Hey!! Let's get some action going! What are we reading? - Page 2086

issybird · 03-27-2023, 10:38 AM

I've finished Diana Tempest by Mary Cholmondeley, a sensational late Victorian novel that is both well-written and includes trenchant social commentary on women's roles, sexual morality and religion. A terrific read.

I'm currently reading Twelve Caesars: Images of Power from the Ancient World to the Modern by well-known classicist Mary Beard which is fascinating and One's Company: A Journey to China in 1933 by Peter Fleming (Ian's brother, he gets a mention), which is an interesting snapshot but hurt by a smart-alecky tone.

Bookstooge · 03-27-2023, 05:57 PM

the silent seven, another The Shadow novel by Maxwell Grant.

astrangerhere · 03-27-2023, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by issybird

I've finished Diana Tempest by Mary Cholmondeley, a sensational late Victorian novel that is both well-written and includes trenchant social commentary on women's roles, sexual morality and religion. A terrific read.

I'm currently reading Twelve Caesars: Images of Power from the Ancient World to the Modern by well-known classicist Mary Beard which is fascinating and One's Company: A Journey to China in 1933 by Peter Fleming (Ian's brother, he gets a mention), which is an interesting snapshot but hurt by a smart-alecky tone.

I do love a good Mary Beard.

pdurrant · 03-28-2023, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Next up: Curtain: Poirot's Last Case by Agatha Christie. Her 76th book. I'm almost to the end of her output.

A good ending to Poirot's cases. We'll ignore the timeline problems.

Next up: Rhythm of War by Brandon Sanderson. The fourth in his Stormlight series. Another massive tome - 1324pp according the calibre!

Luffy · 03-29-2023, 03:13 AM

My 3 star review of The Age of Reason Begins: The Story of Civilization, Volume VII, by Will Durant:-

Spoiler:

I have always wondered how I keep coming to try these books after DNFing them so regularly and so discouragingly. With this book, I got my answer finally. I have realised that the highs in this series are really high, while the lows are mere grey, and quite insipid. I have taken away jewels of knowledge from this huge nonfiction book. But there was no chance in hell of it getting 5 stars.

The standout conflict, to put it mildly, was the tussle between Phillip II and the entire Dutch Civilisation. People say that Mauritians are not patriotic because they haven't shed blood for the cause of their independence. While this has a kernel of truth in it, it does not tell the entire story. True enough, the most inhuman and most drawn out war, the 80 Year war was mostly about getting rid of foreign and religious oppression. As a result of the peace, the Netherlands were the most emancipated country in Europe. The first free press came from them. For about a century they were the masters in the very crucial science of mapmaking. The Dutch were the first inhabitants of my country's history, Mauritius. To cut to the chase, I would say that the level of savagery achieved in this war was more than what they showed in Game of Thrones. The variety of inflicting defeat and pain was second to most none.

The development of technology and the proliferation of inventions were heartwarming when read about them in the book. The fountain pen, the thermometer and barometer, the invention of the printing press, all changed the game of civilisation. The Bible remained the most published and most read book ever. But the ideas of mortals came to wobble it from its throne. I now fully understand the quote of Isaac Newton:- “If I have seen further,” Isaac Newton wrote in a 1675 letter to fellow scientist Robert Hooke, “it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” Now I know the names of those giants. I also know why people don't place any scientist, including Newton, above John von Neumann in terms of raw cerebral power.

Throughout Europe there was the dismantling of feudal power. The 16th and 17th centuries had the kings being under the influence and yoke of the Popes. I hated Henry III more than I liked Henry IV, who sounds like Robert Baratheon and Ned Stark mixed together. This, is neither an exaggeration, nor a joke. Along with the Dutch history, I loved reading about the English and French courts. Shakespeare's chapters gained me new glimpses into the plays I am yet to read of his. I have forgotten a lot already of Spenser, Marlowe, and Sidney. All these writers merged together in one entity in my mind.

The European artists were something! I read avidly about Rembrandt and Rubens, who is my favourite. I began to understand the subtleties of paintings. The play on shadows, colours and light was something I could not get without education. So much that is quotable worthy has been written in this book. The essayist Montaigne was a tough nut to crack. I read about him with excitement. He influenced so many writers. I suspect his effect on future generations was telling. I am almost sure that he influenced Poe, who himself, though a god of literature, is too recent to appear in a volume of Will Durant's. The latter has already been dead by the 80s. I wish he could continue his chronicles indefinitely. I enjoyed his magnum opus a lot and recommend it to people of all ages and abilities.

Uncle Robin · 03-29-2023, 06:13 AM

Currently reading J.J. Murder in the Maze, the first of his Inspector Driffield mysteries.

Luffy · 03-29-2023, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

A good ending to Poirot's cases. We'll ignore the timeline problems.

