Merlo51

appassionato, 7 months ago to bookstodon

The Sense of Being Stared At: And Other Unexplained Powers of the Human Mind

Most of us know it well--the almost physical sensation that we are the object of someone’s attention. Is the feeling all in our heads? What about related phenomena, such as telepathy and premonitions? Are they merely subjective beliefs?

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sarahmatthews, 8 months ago to bookstodon

#Bookreview Hand in Glove by Ngaio Marsh
read on audio
Narrator: Marie McCarthy
Harpercollins
Pub. 1962, 251pp

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This is a classic crime read set in a village among a group of neighbours who’re related in various ways. I knew I was going to get on well with the #audiobook from the start as the narrator was instantly engaging, expressing the dialogue brilliantly.
The action centres around the home of snobbish Percival Pyke Period, an eccentric figure who’s writing his memoirs, alongside the cook Mrs Mitchell, his loyal servant Alfred and his new lodger Mr Cartell who has a rather troublesome dog, Pixie. The first chapters set up the world surrounding this household with the introduction of a cast of distinctive characters. I particularly liked Mr Cartell’s ex-wife, the Flamboyant Desiree Bantling, and this great description:
“with her incredible hair brushed up into a kind of bonfire, her carefree makeup, her eyebrows and her general air of raffishness she belonged, asMr Period mildly reflected, to Toulouse Lautrec rather than any contemporary background.”
She’s known for her amusing parties and there’s a long build up to her April Fool’s treasure hunt which is set to end in tragedy. In fact, as the murder doesn’t take place until about Chapter 14 I felt I knew everyone involved very well and of course there were plenty of strong motives for possible killers.
The central idea of a letter being sent in condolence to someone for the death of a loved one before the deceased was discovered was unique and played out well.
One thing that surprised me was the lack of period details to root the story to the 1960s. It seemed to me that it could’ve very easily been set in the 30s or 50s, though there were a few passing references like mentioning TV. I guess it stuck out as my other read for the #1962Club was the Miss Marple which was very much about social change.
This is my first Ngiao Marsh novel and I’ll be returning to her in future.
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ChrisMayLA6, 9 months ago to bookstodon

As an avid reader I find research suggesting over 50% of 8-18yr olds do not 'enjoy reading' in their spare time particularly depressing!

Part of this is a Q. of them having a quiet space to read, but in part must also be related to #socialmedia sucking up their time & also (possibly) to the way that reading is framed as instrumental (not enjoyable) for #education?

As someone who has benefitted immeasurably from #reading, I so hope this can be reversed

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https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/sep/04/half-of-uk-children-do-not-read-in-spare-time

ChrisMayLA6, 10 months ago to bookstodon

This week I've been mainly reading, no. 86.

Anthony Doeer's Cloud Cuckoo Land (2021) is a multi-stranded narrative based on a (invented?) Greek mythical tale; combining #scifi & historical fiction with a contemporary narrative, the tales intersect & intertwine to tell its story. Its a good idea & pretty readable but somehow it never quite engaged me. I felt like I was watching the fiction from outside, enjoying its mechanism(s) but not fully engrossed; good but not great!

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kenthompson, 10 months ago to bookstodon

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, by Michael Chabon. You, alone of your family escape the holocaust as a teenager, and parlay your drawing skills into a lucrative career cartooning superheroes in America; but even with a side gig as a magician, you can not escape the past, can not avenge it, and struggle to keep it out of your future. 3 of 5 library cats 🐈 🐈 🐈

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likewise, 10 months ago to bookstodon

“…why should I seek to change, what has been so precious to me for so long! You can never show better than as your own natural self.”

• Charles Dickens, David Copperfield

I’m getting close to finishing Demon Copperhead & in doing so, my interest in reading David Copperfield is definitely piqued.
#books #photography #reptiles #amreading #fiction #charlesdickens #barbarakingsolver @bookstodon