What Are You Reading Right Now? ( Hwæt béon ðu bocrædung?) Showing 2,151-2,200 of 10,105

[Dawn]

I'm pretty positive it's Olde English as that is what the title of the thread is in but I can't get a translation. All I can find is a translator for one word at a time and that's not working to figure out the whole post. :)

[Monica]

(re: message 2187) Pretty sure he's reading A Guide to Old English by Bruce Mitchell, Fred C. Robinson

Here's a link to figure it out.

hliehende ut hlud = laughing out loud!

http://books.google.com/books?id=hwzl...

[Monica]

Started a couple of reads...

[Mark]

Monica wrote: "Started a couple of reads...

"

Let me know about roman blood please Monica

[Monica]

Mark wrote: Let me know about roman blood please Monica"

Will do. So far, it's an interesting comparison to Imperium, in that it's centered around the same cast of characters...familiar ground...but told from a different point of view.

[Dawn]

Have I mentioned lately how much I love that Steven Saylor series?? ;)

[Monica]

Dawn wrote: "Have I mentioned lately how much I love that Steven Saylor series?? ;)"

His writing style is very good. I got this book on your recommendation, thanks!

[Dawn]

And I really feel like I'm there when he's telling the story. He invites you into the world instead of just describing it.
And your welcome. :)

[Jane]

I've just started It concerns several Afrikaaner soldiers during the Boer War. It's quite good, so far. It's written in present tense, which is unusual. The glossary of Afrikaans and S. African words is very helpful.

[Monica]

Dawn wrote: "Have I mentioned lately how much I love that Steven Saylor series?? ;)"

Dawn, help! I'm almost finished with the first in the Steven Saylor Sub Rosa series: Roman Blood and want to order the next one from my library, but not sure which is next. The House of the Vestals was listed on his site, but on Goodreads the cover says #6??

[Dawn]

Arms of Nemesis is #2, here's the GR's list http://www.goodreads.com/series/41141...

[Monica]

Dawn wrote: "Arms of Nemesis is #2, here's the GR's list http://www.goodreads.com/series/41141..."

Thanks Dawn. I didn't read the one marked as "zero" on the list...The Seven Wonders. I may have to backtrack and read that one.

[Dawn]

It's new, published 2012. I'll probably stick to published order and read it last.

[Jane]

Started Cornwell's 1356 and am enjoying it so far -- middle of Chapter 2.
I've also started , fictionalized biography about the model for John Singer Sargent's portrait, Madame X -- scandalous and risque when it was painted. I'm only a few pp. into the novel. Although it concerns antebellum and Civil War Louisiana right now, I don't know how much will be in the story.

[Jane]

Monica wrote: "Dawn wrote: "Have I mentioned lately how much I love that Steven Saylor series?? ;)"

Dawn, help! I'm almost finished with the first in the Steven Saylor Sub Rosa series: Roman Blood and want to or..."

I go chronologically by copyright dates, usually on the back of the title page.

[Axe]

Just started to read this http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15..., haven't got into it much yet just the prologue. Hope its a good read

[Axe]

Ok I don't know how to add the book picture, guess its a blonde thing. Its called After Rome, A novel of Celtic Britain by Morgan Llywelyn

[Darcy]

It takes some time. :)
Just above the comment box, there is an add book/author link. Once you've found the book you need only go to bottom, select 'cover', then click on 'add' next to your selection.

[Darcy]

Speaking of Rome, along with Conspiracies of Rome, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and The Hippopotamus Marsh
I've begun
- I'm going to miss the usual suspects after this one is done.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

I thought about buying that #4, D, but thought I might make myself wait.
To drag the series out. I will read #3 in the next couple months.

#3
Rome: The Eagle of the Twelfth

[[deleted user]]

Lords of the North

[Dawn]

Derek wrote: "Lords of the North"

That's a good book! :)

[[deleted user]]

Dawn wrote: "Derek wrote: "Lords of the North"

That's a good book! :)"

I just started it. I loved the first 2 in this series, so I don't think I'll be disappointed.

