Sunday 30 September 2007

It's That Time Again!


Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it is indeed BAFAB week again. Buy-a-Friend-a-Book, that is, and I encourage you all to enter. For those who haven't come across this before, check out their official website. The idea is simple - you just add your name in the comments, and, at the end of the week, I find some ingenious method to award a winner. No word yet on whether or not Patch the Wonder-Dog will be resuming his masterful selection process. I think I'm going to continue to send a book from the heart of Stuck-in-a-Book - that is, the winner can select their free book from my 50 Books You Must Read... which currently stands at 14.

In unrelated news, I saw the film Paris, Je T'aime this evening. I'll confess, the main reason I wanted to see it was because subtitles = sophisticated, and I fancied a dose of self-improvement, however superficial. I don't know whether or not this illusory intelligence has lingered, but the film really impressed, amused and moved me. For those not in the know, this is a series of 18 short films, each named after an area of Paris and taking place there. The genres and styles vary wildly, and each is a complete entity, with unique directors and actors. Some duds, of course (no idea what the Elijah Wood + vampire bit was about - especially since I had my eyes closed for most of it) but some really beautiful gems. My favourite was an almost dialogue-less piece, following a nanny as she leaves her own baby in a creche, in order to care for the baby of her rich employer. Beautiful acting from Catalino Sandino Moreno. The most moving was the final one; an American tourist recounts, in appalling French, her lonely trip to Paris and the emotions it evokes. You begin be laughing at her silliness, but end by feeling deeply for her. The DVD isn't out in England yet, but I recommend you seek out this beautiful series of visual vignettes - a homage to humanity as much as Paris.

Oh, and don't forget to enter BAFAB!

30 comments:

  1. This film sounds teriffic - I'll have to see if the DVD is out here yet...

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  2. Hadn't heard of the film (behind the times, moi?)but it sounds very much worth seeing.
    Please put my name in the draw!

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  3. If Patch is not allergic to cats, can Dark Puss be entered into the draw please?

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  4. You can count me in for the BAFAB - the film sounds really interesting. I'll have to add it to my list!

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  5. Lucy would like to be considered for the book!

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  6. I would be thrilled to wind a book from you!
    Thank you

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  7. Please enter me in for the bafab.your site is always interesting to visit.
    Thanks

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  8. Oooh! I love a good prize draw.

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  9. Anonymous, is that Nancy again?!

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  10. Free books! I'll take one. But I feel I should actually comment on your entry... Paris, eh? Quite possibly my favourite character from Romeo and Juliet. And subtitled films aren't always sophisticated - witness the occasional subtitles in 'Mr. Nice Guy'.

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  11. My son is called simon too, and for a moment I thought he had a blog I didn't know about!
    I'll join in. I'm doing it too at
    www.theyarnyard.co.uk

    n

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  12. a good film and the offer of a free book sounds good to me :-)

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  13. Did I mention to enter me in the drawing?

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  14. One more try! I hit the return key just as I noted I hadn't left my name - but may have caught the stop button in time.

    I love giving books and am not averse to winning one - so, toss my name in the hat too. Nancy

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  15. Love the idea behind BAFAB Week! Books are always the best gift.

    www.lisamm.wordpress.com

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  16. The second annonymous was me Margaret

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  17. Love to be entered in your draw, please, if I'm eligible: the book I bought I didn't buy through the BAFAB site ... .

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  18. Enter me in the contest.

    I am also running a BAFAB contest:
    http://walktotheleft.blogspot.com/2007/10/buy-friend-book.html

    Drop by and enter.

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  19. Please enter me in your contest, and feel free to enter mine as well!
    http://verbatim.blogs.com/verbatim/2007/10/want-a-book.html

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  20. I'd love to add my name to your draw if it's open to Canadians. Your list of books looks interesting.

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  21. Can you add me please, Simon

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  22. I have popped over for a look from Cornflower, as I was invited - I am so well mannered!!!!
    Please put my name in the hat for the draw, I just love books, and will try any author once....

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  23. You've already caused me to buy about 10 books mentioned on your web site, but more is always better so count me in for the BAFAB!

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  24. And here's hoping for 2007!

    Curzon

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  25. Please enter me and thanks for this wonderful chance.

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  26. What a lovely concept. Please enter me in the draw too. I do enjoy following your blog - you review such interesting books.

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I've now moved to www.stuckinabook.com, and all my old posts are over there too - do come and say hello :)

I probably won't see your comment here, I'm afraid, but all my archive posts can also be found at www.stuckinabook.com.