tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post5035711139651317747..comments2024-02-10T19:58:20.327+00:00Comments on Stuck in a Book: Now where was it....StuckInABookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10017836017530130716noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-33932221595769693182014-04-30T17:27:29.919+01:002014-04-30T17:27:29.919+01:00This was buried on my to-read shelf, but I have du...This was buried on my to-read shelf, but I have dug it now after reading your review. Thx. SD<br />http://www.sandradanby.com/Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07817186870550080719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-29346056041389585452013-01-14T07:13:18.794+00:002013-01-14T07:13:18.794+00:00I wish I could say I liked this book. I so wanted ...I wish I could say I liked this book. I so wanted to love it, being crazy for books myself. I found her range quite narrow and, yes, snobby. She dismisses all Canadian and Australian literature, past and present, in one vague sentence, with no more apology or explanation than, "(I know, I know.)" Except for a scant few Russian and European authors, her book was filled with white British and American authors. I'm a big fan of many of her favorites, but come on, hasn't she read more widely than that?<br /><br />Also, the name-dropping bored me and caused severe eye-rolling. It often felt like she was choosing favorite books based not on the books' merits, but on whether she had some personal connection to the author that she could mention. And some were so tenuous as to be silly. She didn't know Virginia Woolf, but she did know one of Woolf's sales reps. She didn't know E. M. Forster, but he once dropped a book on her foot in the library and apologized. She didn't know T. S. Eliot, but he once gave her an owlish smile as they both waited for someone to answer the door at a party. And failing even the briefest acquaintance, there are at least two authors of whom she could only say that she always *meant* to meet them. Sure, there were interesting parts where she talked about authors she really did know well and I enjoyed those, but all the rest of the name-dropping told me nothing about the authors, their books, or why she liked them.<br /><br />Finally, as you point out, she makes sweeping generalizations. I laughed out loud when I read that people who put bookplates in their books are posers! There's nothing I like more than to buy an old book and find a bookplate in it. I don't put them in my books any more, but I did when I was young. I did it because I loved those books more than anything. They were my link to a sane world. Far from being posers, I think people often do it because their books feel like a part of them. Right or wrong, I certainly don't think that people who bother to buy and affix bookplates are posing to anyone. It's a private process and one that people who don't love books wouldn't take the time to do. It's funny that she's okay with writing interlinear and margin comments, but not with inscribing a book or writing your name in it. To me, those are just as much a postcard to the future as writing "Indeed!" next to a favorite assertion. In the end, though her generalizations didn't bother me as much as the other two aspects. For the last third of the book, I was just scanning for titles and skimming all the anecdotes. <br /><br />I'm glad others enjoyed it and there were certainly many good books mentioned. But actually, I find your list more interesting, catholic in its own way, and surprising. <br /><br />Proudmamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14625157254620742195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-40803765245169670592013-01-14T07:12:30.748+00:002013-01-14T07:12:30.748+00:00I wish I could say I liked this book. I so wanted ...I wish I could say I liked this book. I so wanted to love it, being crazy for books myself. I found her range quite narrow and, yes, snobby. She dismisses all Canadian and Australian literature, past and present, in one vague sentence, with no more apology or explanation than, "(I know, I know.)" Except for a scant few Russian and European authors, her book was filled with white British and American authors. I'm a big fan of many of her favorites, but come on, hasn't she read more widely than that?<br /><br />Also, the name-dropping bored me and caused severe eye-rolling. It often felt like she was choosing favorite books based not on the books' merits, but on whether she had some personal connection to the author that she could mention. And some were so tenuous as to be silly. She didn't know Virginia Woolf, but she did know one of Woolf's sales reps. She didn't know E. M. Forster, but he once dropped a book on her foot in the library and apologized. She didn't know T. S. Eliot, but he once gave her an owlish smile as they both waited for someone to answer the door at a party. And failing even the briefest acquaintance, there are at least two authors of whom she could only say that she always *meant* to meet them. Sure, there were interesting parts where she talked about authors she really did know well and I enjoyed those, but all the rest of the name-dropping told me nothing about the authors, their books, or why she liked them.