So many books ...

Right so try to find from which five books I have lifted the five sentences that make up this paragraph:

It was the day my grandmother exploded. When I went out, Auntie was waiting in the upstairs hall with a chore for me. The Russian soldier thrust his face into the rear of the truck. She removed the cigarette, flicked the ash on the floor behind her, and leaned into the counter. "Where have I heard that before?"

For the record, I'm currently struggling with The Satanic Verses. But often seek refuge in A Tale Etched in Blood and Hard Black Pencil which is easier and funnier by far.

Sing from a book you were reading in bed

Thank goodness for my fellow bloggers is all I can say. I have yet again been saved from finding inspiration by pilfering a great post idea from sugar007. So here goes.

The reasoning goes that your average adult has only read 6 out of the top 100 books published.. by one publisher, by any publisher... it is unclear but in any case here's the deal.

1) Read through the list and mark the book's you've read in bold
2) Italicise any you started but didn't finish
3) Underline the ones you loved.
4) Publish the list on your blog. Then we can gang together and track down the people who've read 6 or fewer and force classic reads on them.


1. The Time Traveller’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
2. The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
3. The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood
4. Lord of the Flies - William Golding
5. Life of Pi - Yann Martel
6. The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
7. The Color Purple - Alice Walker
8. Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
9. Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
10. To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
11. Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
12. Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell
13. His Dark Materials (trilogy) - Philip Pullman
14. Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
15. Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
16. The Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkien
17. Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger
18. Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
19. Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
20. Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
21. Chronicles of Narnia - C.S. Lewis
22. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe – C.S. Lewis
23. Winnie the Pooh - A.A. Milne
24. Animal Farm - George Orwell
25. Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
26. Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
27. On The Road - Jack Kerouac
28. Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
29. Charlotte’s Web - E.B. White
30. Hamlet - William Shakespeare
31. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
32. Complete Works of Shakespeare
33. Ulysses - James Joyce
34. Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
35. Les Miserables - Victor Hugo
36. Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
37. The Bible
38. The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald
39. War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
40. Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
41. Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
42. The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
43. One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
44. Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
45. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
46. Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
47. The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery
48. A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
49. The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
50. Harry Potter series - JK Rowling
51. Little Women - Louisa M. Alcott
52. Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
53. Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
54. Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks
55. Middlemarch - George Eliot
56. Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
57. Bleak House - Charles Dickens
58. The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
59. David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
60. Emma - Jane Austen
61. Persuasion - Jane Austen
62. Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
63. Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
64. The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
65. A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving
66. The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
67. Anne of Green Gables – L.M. Montgomery
68. Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
69. Atonement - Ian McEwan
70. Dune - Frank Herbert
71. Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
72. A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
73. The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
74. A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
75. Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
76. The Secret History - Donna Tartt
77. The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
78. Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
79. Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
80. Bridget Jones’ Diary - Helen Fielding
81. Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie
82. Moby Dick - Herman Melville
83. Dracula - Bram Stoker
84. Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
85. The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
86. Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
87. Germinal - Emile Zola
88. Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
89. Possession - A.S. Byatt
90. A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
91. Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
92. The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
93. Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
94. A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
95. The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom
96. The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton
97. The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
98. Watership Down – Richard Adams
99. A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
100. The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas

So there you have it. I for one have some way to go if I want to complete this particular top 100 list. I marked in green books I have but haven't started yet. Reading the list again, I cringe at a couple of them (well, at #64 actually). That's a few hours of my life I won't get back. And as for #54, that's a few hours of my life I saved from oblivion by not carrying on with it!

Of course, that's what I think. What do you think? Which ones have you read or abandoned part-way through?

I can't get no sleep....

Oh, if I could only get some sleep. Actually it's not *that* bad but I really could do with a decent 8-hour stretch.

On the up side, not sleeping means I have plenty of time to read my book. Currently on the go is Michael Lewis's Liar's Poker. It is a Wall Street trader's memoir about the early to mid-80s, and in particular about the creation and massive expansion of the mortgage bond market. Even though it covers events from more than twenty years ago, it is eerily resonant in today's unpredictable times, in particular with the latest news from the US property markets. There is quite a lot (the technical bits) that I don't understand, but I'm getting enough to know that people on the money markets make money out of literally nothing. I see it as a bit like a dog chasing its tail. I can't really explain it, but so much of the finance industry is built around entirely intangible commodities. It has inspired to find out a bit more about how the whole crazy world of the markets works.

