*** 'THE OFFICIAL BOOK THREAD' ***

[Redsgirl]

Hi Tal,   I've never read The fantastic Mr Fox, but loved the movie - have you seen it and how does it compare/live up to the original ?

I know this question was for Tal, But I have seen the movie, and I was mortified.
How they could turn such a wonderful story into that monotonous drivel I will never know.
And they always take the poems out, which are the best bit! They did it with the old Charlie and the chocolate factory movie, to my everlasting disgust.
I implore you, simonnatur, read the book, read all of them.
In fact I cant ever remember thinking a film was better than the book, if people are raving about a movie I avoid it till I've read it, then I can watch happy in the knowledge that I know the story as the author intended.
Unfortunately, 'film of's' are almost always a huge disappointment, usually due to the fact that they are made to cash in on somethings popularity rather than for any real love of the book.
I must say though, I was mightily impressed with the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe and The Hobbit movies, It is exciting when they get it right and what you see on the screen is exactly what you saw in your mind.

I would be interested to hear if people think there any exceptions to this rule, for instance I have never seen the 'The colour purple' which I'm told is a great film, but the book left so little impression on me I never bothered.
God I ramble when something sets me off!

I think the main problem with 'film of's' isn't necessarily the commercialism, more the fact that by necessity to put a book onto screen you have to lose about 80% of the content.

I think the only film I've seen before the book was Trainspotting and that is one where the film does excel as much as the book; but in a different way to the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe film. Trainspotting didn't just take what was in the book and put it on the film - exactly like what was in your mind. Instead it was interpreted and presented in a form which was more appropriate to a film format rather than a book format.

The Hunger Games film went even further than that - they cut and altered some fairly significant parts of the book, but in a way which still kept the story intact. It made the finished product a good film - just as the book is a good book; but almost like they're two separate versions of the same story rather than one of them 'just' being a film of the other.

There are actually loads of films which are better than their original books - but that's only really because the original book was quite so mediocre; so probably not really worth bothering with.

Strange you should mention the Hunger games, as I read it last week, I really enjoyed it and now that you've put the 'different interpretation' idea into my head I'm actually looking forward to seeing it.
I suppose I was a little bit quick to dismiss before, your right in that the film can be a homage to the book, not just try to 'copy' it, and I like the fact that someone would put the love and effort into translating something into a different media, but I think that sometimes they should recognise when its never going to work properly, like The Time Travellers Wife for instance.
I just feel bad for the the authors, I can imagine them seeing a chapter they had agonised over for weeks trying to convey the emotions right, flick by in a unremarkable scene.

On the other hand entirely I realised that two of my favourite films were based on novellas from a Stephen King compilation, both nice little reads but lost amongst all the other stuff he's done if someone hadn't taken them and turned them into the stunning Shawshank Redemption and that stays with you, coming of age movie, Stand by Me.

Swings and Roundabouts.

[Redsgirl]

73. Game of Thrones (series) George R.R. Martin

Lack of homework done here. The series is called A Song of Ice and Fire. Bad teachers.

Also, I know he's not everyone's cup of tea but I'd expect some mention of Pratchett in that list?

Is this list supposed to be what teachers recommend kids to read? or just a list of there favourites?
Ive read 31 from this list, stand outs for me (apart from the kids ones) Wild Swans, The Help, Birdsong and To kill a mockingbird.
I've had The Shadow of the wind for ages but not read it, think ill get started on that tonight.
Anyone else seen any of their faves on the list?

[Jon MW]

73. Game of Thrones (series) George R.R. Martin

Lack of homework done here. The series is called A Song of Ice and Fire. Bad teachers.

Also, I know he's not everyone's cup of tea but I'd expect some mention of Pratchett in that list?

Is this list supposed to be what teachers recommend kids to read? or just a list of there favourites?
Ive read 31 from this list, stand outs for me (apart from the kids ones) Wild Swans, The Help, Birdsong and To kill a mockingbird.
I've had The Shadow of the wind for ages but not read it, think ill get started on that tonight.
Anyone else seen any of their faves on the list?

They were asked to list their top 10 favourites.

There's a bit of discussion on the TES link about it's interpretation but I'd largely think it's a random collection you could get if you picked any single profession. They asked 500 primary school and 500 secondary school teachers for a start - so it's a ridiculously small sample. All of the primary school teachers are non-specialist and the majority of the secondary school teachers won't be English teachers - so basically it's a random sample of a 1000 people and that's pretty much what it comes across as.

