will stick with me for a while, loved how their stories wove in and out of each other's"Added to my wishlist, it sounds very interesting!
I'm 41. I remember adults telling me how fast it goes by when I was a child. I thought, "yeah, right." In my defense, though, 5-10 years does sound like a long time to a kid. Maybe even double their life. Now, I know they were right. My mom used to say it just doesn't seem fair. Now I know what she meant--it seems like just a few years ago I was still in my 20s. 10-12 years goes by pretty darn quick these days. So I've learned I will get older (IF I'm lucky--it's a blessing denied to many), and the time will surely come when I wish I was just in my 40s, so I'm going to try to love every bit of it.
Chuck wrote: "So I've learned I will get older (IF I'm lucky--it's a blessing denied to many), and the time will surely come when I wish I was just in my 40s, so I'm going to try to love every bit of it...."Completely agree with this Chuck, although I'm still enjoying my thirties for a couple more years ;)
My Mum has always worried about ageing (she's only 54 next week) but she's hated every decade that she's approached. She's already moaning about 60, but I point out she should count herself very lucky if she makes it, as other close family members haven't. Mind you, she also constantly tells me she'll live to 100, as she takes care of herself. Can't win with her!
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My meaning is that all this attention on youth I find a bit ... irksome. I am what I am, age doesn't really matters much ...
LauraT wrote: "My meaning is that all this attention on youth I find a bit ... irksome. I am what I am, age doesn't really matters much .."Now that is a good a attitude!
The End of the Affair is completed. For me it definitely started out better than it finished.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Everyone, you're all right. It goes by so fast so whatever age you are, enjoy it while you can 'cause it doesn't come again. I must say that I'm much happier now in my late 60s than I was in my twenties. It is a challenge sometimes though, here in the U.S. where there is a national obsession with youth and beauty. One compensation is reading all those wonderful books that are available. How fortunate we are!
Chrissie wrote: "The End of the Affair is completed. For me it definitely started out better than it finished.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
I thought that too, Chrissie. I was left feeling very disappointed by this.
Shirley, now I am scared of trying his other books. Do ALL his books have such a message?
Chrissie wrote: "Shirley, now I am scared of trying his other books. Do ALL his books have such a message?"No -- but the message in The Power and the Glory is similar. I think you will like Travels With My Aunt.
Thank you, Leslie! I will go with TWMA before TPATG! What about Our Man in Havana? It is important to fit a book with the right reader.
Chrissie wrote: "Thank you, Leslie! I will go with TWMA before TPATG! What about Our Man in Havana? It is important to fit a book with the right reader."
Our Man in Havana is a spoof of spy thrillers, so I think I got a kick out of it because I am a fan of that genre (subgenre?). Since you aren't such a fan of thrillers, Travels With My Aunt I think would appeal more to you. If you haven't read The Quiet American, I would recommend that one for you too.
Leslie, The Quiet American isn't available to me either. Annoying.
Chrissie wrote: "Leslie, The Quiet American isn't available to me either. Annoying.":( Very annoying!!
I have been struggling to finish anything this month and now the GoodReads home page keeps telling me I am 5 books behind schedule :(However, I did finish The Left Hand of Darkness which I found thought-provoking. It is about how a world of hermaphrodites responds when a "normal" man comes as an envoy of other worlds (sort of a Federation like in Star Trek). Despite the obvious physical differences, those in power tended to disbelieve the reality of other life in the universe and worry about the internal political ramifications. I would recommend it if you like speculative fiction.
Chrissie wrote: "Shirley, now I am scared of trying his other books. Do ALL his books have such a message?"I haven't read anything else by him, although I do have The Quiet American to read, so like you, I am going to try some others.
Shirley, you check out yours, and I'll check out mine! I hope we both have better luck with the next one.
Chrissie wrote: "Shirley, you check out yours, and I'll check out mine! I hope we both have better luck with the next one."Ha ha, ok it's a deal!
I sometimes feel old at 27! I think because I'm still early in my career and single that I feel like I have lots to do and many years to do them!
Read an interesting play that deals with the theme of Truth. Where is the difference between the fantasy and reality? Can we know for certain what is truth? What are facts in relation to Truth? All these interesting concepts are analysed in an interesting and engaging manner in the play Absolutely Perhaps by Luigi Pirandello. Here is the link to my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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Old? What I wouldn't give to be 47 again. I could do so ..."
As I said before, what I mean is that I don't like to point the attention on the age: I am what I am, of course how many years I've lived counts something, but my general attitude towards life and the big issues of it hasn't changed much.
