This morning I listened to the BBC World Book Club while doing my daily walk. It's always an interesting hour. An audience, in different parts of the world, come together to meet an author. Next month the programme is in Kenya with a Kenyan author; this month it was Jojo Moyes. I've never of her but she has written many books and the latest is part of a trilogy about a young woman called Lou. She's hired as a companion for a man who is a quadriplegic. It's a love story, which is a kind of book I never read, but after listening to the one hour discussion I've decided to download the book from the library and have a go. I think I've been attracted to the book because of the interview; Jojo sounds like a lovely lady and I liked her reasons for the book and the characters. You could listen to the podcast of the interview but I've decided it's best to read the book first. The programme involves people asking questions about how she chose the characters, how she feels about them, what made her write in a particular way etc. I therefore wish I'd read the book first. It's called "Me before You", and it has also been made into a film. From what she said, I think the book is a deeper, more gritty read.
Years ago I was introduced to Louis de Bernieres; with a name like that, it's a surprise that he's a true Brit and lives in Norfolk. I think I read his "Captain Corelli's Mandolin" in the early 90s. I loved it. I read years ago that there are two kinds of readers; one group uses his/her eyes which see the words and reads them. A second group says the words in his/her head - and that's my group. For me the words in this book were like music; they went up and down in my head just like a song. I had to tell people to read it. I loaned the book to friend Betty and within a few days she said, "I can't get into it," A few months later I'd forgotten I'd already introduced the book to her and so I mentioned it. "Don't talk to me about that book; I've tried time after time to read it and I can't get past the first pages." I wonder what it is that makes one book a perfect read for one person and torture for another. People often tell me to read something and I have the same reaction; it does nothing for me. I've been disappointed with the books I 'stole' from the hotel a couple of weeks ago - I've tried all of them and they are not my cup of tea. I'll have to go back to the hotel and donate them to the shelf again.
At the end of the month we are having an exchange programme between a group of youth from Thailand and Cambodia. There are historical tensions between the two countries and we think it's a good idea for the youth to come together, to get to know each other, and to share their experience when they return home. About 10 years ago we had our first exchange with Vietnam youth and it was difficult to get the parents to allow their children to come to Cambodia but now, after seven exchange programmes, we have holidays together, go to weddings in each other's country and are constantly in touch with each other. In my mind every bit helps.
I heard from my Indian friend that he'd arrived around 2pm in Battambang, had lunch with his host and then went to bed; he got up at 9pm. I told him we must have killed him during his day in Phnom Penh. I think he enjoys sleeping; while here he visited a pagoda in the late morning and then had a sleep until 3pm. He must have found a shaded park bench somewhere. I would love to have afternoon naps but they turn into long sleeps and I end up like a zombie, unable to make rational decisions about getting up.
I went with Vuth this afternoon to Brown's Coffee House. I enjoy going there because it was started by three young Cambodian men friends. Their places are very comfy, the food and drink are good and the atmosphere is friendly. There are coffee shops here that are part of chains from all over the place - Amazon is Thai, Starbucks is from you know where, Gloria Jean is British, Tout les Jour is South Korean.
I've promised to have little Ponleu for the night. Cina always wants me to take all three of them; she always says, "They can sleep on the floor!" I believe she and Vuth are doing an amazing job having started off unable to have children and now they have four rambunctious characters. I thought I'd get started making a banana and orange fruit shake - never again. What a performance dealing with the orange segments, taking the fruit out of the skin. We'll go shopping for yogurt and milk when I pick him up and then I'll have to relax and watch a kid's movie.
The last time he was here his brother Oudom came as well. Oudom is a great tease while Ponleu is super sensitive. Apparently, they'd watched a movie called Geordie and it's about a little boy who died. I had no idea what was going on when Oudom started to tease him by repeating "Geordie!" Poor old Ponleu started sobbing and was heart broken; the movie had affected him so much. I gave Oudom hell. It's going to be heaven having only Ponleu for the night - apart from the movie.
