1) Read one book each month.
1a) Read Agatha Christie books in chronological order.
2) Watch films from IMDb's top 100 movies of all time.
3) Support charities.
May has been a good month for reading, I've managed four books as well as my Agatha Christie book.
I didn't know what to expect from We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler as the blurb doesn't give much away. There's a bit of a twist, well, a lot of a twist so I won't give it away but I will tell you that it's about Rosemary, her family and family relationships. This book has got many mixed reviews, some people rave about it, others find it very hard going or even boring but there's no getting away from the fact that it will make you think. I actually thought it was an excellent read and I did shed tears, especially as there are some very sad true events documented in the book.
I saw a review for Yellow Crocus by Laila Ibrahim on Mrs M's Meanderings blog and thought it might be my kind of book, I was right I thoroughly enjoyed it. It follows the lives of Lisbeth and her enslaved wet nurse, Mattie, over the course of many years. It was one of those books where you want to keep reading to find out what happens next.
I'm a fan of The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency books by Alexander McCall Smith so when I saw he'd got a new book out, Fatty O'Leary's Dinner Party, I thought I'd give it a go. It's recently won the Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize for comic literature but I'm afraid to say that I found it very dull. It's supposed to be humorous but I didn't find it funny in the least, it was just one ridiculous situation after another. The Handsome Man's De Luxe Cafe, the latest Ladies' Detective Agency book, is still on my wish list though.
I read A Mother's Story by Amanda Prowse back in March and really enjoyed it. It's part of the No Greater Love series so I thought I'd read the rest of the collection. Poppy Day is about a married couple, Martin and Poppy, and how they cope when Mart is taken hostage in Afghanistan where he's serving in the army. Poppy is determined to bring him home herself after the army's failed rescue attempt but she faces a heartbreaking dilemma. I expected something different from this book, it didn't follow the course I thought it would and it was very far fetched, but I still enjoyed it.
The Secret Of Chimney's is the fifth Agatha Christie book I've read and it's been the hardest one to get in to so far. I had a bit of trouble at the beginning keeping track of who was who but it got easier to follow as I went along and I ended up enjoying it.
I managed to watch four films from the IMDb list this month.
I think everyone knows the Here's Johnny catchphrase from The Shining but I'd never seen the film. After all the hype surrounding it I expected more, I found it a bit disappointing.
A Clockwork Orange is definitely not my kind of film, I nearly turned this one off after the first half an hour as I just didn't get it. Thank goodness that some kind of story emerged after this time but it's not one I'd want to watch again.
I knew a bit about Reservoir Dogs before watching it. I'd shied away from it before as it's not the genre of film I'd ordinarily watch but it was a good film, not one I'd watch again but it managed to keep my interest. I did have to watch part of it from behind a cushion though, it's quite violent to say the least.
Toy Story 3 was my favourite film this month. This film is number 68 on the list yet Toy Story is not in the top 100 which I find unbelievable as I think it's far superior. I just loved the interaction in the first one between Woody and Buzz and how Buzz wouldn't believe that he was a toy. How about you, if you've seen the three Toy Story films, which would you say is your favourite?
I posted earlier this month about knitting Hats For Babies for Norfolk and Norwich Hospital: NICU (neonatal intensive care unit). I recently received an email thanking me for the knitting donations which I thought was very nice of them.
I decided that I'd save up all my 5p, 2p and 1ps for the duration of a month and then donate the total to charity. The coins totalled £1.80, not a lot I know but every little helps. I saw some lovely dogs with collecting tins for Guide Dogs and thought this was a great charity to help. The lady seemed very pleased when I got my little money bag out and dropped the coins in the tin.
I've finally got round to sorting out all my shoes. I have to confess that I don't wear many different pairs of shoes as I've always had problems buying comfortable footwear but I've collected quite a few pairs over the years which I shall never wear again, most of them only worn once or twice, so someone else might as well get some use out of them. I took them all to the Mind charity shop.
I've managed to keep up to date with my challenges even though May has been a very busy month. As you know, my dad was taken in to hospital at the beginning of the month and since then, my mum's also been in but she's home again now. I'll be glad to see the back of May, I'm just hoping for a healthier June.
You're doing so well with your challenges, Jo. The books you've read sound interesting. I always like to see what other people are reading. I've seen the movies you listed here and I'm in agreement on all of them! Reservoir Dogs is a good movie but very violent. I first watched it when I was in college, and I remember actually running out of the room where I was watching it with friends, and down the hall! I had to get away. I've watched it again since and it wasn't so bad but still kind of disturbing. I think sometimes that's one of the benefits of film, though - you see things that are nothing like real life and that can be enriching in its own way. I hope you're having a good weekend.
ReplyDeleteI get so many recommendations for books from blog posts, it's always interesting to hear what other people think of them before you buy them yourself. It's interesting what you say about film, I think you're right. I'm so pleased that I've taken this challenge on as I wouldn't have watched more that half the films I have so far otherwise but I'm really glad that I have. I've enjoyed watching films which I'd never have watched otherwise.
