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Post by partickpotter on Nov 15, 2015 14:50:00 GMT
I often find that novels that have their basis on historical fact are generally the best type , some authors are better than others in this type of thing , Harry Sidebottom being a lecturer in Roman history is a prime example although he can get a little top heavy with detail at times . I totally agree Bish . Anyone whose ever tried to read undiluted facts about historical events regardless how interesting , soon become bogged down with minutiae . The historical novels have made these events palatable for the masses . Me included . The key is good writing more than fiction or non fiction. For example William Dalrymple's Return of a King, a non fiction account of the first Anglo - Afghan war. An easy read written superbly. But, similarly, the first Flashman book by George MacDonald Fraser covering the same event is equally good. But with plenty of laughs. Best thing to do - read both!
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Post by harryburrows on Nov 15, 2015 15:53:25 GMT
I totally agree Bish . Anyone whose ever tried to read undiluted facts about historical events regardless how interesting , soon become bogged down with minutiae . The historical novels have made these events palatable for the masses . Me included . The key is good writing more than fiction or non fiction. For example William Dalrymple's Return of a King, a non fiction account of the first Anglo - Afghan war. An easy read written superbly. But, similarly, the first Flashman book by George MacDonald Fraser covering the same event is equally good. But with plenty of laughs. Best thing to do - read both! I bought a first edition biography last year in oxfam , Oliver Cromwell by john Buchan , basically unreadable , although Buchan was a great author it was just so dull and that takes some doing with a historical figure such as Cromwell
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Post by matelot1996 on Nov 15, 2015 18:33:28 GMT
Have not seen the film. The book is very good, and by all accounts very accurate. The '90s film was "Mission of the Shark". There is a new one due out next year called "USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage". I've edited the stupid error in my post as well! Brill. Thanks. I will look out for that.
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Post by owenvadar on Nov 19, 2015 7:35:42 GMT
I have just finished reading The Book of Human Skin by Michael loveric which I found absolutely fascinating and would thoroughly recommend
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Post by partickpotter on Nov 19, 2015 7:44:09 GMT
I have just finished reading The Book of Human Skin by Michael loveric which I found absolutely fascinating and would thoroughly recommend Second that - the "baddies" in the book were wonderful. A great read.
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Post by owenvadar on Nov 19, 2015 7:47:51 GMT
I find the contrast between Venice and Peru sublime and the Fasan family really are something else , absolutely fascinating and kept me entertained for hours
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Post by owenvadar on Nov 23, 2015 17:09:09 GMT
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Post by bathstoke on Nov 23, 2015 19:28:57 GMT
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
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Post by Ayupshag on Nov 23, 2015 19:46:12 GMT
I am ozzy by ozzy osbourne and life by Keith Richards. Both autobiographies and both awesome. Ozzys is the funniest thing I've ever read. How they're both still alive is unbelievable
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Post by bathstoke on Nov 23, 2015 23:35:36 GMT
I am ozzy by ozzy osbourne and life by Keith Richards. Both autobiographies and both awesome. Ozzys is the funniest thing I've ever read. How they're both still alive is unbelievable Dear Boy, the biography of Keith Moon & he isn't
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Post by harryburrows on Nov 24, 2015 18:35:08 GMT
I am ozzy by ozzy osbourne and life by Keith Richards. Both autobiographies and both awesome. Ozzys is the funniest thing I've ever read. How they're both still alive is unbelievable Dear Boy, the biography of Keith Moon & he isn't Read it a few years ago . Read Oliver reeds as well just as mental . Some good crossover stories as they were neighbours
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2015 19:34:04 GMT
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Post by musik on May 28, 2019 10:04:11 GMT
I've been to the library some weeks ago, and I borrowed these:
"Autumn essence" (Horror collection) - Short stories by Lundberg Hahn, Fager, Haridi et al
"Ghosts" - Short stories (Granta #4) by Stridsberg, King, Mantel et al
"The End of Jealousy and other short stories" - Marcel Proust
"The Urantia book" - Urantia Foundation (2097 pages)
"Excel 2016, Basics"
"Excel 2016, Pivot tables"
"Marked for life" - Emelie Schepp (mp3-cd) [crime]
"The Conqueror" - Buthler & Öhrlund (mp3-cd) [crime]
"Starry" - L Wilderäng (mp3-cd) [dystopi]
📙📘📗📚📒📔
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Post by flea79 on May 28, 2019 22:42:33 GMT
Reading La Belle Sauvage by Philip Pullman, it’s a prequel to his dark materials trilogy which is one of the most masterful series ever written (in my opinion) and shaped my life views on religion as a teen, from agnostic to atheism in 3 books!
