UK Book Club discussion
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Bucket List
Linda wrote: "Lol louise. My sister offered me a ticket for MND but I refused to go as David Walliams was in it..I got irrationally angry and headachey with rage about it! She said he was extremely annoying, mas..."I was more disappointed in Sheridan Smith, who has recently made a decent name for herself on stage.
Mind made up,I can go without...until the ten pound tickets tempt me.
Mod
Don't forget Crime and Punishment ;)
Liz wrote: "Philip wrote: "I have finally given in and added The Stand to my reading list, probably becuase Tori is reading it. Next up must be War and Peace or perhaps [book:Ulysses|3..."Might be crime and punishment if I read that!
Tori wrote: "Philip wrote: "I have finally given in and added The Stand to my reading list, probably becuase Tori is reading it. Next up must be War and Peace or perhaps [book:Ulysses|3..."I'll certainly let you know. Not sure so far.
Okey dokes. I've not done well with my olive bucket challenge this week. I had some olives on Monday then deliberately put them in the way of those in my house who like them. They've all gone now. Oh dear, how sad, never mind!!Haven't read anymore of The Stand today either because I've had my in-laws over for the day. An intense amount of cleaning, gardening and finally cooking, preceded the visit so I'm behind with reading and writing. I'm going to a wedding tomorrow, so that's another day gone. Monday it's Harry Potter. These summer hols are flying. I always envisage long lazy days and get just the opposite. Rushed off my feet I am!
Just finished your novel Tori....WOW. An easy 5 stars and you were right, I didn't see the twist coming. Thankyou for a fantastic read...I really can't wait for the next one (no pressure!) I urge everyone who is a fan of clever thrillers to read Tori's book and no, she's not paying me to say that.
Aw, Linda - thanks so much. To give someone a little pleasure is wonderful to me and makes all the hard work worthwhile. So glad you enjoyed it. The sequel is 75% done. I'm hoping to be done with it 6 weeks from now. Then the editing begins!! Sighs. Cheque's in the post ;-)
Pleasure. We should all support and encourage new writing talent.
Mod
Precisely!
Liz wrote: "Don't forget Crime and Punishment ;)"I have a copy on my shelf that's been waiting to be read for years, along with The Odyssey. I 'WILL' get around to them… definitely… probably… ;-) More likely than War and Peace though, I remember once buying a copy in fit of enthusiasm but it languished on the shelf until I guiltily gave it to charity in a clear-out.
Shame on you Paul. I'd have done the same!! A tinge of regret maybe?
Hear hear on Tori's book.Never even started War and Peace. - those Russians are difficult. I did plough through some Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn at one stage and I think it put me off. The bleakness, the cold which seems to form the backdrop. I like the warm. Likewise Charles Dickens. They all seem to be bleak and stuffy as if there is never any sunshine. I don't mind the depressing stories (yes I know there is comedy and happy ever after) but does it ever stop raining/snowing or not be dark and dingy.
I have decided to add a World Cruise to my Bucket List. Just been sent a Cunard brochure 6 months away travelling around the world in luxury yours from £40k. Did see one for nearly £200k the other day, that was all-inclusive. Oh well added to the list. I wonder if I'll get my sea legs by then.
Sailing From Armchair To Sea Legs
I'd like to live long enough to see Newcastle United win something... anything. Howay the Lads.I'd also like to go back to the start of the Discworld novels and read them all again (in order). I've dug out my copy of The Colour of Magic, so I'm ready to get going.
Tori wrote: "Shame on you Paul. I'd have done the same!! A tinge of regret maybe?"I 'would' like to read it one day, though there are so many books I feel I 'should' read that it will have to join the big cloud of 'maybe one day' books. There are other books I feel much more strongly that I 'should' read, such as some of the Charles Darwin books and Seven Pillars of Wisdom.
Mod
Lol!! I haven't watched a soap in many a year either, Ian. Can't stand them. Cant stick reality TV - Big Brother, I'm a Celebrity etc. No interest at all. TV in general bores me rigid now I come to think of it. As for The Bible etc, I don't suppose we dare go into a religious debate. It's one of the forbidden subjects in social circles. I will stick my neck out and say that whether The Bible is fictional or not (can't speak for the other two) may not be the point. For me the point of any literature is this: does it hold any value? Many a fictional writer has profoundly affected his/her readers. The mark of any piece of literature for me is whether or not the observations have added value to my life, even if that's only entertainment value. I like a book to leave me better than it found me. If a book is giving me a bad vibe or robbing me in some way (even if that's only of my time) then I drop it.
