- Mood:
pensive
Take care.
- Mood:
happy
This book was sent to me by cannongate books (the publisher). Not a bad narrative.
Synopsis:
Set in the last tumultuous years of Leo Tolstoy's life, The Last Station centers on the battle for his soul waged by his wife, Sofya Andreyevna, and his leading disciple, Vladimir Cherkov. Torn between his professed codtrine of poverty and chastity and the reality of his enormous wealth, his thirteen children, and a life of hedonism, Tolstoy makes a dramatic flight from his home. Too ill to continue beyond the tiny rail station at Astapovo, he believes that he is dying alone, whle over one hundred newspapermen camp outside awaiting hourly reports on his condidtion. A brilliant recreation of the mind and tortured soul of one of the world's greatest novelists, The Last Station is a richly inventive novel that dances bewitchingly between fact and fiction.
Review:
I expected this to be a very dry read, instead it was rich with relationships and connections. It was fascinating to see the different viewpoints of the players and see them partaking in a merry dance. Not knowing anything about Tolstoy or his life I was compelled to do a little research whilst reading just to see how close to the facts it came. It would seem that this is a very plausible story.
I will now look to pass this on elsewhere.
- Mood:
calm
Synopsis:
Alex Cross was a rising star in the Washington, DC, Police Department when an unknown shooter gunned down his wife, Maria, in front of him. The killer was never found, and the case turned cold, filed among the unsolved drive-bys in D.C.'s rough neighborhoods. Years later, still haunted by his wife's death, Cross is making a bold move in his life. Now a free agent from the police and the FBI, he's set up practice as a psychologist once again. His life with Nana Mama, Damon, Jannie, and little Alex is finally getting in order. He even has a chance at a new love. Then Cross's former partner, John Sampson, calls in a favor. He is tracking a serial rapist in Georgetown, one whose brutal modus operandi recalls a case Sampson and Cross worked together years earlier. When the case reveals a connection to Maria's death, Cross latches on for the most urgent and terrifying ride of his life. From the man USA TODAY has called the "master of the genre," CROSS is the high-velocity thriller James Patterson and Alex Cross's fans have waited years to read--and the pinnacle of the bestselling detective series of the past two decades.
Review:
I haven't read any of Patterson's Alex Cross books, and I wonder if by reading this it will give a few spoilers. Nothing major, just a few hints as to things to come. The novel was very fast paced and short chapters which is a plus (you always feel you can fit another in when time is short). The storyline is a little gruesome, although most of the shock is in the mind and not described (unlike Karin Slaughter). I would have liked a little deeper reading at points about other characters and situations that came up, but maybe that's not his style. I agree with sunlightbub that the ending was a little weak.
I will try another James Patterson, but I can't say I'm a huge fan.
- Mood: content
Synopsis:
Nina, Susan and Richard - three siblings who, like so many brothers and sisters, don't particularly like or trust each other. Richard is the spoiled baby of the family, still jealously guarding his position as his mother's favourite. Susan has never been indulged - or so she believes - and she bitterly resents it. She has always felt that she deserved more than she got and is envious of Nina who appears to have it all. Nina has been married to workaholic Alex long enough to decide that it's time for a child, but for him the moment is never right. There's always another property to buy, another deal to be struck. Or is there something else that's keeping him late so often at the office, something readily on offer that he cannot refuse? Nina has spent her life as the peacemaker of the family - the dutiful daughter, sister and wife. Her reward has been a seemingly perfect life. But as the secrets of those closest to her are shockingly revealed, suddenly everything is under threat - her marriage, her home and her future happiness.
Review:
This would not be my usual choice of book as the cover gave me the feeling of it being of the chick-lit genre (not my favourite), however the synopsis sounded very interesting.
The story revolves around the relationships of a brother and two sisters, and the people they have contact with in their lives. Like many sibling relationships there is deep set rivalry and jockeying for position to have the best of everything. This leads to all sorts of situations that cover the vast array of human emotions and reactions. I was particularly fond of the farcical family Christmas scene, and couldn’t help some out loud chuckles.
