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Post by janerowena on Oct 5, 2008 22:20:27 GMT 1
Yes, he grumped about all the manure she had delivered when they couldn't afford it!
I don't mind what we read, I read a lot anyway.
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Post by Juliet on Oct 5, 2008 23:26:06 GMT 1
Well, these are the books we've discussed over the months (years?) the bookclub's been going, less the ones we've already read. I've added the Nicolson, but with a comment that it's not much about gardening. I also thought we could maybe do with some links, as it's some time since we discussed most of them - some of them I think were only suggested in the first place because they had "garden" in the title & we didn't want the mods on the Beeb to close us down for being off-topic . There are a couple of second-hand copies of the Ann Barker on Amazon at a more reasonable price now (I might buy it anyway as I suggested that one!) but annoyingly not enough for all of us & that one's not on Play & only available new/expensive on Waterstones so it still doesn't look very feasible. I don't know if any of the other more expensive ones are cheaper elsewhere though. His Lordship's Gardener, by Ann Barker (but not many available at reasonable price) www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_/026-7684894-0052439?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=his+lordship%27s+gardener&x=12&y=23The Colour, by Rose Tremain (but has medical bits so Juliet couldn't read) www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_b/202-5084668-4339016?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=colour+rose+tremain&x=0&y=0The Savage Garden: A Novel, by Mark Mills (but Venus has read & thinks not v. good) www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_b/202-5084668-4339016?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=the+savage+garden+mark+mills&x=0&y=0Arcadia, by Tom Stoppard (but is a play so might be better seen than read) www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_b/202-5084668-4339016?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=arcadia+tom+stoppard&x=0&y=0Lady Chatterley's Lover, by DH Lawrence (but might be difficult to discuss on public message board!) www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_b/202-5084668-4339016?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=lady+chatterley%27s+lover&x=0&y=0The Cement Garden, by Ian McEwen (but dark and disturbing & not really about gardening) www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_b/202-5084668-4339016?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=cement+garden+ian+mcewan&x=0&y=0The Snow Garden, by Christopher Rice (no info) www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_b/202-5084668-4339016?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=snow+garden+christopher+rice&x=0&y=0My Brother Geoff: The People's Gardener, by Tony Hamilton (if we fancy non-fiction) www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_b/202-5084668-4339016?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=my+brother+geoff+people%27s+gardener+tony+hamilton&x=0&y=0Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_b/202-5084668-4339016?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=mansfield+park+austen&x=0&y=0Tom's Midnight Garden, by Philippa Pearce www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_b/202-5084668-4339016?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=toms+midnight+garden&x=0&y=0The Selfish Giant, by Oscar Wilde (only a short children's story, but it's fun and about a garden) www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_b/202-5084668-4339016?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=selfish+giant+wilde&x=0&y=0The Sea Garden, by Sam Llewellyn (suspense fiction - needs concentration) www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_b/202-5084668-4339016?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=sea+garden+sam+llewellyn&x=0&y=0Eden, by Tim Smit (non-fiction) www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_b/202-5084668-4339016?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=eden+tim+smit&x=0&y=0The Stone Diaries, by Carol Shields www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_b/202-5084668-4339016?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=stone+diaries+carol+shields&x=0&y=0Blackberry Wine by Joanne Harris www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_b/202-5084668-4339016?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=blackberry+wine+joanne+harris&x=0&y=0The Revenge Of The Middle-Aged Woman by Elizabeth Buchan (have most of us already read this?) www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_b/202-5084668-4339016?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=revenge+of+the+middle-aged+woman&x=0&y=0Perch Hill - A New Life by Adam Nicolson (but not really about gardening & no cheap copies) www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_b/202-5084668-4339016?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=perch+hill+new+life+adam+nicolson&x=0&y=0From that lot I think my vote goes to Tom's Midnight Garden, partly because I've already got it & partly because I don't really want to read anything heavy! But there are several others I'd be happy with, or we can add more suggestions if anyone has any - what does everyone else think?
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Post by Amazing on Oct 5, 2008 23:38:02 GMT 1
I'll go for Toms Midnight Garden. Will try and buy it now if I can remember my debit card number Oh has it at the moment.
