Due to excessive emails and in a last ditch attempt to save friends and family we as a collective, the Vyas sisters, have decided to blog, figuring three heads are better than one in the world of blogging, welcome to our world. So pick up your G&T and enjoy........
Lucy Mangan (her off of the Guardian) makes me laugh out loud every single week without fail. But I haven’t read any of her books. Roops knows how much I like her, and she bought me this (again from the Greenwich-Blackheath Amnesty book sale).I started reading it and wasn’t actually sure I would finish it, because the very title makes me annoyed – I mean honestly, either you want to get married or you don’t, and surely youshould just have the wedding that you want?! Yes, before all you married people start berating my insensitivity and telling me it’s just not that simple I know.I know there are lots of factors and elements that make it complicated, but my ignorant view is that you honestly should do what you want and try not to get sucked into the commerciality and hype. And competitiveness of the whole thing! Yes, one day I may eat my words, I know this too.
Anyway back to the book – it’s a very easy read and its really good, the usual Mangan laugh out loud humour and I did feel sympathy for her at times. She obviously loves toryboy and it’s funny to hear about her hilarious wedding planning, her family and her friends. I still am not quite sure about the title and the point of it though – I mean you don’t have to get married and you should have the wedding you want: it sounds like she did have the lovely wedding that she wanted, and that she wanted to get married. Its a fun easy read – but am not sure I’d ever pick it up again.
I really enjoyed reading this article by Amelia Sage on the f word blog - Miss, Ms or Mrs? I agree with her wholeheartedly, including where she questions herself - why should it matter? But it does.
Aside from the patriarchal ‘ownership’ chestnut, I don’t want to be a Miss anymore. Much to my dismay, I think I am a grown-up now. ‘Miss’ brings with it a whole host of connotations that I would rather not be attached to.
Our cousin Devon has a book when he was little called 'it's ok to be different...' For some reason I remembered this book as I read the article - perhaps we need an adult version.
This is a re-read for me – I borrowed it from the library when it first came out. Thankfully, Roopa was at the amazing annual Blackheath/Greenwich amnesty booksale in June, and bought it for me in the hope I hadn’t got it – and I hadn’t! It’s been on my wishlist to buy for a while, so thanks Roops!
This is the first Moist Von Lipwig story (it was followed by Making Money) and it’s a real corker. With the usual Pratchett wicked humour, its set on the discworld, mostly in the anarchic, brilliant, riotous city of Ankh morpork. Lord Vetenari is as ever a key driving force- but it also introduces a whole bunch of new characters, golems, Adora Bell Dearheart and Stanley the pinhead / stamp collector whilst still making passing references to some of the better known characters, like the watchmen Carrot, Nobby Nobbs and Angua, as well as wizards like Arch Chancellor Ridcully and Ponder Stibbens.
This story is very funny and fast paced, with lots of twists, turns and laugh out loud moments of parody with the world as we know it. I love it.
I’ve taken this reading meme from @Rich_W over at arbitrary constant - gonna get the both my sisters to fill it in too...
Do you snack while reading? > Very much so thank you. Much like my two big sisters (reference to age not size-no puns here) it depends on my mood and what we have got in. I love having snacks that take a while to eat eg kachi keree (un ripe mango), sweets like refresher bars, papur loat...
What is your favourite drink while reading? > same as J+D. Depends on time of day, mood and what kind of reading ie work or pleasure. Glass of wine always the most pleasurable.
Do you tend to mark your books while you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you? > Absolutely not horrifying! Most definitely have to mark books, in fact I'm so obsessed I get upset if for any reason I cant mark my books. Institutionalised?
How do you keep your place? Bookmark? Dog-ears? Laying the book open flat? > Yeah. All of the above. A favourite hobby growing up was to look at and remember the page number of where my sisters laid their books; then change the place and wait for them to return to it and get annoyed! Then I'd admit what page they were on because Im a really good little sister really.
Fiction, non-fiction or both? > fiction for sure, but very inspired and intrigued by Jigna's non-fiction reading and group, would very much like to be much better read in non-fiction. Aspects of work require non-fiction reading, but never too inspiring so maybe a little but put off.
Do you tend to read to the end of a chapter or can you stop anywhere? > I do tend to try to, just because I have so many books on the go- not all for pleasure- it makes it a bit easier to recall what happened before- mind you I almost always have to re-read the last few paragraphs!
Are you the type of person to throw a book across the room or on the floor if the author irritates you? > sometimes, I always liked the Friends episode when Joey puts The Shining in the freezer when it gets scary, then does it with Little Women when Beth gets poorly! Mostly I think I give up too easily and avoid picking it up again. A flakey characteristic of mine, I know.