Throughout the book there are changes happening to the characters. This in turn let's them re-evaluate what they want from life and how they interact with the others.
Varley starts a new section with the reader observing a character at some point and then uses that characters reminiscences to move the story along to where they are. This allows the reader to attempt anticipation of the story. There are many threads to tie up in the final chapter and these are very realistically worked, although maybe a little predictable on a couple of them.
The humour of the book was delightful, and would recommend it for both male and female readers. I would certainly read this author again
- Mood: mellow
Synopsis:
Marianne Dashwood wears her heart on her sleeve, and when she falls in love with the dashing but unsuitable John Willoughby she ignores her sister Elinor's warning that her impulsive behaviour leaves her open to gossip and innuendo. Meanwhile Elinor, always sensitive to social convention, is struggling to conceal her own romantic disappointment, even from those closest to her. Through their parallel experience of love - and its threatened loss - the sisters learn that sense must mix with sensibility if they are to find personal happiness in a society where status and money govern the rules of love.
Review:
I approach those books classed as classics with a little trepidation. Often the language is a little strange and hard going, this can lead to it being hard work to get through the pages. The storyline can be a little slow and contain too much romance. I've contended that it's better to watch a film/TV version first so at least I can follow the plot.
So it came as a surprise to find this so easy to read and a great page turner. I really enjoyed reading about the Dashwoods, their cousins, the beauxs. Each character had a different personality, from weak willed John to dastardly Willoughby. I enjoyed this far better than Pride & Prejudice (and I had seen a version of that). My one niggle is Margaret, was there a necessity to mention her at all?
- Mood: content
- Music:In The Evening - Led Zeppelin
For those who don't know, I work in Resource Planning for one of the large banks. It means looking at the various Contact Centres within the Division I'm in, forecasting calls, number of staff required, telephony strategy etc. I tell you this because as a team we were nominated for a Welsh Contact Centre award (you nominate yourself so it's a little bit suspect). Last night was the Awards ceremony in Cardiff City Hall, a fine building and a great setting, advertised as the "Ice Ball". As a team we had an invite from our company to attend, a good night was hinted at. It was a black tie occasion, which isn't really my scene (M&S is the place for a bow-tie). So to be honest I wasn't looking forward to it, but thought it best to attend (the company paid for a full table for other nominees)
We met up at the Hilton across the road, a manager opened a tab and so I had three bottles of Budweiser. We meandered over to the venue and took our seats. There was a little entertainment, including Rhydian from the X-Factor. He was "a little up himself", although many there were pleased to see him, I was a little indifferent. He then started singing "Delilah", this changed my mood, if I knew there would be Karaoke I would have looked forward to it. I sang along (including the second verse) and really enjoyed it. I've also sang in a similar way with Pavarotti (he was on TV). Suddenly the night looked up.
There were four bottles of wine per table. Our company then bought 10 bottles for the table so there was a little over 1 bottle each. Wine is not my drink, but there was no beer or whisky, so when in Rome. The food was excellent and the service provided was first class (I know I don't do this thing often to compare, but I do feel that the serving staff are sometimes unappreciated). Some of our party was drinking in moderation and some had a minimum two glasses, I had the next day off, I kept swigging. I was talkative, not like me at all, so I knew it was having an effect. Our award was announced, but we lost out to fucking British Gas (that's Rhydian rubbing off on me!). Coffee was served and the announcement was that dancing would commence soon. I'm not a dancer (I'm either pissed, on the pull or both) so wasn't interested.
My colleagues very soon came back and said as a Finalist we would need a photo so I trotted off to the 
Towards the end of the evening I perked up to find a group of ladies dancing between the tables next to me, they asked me to dance. So I did. I asked where they were from (company wise, I was drunk), their answer "The Prison Service" what contact centre they have I don't know. I had raised eyebrows from my party when they saw me dancing, but it was a good night. The company provided a taxi home and I staggered in a little after 1. The rest is blurry.
