I've recently discovered Philippa Gregory's books about the wives of Henry VIII, and I'm thoroughly enjoying them - even though I'm counting my blessings that I wasn't around in the 16th century, and don't have to hide my faith.
What are you reading? And do you prefer books or e-readers? I have a Kindle but much prefer books.
Let me know.
Kathyx
I prefer the paper version of books. I have always been "into" history books especially ancient history and England history. I especially like Henry VIII & Queen Elizabeth and ancient Egypt. Yeah I know, weird? LOL
I have been working on my family tree off and on so that is interesting too. I do a little research reading of the area an ancestor was from to get a feel of the time and place.
I don't have a kindle, e-reader or whatever. A paper book doesn't "crash" and you loose everything and you get them from the library free. Some technology isn't all it is cracked up to be. ???
I'll have to get me a copy of that book, especially as I descend from Henry...lol EDIT: correction, I descend from his sister, Margaret. Ooops - so that would be Henry the VII, not VII.
I'm reading "Beyond Survival" by Capt. Gerald Coffee. He was a POW in Nam, I actually, back in those days when we'd have the bracelets for POWs and MIAs, wore one with his name on it. I'll never forget the day he was finally released - front page news on the Washington Post, huge picture of him stepping off the plane that finally brought him home.
I prefer books myself. I don't like eBooks at all. Mostly due to TBI residuals that affect my reading. I forget what it's called, but I have to use a card with a cutout to separate the lines as I read.
@Pisces, I am also working on my family tree - up to about 7000 ancestors thus far and some branches back as far as 160 AD. Weird but I've come to the conclusion that is the best way to learn history. Fascinating actually!!
The Philippa Gregory books are marvelous!
I love my Kindle, and reading on the cloud on my Mac. I have the cloud, iBook and e-Book. I'm currently reading:
Life after Life (which I like better than I should for some reason!) by Kate Atkinson
1Q84 by Haruki Murakami
Inferno by Dan Brown.
Yes, all three, switching back and forth. No wonder I don't remember them well. That's why I'm in book clubs, so I HAVE to discuss the books and that helps me remember.
So many books, so little time.
And then I play Words with Friends obsessively on FB.
Hugs, Elaine
Huge reader of books here..I have a Kindle my hubby got for me because he knows how much I love to read and a Kindle is good for traveling( I don't overload suitcase with books) and I love kindle for reading in bed when I cant sleep and I don't want to disturb hubbys sleep. I have a stack of paper backs and hardbacks too.
I am a history lover - favorite fiction authors Diana Gabaldon( Outlander series). Reading Drums of Autumn in paper.
I keep up with what grandchildren like too so have City of Bones on kindle I am reading.
All my kindle books are free - from several free e book sites or the kindle owners lending library.
In my dream job I would be a librarian....;-)
Amanda, so we are friends with royalty :)
Thank you all for your posts. I may well follow up on some of your books, once I've had my fill of history.
By the way, has anyone read Sarah Dunnant's historical books? They were the ones to whet my appetite.
Kathyx
A fantastic thread Kathy - thankyou! I loved 'The Other Boleyn Girl' when I read it last year.
I'm part way through 'Shadows of the Workhouse' as I loved the TV series 'Call the Midwife' but am not enjoying it as much on my kindle. You can't beat a nice, well used bookcase!
For UK posters - I have been utterly enthralled with 'Last Tango in Halifax' and I think of you when it's been on Kathy as it's your neck of the woods-ish. I got the 1st series on DVD as a gift and spent 6 hours watching one day last week.
My next read is going to be a school read - Dodger by Terry Pratchett, which I'm looking forward to starting soon. Happy reading everyone! xx Ailsa
I just finished two books, Strength in What Remains by Tracy Kidder and The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway. Both were excellent. I am currently reading Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxis. Ir is a powerful book and I am enjoying it immensely. I guess it is obvious that I enjoy both historical fiction as well as nonfiction.
I recently finished a book by a Franciscan that could appeal to anyone, particularly those like us who have to so dramatically change their lives. It's titled Falling Upward. the premise is that we must fall before we can rise (sure felt like I fell a long way when I developed Sjs).
I'm now reading a novel called Knit the Season. I'm not a knitter, but I loved the interplay between the women in the first book of the series so am reading the second.
I want to start a book called Survival of the Sickest, interesting perspective about illness that I want to learn more about.
We are a pretty diverse lot, aren't we. I'm going to keep a list of all the titles you have mentioned, and dip into it when I run out of reading material.
