Sirfurboy's (Stephen's) 75 book challenge for 2024
Charlas75 Books Challenge for 2024
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1sirfurboy
In 2022 and 2023 I only managed 50 books, but I've been busy with a Creative Writing MA (part time, 2 years). I'm still busy with it, but hopefully I will do better in 2024, so welcome to my 75 book challenge thread.
I am Stephen, or Sir Furboy. I live in Aberystwyth, on the west coast of Mid Wales. My hobbies include walking, cycling, kayaking and surfing (obviously), although these days I mostly just surf in my kayak. I also like languages and reading (of course), and thus also reading in other languages.
Although I am an avid reader, and have been since I was eight years old, I did not in fact learn to read until I was seven-and-a-half, going on eight. This, it turns out, is because I am dyspraxic, a specific learning difficulty that was largely unrecognised in school. I was in remedial education until age of 8, but once I learned to read, and read well, they stopped the interventions. This was unfortunate because it was not just my reading that was affected. It also affected my performance in a range of other subjects but it was only in 2022 that I finally got a diagnosis that put everything in context, and left me flabbergasted that there were so many dots, and that no-one ever joined them! In any case, by the age of 8 I was actually reading with a reading age a couple of years above my chronological age.
Oh yes, some of my favourite genres are Young Adult, Sci Fi, Coming of Age, Fantasy and Historical. I also try to read some classics each year, as well as some non fiction and other works out of those genres.
As I said up front, I am undertaking a Creative Writing MA, fully online with the University of Hull. I am enjoying it immensely, and currently on course for a distinction (fingers crossed I don't blow it now!) Writing is something I have always loved. It does, however, severely impinge on my free time, requiring over 20 hours per week during term times.
Anyway, I hope you will star my thread and stop by every now and again. Coffee is available (not necessarily from me! But it's definitely available) and the sofa is comfy. Except where I have been jumping on it.
I am Stephen, or Sir Furboy. I live in Aberystwyth, on the west coast of Mid Wales. My hobbies include walking, cycling, kayaking and surfing (obviously), although these days I mostly just surf in my kayak. I also like languages and reading (of course), and thus also reading in other languages.
Although I am an avid reader, and have been since I was eight years old, I did not in fact learn to read until I was seven-and-a-half, going on eight. This, it turns out, is because I am dyspraxic, a specific learning difficulty that was largely unrecognised in school. I was in remedial education until age of 8, but once I learned to read, and read well, they stopped the interventions. This was unfortunate because it was not just my reading that was affected. It also affected my performance in a range of other subjects but it was only in 2022 that I finally got a diagnosis that put everything in context, and left me flabbergasted that there were so many dots, and that no-one ever joined them! In any case, by the age of 8 I was actually reading with a reading age a couple of years above my chronological age.
Oh yes, some of my favourite genres are Young Adult, Sci Fi, Coming of Age, Fantasy and Historical. I also try to read some classics each year, as well as some non fiction and other works out of those genres.
As I said up front, I am undertaking a Creative Writing MA, fully online with the University of Hull. I am enjoying it immensely, and currently on course for a distinction (fingers crossed I don't blow it now!) Writing is something I have always loved. It does, however, severely impinge on my free time, requiring over 20 hours per week during term times.
Anyway, I hope you will star my thread and stop by every now and again. Coffee is available (not necessarily from me! But it's definitely available) and the sofa is comfy. Except where I have been jumping on it.
2sirfurboy
1. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time - Mark Haddon
This was an excellent tale in which the protagonist, an autistic boy, sets out to solve the mystery of who killed a neighbour's dog, and in the process unravels other mysteries, and embarks on a grand adventure. In the telling, the reader is given an inside look into the life of the autistic boy, and the challenges faced. It is well researched, well envisaged and well executed. I don't give many five star reviews these days as I am trying to avoid the skew/bias towards top reviews, but this is a book I can imagine quoting, referring to or recommending, and that would, I think, qualify it for the top rating.
