I got the veggie version, subbing mushrooms for sausage and bacon. Here's the play by play:
(Baked beans, fried eggs, sauteed mushrooms, tomatoes and two cheeky slices of toast hiding under the 'shrooms.)
I'm still eating the British way, which I learned was the correct way: fork in left hand and knife in right throughout. Only children and Americans switch mid-eating maneuver to shovel the food into the mouth I was told.
Knife and fork on right signals a a completed breakie. What you're failing to see is the bottomless coffee I had instead of tea -- English Breakfast, Seattle-style. Yum yum.
I'm actually also doing a bit of a poll, and I invite you to cast your vote. The book I'm writing, a memoir of four years in England, is still a work-in-progress, but needs a name.
There are three ideas I have so far. What do you think?
- Tea + Toast: A story steeped in England
- Swimming in Treacle
- Full English
Sometimes living in England felt like swimming in treacle to me -- an exercise in resistance punctuated by sweetness.
I think the other two are self-explanatory.
Anyway, thanks for letting me know in the comments if you like any of my potential names.
20 comments:
I personally like tea and toast - although you definitely need a subtitle too.
Swimming in Treacle sounds like a book I would pick up while browsing in the bookstore.
Good point, just added a subtitle to Tea and Toast.
I think I like Swimming in Treacle the best. Though that one might need a subtitle also...I wouldn't be sure what it was about without one. :)
Swimming in treacle gets my vote :-)
Your photos are making me hungry...
Hi sweets! I think I like Tea & Toast best, when I first read 'swimming in treacle' I couldn't remember what treacle was at first, and wow, was I off in what first came to mind!;) So... consider where your book will be marketed to most- some people might not know what treacle is, which isn't necessarily a bad thing- could be intriguing! Still, tea & toast with the subtitle has a certain ring to it.
Hmm...I'll need to come up a sub-title for Swimming in Treacle.
Jess, what did you think treacle was? Or can I just guess?
I vote for Swimming in Treacle (treacle is also mentioned in Alice in Wonderland so I've been a fan of the word since childhood). I think it's unique and descriptive of your time there and thus your book. All of the working titles are catchy- nice work! :)
Oh No! Am I the only one to vote for Full English? I love the double meaning of an English breakfast (something you love) and you living in England. When do I get to read this memoir...sneak peek? And yes, the full english is definitely high on my list of what I will miss when I head for the horizon myself soon!
My vote is: Swimming in Treacle. Awesome!
Scott and I also eat the English way...we just decided it feels more natural to us somehow :) No one told us it was the English way until we'd been doing it for a year or so, odd.
Cheers!
I like tea and toast with the subtitle and a cover of Nikki McClure-style graphic with a steaming pot of tea. :)
I've said it before, but I think I'd like Swimming in Treacle even better if it were Swimming through Treacle. Gives more of the sense of struggle.
Love seeing things come to fruition, friend!
you know i like swimming IN treacle (sorry joey), i think it has a nice ring to it, though i'll admit that the "through" might be a better description of the story held within.
and i think holding your fork and knife that way is actually european,not just english. i grew up eating that way thanks to my french dad.
Ha, Jess, I had the same reaction to treacle:
it IS cute&charming - but also alarmingly like FECAL!!!
As in, swimming in...?!
maybe its true to the struggle but...lol
Suzanne
Initially I loved Tea + Toast because I loved the "steeped" part, but became a fan of Swimming in Treacle after reading the reviews... I would read both, because having been to England, I'd recognize both treacle and tea. :) Good titles!
pick the one that creates the most conversation, interest, and lights up ppl, but is easy to understand....test it for 2 months while talking to ppl, see if you have a winner. :)
treacle is interesting...cuz i needed to hear a conversation about it to understand it, but it would be hard to sell the book by itself with the title. :) my two pence ;)
Hi again! I just want to clarify why I like Swimming in Treacle... I feel like its a really original and creative title and sounds just so... yummy and splendid! It is an awesome way of symbolising the challenges of your journey, but I think IN is better than THROUGH because I guess you will also be highlighting your precious, happy moments too, when you were more basking and playing in it, rather than just the struggle?
A subtitle may be good but I don't think you need it... how often do you know what a book is about just from the title? Swimming in treacle is intriguing and will provoke discussion.
:-)
I appreciate all your comments folks, and am definitely leaning towards Swimming in Treacle. Now I just need to think of a subtitle option, in case that helps clarify. Thanks!
I agree with Rachael - Swimming in Treacle is my favourite. It's subtly expressive. I also think 'Full English Breakfast' would be good :)
For those questioning... Treacle can also be substituted with Golden Syrup.
I think Tea and Toast for a book title, as someone thinking about doing the same about my experience in the UK, I think the ability to get by with tea and toast for breakfast or during any crisis is a very British skill.
P.S. Fork in Left, Knife in Right.. Is the only way in Australia. Unless said person is a mannersless heathen (as my mum says)
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