Comments for A Common Reader

Comment on A holiday and a decision by stujallen

stujallen — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:44:52 +0000

I admire your decision ,I may at some point do the same ,I get a few review copies ,but it can be a burden at times ,all the best stu

Comment on Review: Under the Same Stars – Tim Lott by Guy Savage

Guy Savage — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:10:07 +0000

Sounds like a book I would enjoy a lot. I noted that while one brother brags up all the big “improvements” they end up looking in “cheap cafes and diners” those peculiar places that seem to defy corporate cannibalism especially in rural areas which are overlooked by the big chains.

There’s a wonderful documentary called This is Nowhere that explores the lives of people who drive their huge RVs and trailers around America and then park them in Walmart parking lots. It’s an excellent film but also hilarious in a way. You see these people driving hundreds of miles and then parking outside of these big shops only to dash in to pick up their supplies. They apparently are attracted to the familiarity of the place on their quest to travel America. Bizarre & funny to see people lounging in chairs enjoying the view from a concrete parking lot.

Comment on Review: Under the Same Stars – Tim Lott by Brian Joseph

Brian Joseph — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:06:29 +0000

Sounds like an entertaining character study.

I laughed when I read something that you wrote.

“Carson on the other hand is a born-again Christian, and is relentlessly upbeat, responding to every negative remark with a unrealistically optimistic cliché.”

This reminds me of a certain breed of mostly young people who enter the business world. Of course these folks are usually cured of this ailment after a couple of years.

Comment on Review: Under the Same Stars – Tim Lott by Lisa Hill

Lisa Hill — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:40:55 +0000

This sounds hilarious … especially the idea that McDonalds and Starbucks has improved cuisine in Britain!
Methinks it was Elizabeth David. Surely, once rationing was out of the way and people began to cook better at home, and especially when mass tourism began and people enjoyed good food in Europe, they began to demand better in cafes and restaurants at home in the UK!
In all my recent travels in the UK, I’ve encountered just one eating place that daunted me. The Spouse manfully ate his way through his but not me, I went over the road to the supermarket for some fresh fruit and a muesli bar!

Comment on A holiday and a decision by Brian Joseph

Brian Joseph — Wed, 22 May 2013 12:44:32 +0000

Looks and sounds like you had a nice trip. I really like remoteness.

I really like that quote by Delany. It has been a long time since I read him. As I recall his fiction was not like anyone else’s so I would say that he practiced what he preached.

Comment on A holiday and a decision by Nadia

Nadia — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:30:53 +0000

Tom, I can definitely relate to your decision – I’m considering it myself. I feel so overwhelmed by the number of books I’ve agreed to review that I find myself only reading those books (instead of my own). Its frustrating, since I want to read by my mood and not what is due to be reviewed. so, I’ve started to reject some offers, but I’m considering saying no to all offers. I have loved reviewing books, since it has provided me with some amazing new reads, but at the same time, its also provided me with no free time to devote to my own picks. So, I say good for you for making that decision. Enjoy your picks! And enjoy your holiday!

Comment on A holiday and a decision by Tom Cunliffe

Tom Cunliffe — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:35:16 +0000

Sue – I’ve been running a battle re review copies for too long now. I get so many offered and a lot sent unsolicited too. Perhaps a sign of publishers’ desperation for reviews in this time when newspaper sales are falling so dramatically. I feel very relieved to have finally made the decision to opt out.

Comment on Review: The Round House – Louise Erdrich by Tom Cunliffe

Tom Cunliffe — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:33:19 +0000

Hi Sue – this really is a very good book – I wasn’t exagerrating in my review – it deals with very difficult issues but Eldrich seems to have a deep understanding of her subject while also being fully part of the “white” world too. I’ve never encountered her before but perhaps her books are more relevant to readers in the USA anyway?

Comment on Review: Anatomy of a Night – Anna Kim by Tom Cunliffe

Tom Cunliffe — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:31:31 +0000

Hi Sue – thanks for visiting. I think native peoples everywhere have this sort of problem and it’s hard to understand the reasons for it other than perhaps a sense of dislocation from the new society around them. I know that it’s a big issue in Australia too but that the government are trying to get to grips with it.

Comment on A holiday and a decision by Tom Cunliffe

Tom Cunliffe — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:29:29 +0000

Hi Max – thanks for your comment. It’s good to live your life as free of outside obligations as possible I think. The attractions of free books can be quite a draw but it’s now one I’m glad to leave behind