If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop and look it up right away? > Yes. Always want to, if I dont have my favourite dictionary handy- mum got me for uni, its a 3-in-1 and its amazing- I write it down or write the word as an unsent text message or repeat it to myself over and over again until I can look it up. I often wish I had an iPhone for this, among other reasons. I sound a bit obsessive to admit this- but I do it with words I hear on tv aswell...
What are you currently reading? > Arthur Miller plays, realised a while back I only knew All My Sons, (ahhh mah daysss as we say at work) so read Death of a Salesman, and reading Crucible now, looking forward to A View from the Bridge. Also started lots of travel books, see titles in last bought below! What is the last book you bought? >EatMyGlobebySimonMajumdar,TallStorybyCandyGourlay,VideoNightinKathmandubyPicoIyer,HighHeels
and a Head Torch by Chelsea Duke, Travellers on the Dance Floor by Grevel Lindop and Australia by various writers from Granta. Im looking forward to getting my teeth stuck into them when we are away!
Do you have a favourite time/place to read? > yes, unfortunately, unlike my sisters, particularly Dhara I cant just pick up a book in any spare 30 seconds! Work takes it toll -much like most people- but Im looking forward to having some undivided attention with the written word, I have been a little slow and unfaithful with the tv.
Do you prefer series books or stand-alones? > Stand alones, never really got hooked on any series, tried same books by different authors, but willing to have a go at a series. (not Pratchet sisters, not yet anyway! )
Is there a specific book or author you find yourself recommending over and over? >Yes.Doesdependonwhoandcontext.Ioftengetcolleagues/sisterstohelpinmostrecommendations.
Theyareallhugelywellread.
How do you organize your books (by genre, title, author’s last name, etc.)? > no. wherever there is a spare nook or cranny!
Good friends at Bike Friendly Knox Henderson, are doing a "series" of posts about, "normal" people biking around the city. Starting with yours truly! Below is the link:
As I was finishing this book I had lots of mixed feelings and haven’t really been sure what I think of it.First things first – it is written as eloquently as you would expect and does indeed give you a real insight into the 44th president of the USA.And it is definitely worth reading, easy to read, well written, interesting and enjoyable.
But the thing that irked me was the focus on his father who was not there, and his ‘black’ heritage as opposed to his mother and grandparents, and ‘white’ heritage which he doesn’t (in this book) explore in more detail. Yes I get it – that’s the point, that because of his father that he is a black man and he knows nothing about him, but arguably a big (bigger?) part of him was the way he was actually raised, and the people he was raised by.Obama also recognises this, and in the introduction to the 2004 edition (following his mothers death) he considers whether if he had known she wouldn’t survive her illness he might have written a different book -
“…less a meditation on the absent parent, more a celebration of the one who was a single constant in my life……”
Because Dhara (@dharavyas) asked me to and I enjoyed reading hers. Dhara was inspired by @Rich_W, and his Reading Meme which can be found at; his blog Arbitrary Constant.
Do you snack while reading? > Yes, especially if at home as opposed to commuting, traveling etc. Snacks can include whatever is at home; fruit, crisps, pop corn, chocolate, ice cream, nuts, the list is endless.
What is your favourite drink while reading? > Depends on where I am, my mood, the weather. In the summertime usually something cold and refreshing water, white wine, Pimms is a rediscovered favourite. When the weather is cooler or the A/C is chilling my bones or I am at home in England, I love a nice cup of tea (and currently a Kit Kat courtesy of Roopa (@roopavyas) or a nice glass of dark red wine.
Do you tend to mark your books while you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you? > I often read library books so this is not a habit I have really developed, although I do find myself wishing I had a pen handy when reading. Usually I just try to remember and make a note somewhere, especially if it is a book group book, sometimes the notes come in handy when discussing the book.
How do you keep your place? Bookmark? Dog-ears? Laying the book open flat? > Bookmarks and as a last resort laying the book open flat
Do you tend to read to the end of a chapter or can you stop anywhere? > I do tend to read to the end of a chapter, but if I fall asleep or get distracted midway, it’s not a big deal. It also depends on the length of the chapters.
Are you the type of person to throw a book across the room or on the floor if the author irritates you? > No, but I do start mumbling and grumbling aloud and if it gets really annoying I have to put the book down and walk away, or pick up another book.
