Reading as a cheap hobby

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.

Brambling

Brie said:

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.

I can remember pre nudist days when we went on school trips to Studland Bay to look for reptiles in the dunes as it used to have all six of the uk reptiles now days you would get a different education and see a different kind of snake!  

We used to catch the sandbanks ferry as kids with my parents to Studland or a shell Bay, mum through all ferries had chains 🙂

Wednesday2000

I went to an event at a charming local bookstore last night. Syd Moore was giving a talk and signing books. I bought two of her newest books The Grand Illusion and The Grand Deception. It was very interesting.

I have all her other books, but not this series. I read her book The Drowning Pool years ago and it was set in Leigh-on-sea, where I now live.

Blackcats

HouseMartin567 said:

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……

@HouseMartin567 - I recently read Educated by Tara Westover and found it fascinating.  It was also enlightening and a bit frustrating but overall I enjoyed it.