Cafe Europa
Collection of short articles about the relationship between the West and former Communist countries from a personal perspective.
Very good
Bethenny Frankel is still at the beach
8 years ago
Friday, 27 February 2009
Monday, 23 February 2009
Got a pack from the council today- whole load of glossy shite about keeping children safe on the road. Usually I just bin this rubbish but it was drawn to my attention that the fold out wall chart thingy advises me to use 'reigns' when out with my child.
WTF!
REIGNS! How can I physically do that? What does my daughter's safety on the road have to do with the rule of a monarch. A mere prelimary tentative google brings up instantly that the restraints by which a parent controls a small child are commonly called 'REINS'. Yes, like the things a horse wears and to which they bear a surprising resemblance. Funny that.
God knows how many people this thing passed through the hands of and unsurprisingly it was all put together by local government; just justifying my long held belief that they are all a bunch of lazy morons (yes I know this was probably put together by someone on work experience but someone must have signed it off!).
WTF!
REIGNS! How can I physically do that? What does my daughter's safety on the road have to do with the rule of a monarch. A mere prelimary tentative google brings up instantly that the restraints by which a parent controls a small child are commonly called 'REINS'. Yes, like the things a horse wears and to which they bear a surprising resemblance. Funny that.
God knows how many people this thing passed through the hands of and unsurprisingly it was all put together by local government; just justifying my long held belief that they are all a bunch of lazy morons (yes I know this was probably put together by someone on work experience but someone must have signed it off!).
Sunday, 22 February 2009
Currently Reading:
The Man in the Iron Mask (bathroom)
Cafe Europa (handbag)
Stand on Zanzibar (bedroom)
I am considering another book for the lounge, perhaps Neverwhere by Gaiman, but I am also starting to feel unfinished bookguilt. I still have 300 pages of TMitIM to go and at least 100 of Cafe Europa. I think I need to give myself an enormous kick up the bum to finish these two before starting another.
The Man in the Iron Mask (bathroom)
Cafe Europa (handbag)
Stand on Zanzibar (bedroom)
I am considering another book for the lounge, perhaps Neverwhere by Gaiman, but I am also starting to feel unfinished bookguilt. I still have 300 pages of TMitIM to go and at least 100 of Cafe Europa. I think I need to give myself an enormous kick up the bum to finish these two before starting another.
Saturday, 21 February 2009
25
The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens
After weeks of so-so prose it was an unexpected joy to step back into a classic novel. Even though I suspect my irritation with Nell would have been frowned on by the man himself and I probably laughed in all the wrong places, it thrills me that a book written more than 160 years ago still has the power to grip me and draw me into the story. But if you ask me Nell should have ditched her grandfather by page 100 and taken one of the many beneficial opportunities life was desperately trying to throw in her way. I was definitely pleased when the pages upon pages which served as a very unsubtle prelude to the 'dramatic' ending finished and I was able to enjoy all the otherwise happy endings for the less irritatingly pious and do-goody characters.
After weeks of so-so prose it was an unexpected joy to step back into a classic novel. Even though I suspect my irritation with Nell would have been frowned on by the man himself and I probably laughed in all the wrong places, it thrills me that a book written more than 160 years ago still has the power to grip me and draw me into the story. But if you ask me Nell should have ditched her grandfather by page 100 and taken one of the many beneficial opportunities life was desperately trying to throw in her way. I was definitely pleased when the pages upon pages which served as a very unsubtle prelude to the 'dramatic' ending finished and I was able to enjoy all the otherwise happy endings for the less irritatingly pious and do-goody characters.
Wednesday, 18 February 2009
23/24
Bloodtide by Melvin Burgess.
YA Dystopian future novel based on the Volsung Saga. Bloodthirsty and brutal with Nordic characters who I found strangely out of place. Otherwise a good story that held me gripped, although I have already passed it on to a family member.
The Pesthouse by Jim Crace
Dystopian future novel with a romantic subplot. Franklin and Margaret strive to cross a regressed and dangerous America to get to the coast. Loved it and couldnt wait to find out what happened at the end. A keeper for me.
YA Dystopian future novel based on the Volsung Saga. Bloodthirsty and brutal with Nordic characters who I found strangely out of place. Otherwise a good story that held me gripped, although I have already passed it on to a family member.
The Pesthouse by Jim Crace
Dystopian future novel with a romantic subplot. Franklin and Margaret strive to cross a regressed and dangerous America to get to the coast. Loved it and couldnt wait to find out what happened at the end. A keeper for me.
Tuesday, 17 February 2009
22
Brother in the Land by Robert Swindells.
I was sure this was one I read as a teen, but it turns out that it isnt. Its a good YA post-nuclear holocaust story anyway with the required amount of horror and sadness with the tiniest bit of hope at the end. I was slightly dubious at parts of the ending...for those who have not read the book, look away from this tiny spoiler now.......
The Swiss? WTF?
and there were elements which did make me 'hmmmmm' a little, but overall it was 2 hours well spent.
I was sure this was one I read as a teen, but it turns out that it isnt. Its a good YA post-nuclear holocaust story anyway with the required amount of horror and sadness with the tiniest bit of hope at the end. I was slightly dubious at parts of the ending...for those who have not read the book, look away from this tiny spoiler now.......
The Swiss? WTF?
and there were elements which did make me 'hmmmmm' a little, but overall it was 2 hours well spent.
Sunday, 15 February 2009
20 and 21
Have not felt like reading much recently, just been too tired. Today I had the luxury of spending the morning in bed so I finished Agony and a bath book I started yesterday-Valley of the Dolls.
Agony was interesting but its remit was so huge, over three hundred years that there was more skimming than I would have liked. I was constantly frustrated by not being able to get more information. It is also quite outdated and the last chapter was very much of its time and hasnt held up very well. The actual style of the book was difficult to read and something I would devour in minutes ordinarily, took me a week of forcing myself to read more pages. Shame, the premise was superb.
Valley of the Dolls was good, well-written, but I had no sympathy for any of the three main characters, especially Neely who I found particularly vile. I only finished it to make sure the protagonists got what they deserved at the end. I understand it is supposed to be some sort of classic but it is the sort of book that leaves me feeling dirty and unsatisfied after I have finished it.
Agony was interesting but its remit was so huge, over three hundred years that there was more skimming than I would have liked. I was constantly frustrated by not being able to get more information. It is also quite outdated and the last chapter was very much of its time and hasnt held up very well. The actual style of the book was difficult to read and something I would devour in minutes ordinarily, took me a week of forcing myself to read more pages. Shame, the premise was superb.
Valley of the Dolls was good, well-written, but I had no sympathy for any of the three main characters, especially Neely who I found particularly vile. I only finished it to make sure the protagonists got what they deserved at the end. I understand it is supposed to be some sort of classic but it is the sort of book that leaves me feeling dirty and unsatisfied after I have finished it.
Friday, 6 February 2009
19
Warprize by Elizabeth Vaughan (again)
Although I am reading The Man in the Iron Mask, Cafe Europa and Agony, last night none of them hit the spot and I had to retreat to something light and happy to take my mind of the unpleasant nausea that seems to have hit in the last few days.
Although I am reading The Man in the Iron Mask, Cafe Europa and Agony, last night none of them hit the spot and I had to retreat to something light and happy to take my mind of the unpleasant nausea that seems to have hit in the last few days.
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