Atwood is writing a sequel to The Handmaid's Tale. Hopefully ambiguous endings are left ambiguous.
Books The BOOK thread
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik @Rood and Imran @Annihilate Now! start with the good news by celebrating Manchester United Women's emphatic FA Cup win over Spurs at Wembley and the future of manager Marc Skinner.
Then it's the bad news and the ever worsening form of our Men with losses to Arsenal and Palace.
Finally the main debate - ETH Out now or keep him until the end of the season - if not longer. Are you Team Nik or Team Imran?
I've decided to take part in next year's Popsugar Challenge. Here is a link to the list for those interested.
VorZakone
What would Kenny G do?
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Anyone read 'Bad Blood', the book on Theranos?
Recommend me some good murder mystery books?
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A Season In Purgatory by Dominick Dunne.
Freak
Born a freak always a freak.
Just finished "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck". It's a really good self-improvement book that's in your face and funny at times.
Three Pines series by Louise Penny. Rebus series by Ian Rankin. Craig Johnson - Walt Longmire series. Inspector Ian Rutledge series by Charles Todd. Carol O'Connell - Kathleen Mallory series. Laura Joh Rowland - Sano Ichiro series. The alphabetical book series by Sue Grafton.Recommend me some good murder mystery books?
Chairman Woodie
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Dario Fernandez-Morera The Myth of Andalusian Paradise: Muslims, Christians, and Jews under Islamic Rule in Medieval Spain
There is a widely held view that during the European Middle Ages, Islam, Christianity and Judaism peacefully co-existed in Islamic Spain.
This view can be traced back to Edward Gibbon who wrote of the tenth century Umayyad Caliphate, in glowing terms, as a beacon of enlightenment during a time of bigotry and ignorance in Europe. The idea of a tolerant Islamic Spain remains the subject of books even today. Marcia Rosa Menocal's The Ornament of the World (2002) and David Levering Lewis's God's Crucible (2008) are two such examples.
In The Myth of Andalusian Paradise Dario Fernandez-Morera aims to refute the widely held view about Islamic Spain. He posits that Islam was not superior to medieval european culture; that Islam was not the means through which classical Greek learning was preserved. And this is only the beginning.
The real crux of Fernandez-Morera's critique is that Islamic Spain was characterised by plunder, domination, the imposition of strict Sharia law, the persecution of Jews (Ch. 6) and Christians (Ch. 7), and the violent surpression of apostasy in the Islamic community (pp. 98-104). It was no better for women (Ch. 5), who were subjected to circumcision (pp. 140-3), stoning (143-6), veiling (pp. 147-153), and sexual slavery (pp. 158-168).
Fernandez-Morera makes use of neglected primary sources including medieval Christian, Muslim, and Jewish chronicles; literary works; religious and legal text; and biographies. (p. 11)
There is a widely held view that during the European Middle Ages, Islam, Christianity and Judaism peacefully co-existed in Islamic Spain.
This view can be traced back to Edward Gibbon who wrote of the tenth century Umayyad Caliphate, in glowing terms, as a beacon of enlightenment during a time of bigotry and ignorance in Europe. The idea of a tolerant Islamic Spain remains the subject of books even today. Marcia Rosa Menocal's The Ornament of the World (2002) and David Levering Lewis's God's Crucible (2008) are two such examples.
In The Myth of Andalusian Paradise Dario Fernandez-Morera aims to refute the widely held view about Islamic Spain. He posits that Islam was not superior to medieval european culture; that Islam was not the means through which classical Greek learning was preserved. And this is only the beginning.
The real crux of Fernandez-Morera's critique is that Islamic Spain was characterised by plunder, domination, the imposition of strict Sharia law, the persecution of Jews (Ch. 6) and Christians (Ch. 7), and the violent surpression of apostasy in the Islamic community (pp. 98-104). It was no better for women (Ch. 5), who were subjected to circumcision (pp. 140-3), stoning (143-6), veiling (pp. 147-153), and sexual slavery (pp. 158-168).
Fernandez-Morera makes use of neglected primary sources including medieval Christian, Muslim, and Jewish chronicles; literary works; religious and legal text; and biographies. (p. 11)
LuisNaniencia
Sky Sports called my bluff
Poor form from Stephen King (and/or his publishers). His latest book "Elevation", on sale for £7.49 is just a 132 page long novella. I'd have been fuming if I'd have bought it.
