I have started listening to a book called “Rubicon” which describes the triumph and tragedy of the first Roman republic. And next on my list is a book called “The Making of the Modern Middle East”. I never had a great interest in history and did not listen to many (or any) history books. But… Continue reading Reading history books to understand
Category: Books
Average or below average book review marks on Amazon
Getting good reviews on Amazon can make or break the sales of your book. The average of the reviews, which can range from 0 to 5, is something I always check myself before buying. My book “The Art of Marketing Your Services Business Online: How to Get New Clients With a Proven, Inexpensive 5 Part… Continue reading Average or below average book review marks on Amazon
“The Lord of the Rings”-a major disappointment
I have been making my way through a long list of so-called classic books over the last 5 years or so. I have read so many of them that I have read nearly all on a list of 100 greatest classic books. One book I had not read, and which appears on virtually any list… Continue reading “The Lord of the Rings”-a major disappointment
Cormac McCarthy’s Border Trilogy
I am on the third book of the series of books by Cormac McCarthy known as “the Border Trilogy”. The first book was “All the pretty horses”, the second was “the Crossing” and the final book in the trilogy is “Cities of the Plain”. I had previsuly read a book of McCarthy’s, the name of… Continue reading Cormac McCarthy’s Border Trilogy
2 books which have disappointed me
I have recently read two books which have received tremendous critical and popular acclaim. Great reviews from the critics, and a great deal of 4 and 5 star reviews from readers. I was disappointed with both, however, and wonder how they were given such acclaim from such reputable publications as The Economist and Time magazine,… Continue reading 2 books which have disappointed me
Sherwood Anderson and Winesburg, Ohio
The first time I read Sherwood Anderson’s book of short stories-“Winesburg, Ohio”-I wondered what all the fuss was about. I am reading it now for the second time, have a completely different view and am enjoying it thoroughly. Perhaps it is an antidote to some of the pretentious waffle I have read recently. But when… Continue reading Sherwood Anderson and Winesburg, Ohio
What I’m reading at the moment
I bought my first Joseph O’Connor novel at the weekend-Star of the Sea-and am enjoying it so far, although I have only just started reading it. I came across is whilst surfing on Amazon for my next Kindle read and it has a tremendous number of good reviews and has sold in massive quantities. If… Continue reading What I’m reading at the moment
Anthony Trollope’s writing-a secret pleasure
It’s probably a sign of advancing years when you have a secret pleasure such as the novels of Anthony Trollope. I got a freebie recently from Audible, a novel by Trollope called “The Last Chronicle of Barset”. And I am enjoying it thoroughly. If you like the English language and appreciate sparkling, observant, witty writing… Continue reading Anthony Trollope’s writing-a secret pleasure
Georges Simenon’s notebooks circa 1960
The book I am reading/listening to at the moment, “When I was old” by Georges Simenon, is interesting insofar as it is based on private notebooks that Simenon wrote in 1960, 1961 and were never intended for public consumption. He tells us the primary purpose was to write them for his children. It also gave… Continue reading Georges Simenon’s notebooks circa 1960
Writing for writing’s sake
I am reading “When I was old” by Georges Simenon at the moment. When Simenon was 57 he began, for two or three years, to write in notebooks. He shared his private thoughts about life, his observations, writing, being a novelist, how he wrote his books, and similar things. But most of all he was… Continue reading Writing for writing’s sake