Spoilers What Book Are You Reading?

[S.B.G]

Ah. Fascinating. Absolutely fascinating. You must tell me what you think of it, and I shall be very interested to read your thoughts - and, more to the point, whether you recommend it as worth reading or not.

Actually, I love reading about Roman history - specifically the two hundred years (roughly 100 BCE [the old BC] -100 CE [the old AD]), the years spanning the apex (and collapse of the Republic) and the first century - roughly - of the emerging Empire. The year of the Four Emperors is extraordinarily interesting.

I shall. I've gone through the introduction so far, only 10 pages (remember, I'm not a speed reader). It seems like the author is building this book on the foundations of a couple of older books, you probably know one of them, 'Histories'. As well as with his own research.

It's about 300 pages of fine print, so my eyes will tire more easily, but I'll get through it and post about it.

You had asked me to post about that Aztec book earlier this year and I finished it and posted about it here while you were away in Bosnia. I'm not sure if you saw it or not.

 

[ucfgrad93]

I finally finished getting through all of the articles I've been saving up in Instapaper on the iPad for the past two years. Lot's of great stuff I got to finally catch up on. I promised myself that after I did that, I'd pick up one of the books on my bookshelf and start on that.

The television hasn't been on very much over the last few weeks while I increase my reading time.

The book I am about to begin reading is:

69 A.D.: The Year of Four Emperors (Hardback Edition)

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That looks very interesting. I just downloaded a sample to my Kindle.

Ah. Fascinating. Absolutely fascinating. You must tell me what you think of it, and I shall be very interested to read your thoughts - and, more to the point, whether you recommend it as worth reading or not.

Actually, I love reading about Roman history - specifically the two hundred years (roughly 100 BCE [the old BC] -100 CE [the old AD]), the years spanning the apex (and collapse of the Republic) and the first century - roughly - of the emerging Empire. The year of the Four Emperors is extraordinarily interesting.

I pretty much love reading about any period of Roman history. Even more, I've always had a fascination for the Byzantine Empire as well.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

That looks very interesting. I just downloaded a sample to my Kindle.



I pretty much love reading about any period of Roman history. Even more, I've always had a fascination for the Byzantine Empire as well.

Re the wider matter of Roman history, I agree with you and I must say that I do love reading about any period of Roman history.

However, within that topic, I will always respond with even greater enthusiasm if what is on offer falls within the particular period that I find especially interesting…...

 

[LadyX]

That looks very interesting. I just downloaded a sample to my Kindle.

I pretty much love reading about any period of Roman history. Even more, I've always had a fascination for the Byzantine Empire as well.

Hey just remembered, did you finish McCullough's The Path Between the Seas?

 

[ucfgrad93]

Hey just remembered, did you finish McCullough's The Path Between the Seas?

Yes, it was excellent but a little long.

 

[LadyX]

Yes, it was excellent but a little long.

Thank you for letting me know

 

[LadyX]

With more than five million copies sold, Flowers for Algernon is the beloved, classic story of a mentally disabled man whose experimental quest for intelligence mirrors that of Algernon, an extraordinary lab mouse. In poignant diary entries, Charlie tells how a brain operation increases his IQ and changes his life. As the experimental procedure takes effect, Charlie's intelligence expands until it surpasses that of the doctors who engineered his metamorphosis. The experiment seems to be a scientific breakthrough of paramount importance--until Algernon begins his sudden, unexpected deterioration. Will the same happen to Charlie?

 

[LadyX]

Oh no. The story is told through the journal entries of Charlie who is mentally disabled and who apparently cannot read or write properly. I don't mind the grammar mistakes however I can't stand seeing misspelled words and there are lots of them so far. Almost all of the words are misspelled. This will be a difficult book for me to read.

 

[S.B.G]

Oh no. The story is told through the journal entries of Charlie who is mentally disabled and who apparently cannot read or write properly. I don't mind the grammar mistakes however I can't stand seeing misspelled words and there are lots of them so far. Almost all of the words are misspelled. This will be a difficult book for me to read.

