READ ANY GOOD BOOKS LATELY?

[Stanley]

Looking ahead, When I finish Salmon I'm going to read 'The Offing' again. Such a lovely complicated story, I think it will stand re-reading.

[plaques]

Stanley, I'll be over in Barlick this tuesday afternoon 10 Nov. I've a bag full of Terry Pratchett books which I could drop off if you are still interested. Some good, some average, some rubbish all depends on how you see fantasy books.

[Stanley]

It would be good to see you Ken but don't bother about the Pratchetts, I think I have got the measure of him now. But thanks for the offer!

[Tripps]

I think I have got the measure of him now

The world on four elephants on a tortoise - I don't think so - I think I got the measure of him a long time ago, and saved myself a lot of time.

[plaques]

Pratchett's 'Science of Disc World' tries to relate his analogous fantasies to that of current cosmology. OK if you know something about the Big Bang, quantum theory etc; but its easier to go straight to Richard Feynman and Roger Penrose and get confused by experts. Cuts out the middle man and saves time all round.

[Stanley]

They were a good diversion, I am not knocking Pratchett.I don't think he would have knocked Kurlansky either.

[PanBiker]

Heads up for the locals. When it can open under the current restrictions, Barlick is getting a new book shop. It's on the Town Square next door to Charlies sweet shop. Proprietors have moved to Barlick from Settle where they used to have a book shop there.

[Stanley]

I've noted it Ian and will be poking my head in when it can open.

[Tripps]

From another thread - which took some finding. . .

Off at a tangent again. The upshot is that I (and Stanley ) now have an interesting book on the way which deals with such matters'. Put it next to the Slang Dictionary. It was cheaper than any book has a right to be so no hardship involved. Enjoy.

Well- mine has arrived surprisingly quickly - a good thick 'dipper inner'

I

[Stanley]

I am intrigued. I have no delivery yet!

[plaques]

Much to my surprise the Colne library is actually open but only to collect books that have been ordered on-line. Browsing for books is not allowed.
I shall be going up later this morning to pick up my long awaited book 'Arguing with Zombies : Paul Krugman' which I ordered 1st May.

Part way through Barack Obama's biography 'Dreams from My Father'. An old book but very interesting and well written. His new book 'A Promised Land' should be worth a read. A bit expensive at the moment.

[Stanley]

Happy to report I have just got my copy of a 'A word in your Shell Like'. Am I right in thinking it's down to you Ken? Thanks very much, as David says, it's going to be a good 'dipper'!

[Stanley]

I finished 'Salmon' and started on a re-read of Benjamin Myers' lovely book, 'The Offing'.
(If you haven't come across it I recommend it to you. I told Daughter Susan about it and she read it and agrees.)

[Tripps]

Am I right in thinking it's down to you Ken?

No - down to me

I've had a good 'dip' this afternoon. Exceeded expectations. The story of many quotations old and modern. Quite iconoclastic I'd say. He does the material for the Radio 4 programme Quote - Unquote' . Scholarly.

Delighted to find that Wigan Pier and Wigs on the Green are adjacent to each other.

Says the former is 'an imaginary focus of jokes' which is what I've always believed.

Nice to see that he thinks the Elephant and Castle connection to the Infanta di Castile is 'fanciful'.

[plaques]

Am I right in thinking it's down to you Ken?

No - down to me

I knew it was you but I didn't want to push the implied mental decay bit down Stanley's throat.

[Tripps]

I didn't want to push the implied mental decay bit down Stanley's throat

Nonsense - Where did I do that?

[plaques]

plaques wrote: ↑15 Nov 2020, 20:07
I didn't want to push the implied mental decay bit down Stanley's throat

Nonsense - Where did I do that?

You didn't, I did by saying it. I know, I know, its all getting rather academic with cross implications of who said what in what order. Lets say I'll take the rap from Stanley if he thinks any punishment is deserved.

[Tripps]

It's not too complicated - 'mental decay was not 'implied' in any way.

Just a fact stated with a smilie.

[Stanley]

All I did was forget who it was and having that pointed out to me doesn't make me think I am being accused of anything. As a matter of fact I am decaying but that's another matter.So stop worrying, neither of you is in the dog house. (Look that one up....)

[plaques]

'Arguing with Zombies : Paul Krugman. A couple of hundred pages into the book. I've always understood that the top Republicans look at everything from the $ aspect before everything else. Paul Krugman has raised this to a new level. Not only are they single minded in protecting their wealth they are cruel and vindictive towards the poor. Their attack on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) (Obamacare), is one of pure ideology where social welfare is an anathema to their way of thinking. There is no profit or financial advantage in canceling the ACA but just the thought that poor people shouldn't benefit from it. Cruelty is not a strong enough word.

[Stanley]

Indeed Ken. Every time I hear the argument that people on benefit shouldn't be comparatively better off than the poorest waged person I reflect that by keeping wages low the advocates of this policy get a double benefit. I have the same view on 'hostile environments' in government policy a la T May and the Home office.
As you say, heartless and cruel!

[Gloria]

Finished reading Song of Sunrise, no further information was given on Barnard Crooks Wendy, just the odd mention. It wasn’t interesting reading really, other than I knew the areas spoken about. I kept leaving it, hence the length of time it’s taken me to get through it.

[Stanley]

I always had that difficulty as well Gloria. Not the most riveting read I have ever picked up!
The Offing is even better second time round!
I have been wondering for a while about Romy Landau the poet in the book and I have done some digging and found that she existed as did Dulcie and the book is not fiction but an account of how Benjamin Myers met Dulcie and found out about Romy, persuading Dulcie to publish the poems. (LINK)

[Wendyf]

Finished reading Song of Sunrise, no further information was given on Barnard Crooks Wendy, just the odd mention. It wasn’t interesting reading really, other than I knew the areas spoken about. I kept leaving it, hence the length of time it’s taken me to get through it.

Thanks for keeping an eye out for him Gloria, and congratulations on reaching the end of the book!

[Gloria]

I think I should get a Blue Peter badge Wendy.