What book are you reading?

That looks like a good book, Chef.

Some of the most interesting parts of Alexander Vasiliev's two volume History of the Byzantine Empire concern the conflicts and power struggles between the competing sects in the early Christian church. I learned a lot about a subject that is extremely obscure to most of us here in America.

 

Never looked in this forum before today. Glad I did as I was about to start a new thread.

My new favorite author is Andy Weir. I read The Martian after watching the movie and I loved it. Just finished his second novel, Artemis. It was also very very good. He is like the polar opposite of Robert Ludlum. Where Ludlum tells a great story, his style is almost clinical, no real life in his characters. Weir is much different. His stories are good, but nothing really earth shattering. His main protagonist really feels alive. I cant say Ive ever read an author that brings so much humanity to the character. I really cant get enough.

 

Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy

 

Did you know that the Bushes are descendants of the real Dracula - Vlad the Impaler?

 

Just picked Fountainhead down from the shelf. I feel it is time to read it once again. It's been a while, but I remember I really liked it the first time.

 

I have 2 authors on the go at the moment, depending on the mood I'm in - I'm reading Birdsong by Seb Faulks, and a continuum of novels by PG Wodehouse for when I want laughs.

 

The Keys to the Street by Ruth Rendell. She is probably the best psychological mystery writer of all time.

 

I think the last time I was here, I was reading Pandora's Box by Wesley Brian Williams, and since then I started reading on Hamilton.

 

Alexander Hamilton, I presume?

Some time ago I read Ron Chernow's wonderful biography of Hamilton but I'm sure that many people would consider it far too sympathetic. In recent years it appears that Hamilton has become as controversial as he was during his own lifetime.

 

After almost 3 1/2 months I am finally finishing Hugh Thomas's superlative history of the Spanish Civil War (post #347 above). There's certainly a lot we can learn from Spain's catastrophe.

Since I usually wander between several books at a time I have two that are next up on my agenda:

 

I've finished Nineteen Eighty-Four this week by George Orwell.

Now I'm reading

The Complete Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe.

 

Just finished The Last Madam: A Life in the New Orleans Underworld.

 

Sound like another right wing fantasy book and similar to Trump promoting that Ted Cruz father was part of a plot that killed JFK.

What a strange strange world some of us live in.

 

Just finished The Creature from Jekyll Island, an interesting read for those interested in the history of banking and who enjoy conspiracies.

Now starting A Moveable Feast.

 

double post

 

Finished A Moveable Feast, great book, especially for aspiring writers.

Next up is Moby Dick.

 

I prefer to read non fiction. Prefer to fill my head with facts.

The very few fiction books I've read, one was The Five People You Meet In Heaven. 10 out of 10 for story.

The best non fiction book was The Jigsaw Man.

 

I am reading A Game of Thrones. A little late to the party, I know. About half way done with it.

 

Do you know why he chose 1984 and not some other year?

He wrote it in 1948. Deeeeeep thoughts

 

I knew that.
It's not really deep, it's as deep as me writing a story story set in 2081....
What's deep is Social Media and USSR type stuff being danced around in this book.

 

It's not even as deep as my joke about it being deep.

 

A Brief History Of Everyone Who Ever Lived... genetics, not a page turner but very interesting and informative

 

12 Strong

Fascinating book.

 

When you get the chance, read American Soldier by General Tommy Franks. He speaks of the two wars. He includes the section on Afghanistan. He speaks of meetings with Arab leaders plus far more so you finally understand the two wars.

 

And it was during 1957 that the Chrysler motors ads were "Suddenly it is 1960."

https://motoringuru.com.au/classics/suddenly-1960-best-campaign-time/



‘Suddenly, it’s 1960 . . . ‘

It is 60 years since one of the most evocative automotive advertisements of all time hit the American TV screens and newspapers.

“Suddenly, it’s 1960 . . .” Those three words shouted out Plymouth’s stylish new offering for 1957 and Chrysler’s entire 1957 range.

“Suddenly, it’s 1960 . . .” captured America’s boundless post World War II optimism and exuberance perfectly.

The star spangled future had arrived ahead of schedule and you could see it, drive it and buy it today at your local Plymouth dealership.

For 1957, all of the company’s offerings – Dodge, DeSoto, Chrysler, Imperial and Plymouth – boasted elegant and impossibly thin roof lines.

The bodies were long, low and wide.

Fins stretched up to heaven and beyond.