Stick
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I read Homo Deus and didnt think much of it.
Not surprised. But I'll still read Sapiens for my yearly challenge.I read Homo Deus and didnt think much of it.
BD
technologically challenged barbie doll
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Did you read Sapiens before? I quite liked Sapiens, but wasn't mad on Homo Deus. I found it went over similar points, but not as well at times.I read Homo Deus and didnt think much of it.
Stick
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Yes I read Sapiens and really enjoyed it up to the last chapter and that led into Homo Deus. Like you said he rehashed a lot of the information from Sapiens and then deduced a lot of possible futures. It wasnt great.Did you read Sapiens before? I quite liked Sapiens, but wasn't mad on Homo Deus. I found it went over similar points, but not as well at times.
Stick
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Definitely worth the read. Sapiens is excellent up to the last chapter for me.Did you read Sapiens before? I quite liked Sapiens, but wasn't mad on Homo Deus. I found it went over similar points, but not as well at times.
VorZakone
What would Kenny G do?
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Didn't think much of that book to be honest. I lost attention midway.Just finished "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck". It's a really good self-improvement book that's in your face and funny at times.
Quite slow pace, for which I'm very surprised. Expected more.I'm reading The Sins Of The Wolf, an Anne Perry book. Slow start, picking up pace now.
These are a few I've read over the last few weeks.
Mythos - Stephen Fry
A retelling of the Greek Myths. Really enjoyed this. Such an easy read. Who knew Zeus was such a man-whore. If you enjoy mythology you'll enjoy this. 8/10.
One of us is Lying - Karen McManus
Her first novel and it's a good one. Nothing spectacular, just an easy and enjoyable read. I did have the twist figured out before it was told, mind. 7/10.
Gone Girl - Gillian Flynn
Loved this book. Will definitely pick up her other books at some point. Compelling reading and the relationship between Nick and Amy was brilliantly told, I thought. 9/10.
A Tap on the Window - Linwood Barclay
Wasn't overly impressed. Bit of a slow burner, picked up for the last third of the book, but sort of instantly forgettable. 6/10.
Starting The Chalk Man next, my mate is raving about it. Sounds interesting enough.
Mythos - Stephen Fry
A retelling of the Greek Myths. Really enjoyed this. Such an easy read. Who knew Zeus was such a man-whore. If you enjoy mythology you'll enjoy this. 8/10.
One of us is Lying - Karen McManus
Her first novel and it's a good one. Nothing spectacular, just an easy and enjoyable read. I did have the twist figured out before it was told, mind. 7/10.
Gone Girl - Gillian Flynn
Loved this book. Will definitely pick up her other books at some point. Compelling reading and the relationship between Nick and Amy was brilliantly told, I thought. 9/10.
A Tap on the Window - Linwood Barclay
Wasn't overly impressed. Bit of a slow burner, picked up for the last third of the book, but sort of instantly forgettable. 6/10.
Starting The Chalk Man next, my mate is raving about it. Sounds interesting enough.
BD
technologically challenged barbie doll
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How often do you (or how long does it take for you to) give up on a book?
The Cat
Will drink milk from your hands
Got my brother the Peter Crouch book for Christmas. I will be borrowing that when he's finished.
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Only one book I can remember giving up on after reading a considerable amount - Orhan Pamuk’s Snow. Read about 2/3s of it before deciding I hated it. There’s a couple of others I’ve started with a chapter or two and stopped - The Magic Mountain and The God of Small Things. I mean to get back to them and give them a fair go.How often do you (or how long does it take for you to) give up on a book?
Stick
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I rarely do but there are some exceptions. Ulysses by Joyce was one I actually just couldn't follow after about 100 pages. I also gave up on PS I Love You. It was just too much..........How often do you (or how long does it take for you to) give up on a book?
celia
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It depends. If it is a classic or a really popular book, I will try harder to go on (and even finish it even if most of the time I wish I didn't). I probably try to read 10% or 80-100 pages, except if the book annoys me too much or completely lacks any originality.How often do you (or how long does it take for you to) give up on a book?
I saw other people say to give up after the first page or first chapter if you don't like it but since I am rarely convinced with the first chapter, I wouldn't read a lot of books that way.
