What Are You Reading Showing 1,951-2,000 of 6,935

[Paul]

Sanderson is w great read. I avoided him for a while due to the sheer size of the books but hes well worth it.

[J.S.]

Susan wrote: "Allan, you find the most interesting interviews. I found it interesting that he would write "Kite Runner" differently but as we age we do tend to look at things differently. I was glad to read that..."

Saw a Mideast-produced [ Iran?] indie film a few months ago that shows a stoning; it is horrendous to see. Awful, a slow death by a thousand cuts or that is how it was portrayed. Also the underlying story was based on a stoning; several men in a village lie about a wife when it is the husband's infidelity causing a problem. [ Or something like that; who knows what evil it was based on.]

[J.S.]

Recently archaeologist J Waddell (NUI Galway)whose handbook of Ireland's prehistory is considered definitive, gave the Rhind lectures at Edinburgh. I resisgted the temptation to fly there since that website will eventually post those as recordings.

But then, just spent a chunk to buy his latest volume, Archaeology and Celtic Myth (April 2014, Four Courts Press)...for obvious reasons! It is encouraging to see "serious" academics step forward in this way, when for decades it was almost a breach, a faux pas, to tie in formal archaeology to the myths. Possibly because it is too easy to look like one of the fringe element, a New-Agey sort worshipping trees and the earth-goddess whatever the h*ll that is. Oops. Off on a rant again.

Archaeology and Celtic Myth: An Exploration

Recently read The Temporary Gentleman, touching like all Barry's novels and stays with you. The Temporary Gentleman

Speaking of hotheads, it is in the upper 80s here and similar humidity so anyone who wants a sweatbath could join me. Shall return to my sweaty writing cave again.

[Paul]

I haven't dipped into wheel of time at all. when I have a few months to spare ;-)

[Paul]

I haven't dipped into wheel of time at all. when I have a few months to spare ;-)

[Allan]

Theresa, thanks for the Stembridge interview link. :)

Emma, if you're interested and haven't already seen the links I posted elsewhere, here's Stembridge's Hay Festival interview from last year, which you can stream and deals extensively with Unspoken and The Effect of Her.

https://www.hayfestival.com/p-6718-ge...

Stembridge, John Banville and Glenn Patterson are all appearing on 6th July at Hay Festival Kells btw. I'm half tempted to go down for the day...

https://www.hayfestival.com/s-348-sun...

[Cathleen]

Diane wrote: "I bought Unspoken but haven't started it yet. Maybe we could try again for it to be book of the month."

DIane, I was thinking the same thing. Or do a buddy read/discussion thread that Emma suggested. I'm about 70 pages in and enjoying it very much, but it would be excellent to know who all the people are and all of the local, cultural references.

[Cathleen]

Allan wrote: "Theresa, thanks for the Stembridge interview link. :)

Emma, if you're interested and haven't already seen the links I posted elsewhere, here's Stembridge's Hay Festival interview from last year, ..."

Allan, how far away is that for you? It sounds like it'd be right up your alley.

[Cathleen]

Theresa wrote: "A Stembridge discussion thread sounds great. I found this review useful:

http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyl...

@Emma. Bril..."

Thank you for posting this, Theresa

[Allan]

Theresa, did you try the stream to the left hand side of the page? I tried the download and I had the issue with the loop, but the stream worked-I listened to it again last week, so it was definitely working then.

Here's a different link to the same podcast as well, in case that doesn't work!

http://hayfestival.com/p-6718-gerry-s...

[Allan]

Cathleen, it's about 80 miles or so, I think. I was in Kells years ago, but have never been to any book events there. If I do go, there'll have to be some serious negotiating with the other half first ... :)

[Allan]

Theresa, she's already been around the walk we do to the lighthouse today, and she's presently snoozing beside me!

Stream the podcast later btw-the second link is working, as I'm listening again now, testing it out! :)

[Paul]

Kells shouldnt be too big a journey from here. Might be worth I think about.

[[deleted user]]

@J.S. Surely the unearthing if religious artifacts would necessitate serious academic study?

[Paul]

@Gerry it does sound like an interesting series. All 13 massive books cover about a six month period ive been told

[Susan]

Allan, I think it's your absolute duty to go to the Kells festival. Take lots of pictures and enjoy lots of lectures and then share them. Tell your other half it's the only way to keep your American friends happy. It's your duty and promise to paint something. :) Speaking of which, how far is it for Declan? Wouldn't that be in his backyard?

J.S. I know what you mean about Florida heat. It's 98/37 today and the "unneeded" air conditioning is going. I keep repeating to myself, at least it's not Florida.

[Paul]

We've decided we're going to try get to the Kells festival. We'll get a babysitter and make a weekend of it.

[[deleted user]]

I'd like to go to Kills too, but I'll be going to Edinburgh the following week and money would be tight.

[Susan]

Oh, that's wonderful, Paul. Maybe you can meet our wonderful Allan.
Declan, I can not believe the pay to be the great and powerful moderator of our group doesn't make you independently wealthy. Such an eye opener. I just hope you have a wonderful time in Edinburgh.

[Trelawn]

@ Declan you've booked Edinburgh? Fair play. Let us know what you think of it. I have Edinburgh on my wishlist and Allan's recommendation has bumped it up the list.

[[deleted user]]

Who knows, Susan, maybe I'll get to meet a famous and mych-loved writer there.

[Susan]

And, if I can add my humble recommendation, I loved Edinburgh. One of the great cities.

[[deleted user]]

@Trelawn. I might even.post updates while we're there, but I'll definitely be telling how it went.