[Monica]

Dawn, you've got me hooked on the Steven Saylor ancient Rome series! Finished Roman Blood and just returned from the library with Arms of Nemesis.

He writes quite well. The first in the series was well done. Must let go of character portrayals by other authors (Imperium) and allow Saylor to tell his own version of the story.

[Dawn]

You'll be ahead of me in no time.

I've only read a couple, my best intentions to read more have been thwarted by my wandering eye. :)

[Jane]

Finished and really enjoyed it! I know it's part of a series but Mr. Cornwell gives enough background information on the recurring characters and previous action that you need not have read the others in the series. Although the Battle of Poitiers was only a small part of the novel, it was well done. I did a double-take when I read the word 'bint', when one of the characters was talking about Thomas's wife -- Bint? My first thought it is an Anglo-Indian word from the time of the Raj, or, Arabic when the English were in Egypt centuries later. Anyhow, it seemed out of place...
I've found, with Cornwell, some of his books I really, really like, and others just leave me absolutely cold. I pick and choose when deciding whether to read him.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Derek wrote: "Dawn wrote: "Derek wrote: "Lords of the North"

That's a good book! :)"

I just started it. I loved the first 2 in this series, so I don't think I'll be disappointed."


I am quite smug at the fact that I partly contributed to introducing Derek to this series. :-)

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Hi Jane,
As you have noticed I am a Cornwell fan, but I have had the same experience with his books of late. I never thought I'd ever read a Cornwell I didn't like...until I met Azincourt...

[[deleted user]]

Terri wrote: "Derek wrote: "Dawn wrote: "Derek wrote: "Lords of the North"

That's a good book! :)"

I just started it. I loved the first 2 in this series, so I don't think I'll be disappointed."


I am quite sm..."

I appreciate your smugness. You pointed me in the right direction.

[Jane]

Terri wrote: "Hi Jane,
As you have noticed I am a Cornwell fan, but I have had the same experience with his books of late. I never thought I'd ever read a Cornwell I didn't like...until I met Azincourt..."

Is it possible he's begun to run out of steam? I think on the whole he's one of the better hf writers, but my favorite period historically is still the Roman Empire, preferably post-Julio-Claudian but it doesn't seem there's that much set post-Nero.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Not sure yet. I think I will have an idea on whether he is running out of steam once I read that 1356. And then there must be a new book in his Saxon series due out soon. Next year I think. Time will tell me thinks.

[Jane]

Gee, Terri, some of his earlier ones I didn't like, but did enjoy 1356. I'll keep my eye out for the Saxon one -- is that the Uhtred series?

I've started and am enjoying it so far. I think you have to know a little about Norse mythology, a little of the history, and also the Norse name system.
I've also read the first part so far of
and am enjoying it; it concerns a British ex-soldier of WWI. I think it will be flash-back to his war experiences.

[[deleted user]]

Jane wrote: "Gee, Terri, some of his earlier ones I didn't like, but did enjoy 1356. I'll keep my eye out for the Saxon one -- is that the Uhtred series?

I've started and am e..."

The Saxon series, featuring Uhtred, is excellent, in my opinion. So far, that is the only Cornwell I've read. I would certainly recommend it to any historical fiction readers. Starts with The Last Kingdom

[happy]

Don't forget his Arthur Trilogy






Definately one of the better retellings of the Arthur legend that is historically plausable

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Jane wrote: "Gee, Terri, some of his earlier ones I didn't like, but did enjoy 1356. I'll keep my eye out for the Saxon one -- is that the Uhtred series?

I've started and am e..."

I found the lack of dialogue in Odinn's Child draining. :) If only he had written it like a fiction instead of a non fiction. He has written a lot of non fiction and apparently does them well.

Yep, Saxon series is the Uhtred series and starts with that one Derek mentioned a few posts back.

[Jane]

Lack of dialogue doesn't bother me. He makes the history and setting come alive. I can see where nonfiction travel is his metier. This seems like a fictionalized Tim Severin travel... I don't remember physical descriptions being all that striking, though.
Thanks, Derek & Terri, for the info. I didn't like the first one in the series but it got better as it progressed.

