ŷ������

Le gasp. O_o (Well, you're allowed. But wow! :P)

Well, you need one for 2023. Let's hope it's your only one, Mark. Now....next!

You can't say you didn't try. Better luck with your next one.

Oh no. Sorry to hear Mark. I hope you enjoy your next read more 🙏🏻💖

Charles wrote: "Le gasp. O_o (Well, you're allowed. But wow! :P)"

Oh dammit Charles, what are you doing to me mate? Now I have second thoughts as it did have some quality about it. Maybe it's too bloody hot and humid here to read about two crazy kids who seem to enjoy themselves. Mmmmm......hey I just started Outline, and depending on my mood after this one (I'm reading it because of your terrific review, remember?), I may just finish the Lonely Hearts Hotel 😂😬

Jen CAN wrote: "Well, you need one for 2023. Let's hope it's your only one, Mark. Now....next!"

See it wasn't that bad Jen, (see my reply to Charles above) - also, I may just pick it up again - not sure, but thanks anyway 😊

Bianca wrote: "You can't say you didn't try. Better luck with your next one."

Yes 200 is a long way in isn't it Bianca? Which really says to me, it wasn't that bad!!!

Rebecca wrote: "Oh no. Sorry to hear Mark. I hope you enjoy your next read more 🙏🏻💖"

Thanks so much Rebecca, I just started a good one I hope Outline by Rachel Cusk - thanks again ! 🤗🎈

A DNF seems rare for you, isn't it, Markus?! I think we'll allow it. In fact, I encourage it if you aren't fully satisfied. It will be hard enough for us to get through all the excellent ones in this lifetime! :D

Candi wrote: "A DNF seems rare for you, isn't it, Markus?! I think we'll allow it. In fact, I encourage it if you aren't fully satisfied. It will be hard enough for us to get through all the excellent ones in th..."

Yeah it is rare Canders, I normally persist through painful experiences - the fact I gave it 2 stars and persisted for so long meant it wasn't that bad and it did have promise. I also wasn't in the mood for it the last couple of days - as I say above, I may pick it up again! But you're right - there are so, so many mind blowing books out there :))

Well it’s winter here and we are expecting 15-20 cm of snow. Yay…nay. But def conducive to staying in and reading :)

Mark wrote: "Oh dammit Charles, what are you doing to me mate? Now I have second thoughts as it did have some quality about it. Maybe it's too bloody hot and humid here to read about two crazy kids who seem to enjoy themselves. Mmmmm......hey I just started Outline, ..."

I hope Outline succeeds where The Lonely Hearts Hotel stumbled, Mark. I'm a fan of calling it quits when things aren't how they should be, myself. Go in peace - and enjoy yourself! Looking forward to your impressions on Cusk.

this is one of those rarest books that i dnfed at 80%. Just suddenly occurred to me “why the hell am I reading it?��

Jen CAN wrote: "Well it’s winter here and we are expecting 15-20 cm of snow. Yay…nay. But def conducive to staying in and reading :)"

Jen Jen - I think your weather sounds Yay Yay. Today 34C, high humidty, sweating like a bastard. But Air Conditioning is the order of the day - so I jump on the pool, then run inside and read under that. But I do prefer the cold - lucky you!!

Charles wrote: "Mark wrote: "Oh dammit Charles, what are you doing to me mate? Now I have second thoughts as it did have some quality about it. Maybe it's too bloody hot and humid here to read about two crazy kids..."

Well Charles, already I love it (without question), only 50 pages in - but this one is right down my alley :))

nastya wrote: "this is one of those rarest books that i dnfed at 80%. Just suddenly occurred to me “why the hell am I reading it?��"

You know what Nastya - that's exactly how I felt at 200 pages, shit - you made it to 80%. I just felt it was all a bit pointless.

Such a bummiere! . Hope your next book is groovy : ) I also hope you’re doing well despite having to ditch the book.

Debbie wrote: "Such a bummiere! . Hope your next book is groovy : ) I also hope you’re doing well despite having to ditch the book."

Hahaha - what the heck is a bummiere Debbie?? Love it - well I am reading a Rachel Cusk book ATM and it's wonderful - I better nip over and see what you're reading my friend, I hope all is good :))

Sometimes you have to call it. Well said.

Suz wrote: "Sometimes you have to call it. Well said."

Indeedy Suz, but I still have it from the library for another couple of weeks - so who knows? But yeah....

Well, you gave it a fair chance. Two hundred pages is plenty when the lonely hearts fail to move you. On to a better read, Mark.

Laysee wrote: "Well, you gave it a fair chance. Two hundred pages is plenty when the lonely hearts fail to move you. On to a better read, Mark."

....and I'm onto that right now Laysee - thanks for checking in :))

Mark wrote: "Debbie wrote: "Such a bummiere! . Hope your next book is groovy : ) I also hope you’re doing well despite having to ditch the book."

Hahaha - what the heck is a bummiere Debbie?? Love it - well I ..."

Ha, “bummiere�� is a made-up word. I just mean “bummer�� but I put a fake French spin on it! It should have been written and pronounced as “bum air.�� (Lol, not so funny if it’s obscure, and I had messed up the spelling!)

