Paul C's Roads Less Travelled in 2026 - 9
This is a continuation of the topic Paul C's Roads Less Travelled in 2026 - 8.
This topic was continued by Paul C's Roads Less Travelled in 2026 - 10.
Talk 75 Books Challenge for 2026
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1PaulCranswick
This month we will be concentrating on Brazil. Vibrant, growing, joyful, impoverished, randomly violent, Brazil.
This is the romantic Bahia.
2PaulCranswick
Opening Words
I will open the thread with what will be a re-read for me (2nd time) of a book I rate as the greatest historical fiction novel of all time and definitely within my top ten favourite books - I, Claudius by Robert Graves. Shared read with Stasia.
"I, Tiberius Claudius Drusus Nero Germnanicus This-that-and-the-other (for I shall not trouble you yet with all my titles), who was once, and not so long ago either, known to my friends and relatives and associates as 'Claudius the Idiot', or 'Claudius the Stammerer', or 'Clau-Clau-Claudius, or at best 'Poor Uncle Claudius, am now about to write the strange history of my life; starting from my earliest childhood and continuing year by year until I reach that fateful point of change where, some eight years ago, at the age of fifty-one, I suddenly found myself caught in what I may call the 'golden predicament' from which I have never since be come disentangled."
Interested.................................?
I will open the thread with what will be a re-read for me (2nd time) of a book I rate as the greatest historical fiction novel of all time and definitely within my top ten favourite books - I, Claudius by Robert Graves. Shared read with Stasia.
"I, Tiberius Claudius Drusus Nero Germnanicus This-that-and-the-other (for I shall not trouble you yet with all my titles), who was once, and not so long ago either, known to my friends and relatives and associates as 'Claudius the Idiot', or 'Claudius the Stammerer', or 'Clau-Clau-Claudius, or at best 'Poor Uncle Claudius, am now about to write the strange history of my life; starting from my earliest childhood and continuing year by year until I reach that fateful point of change where, some eight years ago, at the age of fifty-one, I suddenly found myself caught in what I may call the 'golden predicament' from which I have never since be come disentangled."
Interested.................................?
3PaulCranswick
Poetry
Last month I re-read the poetry collection Belfast Confetti by the late Northern Irish poet, Ciaran Carson. Carson observed the Troubles better than almost anyone I can think of. He died in 2019 at the age of 70.
This is his poem "Last Orders"
Squeeze the buzzer on the steel mesh gate like a trigger, but
It’s someone else who has you in their sights. Click. It opens. Like electronic
Russian roulette, since you never know for sure who’d who, or what
You’re walking into. I, for instance, could be anybody. Though I’m told
Taig’s written on my face. See me, would I trust appearances?
Inside a sudden lull. The barman lolls his head at us. We order Harp –
Seems safe enough, everybody drinks it. As someone looks daggers at us
From the Bushmills mirror, a penny drops: how simple it would be for someone
Like ourselves to walk in and blow the whole place, and ourselves, to Kingdom Come.
Last month I re-read the poetry collection Belfast Confetti by the late Northern Irish poet, Ciaran Carson. Carson observed the Troubles better than almost anyone I can think of. He died in 2019 at the age of 70.
This is his poem "Last Orders"
Squeeze the buzzer on the steel mesh gate like a trigger, but
It’s someone else who has you in their sights. Click. It opens. Like electronic
Russian roulette, since you never know for sure who’d who, or what
You’re walking into. I, for instance, could be anybody. Though I’m told
Taig’s written on my face. See me, would I trust appearances?
Inside a sudden lull. The barman lolls his head at us. We order Harp –
Seems safe enough, everybody drinks it. As someone looks daggers at us
From the Bushmills mirror, a penny drops: how simple it would be for someone
Like ourselves to walk in and blow the whole place, and ourselves, to Kingdom Come.
4PaulCranswick
Books Read
January:
1. The Place of Tides by James Rebanks (2024) 285pp {Non-Fiction} Penguin/Allen Lane (Completed 1/1/26) 8/10
2. Nazi Literature in the Americas by Roberto Bolano (1996) 204 pp {Fiction} Vintage (Completed 3/1/26) RLT Challenge/ TM Challenge 6/10
3. Girl by Ruth Padel (2024) 107 pp {Poetry} Vintage (Completed 4/1/26) 4/10
4. Shardik by Richard Adams (1974) 592 pp {SF/Fantasy} Oneworld (Completed 6/1/26) BAC/TM Challenge 7/10
5. Antarctica by Claire Keegan (1999) 209pp {Short Stories} Faber (Completed 7/1/26) 8.5/10
6. The Good Father by Noah Hawley (2013) 384pp {Fiction} Hodder TM Challenge (Completed 10/1/26) 7.5/10
7. antibody by Rebecca Salazar (2025) 139pp {Poetry} McClelland & Stewart (Completed 12/1/26) 3/10
8. Things in Nature Merely Grow by Yiyun Li (2025) 172pp {Non-Fiction} 4th Estate (Completed 13/1/26) 7/10
9. The Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell (2017) 455pp {SF/Fantasy} Hodder (Completed 17/1/26) 7/10
10. Suspicion by Friedrich Durrenmatt (1953) 157pp {Thriller} Pushkin Vertigo (Completed 18/1/26)
11. The Wardrobe Department by Elaine Garvey (2025) 221pp {Fiction} Canongate (Completed 20/1/26)
12. The Hill Bachelors by William Trevor (2000) 245pp {Short Stories} Penguin (Completed 21/1/26)
13. Question 7 by Richard Flanagan (2023) 275pp {Non-Fiction} Vintage (Completed 23/1/26)
14. Before the Fact by Francis Iles (1932) 326pp {Thriller} Pan (Completed 24/1/26)
15. Scaffolding by Lauren Elkin (2024) 383pp {Fiction} Vintage (Completed 25/1/26)
16. Beloved by Toni Morrison (1987) 324pp {Fiction} Vintage (Completed 29/1/26)
17. The War of the Poor by Eric Vuillard (2019) 79pp {Fiction} Other Press (Completed 30/1/26)
18. The Distinctly Competent District Councillor by Jonas Jonasson (2026) 132pp {Fiction} 4th Estate (Completed 31/1/26)
February
19. Love Forms by Claire Adam (2025) 295pp {Fiction} Faber (Completed 2/2/26)
20. The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Victor Hugo (1831) 501pp {Fiction} Penguin Completed (2/2/26)
21. Acts of Desperation by Megan Nolan (2021) 279pp {Fiction} Vintage (Completed 3/2/26)
22. After by Morris Gleitzman (2012) 209pp {Fiction} Penguin (Completed 5/2/26)
23. What Happened to the Corbetts by Nevil Shute (1939) 245pp {Fiction} Vintage (Completed 9/2/26)
24. The Autumn Throne by Elizabeth Chadwick (2016) 484pp {Fiction} Sphere (Completed 18/2/26)
25. A Manual for Cleaning Women by Lucia Berlin (2015) 399pp {Short Stories} Picador (Completed 18/2/26)
26. Becoming Ella Fitzgerald by Judith Tick (2024) 436pp {Non-Fiction} Norton (Completed 19/2/26)
27. The Separation by Christopher Priest (2002) 405pp {SF/Fantasy} Gollancz (Completed 23/2/26)
28. Poems from an Attic by Iris Murdoch (2025) 155pp {Poetry} Chatto & Windus (Completed 24/2/26)
29. Tales of the Alhambra by Washington Irving (1832) 304pp {Short Stories} Ebook (Completed 27/2/26)
30. Lublin by Manya Wilkinson (2024) 196pp {Fiction} And Other Stories (Completed) 27/2/26)
31. Poor Deer by Claire Oshetsky (2024) 226pp {Fiction} Ecco (Completed 28/2/26)
32. Strange Pictures by Uketsu (2022) 236pp {Thriller} HarperVia (Completed 28/2/26)
March
33. Nobody Asked for This by Charly Cox (2025) 105pp {Poetry} One Place Many Stories (Completed 3/3/26)
34. Only Here, Only Now by Tom Newlands (2024) 388pp {Fiction} Phoenix (Completed 3/3/26)
35. Maurice and Maralyn by Sophie Elmhirst (2024) 258pp {Non-Fiction} (Completed 10/3/26)
36. The Cuckoo's Lea by Michael J. Warren (2025) 277pp {Non-Fiction} Bloomsbury (Completed 10/3/26)
37. The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (1993) 202pp {Fiction} W&N (Completed 19/2/26)
38. On Reflection by Richard Holloway (2024) 227pp {Non-Fiction} Canongate (Completed 24/3/26)
39. Fierce Elegy by Peter Gizzi (2023) 61pp {Poetry} Penguin (Completed 28/3/26)
40. Returning by Edna O'Brien (1982) 158pp {Short Stories} Phoenix (Completed 30/3/26)
41. Under the Skin by Michel Faber (2000) 296pp {SF/Fantasy} Canongate (Completed 30/3/26)
42. Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli (2019) 350pp {Fiction} (Completed 30/3/26)
43. Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson (1919) 247pp {Short Stories} Penguin (Completed 31/3/26)
44. Vertigo & Ghost by Fiona Benson (2019) 90pp {Poetry} Cape Poetry (Completed 31/3/26)
45. Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin (1833) 273pp {Poetry} Pushkin Press (Completed 31/2/26)
April
46. Supporting Cast by Kit de Waal (2020) 127pp {Short Stories} Penguin (Completed 12/4/26)
47. Water by John Boyne (2023) 166pp {Fiction} Doubleday (Completed 12/4/26)
48. The Correspondent by Virginia Evans (2025) 267pp {Fiction} Michael Joseph (Completed 15/4/26)
49. Cold Spring Harbor by Richard Yates (1986) 178pp {Fiction} Vintage (Completed 20/4/26)
50. Foretokens by Sarah Howe (2025) 80pp {Poetry} Chatto & Windus (Completed 21/4/26)
51. The Others by Sheena Kalayil (2025) 326pp {Fiction} Fly on the Wall Press (Completed 25/4/26)
52. Unruly by David Mitchell (2023) 403pp {Non-Fiction} Penguin (Completed 26/4/26)
53. Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya (1972) 262pp {Fiction} (Completed 27/4/26)
54. The Hamiltons: Official Life in 1830 by Catherine Gore (1834) 367pp {Fiction} Open Library (Completed 27/4/26)
55. The Ode Less Traveled by Stephen Fry (2005) 352pp {Non Fiction} (Completed 28/4/26)
56. Three Days in June by Anne Tyler (2025) 196pp {Fiction} Chatto & Windus (Completed 28/4/26)
57. The Pleasant Light of Day by Philip O'Ceallaigh (2009) 264pp {Short Stories} Penguin (Completed 28/4/26)
58. Belfast Confetti by Ciaran Carson (1989) 108pp {Poetry} Wake Forest (Completed 29/4/26)
59. Gilead by Marilynne Robinson (2004) 282pp {Fiction} Virago (Completed 30/4/26)
60. Gut by Giulia Enders (2015) 263pp {Non-Fiction} (Completed 30/4/26)
May
61. I, Claudius by Robert Graves (1934) 396pp {Fiction} Penguin (Completed 6 May 26)
62. Mama Amazonica by Pascale Petit (2017) 108pp {Poetry} Bloodaxe (Completed 6 May 2026)
63. A Life on Our Planet by David Attenborough (2020) 247pp {Non-Fiction} Penguin (Completed 9 May 2026)
64. Openings by Lucy Caldwell (2024) 235pp {Short Stories} Faber (Completed 9/5/26)
65. The Horse by Willy Vlautin (2024) 209pp {Fiction} Faber (Completed 13/5/26)
66. Luck is the Hook by Imtiaz Dharker (2018) 122pp {Poetry} Bloodaxe (Completed 13/5/26)
67. Valley of the Sun by Louis L'Amour (1995) 177pp {Short Stories} Bantam (Completed 13/5/26)
68. The Wax Child by Olga Ravn (2023) 178pp {Fiction} (Completed 14/5/26)
69. Crooked Plow by Itamar Vieira Junior (2018) 276pp {Fiction} Verso (15/5/26)
January:
1. The Place of Tides by James Rebanks (2024) 285pp {Non-Fiction} Penguin/Allen Lane (Completed 1/1/26) 8/10
2. Nazi Literature in the Americas by Roberto Bolano (1996) 204 pp {Fiction} Vintage (Completed 3/1/26) RLT Challenge/ TM Challenge 6/10
3. Girl by Ruth Padel (2024) 107 pp {Poetry} Vintage (Completed 4/1/26) 4/10
4. Shardik by Richard Adams (1974) 592 pp {SF/Fantasy} Oneworld (Completed 6/1/26) BAC/TM Challenge 7/10
5. Antarctica by Claire Keegan (1999) 209pp {Short Stories} Faber (Completed 7/1/26) 8.5/10
6. The Good Father by Noah Hawley (2013) 384pp {Fiction} Hodder TM Challenge (Completed 10/1/26) 7.5/10
7. antibody by Rebecca Salazar (2025) 139pp {Poetry} McClelland & Stewart (Completed 12/1/26) 3/10
8. Things in Nature Merely Grow by Yiyun Li (2025) 172pp {Non-Fiction} 4th Estate (Completed 13/1/26) 7/10
9. The Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell (2017) 455pp {SF/Fantasy} Hodder (Completed 17/1/26) 7/10
10. Suspicion by Friedrich Durrenmatt (1953) 157pp {Thriller} Pushkin Vertigo (Completed 18/1/26)
11. The Wardrobe Department by Elaine Garvey (2025) 221pp {Fiction} Canongate (Completed 20/1/26)
12. The Hill Bachelors by William Trevor (2000) 245pp {Short Stories} Penguin (Completed 21/1/26)
13. Question 7 by Richard Flanagan (2023) 275pp {Non-Fiction} Vintage (Completed 23/1/26)
14. Before the Fact by Francis Iles (1932) 326pp {Thriller} Pan (Completed 24/1/26)
15. Scaffolding by Lauren Elkin (2024) 383pp {Fiction} Vintage (Completed 25/1/26)
16. Beloved by Toni Morrison (1987) 324pp {Fiction} Vintage (Completed 29/1/26)
17. The War of the Poor by Eric Vuillard (2019) 79pp {Fiction} Other Press (Completed 30/1/26)
18. The Distinctly Competent District Councillor by Jonas Jonasson (2026) 132pp {Fiction} 4th Estate (Completed 31/1/26)
February
19. Love Forms by Claire Adam (2025) 295pp {Fiction} Faber (Completed 2/2/26)
20. The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Victor Hugo (1831) 501pp {Fiction} Penguin Completed (2/2/26)
21. Acts of Desperation by Megan Nolan (2021) 279pp {Fiction} Vintage (Completed 3/2/26)
22. After by Morris Gleitzman (2012) 209pp {Fiction} Penguin (Completed 5/2/26)
23. What Happened to the Corbetts by Nevil Shute (1939) 245pp {Fiction} Vintage (Completed 9/2/26)
24. The Autumn Throne by Elizabeth Chadwick (2016) 484pp {Fiction} Sphere (Completed 18/2/26)
25. A Manual for Cleaning Women by Lucia Berlin (2015) 399pp {Short Stories} Picador (Completed 18/2/26)
26. Becoming Ella Fitzgerald by Judith Tick (2024) 436pp {Non-Fiction} Norton (Completed 19/2/26)
27. The Separation by Christopher Priest (2002) 405pp {SF/Fantasy} Gollancz (Completed 23/2/26)
28. Poems from an Attic by Iris Murdoch (2025) 155pp {Poetry} Chatto & Windus (Completed 24/2/26)
29. Tales of the Alhambra by Washington Irving (1832) 304pp {Short Stories} Ebook (Completed 27/2/26)
30. Lublin by Manya Wilkinson (2024) 196pp {Fiction} And Other Stories (Completed) 27/2/26)
31. Poor Deer by Claire Oshetsky (2024) 226pp {Fiction} Ecco (Completed 28/2/26)
32. Strange Pictures by Uketsu (2022) 236pp {Thriller} HarperVia (Completed 28/2/26)
March
33. Nobody Asked for This by Charly Cox (2025) 105pp {Poetry} One Place Many Stories (Completed 3/3/26)
34. Only Here, Only Now by Tom Newlands (2024) 388pp {Fiction} Phoenix (Completed 3/3/26)
35. Maurice and Maralyn by Sophie Elmhirst (2024) 258pp {Non-Fiction} (Completed 10/3/26)
36. The Cuckoo's Lea by Michael J. Warren (2025) 277pp {Non-Fiction} Bloomsbury (Completed 10/3/26)
37. The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (1993) 202pp {Fiction} W&N (Completed 19/2/26)
38. On Reflection by Richard Holloway (2024) 227pp {Non-Fiction} Canongate (Completed 24/3/26)
39. Fierce Elegy by Peter Gizzi (2023) 61pp {Poetry} Penguin (Completed 28/3/26)
40. Returning by Edna O'Brien (1982) 158pp {Short Stories} Phoenix (Completed 30/3/26)
41. Under the Skin by Michel Faber (2000) 296pp {SF/Fantasy} Canongate (Completed 30/3/26)
42. Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli (2019) 350pp {Fiction} (Completed 30/3/26)
43. Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson (1919) 247pp {Short Stories} Penguin (Completed 31/3/26)
44. Vertigo & Ghost by Fiona Benson (2019) 90pp {Poetry} Cape Poetry (Completed 31/3/26)
45. Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin (1833) 273pp {Poetry} Pushkin Press (Completed 31/2/26)
April
46. Supporting Cast by Kit de Waal (2020) 127pp {Short Stories} Penguin (Completed 12/4/26)
47. Water by John Boyne (2023) 166pp {Fiction} Doubleday (Completed 12/4/26)
48. The Correspondent by Virginia Evans (2025) 267pp {Fiction} Michael Joseph (Completed 15/4/26)
49. Cold Spring Harbor by Richard Yates (1986) 178pp {Fiction} Vintage (Completed 20/4/26)
50. Foretokens by Sarah Howe (2025) 80pp {Poetry} Chatto & Windus (Completed 21/4/26)
51. The Others by Sheena Kalayil (2025) 326pp {Fiction} Fly on the Wall Press (Completed 25/4/26)
52. Unruly by David Mitchell (2023) 403pp {Non-Fiction} Penguin (Completed 26/4/26)
53. Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya (1972) 262pp {Fiction} (Completed 27/4/26)
54. The Hamiltons: Official Life in 1830 by Catherine Gore (1834) 367pp {Fiction} Open Library (Completed 27/4/26)
55. The Ode Less Traveled by Stephen Fry (2005) 352pp {Non Fiction} (Completed 28/4/26)
56. Three Days in June by Anne Tyler (2025) 196pp {Fiction} Chatto & Windus (Completed 28/4/26)
57. The Pleasant Light of Day by Philip O'Ceallaigh (2009) 264pp {Short Stories} Penguin (Completed 28/4/26)
58. Belfast Confetti by Ciaran Carson (1989) 108pp {Poetry} Wake Forest (Completed 29/4/26)
59. Gilead by Marilynne Robinson (2004) 282pp {Fiction} Virago (Completed 30/4/26)
60. Gut by Giulia Enders (2015) 263pp {Non-Fiction} (Completed 30/4/26)
May
61. I, Claudius by Robert Graves (1934) 396pp {Fiction} Penguin (Completed 6 May 26)
62. Mama Amazonica by Pascale Petit (2017) 108pp {Poetry} Bloodaxe (Completed 6 May 2026)
63. A Life on Our Planet by David Attenborough (2020) 247pp {Non-Fiction} Penguin (Completed 9 May 2026)
64. Openings by Lucy Caldwell (2024) 235pp {Short Stories} Faber (Completed 9/5/26)
65. The Horse by Willy Vlautin (2024) 209pp {Fiction} Faber (Completed 13/5/26)
66. Luck is the Hook by Imtiaz Dharker (2018) 122pp {Poetry} Bloodaxe (Completed 13/5/26)
67. Valley of the Sun by Louis L'Amour (1995) 177pp {Short Stories} Bantam (Completed 13/5/26)
68. The Wax Child by Olga Ravn (2023) 178pp {Fiction} (Completed 14/5/26)
69. Crooked Plow by Itamar Vieira Junior (2018) 276pp {Fiction} Verso (15/5/26)
5PaulCranswick
Currently Reading
6PaulCranswick
Roads Less Travelled
THE AMERICAN CONTINENTs OFF THE BEATEN PATH
Our tour of the less well traveled pathways of the American continents in 2026.
