I just finished P.G. Wodehouse’s A Prefect’s Uncle, my second book of his. Overall, it was very enjoyable, but I did learn that with his books (just because they are so heavy in sporting terms and very “English”) that I must read the full book continuously…or at least with no more than a day or two between readings. I learned that the hard way because I had started the book back on March, but due to being busy, hadn’t picked it up in a couple of weeks. Usually, I can pick up a book reread the past page or so, and continue on…but not with this book. I had to go back to the beginning and reread the whole thing (well, skimmed the first part, until I caught up, but still had to go over it).
Anyways, the book was very entertaining and I did find myself wondering how the events and subplots would unfold. I did have one issue with a major plot in the fact that it really never was concluded. A lot of the other plots/sub plots came to great conclusions (some of the twist and turns to get to them were great!), but unless I over read it, the one bit of information that I really wanted to learn, never was told. However, it might be in the next story, so I will hold off my full judgment till I finish that book.
As for the characters, LOVED them. If you ever watched Wodehouse’s Jeeves and Wooster, then you have already “meet” the characters to a degree. Most of Wooster’s friends could be straight from this book, and therefore they almost came to life in my mind. The uncle was a shock, and was a great twist to the book. And the quiet Wilson really did surprise me at the end.
Overall, I give the book 7 out of 10. If you like very British books and terms (and this one is FILLED with very British terms and sports), then you will love it. If not…don’t even pick it up, since this book is almost dedicated to cricket.
Archive for the Category »Books «
Wow…haven spent the last few hours updating my book list, and only adding 3-4 authors, I realize that I read WAY to much, and WAY to quick.
After looking at my books choices, I guess I need to explain what I read and why I read it. My main goal/focus for reading is to read for enjoyment. Reading is a stress release for me. And reading books/authors that are very tedious, dark, depressing, will not cross these hands…ever. Out of all the types out there, I prefer murder mysteries and sci-fi/Fantasy (think R.A. Salvatore), with a bit of British humor/mystery thrown in for added spice..
Currently, I tend to stick with the more “cozy” type murder mysteries, with a strong lead woman as the main detective . Joanne Fluke, Laura Childs, Diane Mott Davidson, and Laura Levine are a few of the authors that I particular enjoy. Lilian Jackson Braun’s The Cat Who series and Rita Mae Brown’s Sneaky Pie Brown series can also be found on my reading list.
R. A. Salvatore’s characters Jaraxel and Artemis top my list for scifi/fantasy. I have read most of the Drizzt Do’Urden books, all of The Cleric Quintet, and his the Sellswords Series. I also loved reading Elaine Cunningham’s Forgotten Realm’s books/series, and thoroughly enjoyed Weiss and Hickman’s Dragons of series. And while I do enjoy the fantasy side, I haven’t really been reading it recently. During my off times, and when I am away from the computer I have been picking up the Dragon’s of trilogy, so there is a small chance I will return to this world full fledged.
As for my dips into British writings, Agatha Christie was at the top of my list (especially those books with Hercule Poirot ). And of, course I had to read Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. I did enjoy the books, but I do recommend NOT reading them while dispatching…it took me forever to read all 6 books, because I was constantly having to stop, answer the radio, and then rereading what I just read because I had forgotten it. But I finally made it through, towel and all.
But currently, I am reading P. G. Wodehouse. I love Jeeves and Wooster portrayed by Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry, so I figured I would give his books a chance. Since my local library doesn’t carry many of his books, I went online and was very happy to discover that Project Gutenberg contains many of his books online (for FREE!). Looking at his list, I decided to start at the beginning and work my through his many books. I read The Pothunters, and am currently reading The Prefect’s Uncle. So far, I have really enjoyed them. While they are lacking at the verbal sparring that Jeeves and Wooster seem to perfect, they do hint of the future humor that P.G. Wodehouse will soon hone.
As for classics – for most of them..yuck. During school, I was forced to read so many crappy “Classics” (such as Where the Red Fern Grows, the Yearling, Red Badge of Courage, etc), that I started hating the “classics”. I ended up telling my teachers this – if I have to read 240+ pages and the main character(s) dies at the end and nothing Happy happens, I will throw the book at you (and have). Eventually they listened and the book selections started getting better. So when it comes to “classics”, I throw most of them in the trash.
Okay…now that you know most of what I like and don’t like, tell me more about what you enjoy! Do you have any books or authors that I should read, or that I need to stay away from?
Okay…if you noticed a few differences, then you have good memory skills! Yes, I have changed a few things around. The original theme I had didn’t allow for widgets, and after fighting with it, I found this theme which was very similar but widget friendly. Yay!