Today, I haven't a hangover, but I have had the shakes, which does surprise me, it's the first time it's happened. I don't drink often or much (a vast majority of my drinking is done at bookcrossing meetings), but three bottles of red wine a day is a little excessive.
Userpic is during the evening when I became a Fortune Teller, the other you may have read about.
- Music:Storm The Palace - Catatonia
The conclusion to the "Duncton Chronicles". The war waged against the Stone has almost been won by the disciples of the Word. Yet in the shadows of Duncton Wood a new light is shining as Stone Mole has come to rekindle the moles faith in themselves, and in the ancient power of the Stone.
The proceeding two books are Duncton Wood and Duncton Quest, both were large volumes. They follow the lives of a group of moles (I wonder why I like them). They were originally recommended to me by a fellow bookcrosser.
Review:
I read the previous two volumes of these chronicles last summer. Rings, swap books pushed this further back, together with this book being almost 1,000 pages. Now I am glad it reached the top of Mt TBR.
This was a gripping read and I believe that the dark way of The Word was very well described. The moles in the book tend to make long speeches, and Horwood describes the scenery in detail (hence the length of the book), but at no point did I have to labour with the work. An excellent book all round.
- Music:The Girl From Ipanema - Frank Sinatra
I had a day off work today, it happens every year about this time as I watch the Superbowl until the early hours on the Sunday and then like to have a lie in. So today I had to get myself a new shirt (dress for an award dinner with work on Thursday), and chose to go to Ebbw Vale Festival Shopping to purchase the item (they have a shop there with larger collar sizes).
Having completed my mission I took a wander at the other shops, I do this much more than my partner, I enjoy a good browse. Checked into Whittards for coffee and an impulse buy of hand painted tea-pot that had been reduced by 75% (goodness knows how big it was to begin with). A few other outlets and then The Works.
The Works is an outlet place selling primarily books, with a few stationery pieces and other bits and bobs. While there I spotted a display of cards for St Valentine's Day and thought as good a time as any. Mrs molekilby has already told me that we are not to exchange gifts for this occasion, but cards were acceptable. This means she is expecting one and therefore I should make sure I get my arse into gear and get one. As an aside I will get her a present, nothing expensive, but as she points out I never listen to her, why should I change now. Having reached the display I notice I will get a bargain. The price shown is "25p each or 10 for £1.00". It made me smile, not that they were so cheap (I like a bargain), but 10 for a £1.00, in my younger days a Valentine was a serious business, it was meant for your one and only. At school sending a card was a big committment and was second only to having the person's name scratched on your arm with a compass. 10 for a £1.00 amused me, I asked the shop assistant if anyone had bought 10 cards she replied affirmatively, telling me a tale that she questioned a young man who works in the Shopping Complex if he was going to send them all and he said yes.
Does it mean you edge your bets like a venture capitalist and hope that one or two turn up trumps (probably something else that was done at school), or is it that in the days where casual sex is rife (so I've been told) people need to tag each other with some sort of trophy, or has it become the need to send one to all your family and the milkman? Your family should knos how much they are loved, the milkman at your discretion. Has Valentine's Day become too commercialised where the meaning of sending just one card becomes less valued? Am I being cynical?
Just to let you know I did purchase one, just one. I considered getting 10, but even I'm not that cheap. Also if I had 10 there would be no guarantee I could hide the other 9 or by the time the 9th and 10th would be required (2016, 2017), I would remember where they were.
- Mood:
? - Music:The Fallen - Franz Ferdinand
A little bit of background, last year was the first time I counted and I set myself 30,000. Reached with a little extra effort during December. I did kick about the idea of 35,000, but that was too steep and increase and so settled for 31,000. I count all pages read and only count audiobooks as books finished, not pages. I total on a daily basis (cos that’s how I get all the science bits) which means the totals may not be for completed books. At present I persevere with a book to the end, so no part books in there. Any questions contact me.