I will not impinge on the wonderful American Author Challenge and I am not looking to repeat the Canadian author challenges that have featured as this is largely about everywhere else on the continent.
This will be our journey:
JANUARY - CHILEAN AUTHORS: https://www.librarything.com/topic/377059
1. Nazi Literature in the Americas by Roberto Bolano
FEBRUARY - ANGLO CARIBBEAN AUTHORS : https://www.librarything.com/topic/378317
1. Love Forms by Claire Adam
MARCH - MEXICAN AUTHORS
1. Lost Children Archive by Valeira Luiselli
APRIL - HISPANIC NORTH AMERICANS : https://www.librarything.com/topic/383269
1. antibody: poems by Rebecca Salazar
2. Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya
MAY - BRAZILIAN AUTHORS: https://www.librarything.com/topic/384022
JUNE - NON-FICTION ABOUT THE AMERICAS
JULY - CUBAN AUTHORS
AUGUST - FRANCO CARIBBEAN
SEPTEMBER - COLOMBIAN AUTHORS
OCTOBER - FIRST NATION NORTH AMERICANS
NOVEMBER - ARGENTINIAN AUTHORS
DECEMBER - OTHER PARTS OF THE CONTINENTS
THE AMERICAN CONTINENTs OFF THE BEATEN PATH
Our tour of the less well traveled pathways of the American continents in 2026.
I will not impinge on the wonderful American Author Challenge and I am not looking to repeat the Canadian author challenges that have featured as this is largely about everywhere else on the continent.
This will be our journey:
JANUARY - CHILEAN AUTHORS: https://www.librarything.com/topic/377059
1. Nazi Literature in the Americas by Roberto Bolano
FEBRUARY - ANGLO CARIBBEAN AUTHORS : https://www.librarything.com/topic/378317
1. Love Forms by Claire Adam
MARCH - MEXICAN AUTHORS
1. Lost Children Archive by Valeira Luiselli
APRIL - HISPANIC NORTH AMERICANS : https://www.librarything.com/topic/383269
1. antibody: poems by Rebecca Salazar
2. Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya
MAY - BRAZILIAN AUTHORS: https://www.librarything.com/topic/384022
JUNE - NON-FICTION ABOUT THE AMERICAS
JULY - CUBAN AUTHORS
AUGUST - FRANCO CARIBBEAN
SEPTEMBER - COLOMBIAN AUTHORS
OCTOBER - FIRST NATION NORTH AMERICANS
NOVEMBER - ARGENTINIAN AUTHORS
DECEMBER - OTHER PARTS OF THE CONTINENTS
7PaulCranswick
British Author Challenge (Hosted by my friend Amanda)
January - Cressida Cowell & Richard Adams https://www.librarything.com/topic/376836#n9049588
Shardik by Richard Adams, The Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell
February - Elizabeth Chadwick & Nevil Shute
What Happened to the Corbetts by Shute
The Autumn Throne by Chadwick
March - Obscure Books
Only Here, Only Now by Tom Newlands (64 LT Members)
April - Kit de Waal & Stephen Fry
Supporting Cast by de Waal
The Ode Less Traveled by Fry
May - MM Kaye & Iain Banks
June -
July -
August -
September -
October -
November -
December -
January - Cressida Cowell & Richard Adams https://www.librarything.com/topic/376836#n9049588
Shardik by Richard Adams, The Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell
February - Elizabeth Chadwick & Nevil Shute
What Happened to the Corbetts by Shute
The Autumn Throne by Chadwick
March - Obscure Books
Only Here, Only Now by Tom Newlands (64 LT Members)
April - Kit de Waal & Stephen Fry
Supporting Cast by de Waal
The Ode Less Traveled by Fry
May - MM Kaye & Iain Banks
June -
July -
August -
September -
October -
November -
December -
8PaulCranswick
NON-FICTION CHALLENGE
Hosted this year by my friend Benita.
JANUARY : PRIZE WINNERS - Question 7 by Richard Flanagan
FEBRUARY : JAZZ - Becoming Ella Fitzgerald by Judith Tick
MARCH : RELIGION/SPIRITUALITY - On Reflection by Richard Holloway
APRIL : THE BODY - Gut by Giulia Enders
MAY : TRAVEL - A Life On Our Planet by David Attenborough
Hosted this year by my friend Benita.
JANUARY : PRIZE WINNERS - Question 7 by Richard Flanagan
FEBRUARY : JAZZ - Becoming Ella Fitzgerald by Judith Tick
MARCH : RELIGION/SPIRITUALITY - On Reflection by Richard Holloway
APRIL : THE BODY - Gut by Giulia Enders
MAY : TRAVEL - A Life On Our Planet by David Attenborough
9PaulCranswick
The Time Machine
I will be reading 200 books one from each of the last 200 years, I will read them in date order and limit myself to one book per author.
Starting 2025 and ending 31 December 2026. I am combining this with my 50 Modern Classics from last years and other years I covered last year. The older books I will try to read in sequence
1826 : The Last Man by Mary Shelley
1827 : The Betrothed by Alessandro Manzoni
1828 : Pelham by Edward Bulwer Lytton
1829 : The Misfortunes of Elphin by Thomas Love Peacock
1830 : At the Sign of the Cat and Racket by Honore de Balzac
1831 : The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Victor Hugo
1832 : Tales of the Alhambra by Washington Irving
1833 : Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin
1834 : The Hamiltons: Official Life in 1830 by Catherine Gore
1908 : The Blue Bird by Maurice Maeterlinck
1919 : Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson
1932 : Before the Fact by Francis Iles
1934 : I, Claudius by Robert Graves
1939 : What Happened to the Corbetts bt Nevil Shute
1945 : The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams
1946 : Comet in Moominland by Tove Jansson
1947 : We Always Treat Women Too Well by Raymond Queneau
1952 : All Our Yesterdays by Natalia Ginzburg
1953 : Suspicion by Friedrich Durrenmatt
1954 : The Fellowship of the Ring by JRR Tolkien
1960 : The Great Fortune by Olivia Manning
1961 : Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
1963 : The Experience of Pain by Carlo Emilio Gadda
1965 : Lost Empires by JB Priestley
1966 : Silence by Shusaku Endo
1967 : Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin
1972 : Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya
1974 : Shardik by Richard Adams
1975 : The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey
1976 : Blaming by Elizabeth Taylor
1977 : Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
1978 : The Cement Garden by Ian McEwan
1979 : The White Album by Joan Didion
1982 : Returning by Edna O'Brien
1986 : Cold Spring Harbor by Richard Yates
1987 : Beloved by Toni Morrison
1988 : The Pigeon by Patrick Suskind
1989 : Belfast Confetti by Ciaran Carson
1991 : The Whitby Witches by Robin Jarvis
1993 : The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
1995 : Valley of the Sun by Louis L'Amour
1996 : Nazi Literature in the Americas by Roberto Bolano
1997 : God's Gift to Women by Don Paterson
1999 : Antarctica by Claire Keegan
2000 : The Hill Bachelors by William Trevor
2002 : Crow Lake by Mary Lawson
2004 : Gilead by Marilynne Robinson
2005 : The Ode Less Traveled by Stephen Fry
2007 : The Burnt-Out Town of Miracles by Roy Jacobsen
2008 : The Museum of Innocence by Orhan Pamuk
2009 : In Other Rooms, Other Wonders by Daniyal Mueenuddin
2011 : What it is Like to go to War by Karl Marlantes
2012 : Nagasaki by Eric Faye
2013 : The Good Father by Noah Hawley
2014 : The End of Eddy by Louis Eduoard
2015 : Gut by Giulia Enders
2016 : Conclave by Robert Harris
2017 : The Pine Islands by Marion Poschmann
2018 : A Lucky Man by Jamel Brinkley
2019 : The Other Americans by Laila Lalami
2020 : The Cold Millions by Jess Walter
2021 : The Heeding by Rob Cowen
2022 : Heart Lamp Stories by Banu Mushtaq
2023 : Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood
2024 : The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden
2025 : Nesting by Roisin O'Donnell
66/200
10PaulCranswick
A-Z Challenge
A = 12 Books: Richard Adams, Claire Adam, Sherwood Anderson, Rudolfo Anaya, David Attenborough
B = 12 Books: Roberto Bolano, Lucia Berlin, Fiona Benson, John Boyne
C = 12 Books: Cressida Cowell, Elizabeth Chadwick, Charly Cox, Ciaran Carson, Lucy Caldwell
D = 8 Books: Friedrich Durrenmatt, Imtiaz Dharker
E = 6 Books: Lauren Elkin, Sophie Elmhirst, Virginia Evans, Giulia Enders
F = 8 Books: Richard Flanagan, Michel Faber, Stephen Fry
J = 6 Books: Jonas Jonasson
K = 6 Books: Claire Keegan, Sheena Kalayil
L = 8 Books: Yiyun Li, Valeria Luiselli, Louis L'Amour
M = 12 Books: Toni Morrison, Iris Murdoch, David Mitchell
N = 6 Books: Megan Nolan, Tom Newlands
O = 6 Books: Claire Oshetsky, Edna O'Brien, Philip O'Ceallaigh
P = 8 Books: Ruth Padel, Christopher Priest, Alexander Pushkin, Pascale Petit
Q = 3 Books:
R = 8 Books: James Rebanks,Marilynne Robinson, Olga Ravn
S = 12 Books: Rebecca Salazar, Nevil Shute
T = 8 Books: William Trevor, Judith Tick, Anne Tyler
U = 6 Books: Uketsu
V = 6 Books: Eric Vuillard, Willy Vlautin, Itamar Vieira Junior
W = 8 Books: Manya Wilkinson Michael J Warren, Kit de Waal
X = 3 Books:
Y = 3 Books: Richard Yates
Z = 3 Books: Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Total 200
69/200
A = 12 Books: Richard Adams, Claire Adam, Sherwood Anderson, Rudolfo Anaya, David Attenborough
B = 12 Books: Roberto Bolano, Lucia Berlin, Fiona Benson, John Boyne
C = 12 Books: Cressida Cowell, Elizabeth Chadwick, Charly Cox, Ciaran Carson, Lucy Caldwell
D = 8 Books: Friedrich Durrenmatt, Imtiaz Dharker
E = 6 Books: Lauren Elkin, Sophie Elmhirst, Virginia Evans, Giulia Enders
F = 8 Books: Richard Flanagan, Michel Faber, Stephen Fry
J = 6 Books: Jonas Jonasson
K = 6 Books: Claire Keegan, Sheena Kalayil
L = 8 Books: Yiyun Li, Valeria Luiselli, Louis L'Amour
M = 12 Books: Toni Morrison, Iris Murdoch, David Mitchell
N = 6 Books: Megan Nolan, Tom Newlands
O = 6 Books: Claire Oshetsky, Edna O'Brien, Philip O'Ceallaigh
P = 8 Books: Ruth Padel, Christopher Priest, Alexander Pushkin, Pascale Petit
Q = 3 Books:
R = 8 Books: James Rebanks,Marilynne Robinson, Olga Ravn
S = 12 Books: Rebecca Salazar, Nevil Shute
T = 8 Books: William Trevor, Judith Tick, Anne Tyler
U = 6 Books: Uketsu
V = 6 Books: Eric Vuillard, Willy Vlautin, Itamar Vieira Junior
W = 8 Books: Manya Wilkinson Michael J Warren, Kit de Waal
X = 3 Books:
Y = 3 Books: Richard Yates
Z = 3 Books: Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Total 200
69/200
11PaulCranswick
Best 100s
Best British 100: https://www.librarything.com/topic/378301#9103389
Best North American 100: https://www.librarything.com/topic/378301#9103390
Rest of the English Speaking World 100: https://www.librarything.com/topic/378301#9103392
Best in Translation 100: https://www.librarything.com/topic/378301#9103393
Best British 100: https://www.librarything.com/topic/378301#9103389
Best North American 100: https://www.librarything.com/topic/378301#9103390
Rest of the English Speaking World 100: https://www.librarything.com/topic/378301#9103392
Best in Translation 100: https://www.librarything.com/topic/378301#9103393
12PaulCranswick
Books Added in 2026
Jan to March
Books 1-79 : https://www.librarything.com/topic/379636#9150056
April
80. The Hamiltons by Charlotte Gore READ
81. The Merge by Grace Walker
82. Blueprint: How DNA Makes Us Who We Are by Robert Plomin
83. The 33 Strategies of War by Robert Greene
84. We Are Green and Trembling by Gabriela Cabezon Camara
85. The Remembered Soldier by Anjet Daanje
86. Eden's Shore by Oisin Fagan
87. The Unicorn Woman by Gayl Jones
88. Good People by Patmeena Sabit
89. Fire by John Boyne
90. The Nights are Quiet in Tehran by Shida Bazyar
91. Artists, Siblings, Visionaries by Judith Mackrell
92. The Others by Sheena Kalayil READ
93. Stay With Me by Hanne Orstavik
94. Lark and Termite by Jayne Anne Phillips
95. Ends of the Earth by Neil Shubin
96. Hayek's Bastards by Quinn Slobodian
97. Gut by Giulia Enders READ
98. The Deserters by Mathias Enard
99. On Earth as it is Beneath by Ana Paula Maia
100. The Charioteer by Mary Renault
May
101. Living Planet by David Attenborough
102. Agatha Raisin and the Murderous Marriage by M.C. Beaton
103. Occupation by Julian Fuks
104. Kingfisher by Rozie Kelly
105. Shroud by Adrian Tchaikovsky
106. Excession by Iain M. Banks
107. The Scent of Oranges by Kathy George
108. Tortoise by Candlelight by Nina Bawden
109. Operation Heartbreak by Duff Cooper
110. Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson
36 non-fiction
49 fiction
7 poetry
12 SF/fantasy
6 crime / thrillers
By Men 55
By Women 55
Read: 12
Jan to March
Books 1-79 : https://www.librarything.com/topic/379636#9150056
April
80. The Hamiltons by Charlotte Gore READ
81. The Merge by Grace Walker
82. Blueprint: How DNA Makes Us Who We Are by Robert Plomin
83. The 33 Strategies of War by Robert Greene
84. We Are Green and Trembling by Gabriela Cabezon Camara
85. The Remembered Soldier by Anjet Daanje
86. Eden's Shore by Oisin Fagan
87. The Unicorn Woman by Gayl Jones
88. Good People by Patmeena Sabit
89. Fire by John Boyne
90. The Nights are Quiet in Tehran by Shida Bazyar
91. Artists, Siblings, Visionaries by Judith Mackrell
92. The Others by Sheena Kalayil READ
93. Stay With Me by Hanne Orstavik
94. Lark and Termite by Jayne Anne Phillips
95. Ends of the Earth by Neil Shubin
96. Hayek's Bastards by Quinn Slobodian
97. Gut by Giulia Enders READ
98. The Deserters by Mathias Enard
99. On Earth as it is Beneath by Ana Paula Maia
100. The Charioteer by Mary Renault
May
101. Living Planet by David Attenborough
102. Agatha Raisin and the Murderous Marriage by M.C. Beaton
103. Occupation by Julian Fuks
104. Kingfisher by Rozie Kelly
105. Shroud by Adrian Tchaikovsky
106. Excession by Iain M. Banks
107. The Scent of Oranges by Kathy George
108. Tortoise by Candlelight by Nina Bawden
109. Operation Heartbreak by Duff Cooper
110. Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson
36 non-fiction
49 fiction
7 poetry
12 SF/fantasy
6 crime / thrillers
By Men 55
By Women 55
Read: 12
13PaulCranswick
Book Stats 2026
Books Read : 69
Pages Read in completed books : 17,580
Longest book : Shardik : 592 pp
Shortest book : Fierce Elegy : 61 pp
Mean book length : 254.78 pp
Pages per day average in completed books : 130.22
Books written by men : 36
Books written by women: 33
Non-Fiction : 11
Fiction : 30
Poetry : 11
Thriller : 3
SF/Fantasy : 4
Drama :
Short Stories : 10
1830s : 4 books
1910s : 1 book
1930s : 3 books
1950s : 1 book
1970s : 2 books
1980s : 4 books
1990s : 4 books
2000s : 6 books
2010s : 12 books
2020s : 32 books
UK Authors : 27
USA Authors : 18
Chile Authors : 1
Ireland Authors : 7
Canada Authors : 1
China Authors : 1
Switzerland Authors : 1
Australia Authors : 2
France Authors : 2
Sweden Authors : 1
Trinidad Authors : 1
Japan Authors : 1
Spain Authors : 1
Mexican Authors : 1
Russia Authors : 1
German Authors : 1
Denmark Authors: 1
Brazil Authors: 1
Challenges :
Roads Less Travelled : 5 books
Non-Fiction Challenge : 5 books
British Author Challenge : 7 books
26 Short Story Collections : 10/26
Caroline Memorial Reads : 1
1001 Books : 4
Awards :
Baillie Gifford Prize : 1
Pulitzer Prize : 2
TS Eliot Prize : 1
Read : 69 books
Added : 107 books
Change to TBR : +38
January Books : 18
January Pages : 4,689
Pages Average : Per book : 260.50 Per Day : 151.26
February Books : 14
February Pages : 4,370
Pages Average : Per book : 312.14 Per day : 156.07
March Books : 13
March Pages : 2,932