Ailsa, I'm reading the Constant Princess now by Philippa Gregory. It's from just before the Other Boleyn GIrl, and is about the life of Katherine of Aragon. It's fascinating. I think these books have pushed me into more historical literature - there's so many questions about issues that come up in these books, that I'll have to find answers for. In fact, I think I will be reading about the War of the Roses before too long.By the way, Halifax is about 20 minutes drive from where I live, and Harrogate about double that time in the opposite direction. When you have a day free in the summer, we should meet for lunch there.
Happy reading everyone.
Kathyx
I normally read all the time, but currently, I'm writing instead :) I started a book four years ago, and I'll write a couple of weeks and then set it down again for a couple of months. I decided I wanted to finish it this year, so I'm trying to be more dedicated. Nothing for publish, just a goal of mine to write a book.
That sounds exciting - and hard work, Velcro. But I bet you will have a real sense of achievement when it is finished. What is your book about?
Kathyx
They all sound good. I cannot be without a book on the go. Currently, Louise Penny's "How the Light gets In". Nothing like a good mystery.
Love historical fiction, too.Reading the second of Ken Follett's trilogy, Winter of the World. I am reading that in a real book! .Also, on my kindle ,I am reading "The Husbands's Secret". Not great literature, but it takes place in Australia and has been on the best seller list for several months. Its a good story.
I really have to keep myself away from the computer and iphone because I get too hooked and then I don't read. Maybe that should be a New Year's Resolution!
Enjoyed your recommendations.
Lesley
Disease Prevention and Treatment
Quote from: Katybarstool on January 07, 2014, 12:42:00 PM
That sounds exciting - and hard work, Velcro. But I bet you will have a real sense of achievement when it is finished. What is your book about?
Kathyx
A contemporary romance. It's a lot harder than I thought.
Is that for real, Joe?
Kathyx
Hi Kathy - yes, that would be great to meet up!
We are doing a big push on reading for pleasure at school - trying to get teen and older fiction donations to run a book fayre and let our Year 10s choose a book. Hoping for some good donations so we can run it next week. I think we will have to brush up on our hard sell tactics! xx Ailsa
Velcro, sign up with Writer's Weekly e-newsletter for inspiration. It is free and they are great on-demand publishers who are honest and not rip-off artists.
Keep on keeping on! And remember, write now. Edit later. And you can't edit what never got written.
Sharon
I pick up used paperbacks and then pass them along.
Just really enjoyed, Think of a Number, by John Verdon.
Love the authors use of language and the way he fleshed out so many different types of characters in the story. Felt as though some of the personalities were ones I have met in life along the way.
Can't wait to hear what DH thinks after he reads it.
Oooooh in our house we all love, love, LOVE reading!!!! ;D
I adore well-researched historical fiction - I'd rather read about some other time and place then modern fiction about people just like me. I like to be transported someplace - another time, another place, another kind of life....
Some favorites from the last couple of years:
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel (one of my top 5 books of all time) and
Bring Up the Bodies (sequel to Wolf Hall - an there's a third book on the way) - both about the life and times of Thoma Cromwell, one of Henry VIII's advisers and "friends" (if you can call it that!)
Sparta by Roxana Robinson - about a young veteran of the Iraq war - takes place in the town where I grew up.
The Bartender's Tale by Ivan Doig - about a boy's life in a small town in Montana, 1960. I love Doig's books - always a pleasure to read.
Fire in the Hole and Raylan by Elmore Leonard - I have read other Elmore Leonard novels, but hubby and I have become BIG fans of the TV show "Justified" and I had never read these novels - LOVED them. Makes me want to go back and read more of Leonard's early Westerns.
The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber - pure guilty pleasure....bodice-ripping and all! :p
Up In The Old Hotel by Joseph Mitchell - a collection of interconnected short stories/reportage by a writer who was a New Yorker reporter in the 1930's. Amazing prose and a vivid chunk of NY history
A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry - a classic book set in India in the late 70's/early 80's - you won't believe how all the threads come together in the end. It's the most compassionate and brutal book ever. This is also in my top 5 ever.
I also love the Harry potter books, and I read a ton of books on horsemanship since that is what I do every day. :)
I am currently reading Hild by Nicola Griffith. For some reason, I can't really get into it...but I hate to give up on a book too soon, and this is the kind of book I normally really enjoy, so I am staying with it a while longer.
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt is up next....it's supposed to be quite extraordinary.
Happy reading!!!! :D
We have been off for Christmas break and snow so I have read a couple of books so far all by the same author: Stephanie Bond
Our Husband - one man and multiple wives mystery
Finding My Mojo - vodoo doll mystery set in small town- Mojo
Body Movers (series) - just started it. It's about a brother and sister whose rich parents skipped bail and the kids raised themselves. So far it is really good.
There is a murder and romance involved in each one of these books.
