What are you reading now?

[Jonathan]

I've decided that I've read enough murder mysteries for the moment so starting Jodi Taylor's first book in The Chronicles of St. Marys - "Just one damned thing after another".

[Master Jacques]

R. C. Hutchinson's Elephant and Castle.

1949. Rich, complex and panoramic novel set in the working class south of the river. Third reading. As absorbing and pleasurable as ever.

[richardfinegold]

Glitz by Elmore Leonard

[johncorrigan]

'The Wager: a tale of shipwreck, mutiny and murder' by David Grann

[Lordgeous]

A fascinating autobiography by flautist Richard Adeney called "Flute". Lots of uninhibited personal observations on conductors, composers and fellow musicians he knew. Had to read the whole book in one go!

[richardfinegold]

I am rereading Huck Finn as a prelude to begin the Novel James

[french frank]

This afternoon my Christmas favourite - Travels with a Donkey.

[Pulcinella]

The Quarry, by Damon Galgut.

Let us know how you get on with James, Richard.
I've mentioned earlier that I just couldn't get on with the conceit that Jim had all the eloquent (and pretentious) language that he speaks at his disposal.

[groovydavidii]

"Rough Ideas" Stephen Hough – '(Reflections on Music and More)' – interesting, insightful, informative, in all, a very good read. (library book).

[smittims]

Stephen Hough is one of a few musicians who can write readably and intelligently on many topics ; Susan Tomes is another. I recommend her 'Sleeping in Temples' about the value of classical music. I think it should be on the compulsory school curriculum.

[MickyD]

'He knew he was right' by Anthony Trollope. I just love the engaging way he tells a story; two chapters is perfect bedtime reading for me before I turn off the light.

[Ian Thumwood]

'The Wager: a tale of shipwreck, mutiny and murder' by David Grann

I read this book a year ago and could not put it down. However, i felt that there were a lot of bits in the story that Grann did not explore. There were so many remarkable components with the different factions of the crew that are glossed over. It is absolutely fascinating but i could not help wondering if british historian would have covered this in more detail.

Before this i read an account of Magellan by a respected Spanish historian and it was turgid in thr extreme. You had to have known the source material.beforehand to have unserstood it. Usually i devour books about exploration but this effort was wretched. The opppsite to The Wager which was a page turner.

Currently reading Mary Beard's opinionated Emperor of Rome which is another difficult book to put down. Loving her fiesty views as much as the history. I would recommend her original approach to this topic.

[smittims]

'Another difficult book to put down'.

I find Mary Beard's books difficult to pick up!

[french frank]

'Another difficult book to put down'.

I find Mary Beard's books difficult to pick up!

Try Theodor Mommsen's History of Rome, then. There's an abridged 1-volume edition.

[Pulcinella]

Try Theodor Mommsen's History of Rome, then. There's an abridged 1-volume edition.

There's an even shorter version: Veni, vidi, vici.
Until it all collapsed, of course.