READ ANY GOOD BOOKS LATELY?

[plaques]

Pratchett. On the last 50 pages of 'Money' , The book that mentions the 'Glooper' the hydraulic money flow predictor. I'll then pick up the first of Wendy's gift to OG. These may help to understand the characters and background which can be a bit confusing to the uninitiated but from what I can see is that new people and 'things' are cropping up in each book.
My latest assessment is Harry Potter for adults. Fantasy based on modern life.

[Stanley]

Ken, your description of Bleak house on July 12 was spot on. I am on p.544 and the pace has certainly quickened, Lady Dedlock and Esther, smallpox and I suspect that shortly I shall see the return of Superintendent Bucket. Really enjoying it now I am completely immersed!

[Stanley]

Thanks Ken! I am really enjoying BH as the plot thickens. I'm on p. 660.

[plaques]

I'll probably finish Wendy's Terry Pratchett book No 1 today. I'll then finish one of his later books which seem to have more maturity and less fantasy in them. I'll then be passing about five of his books over. Give me a shout when you have dried up on your reads.

[Stanley]

That will never happen Ken. Just drop in what you have when it's convenient. Thanks

[Tripps]

Just read about this book. The Railway Navvies, by Terry Coleman.

"FANCY a little exercise? Then try this: Take a spade, go into your garden or into a field, and dig a hole 3ft deep, 3ft wide and 36ft long.
As you dig, don’t just put the soil to one side. Lift each spadeful and throw it high over your shoulder. Keep digging. By the time you’ve finished (if you make it that far), you’ll have shifted about 18 tons of earth.
Next day, pick up your spade and dig the same amount in the same manner . . . and the next day and the next, six or seven days every week, month after month, year after year, whatever the weather.
But such staggering exertions were the everyday lot of the navvies who dug Britain’s canals in the late 18th century and then built the railways in the 19th century – constant backbreaking labour in conditions so harsh they beggared belief."

Just ordered it on Abe.

[Stanley]

Canals the same but earlier David. Supermen. That's why they ate so much meat!

[Stanley]

I finished Bleak House yesterday and have to report I enjoyed it, it lived up to its reputation and many thanks to Ken for making me do it! I thought I understood Dickens before this adventure, I find I was mostly right but now understand his virtues as an author much better and in more depth.
Now, where next? In the absence of Pratchet I am going for 'Forgotten Voices of the Somme' by Joshua Levine, a book that my friend Steve gave me recently.

[plaques]

Don't worry about Pratchett I bought another 8 books of his series yesterday. I would have come over this week but I wanted to drop some iron into the Barlick recycling center plus we've a number of appointments in the Blackburn direction. I won't let you down.

[Stanley]

I never thought you would Ken and hadn't a moment's worry.

[Stanley]

I'd ordered 'Underland' by Robert Macfarlane and it arrived yesterday. Not exclusively about the symbiotic relationships between trees as I thought but still a very good read about different aspects of what is under our feet and I am enjoying it. Very original thinking and I'd say philosophy, refreshing and thought provoking.

[plaques]

Still munching through Terry Pratchett. on No 4 of Wendy's list. Absolute fantasy but love his little asides. ... 'Scientists have proven that one in a million chances occur nine out of ten times'.

[Stanley]

Sounds like Hitch Hiker's Guide Ken.
Underworld got round yo fungus in woods. I think the next place I look is a bloke called Merlin Sheldrake.
Funny thing is I remember Ken Sampson telling me about the symbiotic relationship of his oak trees in Minnesota long before the dates mentioned so far. I brought some acorns from them back and planted them but I have forgotten where.

[Stanley]

I had a splendid visit from Ken yesterday. We decided that a socially distanced conversation was an allowable risk and I don't know about him but I enjoyed it immensely. So nice to have a proper conversation with someone outside the family. He's looking good, his usual slim active self!
[Oh and he delivered seven Pratchetts!]

[plaques]

Enjoyed the visit Stanley, I think between us we have enough stories to bore the balls of a buffalo. (Jake Thackary). Part forgot the singer and song you mentioned, was it Ray Stevens?. Jack looked Ok to me doing what dogs normally do sniffing and growling. By the way my leg seems to be healing quite well. Another Pratchett book finished.

[Stanley]

Yes Ken Ray Stevens, well worth seeking out! I enjoyed your visit as well.
As for Jack, you saw him at his best. A cause of concern for many reasons.

[Tripps]

I got my Railway Navvies book. I'd assumed it was recently published, but in fact it dates from 1965. Interesting to see they shipped boatloads of them to the Crimean War to build railways there. I wonder how they persuaded them to go.

[Stanley]

Money David. They went all over the world and were much in demand, especially in South America.

[Stanley]

This week's PE read and digested. I am now going back to Underworld and after that am into Pratchett. I had a sneaky peek into the first one and after a couple of pages of the introduction and am certain I am going to enjoy him. Just like that! I am looking forward to him but will be disciplined and give Robert Macfarlane due attention. I haven't forgotten my intention to look Merlin up but that may take quite a while as Ken has made sure I have a decent pile of reading in front of me.

[plaques]

but that may take quite a while as Ken has made sure I have a decent pile of reading in front of me. and its growing by the day. Two more of Wendy's books. No 6 'The Wyrd Sisters' in its time it was 135th in the big read. A more conventional Pratchett book, that's if Pratchett can ever be considered conventional, sets off slow then does into overdrive about halfway through.

[Stanley]

No problems Ken, that doesn't bother me at all!

[Stanley]

I have lost patience with Macfarlane's Underworld. Too much mysticism and gloomy introspection, not what I need at the moment. I am going straight into Pratchett today, I need some light relief not punishment underground!
I'm still going to pursue Merlin Sheldrake and the Wood Wide Web, but that can wait for a while.

[Stanley]

100 pages into Pratchett. It's certainly different!

[Stanley]

Pratchett continues to captivate and amuse.

[Wendyf]

I spotted another Pratchett novel on the bookshelves the other day, not one of the Discworld series though, it's called 'Dodger' and set in Dickensian times. I might read it myself before I pass it on.