There is a sequel out later this year too
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Post by lordb on May 28, 2019 23:21:26 GMT
Reading La Belle Sauvage by Philip Pullman, it’s a prequel to his dark materials trilogy which is one of the most masterful series ever written (in my opinion) and shaped my life views on religion as a teen, from agnostic to atheism in 3 books! There is a sequel out later this year too I didn't like the third in the series tbh however overall superb and the prequel was really well judged.
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Post by raythesailor on May 29, 2019 5:46:38 GMT
Recently read “All the light we can not see” by Anthony Doerr.
A very well written and enjoyable novel set in war torn San Malo.
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Post by zerps on May 29, 2019 7:07:33 GMT
If you like an autobiography
Finding my virginity by branson is quality
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Post by deadwait on May 29, 2019 10:22:07 GMT
Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts highly recommended.
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Post by musik on May 29, 2019 10:29:35 GMT
I'm reading the first one I just mentioned, "Autumn essence", a collection of short stories.
The first one was called "What exists", written by Kerstin Lundberg Hahn. Actually, it was pretty good: 4 out of 5. 🌞
The second one is called "A date with Liam", written by the more famous author Anders Fager, and it stinks. Short sentences, not actual sentences. During dialogues you get no idea who says what. Bad!
I'm sure this guy is translated into English. Anders Fager.
This book is in Swedish.
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Post by flea79 on May 30, 2019 10:34:53 GMT
Reading La Belle Sauvage by Philip Pullman, it’s a prequel to his dark materials trilogy which is one of the most masterful series ever written (in my opinion) and shaped my life views on religion as a teen, from agnostic to atheism in 3 books! There is a sequel out later this year too I didn't like the third in the series tbh however overall superb and the prequel was really well judged. having finished the prequel yesterday i felt the ending was pretty rushed and too littered with symbolism of the loss of youth represented by his boat etc.... just built up for a quick end and then done
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Post by musik on May 30, 2019 12:30:09 GMT
Just got a reminder ro return the book to the library now.
But ... isn't it Kristi Himmelfärdsdag (Ascension Day) today? It must be closed.
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Post by hamptonpig on May 30, 2019 12:45:02 GMT
Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts highly recommended. My favourite book of all time. Truly brilliant. As equally good on Audiobook too - masterfully read.
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Post by musik on May 30, 2019 13:31:51 GMT
Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts highly recommended. My favourite book of all time. Truly brilliant. As equally good on Audiobook too - masterfully read. Must check it out! 👴
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Post by crowey on May 30, 2019 13:44:50 GMT
... Hannah Kent - awesome young Aussie author. Burial Rites - fiction based on the last woman to be executed in Iceland. Thought I was actually there viewing the Northern Lights when I read it. The Good People - Irish folklore, fairies and witchcraft. Both have very similar styles and period. Can’t wait for the next one
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Post by musik on May 30, 2019 16:13:11 GMT
I'm reading the horror short story "Missed" by Lena Ollmark now, in the Autumn Essences.
I hope the Library is open tomorrow so I can return it then.
📘
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Post by lawrieleslie on Jun 12, 2019 14:32:03 GMT
Just got Tony Waddington Biography but still reading Yankee RN. It’s autobiography by the first American to join the RN after Lend Lease in 1941. Written in 1951 it’s a very naive but well written and would interest any other ex matelots on here if you can get it. Lt A Cherry was a Wall Street Banker who defied the then USA Law and came over, via Canada, to fight for us.
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Post by kelw on Jun 12, 2019 14:40:26 GMT
I am ozzy by ozzy osbourne and life by Keith Richards. Both autobiographies and both awesome. Ozzys is the funniest thing I've ever read. How they're both still alive is unbelievable Dear Boy, the biography of Keith Moon & he isn't That is a great book
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Post by deadwait on Jun 12, 2019 16:01:38 GMT
The CJ Sansom stories of Matthew Shardlake ( the hunchback lawyer detective ) doing the work of Thomas Cromwell in 16th century London.
I have read the first five. All excellent in my opinion.
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Post by robstokie on Jun 13, 2019 19:15:50 GMT
A few Stoke books I would recommend - Neil James/Trouserdogs review of us in the 90s (even though i can only really remember the last 3 seasons), Dave Johnsons book about the promotion season, and the Late Great Stephen Fosters 2 books about following us over a season.
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Post by musik on Jun 13, 2019 20:57:43 GMT
Marcel Proust.
Collection.
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