Spoilers What Book Are You Reading?

[vkd]

Chaitanya-charitamrita by Krishnadas Kaviraja Goswami. English presentation by HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami.

 

[AVBeatMan]

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.

I'd like to recommend a book on the subject. "Bloody Victory, The Sacrifice On The Somme" by William Philpott. A fascinating book. It was hard to get through, not because of the writing, but because of the tiny typeface. V small. I'd love it to become available for Kindle. A great read.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I'd like to recommend a book on the subject. "Bloody Victory, The Sacrifice On The Somme" by William Philpott. A fascinating book. It was hard to get through, not because of the writing, but because of the tiny typeface. V small. I'd love it to become available for Kindle. A great read. View attachment 512219

Not a fan of tiny typefaces (how tiny is tiny? I wear glasses and must say that I like generous fonts - TNR, Garamond, Arno Pro, Georgia, etc. (and loathe Arial) and large font sizes (12 for preference).

Indeed, it is one of the reasons I often buy hardback books. Leaving aside the fact of sometimes lavish, or - at least - better production values, a hardback edition is almost invariably better in almost every regard, [than the paperback] as the quality of the paper, and type face, and font are often better produced, more legible, and usually a lot nicer to heft, read and savour.

However, thanks for your post and recommendation; that does sound interesting.

Years ago, I had read quite a bit on WW1, but it wasn't my main area of interest or specialty.

However, given upcoming (and very recent) anniversaries and centenaries, and - given that I am an historian by training - and was, for quite some time, one by profession - when a colleague recommended Ian Beckett's work (he was reading one of his books on a flight we recently shared), I thought it was time to re-visit the topic and acquaint myself with some modern scholarship, and have thus bought several books on the topic.

 

[Melrose]

Not a fan of tiny typefaces (how tiny is tiny? I wear glasses and must say that I like generous fonts - TNR, Garamond, Arno Pro, Georgia, etc. (and loathe Arial) and large font sizes (12 for preference).

I also loathe Arial, on principle. I typically set my font to Georgia or Palatino when I have a choice as I do in iBooks.

 

[AVBeatMan]

Here's a pic.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Here's a pic. View attachment 512248

Thanks a lot; that looks to be quite legible - but I would have to see the actual size of the page and adjudge from that exactly how legible it is.

However, as mentioned earlier, the better production values, attention to detail, larger (and nicer - more legible) fonts, better quality paper, frequently found in hardback books, frequently make reading them a pleasure, and easily compensate for the extra weight of the hardback; hence, when ordering books on Amazon, I almost always check to see whether a hardback edition is available, and, if it is, I will try to lay hands on it.

 

[AVBeatMan]

The comparison cannot be done! No matter what photo I take they both look similar. My Kindle Voyage is on the 4th from smallest setting and Caecilia font if that helps.

 

[AVBeatMan]

Scepticalscribe;

Hi, was it you that recommended this? I see its half the price on Kindle.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Scepticalscribe;

Hi, was it you that recommended this? I see its half the price on Kindle.

View attachment 512306

Yes, that was one of mine, as I did indeed recommend it, - having tripped over it in a bookshop on Piccadilly Road around two months ago when I took a well deserved and long overdue week long holiday in London - and I currently have it with me, a lovely, fat, solid, gorgeously produced - and beautifully written hard-back.

On Kindle, is it? Well, well. I am surprised (and yes, very pleased). If you like reading books on Kindle (and if you like well written and fascinating history), what is there not to like?

 

[LadyX]

Jane Eyre, a penniless orphan, grows up in the home of her heartless aunt, where she endures loneliness and cruelty, and at a charity school with a harsh regime. This troubled childhood strengthens Jane's natural independence and spirit - which prove necessary when she finds a position as governess at Thornfield Hall. But when she finds love with her sardonic employer, Mr. Rochester, the discovery of his terrible secret forces her to make a choice. Should she stay with him and live with the consequences, or follow her convictions, even if it means leaving the man she loves?

An infamous novel that transcends melodrama to portray a woman's passionate search for a wider and richer life than Victorian society traditionally allowed. A Gothic novel of intense power and intrigue, Jane Eyre (1847) dazzled and shocked readers with its passionate depiction of a woman's search for equality and freedom.

 

[theapplefanboyj]

Starting to read wuthering heights. Heard about it a lot.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Image

Starting to read wuthering heights. Heard about it a lot.

Two utter classics -from the Victorian era; brilliant books, both of them, and timeless in their mastery of a terrific story, and both written by incredibly gifted and insightful women.

 

[theapplefanboyj]

Two utter classics -from the Victorian era; brilliant books, both of them, and timeless in their mastery of a terrific story, and both written by incredibly gifted and insightful women.

Yeah, my English teacher told me to start reading classics so she told me to read Pride And Prejudice and Wuthering Heights. I'm pretty much hooked.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Yeah, my English teacher told me to start reading classics so she told me to read Pride And Prejudice and Wuthering Heights. I'm pretty much hooked.

Two excellent recommendations and simply brilliant books. You won't go wrong with either of them. There is a reason they are regarded (and rightly) as part of the canon of classics in the English language.

To that I would add that some of the American writers of the 19th century and early to mid 20th century were also excellent, writing in a lovely clear, prose style, and telling terrific stories.

 

[theapplefanboyj]

Two excellent recommendations and simply brilliant books. You won't go wrong with either of them. There is a reason they are regarded (and rightly) as part of the canon of classics in the English language.

To that I would add that some of the American writers of the 19th century were also excellent, writing in a lovely clear, prose style, and telling terrific stories.

Haha, thank you a lot. I actually like them but thankfully I didn't get the paperback version of them because I'm reading them 24/7 and it's lovely!

 

[Naimfan]

The Innovators, by Walter Isaacson.

Fascinating subject. Lousy writing - Mr. Isaacson manages to make it boring, violating one of the cardinal tenets of writing.

 

[darmr]

Just starting to read Chaos by James Gleick.

 

[vulcanvillalta]

I put in a request from my library to get a copy of Stephen King's Revival when it comes out-- so hopefully I will have a copy tomorrow! (Or sometime this week)

 

[AppleUser13]

Joanne Fluke
Chocolate Chip Cookie Muder

 

[ucfgrad93]

I am currently reading Pawn of Prophecy (Belgariad I) on my Kindle.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

The Innovators, by Walter Isaacson.

Fascinating subject. Lousy writing - Mr. Isaacson manages to make it boring, violating one of the cardinal tenets of writing.

Actually, I happen to agree with you; Mr Isaacson tackles interesting topics and subjects, but his own writing style is not what I would describe as compelling or mesmerising.

I am currently reading Pawn of Prophecy (Belgariad I) on my Kindle.

I read that series several years (um, almost two decades) ago, and enjoyed it. While I wouldn't call it a standout epic, it is a good rollicking read, and David (and Leigh) Eddings know how to tell a good tale.

 

[ucfgrad93]

I read that series several years (um, almost two decades) ago, and enjoyed it. While I wouldn't call it a standout epic, it is a good rollicking read, and David (and Leigh) Eddings know how to tell a good tale.

I read it a long time ago as well, and have been waiting for it to come out for my Kindle.

 

[SDaoudi]

Star Wars - Tarkin by James Luceno

 

[EaterOfCabbage]

The Best That Money Can't Buy by Jacque Fresco

and

Revolution by Russell Brand

 

[Scepticalscribe]

'The Places In Between' by Rory Stewart.