Devon Book Club discussion
Archive
>
A book for Xmas
date
newest »
newest »
I would be very happy to find The Lie by Helen Dunmore under the tree!
I would be happy to get Game of ThronesA Game of ThronesIf I start reading this series though, I think it will take a fair while, they are large books and there are a fair few of them!
Mod
I think anything by Alison Weir would suit me. Have only read Elizabeth of York by her, but it was very detailed and informative. Her research must take a very long time.The Six Wives of Henry VIII
Mod
No, so far I've chickened out from reading Wolf Hall. I read the few pages of it in the Times and could see that so much conversation was not quite my taste. However, I will definitely make a stab at it, as historical fiction and non fiction are my favourites.She is another author who lives in Devon, I think. Seaton, or somewhere like that on the S. Devon coast.
Does anyone know of a good reading scheme for children?Grandson is at school in Belgium and is only now, at the age of 6 and a half, being taught to read, (in French). Daughter has been teaching him in English a bit at home and needs an English reading scheme, which I will give him for Xmas. I used a very good one for my children, but I cannot remember the name of it. (Senior moment again!).
Hi Carol - a useful starting point may be the International Literacy Centre website. You could also look at the Oxford Reading Tree scheme (it has a website). Hope that helps!
Mod
Of course - maybe I can entice her onto our Group - tall order perhaps but you never know. Also, other local authors like Nick Arnold or Michael Morpurgo. I might see if I can contact them
Mod
So far I've bought one for my son who is moving from Connecticut to near Washington in the New Year, so have bought him, 'Baltimore, Anapolis and Chesapeake Bay'.Have bought Usborne Wipe Clean books for granddaughter.
Still trying to locate a reading scheme for 6-year-old grandson. Have looked at Oxford Tree Reading Scheme, but half of it seems to consist of phonics and although I know it is heavily used in schools these days, I don't think it is useful for a French-speaking child, as it's almost like learning another language, on top of English.
I actually prefer non-fiction to fiction, and preferably historical, so am hoping I will be given something by Alison Weir. I particularly like literature connected with France in some way. Have just started reading Montaillou, by Emmanuel Le Roy Ladurie, and would like something similar. What interests me always is how people lived their lives, not just the rich and famous, but everyone. Particularly like the series on TV at the moment, Secrets of The Castle. Ruth Goodman always extremely entertaining and factual.
Mod
The delight on the children's faces and the way they joined in to finish sentences that they (increasingly) remembered was magical - in front of the fire, just wonderful
http://www.theguardian.com/culture/20...
So far, I've bought The Kills for a friend as she likes this sort of fiction, and also added Ten White Geese (also known in UK as 'The Detour') as it is a superbly well-written and compelling mystery. For my partner I've bought Private Island by James Meek, as it's the sort of reportage he likes, plus Equal Danger and Dossier 51, as from the reviews I've read they sound like he'll love 'em, and finally The State of the Art as he is working his way through Iain M. Banks 'Culture' [sci-fi] series, since we both realised - too late, how good the books are. I'm still searching for something for another friend: our tastes don't coincide, so it may be stationary, or fun art-stuff instead!
I'm hoping for more 'Just William' audio books. They turn long car journeys into a pleasure.
I have bought aircraft books for son, books about films for other son and Alice in Wonderland for daughter, who asked for it - at 33! My oh is getting one on Palmeston (I know he wanted one about a p,m but not sure if that is the right one - but I shall swear blind that that was the one he wanted if it isn't) I hope to have one of those Devon landscape and literature books that was mentioned here.
Bought myself a copy of the collectors edition of The Invention of Hugo Cabret with the DVD about Melies and automata. Also a lovely replica of the book Conan Doyle wrote for Queen Mary's Dolls House for my sister's birthday (29th Dec) and the novella by Patrick Rothfuss for my other sister who's birthday is in jan. we are both waiting for him to get on and publish that third book!
Mod
Hadnt heard of either of them. Is the first a novel - cant quite tell from the blurb?
The Hugo Cabret one is a rather wonderful book told partly in words and partly in beautiful drawings, written for children but I loved it. They made a film, just called Hugo, with Ben Kingsley as Melies. It's a nice film, with lovely cameo performances from Richard Griffiths and Frances De La Tour, it also has the only watchable performance from Sacha Baron Cohen. Brian Selznick has written another one in the same style called Wonderstruck
Mod
Thanks - they look like lovely stories
I have no idea what books I might get for Christmas but I'll certainly be disappointed if there isn't at least one... :)Have a happy and peaceful Christmas everyone and best wishes for 2015.
Mod
Have a happy and peaceful Christmas everyone and best wishes for 2015."
You too Kathy - and thanks for the support you have given to the Book Club. I hope that we can meet at some point in 2015.
Mod
What books did you receive?
I have received one book - so far - 'Compartment No.6' by Rosa Liksom (a Finnish book, translated into English) from a Finnish friend.I gave one book - 'How To Eat Out' by Giles Coren.
I like the idea of Haruki Murakami, Ian, but having been seduced by his intriguing blurb and cover more than once I have returned his books to the library largely unread. Perhaps one of these days I will learn to love him like you do...
I have received two books: Gone with the Wind and Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase & Fable, 18th edition (19th edition actually). The former is on my reading list (and will need a decent spell of time to read from the looks of it!) and the latter will be fascinating - I love dictionaries of every kind... Heaven.