Now on to the interesting stuff. The year started, badly, four days of no reading. Due mainly to having a nasty flu virus. It really did take it out of me and so the result was going way behind before I got started. Nevertheless I have pulled it back to be only 27 pages behind. That’s good but does equate to almost 300 down by November! I have been ahead of schedule on a couple of occasions only to lose it again within a day or so. Still not bad when you consider the start.
So what have I been reading? A list of books will be on my shelf and I won’t list them here (although one or two may get mentioned by name), a full list is found on my bookcrossing bookshelf http://www.bookcrossing.com/mybooks
In the month to come, one classic (which may take it’s toll) and more of the same please. An extra day of reading as well. Will give you an update then.
Take care.
Thanks for the support,
molekilby
Books finished: 6
Pages Read: 2,599 (8.38% of total)
Total Pages for 2007: 2,599 (8.38% of total)
'Listen, I'm not a bad person. I'm a doctor. One of the reasons I wanted to become a doctor was because I thought it would be a good - as in Good rather than exciting or well-paid or glamorous - thing to do … Anyway, I'm a good person, a doctor, and I'm lying in a hotel bed with a man I don't really know very well called Stephen, and I've just asked my husband for a divorce.'
According to her own complex moral calculations, Katie Carr has earned her affair. She's a doctor, after all, and doctors are decent people, and on top of that her husband David is the self-styled Angriest Man in Holloway. When David suddenly becomes good, however - properly, maddeningly, give-away-all-his-money good - Katie's sums no longer add up, and she is forced to ask herself some very hard questions …
Nick Hornby's brilliant third novel offers a painfully funny account of modern marriage and parenthood, and asks that most difficult of questions: what does it mean to be good?
Review:
A bookcrosser once said that although they liked Nick Hornby, this book didn't quite hit the mark. The reason given was that Hornby was writing from a woman's point of view. I have to admit it did take a while for me to get into the female way of thinking, but I have to agree that he may just have found an area he has difficulty writing about. Katie always seemed to be thinking as a man (of course since I have not thought as a woman I may be flawed), the links in the thought process didn't flow as if it was a woman. I do wonder if male authors are set this task after about four novels, seeing as John O'Farrell (May Contain Nuts) and Ben Elton (various charcters in his books) have female leads, I will have to check up on Mike Gayle.
Anyway onto the book, it was enjoyable and passed the time. The subject matter is interesting in that I've often thought how good I could be to be hospitable to a lonely person, and I feel good about buying "The Big Issue", but I know I would have to draw the line somewhere.
No I'm not back in the realm of single men, I'm talking bookcrossing and the status I give to a book once it's read, off Mt TBR. I suppose I should let people know what my goals are in 2008 regarding bookcrossing and my reading. I didn't do it at the start of the year as I was feeling rough, I'll post a separate entry about that some other time (maybe).
Two challenges/goals/would like to achieve. Firstly following on from last year's 30,000 page challenge and making it on December 30th with 30,054. I upped the ante to 31,000 (extra day in the year, more stretching than the year before). I thought at first it would be beyond me when I began 2008 with 4 days of non reading. The lurgy had hit me hard (see future post mentioned earlier). However now, I'm flying. yes I know it's only 21 days into the year but I've already caught up and feeling good about it. One of the reasons is being able to read what I want. Yes I know as an adult I can do that anyway, but I've suffered from a Syndrome that happens to many a new bookcrosser, generous bookcrossers who share and a hypnotic way of joining bookrings. Exciting at first, getting books through the door, but eventually the obligation to read them next becomes high. You may not be in the mood, they may have been 'sold' as being good, but not quite your cup of tea, suddenly it's a chore and it slows down the reading rate. Yes I could say no thanks after 50 pages, I just get hooked and want to finish. Now however, bookrings are down to less than a dozen and most of them have stalled (unhappy state, but it happens). Now I can attack Mt TBR and that's where the second challenge comes in.
