I've run out of library books so reading from my shelves I decided I ought to read "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie". A book that I'd missed out reading for all these years probably because it's a classic - that word puts me off. Anyway, I was totally underwhelmed.
Then from my shelves "A Sensible Life" by Mary Wesley. It's so similar to her book "Part of the Furniture" which I read a few weeks ago................... disappointing .
I'm now going to try "Saplings" by Noel Streatfield ............fingers crossed.
Than you for all the comments yesterday
Back Tomorrow
Sue
Sorry to read that you were disappointed with your books. I wish I could still read as fast as I used to. It doesn't matter what time of day I try and read, I only seem to manage a few pages before I start nodding off so reading a book takes me an age now!
ReplyDeleteAt the moment I read very quickly may slow as I age!
DeleteMy you must be an avid reader...I have handled the book you so kindly sent me...but decided to keep it as a treat to dip into during December! The excitement of something to look forward to looking at is rather nice. x
ReplyDeleteI read very quickly - speed reading where the eye moves by jumping rather than in a straight line. Sometimes I think I should read every book twice but there is always something else waiting
DeleteNothing worse than picking up a book and finding it a disappointment, I had a couple of library books just recently I have given up on. Hope you get a good book soon.
ReplyDeleteI finished both and enjoyed the Mary Wesley apart from the fact it was similar to another of her books.
DeleteI used to persevere and read to the end of all the books I attempted, however un-entertaining they might be. Now I just think that life is too short to waste it on a bad book! Tracy
ReplyDeleteI give up on several library books each month, thank heavens requests are free
DeleteI also gave up on Miss Jean Brodie, Sue. I tried this a few years ago and was bored witless. The film, nonetheless, from what I recall, was rather good, though.
ReplyDeleteI often give up on books which are highly regarded by the literati, but which I fail to enjoy. I think I'm an average-speed reader, neither fast nor slow, I don't speed read, though, I pronounce all the words in my head, I take great enjoyment in reading all the words, all the sentences, not just to find out what happens, but how the writer has shaped the book, so to speak. Speed reading would be a handy accoutrement, if that is the right word, when I have to read a long-ish book purely for information, though.
Margaret P
I did finish the Prime of Miss Jean Brodie as it's a very short book but couldn't see what was so special about it.
DeleteSpeed reading was part of a City and Guilds Library course I did, I think it was to help when researching through reference books - not needed so much now with google. With speed reading all the words are read but the eyes see words in groups - very hard to explain!
Felt the same as you both about Miss Brodie. Boring book. I took a Howard Jacobson to Siberia last year on the grounds that he is a good writer but heavy going and I usually run out of patience with his books and I only wanted to carry one book on the trip. It was a good idea because I happily read it once and then cherry picked large parts of it to re-read during the journey. I ended up reading it all at least twice. I read Girl on a Train on a flight between London and the Azores and handed it to a young Portugeuse girl on landing who I had been chatting to and wanted to practice her English. BTW I thought it was a vastly over-rated book.
ReplyDeleteI haven't bothered with Girl on a Train simply because so much fuss was made about it!
DeleteA Travelling with just one book would frighten me too much I think
I had a book written by a young doctor who spent a year in Afica as a kind of gap year in medicine for the journey out. I read that on the flight out, finished it, and left it in a hotel room to get rid of it. I also had a codeword book of puzzles with me and a notebook!
DeleteI missed yesterdays post until now and wasn't sure if you go back to read comments so thought I would post here.
ReplyDeleteThe reason that DWP know about the pension is because the Government have introduced something called Real Time Information (RTI) and employers/pension providers all have to update HMRC monthly with what income has been paid and what tax has been deducted etc. This is to help with Universal Credit primarily.
The knock on effect is that once HMRC have this info they then share it with DWP/Local Authorities who use that data to assess people's claims for other benefits which is how they would have found out.
If you think you told them then you can ask for a reconsideration of the decision but you would need at least the name of the person you spoke to and the date and time you called. Failing that if you have an itemised phone bill you could get the information from that.
I was expecting less ESA once he got his pension so was surprised when it carried on the same. We'll just keep stretching the savings until we both get state pensions, then we'll be rich.Ha!
DeleteHave never read the book of Miss Jean Brodie but loved the film. I always think you can tell during the first chapter if it is something you like or not - best to abandon it - there are so many books out there why waste time.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a short book that it didn't take long to read but I wouldn't bother again!
DeleteI hope you are enjoying "Saplings". I know I did...Persephone books rarely disappoint!
ReplyDeleteI am a speed reader as well and have found that if I read a book a second time I learn a bit more. Enjoy your book.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I also find 1 or 2 library books in each batch of borrowing end up disappointing. I keep a few books on the shelf for re reading - Bleak House is my favourite re read.
ReplyDelete