Further to my earlier post on this subject.
Following ‘s comment, I followed up my email to my MP with similar emails to my MEPs, also using http://www.writetothem.com/.
Tag: books
I recently enjoyed the movie Limitless, on DVD, which led me to the Alan Glynn novel it was based on, “The Dark Fields”.
I usually find that by watching a movie first, when I get around to the novel it yields even more plot detail, and I can enjoy the story all over again. In this case, the film differed from the novel in a few important points, and I actually preferred the film to the novel.
I’ve been flicking through the Science Fiction in Amazon’s Kindle Summer Sale. With many books reduced to 99p, it had to be worth a look.
Fortunately, even at that price, I had the sense to read samples first, and a lot of stuff got rejected before the end of the first chapter.
I’ve been making good use of my Kindle since I got it, in particularly reading successive Dresden Files novels.
I think Amazon should actually give this device away – it makes it so easy to buy another book.
While in the States, I was introduced to a TV series called The Dresden Files – I saw the first episode, which amused me enough that I bought the series on DVD when I got home, and it is on my to-watch pile.
In the meantime, I tried the original novels, by Jim Butcher, and I am hooked. I’ve just finished the fifth book in the series, and am about to start number six. There are 13 so far, so I still have a way to go. I intend to take a break after number six, partly because I have other stuff to read, but also because these are nice light reading, so I want to save a few for when I need that kind of book.
Back in January, I wrote that I had been thinking of getting a Kindle, but had been put off by the relative prices of ebooks to paperbacks.
A couple of things have happened since then to give me a new view on things.
Actually, the subject line only really works if you are Jonathon Ross.
Anyway, I didn’t mention in my earlier post that my book-buying started in Waterstones. I came across it in the hour before we had lunch, and I thought I would see what their SF shelves were like.
I was saying to someone on Tuesday that although I am reading a lot at the moment, it is mostly crime and thrillers, and almost no science fiction. In fact the only book I have read recently close to that genre was Stephen King’s Under The Dome, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
But while saying that my sf reading was way down, I had no idea why it was. It was definitely not a conscious decision *not* to read sf. I wonder if, in part, it is because there have been several decent SF shows on TV in the last couple of years, so I was getting my fix that way.
Last year, I was so impressed with the movie Shutter Island that I bought the original novel, which is how I discovered Dennis Lehane.
I have just finished The Given Day, and although I have been lax about posting about books lately, I enjoyed it so much that I just had to share.
For some time, I have been looking at the Kindle, and wondering if I would get on with it. Packing away my books last year, many of which I knew would never be re-read, made this even more relevent.
A little while back, I actually downloaded the kindle software for my HTC Desire. While knowing it won’t be the same experience as a proper Kindle, I was surprised how easy it was to read on the Desire. Not wishing to buy yet another gadget I would get no real use out of, I thought I would see if I made use of the Desire at all, by downloading a few free books.
The first Booker Prize winner I ever tried to read was Hotel du Lac by Anita Brookner. I didn’t get on with it, and although it is a very short book, I believe I didn’t even bother to finish it. Since then, I have read a few of the winners, and a few of the short-listed, picking books that I think I would like. Many times, I have been right, and as a result, authors like Roddy Doyle, Ian McEwan and Pat Barker found their way onto my shelves.
I am currently half way through Wolf Hall, and I am so pleased I bought it – every page is a delight. Retelling the story surrounding Henry VIII and his desire to marry Anne Boleyn, and the political and church intrigue that results; our hero is Thomas Cromwell, whose nemesis is Thomas More, opponent to Reformation and persecutor of heretics.
In contrast with my previous post, on finishing Goldfinger, I picked up this book – The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind, and read it cover to cover in two days. It tells the story of William Kamkwamba, from Malawi, and how he built – from scrap and spare parts – a working wind turbine for his family. The story takes him from his childhood, helping his father grow maize and tobacco, through his desire to learn and understand how things work, despite having to leave school due to the fees required, to the genesis of his first windmill, ending with him travelling throughout Africa (and the world) to speak on bringing technology to emerging countries.
Written with author Bryan Mealer, the book nevertheless captures William Kamkwamba’s voice, and is a great read.