Next up: Rhythm of War by Brandon Sanderson. The fourth in his Stormlight series. Another massive tome - 1324pp according the calibre!

I am waiting for the 5th which will be published in September 2024, apparently. But I gave RoW a low score. Still a fan.

Fbone · 03-29-2023, 10:40 PM

Finished Among the Impostors by Margaret Peterson Haddix. Book two in her Shadow Children series.

I forgot what happened in the first book, so I appreciate the not-so-subtle hints on what happened previously. The story took a strange and unexpected turn (or two) that keeps me interested in continuing on ... eventually. The reveal at the end was in a manner not to my liking. Rated C [3 stars] for lazy ending.

CRussel · 03-29-2023, 11:57 PM

Finished reading the eARC of Salvage Right by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller. Their 24th or 25th novel in the Liaden Universe. Action takes place primarily at Tinsori Light, and I thought it was an excellent addition to the series. Due out in July from Baen, or you can pop for the eARC now, of course.

issybird · 03-31-2023, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astrangerhere

I do love a good Mary Beard.

This was fantastic, for its breadth, insight and gorgeous color reproductions. It's going on my ten-best list for this year.

Currently reading:

A Mad Catastrophe: The Outbreak of World War I and the Collapse of the Habsburg Empire by Geoffrey Wawro which is interesting and more readable than this type of work sometimes is.
Flux by Jinwoo Chong, a time travel novel published earlier this month. It got stellar reviews, but the jury's still out for me and I'm halfway through.

gmw · 04-03-2023, 12:14 AM

The Golem and the Djinni by Helene Wecker. Historical fantasy set in New York, but touching on parts of the Middle East and eastern Europe, at the end of the nineteenth century. There was a lot to like here but for me it ended up dragging. Beautifully written scene after beautifully written scene produced no movement or growth. I came very closed to abandoning it ... and almost wish I had, because I found the ending less than satisfying. I'll give it a 3/5 ... mostly because I really liked the concept.

Uncle Robin · 04-04-2023, 09:34 PM

In a stunning display of extreme out-of-left-field inventiveness, for the April prompt in the Mobileread Users TBR Challenge at StoryGraph, I've just started Elizabeth von Arnim's Enchanted April

astrangerhere · 04-05-2023, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Robin

In a stunning display of extreme out-of-left-field inventiveness, for the April prompt in the Mobileread Users TBR Challenge at StoryGraph, I've just started Alizabeth von Arnim's Enchanted April

I've been going out of order. I've finished May's book, but not yet started one for April.

issybird · 04-05-2023, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astrangerhere

I've been going out of order. I've finished May's book, but not yet started one for April.

I'm working on June and haven't started April myself. Otherwise caught up through March.

pdurrant · 04-06-2023, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Next up: Rhythm of War by Brandon Sanderson. The fourth in his Stormlight series. Another massive tome - 1324pp according the calibre!

Which I enjoyed, and I'm looking forward to getting the next volume, when it gets published and when it goes on offer.

Then I read Sleeping Murder by Agatha Christie. A good mystery.

Next up: New Arabian Nights by Robert Louis Stevenson. A collection of shorter works. But not fragments!

04-04-2023, 09:34 PM	#31287
Uncle Robin Diligent dilettante Posts: 3,626 Karma: 50808776 Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: in my mind Device: Kobo Sage; Kobo Libra Colour	In a stunning display of extreme out-of-left-field inventiveness, for the April prompt in the Mobileread Users TBR Challenge at StoryGraph, I've just started Elizabeth von Arnim's Enchanted April Last edited by Uncle Robin; 04-05-2023 at 08:43 AM.

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03-27-2023, 10:38 AM	#31276
issybird o saeclum infacetum Posts: 21,139 Karma: 234223171 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New England Device: Mini, H2O, Glo HD, Aura One, PW4, PW5	I've finished *Diana Tempest* by Mary Cholmondeley, a sensational late Victorian novel that is both well-written and includes trenchant social commentary on women's roles, sexual morality and religion. A terrific read. I'm currently reading *Twelve Caesars: Images of Power from the Ancient World to the Modern* by well-known classicist Mary Beard which is fascinating and *One's Company: A Journey to China in 1933* by Peter Fleming (Ian's brother, he gets a mention), which is an interesting snapshot but hurt by a smart-alecky tone.

03-27-2023, 05:57 PM	#31277
Bookstooge Member Retired Posts: 805 Karma: 2091358 Join Date: May 2019 Device: Kindle Oasis 1st Gen, PB Era	the silent seven, another The Shadow novel by Maxwell Grant.