[Linda]

I am reading Peggy'sDouble Shock
Just started last night. It is a quick read and interesting. Of course any author who attended the University of Mississippi will by nature write an interesting book. I would like to know the authors who hark from Mississippi and the state that has produced the most authors. USA readers would be interested.

[Simona]

I am reading Hawk Quest and I am really, really liking it.

[Dawn]

Simona wrote: "I am reading Hawk Quest and I am really, really liking it."

I'm waiting for Terri to catch up so we can start this one too. :)

[Richard]

I'm about 3/4 of the way through Midnight's Children. What an astonishing book. Set in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, it tells the life story of Saleem Sinai, born at midnight on the day of Indian independence. It's one of those books that's partly historical fiction (it starts in 1915 with Saleem's grandfather but I'm currently up to the 1970s with it).

It paints a fascinating picture of life in India since independence and it is brilliantly, brilliantly written. It won't be to everyone's taste because of its use of magic realism but this is definitely my favourite Booker winner (not that I've read too many Booker winners).

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Richard wrote: "I'm about 3/4 of the way through Midnight's Children. What an astonishing book. Set in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, it tells the life story of Saleem Sinai, born at midnight on the day of Indian..."


I don't think I have read ANY Booker winners. :-)

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Dawn wrote: "Simona wrote: "I am reading Hawk Quest and I am really, really liking it."

I'm waiting for Terri to catch up so we can start this one too. :)"

*pant, pant* I'm hurrying, I'm hurrying.
;)

[Simona]

Did you recover from your backache?

[Bryn]

I'm 2/3 through Pride of Carthage and feel Hannibal has got a novel worthy of him -- and isn't his a perfect story for a novel? Right now I can't think of HFs I like more than I do this one. Maybe that's just while I'm in the thick of it... It's splendid to my eyes. Read it most of yesterday and wish I'd stayed up last night instead of sensibly going to bed.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Simona wrote: "Did you recover from your backache?"

Nope, but the pain is tolerable now. Thanks for asking. :-)
I went to the physiotherapist yesterday and decided they are a waste of money. I am going to look for a local masseur that does remedial, sports and deep tissue massage.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Marina wrote: "Started , second in the Rome series.
I really like the first one, there was something magical and mysterious, not about the plot but about the writi..."

EXACTLY! These are my thoughts exactly, Marina. Firstly that it is more the writing that is addictive than the story in book 1. And secondly that the writing is more down to earth in book 2!

When you first said you were starting the series I remember saying I think you will like it because it is on your home turf. I was really talking about book 2 when i said that. But I knew you hadn't gotten to it and didn't want to give anything else away. :-) As I was reading book 2 I sometimes thought of you and felt that you would really enjoy it.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Bryn wrote: "I'm 2/3 through Pride of Carthage and feel Hannibal has got a novel worthy of him -- and isn't his a perfect story for a novel? Right now I can't think of HFs I like more than I do this one. Maybe ..."


I am so pleased to hear this (or read this). In my but I knew you would love this book. Of course this is why I applied some light peer pressure from time to time. Lol.
I believe the author works on the same cerebral level as you and that you would connect very well with the writing style and the way the author relates the vision in his head.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Oh, I meant to say 'in my gut'. I typoed and said 'in my but'. Rest assured.... I felt in my gut that you would love the book, not in my butt. :]

[happy]

Marina wrote: "...I've yet to read hist.fic about my beloved Romans that takes place where I actually live. I've been to Caesarea and Masada countless of times and may be going to Jerusalem again on Tuesday.

"

Marina, have you read Masada by Ernest K. Gann?

It is rather old,released in 1955, but I thought it was prtty good back in the day. IIRC it told from both the Zealot and Roman POVs. It was one the books that got me into Roman HF. It was turned into a decent Miniseries in the '70s staring Peter O'Toole and Peter Strauss

[Chris]

Just about to start

Clash of Empires: The Great Siege, by William Napier. Looks like a good one.