You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion
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Chit Chat About Books
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What Are You Reading? - 2019
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Sarah
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Jan 29, 2019 02:14AM
I do not cull my tbr which is the list of books i own, just my wishlist.
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I am 82% through Once Upon a River and I am awed by the beauty of the writing and narration. I am also reading How to Give Up Plastic: A Guide to Changing the World, One Plastic Bottle at a Time which is inspiring me to change my shopping habits. I have never given much thought to the contents of my recycle bin. I have been a "me recycle, me good" kind of person. No more! My life will change! Won't aim to be plastic free, with my location and my health issues that would be a pipe dream, but I will aim to reduce my usage be 60%. An achievable goal i thing.
That sounds interesting Margo! I added it to my TBR. I do small things, like recycling, using a reusable water bottle and I bought a SodaStream machine last week to make my own carbonated water, but I'm sure there are many other small things I haven't even thought of. I heard of supermarkets where you can buy for example pasta from dispensers, so you just fill your own reusable bag with the amount you need, but that's not available where I live.
Peggy wrote: "That sounds interesting Margo! I added it to my TBR. I do small things, like recycling, using a reusable water bottle and I bought a SodaStream machine last week to make my own carbonated water, bu..."The refill service is available here either Peggy but I intend to get hold of some reusable bags for loose fruit and veg and be more careful with general packaging. My biggest crime against nature is bottled, flavoured water which I really don't. Buying a soda steam is one of actions suggested so you are doing good Peggy!
I am going to audit my bathroom, kitchen and make-up drawer for micro- plastics next. Make up is very problematic.
Margo wrote: "I am 82% through Once Upon a River and I am awed by the beauty of the writing and narration. I am also reading [book:How to Give Up Plastic: A Guide to Changing the World, One Pla..."
Margo, I'm not sure how you can, but if you can watch a show from here called A War on Waste.
It's by a guy who was one of our most satirical political shows/papers. They were all law students, who turned their minds to poking holes and taking the piss out of politics for years. They then have run a consumer affairs show for years educating Australians on their rights in consumer law and arbitration.
This is something Craig has invested time in too, and is brilliant for ideas and information. He has changed and challenged a lot of Australians on the idea of waste, which i think would resonate around the world. And he's snarky... I love snarky. I am sure you can find things on you tube, but in case it's not geolocked, here's the link https://iview.abc.net.au/show/war-on-...
Margo wrote: "Good for you Sarah! My problem is that my TBR is books I own. I did a big cull last year and got rid of many impulse buys that i will never read but alas, it is growing again! "I own all the books on my TBR shelf, and some don't appeal to me at all any more. I keep thinking I should cull them too.
Janice wrote: "Margo wrote: "Good for you Sarah! My problem is that my TBR is books I own. I did a big cull last year and got rid of many impulse buys that i will never read but alas, it is growing again! "I ow..."
I have some of those too. But then I always think 'who knows what this book will ever be useful for?' and I keep it.
LOL! That's my reason for keeping them too. I have a spreadsheet sorted by oldest to newest acquisitions. Every time I go to see what's next on the list, I zip past the first half dozen. I'm tired of looking at those titles, which tells me a lot.
... I feel like we need another speed dating special event. As I do this too, and have thought "I need a speed dating event to read the first 50 pages to see if this should go in the bin" for 5 books this week.
Spoiler alert. Was too hot to walk around the block. Except for the times it was an extreme electrical storm. Which posed, other... problems.I think I live in the end of days. I promise I'll get there in the next week.
I want to eliminate my entire TBR and start over but I don’t have the nerve. Those books were selected from so long ago, when I was a different person with different reading interests. Every time I open this app, I eliminate 10 books. Want to get it way down then fill it with books more to my taste now. It will be a slow process.
The next one on my list is Drood which is thick. (775 pgs). A few books further is Antony and Cleopatra. It's so thick, I'm using it as my monitor stand. All the chunksters have risen to the top.
Yes a speed dating event would be good. I have lots of classic books and ones that were freebies that would be good to get rid of but i don't want to risk missing out on a good book. So reading 50 pages at least allows to give them a fair go.
I did a huge clean up in my TBR a year or two ago, I was very happy with the results. I should do it again at some point. It's amazing how many books I don't even remember adding to my shelf. Of course I don't have an idea why I added them.
Rusalka wrote: "Spoiler alert. Was too hot to walk around the block. Except for the times it was an extreme electrical storm. Which posed, other... problems.I think I live in the end of days. I promise I'll get ..."
I used to envy you Aussies! It must be going Rusalka :(
Janice wrote: "LOL! That's my reason for keeping them too. I have a spreadsheet sorted by oldest to newest acquisitions. Every time I go to see what's next on the list, I zip past the first half dozen. I'm tire..."
I already have that info to hand Janice since all my purchaces are electronic. It doesn't help me when you all keep coming up with your crafty challenges lol
Janice wrote: "The next one on my list is Drood which is thick. (775 pgs). A few books further is Antony and Cleopatra. It's so thick, I'm using it as my monitor stand. All the chunks..."The First Man in Rome as it is published over here is on my library TBR - yes I now have a second TBR just for library books!
