Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Books

I wonder why it takes me so long to read a book while others( Jan ) can run through large tomes in a matter of days. She reads good books and some trash. I must select my reading so as not to waste my valuable reading time with inferior works.
Part of my problem may be caused by a tendency to fall asleep after reading about 20 minutes. Even so I have read several outstanding books lately.
Water for Elephants - It is called fiction but reads like maybe it really happened
A Short History of Almost Everything - Unbelievably fascinating.
Six Frigates - Early US naval history. Wonderful
Naturally, I have forgotten the author's names.

4 comments:

Sonya said...

what is a short history of almost everything about?

Sonya said...

by the way read my blog everyone!!

Holly said...

We used to have a saying at the library that went something like, "there are no bad books, only lazy readers." Which, of course, is baloney, but just like there is a lid for every pot, there is a book for every reader. Water for Elephants was written by a local (to us in No. Illinois) woman. Short History is by Bill Bryson. His work is always good. Might I recommend A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. He is the author of The Kite Runner. Very well writen and timely, as well. Tom just read a Philip Pullman trilogy, His Dark Materials, which he said was very good, despite the fact that the intended audience is young adults.

El Ruco said...

Dear Rummy,

I would guess that Six Frigates: The Epic History of the Founding of the U.S. Navy by Ian W. Toll is the book to which you refer. On your recommendation I shall certainly order it and I’m sure enjoy it. I was not aware of your Naval attraction. Please give The Command of the Ocean a naval history of Britain, 1646 – 1815 by N.A.M. Rodger a try. It’s fascinating how GB finally “ruled the waves” which indeed it did. And for naval historical novels (which read a bit faster than pure history) I’ve found the series of Patrick O’Brian novels irresistible. And through them to travel vicariously around the world at the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th century is fascinating.

Abrazos,

El Ruco