I am reading a historical novel at the moment, “Bring Up the Bodies”, by Hilary Mantel. It is the second book in a trilogy of books which tells the story of Thomas Cromwell, the Master of the Rolls/Secretary to Henry VIII and the narrative around Henry VIII’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, the… Continue reading A great way to understand history
Category: Books
The lesson I take from Hilary Mantel’s sparkling writing
I am reading a book at the moment, “Bring Up the Bodies”, by Hilary Mantel and the writing is superb. It is the second book in a series of three dealing with Thomas Cromwell, Henry VIII and some of his wives and is set in 1365 or thereabouts. The first book was “Wolf Hall” and… Continue reading The lesson I take from Hilary Mantel’s sparkling writing
What I am reading at the moment
I always have two books on the go at any one time: one on my Kindle, and an audiobook from Audible. I am reading John Le Carre’s first novel in the George Smiley series of books, for the second time, “Call for the Dead”. I will give the second book in the series a chance… Continue reading What I am reading at the moment
Books I am reading
I went through a binge of reading all the books on the Pulitzer Prize list in the last few weeks. It was a good way, I thought, of getting a steer for the next book I ought ot read. I came across “Empire Falls” by Richard Russo and thoroughly enjoyed it. So much, in fact,… Continue reading Books I am reading
Steinbeck’s ‘lighter’ novels
The writing of John Steinbeck strikes a chord with me. I have read almost all of what Steinbeck has written. I am reading “Tortilla Flat” at the moment, having finished “Sweet Thursday” last week. There is a significant difference between “Cannery Row”, “Sweet Thursday”, and “Tortilla Flat” from his great novels, “East of Eden” and… Continue reading Steinbeck’s ‘lighter’ novels
The genius of John Steinbeck
I am reading another John Steinbeck novel at the moment called “The Wayward Bus”. I don’t think this is a well-known book but I have recently reread Steinbeck’s master works “East of Eden” and “The Grapes of Wrath” and am running out of Steinbeck books to read. Only when I have read everything he has… Continue reading The genius of John Steinbeck
Great summer reads
If you want to read a series of great stories consider reading Robert Galbraith’s Cormoran Strike series of books. I have just finished the second one, “Silkworm”, and they are superbly crafted, intricate, well plotted stories. J.K. Rowling is Robert Galbraith, and it should not surprise that she is a superb storyteller. Cormoran Strike is… Continue reading Great summer reads
Book sales last month (and the quiet satisfaction)
I sold 30 books last month (April 2024). The breakdown was 20 Kindle/paperbacks and 10 audiobooks on Amazon’s Audible platform. It was just an average month with no sales promotions or advertising whatsoever. I must admit I get a good kick out consistent book sales, week in week out, for years now. I do not… Continue reading Book sales last month (and the quiet satisfaction)
My Kindle book sales this month (so far)
My Kindle book sales this month, up to today (16th February 2024) are surprisingly good. To date I have sold 20 books across 9 titles. I first published two Kindle books in 2014: one about employment law and one about buying a house in Ireland. I have also sold 5 audiobooks on Audible.com. All my… Continue reading My Kindle book sales this month (so far)
Books can change your view of the world
I’m reading “A history of the world” by Andrew Marr at the moment. And it has done what books are capable of doing: it has changed my view of the world. I had a consultation this week in the office in Enfield with two Chinese businesspersons and I looked at them differently and with a… Continue reading Books can change your view of the world