I’m scared of Cusk. Worried she’s too deep for me!

That's too bad, Markus!
Unfortunately, the last couple of times I've tried to read Fantasy and there has been extensive "worldbuilding", I've been feeling that same "all a bit pointless" feeling. Like, why am I reading a 600+ page history of something that never even occurred.
I'm hoping it's a passing phase 'cos I've always enjoyed the genre.
Better luck with the next one, my friend! :)

Debbie wrote: "Mark wrote: "Debbie wrote: "Such a bummiere! . Hope your next book is groovy : ) I also hope you’re doing well despite having to ditch the book."

Hahaha - what the heck is a bummiere Debbie?? Love..."

Hey Debbie - well I finished Outline, by Cusk at 1am this morning and I loved it. I'm probably still gushing with thought provoking emotion - it was brilliant and one of my favourites!!

Jonathan wrote: "That's too bad, Markus!
Unfortunately, the last couple of times I've tried to read Fantasy and there has been extensive "worldbuilding", I've been feeling that same "all a bit pointless" feeling. L..."

Cheers Johnno - yes, I know what you mean about feeling like it's all pointless. This one did have promise, but in the end I just didn't really care what was happening to either character, or the story. It could be a classic result of "it's me and not you" hahahaha - as plenty of people loved this, and love the author. Hope your weekend is good down south mate, it's been pissing down up here - the tropics at this best. Besides, I can stay inside and read!!!

Interesting, Mark as I started reading Daydreams of Angels by this author and DNF’d it. It was a short story collection and always planned to return to her and read one of her novels. Now I’m not so sure after your experience.

Antoinette wrote: "Interesting, Mark as I started reading Daydreams of Angels by this author and DNF’d it. It was a short story collection and always planned to return to her and read one of her novels. Now I’m not s..."

Yes, at first I thought I may have just been a bit too impatient - or not in the mood. But if a book is good enough, that just doesn't happen does it Antoinette? Thanks for letting me know - I always love a bit of external validation. I'm with you :))

Nothing worse than finishing a book that is not working just to say you finished it. Too many books!! Took me ages to learn that that. I try and finish bookclub books, but in retrospect I may give up on those too, if they are not worth my time.

There's a book out there that you don't love? Say it isn't so! 😉
So glad the Cusk book is a hit!

Antoinette wrote: "Nothing worse than finishing a book that is not working just to say you finished it. Too many books!! Took me ages to learn that that. I try and finish bookclub books, but in retrospect I may give ..."

Yes, agree totally Antoinette - trouble is, this one showed some early promise, so I was hoodwinked!!!

Lisa wrote: "There's a book out there that you don't love? Say it isn't so! 😉
So glad the Cusk book is a hit!"

Bahahaha - that is hilarious Lisa, are you saying I live in a world of rivers of chocolate & children with gumdrop smiles?? I do find the occasional book (....and thing) unpalatable you know 😂🎈

Cusk = Brilliant 😊👌

Oh, no, I’m so sad to see this, Mark. I don’t encourage you to push on here, however, and the good news is that this is the most whimsical and fantastical of her novels. Meaning, try another instead? Lullabies for Little Criminals is realistic and unpretentious; When We Lost Our Heads has more whimsy, but is rooted in history and is more of a satire than a fairytale. One day?

Jennifer wrote: "Oh, no, I’m so sad to see this, Mark. I don’t encourage you to push on here, however, and the good news is that this is the most whimsical and fantastical of her novels. Meaning, try another instea..."

Hey Lisa, "Lullabies" it is!!!! I will take your sage advice on this, I also know lots of people love this author (and this book!) - the book blurb starts with describing "Lullabies" as Gritty - I like gritty!!

Charles wrote a good review of Lullabies, Mark :)

Jennifer wrote: "Charles wrote a good review of Lullabies, Mark :)"

I reckon I'll put Charles' review on ice until I've read this Lullabies Jennifer - I might go into this one cold!!!! Sometimes that works hey?

I completely understand that, Mark. I have a few reviews I’m waiting to read for the same reason. My husband makes fun of me for how little I want to know about a story before heading into one.

I think that's the charm of the author's style, very light and 'out there' everything has a magical quality to it. sorry you didn't like it- def a personal preference but I love her!!!
Lullabies for little criminals is one of my all time fav books. when we lost our heads was great too

Jennifer wrote: "I completely understand that, Mark. I have a few reviews I’m waiting to read for the same reason. My husband makes fun of me for how little I want to know about a story before heading into one."

Yes, I'm not a big fan of spoilers or even any hint of the ending Jennifer!!

Sarah Obsesses over Books & Cookies wrote: "I think that's the charm of the author's style, very light and 'out there' everything has a magical quality to it. sorry you didn't like it- def a personal preference but I love her!!!
Lullabies f..."

I enjoyed your review Sarah, and as I said, I haven't given up, with Lullabies being my next one sometime this year, thanks for chipping in!

Mark wrote: "Sarah Obsesses over Books & Cookies wrote: "I think that's the charm of the author's style, very light and 'out there' everything has a magical quality to it. sorry you didn't like it- def a person..."
No problem, from one reader to another.