If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop and look it up right away? > Probably not right away, but at a later point, although, on the rare occasion that I have no absolutely no clue and the word must be defined to understand an important aspect of the book, I do have to stop. (To clarify; I am not saying that I am a walking dictionary and understand the definition of every obscure word, rather that, if the exact definition of a particular word eludes me I can usually decipher the meaning from the context.)
What are you currently reading? > “The White Mans Burden; Why the West’s efforts to Aid the Rest have done so much ill and so little good” by William Easterly. “Lacuna” by Barbara Kingsolver. "Equal Rites" by Terry Pratchett (I am really enjoying this my first Terry Pratchett novel, recommended by Dhara, on hold for a short while due to the fact that I must finish the heavy non fiction read.)
Do you have a favourite time/place to read? > Usually before I go to sleep in bed. Sunday mornings in bed, comfy chair in our living room at any time, whilst traveling and on holiday.
Do you prefer series books or stand-alones? > If it is something that interests me; stand alone or series; I will read it.
Is there a specific book or author you find yourself recommending over and over? > Yes, Douglas Adams, he is funny, witty, clever, astute and insightful. He is missed. But it also depends on who I am talking to, what their reading habits are etc.
How do you organize your books (by genre, title, author’s last name, etc.)? > Despite my anal tendencies there is no organization on our book shelves; it is a case of whatever can fit where. We have over the years accumulated and let go of so many books, that it really is a movable feast in no particular order. Which is another reason why I love the public library, no need to find more room on over crowded shelves, but I do have to find room on over crowded bed side tables.
I’ve taken this reading meme from @Rich_W over at arbitrary constant - gonna get the both my sisters to fill it in too...
Do you snack while reading? > depends on 3 things – 1) if it’s possible (i.e. not when I am reading whilst laid in bed) 2) if I feel like it (which i usually do) and 3) whether there is anything in the house to snack on! Anything really, nacho’s, chevro, peanuts, popcorn, chocolate etc etc
What is your favourite drink while reading? > again depends on my mood and what’s in the house (and time of day) morning – coffee or juice, afternoon maybe water, soft drink or beer, evening maybe min tea, maybe a glass of wine, maybe a G&T....
Do you tend to mark your books while you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you? > when I was studying I would underline or use those post it tags. Now if something strikes me I’ll turn down the corner or stick any old piece of paper in to mark it.
How do you keep your place? Bookmark? Dog-ears? Laying the book open flat? > all of the above and more. Generally lay it open flat then stick a bookmark or bit of paper/receipt/train ticket/sweetwrapper anything to hand in when I need to.
Fiction, non-fiction or both? > FICTION baby! – well mostly, but not strictly (see current reading below!)
Do you tend to read to the end of a chapter or can you stop anywhere? > no, I just read till I fall asleep/have to get off the train/have to do something else...
Are you the type of person to throw a book across the room or on the floor if the author irritates you? > yes. Or put it in another room or back of the wardrobe if it scares or upsets me.
If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop and look it up right away? > depends on whether it makes a difference – if i get the gist i might look it up later, if i feel knowing the definition might make a difference i look it up
Do you have a favourite time/place to read? > nope – i’ll read anywhere i dont mind. i particularly like reading in bed, and on holiday.
Do you prefer series books or stand-alones? > erm well i have loads of series, so i guess i like them. but that doesn’t mean I prefer them. if a books good, its good.
Is there a specific book or author you find yourself recommending over and over? > Of course I do. Hundreds of standalone books but it depends on the person I am recommending the book or author to really – if know they liked something in particular I’ll recommend something in a similar vein that I think they'll like. If i start listing books or authors i worry i’ll leave a crucial one off.... but I do generally rave about Vikram Seths A Suitable Boy and recommend it often.
How do you organize your books (by genre, title, author’s last name, etc.)? > I don’t, I let my organisationally anal boyfriend with librarian tendencies worry about these things. I don’t care, as long as they surround me my books can be in any old order!
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We are opinionated but we do not mean to cause any offence.
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Lucy Mangan (her off of the Guardian) makes me laugh out loud every single week without fail. But I haven’t read any of her books. Roops knows how much I like her, and she bought me this (again from the Greenwich-Blackheath Amnesty book sale). I started reading it and wasn’t actually sure I would finish it, because the very title makes me annoyed – I mean honestly, either you want to get married or you don’t, and surely you should just have the wedding that you want?! Yes, before all you married people start berating my insensitivity and telling me it’s just not that simple I know. I know there are lots of factors and elements that make it complicated, but my ignorant view is that you honestly should do what you want and try not to get sucked into the commerciality and hype. And competitiveness of the whole thing! Yes, one day I may eat my words, I know this too.
