50 Book Challenge 2018 Part Two

Logging in. I've been reading marjorie morningstar by Herman Wouk and it's a whole lot of book for the 10p I got it for in a charity sale. It's a first edition too so may be worth oooh 50p.

Marjorie is a well brought up Jewish girl in the 30's US who does some flirting and being in love and trying to be a star. Enjoyed it in small doses but net effect was kind of cynical.

Now reading The Tainted Relic . Its by various writers doing a chapter at a time of murder mystery across the centuries. Don't usually like these as some bits are inevitably better than others. MIL recommended it though so will give it a whirl.

I like a bit of Manley Hopkins too, and that’s a lovely one best. He is great to memorise and to say out loud. Let them alone, wildness and wet, long live the weeds and the wilderness yet.

ScribblyGum I read it from front to back as I didn’t know her poetry well enough to be selective. I enjoyed most of them though and I found a lot I will go back too

Scribbly I’ve sent you an inbox message (at least I think I have!) of first lines, just a selection of remembered favourites and famous ones, hope it gives you something to get started on.

Glory be to God for dappled things.

Piggy - Have got the sample of An Almond for a Parrot which sounds fun. Have you read Dora Damage? Rather rude and good fun.

For an atheist, I really rate Gerard MH.

I don't count poetry, but do read a fair bit.

Things are getting a bit steamy in The Thorn Birds and I'm still thoroughly enjoying it.

I do indeed have an index of first lines.

Book number 5 Almond For A Parrot done. A strange concoction of a book. As previously noted, very rude! But also a good story with some lovely writing and heavy doses of (sometimes a bit bewildering) magical realism. I actually found myself slightly teary at one point in the middle.

It is more than a bawdy bodice ripper and I hope Wray Delaney( as she calls herself) writes another book without the filth! It is one of those books with short chapters, which keeps one reading as each chapter seems so manageable.

It is compared with Fanny Hill, Sarah Waters and I imagine it's rather like that Mermaid book everyone is raving about, too. I read Memoirs of a Geisha many years ago and I think it may have shades of that, too.

The only actual sexually aggressive language is used, appropriately, for a rape scene.

I did think part of the end was a touch homophobic (towards men, lots of lesbians sympathetically drawn!) but she does try to right that wrong with some ghostly poetic justice. The ending itself is ambiguous and there is a very rushed courtroom scene.

I do recommend it, unless you are a bit prudish with your reading choices (as, to be fair, I normally am!) . It has some interesting feminist touches.

Do you have an index of first lines? As I have an old edition and they are divided into sections with the numbers not going very high so suspect they may be different. Otherwise I’ll see if I can find some online that correspond.

I have not. Thanks gingerclementine I shall add them to my poetry TBR.

ScribblyGum - have you tried Gerard Manley Hopkins' poems? Or Coleman Barks' Rumi translations. Guaranteed God and profound poet on every random page you open. Bliss.

It’s so big I keep doing that thing that you do with the bible, just opening it at a random page and expecting God (or Emily Dickinson) to speak profound words of wisdom to me. So far, somewhat disappointingly no life changing moment of sudden clarity has occurred so I guess I just need to start at page 1 and crack on.

Satsuki can I hear your recommendations please? The poems are all just numbered, yes?

I count poetry. I often spend as much time on poetry as a short novel l, as I find I reread and think about them. I can recommend favourites of Emily Dickinson but otherwise plunge in!

Hope you’re feeling better soon teufelsrad

Ill child today so able to do a lot of reading. Finished This Thing of Darkness or, rather it finished me. Will review when I have time to compose myself

Ellisisland I count books of poetry. I count anything that goodreads accepts as a book as otherwise my end of year totals won’t tally. I like a nice tallied book total. I count graphic novels, novellas and plays too. No idea if thems the rules for the thread but hey, it’s got a relaxed vibe and no one had said No! Stop that! Not allowed! (yet).

I received the complete works of Emily Dickinson for Christmas. Had no idea it was going to be such a mighty tome. It’s certainly the fattest book I got for Christmas. Strange question did you just start at the beginning and keep going? Is there a recommended method for reading her poems? There are such a lot!

Teufelstrad nice to see you back. Hope things improve soon.

Chessie interesting you mention Emotionally Weird I read that a while back having not read anything else of hers and subsequently avoided everything like the plague! Got lots of catching up to do!

Read two books by women about the delights of sea-swimming to take your mind of your troubles:

1. I Found my Tribe, by Ruth Fitzmaurice

The first has a husband with motor neurone disease, the second was struggling with failed IVF. The first is all poetic glances and swimming in the moonlight, while the latter gives practical advice on improving your stroke and choosing a wetsuit.

I found the first one slightly annoying for non-literary reasons - I'm irritated by women who talk about their "tribe" of children, and I think it was poor decision-making to opt for a fourth pregnancy when her husband is completely incapacitated. She nearly died of sepsis with this last (twin) pregnancy, which seems rather irresponsible with regard to her existing three small children. I know that's not exactly literary criticism, but it came between me and the book.

I really need to pick up a book as I haven't read for 5/6 days. I've been ill to be fair and my concentration has been terrible, but I really need to get back on track.

I went to a charity shop today, and bought 3 books. There was very little on offer, but I got Nigel Slater's Tender, volumes 1 and 2, and a random book ''Echoes of Family' by Barbara Claypole White for £3 total. The Nigel Slater books were £2.50 each, or you could have any 3 books for £3 so it was cheaper for me to buy the extra book. Hopefully it'll be worth a read.

I really enjoyed Life After Life and A God In Ruins. I had AGIR as an audio book and just couldn't stop listening to it. That ending was excellent, can't say too much but it completely took me by surprise.

I've enjoyed Kate Atkinson's novels ever since I read Behind the Scenes at the Museum many years ago.

I did like Mumsnet's shout out in God of Ruins as well. Thought it was very funny!

Another one who loved Life after Life. First I'd read of hers and thought it was beautifully written and fascinating concept.

I enjoyed A god in ruins too but not quite as much... I actually liked the ending tho!

When I (eventually) finish oryx and crake I've got behind the scenes ... waiting

I loved both Life after Life and A God In Ruins, although I will admit to being a bit frustrated by the ending of GiR. I love everything Kate Atkinson’s done though (except Emotionally Weird, which was just, well, weird!)

I think I started watching Benjamin Button but got bored and never finished watching it. Will give the book a go sometime though!

Scribblygum I love Blithe Spirit, I first watched the film with my sister when I was about 11 and remember laughing all the way through it.

Interesting reading peoples opinions on God in Ruins I really enjoyed it but I think that is mainly because I love the characters of Teddy and Ursula.

I am currently reading This Thing of Darkness and about 2/3 of the way through. I have read the factual account of The Beagle trips, the one written by Darwin and another account and in my very limited and small opinion, this book is fantastic about bringing all of that together. The only downside is I know the historical ending so am slowing down my reading pace to enjoy it all.

Also, I don't know if poetry counts here? But I have finished reading Complete works of Emily Dickinson, I started reading poetry after a few deaths in the family meant I could not concentrate on longer novels for a time and this was a book I inherited from my Grandfather after he passed away. Beautiful edition and wonderful poems.