Pages Average : Per Book 225.54 Per day : 94.58
April Books : 15
April Pages : 3,641
Pages Average : Per Book : 242.73 Per Day : 121.37
May Books: 9
May Pages: 1,948
Pages Average : Per Book 216.46 Per Day: 129.87
Books Read : 69
Pages Read in completed books : 17,580
Longest book : Shardik : 592 pp
Shortest book : Fierce Elegy : 61 pp
Mean book length : 254.78 pp
Pages per day average in completed books : 130.22
Books written by men : 36
Books written by women: 33
Non-Fiction : 11
Fiction : 30
Poetry : 11
Thriller : 3
SF/Fantasy : 4
Drama :
Short Stories : 10
1830s : 4 books
1910s : 1 book
1930s : 3 books
1950s : 1 book
1970s : 2 books
1980s : 4 books
1990s : 4 books
2000s : 6 books
2010s : 12 books
2020s : 32 books
UK Authors : 27
USA Authors : 18
Chile Authors : 1
Ireland Authors : 7
Canada Authors : 1
China Authors : 1
Switzerland Authors : 1
Australia Authors : 2
France Authors : 2
Sweden Authors : 1
Trinidad Authors : 1
Japan Authors : 1
Spain Authors : 1
Mexican Authors : 1
Russia Authors : 1
German Authors : 1
Denmark Authors: 1
Brazil Authors: 1
Challenges :
Roads Less Travelled : 5 books
Non-Fiction Challenge : 5 books
British Author Challenge : 7 books
26 Short Story Collections : 10/26
Caroline Memorial Reads : 1
1001 Books : 4
Awards :
Baillie Gifford Prize : 1
Pulitzer Prize : 2
TS Eliot Prize : 1
Read : 69 books
Added : 107 books
Change to TBR : +38
January Books : 18
January Pages : 4,689
Pages Average : Per book : 260.50 Per Day : 151.26
February Books : 14
February Pages : 4,370
Pages Average : Per book : 312.14 Per day : 156.07
March Books : 13
March Pages : 2,932
Pages Average : Per Book 225.54 Per day : 94.58
April Books : 15
April Pages : 3,641
Pages Average : Per Book : 242.73 Per Day : 121.37
May Books: 9
May Pages: 1,948
Pages Average : Per Book 216.46 Per Day: 129.87
14PaulCranswick
Dedication
This thread is dedicated to three young people I am inordinately proud of:
This thread is dedicated to three young people I am inordinately proud of:
15PaulCranswick
Welcome to my 9th thread of 2026
17quondame
Happy new thread, Paul!
>2 PaulCranswick: One of my favorite historical novels too, I, Claudius.
I think I put in a very different mental bin than other historical novels, as for the most part it deals with real people. Of course, within that framework, it is most inventive.
>2 PaulCranswick: One of my favorite historical novels too, I, Claudius.
I think I put in a very different mental bin than other historical novels, as for the most part it deals with real people. Of course, within that framework, it is most inventive.
18PaulCranswick
>16 avatiakh: Thank you, Kerry.
>17 quondame: Inventive is a great description of it, Susan. I would recommend that book to most everyone. Always a pleasure to see you here.
>17 quondame: Inventive is a great description of it, Susan. I would recommend that book to most everyone. Always a pleasure to see you here.
20PaulCranswick
>19 SirThomas: Thank you dear Thomas.
21PaulCranswick
PAUL's RECOMMENDATIONS
If I could only recommend one book per genre (I suppose I can create sub-genres to cheat) then I would recommend:
One book of Victorian fiction: David Copperfield by Charles Dickens (1850)
Sorry Richard but I would have to choose Chuckles.
One book for the great American Novel: The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck (1939)
Not easy but this a book that just feels so consequential.
One book from French literature: Germinal by Emile Zola (1885)
I love Les Mis but I would have to choose Zola. My favourite author.
One book from Russian literature: Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy (1878)
Haven't read the even longer one but this is a great novel.
One book published in my lifetime: A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry (1995)
Where is the guy? 20 years since he published anything of note.
One book published in the 21st Century: Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (2006)
A great, great novel.
One book for the best war novel: If Not Now, When? by Primo Levi (1982)
Brilliantly observed.
One book for the best SF/Fantasy: Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien 1954/5
Obviously and again sorry RD.
One book for Scandi/Nordic Noir: Faceless Killers by Henning Mankell (1991)
My first and it has stayed with me always.
One book for Asia Pacific fiction: Dusk by Robbie Arnott (2024)
Wanted to choose a Malaysian and almost made it but not quite.
One book of crime fiction: The Terracotta Dog by Andrea Camilleri (1996)
Could have been any number of them but it had to be Montalba.
One book of history writing: The Guns of August by Barbara Tuchman (1962)
Again a lot of choices but this sticks with me.
One book of historical fiction: I, Claudius by Robert Graves (1934)
See >2 PaulCranswick:
One book of espionage fiction: The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan (1915)
Another book I have read many times. Le Carre, Ambler, Childers all close.
One poetry collection: Albemarle Book of Modern Verse by FES Finn (1964)
Won at school and still have it close to me always.
One African literature book: The Cairo Trilogy by Naguib Mahfouz
Should be read by everyone (1956/7)
One book of Political/Economic Non-Fiction: The Lords of Finance by Liaquat Ahamed (2009)
I could have gone for several others also.
One novella: Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan (2021)
Boyne's book last month was excellent and I didn't want to include two books by Steinbeck.
One collection of short stories: A Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery O'Connor (1953)
Or as some would have it called A Hard Man is Good to Find
One Book from the last 12 months: The Artist by Lucy Steeds (2025)
Tremendous mix of love story, history and art.
Twenty choices. What would you choose/recommend?
If I could only recommend one book per genre (I suppose I can create sub-genres to cheat) then I would recommend:
One book of Victorian fiction: David Copperfield by Charles Dickens (1850)
Sorry Richard but I would have to choose Chuckles.
One book for the great American Novel: The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck (1939)
Not easy but this a book that just feels so consequential.
One book from French literature: Germinal by Emile Zola (1885)
I love Les Mis but I would have to choose Zola. My favourite author.
One book from Russian literature: Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy (1878)
Haven't read the even longer one but this is a great novel.
One book published in my lifetime: A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry (1995)
Where is the guy? 20 years since he published anything of note.
One book published in the 21st Century: Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (2006)
A great, great novel.
One book for the best war novel: If Not Now, When? by Primo Levi (1982)
Brilliantly observed.
One book for the best SF/Fantasy: Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien 1954/5
Obviously and again sorry RD.
One book for Scandi/Nordic Noir: Faceless Killers by Henning Mankell (1991)
My first and it has stayed with me always.
One book for Asia Pacific fiction: Dusk by Robbie Arnott (2024)
Wanted to choose a Malaysian and almost made it but not quite.
One book of crime fiction: The Terracotta Dog by Andrea Camilleri (1996)
Could have been any number of them but it had to be Montalba.
One book of history writing: The Guns of August by Barbara Tuchman (1962)
Again a lot of choices but this sticks with me.
One book of historical fiction: I, Claudius by Robert Graves (1934)
See >2 PaulCranswick:
One book of espionage fiction: The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan (1915)
Another book I have read many times. Le Carre, Ambler, Childers all close.
One poetry collection: Albemarle Book of Modern Verse by FES Finn (1964)
Won at school and still have it close to me always.
One African literature book: The Cairo Trilogy by Naguib Mahfouz
Should be read by everyone (1956/7)
One book of Political/Economic Non-Fiction: The Lords of Finance by Liaquat Ahamed (2009)
I could have gone for several others also.
One novella: Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan (2021)
Boyne's book last month was excellent and I didn't want to include two books by Steinbeck.
One collection of short stories: A Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery O'Connor (1953)
Or as some would have it called A Hard Man is Good to Find
One Book from the last 12 months: The Artist by Lucy Steeds (2025)
Tremendous mix of love story, history and art.
Twenty choices. What would you choose/recommend?
22Tess_W
>21 PaulCranswick: What a list, Paul! I've taken a few BB's.
Victorian--I'm choosing Heathcliff (Wuthering Heights) any day with Chuck's Great Expectations or A Tale of Two Cities a close second.
Russian Lit--Dr. Zhivago by Pasternak with several by Tolstoy really close seconds.
Great American Novel The Scarlet Letter Those Puritans!
Sci Fi/Fantasy Fahrenheight 451
One Book from the last 12 months Rodin's Lover--also history, art, romance
I hope to get to I, Claudius soon!
Happy May Day!
Victorian--I'm choosing Heathcliff (Wuthering Heights) any day with Chuck's Great Expectations or A Tale of Two Cities a close second.
Russian Lit--Dr. Zhivago by Pasternak with several by Tolstoy really close seconds.
Great American Novel The Scarlet Letter Those Puritans!
Sci Fi/Fantasy Fahrenheight 451
One Book from the last 12 months Rodin's Lover--also history, art, romance
I hope to get to I, Claudius soon!
Happy May Day!
23Kristelh
Happy 9th thread Paul. I will be back later to deal with your survey challenge. Have to have time to think.
24SilverWolf28
Happy New Thread!
25Dejah_Thoris
Happy new thread, Paul!
You've almost talked me into reading I, Claudius with you and Stasia. I just don't know how many big historical novels I'm up for reading in a single month!
You've almost talked me into reading I, Claudius with you and Stasia. I just don't know how many big historical novels I'm up for reading in a single month!
26PaulCranswick
>22 Tess_W: Thanks Tess. I have read all of your picks and enjoyed all of them except your last pick which I haven't gotten to yet.
>23 Kristelh: Thank you Kristel, I look forward to it!
>23 Kristelh: Thank you Kristel, I look forward to it!
27PaulCranswick
>24 SilverWolf28: Thanks Silver.
>25 Dejah_Thoris: It is one book I actually look forward to re-reading, Princess.
>25 Dejah_Thoris: It is one book I actually look forward to re-reading, Princess.
28amanda4242
Happy new thread!
29PaulCranswick
>28 amanda4242: Thanks dear Amanda
30louisisaloafofbreb
Happy new thread!
31PaulCranswick
>30 louisisaloafofbreb: Thank you Lily.
32m.belljackson
For Russian, go for the "longer one," along with Tolstoy, the Henri Troyat biography.
33PaulCranswick
>32 m.belljackson: I will get to it eventually Marianne, but I cannot in good conscience recommend it if I haven't read it.
34ChrisG1
>2 PaulCranswick: I read I, Claudius a few years ago, truly a terrific novel. The sequel is a worthy read, as well.
35hredwards
Happy New Thread!!
Beautiful photo!!
Your survey is interesting and giving me some ideas!!
Beautiful photo!!
Your survey is interesting and giving me some ideas!!
37booksaplenty1949
Would put Little Dorrit or Our Mutual Friend ahead of David Copperfield, although it is also brilliant. But Dickens got better as time went on, I believe.
38ocgreg34
>2 PaulCranswick: Happy new thread!
39ocgreg34
>21 PaulCranswick: Three of these titles I would most definitely recommend:The Grapes of Wrath, Half of a Yellow Sun, and Small Things Like These. The last one may be a small book, but it tells a large, heavy story wonderfully told.
40mdoris
Hello Paul and a happy and good wishes on your 9th thread. Loved your list of books in >21 PaulCranswick:!
41PaulCranswick
>34 ChrisG1: Agreed Chris. Claudius the God is only marginally behind the first book and the pair actually jointly won the James Tait Black Prize 92 years ago.
>35 hredwards: Thank you Harold. The idea was to give ideas and stir up alternatives.
>35 hredwards: Thank you Harold. The idea was to give ideas and stir up alternatives.
42PaulCranswick
>36 banjo123: Thanks Rhonda. x
>37 booksaplenty1949: You could be right about that although his unfinished novel indicated otherwise perhaps.
>37 booksaplenty1949: You could be right about that although his unfinished novel indicated otherwise perhaps.
43PaulCranswick
>38 ocgreg34: Thank you, Greg.
>39 ocgreg34: I read the book in one sitting of two hours, Greg. Brilliant novella. Her other book Foster is even preferred by others, although I think my pick is a little bit better. If you like that book then I would recommend Water by John Boyne which is of a similar ilk.
>39 ocgreg34: I read the book in one sitting of two hours, Greg. Brilliant novella. Her other book Foster is even preferred by others, although I think my pick is a little bit better. If you like that book then I would recommend Water by John Boyne which is of a similar ilk.
44PaulCranswick
>40 mdoris: Thanks and thanks again, Mary.
45booksaplenty1949
>42 PaulCranswick: Edwin Drood too blurry in my memory to assess. Will look into it when I have whittled down my pile of reading projects.
46PaulCranswick
>45 booksaplenty1949: I have a few missing parts in my Chuckles reading but I am a huge fan.
48quondame
>21 PaulCranswick: Finding my own selections has pointed out to me that my tagging and collections are entirely inadequate. So:
If I could only recommend one book per genre - not duplicating anything from @PaulCranswick to disguise what I haven’t read:
One book of Victorian fiction: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (1865)
One book for the great American Novel: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1960)
One book from French literature: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas (1846)
One book from Russian literature: War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy (1867)
One book published in my lifetime: The Color Purple by Alice Walker (1985)
One book published in the 21st Century: The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold (2001)
It’s on the Goodreads list, it’s long been tagged 21st highs, and well, it still blows me away
One book for the best war novel: Catch-22 by Joseph Heller (1961)
One book for the best SF/Fantasy: The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard (2018)
My current best-beloved and if you haven’t read it, I’ll buy you a copy and bring you tea while you read
One book for Scandi/Nordic Noir: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson (2008)
One book for Asia Pacific fiction: Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See (2006)
OK, this is OK, but if my tagging were better - would A Suitable Boy qualify?