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Post by Amazing on Oct 6, 2008 0:07:59 GMT 1
Just bought it at Amazon, £1.70 +£2.75 pp. Did 1-click buying so didn't need my number after all.
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Post by Juliet on Oct 6, 2008 17:56:54 GMT 1
Eeek - I hope everyone else is happy with the idea now you've bought it! - or would you have done anyway?
Any more votes please?
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Post by beej on Oct 6, 2008 19:35:41 GMT 1
As I have 3 book groups to keep up with already I will just try to read something if I can fit it in with everything else so I don't feel I can vote - sorry!
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Post by janerowena on Oct 6, 2008 20:17:16 GMT 1
Please, I have already read it loads of times to my children! It was Leonie's favourite book, along with The Secret Garden. I've only just delivered the book to Kent for her to read to Luca, I don't want to buy it again!
Can I do it from memory?
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Post by Juliet on Oct 6, 2008 20:28:33 GMT 1
It was only my vote, not a decision! - you can do it from memory or you can vote for something else!
The first book we did was Cold Comfort Farm & mine is packed in the garage so I did that from memory.
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Post by janerowena on Oct 6, 2008 20:31:48 GMT 1
I have read it but can't remember it, despite the fact that I enjoyed it. Strange, the way memory is so selective.
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Post by Juliet on Oct 23, 2008 22:54:45 GMT 1
Did anyone else want to vote or are we reading (or remembering, in J-Ro's case) Tom's Midnight Garden?
I must admit that I have already re-read it as I had a dead day last week and wanted something nice & light. How about you, Amazing? - has your copy arrived?
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Post by Amazing on Oct 23, 2008 23:21:30 GMT 1
Hi Juliet it has arrived. Must find it.
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Post by Nooj on Nov 8, 2008 16:56:30 GMT 1
OK - this isn't working very well is it? Too many L T's, me included. So, just to say for cat people, I have just read Under the Paw, by Tom Cox, and it's a lovely read if you have ever been a cat-co-habitee
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Post by greenfingeredbabs on Nov 8, 2008 18:16:40 GMT 1
I've read the Savage Garden and I absolutely loved it!
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Post by Cherry on Nov 8, 2008 18:33:02 GMT 1
I only read children's books and gardening books, oh and graphic novels (I can only cope with looking at the pretty pictures ...)
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Post by Juliet on Nov 9, 2008 19:07:11 GMT 1
I agree Nooj, I don't think this thread is really working as a bookclub any more. Maybe we should just keep it to chat about books we're reading and would recommend, rather than trying to have anything structured?
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Post by Cherry on Nov 9, 2008 19:31:40 GMT 1
Or have a thread specifically dedicated to the discussion of just one book?
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Post by janerowena on Nov 9, 2008 20:39:39 GMT 1
I like the idea of a book recommendation thread. My sister told me I should read about about a recovering drug addict, and I didn't want to read it at all. I only read it in case Robert decides to go off the rails at some point, but it was brilliant. So, here goes;
a million little pieces
James Frey.
He's 39 now, I think, and the book was written about a time when he was 23. I think it must take place in the Betty Ford clinic.
It really isn't as depressing as you might think, and it's very interesting.
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Post by Juliet on Nov 9, 2008 22:01:17 GMT 1
Or have a thread specifically dedicated to the discussion of just one book? That was the original idea, which isn't working Rach - people just aren't voting on which book they want to discuss! I think everyone is just too busy at the moment.
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Post by Cherry on Nov 9, 2008 22:07:29 GMT 1
Maybe we could try again over christmas when people might have some time to read. Leave up a poll of five or six books and let people vote over the next month or so?
Rach xx
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Post by Juliet on Nov 10, 2008 0:06:26 GMT 1
The trouble with a poll is that you can't tell who's voted for what, and people don't get the chance to say "I'd prefer this one, but I'm happy to do these other ones as well", or "I don't mind which we read so long as it's not this one", or "I'd prefer this one but I might not be able to join in anyway so don't count my vote if there's a tie" - all of which are things people have tended to say when voting for bookclub books in the past The current list of 17 suggestions is in message 62 above (on page 4), with links to the books on Amazon so people can read the synopsis or reviews or whatever. So far on the two bookclub threads we've had since TAPS started we've just added more suggestions, we haven't eliminated any, so I can't really do a list of 5 or 6 unless I just pick my own preferences! People might be less busy over Christmas though - I don't know - shall we leave it until then and if we have enough interest (and votes!) between now and then to make it worth reading another bookclub book we can read it over Christmas; if not we can just start a new "good books" thread instead?