Clearing the molehill that is my Mt TBR. Start of the year it's on the cusp of 5 pages in my possession (about 200). That's just over two years worth of reading. I know all of us want it down, but I think I may manage it. I'd like to clear a page, a net loss of 50. Sounds feasible, sounds challenging and most of all they should be books I enjoy reading. This challenge hasn't a fixed goal, but would like to be going in the right direction! Along with this comes a chance to clear and move on all those books that generous bookcrossers have sent, had picked up at meets, found in the wild (OK at OBCZ's). I will keep you posted as to how it goes on a regular basis (once a month) hope that's OK with everyone.
Have fun.
- Mood: hopeful
Once it had been the great forest of Lythe - a vast and impentetrable thicket of gree with a mystery in the very heart of the trees. And here, in the beginning, lived the Fairfaxes, grandly at Fairfax Manor, visited ince by the great Gloriana (Elizabeth I) herself.
But over the centuries the forest had been destroyed, replaced by Streets if Trees. The Fairfaxes had dwindled too; now they lived in 'Arden' at the end of Hawthorne Close and were hardly a family at all.
There was Vinny (the Aunt from Hell) - with her cats and her crab-apple face. And Gordon, who had forgotten them for seven years andm when he remembered, came back with fat Debbie, who shared her one brain cell with a poodle. And then there were Charles and Isobel, the children. Charles, the acne-scarred Lost Boy, passed his life awaiting visits from aliens and the return of his mother. But it is Isobel to whom the story belongs - Isobel, born on the Streets of Trees, who drops into pockets time and out again. Isobel is sixteen and she too is waiting for the return of her mother - the thin, dangerous Eliza with her scent of nicotine, Arpege and sex, whose disappearance is part of the mystery that still remains at the heart of the forest.
Review: Another good read from Kate Atkinson (KA). I've read one other (Behind The Scenes At The Museum) and listened to another (Case Histories), so when I began to read the book it seemed similar themes/plots were developing. I asked the question should I continue reading (although I try to persevere with all books). This also had me thinking if this happens with all authors, and I've only been able to discern it with KA as the they are distinctive, I answered positively and felt a whole lot better.
There is something that keeps the pages turning, I find her work a really easy quick and entertaining read. You almost want to go back and start again just to see how developments later on are dealt with at the time. KA has to be one of my favourite authors (Top 20 at least), and yet twelve months ago would have dismissed her books as being written for women (they maybe and the back cover may hint at that), perhaps I should be a little more open.
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swanofkennet journal. I think it sums me up fine.| What Kind of Reader Are You? Your Result: Dedicated Reader You are always trying to find the time to get back to your book. You are convinced that the world would be a much better place if only everyone read more. | |
| Literate Good Citizen | |
| Obsessive-Compulsive Bookworm | |
| Book Snob | |
| Fad Reader | |
| Non-Reader | |
| What Kind of Reader Are You? Create Your Own Quiz | |
- Music:Fighting Talk (19th January 2008) - Radio 5 Live
Synopsis:
It's an offer you can't refuse. Who would not wish to be the man in charge of Ankh-Morpork's Royal Mint and the bank next door? It's a job for life. But, as former con-man Moist von Lipwig is learning, the life is not necessarily for long. The Chief Cashier is almost certainly a vampire. There's something nameless in the cellar (and the cellar itself is pretty nameless), it turns out that the Royal Mint runs at a loss. A 300 year old wizard is after his girlfriend, he's about to be exposed as a fraud, but the Assassins Guild might get him first. In fact lot of people want him dead Oh. And every day he has to take the Chairman for walkies. Everywhere he looks he's making enemies. What he should be doing is ...Making Money!
Moist Von Lipwig makes a second appearance in the Discworld series, one Amazon.co.uk reviewer says it was too soon, and maybe I agree. Not quite as good as "Going Postal" (Lipwig's first outing), but perhaps there wasn't as much that could be poked fun of at the bank rather than the Post Office.