So for me, the real question is: does The Bible contain anything worth knowing/practising? I for one would say a resounding yes!
If I stand alone in this, that's OK. I'm a big girl now ;-)
Tori wrote: "Lol!! I haven't watched a soap in many a year either, Ian. Can't stand them. Cant stick reality TV - Big Brother, I'm a Celebrity etc. No interest at all. TV in general bores me rigid now I come to..."Got into a spot of bother blogging on the subject recently. As you say best not discussed but with yet another bunch of religious fanatics causing trouble in Iraq/Syria/Iran/Turkey/Indonesia/Malaysia/China/Northern Ireland/Catholic Church in general/Christian Right in the States shooting doctors/Yemen/Somalia/Israel/Gaza/Egypt/etc. etc. I'm sure I have missed several out.
I'm not sure which bit of the books the aforementioned lot have read but they seem to have missed out on all the living in peace bits, respecting other religion bits and helping the poor bits.
So adding to my bucket list would be to go through one month without hearing about some fanatic killing someone else over their version of what God(s) want(s)
An excellent point. God/religion is used as an excuse for violence/hatred. Fanaticism is nothing really to do with religion. Religion is a very individual and personal thing and the life of the one practising it shouldn't infringe upon the life of another in any way except in a positive way. If the life the individual practising/representing a religion doesn't exemplify absolute honesty and decency, then the religion is dead. The Old Testament was about the law of Moses, sacrificing lambs, an eye for an eye in the justice department etc. The New Testament brought huge changes. The old law was finished. Done away with. Fulfilled. In it's stead, higher ways of living were introduced. Loving, forgiving, tolerance, respect, giving up what you have for the benefit of others, losing yourself in order to find yourself. On the whole, the hearers of that message didn't like it or get it. The religious leaders of the day felt very threatened, so they killed the bringer of that new law. Whether that's fictional or not - that's how the story goes. The world's troubles have nothing to do with anything taught in the Bible over the last few thousand years. We have nothing to fear in dipping into the book, nothing to apologise for.
My humble opinion only!
There are no books I feel I should read, non even that I MUST read...loads I might like to.I had to give up home and away for the sake of my mental health (I've said this on another thread in sure) as it made me cry too much.No soaps since.
Saying that,I just welled up at an advert for the world war one gallery at imperial war museum (which I've been to, and didn't make me cry)...... I used to be such a tough nut.
I used to watch Neighbours religiously, Louise. I made sure I inserted the capital letter so that you didn't think the curtains were constantly twitching in my house. I watched it for 20 years - was totally hooked. Everything used to revolve around me getting home for 1.45 or 1.30 (whenever it was on) because at the tea time showing, I was always busy teaching. It ruled my life. I was watching the damned thing when Kylie and Jason were in it. Anyway, I'm very glad to say that about 5-6 years ago, I kicked it. Not the bucket, but the habit. It was when I started writing. The fact was, I was more hooked on writing than watching Neighbours, so it finally got the flick. I never watched any other soaps but Neighbours, but I'm glad it's gone. I just found something better to fill the gap. Just need to do that with chocolate now, but nothing has presented itself during the last 44 years.
No hope!
I used to watch both Neighbours and Eastenders then suddenly decided I couldn't be bothered any more, gained 4.5 hours a week.Which piece of music do you recommend I try Tori?
Bucket-wise, I used to run every night many years ago and I'd like to do that again. Also, since tearing my calf muscle three years ago, I've not ridden my bike so I'd like to do that too. Both of these could be achieved.
Piece of music Helen? I don't follow. Probably me being thick. Are you wanting to play or listen? Are we talking classical?
Listen, with pianos. I want to see what it is that you like.
