I just finished three short stories by Tolstoy and am starting in to some shorts by Chekov including the famous ward No. 6 . Tolstoy to me as far as short stories go has a certain brothers Grimm quality to it .
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I just finished three short stories by Tolstoy and am starting in to some shorts by Chekov including the famous ward No. 6 . Tolstoy to me as far as short stories go has a certain brothers Grimm quality to it .
Stonehenge by Bernard Cornwell.
Any Cornwell books actually. The man is a fantastic historical fiction writer, and I've read of book he's wrote and aside from a couple loaned out I own every one of his Sharpe books and all the standalone and trilogy novels.
I would definately recommend "Day of the Triffids" by John Wyndham. Thats probably my favourite book!
Right now I'm reading The Aubrey/Maturin Novels by Patrick O'Brian.
Good stuff, if you are interested in life in the Navy way back when.
I'd recommend almost anything by Ernest Hemingway. In my spare time right now I'm reading his novel 'For Whom the Bell Tolls.' Great book.
The Vikings by Robt.Wernick,a long tome at 500 pges,but fantastic,These folks were ruthless nasty people,thank God they are Gone:)
Of interest is thru DNA studys about 80% of them were Danish.
If anyone is interested in a novel replete with plot twists and turns, Pierre Lemaitre's "Alex" is worth a shot. It starts off a bit gory, but it is definitely a page-turner.
The 'Charlie Parker' series by John Connolly.
The 'Pendergast' series by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child.
"The Terror" by Dan Simmons.
"Descent" and "Deeper" by Jeff Long.
Anything by:
- James Rollins
- Brad Thor
- Nelson DeMille
- Steve Berry
Christopher Moore and Carl Hiaasen are always good for a chuckle.
I find that I am less interested in specific authors as the years have past and am more interested in any novel that carries the story line through intelligent dialogue. I've had it with the overly narrative novel where it seems the author ends up contemplating the fuzz in his/her/its navel. I would be interested in receiving suggestions from the myriad members of SRP since I am sure that the taste levels are all over the place, but good dialogue happens even in the trashiest of books. Help me develop a reading list that will take me several years to complete (need something to read while I age myself to 100).
I know how you feel. I remember working on the Track Department of the railroad (Translation: Hammering spikes with a 10 lb hammer, Shoveling gravel, Tamping said gravel under the crossties, etc) and then coming home to my boy. Sometimes exhaustion would set in by "after dinner". But I always took a little time to read in the early evenings for two reasons. 1) My son needed to understand that I needed my "time" a little too. I was teaching him by example that reading "is what people do".Quote:
Originally Posted by dirtman775
Yes I would still read to him in bed almost every night (after the bathroom and teeth were brushed) for 15 to 20 minutes. I ended up with a son that was reading second grade books when he started kindergarden and by second grade he was reading James Michner, Mario Puzo, Louis L'Amour and more. Early on, I had gotten rid of the TV. He read and "played" He made things. He helped add on a bedroom for himself.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that your taking time to read for pleasure, will be one of the best "lessons by example" you can give your children. If they see a book on the nightstand near your bed, that sends a powerful message.
By the way, I had the "rule' that he could always read in bed as late as he wanted (after I had read to him), even as early as 2 years old. Most times he would even turn off the bedside light himself.
So give yourself a certain amount of "reading time". For yourself, and for your kids.
Just read this post and just downloaded onto my Kobo - looks like a great read.Quote:
Originally Posted by pixelfixed
I Hope you enjoy the read,I did,The Vikings were very interesting people, they had vertually no written historyQuote:
Originally Posted by Phrank
Just started it, fascinating, just at the beginning and the raids they pulled on the rich monastery, and how for 300 years many thought the Vikings were, "the evil unleashed from the North" marking the End of Days.Quote:
Originally Posted by pixelfixed
This is my kind of read, glad it's a long one - thanks for the recommendation.
Finally found a novel that balances narrative and dialogue and adds a hell of a decent story line:
Moriarty by Anthony Horowitz.
Not only a best selling author, he was the TV screenwriter for two favorite PBS Masterpieces Mystery Series: Foyle's War and Midsomer Murders.
Moriarty, picks up, in language, style, and flavor of the late 19th century, with strong echos of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's style after the supposed death of Sherlock Holmes and Moriarty at Reichenbach Falls in Switzerland. It involves a Pinkerton investigator and a younger Scotland Yard detective who is a student of Holmes' investigative techniques. I rarely read every word of the narrative, but this is an exception since every word creates meaning for the next word. A tight, easy to read book.