<br /><br />Finally, as you point out, she makes sweeping generalizations. I laughed out loud when I read that people who put bookplates in their books are posers! There's nothing I like more than to buy an old book and find a bookplate in it. I don't put them in my books any more, but I did when I was young. I did it because I loved those books more than anything. They were my link to a sane world. Far from being posers, I think people often do it because their books feel like a part of them. Right or wrong, I certainly don't think that people who bother to buy and affix bookplates are posing to anyone. It's a private process and one that people who don't love books wouldn't take the time to do. It's funny that she's okay with writing interlinear and margin comments, but not with inscribing a book or writing your name in it. To me, those are just as much a postcard to the future as writing "Indeed!" next to a favorite assertion. In the end, though her generalizations didn't bother me as much as the other two aspects. For the last third of the book, I was just scanning for titles and skimming all the anecdotes. <br /><br />I'm glad others enjoyed it and there were certainly many good books mentioned. But actually, I find your list more interesting, catholic in its own way, and surprising. <br /><br />Proudmamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14625157254620742195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-37839541815841712592009-10-24T23:42:16.293+01:002009-10-24T23:42:16.293+01:00Yes, I agree with you. Enid Blyton was a very char...Yes, I agree with you. Enid Blyton was a very charismatic writer. Yes, it is true her language may not have been that much sophisticated to a native (first language) speaker of English, but for us that acquired English as a secong language acquisition, Enid Blyton's language was bliss. without her, some of us wouldn't be where we are, including writing books in English. Thus, as a tribute to Enid Blyton, i have written a book in her honor titled, The Famous Five:A Personal Anecdotage (www.bbotw.com).<br />Stephen IsabiryeEnihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00209746639260312563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-68743148107059868582009-10-13T02:15:55.303+01:002009-10-13T02:15:55.303+01:00Well clearly I'm going to have to read this bo...Well clearly I'm going to have to read this book! It sounds wonderful.Rebecca H.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10825532162727473112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-77778439159757584742009-10-12T23:55:59.499+01:002009-10-12T23:55:59.499+01:00I am itching for my copy to arrive..amazon dispatc...I am itching for my copy to arrive..amazon dispatched it last week apparently but it's not here yet! Your review is not helping my impatience to read this!!!<br /><br />I NEVER buy new books at full price because I am tight but as soon as I read your review and dovegreyreader's review a while back I knew I had to have this immediately. Sounds like it will be totally worth it!Rachel (Book Snob)https://www.blogger.com/profile/13669640788036671572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-79220733531355616322009-10-12T18:49:34.477+01:002009-10-12T18:49:34.477+01:00After swearing no more new books I caved almost in...After swearing no more new books I caved almost instantly for this one (technically a presant, but I still feel a bit guilty) enjoying it very much already and would agree it reads more like a blog than anything else. Can see a few people getting this at christmas, will also note that I wouldn't have been so interested in it in the first place if you and others hadn't made such posotive comments.Desperate Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15708411387912078122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-66435901258371943122009-10-12T17:13:10.338+01:002009-10-12T17:13:10.338+01:00Can't wait to hear what you all think when the...Can't wait to hear what you all think when the book arrives - but I'm sure you'll love it, if you love books as much as I do. <br /><br />Annabel - thanks for mentioning her visit to Abingdon, I've emailed to book my place... hopefully it hasn't sold out yet. And I'll see you at the quiz on the 3rd!StuckInABookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10017836017530130716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-47644273705020203102009-10-12T13:20:30.486+01:002009-10-12T13:20:30.486+01:00My copy arrived this morning so will come back and...My copy arrived this morning so will come back and read your review when I've read it. The cover is soooo beautiful, I just want to keep stroking it.Cathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06371069000185280668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-38217411675400897462009-10-12T12:42:10.670+01:002009-10-12T12:42:10.670+01:00My copy is also on its way... and I am most excite...My copy is also on its way... and I am most excited.<br /><br />There has been much talk about this already amongst the blogosphere (and would I have come across it otherwise?) and the hype is exciting me but the erroneous apostrophes are not (I believe you predicted that in a previous post!)Paperback Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14579608422235511054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-88964654686272247522009-10-12T12:03:56.243+01:002009-10-12T12:03:56.243+01:00Just received an email saying my copy was on its w...Just received an email saying my copy was on its way, hooray! I'm looking forward to a long winter of reading from my shelves.Darlenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07415316482631852565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-82309079838767551942009-10-12T11:52:06.836+01:002009-10-12T11:52:06.836+01:00Why oh why can't books be released at the same...Why oh why can't books be released at the same time in the US and UK?! I might have to put this on my Christmas list and mention a certain book depository alongside it. ;)Evahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06703372903532502944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-5530571680329815542009-10-12T11:37:41.928+01:002009-10-12T11:37:41.928+01:00My copy arrived this weekend and I can't wait ...My copy arrived