The Fourth 2006 Big Read

rathbone · Post by **rathbone** » 21 Sep 2006, 09:50

Suggestions please for the winter quarter.

Still outstanding from last time are:

Pointless by Jeff Connor
The story of East Stirlingshire FC. The action on and off the pitch is unmissable, unlike their shots at goal.

Stuart, A Life Backwards by Alexander Masters
The story of Stuart Shorter, thief, hostage taker, psycho and street raconteur.

Nominations will close on 29 September.

mr magnolia · Post by **mr magnolia** » 21 Sep 2006, 19:18

oh dear...

just the last two to finish first, together with my other random purchases.

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 21 Sep 2006, 22:35

Just about to start this book, so nominate it:

Last Seen In Lhasa (The Story of an extaordinary friendship in Modern Tibet)

By Claire Scobie

It was featured in one of the sundays

From Amazon.co.uk -

Some go to Tibet seeking inspiration, others for adventure. The award-winning journalist, Claire Scobie, found both when she left her ordinary life in London and went to the Himalayas in search of a rare red lily. Her journey took her to Pemako, where few Westerners have set foot and where the myth of Shangri-la was born. It was here she became friends with Ani, an unusual Tibetan nun who was to change her life. Through seven journeys in Tibet, Claire chronicles a rapidly changing world -- where monks talk on mobiles and Lhasas sex industry thrives. But it is Ani, a penniless wanderer with a rich heart, who leaves an indelible impression. Together, in a culture where freedom of expression is forbidden, they risk arrest. And they forge an abiding friendship, based on intuition and deep respect. Evoking the luminous landscape of snow peaks and wild alpine gardens, Claire Scobie captures the paradoxes of contemporary Tibet, a land steeped in religion, struggling against oppression and galloping towards modernity. Last Seen in Lhasa is a unique story of insight and adventure that can touch us all.

rathbone · Post by **rathbone** » 29 Sep 2006, 18:20

Just bringing this back to the top.

Time is running out for those nominations........

rathbone · Post by **rathbone** » 02 Oct 2006, 09:34

Well, that's it then: The last Big Read of 2006 is:

Stuart, A Life Backwards by Alexander Masters

rathbone · Post by **rathbone** » 02 Jan 2007, 11:37

I read it .... did anybody else?

Heartbreaking stuff.

I suggest that this is the last of the Big Reads.......... personally I'm finding that "What are you reading right now?" is supplying me with all I need in terms of hints and suggestions, (and there's no need to give up the Marya patented reviewing system if you don't want to).

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 02 Jan 2007, 13:43

rathbone wrote: I suggest that this is the last of the Big Reads.......... personally I'm finding that "What are you reading right now?" is supplying me with all I need in terms of hints and suggestions

I agree.

Nelson Hatstand · Post by **Nelson Hatstand** » 02 Jan 2007, 20:18

rathbone wrote:I read it .... did anybody else?

Heartbreaking stuff.

I suggest that this is the last of the Big Reads.......... personally I'm finding that "What are you reading right now?" is supplying me with all I need in terms of hints and suggestions, (and there's no need to give up the Marya patented reviewing system if you don't want to).

Marya, where can I find your patented reviewing system?

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 02 Jan 2007, 20:47

Nelson Hatstand wrote: Marya, where can I find your patented reviewing system?

I'm not telling.

This is so embarrassing. I was asked to give some guidance as to how people could approach a critical evaluation, so gave a few quick, off the cuff tips on aspects of the text folk might like to consider. It was never intended to be some sort of albatross round folks' necks. I was just trying to be helpful - honest!

mr magnolia · Post by **mr magnolia** » 02 Jan 2007, 21:52

*cough*

this should be fun, not a homework assignment. It is more interesting though, if people can explain what really caught their interest or turned them off certain books, so please forgive me if I make the following suggestions as starting points for anyone who is interested. Think back to all those English classes you had at school - please tell me they weren't a waste of time - and perhaps, consider some of these aspects;

PLOT - is it fast moving or too pedestrian? Engaging or unrealistic? A page turner or turnoff? Inventive or ridiculous?

SETTING - how does it contribute? Is it set in the future or past? Is the setting a place that means something to you personally? Is it, for example, a place where you grew up or currently live in or always wanted to visit? Is it vividly described?

CHARACTERS - realistic or underdeveloped? Can you empathise or are you disinterested in what happens to them? Likeable or laughable?

THEME- Why has the author written this book ? Is there a message? Does it explore an issue that you feel close to? (For example, I was interested in reading "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime" as my brother has Asperger's.) Does it examine a single aspect of an individual's life or explore a wider issue ?

LANGUAGE - Long, over complicated sentence structures or simple, well written prose? Unusual, vivid descriptions or lacklustre, jaded writing? Effective use of dialogue,dialect etc?

NARRATIVE STYLE - Who tells the story? Do we have a greater insight into a single narrator's thoughts, feelings etc. or are there various viewpoints explored?

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 02 Jan 2007, 22:09

Well found, Mr M!! I tried to find it but got distracted.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 03 Jan 2007, 00:35

Shouldn't this be the Big 2005 read for Mr M?