Tomorrow is Shakespeare's birthday so you know what you should be reading tomorrow.
If you are a SF fan and like alternate history the latest from Harry Turtledove is an excellent read. Simply titled "Joe Steele" it presents the New Deal as you could never imagine it. Turtledove isn't always a grab you kind of writer most of the time, but as you read on you become invested in the story line and get pulled along. I skipped the gym this morning so I could finish the final 100 pages. Watch for sly innuendos and un-named, but recognizable characters. The twists on actual history held me tightly. A good read.
LOL :rofl2:Quote:
Originally Posted by Razorfeld
I literally was about to go and search the Best Selling list for a good SF read....finishing up the very long and ponderous Red Mars, Green Mars, Blue Mars trilogy tonight for the second time...thanks to you I have a good read for tonight!
Thank-you Pope Razorfeld - In you I always trust!
My God, Phrank. Do you have a program that lets you read what I wrote as I was writing it? I no sooner posted it than you hit the Like button. Should I be afraid, very afraid?
Remember, we are spiritually connected :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Razorfeld
You better be careful if you get a spiritual message that says, "Read this!":dropjaw:
Downloaded to Kobo and have received your message to, "Read this!" - looks good - thanks!Quote:
Originally Posted by Razorfeld
Agatha Christie lives!!
Agatha Christie Ltd commissioned Sophie Hannah, a notable writer in her own right, to keep Hercule Poirot alive and persnickety. Right from the first words issued by Poirot your mind immediately adds the image of the incomparable portrayal by David Suchet on PBS. And only gets better from there. He is "on vacation" (as you will read) and staying where a young Scotland Yard detective also lives. In true Christie fashion the Scotland Yard detective is getting educated by Poirot and his "little grey cells" on how to solve a mystery/crime/murder(s). Half way through and the young detective's little grey cells are starting to come alive to the fact that all is needed to be known to know the little. Read with great delight and see if you can keep up with Poirot and his reasoning.
Albert Camus, "A Happy Death".
Do you have balls? Try Kant's "Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals". :rofl2:
Does anyone that has read "Joe Steele" by Turtledove see any similarities between the fictional character and Donald Trump and his latest blatherings?
Hornadys book on the demise of the American Bison.
around the turn of the 18th century, were an estimated 30 million in the U.S,80 yrs later there were 12 left,not 12 million, just 12 wild animals.
so called hunters would kill up to 1000 perday,Skin them for $3.00 per skin,cut out the tounge for 75 cents ea.
than leave the animal to rot, very sad story(:
What was it that agent Smith said... oh yes:Quote:
Originally Posted by pixelfixed
"a virus Mr Anderson."
How about this book by Joseph Conrad:
"Heart of Darkness"
Hard to believe this was written almost 2000 years ago, brilliant private diary, written to himself as he went through the years of his life, advice, wisdom and guidance to remind himself to stay true to the things he held most important.
His meditations are incredibly insightful, and have just as much meaning today as they did so many oceans of time ago.
Many of you are familiar with, The Meditations , by Marcus Aurelius, 167 AD.
Here's one of the passages that drew me to re-read this after so many years:
"Independence and unvarying reliability … to be the same in all circumstances—intense pain, the loss of a child, chronic illness … a man can show both strength and flexibility … accept favors from friends without losing your self-respect or appearing ungrateful.
… fatherly authority in the home … Gravity without airs. To show intuitive sympathy to friends, tolerance to amateurs and sloppy thinkers … ability to get along with everyone … To investigate and analyze, with understanding and logic … Not to display anger or other emotions. To be free of passion and yet full of love. To praise without bombast, to display expertise without pretension.
Not to be constantly correcting people, and in particular not to jump on them whenever they make an error of usage or a grammatical mistake or mispronounce something, but just answer their question or add another example, or debate the issues itself (not their phrasing), or make some other contribution to the discussion—and insert the right expression, unobtrusively.
Never under compulsion, out of selfishness, without forethought, without misgivings … No surplus words or unnecessary actions. Let the spirit in you represent a man … Taking up his post like a soldier and patiently awaiting his recall from life. Needing no oath or witness. Cheerfulness. Without requiring other people’s help. Or serenity supplied by others. To stand up straight—not straightened."
A thoughtful statement, made without ego, on what it takes to be a man, a human, an entity to see clearly and straightforward through all the, in simple terms, the crap that inundates us daily on all levels of society and endeavor. Ancient words, yet contemporary in meaning. In other words, truth is truth at all times, in all ages, and doesn't seek to be known by blatantly claimed falsehood as reality as we have seen through the ages.