In other news:
Doggy has a flea. Or maybe even two. Damn and blast. She will have to be subjected to the flea-annihilating spray. Lucky doggy.
Yesterday was Marianne's birthday. Happy Birthday!
Last Wednesday was Bro's birthday. Happy Birthday!
Hubby bought a new suit.

Er, that's about all I have to say about that.

Books of mountains

Been re-reading some books. The Beckoning Silence by Joe Simpson is one of my favourite books. Mountaineer Simpson, after twenty years on the mountains dodging death, decides it's time to pack it all in before fate catches up with him. The book is a memorial to friends lost to the mountains, to last climbs, and to The Eiger and the stunning achievements of those who struggled to put up a route on the formidable North Face in the "Golden Years" of Alpine mountaineering, in the 1930s. Simpson and Ray Delaney made their own attempt at the famous 1938 route up the face but retreated after the weather turned and a party climbing above them fell to their deaths.

This book fascinates me. Is it Simpson's fascination with the Eiger that infects me also? Maybe so. I mean, I've read Harrer's The White Spider, supposedly the last word in mountaineering and Eiger literature. But while it is a gripping tale of epic feats, I never read and re-read its passages in my mind for days after like I do with Simpson's book.

Joe Simpson is possibly best known by the general reading public for Touching the Void, the story of how he survived several days in the high Peruvian Andes, with a shattered knee and left for dead by his climbing companion, struggling out of a crevasse and across a glacier to make it back to their camp and to safety. It's a fabulous book and a truly gripping story. You really do wonder if he's going to make it out alive, somehow forgetting that of course he did otherwise you wouldn't be reading his account. But I like The Beckoning Silence more.

Go on, have a read.

Having a clear out

Thanks to the generous flexi-time arrangement I enjoy at work, I'm now enjoying the weekend! You see today is a public holiday, and I've taken Thursday and Friday as days in lieu out of my flexi-time. The weather being a bit useless (story of the summer), I've decided to get on and do some of the stuff that never gets done.

1. Wedding album. With our first anniversary just 11 days away, I have at last done our wedding album. Or one of them. There will be a second, because I couldn't fit in all the pics and there are lots that I want to put in an album instead of them being stuck in a box.
2. Sorting through some of the mountains of books in this house. Because I am constantly feeding my book addiction, the place is overflowing with printed matter. My book-loving hoarding personality has finally been won over by my more rational personality and I am clearing out a whole load of books that I know I'll never read again... To make way for more books (probably), hurray!

Which leads me nicely on to my bright idea. I can't throw the books away (am physically unable to I'm sure), and I can't give them to a charity shop (two drawbacks: they don't exist in France, and all my books are in English). So I'm putting them up for adoption via my blog.

So if you fancy a new (well, used) book, you can visit either LibraryThing or Bookcrossing. These are the books looking for a new home. Just email me (my email is lisofthenorth and it lives at gmail.com) and say which book you'd like and I'll send it you. On one condition. After you've read the book, pass it on to someone else, or give it to a charity shop. Or leave it on the train. Or whatever. Rule of baggsy applies (that means first come first served). Other books might also be available for adoption, but subject to negotiation.

Been reading

I finished Darkness, Take My Hand by Dennis Lehane. I've read a few of his books, they're all what book reviewers call "dark", but this one is particularly hard-going and grim. All about the darker side of human nature, about pure evil, even. Still, a good read if you like that kind of fiction. Ha! No seriously, it's a mystery thriller and it's pretty gripping stuff. Also you get to feel clever when you work out what's about to happen just before it does. Of course, I'm now taking a break from Lehane. I can only read one of his books a year otherwise it all gets too much.

On the bookshelf

It's about time for another book. In fact, it's been so long I'll do two for the price of one.

First up is If Nobody Speaks Of Remarkable Things, which I actually read ... hmm quite a while ago but I forgot to post on it. It's good. It's a bit frustrating because none of the characters have names, and it's not really about anything so it's hard to follow at times. But some of the passages are really, really well written and it's just a good read.

