Welcome to Litsy!

For a long time I‘ve wanted to read one of his books. My partner, as an adult , went to visit her Year 2 teacher, Miss Boyd. Who told her about her nephew who had just had a book published. When she told me this story I wanted to read one of his books. This was a bit of a saga . Written in a journal form. Privileged white man . 1923 to 1991. Most of the time I didn‘t like him. Very well written making it a pleasure to read for the words alone.

Book‘n‘breakfast. I loooved this breakfast. The book, not so much. It‘s our book club read this month and I feel like I‘ve been reading it FOR EVER.
My menopausal, feminist self just can‘t be F*ed with stories about sexist old white men. I didn‘t much care about Mountstuart. Of his time he may be, and I am of mine 💪🤷🏻‍♀️🖕.
Let‘s see how the book club discussion goes on Monday, but on the weekend, I can read what I want 🙌🤓📖.

Cried hard at the end, felt like I lost a friend and will miss his telling of his lifes ups and downs and adventures. This is the kind of book that leaves you with not knowing what to read next as nothing will match up. I miss you Logan Mountstuart.

I genuinely can't see why this book has such a large amount of 'so-so's'...the protagonist is an old fashioned product of his time, which is what makes him so realistic, and you certainly don't have to like him. I loved the weaving of real events through his colourful life and the depth of tragedy he experienced warmed me to him. I thought it was so brilliantly written, it would have to be to hold your attention in diary format.

This book has been on my shelves for years, decided it was time to read it as I do love a William Boyd book. This is my choice for February bookclub. Many of the literary podcasts I listen to give this book high ratings, hence the reason it is in my library.

Well, I only made it 110 pages in and decided to bail. It just never took and it‘s time to return it to the lending library. Not for me at all, so I‘m going to read “The Dragon‘s Promise” during lunch break instead.

A novel you have to read to the end to fully appreciate. The novel spans Logan‘s whole life, written in diary format, and for the amount that he lives through it should make for a riveting read but I found the opposite, I never really felt inclined to pick it up. It wasn‘t awful but not memorable in any way. ⭐️⭐️

(Finished it a while ago just kept forgetting to post my review!)

Let‘s see if I can get this finished tonight. I‘m at 85% and feel like I‘ve been reading it forever 😩 I don‘t hate it enough to bail but it somehow always feels like a chore to pick it up 🤷‍♀️

Oh, I don‘t know. I guess it wasn‘t my thing. I enjoyed the final 15% a lot more than the first 85%, and it is bizarrely readable. But mostly, it was just fine. Mildly amusing at times, but mainly just ok.

This is the story of a life through journal entries. Logan Mountstuart lives a fascinating life, meeting key figures of the 20th century, but through his eyes it becomes mundane, no-one else is of interest (except sexually).

At the end of

I said I‘d decide whether to bail or not at 50%. I‘m now at 54% so I guess I‘m sticking with it. Currently annoyed with the author, rather than with Mountstuart, so that makes a change.

Still, for goodness sake!! Hufff!

"Those of us who have the luck to enjoy good health forget about this vast parallel universe of the unwell – their daily miseries, their banal ordeals."

4 ? but the above quote resonated with me. #buddyread @TrishB @squirrelbrain @scripturient @rockpools @julesG @jhod @Caroline2 @Leniverse @Oryx @youneverarrived @eraderneely

#bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

#bookreport week 20/2/21 @Cinfhen

Started & finished So You Want to Talk About Race
Started tagged
Continued Mansfield Park

I was a bit worried at first when there were so-so reviews and bails on our #buddyread but I ended up really liking this.

Yes, the MC is an insufferable chauvinist but I found his blundering cluelessness quite amusing. The whole book felt like a pastiche of different eras or genres and, whilst it was still overlong, the different ‘journals‘ meant it didn‘t feel same-y; it felt like a series of different books.

Still going. Still not sure. Still not hating it, but really not sure if I care. Onwards!

A resounding so-so from me. I liked the diary format initially, but then that comes with the limitation that if you don't really warm to the main character, then it doesn't leave you anywhere to turn. And inevitably a very male perspective - interested to know what others thought of the portrayal of women. But I'll leave that for our discussion. I think there's a reason why most books don't cram a lifetime into one book - it didn't work for me

That‘s it I‘m afraid, I‘m throwing in the towel at page 126. Maybe it‘s bad timing but I do not have the patience for some posh, privileged bloke moaning right now...! But don‘t worry, I‘m watching the TV programme instead so I can still join in the discussions! 😀

#weeklyforecast @Cinfhen

Start top two
Continue Mansfield Park

#weeklyforecast
Currently reading Black Summer, enjoying this series so far (2nd one).
The others are my likely choices for the week.

#ukkindledeal #99ponkindle

Dogs n socks

Up next #buddyread @squirrelbrain @caroline2 @trishb @julesg @scripturient @jenniferw88 @rockpools @youneverarrived @jhod @TrishB @Leniverse

I really enjoyed this. The journal style gives an intimacy as Logan confides in the reader. We follow him from school days to old age so he becomes a friend. I was invested in him despite his flaws. Some adventures are extraordinary but he feels like a real person. Mix of personal story with historical events & layers of place & people to build a rich sort of a whole life. Writing is fluid, lively & poetic. Good escapist read, male-centric though.

