UK Book Club discussion

Ooooo only ten to go Em, well done :-)

Thanks Sam, so far this has been a good year for books!

41. Made in America by Bill Bryson

I normally enjoy Bill Bryson, usually I find his books entertaining in a light and humorous way but this one just didn't interest me very much. It might have been the topic - linguistics/the development of American English - I don't know, anyway to be honest I skimmed the last half so don't test me on it!

42. The Outcast by Sadie Jones

I enjoyed the style of this book, it was so easy to read my eye glided over the pages and I finished the book in virtually no time. That said, it is not a happy story - set in the repressive 1950's, it concerns a good deal of grief, difficult family relationships, drinking and striving to keep up appearances through it all.

43. The Summer Book by Tove Jansson

For me this is a perfect book for summer, it tells the tale of an elderly grandmother and her six year old granddaughter who summer on a small island in the Gulf of Finland. It is a sweet, inspiring tale about summer and family and what's important in life and I love it!

44. Little Bee (The Other Hand) by Chris Cleave

As I've mentioned elsewhere this book is being marketed in an unusual way which I didn't really warm to (the blurb states that they don't want to tell you anything about the book and inside there's a letter from the editor recommending it but asking you not to tell anyone about it.) My book group have voted this book for September so although not my first choice I took it on hols with me to read.

I enjoyed it - it is well written and I was engaged with the characters and the story. It is very good but I still don't think it is helped by the mystery that the publisher is attempting to create - I don't think knowing a little about the story would be detrimental, actually might have made it more appealing to me personally. That said, the majority of my book group wanted to read it because of this approach so maybe they're onto something!

My girls holiday reading selection from the library!

Heh. Horrid boys and princesses. :) no stereotypes there then.

Ha! I know! As it goes my girls are pretty, pink princesses but cheeky with it - I was a little surprised at how they've embraced Horrid Henry but we do need something to offset the tiaras!

45. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

Something light, easy going and ummm vampirey (not a real word?!) I love, love, love True Blood so thought I'd give the books a look as well. Glad I have, I thought it was funny and entertaining but I had a pretty good idea of where the plot was going (despite some differences from the TV series) which might have spoiled it a bit.

Em wrote: "Ha! I know! As it goes my girls are pretty, pink princesses but cheeky with it - I was a little surprised at how they've embraced Horrid Henry but we do need something to offset the tiaras!"

Max, at just 4 will still read books about Princesses and Fairies, (he loves both Princess Hyacinth & The Princess and the Wizard) However he's also heavily into There's Nothing to Do on Mars, Dig Dig Digging & Where's Wally Now?

hmmm... yes. Angus (nearly 4) ... current favourite film is the Princess and The Frog. Which, come to think of it, doesn't feature a princess at all! Other than that he thinks he is a t-rex most of the time so equilibrium is restored. :)

Dig Dig Digging is a favourite. Have you tried Choo Choo Clickety-Clack! and Emergency? Interesting rhymes, not sure if they are proper rhymes even.

Peter wrote: "hmmm... yes. Angus (nearly 4) ... current favourite film is the Princess and The Frog. Which, come to think of it, doesn't feature a princess at all! Other than that he thinks he is a t-rex most of..."

Oh yes, we certainly do have Emergency!, but haven't tried Choo choo Clickerty Clack. While on the subject of trains, I'd definitely recommend: And the Train Goes...

You two and your boys - I've just been subjected to a hair and beauty salon - nails, makeup and hair! Don't you love rainy Saturday afternoons! Only 2 hours till my husband gets home for work and 2 and half hours till I go out for a run... a long one.

46. The Way Things Are by Roger McGough

I've been slowly making my way through this collection of poems, there is alot of the wit and humour you would expect of Roger McGough as well as some that is more serious and touching. A few years ago, I went to a poetry reading at the Bristol Old Vic to see him and he read largely from this book - I can't help but "hear" these poems with a Liverpudlian accent (just don't ask me to do one - I can't!)

Only four more to hit the 50!

I'm pretty pleased with that! It's the best year for books I've had in oooooh absolutely ages...

Ooooo you're nearly there Em!

47. Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy

Great! A wonderful book - I felt transported to the rural idyl and I loved the beautiful language of this novel too. Such a pleasure to read.

Three...

Em wrote: "47. Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy

Great! A wonderful book - I felt transported to the rural idyl and I loved the beautiful language of this novel too. S..."

That was my 'O'Level English book (now that's showing my age...). At the time I thought it was OK (but why can't that bloomin' Bathsheba Everdene make up her mind? Doesn't she know Gabriel Oak's the man for her?) But I read it again several years later and really enjoyed it so much more. I guess it's the difference between HAVING to read something and WANTING to read it!

BTW, you're putting me in the mood to tackle another classic....

