Reading a paper book for the first time in YEARS (Louis Bromfield's 'The Rains Came' and really struggling. Not just with the motor skills required, but with the hassle of the dense small font on the 84 year old pages and not being able to make the words bigger, and of course the nuisance of having to hold it - a worry in itself with a book showing its age. The story is interesting, but the reading experience definitely reminds me why I LOVE EBOOKS #AmReading#books@bookstodon
This is a fascinating book that I think all school leaders and those with the ability to create culture should read: "What Makes Teachers Unhappy and What Can You Do About It?" by Mark Solomons and Fran Abrams. Less about doughnuts in the staff room and 'optional' yoga workshops, more about real, systemic change #Teachers#Teaching#Education#WellBeing#edutooter#AmReading@education@bookstodon
"It was a beautifully illustrated copy of 'Treasure Island'. "
Reading my Dean Street Press edition of Young Mrs Savage, my TENTH novel by D.E. Stevenson, and come across the very first reference in any them to one of her famous cousin's works. #AmReading#ebooks#Kobo@bookstodon
Slowly working my way through Ghosts, Monsters and Demons of India by @blaft It's an amazing read. Today's favorite is the demon that kills people by spinning around and smacking them with one very long boob.
"elephants were hardly central to Anglo-Saxon society" - Philip Durking showing a dab hand at droll understatement in "Borrowed Words: A History of Loanwords in English" #AmReading#ebooks#linguistics@bookstodon
I admit when it comes to knowledge of Peter Straub's work, I am lacking. I know of him thanks to his collaborations with Stephen King (The Talisman, Black House). When Straub passed away last Sept, I felt I had missed something by not enjoying his writing while he was still on this earth.
Many said at the time that Shadowland is his best work. I'm reading it now. Slow going, but good so far.
Another book that brought me so much pleasure that I now must read everything written by the author since: THE UNLIKELY ESCAPE OF URIAH HEEP by H. G. Parry (2019) #fantasy#bookstodon#AmReading@bookstodon
Looking to discover #NewBooks on #CentralEurope and #EasternEurope? The Central European University Review of Books showcases new titles on the history, culture, and politics of the region.
It's a good day when you learn something new, and Philip Durkin's "Borrowed Words: A History of Loanwords in English" has already surprised me. The attached graph shows loanwords listed in OED3 as of November 2012 from the letters M-R and A-ALZ, and it was a surprise to me to see Māori contributing more than Hindi in that dataset. #AmReading#ebooks#linguistics#TeReoMāori#Aotearoa@bookstodon
TFW you realise a book you thought would be popsci is pretty much all sci and no pop - and you're STILL excited to read it. While also being VERY glad to be reading it on your Kobo Sage - the content is heavy enough in the metaphorical sense, without also being heavy in a more literal sense. 😀 #AmReading#ebooks#Linguistics@bookstodon
I've finished: The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin
Le Guin is one of those rare authors that stand the test of time. Unlike Heinlein, Asimov, Niven and others her social science background allowed her to envision future societies that reflect progressive ideals that are still relevant today.
The Lathe of Heaven was published in 1971 and unlike many of her other novels is set on Earth. There are many references to years that are long in our past, and to technologies that are out of sync with the developments we've witnessed in the 1980s and 90s, the fact that this is a multiverse novel helps makes this less anachronistic.
The constant threat of global warming, present throughout the novel helps ground it in current apocalyptic threat concerns and mitigate other predictions that seem antiquated today.
Sadly, predictions of war in the Middle East, never seem to go stale
The Lathe of Heaven is an interesting take on the Djinn or Monkey's Paw trope, of wishes going wrong. Bringing it into the realm of science fiction by placing the power to change the world in the chaotic realm of dreams. Making the science of psychology and the struggle to control these dreams the focus of the novel.
Very much worth reading even more then 50 years later.
Recently, I brought a #book from an online seller. I had to the return it due to the low level damage that it had suffered in transit. This is not the first time that this has happend. I have noticed a marked deterioration in the quality of packaging used to transport #books bought online. Before envelopes were used that had bubbled wrapping inside and gave some sort of protection. Now one has to be thankful if paying 'top dollar' for a brand new #book and it arrives without any minor scrapes especially if it is just stuck in a standard cardboard envelope.
@peachfront@bookstodon I know the feeling. I do not appreciate finding my package on the ground outside my home after the delivery driver has rung the door bell and quickly run away.
3.75/5 @thestorygraph for The Dentist. Solid, but painting Cross as Spock does neurodivergents a disservice imo. My Asperger's friend discussing Koine Greek grammar or his autistic brother on manga & anime both worlds away from the lifeless Cross. #AmReading#ebooks@bookstodon
4.25/5 @thestorygraph for "Murder After Christmas" by Rupert Latimer. I loathe, abhor and detest everything about Xmas except the (usually) perfect beach BBQ weather, but even for an ultimate Grinch this Xmas mystery was great fun. #ebooks#AmReading@bookstodon
With more than 7 hours on a plane for a business trip this week, I couldn't take any chances with my reading material. I wanted to make sure I had a REALLY GOOD book, so I went with a re-read of one of my recent favorites: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab. It has so much to love: romance, adventure, fantasy, a nasty villain, a feisty heroine with circumstances definitely not in her favor. It's wonderful. #Bookstodon#Books#AmReading#Fantasy#FridayReads#LasVegas@bookstodon
"Oh damn those mince-pies!" "Yes - to hell with the beastly things!" Rupert Latimer's very amusing "Murder After Christmas" expressing my view of the fraudulently named fruit filled abominations which sully the good name (& taste) of REAL mince pies, which #Aotearoa makes very well thank indeed. #AmReading@bookstodon#Mystery