Hey!! Let's get some action going! What are we reading? - Page 533

lilac_jive · 01-24-2011, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phenomshel

I did read the first one first, LOL. I just read it several months ago.

Oh ok! I was really confused, LOL! Now hurry up and go finish the rest!!

captobvs · 01-24-2011, 06:40 PM

So I've decided to read some future historical fiction with The Eugenics Wars by Greg Cox. Can't believe I took so long to finally get down to reading them!

gmw · 01-25-2011, 01:43 AM

I just finished "Bequest" by A K Shevchenko. Many reviews describe it as a thriller or political-thriller, to me it was simply a mystery. The story was based on a legend of Cossack gold left in the Bank of England to be claimed when Ukraine was again independent. Curiously enough the parts looking back at events over the 300 year history of the bequest were clear enough, it was the switching back and forth between two or three threads of "now" that at times had me confused.

Overall? It was worth reading, the author obviously put a lot of thought and effort into it, but it was not so good that I will be in a hurry to read it again.

GraceKrispy · 01-25-2011, 02:26 AM

Been really sick the past several days, but finished and finally reviewed "Alison Wonderland!"

boxcorner · 01-25-2011, 04:47 AM

Finished reading Shakespeare's Will, by Meredith Whitford. Powerful and moving historical fiction, about his colourful life, marriage and infidelities, seen both through his eyes and those of his long-suffering loyal wife, Anne Hathaway. Richly filled with descriptions of the political intrigues and hazards of living in Elizabethan England. Meredith's sophisticated use of language, appropriate to the period, is most impressive. I can't wait to read another of her first-rate books.

Pookeysgirl · 01-25-2011, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boxcorner

Finished read Shakespeare's Will, by Meredith Whitford. Powerful and moving historical fiction, about his colourful life, marriage and infidelities, seen both through his eyes and those of his long-suffering loyal wife, Anne Hathaway. Richly filled with descriptions of the political intrigues and hazards of living in Elizabethan England. Meredith's sophisticated use of language, appropriate to the period, is most impressive. I can't wait to read another of her first-rate books.

I'm putting that on my TBR list, it looks really good. Thanks Boxcorner!

maianhvk · 01-25-2011, 10:45 AM

I'm reading And Quiet Flows the Don by Michail Aleksandrovich Sholokhov. It's long.

FlorenceArt · 01-25-2011, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boxcorner

Finished read Shakespeare's Will, by Meredith Whitford. Powerful and moving historical fiction, about his colourful life, marriage and infidelities, seen both through his eyes and those of his long-suffering loyal wife, Anne Hathaway. Richly filled with descriptions of the political intrigues and hazards of living in Elizabethan England. Meredith's sophisticated use of language, appropriate to the period, is most impressive. I can't wait to read another of her first-rate books.

My understanding is that practically nothing is known of the life of William Shakespeare, so a lot of this must be fiction. Which isn't necessarily bad of course, though personally it bothers me, I don't know why

januaryman · 01-25-2011, 11:07 AM

Actually, there is as much that IS known about the bard as almost any other person of that time. He was, however, a playwright, and no one would have guessed that his fame would extend past these many centuries. "Will in the World" was a good book that documented Shakespeare's life as well as any I've read. Peter Ackroyd had a more recent book, I believe that garnered even better reviews, but which I have not read. The scuttlebutt that continues about a lack of hard information was propagated by those who felt a non-aristocrat simply did not have the skill nor the "brains" to write as well as he did. Of course we have a raft of people held up as the actual author, the best known of which was Francis Bacon. All poppycock. Give the Shakespeare bios a chance. You won't be disappointed with "Will in the World," and the others probably are also good.

SeaBookGuy · 01-25-2011, 12:07 PM

I've begun Jane Gardam's Old Filth - the writing quality is good (I've read her before), but not sure what I think of the plot yet.

Crusader · 01-25-2011, 02:07 PM

Finished "Faithless" by Karin Slaughter and have started "Fractured" by the same author. After that I think my palate would be ready for some great sci-fi again.

boxcorner · 01-25-2011, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlorenceArt

My understanding is that practically nothing is known of the life of William Shakespeare, so a lot of this must be fiction. Which isn't necessarily bad of course, though personally it bothers me, I don't know why

Yes, the book is historical fiction, and William Shakespeare was both a poet and playwright. "Really we know nothing about the private Shakespeare ...", so as Meredith Whitford says, in the author's post-text note, "... Might as well write fiction, then, and have some fun." Nevertheless, following the end of the book, she explains what is known about Shakespeare, and why she wrote the book the way she did. Also, there is a separate section in which she explains briefly, what is known about some of the main characters covered in the book, including Elizabeth I, the Earl of Southampton, and of course Shakespeare's family.

phenomshel · 01-25-2011, 03:17 PM

Reading Ghastly Glass (second in the Renaissance series by Joyce and Jim Lavene). Right now, the only thing I'm thinking about it is that old Hee Haw song, "If it weren't for bad luck, she'd have no luck at all.". Her boyfriend keeps catching her in compromising positions, and they keep stumbling over dead bodies. I am liking the contrast between the world of the permanent "faire" they work at/ live at part time, and the "real world". You can tell the difference too, between those who live at the faire site all the time and immerse themselves completely in it, and those who come in and work only part of the time.

phenomshel · 01-25-2011, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boxcorner

Yes, the book is historical fiction. However, following the end of the book, there is a section, in which the author explains what is known about Shakespeare. Also, there is a separate section in which she explains what is known about all the main characters covered in the book.