I have added a few new widgets to the site. The main one is “Now Reading” which is shown on the right, and list the books that I want to read, readings and have read. And at the bottom there is a link to the full library. Over the next few days/weeks I will be updating that library to include most of the books that I have read, and want to read.
So if you have any good books that you want me to read, or have a suggestion for a few good widgets, let me know! 
A few years ago, Hall was introduced to an author and asked to help redesign his website and other marketing materials for his upcoming book release. The author was Austin Boyd, and the book was the last one of the Mars Hill Classified trilogy. And with Hall being Hall, I was tasked to read the other 2 books to gain insight into the author and series, so that the Hall’s layouts and designs would better fit the authors needs. So I set upon my task to learn more about Austin and his books.
Austin Boyd is a christian author and speaker who lives in Alabama. He was a Navy pilot, spacecraft engineer and an astronaut candidate finalist, before retiring from the military. Austin is also very active in the church and many Christian ministries. And he uses those past experiences and his love of Christ as his inspirations and resources for his books and speeches.
The Mars Hill Classified trilogy is a great example of him using his experiences and loves to write a compelling and powerful set of scifi/christian books. Set in the future, The Evidence, The Proof, and The Return take you on a long suspenseful journey of John Wells and his family, as they deal with terrorist, aliens, politics, and religion.
If you are interested in Scifi, or just even fiction, books, then I would highly recommend this trilogy. And don’t let the Christian based part throw you off. The books are strongly Christian and ask some very important questions, but yet they don’t get preachy and in your face with it, if that makes sense.
The only concern that I have is that they are very large books, and they do need to be read together. I really wouldn’t consider them “stand alone” stories. Yes, he does tie up each book, but the loose ends/questions that are left sort of nag you until you relent and start reading the next book. So if you do start reading this trilogy, do plan on ready all of the books.
Note: If you want to learn more about Austin and his books (and to see Hall’s and WootFish’s work) check out www.austinboyd.com.
Mars Hill Classified trilogy consist of The Evidence, The Proof, and The Return.
For the last few weeks, I have been reading different stories by P G Wodehouse. Who is P G Wodehouse, you ask? If you are a Anglophile, and have seen Jeeves and Wooster (Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry), then you seen one of his stories “come to life”. Wodehouse was an British writer, who wrote novels, short stories and even helped with a few musical productions, such as Anything Goes, Show Boat and wrote the screen play for Fred and Ginger’s Damsel in Distress. But, he is probably best known for his character Jeeves and Wooster, both in book and on screen.
Currently, I am reading his first set of stories, the School Stories (1902-1910). So far, I have read the first book, The Pothunters, and now in the middle of The Prefect’s Uncle. The series takes place in and around fictional schools for boys, around 1890-1900s, and deals with their daily lives and their fondness for sports. Since these books are the first of his writings, they are not “up to standards” with his books in his later years, such as Jeeves and Woosters. But never-the-less they have been a pleasure to read, with their subtle twist and their bits of humor, that foreshadows the verbal patter that will become what Jeeves and Wooster are known for.
So if you are look for a book, or series, that is filled with English life around 1900 and humor, then check out some of P. G. Wodehouse’s earlier books, and Enjoy!
Oh, and if you are looking for a good list of all of his books and short stories, check out: http://www.pgwodehousebooks.com/simplebiblio.htm. Not only do they list the books in order, but they also give your the UK and USA titles if they do vary.
If you’re Irish or just love the Irish culture, you will love The Feckin’ Book of Everything Irish, by Colin Murphy and Donal O’dea.
Inside The Feckin’ Book you will find sections dedicated to Words and Phrases, Songs, recipes and more. Learn all about what eejits and sleeveens are, what the words are to The Black Velvet Band, and how to cook Irish Whiskey Cake. You can’t go wrong with this book!
My cousin gave us this book a few Christmas’ ago, and we have loved it. I hope you enjoy it too!
A while back, I was looking up for some information for my cuz, who is a nanny for a very brilliant little boy. The parents of the boy are determined that he has Asperger, because a doc spent 10 minutes with the boy and decided that because the boy didn’t do exactly what he wanted to do, that he must have a disorder. Anyways, I came across this book on google search: Misdiagnosis and dual diagnoses of gifted children and adults: ADHD, bipolar … By James T. Webb, Edward R. Amend, Nadia Webb.
While you can’t read it all, the few pages that I was able to read, are great, and make very compelling sense. The authors go over characteristics of gifted kids and adults, and then explain their issues, such as anger, hyperactive, and learning issues, and give examples of how to solve them without resorting to drugs (which is a big issue with me – I think drugs do more harm then they do good).
So if you have a child, I would suggest reading this book in a heartbeat. It might help relive some tensions, and keep you and your family away from the drug companies and their doctors grasps.