Helen - this is exciting. Well, I've selected a piece for you to listen to on Youtube. My reasoning is that if you don't like this, we'll try a different period before we give up. This is from the Romantic period (19th century) It's the first movement of Chopin's Piano Concerto No 1. There are 3 movements to a concerto (which means solo instrument with orchestra) so I've selected the first one. There won't be any applause at the end, because applause comes at the very end in a concero and not between movements. This is Lang Lang playing. It's an old recording (1996) but he's good. He's v annoying to watch. His facial expressions always look as though he's up to far more than merely playing the piano! But - watch his hands rather than his face. He's probably the most famous pianist in the world at the mo. More of a celebrity now. He's not my favourite, but no one can deny how good he is. He visited my son's college in Manchester earlier this year and my son was about the last to know about it (he's like that!) and was the only pianist in the college to miss out on a ticket. Oh well. Worry not that the orchestra plays for five mins before there's any sign of a pianist. This is characteristic of the earlier concertos. The orchestra sets the scene and explores the themes first, then the piano takes them over for further exploration. OK. Ten minutes of your time. Give it a go. Tell me what you think. We can tick one off the bucket list after this. Or do you need to see one live to do that? I've seen this piece performed live in Hull once. Love it. Absolutely beautiful. Chopin is famous for his stunning melodies and exquisite harmonies. His music is very distinctive with its many flourishing runs. I think he's unique. I'll shut up now ;-)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SDKyG...
Definitely weird, but the playing is fabulous. I need to try some others now, when I'm writing I have Genesis or Pink Floyd going maybe some Beethoven (6th preferably).More Bucket List - (seems to be getting longer)
Visit Nepal, Iceland and return to Hawaii to see volcanoes.
My wife has added walking Hadrian's wall, managed to stop her booking it in favour of trip to sunshine Las Palmas in September. If we start doing her list I'll have no chance!
Mod
A reformed Pink Floyd playing the complete Wish You Were Here album would be excellent.....Rachmaninov No 2 for me if talking classical piano, even if our own pianissimo expert Tori has tried to convert me to No 3.
Ian wrote: "Bring back Brookside so I can wear my curly wig and grow a muzzy and do impressions of Harry Enfield whilst watching. Now where's my shell suit? May have to wear my new season LFC onesie instead...."
Heard that Phil Collins is un-retiring but no news of a reform of Genesis
Thanks Tori, I'll listen when the builder leaves. Don't think drilling and hammering will be quite the sound I'm looking for! Ian, I can see you in a onesie, rofl
Helen wrote: "Thanks Tori, I'll listen when the builder leaves. Don't think drilling and hammering will be quite the sound I'm looking for! Ian, I can see you in a onesie, rofl"
There are some clothes that gentlemen should never be seen in and I believe the onesie definitely fits or more accurately does not fit, in that category. Surely a smoking jacket and cravat is more suited?
Today There Are No Gentlemen: The Changes In Englishmen's Clothes Since The War
Ian wrote: "Bring back Brookside so I can wear my curly wig and grow a muzzy and do impressions of Harry Enfield whilst watching. Now where's my shell suit? May have to wear my new season LFC onesie instead...."
Lol! Eeee, just calm it, lads, calm it. Used to love those skits. Loved the old gits too and 'You don't wana do that, you wana do this' etc. Brilliant. Totally with you on the Rach 2, Ian. You know that. I worship the ground Rachmaninoff used to walk on. I just happen to think that the Rach 3 surpasses the second, is all. I totally get why the second is the more popular of the two though.
Yeah, I'd like to see you in a onesie. Come to think of it, I'd like to see you. These people who post no photos just leave far too much to the imagination. Whenever I picture Helen I only see a black cat and whenever I see you - well, I didn't see anything at all until you planted the image of a black curly wig and moustache in my head! Now I'll see that! Actually, I'm with Philip and think that onesies should be banned. It should be illegal for anyone over the age of about 12 to wear a onesie.
Yes Lang Lang is brilliant to listen to, but I can't watch him without thinking he looks like a prat.
Philip, I'm jealous you've been to Hawaii. Top of the bucket list for me though is the Maldives. I desperately want to go there, so much so that my sequel starts there. Researching the place has only whet my appetite more. It's one for the future when the kids have left home and we've cleared the mortgage, so never!! I WILL find my desert island on this earth at some point. Hundreds of the Maldives islands are completely untouched. Heaven.
Beam me up, Scotty.
I THINK I did a half hour stop at the Maldives once.....It all looked very blue.