[Paul]

Edinburgh would be great. Its definitely on the list.

[Susan]

Declan, don't you dare. Just enjoy yourself with the wonderful Fiona.

[Trelawn]

Thanks Declan, I'm sure you'll have a ball.

[[deleted user]]

I'd only post quick updates, not in-depth reviews. :)

[Trelawn]

Sounds fair, and we'll let you know how Kells goes (if we can get a babysitter).

[[deleted user]]

I'm sure there's at least one doting grandparent who'd love some extra time with him. Do what my sister does and pit the grandparents against each other.

[Trelawn]

Oooh I like that suggestion :-) moderator/evil genius where do you find the time?

[[deleted user]]

You MAKE the time. ;)

[Trelawn]

'Nuff said :-)

[J.S.]

Declan wrote: "@J.S. Surely the unearthing if religious artifacts would necessitate serious academic study?"

The structures are the artifacts in this era (Bronze Age) -- & Waddell is just guessing like the rest of us mortals. But his would be an educated guess, so excited to see an entire volume devoted to it. Most academics would rather be shot than write about anything so esoteric.

Btw, thought it was very ironic that a 3000 yr old infant skeleton was found during excavation at the Hill of Ward ( Tlachtga) during the same week that the Tuam scandal heated up. So far no indication that the infant at the Hill of Ward was a sacrifice.

--- The other is unspeakable, though the hype that all 800 or so infants were placed into the concrete tank might be overblown. Of course, their burial must be somewhere nearby. Apparently there is now a housing development where the Home used to stand, but no development in the area of the "septic tank". Sorry to raise this as it understandably upsets people.

PS/ Yes, Edinburgh was very tempting. But sitting in a seminar over 2 days I wouldn't have seen much.

[[deleted user]]

I would have imagined infant and child remains to be pretty common. The mortality rate among young children must have been huge in that era.

[Cathleen]

Allan wrote: "Cathleen, it's about 80 miles or so, I think. I was in Kells years ago, but have never been to any book events there. If I do go, there'll have to be some serious negotiating with the other half fi..."

It sounds like you really want to go, so good luck negotiating with your other half. Maybe if you use the "good deed" argument: that you're going so you can share with other GR members who can't make the trip. It would be a noble and selfless thing for you to do. :)

[Cathleen]

Emma wrote: "@Allan Thanks. I'll have to have a listen to it.

@Cathleen We can probably answer general questions about who people are and events without spoiling it for people as they are historic events. Howe..."

Fantastic. Thank you, Emma.

[Cathleen]

Susan wrote: "Allan, I think it's your absolute duty to go to the Kells festival. Take lots of pictures and enjoy lots of lectures and then share them. Tell your other half it's the only way to keep your America..."

Susan, oh my gosh. I hadn't read your post, but I basically wrote the same thing to Allan, then read your post. Too funny. Maybe we should file that under, "Great minds think alike."

98- wow. It was 82 here today, and I thought it was too warm.

[[deleted user]]

@Cathleen. I think it's safe to say I'd melt in that heat.

[Allan]

Cathleen / Susan-there's a fair chance that we might be having day 1 of our new kitchen installation on the 7th July, and if so, there'll be no chance I'll be making it down to Kells, crawling or no crawling to the other half, due to the fact that I'll be having to move everything out of the old one! I'll know better later in the week, when those plans are finalised...

[Susan]

And will you be painting that new kitchen?

[Allan]

Susan, I'll not be painting the new kitchen cupboards and appliances, but I will be painting the walls, ceiling and skirting boards of the room itself-naturally! :)

[Allan]

Thanks, Theresa-Susan takes the hand out of me because every holiday time I'm painting something. I don't like to disappoint! But, yes, it will be worth it, and I'm a seasoned pro at the old decorating business now, so shouldn't be too stressful!

[Cathleen]

Declan wrote: "@Cathleen. I think it's safe to say I'd melt in that heat."

I know I prefer weather in the 60s than weather in the 80s. Even weather in the 50s seems warm enough for me :)

[Cathleen]

Allan wrote: "Cathleen / Susan-there's a fair chance that we might be having day 1 of our new kitchen installation on the 7th July, and if so, there'll be no chance I'll be making it down to Kells, crawling or n..."

Ok, well if that happens, no amount of charm will get you out of that :)

[Susan]

Ah, Declan. Today it was 103/39. I am a limpid pool of liquid.

Allan, I think you should check out the Outlander on audio for your kitchen painting. It's about 900 pages long and should keep you busy while painting. :). BTW, if you come here to visit, I will let you paint. I don't want you to be homesick.

[[deleted user]]

I'd suffer terribly in that kind of heat. Just thinking if it makes me feel uncomfortable.

[[deleted user]]

I'd suffer terribly in that kind of heat. Just thinking if it makes me feel uncomfortable.

[Susan]

Trust me, I was in the house with the air conditioning going. What worries me is this in June 9. What will it be like in July especially on the 4th? Willits has a wonderful celebration and I would hate to miss it because it's just too darn hot. We are lucky being so close to the Ocean. In the Valley, it doesn't cool down. I can't tell you the number of nights we spent outside because of the heat.

[[deleted user]]

Hopefully it'll very cool enough on Independence Day so you can enjoy yourself. Would nights and evenings be particularly hot, Susan?

[Paul]

Well I finished the fantasy Irenicon by Irish author Aidan Harte. really heavy but very enjoyable.
I'm now going to start the Owl Killers by Karen Maitland. Sounds fantastic, a mediaeval clash of Christianity and paganism. I read The Company of Liars last year and loved itso looking forward to this.