Learn to control money but do not allow it to control you

Firewalker

Good evening. I have been thinking about a reading club and what can be done. My feeling is that although we have read a proportion of the books on the BBC reading list (different proportions but still) it might provide a good strating point. What we could do is to choose a book from there and agree a time period after which we start discussing it. I wouldn't mind re-reading some of them - it has been well over 20 years since I read Catch 22, for example.

We can start a separate tread - so that we give other people (people who are not reading this one, for example) to take part. And I would propose that the first book is 'To kill a mocking bird'.

Oh, and yes - most of these books are clasic ones so they can be got from libraries and second hand shops (and many are already on our shelves).

What do you say (and please feel free to propose any other arrangement and starting points).

Firewalker

Firewalker

This morning I woke up feeling rather disturbed. Because of a dream - which was not disturbing as such but what unsettled me is that I cannot decide what is this about. So the dream:

"A door opens and I am in an old fashioned apartment - rather large, with loads of small rooms, little coves with armchairs and very ancient featured preserved. Then I hear OH voice telling me that this is our new home; that he has bought us an apartment in Glasgow. The good news is that all our negative wealth has been paid and that we don't have mortgage (security???).

I am thinking that it will need work doing on it, decorating but it is basically sound. But how am I going to work, what am I going to do. There is nothing for me to do in Glasgow. After that I realise that there is no space for a study - so how are we going to work at home; how is OH going to work.

Have we sold our house? I don'r remember seeing it being on the market. I ask OH and his response is that he has not sold it yet but it will be OK. At this point my heart sinks because I realise that not all ends have been tied up again.

The next picture is of me going around the apartment again."

Many fears here, I think. Am I losing my resolve and positivity? Are my demons seeping back?

Firewalker

se999

Slightly different idea on the choice of books. Basically a lot of the ones on the list that I haven't read is because I've tried those authors, or a specific series and they send me to sleep

What about having a theme, and asking for people's favorites, then either lucky dip or votes, or pick the more easily available.

e.g.

We could have:

Favorite book from childhood.
Favorite thriller
Science Fiction
Science Fantasy
Favorite Shakespear comedy
Romantic novel
Favorite Austin or Bronte novel
Favorite Agatha Christie
Favorite book when a student
Favorite book as a teenager

I think it would be nice to get a balance of fun easy reads and the heavier books. Both in length and in complexity. Also a lot of the classics can be a bit depressing. I must admit when I came out after watching the stage version of Les Mis, I thought it was a brilliant cast and production, just a pity nearly everyone died!!

If the idea is I think reading for pleasure, finding books that have given people pleasure at different times might give a different list to the BBC, which is slightly dominated by books people have sometimes had to read for school exams etc..

Kittikins

Great idea SE999 - here's my list

Favorite book from childhood. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
(the first book I read to my dad)
Favorite thriller Perfume by Patrick Susskind /
Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Safon
Science Fiction haven't read any
Science Fantasy ditto
Favorite Shakespear comedy Midsummer Night's Dream
Romantic novel Alphabet Weekends/ Things I want my daughters to know both
by Elizabeth Noble
Favorite Austin or Bronte novel Jane Eyre, fond memories of sitting reading this with my granny
Favorite Agatha Christie Hmmm, read nearly all of them in my childhood, prefer Miss
Marple to Hercule Poirot
Favorite book when a student most things by John Irving
Favorite book as a teenager I capture the Castle by Dodie Smith / The Pursuit
of Love by Nancy Mitford

se999

Meant to add to original post, people could suggest other categories too List wasn't meant to be exhaustive, and people might like FW's idea better, or something between the two.

I prefer Miss Marple too, but not sure if that wasn't coloured by Joan Hickson on TV. Though Suchet is good as Poirot.

There are lots of other amazing authors and categories of books.

I love science fiction and fantasy, both sons were thoroughly indoctrinated, and now lend me books to keep me up to date Although I started on the old classics like Jules Verne.

Kittikins

I thought it was a great list, it got me thinking I have so many "favourite" books y'see, take up to 20 out of the library at any one time, and only buy books I can't live without.

Would love to see other people's favourites to give me some ideas for broader reading. For example science fiction.

savingwannabe

great ideas. just arrived home. Am frozen. I loved Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird i wanted him to be my dad. I like the idea of different books too in different categories.

I will happily read To Kill a Mockingbird again. It has been years but a superb book. Firewalker you remind me of Atticus Finch, a wise person who always knows the answers and knows right from wrong. Have you ever shot a rabid dog?

Firewalker

OK - whatever we agree to do (and I think that Se's suggestion is a good one but probably would propose to think of our five favourite books instead of all the categories) we need to start a new tread - MSE reading and discussion club. Shall do later - now some more work.

Firewalker

savingwannabe

Firewalker wrote: »

This morning I woke up feeling rather disturbed. Because of a dream - which was not disturbing as such but what unsettled me is that I cannot decide what is this about. So the dream:

"A door opens and I am in an old fashioned apartment - rather large, with loads of small rooms, little coves with armchairs and very ancient featured preserved. Then I hear OH voice telling me that this is our new home; that he has bought us an apartment in Glasgow. The good news is that all our negative wealth has been paid and that we don't have mortgage (security???).

I am thinking that it will need work doing on it, decorating but it is basically sound. But how am I going to work, what am I going to do. There is nothing for me to do in Glasgow. After that I realise that there is no space for a study - so how are we going to work at home; how is OH going to work.

Have we sold our house? I don'r remember seeing it being on the market. I ask OH and his response is that he has not sold it yet but it will be OK. At this point my heart sinks because I realise that not all ends have been tied up again.

The next picture is of me going around the apartment again."

Many fears here, I think. Am I losing my resolve and positivity? Are my demons seeping back?

Firewalker

Firewalker you know you will pay it off. You have just had your bathrooms done and you love your house. And no way will you ever agree to move to a house without a study so the dream is not going to occur.

It suggests you are unsettled by something. Do not worry. I hope it does not happen tonight.

Ellidee

Firewalker I have been away for few days and just catching up. Just wanted to say that when we dream about a house, or anywhere you live, there is a theory that the 'house' is really ourselves.