What's everyone reading lately? 08/06/2024)

mysteriouswineglass , 1 hour ago (edited 1 hour ago)

Recently completed HFM Prescott’s The Man on a Donkey, a wonderful piece of historic fiction about the main actors (and a few fictional ones) of the 1536 Pilgrimage of Grace—a rebellion against the religious changes of Henry VIII. Despite being a scholar of 16th century England I’m not at all interested in historical fiction, but this was quite a beautiful work set as a chronicle and tracing half a dozen characters from their youth until the final suppression of the Pilgrimage in summer 1547. Prescott does get straight to business so I can imagine it would be a bit difficult to place oneself without preexisting knowledge of late medieval/early modern England, but that thrown-in-the-deep-end attitude worked for me.

Edit: word is that Hilary Mantel was deeply influenced by Prescott, as was the playwright of A Man for All Seasons.

veeesix , 2 hours ago

Death’s End by Cixin Liu

It’s been an on and off affair for a little while now. I had a lot more free time back when I finished the first two, so I’m kinda struggling to get any meaningful reading done. Honestly, at this point I’d be happy just finishing this one by the end of the year.

NataliePortland , 2 hours ago

I’m reading Discworld series after some Lemmings suggested it. They’re great! Read Sourcerer and Guards! Guards! And just starting Men at Arms

I laughed so much at the Brotherhood scenes in Guards! When the brothers are bickering, and when the guy has to recite the whole long password but the last line is incorrect.

VanHalbgott OP , 2 hours ago

I like Discworld too.

NataliePortland , 2 hours ago

How are you liking F is for Fugitive?

VanHalbgott OP , 2 hours ago

It’s great…the detective was staying at a motel and investigating someone’s murder and played the anti-hero by beating someone up.

I suspect there’s a twist further in the story, but I don’t know for certain: I’m still reading it and I just had it renewed by my local librarian.