One book of crime fiction: For Kicks by Dick Francis (1971)
One book of history writing: Women’s Work: The first Twenty Thousand Years by Elizabeth Wayland Barber (1996)
History isn’t all men and battles
One book of historical fiction: King Hereafter by Dorothy Dunnett (1998)
Living life on the edge in the 11th century and really feeling it!
One book of espionage fiction: The Spy Who Came in From the Cold by John le Carré (1963)
One poetry collection: Dog Songs by Mary Oliver (2013)
From a very tiny selection and well, dogs. There aren’t enough non-victimized dogs in literature.
One African literature book: Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese (2009)
One book of Political/Economic Non-Fiction: The Mushroom at the End of the World by Anna Lowenhaupt Tsing (2019)
Even a smaller selection from which to choose than poetry
One novella: Riding Shotgun by Charles de Lint (2004)
If Ender’s Game hadn’t been re-done as a novel, it would bump this.
One collection of short stories: Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang (2016)
One Book from the last 12 months: The Witch Roads by Martha Wells (2025)
if it had be 19 months it would have been The Hymn to Dionysus by Natasha Pulley (2025)
And if there are more F&SF books here than seem appropriate for the genre part, well when a book was written or how many parts it's made of hasn't a thing to do with genre.
If I could only recommend one book per genre - not duplicating anything from @PaulCranswick to disguise what I haven’t read:
One book of Victorian fiction: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (1865)
One book for the great American Novel: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1960)
One book from French literature: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas (1846)
One book from Russian literature: War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy (1867)
One book published in my lifetime: The Color Purple by Alice Walker (1985)
One book published in the 21st Century: The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold (2001)
It’s on the Goodreads list, it’s long been tagged 21st highs, and well, it still blows me away
One book for the best war novel: Catch-22 by Joseph Heller (1961)
One book for the best SF/Fantasy: The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard (2018)
My current best-beloved and if you haven’t read it, I’ll buy you a copy and bring you tea while you read
One book for Scandi/Nordic Noir: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson (2008)
One book for Asia Pacific fiction: Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See (2006)
OK, this is OK, but if my tagging were better - would A Suitable Boy qualify?
One book of crime fiction: For Kicks by Dick Francis (1971)
One book of history writing: Women’s Work: The first Twenty Thousand Years by Elizabeth Wayland Barber (1996)
History isn’t all men and battles
One book of historical fiction: King Hereafter by Dorothy Dunnett (1998)
Living life on the edge in the 11th century and really feeling it!
One book of espionage fiction: The Spy Who Came in From the Cold by John le Carré (1963)
One poetry collection: Dog Songs by Mary Oliver (2013)
From a very tiny selection and well, dogs. There aren’t enough non-victimized dogs in literature.
One African literature book: Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese (2009)
One book of Political/Economic Non-Fiction: The Mushroom at the End of the World by Anna Lowenhaupt Tsing (2019)
Even a smaller selection from which to choose than poetry
One novella: Riding Shotgun by Charles de Lint (2004)
If Ender’s Game hadn’t been re-done as a novel, it would bump this.
One collection of short stories: Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang (2016)
One Book from the last 12 months: The Witch Roads by Martha Wells (2025)
if it had be 19 months it would have been The Hymn to Dionysus by Natasha Pulley (2025)
And if there are more F&SF books here than seem appropriate for the genre part, well when a book was written or how many parts it's made of hasn't a thing to do with genre.
49weird_O
Surprise! I got lost on the interwebs and when the lights came on: Here I am.
It's a coincidence, but I read >2 PaulCranswick: and got hooked. First thing. I have a copy of I, Claudius. I've never read it. So now I will read it. If you and Stasia consent, I might even drop a comment or two.
When are you commencing to begin reading?
It's a coincidence, but I read >2 PaulCranswick: and got hooked. First thing. I have a copy of I, Claudius. I've never read it. So now I will read it. If you and Stasia consent, I might even drop a comment or two.
When are you commencing to begin reading?
50Kristelh
here's my list.
I did not come up with a political/economic book though
If I could only recommend one book per genre
One book of Victorian fiction: While I like Dickens, I do have issues with him. I would recommend Far From the Maddening Crowd
One book for the great American Novel: The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck (1939)
I agree that this is a great novel but I have some issues with Steinbeck, though I do love his writing. I would recommend The adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
One book from French literature: Germinal by Emile Zola (1885). I am not really fond of French authors. But I am going to agree with Paul here that Germinal is excellent.
One book from Russian literature: Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy (1878), again, I agree with Paul but I have issues with books that are so long. It makes people reluctant to read them. I think The Brothers Karamazov. Anna K is much better than War and Peace by the way.
One book published in my lifetime: I am going to go with East of Eden so that Steinbeck does make my list but this was hard because I had so many I wanted to pick.
One book published in the 21st Century: Time Shelter
One book for the best war novel: Catch-22 antiwar novel, granted.
One book for the best SF: Canticle of Liebowitz or Sparrow, I know, I know, that's two.
Fantasy: Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien 1954/5
One book for Scandi/Nordic Noir: Smilla's Sense of Snow
One book for Asia Pacific fiction: Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
One book of crime fiction: The Hounds of the Baskerville
One book of history writing: The Worst Hard Times
One book of historical fiction: The Pillars of the Earth
One book of espionage fiction: The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan (1915)
One poetry collection: my favorite poem Waste Land Collections would probably be Emily Dickenson but I like Frost too. Poetry isn't a big deal for me.
One African literature book: Half a Yellow Sun
One book of Political/Economic Non-Fiction:
One novella: The Old Man and the Sea
One collection of short stories: The Martian Chronicles
One Book from the last 12 months: Raising Hare
I did not come up with a political/economic book though
If I could only recommend one book per genre
One book of Victorian fiction: While I like Dickens, I do have issues with him. I would recommend Far From the Maddening Crowd
One book for the great American Novel: The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck (1939)
I agree that this is a great novel but I have some issues with Steinbeck, though I do love his writing. I would recommend The adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
One book from French literature: Germinal by Emile Zola (1885). I am not really fond of French authors. But I am going to agree with Paul here that Germinal is excellent.
One book from Russian literature: Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy (1878), again, I agree with Paul but I have issues with books that are so long. It makes people reluctant to read them. I think The Brothers Karamazov. Anna K is much better than War and Peace by the way.
One book published in my lifetime: I am going to go with East of Eden so that Steinbeck does make my list but this was hard because I had so many I wanted to pick.
One book published in the 21st Century: Time Shelter
One book for the best war novel: Catch-22 antiwar novel, granted.
One book for the best SF: Canticle of Liebowitz or Sparrow, I know, I know, that's two.
Fantasy: Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien 1954/5
One book for Scandi/Nordic Noir: Smilla's Sense of Snow
One book for Asia Pacific fiction: Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
One book of crime fiction: The Hounds of the Baskerville
One book of history writing: The Worst Hard Times
One book of historical fiction: The Pillars of the Earth
One book of espionage fiction: The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan (1915)
One poetry collection: my favorite poem Waste Land Collections would probably be Emily Dickenson but I like Frost too. Poetry isn't a big deal for me.
One African literature book: Half a Yellow Sun
One book of Political/Economic Non-Fiction:
One novella: The Old Man and the Sea
One collection of short stories: The Martian Chronicles
One Book from the last 12 months: Raising Hare
51vancouverdeb
Happy New Thread, Paul!
52quondame
>50 Kristelh: I refuse to put any book that throws a woman under a train on a recommended list. Besides, I did enjoy W&P more than AK.
53alcottacre
Since I finally have Internet again, I am checking in on the new thread!
>2 PaulCranswick: I am very much looking forward to our shared read of that one.
Happy whatever, Paul! I just posted this week's acquisitions to the 'This Just In' thread :)
>2 PaulCranswick: I am very much looking forward to our shared read of that one.
Happy whatever, Paul! I just posted this week's acquisitions to the 'This Just In' thread :)
54amanda4242
>21 PaulCranswick: My selections:
One book of Victorian fiction: Middlemarch by George Eliot
One book for the great American Novel: Huckleberry Finn, hands down.
Steinbeck does not even make my list of *good* American novels.
One book from French literature: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
One book from Russian literature: The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov
I like the Burgin & O'Connor translation.
One book published in the 21st Century: Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke
One book for the best war novel: Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett
A comic fantasy about an imaginary war, but it's more profound than many "serious" novels.
One book for the best SF/Fantasy: The Once and Future King by TH White
One book for Scandi/Nordic Noir: I don't think I've ever read any.
One book for Asia Pacific fiction: Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
One book of crime fiction: Last Days by Brian Evenson
Narrowly beating out The Talented Mr. Ripley.
One book of historical fiction: Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
One book of espionage fiction: From Russia with Love by Ian Fleming
One poetry collection: Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
One African literature book: The Conscript: A Novel of Libya’s Anticolonial War by Gebreyesus Hailu
One book of Political/Economic Non-Fiction: The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli
One novella: Helpmeet by Naben Ruthnum
I'd kind of like to see this made into a movie directed by David Cronenberg.
One collection of short stories: Books of Blood Volume One by Clive Barker
One Book from the last 12 months: Pretenders to the Throne of God by Adrian Tchaikovsky
And since I didn't come up with a Scandi book, I'll add:
Comic book series: Asterix
One book of Victorian fiction: Middlemarch by George Eliot
One book for the great American Novel: Huckleberry Finn, hands down.
Steinbeck does not even make my list of *good* American novels.
One book from French literature: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
One book from Russian literature: The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov
I like the Burgin & O'Connor translation.
One book published in the 21st Century: Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke
One book for the best war novel: Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett
A comic fantasy about an imaginary war, but it's more profound than many "serious" novels.
One book for the best SF/Fantasy: The Once and Future King by TH White
One book for Scandi/Nordic Noir: I don't think I've ever read any.
One book for Asia Pacific fiction: Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
One book of crime fiction: Last Days by Brian Evenson
Narrowly beating out The Talented Mr. Ripley.
One book of historical fiction: Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
One book of espionage fiction: From Russia with Love by Ian Fleming
One poetry collection: Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
One African literature book: The Conscript: A Novel of Libya’s Anticolonial War by Gebreyesus Hailu
One book of Political/Economic Non-Fiction: The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli
One novella: Helpmeet by Naben Ruthnum
I'd kind of like to see this made into a movie directed by David Cronenberg.
One collection of short stories: Books of Blood Volume One by Clive Barker
One Book from the last 12 months: Pretenders to the Throne of God by Adrian Tchaikovsky
And since I didn't come up with a Scandi book, I'll add:
Comic book series: Asterix
55Kristelh
>52 quondame:. I agree with you on Anna K as there is much I don't appreciate in the book but I do think War and Peace would be better if it wasn't so so long.
56PaulCranswick
>47 drneutron: Thank you Doc Roc!
>48 quondame: Wow some really interesting picks, Susan and I loved your preface!
Of course I realized you would have several SFF picks in any list you provided but your picks intrigue me a lot. I will go and hunt down the Victoria Goddard book down prior to buying either of us a ticket!
>48 quondame: Wow some really interesting picks, Susan and I loved your preface!
Of course I realized you would have several SFF picks in any list you provided but your picks intrigue me a lot. I will go and hunt down the Victoria Goddard book down prior to buying either of us a ticket!
57Kristelh
>54 amanda4242:. I like many of the books on your list Amanda. Good choices.
58PaulCranswick
>49 weird_O: What a lovely surprise! Would love you to join us, Bill. Ours is certainly not an exclusive club and I would welcome your comments.
>50 Kristelh: Some books I really liked there too. Raising Hare, Thomas Hardy. Didn't love Time Shelter overly and I haven't read the Ken Follett or Pachinko and will look to remedy that soon.
>50 Kristelh: Some books I really liked there too. Raising Hare, Thomas Hardy. Didn't love Time Shelter overly and I haven't read the Ken Follett or Pachinko and will look to remedy that soon.
59PaulCranswick
>51 vancouverdeb: Lovely to see you, Deb, as always.
>52 quondame: Hahaha that is a good point, Susan, and I have plentiful gaps in my Russian reading that may change my mind over time too.
>52 quondame: Hahaha that is a good point, Susan, and I have plentiful gaps in my Russian reading that may change my mind over time too.
60PaulCranswick
>53 alcottacre: Always a pleasure to see you, Juana. I will go and see what you added.
>54 amanda4242: I knew of course you would pick Middlemarch which I still haven't ever finished. Some eye-openers in amongst them and some I must profess to having not even heard of.......the novella pick for instance.
I don't really read comic series but my recommendation for Graphic Book would be Maus by Art Spiegelman.
>54 amanda4242: I knew of course you would pick Middlemarch which I still haven't ever finished. Some eye-openers in amongst them and some I must profess to having not even heard of.......the novella pick for instance.
I don't really read comic series but my recommendation for Graphic Book would be Maus by Art Spiegelman.
61PaulCranswick
>55 Kristelh: I think that could be said about so many books, Kristel, including for me especially The Count of Monte Cristo which both Amanda and Susan chose. I liked the novel for sure but felt that the loss of 300 pages from it would have improved it some too.
>57 Kristelh: I really like the choice by everyone who has kindly offered their thoughts. Really thought provoking.
>57 Kristelh: I really like the choice by everyone who has kindly offered their thoughts. Really thought provoking.
62booksaplenty1949
>61 PaulCranswick: In the case of War and Peace I think that the length is justified by Tolstoy’s overall concept. As the title indicates, it’s pretty big. The Count of Monte Cristo, on the other hand, is about a man seeking revenge. If Dumas weren’t being paid by the word, he could probably have covered that subject quite effectively in fewer than 1,000 pages. The ending, in fact, struck me as rather abrupt, in the context—maybe his “research assistant” took some time off. Much as I enjoyed the novel, I would not put Dumas in the same class as, say, Proust, Balzac, or Zola.
63booksaplenty1949
>52 quondame: If we take Anna’s unhappy ending as metaphoric you would have to exclude many 19thC novels about “fallen women.” They could not be shown as living happily ever after if the author hoped to get published. Even if they saw the error of their ways, like Little Em’ly in David Copperfield, the best they could hope for was exile and celibacy.
64foggidawn
Happy new thread, Paul!
>2 PaulCranswick: I was assigned I, Claudius in college, and it has stuck with me ever since. I was drawn in from those inimitable first lines that you quoted.
>21 PaulCranswick: I haven't read widely enough in many of your categories to put forth an opinion, but here are some of my thoughts:
One book of Victorian fiction: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. I've got nothing against Chuckles (and might have put forth A Christmas Carol out of sentiment), but I have to go with Jane.
One book for the great American Novel: Charlotte's Web by E.B White. Close runner up is To Kill a Mockingbird, but I thought I'd represent children's literature here. Charlotte's Web nears perfection, in my opinion.
One book from French literature: Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand. (Is putting forth a play cheating? I will cheat, then.) I love lots of other books in this category, but it's hard to separate my love of, say, the book Les Mis from the musical based on it. I've felt a deep affection for Cyrano since I was 16.
One book from Russian literature: The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Tolstoy's great and all, but Dostoyevsky!
One book published in my lifetime: This is so hard. I'll go with Maus by Art Spiegelman.
One book published in the 21st Century: The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard.
One book for the best war novel: Ehhhhh... I don't read war novels if I can help it. Maybe The Siege of Krishnapur by J.G. Farrell? Another college reading assignment that stuck with me.
One book for the best SF/Fantasy: I must agree with you on Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien.
One book for Scandi/Nordic Noir: I have not read enough in this category to form an opinion.
One book for Asia Pacific fiction: Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhhà Lại. Another children's lit pick; I'm sticking with my strengths.
One book of crime fiction: Gaudy Night by Dorothy Sayers.
One book of history writing: I don't think I've read enough in this category to pick.
One book of historical fiction: I'll agree with you about I, Claudius by Robert Graves.
One book of espionage fiction: All of the espionage fiction I've read has been pretty lightweight, so I'll skip this category.
One poetry collection: I can't pick just one. I won't do it, you can't make me.
One African literature book: I'm ashamed to say that I haven't read enough in this category, either.
One book of Political/Economic Non-Fiction: *shudder* I read very little in this category, on purpose.
One novella: I'll echo your pick of Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan, though I'm also tempted to put up All Systems Red by Martha Wells.
One collection of short stories: A Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery O'Connor -- sure, why not?
One Book from the last 12 months: Hemlock and Silver by T. Kingfisher.
>2 PaulCranswick: I was assigned I, Claudius in college, and it has stuck with me ever since. I was drawn in from those inimitable first lines that you quoted.
>21 PaulCranswick: I haven't read widely enough in many of your categories to put forth an opinion, but here are some of my thoughts:
One book of Victorian fiction: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. I've got nothing against Chuckles (and might have put forth A Christmas Carol out of sentiment), but I have to go with Jane.
