en-US Thu, 21 Nov 2024 18:07:58 -0800 60 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg UserChallenge56102498 Thu, 21 Nov 2024 18:07:58 -0800 /user/show/123669678-fuzzywuzz Create your own 2024 Reading Challenge » ]]> Comment275846219 Sat, 18 May 2024 08:00:32 -0700 /topic/show/22811250-what-are-we-reading-6-05-2024 Fuzzywuzz made a comment in the Ersatz TLS group:

Tam wrote: "I thought I would give the genre of crime/horror a go. I found one of CC's recommendations in the local library, 'The Prey' by Yrsa Sigurdardottir, an Icelandic mystery. Well I have managed 55 page..."

Hi Tam, 'Taste' in anything is of course very subjective. The horror genre is simply, imho a means of making the reader scared. Some people may not care for that; others may get a thrill out of it.

Horror takes many forms - it may by supernatural means (witches, monsters), jump scares or psychological torment. Most horror stories typically involve all three. Unfortunately, a lot of horror stories are not terribly well written with story endings that are woeful.

Despite this, I am a bit of a fan of horror - some of the better books have been We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson and Dark Matter by Michelle Paver. IT, Carrie and Pet Sematary by Stephen King are good too. Although the ending of IT was awful, King manages to make the camaraderie, fears and adventures of a group of young kids utterly believable and how most of the adults in that story are either completely oblivious, or active participants in the evil that lurks. ]]> Comment275314351 Sun, 05 May 2024 03:32:42 -0700 /topic/show/22799047-what-are-we-reading-22-04-2024 Fuzzywuzz made a comment in the Ersatz TLS group:

CCCubbon wrote: "Evening all.
Been stuck here in hospital several days now with a drip that beeps to keep me company.
Lincoln Castle is worth a visit if only to see the Magna Carta ( one of only four copies). The ..."

I hope you feel better soon :) ]]> Comment274249404 Wed, 10 Apr 2024 12:49:38 -0700 /topic/show/22787974-what-are-we-reading-8-04-2024 Fuzzywuzz made a comment in the Ersatz TLS group:

I have now reached the age where doing very ordinary, mundane things can result in injury. Even worse is, I'm not entirely sure I remembered what it was I did.

Case in point. About 6 is months ago, I got a pain in my upper left arm/shoulder which got worse after I had my Covid/flu jab (the jabber jabbed me too high in the arm - at the time he remarked 'Do I go to the gym/work out, there is a lot of muscle there'. I do not have a lot of muscle in my upper arm at all, nor go to the gym. I suspect he might have jabbed me in the tendon instead, which exacerbated the existing pain.

Anyhow, it seemed to settle after a month or so, then I pinged it again whilst getting changed out of clothes. Now doing very normal things, has become, well, a pain in the arm. I've arranged for a phone appointment with my GP (no face to face appointments, it seems) tomorrow.

The receptionist that I spoke to to arrange the appointment asked how I did it - I replied that I suspect I overstretched my arm trying to turn off my bedside lamp! ]]> Comment272408620 Wed, 28 Feb 2024 12:05:09 -0800 /topic/show/22750759-what-are-we-reading-26-02-2024 Fuzzywuzz made a comment in the Ersatz TLS group:

giveusaclue wrote: "Gpfr wrote: "giveusaclue wrote: "Gpfr wrote: "I'm back in Australia now ..."

I thought you meant that literally!!"

I wish! Though it wouldn't be 'back' as I've never been :)
Good to hear you can ..."

I guess bungee jumping is out of the question, too?!

Great to hear that your recovery is going well :) ]]> Comment271261508 Sat, 03 Feb 2024 08:29:16 -0800 /topic/show/22725736-what-are-we-reading-29-01-2024 Fuzzywuzz made a comment in the Ersatz TLS group:

Last Sunday, I went to my local bookstore which had organised a bookclub meeting. This has been my third in-person meeting. The first, organised at the same place had 3 persons attend; the second only 2 - one of whom on each occasion was the host! This time, I was hoping there would be more people there.

However, this time, there were 9 attendees, plus the host. There was a lively and engaging discussion about a book called 'The Raptures' by Jan Carson. Has anyone here read it? I enjoyed it immensely.

The story was set in the fictionalised town of Ballylack In Northern Ireland and concerned the deaths of children aged 10-11 from an unknown illness in the early 1990's. The story is delivered (mostly) via the eyes of one of the children (Hannah) which puts a kind of innocence on the narrative, but one which is becoming aware of adult behaviours and attitudes.

Some interesting themes explore in this story include how religious faith can shape a community (or indeed, divide it), attitudes of men towards women (the farmer Alan and his wife was a touching, albeit sad story) and how traditional values can often silence people into submission.

I really loved this book, and would highly recommend it, Yes, some of the references would be specific to Northern Ireland, but if anyone has lived in a small community, you may find transcendence of 'small town/herd' mentality.

Was it MK recently who asked about reading series of books? I do love a good series. I've read most of the Michael Connolly 'Harry Bosch' titles. The last 4 or 5 or so I have abandoned. Those latter books with Renee Ballard didn't grasp me at all.

Instead, I've started with the Peter Robinson series of books, featuring Chief Inspector Alan Banks. These books are OK. Alan Banks is a smart copper who seems straight and doesn't overdo it on the booze (although having pub grub with a pint or two seems to be the norm).

I'm currently reading The Hanging Valley, book 4 of the series, published in 1989. It's hard to believe there a time before mobile phones, the internet and cars such as Ford Cortina were ubiquitous. And, people smoked. Everywhere. Peter Robinson also throws in quite a few good descriptions of the Yorkshire Dales. Beautiful and desolate, I sometimes thing the Dales are a supporting character. ]]>