Wednesday, 5 October 2016

Can't stop...

I can’t stop reading, that’s what. My eldest son has been on at me for years to read Bernard Cornwell’s books and I have read a couple of his stand alone novels, Azincourt and The Gallows Thief, both excellent books.

A while back I watched The Last Kingdom on TV (based on the first two books in The Last Kingdom series). I liked it a lot and decided to start reading the books. The 10th in the series, The Flame Bearer, is out today.

I have never done this before (usually I like to vary my reading as much as possible), but I have read the first three books one after another and I’m well into the fourth. Can’t put them down! I’ve also read the first of the Sharpe books and I’m likely to get hooked on those too.

It’s a wonderful feeling to discover you like an author and know you have plenty of reading ahead! I am absolutely in awe of Bernard Cornwell and thanks to him I am reading about twice as much as normal. 

You can find his website here and on the home page it features a video about the making of The Last Kingdom which is interesting to watch.


I have mentioned the Fantastic Fiction website before, but it’s worth mentioning again. Just search for the author you are interested in and it will come up with a list of all their books which can be very useful. The page often includes a piece about the author and sometimes books that the author recommends. You can find it here.




31 comments:

  1. 'Discovering' an author you like who has written a lot is wonderful.

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  2. Yes, I know exactly what you mean I am a big fan of Alistair McCall-Smith. I have read all of his books and keep a watchful eye on what publications are coming out.

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  3. I love discovering an amazing author who has already written plenty of books for me to devour and I had a thrill the other day when I came across an unread novel by William Trevor, one of my favourites, in my TBR pile. I had completely forgotten it was there and had to set aside the book I was in the middle of reading and get started. Wishing you lots more happy reading! xxx

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    1. What a find, Joanna, I can just imagine how thrilled you were to discover that book and I don't blame you one bit for putting your current read aside :-) xx

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  4. I've been reading a lot more recently too, Teresa, but only through the books I already have! As others have said, it's great to discover a new author who has a good list - haven't read any of his yet.

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  5. I've never read Bernard Cornwell, mainly because the period in history that he writes about has never appealed. But I will look at him with fresh eyes. I have been reading more lately too and have gone back to a reading group to get a wider variety of books. I usually find that if I read too many back to back books from the same author, I find them too similar. Thanks for the links and a very interesting post.

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    1. I must admit I had no interest in reading about the time of Alfred the Great, but I am finding the books fascinating and I love the characters. The reading group sounds like a good way of finding new authors.

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  6. As the Autumn chill sets in, I can't think of a better way to spend time than to read. I've not read Cornwell but I will give it a go :) Hope you are keeping well, Teresa. Thanks so much for popping by and leaving a message on my blog. It's always lovely to 'see' you.

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    1. It has turned chilly hasn't it. Thank you for your kind thoughts Nicola - your blog is always a pleasure to visit :-)

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  7. Have you tried the Shardlake Novels by C J Sansome? I read the first one and was well and truly hooked. Couldn't stop until I'd read them all. They are set in Tudor England so great if you like history.

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    1. Thanks, Gail, sounds interesting. I'll have a look!

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  8. Absolutely love reading and there is no greater pleasure than to find an author whose work you want to devour. One of the joys of winter (actually I rather like winter unless I've got to drive in bad conditions which doesn't happen often thank goodness) is to curl up with a good book and not feel you should be outside doing something else! Thank you for the heads up on the Fantastic Fiction website - really useful :-) xx

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    1. I agree, winter is lovely if you don't have to go out, Sue :-) I've found the Fantastic Fiction website so helpful over the years xx

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  9. We enjoyed The Last Kingdom, too. Hoping for a second series. I know exactly what you mean about discovering books you can't put down. Years ago, it was Laurie Lee for me. More recently, Ian McEwan (I had to reread several passages from Atonement because they were so beautifully written) and Richard Flanagan. Currently reading The Sound of One Hand Clapping.

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    1. They are supposed to be making a second series, Martin - I hope they do. I liked The Cement Garden by Ian McEwan - it's one of those books that has stayed with me. I'll have to read more by him.

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  10. I'm ashamed to say my 'proper' reading has fallen behind. I find it a struggle to keep up with my magazine reading. You've given me a nudge though, Teresa, so I'll be down the library this week to pick something out.

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  11. So little time, so much to read ... How lovely to have such a feast in story, Teresa!

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    1. I don't think I'll ever catch up with you when it comes to reading, Kate, but I'll certainly be including Stella's Christmas Wish!

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  12. Thank you for including me on the site, Jerry. Indeed you may display my header, thank you.

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  13. Thank you so very much for giving permission. Aside from the All category and the slideshow on the home page, you can see your header under Literary and the United Kingdom.

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  14. Oh thank you, Teresa. I do hope you enjoy it.

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    1. Mr Mc ahs been reading Mr Cornwell for years though I never have myself. However I loved watching The Last Kingdom.

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    2. I think if you loved watching it, you'd love reading the books, Colette - I'm on the sixth now and half expecting to reach no. 10 then go back and read them all again. I've never done that before, but I am very tempted!

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  15. I loved The Last Kingdom and have a few of the books in the series on my Kindle waiting for me to get to them. Unfortunately I seem to buy more books than I have time to sit and read.

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    1. I am well and truly hooked, Debs. I too have the problem (what a lovely problem to have though) of too many books!

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