Reading as a cheap hobby

Savvy_Sue

annieb64 said:

Have just finished The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker. It's about the Trojan War from the women's view. Quite violent in places but kept me up until after midnight to finish it. I've got part two from Libby so hope it's as good as the first

elsien said:

Second book I liked. Third one didn’t do it for me. If you like this, then you might also like A thousand ships by Natalie Haynes. 

From a woman’s perspective, but all of the women involved including mythical goddesses, et cetera. A different take, but just as good to read. 

Same for me.

I must look out for Natalie Haynes. Love her Radio 4 appearances, she is SO funny!

elsien

I’ve got tickets to go and see her latest show next week. I think it’s about her most recent book, which is about Medea and Jason and the Argonauts.
I’m slowly working my way through standing up for the classics on radio four. 🙂

Brie

Natalie Haynes is excellent. 

My OH (& me by association) gets really annoyed at the comedy that is inserted into a lot of scientific or historical programmes.  Generally they seem to be hosted by somebody that is supposedly funny (but isn't really) asking inane questions of some expert.  There also is often a comedian sidekick whose attempts at humour are cringe making.  OH ends up shouting "why can't they just make an informative programme instead of this $£"%£$?" 

Fortunately Stands up for the Classics is an great example of how informed comedy can work.  Shame there aren't more programmes like it.  

Savvy_Sue

I know it's not comedy, but that's where I'm really going to miss Melvyn Bragg on In Our Time. He ALWAYS had experts, and ALWAYS had at least one woman, usually two, where other programmes seemed to struggle to find any. But that's a bit Off Topic so I shall return to 

Alexander McCall Smith and his 44 Scotland Street series - we've just finished Bertie-relevant chapters in The Bertie Project at my Shared Reading Group. I've read the first few in sequence, and I'm sure I have but can't find the next 'early' one. I have, however, found the one after The Bertie Project, and I shall probably hit that next because I really do want to know that his dreadful mother gets her comeuppance ... although I shall have to go back to the early ones because the fate of the family car is obviously of interest!

Oh dear, I have far too many books ...

HouseMartin567

Does anyone have any autobiography or non-fiction recommendations? I normally stick to music and sport (so recommendations in those subject areas are appreciated), however I recently read Jacinda Arden’s memoir which I really enjoyed despite it not being my normal subject matter, so I’m considering branching out more in future!

In terms of music and sport, I don’t necessarily need to be interested in genre to enjoy the book - as long as the person is interesting. Therefore I’m thinking the same might apply to other subject matters!

Saying that, I just tried Bill Bryson’s ‘A Short History of Nearly Everything’ and I couldn’t get on with it at all so perhaps Science isn’t my thing……

London_1

Have you read Bill Bryson's book

' Notes from a Small Island'
Funniest book I've read about the UK, and its his perspective of the UK, and should be read in every school

I've read it twice and enjoyed it so much

JackieO xx

Brie

London_1 said:

Have you read Bill Bryson's book

' Notes from a Small Island'
Funniest book I've read about the UK, and its his perspective of the UK, and should be read in every school

I've read it twice and enjoyed it so much

JackieO xx

That's how I first came across Bryson.  When "Notes" first came out it was featured in a Sunday paper magazine with an extract about Studland Beach near us.  Needless to say he had much to say about a bunch of undressed crinklies laying about in the sunshine.

HouseMartin567

Right, you’ve persuaded me to give Bill another go, but this time heading for Geography rather than Science.

Obviously a popular book because all 12 copies within my library group are out on loan but I’ve put in a reservation request. I will report back in due course.

Floss

You're likely to pick up a copy in a charity shop for £1-ish.

weenancyinAmerica

His book At Home is fascinating also.