Having to read a book is a sure fire way to put a person off! I'm planning to read Dracula this Oct, never read it B4, I'm def in a classis mood at the moment!

Em wrote: "Having to read a book is a sure fire way to put a person off! I'm planning to read Dracula this Oct, never read it B4, I'm def in a classis mood at the moment!"

Oh Dracula, excellent!! Let me know how you get on. I read it while on holiday in Whitby (very appropriate) a couple of years back...

Perfect for the time of year I think! Also, loved the film and this may be an excuse for me to watch it again!

Almost 50 books in a year? ** Just incredible.... ** Do you guys not sleep?

I read 'Dracula' years ago and found it a bit slow in parts but a real classic if you take into account when it was written.

By the way, I watched 'Rachel getting married' over the long weekend and you are right Anne Hathaway is brillant. Also, have seen stills from the film 'One Day' ....with Jim Sturgess who was very good in '21' ...looking forward to it!

Yeah, it's a good film and she stands out in it. Well, some of my books have been on the slim side to be honest so sure that's helped a bit and no I haven't given up sleep but not watching much telly! My TV is usurped by family (Barbie Movies aren't my scene and neither is Sky Sports!) I haven't seen '21' but I'll check it out when next on Lovefilm - I'm reading One Day now, since its the September group read and I suggested it I thought it would be a poor show if I didn't!

'One day' should be a very quick and enjoyable read for you...Still not sure Anne Hathaway is the Emma in my mind but we shall see.

I don't have a TV (We're going to bring our children up Amish!)and still can only manage to complete a book in 3 -4 weeks at a time...mostly on train or in bed!

You must do "old fashioned" things in your family like... ummmmm talk to each other!! Bet you don't miss it, I spent about a year or so without and didn't miss it at all (but I did spend more time in the pub, playing pinball.) Pinball! I know, it's telling of my age isn't it?

We had the TV License guys around earlier this week. My four year old son tells the nice man 'we don't have a Television' just a computer (well done Max!) We've now been without a TV for almost 2 years. I just download a few shows that I really want to see and ignore the rest. We have a load of DVDs for Max (Bob the Builder et al). So it's certainly not 'cold turkey', but we don't veg any more!

My mate does the same, just DVDs and Box sets for her! I'm not that bothered either way, the kids would miss Total Wipeout (What! You haven't seen it?? Think It's a Knock Out with more water and less costumes) but they would be happy enough with DVDs. Think my husband would take some convincing...

My daughter uses her left and right hand to write and do all sorts of other things. I am right handed and hubby left, so we found that whoever was showing her something like writing etc she just copied us!

Clever! I can't do a thing with my left hand. It was hard for Jolie to improve her handwriting because of course when she watches me or her Dad we use our right hand and it looks topsy turvy to her.

48. The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry

I borrowed this audio book from the library and I think it's taken me a month to listen to the whole thing as holidays etc have got in the way. This is a an excellent book, the characters are memorable and sympathetic. Although based in and dealing with some horrific realities it seemed to me to have a dreamlike atmosphere to it, it very well conveyed the sense of an elderly woman recalling her life with the distance of years to seperate her from events by-gone.

Two...

Whoah whoah! Getting the party poppers out ready Em!

49. One Day by David Nicholls

A smart book, plenty of humour and pathos - will you think I'm desperately sentimental if I admited to crying (just a bit!) Certainly puts me in mind of alot of the writers who are quoted on the inside cover ie. Nick Hornby, Tony Parsons et al. and I think it'll make a very good film.

One...

50. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Like the best kind of dystopian literature, the world as created by Ray Bradbury is not completely unrecognisable from the one we know - a society that no longer reads, books are burned and enormous TVs provide constant distraction and entertainment. People are de-sensitised to the extent of being incapable of caring about others (even their own families) in any meaningful way. This is a short, gripping novel of one mans awakening and realisation that something vital is missing from life...

Congratulations! 50 in a year!!!

Congratulations Em! You've hit the big 50!!!

Well done Em for reaching th 5 0 mark. I dont mean in age lol as you look young ;)

Thanks guys!

Em wrote: "One...

50. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Like the best kind of dystopian literature, the world as created by Ray Bradbury is not completely unrecognisable from the ..."

Woohoo! 50 - crack open the champagne!

Well done Em! On to the next 50 now? Lol!

Ha! I don't think so Lynne - not this year!

well done Em

Em wrote: "Thanks guys!"

Well done. I will take up that challenge next year.

Congrats. :)

hurrah!! Well done! And what a book to be #50! *loves*

Yes, a great book!

BTW How are you getting on with Dracula? I found it surprisingly funny - I do wonder if it is meant to be tongue in cheek...

I loved the chapters set at the castle and enjoyed the Whitby setting too.