Have received no books at all, but gave son a travel guide to the Baltimore, Annapolis and Chesapeake Bay region, so have been reading about the history of that area before it is taken home.
Mod
I gave one book - 'How To Eat Out' by Giles Coren.
I like th..."
Fascinating how different books speak to us isn't it. I love the unique voice he brings. A completely differnet kind fo story - teller. What put you off?
Mod
Looks interesting Kathy - havent seen this before - will definitely have a look - imagine they have a copy in our local library
I only received one book: a wonderful yet simple sewing handbook. It's perfect, as my lifelong, yet occasional, sewing habit seems to have quadrupled since moving to Devon - I blame the time and expense taken to travel to city Department stores... it's easier, more original (and cheaper) to make my own! But some of my sewing skills are rusty, while others were never learned, so this should improve my appearance. This friend is the only one who ever buys me books, and usually they relate to my reading and research interests. Our literary lives have overlapped - still do - and we know each others' loves so well that it's safe to buy each other books. Otherwise most folk avoid books for me - or give book tokens - as I've either got them, read them, or wouldn't want them. Also, I have got too many books. My partner jokes that the corner of our house where I work is subsiding .... at least I think he's joking.
Kathy wrote: "I have received two books: Gone with the Wind and Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase & Fable, 18th edition (19th edition actually). The former is on my reading list (and wil..."Hi Kathy, Merry Boxing Day! If you find you want to know more of the background etc of 'GWTW' once you've read it, I can recommend Scarlett's Women: Gone With the Wind and Its Female Fans by Helen Taylor (plus a lot more after that). Helen Taylor spoke at Dartington this year, and a friend of mine asked if it was true that, originally, Margaret Mitchell had intended to call Scarlett by a different name ... Turns out it was true, and the name MM had in mind was very, very different indeed. Anyone know?
DrMama wrote: "I only received one book: a wonderful yet simple sewing handbook. It's perfect, as my lifelong, yet occasional, sewing habit seems to have quadrupled since moving to Devon - I blame the time and e..."Hi DrMama. Thanks and the same to you! And thanks for the offer re GWTW though, looking at the length of it and the size of font, it might be some time...
A friend did tell me the original name - and I know it was banal and nothing like as suitable as the final choice - but I can't for the life of me remember what it was now! Shows the importance of a name when writing a character. I may not have read the book yet but I have gathered that Scarlett is pretty perfect...
Ian wrote: "Well, Santa didn't let me down. Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage appeared under the tree. I am thrilled with that. I love Haruki Murakami. Once ..."If you like Murakami then you have to read both Ficciones and Labyrinths by Jorge Luis Borges. Not only is he the root master of the genre. But he is also the twentieth century master par-excellence. Without Borges twentieth century literature would not exist, at least not in the forms it morphed itself in to over the past one hundred odd years, and Murakami would have been a different writer.
Well, it's probably only worth reading one of them since twelve of the short stories in Ficciones are repeated in Labyrinths.Borges was certainly an odd chap. He frequently belittled his own work ["the irresponsible sport of a shy sort of man who could not bring himself to write short stories, and so amused himself by changing and distorting (sometimes without aesthetic justification) the stories of other men"], while at the same time bitterly complaining that he'd not received a Nobel Prize for Literature.
Didn't he fall out of favour because of his right-wing views?
Hi Ian - re: Murakami. I have found his writing disengaged and dense which is a shame because the stories sound great in precis. Having said that I haven't got very far with either title attempted (Norwegian Wood and The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle) and more patience may well have paid off.
Will put him back on the rather long list of authors to explore...
Mod
Mod
Having said that I haven't got very far with either title attempte..."
Try Kafka on the Shore to start you off - a bit shorter than wind up bord (though I loved that too)
I was really pleased to receive Canada by Richard Ford, looking forward to reading it soon. I have also read a few Murakami novels and particularly enjoyed Kafka on the Shore.
My birthday was on the 28th, and a friend has very kindly given me a small book, Tales from Devon Folklore, by James Whinray.
Mod
Tales From Devon Folklore looks really interesting Carol. I've not really read much of this kind of book but you have whetted my appetite
Ian wrote: "Carol wrote: "My birthday was on the 28th, and a friend has very kindly given me a small book, Tales from Devon Folklore, by James Whinray."Tales From Devon Folklore looks really..."
By the way, Ian, I've been looking at the Murakami books to choose mine to read. A friend has recommended Norwegian Wood, and I noticed that you gave it 4 stars, not 5. Have you reservations about it, or do you not tend to give 5 stars?
Mod
Tales From Devon Folklore ..."
I dont give many 5 stars. I liked Norweigan wood but prefered kafka on teh Shore (which I did give 5 stars to)
I have a book token waiting for me to go to Waterstones, probably tomorrow.
Mod
I love that moment of anticipation. Tell us what you choose.
Devon Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
Kafka on the Shore (other topics)The Six Wives of Henry VIII (other topics)
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle (other topics)
Norwegian Wood (other topics)
A Game of Thrones (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
W. Frederick Zimmerman (other topics)Haruki Murakami (other topics)
Patrick Rothfuss (other topics)
Murakami is one of my favourie contemporary authors. If you like a surreal style, with twisting intriguing story lines he is for you. Favourites