One book for the great American Novel: Charlotte's Web by E.B White. Close runner up is To Kill a Mockingbird, but I thought I'd represent children's literature here. Charlotte's Web nears perfection, in my opinion.
One book from French literature: Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand. (Is putting forth a play cheating? I will cheat, then.) I love lots of other books in this category, but it's hard to separate my love of, say, the book Les Mis from the musical based on it. I've felt a deep affection for Cyrano since I was 16.
One book from Russian literature: The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Tolstoy's great and all, but Dostoyevsky!
One book published in my lifetime: This is so hard. I'll go with Maus by Art Spiegelman.
One book published in the 21st Century: The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard.
One book for the best war novel: Ehhhhh... I don't read war novels if I can help it. Maybe The Siege of Krishnapur by J.G. Farrell? Another college reading assignment that stuck with me.
One book for the best SF/Fantasy: I must agree with you on Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien.
One book for Scandi/Nordic Noir: I have not read enough in this category to form an opinion.
One book for Asia Pacific fiction: Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhhà Lại. Another children's lit pick; I'm sticking with my strengths.
One book of crime fiction: Gaudy Night by Dorothy Sayers.
One book of history writing: I don't think I've read enough in this category to pick.
One book of historical fiction: I'll agree with you about I, Claudius by Robert Graves.
One book of espionage fiction: All of the espionage fiction I've read has been pretty lightweight, so I'll skip this category.
One poetry collection: I can't pick just one. I won't do it, you can't make me.
One African literature book: I'm ashamed to say that I haven't read enough in this category, either.
One book of Political/Economic Non-Fiction: *shudder* I read very little in this category, on purpose.
One novella: I'll echo your pick of Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan, though I'm also tempted to put up All Systems Red by Martha Wells.
One collection of short stories: A Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery O'Connor -- sure, why not?
One Book from the last 12 months: Hemlock and Silver by T. Kingfisher.
65ChrisG1
I'll take a stab. but won't have a choice at some that I just don't read:
One book of Victorian fiction: David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
One book for the great American Novel: Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry - I think America is defined by the frontier, so this greatest Western novel make sense.
One book from French literature: Pass - I've read almost none.
One book from Russian literature: Same as above
One book published in my lifetime: So as not to duplicate from other categories, I've got a quirky pick - Ball Four by Jim Bouton. A former major league baseball player, Bouton kept a diary of his 1969 season, which began with the hapless expansion team, the Seattle Pilots. But he also recounts memories from his years with the New York Yankees. It created a firestorm for it's shear honesty. Up until then, sports books were fairly tame exercises in hero worship. It changed sports books forever.
One book published in the 21st Century: Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
One book for the best war novel: My favorite is actually a duology: The Winds of War and War and Remembrance by Herman Wouk. If I had to pick a single war novel, I'd go with All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque.
One book for the best SF/Fantasy: For SF, I'll pick The Dispossessed by Ursula Le Guin. For Fantasy, of course it's The Lord of the Rings.
One book for Scandi/Nordic Noir: Pass
One book for Asia Pacific fiction: Pass
One book of crime fiction: Mystic River by Dennis Lehane
One book of history writing: Empire of the Summer Moon by S.C. Gwynne
One book of historical fiction: Wolf Hall by Hillary Mantel
One book of espionage fiction: The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum. Perhaps not the most literary, but tremendously entertaining.
One poetry collection: Pass
One African literature book: Pass
One book of Political/Economic Non-Fiction: Free to Choose by Milton Friedman
One novella: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
One collection of short stories: The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway
One Book from the last 12 months: My goodness, this makes me realize how infrequently I read new books! But I'll pick Rome vs. Jews by Barry S. Strauss.
One book of Victorian fiction: David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
One book for the great American Novel: Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry - I think America is defined by the frontier, so this greatest Western novel make sense.
One book from French literature: Pass - I've read almost none.
One book from Russian literature: Same as above
One book published in my lifetime: So as not to duplicate from other categories, I've got a quirky pick - Ball Four by Jim Bouton. A former major league baseball player, Bouton kept a diary of his 1969 season, which began with the hapless expansion team, the Seattle Pilots. But he also recounts memories from his years with the New York Yankees. It created a firestorm for it's shear honesty. Up until then, sports books were fairly tame exercises in hero worship. It changed sports books forever.
One book published in the 21st Century: Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
One book for the best war novel: My favorite is actually a duology: The Winds of War and War and Remembrance by Herman Wouk. If I had to pick a single war novel, I'd go with All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque.
One book for the best SF/Fantasy: For SF, I'll pick The Dispossessed by Ursula Le Guin. For Fantasy, of course it's The Lord of the Rings.
One book for Scandi/Nordic Noir: Pass
One book for Asia Pacific fiction: Pass
One book of crime fiction: Mystic River by Dennis Lehane
One book of history writing: Empire of the Summer Moon by S.C. Gwynne
One book of historical fiction: Wolf Hall by Hillary Mantel
One book of espionage fiction: The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum. Perhaps not the most literary, but tremendously entertaining.
One poetry collection: Pass
One African literature book: Pass
One book of Political/Economic Non-Fiction: Free to Choose by Milton Friedman
One novella: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
One collection of short stories: The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway
One Book from the last 12 months: My goodness, this makes me realize how infrequently I read new books! But I'll pick Rome vs. Jews by Barry S. Strauss.
66quondame
>62 booksaplenty1949: Ah, but the list was of books we would recommend, not of what we judged to be of greatest literary value.
>63 booksaplenty1949: I’ve mentioned that I’d like to put the 19th century up against the wall. Adding to women’s shackles the poisonous burdens of goodness and nattering propriety.
At least Tess took one of the smug bastards with her.
>63 booksaplenty1949: I’ve mentioned that I’d like to put the 19th century up against the wall. Adding to women’s shackles the poisonous burdens of goodness and nattering propriety.
At least Tess took one of the smug bastards with her.
67PaulCranswick
>62 booksaplenty1949: Balzac is certainly another favourite and I think that Hugo was able to capture and keep his audience in a more sustained manner than Dumas in the Count with Les Mis.
>63 booksaplenty1949: I hadn't quite thought of it like that but you do have a point.
>63 booksaplenty1949: I hadn't quite thought of it like that but you do have a point.
68PaulCranswick
>64 foggidawn: Some fascinating picks, Foggi, I must say.
To Kill a Mockingbird was my runner up too.
Of course plays count as it is your list! Your poetry non-pick made me smile.
>65 ChrisG1: Also your list was fascinating, Chris, even adding a baseball book that I hadn't heard of at all. Everyone of your picks that I had read were solid and I also really liked Empire of the Summer Moon.
To Kill a Mockingbird was my runner up too.
Of course plays count as it is your list! Your poetry non-pick made me smile.
>65 ChrisG1: Also your list was fascinating, Chris, even adding a baseball book that I hadn't heard of at all. Everyone of your picks that I had read were solid and I also really liked Empire of the Summer Moon.
69PaulCranswick
>66 quondame: I certainly enjoy Victorian fiction more than you do Susan but I will echo a bit well done to Tess!
70tymfos
Hi, Paul. Happy New Thread!
I enjoyed seeing your choices for these categories. Some of these categories kind of overlap, and the ones I read a lot of will be difficult to choose. I'll pass on some categories in which I have limited reading experience, and some of my choices may not be as distinguished as yours, but here goes.
One book of Victorian fiction: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
One book for the great American Novel: The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
One book from French literature: Pass
One book from Russian literature: Pass, but my favorite nonfiction book about Russian History is Nicholas and Alexandra by Robert K. Massie
One book published in my lifetime: Who can pick ONE book in a lifetime? It's hard enough choosing for categories!
One book published in the 21st Century: Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng. Incredibly relevant in the current political climate here in the US.
One book for the best war novel: The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara. This Pulitzer winner about the Battle of Gettysburg is one of my all-time favorite reads... and rereads... in any category.
One book for the best SF/Fantasy: 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke. Seems especially relevant in this age of AI.
One book for Scandi/Nordic Noir: Faceless Killers by Henning Mankell. Paul, I'm absolutely with you on this one. That entire series was outstanding, and its ending was tragic. And Mankell died way too young.
One book for Asia Pacific fiction: The Coroner's Lunch by Colin Cotterill
One book of crime fiction: In The Electric Mist With Confederate Dead by James Lee Burke
One book of history writing: Fall and Rise: The story of 9/11 by Mitchell Zuckoff
One book of historical fiction: Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantell
One book of espionage fiction: Pass. Not a category I read
One poetry collection: The Complete Poetry of Edgar Allan Poe
One African literature book: Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton
One book of Political/Economic Non-Fiction: The Unwinding by George Packer
One novella: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
One collection of short stories: I Sing the Body Electric by Ray Bradbury
One Book from the last 12 months: In the Pines by Grace Elizabeth Hale
I enjoyed seeing your choices for these categories. Some of these categories kind of overlap, and the ones I read a lot of will be difficult to choose. I'll pass on some categories in which I have limited reading experience, and some of my choices may not be as distinguished as yours, but here goes.
One book of Victorian fiction: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
One book for the great American Novel: The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
One book from French literature: Pass
One book from Russian literature: Pass, but my favorite nonfiction book about Russian History is Nicholas and Alexandra by Robert K. Massie
One book published in my lifetime: Who can pick ONE book in a lifetime? It's hard enough choosing for categories!
One book published in the 21st Century: Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng. Incredibly relevant in the current political climate here in the US.
One book for the best war novel: The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara. This Pulitzer winner about the Battle of Gettysburg is one of my all-time favorite reads... and rereads... in any category.
One book for the best SF/Fantasy: 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke. Seems especially relevant in this age of AI.
One book for Scandi/Nordic Noir: Faceless Killers by Henning Mankell. Paul, I'm absolutely with you on this one. That entire series was outstanding, and its ending was tragic. And Mankell died way too young.
One book for Asia Pacific fiction: The Coroner's Lunch by Colin Cotterill
One book of crime fiction: In The Electric Mist With Confederate Dead by James Lee Burke
One book of history writing: Fall and Rise: The story of 9/11 by Mitchell Zuckoff
One book of historical fiction: Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantell
One book of espionage fiction: Pass. Not a category I read
One poetry collection: The Complete Poetry of Edgar Allan Poe
One African literature book: Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton
One book of Political/Economic Non-Fiction: The Unwinding by George Packer
One novella: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
One collection of short stories: I Sing the Body Electric by Ray Bradbury
One Book from the last 12 months: In the Pines by Grace Elizabeth Hale
71PaulCranswick
>70 tymfos: Not only am I so pleased to see you here, Terri, I am also delighted to see your picks. Some excellent ones too. Loved your answer to best book of a lifetime!
73PaulCranswick
>72 m.belljackson: I would say that would be a fair contender surely Marianne, but I haven't read it.
75booksaplenty1949
>72 m.belljackson: Moby-Dick is an important American novel but not exactly a cheerful read.
76Storeetllr
Happy new thread, Paul!
Great survey! I took quite a few hits from the various lists, and many books mentioned were favorites of mine too and brought a smile to my lips. Here's my list, FWIW.
One book of Victorian fiction: Jane Eyre, though I did enjoy The Woman in White
One book for the great American Novel: I want to say Lonesome Dove, but I think I have to choose My Antonia.
One book from French literature: The Anomaly by Herve Le Tellier. Other than that, The Stranger may be the only other book I've read by a French author besides de Maupassant.
One book from Russian literature: The Master and Margarita, the only Russian book I've finished that I can recall.
One book published in my lifetime: I've been around for nearly 80 years, and that's a LOT of books. I'm not sure I can pick just one. Watership Down, maybe.
One book published in the 21st Century: The Hymn to Dionysus
One book for the best war novel: The Killer Angels
One book for the best Fantasy: Lord of the Rings would be the obvious choice, but I'm going to go with Tigana instead.
One book for the best Scifi/Speculative Fiction: The Sparrow
One book for Scandi/Nordic Noir: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
One book for Asia Pacific fiction: Does The Paper Menagerie count?
One book of crime fiction: A Drink Before the War is the start of a great series.
One book of history writing: Team of Rivals
One book of historical fiction: I, Claudius is a favorite, but I'm going to choose The Sunne in Splendour.
One book of espionage fiction: Not a genre I enjoy
One poetry collection: Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair
One African literature book: Can't think of one I've read. If I think of any later, I'll come back and add.
One book of Political/Economic Non-Fiction: On Tyranny
One novella: All Systems Red, because Murderbot
One collection of short stories: Table for Two, which is one of the most recent collection I've read and enjoyed a lot.
One Book from the last 12 months: The Edge of Space-Time
If you ask me in six months, I'd probably give completely different answers. Six days, maybe.
Cheers!
Great survey! I took quite a few hits from the various lists, and many books mentioned were favorites of mine too and brought a smile to my lips. Here's my list, FWIW.
One book of Victorian fiction: Jane Eyre, though I did enjoy The Woman in White
One book for the great American Novel: I want to say Lonesome Dove, but I think I have to choose My Antonia.
One book from French literature: The Anomaly by Herve Le Tellier. Other than that, The Stranger may be the only other book I've read by a French author besides de Maupassant.
One book from Russian literature: The Master and Margarita, the only Russian book I've finished that I can recall.
One book published in my lifetime: I've been around for nearly 80 years, and that's a LOT of books. I'm not sure I can pick just one. Watership Down, maybe.
One book published in the 21st Century: The Hymn to Dionysus
One book for the best war novel: The Killer Angels
One book for the best Fantasy: Lord of the Rings would be the obvious choice, but I'm going to go with Tigana instead.
One book for the best Scifi/Speculative Fiction: The Sparrow
One book for Scandi/Nordic Noir: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
One book for Asia Pacific fiction: Does The Paper Menagerie count?
One book of crime fiction: A Drink Before the War is the start of a great series.
One book of history writing: Team of Rivals
One book of historical fiction: I, Claudius is a favorite, but I'm going to choose The Sunne in Splendour.
One book of espionage fiction: Not a genre I enjoy
One poetry collection: Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair
One African literature book: Can't think of one I've read. If I think of any later, I'll come back and add.
One book of Political/Economic Non-Fiction: On Tyranny
One novella: All Systems Red, because Murderbot
One collection of short stories: Table for Two, which is one of the most recent collection I've read and enjoyed a lot.
One Book from the last 12 months: The Edge of Space-Time
If you ask me in six months, I'd probably give completely different answers. Six days, maybe.
Cheers!
77PaulCranswick
>74 m.belljackson: I cannot recommend books that I haven't read, Marianne. Shameful omissions from my reading annals as they may be.
>75 booksaplenty1949: Yes, I have heard that it is not exactly a jolly reading experience.
>75 booksaplenty1949: Yes, I have heard that it is not exactly a jolly reading experience.
78PaulCranswick
>76 Storeetllr: Thank you, Mary. I love some of those picks - My Antonia and Watership Down are also favourites of mine.
79m.belljackson
>77 PaulCranswick: IF soy muy rico, I'd send across the Ocean a joy-filled mail pouch with:
a new paperback of WAR AND PEACE
one of my hardcover copies of Moby-dick
One Fish Two Fish & Un Pez Dos Peces
THE LAND REMEMBERS - Mark's recent favorite
&, though no fan of Gaiman, SANDMAN - The Dream Hunters is a great Love Story
ARCTIC DREAMS, Dana's The Geological Story = 2 I read every night -
and, the one new book I buy every year = this time,
the wonderful tale of Young Tennyson, THE BOUNDLESS DEEP
^^^^^^^^
Happy Many New Years of Catching Up!
a new paperback of WAR AND PEACE
one of my hardcover copies of Moby-dick
One Fish Two Fish & Un Pez Dos Peces
THE LAND REMEMBERS - Mark's recent favorite
&, though no fan of Gaiman, SANDMAN - The Dream Hunters is a great Love Story
ARCTIC DREAMS, Dana's The Geological Story = 2 I read every night -
and, the one new book I buy every year = this time,
the wonderful tale of Young Tennyson, THE BOUNDLESS DEEP
^^^^^^^^
Happy Many New Years of Catching Up!
80booksaplenty1949
>77 PaulCranswick: On re-reading in later life realised close similarity to King Lear. Padded out with a lot of cetacean detail we might have done without. But a powerful work one should read, eventually.
81booksaplenty1949
Short stories are (is?) a genre I have neglected, although I own many collections. May try to read one a day/week, whatever. Like 200 Year Challenge, an incentive to keep on living.
82PaulCranswick
>79 m.belljackson: Well I certainly do welcome the years of catching up, Marianne. I always appreciate your passion and your sincerity - we always agree on destination even though our journey may often be dissimilar. xx
I have both the Melville and the Tolstoy and will try to get to at least one of them soon.
I have both the Melville and the Tolstoy and will try to get to at least one of them soon.
83PaulCranswick
>80 booksaplenty1949: I have mixed experiences of re-reads which is why I don't do as many as most people. Sometimes we pick up something we may have missed or forgotten which explains or enhances but often my experiences are very, very rarely an improvement of first time around.
>81 booksaplenty1949: There is a group that I joined that aims to read 26 short stories per year and I of course made that 26 collections! I like the genre myself but interspersing the stories with other reading does heighten my appreciation of the form.