My not-updated Goodreads lists say I give up 7% of the books I start.
If I'm reading and I start to feel depressed, that's when I stop reading. Bad books always depress me.How often do you (or how long does it take for you to) give up on a book?
http://uhlangapress.co.za/stuart-payne-voices-from-another-room
https://stuartpaynepoetry.wordpress.com/
Bloody good potery this. poetry. pottery. Oh, lower the the pissing winch.
https://stuartpaynepoetry.wordpress.com/
Bloody good potery this. poetry. pottery. Oh, lower the the pissing winch.
Nickosaur
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Is this you?http://uhlangapress.co.za/stuart-payne-voices-from-another-room
https://stuartpaynepoetry.wordpress.com/
Bloody good potery this. poetry. pottery. Oh, lower the the pissing winch.
Yes.Is this you?
celia
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You are aware of the reviews of Throne of Glass?
Granted I knew about them but still read it.
Reached 4/7 of Tigana, it is a pleasant reading but the sex scenes felt quite gratuitous. Probably going to read the Wicked Deep after because it is only 200 pages long and it is supposed to have a TV or movie adaptation then Circe because it is only 300 pages long and is the Goodreads fantasy book of 2018.
Then maybe maybe I will start The Tawny Man Trilogy.
Granted I knew about them but still read it.
Reached 4/7 of Tigana, it is a pleasant reading but the sex scenes felt quite gratuitous. Probably going to read the Wicked Deep after because it is only 200 pages long and it is supposed to have a TV or movie adaptation then Circe because it is only 300 pages long and is the Goodreads fantasy book of 2018.
Then maybe maybe I will start The Tawny Man Trilogy.
I've got some idea the book is divisive. I hope to finish it. If it's culturally cruel or absurd, I can still see myself finishing it.You are aware of the reviews of Throne of Glass?
Granted I knew about them but still read it.
Pablo76
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Are Lee Childs Jack Reacher novels still good?
I read them all when they were first released and used to love them, finished them so quickly I just couldn’t put them down.
Haven’t read one in a few years but I got his latest 2 for Christmas, I’m just not feeling the urge though.
Also my friend highly recommended John Grishams the magic cottage, neither of us having ever read a book of his before. Any good?
I read them all when they were first released and used to love them, finished them so quickly I just couldn’t put them down.
Haven’t read one in a few years but I got his latest 2 for Christmas, I’m just not feeling the urge though.
Also my friend highly recommended John Grishams the magic cottage, neither of us having ever read a book of his before. Any good?
SwansonsTache
incontinent sexual deviant & German sausage lover
Fell off a cliff a few years ago, I think they are nothing more than mediocre now.Are Lee Childs Jack Reacher novels still good?
I read them all when they were first released and used to love them, finished them so quickly I just couldn’t put them down.
Haven’t read one in a few years but I got his latest 2 for Christmas, I’m just not feeling the urge though.
Also my friend highly recommended John Grishams the magic cottage, neither of us having ever read a book of his before. Any good?
Loved the first 5-6 or so though.
Pablo76
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Thanks for the reply.Fell off a cliff a few years ago, I think they are nothing more than mediocre now.
Loved the first 5-6 or so though.
Yeah, the first 3 or so just totally gripped me like no other book ever had, I couldn’t wait for each subsequent release.
I must have missed out on a few of his over the last 3 years or so, hoping I get the bug and pick one of these 2 up in the next few days.
I know of Grisham but I’d like a few pointers if anyone reads his stuff, thanks.
SwansonsTache
incontinent sexual deviant & German sausage lover
Read "The Firm", "Pelican Brief" and "The Last Juror", all very good.Thanks for the reply.
Yeah, the first 3 or so just totally gripped me like no other book ever had, I couldn’t wait for each subsequent release.
I must have missed out on a few of his over the last 3 years or so, hoping I get the bug and pick one of these 2 up in the next few days.
I know of Grisham but I’d like a few pointers if anyone reads his stuff, thanks.
Pablo76
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Read "The Firm", "Pelican Brief" and "The Last Juror", all very good.
My mistake, the magic cottage is by James Herbert.Read "The Firm", "Pelican Brief" and "The Last Juror", all very good.
The pelican brief was made into a movie wasn’t it?