And I finished The Crow Road not long ago. I really enjoyed it, it made me laugh. Not all the way through, of course. It's like a detective story but without any detectives. I also enjoyed that it was set in Scotland, some of it was very Scottish.

Light reading

Just occurred to me that we haven't had a book for quite some time. Why not seek out TheTimewaster Letters which is an entertaining collection of just that, letters that serve no purpose other than to waste everyone's time. You'll probably smile at least twice.

Enjoy.

Ian Rankin does it again

Loved The Naming of the Dead. Only it made me homesick. But it was of usual high standard one has come to expect from Mr Rankin. I just can't imagine that Rebus will soon be retiring, and he doesn't have much of a choice because it's compulsory...

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time

I finished that. I really really enjoyed it. If you haven't already read it (and you probably have) then do so! My only gripe is that it all sort of finished in a rush towards the end. But it was very good.

And Another Thing

Not me, Jeremy Clarkson's latest book. It's another collection of Sunday Times columns, the follow up to The World According to Clarkson. Mum and Dad gave it to Hubby for Christmas. Because Hubby doesn't know how to read, I read it for him. It's not as funny as the first one, I only sniggered out loud a couple of times.

I'm also reading The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. I have wanted to read this book for a very long time. It's good.

Christmas Eve is just a week away

In fact, in a week, Christmas Eve will soon become Christmas Day. That's a frightening thought. At least I've managed to post most of my cards. I even bought some presents. And I ordered the pheasants yesterday.

Still feeling very un-Chritsmassy. Almost certainly because we're not going to be in Scotland, which is a thought that makes me feel quite miserable so I won't talk about it.

It froze last night. It's only the second frost there has been this winter so far. I'm expecting it to be pretty cold in the new year. I know it's sort of old wives' tales, but it's been so mild I'm sure we're in for some pretty tough weather in another eight weeks or so!

We went to the flicks this afternoon. The Disappeared. Let's just say we didn't pay for the tickets and the car park was free so no regrets. Not the best film I've seen.

I finished The Adventure of English at long last. It's hard for me to read clever books late at night, so it took some time. It was interesting, very interesting.

Hubby worked very hard yesterday and sorted out a load of stuff in the larder. He's preparing the way for the washing machine. The washing machine is going to live in the larder so the dishwasher can enter into service and wash our dishes. Hurrah.

We went and got a tree. It is smaller than last year's. Which is more sensible. I cursed and swore as I untangled the lights but it's looking pretty good now. I don't understand the thing with the tree lights. Each year, when we take all the decorations down, I take care to put the lights away properly. But then during the year something happens and they tangle themselves up.

Right, 'm'off to eat my tea. Bye.

Tuesday's book is Mystic River

By Dennis Lehane. I haven't seen the film, have no idea if it's any cop. But the book is you can take my word for it. Good reading.

The book that inspired the name of this blog

Attention All Shipping by Charlie Connelly is an entertaining record of the author's journey around all those far-off and remote sounding places you hear in the shipping forecast. It's informative and quite funny at times. Mr Connelly's style is easy to read and the whole thing is well worth a look. You will certainly learn something and you might even remember it!

Another book to read

The "book a day" concept was a bit ambitious, but then no surprise there.

A book for today Life of Pi by Yann Martel. This is an enchanting, harrowing and clever book. It has such a twist in the tail that it's practically U-shaped! I really enjoyed it, even though at times it's quite tough. And the ending is ... well, read it and see.

A book a day

OK, a book a day is a bit ambitious, I admit. Having said that, I'd love to have the time to read a book a day.

Today's book is The Beckoning Silence by British mountaineer Joe Simpson. Some of you may know of Joe through his first book Touching The Void, which was adapted to film a few years ago (and will maybe be the book of another day). His fourth (?) book deals with his decision to quit mountaineering. Too many of his friends are dead and he feels the whole game is getting beyond him. But before hanging up his crampons for good, Simpson decides to have a crack at that most mythical of mountains - The Eiger.

I really really like this book. It's quite introspective, it's mature, it's a bit nostalgic, it's just a good read. So have a read.