Tori wrote: "Ian wrote: "Bring back Brookside so I can wear my curly wig and grow a muzzy and do impressions of Harry Enfield whilst watching. Now where's my shell suit? May have to wear my new season LFC onesi..."I'd like to go to the Maldives too but it's a really long flight from here.
Louise wrote: "I THINK I did a half hour stop at the Maldives once.....It all looked very blue."
Oh wow! Relatively few people have been there, Louise.
Joy, it's a very long way from here too. I think it's about 19 hours altogether.
Well, I'm just back from the Harry Potter studios, so I can tick that off the bucket list. Had an enjoyable day, but was a bit gutted that my phone battery gave up half way round. iPhones have rubbish battery life. I didn't get half the pictures I wanted to take and the 2nd half of the tour was the best bit. Oh well. An enjoyable but tiring day. I think we've captured a bit of the magic to brighten East Yorkshire ;-)
Mod
As for photos Tori, there is one of me lurking within my GR photos but I prefer the cloak of darkness....see inverted onesie wear above.
Ian wrote: "The very thought of Phil Collins coming out of retirement makes me want to put a onesie on upside down and scream NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO very loudly through the crotch area.As for photos Tori, ther..."
ROFL!!
In full agreement about PC. Nothing, but nothing should make you want to put a onesie on though!! Really!
I've viewed said photo, Ian. Now I can put a face to the name. Thank you for scratching that itch for me! Phew. Let's rent in twain that cloak of darkness. I prefer to be anonymous too, not least because I am not photogenic at all. Some people look fab on pictures. I always look awful. Had to dig into the archives a pull out a 7-yr-old pic taken in Tunisia to post one on my bio. Can't be coping with photos. I hate it when friends take pics then slam them on their Facebook pages without my permission. Not on!! Makes me want to grab a onesie and do very harmful things to it with a pair of sharp scissors. Thinking about it, I have that urge whenever I see a onesie.
Scratching Tori's itches, goodness! I've seen your bio pic, I think it looks lovely. I do have one of me but can't access it on the kindle fire, can't load it from my mobile and my new laptop won't let me log in to goodreads.I've listened, I quite enjoyed it. I'm impressed that he can remember all those notes in the right order with no music. I like the building up to a crescendo, the fluidity of notes that almost sounds like water running. I can't think of a way to describe it! Okay, next?
I didn't actually get off a plane, was coming home from Sri Lanka, and think that's where we stopped....
Helen wrote: "Scratching Tori's itches, goodness! I've seen your bio pic, I think it looks lovely. I do have one of me but can't access it on the kindle fire, can't load it from my mobile and my new laptop won't..."Good! Right, next we'll try my favourite composer and leave the orchestra behind. This is a fairly obscure little piano piece - Rachmaninoff's Elergy in Eb minor. Again, Helen, I'm a sucker for beautiful harmonies and heart-wrenching melodies, so let's see what you think of this and then we'll shift periods if all goes well. The fact that you didn't fall asleep during the Chopin is a good sign.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx3ZTA...
Louise - doesn't matter that you didn't get off the plane - you were in my bucket vicinity and the mention of it was enough to get me excited. Let's ignore the fact that it might not have even been the Maldives you went to. That would curtail my excitement, which would be very rude indeed.
Good Enough to Dream
Ha, I'm fairly sure it was.... definitely began with an m.
Did Mauritius a couple of years ago - lovely
Louise wrote: "Ha, I'm fairly sure it was.... definitely began with an m."Lol! Wasn't Morocco I hope.
Philip, that's in the vicinity too - enough to get me excited. Was it everything you imagined it would be? How does it compare to Hawaii?
Philip wrote: "Tori you do make me laugh with your posts! Adding to my bucket list reading Tori's new book!On classical front still want to see 1812 Overture at Royal Albert Hall with real cannons. My wife is i..."
Larkhill day always used canons when the Alanbrooke band played. Fantastic sound.
Philip wrote: "I have finally given in and added The Stand to my reading list, probably becuase Tori is reading it. Next up must be War and Peace or perhaps Ulysses feeling ..."Read The Stand so many times I lost count and War and Peace I read twice. Ulysses on my ereader but not looked at yet.
Linda wrote: "Just finished your novel Tori....WOW. An easy 5 stars and you were right, I didn't see the twist coming. Thankyou for a fantastic read...I really can't wait for the next one (no pressure!) I urge ..."I am 25% into Tori's book. I read it travelling on the bus to Paignton and when I am walking round the harbour. Enjoying it so far!