>81 booksaplenty1949: There is a group that I joined that aims to read 26 short stories per year and I of course made that 26 collections! I like the genre myself but interspersing the stories with other reading does heighten my appreciation of the form.
84booksaplenty1949
>83 PaulCranswick: As a young person I re-read a lot of books. I think they were “comfort reads” and some people seem to retain this habit. I have frequently noted LT reviews mentioning that the reviewer re-read the book in question regularly, even annually. Personally I restrict re-rereading to books which I feel would benefit from further reflection and more mature appreciation. For example, I reread David Copperfield after reading Claire Tomalin’s thought-provoking biography of Dickens.
85m.belljackson
>82 PaulCranswick: Yes, I would have tossed in WALDEN for sure , though you likely have read it.
For an absolutely fun companion to all of those serious ones,
do not miss Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books!
(currently re-reading)
For an absolutely fun companion to all of those serious ones,
do not miss Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books!
(currently re-reading)
86humouress
Hi Paul! I haven't been very active on the threads lately but I'm (finally) dropping by to wish you a happy new thread!
Interesting lists; but (being a Libran) I couldn't possibly choose just one book per category.
Interesting lists; but (being a Libran) I couldn't possibly choose just one book per category.
87PaulCranswick
>84 booksaplenty1949: Pretty much my policy too. I don't reread too much these days to be honest and on a very selective basis .
>85 m.belljackson: Not a lover of books being banned, Marianne, even those whose point of view I would be vehemently opposed to in principle.
>85 m.belljackson: Not a lover of books being banned, Marianne, even those whose point of view I would be vehemently opposed to in principle.
88PaulCranswick
>86 humouress: As I well know, Nina, ladies are not only permitted to change their minds on a regular basis, it is also somehow obligatory!
89humouress
>88 PaulCranswick: Quite so.
90PaulCranswick
My colleague in the office is pregnant and enjoys a coffee and a pastry in the morning and so I bought us each a hazelnut croissant and coffee. Full of expectation I bit deeply into my croissant and proceeded to spurt warm hazelnut cream (nutella-ish) all over my shirt.
Hani is staying less than ten minutes drive away and kindly drove over with a change of shirt for me.
Hani is staying less than ten minutes drive away and kindly drove over with a change of shirt for me.
91ChrisG1
>90 PaulCranswick: Oh my - I remember many such incidents from my office jockey days. My ties were a magnet!
92Familyhistorian
Happy new thread, Paul. I'm not even going to attempt one of those best of lists but I did read a GN recently that I was impressed by American Cult: A Graphic History of Religious Cults in America from the Colonial Era to Today.
Nice that Hanni was able to bring you a fresh shirt after that eating misfortune. Such a let down when anticipated treats attack!
Nice that Hanni was able to bring you a fresh shirt after that eating misfortune. Such a let down when anticipated treats attack!
93TSSTxym
>90 PaulCranswick: I think everyone has had that...happen, at least once. Thank whomever for Hani (is she your wife?)
94PaulCranswick
>91 ChrisG1: I wasn't wearing a tie thankfully, Chris but with three huge splodges, there was no way I could have gotten through the day and a couple of meetings like that.
>92 Familyhistorian: She did message me this morning with the advice to "eat sensibly!", Meg.
>92 Familyhistorian: She did message me this morning with the advice to "eat sensibly!", Meg.
95PaulCranswick
>93 TSSTxym: Lovely that you paid me a return visit, Tiss. Hani is indeed my better half.
She exacted revenge last night by insisting on a foot massage for fully 45 minutes by which time I would have gladly kept the shirt on!
She exacted revenge last night by insisting on a foot massage for fully 45 minutes by which time I would have gladly kept the shirt on!
96alcottacre
Checking in on you today, Paul. I hope all is well - aside from your shirt issue, that is :)
97hredwards
>90 PaulCranswick: You brought to mind something that happened to me a few years ago.
I had a cousin who lived about an hour away from us, so we didn't see her family very often. Her parents, my dad's brother and his wife lived in Georgia and I hadn't seen them in years. They came to visit and my cousin invited us all out to their very nice house for dinner.
It was a beautiful day and we all went to see them. Not having seen my uncle and aunt for years I was looking forward to making a good impression and visiting with them.
My cousin had ordered pizza for dinner and we were using paper plates to make clean up easier, My dad and my uncle took their slices outside to sit on the patio and I wanted to sit with them mainly to listen to any family stories I might glean from their conversation.
I was sitting there when a big gust of wind took my plate and upended it right onto my chest. I was wearing a light colored mostly white t-shirt.
Mortified I slunk inside to clean up as best I could and spent the rest of the evening with a big orange stain on my shirt.
I was ready to go home hours before anyone else was, I was so embarrased.
I had a cousin who lived about an hour away from us, so we didn't see her family very often. Her parents, my dad's brother and his wife lived in Georgia and I hadn't seen them in years. They came to visit and my cousin invited us all out to their very nice house for dinner.
It was a beautiful day and we all went to see them. Not having seen my uncle and aunt for years I was looking forward to making a good impression and visiting with them.
My cousin had ordered pizza for dinner and we were using paper plates to make clean up easier, My dad and my uncle took their slices outside to sit on the patio and I wanted to sit with them mainly to listen to any family stories I might glean from their conversation.
I was sitting there when a big gust of wind took my plate and upended it right onto my chest. I was wearing a light colored mostly white t-shirt.
Mortified I slunk inside to clean up as best I could and spent the rest of the evening with a big orange stain on my shirt.
I was ready to go home hours before anyone else was, I was so embarrased.
98louisisaloafofbreb
Paul- question- can being called a chud be an insult? That isn't related to politics?
99amanda4242
>98 louisisaloafofbreb: It was clearly being used an insult, whatever its meaning. (I see "chud" and my first thought is C.H.U.D., the shitty horror movie from the 80s.)
100louisisaloafofbreb
>99 amanda4242: Ive been called it multiple times on this site atp- and yes I mean I called people dumbasses but I feel like chud is sort of worse? I meant it as like a whole- since they are openly breaking rules still. I don't think I've ever watched that movie
101amanda4242
>100 louisisaloafofbreb: I have no idea what the current meaning of it is, but it's meant to be insulting. Calling people dumbasses is also a TOS violation, so please don't do it. (Even though I think it's an accurate description of many of the people in that thread.) Just flag posts violating the TOS and report the members to staff.
Oh, and don't bother with the movie; it would be a waste of 90 minutes of your life.
Oh, and don't bother with the movie; it would be a waste of 90 minutes of your life.
102louisisaloafofbreb
>101 amanda4242: I will try not to, I'm trying to get my anger under control. I wont, it sounds like a bad movie anyway, when I get home I may watch some sort of horror movie, maybe Darkness Falls (the movie not the book :/) and I will be reporting them to the staff
103amanda4242
>102 louisisaloafofbreb: I just reported them for creating a new account to get around a suspension; they were kind enough to announce what they did on their new account!
I'm going to watch a horror movie tonight, too. Probably Late Night with the Devil.
(Sorry for hijacking your thread, Paul!)
I'm going to watch a horror movie tonight, too. Probably Late Night with the Devil.
(Sorry for hijacking your thread, Paul!)
104louisisaloafofbreb
>103 amanda4242: Lol, sorry Paul- also if you want we can continue talking on my thread, and ooo I've heard about that
105PaulCranswick
>96 alcottacre: All is good, Stasia and I have a couple of books finished which I will be happily reporting upon shortly.
>97 hredwards: Very vivid story, Harold, and literally so. I can just picture the scene and the mortification involved!
>97 hredwards: Very vivid story, Harold, and literally so. I can just picture the scene and the mortification involved!
106PaulCranswick
>98 louisisaloafofbreb: Honestly, Lily, I have never come across that word before but it doesn't sound particularly friendly.
>99 amanda4242: Obviously so indeed. Took the liberty of looking up an online definition and it seems that it is a "left wing slur" against someone they believe holds regressive ultra conservative views. Not how I would see Lily at all.
>99 amanda4242: Obviously so indeed. Took the liberty of looking up an online definition and it seems that it is a "left wing slur" against someone they believe holds regressive ultra conservative views. Not how I would see Lily at all.
107PaulCranswick
>100 louisisaloafofbreb: It does surprise me Lily that these sorts of things do have a habit of seeking you out. I generally feel pretty safe on LT and in this space in particular. I have had the odd disagreement with people and I know that there are one or two or more people on the site who actively don't like me and I am fine with that.
>101 amanda4242: What would be three films that you would recommend giving up a few hours of your life for, Amanda?
1. Get Carter (Michael Caine version of course)
2. The Searchers (John Wayne)
3. Snatch (Guy Ritchie directing)
>101 amanda4242: What would be three films that you would recommend giving up a few hours of your life for, Amanda?
1. Get Carter (Michael Caine version of course)
2. The Searchers (John Wayne)
3. Snatch (Guy Ritchie directing)
108louisisaloafofbreb
>106 PaulCranswick: I've been called it multiple times, and what it means is political from what I've heard, and people in my class have called me it before too
109PaulCranswick
>102 louisisaloafofbreb: My advice for what it is worth, Lily, is to stay in those parts of the site that make you welcome and avoid those that seem to revel in insults.
>103 amanda4242: You are welcome to hijack my thread whenever you want my dear friend.
>103 amanda4242: You are welcome to hijack my thread whenever you want my dear friend.
110louisisaloafofbreb
>107 PaulCranswick: people like fighting with me honestly- I'm easy to anger I guess is why
111louisisaloafofbreb
>109 PaulCranswick: I feel more comfortable here than anywhere else, honestly
112PaulCranswick
>104 louisisaloafofbreb: No problem, Lily.
>108 louisisaloafofbreb: Don't think that it adds too much to the political discourse at all though does it? I used to be extremely left-wing in my political outlook although I have "mellowed" somewhat over the years. Some of the people still holding the same views that I once did may say similar things about me too but I think that you would have to stretch reality beyond reasonable credulity to think that I am right-wing!
>108 louisisaloafofbreb: Don't think that it adds too much to the political discourse at all though does it? I used to be extremely left-wing in my political outlook although I have "mellowed" somewhat over the years. Some of the people still holding the same views that I once did may say similar things about me too but I think that you would have to stretch reality beyond reasonable credulity to think that I am right-wing!
113PaulCranswick
>110 louisisaloafofbreb: I suppose people will get encouragement to continue if they can get a reaction. Walking away from bigotry and vituperation is always a better choice.
>111 louisisaloafofbreb: And you are always welcome here.
>111 louisisaloafofbreb: And you are always welcome here.
114louisisaloafofbreb
>112 PaulCranswick: I'm not sure what I am, I took a test during Government and I got the middle sort of area, and now people are calling people Isreal supporters as insults, I don't get people anymore honestly
115louisisaloafofbreb
>113 PaulCranswick: yeah, people always do, always will and even my little brother does things that he knows annoys me, but I do need to learn how to just ignore him
116amanda4242
>107 PaulCranswick: The Searchers is probably my favorite John Wayne film, narrowly beating out Red River.
Okay, three from me:
1. Blade Runner
2. Young Frankenstein
3. Tombstone
Of course the list will change if you ask me again in five minutes!
Okay, three from me:
1. Blade Runner
2. Young Frankenstein
3. Tombstone
Of course the list will change if you ask me again in five minutes!
117PaulCranswick
>114 louisisaloafofbreb: You get tested at school so that your political leanings can be determined?! That sounds a bit sinister to me.
>115 louisisaloafofbreb: It takes quite a bit to get me riled up, Lily. I am thankful for that! Hani on the other hand could sometimes start a fight in an empty room!
>115 louisisaloafofbreb: It takes quite a bit to get me riled up, Lily. I am thankful for that! Hani on the other hand could sometimes start a fight in an empty room!
118PaulCranswick
>116 amanda4242: Good picks, I guess AND I do agree about picks changing quickly........why didn't I include any Monty Python?!
119louisisaloafofbreb
>117 PaulCranswick: it's not that, it was kind of just a fun test to see what you would get, and what you would choose since we were going over like the policial parties
I can fight with a lot of people haha, I try to not fight with people but sometimes it happens quite easily
I can fight with a lot of people haha, I try to not fight with people but sometimes it happens quite easily
120Dejah_Thoris
Hi Paul! I'm just dropping by to catch up.
>70 tymfos: It's good to hear that you were so impressed by In the Pines. It's gotten very mixed reviews, but I had decided I wanted to try it anyway. I already have it checked out from the library, but it's nice to have the extra push to pick it up. Thanks!
>70 tymfos: It's good to hear that you were so impressed by In the Pines. It's gotten very mixed reviews, but I had decided I wanted to try it anyway. I already have it checked out from the library, but it's nice to have the extra push to pick it up. Thanks!
121PaulCranswick
>119 louisisaloafofbreb: Oh I see it was something you did to test yourself. That is different I guess.
>120 Dejah_Thoris: Lovely to see you as always, Princess - just as it was to see Terri!
>120 Dejah_Thoris: Lovely to see you as always, Princess - just as it was to see Terri!
122louisisaloafofbreb
>121 PaulCranswick: yeah, I find myself staying away from politics the most I can, unless it's really needed
123PaulCranswick
>122 louisisaloafofbreb: Good policy these days. I come from a background where politicians were either right or wrong and not good or bad but that rhetoric seems to have changed.
124louisisaloafofbreb
>123 PaulCranswick: Who knows anymore, my family always votes on all elections, and I plan to do that but other than that I'm not surrounding myself in politics
125PaulCranswick
>124 louisisaloafofbreb: We all have views about how governments should raise revenue and how it should spend it. How it should defend itself and under what circumstances, if any, it should take up arms. How open its society should be and what relationship should the state have to things like religion, and personal freedoms.
I do think, though, that there has been a polarization of views towards the extremes in this century which tends to set people against each other and sometimes unnecessarily so.
I do think, though, that there has been a polarization of views towards the extremes in this century which tends to set people against each other and sometimes unnecessarily so.
126louisisaloafofbreb
>125 PaulCranswick: Yeah, I already lost one friend due to politics, because we were on the opposite opinions with it, they wanted Trump and I wanted Kamala and we fought over that twice before I ended my friendship with her
127PaulCranswick
BOOK #61
I, Claudius by Robert Graves
Date of Publication: 1934
Origin of Author: UK
Gender of Author: Male
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 396pp
A second re-read of this book for me which I would only contemplate if I really liked it so my positive review is something of a foregone conclusion.
Did I glean new insights? Well not really but I did find myself nodding as I remembered the story and its incidents.
There is nothing that can quite replace that absolute joy you feel when you know you have read something really special and you don't replicate that on a second or third reading. There is (and I have never been disabused of my perception) instead a smug serenity that one's innate good taste has been reinforced!
There may be better works of historical fiction, but I haven't read it.
I, Claudius by Robert Graves
Date of Publication: 1934
Origin of Author: UK
Gender of Author: Male
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 396pp
A second re-read of this book for me which I would only contemplate if I really liked it so my positive review is something of a foregone conclusion.
Did I glean new insights? Well not really but I did find myself nodding as I remembered the story and its incidents.
There is nothing that can quite replace that absolute joy you feel when you know you have read something really special and you don't replicate that on a second or third reading. There is (and I have never been disabused of my perception) instead a smug serenity that one's innate good taste has been reinforced!
There may be better works of historical fiction, but I haven't read it.
128PaulCranswick
BOOK #62
Mama Amazonica by Pascale Petit
Date of Publication: 2017
Origin of Author: UK
Gender of Author: Female
Genre: Poetry
Pages: 108pp
Sometimes one has to concede when you are simply not on the same wavelength as the poet.
This collection sort of juxtaposes Ms. Petit's mother's psychological travails with the teeming and magical wildlife of the Amazonian rainforests. There is a lot to admire here and some of the metaphors are simply stunning. I couldn't connect with enough of them however to make coherence of the whole.
I will probably revisit these poems in the future as it feel my experience trying to read them said more about my regression in the form than being a judgement on an obviously talente writer.
Mama Amazonica by Pascale Petit
Date of Publication: 2017
Origin of Author: UK
Gender of Author: Female
Genre: Poetry
Pages: 108pp
Sometimes one has to concede when you are simply not on the same wavelength as the poet.
This collection sort of juxtaposes Ms. Petit's mother's psychological travails with the teeming and magical wildlife of the Amazonian rainforests. There is a lot to admire here and some of the metaphors are simply stunning. I couldn't connect with enough of them however to make coherence of the whole.
I will probably revisit these poems in the future as it feel my experience trying to read them said more about my regression in the form than being a judgement on an obviously talente writer.
129PaulCranswick
>126 louisisaloafofbreb: Slightly proves my point, Lily. I couldn't see myself voting for either of them and though I do think that Trump himself has been the prime mover in the cheap demeaning of his political opponents, the other side have also made it clear that they view his Republican side as not simply wrong but evil as well.
I do hope that when his term is done that America will get back to a less polarized way of promoting its politics and that school friends can disagree on points of principle without them resulting in a breach in friendship.