This was an excellent tale in which the protagonist, an autistic boy, sets out to solve the mystery of who killed a neighbour's dog, and in the process unravels other mysteries, and embarks on a grand adventure. In the telling, the reader is given an inside look into the life of the autistic boy, and the challenges faced. It is well researched, well envisaged and well executed. I don't give many five star reviews these days as I am trying to avoid the skew/bias towards top reviews, but this is a book I can imagine quoting, referring to or recommending, and that would, I think, qualify it for the top rating.
7figsfromthistle
Happy new New Year and happy reading in 2024
8sirfurboy
2. The Emotional Craft of Fiction - Donald Maas
There are a lot of books about writing, and they contain plenty of excellent information. However, if you read them they can get a bit repetitive. This book takes a different tack. Rather than talking about the art of good prose, plot, person or voice, etc., this book looks at the emotion conveyed in a story, and how to encourage a reader to really experience a novel. How to envelope them in it.
When it comes down to it, there is still a lot of overlap with other books on the subject of writing, but this difference of emphasis makes this an excellent work. It will get you thinking about the emotional content of your story, and the impact of the prose. Definitely good information in this one.
There are a lot of books about writing, and they contain plenty of excellent information. However, if you read them they can get a bit repetitive. This book takes a different tack. Rather than talking about the art of good prose, plot, person or voice, etc., this book looks at the emotion conveyed in a story, and how to encourage a reader to really experience a novel. How to envelope them in it.
When it comes down to it, there is still a lot of overlap with other books on the subject of writing, but this difference of emphasis makes this an excellent work. It will get you thinking about the emotional content of your story, and the impact of the prose. Definitely good information in this one.
10FAMeulstee
Happy reading in 2024, Stephen!
>2 sirfurboy: A very good book, rated it the same. I read it 15 years ago, but it feels still fresh in my mind.
>2 sirfurboy: A very good book, rated it the same. I read it 15 years ago, but it feels still fresh in my mind.
11EllaTim
Happy New Year, Stephen!
Wow, doing an MA, wishing you lots of succes!
I’ve never heard of dyspraxia, but Marc, my hubby is dyslexic. When he was in school this was all unheard of, and not understood at all. Good for you, getting a real diagnosis. For Marc the dyslexia is still influencing his life.
Wow, doing an MA, wishing you lots of succes!
I’ve never heard of dyspraxia, but Marc, my hubby is dyslexic. When he was in school this was all unheard of, and not understood at all. Good for you, getting a real diagnosis. For Marc the dyslexia is still influencing his life.
12PaulCranswick
Great reading start to the year, Sir F.
Happy new year and a star dropped for another year of following along.
Happy new year and a star dropped for another year of following along.
14WhiteRaven.17
Happy new year of reading Stephen!
15PersephonesLibrary
All the best for 2024!
17sirfurboy
3. Writing Life Stories - Bill Roorbach
Another good guide on writing creative non fiction and life stories. Plenty of good examples from a wealth of experience. I expect it would make a good course text as the writer clearly developed it from course materials. It wasn't a course text for me though - just a bit of extra reading. It rehearsed information that I had found in my course texts and I think was just as useful.
Another good guide on writing creative non fiction and life stories. Plenty of good examples from a wealth of experience. I expect it would make a good course text as the writer clearly developed it from course materials. It wasn't a course text for me though - just a bit of extra reading. It rehearsed information that I had found in my course texts and I think was just as useful.
19sirfurboy
4. But What Can I Do? - Alistair Campbell
Alastair Campbell pulls no punches with this hard hitting critique of the parlous state of British politics. But this is not a party political rant. He is more concerned with generating engagement in politics amongst the disillusioned, and what he attacks is (for the most part) the attitudes, sense of entitlement, downright deceit, tribalism and denigration fo the political sphere seen in recent years. It is a rallying cry against populism, and for engaged politics.
