Reading as a cheap hobby

Wednesday2000

I have signed up for the free 30 day trial of Kindle Unlimited and it is £10 a month after that. I think it is worth it with the amount of books I get through. 

I am reading a Frieda McFadden book at the moment called Never Lie. I didn't like the last one of hers I read called The Teacher, but I have liked her other books, including the housemaid ones so I hope that was a one-off.

I got a message that the new Shari Lapena is ready for me at the library so I will pick that up this week.

Coxy11

We are in Crete this week and just to keep my feet on the ground (!) I’ve read Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart. Nowt like a gritty (grim) read in the sunshine! 

Brambling

Coxy11 said:

We are in Crete this week and just to keep my feet on the ground (!) I’ve read Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart. Nowt like a gritty (grim) read in the sunshine! 

In the mid 90s a work colleague horrified that I hadn't yet read Birdsong lent me a copy to take on holiday, not exactly light holiday reading! A book enjoyed more when read at home as a little too dark for holiday reading 

Savvy_Sue

Brie said:

I think the worst book I read as a child was one given to me by my neighbour who was my adopted grandmother (20 years older than my parents and only boys in her family so loved having me about as a pretend granddaughter).  

Called "What Katy Did" it was about a young girl very much a tomboy who was fond of climbing trees and not neat and tidy.  So very much me.  And then one day she has an accident falling out of a tree and is essentially paralysed.  This of course makes her very miserable but then she learns to become sweet and nice and a proper little lady. 

Now I don't know if the neighbour gave it to me thinking "this is something Brie needs to know" or if she just thought "oh here's a book for someone Brie's age, hope she enjoys it".  I'm hoping it's the second.  

Like so many books from that era (Little Women being another) the ultimate outcome for the adventurous girl is to turn into a lady rather than just a woman.  

Oh yes, I remember that! I think there were sequels: What Katy Did Next and another one ... 

Savvy_Sue

catclaires said:

On the subject of Enid Blyton books, I went through a stage of being absolutely addicted to them (mostly the Famous Five) when I was around 6 or 7 in the mid-80s - I have a random memory of getting told off by my parents because I wouldn't stop reading on a journey somewhere when they wanted me to look at the nice view I think they started to feel a bit 'dated' even for me not long after that age and in that era, though - I wouldn't be in a hurry to reread them now!

DH was once taken on a family holiday which was a scenic tour of Scotland, staying in different places. Fortunately their car had a flip up back seat, under which many books could be stored. I don't think he saw much of Scotland at all, to his parents' distress, but he likes to be OUT in the scenery, little attraction in just looking at it through a car window!

Savvy_Sue

Our Shared Reading Group (book group where you don't have the read the book in advance!) has not long started The Maid by Nita Prose, and I believe there's a sequel already and another on the way. 

Our facilitator was a bit uncertain about it, but I am loving it! I can see it wouldn't appeal to everyone, The Maid is clearly 'on the spectrum' but functions by following protocol and guidance she has received - you just wonder what she'll do when she comes up against a completely unprecedented situation! Will she clean, or get help?

Wednesday2000

I've started What Have you Done? - Shari Lapena today. 

I have The Everyday Hero Manifesto by Robin Sharma to read after that. I have read one of his other books called The Monk who sold his Ferrari.

Coxy11

After the horrors of Shuggie Bain I’ve finished the Crete holiday week with The Pure In Heart by Susan Hill, the second in the Simon Serrailler series. Really good read so hope to find the next one when home. 

Coxy11

Have now started Small Island by Andrea Levy. Good so far.

London_1

 In my large local Tescos at Westgate Ridge at  Ryde   there is a bookshelf and folk donate what they have read for free If you see one you fancy a small donation in the bucket, and its yours .I've read two or three I liked the look of and when I had read them I drop them back on the shop shelf. The bucket cash goes to a local charity.
Holiday makers when they have read their paperbacks often drop them off rather than taking them home, so you get some pretty good books and a 20-30p donation give you a book to read on the beach then dropout off and buy another one Good system and every  one wins.I had a lovely Hilary Mantel book a few weeks ago and it cost me 25p and was a real brick a book with over 800 odd pages I read it in a week and dropped it back to the shelf
The Mirror and The lights about what happened after Anne Boleyn lost her head.The last of the Thomas Cromwell trilogy novels. Would have cost me £9.99 new recycling at its best

I'm a book addict and cannot resists a book or a decent jigsaw


JackieO xx