Oh there‘s a good deal on Amazon at the mo for this book. 😯 #buddyread

Hi @youneverarrived I hope you are all good. Me and @squirrelbrain were wondering if you fancied doing this buddy read in February instead as a couple of other guys were gonna join us too! If that‘s ok for you? #buddyread

Thank you so much @youneverarrived for sending this lovely book to me! You‘re right, the cover is awesome! 😀
No worries about the font, looks fine for me. 👍 It sounds like a good, epic read. Perfect for the long winter ahead. 😘 ☕️ 📖 #jbuk

I struggled to get into it but about halfway through it really gripped me and I couldn't put it down. It was a facinating trip both through the twentieth century and the entire life of an individual as he experienced love, life, politics and social change. The last 100 pages really took an emotional hold of me and resonated deeply as the protagonist reflected upon his life; the decisions he made, those he loved and lost, roads not taken...

I‘ve been in a love/hate relationship with the narrator of this fictional memoir, Logan Mountstuart, through all 500 pages but what I love most is that books can make you feel like this. This book spans English boarding schools and academia, literary London, spying in WWII, royalty, imprisonment, then from the art world of New York to the Biafran War in Nigeria... A whole life lived in one book; brilliant. I‘m missing Logan already.

One of my favorite books of all time which is pretty much a cradle to grave story of a not perfect but nevertheless #wonderfullife of one man throughout the 20th century.

#RedroseSeprember

I can‘t believe the struggle to get through the book

"Never say you know the last word about any human heart." - He Ryan James

I've not read Boyd before, but am enjoying this. It'll be nice to finish up the teenage boy bit, though! ?

The story of one man's life, told through his own journals, from his school days in the 1920s, through Oxford, the War and going up to his death in the 1980s. Logan seems to meet everyone from Joyce and Picasso to the Duke of Windsor but the joy of this book is listening to the gradual transformation of the narrative voice, from precocious schoolboy through to the old man reflecting wistfully on life and approaching death. Strangely moving.

Loved this story of one man‘s life over the course of the 20th century as told in journal entries. I keep hoping that Boyd will become my favorite #maleauthor but while I have enjoyed some of his other books, they have not quite measured up to this one. #ReadingResolutions @Jess7

#getmovin #bestdayofmylife I started this yesterday.. and didn‘t want to stop reading last night 😵. MC , Logan Mountstuart, tells his story through his journal. So we read of the highs & lows .. and of the #bestdaysofhislife. Very engaging 👍🏻 meant to be lots of literary references He has already bumped into Evelyn Waugh. And later meets Virginia Woolf, Joyce , Picasso. A rich & interesting read so far

Any Human Heart. By William Boyd ( “ Never say you know the last word about any human heart “ Henry James)
Up next ...I think it will be good 🤞🏻

#getmovin #human I havnt read this , has anyone ? What did you think ? It‘s on my kindle waiting for ages. I‘m late posting because my Litsy has been gone for the last day or so 😡. I don‘t know why ! Anyway it‘s good to have it back 🤗 anyone else lose there Litsy app ? 🙏🏻

#getmovin #human
One from the #TBR today.... I‘ve never read this modern classic (or seen the tv series) but have heard nothing but great things...
Planning on getting to this one soon... but you know how that can go!

7$ and change for these two titles at a pop-up used bookstore that I spotted totally by chance. I think the #botns podcast was playing in my head when I chose these books. #Chicago peeps, the spot is Carpe Librum in the South Loop on Roosevelt.

Let the adventure begin...✈️ #airplaneread @ReadingEnvy Thanks again for the book!

Audible is having another 2-for-1 credit sale, and the selection is not too shabby. 👍

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my #cupidgoespostal gift! A #tbr book, #historicalfiction, and some chocolate and snacks too. @ReadingEnvy your note and tea was my favorite part!

This has been on my TBR for a while...

I just share this digital deal I wanted to share with you all! I really found this book of the life of one character to be a great mix of adventure, scandal, tragedy and comedy. Recommended for people who like strong character led books, and people who really love to dive into a meaty tome. Available for Kindle, nook, kobo or iBooks.

Hmm... this is tempting.

Art related books don't seem to be on my radar, after searching my shelves I found one. This book follows the life of one man & art plays a role in part of his life. #seasonsreadings2016 #artrelatedbooks

"The other guests were straggling up from the lake by now and as they appeared I was introduced (by Siggy, who remembered my name) and so I shook the hands of the Woolfs, Huxley and one if the richest women in England. "

This is why I love audiobooks. William Boyd and Simon Vance together painted a world through Logan Montstuart's diaries. I felt I was there for every detail. Vance's voice subtly shifts throughout the novel and I realized I was experiencing Logan and the century age through his narration. So good.

When I read any book based on a diary, I'm always listening for my birthday. On the drive home today I got close. October 6, then 7. I held my breath. No dice. There was a big jump afterward. Does anyone else listen for their own special dates?