A good braderie day

Hélène joined us for what was a successful braderie I think. We sold a whole load of rubbish for nearly 70 euros! We also sold some stuff of Jean-Charles' for a few notes too. He couldn't believe people wanted to buy it. I suppose that's the beauty of a braderie, isn't it? Was better than last year I think because it stayed fine despite the doomsayers at Meteo France forecasting rain. One shouldn't listen to the French weather forecasters they always tell stories. It did get a bit chilly at one stage though. Poor Doggy got cold, so we put her t-shirt on, and got her snuggled up in her basket with a cover and a hot water bottle! Took a couple of pics so once I've downloaded them to the PC I'll post if she's cute enough.

I finished On Beauty. It was odd at the end because it just stopped without, I feel, ending. Does that make any sense? I'd say it's worth a read though it's easy enough going and is nicely diverting. It's sort of about these two families and how their paths cross.

Mum says she's enjoying Ghostwritten. Can't say as I'm surprised. I thought it was excellent. A very clever book indeed. It's not really about anything, but it's intriguing. Probably worth a second read quite soon after the first read. You would almost certainly pick up on different aspects and notice more stuff the second time round.

Hard to say what is next on the read list. I did say I was going to finish all the books that are "in progress" before starting any new ones. I have lots of "in progress" books. I think I need to have a methodical approach and do them one at a time. Let's see how long that lasts. Oh, just writing about reading makes me want to scoot upstairs and pick out a book.

The Incredible Adam Spark

Book by Alan Bisset. Read it. It was one of my 3 for 2s from the other week. Really did enjoy it.

Have now resolved to finish all the books I've started before I 1/ start anymore, 2/ buy anymore, crucially. Don't know how long I'll hold out. In fact, I might do quite well because I'm skint so that should keep new book purchases down.

We helped Hélène move yesterday. Poor Hélène, in her new flat the decorating's not finished and there's no electricity! The chap who's doing it says he'll be done by Tuesday though so not long until she'll be all settled in.

Still no progress on wedding thank you cards. Got to do them. If I finish them by Monday night I might get to the post office on Tuesday to post them!

Still no news on missing iPod.

Think I'll take the dog for a walk.

Fish & Chips tonight

Not forgetting the mushy peas.

Spoke to Jeni last night at length. Her bump is growing mighty fast apparently. She sounded happy but a bit frazzled with work. Her maternity leave starts soon so she needs to get everything in place for while she's away.

Work for me is going better. We are installed in our new offices and, setting aside some teething troubles, it's incomparable to the mess we were in for the last two weeks. We don't have people digging up the ground right next to our office or knocking the walls down or (even better) digging through the main power cable into the building!!

Work for Hubby appears to be as inspirational as ever (not). Of course, he needs to get his CV sorted out so I can start finding him a job he'd like to do. As I don't really understand what he actually does currently, there is only so much of his CV I can write on his behalf.

We had the usual suspects round for drinks and nibbles on Friday. We finally met Delphine! She seems nice and Jo is happy and that's what counts. Everyone seemed good. It was a good evening.

I got a start on the wedding thank yous. Still have about fifty to do I reckon but at least I started. Mum says she'll pick up the photos tomorrow. I'm a bit jealous that other people will see them before we do but that's life.

Talking of weddings, we still don't have our French marriage certificate. I sent a rather pointed e-mail to the consulate in Edinburgh today to find out what they're playing at. It's not that I care about their stupid French paperwork (after all, we have the marriage certificate issued by the registrar in Scotland that's the main thing), but we actually need the French marriage certificate to sort out more stupid paperwork here. And some of it has to be done within a certain time after the wedding. French administrations, what can you say.

I read one of my 3 for 2 books. It was called Only Strange People Go To Church. I have to say I thought it was going to be better than it was. But it was an easy read and passed the time and did have a couple of funny moments. Don't buy it though you can have my copy.

I'm reading The Incredible Adam Spark now. It's much better. It's one of those "stream of consciousness" type books. It's a bit odd when you start but I'm quite well into it now and it's a good read. Buy it. Of course, I could offer to lend you my copy but I haven't finished yet.

Anyways I have to go my fish & chips are ready.