Because they will think you are cool, or whatever the hell word it is they use these days, ill or something? Do it quickly though or they will have latched onto something else and consider you even squarer than you already are. My 22 year old niece doesn't rate me much for liking Pokémon anymore.
It is wonderful to read so many terrific comments about the material that people read. So diverse! For what it is worth here is my contribution The Ides of March by Massimo Manfredi ( a fictional novel set within a historical context) After reading the book it became my username The Tudors (King Takes Queen) by Elizabeth Massie. I haven't watched the TV series but the book is excellent. Lady Chatterley's Lover by DH Lawrence. The most memorable part of the novel for me was Lawrence's depiction of the grime and greyness of the Nottingshire mining villages. Property by Valerie Martin, the Orange Prize Winner in 2003. It is set in the Deep South in the 1820s and deals with the subject of a failing relationship within the context of slavery. It was a set book on this year's A Level course in English by one of the examining boards. These are 4 very contrasting but interesting books. I quite agree with you Fran, sometimes there is nothing better than a good read and you are correct in saying that even in some trashy books you can pick up a little knowledge.
I read history books mainly: The Cold War - John Lewis Gaddis 1984 - George Orwell (not strictly history but you get my drift) Alexander the Great - Robin Lane Fox Cold War: For Forty-five Years the World Held its Breath - Jeremy Isaacs &Taylor Downing Napoleon -Vincent Cronin Caesar: The Life of a Colossus - Adrian Goldsworthy
No one has asked the question on everyone's lips, how many did Godders get right on University Challenge last night?
Only 7 I'm afraid. The very lovely Mrs Godders got more than twice as many but then she did read classics while I am just a worn out old engineer. I did get Charles II right and she was most surprised at that. I also got the music question with David Crosby but blowed if I knew the others. How did everbody else do? I used to like the old Mastermind with Magnus and we would score the number of correct answers to see who got the most. The new foremat has left me disinterested and we don't bother with it anymore.
Hmmmm, all novels. If you want to develop your more rational side (who am I kidding knowing you lot!?) then I would recommend The selfish gene- Richard Dawkins (or Unweaving the Rainbow.Actually anything by him, it's all beautifully written) Bad Science- Ben Goldacre. A must read for those who get annoyed by pseudo-scientific cobblers. I have to agree that Catch 22 is a Major Major work of brilliance (did you see what I did there?)
At the moment I'm reading 'Cosmos' by Carl Sagan - great book on the origins of the universe etc. When I read fiction, at the moment David Baldacci is one of my favourites, and due to the other half I have read the whole 'Shopoholic' series by Sophie Kinsella. I love James Patterson and in particular the 'Womens Murder Club' series, and the new 'Private' series is good too. Steig Laarson was great, as are the Ben Aaronovitch 'Rivers of London' trilogy. To be fair, My Kindle has been the best purchase ever, as without it I wouldn't be reading as much again! Must read books that I have recently finished are 'One Day' by David Nichols (better than the film) and 'Before I go to sleep' by SJ Watson. Other than that, being an IT Geek, any Sibex book on Microsoft/VMware/Citrix is great! (btw I do have a life, but love reading!!!!)
Yes, even without the prompt. please log in to view this image I believe his first name was Major, so he was actually Major Major Major.
You might be right. I can't remember. If I understand it correctly, you're suggesting his first and second given names were Major..?
Yes. Ive read the book about ten times (probably my favourite), but not in the last 5 years and cannot remember how it comes out...it sticks in most peoples mind Major Major is a Major, but the final twist (because his dad was sadistic) was that he was christened Major Major Major and of course his rank was actually a mistake: Dont think it is actually in the "Major Major" chapter but later on in the book....b*gger, gonna have to dig it out again...no great hardship. Tend to read anything from Le Carre and Forsythe...but if you want to get someone's attention Gone With The Wind has nice weight and form ;-)
Godders - back to the MGC, I`ve read Coppards and Hutchinsons books, and half way through Crutchley`s. Southampton connection - Benny Hill`s father was in the MGC !. I wonder if that is how he disposed of Two-Ton Ted from Teddington ?
I hope you have found them interesting. The one that I found the most interesting was Baker-Carr's "From Chauffer to Brigadier" which was not only a history of the MGC but gave an insight into the mentality of the British high command in WW1.
Very much so Godders. As you mentioned previously, Baker-Carr doesn`t seem to be in print, so I`ll need to order it from the library. I`ve joined the Old Comrades Association too.
Hampshire library service have one copy, held at Aldershot unsurprisingly. So if you can't get a copy from a local library they may be able to do an inter-library loan. I have attached a photograph I took last December of the Abbey at Wisque used as the MGC training centre before they moved to the coast.
Because it's a very good series, particularly towards the end and maybe Hogwarts will remind you of your own school? It certain reminds me of mine, which was essentially a Muggle equivalent of Hogwarts (albeit only going up to year 8). Also, just read this view of 50 shades, by a woman: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/340987215 It sounds like an absolutely terrible book, and the main dude sounds like a complete cock. How can women find people like that attractive?!
In no particular order: American Gods (Gaiman) Allen Quatermain (Haggard) Joy in the Morning (Wodehouse) The Illustrated Man (Bradbury) Men-at-Arms (Pratchett)
I've started American Gods a few times but find the prose disturbing to the point that it is actually off putting. I assume that you'd advise me to persevere!?
