Mandy > Recent Status Updates

So far this has been quite predictable

I find that I have already read this book, many years ago, but I don't quite recall what happens, so must continue to skim it.

It's a slow read, but fascinating!

I feel a little dense as it has taken me this long to realise that this is in large elements the same plot of Howard's End, but brought into the modern day.

This is a very unusual book. There are chapters from three viewpoints, Benny, we are presently getting a retrospect of his childhood, Annabelle, his Mum, who I really want to call poor Annabelle because she has a lot to cope with, and, well, the third viewpoint is from The Book. The book I am reading. Which has a lot to say.

No idea where this is going so far.

I am crying for something good to happen to Demon, the constant grind of him being stuck in hard places means I am reluctant to read on.

I am finding this book difficult as the memoir is very much about Viola, and only Viola, unlike say Liars Club, there is no enlarging the experience to set it within a family, or a place or a time. I perhaps haven't given it long enough for that to happen, but I can't say I am motivated to continue.

I have been hit with the use of the r-word and am shocked. I appreciate that the book was written in 2009, and Rosa's Law didn't come into place until 2010, but I am still sickened by seeing it, and unsure if I want to continue.

I think the premise behind the book is sound, that the world by and large is designed for men, however, I got the feeling that findings were exaggerated by the worst examples being pulled from around the world and somehow even examples of where countries did plan with equality were somehow used to shore up the argument that planning wasn't equitable. And no allowance for anyone outside the Gender binary (yet).

I am getting TERFy vibes. Selected examples pulled all from all over the world to prove a point, rather than a whole view of the situation.

The plot reminds me about The Thirteenth Tale, though without the scary elements.

I find out that the relationship has been in place less than a week, and he is showing her huge houses they are going to live in, and promising to buy her an Audi, and her response is 'this is fun!' She seems so willing to be conned, that I don't think I can read any more.

Finding this one difficult to get into. The red flags are all over this guy like a rash, yet she is throwing herself headlong into a relationship with him because he is well groomed and good looking and cocky.

It's well written, but I can't find the right mood.

Karen Armstrong has a huge amount of knowledge, and I am finding reading this very interesting, but it is a slow read, to take it all in, and I am a bit daunted by the size of the task ahead.

Cromwell is wearing on me, and I am finding finishing this long anticipated book to be a slog, though tickled by the descriptions of people isolating due to the plague.

Essays about women who in Hillary and Chelsea's opinion have been gutsy for societies benefit. Some I had heard off, some were new to me.

My book has more pages!

I wasn't really enjoying this book until Sam Weller arrived in chapter 10. He is such a great character! Starting to be find of Pickwick too, has improved over the course of the book from the silly arse he was at the beginning.

So far really wooden and rather boring. Why are main characters referred to by first name surname combo so often?

Oh! After a few memories from Dicken's school friends we have the memory of the sister of such a one, and Ackroyd comments 'the memories of old ladies are notoriously inaccurate, especially when it comes to chronicling their relationship with the illustrious dead'. I am appalled!