Category: Books

Graham Greene’s ‘The Quiet American’-spare, economic writing and deep cynicism

I’m listening to Graham Greene’s ‘The Quiet American’ at the moment. It is only a short book-less than ten hours I think-but it packs a lot in with a spare, economic, clipped style of writing. I have read ‘Brighton Rock’ and ‘The End of the Affair’ and Greene appears to have a particular, unique style.… Continue reading Graham Greene’s ‘The Quiet American’-spare, economic writing and deep cynicism

Charles Bukowski-a gateway drug back to poetry

I came across Charles Bukowski for the first time on YouTube, I think. Short videos, most less than two minutes long, with haunting music behind a narration of one of his poems. Bukowski came to the United States from Germany with his family when he was a child. He had a rough childhood with a… Continue reading Charles Bukowski-a gateway drug back to poetry

Persisting with “Anna Karenina”, and I will miss it when completed

I am still listening to “Anna Karenina” and will probably miss it when I have finished. It has gone on, in my ears, in my daily life for what seems months now. This is not, note, a book that could be described as a ‘page turner’. I put my wife onto it, and she also… Continue reading Persisting with “Anna Karenina”, and I will miss it when completed

My simple, unceasing daily pleasure

One of the greatest pleasures I experience daily is the pleasure I gain from reading books, especially classic novels. I read plenty of other material, too, including non-fiction, news, reports of legal cases, etc. But the simplest, best value ongoing, unceasing pleasure is from listening to and reading novels, especially those considered to be ‘classics’.… Continue reading My simple, unceasing daily pleasure

Reading Tolstoy-an antidote to the simplicity and brevity required in online writing 

I am overdosing on Leo Tolstoy at the moment. I am reading “War and Peace” and listening to “Anna Karenina”. I am thoroughly enjoying both books, notwithstanding that I have read both previously. Tolstoy’s writing is so beautiful, clear, accessible, and subtle that his books, like most classic novels, are worth returning to again and… Continue reading Reading Tolstoy-an antidote to the simplicity and brevity required in online writing 

It took 26 uploads but was still time well spent

I spent most of yesterday (Sunday) morning uploading audio files to the ACX.com platform. The files were the audio version of a little book of mine called “How to Carry Out a Disciplinary Procedure in the Workplace” which I had recorded in about twenty minutes on my lunch break on Friday. Each file I uploaded… Continue reading It took 26 uploads but was still time well spent

An overlooked and undervalued benefit of reading old books

One of the pleasures of reading books that are described as ‘classic’ is the reintroduction of words that have fallen out of common, everyday use. I am reading “The End of the Affair” by Graham Greene at the moment and the writing is beautiful in a particularly British voice. Little words like ‘odd’ and ‘queer’… Continue reading An overlooked and undervalued benefit of reading old books

Online courses on the Teachable platform-a throwaway remark prompts a change of direction

I watched a video yesterday from one of the few persons I hold in high regard and trust when it comes to online/digital marketing: Ian Brodie. It was part of a series of videos he has done about creating and selling your own online course, regardless of what industry you are in. Ian’s content is… Continue reading Online courses on the Teachable platform-a throwaway remark prompts a change of direction

A Rage in Harlem audiobook-if you have never listened to an audiobook, listen to this

I am just finishing up an audiobook narrated by Samuel L. Jackson and I would recommend it highly. Not only is it superbly well narrated by Jackson it is beautifully written by a man who spent over 7 years in prison for armed robbery. The characters in the novel are predominately ‘coloured’ and it is… Continue reading A Rage in Harlem audiobook-if you have never listened to an audiobook, listen to this