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Post by janerowena on Nov 10, 2008 9:34:39 GMT 1
I still haven't finished Dear Friends. It's sitting there next to the bed looking at me reproachfully. I read a few pages now and then, and I do like it, but it sends me to sleep. This is no reflection on the book, I just find gardening books and programmes soothing. I never, ever fall asleep in front of the TV unless there is a gardening programme on, something I have in common with Arabella I think. Geoff Hamilton was the worst, and I loved him!
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Post by Amazing on Nov 10, 2008 11:57:41 GMT 1
I haven't finished 'Dear Friends' either. It sits on the hall table and I sometimes take it on the bus with me. I do enjoy reading it. Still can't find 'Tom's Garden'. Was the cover blue?
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Post by Juliet on Nov 10, 2008 19:20:01 GMT 1
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Post by beej on Nov 10, 2008 20:55:48 GMT 1
I think I would prefer a general chat about books/recommendations type of fred, but that is because I already have 3 book groups to deal with at the mo!
I read the James Frey book & quite enjoyed it in a harrowing sort of way although I am not overly keen on thse read about my horrendous life type of books. There was much hoo hah some time after publication when it came out that not everything in the book was 'true' & Oprah Winfrey, who had promoted the book & loved it was furious & had JF back on her show to grill over the contents.
I have just read the latest Ian Rankin, Doors Open, & thiought it was excellent. His first book since Rebus retired. You know what the crime was & more or less who dunnit right from the start but a very good read.
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Post by janerowena on Nov 11, 2008 0:37:09 GMT 1
I'm upset now! I thought it was all real. It was still very good though, but I didn't find it too harrowing. I think unless it's children or animals involved I'm pretty tough. No S&M though!
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Post by pa on Nov 13, 2008 21:41:52 GMT 1
Hi - can't keep up with you all but finally finished my fantasy book so now reading "Five Quarters of the Orange" as I enjoyed "Blackberry Wine! I have more books lined up but quite a big wish list as well, thanks to the boards. I do like reading the reviews ! Take care - PA
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Post by Aspidistra on Nov 13, 2008 22:05:37 GMT 1
I would like to do the book club thing, but I don't do one in 'real' life either because I find I just can't keep up and would rather choose my own books. Also I'm rather fussy about liking writers who write really beautifully as well as presenting an interesting story. At the moment I'm reading Rose Tremain's The Road Home, about an Eastern European coming over to work in the UK. So far, so good. I also read 'The Colour' about the New Zealand gold rush, by Rose Tremain and really enjoyed that. I don't remember gory medical stuff in it that someone mentioned, but maybe I just blanked that out. It is a book that I have found has very much lingered in my mind, which I feel is always a sign of a good read. I haven't got round to getting 'My Friend and Gardener', so no comments there.
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Post by Juliet on Nov 14, 2008 0:41:12 GMT 1
Aspi - I'm the most squeamish person you've ever 'met' - R has read The Colour and says I definitely can't read it! I had nightmares after reading our last bookclub book (someone in it died of something nasty - I can't even bring myself to type the word) - which is why this thread is Book club part 2, because I had to abandon the last one!
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Post by Cherry on Jan 3, 2009 18:36:57 GMT 1
Did anyone get any good books for Christmas?
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Post by pa on Jan 3, 2009 19:01:13 GMT 1
Hi - I did an Amazon order New Years Eve - because I am getting my finances into control in 2009 ! I ordered The revenge of the middle aged women, The cement garden, The end of Mr Y, Earth's Children and Billions and Billions - the first four recommended on various threads, the latter by my son. I have finally finished Five Quarters of the Orange. My daughter bought me a sloppt "Dear Mum" book for Christmas - animal pics but the sentiments are wonderful ! Take care - PA
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