My, so many words. What does it all mean?

I learned how to pronounce the town of Slough by asking on RP.

I have also learned that I am an amateur reader compared to others here, in spite of reading constantly since I was four years old.

I learned that English beer isn't warm, it's cellar temperature-because not chilling it so much makes the taste stronger. Not necessarily a selling point...

I learned, as did Carolyn, that I am an amateur-and I've expanded my choices due to recommendations here.

Dido-I'm afaid YOUR post has left me in the dark.

cc, I think dido was referring to the length of the article linked in the original post - The Call - which is so wordy as to make me click right off it. Turned me off instantly.

I have learned that I can ask questions here about peculiarities of language. Having access to British and Australian and Canadian RPers (and others, yes) has helped me when I've run across a phrase or word that confounded me.

Carolyn, regarding the pronunciation of Slough...I lived in that area of the UK near Reading, pronounced Redding. When I read a publisher's blurb that Jennifer Cruisie was the heir to the Beach Reading throne, I looked up Beach 'Redding' to see what 'she' had written.
Oh, duh!!

Like many of us Yanks here, I've learned innumerable "Briticisms", such as "twigged". Too many to count. It is like having our own private dictionary on line of phrases from other countries.

I've learned to read the books I already had, that I would have missed otherwise, such as "The Go-Between." (I don't know how many years it sat on my shelves, untouched....)

Not just on RP, but on book forums in general - I have learned that there is more out there to read than I ever imagined. I am reading authors and books that I would never have discovered on my own, and I am a more eclectic reader because of it.

Are their special titles or authors which fit that category for you - ones you'd never have picked up but that once you did you were so enthralled that you wanted more?

A few for me

>Timothy Findley, esp Pilgrim

>Jane Gardam

>Barbara Trapido

>Richard Powers esp Time of Our Singing

>Louis de Benieres

>Dawn Powell

I learned all about the World Cup and a really fascinating explanation of why the Italians wear blue. Loads of history and human nature and cultural differences. I can't even begin to list everything! And virtually every book I have read in the last few years has been recommended to me by this forum, either directly or indirectly.

Cece,

Me too. I think I had quite a lot of wine to drink that night. Don't usually post at all in such circumstances.....

Dido

I've discovered that it really is a very small world.....filled with especially wonderful people!
RP is a treasure trove of helpful, friendly book-lovers who are willing to share not only their views on books, but also their philosophies on many other issues.
A great group!

Dido-I had quite a bit of wine to drink LAST night at the vineyard concert-so had to read your post several times to figure out that a. you weren't with us at the vineyard (but we missed you) and b. that you were referring back to the potluck supper.

However, I'm thinking a virtual vineyards concert might be a nice Fall Frolic for us. We take tables, linens, candles, picnic baskets, chairs, crystal wineglasses-drink and share our picnic offerings, then dance under the stars- Sounds like fun, no?

Cece,

Let's start again............ Or better, let's just go on. Hope you had a lovely time.

Dido

How could I have forgotten? I learned at RP what a "ha ha" is. And also about proper English cream teas and Cornish pasties....

I've learned:
the system of pounds, shillings and pence.
that I will never UNDERSTAND pounds, shillings and pence
that it's okay NOT to finish a book
that one common bond can be enough to form lasting friendships
that no matter how much I've read, there are still tons of great books I never heard about
that I should NEVER EVER read the monthly "what are you reading" thread without a notebook handy
that I think you are all great and I admire your reading, your comprehension, your curiosity, and your willingness to share.

And a whole bunch of other stuff, too.
PAM

I learned that I could describe a part of a book chapter I heard on PBS, but did not know the name. I posted what I had heard, and you told me it was Saturday by Ian McEwan. I now have the book and am enjoying it. Thanks to all that helped me!

Phyllis MN, I learned that, too. I knew the name of an old book I had read and loved as a teen but couldn't find. I asked here and described a bit of it; someone said, "Oh, that sounds like it might be something from the 30s by Berta Ruck;" and from earlier RP info about abe.com, I found it, ordered it, and treasure it--lightweight as it may be. The title, by the way, is Love-Hater, so you can imagine that it is a romantic novel appealing to a 15-year-old.