Post by: oldspice on August 20, 2005, 10:21:36 pm
Anyone reading a good book this summer? i have two on the go. One 'story' and one non-fiction.
Bad Blood - Lorna Sage (an autobiography)
Alive to English - a book I am reading and using to prepare some lectures for next term.
Guess which one I'm enjoying the most?
I am also dipping into another non-fiction book called East London 1888 by W Fishman and that has kept me going for a few weeks now.
I like to have a range of books on the go. Always some non-fiction and generally fiction too.
Anyone read The Davinci Code? I know it's supposed to be one of those books you can't put down but I could not stand that annoying American literary style so could not get passed the first few pages.
Post by: Bunny on August 20, 2005, 10:38:55 pm
Post by: loulou on August 21, 2005, 12:34:05 am
Post by: robbie on August 21, 2005, 12:50:01 am
I just read 'Cather in the Rye'. (Salinger)
Now I am reading 'Five go to Mystery Moor'. (Blyton)
Post by: loulou on August 21, 2005, 01:26:23 am
Can't beat a good famous five book.
Post by: on August 21, 2005, 09:03:56 am
Post by: oldspice on August 21, 2005, 10:14:56 am
Posh Spice recently admitted she had never read a book in her life - "but I do read - I like fashion magazines".
She also confided that she would like more children - especially a girl "I would love to paint her nails, do her make-up and go shopping with her for clothes".
Doesn't she know that some girls like to read books?
Post by: goldencup on August 21, 2005, 11:01:51 am
Being a Library Manager, I suppose I'm obliged to contribute to this one but actually I don't read that much. All books have their fans and I have to say I'm with Oldspice about very American-style fiction - I find it very hard going. At the moment I'm reading Spies by Michael Frayn because it's been chosen by my book club.
I loved the quote from Posh Spice - I thought it was hilarious. I'm so glad I didn't have girls as painting their nails and doing their make-up would be my idea of hell.
Post by: on August 21, 2005, 11:05:55 am
Post by: goldencup on August 21, 2005, 11:22:57 am
Post by: on August 21, 2005, 11:43:48 am
Post by: oldspice on August 21, 2005, 12:25:11 pm
Post by: on August 21, 2005, 12:35:53 pm
It depends how old they are. Make up and painted nails on a 10 year old is inappropriate. At 13 it's OK. I'd probably insist they start reading books at about 14 or 15, although presumably they would have learnt to read well before this.
Incidentally, I was a very slow reader as a child and couldn't write my own name at seven. Now look at me. My Mother said I was gifted and my teacher said I was the only boy that didn't smell of wee.
Post by: oldspice on August 21, 2005, 02:18:14 pm
I was reading long before I went to school but nevertheless struggled with many words until well into my teens. That did not stop me reading though - I just tried methods like using context, guessing or even ignoring the word altogether if it did not affect my understanding ( I did this a lot with difficult names).
My son was slow to learn reading and writing but by age 12 he was well ahead of his peers.
I would encourage children to enjoy books from the time they can turn a page. They don't have to be reading but looking at pictures and words and predicting what is going on is very important and enjoyable.
Girls and boys need to realise that they don't have to choose between books/reading and being cool and fashionable. They can have it all.
Post by: loulou on August 21, 2005, 05:19:35 pm
I was reading long before I went to school and used to love books. At 13 my parents would not have allowed me to wear makeup and i think you are wrong bounty when you say it is ok.
Post by: smurfboy on August 22, 2005, 03:07:26 pm
Post by: loulou on August 22, 2005, 04:08:24 pm
Post by: wjp666 on August 22, 2005, 05:38:14 pm
Post by: smurfboy on August 22, 2005, 06:27:59 pm
Post by: loulou on August 22, 2005, 07:04:31 pm
Post by: oldspice on August 22, 2005, 11:45:20 pm
I can't imagine any decent parent buying that for their child.
My daughter will be 17 on Wednesday. She will be going into the Upper Sixth Form when she goes back to school but I will not allow her to wear short skirts, low tops or make up at school. She is allowed to dress up when she goes out but must look respectable. Her friends appreciate the difference when they see her dressed up for the evening.
Post by: goldencup on August 23, 2005, 09:06:54 am
Post by: chocolate chick on August 23, 2005, 11:02:04 am
the time to sit down and look at books with me. My favourite was the
Enormous Turnip.
At the moment I am reading Patricia Scanlan, The Joy of Two.
Post by: chocolate chick on August 23, 2005, 11:04:34 am
nail varnish at that age but not to school. I wore make up outside
school but again, not to school. I am a very girly girl so I did like
make up and painting my nails.
Post by: nougatine83 on August 23, 2005, 11:57:27 am
I can't even imagine my life without reading books.
If I don't read some everyday, I feel I lack something.
Choosing between CHOCOLATE and BOOKS would be very hard
Now I'm reading Thomas Mann' s novels.
Post by: oldspice on August 23, 2005, 12:35:24 pm
Death In Venice - a brilliant book and film.
I hope Posh's nanny is reading to the Beckham children because I think they will miss out a lot if the only reading material available to them is fashion magazines.
I can't imagine what conversation is possible with someone who has never read a book. What will she fall back on when her looks fade?
Post by: chocolate chick on August 23, 2005, 01:28:02 pm
I would be lost without my book on the train!
Post by: Cherry_Ripe on August 23, 2005, 03:09:11 pm
My favourite was the Enormous Turnip.
I loved that one too choc chick! But I liked the Little Red Hen best.
Post by: smurfboy on August 23, 2005, 03:12:03 pm
Post by: oldspice on August 23, 2005, 03:24:43 pm
Post by: chocolate chick on August 26, 2005, 10:07:02 am
Quote from: chocolate chickMy favourite was the Enormous Turnip.I loved that one too choc chick! But I liked the Little Red Hen best.
I was word perfect on that book. I bet my mum must have been sick of it
I used to love the ones about the fruit and vegetable people. I can't remember what the series was called. Can you?
I think I remember the Little Red Hen.
Post by: chocolate chick on August 26, 2005, 10:08:06 am
My children loved The Tiger Who Came To Tea.
I liked this one too old spice.
I also loved Katies Kit Car, Topsy and Turby books and Peter and Jane.
Post by: wjp666 on August 26, 2005, 12:40:17 pm
Post by: Cherry_Ripe on August 26, 2005, 12:44:53 pm
[/QUOTE]
I used to love the ones about the fruit and vegetable people. I can't remember what the series was called. Can you?
[/QUOTE]
The Munch Bunch?
Post by: chocolate chick on August 27, 2005, 11:43:51 am
Post by: chocolate chick on August 27, 2005, 11:51:50 am
Post by: MugGy bONehEad on August 27, 2005, 11:55:12 am
yeah i think i had some garden gang books, or some very cheap equivalent. I cant get into books. My GF has a massive King/Koontz collection and can do 2 a day. i took about 3 months getting through the first Red Dwarf Novel
Post by: goldencup on August 27, 2005, 12:00:25 pm
Post by: MugGy bONehEad on August 27, 2005, 12:08:19 pm
Probably. i just remember them having a character called Penelope strawberry!! PENELOPE!!! How can you have a Percival pea and a Grace Grape, but not a Sally Strawberry? So yes i'd say the 10yr old author would explain that one.