Campbell makes no secret of his labour leanings, but he does a podcast with conservative Rory Stewart, and this book shows signs of that collaboration. It can be read by anyone (although anyone who still thinks Brexit was a grand idea might find it tough reading). I disagreed on a couple of small points. Campbell still clearly believes in the British first past the post system, for instance. He doesn't make a big deal of it, but he suggests it has (until now) delivered decisive government, and the one long running (in fact, the world's longest running) political lobby group that gets no mention is the electoral reform society. There were some other points like that. But that is the power of this book: you don't have to agree with Campbell on everything to take home the central message. Politics can be changed, but only if people care enough to change it.
Alastair Campbell pulls no punches with this hard hitting critique of the parlous state of British politics. But this is not a party political rant. He is more concerned with generating engagement in politics amongst the disillusioned, and what he attacks is (for the most part) the attitudes, sense of entitlement, downright deceit, tribalism and denigration fo the political sphere seen in recent years. It is a rallying cry against populism, and for engaged politics.
Campbell makes no secret of his labour leanings, but he does a podcast with conservative Rory Stewart, and this book shows signs of that collaboration. It can be read by anyone (although anyone who still thinks Brexit was a grand idea might find it tough reading). I disagreed on a couple of small points. Campbell still clearly believes in the British first past the post system, for instance. He doesn't make a big deal of it, but he suggests it has (until now) delivered decisive government, and the one long running (in fact, the world's longest running) political lobby group that gets no mention is the electoral reform society. There were some other points like that. But that is the power of this book: you don't have to agree with Campbell on everything to take home the central message. Politics can be changed, but only if people care enough to change it.
20richardderus
>19 sirfurboy: There's calculation behind the despair and hopelessness fomented by our sources of information. Hopeless people don't try to change things. *sigh* Effective, isn't it.
21sirfurboy
>20 richardderus: Sadly so.
22sirfurboy
5. Uncollected Poems - R S Thomas - Tony Brown (ed.)
I am not a great reader of poetry, nor much of an authority on it. I can't tell you what makes poetry good or bad, so I don't think I should say too much about the quality of this collection except to note that Thomas' poetry was well regarded, but these are some of his more obscure works.
But I did pick up this collection, drawn by one poem (The Climber) and kept here by some others. His Stop Press had me thinking, because the message of the poem makes you understand that this clergyman's views and ideas were rather complex, and he was clearly a deep thinker. The poem seemed to work on several levels, as did the Climber, and many others of these too.
One poet I have read a lot of is Blake. Thomas is not that similar to Blake, but the apparent simplicity and the hidden depths are things you find in Blake's poetry too. Don't misunderstand me though: these poems are not like Blake's. Just that if I didn't quite get what made poetry good before, I think I have a slightly better understanding now.
I am not a great reader of poetry, nor much of an authority on it. I can't tell you what makes poetry good or bad, so I don't think I should say too much about the quality of this collection except to note that Thomas' poetry was well regarded, but these are some of his more obscure works.
But I did pick up this collection, drawn by one poem (The Climber) and kept here by some others. His Stop Press had me thinking, because the message of the poem makes you understand that this clergyman's views and ideas were rather complex, and he was clearly a deep thinker. The poem seemed to work on several levels, as did the Climber, and many others of these too.
One poet I have read a lot of is Blake. Thomas is not that similar to Blake, but the apparent simplicity and the hidden depths are things you find in Blake's poetry too. Don't misunderstand me though: these poems are not like Blake's. Just that if I didn't quite get what made poetry good before, I think I have a slightly better understanding now.
24SandDune
>22 sirfurboy: When we were on holiday in Cricieth last year we stayed in R.S. Thomas's cottage. I remember doing some of his poetry at school and I think it put me off for like!
26sirfurboy
>24 SandDune: Understandable! I showed one poem to a friend, and his comment was "that's not poetry. It doesn't even rhyme."
