What are you currently reading?

[vers la flamme]

Patti Smith, Just Kids



Just started it. So far so good.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

 Colette's short stories sound very interesting. I will look for a book.

I had seen the film (who hasn't), but hadn't read the novella it's based on, Colette's Gigi.


I had read a couple of Colette's Claudine books years ago, and found them wonderfully funny. Gigi is bittersweet (much more so than the musical adaptation), full of melancholy, but also a sharp take on the position of women of a certain class and time in France. A pleasure to read. Let's see how the other short stories in the collection are.

And no, the Maurice Chevalier character in not in the book, and there's no "Thank heavens for little girls". 

[steve ridgway]

Looks very interesting. I have a few books about bacteria but not virus, and have been looking for a book on the subject.
Though bacteria help the people and earth tremendously, I don't know much contributions by virus.
Perhaps they make us strong?

I've finished it now. Quite an easy reading introduction to the subject. I may have to move on to something a bit more complicated next.

[SonicMan46]

WOW - I've not posted here in a while but still reading a LOT of non-fiction books, most on my iPad but also some physical books (still like the feel and smell of books!) - pic below are some recent books on my iPad (probably going back to mid-2020), all read except the top 2 left - SO, need to consider some new additions; probably also read half that amount as 'real' books, again rather varied topics. Dave

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Ravenna looks very interesting! I will get a copy.

WOW - I've not posted here in a while but still reading a LOT of non-fiction books, most on my iPad but also some physical books (still like the feel and smell of books!) - pic below are some recent books on my iPad (probably going back to mid-2020), all read except the top 2 left - SO, need to consider some new additions; probably also read half that amount as 'real' books, again rather varied topics. Dave

I saw the reviews on Amazon. I must buy the book.

Carl Zimmer - A Planet Of Viruses.

[steve ridgway]

I've now started Molecular Biology Of The Cell. Got the 2002 edition for my wife last summer from a charity bookshop where you donate what you feel like, but she found it heavy going.

[vers la flamme]

Still working on Just Kids, but I've also started another Kurt Vonnegut, God Bless You Mr. Rosewater. This is one I have not read before. So far, so good.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

For those who are interested, the Guardian's new interview article with Kazuo Ishiguro.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/feb/20/kazuo-ishiguro-klara-and-the-sun-interview

[vers la flamme]

For those who are interested, the Guardian's new interview article with Kazuo Ishiguro.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/feb/20/kazuo-ishiguro-klara-and-the-sun-interview

Very much interested in this. Many thanks for sharing!

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Very much interested in this. Many thanks for sharing!

You are very welcome.   He likes Dosty (and Bob Dylan)!

[SonicMan46]

Ravenna looks very interesting! I will get a copy.

I saw the reviews on Amazon. I must buy the book. RE: Carl Zimmer - A Planet Of Viruses.

Ravenna has been a good read - amazing how complicated the post-Roman Empire was when the Byzantine Empire flourish w/ Justinian - back in 1996, I was invited to speak at a medical meeting in Bologna; we had a day free, so wife and I took a train to Ravenna - was like entering another world, and the architecture, mosaics, etc. were just gorgeous.  The book and pics within will likely stimulate some at least to want to visit.

A Planet of Viruses by Zimmer - read an early edition - the 3rd edition will be released April 1 so should have much on the COVID pandemic - will likely purchase a Kindle app edition for my iPad.  In hardback, currently reading The Plague Cycle, published this year which covers infectious disease in general, so far quite good.  Dave

 

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

My Last Sigh, Luis Bunuel. A memoir by the renowned Spanish cinema director.

[steve ridgway]

A Planet of Viruses by Zimmer - read an early edition - the 3rd edition will be released April 1 so should have much on the COVID pandemic - will likely purchase a Kindle app edition for my iPad.

I think we'll need a few years after the COVID pandemic has played out to get a good retrospective analysis.

[ritter]

My Last Sigh, Luis Bunuel. A memoir by the renowned Spanish cinema director.

Oh, I read that when it was first published almost 40 years ago, and it was great fun. The definition of "provocation" he gives is great (I won't spoil it for you  ). I hope you enjoy it!

[BWV 1080]

I've now started Molecular Biology Of The Cell. Got the 2002 edition for my wife last summer from a charity bookshop where you donate what you feel like, but she found it heavy going.

C'mon its not like biology is complicated

[steve ridgway]

C'mon its not like biology is complicated

I've already learnt that two molecules of glucose can join together in eleven different ways.

[aligreto]

Somerset Maugham: The Moon and Sixpence






This is a novel based on the life of Paul Gaugin. Gaugin is portrayed here as an Englishman. Nothing is withheld in the portrayal of the character of the main protagonist, warts and all. One has little sympathy for him but the storytelling and the characterisation is compelling from the pen of a master craftsman.

[SimonNZ]

I saw a book on Maugham by Frederick Raphael in the secondhand store the other day and after considering overnight went back the next day to get it found it already sold. I wonder if it was a Maugham fan or, like me, someone wiling to consider beginning with Maugham knowing Raphael to be a good writer and therefor most probably a good guide.

[milk]

[Papy Oli]

Somerset Maugham: The Moon and Sixpence


This is a novel based on the life of Paul Gaugin. Gaugin is portrayed here as an Englishman. Nothing is withheld in the portrayal of the character of the main protagonist, warts and all. One has little sympathy for him but the storytelling and the characterisation is compelling from the pen of a master craftsman.

Nice to see you popping back in, Fergus