What Are You Reading?

[Singed]

I cheat by listening to rather than reading books, and usually while driving or hiking. Some recent ones are:

Metamorphosis, by Ovid, and as wryly humerus as it was two millennia ago

Candide, by Voltaire, which shows you can be banished, excommunicated, and numerous other bad things if you write a really good satire

The History of the English Speaking Peoples - Volume 1, by Churchill, who documents the three years between the Roman invasion of England and the reformation that the British weren’t fighting themselves or others

I’ll likely pick up Dune once Audible has another one of their terrific sales.

I do not think of audio books as a cheat. I read voraciously as a child and younger man. As my eyesight becomes worse over time, I find it harder to remain focused on the content of a novel or other reading material. I am constantly reminded, and frustrated, and interrupted by the limitations of reading a blurry page. Glasses do not help as I have retinal damage and astigmatism. Embrace the audio book, it gives access to an art that we might otherwise lose with age.

That being said, I still make the effort to physically read a book. "If you don't use it, you lose it."

 

[Polyphemos]

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams. Overdue for a re-read.

Sounds like a fun book. We’ve watched multiple TV series over the years, but I’ll bet the book is much better.

 

[AutumnGold]

I usually have a few readers on the go at any given time, dependant upon what I'm doing. Currently:

Bedtime - The Complete Sherlock Holmes
In the bath - Wilderness Days by Sigurd F. Olson
For breakfast time - The Collected Poetry of Robert Frost.

I even used to have a book on the go for when I went to the little boy's room for any length of time, but my wife got fed up of me disappearing for so long!

Being an English teacher, I place a tremendous value upon books. I would literally go without food before going without books!

 

[Gaius Marius]

I'm collecting and reading the Tarzan series of books by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Everybody knows Tarzan!
I really fell in love with the 1930's Tarzan radio broadcast series and it inspired me to collect the books and read them. I've only got Tarzan and the Ant Men, Tarzan the Terrible, and Tarzan and the Leopard Men. small collection so far but they're first print hardcovers in great shape. My wife found them for me and I'm very proud of them.
Tarzan so far is a great popcorn adventure read.

 

[Eutychus]

I just finished reading Beloved by Toni Morrison. And I have been working my way through The Complete Works of Francis A. Schaeffer: A Christian Worldview. I'm half way through vol. 2, of 5. And I'm half way through the audiobook of Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian.

 

[Eutychus]

The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky, translated by Pevear and Volokhonsky.

Haven't laughed out loud this much from a book in a long time.

Yes, I recently read it and it struck me at times as a kind of farce.

 

[Aussiemike]

I just finished reading Beloved by Toni Morrison. And I have been working my way through The Complete Works of Francis A. Schaeffer: A Christian Worldview. I'm half way through vol. 2, of 5. And I'm half way through the audiobook of Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian.

I was just wondering Eutychus if you have seen the movie before hearing "Master and Commander" book?
I really enjoyed the movie and would love to hear your review of book.

 

[Eutychus]

I was just wondering Eutychus if you have seen the movie before hearing "Master and Commander" book?
I really enjoyed the movie and would love to hear your review of book.

G'day mate!

I think I did see the movie first. I've happly seen it a number of times and recently purchased the Blu-ray disc. And I've read the hardcopy book, too. I think Russell Crowe is a perfect Jack Aubrey, so when I read/listen to the book I enjoy being able to visualize Aubrey. And I think Paul Bettany was a fine Stephen Maturin, too.

One thing to keep in mind is that the movie is based on 2 novels: Master and Commander and Far Side of the World. I haven't read the latter, but I think it's clear that the movie is based mostly on Far Side of the World. So not much from M & C will be spoiled if you read it.

Although, like the movie, M & C is a great yarn, it is a historical novel. That is, O'Brian obviously did an immense amount of research about the Napoleonic era, and about the British Navy, naval warfare, and the operation of fighting ships. And the book can get pretty detailed about the nuts and bolts of operating a naval vessel. Don't be frustrated if you don't understand much of it (neither does Maturin). The take away is that seamen had to have extensive knowledge to perform their duties.

M & C also excels at getting inside the characters, particularly through Maturin's thoughtful observations of Jack as well as others.