To which, of course, I had to recite:
Roses are red,
Violets are blue
Some poems rhyme
This one doesn't
And:
There was an old man from Cork
Who got limerick confused with haiku
That's about my level of poetry!
To which, of course, I had to recite:
Roses are red,
Violets are blue
Some poems rhyme
This one doesn't
And:
There was an old man from Cork
Who got limerick confused with haiku
That's about my level of poetry!
27sirfurboy
6. The Gathering - Anne Enright
This book comes with a well deserved Man Booker Prize warning. It is, I think, the epitome of what makes a good Man Booker Prize winner, and if you like all those kinds of books, you won't let a negative review from me dissuade you from enjoying this book. But all I can say is I didn't like it a lot. It was okay. Which is a pity when it had a lot going for it.
The author's writing is very accomplished. There is some wonderful prose in this work, and some very well done scenes. Technically it scores a lot of marks. It is the kind of writing beloved by the judges of that prize and it is easy to see why they noticed this one. But this is an example of how excellent writing doesn't always save a book. At least, not for me.
The narrative is very non linear. That's not a bad thing. Making the reader work a bit is an excellent things. Again this is clever stuff. But what did for this book is, quite frankly, naff characterisation. A book like this could be utterly brilliant if we were drawn into the characters and a part of their lives. But this book didn't do that. And because of that, I can't imagine I would ever look at it again, nor recommend it. Sorry.
I am trying to school myself to like more contemporary literary writing, and to find what so many others seem to find in it. I didn't find it here, though.
This book comes with a well deserved Man Booker Prize warning. It is, I think, the epitome of what makes a good Man Booker Prize winner, and if you like all those kinds of books, you won't let a negative review from me dissuade you from enjoying this book. But all I can say is I didn't like it a lot. It was okay. Which is a pity when it had a lot going for it.
The author's writing is very accomplished. There is some wonderful prose in this work, and some very well done scenes. Technically it scores a lot of marks. It is the kind of writing beloved by the judges of that prize and it is easy to see why they noticed this one. But this is an example of how excellent writing doesn't always save a book. At least, not for me.
The narrative is very non linear. That's not a bad thing. Making the reader work a bit is an excellent things. Again this is clever stuff. But what did for this book is, quite frankly, naff characterisation. A book like this could be utterly brilliant if we were drawn into the characters and a part of their lives. But this book didn't do that. And because of that, I can't imagine I would ever look at it again, nor recommend it. Sorry.
I am trying to school myself to like more contemporary literary writing, and to find what so many others seem to find in it. I didn't find it here, though.
28richardderus
>27 sirfurboy: A lot of "literary" writing is about spaces left for the reader, requiring them to do the work...as you say, a good thing overall. A lot of *failed* literary writing does not grab the reader and compel their investment in the story. If you ever have a chance to read Robert Pinget's monadnock of the nouveau roman movement, THE INQUISITORY, you will see the most intense demand for reader investment in literature...more than ULYSSES...and, from my point of view, with the proper level of inducement to invest in the story. None of it is particularly character centered...no one has a name, the dialogue is descriptionless and unattributed...but the questions and answers are all so *directed* that it felt like I was pulled along in their slipstream.
A really long way to say, it CAN be done...she did not do it, but it *can*!
A really long way to say, it CAN be done...she did not do it, but it *can*!
29The_Hibernator
Hi Stephen. I didn't realize you were dyspraxic. Yes, it is missed a lot. I am pretty sure my step-daughter is dysgraphic, but she hasn't officially been diagnosed due to money. It's about $2000.
30sirfurboy
7. Billy and the Giant Adventure - Jamie Oliver
Jamie Oliver, yes that Jamie Oliver, writes a book for children. Good fun stuff, interspersed with tips on cooking good food (well obviously). Parts of this descend into slapstick. I expect the young children this is aimed at will love it. I just liked it, but don't take this as a negative review. However, from my sniffy adult perspective, it was not greatly deep or meaningful. I was, however, very impressed when he deals with dyslexia. We get more of the author delivered to us in those sections, and that is an important subject, appropriately handled. All in all, I liked it and I think some children will love it.
