High standards
My target in January was to read 50 books by the end of the year, and for a little while it looked like I was going to make it, but between Ulysses and Pete, I've slipped behind. It is week 44, and I've managed 39.5 books [the 0.5 is the first volume of Don Quixote].
I need more of those easy little novels like After You'd Gone, which I read at the weekend.
Oh, I don't mean it was a bad book; I read it so quickly because I could barely put it down. I liked the way the thread of the plot was unravelled into so many strands at the beginning, and twisted together through the book. But I was disappointed that the twists were so easily predicted.
Karen · Tuesday October 28, 2003
10:10
The Alchemist.
And that Booker Prize book by the bus driver... what's it called????
They are nice short books. Readable in a couple of hours!
Gordon · October 28, 2003 12:05If you're canny about it, youcould get away with reading five or six books in quick succession in Mothercare, and they'll only think you're browsing!
Job is, as they say, a good'un.
Stuart · October 28, 2003 12:09The new Booker winner? Well, it's on my wishlist. Thanks for the tips.
Karen · October 28, 2003 12:09Have you read Pullman? you could whizz through "Clockwork" which although for children is a beautifully crafted piece of myth-making. Then, if you haven't read his dark materials... why not? They're such page-turners you'd be through them in no time.
Trying hard to think of quick things you won't have read and failing...
"Staring at the Sun" by Julian Barnes?
qB · October 28, 2003 12:58"Pobby and Dingan" by Ben Rice?
"Lady Susan; The Watsons; Sanditon" Jane Austen... could count as three!
"The Castle of Otranto" Hugh Walpole
... brain ache has set in. Will have hot chocolate and ponder further.
39.5 is still pretty good going though.
jane · October 28, 2003 13:08If you've read 39.5 in 10 months you're averaging 3.95 (let's say 4) books a month. This means you only have to increase your bpm (books per month) rate by one book from 4 to 5 to reach your target. Allowing that this average includes Ulysses, then beating it should be childsplay.
The Good Reverend Doctor Humbert · October 28, 2003 13:35I might be able to do it if I leave the second half of Don Quixote until next year. But that feels like cheating.
Karen · October 28, 2003 14:35Vile Bodies - Evelyn Waugh
The Loved One - Evelyn Waugh
Two of the funniest books in the English Language, imho (woo! an imho!), and both quite short.
I have a slightly badgered copy of 'Vile Bodies' if you'd like it?
Stuart · October 28, 2003 14:50Heh, badgered. Yes please! And how about that postcard, while you're at it?
Karen · October 28, 2003 14:59You can use it as a bookmark.
Being off-season at home, there weren't any good postcard shops open, but I have in my possession one of St. Albans, which, I'm afraid, will simply have to do.
Stuart · October 28, 2003 15:10...and when I say 'badgered' it's one of those old orange and white Penguins, and it looks its age.
...I mention this just in case you don't like older books.
...and when I say 'Penguin', I mean the esteemed British publishing house, not the flightless polar bird.
...I mention this just in case someone else was about to make that joke.
Stuart · October 28, 2003 15:22I like old books. I don't care much for hardbacks. I find them harder to read.
Karen · October 28, 2003 15:27nothing too highbrow, but 'Syrup' and 'Jennifer Government' by Max Barry are good, funny relatively quick reads. a bit of light relief after a few classics maybe?
emma · October 28, 2003 16:31Said in petty voice, accompanied by stamping feet and huffing:
Gordon · October 28, 2003 19:39I wanted to make the penguin joke!
Anything, absolutely anything, by Muriel Spark. Especially The Girls Of Slender Means. But not The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, because you've probably seen the movie, and that's cheating.
Nigel · October 28, 2003 19:55Read Timoleon Vieta Come Home by Dan Rhodes. It's about a dog, mainly. Kind of 21st century Lassie. Actually, that's not a very good description. But it's great, honestly. If you don't want to buy it, I could send you my copy to borrow.
Vaughan · October 28, 2003 22:46Hey hey hey!
We're going to bury Karen in paperbacks at this rate!
I'm not home until this weekend, so I'll pop 'Vile Bodies' in the post (yes, with the postcard) then. Same address as you gave me last time, is it, Miss Karen?
Stuart · October 29, 2003 08:43Yes please, Stuart.
Karen · October 29, 2003 09:44