I normally read a lot of fiction, but the other day when shopping in Whitstable I saw a copy of Maggie Thatcher's 'Downing Street Years', and on impulse just bought it. Strangely enough I am quite enjoying it at the moment, particularly the chapter on the Falklands War. What's everybody else reading at the moment ?
I've got a few on the go currently... Michael Caine's is taking me aaaages to finish as I keep reading it in his voice I'm midway through re-reading Sharpe's Fury funnily enough Rifleman - it's one of my faves, largely due to Sir Thomas Graham I also dip into John Lennon's A Spaniard In The Works every now and again too; it's enjoyable barmy nonsense
Norman Lewis's 'Naples '44.' In a word, Breathtaking. Just finished reading Bruce Campbell's autobiography 'If Chins could kill: confessions of a B-movie actor.' Greatest book ever written.
Just finished Moab is my Washpot and The Fry Chronicles, first and second parts of Stephen Fry's autobiography. Both are brilliant, really easy to read and addictive. Have now started Cider With Rosie by Laurie Lee
The 95th Essex, Kish. forerunners of the Rifle Brigade. Sean Bean plays the part of Sharpe really well. Never read the books, but have all of the episodes on DVD, Great series
Excellent thread, Rifleman. I go through phases of reading and I'm reading like a maniac at the moment. Working my way through the ...in Death series by J.D. Robb - 27 down, about 10 to go - fabulous. Dallas and Rourke, one of the most passionate and greatest crime-fighting partnerships ever. Just finished my umpteenth reading of Fear of Flying by Erica Jong. Dated now, but still an immense shock to the system. Also half way through my annual read of the His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman. The Subtle Knife remains one of the most mesmerising books I've ever read. Thank goodness the money ran out and Hollywood won't be able to butcher it like they destroyed Northern Lights. Reading, one of life's great pleasures.
Ah, reading. I just adore reading. It is one's passage to another time, location or world. I normally have one fiction book on the go and three or four reference books. Captain B. Have you tried Fry's The Stars' Tennis Balls? It is an excellent play on the Count of Monte Cristo. Kish. Bernard Cornwell is great, isn't he? I have just read The Fort, and Gallows Thief before that. Now onto his Stone Henge novel. Also reading The Perfect Heresy - the story of the Cathars.
If you like Bernard Cornwell you should read the King Arthur trilogy of Excalibur, Winter King, and Enemy of God. They are superb, and Cornwell himself says that these are his favourite novels out of all he has written. The Alfred series of Last Kingdom, Sword Song, Lords of the North, Pale Horseman, and Burning Land, are also really good reads, especially if you like reading about Saxons, and then later, Vikings
Rifleman You really should read the books if you're a fan of that period I'll have to look into all his other series once I've finished off Sharpe, think I've got about 4 or 5 to go first...
Boxing news which postie brings every thursday and Michael Palin Himalaya,not usually my type of thing but am really enjoying it.
The Ghost of White Hart Lane", about John White by his son who was 6 months old when John was killed by lightning. Just finished "The history of Mr. Polly" by H.G. Wells.
Just started catch-22, can't get into it, but will stick with it. Read the visitor by lee child already this week, love the jack reacher books. Got a flashman book on the go but my girlfriend borrowed it. Love the sharp films and have a couple of his other books to read some where, looking forward to them. Should also point out i read Ben eltons blast from the past last week and would recommend that as well as melt down
Rifleman, the Alfred series is first class, I agree. Did you know that the next part of Uthred's story is out next month? It is called The Death of Kings and leads up to the untimely death of Alfred - our greatest ever king. The only books by Cornwell that I haven't read are the last four of the Sharpe series. They are currently selling 3 for a fiver in Morrisons but never seem to stock those that I need. The greatest novels in my opinion are Follett's Pillars of the Earth, World Without End, Eye of the Needle and A Dangerous Fortune. The master storyteller.
Just finished 'At Home' by Bill Bryson, and started 'Dirty War Clean Hands' by Paddy Woodward, which is fascinating, and a lot more readale than I feared it wouldbe, but the typesetting is very tiny and I reckon I'll nedd glasses by the time I get to the end.
Ponders, I have read all of the Bernard Cornwell books apart from the Sharpe novels. Yes, I did know about Death of Kings, I found out by chance a couple of days back and just pre-ordered on Amazon. Agree about Pillars of the Earth, one of the best books I think I have ever read. I have recommended this book to several people but when they ask you what's it about, and you tell them its about a bloke (Tom Builder) who wants to build a cathedral, and actually starts to build one. they give you the strangest looks !
Pillars of the Earth! Master story teller and master story. I must have read it six times and never been bored!