Jamie Oliver, yes that Jamie Oliver, writes a book for children. Good fun stuff, interspersed with tips on cooking good food (well obviously). Parts of this descend into slapstick. I expect the young children this is aimed at will love it. I just liked it, but don't take this as a negative review. However, from my sniffy adult perspective, it was not greatly deep or meaningful. I was, however, very impressed when he deals with dyslexia. We get more of the author delivered to us in those sections, and that is an important subject, appropriately handled. All in all, I liked it and I think some children will love it.
31sirfurboy
>28 richardderus: Thanks Richard. The Inquisitory looks interesting. I like the concept of an unreliable narrator, even though I don't always "get" them in their implementation (Life of Pi?!). This one, just based on the synopsis, looks like it could be a good example of it done right so I have added it to my TBR. Thanks.
32sirfurboy
>29 The_Hibernator: I think there is a lot of cross over between dyspraxia (you probably call it DCD in the US) and dysgraphia. These are all spectrum conditions, and I can well imagine the difficulties it gives for your step-daughter. I paid for a dyspraxia evaluation myself and the cost was a little less than that - translating to about $1,000. You may be able to find evaluations a little cheaper where you are (but clearly they need to be from recognised professionals or else they will be useless). In the UK there are ways to apply for evaluations paid for by the NHS, universities, education authorities or in workplaces, although it is usually not simple!
Is there anyway you can get some kind of preliminary evaluation? Someone who can at least discuss the issues and say yes, this could by dysgraphia or something similar? The worry I had before paying for my own evaluation was that although I suspected dyspraxia (always had done since I heard of it), there were elements of other things that meant I was worried I would pay for the evaluation only to be told, no it's not that but it might be something else. I spoke to my GP about it, and he agreed dyspraxia was likely. I then spoke to Dyspraxia UK on the phone before agreeing to go ahead and pay.
But, having done the due diligence, let me know. You could set up a gofundme, and I would be happy to chip in to that.
Is there anyway you can get some kind of preliminary evaluation? Someone who can at least discuss the issues and say yes, this could by dysgraphia or something similar? The worry I had before paying for my own evaluation was that although I suspected dyspraxia (always had done since I heard of it), there were elements of other things that meant I was worried I would pay for the evaluation only to be told, no it's not that but it might be something else. I spoke to my GP about it, and he agreed dyspraxia was likely. I then spoke to Dyspraxia UK on the phone before agreeing to go ahead and pay.
But, having done the due diligence, let me know. You could set up a gofundme, and I would be happy to chip in to that.
33EllaTim
Hi Stephen. When I was in school the matter of learning difficulties was virtually unheard of. I think it’s a good thing there’s so much more attention for it now. It used to be kids were called lazy, unwilling, unattentive. A real diagnosis stops this. So I am very sorry to hear getting that necessary diagnosis is so expensive!
My husband has dyslexia. He is 72, and it still bothers him.
My husband has dyslexia. He is 72, and it still bothers him.
34Tess_W
>27 sirfurboy: Sounded promising until the non-linear "thingy". It's like seafood, I don't like to have to crack the crab legs to get the meat out.....and I don't want to have to flesh out the story when I'm reading for pleasure!
35sirfurboy
>34 Tess_W: Hi Tess. Yes, absolutely. Thanks for stopping by.
36The_Hibernator
>32 sirfurboy: Around here a learning disability medical diagnosis is useless in schools. To get special education help, you need the school to evaluate, which is free, but does not give an actual name to the learning disability. A diagnosis would be helpful in college, but since she's been ever-so-slightly improving year after year, it seems best to wait.
37richardderus
I dropped off May Day wishes, I thought...apparently not, though.
Hoping you're well and reading good stuff.
Hoping you're well and reading good stuff.
