Fellini The Artist
Edward Murray's Fellini The Artist
You know that one of Fellini's most famous films is La Dolce Vita starring Marcello Mastroianni, Anita Ekberg and Anouk Aimee to name just one of the famous actors and two of the famous actresses who starred in the production. I wonder if today these three would insist on being referred to as 'actors' rather than actors and actresses as they were then? It seems reasonable for actresses to wish to be known as actors, I suppose, but I am left pondering how they can then be nominated for and/or accept an award for "Best Actress". That doesn't make sense and smacks of hypocrisy.
However, that is nothing to do with this book. Federico Fellini is probably the best known of all Italian film-makers. Most have heard of him and seen one of his films, such as the above-mentioned or La Strada or Casanova. This book looks at the man behind the films and also focuses on the how and why of his film-making.
Asterix
by Goscinny and Uderzo
Many people love the adventures of Asterix and his companion Obelix and the humorously named characters that populate the books such as Dogmatix, Impedimenta, Gluteus Maximus, Dubbelosix, or Huevos and Bacon..
Warwick has just bought a large collection of these ever-popular cartoons so they are now out in the shop. These ones are all hardcover and in pretty good condition. With the dreaded as-yet-unmentionable present-giving occasion approaching, they would make great gifts for the children and adults in your life.
Some of the titles here are Asterix at the Olympic Games, Asterix in Belgium, Asterix and the Great Divide, Asterix and the Great Crossing, Asterix and Son, Asterix and the Banquet, and Asterix and the Secret Weapon.
Literary Quiz
Sonnets, Bonnets & Bennetts: A Literary Quiz Book
by James Walton
(Note: No spelling error in the above title: the Bennetts refers to Arnold and Alan)
Fingers on buzzers:
Which literary character's first words to whom are, "How are you? You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive."
Who was the first British writer to win the Nobel Prize for Literature - in 1907 if that helps?
What's the only book for children written by James Bond creator, Ian Fleming?
What are the first three words of Moby Dick? And who wrote it?
Who is the only person in literary history both to have been shortlisted for the Booker Prize and to have played a girlfriend of Ken Barlow's in Coronation Street?
If you enjoyed those, you need a copy of James Walton's book. It is designed so you can just read it for pleasure, bone up on facts to impress, or host a quiz night.
The Aldine Library
These were published from about 1880 to 1900. They have fantastic illustrations on the front cover, as you can see from the attached pictures. They often feature stories about flying machines, submarines, electric powered tanks, electric cars and so on. If you consider the publishing dates, then that is a pretty impressive feat. They are full of adventure, travel, inventions and short stories and are billed as outdoing Jules Verne!.
Test Yourself
Rather than rushing out trick or treating tonight (a horrible American import), why not slouch down on your sofa, refuse to answer the door, and test your general knowledge?
The Book of General Ignorance
Stephen Fry & Alan Davies
Try these:
What were really Nelson's last words?
What do camels store in their humps?
What did Captain Cook give his men to prevent scurvy?
Which country has the world's highest suicide alert?
Where did Marco Polo come from?
You can get a copy of the above book before you go home and find out the answers to the above and many more.
Work-Life Balance
Work-Life Balance in the 21st Century by Diane Houston
In Search of Work-Life Balance by Russell Clay
I was going to write about these various self-help sort of books today but then I started thinking about the titles and about how infuriating I find that expression.
I mean, what on earth does a work-life balance mean? It implies that work is not part of life. As most of us spend eight hours a day at work, it most certainly is part of everyday life. Many people even love their jobs.
You could have a life-death balance, or a work/time off balance, or possibly a work/non-work balance but you cannot, in any meaningful way, have a work-life balance. Are you dead at work? It is an annoying expression. You can't even say it's inexact or imprecise. It is just plain wrong.
Food
Food: The Definitive Guide
The Perfect A-Z Companion for Food Lovers
This isn't just for food lovers; I'd include chefs, cooks, caterers, newly weds, students, first-time entertainers, and the generally curious. It's an indispensable kitchen companion.
Its alphabetic listing makes it easy to use. You just look up an ingredient (everyday or exotic, they are all there) and you get a photo, an explanatory note, indication of usage or cooking method, often (but not always) a recipe and frequently a reference to a related item.
For example, look up the dish pilaff and you get recipes for Tomato & Herb Pilaff and for Onion and Pea Pullao. There is a cross-reference to burghul and its many other names. There is a bit of history as well. Or you can look up a single ingredient such as shallott and you'll get cooking methods, alternate names, a description, various uses and a delicious recipe for Caramelized Shallot Tart.
Problems
Alcohol Problems & Alcoholism by Royce
Solving Your Money Problems by David Crank
It is the refreshing use of the world 'problem' in the titles that attracted me when I saw the books. I often wonder if I am alone in being irritated by the fact that no-one has 'problems' any longer. The word 'issues' is now almost exclusively applied to what are clearly (and far more accurately) problems.
Almost everyone is guilty of this inaccurate woolly language from television presenters, radio announcers, newspaper journalists and politicians to doctors, economists, and teachers. We now have traffic issues, health issues, an issue with violence, money issues and learning issues.
I suspect it is a determination not to call a spade a spade but it is very annoying. Let's get back to problems (disorders, difficulties, or troubles) and leave the poor maligned word 'issue' for important topics needing discussion.
