What are you reading? May 2011

Susan · Post by **Susan** » Tue May 24th, 2011, 12:02 am

[quote=""Misfit""]Can you imagine having discovered these years ago and that long long wait between books? Looking forward to your thoughts on Echo. Some interesting twists at the end.[/quote]

I am so glad that I was able to read the books one right after the other. However, I cannot understand why I did not read these books when they first came out!

Misfit · Post by **Misfit** » Tue May 24th, 2011, 12:41 am

[quote=""Susan""]I am so glad that I was able to read the books one right after the other. However, I cannot understand why I did not read these books when they first came out![/quote]

I know, although I had never heard of them when they first came out so I didn't know what I was missing.

Working on Doc by Mary Doria Russell.

SonjaMarie · Post by **SonjaMarie** » Tue May 24th, 2011, 3:47 am

I've finished "The Big Spenders: A Witty Chronicle of the Very Rich and How They Spent Their Enormous Wealth" by Lucius Beebe (486pgs, 1966)*. A very interesting book, the writing was a little odd at times, and often he would use really outdated language, even by the standard of 1966.

SM

annis · Post by **annis** » Tue May 24th, 2011, 6:51 am

Dark Angel, a novel by Mika Waltari about the Siege and Fall of Constantinople in 1453, first published in English in 1953. I was recently discussing this book with MLE and we were wondering what it would be like to read again now after first reading it many years ago. I’m quite impressed- the prose is clear and striking and not particularly old-fashioned in style. There’s plenty of atmosphere, drama and tension enhanced by the use of the diary form. Waltari was inspired to write his novel as a diary by the C15th diary of Venetian surgeon Niccolo Barbaro, an eyewitness who recorded events during the last days of Christian Constantinople.

And did I say madly, deeply, passionate? This is the story of a love affair that can only be doomed, and is redolent with longing and despair. Johannes, the narrator, adds an entry to his diary:
"I have stayed up to write. From time to time I have closed my eyes and rested my hot forehead on my hands. But sleep will not take pity on me now. Through eyelids gritty from weariness I see her beauty - her mouth - her eyes. How her cheeks burn at the touch of my hand - how dazzling a flame shoots through me when I stroke her naked loin. Never have I longed so madly for her as now, when I know that I have lost her."

cw gortner · Post by **cw gortner** » Tue May 24th, 2011, 7:23 pm

Finishing up The King's Man by Pauline Gedge - which is excellent, by the way, but definitely best if the first two in the trilogy are read before it.

About to start Prophecy by Parris.

Matt Phillips · Post by **Matt Phillips** » Tue May 24th, 2011, 7:30 pm

Shadowbrook, by Beverly Swerling (French and Indian War)

Sword Song by Bernard Cornwell

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly ... for June's BOTM

Brenna · Post by **Brenna** » Tue May 24th, 2011, 10:27 pm

[quote=""Matt Phillips""]Shadowbrook, by Beverly Swerling (French and Indian War)

Sword Song by Bernard Cornwell

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly ... for June's BOTM[/quote]

I really enjoyed the Sword Song! I'm reading Lords of the North the third in the Saxon series.

BrianPK · Post by **BrianPK** » Tue May 24th, 2011, 10:45 pm

[quote=""Brenna""]I really enjoyed the Sword Song! I'm reading Lords of the North the third in the Saxon series.[/quote]
I'll stand along side you in the shield wall.

Great entertainment.

BrianPK · Post by **BrianPK** » Tue May 24th, 2011, 10:58 pm

[quote=""annis""]Dark Angel, a novel by Mika Waltari about the Siege and Fall of Constantinople in 1453, first published in English in 1953"[/quote]

I haven't read that one but I read "The Roman" twice over the years and thoroughly enjoyed it. Another great read of his was "The Egyptian".My son gave me a present of this about 10 years ago. I've also seen the film a few times in recent years and found it very enjoyable.It starred Victor Mature,Jean Simmons and Edmund Purdom. Real wet Sunday afternoon entertainment at it's best. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046949/

wendy · Post by **wendy** » Wed May 25th, 2011, 1:43 pm

Just waded through The Last of the Mohicans (James Fenimore Cooper). Tough gig!