What are you reading atm?

[Diablo]

I like historical novels - the Viking era at the moment with Bernard Cornwell's "Arthur" series. I spin off into none fiction stuff of the same times, antiquarian books, specially of my local area - so I'm also reading "The History and Antiquities of Cleveland" published in 1846 --

DEATH SONG OF RAGNAR LODBROK

(verse 7)

We fought with our swords on Northumbria's craggy mountains,
Where revengeful fate prevailing, haughty Ella drove us back;
Yet though hemm'd by countless thousands, we crimson'd Cleveland's fountains,
While shriek'd the hungry vulture along our gory track, --
Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah! how we clave their helms in twain,
And the blood-drops fell that day thick and fast as thunder-rain.

We fought with our swords :- O joy my soul is burning,
Enwrapt in dazzling vision, I behold Valhalla's hall!
To god Odin endless glory, for my spirit is returning
To dwell in pomp for ever with them who bravely fall:
Be accursed the craven coward who would shun the shock of war,
He shall drink no mead of Odin, nor ascend the heavenly car.

etc etc...

And that's only the true stuff. Ragnar was eventually seized by his enemy King Ella of Northumbria, and killed by being thrown into a pit of snakes. His sons - Ivar the Boneless, Bjorn Ironside, Halfdan Ragnarsson, Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye, and Ubba, avenged him by invading England with the Great Heathen Army.

Cornwell weaves these historical facts, characters and myths into his novels, but the truth is even more blood-thirsty than his fiction...

[knowlesy]

Nice- I saw his London on tv ages ago, like his style.

[purplefan]

I have several of his books and my father knew him. I think he is a terrific historian.
You should get his book on the Thames and clerkenwell.

[Mart1]

I am currently reading Stephen King's latest novel, 'Doctor Sleep' which is the sequel to 'The Shining' and while I don't think it is as good as the first novel it isn't bad and I hope they make a movie of it.

[Suzi]

I haven't read that one, I've been a huge SKing fan for years, but have been a bit disappointed with his later ones...

[DaveB]

Currently reading 'Command and Control' by Eric Schlosser (I think that's right) which is about all the mishaps th U.S. A has had with it's nuclear weapons! Sobering reading.

[purplefan]

must be a huge book then?

Currently reading 'Command and Control' by Eric Schlosser (I think that's right) which is about all the mishaps th U.S. A has had with it's nuclear weapons! Sobering reading.

[amaeru]

must be a huge book then?

[Mart1]

I haven't read that one, I've been a huge SKing fan for years, but have been a bit disappointed with his later ones...

I like Stephen King’s older novels the most too but I thought ‘Cell’ and ‘Under the Dome’ were really good and I like the TV show of ‘Under the Dome.’

[Paula]

I have signed up to Free Digital Reads. For my kindle app on my iPad. A few days a week they post/email links to free digital books available on amazon. Can totally recommend it - I have hundreds of books from this. Some good, some bad but the good outweighs the bad IMO