Need a good historical romance. Other genres too. discussion
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Discussion of HR and other books. And recs.
Mod
I am reading Helen Kirkman’s FORBIDDEN. I am not to impressed at the moment, here’s hoping it gets better. It is set in the year 716 .I am reading this for 2 Challenges. Mountain to climb and Mad about a Series. EMBERS is the second book in this series. Which I will be reading after this one.
I always have to read a book to the end. Even if I am not enjoying it. Some do get better. If I get bored I may skip a few pages.
I know them all, but only use 3, 5,6,7,8,9,10. Rhyming slang was very popular in Cockney London and other parts England and given prominence by the TV shows Minder & The Sweeney when I lived there. I was a fan of both shows. “Arfur” Daley, in the Minder was brilliantly played by George Cole - the character was a shocking rogue. John Thaw, who was mentioned here recently, was one of the main characters in The Sweeney. Rhyming slang came to Australia with the convicts and subsequent migrants. Where I live it’s still very common to hear older men say to one another that they are “going for a leak” (I’ve never heard a woman say it, as it’s considered vulgar) and I will unselfconsciously say “have a gander at this”, which is now only said by oldies.
Men take a leak here in the US and I don’t think it’s just the older ones. There’s also the expression “to see a man about a dog/horse” for the same thing. Speaking of expressions, one that has never made any sense to me is “dead as a doorknob.”
Well, I just discovered that it’s “dead as a doornail” and we have Dickens to thank for it. Still makes no sense.
I’ve heard “dead as a dodo” but never “dead as a doorknob”. I wonder where that originated? By the way, did I respond to you that I use Crikey loads and Blimey less often, but to my mind they ARE interchangeable.
Google - what did we do without it?“The term dead as a doornail was used in the 1500s by William Shakespeare, and in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol in 1843. It is thought that the phrase dead as a doornail comes from the manner of securing doornails that were hammered into a door by clenching them.”
Well, I still like your “dodo” best. That one makes complete sense.
And that doorknob is a malapropism that apparently some of us Americans who don’t know what a doornail is have substituted. If we hadn’t discussed this I would still be malapropping (yes, I know it’s not a word) the wrong expression.
Couple more 1, going for a bevvy. 2 having a pint. 3 , going with my mate . 4 , he’s bonkers. 5 ,There fit 6, that’s dodgy. 7, got a quid , 8, are you skint, 9, he’s a skiver 10, I’m gutted.
Shaz wrote: "I , Feet. 2, stairs. Said to children when it’s time for bed. 3, Brain. Use your noggin. 4 , Eyes 👀 9, shut the door. 10 cup of tea."That sounds a little bit like a jump rope rhyme from back in the dark ages when I was young.
Mod
As a teen, Dad & I visited his parents in Washington County,
(western) PA. My sister had a friend down the road, so I
stopped by to say hi. This girl was about my age, and said
"I gotta piss" & I was so shocked I knew not what to say.
HR-ML wrote: "Danker----As a teen, Dad & I visited his parents in Washington County,
(western) PA. My sister had a friend down the road, so I
stopped by to say hi. This girl was about my age, and said
"I go..."
I have to admit I have said I have to pee, not very often though. Usually say I'm going to the bathroom, which is ridiculous because I'm certainly not going to take a bath. Never used piss.
We say need the loo/toilet, or a wee.Skint / Brassic = got no money.
Skiver = lazy , trying to get out of doing work .
Danker wrote: "Google - what did we do without it?“The term dead as a doornail was used in the 1500s by William Shakespeare, and in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol in 1843. It is thought that the phrase dead ..."
I like that. Amazing that it has lasted so long, and I doubt most people even wonder where it originated. I took it for granted.
Mod
Thanks for translation on skint etc.
I got into a lively debate on another book forum with a few folks
over the liberal use of f--k you & f--k me in CR books. I thought
it unimaginative and they thought it realistic. Maybe we both
were right?
Some people do use the F word a lot. What is CR books. If it’s crime book it’s probably true.
The F-word is used very frequently in movies and streaming series. I enjoyed the Netflix series DEAD TO ME with Christina Applegate but every other word out of her character's mouth was F or F-ing.
We have Netflix, I don’t really watch it. I might have a look at Dead to me. Normally watch Netflix when I do the ironing. Watch First episode of Wednesday . Not to sure about it though.
Shaz wrote: "We have Netflix, I don’t really watch it. I might have a look at Dead to me. Normally watch Netflix when I do the ironing. Watch First episode of Wednesday . Not to sure about it though."
I waited for the new episodes of The Crown. I am so disappointed. It is so dark and nothing like the previous episodes.
Mod
CR is contemporary romance. Crime books do have F-bombs and more.
I'm watching the new version of All Things Great and Small,
streaming on PBS, to give me a break from the dark but
clever "Endeavor." The 'coppers' probably use raunchy slang,
but I don't get it all.
