Hayley

Just remembered I didn’t update this. I didn’t do a page count this month because my main goal was to get back into the book, but I definitely did that! We were painting at the new house but every time I had a break I sat in the garden and read a bit more. The Essex Serpent is very atmospheric and I got drawn back in easily, so happy with this months read-a-thon!

Wow And wow again! It sounds like you have some amazing instruments! It’s never occurred to me before but do you use tab or sheet music for ukulele? Are peppers difficult to grow? I was talking to some of the neighbours at my new house and they told me the garden here used to be really lovely (there are some beautiful plants still but it’s very overgrown). So I’m determined to make it as lovely again . I also want to make it a good space for wildlife. This might be the start of a new hobby!

This absolutely sounds worth it! Aww, I bet you couldn’t wait! I was cheered up today by my (old) neighbour giving me a table and chairs for my new garden! It’s in pieces at the moment so I’m excited to put it together tomorrow .

Thank you! I’m getting back into The Essex Serpent for the read-a-thon! I haven’t picked it up for… a while. Luckily the plot isn’t hard to follow!

That’s interesting! I definitely would have associated ‘maritime’ exclusively with the sea. There’s a Jack Vance (science fiction) book that’s set on boats called Showboat World. And also one that’s set on a planet that’s entirely covered by water called The Blue World. I suppose they would be a form of maritime by that definition.

The biggest thing I can think of that annoys me is when a book is set in the past and the author shoehorns random historical facts in, despite the fact that they have no relation to the story. It makes me feel like they’re trying far too hard to convince us they’ve done their research! Also this, unless it’s meant to be funny and then it’s fine .

I totally agree, again. There was something about the second book that I didn't love quite as much but I did feel like it was setting up for future plotlines!

I think quite a lot of people don't like it, it's definitely not just you! I have heard that the amount of characters can make it difficult to get into. I'm sure the people you read it with won't mind at all anyway . Don't worry about it if you're not in the mood. There'll be plenty of future read-a-thons to join Great, next week it is then!

Done . This is a good game but it's hard! I'm going to give one shelf a go and I'll choose Fairy and Folk Tales (inspired by, not originals): Once Upon a River - Dianne Setterfield Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell - Susanna Clarke Melmoth - Sarah Perry Folk - Zoe Gilbert Stardust - Neil Gaiman I was going to do a nineteenth century one but I can't decide what I want on it so I'll have to go away and think about it more . (By the way I know it is the name of the book but you'll see that I edited the Conrad title. Just a note to everyone: when talking about that title, if we could star it out completely or refer to it by the American title 'A Tale of the Sea' that would be great. I'd rather not have that word on here in any context)

This sounds like an interesting one! I used to have an illustrated version of this many years ago. I'd like to re-read it actually! I thought of a couple more: Jamrach's Menagerie (set in the 1850's again, mainly set on a ship bound for the East Indies where they're to pick up animals for a famous menagerie). Also Batavia's Graveyard (a true story from the seventeenth century about a mutinous crew and ship that gets stuck on a coral reef). Both are really quite sad though, just to warn everyone!

Okay, sorry about this everyone but we're a bit late to start the read-a-thon! Is everyone okay to move it forward a week, to the 11th, 12th and 13th?

I remember watching the film Black Beauty when I was little and it made me cry. So the trauma of that really put me off reading it as an adult so far!

I've honestly never heard of them before! It sounds like a great idea! If there's any you're finding it hard to get let me know and I'll see if I can find it here

I don't think I've heard of QuickReads, I'll have to look it up! I didn't know that Dear Reader talked about specific books either. I thought it was just generally about the experience of reading. It does seem like it would make it less relatable for readers not based in the UK. I have Dear Reader on my shelf so now I'm wondering whether I'll have read any of the books mentioned!

I've listened to a lot of Hornblower on audiobook because my boyfriend was listening to it but, for that reason, I can't actually say which ones I've listened to. I did like it though, I really like Hornblower as a character. I've also listened to some of the Thomas Kydd series by Julian Stockwin and thought it was good. It has a lot of similarities to Hornblower but I don't like Kydd quite as much as a character.

Maybe I'm just very tired but I can't see where you've posted the thread before? I haven't read this yet but I'm very excited for Stuart Turton's The Devil and the Dark Water!

I read the first three and put off the last one because I'll be sad when there's no more to read! I'm still not even half way through The Essex Serpent because I thought it would be a good idea to take on a huge freelance job on top of the jobs I'm already doing and moving house... lessons have been learnt . Hoping I'll be able to make up for it in the June read-a-thon!

I would like to second this I think that is my favourite way to read. I like knowing that I can just get really comfortable and read until I need to sleep. I won't have to stop reading because I need to do something. I'm glad you got to enjoy a lot of reading that way! What did you think of Dear Reader?

Since brass, nor stone, nor earth, nor boundless sea, But sad mortality o'ersways their power, How with this rage shall beauty hold a plea, Whose action is no stronger than a flower? O, how shall summer's honey breath hold out Against the wrackful siege of batt'ring days, When rocks impregnable are not so stout, Nor gates of steel so strong but Time decays? O, fearful meditation! Where, alack, Shall Time's best jewel from Time's chest lie hid? Or what strong hand can hold his swift foot back? Or who his spoil of beauty can forbid? O, none, unless this miracle have might, That in black ink my love may still shine bright. Sonnet 65 - William Shakespeare [Pretty proud of getting brass and stone in here ]

Exactly

I added this to my reading list ages ago and kind of forgot about it, so I’d also like to thank you for bringing it up! If you haven’t read Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury already I also recommend that. I read it last year and thought it was brilliant!

Hi Hollie, welcome to the forum . Who are your favourite authors?

Congratulations Luna! I hope you enjoy being a moderator! We’ll make sure the latter doesn’t!

Hi, welcome to the forum . I’ve looked at Ready Player One before and wondered if I’d like it. It sounds quite different to anything I’ve read before but your review makes me think I would! I also second Raven’s recommendation of the Rivers of London books! I started reading the Septimus Heap books by Angie Sage recently too and they’ve been great so far. I’ve noticed it’s compared to Harry Potter a lot in reviews, so that might be worth a look too .

(I think it’s fair for this to be in classics) Oh wow, that last line gives you chills doesn’t it. Very disturbing. Brilliant, but disturbing. I’m not sure I can bring myself to read about plagues and lockdowns so soon after those words being everywhere in the news, but this is going on my list for the future!