Tori wrote: "Louise wrote: "Ha, I'm fairly sure it was.... definitely began with an m."Lol! Wasn't Morocco I hope.
Philip, that's in the vicinity too - enough to get me excited. Was it everything you imagin..."
Hawwaii and M are different. When we went to hawaii the children were young and we were living in the states. M was for our 25th although grown up children came along. M was more laid back whereas H was American. Didn't get to see the volcanoes which is why I'd like to return and for the pineapple ice cream!
Snorkeling was excellent in Hawaii and OK in M. M was cheaper for drinks etc.
Feeling a bit guilty that we're leaving our kids behind for our 25th next year. Thing is, they wouldn't want to come. For years, they've looked at us at times and said, Get a room! So we thought we would! The room won't be as far away as either Hawaii or the Maldives however. And we'll be away for one week instead of two. One day though. Definitely on the bucket list very near the top.
Tori wrote: "Louise wrote: "Ha, I'm fairly sure it was.... definitely began with an m."Lol! Wasn't Morocco I hope.
Philip, that's in the vicinity too - enough to get me excited. Was it everything you imagin..."
Ah no..I got off plane in morocco .
After extensive research (I asked someone)it turns out I was correct...was the maldives .
:)
Tori wrote: "Helen wrote: "Scratching Tori's itches, goodness! I've seen your bio pic, I think it looks lovely. I do have one of me but can't access it on the kindle fire, can't load it from my mobile and my ne..."This was alright but not as good as the Chopin. I enjoyed the last bit at the end, the drama got me. The scenery was very pretty.
Ah - you are a passionate and dramatic woman, Helen. Fine - a woman after my own heart. There are tons of pieces to suit that mood. When you get a chance, listen to this and tell me what you think. It is a famous piece of music, but not if you've never heard it. Like the answer to any quiz question - it's only easy if you know the answer. So even though this piece is well known, you may not have heard it. We're going to Liszt now. He was a contemporary of Chopin's. That period of time paved the way for the concert soloist i.e. composers would write their music specifically to perform it in concert halls by themselves. The solo recital was born. Liszt was the Tom Jones of his day. I'm not sure that women threw their knickers at him, but at the height of his career, he caused hysteria among the women wherever he performed. Not all of his music is flashy and showy, but he wrote enough flashy/showy stuff to get a reputation for himself. Marry that to his magnetic personality and he was a star. Even amongst his contemporaries, he was known as one of the greatest pianists of all time. Some claimed he was the greatest pianist the world had ever seen. Who knows? It's like comparing Duncan Edwards with Messi. How can you compare different players at different times? So I don't know if Lang Lang would have shown him up or not.
Anyway, I'll stop lecturing now. I've chosen Evgeny Kissin for you to listen to. A brilliant pianist. You'll see the literal sweat and toil that goes into his performance. This was probably just an encore at the end of a concert - hence the announcement; hence the sweat. He was probably ready for a cup of hot choc and a mint Rocky by then.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FbQZ...
UK Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
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False Allegations (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (other topics)Charles Dickens (other topics)
Well Philip, I'm so glad you're going to read The Stand. I feel as though I'm standing all alone with it!! Not any more. I'm 12% through, which has still been a lot of reading. Here's my opinion so far, for what it's worth. Stephen King is a pretty damn good writer. I think his characterisation is excellent. Lots of writers these days, particularly when writing fast moving plots, don't really bring the characters to life. They're one dimensional. Stephen King's characters aren't like that. In setting the scene (as he's currently doing in the part I'm up to) he sets it up very skilfully with great attention to detail. I'm impressed by how well he understands people and types of people. As I said, too often in that genre (which granted, must be plot-driven) little time is spent developing characters, so I find I don't give a monkeys what happens to them. Stephen King invests in his characters. They're well researched and (from a writing POV) very well observed. I'm pretty impressed. Hubby tells me that when I really start to get into the story, I'll be gripped. Hasn't happened yet, but I'm intrigued. Personally, I think character development is essential whatever the genre. Let me know what you think as you start reading it. We can compare notes. I promised OH that I'd get to 10% and only continue if I was enjoying it. I've passed that point, which may well be the point of no return!