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Post by marion on Apr 26, 2017 19:17:50 GMT
Delia, I read that Closely Guarded Secret some years ago. I was really surprised by how enjoyable it was.
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2017 19:01:02 GMT
The Iron Hand of Mars, one of Lindsey Davis's 'Falco' series and an old favourite of mine. Before that Tarkin, by James Luceno. It's a spin-off from the Star Wars franchise, recommended to me by a friend, and as the title suggests features Governor Tarkin - played by Peter Cushing in the original film - as the (anti-) hero. Set five years after Revenge of the Sith it focusses on Tarkin as he investigates a mysterious series of raids on Imperial bases, and is an intriguing mixture of sci-fi action, detective work and politics. It's a good read and it's interesting to see the Imperials as the protagonists for a change. The only real flaw was that Darth Vader, who also features prominently, didn't 'sound' quite right. His speech tended to be a little too informal and colloquial.
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Post by beverley61 on May 18, 2017 12:06:24 GMT
Was reading Elfrida: First Queen, my children got me it knowing I am interested in the subject. I was interested not having come across a Queen Elfrida in these isles before, only to discover that the author has Latinised the name to make it easier for readers. Really!! I don't imagine there are many people who accidentally found themselves drawn to the History Section in the bookshop and then onto their knees where the Saxon/Anciet Briton stuff is generally found to look for this. Those of us who are drawn there can quite easily cope with Queen Aethelfryth, who I did know of. Don't like to tell the children they've been had, because they thought this was something knew for me to read and they tried so hard to get me something interesting.
I am still half heartedly reading it, in between Berlin Noir, but it's put me off. So patronizing, why couldn't people get their heads around the woman's name, there are harder names in TV programmes.
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Post by diziet sma on May 20, 2017 18:26:22 GMT
Berlin Noir is good isn't it? I have read the first 7, 5 more to go I think.
I have been listening to a couple of audio books recently, never liked them before, but discovered Peter Kenny reading Iain M Banks and he's terrific, perfect for my commute.
I've just got a copy of Look Who's Back, a German black comedy where Hitler returns, or is he a just a nutter? I'll find out soon I suppose.
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2017 20:45:52 GMT
Well I've recently been reading all about Cicero as recorded by his servant Tiro and the Roman Empire in the years 30 and 40 BC. Goodness me it's fascinating? It's amazing how civilised the Romans were ( the rich ones only, obviously, had sanitation, beautiful villas, lovely statues, garden pools ) while we still wallowed after their departure here in the Dark Ages AD, and yet how thoroughly barbaric they were too. Also how nothing much really has changed over the past 2000 years. You still have clever people, stupid people, rich people, poor people, greedy people, cunning people, sad people etc etc ...... Thought provoking !
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2017 15:37:20 GMT
Just finished First of the Tudors by Joanna Hickson. Nice light reading. I presume it's in a series, as it was about Jasper Tudor, and Edward and Richard of York are in exile at the end of the book.
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Post by Miranda on May 29, 2017 15:42:40 GMT
Jasper Tudor?
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2017 17:29:41 GMT
Henry VII's uncle.
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Post by Miranda on May 29, 2017 17:39:14 GMT
Really? I didn't know the name was that old.
ETA: Oh, the Duke of Bedford! D'oh! For some reason I thought his name was John. You'd think I'd remember Jasper, wouldn't you?
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Post by beverley61 on May 31, 2017 12:07:12 GMT
Berlin Noir is good isn't it? I have read the first 7, 5 more to go I think. I have been listening to a couple of audio books recently, never liked them before, but discovered Peter Kenny reading Iain M Banks and he's terrific, perfect for my commute. I've just got a copy of Look Who's Back, a German black comedy where Hitler returns, or is he a just a nutter? I'll find out soon I suppose. Look Who's Back is excellent, brilliant, highly recommend it. |
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Post by diziet sma on May 31, 2017 17:34:09 GMT
Thanks Beverley61, I'm looking forward to it. Got bogged down reading Robin Hobb's Fitz and the Fool. I'd forgotten what slow paced books they are. There might be a plot eventually but I wish it'd start sooner.
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Post by lugsbug on Jul 28, 2017 16:25:21 GMT
For my holidays, I downloaded the complete works of Sherlock Holmes. Absolutely brilliant - great short stories whilst OH was getting ready and some fine longer reads - I had no idea Sir ACD was such a good writer. I was particularly taken by The Valley of Fear which was a super evocation of the hard and dangerous life of settlers in America.
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Post by bidiein on Aug 27, 2017 9:31:47 GMT
I've just ordered Phillippa Gregory's latest - The Last Tudor. I shop at The Book People who have some astounding bargains on line.
I have started Stephen King's Dark Tower series having avoided them as 'sci fi' is not really my thing. Although I rate King as one of my all time favourite writers.
On a lighter note Terri Fleming has written an enjoyable sequel to Pride and Prejudice which centres on the bookish and blunt Mary Bennet and her sister Kitty. "Perception" is an enjoyable holiday read with good period detail. It would make a nice stand alone drama for the BBC - hint hint!
I have recently been enjoying Mary Ballogh's regency romances - that makes them sound Mills and Boonish but they have more depth and some wonderful characters. 'The Survivors Club' series - injured men from the war coming to terms with their disabilities and finding love unexpectedly, is well worth seeking out.
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Post by bidiein on Aug 27, 2017 9:32:52 GMT
Berlin Noir is good isn't it? I have read the first 7, 5 more to go I think. I have been listening to a couple of audio books recently, never liked them before, but discovered Peter Kenny reading Iain M Banks and he's terrific, perfect for my commute. I've just got a copy of Look Who's Back, a German black comedy where Hitler returns, or is he a just a nutter? I'll find out soon I suppose. Look Who's Back is excellent, brilliant, highly recommend it. LOVED 'Look Who's Back'. So many LOL moments. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2017 16:22:53 GMT
Ha ha! I picked Kitchen Venom by Philip Hensher from the library. It had a woman's feet in stilletoes and the Houses of Parliament on the front cover, and a recommendation, "Wholly beguiling, twisting tight in it's threads of power, betrayal, lust and love". It was about rent boys!
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Anymore to come?
