What are we reading? 15 August 2022

[AB76]

Andy wrote: "AB76 wrote: "Andy wrote: "AB76 wrote: "Andy wrote: "AB76 wrote: "Andy wrote: "Anne wrote: "I've just read that the new Robert Galbraith crime novel (The Ink Black Heart) is 1024 pages long. 1024 pa..."

My arctic weather was varied in summer 2005, it was really warm in Bergen(mid 20s) and the same in Bodo but then as we got right up into the circle it changed and a sort of foggy mizzle was the norm all the way from Tromso to Kirkenes, bad visibility and 12c. Very similar to the summer weather i had in Iceland the following year.

Kirkenes had zero character and seemed very rough and ready

[Robert]

In recent weeks, I've gone back to Le Carre and Raymond Chandler. I've re-read Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and Smiley's People. Chandler has been represented by The Lady in the Lake and The Little Sister.

[Fuzzywuzz]

There have been recent closures of decent second hand bookshops in my local area which has saddened me greatly. Very recently I said said to Mr Fuzzywuzz how great it was to have those shops. Even charity shops these days seem to have fewer books on sale.

The only positive is that it might, just might stop me from buying more. I rarely buy books online, but do borrow a fair few from my local library - at least borrowing means I won't need to buy more bookshelves.

@Storm, I think it was you who was talking about The Echo Chamber by John Boyne. I've read a couple of his books in the past and really enjoyed them. I saw the Echo Chamber in the library, read the blurb and thought it might not be quite my cup of tea, but then you mentioned it and thought I'd give it a go.

It is very funny in places, but some of the characters are despicable human beings - spoilt, privileged and with a penchant for lying. I also find the notion that most of the members of the Cleverly family having a sexual encounter with Pylyp contrived and daft (and also funny). However, this being a work of fiction means some acceptance of unrealistic storylines.

John Boyne's easy and light style of prose means I have been well and truly ensnared into continuing with this book.

[Fuzzywuzz]

In a couple of weeks, I'll be off on holiday to Edinburgh. I've always wanted to travel, but for a long time life gets in the way (not enough time, not enough money, or both). On the last couple of trips away (London, Brighton), I manage to eke out a day of bookshop hunting.

I suppose I'm a bit old school, printing out a screen shot from Google Maps, 'X' marking the spots of bookshops and then taking my legs for a long walk. Edinburgh is going to be fun, it certainly looks very hilly.

Sticking to bookish related topics, also on my TBR pile are:

The Beloved by Toni Morrison; The Painful Truth by Monty Lyman and The Searcher by Tana French

[Gpfr]

Morning all! I'll put up the new thread late afternoon.

[Gpfr]

@Fuzzywuzz — never been to Edinburgh, that should be great! I'm planning some trips this month.
Someone else expressed a preference for paper maps — MK perhaps? I much prefer them too. I tend to get lost trying to follow directions on my phone. Earlier this year, I'd gone with my younger grandson (12) to a tennis match and afterwards, looking for the bus stop to go home, turned the wrong way and made the poor child (who'd had quite a long match) walk for ages in the wrong direction. He remained admirably cheerful!
I really like Streetwise city centre maps, a number of European cities (including Edinburgh 😉), laminated, accordion fold, easy to carry around and to consult outside.

[giveusaclue]

Gpfr wrote: "@Fuzzywuzz — never been to Edinburgh, that should be great! I'm planning some trips this month.
Someone else expressed a preference for paper maps — MK perhaps? I much prefer them too. I tend to ge..."

On the other hand, my phone stopped me going the wrong way back to a carpark in Monmouth last year!

@ Fuzzywuzz, have a great time in Edinburgh but don't trip over the rubbish!

[Storm]

Yes, Fuzzywuzz, The Echo Chamber is our book group choice, to be discussed this week. I am wondering how to dissect and analyse satire. You can’t take all of it too seriously…or can you? The characters become stereotypes or caricatures in a way that a regular novel shouldn’t get away with but I guess that is part of the fun. Are they supposed to be people? Or just types? Or illustrations of political points?
The next difficulty is choosing another book (usually something contemporary) and it is harder than you think! There are at so many choices and when you start sorting through the possibilities, you end up more confused than ever. We are looking for…..
1. A good read. (Something that makes you at least want to finish it)
2. Content that allows for discussion
3. Books which are not exclusively in hardback, so the advent of Kindle is helpful where cost or library availability is concerned.
4. Then pleasing a disparate group.
The next step is negotiating from the options proposed, and allowing different people their opportunity to choose. I read lots of books I know the others would not rave about so choice can’t be tooooo personal, or rather just because you loved it.
If you had to pick one, what would you be pushing?

[Fuzzywuzz]

giveusaclue wrote: "Gpfr wrote: "@Fuzzywuzz — never been to Edinburgh, that should be great! I'm planning some trips this month.
Someone else expressed a preference for paper maps — MK perhaps? I much prefer them too...."

Thanks...a nosepeg might be handy too!

[MK]

Fuzzywuzz wrote: "In a couple of weeks, I'll be off on holiday to Edinburgh. I've always wanted to travel, but for a long time life gets in the way (not enough time, not enough money, or both). On the last couple of..."

I do that too - printed maps with used bookshops to visit. Hoping to take the train (Empire Builder & Capitol Limited) to DC next spring and should start figuring out where to stay. Then on to NYC for more bookshops (especially the Mysterious Bookshop) and museums.

[Fuzzywuzz]

Storm wrote: "Yes, Fuzzywuzz, The Echo Chamber is our book group choice, to be discussed this week. I am wondering how to dissect and analyse satire. You can’t take all of it too seriously…or can you? The charac..."

Ah yes, If I take the characters of The Echo Chamber very seriously, then yes, they are horrible people. Even painting them from a satirical point of view, they are not much better...or perhaps I miss the subtleties of satire!

It is a great book for a bookclub, lots of talking points (use/abuse of social media, the wonders and pitfalls of family dynamics etc.)

Interestingly, I got talking to a retired French teacher on the train a couple of weeks ago and we were talking about bookclubs and the difficulties posed whilst trying to pick the next book. This lady said that she didn't really know what to read and didn't get on with the suggested books in her bookclub, but asked about what I was reading (Later by Stephen King).

I remember watching a documentary (methinks a BBC one with Jacques Peretti) some time ago about why advertising works so well - that most people don't know what they want. I remember thinking that was a bit daft, but he has a point.

Over the years, I have managed to build a TBR library of books at home, some bought on a whim because the blurb looks good (3 for 2 offers; strategically placed books to catches ones' eye), some suggested by others. Despite this, I will look through said pile and cannot decide on one.

Book recommendations are important - reading is a time intensive process and no-one likes to read something that doesn't agree with them, but it is difficult to get right - what is one persons cup of tea is another's rotten tomato (sorry for the poor analogy, but poison chalice seemed a bit too strong).

[Fuzzywuzz]

One more thing re choosing books, I have seen in both libraries and the odd bookshop brown-paper-wrapped books. A bit of a game of Russian Roulette, but at least it removes the element of indecision...if only I was brave enough to try :)