May 2019: Reading Thread

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I've just started one of my favourite classics David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens. It is my first classic in over a year, and enjoying every word.
Be sure to post your thoughts in the main Dickens thread to be found here. I read it recently and there's some comment on this book specifically, if you're interested.
 
For archaeology, I'm currently reading The Extraordinary Voyage of Pytheas the Greek by Barry Cunliffe, which is about a Mediterranean trader who apparently sailed around Northern Europe and the North Sea, perhaps even reaching Iceland. Although Pytheas wrote a text about it, only excerpts of it remain where quoted by other ancient writers, and Cunliffe joins this up with archaeology to provide a context for everything.

I also ended up getting a book by Robert Risk cheap on Amazon: The Great War for Civilization - the Conquest of the Middle East, simply because I was in the mood for some modern history of the region. However, it looks to be a very big book so I'll have to read others alongside it, so it doesn't eat all of my reading time.

I also felt like reading a Roman Historical novel, so have picked up Vindolanda by Adrian Goldsworthy to read. I feared it would be badly written, but the opening few pages read fine and so far give a good insight to military life on the Roman frontier. I hope it continues that way.

Oh - and just finished reading Edward I: A Great and Terrible King by Marc Morris, which was pretty good. Especially interesting to see how England and Scotland were already in the process of integrating, and might have continued to naturally join after the death of Alexander III of Scotland - if not for Edward I raising punitive taxes for a French war he didn't need to fight and ended up resolving diplomatically, with the result that it stoked Scottish rebellion led at first by William Wallace and then Robert the Bruce. It was nice to indulge in a little Mediaeval history, and found the Scottish history of the period more engaging than I'd expected.
 
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I'm not sure this is the right thread for this post,but here goes.
I understand there are many writers in this forum and is there a thread where they can list their published books?
When I'm looking round for something to read,I would rather support our authors than authors I haven't come across before.
I do like recommendations as they often help me find a good story.
 
Althea, that's weird. I searched for the specific thread on that topic (I think it was called the Self-Published Writers Roll Call or Chrons Authors, or something like that), but can't find it... if someone can, do post it. If not, we should recreate said thread.
 
Althea, that's weird. I searched for the specific thread on that topic (I think it was called the Self-Published Writers Roll Call or Chrons Authors, or something like that), but can't find it... if someone can, do post it. If not, we should recreate said thread.
Is it maybe hidden now in an exclusive writer's forum?
The 'supporters' who have the word in yellow box?
 
I'm not sure this is the right thread for this post,but here goes.
I understand there are many writers in this forum and is there a thread where they can list their published books?
Althea, that's weird. I searched for the specific thread on that topic (I think it was called the Self-Published Writers Roll Call or Chrons Authors, or something like that), but can't find it... if someone can, do post it. If not, we should recreate said thread.
There is the self-pub's authors thread, which is still there in the Self-Pub section Self Publishing Roll of Honour

Other works can be picked up in Press Releases Press Releases

There's another list somewhere, I'll go look for it

EDIT: There's this from December 2016: 20 Exciting New Authors

This from June 2017: 15 Exciting New Authors to Read Over the Summer

I think Brian must have a more complete list as he had a separate Chrons Authors tag list at one point, so there must be something else I'm missing. I shall continue hunting.
 
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Thanks, TJ :)

That's exactly what I was thinking of but misremembered the title enough to be unable to find it.
 
For archaeology, I'm currently reading The Extraordinary Voyage of Pytheas the Greek by Barry Cunliffe, which is about a Mediterranean trader who apparently sailed around Northern Europe and the North Sea, perhaps even reaching Iceland. Although Pytheas wrote a text about it, only excerpts of it remain where quoted by other ancient writers, and Cunliffe joins this up with archaeology to provide a context for everything.

I also ended up getting a book by Robert Risk cheap on Amazon: The Great War for Civilization - the Conquest of the Middle East, simply because I was in the mood for some modern history of the region. However, it looks to be a very big book so I'll have to read others alongside it, so it doesn't eat all of my reading time.

I also felt like reading a Roman Historical novel, so have picked up Vindolanda by Adrian Goldsworthy to read. I feared it would be badly written, but the opening few pages read fine and so far give a good insight to military life on the Roman frontier. I hope it continues that way.