I do hope that when his term is done that America will get back to a less polarized way of promoting its politics and that school friends can disagree on points of principle without them resulting in a breach in friendship.
130louisisaloafofbreb
>129 PaulCranswick: Yeah, my dad said that the gas prices have only gotten this high when Republicans were in office (like 4 to 5 dollars just for gas) and that's because they keep fighting the middle east I think it was- where all of the oil and gas is produced
131booksaplenty1949
>130 louisisaloafofbreb: Actually the United States is the world’s largest producer of oil and gas.
132louisisaloafofbreb
>131 booksaplenty1949: Really? Than why is it so expensive- I don't think it costs that much to make- unless it does
133m.belljackson
>73 PaulCranswick: >75 booksaplenty1949:
"Three words.
That's all it takes.
A tiny sentence and we know what we are in for.
For these aren't just any triplets but the most famous opening statement in American literature."
"Three words.
That's all it takes.
A tiny sentence and we know what we are in for.
For these aren't just any triplets but the most famous opening statement in American literature."
134booksaplenty1949
>132 louisisaloafofbreb: Price is set/fixed by a consortium of world producers.
135PaulCranswick
>130 louisisaloafofbreb: I'm not sure that your post quite answers my >129 PaulCranswick: but oil or gas prices are an interesting issue to raise since until very recently it was probably one area that Trump could legitimately claim as a success. Prices were consistently higher under the last administration as I understand it.
>131 booksaplenty1949: Yes that is perfectly true at the present time.
>131 booksaplenty1949: Yes that is perfectly true at the present time.
136PaulCranswick
>132 louisisaloafofbreb: World markets, Lily. The US is actually considerably cheaper for oil/gas at the pump than most places in the world. At least you don't have a situation as I do in Malaysia where I pay RM4.60 a litre for my fuel ($1.15 per litre or $5.20 gallon) whereas Hani pays RM1.99 a litre or $2.25 per gallon because she has citizenship and I don't.
>133 m.belljackson: I do want to read it, Marianne, but I haven't yet so cannot put it in my list of recommendations.
>133 m.belljackson: I do want to read it, Marianne, but I haven't yet so cannot put it in my list of recommendations.
137PaulCranswick
>134 booksaplenty1949: Base price per barrel of crude yes that is true.
138amanda4242
>136 PaulCranswick: $5.20 per gallon is less than it is in my neck of the woods.
139PaulCranswick
>138 amanda4242: But you don't make tourists and non-citizens pay double.
140amanda4242
>139 PaulCranswick: True, they pay the same price as everyone else: higher than the rest of the country.
141m.belljackson
>136 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul - just launching MOBY up in contrast with THE GRAPES OF WRATH!
142PaulCranswick
>140 amanda4242: Prices between the states is interesting to me and California with its high energy taxes is known even here as an example of the nose being cut off to spite the face. I think that fuel duties are incredibly regressive as everyone has effectively to pay the same tax in that locale. I think that higher taxes on income and luxury consumption can be justified but not high flat taxes on essentials.
143PaulCranswick
>141 m.belljackson: I fully intend to read Moby Dick within the next month so that I can comment on whether you are right in my view on its merit over TGOW.
144booksaplenty1949
>142 PaulCranswick: Presumably this can be justified as an incentive to drive fuel-efficient cars, car-pool, take public transit, or walk.
145quondame
>142 PaulCranswick: Not to mention that the taxes do pay for advantages states with lower rates don’t have. It is a consumption tax, though maybe not the fairest.
146amanda4242
>144 booksaplenty1949: There's basically no public transport where I live; it's too far to walk most places, and can be dangerous because of extreme heat and terrible drivers trying to run people over; and fuel-efficient cars still need fuel.
More than a few people in my area are driving electric vehicles, but those toxic batteries have been known to spontaneously combust in the heat. Plus the limited number of charging stations and the distance between them means there's a pretty good chance of getting stranded if you have to do more than run errands around town.
I bike into town, but the roads are shitty which means I have to replace my tires regularly. I'm not sure where all the taxes on fuel are going, but they're certainly not going towards repairing the roads around me.
More than a few people in my area are driving electric vehicles, but those toxic batteries have been known to spontaneously combust in the heat. Plus the limited number of charging stations and the distance between them means there's a pretty good chance of getting stranded if you have to do more than run errands around town.
I bike into town, but the roads are shitty which means I have to replace my tires regularly. I'm not sure where all the taxes on fuel are going, but they're certainly not going towards repairing the roads around me.
147booksaplenty1949
>9 PaulCranswick: I was going to triumphantly announce finishing books from the first 10 years when I realised that 1833 was missing. Transferred Eugene Onegin to 1833 (publication in book form) and now reading Wacousta, the first Canadian novel, published in 1832. Sir Walter Scott’s influence everywhere apparent.
149PaulCranswick
>144 booksaplenty1949: As I say it is a regressive tax. It hits those that cannot afford fuel efficient cars or who cannot simply switch to electric vehicles. Not everyone is able to walk several miles to work and public transport should but never does sufficiently service the needs of the people who require it most.
>145 quondame: Indeed it is a consumption tax, Susan, and I am not saying that there should not be any tax at all but it is regressive and there are fairer ways of raising money from those who could better afford it.
>145 quondame: Indeed it is a consumption tax, Susan, and I am not saying that there should not be any tax at all but it is regressive and there are fairer ways of raising money from those who could better afford it.
150PaulCranswick
>146 amanda4242: I have to say that we are completely in accord on this, Amanda.
>147 booksaplenty1949: An interesting one that I am not familiar with. You are right that Walter Scott was hugely influential back in the day.
>147 booksaplenty1949: An interesting one that I am not familiar with. You are right that Walter Scott was hugely influential back in the day.
151PaulCranswick
>148 alcottacre: It was a pretty solid given that I would enjoy it, Stasia.
152PaulCranswick
One of my favourite broadcasters, David Attenborough, is 100 today (it is 8 May here in Kuala Lumpur already).
His passion and enthusiasm and insight into the natural world and the need to preserve our ecology had a great influence on so many of my generation. A wonderful man and an important one.
Happy Birthday Sir David.
I am reading his book A Life on Our Planet to celebrate his birthday and I am zipping through a fascinating and thought provoking book.
153louisisaloafofbreb
>136 PaulCranswick: it's the cheapest area for gas??? Jeez- I don't wanna wonder how expensive it is in other places-
154louisisaloafofbreb
>136 PaulCranswick: I think mines almost 5 dollars a gallon, which is insane comparing it to how it used to be
155PaulCranswick
This is an average of global prices. Of course in the USA some states are considerably more expensive than others.
You could be less lucky and live in Hong Kong paying 4 times as much for fuel at the pump.
UK is double the US price.
https://www.globalpetrolprices.com/gasoline_prices/
You could be less lucky and live in Hong Kong paying 4 times as much for fuel at the pump.
UK is double the US price.
https://www.globalpetrolprices.com/gasoline_prices/
156PaulCranswick
>154 louisisaloafofbreb:
This shows the prices across the States, Lily. Which states are more than others. It also shows that you have not reached the level of prices which had been witnessed under Biden at their peak then.
https://gasprices.aaa.com/
This shows the prices across the States, Lily. Which states are more than others. It also shows that you have not reached the level of prices which had been witnessed under Biden at their peak then.
https://gasprices.aaa.com/
157louisisaloafofbreb
>156 PaulCranswick: Lordy- thats insane honestly-
158SilverWolf28
Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/384205
159vancouverdeb
Well, Paul, gas here is $8.63 Cdn per gallon. But we don't drive that much. We both drive every day , but not far. Of course,the price is the same whether you are a citizen or not. Many people here rive electric vehicles or hybrids. My son William has a fully electric SUV. He told me he's done with gas stations.
>155 PaulCranswick: Hong Kong, really a vehicle is not needed, owing to the great transit system. That's a of places in Europe too. Dense populations and good transit.
>155 PaulCranswick: Hong Kong, really a vehicle is not needed, owing to the great transit system. That's a of places in Europe too. Dense populations and good transit.
161m.belljackson
>143 PaulCranswick: Great - on my 2nd & 3rd MOBY readings with my New York Friend,
we skipped the unappetizing parts.
we skipped the unappetizing parts.
162louisisaloafofbreb
Paul why is applying for a job so hard- I don't get ittttt I thought this was gonna be easy- it was easy for my older brother and he didn't even need a resume
163PaulCranswick
>157 louisisaloafofbreb: The part of the world in turmoil is such a key when it comes to the world's oil resources.
>158 SilverWolf28: Thank you, Silver
>158 SilverWolf28: Thank you, Silver
164PaulCranswick
>159 vancouverdeb: That is expensive, Deb.
I have been to Hong Kong many times and I agree that the public transport is very good but - especially Kowloon - you would still struggle without a car.
>160 ArlieS: Thank you, Arlie.
I have been to Hong Kong many times and I agree that the public transport is very good but - especially Kowloon - you would still struggle without a car.
>160 ArlieS: Thank you, Arlie.
165PaulCranswick
>161 m.belljackson: Ah but I don't know where those unappetizing parts are!
>162 louisisaloafofbreb: I am in my 39th year of work this year, Lily, and I have not thus far had a single day out of work (touch wood).
My tip would be to look to do something you are enthusiastic about.
>162 louisisaloafofbreb: I am in my 39th year of work this year, Lily, and I have not thus far had a single day out of work (touch wood).
My tip would be to look to do something you are enthusiastic about.
166louisisaloafofbreb
>165 PaulCranswick: I did, and resumes are hard to make and i hope that it isnt bad- or im gonna cry
>163 PaulCranswick: I think the society is screwed when it comes to gas and oil prices honestly
>163 PaulCranswick: I think the society is screwed when it comes to gas and oil prices honestly
167booksaplenty1949
>165 PaulCranswick: Re Moby-Dick, Melville was not being paid by the word, or meeting serial deadlines, so I am unsure of why he included so many chapters of whale/whaling info completely unconnected to the plot. Whaling is of course itself a pretty unappetizing part of human history. But it is disconcerting to be in the midst of an epic tale and suddenly have to get through a proto-Wikipedia article on blubber-boiling or whatever.
168roundballnz
>152 PaulCranswick: a great broadcaster & communicator - having grown up/older listening & watching the documentaries has been a right joy.
I see the cost of Fossil Oil has been a hot topic - sadly not likely to go down anytime soon ... I daresay with the state of Global politics & economics we have not seen anything yet.( hope am wrong).
I see the cost of Fossil Oil has been a hot topic - sadly not likely to go down anytime soon ... I daresay with the state of Global politics & economics we have not seen anything yet.( hope am wrong).
169PaulCranswick
>166 louisisaloafofbreb: For resumes I always kept things simple. I was always confident that if I got an interview that I would get the job and frankly in my field your reputation often precedes you.
Prices will continue to fluctuate depending upon the forces upon it, Lily. Basis economics tells us that if you restrict supply you increase demand and that raises prices.
>167 booksaplenty1949: I am guessing now that they were some of the parts that Marianne skipped.
Prices will continue to fluctuate depending upon the forces upon it, Lily. Basis economics tells us that if you restrict supply you increase demand and that raises prices.
>167 booksaplenty1949: I am guessing now that they were some of the parts that Marianne skipped.
170PaulCranswick
>168 roundballnz: Not only a great broadcaster, Alex, but always seemed a thoroughly decent human being.
The days of $30 a barrel seem a long way away at the moment don't they?
Great to see you back posting, mate.
The days of $30 a barrel seem a long way away at the moment don't they?
Great to see you back posting, mate.
171louisisaloafofbreb
>169 PaulCranswick: My aunts fiance wants me to have all the detail I can but I feel like I don't have even close to enough information for it
172PaulCranswick
>171 louisisaloafofbreb: You are still in school, Lily, so prospective Employer's don't really want to know what you have done - they are far more interested in who you are!
173louisisaloafofbreb
>172 PaulCranswick: I would hope so! I may try to work with my aunt and her fiance with their company, ontop of trying to get a job
174PaulCranswick
>173 louisisaloafofbreb: Good luck. What sort of job do you want to do eventually?
175PaulCranswick
Friday lunchtime additions
101. Living Planet by David Attenborough
102. Agatha Raisin and the Murderous Marriage by M.C. Beaton
103. Occupation by Julian Fuks
104. Kingfisher by Rozie Kelly
105. Shroud by Adrian Tchaikovsky
The Attenborough is obvious. It was his 100th birthday and I am currently enjoying one of his books.
Agatha Raisin I have been pushed to try severally and I didn't realize just how prolific she was as an author.
Fuks is a Brazilian author my research into the challenge has pitched forward.
Kelly's book is not for everyone apparently but made the Women's Prize shortlist.
"Shroud" I have seen a lot around the threads and the TIOLI challenge.
101. Living Planet by David Attenborough
102. Agatha Raisin and the Murderous Marriage by M.C. Beaton
103. Occupation by Julian Fuks
104. Kingfisher by Rozie Kelly
105. Shroud by Adrian Tchaikovsky
The Attenborough is obvious. It was his 100th birthday and I am currently enjoying one of his books.
Agatha Raisin I have been pushed to try severally and I didn't realize just how prolific she was as an author.
Fuks is a Brazilian author my research into the challenge has pitched forward.
Kelly's book is not for everyone apparently but made the Women's Prize shortlist.
"Shroud" I have seen a lot around the threads and the TIOLI challenge.
176BLBera
>21 PaulCranswick: you started a great conversation, Paul. It's a fun exercise.
>128 PaulCranswick: That happens with poetry.
>128 PaulCranswick: That happens with poetry.
177louisisaloafofbreb
>174 PaulCranswick: sorry I went to bed but I want to be a vet or Zoologist!
178alcottacre
>175 PaulCranswick: I have Shroud on tap to read for one of this month's TIOLI challenges, Paul. Just sayin'
I added my few books for the week to the 'This Just In' thread yesterday.
Happy whatever, Paul!
I added my few books for the week to the 'This Just In' thread yesterday.
Happy whatever, Paul!
179booksaplenty1949
>177 louisisaloafofbreb: Zoology isn’t a job; it’s a branch of science. Did you mean you’d like to work at a zoo?
180amanda4242
>179 booksaplenty1949: ??? They said zoologist, which is a job.
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/zoologists-and-wildlife...
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/zoologists-and-wildlife...
181louisisaloafofbreb
>179 booksaplenty1949: I kinda wanna start there, since that's where my aunts fiancee worked, and she was a Zoologist
182PaulCranswick
>176 BLBera: Thanks Beth.
In most poetry collections I can normally attune to the poet and get on his/her wavelength eventually but I never managed it with Ms Petit.
In most poetry collections I can normally attune to the poet and get on his/her wavelength eventually but I never managed it with Ms Petit.
183PaulCranswick
>177 louisisaloafofbreb: Then it is more a question of getting the academic side right rather than worrying too much about your CV, Lily.
>178 alcottacre: One of the reasons that it caught my eye to be honest, Stasia. I will try to fit it into the TIOLI this month.
I'll go and see what you've added.
>178 alcottacre: One of the reasons that it caught my eye to be honest, Stasia. I will try to fit it into the TIOLI this month.
I'll go and see what you've added.
184PaulCranswick
>179 booksaplenty1949: It is funny isn't it but I don't think I would have liked working at the zoo. Whilst of course I can understand it and I am not one of those people fundamentally opposed to their existence, I think I would get maudlin seeing those wonderful creatures caged every day.
>180 amanda4242: Isn't though largely an academic pursuit, Amanda?
>180 amanda4242: Isn't though largely an academic pursuit, Amanda?
185louisisaloafofbreb
>183 PaulCranswick: what does CV stand for? I'm eventually gonna go to college just not rn at least
186PaulCranswick
>181 louisisaloafofbreb: When you say "worked there" you mean at the zoo? I'd be worried that they would keep me in!
187PaulCranswick
>185 louisisaloafofbreb: It stands for curriculum vitae, Lily. It is a short form for resume.
Just realized that both main words/phrases for that particular document are non-English.
Just realized that both main words/phrases for that particular document are non-English.
188louisisaloafofbreb
>186 PaulCranswick: yeah, I mean the zoo, she used to work there before making her own company!
189louisisaloafofbreb
>187 PaulCranswick: ohhhhhhh never heard of it being called that,
190booksaplenty1949
>184 PaulCranswick: I think that the problem with seeing animals caged is projection. I don’t think they have a perspective beyond having their immediate needs-physical and social- met.
191PaulCranswick
>188 louisisaloafofbreb: Oh I see.
>189 louisisaloafofbreb: I am amazed, Lily, that you have never heard CV before.
>189 louisisaloafofbreb: I am amazed, Lily, that you have never heard CV before.
192PaulCranswick
>190 booksaplenty1949: Whether it bothers the animals, I have no idea at all. I was referring to my own feelings of seeing them cooped up whether happily or otherwise.
193quondame
>191 PaulCranswick: I first heard CV when we got sold to an East coast company in the early 90s who sent in a squad from Ireland. In the US it was resume.
194m.belljackson
>192 PaulCranswick: Yes, it totally bothers most of the animals - they try to escape!
