*Educating Nellie*

Nellie we all have a 'lack of knowledge' about most subjects but could go on ad nauseum about our pet ones. I could bore you for weeks about ballet and other forms of dance! Just find a subject which interests you and go and sit in the library reading until something grabs you then go for it!

I can feel myself getting all excited at the thought of all these lovely books,GA I rarely had my nose out of a book,now GN has taken my interest,but through doing so my lack of knowledge has become noticeable,to me anyway,jess love the sound of the story with pig....

littlenellie I guess it is about having an enquiring mind. I find reading historical fiction useful because it helps me to understand the past in a very easy engaging way. The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Gregory might be a good place to start. Or the Shardlake stories if you like a detective yarn (set in Henry 8th times) Or Katharine, as mentioned above.
There are lots of things I have not read yet, despite reading at least a couple of books a week for the last 55 years! Uncle Tom's Cabin and The Natural History of Selbourne are on the top of my list. Dipped into the last one earlier today (someone else's copy) - loved the story about the elderly pig who produced over 300 offspring during her life time and when she fancied another litter, walked herself up to a nearby farm with a boar in it, opening gates as she went!
If you like fairy or fantasy stories then try Neil Gaiman - Stardust and The Graveyard Book by the same author.

No flag for the Paralympics? Sorry but that's discrimination! Flag back ASAP!

Littlenellie I left school at fifteen with no qualifications at all. Fortunately I've always been an avid reader and although I did eventually go to college and university I can honestly say that it is the reading I've done that has educated me far more than any formal learning. In fact, having aspired to go to university I was really quite disappointed when I got there to find it was NOT the seat of learning I had imagined. I do applaud you though for acknowledging that there's always more to learn and for going for it.
Just one thing though; if you work out a way to get off Gransnet long enough to pay attention to what you're reading will you share the secret with me please? The amount of reading I do has halved since I joined GN!

YEP!

GNHQ WE ARE GOING ON STRIKE IF WE DON'T GET OUR FLAG BACK!

Bring back the flag. [please] The Paralympians deserve as much. [thanks]

If you like biographies go to the library and look at that section and pick out one that you know. Then if you don't like it you can take it back and get something else. There are so many to choose from you could spend the rest of you life just reading those.

By now your reading list is so long I'm not adding any more although I have read some of the above and would recommend them too.

It HAS gone! Told you Tech wouldn't let us keep it for the Paralympics

Where did the flag go?

[flag]

Am making a list of all the recommendations,they all sound as though they are my kind of thing,will be so busy,but not too busy for GN who has started this quest for self discovery and improvement ...will have to get a label saying " new and improved version 50% extra free"

I remember reading 'the king must die' years ago!

LittleNellie If you've enjoyed Gerald Durrell, you'll most certainly get hooked on Bill Bryson. The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy is well worth reading. Something very different - John Steinbeck's The Wayward Bus

I don't have a driving licence or a push bike. As for shorthand, I never got beyond "the name of the month is May" and "it is Joe's boat today". Sorry, Shocking digression. Bad absent!

Fell off my push bike when taking E and her friend for a ride a few years back ...the old girl pulled up both brakes together went flying over the handle bars using a brick wall to help me come to a standstill,I embarrassed them hugely,and they rode off leaving me ,my bleeding knees and mangled specs,to limp home on my own.....

You've got a Driving Licence?

I haven't.

I got a push bike though.

Yes we have been spooked I think cos I can't thank you all quick enough..

Oh god! I only did RSA shorthand and typing. Don't let that put you off.

Sounds like you've done alright anyway!

I read, and always have read, all sorts of genres. I agree about 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. It's a wonderful read and a first rate film - just loved Gregory Peck. I think you'd also like 'The Help' which is in a similar vein - written with great insight and humour. Why not read 'Gone With the Wind' - it has everything!

I'm reding the Mary Renault 'Alexander' books at the moment.

They're great. In a funny sort of way. (Not sure they are exactly true history )

Thought that also jo I have noted that people dip in and out out of the papers and read several to form their opinions so that is a very good starting point,now that I have the IPad ..a revelation that I can dip in and out freely of different papers ,I am aware that my knowledge of current affairs is sadly lacking..will try to kill a mocking bird as I have often seen it and heard of it and it is a classic and was used as part of GCE when I was at school,but I read Gerald Durrell my family and other animals,and went on to read and thoroughly enjoy all of his books....didn't do GCE or CSE .....or any Ologies ,am completly without qualification....except a driving licence

We've been spooked!

What's happening with these threads? . I replied to Janes post (took me about a minute) and all the posts after hers were not there! Ten minutes' worth of posts missing, and then they appear after I've posted!