Our three dogs have driven me to frequent use of the f-bomb. My last nerve is gone due to them. I feed them, let them out and then put them to bed every night. The whining, I need a drink of water, I need to go out, etc. It's like having little kids again except that they are 4-footed and have tails.
What type of dog do you have HBW. We have a Dachshund (sausage dog) He is quite happy as long as he’s in the same room as one of us.
Mod
Yrs ago this movie seemed to use the F-bomb 200+ times.
Which showed lack of imagination, even though the main
characters were young adult-ish. I use that word from time
to time (usually when frustrated) but I'd prefer a movie or
book be more creative. When an author uses this too many
times, it seems like pandering to the audience or laziness.
Dear HBW----
You have dogs AND cats-how do you have any alone time?
Shaz wrote: "What type of dog do you have HBW. We have a Dachshund (sausage dog) He is quite happy as long as he’s in the same room as one of us."We have three dogs from the shelter. Two are lab mixes and I am not sure what the 3rd one is. She has two working eyes, but one eye is half blue and half brown. I am guessing their weights range from 40 to 70 pounds. They range in age from 5 to 8+ years old. One of them was a large puppy when we got her (knee high). One of them is extremely energetic. The oldest one is more sedate, plus she had a hind leg broken badly before we got her, and favors that leg. They are all good dogs (all dogs are good dogs) but they do get on my last nerve. They want attention when I get home.
In other words, they bug the life out of me. Continuously.
HR-ML wrote: "Blair Witch Project Yrs ago this movie seemed to use the F-bomb 200+ times.
Which showed lack of imagination, even though the main
characters were young adult-ish. I use that word from time
to ..."
To get alone time, I go to my bedtime and shut the door. Except when it is storming and then Lucy sleeps with us. She is terrified of weather - she can tell when there is going to be a storm.
A lot of time when I am typing my replies here, I have at least one cat in my lap, another on the table, and one on a chair right by me. There will be a dog or two laying on the floor.
I just looked around and there are 3 cats within 4 feet of me. The dogs are outside.
ETA I don't want to depress anyone but I am home because I have to take my oldest cat (17) to the vet this morning for euthanasia. He has numerous health issues but the reason for the euthanasia is fluid around his heart and in his abdomen. No idea what happened. The xray showed a rib break but they could not tell me if it was recent or old. Nor could they tell me why he had the fluid.
It just showed up in the last few weeks (in hindsight). He was treated for a kidney infection just two weeks ago and had a long lasting pain medication and antibiotic given to him them which was to last until today. I thought the infection was the reason for the pain but it wasn't. I'm a bit perturbed that they missed the fluid when he was treated for a kidney infection Nov. 21.
It's a privilege to have them for so long. We will have lost all of our older ones this year after today, from age 15 to age 20.
It's so heartbreaking to lose a pet. I've also been through it many times, too. The thing us how much joy and love they have given and gotten. ((()))
Mod
You are an animal lover. So sorry for your older cat. We never want them to suffer. I picture my cats 'crossed the bridge,' and went to animal heaven and are chasing butterflies and mice. This gives me comfort. I am thinking of you.
It is heartbreaking when we loose a pet.When we lost our last dog (Shih Tzu 11) I said no more dogs to my husband. We lasted about 3 months. Before we got the Dachshund.
We had two Scottish Terrier, we lost the girl (12) first, seven weeks later the boy died. (13) I think he died of a broken heart, as their was nothing wrong with him. Before them we had a Black Labrador (13)
Our Dachshund is a double dapple , with one blue eye and one brown with a dash of blue. We have been asked if his eyesight is okay. His eyesight is good.people who don’t have pets, don’t understand how they are part of the family.
HBW, So sorry about your cat. Losing a pet is awful.I just got back from San Francisco. My husband and I went to our daughter's for Thanksgiving; our son flew up from Los Angeles. We had a great time, and the weather was wonderful--sunny and in the 60s. Got back to New Hampshire and the first day here it rained. Today is nice but cold.
I just enjoyed reading all of your comments about accents/word usage so much.
Sorry your foot is not completely healed, OLT. Hope the xray on the 4th shows it's healed.
We did think we might have to come back early. The boarding place called us; our dog got sick with some respiratory virus which is prevalent right now in day care situations. Fortunately, I have a good friend who is a pet sitter, and she picked up Roxie and had to take her to the vet ER because our vet was closed on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. She had to wait 4 hours for our dog to be seen! Then she brought Roxie to our home and took care of her for us while we were away. I will pay her, of course, but she went above and beyond. She is just the nicest person. I am so lucky to have her as my friend. Roxie is better now. She has one week of antibiotics in her and one week to go.
My husband and I finished Endeavor. I guess there is one more season left (the 9th). Now, we are interested in watching Morse which we haven't seen. I guess it's available on BritBox. Didn't someone here mention BritBox before? I can also get BritBox through Amazon Prime.