195louisisaloafofbreb
>191 PaulCranswick: Even my aunt doesn't talk about that, who knows
196PaulCranswick
>193 quondame: I thought that it was more universal than that, Susan. It is certainly the case with the Commonwealth of nations. I did look up some comments which indicated that whilst in those places and in Europe the term is interchangeable with resume, in the US it is often considered to be a more detailed document than a resume.
>194 m.belljackson: I couldn't imagine that they would like it much, Marianne, either, especially those animals not born in captivity.
>194 m.belljackson: I couldn't imagine that they would like it much, Marianne, either, especially those animals not born in captivity.
197PaulCranswick
>195 louisisaloafofbreb: I suppose it doesn't really matter what the document is called but what is in it.
198louisisaloafofbreb
>197 PaulCranswick: That's true,
199PaulCranswick
BOOK #63
A Life on Our Planet by David Attenborough
Date of Publication: 2020
Origin of Author: UK
Gender of Author: Male
Genre: Non-Fiction
Pages: 247pp
David Attenborough is a British national institution. I grew up watching him explain the natural world to an avid TV audience. He was respectful, engaging and fiercely passionate always.
He celebrated his 100th birthday this week on 8 May and he is still an active ecologist and, yes, Lily a preeminent honorary zoologist.
This book both goes back over his life mapping the changes to the natural world along the way, then it maps out future decades if we don't get our collective acts together but finally he sets out an alternative course that would involve rewilding the land and the oceans and changing our lifestyle from a growth to a plateau existence.
He is my kind of conservationist and I fear who will step forward to carry the baton when he no longer can.
A Life on Our Planet by David Attenborough
Date of Publication: 2020
Origin of Author: UK
Gender of Author: Male
Genre: Non-Fiction
Pages: 247pp
David Attenborough is a British national institution. I grew up watching him explain the natural world to an avid TV audience. He was respectful, engaging and fiercely passionate always.
He celebrated his 100th birthday this week on 8 May and he is still an active ecologist and, yes, Lily a preeminent honorary zoologist.
This book both goes back over his life mapping the changes to the natural world along the way, then it maps out future decades if we don't get our collective acts together but finally he sets out an alternative course that would involve rewilding the land and the oceans and changing our lifestyle from a growth to a plateau existence.
He is my kind of conservationist and I fear who will step forward to carry the baton when he no longer can.
200booksaplenty1949
>192 PaulCranswick: Well, that’s the definition of “projection.”
201booksaplenty1949
>196 PaulCranswick: Ninety percent of the animals in zoos were born in a zoo. Most of the rest are “rescues.”
202PaulCranswick
>200 booksaplenty1949: You could be right.
>201 booksaplenty1949: I have nothing in principle against zoos but they do inspire a sadness in me.
>201 booksaplenty1949: I have nothing in principle against zoos but they do inspire a sadness in me.
203booksaplenty1949
>202 PaulCranswick: I once saw an episode of The Twilight Zone in which it was revealed, right at the end, that the characters were human beings in a zoo on some alien planet. The effect was terrifying. To us, that’s exile and incarceration. These are human reactions, however. Animals survive in the here and now.
204PaulCranswick
>203 booksaplenty1949: That would be one heck of a dystopian world being created.
205TSSTxym
I added more cookbooks to my Library...I don't know if you cook for yourself but I think you like to eat good food...Hope all's well in your life...I'm trying to maintain my sanity (that's a full time job)....be well, you
206booksaplenty1949
>194 m.belljackson: My cat “escapes” when the door is open. Then she returns for a meal and a warm bed.
207PaulCranswick
>205 TSSTxym: I do love to cook, Tiss, but my wife, Hani, is a fantastic cook and I am in the enviable position of sampling her food on a daily basis. She has a good selection of cookbooks too which I love to wade through and point out dishes we simply "must try" from them.
So pleased to see you pay visit. x
>206 booksaplenty1949: Sounds a bit like how my son used to behave when he last lived at home!
So pleased to see you pay visit. x
>206 booksaplenty1949: Sounds a bit like how my son used to behave when he last lived at home!
208PaulCranswick
Added another couple of books this lunchtime specifically for challenges:
106. Excession by Iain M. Banks
107. The Scent of Oranges by Kathy George
The first book I added because I realised all my Iain M. Banks books are in the UK - I had a couple of the Culture books. His non-Sci-Fi books are here but I wanted to read the Sci-Fi version for the BAC.
The second book is a retelling of Oliver Twist from the POV of Nancy. This is to fit a TIOLI challenge.
106. Excession by Iain M. Banks
107. The Scent of Oranges by Kathy George
The first book I added because I realised all my Iain M. Banks books are in the UK - I had a couple of the Culture books. His non-Sci-Fi books are here but I wanted to read the Sci-Fi version for the BAC.
The second book is a retelling of Oliver Twist from the POV of Nancy. This is to fit a TIOLI challenge.
209booksaplenty1949
Have decided to read a short story every day. Began with Le passe-muraille by Marcel Aymé.
Main character is the subject of this artwork in Montmartre
Main character is the subject of this artwork in Montmartre
210PaulCranswick
>209 booksaplenty1949: Ha! I am doing the same but reading my way through collections. I have just finished Openings by Lucy Caldwell and will start on Louis L'Amour stories today.
211booksaplenty1949
>210 PaulCranswick: You were my inspiration, but I felt that whole books of one story after another was not my best bet.
212PaulCranswick
>211 booksaplenty1949: I can see that and I do share the sentiment and I do occasionally leave the odd story out to return to later, but I do want to "finish" books at the same time.
213foggidawn
>196 PaulCranswick: Circling back to the resume/CV discussion, I have heard CV or just vitae used more in academe, whereas in the "real world" I have always just heard resume.
I wouldn't think that a high-school student would need a resume, especially applying for a first job. It seems like for my first several jobs (pretty much anything I did as a teenager) I just had to fill out an application form. Times change, I guess -- but there's not a lot to put on a resume if you don't have job experience. Volunteer activities, I guess, and extracurriculars?
I wouldn't think that a high-school student would need a resume, especially applying for a first job. It seems like for my first several jobs (pretty much anything I did as a teenager) I just had to fill out an application form. Times change, I guess -- but there's not a lot to put on a resume if you don't have job experience. Volunteer activities, I guess, and extracurriculars?
214alcottacre
>183 PaulCranswick: I hope that you can, Paul. I have read several of Tchaikovsky's books and enjoyed them.
>199 PaulCranswick: I need to get to that one too. I have seen several of his documentaries and I really need to read about him. He is my kind of conservationist and I fear who will step forward to carry the baton when he no longer can. I hear you!
>208 PaulCranswick: The Scent of Oranges caught my eye. I will be looking for your thoughts on that one!
Happy whatever, Paul!
>199 PaulCranswick: I need to get to that one too. I have seen several of his documentaries and I really need to read about him. He is my kind of conservationist and I fear who will step forward to carry the baton when he no longer can. I hear you!
>208 PaulCranswick: The Scent of Oranges caught my eye. I will be looking for your thoughts on that one!
Happy whatever, Paul!
215amanda4242
>208 PaulCranswick: Excession is the book that prompted me to include Banks in the BAC.
216PaulCranswick
>213 foggidawn: I also don't really see the need for a student to put up a resume. It would appear that CV is in much more widespread use in the UK than the US.
>214 alcottacre: Well he certainly has a classical surname, Stasia!
Attenborough is a great man in an age where they are increasingly scarce.
>214 alcottacre: Well he certainly has a classical surname, Stasia!
Attenborough is a great man in an age where they are increasingly scarce.
217PaulCranswick
>215 amanda4242: Then I chose correctly, Amanda!
218TSSTxym
>207 PaulCranswick:. Thank you for your response Today started out pretty bad but I'm back in fighting form now...keep on doing...T
219PaulCranswick
>218 TSSTxym: That's the spirit, Tiss.
I had a nasty fall on my way to the carpark yesterday after work as I slipped and lost my footing on a stepped walkway. Landed like a sack of potatoes and I sustained a nasty gash on my right shin.
I had a nasty fall on my way to the carpark yesterday after work as I slipped and lost my footing on a stepped walkway. Landed like a sack of potatoes and I sustained a nasty gash on my right shin.
220mdoris
Oh dear Paul, A nasty fall....is a nasty fall for sure! Hope you are better today. Sometimes all the muscles get a jolt after a fall and it takes a bit of time to calm them down.
221PaulCranswick
>220 mdoris: It is a bit uncomfortable, Mary, if truth be known.
222Matke
Dropping by to say hello. I’m sorry about your fall: I truly understand how awful falls can be. I hope you feel better soon.
Have a wonderful week, Paul.
Have a wonderful week, Paul.
223Matke
Dropping by to say hello. I’m sorry about your fall: I truly understand how awful falls can be. I hope you feel better soon.
Have a wonderful week, Paul.
Have a wonderful week, Paul.
225quondame
I hope you are recovering well from the fall. I hate the lingering way one can shake up life, not to mention damage and pain, which I hope doesn’t extend past your arm.
226humouress
>219 PaulCranswick: Oof. I hope it's not too bad and that you're feeling better soon.
227amanda4242
>219 PaulCranswick: Ouch! Best treatment would be to curl up in a comfy chair and read a book.
228booksaplenty1949
>227 amanda4242: With a beverage to hand. Best treatment for everything, really.
229SqueakyChu
>219 PaulCranswick: So sorry about your fall, Paul. I hope the damage is superficial and you'll be feeling fine soon.
230RebaRelishesReading
Sympathies for the fall. Hope you heal up quickly.
231avatiakh
Hope you are feeling ok. Sympathise with you, falling when past your prime is not as simple as when you are young.
232PaulCranswick
>222 Matke: Thank you Gail. I am ok, but my shin is gashed and quite painful and there is a bit of bruising.
>223 Matke: Doubly so, Gail xx
You have a great week too.
>223 Matke: Doubly so, Gail xx
You have a great week too.
233PaulCranswick
>224 hredwards: I have realized, Harold, that these trips now have consequences whereas we used to bounce straight back up.
>225 quondame: My arm is ok, Susan, I only have a bit of damage on my shin as I hit the edge of a step tread.
>225 quondame: My arm is ok, Susan, I only have a bit of damage on my shin as I hit the edge of a step tread.
234PaulCranswick
>226 humouress: I'll be as right as rain soon, Nina, don't worry!
>227 amanda4242: I have a few on the go, Amanda, I may injure myself by trying to balance too much reading at the same time!
>227 amanda4242: I have a few on the go, Amanda, I may injure myself by trying to balance too much reading at the same time!
235PaulCranswick
>228 booksaplenty1949: Of course it depends upon the beverage but I like the idea!
>229 SqueakyChu: Thank you, Madeline. It is none too serious I hope and I am walking about with just the occasional grimace.
>229 SqueakyChu: Thank you, Madeline. It is none too serious I hope and I am walking about with just the occasional grimace.
236PaulCranswick
>230 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks Reba. I trust that it won't slow down my visits to the bookstore!
>231 avatiakh: And it does bring it home starkly, Kerry, that my prime is well and truly behind me.
>231 avatiakh: And it does bring it home starkly, Kerry, that my prime is well and truly behind me.
237avatiakh
>236 PaulCranswick: Yeah, sorry to remind you of that.
Hope your weekend has been full of good reading.
Hope your weekend has been full of good reading.
238PaulCranswick
>237 avatiakh: I am reading ok and should finish quite a number within the next week or so. I must admit that my tumble did remind me that I am not a spry or healthy as I ought to be.
239m.belljackson
Paul - At least you didn't trip over a Book!
240PaulCranswick
>239 m.belljackson: At least if I had I could have turned a new page and started another chapter!
241m.belljackson
>240 PaulCranswick: May your chapter hold a 469 word sentence!
242Dejah_Thoris
I'm glad that you're recovering well, Paul.
243TSSTxym
>219 PaulCranswick:. Hope you're recovering from The Fall....damn, man. watch where you put your feet (no snark intended...I'm terrified of falling on my head)...my brain is crazy enough....sleep as well as you're able...eat and sleep well...T
244PaulCranswick
>241 m.belljackson: Hahaha if that was the case then I may just fall over!
>242 Dejah_Thoris: Thanks Princess. x
>242 Dejah_Thoris: Thanks Princess. x
245PaulCranswick
>243 TSSTxym: My head was safe enough, Tiss, but only because I sacrificed my clumsy trotters!
246TSSTxym
>245 PaulCranswick: I’m glad your head is good….watch those trotters…T
247PaulCranswick
>246 TSSTxym: Hahaha ok, will do!
248SilverWolf28
Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/384299
250PaulCranswick
>249 SirThomas: Thank you, Thomas.
251Kristelh
Some how I missed that you had a tumble. I am sorry to hear that. I try so hard to guard against falls. The older I get the more they are problems. Be careful!
252johnsimpson
Sorry to hear about your fall mate, i see that you have a gashed shin, take care mate.
253Familyhistorian
I hope you are healing well from your fall, Paul. Unfortunately, the flesh heals faster than the psyche.
254PaulCranswick
>251 Kristelh: Yes indeed, Kristel, I am also realising that I need to be a little bit more careful.
>252 johnsimpson: Thanks John. It is healing well enough I suppose but still a bit bruised. Hani has decided that the two of us are going to start Tai Chi in an effort to get fit.
Michael Carrick has surely done enough to land the Man Utd job permanently and he seems to get the job completely. I am quite proud of the performances of my Leeds United boys this season as we have only really been humbled by Arsenal.
The test selectors have finally dispensed with Zak Crawley who has had more lives than Magical Mister Mestophelese. Gay and Rew were predictable additions but we still don't have a clue when it comes to spinners. I don't see how Bashir has justified selection in front of Patterson White, Crane or Carson. Young Baker is undoubtedly quick but will he take wickets - perhaps we should try and see. I would play Rew and Smith and make Bethell sit it out since he puts more priority on his wallet than on his country.
My XI for Lords:
Duckett, Gay, Rew, Root, Brook, Smith, Stokes, Ahmed, Robinson, Tongue, Baker
>252 johnsimpson: Thanks John. It is healing well enough I suppose but still a bit bruised. Hani has decided that the two of us are going to start Tai Chi in an effort to get fit.
Michael Carrick has surely done enough to land the Man Utd job permanently and he seems to get the job completely. I am quite proud of the performances of my Leeds United boys this season as we have only really been humbled by Arsenal.
The test selectors have finally dispensed with Zak Crawley who has had more lives than Magical Mister Mestophelese. Gay and Rew were predictable additions but we still don't have a clue when it comes to spinners. I don't see how Bashir has justified selection in front of Patterson White, Crane or Carson. Young Baker is undoubtedly quick but will he take wickets - perhaps we should try and see. I would play Rew and Smith and make Bethell sit it out since he puts more priority on his wallet than on his country.
My XI for Lords:
Duckett, Gay, Rew, Root, Brook, Smith, Stokes, Ahmed, Robinson, Tongue, Baker
255PaulCranswick
>253 Familyhistorian: That is quite perceptive, Meg. I do think that it wasn't the fall itself that caused too much physical damage (although my leg is a bit tender) but it was how I struggled to get up from it.
256PaulCranswick
Friday Lunchtime Additions
108. Tortoise by Candlelight by Nina Bawden
109. Operation Heartbreak by Duff Cooper
110. Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson
A Mermaid Collection novel by Bawden, a lost classic by Cooper and a well regarded modern family saga by Wilkerson.
108. Tortoise by Candlelight by Nina Bawden
109. Operation Heartbreak by Duff Cooper
110. Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson
A Mermaid Collection novel by Bawden, a lost classic by Cooper and a well regarded modern family saga by Wilkerson.
257TSSTxym
>254 PaulCranswick: Tai Chi is wonderful...when I was young and lithe I did that rather than Meditate. I'm glad your'e improving but, yes, watch where you put your feet!
>256 PaulCranswick: I know the name Nina Bawden but haven't read anything of hers
>256 PaulCranswick: I know the name Nina Bawden but haven't read anything of hers
258PaulCranswick
>257 TSSTxym: Just starting it so let's see how beneficial it will be.
I read and really enjoyed Carrie's War by Bawden a number of years ago but she is terribly difficult to find in bookstores these days.
I read and really enjoyed Carrie's War by Bawden a number of years ago but she is terribly difficult to find in bookstores these days.
259TSSTxym
>258 PaulCranswick: Okay....good on you..T
260PaulCranswick
>259 TSSTxym: Thanks for the support Tiss!
261ArlieS
>219 PaulCranswick: Ouch! I'm playing catch-up on threads again and only just read this, so expressing my sympathy, even though you are hopefully entirely recovered by now.
>233 PaulCranswick: Don't they just? Growing older is absolutely not for the faint of heart.
>233 PaulCranswick: Don't they just? Growing older is absolutely not for the faint of heart.
262PaulCranswick
>261 ArlieS: Thanks Arlie. The gash on my shin (all across it actually) is healing slowly but it is healing. Bruising almost disappeared.
This topic was continued by Paul C's Roads Less Travelled in 2026 - 10.