Margo wrote: "The First Man in Rome as it is published over here is on my library TBR - yes I now have a second TBR just for library books! ..."Me too! I restrict it to books that I have on hold.
That would limit my choices a lot. There are very few books in our system without holds but then we have only had the borrowbox system for about 2 years.
I am over half way through Skin Deep and am finding it very disappointing. It is set in 80s, rural ireland which is a where and when I grew up but I do not recognise the place nor the values!I neither like nor connect with any of characters. Random details appear her and there about fashion or local venues that make me feel the author googled them and added them at a later time for "authenticity". Ah well, I picked it up as a filler til the time came to start the group read so it has served its purpose!
Oh that's disappointing, Margo. I had something similar happen with a book I read that was set in Massachusetts before. I remember thinking that the people in that area do not talk or act like that. It was distracting from the story.
That's a shame Margo. Hopefully it does fill a spot in the challenge :)I'm on a book high! I was reading two books at the same time (which I don't often do), and I loved both of them! One was 5 stars, the other 4.5 but maybe also 5. Makes me happy :)
I'm not starting a new book today, I'll just read a bit more in my Lonely Planet of Iceland so I can start planning our summer holiday. But, tomorrow I'll start either Homegoing for the group read / movie challenge, or The Road to Woodstock for the monthly challenge.
Yes Kristie, that sounds like my experience. It is so annoying but at least it is another box ticked in the challenge! I am using it for movie 24, task "Read a book that is classified as Action and/or Thriller.", even though I am less than thrilled with it LOLPeggy, luck you! I'm starting Kindred tomorrow so I was very happy to see your rating :-))
I finished The Dreamers yesterday. While it kept me turning the pages, overall it didn't deliver. I'm going to start Fellside for the movie mania challenge.
Swing Time by English author Zadie Smith was longlisted for the 2017 Man Booker Prize.
My review of Swing TimeI actually preferred the winner that year, Lincoln in the Bardo.
(If you're interested, My review of Lincoln in the Bardo )
Yesterday I started The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle and spent most of the day wondering what the heck was going on. Further into the book now and it's starting to come together. Reading as fast as I can to see what happens next...
Marnie wrote: "Yesterday I started The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle and spent most of the day wondering what the heck was going on. Further into the book now and it's starting to come togethe..."That book is such fun, Marnie!
Bond. James Bond. Need I say more? Good prequel to the famous Ian Fleming spy series. At the request of the Fleming estate, Horowitz wrote Forever and a Day to introduce us to 007 and the woman who explains why she orders martinis "shaken, not stirred."
A solid 4★. Link to my review
Finish and enjoyed An Owl on Every Post
by Sanora Babb. My review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/2688392639
I finished How to Give Up Plastic: A Guide to Changing the World, One Plastic Bottle at a Time and boy was it an eye opener. It has given me lots of ideas for ways I can cut down on my plastic use and, more importantly, it has started a conversation in my home. We all pass on the latest "plastic horror" from mother albatross feeding her chicks pieces of plastic to the latest youtube clip of sea turtles having plastic straws removed from up there noses.I intend that this book will make some lasting changes to the way I live starting with less single-use plastics. Yesterday I bought some reusable bags for loose fruit and veg. When I got to my local supermarket there was NO loose veg! It was pre-wrapped. This is madness as I live in the middle or rural ireland surrounded by farms. For my next shop I will try a different supermarket.
I am currently reading The Sleepwalker and The Radium Girls. Both are for real life book clubs, but also fit the early challenge. I have to admit that I am a bit bored with The Radium Girls at the moment, but I've just started. So far, it just seems like it was a list of everyone that worked for the radium companies and it's already a bit repetitive, since the girls all suffered similar symptoms. I feel terrible for the girls, but every time I think the book is about to get better it really doesn't. I'm only at chapter 12, so I'm hoping it does improve. Anyone else read this one that didn't love it from the beginning?
Margo wrote: "When I got to my local supermarket there was NO loose veg! It was pre-wrapped."Our two major supermarket chains do this, and it drives everyone mad. They wrap bananas and oranges with a plastic tray and cling wrap. NATURE MADE IT'S OWN CONTAINERS FOR GOD'S SAKE!!! I annoy people here as I never use the plastic bags for fruit and veg, but refuse to use reusable bags as they add to weight, and when you're paying $4 a kilo for something, it adds up. At least we've banned free plastic shopping bags here for the past 5+ years. You can buy one for 10-20c, or get one free if it's the butcher/fish market were it could make cloth bags funky. Otherwise, bring your own.
I've spent the evening looking for a cutlery, straw and chopstick set for my and Lexx's bags. If I could find one with an asian soup spoon too, I think we would be set.
