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I must admit I am not a big reader of books but it’s clear that some on the forum are.
I could of course be tempted and no better time than now when we have very little to do.
So I thought it would be interesting to hear from members their recommendations.
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Shogun is done with and back on the bookcase. Sayonara, Anjin-san!
Started A Morbid Taste for Bones this morning. Hello, old friend. 🙂
Of the Cadfaels’s which I’ve read, I have to say that Morbid Taste for Bones is really the best.
Am now halfway through the latest of Laurie King’s Russell & Holmes series, Castle Shade. As ever, utterly enjoyable. All the novels are, obviously, set in the past and she always chooses a prominent character for each setting. These choices are always intriguing, involving and seduce you into finding out more. “Guest” for this one is Queen Marie of Romania in the 20s and 30s. A granddaughter of Victoria, she was well regarded by populace and became a powerful statesman (statesperson sounds wrong, sorry) – totally against the odds for a female at the time. She took on the WW1 Peace Conference single-handed and got what she wanted for her country.
Russell & Holmes – I never knew about those. Now I do. Looked at the concept and like what I saw. More books for the Wish List! Still have a few Bryant & May and three more Gervaise Fen to buy and read first, though, and I’m thinking of thinking of getting Asimov’s Foundation series, too.
So many books: So little time.
Thought I’d mentioned Miss Russell here before. Obviously didn’t. Sad omission because I’m sure you’d like to take a look. Help to read them in order. First one might seem a bit slow because there’s lots of setting up. Persevere, though, it is well worth it. Ms King is a delightful writer always choosing and making intriguing characters and setting her stuff in fantastic locations. There’s one set in 20s Venice with Cole Porter and his “set” of feckless hangers-on. Marvellous entertainment, particularly when the extremely gay Porter clashes with straight authority.
Now, maybe it’s just me but there seem to be a whole bundle of books with OAPs, sorry, mature retirees, acting as detectives. Bryant and May, obviously; then there’s Osman’s Thursday Murder Club series and now I discover a new series called The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood (chap behind the Beeb’s Death in Paradise tv series).
Meeja sources say there are many more, relatively new works of the same ilk. Suspect the Marlow set may make it on to TV. Osman’s first novel is, allegedly, being filmed by Spielberg. As one who is north of three-score and ten, I don’t know whether to be worried or grateful.
All praise to Minerva! Have launched back into the exploits of Marcus Didius Falco and am wondering why it took me so long to do so. Shadows in Bronze is an absolute cracker. Will now have to resist bingeing through the lot.
Finished Shadows in Bronze and will not be able to resist a binge-ette on the next two or three in series. She really does bring Imperial Rome and its people alive. Wonder if we’ll see Nero the ox again? You’ve got to love him!
Haha! Another Falco convert. I warned you they were addictive! >:-D
Rest assured that Nero does reappear.
Speaking of binge-reading – Once I finish Cadfael 3 – Monk’s Hood I will be launching into Leviathan Wakes, the first novel in The Expanse series by James S. A. Corey (aka Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck). The ninth and final novel comes out next month, so I think it’s safe to make a start on them now. 🙂
I must just remember not to read further ahead than the TV series has so far reached, even though the two apparently diverge at some point. The sixth and final season of the TV series should appear on Amazon on December 10th (Yay!), which is another thing to look forward to.
I have to admit, despite reading a mountain of articles, newspapers, magazines etc, have never read an English language fiction book in my life.
Shall look forward to meeting Nero again. Ms Davis has a brilliant way with characters, even the winged or four-legged ones. Read somewhere that Falco acquires a dog at some point; really want to meet said canis.
What sort of stuff do you like to read, fwippers?
What sort of stuff do you like to read, fwippers?
Mainly factual or stories in Spanish.
Well I have to confess that, other than Don Quixote, I’m not really well versed in Spanish literature. Sorry.
But “factual” has promise! 🙂
Just finished The Iron Hand of Mars. Gods! The Falco series is SO good. Loved the aurochs episode. Never realised they were so big. Helena’s little brother is a great character too.
