Tag: reading

Revolting by Terry Deary

A very fun and enjoyable history or Revolts and Rebellions from the creater of the much loved kids books Horrible Histories. This book is similar but for adults. I found it easier going and more enjoyable than “A History of Britain In Ten Enemies”.

A lot of interesting tidbits of hitory split into 10 sections and lessons like for the sections it could be Money, Religion, Slavery and for the lessons Get A Leader, Gather Intelligence.

On the whole it was good fun and a nice, light read if you don’t mind reading about molten metal down someone’s throat or people being hung, drawn and quartered.

I look forward to reading what is next from Terry Deary. He is alongside RL Stine and Roald Dahl as one of my early literary influences that got me into reading (and history) as a child.

The Magpie at Night by Li Qingzhau

A great collection of Chinese poetry recently re-published by Penguin Classics. The poems are by the poet Li Qingzhau from the 12th Century Song Dynasty.

It is a beautiful collection of poetry, some melancholy and highlights the poets feelings for life and nature around her, very evocative and touching writing. When you read about Li Qingzhau and the life she lived it is understandable why her poems took a turn to the melancholy.

It is the first collection of Chinese poetry I have read for a while and I quite enjoyed it.

Following The Moon by James Norbury

A wonderful and charming little read, a quaint graphic novel following the journey of a displaced pup taken under the paw of an aging wolf to reunite with her family.

Some sweet quotes about life and following your own moon, something we should all do more of. Beautiful illustrations.

The second book I have read by this author, my first was Big Panda and Tiny Dragon.

The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown

When you read a Dan Brown novel you know exactly what you are going to get. Is it high brow? No. Is it a Dostoyevsky level of human condition? No. Is it thrilling and keeps the pages turning? YES!

This book is no different, our favourite Professor Aquaman is with his “girlfriend”, a beautiful, smart scientist in Prague while she delivers a speech prior to publishing a new book that can change the World on how consciousness is misunderstood. But forces at play wish to keep her quiet and her book un-published. What follows is a day of adventure, danger, violence and a lot of science that goes over this readers. When I got to the end I was surprised that the timeline was only 24 hours!

It was fun for what it was, the best character in the book is probably Prague itself. That is what I enjoy most about DB novels, he really opens up the culture or history of a place to people like myself who know very little and it encourages one to do their own research like for example The Devil’s Bible or Prague Castle and the Door With Seven Locks.

The plot was enjoyable for what it was and a few twists and reveals caught me out. Very cleverly done, some bits far fetched but it a suspension of belief that you make for the sake of entertainment. I found this book better than Origin but it’s not quite at Inferno or Angels & Demons for me.

There isn’t really a true villain in the book except for perhaps Finch and his organisation, there’s lots of grey characters and even the Golem is just delivering justice and is justified in its actions.

And given this little quote from the book

Langdon flashed on the opening line to one of his favourite novels. It is said that in death, all things become clear.

it seems one of Robert Langdon’s favourite books is Digital Fortress by …. Dan Brown.