My favourite 4 would be:
1. Ulysses, James Joyce
2. Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte
3. Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte
4. The Bell Jar, Sylvia Plath

I have favourites after that, I just can't compare them in any meaningful way to be able to rank them. For example, Trainspotting is brilliant and The Lord of the Rings is brilliant - but there's no framework you could construct to compare any kind of difference in quality between the two. Those 4 just stand out as what I personally liked more than any others.

Of the rest of the list I'd highly recommend
8. The Book Thief Markus Zusak and
65. The Secret History Donna Tartt
in terms of books which people might not come across if it weren't for a recommendation.

[Redsgirl]

73. Game of Thrones (series) George R.R. Martin

Lack of homework done here. The series is called A Song of Ice and Fire. Bad teachers.

Also, I know he's not everyone's cup of tea but I'd expect some mention of Pratchett in that list?

Is this list supposed to be what teachers recommend kids to read? or just a list of there favourites?
Ive read 31 from this list, stand outs for me (apart from the kids ones) Wild Swans, The Help, Birdsong and To kill a mockingbird.
I've had The Shadow of the wind for ages but not read it, think ill get started on that tonight.
Anyone else seen any of their faves on the list?

They were asked to list their top 10 favourites.

There's a bit of discussion on the TES link about it's interpretation but I'd largely think it's a random collection you could get if you picked any single profession. They asked 500 primary school and 500 secondary school teachers for a start - so it's a ridiculously small sample. All of the primary school teachers are non-specialist and the majority of the secondary school teachers won't be English teachers - so basically it's a random sample of a 1000 people and that's pretty much what it comes across as.

My favourite 4 would be:
1. Ulysses, James Joyce
2. Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte
3. Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte
4. The Bell Jar, Sylvia Plath

I have favourites after that, I just can't compare them in any meaningful way to be able to rank them. For example, Trainspotting is brilliant and The Lord of the Rings is brilliant - but there's no framework you could construct to compare any kind of difference in quality between the two. Those 4 just stand out as what I personally liked more than any others.

Of the rest of the list I'd highly recommend
8. The Book Thief Markus Zusak and
65. The Secret History Donna Tartt
in terms of books which people might not come across if it weren't for a recommendation.

Thanks for the suggestions, I shall add those to my reading list.

[Waz1892]

Just finished my holiday and the time where I spend most afternoons reading while getting burnt.  I had a wish to read 12 books this year, and from January to June I'd read half a book!

During the 2 weeks just past, however I've now completed 4 - I've vowed to keep this up, as I certainly enjoyed reading again.  Revitalised the passion so to speak.

The books in question will not appeal to most I'm sure, but these we the ones around at the time!

I was half way through an autobio before my arrival, and this was duly dispatched early on.

Book 1 - Rob Brydon - A small man in a book.  6.5/10.  I like reading auto-bio's, but this took along time to get going, was funny, as to be expected in parts, but not as funny as I'd thought it would be.  2nd half of the book is better and got going.  That said, overall I kept getting the same feeling over and over -he comes across as a bit selfish, and money-orinated?!

Book 2 - Lee Child - Killing Floor (Jack Reacher) 7/10  - I'd heard of the film to be honest before the book, and I think it was mentioned on hear as a must read as a series.  So I bought the first 3 for my son, and he read this before me (he's now on book 3)
I thought it was good, fast paced book.  I did find myself wanting to know more, which is always a good sign for a book to take hold of you like that.  Reading the character of Mr Reacher, (without seeing the film) makes it laughable that Mr Cruise was given the part?!!
My only critic was on 2 levels.  The way the story allowed a 'Loner, once arrested for murder, stranger' pretty much take over the murder cases without much question.  Also, a little pedantic maybe on my part, but I couldn't get it out of my head, that here is a clearly soulless, hard nut of a man, without a care in the world, not bothered by being alone, or killing folk if they annoy him, not interested in his own brother, but when alone in his latest conquests's house, he makes a coffee.....and washes the mug!

Bugged the hell of out of me to be honest!  Little things, eh!

Book 3 - Rafa Benitez-  Champion League Dreams. 10/10.  A absolute must if you're a Liverpool fan.  A likeable must if you're a football fan in general.  A great in-sight in to the 6 year reign of Benitez, during which, amongst others, reaching 2 European Cup finals, one of course being the unforgettable night of Istanbul.

I read this in 3 sittings.  It was superb, and a great refresher into that particular game, but also that whole season.  The book details, each of the 6 years, and on occasion breaks down the important games, with in-sights into the tactics used, the training and build-ups to the big games, and the methods to his sometimes, seemingly madness - "Rafa Rant" being for example one!