I've been trying to cut down on single-use plastic as well. I have reusable shopping bags and produce bags. I also say no thanks to straws now. I figure if I can drink directly out of the cup or glass for coffee or wine at a restaurant, then I can do the same for water. I like the reusable produce bags, but I don't love them. More often, I just leave things floating free in my cart. You can't scan through the bags, as they are slightly too thick for the scanners, and as Rusalka noted you have to pay a bit more due to weight. Mine are pretty light, so I don't worry too much about them, but I only use them if I have multiples of the same item. If I am only buying one, it doesn't get a bag.
Oh, and I can't even watch that turtle video! I've seen the beginning numerous times, but I need to scroll by. It looks painful and horrifying to me.
Rusalka wrote: "Margo wrote: "When I got to my local supermarket there was NO loose veg! It was pre-wrapped."Our two major supermarket chains do this, and it drives everyone mad. They wrap bananas and oranges wi..."
Great idea Rus. I bring a reusable cup and a tea spoon with me everywhere. Will have to look for the rest. Your connents on the bags adding to the cost made me laugh! Pete said much the same thing and we all poo-pooed him and and called him a skin-flint. I will now tell him that you stand by him LOL
Kristie wrote: "I've been trying to cut down on single-use plastic as well. I have reusable shopping bags and produce bags. I also say no thanks to straws now. I figure if I can drink directly out of the cup or gl..."I agree with you about turtle vidio Kristie. It is horrific.
Everyone one I talk to seems more clued in than I am about plastic! It is only now been raised as a huge issue over here. I think now that we can't seen our waste to china anymore we are at a bit of loss.
The US is far ahead of Europe on micro plastics. Their use is banned in many products there but not here. Obamas legacy to the world! They should be banned worldwide.
Rusalka wrote: "Margo wrote: "When I got to my local supermarket there was NO loose veg! It was pre-wrapped."Our two major supermarket chains do this, and it drives everyone mad. They wrap bananas and oranges wi..."
My completely unresearched theory is that we can't substitute a pricey apple variety for a cheap one at a self-serve checkout. And shoppers can't eat them as they shop. I know plenty of honest adults who used to give their kids a banana on the way around the shop and then pay for the skins at the checkout.
How do you reckon the younger generations will know what fruit they're buying if it doesn't have it's little ID sticker? Oh, what drama there will be!
Short and sweet! Sweet price, that is. Author Gregg Hurwitz is giving readers Buy a Bullet FREE on Amazon! It's a self-contained story plus extracts from Book 1 of his popular Orphan X thriller series. 
4.5★ Link to my review
PattyMacDotComma wrote: "My completely unresearched theory is that we can't substitute a pricey apple variety for a cheap one at a self-serve checkout. And shoppers can't eat them as they shop. I know plenty of honest adults who used to give their kids a banana on the way around the shop and then pay for the skins at the checkout. .."Packaging doesn't change that. I hosted the last book club meeting and while shopping for snacks, I came across a package of squares in the bakery that looked odd. One of the squares was missing. Someone had carefully peeled back the label, opened it and removed one of the squares. That person then replaced the label (all wrinkled) and put it back on the shelf!
After finishing the King biography I went to Nelson Mandela and Long Walk to Freedom which was interesting but not the most exciting book. Glad I read it though.Now I'm in the new Bernard Cornwell Fools and Mortals. I wasn't sure how I'd like this. It isn't normal Cornwell. It's not war and fighting and cursing. It's the story behind a midsummer's night told by Shakespeare little brother. Actually pulled me right in. Enjoying it a lot and maybe Cornwell should do more of this non war stuff
Sidenote on the Fools and Mortals book. I see Goodreads has a 3.6 rating or something like that whereas at audible it's got around a 4.7 so maybe the narration is adding a lot to the tale. I've got the audio
Janice wrote: "PattyMacDotComma wrote: "My completely unresearched theory is that we can't substitute a pricey apple variety for a cheap one at a self-serve checkout. And shoppers can't eat them as they shop. Packaging doesn't change that. I hosted the last book club meeting and while shopping for snacks, I came across a package of squares in the bakery that looked odd. One of the squares was missing. Someone had carefully peeled back the label, opened it and removed one of the squares. That person then replaced the label (all wrinkled) and put it back on the shelf! ."
YIKES! Well, there's the research that blows my theory apart.
I knew some, but not all, of the Super Scientists: 40 inspiring icons featured in this attractively designed book of historical facts for kids (and ignorant people like me).
Link to my review with illustrations
I will read anything by Helen Garner! Fiction, non-fiction, novels, stories. Honour and Other People's Children is a reissue of a pair of novellas, and true to form, I loved the first. 4.5★Not the second, sadly. 3★
Link to my review
I'm listening to The One Man. I almost don't know what to say. I've read many WWII / Holocaust accounts but nothing like this. Maybe it' the listening that makes it so compelling. You can't gloss over the words, skip parts, when someone is reading the text to you. It's so intense, so frightening and real. I need to know the ending.
I just finished Unraveling Oliver by Liz Nugent. Wow that book blew my mind! So much twists and turns. I highly recommend it!
Margo wrote: "I started Affinity for the monthly challenge. So far, so wonderful!"So hope you enjoy it!
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You'll love this one...!! A book club & more
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