Oh - and just finished reading Edward I: A Great and Terrible King by Marc Morris, which was pretty good. Especially interesting to see how England and Scotland were already in the process of integrating, and might have continued to naturally join after the death of Alexander III of Scotland - if not for Edward I raising punitive taxes for a French war he didn't need to fight and ended up resolving diplomatically, with the result that it stoked Scottish rebellion led at first by William Wallace and then Robert the Bruce. It was nice to indulge in a little Mediaeval history, and found the Scottish history of the period more engaging than I'd expected.
i've been meaning to ask an archeologist some questions loloo
but just out of curiosity have you read
Jump to search

Gog Magog Hills
Where Troy Once Stood is a 1990 book by Iman Jacob Wilkens that argues that the city of Troy was located in England and that the Trojan War was fought between groups of Celts.
and what do you think of it?
 
i've been meaning to ask an archeologist some questions loloo
but just out of curiosity have you read
Jump to search

Gog Magog Hills
Where Troy Once Stood is a 1990 book by Iman Jacob Wilkens that argues that the city of Troy was located in England and that the Trojan War was fought between groups of Celts.
and what do you think of it?

It doesn't seem to have any serious backing for it. I'm immediately thrown as to why there would be a battle in Cambridgeshire over control of mines in Cornwall. That's a bit like having a war in Mexico to decide who will govern Canada.
 
It doesn't seem to have any serious backing for it. I'm immediately thrown as to why there would be a battle in Cambridgeshire over control of mines in Cornwall. That's a bit like having a war in Mexico to decide who will govern Canada.
probably :) you might be right. then again i'm curious: apparently there was a city where he said and they found remnants of war.
and yes i do love the all question of ooparts
 
There is the self-pub's authors thread, which is still there in the Self-Pub section Self Publishing Roll of Honour

Other works can be picked up in Press Releases Press Releases

There's another list somewhere, I'll go look for it

EDIT: There's this from December 2016: 20 Exciting New Authors

This from June 2017: 15 Exciting New Authors to Read Over the Summer

I think Brian must have a more complete list as he had a separate Chrons Authors tag list at one point, so there must be something else I'm missing. I shall continue hunting.
Thank you so much. These lists are just what I was looking for. It will keep me going for a while. I have already read some of Jo Zebedee's excellent books and I had no idea she was one of our members.:)
 
So far this month have read Cold Print, a collection by Ramsey Campbell, the final volume in a trilogy by Midori Snyder, Beldan's Fire, and re-read volumes 1 and 2 of Asimov's Foundation trilogy.
 
I've seen the films dozens of times but have never read any James Bond. So I'm giving Casino Royale by Ian Fleming a try.
I read it a long time ago, I learned a thing or two about how to ensure there's no contaminants in authentic russian vodka
 
Finished Michael G. Manning's Thomas. A single volume short fantasy for a change. Entertaining. So if you like your fantasy non-epic and straightforward, without complications and with quick (re)solutions for every situation, this might be one for you.

Before Thomas, I read The Singularity Trap by Dennis E. Taylor. After the Bobiverse I expected something good. What can I say: My expectations were not disappointed. The writing somewhat more mature than in the Bobiverse, but in principle the same kind of story. Again, an IT-guy saving the world - or, at least, mankind. But well told and a good yarn.

One thing, though, that really drives me nuts with some authors. Weber does it and now Taylor, too. Why is it that some authors absolutely have to have German bits in a perfect English flow of words? And why on earth can't you have someone who actually speaks the language proofread those few words? If any writer of novels reads this: Please do not be cruel to my poor mother tongue! It is a beautiful language. I love it and it deserves better! So if you absolutely must have German in your novel and you have no one to proofread, send me a PM. Let's say I feel it is a patriotic duty.

OK, rant over. :p
 
About 40% through, I've decided Charles Williams: the Third Inkling isn't for me. I would have probably enjoyed a much shorter bio that had more focus on his novels, but I'm not a fan of his poetry, and the rest of his life just seems to have been a bit dull.

About to begin a collection of articles by music journo David Hepworth, Nothing is Real.
 
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