What are you reading?

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Suggestions for beating boredom!

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Yesterday I bought a copy of Wolf Hall (it was half the price of the new one, and I reckon I need to read them in order).

I'm sure some of us will be thinking this is a good time to tackle "Au Recherche du Temps Perdue" or "Ulysses" but perhaps there are some better suggestions for filling the hours?

So, what are forum members reading, engineering related or otherwise?

Neil

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

This s where 50 years of back issues of ME could come in handy.

[Martin ConnellyParticipant @martinconnelly55370]

Not classed as reading but I have just found Planet Knowledge in the smart tv apps. Free to view documentaries.

Martin C

[Grindstone CowboyParticipant @grindstonecowboy]

Desert God by Wilbur Smith – have read it before but just picked it up off the shelf the other day. Only realised when my wife commented on it, that I haven't read a proper paper and ink book for a few years, it's all been e-books.

Might go with Trustee from the Toolroom next by Neville Shute, a perennial favourite.

[Mick B1Participant @mickb1]

'Stalingrad' by Antony Beevor. If you think our current situation's grim, that'll set you right. 

Just started 'Wakenhyrst' by Michelle Paver. Dunno what to make of it yet, but her 'Dark Matter' was one of the scariest psychological ghost stories I've read.

I've never eaten a 'Madeleine', so I'll never get a Proustian memory of that, but there's a kind of old-building smell, like mashed potato and dust, that always takes me back to schooldays in the 50s and 60s.

Elly Griffiths writes good archaeologically-slanted detective stories. I liked 'The Crossing Places' enough to go visit the Norfolk coastal marshes, but I guess that's difficult these days.

Edited By Mick B1 on 19/03/2020 18:04:09

[Frank GorseParticipant @frankgorse]

It’s obvious that you paid more attention in Biology than French Neil!

I read Wolf Hall ages ago,just after seeing it on the telly,and have just started to read it again. I’ve already got the second book waiting,by the time I get through those the final volume will be in the charity shops.

Also highly recommend the Master and Commander novels,all 20-odd of them,they’ve been described as Jane Austen for blokes and there’s far more to them than was in the film. Should keep you occupied for a few evenings.

Frank

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

Youtube stuff

The story of Eric winkle Brown will get you off to a flying start

Edited By Ady1 on 19/03/2020 18:41:56

[martin perman 1Participant @martinperman1]

I've got Stationary Engine magazine, Olg Glory, Aeroplane, Flypast, MEW, 1950's ME, 1950's Aeroplane recognition, two books on Clock repair and maintenance and one on French Polishing for beginners, Friends of GCR Main Line magazine and in the back ground a couple of biographies.

I enjoy reading and cant just read one book/magazine at a time I have to dip into a good selection unless I have a bath and then I will read a magazine cover to cover in one soaking.

Martin P

[Cornish JackParticipant @cornishjack]

For me, reading is mainly for bedtime. Wolf Hall was quite magical – unlike any other historical novel – still got the other two to come … via the 'bay' used route as usual. Taste is, otherwise, non-fiction, particularly political biographies. Present sleep-maker is 'Events, Dear boy, Events', Ruth Winstone's fascinating collection of H of C and general political quotes.

N.B. Must be hardbacks!

rgds

Bill

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Non-fiction fun: finished 'The Maltese Falcon' (Dashiell Hammett) last night and started Ann Holt's '1222' Scandinoir this morning.

Fiction fun: picked up 4 volumes of the Proceedings of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers a few weeks ago and time-machined back to January 1895. Currently reading Professor W Cawthorn Unwin F.R.S on 'The Determination of the Dryness of Steam' – very interesting. The Proceedings also contain fascinating Obituarys (called Memoirs) for both famous and less fortunate engineers. They often died young! Poor Edward Cartwright Harvey was only 28.

Frank Gorse mentioned the Master and Commander Novels as being Jane Austin for blokes. I disagree – Patrick O'Brien is better than Jane Austin. Ms Austin wrote 'It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.' Complete rubbish, single men in possession of a good fortune want expensive tools and fast cars.

Dave

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember19781]

[This posting has been removed]

[The Novice EngineerParticipant @thenoviceengineer]

Model Engineer 1935-6

Tit bits include :-

The plight of clubs to find younger members !

The new apprenticeship opportunities in the expanding RAF

The Joy of Flash Steam hydroplanes

and

LBSC

Edited By The Novice Engineer on 19/03/2020 19:34:37

[Chris GunnParticipant @chrisgunn36534]

State of Fear by Michael Crichton

Chris Gunn

[Frank GorseParticipant @frankgorse]

Dave,(S.O.D.),

agreed,but don’t forget that Jack and Stephen very nearly fought a duel over a woman. (Diana,if memory serves.Obviously time to re-read)

[Brian HParticipant @brianh50089]

'SAS- the War Years' and, just for light reading, 'CNC Milling in the Workshop' by Dr Marcus Bowman.

And I agree entirely with Cornish Jack, MUST be hardbacks.

Anyway, what's wrong with self isolating in the workshop? you can get a lot done and it's an excellent excuse!

Brian

Edited By Brian H on 19/03/2020 19:55:30

Edited By Brian H on 19/03/2020 20:08:10

[Joseph Noci 1Participant @josephnoci1]

Terry Pratchett, Robert Rankin, Robin Hobb ( Farseer Trilogy..)

Wireless World, QEX Magazine…

Joe

[Mike PooleParticipant @mikepoole82104]

Jordan Peterson, Twelve Rules For Life

Mike

[BufferParticipant @buffer]

I have just finished Les Miserables. You certainly need to skim some of it as its not relevant to the plot. Otherwise its a brilliant story.

Also last year I really enjoyed reading all the Sharpe stories by Bernard Cornwell. They are based on the Napoleonic Wars but Mr Cornwell drops his character in to take all the glory! They can be found very cheaply on ebay or amazon.

Rich

[Roderick JenkinsParticipant @roderickjenkins93242]

Just finished rereading the O'Brien saga . The Rivers of London series by Ben Aaranovitch are good fun – police procedurals with added magic. I like the sound of Elly Griffiths, must investigate.

Rod

[Andrew TinsleyParticipant @andrewtinsley63637]

I am about a third of the way through Roger Penrose's "Road to Reality". Certainly a very interesting read. Should take me to the end of the 12 weeks of self isolation.

Andrew.

[Peter HallParticipant @peterhall61789]

Aaaah, yes…. Wolf Hall. I gave up half way through. Couldn't cope with the historical present. As I heard someone say on Radio 4 the other day, " It gets very confusing when the word 'he' refers to three characters in the same paragraph". I bought it from a charity shop and it's just gone back.

Now to the serious stuff… Mrs Hall is off in the morning to take care of her elderly mother for a few days in these trying times, so I will be self-isolating in the garage and (new experience) trying to see a project through from start to finish. My reading matter today has been :-

Workshop Practice nos 38, 27 and 17

'Building Simple Model Steam Engines' by Stan Bray

Sparey's "The Amateur's Lathe"

Cowells 90 lathe by A Smith

and Elmer's Tiny

Sorry… see you on the other side.

Sadly yours

Pete

[BufferParticipant @buffer]

Pace yourself Pete. At that rate your going to run out!

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

I guess it's omitted as everyone has read Nevil Shute 'Trustee from the toolroom'. The last book he wrote perhaps the last book you read…….

[LimpetParticipant @limpet]

My current read is Nicola Tesla, what a brilliant mind

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