DID WE ALL FORGET TO CARRY ON READING BOOKS?

I don't see any book thread and I know Charlie is busy gardening and scything people down so I thought I would resurrect this.

MOBY DICK? I mean Really? 500 pages of nothing and three chapters of a murderous whale. I knew it was a slog but Jesus some people are better than I.

Well I have gone back to reading about the Pegasus spy wear scandal which is ace and i am very much looking forward to getting hold of a copy of the Latest Red Rising saga; 'Lightbringer'.

Moving house and working six days a week from before dawn to way after dusk is biting hard on my energy , so when we move into our own personal Leviathan I will have a garden and a plethora of Books to peruse.

Chicago: Looking to slow down.

My boss is currently reading: A Million Ways to Stay on the Run.
The Uncut Story of the International Manhunt for Public Enemy No.1 Kenny Noye

He's interested in his story but says the book's a bit of a tough slog.

I used to be a massive reader. A speed reader who would read anything I could beg borrow or steal. Everything from all the Jeffery Archer and Andy Mcnab books to Mills and Boon books! I'd read total trash and would not put it down until I'd finished it.
Then I discovered the Internet, and I've not picked a book up since.

Joanna's boss is clearly into something dodgy and is about to do a flit.

I'm currently reading Birnam Wood (eco group gets involved with billionaire and then bad things happen, set in New Zealand). Enjoying it so far.

Recently finished Old God's Time by Sebastian Barry (great writer but although I enjoyed this, it wasn't as brilliant as several of his other novels) and The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath (excellent).

*Edited because I got the title of Barry's book wrong... and also because I forgot to mention Lessons in Chemistry which is the best book I've read in a long, long time.

I can thoroughly recommend The Outlaw Ocean by Iain Urbina.

Interesting, concerning and well written series of chapters highlighting the lawlessness of the seas.

Currently reading "The Constant Rabbit" by a local author, Jasper Fforde.

Enjoying it. Here's a summary by AI.

"The Constant Rabbit is a 2020 science fantasy novel by Jasper Fforde. It is set in a world where, fifty-five years ago, an Inexplicable Anthropomorphising Event caused a number of animals to become human-sized and intelligent. Among these animals are rabbits, who have since become a significant minority in the UK.

The novel follows the story of Peter Knox, a middle-aged man who lives in the village of Much Hemlock. When a family of rabbits moves into the house next door, Peter is initially hostile, but he soon finds himself drawn to Mrs Constance Rabbit, a kind and gentle creature. As the two of them get to know each other, Peter begins to question his own prejudices against rabbits.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom Anti-Rabbit Party (UKARP) is gaining popularity, and Peter and Constance find themselves caught up in a growing conflict between humans and rabbits. As the situation escalates, Peter must decide where his loyalties lie.

The Constant Rabbit is a funny, thought-provoking novel that explores the themes of prejudice, tolerance, and acceptance. It is a reminder that we should not judge others based on their appearance, but rather on their character.

Here are some of the key themes of the novel:

Prejudice: The novel explores the idea of prejudice and how it can lead to conflict. Peter is initially prejudiced against rabbits, but he comes to realize that they are just as capable of kindness and compassion as humans.
Acceptance: The novel also explores the idea of acceptance. Peter must learn to accept Constance and her family, even though they are different from him.
Tolerance: The novel shows that tolerance is important for a peaceful society. Peter and Constance must learn to tolerate each other's differences in order to live together in harmony.

The Constant Rabbit is a thought-provoking and entertaining novel that will stay with you long after you finish reading it."

I’m more of an Audible guy these days. I find I can listen to a book whilst working on the house, walking the dog or at work. But if I try and read a book my attention span has been fucked (probably by social media/smartphone use) that I just can’t get into it. Audible also not helping tho as I now see dedicated book time as a waste as I could be doing something else at the same time.

I am also a big fan of audio books and get through 2 or 3 a month. I like putting one on and disappearing into the country side either on foot or bike. However, what I find is I just don't remember them unlike when I read a book. The book mentioned in the post above, the constant rabbit, I listened to, I enjoyed, but till I read the AI summary I could not recall a thing about it. Even after reading the summary I can barely recall any of it.

I'm the opposite, tired audio books in car and while working etc. as a way to fit more books in. But just can't get into them in the same way as a proper read.

Audible books are like radio plays. It takes me back to to the days of listening to Radio 4.

If the book is good it stays with you a long time. Having said that I read Moby Dick which is awful but I remember everything about it because it was such a slog.

I also find reading quietly with turning pages very relaxing. Helps with stress.

Kindles kind of hurt my eyes after a bit.

Chicago: Old school.

I have got back into Audible recently, I get up about an hour before everyone else and I listen whilst doing my morning chores. They are great when it is a good narrator. I've had to return two as I found them unlistenable.

I couldn't be without my kindle, haven't read a "real" book since I got it years ago.

I really struggle with audio books, I seem to drift off from them. I have a love / hate relationship with my Kindle. I use it much more than I thought I would and having got to the point where I have loads of books and am struggling to store them all I can see the advantage, but I love proper bookshelves with proper books on them and just having them on a device seems wrong. I need to get better at only keeping the very best and most important books and ditching the rest but the hoarder in me struggles with that and in the past when I've got rid of books I've regretted it later.

Anyway, I am currently reading Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver on my Kindle, Love in Old Age by Hunter Davies borrowed from the library, Where I am Reading From by Tim Parks which I bought from my local charity bookshop, and a Folio Society edition of English Journey by J B Priestley picked up off Ebay. An eclectic mix.

I'm about 50/50 on reading 'real' books versus Kindle. But I do love browsing in bookshops - often call into Waterstones in WB before a Forest match and end up having to go back to the car to drop off whatever I've bought. Compared to a proper bookshop, the Kindle Store is absolutely useless and uninspiring (especially because it only ever recommends stuff similar to other things you've read, whereas I like looking around and buying something different).

Browsing in Bookshops is always enjoyable, Muswell Jnr (close to 16 now...) and I have a developed a new habit, whereby every new town or city we visit, we make it a priority to find an independent bookshop and buy at least one book.

it's become a really fun pastime.

Almost finished The Salt Path. The story of a couple in their 50s, one of whom has been told he's dying, who lose their home and everything else, apart from each other, and set out to walk 630 miles along the South West Coast path, mainly because they have nowhere to live and nothing better to do. Beautifully written and, as the reviews probably put it, life-affirming.

That's a lovely book and the health side of it is remarkable really. I haven't read the others by Raynor Winn yet but am told the second is disappointing whilst the third is back in full stride.

I was recommended On the Red Hill by Amazon for 99p on my Kindle and am reading it at the moment. It's a sort of queer nature memoir covering two gay couples from different generations handing down a commitment to a particular place in rural Wales and so far I'm enjoying the mix.

I am so unsophisticated as I am looking forward to reading the Red Rising Book "Lightbringer", which is out at the end of the month.

Science Fiction at it's best.

People walking around Britain currently doesn't interest me but since I am in my 50's maybe it should.

Chicago: Still stuck in fantasy land.