What are you reading now?

[smittims]

Quite right , ff, there was no bickering at that point I was simply concerned that it shouldn't start. Goodness knows we had enough of that on the old BBC boards, though perhaps more on the religion ones (where I used to post a lot) than the Radio 3 .

[french frank]

I do so hate tit-for-tat bickering

I don't thnk that exchanging comments about differing personal preferences amounts to 'bickering'. As ever, personal preferences should be accepted for what they are: not judgements from on high, nor questions of right and wrong. Nothing more than of limited value reflecting on the holder of the stated preferences. I don't find (for example - and not related to the current topic) bitchy gossip of any entertainment value. And when all's said and done, that's no more than a statement about me. Ignore if of no interest!

[smittims]

I do so hate tit-for-tat bickering, so I'll just say I was not passing judgement on any book without reading it. My post was not about the books but about the subject. Surely we all have reasons for not wanting to read a book , which do not involve pre-judging its contents.

[vinteuil]

... It's much pleasanter and healthier to read about pleasant people, people who did some good.

... that would be to deprive oneself of so much enjoyable literature!



.

[Petrushka]

Well, I'm with ff on this . It was the same with the Alan Clarke Diaries . As far as I'm concerned he and Channon were just very unpleasant.selfish people. It's much pleasanter and healthier to read about pleasant people, people who did some good.

Perhaps the thread title should be changed to 'What You Shouldn't be Reading Now'. I do not pass judgement on any book without having read it. Others might consider doing likewise.

[smittims]

Well, I'm with ff on this . It was the same with the Alan Clarke Diaries . As far as I'm concerned he and Channon were just very unpleasant.selfish people. It's much pleasanter and healthier to read about pleasant people, people who did some good.

[Rjw]

The Proof of my Innocence by Jonathan Coe.

Time to switch off the computer Jonathan you have run out of ideas.

[Petrushka]

I am such a narrow-minded bore that, among the biggest turn-offs for me are Simon Heffer, probably Henry Channon, judging from this, and more or less any well-known person lauded as 'entertaining' , and who I would consider deathly bores. I say this in the most self-deprecating way having no great opinion of myself either (certainly not 'entertaing').

Among my many interests is that of 20th century British history, including political history, and (like it or loathe it), the 'Chips' Channon diaries have a central place in any discussion of the period. I'm only about 20 pages in and the name-dropping is awesome and we're only in 1918!

Simon Heffer is an able editor of something like this so his own views don't intrude, nor do they in his own books which are fair and well-balanced.

I also have a massive interest in Russian and German history in the same period so 'Chips' is a saint compared to some of the characters you meet there!

[french frank]

At least with diaries you can dip in and out of them at the same time as reading other books but I still find it a bit daunting and expect to be reading them over a couple of years. They are, however, entertaining and are indispensable to anyone interested in 20th century British history.

I am such a narrow-minded bore that, among the biggest turn-offs for me are Simon Heffer, probably Henry Channon, judging from this, and more or less any well-known person lauded as 'entertaining' , and who I would consider deathly bores. I say this in the most self-deprecating way having no great opinion of myself either (certainly not 'entertaing').

[Old Grumpy]

The Place of Tides by James Rebanks. An extraordinarily beautiful book, both in content and writing style.

https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/315745/the-place-of-tides-by-rebanks-james/9780241426937

[Petrushka]

An extraordinarily successful book. Is it any good ?

I've not started it yet as I'm just coming to the end of a previous read but these diaries (1918 to 1957) have a reputation second only to Samuel Pepys and are widely cited in books on 20th century British political history. This is the full, unexpurgated edition and I'm looking forward to getting stuck in.

[teamsaint]

I bought myself the three volumes (in paperback) of the 'Chips' Channon diaries as a Christmas indulgence. I'll embark on reading them shortly but each volume is over 1000 pages so I may be some time!

At least with diaries you can dip in and out of them at the same time as reading other books but I still find it a bit daunting and expect to be reading them over a couple of years. They are, however, entertaining and are indispensable to anyone interested in 20th century British history.

An extraordinarily successful book. Is it any good ?

I thought I would have a go at Lord of the Rings. Not got far yet.
Non fiction wise I read our new ( hopefully !!!! ) smash hit “ Chemically Imbalanced “ by Prof Joanna Moncrieff a while ago, released this month.
It is going to be very controversial, and sheds important light on some of the ways that big drugs companies and the medical world often function, with particular reference to anti-depressants.
Expect to see big publicity in your preferred media very soon.

[smittims]

Just started re-reading A Passage to India ( Forster) having watched the David Lean film again over Christmas. Immediately I was struck by a significant difference (the first of many, I know). The fim begins with Adela and Mrs. Moore arriving in India and meeting the Turtons, the effective British rulers of Chandrapore. But Forster deliberately begins his novel with a long chapter featuring only Indians, emphasising in a sympathetic way their very different lifestyle.

I was unhappy with the end of the Lean film, which departs from the plot of the novel. I've never understood why they feel they have to do this . It seems th end of a film is the most difficult bit.

[gradus]

Poet, Mystic, Widow, Wife, The Extraordinary Life of Mediaeval Women by Hetta Howes.
Well written, interesting and informative, not overburdened with footnotes but not light on researched material.

[Petrushka]

I bought myself the three volumes (in paperback) of the 'Chips' Channon diaries as a Christmas indulgence. I'll embark on reading them shortly but each volume is over 1000 pages so I may be some time!

At least with diaries you can dip in and out of them at the same time as reading other books but I still find it a bit daunting and expect to be reading them over a couple of years. They are, however, entertaining and are indispensable to anyone interested in 20th century British history.