O'Brian skillfully blends all of this together. I think M & C is a substantial work of fiction as well as being an enjoyable adventure story. If you choose the audiobook, Patrick Tull does a great job of narration. You won't go wrong either way.

Les (Eutychus)

 

[Aussiemike]

G'day mate!

I think I did see the movie first. I've happly seen it a number of times and recently purchased the Blu-ray disc. And I've read the hardcopy book, too. I think Russell Crowe is a perfect Jack Aubrey, so when I read/listen to the book I enjoy being able to visualize Aubrey. And I think Paul Bettany was a fine Stephen Maturin, too.

One thing to keep in mind is that the movie is based on 2 novels: Master and Commander and Far Side of the World. I haven't read the latter, but I think it's clear that the movie is based mostly on Far Side of the World. So not much from M & C will be spoiled if you read it.

Although, like the movie, M & C is a great yarn, it is a historical novel. That is, O'Brian obviously did an immense amount of research about the Napoleonic era, and about the British Navy, naval warfare, and the operation of fighting ships. And the book can get pretty detailed about the nuts and bolts of operating a naval vessel. Don't be frustrated if you don't understand much of it (neither does Maturin). The take away is that seamen had to have extensive knowledge to perform their duties.

M & C also excels at getting inside the characters, particularly through Maturin's thoughtful observations of Jack as well as others.

O'Brian skillfully blends all of this together. I think M & C is a substantial work of fiction as well as being an enjoyable adventure story. If you choose the audiobook, Patrick Tull does a great job of narration. You won't go wrong either way.

Les (Eutychus)

Thanks Eutychus I really appreciated and enjoyed your thoughts on the movie and books

 

[Aussiemike]

I just ordered this book I wont get it for a few months due to out of stock.
I researched it and has great reviews.
Details medical stuff if you don't have access to a doctor.

https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-ul...ne-guide-joseph-alton/book/9781629147703.html

So not reading yet as the thread suggests but looking forward to it and will let you know







View attachment 16891

Ok only I would reply to my own post what a dick

But finally it arrived and so far it is really informative and would recommend it to anyone that lives "beyond the black stump" or preppers or anyone that needs medical knowledge

 

[Eutychus]

I've added The Everlasting Man by G.K. Chesterton to my stack of books.

 

[Aussiemike]

A good yarn.


The Grave of Ben Hall at Forbes is never left untended. Unknown hands today keep the headstone fresh and clean. The man whose bones lie beneath it has never lost his grip on popular fancy.

Frank Clune's exciting story of the life of Australia's most romantic bushranger is based on historical research, and tells of bushranging "from the inside" -- from Ben Hall's point of view. Written with sympathy for his subject -- a man wronged by his wife and unjustly accused of a crime he did not commit -- it strives to discover why he chose a life of crime by probing into his background and early life. Australia's fascinating past comes to life in this picutre of a dashing phase of colonial times.

 

[gbann57]

Currently making my third or sixth pass through "The Old Man and the Boy" by Robert Ruark. Somewhat difficult find but brings back pleasant memories.

 

[William Ziegler]

Mutiny of the Wager. Fascinating real life story of 1730"'s misadventure of survival of a HMS crew. Unbelievable!

 

[Aussiemike]

Mutiny of the Wager. Fascinating real life story of 1730"'s misadventure of survival of a HMS crew. Unbelievable!

Thanks William I will be ordering this, it definitely sounds like my type of book.

 

[Idlefellow]

On my current "in progress" pile...

Rebecca McCarthy's biography of Norman Maclean
West With the Night - Beryl Markham
Casting Forward - Fishing the Texas Hill Country - Steve Ramirez
There's a Porcupine in My Outhouse - Michael J. Touglas

 

[AutumnGold]

Now reading Du Maurier's 'Jamaica Inn'. Not Read it before, but am really enjoying it.

 

[Eutychus]

Re-reading Lord of the Rings.

 

[Bud Savoie01]

Re-reading Halfway to Heaven by Robin Bruce Lockhart, all about the Carthusian Order of monks. My newest grandchild is named Bruno, and St. Bruno was the founder of the Order, which put me in mind of the re-read.

 

[AutumnGold]

Re-reading Lord of the Rings.

It never gets old.