It does sound good. I added it to my "to look for" list.

Iridal · 01-25-2011, 03:42 PM

Just finished The Company by KJ Parker. I'm not completely sure what to think about it, nothing really big happened throughout the story but I found it hard to put down nonetheless. It was also a little bit predictable. Well, not the ending.

If you don't plan on reading this book:

Spoiler:

Now starting Harry Potter and the Halfblood Prince. Man, those HP pbooks sure are thick. My hands will be aching this time tomorrow

01-25-2011, 04:47 AM	#7985
boxcorner »(°±°)« Posts: 826 Karma: 775629 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: divisive reader	Finished reading Shakespeare's Will, by Meredith Whitford. Powerful and moving historical fiction, about his colourful life, marriage and infidelities, seen both through his eyes and those of his long-suffering loyal wife, Anne Hathaway. Richly filled with descriptions of the political intrigues and hazards of living in Elizabethan England. Meredith's sophisticated use of language, appropriate to the period, is most impressive. I can't wait to read another of her first-rate books. Last edited by boxcorner; 01-26-2011 at 03:17 AM.

01-25-2011, 03:42 PM	#7995
Iridal Mysteriarch Posts: 1,422 Karma: 26606984 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: The land of impossible deadlines Device: iPhone 4, Kindle 3	Just finished The Company by KJ Parker. I'm not completely sure what to think about it, nothing really big happened throughout the story but I found it hard to put down nonetheless. It was also a little bit predictable. Well, not the ending. If you don't plan on reading this book: Spoiler: I like books where all the main characters die at the end Now starting Harry Potter and the Halfblood Prince. Man, those HP pbooks sure are thick. My hands will be aching this time tomorrow

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01-24-2011, 06:40 PM	#7982
captobvs Member Posts: 12 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: Kindle 3rd generation	So I've decided to read some future historical fiction with The Eugenics Wars by Greg Cox. Can't believe I took so long to finally get down to reading them!

01-25-2011, 01:43 AM	#7983
gmw cacoethes scribendi Posts: 5,809 Karma: 137770742 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura One & H2Ov2, Sony PRS-650	I just finished "Bequest" by A K Shevchenko. Many reviews describe it as a thriller or political-thriller, to me it was simply a mystery. The story was based on a legend of Cossack gold left in the Bank of England to be claimed when Ukraine was again independent. Curiously enough the parts looking back at events over the 300 year history of the bequest were clear enough, it was the switching back and forth between two or three threads of "now" that at times had me confused. Overall? It was worth reading, the author obviously put a lot of thought and effort into it, but it was not so good that I will be in a hurry to read it again.

01-25-2011, 02:26 AM	#7984
GraceKrispy It's Dr. Penguin now! Posts: 3,909 Karma: 4705733 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: (USA) Device: iPad mini, Samsung Note 3, Sony PRS-650 (rarely used now)	Been really sick the past several days, but finished and finally reviewed "Alison Wonderland!"

01-25-2011, 10:45 AM	#7987
maianhvk whimsical Posts: 2,779 Karma: 88193939 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: in darkness Device: current: PPW 4. brick: K3 & Voyage.	I'm reading And Quiet Flows the Don by Michail Aleksandrovich Sholokhov. It's long.

01-25-2011, 11:07 AM	#7989
januaryman Used DTBs & iPad User Posts: 86 Karma: 48 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Earth Device: iPad	Actually, there is as much that IS known about the bard as almost any other person of that time. He was, however, a playwright, and no one would have guessed that his fame would extend past these many centuries. "Will in the World" was a good book that documented Shakespeare's life as well as any I've read. Peter Ackroyd had a more recent book, I believe that garnered even better reviews, but which I have not read. The scuttlebutt that continues about a lack of hard information was propagated by those who felt a non-aristocrat simply did not have the skill nor the "brains" to write as well as he did. Of course we have a raft of people held up as the actual author, the best known of which was Francis Bacon. All poppycock. Give the Shakespeare bios a chance. You won't be disappointed with "Will in the World," and the others probably are also good.

01-25-2011, 12:07 PM	#7990
SeaBookGuy Can one read too much? Posts: 2,015 Karma: 2487799 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Naples, FL Device: Kindle PW 3, Sony 350 and 650	I've begun Jane Gardam's Old Filth - the writing quality is good (I've read her before), but not sure what I think of the plot yet.

01-25-2011, 02:07 PM	#7991
Crusader Space Cadet Posts: 1,180 Karma: 4030536 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: South Africa Device: Sony PRS-T1, Cybook Opus, Kobo Glo	Finished "Faithless" by Karin Slaughter and have started "Fractured" by the same author. After that I think my palate would be ready for some great sci-fi again.

01-25-2011, 03:17 PM	#7993
phenomshel ZCD BombShel Posts: 4,793 Karma: 8293322 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: The Frozen North (aka Illinois, USA) Device: iPad, STB Kindle Oasis	Reading Ghastly Glass (second in the Renaissance series by Joyce and Jim Lavene). Right now, the only thing I'm thinking about it is that old Hee Haw song, "If it weren't for bad luck, she'd have no luck at all.". Her boyfriend keeps catching her in compromising positions, and they keep stumbling over dead bodies. I am liking the contrast between the world of the permanent "faire" they work at/ live at part time, and the "real world". You can tell the difference too, between those who live at the faire site all the time and immerse themselves completely in it, and those who come in and work only part of the time.

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