An Amazonian Delivery
A long-awaited parcel arrived from Amazon today. It was delivered by Parcelnet who have an interesting delivery technique: namely running up to the front door, ringing the doorbell depositing the parcel against front door and scampering off. Very bizarre.
Anyway...my life is now three books richer. I wanted to get the newly-published MIMOSA by Susan Wilkinson (who is giving a talk on the topic at the Anglo-Argentine Society, 3 Belgrave Square, London, SW1X 8PJ at 6.30pm on the 3rd October) so I also bought a couple of books I've had my eye on for some time while I was about it: WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN by Lionel Shriver (behind the times on this one, I know. Everyone else has read this a couple of years ago at least) and ARTHUR AND GEORGE by Julian Barnes for book group in October.
I can't start right away, however, because I still have a couple of novels I want to finish first. I am going to have such an indulgent weekend.
posted by Clare Dudman at 10:10 pm
9 Comments:
I'm particularly interested in what you think about the Julian Barnes, because I've been debating whether to order it. (I'm also curious about your reaction to the Shriver.)
Arthur and George is a great novel in my opinion. I love the way Julian Barnes writes. Have you read his two other really good books - The History of the World in 10 1/2 Chapters and Flaubert's Parrot? - both well worth reading. After I read Arthur & George I re-read the other two. He's the sort of author you tend to forget is so good, until you pick up and read one of his books.
Lee: I must do a bit of little bit of reviewing. I have a great backlog.
Anne: Yes, heard good reports of those but the only other one I've read is his ''Talking it over' (I think that's what it's called) - three voices - very distinct and clever. It really shows an expert writer in action - after a few chapters you can tell exactly who is talking just from their style, vocabulary, character, interests etc. It's quite a light quick read and I highly recommend.
Clare: Kevin is one of the most penetrating books I have ever read.
Yes Jan - looking forward to reading this very much.
I hope your indulgence has a mimosa around there :)
my fun reading is still this cheap dime store ghost romance novel. I read a sentencea night and fall asleep. oh the grocey store dime novel.
It sounds like you got some real nice books to dive into and do some enjoyment reading.
Have fun reading ... the way your book were delivered is the way all our parcels are couried to us over here - altho' sometimes we have to sign. The courier drivers wear red polo shirts and black shorts and are always running.
Have enjoyed catching up. I identified somewhat to your Durham reunion experience ... I could see myself doing the exact same thing.
Lovely pictures of a lovely part of England.
Rarely a day goes by here without an Amazon delivery of some sort or another. I too am very interested in the delivery techniques of their various carriers. We get that company who ring the bell (or knock on the knocker in my case as I don't have a bell) and scamper off leaving the parcel. But I love them -- the carrier that insists on a signature or they will carry the parcel off to the nether regions of some sub(or subtropical) post office depot on an industrial estate only open from 10 am to 3 pm with two hours for lunch, too far away to walk, not on a bus route, on a treble lane dual carriageway so can't bike, and no car park. you get the picture. But then, there are the nice ones (which include the regular postman, as Amazon does occasionally use Royal mail) who know our secret place for leaving stuff when we are out, and are happy to do so.
Susangalique - you know I think the dime store ghost romance may have great possibilities. I have a little project in mind like that. I thought it would be a really good idea to take an album of songs and convert it into a novel using the rules from the songs. I do have an album in mind but think I might leave that for another post.
CB: Sounds like being a postman in your neck of the woods is a healthy activity. I sometimes think of becoming a post man but I think I'd be too lazy when it rained.
Maxine: Yup, we have a rather fine member of Royal Mail around here too. He thinks I work nights because when he knocks and I answer I am usually still in my dressing gown. He knocks really softly so he doesn't wake me up...and I guiltily go along with this...
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