As with many Pratchett books I've read, the story starts a little slow and I think that he hasn't quite come up to the mark, when suddenly it all comes together and I find myself racing to the end. I may even have found a character that I have a certain likeness too (personality not appearance) in Mr Mavolio Bent. That is frightening.
This book was the sort I enjoy reading. It gives a different slant on the World and takes ideas through to some conclusion. Having said that the first chapter particuarly appealed (statistical analysis and patterns within numbers) while the rest wasn't quite like that. However, there were paragraphs within the text that I thought would be particularly helpful in my field of work (causality, correlation and regression) and I must remember what they say in order to use them. I will of course have to add Gladwell's Tipping Point to my Wish List having had previous journallers who have read this mention it.
lindyb28My nearest book is required and here are the rules:
1. Grab your nearest book.
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the next 3 sentences on your blog along with these instructions.
5. Tag 5 different people.
Here are my answers:
1. Making Money by Terry Pratchett (current read)
2. Done
3. Done
4. "The look on the family's faces when he'd told Josephine to shut up! Even the recollection made his spine tingle...
Was this the time?"
5. I'm sure you all will be given time.
Not sure how this will be part of the story as I haven't got that far yet! But I have found the font colours in LJ. What fun.
- Mood:
chipper - Music:Black Coffee In Bed - Squeeze
Generally how do I feel about these events that happen on a 'fairly' regular basis? (This is where it may get tricky as I know I have received parcels from at least four friends here!, but it is all truth). I know that all that is required is a Wish List book. The first I sent contained just that and a stationary item and I received a similar parcel. Of course when everyone on BCUK starts posting about their package you can feel a little jealous or ungenerous, I'd prefer a PM to me giving some honest(ish) feedback so I can gauge what works what doesn't. To me I have more fun putting together a package than the one I receive (this is also true at Christmas, I prefer to see people opening presents from me than opening my own). The only thing that stops me is usually time and money (how much I have of either to put it together). I cross my fingers if I know I've been short of either, hoping my partner likes it. Of course with everyone being polite you won't know if they are (Should we be more honest?). I've never been disappointed with what I get, although some items have made me think why I do it. I suppose it's true we shouldn't set our expectations high.
It is the luck of the draw, some people have the time and money to put it together some people have very busy lives and it may be the bright star in the night sky for them to take part. You might have someone who 'knows' you well, who will have similar tastes to yourself and that will help. On the other hand you may have a lurker to send to and all you have to go on is a small Wishlist and next to nothing on the bookshelf proile. Perhaps we should all post more and give as much info as possible when asked for any additional comments when signing up. (Although a bloody turkey must have been a shock!).
So let me answer the question of why I take part. I do it because I don't want to be left out. When everyone says what they had, I don't want to be just reading. I know I take a chance, when signing up, but it's a chance I'm willing to take. I get to know a bookcrosser (I think about my recipient for quite a while) and try to see what else I can include (make sure wishlists and profiles are up to date). A bookcrosser gets to know me. I also feel a little closer to those who have sent and been sent to. So all you friends reading this (if you get this far) now you know.
I hope they don't do away with them (but maybe they have run their course), but it is lottery someone will hit six numbers, but most will find they match 3 or less.
Philosophising over have a good weekend.
- Mood: contemplative
- Music:Eastenders on the TV from last night (Mrs molekilby you understand!)
Maybe not as enjoyable as Something Rotten, this was still a good read. I do wonder though if this has just pushed the Thursday Next series a little too far and the crest has been reached and moved over.
Some interesting theories and nice to see some actual book characters making an appearance.
A pleasant collection of scenes. Although the charcters have old fashioned traits, you can certainly see parallels to modern life from their interactions with one another. The Mariposa Belle incident was amusing and each situation was penned with great detail. I particularly liked the election pieces and in many ways it was a reminder of the election in "The Pickwick Papers". A book whose wit will stay with me for a long while.
