READ ANY GOOD BOOKS LATELY?

[Tripps]

It's nearly 900 pages - that'll keep you out of mischief for a while.
I've read the first chapter of Wilf Hall. I'll leave the typo - it amuses me.

I clipped this quote from the Guardian a few days ago - just about fits the bill.

From Guardian article on Jan Morris. aged 93. (Uncle Bob would do well to check her out)
Morris looks around her bookshelves, the thousands of books that line this long room floor to ceiling. “People always say: ‘Have you read them all?’ she says. “No. but I have an emotional attachment to them all. I pick an old book out and if it is interesting I read a few pages. I put letters and photographs and cards in them to find later.”

[Stanley]

Yup, it arrived and it's a doorstopper! I like big books.....

[Stanley]

I am being very disciplined! Finishing this week's PE before plunging into Hillary Mantel.

[Stanley]

I finished PE and did 15 pages of Mantel. Lovely experience, I was straight back into the period, just like putting an old pair of slippers on.... Looking forwards to the journey with her.

[Stanley]

Mantel is brilliant! Get hold of a copy if she is your bag....

[plaques]

Tolstoy's War and Peace finally finished. Most people who have seen War and Peace as a film will look at it as a historical novel mirroring events and lives in the 1805 to 1813 period. Although the general detail of events are in line with what was happening during this period and the description of peoples lives appear real they are in fact an amalgam of his own memories and how he saw their lives unfolding. As always, comparisons between books and films will never tell the full story. Personally, I found it well worth the effort to read it and for all its size 1400 pages it kept you going trying to keep up with events and trying to understand what was driving them. A good read to be recommended.

[Stanley]

I agree with you P. A very good read, I enjoyed it but my god, there's a lot of it!
Mantel still going down well....

[Stanley]

I am rationing Mantel and reading every word! Quarter of the way through.... I don't want it to end! Brilliant book, tied on for the Booker I think.

[Stanley]

A serious situation has arisen! I am on page 500 of Mantel, only 350 to go. Am rationing myself!

[rossylass]

4321 by Paul Auster - over 1,000 pages for those who like a lengthy book. Four versions of how the hero's life pans out.

Looking forward to reading the latest Mantel as soon as my daughter in law finishes it.

[Stanley]

It's pretty bloody good!
Next addition to the reading stack arrived yesterday, Hobsbawm and Ranger; 'The Invention of Tradition'.

[Tripps]

This is a curious book, and I haven't bought it yet. It's called 'The Tango Effect', and it's by Kate Swindlehurst. The Tango Effect

I first came across it when I was invited to a fundraising garden party in Summer 2018, by the poet next door, who organised everything, in order to raise funds to go towards publishing Kate's book. It was a great afternoon - hot weather, with good company, a drop of wine, with poetry, a cappella opera singing, and two lady dancers who afterwards cooled their feet in the water feature!

It's the sort of thing that happens when you live next door to a gregarious poet and creative writer - quite outside my previous experiences, but most welcome, and mind expanding.

It's been so long ago that I thought that the publication might not happen, but it has. I'm told it wasn't cheap to do. I guess the planned launch has been postponed due to the virus, though it's still available from usual outlets and ABE of course - . The Tango Effect

Interesting. I doubt I could write a page on the subject let alone a book.

[Stanley]

[Marilyn]

I used to have book shelves full of books. I used to buy a lot of new books. This did not sit well with desiring to live an uncluttered lifestyle ( Maz - you do not need all this stuff/junk). So I have cleared all the shelves. Still need to clear myself of empty bookcases... ( but I offer them to anyone willing to cart them away).
In the past two years, I get books either from markets, or library sales. Then I recycle them through charity shops or I give them away. I would not buy a brand new book in a fit now.
I think that particular market ( new books) no longer make sense ( though I appreciate markets lost for authors).
The current book I am reading is American murder/detective stuff ( total crap. Can’t wait to drop this one into the charity shop!)
Now I only have two books left to read from the last bundle I bought of ex-library books. ( will they get me through the “virus”?....)
( I do have audio books loaded and ready for listening...and pod casts...think I will be ok).
But buying new books is something I have no desire to do again in my life....

[Stanley]

Chacon as son gout..... I shall continue to clutter my shelves with 'stuff'.
Mantel still riveting...

[PostmanPete]

Not strictly a book, but there is a very good interview with Daniel Meadows in this weeks Amateur Photographer.

[Stanley]

Thanks Pete! I shall get on to it!



Daniel Meadows and Linda Lloyd Jones having a brew in the Clarion House in 1977.

[PostmanPete]

I have a pdf version of the article which I could email to anyone interested (if I'm allowed to for copyright reasons....?)

[plaques]

Daniel Meadows and Stanley appears in this old video of Daniel's early works. Daniel.

[Stanley]

Pete, I'd like one please. Haven't been able to contact Daniel as yet.

[Tripps]

I came across a book that appealed to me last night - about the Lord Lucan affair, and by someone I admire Laura Thompson. Her 'The Dogs' is the most insightful book about dog racing I've read. All avilable for about £3 each.

I immediately ordered it on Abe. When the confirmation email came it said it was an ex library book - which either wasn't on the original ad, or I hadn't noticed it. Either way - I don't want it. Same thing happened with the last book I bought. Is it me or them?

Anyway - easy to cancel the order so I did so. It then occurred to me that perhaps I shouldn't be creating needless work for them, or the Postal service at the moment. I'll wait till we come out the other side.

[Stanley]

Or.... Carry on as usual and support the industry and the workers? It's a difficult choice isn't it. I tend to agree with you, leave it until things improve.

[Stanley]

Forget Coronavirus, I have a more serious problem. I am nearing the end of Mantel; 'The Mirror and the Light'. Thomas Cromwell, newly created Earl of Essex is in the Tower and I know it's all going to end badly.

[Stanley]

All good things come to an end. I finished the Mirror and the Light yesterday at 15:30. It wasn't a cheerful ending... Question is, should I plunge immediately into the light entertainment of Frankenstein or is that a bit too much like masochism?

[Stanley]

I am starting on Frankenstein. I shall see how it goes!