Help Me Out
I have no idea what this will become although I'm thinking "strange necklace" or "very strange necklace". I just liked the colour combination of the turquoise waxed cotton and the matte red beads. I have some big opaque white beads too which I think might also make an interesting necklace. I don't tend to wear much jewellery, so this is certainly a departure for me.
Regular readers might have spotted that I am dealing with persistent medical matters and that I tend to visit doctors and/or hospitals with alarming frequency (actually, there is nothing alarming about the medical matters but I prefer not to blog about very personal things. I never was a confessional blogger). Anyway, this week I was advised by my NHS person to relax as much as possible in the weeks to come and, I quote, "watch some trashy TV and read crap books".
Huh.
Trashy TV: I don't think I will ever be able to stomach this. I tried watching some nonsense "middle-age female TV presenter investigates cosmetic surgery" programme yesterday but I only lasted ten minutes before switching to G20 coverage on BBC News. Is there a trashy TV programme which I would potentially enjoy? Recommendations for standard UK networks (remember, I'm in Scotland).
Crap books: Granted the actual words were "light reading which won't rot your brain but won't tax you either" but the gist is certainly crap books. Any recs? I think I'd prefer historical fiction, regency romances, fantasy or crime novels set in the early 20th C, but I'm open to suggestions. I'm not keen on contemporary chick lit, hard-boiled crime novels or writers who have graphic sex scenes every 18th pages or less (Laurell K. Hamilton, I'm looking at you in utter disgust).
Today I trawled through the seedy secondhand shops in Glagow's Partick area and managed to pick up 9 books for less than £5 plus a fabulous knitting magazine from 1983 with hilarious sweater patterns, stress-inducing lace socks and a curtain for the auto-camper.. and the beads you see in the photo. I tried to go for "crap books" but sadly I ended up with mostly Booker prize nominees and post-colonial classics. I clearly need recommendations.
April 3rd, 2009 - 18:02
I’m currently listening to the audiobook version of Twilight. It is a little bit on the Mills and Boon side, aimed at teenagers and light on the content. I’m finding it an excellent way to block out the world without having to think too much – work is a little tiresome at the moment. It is the best thing ever but it might do the trick?
April 3rd, 2009 - 18:17
I like that necklace thingy – it’s not your typical necklace, though…but I wondered if maybe it was something you could attach to a knitted sweater as an adornment piece.
April 3rd, 2009 - 18:50
Regency romance, light reading, sounds like maybe you should look at “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies”
April 3rd, 2009 - 18:59
I can happily watch some of the house and interiors programmes. When I was off sick last summer I got back into Home & Away and Neighbours that I loved as a teen, but I really wouldn’t recommend them. Channel 4 often has good classic films on in the afternoon.
Hope you are ok.
April 3rd, 2009 - 19:00
Well, I don’t know what’s available in Glasgow, but I would suggest; Arrested Development, Flight of the Conchords, or anything from the Edgar Wright/Simon Pegg/Nick Frost collection. Unless of course you want to avoid bursting any stitches.
April 3rd, 2009 - 19:47
I’m just about to finish this, and could pass it on to you on Tues if you’re interested?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Glass-Books-Dream-Eaters/dp/0141027304/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238787775&sr=8-1
Kept me going while waiting around for nothing to happen on jury duty for a week!
April 3rd, 2009 - 22:14
Crime books…Ian Rankin, Henning Mankell . Light reading…have you read any of the Sally Magnusson books, the one about visiting Iceland with her father is great, her family books are amusing too. Travel books in the sense of people making a new life somewhere have always been my favourite non-taxing reads especially for medically necessary rest (six months bedrest in hospital prior to the birth of my son gave me plenty of time to think about possibles) an hour or two contemplating running a coffee farm or olive grove takes your mind of NHS accommodation and food for a wee while!
TV hmm, more difficult, can you get films eg BT Vision or Sky movies ? or get DVD’s … old black and white films or films set in specific places.
Hope you feel better soon
April 4th, 2009 - 08:14
love the necklace :)
my fav ‘lazy’ books; bill bryson and stephen king.
E :)
April 4th, 2009 - 17:13
Light reading: Diana Wynne Jones and for the early 20th century crime Dororhy L. Sayers. The latter is available in lovely audioversions on Audible.
April 5th, 2009 - 21:59
Hmm light trashy reading Karie might enjoy … maybe Frank Tallis (“Vienna Blood” and “Mortal Mischief”). It’s slightly pulpy Sherlock Holmesian fiction in turn of the century (as in 1900) Vienna. We have gaslight, strange psychologists, art exhibits, weird murders with a slightly occult undertone and for some reason a strange obsession with describing cakes in detail. A fun read!
April 5th, 2009 - 23:04
@mooncalf: Oooh, but I’ve vowed to never read Twilight (plus I’ve been warned against sparkly vampires).
@Jen: YOU ARE A FRIGGING GENIUS. I should’ve thought of that myself.
@Katherine: I really should get around to watching Brief Encounters (which I have on DVD). Good call on C4 films too.
@Anne: I’m EAGERLY awaiting the second series of Flight of the Conchords to be aired here in the UK. Also? I should really watch Pegg/Frost in Spaced..
@Kirsty: Thanks, but it’s already on the shelf and in my TBR pile. Good call, in other words.
@xtiand: Yeah, those DVDs I’ve bought .. I really should watch them, shouldn’t I? Luckily I love 1940s and 1950s films..
@Elaine: Bill Bryson .. hmm, I think D. has a book or two..
@birgitte: Heh! I *love* Dorothy L. Sayers. Love, love, love her. And Other Half has a few Diana Wynne Jones .. hey, have you spied on our bookshelves?
@DK: Again, you come up trumps.
April 6th, 2009 - 09:17
Brookmyre? Funny, smart, but not taxing by any means. Alexander McCall Smith? Also fun and non-taxing. Come around and peruse our bookshelves sometime, you’d be welcome to borrow whatever tickles you fancy!
April 6th, 2009 - 10:40
@unblinkered: we have tonnes of Brookmyre in this house, but I might still want to have a lot at your bookshelves ;)
April 6th, 2009 - 14:20
You’re more than welcome to plunder my section, and if you play your cards right Michael might even let you put in orders for stuff from the cottage….most of his books live there! Endless SF, Wodehouse, Lawrence Block, Patrick O’Brian, Brookmyre, etc….we have at least eight bookcases double shelved with a fairly eclectic mix between us.