I wonder how that got past the editors or publishers. Unless, they meant for it to be in his original writing...

 

[ucfgrad93]

Oh no. The story is told through the journal entries of Charlie who is mentally disabled and who apparently cannot read or write properly. I don't mind the grammar mistakes however I can't stand seeing misspelled words and there are lots of them so far. Almost all of the words are misspelled. This will be a difficult book for me to read.

Keep at it, as it is well worth the effort. One of the best books I've ever read.

 

[LadyX]

I wonder how that got past the editors or publishers. Unless, they meant for it to be in his original writing...

Yes that's how it's supposed to be. The character, Charlie, is mentally disabled, and I'm basically reading his diary. That's how the book is told- through his diaries entries.

 

[ucfgrad93]

I wonder how that got past the editors or publishers. Unless, they meant for it to be in his original writing...

It is intentionally written that way.

 

[S.B.G]

Yes that's how it's supposed to be. The character, Charlie, is mentally disabled, and I'm basically reading his diary. That's how the book is told, through his diaries entries.

It is intentionally written that way.

I kind of figured it would have to be.

 

[LadyX]

Keep at it, as it is well worth the effort. One of the best books I've ever read.

I'll try. I'm not giving up yet

 

[dianestory2]

I'll try. I'm not giving up yet

If you can muster through that, try reading Room by Emma Donoghue. Also written from a child's perspective. And a terrific read, if you can get through the first 50 pages....

 

[LadyX]

If you can muster through that, try reading Room by Emma Donoghue. Also written from a child's perspective. And a terrific read, if you can get through the first 50 pages....

Thank you for the recommendation. I've heard a lot about this book. It would be interesting to see how the story is told through a 5-year-old. But what's wrong with the first 50 pages? Does it start off slow?

 

[S.B.G]

In addition to reading the book on the Roman Empire that I posted last week, I'm also "reading" The Hunt for Red October by Tom Clancy. I had three Audible credits and used one to get the audio book. I'm listening to in the car as I drive around.

 

[vulcanvillalta]

Started reading Actors Anonymous by James Franco, the actor. Interesting so far, but it has pretty bad reviews on amazon. I'm liking it; it certainly is different.

 

[LadyX]

Finished reading Flowers for Algernon a few hours ago. One of the most thought-provoking and touching stories I've ever read.

 

[ucfgrad93]

Finished reading Flowers for Algernon a few hours ago. One of the most thought-provoking and touching stories I've ever read.

Agreed, one of the all time greats on my opinion.

 

[LadyX]

Features seven narrators, each with a unique story, and each with a different perspective on what makes their teacher so special.

It’s the start of fifth grade for seven kids at Snow Hill School. There’s . . . Jessica, the new girl, smart and perceptive, who’s having a hard time fitting in; Alexia, a bully, your friend one second, your enemy the next; Peter, class prankster and troublemaker; Luke, the brain; Danielle, who never stands up for herself; shy Anna, whose home situation makes her an outcast; and Jeffrey, who hates school.

Only Mr. Terupt, their new and energetic teacher, seems to know how to deal with them all. He makes the classroom a fun place, even if he doesn’t let them get away with much . . . until the snowy winter day when an accident changes everything—and everyone.

 

[Tetsy]

Just half way through reading Salem's Lot by Stephen King

 

[ucfgrad93]

Just half way through reading Salem's Lot by Stephen King

Oooh, excellent book!

 

[Tetsy]

Oooh, excellent book!

Yeh its a fab book and great story line i can't put it down lol

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Given the year that it is (that is,one hundred years after 1914), and given, also, that I managed to visit Sarajevo a few weeks ago, and stood, stupefied at the very spot (a junction on the quays of the river leading a very short distance into the Old Town) where Franz Ferdinand had his date with destiny, triggering the chain reaction which set off the First World War, some more reading on the topic is in order.

Thus, another book by Ian Beckett arrived today. Simply called 'The Great War', this is a fat, inviting book, and is the second edition of the work.

Yesterday, the post delivered a parcel which contained a book called 'Occupational Hazards - My Time Governing In Iraq' by Rory Stewart.