Another successful meeting! We rock. We welcomed a new member, and a returning prodigal son. We covered all the bases. We now have a professional librarian in our midst, so if you need a refresher on the Dewey Decimal system, I believe we can now assist.
Day of the Triffids was a success. We found it was still fresh and lovely despite being old; like finding a pack of Bird's Eye Crispy Pancakes at the back of the freezer. And it fitted well with last month's book choice - same era, similar issues. Hands up who thought we just threw the choices together any old how? Okay, everyone put their hands back down...
We also oohed and aahed at Pam's latest electronic reading device - a Kindle. We rely on Pam to keep us somewhere near the cutting edge. If it was down to me, we'd be reading scrolls of papyrus and cooking meat in a cave.
Don't forget that details of Jude's birthday bash are on the comments section of the September reminder. I believe the dress code is smart casual, and a slightly creepy magician may be making balloon animals.
Next month (26th October) we are reading Beryl Bainbridge's Every Man For Himself. It's the story of some of the travellers on the Titanic. Yes, they all get wet. But there's more to it than that, I promise.
Just to point out that although I am a qualified as a professional librarian, I am a long way off actually BEING one. So sort out your own damn Dewey system.
ReplyDeleteGlad I wasn't there for the Kindle discussion; six months writing about e-readers for my dissertation has made me go a bit barmy.
Nick
PS Can't believe you wrote two different accounts of the meeting, Steve, one for here and one for the email! How bored are you?!
Sorry I missed the meeting especially since I suggested the title! I enjoyed re-reading D of the T's but it was much shorter than I remember second time around. Lots of issues which are still topical now though. Look forward to seeing you all next month, baby permitting!
ReplyDeleteKatharine (My gmail account is in my partner Saddeck's name just in case anyone is confused)
Me, bored?
ReplyDeleteThis is what you get for going the extra mile, and having a commitment to excellence. No wonder our economy is in such a state. I can't see the difference between being qualified, and actually being one. Except the size of the wage slip.
Thanks for posting, Katharine. Will be good to see you next month. It's the sign of a modern relationship to have co-use of a gmail account, I believe.
good to see the blog getting use. if only as a forum for an argument with steve ...
ReplyDeleteive just put down the Lacuna - B Kingsolver and it was FABULOUS so posting in case anyone needs anymore reading ideas. strongly recommended by me anyways. see u next month! good luck Katherine if u dont make it to us x
Several people have recommended 'Lacuna' to me. Oddly, in some ways it makes me want to read it less. Just like I don't want to read the new Jonathan Franzen, because it's all over the media. Label me contrary...
ReplyDeleteI didn't enjoy The Corrections very much, which probably makes me an Illiterate Person. Feel I should read the new one but...bleurgh.
ReplyDeleteNew Douglas Coupland out now though woop!
Corrections was good in parts, I thought. I've heard Freedom is good as long as you don't expect it to be a Great American Novel - just a decent novel that was written in the United States.
ReplyDeleteCoupland - can't get on with him at all. If you want funny, try Carl Hiaasen.
I love Coupland but I'm not sure I'd describe him as being a humorous author. But then my idea of a humorous author is Julian Barnes or Kazuo Ishiguro, and that's got me into a few arguments. Usually with Sue. Though I can't remember a conversation I ever had with Sue which wasn't an argument...
ReplyDeleteIshiguro, funny?
ReplyDeleteI have laughed AT his writing, but he might feel I'm not laughing WITH him. I see there's a film of the feeble "Never Let Me Go" about to release. As it has Kiera Knightley in it, I presume they have nailed the insipid drippiness of the book.
Not that I'm being provocative in any way...
I was the first to admit that Never Let Me Go was disappointing but you can hardly blame Ish for them casting Kiera Knightley in the film version!
ReplyDeleteAnd I resigned myself a long time go to being alone in finding his books laugh out loud witty.
Can we mock an author you like now pliz
Yes, I feel a bit guilty for laying into your fave author.
ReplyDeleteI like Dan Brown, Lee Child and J K Rowling.
Fire away....
I am suspicious of your list of favourite authors.
ReplyDeleteOh, talking about last month's book, it looks like Evil Dead / Spider-Man trilogy supremo Sam Raimi is interested in the new big budget Hollywood movie version of Day of the Triffids! Could be fun.
http://www.darkhorizons.com/news/18557/sam-raimi-remaking-day-of-the-triffids-
Meanwhile...did you REALLY describe Beryl Bainbridge's treacly, obtuse prose as being "quick and breezy"? I've just remembered that the only seminar or lecture I ever deliberately missed in five years of university education was one on bloody Beryl Bainbridge, and even my tutor admitted it was a wise decision.
Maybe I should keep up the tradition by not coming to the group next week, though that seems like a cop out. Guess I'll see if I can limp to the end of the book by Tuesday. Though I'm not sure I'd recognise when the big lump of cold ice appears; might mistake it for one of her characters. YES. BURN.
Ouchy! It was Pam who suggested it. Do come along. It seems you're undecided, and entirely open to persuasion on Beryl. Can't speak for her other stuff, but this one seemed quite a quick read to me. Not necessarily great, but mercifully brief.
ReplyDeleteSam Raimi might do a good job, though it would be very tongue-in-cheek. Some sort of fluid will be projected, that's for sure.
My favourite authors are all outstanding individuals with a track record of great literature.
Nick - arguing with me? Surely not? Though you're wrong about Ishiguro. And re: Bainbridge, the early Liverpool stuff is her best.
ReplyDeleteHello everyone! I ran into Pam who gave me the blog address but I completely forgot to check it till tonight and I see you met yesterday. Bugger. I'll try to make the November meeting though I won't read the book as I'm doing National Novel Writing Month (for fun - eh?) and need to spend time writing not reading.
Hopefully see you in November
Sue xxx
Hi Sue,
ReplyDeleteLook forward to your return!
Congrats on the NaNoWriMo as well. No doubt we'll be grilling you as your progress...