Now deeply stuck into The Man Who Died Twice by Osman, the second in the Thursday Murder Club series. Pleased to say I managed to ignore all the hype and waffle in the meeja which was driving me away. Grasped the pages by the horns and got into it. It really is a very good book. Some of the best character writing I’ve seen for a good while. He has avoided the cliches of murder mystery. Very witty, amusing, exciting and, often, touching. Can’t believe Spielberg is going to film the first one. The Americans just will not understand it.
Just finished The Iron Hand of Mars. Gods! The Falco series is SO good. Loved the aurochs episode. Never realised they were so big. Helena’s little brother is a great character too. Now deeply stuck into The Man Who Died Twice by Osman, the second in the Thursday Murder Club series. Pleased to say I managed to ignore all the hype and waffle in the meeja which was driving me away. Grasped the pages by the horns and got into it. It really is a very good book. Some of the best character writing I’ve seen for a good while. He has avoided the cliches of murder mystery. Very witty, amusing, exciting and, often, touching. Can’t believe Spielberg is going to film the first one. The Americans just will not understand it.
interesting i bought the audio book of that. not had a chance to listen to it yet tho. i do love my audio books, especially in the car.. the osman book
Current Car: Hyundai Kona Premium EV...2 way 40kg hoist
Last Car: Toyota C-HR Excel Hybrid...4 way 80kg hoistWas just thinking that the Man Who Died Twice would make a brilliant audio book or radio series. Could be tricky in places, where Osman chucks the rules away and he, as the writer, actually speaks directly to characters. Am sure it’ll work well though. Everything this bloke does turns out good. Most annoying.
Just finished Poseidon’s Gold in the Falco sagas. As ever, most enjoyable and addictive. Love the way we are gradually learning the details of Falco’s family. Pater Falco is a marvellous character slightly misjudged, I think, by Marcus. Have the next in series ready to go.
However, right now, I’m delighted to be reading collected short stories of Fredric Brown, one of the masters of the science-fiction short story. A lot of his stuff isn’t really sci-fi, more sort of horror perhaps or just good short stories with a kick in the tale. Many of his stories were taken into TV and film – Arena became a classic Star Trek episode and The Geezenstacks was used in the Tales from the Dark Side series. Initially read his stuff back in the 50s/60s – had forgotten just how good it is!
I don’t read many books Tharg, however I’m flicking through make your own walking stick etc 🥴, I’ve made a few gun rest, fishing rod rests, and thumb sticks in my time so got a good idea of all the choosing, storing and straightening stuff using steam if need be..
Guess not much interest to you, just trying to give you a reply, as your book pal Georgie recovers from feeling not to good at the moment..
Back soon hopefully Georgie..
“Guess not much interest to you,” Wrong, ajn… I’m dead jealous that you have the skills and stuff to make such interesting gear. Used to make me own picture frames (until the router broke). Love working with wood; everything from making my own fences from scratch to twiddly little ornaments. Really like refinishing – from endless coats of wax to French polish. Would love to be able to steam stuff into shape. (Did you ever see the documentary about the restoration of the Massey Shaw WW2 fireboat? They had to steam 2ft x 1ft x 30ft piece of oak onto shape for a fender. Some job!)
This is the book Tharg, it’s brilliant..Mrs Ajn bought it for me, I’ve found a fantastic hazel stick I’ll be cutting, possibly end of Nov..
I’ll try find the documentary you mentioned..
Thanks, ajn. I dare not get the book… too many other things to do. Moreover, I no longer have a proper workshop. Previous house was a Victorian semi with a large cellar with a massive, long built-in bench, perfect for any sort of work.
Tharg, I put a rather interesting vid on Georgie’s interesting stuff post, hopefully you will watch it, maybe it will help with the lack of book chat at the moment due to Georgie illness at the mo..
lots of router stuff👍
ajn – marvellous video over on “int stuf”. Only watched the opening so far. How the devil can that bloke cut a straight line with a chainsaw standing on top of a log? Can’t wait to get through the rest of it.
Coo. If I could make walking sticks I’d be ‘quids in’ with my family. I have 4 sticks! After lunch I’ll bounce over to Interesting Stuff and watch that video. 🙂
Glad you’re even more enamoured with the World of Falco, Tharg. Geminus is quite the rogue.
I’m still cheerfully wading through The Expanse series. Finished vol. III Abaddon’s Gate this morning and took vol IV Cibola Burn up to the bedside table ready for this afternoon.