I like my 47 years, all the skin wrinkles it has given me, testifying all tears and laughters I've had. The only think that bothers me is that I probably have already lived more than half of my period, and liking life quite a lot, I'm sorry about that!!!!
LauraT wrote: "Sandy wrote: "LauraT wrote: "When 20 I used to say that I was old inside and joung outside; now that I'm 47 I say simply that I'm old inside and out!!!!"Old? What I wouldn't give to be 47 again. ..."
"Lasciami tutte le rughe , non me ne togliere nemmeno una. Ci ho messo una vita a farmele venire " (Anna Magnani)
translation for our English friends: Anna Magnani, a famous Italian actress of the past told to his make-up artist: "Let all the wrinkles, do don't take away even one. It took me a lifetime to have them."
Wrinkles are the real deal. I'm 36 years, and in 14 I'll be 50. I used to find no positives when observing old people. But recently I realized that most old people are the winners of the vagaries of life. They might not have much time left, but they survived disease, crime, and accidents, and have defied their genetic makeup to be where they are now. Most have their memories, experience, and sheer knowledge intact. Some of these people achieved maturity while still young and as a result honed their moral ability to the point of expertise, and have lead a rich life.
I've just read Trains and Lovers by Alexander McCall Smith, which is a short stand-alone novel, not part of any of his series. The best word to describe it is 'charming' I think - the life stories of a set of four characters on a train, not especially dramatic but told with a simple and engaging style.
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Have you seen "Youth", by our film director Sorrentino?
at a certain point there is a framing of a close up of Harvey Keithl and Jane Fonda. The two faces are of course both marked by signes of time, but Fonda has the worst: all "painted", put up. They look the same age, one hansom, the other pathetic
Joy wrote: "I've just read Trains and Lovers by Alexander McCall Smith, which is a short stand-alone novel, not part of any of his series. The best word to describe it is 'charming' I think - t..."I liked his writing style with the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. I'll keep an eye out for this next time I am browsing the library.
Luffy wrote: "Wrinkles are the real deal. I'm 36 years, and in 14 I'll be 50. I used to find no positives when observing old people. But recently I realized that most old people are the winners of the vagaries o..."I love your attitude Luffy. I feel sorry for people, esp the younger generation, who put too much emphasis on their appearance and strive for physical perfection.
@Luffy wrote: " Some of these people achieved maturity while still young and as a result honed their moral ability to the point of expertise, and have lead a rich life."I applaud your attitude.
Wrinkles - bah! I'm just too lazy to iron my skin after I have a shower!
Before I go to sleep by S.J. Watson was pretty good. Definitely check it out with the film. I'll write my review for it later.
Luffy wrote: "Wrinkles are the real deal. I'm 36 years, and in 14 I'll be 50. I used to find no positives when observing old people. But recently I realized that most old people are the winners of the vagaries o..."Luffy, at my "senile" age, I'm still pursuing a dream. I'm too busy writing my second novel, which is what I really really wanted to write, to care about how I look :)
B the BookAddict wrote: "Wrinkles - bah! I'm just too lazy to iron my skin after I have a shower! Like it, Bette!
Julia wrote: "I love your attitude Luffy. I feel sorry for people, esp the younger generation, who put too much emphasis on their appearance and strive for physical perfection. "B the BookAddict wrote: "@Luffy: I applaud your attitude."
Thank you, ladies.
Alice wrote: "Luffy, at my "senile" age, I'm still pursuing a dream. I'm too busy writing my second novel, which is what I really really wanted to write, to care about how I look :) "If you're a published author, then you have managed what the majority of people can't do, regardless of age. In my opinion, about 40% of women between 55 and 65 years are beautiful still.
LauraT wrote: "Have you seen "Youth", by our film director Sorrentino?at a certain point there is a framing of a close up of Harvey Keithl and Jane Fonda. The two faces are of course both ..."
Hmm... I know what you mean. I think most 80-year-old women sporting make up look like that, but really I think she's aged better than he has. I didn't even recognize him at first the last time I saw him. But of course, he doesn't wear make up, so it's not the fairest comparison in my book.
Several pics of it here at Cannes: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/...
My latest read which I really enjoyed Salvation Creek Promo Ebook, this might be enjoyable for people that want to know more about life on the water in Australia. My review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
LauraT wrote: "How I agree with Anna Magnani! Have you seen "Youth", by our film director Sorrentino?
at a certain point there is a framing of a close up of Harvey Keithl and Jane Fonda. The two faces are of cou..."
Not yet but it seems an interesting movie!
Jen, oh I liked that one too - the fictional story created around an episode in Mead's life. I am impressed when fiction gets this good.
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All About Books
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I agree Shirley, he covered much in a few pages. I liked this one too.