DeleteYou've done well with all your challenges for May considering your family situation with your parents, which I hope improves. At such times it's not so easy to concentrate on reading, I find, unless it's something light or an absorbing story. You must have been pleased to receive the email and, of course, the charities appreciate support.
ReplyDeleteI think I've used the books as a bit of escapism this month, it's been quite full on at times. I try to help out charities where I can, not for the thanks, but it's always welcome just the same. It's nice to know that the help is appreciated.
DeleteI didn't realise your Dad was in hospital; is he still? And best wishes to your Mum; no wonder you're keen for June!
ReplyDeleteWell done on the challenge fronts, I find it interesting that you said The Secret at Chimneys was a harder read to get into; it's not an Agatha Christie that I know well, perhaps it's not one of her best?
My dad was taken in to hospital earlier in the month with stomach pains, it was quite worrying considering his other health problems but it turned out to be appendicitis, not something you envisage at 82 years old. He had keyhole surgery and has recovered really well. I don't know if it was because I had other things on my mind at the time of reading The Secret Of Chimneys but I had a bit of a hard time following it at the start but I warmed to some of the characters later on and enjoyed it once I got going.
DeleteWell done on all that reading. I must say that mine has slowed down a bit because of other activities but the book I'm on now is a winner - Before I go to sleep by S. J. Watson. Soon be June. I wish the weather would catch up.
ReplyDeletexx
I think I absorbed myself in reading this month, it was a bit of escapism amongst everything else which was going on. Before I Go To Sleep sounds really good, I've just read some reviews of it so I shall look forward to hearing what you think once you've finished it. Who'd think we were nearly in to June with the weather we've had so far? I just wish the wind would die down.
DeleteA great roundup of your challenges. I haven't read The Secret of Chimneys, but saw a TV adaptation and was rather confused myself at the beginning too! Your hats are great and will be much appreciated I am sure - and your other things too! Glad to hear that your Mum is home, I hope that your Dad will be able to join her. xx
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it isn't only me who was confused with The Secret Of Chimneys, it definitely got better as it went along. My dad is out of hospital already, it turned out that he'd got appendicitis so it wasn't as serious as we first thought.
DeleteCongratulations on another month of successful challenges, Jo. I hope both your mum and dad feel better soon. Hugs all round! :o)
ReplyDeleteMy dad's much better now, he's recovered so quickly, all down to keyhole surgery. My mum's still not so well but we're all looking after her.
DeleteWell Jo I think you have done fantastically well on your May Challenge.
ReplyDeleteHope June is a good month for you and all the family ...
All the best Jan
I've managed quite a few thing from my challenges, especially considering the lack of time I've had. I'm hoping that things look up in June, there's lots of things I need to catch up with.
Deletelooks like a great month for your challenges, heres hoping June is a better month and that your parents health picks up. x
ReplyDeleteI'm keeping my fingers crossed for my mum and dad's health, it's very wearing on all the family when they're unwell.
DeleteWell done with all you've done this month.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you say about all the films you watched, and like you think Toy Story is the best of the three. Flighty xx
After watching such gruesome and violent films I needed a bit of light relief with Toy Story 3. I think the actual idea of Toy Story, the toys coming to life and having to convince Buzz that he's a toy, is brilliant.
DeleteWell done on the challenges, especially keeping up the reading when not enjoying a book. I just give up if it can't keep me interested. Glad you gave some money to Guide Dogs, because as you know I'll be back to volunteering at Vision Australia, who are also involved with guide dogs. Ah, shoes! My feet only like comfort because of arthritis and I've a few more pairs to go off to an Op shop. I must tell you some books I've read that might be of interest. Take care.
ReplyDeleteIt's very rare that I'll let a book defeat me and sometimes it works out well as I end up getting in to it and enjoying it. I've always had trouble finding comfortable shoes so I tend to stick with a pair until they're completely worn out when I do find some.
DeleteWell done your challenges Jo, you've packed a lot in this month. I watched The Shining once and scared myself stupid, it didn't help that I was working night duty at a hotel at the time!
ReplyDeleteNow you've got rid of the shoes you don't wear, you'll have an excuse to go shopping to buy more comfortable ones ;-) xx
Ha ha, The Shining is not a film you want to watch if you're working night duty in a hotel. I hate shoe shopping, it's not something I do unless I'm forced to. I've got my comfortable sandals for summer but I could do with a new pair of boots for winter.
DeleteThe Yellow Crocus book sounds really interesting, that is something I think I would like. Well done on the film watching front. I think the first TS is the best. I have seen RD, but not the other ones you've watched this month, I think you are doing so well watching stuff you wouldn't do otherwise, some of it is gory!
ReplyDeleteLisa x
I think Yellow Crocus is a book you'd definitely enjoy. I know it's my mum's kind of book but I got it on my Kindle so I can't pass it on. That's one of the drawbacks of a Kindle, with proper books I always pass them to friends and family once I've read them but I've read lots now on the Kindle which I think other people would enjoy but can't share them. I'm really out of my comfort zone with some of the films I'm watching but I'm finding some really good ones so I'm enjoying this challenge very much.
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