Reading as a cheap hobby

Brie

I had started to read Richard Osman's The Bullet that Missed and had put it down for some reason.  Decided to take it on holiday starting from the beginning as I couldn't really recall what it was about despite there being a book mark about 3/4 the way in.  Really enjoyed it - except that it was a hardcover book and so heavy to hold while reading - but there are much worse things to complain about.  It was a bit jollier than previous despite being just as full of murders.  Must get on an read the next one.

But because I finished the book about 2/3 the way through the holiday I had to look around for something else, and thankfully the hotel had a library shelf.  I nabbed the only 2 english language books there - my French and German isn't even close to being good enough for reading anything other than a menu.  And while I do know the Greek alphabet I would have to translate letter by letter and then hope I could figure out what each word was - none of which seemed to be possibly relaxing.  

Anyways I'm most the way through Lynda La Plante's The Red Dahlia.  Interesting enough, I can see how her work would be picked up for TV.  But boy is some of her writing annoying.  The good looking, well dressed (but heavy drinking) Superintendent keeps getting annoyed and thrusting his clenched fists angrily into his pockets.  And the female cop who is the main focus keeps making comments in "just about a whisper".  For goodness sake woman, speak up!!  And dump the stupid men!!!  OH was surprised when he realised I was bringing it home with me but I said I had invested too much time in it and needed to know how the story pans out.  And then it will be dumped at Tesco for their charity shelf.

annieb64

Have just finished The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker. It's about the Trojan War from the women's view. Quite violent in places but kept me up until after midnight to finish it. I've got part two from Libby so hope it's as good as the first

elsien

Second book I liked. Third one didn’t do it for me. If you like this, then you might also like A thousand ships by Natalie Haynes. 

From a woman’s perspective, but all of the women involved including mythical goddesses, et cetera. A different take, but just as good to read. 

Wednesday2000

There is no way now that I'm going to hit my 100 books to read in 2025 goal. I'm only on 26 now. I have been to lots of classes this year and I haven't had as much time to read. Oh well.

London_1

Hi I'm reading my way through Robert Bryndza's   D.I.Erica Foster books. I'm on number three at the moment and really enjoying them  partly because he has set them in South London which I know pretty well. .The first one was set around Forest Hill and Horniman's museum and gardens
Interesting character as well.I managed to get a pile from Bembridge library last Saturday so I have a good few to catch up on

Lovely little community library, only open part time so I was very happy to give it some footfall.Plus I also bought some jigsaws for my winter stash, and the library lady actually carried them round to my car for me.

People are so helpful here on the IoW.I think she thought 5 puzzles plus 7 books and me tottering along with my walking stick was a bit too much

Went to coffee morning in Ryde this morning with U3A very interesting and met some nice people as well

JackieO xx

Brie

London_1 said:

Hi I'm reading my way through Robert Bryndza's   D.I.Erica Foster books. I'm on number three at the moment and really enjoying them  partly because he has set them in South London which I know pretty well. .The first one was set around Forest Hill and Horniman's museum and gardens
Interesting character as well.I managed to get a pile from Bembridge library last Saturday so I have a good few to catch up on

Lovely little community library, only open part time so I was very happy to give it some footfall.Plus I also bought some jigsaws for my winter stash, and the library lady actually carried them round to my car for me.

People are so helpful here on the IoW.I think she thought 5 puzzles plus 7 books and me tottering along with my walking stick was a bit too much

Went to coffee morning in Ryde this morning with U3A very interesting and met some nice people as well

JackieO xx

I think it's something natural in librarians (please don't correct me if I'm wrong!).  The ones at our library which is a small branch of the humongous one in downtown Bournemouth are ever so nice.  They have written off fines for me a couple of  times when I had a good excuse for being late.  Another time I had to get one to reset my library card, fiddle the accounting system for my fines and allow me to pay for photocopies (normally cash only) by adding those to my fines so I could clear all that with my credit card.  I do think they really go out of their way to be helpful knowing that the more people that are in there the safer their branch and their jobs are.  

PipneyJane

London_1 said:

Hi I'm reading my way through Robert Bryndza's   D.I.Erica Foster books. I'm on number three at the moment and really enjoying them  partly because he has set them in South London which I know pretty well. .The first one was set around Forest Hill and Horniman's museum and gardens
Interesting character as well.I managed to get a pile from Bembridge library last Saturday so I have a good few to catch up on

Lovely little community library, only open part time so I was very happy to give it some footfall.Plus I also bought some jigsaws for my winter stash, and the library lady actually carried them round to my car for me.

People are so helpful here on the IoW.I think she thought 5 puzzles plus 7 books and me tottering along with my walking stick was a bit too much

Went to coffee morning in Ryde this morning with U3A very interesting and met some nice people as well

JackieO xx

I am so glad that you are settling in well on the IOW, @London_1.  I hope that soon they’ll be welcoming you to the library like an old friend.

I’m currently reading The Golden Fleece, A Journey Through Britain’s Knitting History by Esther Rutter.  I’m about 1/3 of the way through and, so far, it’s been a fascinating mixture of memoir and history book.  At the start of 2017, the author decided to knit her way through 12 different garments over the course of of the year, starting with a pair of Dentdale gloves.  Each chapter is the story of a project and the history behind that item of clothing.  (I’m on the chapter about knitted swimwear.)

- Pip

Savvy_Sue

annieb64 said:

Have just finished The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker. It's about the Trojan War from the women's view. Quite violent in places but kept me up until after midnight to finish it. I've got part two from Libby so hope it's as good as the first

elsien said:

Second book I liked. Third one didn’t do it for me. If you like this, then you might also like A thousand ships by Natalie Haynes. 

From a woman’s perspective, but all of the women involved including mythical goddesses, et cetera. A different take, but just as good to read. 

Same for me.

I must look out for Natalie Haynes. Love her Radio 4 appearances, she is SO funny!

elsien

I’ve got tickets to go and see her latest show next week. I think it’s about her most recent book, which is about Medea and Jason and the Argonauts.
I’m slowly working my way through standing up for the classics on radio four. 🙂

Brie

Natalie Haynes is excellent. 

My OH (& me by association) gets really annoyed at the comedy that is inserted into a lot of scientific or historical programmes.  Generally they seem to be hosted by somebody that is supposedly funny (but isn't really) asking inane questions of some expert.  There also is often a comedian sidekick whose attempts at humour are cringe making.  OH ends up shouting "why can't they just make an informative programme instead of this $£"%£$?" 

Fortunately Stands up for the Classics is an great example of how informed comedy can work.  Shame there aren't more programmes like it.