What book are you reading atm?? CHAPTER TWO

Gabriel’s Moon by William Boyd

Spy novel set in the 60s.

A star called Henry by Roddy Doyle. First book of Doyle’s I read and was impressed. A welcome antidote to my previous read Crime and Punishment which was one of the worst written books I’ve ever had the misery of getting through.

Vietnam: An Epic History of a Tragic War by Max Hastings

I am well read on European wars but not so much outside of our continent, so I decided to give this a go to educate myself on the war in Vietnam. It is very well written and Hastings doesn't take sides on who was right or wrong but just recounts the facts in a non judgemental and informative manner.

Just finished the Silo trilogy a great idea and all books are very different in narrative and pace. Book one is probably the best a lot of action, book two Shift is backstory and my least favourite.

Book 3 Dust is good alot more characters involved and closes things out. I think the best approach is to read one after the other especially between Shift & Dust, I left a bit of time between these and had forgotten lots.

Might go for Hilary Mantel,s A Place of Greater Safety next but have also started A History of the World in 47 Borders.

Just finished 'Japanese Destroyer Captain ' by Tameichi Hara. The most successful Japanese destroyer commander of WW2. He wrote the manual for destroyer torpedo running for the Japanese Navy and he survived over 100 sorties/ battles in the Pacific. He was regarded by his own crews as being a just commander who was fair and disciplined and who also lived by his grandfather's Samurai code.

At the same time he was not afraid to give praise to US naval commanders and crews whilst simultaneously he was more than critical not just of himself but also the Japanese governmental and military leadership who he believed utilised Japanese crews and ships incorrectly.

I've an interest in naval history and it was a nice change to see this side of the coin in contrast to US/UK naval battles and ships.

Waiting for Sunrise by William Boyd

First world war drama set in Freuds Vienna initially.

On a William Boyd binge at the moment having just discovered him.

Crypt: Life, Death and Disease in the Middle Ages and Beyond, by Alice Roberts

Final instalment of a trilogy of “osteobiography” – biography “written in bone”. Shows how modern archaeology can bring hidden histories to life and is really as much a story about archaeological research techniques as it is about the Middle Ages. 

Found it pretty hard going when she she gets into the weeds of the science stuff but worth it for the fresh light it throws on familiar subjects like Thomas Becket and the Mary Rose. Ultimately goes deeper than most 'history' books…

I have often thought about getting her books, I do enjoy her tv work, but was worried that it might be to scientific to enjoy.

Any Human Heart by William Boyd.

Written as a diary , with the story beginning as a small boy in Uruguay just before the first world war.

Final Betrayal by Patricia Gibney

Book 6 in the Detective Lottie Parker series. Young women are being murdered in twos in Dublin, which appears to be related to an old b&e case from 10 years back.

The Library: A Fragile History by Andrew Pettegree and Arthur der Weduwen

Sweeping history of the library to the present day. Very readable and full of fascinating little digressions.

Subtitle is certainly on the money. Upheavals like the Reformation, French Revolution and worst of all WW2 were so devastating for books it's almost a miracle there's anything older than a couple of centuries surviving.

That is a very similar experience to my reading of all the Dan Brown's, they are great.

I just finished A Connemara journey by Hilary Bradt. Really enjoyed it. Was actually disappointed to finish it. 10/10

The book thief is a great novel one of my favorites, a very enjoyable and moving story and very easy to read, It just flows brilliantly, there is a bit of everything to it and even quite humorous despite it being about the Holocaust.

I was surprised when I found out it was a young adult book aswell , however you could say that Young Adult Literature is basically the equivalent of a PG or 12 rated movie which are movies that basically anyone can enjoy.