September 2008 Archives
One of my favourite possessions is a 100-year-old - I think it was actually printed in 1897 - copy of the complete works of William Shakespeare.
The book is brown and hardback with gold lettering and inside is an inscription, wishing the original owner a very happy birthday on that day all those years ago.
I must admit, the copy is slightly bashed, but I think that only adds to its charm.
What do you want from a good book?
I think they fall into catagories:
1) Rubbish ones. In the past you couldn't bear not to finish a book - it seemed rude - but now you realise life's too short and bin them halfway through.
2) Rubbish ones that come good. It's a struggle but you've come this far, you might as well carry on. The ending leaves you with grudging respect.
3) Slow burners. Takes you three chapers but suddenly you're sucked in and galloping towards the finish - with a sense of achievement for having stuck with it.
4) I am in love. You had me at the first word and now I can't wait to get home from work/jump in the bath/go to bed for my next fix.
I love the Man Booker Prize.
It's handy for those "what should I read next" moments or when someone asks what you want for your birthday (Something from the Booker Prize shortlist please darling...and a pair of Jimmy Choo's while you're there)
I've rarely read any of the shortlisted books but this year it was nice to see one of my favourite authors make the list.
All this talk of the end of the world...well, that CERN particle accelerating atom smashing big bang thing that launched today in Geneva ...got me thinking.
Whatever happened to Dan Brown?
Remember him? The reason we spent the summer of 2004 buried in The Da Vinci Code? The guy you think of whenever you look at The Last Supper and try and figure out if the person on Jesus's left in the painting really is a woman?
Four books and four years later. Where on earth has he gone?
Blog Authors
Vicki Kellaway - a Merseyside reporter who would happily spend her days lounging about and reading - if she won the lottery. Vicki's in a book club, which consists of six girls who meet once a month to discuss their latest tome, drink a few glasses of wine and eat far too much cheese.
My postings |
RECENT COMMENTS
" Jordan shoes 22 UGG Fluff Flip Flop..."
"Really? I've got a copy of The Pianist at home, still in its wrapper - I'm so lazy when it comes to ..."
"A warning, though it’s hard to read this book without the sneaking suspicion about its originality s..."
"Wow - a 6ft chicken?? Now there's a terrifying image. I don't even want to know how this metamorphos..."
"Hey there :) You dropped me a comment in my blog and i just saw it, so here i am giving you one. :)..."
"I've got to agree with you Vicki. I read this book some years ago and loved it too. The very simplic..."
"On a recent holiday to Portugal, I got through four books in a week - none of which was particularly..."
"no..."
"I love this book. I even love the film, even though it was supposed to be a massive flop. Dear lord,..."
"Can you please do a post with recommendations for books to pack for hols. I'm off on honeymoon in S..."