The Bookworm's Thread 2016

Thistle-down

This has probably already been mentioned somewhere, but I just found out that I can borrow e-books from our library! I downloaded two books that I have been waiting to read, and have another reserved.

This discovery has made my day! :j

missbiggles1

carbootcrazy wrote: »

I find it very patronising of you to describe other people's book choices as 'rubbish':(

I dispute your assertion that quickly-read books are rarely well written. As far as book length goes The Great Gatsby was under 150 pages long and that's considered to be a classic! Off the top of my head there's also Jean Rhys's The Wide Sargasso Sea and Other People by Martin Amis both of which were very short and could easily be read at one sitting. Both received critical acclaim as did numerous others which I haven't the time to list.

If you meant that the subject matter and/or writing style renders some books very easy to read that doesn't detract from their value and interest to many readers. Just the opposite in fact. In my experience there are a multitude of reasons why a certain type of book would suit us at different times.

Gatsby's short but I doubt anybody would read it that quickly because there's there's so much in it - same goes for several other excellent books.

If this is supposed to be something of a cyber book group then it surely has to be possible to make critical comments about some books or what is the point?

[Deleted User]

missbiggles1 wrote: »

Gatsby's short but I doubt anybody would read it that quickly because there's there's so much in it - same goes for several other excellent books.

If this is supposed to be something of a cyber book group then it surely has to be possible to make critical comments about some books or what is the point?

I agree totally. A robust exchange of opinion on a thread such as this one is extremely valuable. We don't have to agree with an opinion to make it a very valid one.

I took exception to the fact that as soon as I'd posted about my latest book someone came straight back inferring that such books are 'rubbish'. I really feel that goes beyond a critical literary comment and verges on disparagement of the type of person who would read such a book .


I've read several books that other readers on here have recommended and some of them haven't appealed to me to the same degree that they did to the poster. I don't put that down to the book's being 'rubbish' though. Rather that it just wasn't my 'kind of thing'. Or perhaps I wasn't in the mood for it at that particular time.


As for Gatsby, I still maintain it's possible to read it in an evening, albeit about 5 hours in my case. At the risk of evoking widespread scorn I still maintain it's one of the most over-hyped books ever. There. I've said it.

VfM4meplse

pollypenny wrote: »

I would not enjoy a book that I could read in an evening and it's a rare one that's well written,

Sometimes I need it to kick start my habit, as I always have multiple on the go and need a reminder that I am actually capable of completing something! What I select under these circumstances might be a quick read, but the themes challenge my thinking, particularly about historical and social issues.

There are certain genres I'm not fond of - eg I wouldn't read a crime novel or chic lit - for me, life is just too short to squander, but I can appreciate different things interest different people.

missbiggles1

carbootcrazy wrote: »

I agree totally. A robust exchange of opinion on a thread such as this one is extremely valuable. We don't have to agree with an opinion to make it a very valid one.

I took exception to the fact that as soon as I'd posted about my latest book someone came straight back inferring that such books are 'rubbish'. I really feel that goes beyond a critical literary comment and verges on disparagement of the type of person who would read such a book .


I've read several books that other readers on here have recommended and some of them haven't appealed to me to the same degree that they did to the poster. I don't put that down to the book's being 'rubbish' though. Rather that it just wasn't my 'kind of thing'. Or perhaps I wasn't in the mood for it at that particular time.


As for Gatsby, I still maintain it's possible to read it in an evening, albeit about 5 hours in my case. At the risk of evoking widespread scorn I still maintain it's one of the most over-hyped books ever. There. I've said it.

I certainly prefer "Tender is the Night" but you won't read that in an evening!:)

It's very difficult with book discussions, some people do feel criticised when someone is negative about a book they've enjoyed but I do tend to feel that this is their problem

missbiggles1

pollypenny wrote: »

Whenever I was studying, and exams were approaching, I used to say that can't wait to read some rubbish. However, I found it unsatisfying, of course.

I would not enjoy a book that I could read in an evening and it's a rare one that's well written. There was one Pat Barker like that, but the name escapes me.

For years, when I'd finished exams, I read Lord of the Rings - I'm a sucker for punishment!

pollypenny

I found I could only read Tolkien when pregnant.


How do people define one sitting, though?

For me, it would normally be two or three hours, unless on a long haul flight, when I usually read an entire book.

I wouldn't usually have five hours to spare at the same time. I couldn't live without reading, but it's not my whole life.

Dill

Sorry I haven't read the whole thread, maybe this book has been mentioned already, but the lady in Waterstones recommended it to me and I wondered if anyone here has read it?



It's got loads of reservations on it at the library!

VfM4meplse

Dill wrote: »

Sorry I haven't read the whole thread, maybe this book has been mentioned already, but the lady in Waterstones recommended it to me and I wondered if anyone here has read it?



It's got loads of reservations on it at the library!

No but it looks fascinating! Have just P'inned it.

sugarbaby125

Just finished reading 'Orchid Blue' by Eoin McNamee and it was a very engrossing, fascinating read about the last capital punishment murder case in Northern Ireland. 9/10 from me.