03-29-2023, 03:13 AM	#31280
Luffy Wizard Posts: 4,463 Karma: 429063498 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Mauritius Device: Kindle Paperwhite 4	My 3 star review of The Age of Reason Begins: The Story of Civilization, Volume VII, by Will Durant:- Spoiler: I have always wondered how I keep coming to try these books after DNFing them so regularly and so discouragingly. With this book, I got my answer finally. I have realised that the highs in this series are really high, while the lows are mere grey, and quite insipid. I have taken away jewels of knowledge from this huge nonfiction book. But there was no chance in hell of it getting 5 stars. The standout conflict, to put it mildly, was the tussle between Phillip II and the entire Dutch Civilisation. People say that Mauritians are not patriotic because they haven't shed blood for the cause of their independence. While this has a kernel of truth in it, it does not tell the entire story. True enough, the most inhuman and most drawn out war, the 80 Year war was mostly about getting rid of foreign and religious oppression. As a result of the peace, the Netherlands were the most emancipated country in Europe. The first free press came from them. For about a century they were the masters in the very crucial science of mapmaking. The Dutch were the first inhabitants of my country's history, Mauritius. To cut to the chase, I would say that the level of savagery achieved in this war was more than what they showed in Game of Thrones. The variety of inflicting defeat and pain was second to most none. The development of technology and the proliferation of inventions were heartwarming when read about them in the book. The fountain pen, the thermometer and barometer, the invention of the printing press, all changed the game of civilisation. The Bible remained the most published and most read book ever. But the ideas of mortals came to wobble it from its throne. I now fully understand the quote of Isaac Newton:- “If I have seen further,” Isaac Newton wrote in a 1675 letter to fellow scientist Robert Hooke, “it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” Now I know the names of those giants. I also know why people don't place any scientist, including Newton, above John von Neumann in terms of raw cerebral power. Throughout Europe there was the dismantling of feudal power. The 16th and 17th centuries had the kings being under the influence and yoke of the Popes. I hated Henry III more than I liked Henry IV, who sounds like Robert Baratheon and Ned Stark mixed together. This, is neither an exaggeration, nor a joke. Along with the Dutch history, I loved reading about the English and French courts. Shakespeare's chapters gained me new glimpses into the plays I am yet to read of his. I have forgotten a lot already of Spenser, Marlowe, and Sidney. All these writers merged together in one entity in my mind. The European artists were something! I read avidly about Rembrandt and Rubens, who is my favourite. I began to understand the subtleties of paintings. The play on shadows, colours and light was something I could not get without education. So much that is quotable worthy has been written in this book. The essayist Montaigne was a tough nut to crack. I read about him with excitement. He influenced so many writers. I suspect his effect on future generations was telling. I am almost sure that he influenced Poe, who himself, though a god of literature, is too recent to appear in a volume of Will Durant's. The latter has already been dead by the 80s. I wish he could continue his chronicles indefinitely. I enjoyed his magnum opus a lot and recommend it to people of all ages and abilities.

03-29-2023, 06:13 AM	#31281
Uncle Robin Diligent dilettante Posts: 3,626 Karma: 50808776 Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: in my mind Device: Kobo Sage; Kobo Libra Colour	Currently reading J.J. Murder in the Maze, the first of his Inspector Driffield mysteries.

03-29-2023, 10:40 PM	#31283
Fbone Is that a sandwich? Posts: 8,282 Karma: 101696762 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Nook Glowlight Plus	Finished Among the Impostors by Margaret Peterson Haddix. Book two in her Shadow Children series. I forgot what happened in the first book, so I appreciate the not-so-subtle hints on what happened previously. The story took a strange and unexpected turn (or two) that keeps me interested in continuing on ... eventually. The reveal at the end was in a manner not to my liking. Rated C [3 stars] for lazy ending.

03-29-2023, 11:57 PM	#31284
CRussel (he/him/his) Posts: 12,282 Karma: 80074820 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sunshine Coast, BC Device: Oasis (Gen3),Paperwhite (Gen10), Voyage, Paperwhite(orig), Fire HD 8	Finished reading the eARC of Salvage Right by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller. Their 24th or 25th novel in the Liaden Universe. Action takes place primarily at Tinsori Light, and I thought it was an excellent addition to the series. Due out in July from Baen, or you can pop for the eARC now, of course.

04-03-2023, 12:14 AM	#31286
gmw cacoethes scribendi Posts: 5,818 Karma: 137770742 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura One & H2Ov2, Sony PRS-650	*The Golem and the Djinni* by Helene Wecker. Historical fantasy set in New York, but touching on parts of the Middle East and eastern Europe, at the end of the nineteenth century. There was a lot to like here but for me it ended up dragging. Beautifully written scene after beautifully written scene produced no movement or growth. I came very closed to abandoning it ... and almost wish I had, because I found the ending less than satisfying. I'll give it a 3/5 ... mostly because I really liked the concept.