Anika

I'm so glad to see another fan of this superb writer, vinay87! I was going to start a thread about him myself once-upon-a-time, but failed to do so. Well, chose not to, actually. My reading tastes are firmly in the past, and I'm aware that's a sparsely populated locale. It can be an asset at times since I never have to rush to book-clearance sales before everything's gone. Once they are well and truly picked-over, what I would be inclined to want is still there. Actually, I purposely wait. Fewer books I have to dig through, you see. I have the Penguin version of the 'Complete Saki' which I've read many times. Often I'll just open it anywhere and start reading in the middle of a story for a page or two since it never fails to elevate my prevailing disposition. Frequently a single paragraph accomplishes the required levity. Mine doesn't include an introduction, unfortunately, which I prefer having for enlightenment on story origins and the author's background, though I've found elucidation by other sources. A few of his stories are a tad macabre, but he's the type of writer that I hold at the apex of my style preference. Innovative word usage, dexterous analogies, facetious badinage tinged with snide dismissal, and the requisite pathos for characters just as one begins to wish they'd sidle off a pier and stop annoying everyone. I truly lament the masterpieces he would have created had he survived the war.

This looks like an interesting read, and the sort of thing I'm currently in the mood for; a frivolous tale with a deeper message. I've been contemplating 'The Pendragon Legend' by this author which also seems like a book I'd probably like. I didn't know he'd written any others--thanks for mentioning them!

I would like to read more sci-fantasy this year, so I'm looking for a good series in that genre. I also want to re-read Don Quixote.

Never bought a book I already had a copy of. I've probably got around 620 books in my library at the moment, but I know each and every one very well. Besides, the kind of books I buy are not easy to find so it would be difficult to buy a 'spare' by accident.

I put books down after the half-way point all the time, and usually finish them eventually. Sometimes I just get 'out-of-the-mood' for certain types of books even while I'm reading them, or I might buy something I want to jump into right away.

Amazon, Abe books, Barnes & Noble and used book shops.

Something I've learned today... That I've still NOT learned to avoid spicy food and chocolate just before going to sleep! It culminates in the most bizarre dreams, for some strange reason....?

Lynne Truss is really funny! Just picked up the 'Treasury' (3 novels and a selection of her columns) and it's hilarious!

How do people like this find their way home at the end of the day??!! These are the same kind of people who pig out at McDonald's for years, then sue the company when they become OBESE!!

Azam Ali, especially with 'Vas'. Most awesome voice EVER!!

'Bridezillas' !!

Azam Ali, Vivaldi, Gloria Estefan, Bobby Caldwell, Albinoni, Scorpians, Enya, Depeche Mode, Vas, Correlli, Kate Price, Bach, Clannad, Nyaz & Secret Garden.

'Father Ted'

That STUPID 'oldie' about ".....in the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps tonight"--!! Can't understand it for the life of me, but I ALWAYS get that damn thing playing in my head!? Even when I haven't actually heard it on the radio for years!! What sin did I commit in a former life to be plagued in this heinous, and most unendurable manner? I've even methodically examined the circumstances pertaining to the sudden presence of this torture and no immediate correlation has surfaced.....yet.

I read MOSTLY non-fiction, with the occasional novel to lighten things up in between. I prefer biographies (mostly about literary figures), English & French history, anything to do with writing and books, exploration history, the paranormal, letter/diary collections, travel and gardening.

I also enjoy reading about exploration and musicians. I thought you might like to know about some books I found interesting. They are: 'Barrow's Boys' (Sailing exploration) 'Ninety Degrees North' (Polar exploration) --both by Fergus Fleming 'Last Breath ~The Limits of Adventure' (The dangers of extreme sports) --by Peter Stark 'Deep Descent ~Adventure and Death Diving the Andrea Doria' --by Kevin F. Mcmurray 'Ghost Rider' --by Neil Peart [drummer of Rush] Travelogue of motorcycle tour & recovery-journey. Have you read any of these?

I recently enjoyed reading (**Rediculously L O N G Title ALERT!!!**) "A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland and The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides", which is both Samuel Johnson's and James Boswell's version of their trip together in 1773. Or at least that's what my Barnes & Noble 'Library of Essential Reading' calls it. Don't know for sure if all versions have both accounts or not, but it's interesting to read the two together.

I'm into the 'Barsetshire Chronicles' (Anthony Trollope) right now. Of the 6 volumes I have read 4--waiting for the 5th to arrive any day now via Amazon. I have to say, the second book: 'Barchester Towers' is my favorite, so far. The large cast of characters, all rather Dickensian in their quirkiness, are enough to be going on with, but the very droll humor kept me turning pages throughout. I only wish this series were longer.

Just picked up 'The Lynne Truss Treasury'--(3 complete novels and a collection of her columns) the day before yesterday for only $1.97 NEW!! A Christmas present to myself which I couldn't help starting on immediately.

I am a Lexicographer touring the Hebrides with my Scots friend; the 9th Laird of Auchinleck, who writes down everything I say!!

I discovered the novels of Barbara Pym in 2009. I found the first one at a used bookshop, thinking it would be just a mild diversion and I really LOVED it! Since then I've been on a hunt to find the rest of her novels, and have now read 5 of them so far. I also found 'A Very Private Eye'~which is a collection of her letters and diaries, and from that I can see how autobiographical her books are. (Her own life would make a great novel, actually, though it would be a bit sad--unrequited love issues). Also, the main characters from earlier books are mentioned in later ones so everyone sort of 'connects' somehow. She really was a very gifted writer!

I'd love to buy some antique books, but I get into enough trouble just buying modern editions. Though if I could afford it, I'd probably buy a 'David Copperfield'.

Just started 'Framley Parsonage' by Anthony Trollope, (4th book in Barchester Chronicles series) and it's really good, so far! The font is a bit tiny, though, so it's hard on the eyes.....

Not sure about specific thematic elements, or don't have any preferrences as such. But to help you narrow the field, I suppose pastoral, nature, loneliness, spiritual growth, love or heroic endeavor would be the themes that come to mind, and hope that's what you mean. Like I said, I'm a bit clueless about poetry, so as long as the language doesn't require excessive translation/study to get the meaning of the work (such as Old English, Burns, etc.) I'm willing to give it a try. Since I'm reading other books on the Romantic & Victorian eras, some poets from these times would be a good start for me, I think.