this weekend and I can't wait to read it - especially as she's doing an evening event in Abingdon on Friday Nov 20 at Mostly Books.Annabel Gaskellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12210341270502698508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-11340049627280479432009-10-12T08:55:23.278+01:002009-10-12T08:55:23.278+01:00I have it and am looking forward to a real treat!I have it and am looking forward to a real treat!Cornflowerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17779286635989616330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-13525220620448131122009-10-12T08:09:28.232+01:002009-10-12T08:09:28.232+01:00Very vry envious that you got a review copy - I lo...Very vry envious that you got a review copy - I love the premise of the book and the fact that you said it was one of your favourites this year makes me desperate for my copy, which like Carols was dispatched on Friday. But probably won't arrive til christmas.verityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16825551404394913715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-89828560470771962612009-10-12T08:07:04.807+01:002009-10-12T08:07:04.807+01:00I enjoyed it very much too - and had a similar res...I enjoyed it very much too - and had a similar response to yours. It was just like a compilation from a very good blog.litlovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10952927245186474480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-12252385601965667332009-10-12T04:08:15.289+01:002009-10-12T04:08:15.289+01:00A book has been dispatched to me as well. Now if o...A book has been dispatched to me as well. Now if only the holiday were not holding up its delivery!E.J. Stevenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05602161955672303860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-31819393515306434362009-10-12T01:07:23.683+01:002009-10-12T01:07:23.683+01:00This book sounds wonderful! I'll definitely be...This book sounds wonderful! I'll definitely be looking out for it. I'm really curious to know what her favourite books are.Astrid (Mrs.B)https://www.blogger.com/profile/00504736603540947661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-82679729065730274852009-10-11T23:37:12.332+01:002009-10-11T23:37:12.332+01:00What an utterly charming review of one of the book...What an utterly charming review of one of the books that I am MOST excited about this year, I have a feeling it will be hitting most of the Book Bloggings top reads of 2009 without a doubt, I already know I will be buying it for several book lovers I know. Cannot wait to get my hands on it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-33359530910209852312009-10-11T23:17:31.534+01:002009-10-11T23:17:31.534+01:00My copy arrived yesterday, I am looking at it now,...My copy arrived yesterday, I am looking at it now, what a wonderful cover, it just glows. With enormous restraint I am finishing my current read. <br />I love Susan Hill's varied books of memoirs. I vividly remember reading The Magic Apple Tree and being totally inspired in the cooking and gardening realms. I anticipate being equally inspired in the reading realm too.<br />Lovely review Simon.<br />CaroleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-64432331078869699032009-10-11T22:13:24.583+01:002009-10-11T22:13:24.583+01:00Hi Dark Puss - there are only two other books of w...Hi Dark Puss - there are only two other books of which I can think which have fallen into that category - Miss Hargreaves and the Mitford sister letters. The former just because I love the novel so very much, the latter because it felt like I was part of a world/family that I'd have to leave when I finished reading the book.StuckInABookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10017836017530130716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-10085898648325111032009-10-11T21:30:12.949+01:002009-10-11T21:30:12.949+01:00After checking my order status, a certain deposito...After checking my order status, a certain depository has dispatched this book...I hope that means it will be on its way soon. Your review has me convinced that I will be setting aside my other reads for this one.Stacyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12387313238448432017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-59858724653384989852009-10-11T20:00:45.625+01:002009-10-11T20:00:45.625+01:00Simon, can you give me (us) some examples from the...Simon, can you give me (us) some examples from the "rare, wonderful category - that are laid aside often, because the thought of finishing them, of having no more to read, is awful." I have never, ever felt that way about a book. I suspect that I have probably not read as many as you have, so possibly they are rare indeed thus an example would be very illuminating.Dark Pussnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-9585768857327780692009-10-11T19:57:37.851+01:002009-10-11T19:57:37.851+01:00Hmm, I'm not convinced despite your eulogy. I ...Hmm, I'm not convinced despite your eulogy. I am absolutely convinced, with the same lack of objectivity that Hill evokes here, that it is <i>not</i> the last word! <br /><br />Glad to hear that you enjoyed it; it is only fair to say that I speak from ignorance here.Dark Pussnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-55213429461240453522009-10-11T19:35:37.425+01:002009-10-11T19:35:37.425+01:00Oh Simon, what a lovely review. I want to read it ...Oh Simon, what a lovely review. I want to read it even more now. My copy shipped from Amazon on Friday, so I'm hopeful of having it in time for the train ride to Cheltenham on Tuesday (going to see Diana Athill, Emma Smith and Juliet Nicolson at the Lit Fest).<br /><br /> Carol NAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com