Winnie
Quote from: slccom on January 09, 2014, 01:13:16 PM
Velcro, sign up with Writer's Weekly e-newsletter for inspiration. It is free and they are great on-demand publishers who are honest and not rip-off artists.
Keep on keeping on! And remember, write now. Edit later. And you can't edit what never got written.
Sharon
Thank you Sharon! I will do. I did figure out I was spending way to much time going back and reading what I wrote and editing it after every chapter. So I did quit doing that and am just trying to write to the end now.
I want to add Alison Weir to my list of must reads. I've just finished reading An Innocent Traitor about the life of Lady Jane Grey, and it kept me in suspense 'til the very last page.
Kathyx
Hi, Sleepy, I've read almost all of Elmore Leonard. And now we're watching the series: Justified. It is based on Fire in the Hole and the executive producer was Elmore Leonard until his death.
He was one of the most talented writers with a unique voice. The show is excellent!
I'm reading:
The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared [Kindle Edition]
Jonas Jonasson
Just finished:
Sarah's Key [Kindle Edition]
Tatiana de Rosnay
Life After Life: A Novel [Kindle Edition]
Kate Atkinson
Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World (Vintage International) [Kindle Edition]
Haruki M
The Testament of Mary [Kindle Edition]
Colm Toibin
Tatiana: An Arkady Renko Novel [Kindle Edition]
Martin Cruz Smith
A Wild Sheep Chase: A Novel (Vintage International) [Kindle Edition]
Haruki Murakami
1Q84 (Vintage International) [Kindle Edition]
Haruki Murakami
Dear Life: Stories [Kindle Edition]
Alice Munro
Hotel Du Lac (Vintage Contemporaries) [Kindle Edition]
Anita Brookner
Just One Evil Act: A Lynley Novel (Inspector Lynley) [Kindle Edition]
Elizabeth George
The Woman in the Dunes (Vintage International) [Kindle Edition]
Kobo Abe
F. Scott Fitzgerald. "The Beautiful and Damned." iBooks.
So many books, so little time.
Hugs, Elaine
Yes. It is over 1200 page so I am scanning and do not trust my memory as much as I used to. It is a good reference book that contains western treatments and CAM therapies related to a number of illnesses.
I have just completed the "Divergent" series on Audio CD. - fiction
I have a stack of 8 or more magazines that I subscribe to and read each month also. It is an old habit and is down from my thirties when I had to read trade publications for several industries also.
Sjogren's is now listed as the number 2 auto immune disease from a couple of journals.
I'm reading "Entering the Castle" by Caroline Myss, sort of a modern spin on Theresa of Avila's writings about enriching and empowering the soul. ShoGirl, I really like the Franciscan's books. I think his name is Richard Rohr. Haven't read Falling Upward, but loved The Immortal Diamond and The Naked Now. Just finished Stitches, by Anne Lamott, who's probably my favorite author. After all the spiritual stuff, and the medical reading/research I've been doing since learning I'm a sjoggie, I'm ready for some escape. What are the best fiction recommendations out there?!
Anything and everything by Mercedes Lackey is wonderful. Go to Wikipedia, look her up, pick a series and get going. Her take on old fairy tales is wonderful and engrossing.
Also, the 1632 series by Eric Flint, Lackey, and lots of other co-authors is wonderful. It is about a modern city, Grantville, WVA, getting moved into another universe's 1632 central Germany, in all its bloody political turmoil.
That should keep you occupied for a year or so.
Rapture. Angel and demons fighting...all kinds of mayhem. Big sci fi and fantasy geek here.
You are Not Forgotten The Story of a Lost World War II Pilot and a Twenty-First-Century Soldier's Mission to... by Bryan Bender (Oct 29, 2013)
This really lets us understand a tiny bit of what the men who fought and still fight for us go through, and it was compelling.
Sharon
Books on CD: on the 14th we start the first dresden file. I hope to meet the auther a year from now.
Started on The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
Very long, and I sort of speed read through the longest descriptions I must admit.
BUT, fascinating and I see why it's so popular.
Amazing mixture of drugs and antiques. High society in New York and Russian gulag gang members. Something for everyone.
Hugs, Elaine
New to this site and loving this topic. One of my absolute faves is Robert Massie's Catherine the Great. She was amazing. Loved Hotel at the Corner of Bitter And Sweet. Not heavy. Currently starting Jefferson and Hamilton. Went to Smithsonian lecture by the author, and he convinced me the book is relevant to our time. Have to see. Love actual paper books, but I have had to move to a kindle. Problem is I can't part with most and have run out of room! Happy reading!
Welcome Kitkat
We are downsizing, so I got rid of lots of books to charity shops, and started using a Kindle. I don't like it! So now I'm building up my collection of books again, having just bought a set of Philippa Gregory books. I just love them!
Kathyx