I loved Thursday on Endeavor. I started saying "Mind how you go". He is also always saying, "I'll put on the kettle." They are always either drinking tea or putting away what looks like whiskey. They also drank in the office!
Roberta2 wrote: "I loved Thursday on Endeavor. I started saying "Mind how you go". He is also always saying, "I'll put on the kettle." They are always either drinking tea or putting away what looks like whiskey. Th..."What I find so funny about Regency novels is that they are always drinking tea and don't seem to need the potty. Guess they had sturdier bladder then.
Mod
It is hard to pass on getting a new pet. Our kitty was euthanized w/ kidney disease 3 1/2 yrs ago. We waited 6 months and got the new one, Talia, who I call "Dink." We saw an older cat w/ Talia @ SPCA and I wanted the old cat too. I felt so sad no one would want the old cat. Hubs said no. He worried that cats are territorial
& would not fit in together.
Roberta2---
Sounds like you have a true friend who took your dog to the Vet-ER.
Mod
He returned to hospital for blood clot complications. Hope he's OK-
he seems a genuinely nice person.
Roberta2 wrote: "My husband and I finished Endeavor. I guess there is one more season left (the 9th). Now, we are interested in watching Morse which we haven't seen. I guess it's available on BritBox. Didn't someon..."I'm Aussie and grew up watching British murder/mystery/police shows. Think you should expect Morse to be a little dated, but it's one of my favourite series.
His sergeant also got his own show series too, but it was good not great.
I am in the midst of moving and will buy Britbox as a Christmas present to me when I find a new home!
If you like modern British shows - Line of Duty is outstanding, but the reveals are brutal.
Re pets - my beloved Jellybean (Moodle - Maltese/Poodle) was a tiny ball of love and teeth. When he passed, I had 2 days off work and so did my son. With good reason, neither of us could stop crying. The grieving was awful, I still cry when I talk about him and he's been gone a year.
Mod
Our furry friends get under our skin. Such sweeties.
Roberta So glad to here your dog is getting better.
Dogs do tend to keep you fit. We go out walking with our dog, also take the daughter dog with us each morning. Used to take the neighbour dog. While she was getting over a hip operation. We have about 5 different routes, which take between 1 hour to 1 hour and half. Plenty of wet gear for the rain and snow.☔️☃️
I preferred Morse to Endeavour. Though probably a bit dated. I believe Line of Duty was good. But we never got around to watching it.
HR What does SPCA stand for. I am presuming it’s the same as our RSPCA. We have quite a few animal charities that re home them . Plus the local dogs home .
Shaz wrote: "HR What does SPCA stand for. I am presuming it’s the same as our RSPCA. We have quite a few animal charities that re home them . Plus the local dogs home ."
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Thanks Carole Same , we just have Royal first.
Shaz wrote: "Thanks Carole Same , we just have Royal first."
We have the (American) ASPCA.
I don't know how I would get on without our dog. We lost our lab Jazzy 7 years ago, and I still miss her. Roxie's xray showed some bronchial pneumonia in her lower right lung. We can't walk her for a while. She is to rest for at least 2 weeks. But she is getting better. She hasn't coughed so far today. My husband is working today, and I am hovering over her. Every time she makes any noise, I am relieved it isn't a cough. I talk to her as if she is human, but I did that with our other lab.
My husband and I started Grantchester last night. It's definitely a cosy mystery. Right now, I need cosy mysteries and romances. I feel I need a rest from politics and the state of the world. I also feel as if my house is getting away from me. I am going to try to organize a bit today and see if that helps with my continual anxiety. I wish I could go for a long walk, but my ankle is really aching today. I started taking glucosomine chondrotine (sp?) yesterday. Apparently there is some research that shows benefit to some people with osteoarthritis. Sorry to whine about my ankle, OLT, when yours is much worse.
Roberta2 wrote: "My husband and I started Grantchester last night. It's definitely a cosy mystery. Right now, I need cosy mysteries and romances. I feel I need a rest from politics and the state of the world. I a..."
Whine away, Roberta2. I feel your pain. And ankles are more problematic than a metatarsal, IMO.
BTW, to anyone who has Netflix: I recommend a South Korean series called Extraordinary Attorney Woo. The title character is a young autistic woman who is brilliant in her chosen field of the law, but she has lots of problems interacting socially. Each episode has a different law case which she and her colleagues pursue for their clients and shows a lot of nuance in dealing with the law and with autism. The show has received both praise and criticism from the autistic community in South Korea. I only know two autistic boys from afar and so do not consider myself at all knowledgeable about the subject, but it feels sensitively done and I love the characters.
is it in English or does it have subtitles?
Subtitles. I think it’s a really cute and sweet series.
Need a good historical romance. Other genres too.
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As you know, we're not big hot tea drinkers here. Iced tea is very big. I get up in the morning and have a cuppa Joe and then I can start my day.