It was a great reminder of the times, and even though I'm a huge LFC fan, I'd forgotten already how amazing this period was.  The teams we beat in Europe, the trophies we'd won, the squad we'd had.  It was only 3 or 4 years ago that it all ended.  How quickly it all fell apart.

Book 4 - Miranda Hart - It is just me?.  6/10..  The wife had this book, and was crying with laughter (it doesn't take that much to be fair) but I was intrigued.  I do love the show, my daughter loves it even more, so I like it as much because of that than anything else.  It's always on as a result, so I can't help but watch it!

The book, was at times, laugh out loud.  The concept wasn't great.  She regularly tackles life's social awkwardness-es (a word?) and states most of which has happened to herself, with her own 18year old self.  The 18yr old Miranda also shares her views on the 38year old self, on why things have turned out like they have.  Somewhat peculiar method of an auto-bio, but unique, much like Miranda herself.

[redarmi]

Weird I was gonna bump this thread yesterday......

I just finished reading "The marrying of Chani Kaufmann" which is about the the marriage of an ultra orthodox Jewish girl from North London and the people around her.  Not at all my normal kind of book but I couldn't put it down.  Like a lot of the best novels I learnt a lot by reading it and it made me think a lot.  It has been longlistednfor the Booker Prize and whilst I am not sure it will win for a debut novel it is very good.  Recommended.  9/10

[Waz1892]

Weird I was gonna bump this thread yesterday......

I read, see what I've done there, your mind.

(The English language is so complicated!)  Read, ("red") or you could have read (red) it like Read ("reed")

[Claw75]

I just read the Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce and thought it was tremendous.  Would recommend it to pretty much anyone.  I'm sure Tikay and Red Dog would enjoy it (almost) as much as their non-fiction books too!

When Harold Fry leaves home one morning to post a letter, with his wife hoovering upstairs, he has no idea that he is about to walk from one end of the country to the other.

He has no hiking boots or map, let alone a compass, waterproof or mobile phone.

All he knows is that he must keep walking.

To save someone else's life.

[redarmi]

Whilst I am in Jamaica when I am at home I have a lot of free time and usually spend it on Blonde or just surfing, watching movies etc so I have decided this autumn to challenge myself in terms of my reading.  I want to try something that will be challenging but ultimately very rewarding.  One book I think fits the bill is Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace and so, possibly do Wolf Hall and Bringing up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel.  I also toyed with idea of just trying to read every book on the upcoming Booker shortlist.  Anyone recommend any of the above or have another suggestion.  The standard reply to this is to read Ulysses by Joyce but I'm not sure I am ready for that just yet.....

[rfgqqabc]

Annoyed the hell out of me on Friday when I saw that list. I had a proper old man rant at work.

Tess only being 21st, no Roald Dahl in the top 20 books. It's a globulous mess of overhyped Victorian bilge and books that will never be in the top 20 in ten years' time.

How can you capture kids' imaginations with Jane Austen? Wolf Hall is one of the most challenging reads around but if you want to be royally tested, Joyce is an infinitely more dexterous writer than Mantel.

List has Twilight too tbf. Although if its top 100 in ten year's time I'll be worried.

[Waz1892]

George Orwell's Animal Farm next on my hit list of book to be read this year.  Ashamed to say never read it, and most of the "classics" that one should be reading in his/her lifetime.

Looking forward to it.

[Tal]

George Orwell's Animal Farm next on my hit list of book to be read this year.  Ashamed to say never read it, and most of the "classics" that one should be reading in his/her lifetime.

Looking forward to it.

Some good, some bad.

[Claw75]

Started bringing up the bodies yesterday. Quite daunting to open chapter 2 and see 'time left in chapter 1h 56m'

[Waz1892]

I've just been recommended City Boy by Geraint Anderson.

" In this no-holds-barred, warts-and-all account of life in London's financial heartland, Cityboy breaks the Square Mile's code of silence, revealing tricks of the trade and the corrupt, murky underbelly at the heart of life in the City. Drawing on his experience as a young analyst in a major investment bank, the six-figure bonuses, monstrous egos, and the everyday culture of verbal and substance abuse that fuels the world's money markets is brutally exposed as Cityboy describes his ascent up the hierarchy of this intensely competitive and morally dubious industry, and how it almost cost him his sanity. "

Anyone read this? Thoughts?

[redarmi]

Yeah I have read it.  It is the kind of book that is very easy to read, fairly entertaining but not particularly memorable.  In fact I had pretty much forgotten I had read it until you just mentioned it but I must have enjoyed it because I read it in a few days.  The author does have a pretty high opinion of himself though.