Books read 2019

The ship used in "Master and Commander" has a mildly interesting history. Was also used in "Pirates of the Carribean".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Surprise_(replica_ship)
There's something about big sailing ships I really like. I suppose I'm not alone in that!

That's an interesting link JC. It would seem that the film maker has taken a liberty as HMS Surprise is the title of the third book in the series. The ship in Master and Commander the first book was called HMS Sophie and in the second book was called Polychrest.
If you enjoyed the film, which I haven't seen, then you will probably enjoy the books too. Did they show the capture of "Cacafuego" in the film?

Are you sating you like a big mast JC?

I am currently reading a book by Giles Milton - Churchill's ministry of ungentlemanly warfare. The book is basically how the secret guerrilla arm of UK defences came about and details the many brilliant and some eccentric characters that were involved. I think it will appeal to anyone with an interest in WW2, but even those with a more casual interest in history. An extra interest for me is that had Operation Sea Lion prevailed the landing area would pretty much have been where I grew up.

I liked the film and really liked the soundtrack. I'm not a huge fan of Russell Crowe but I think he was excellent in it.

Whatever happend to the British Motorcycle Industry by Bert Hopwood
Audio books Ringo with a little Help by Michael Seth Starr no realation.
John Lennon the Life by Phillip Norman
The Sunshine Cruise by John Niven

Bonfire of the Vanities. I first read it 20 or so years ago and it's as good now as it was then. Also read Daniel Silva's House of Spies which was enjoyable.

I Am Pilgrim -Terry Hayes-long epic,brilliant in parts,hard work in others.
A Millionlittlepieces —James Frey -grisly but worth sticking with.
The Kite Runner —Khaled Hosseini , enjoyed more than another by this author -A Thousand Splendid Suns.

I've now finished "Submission". A great disappointment and missed opportunity to explore what such a seismic change would mean to Western society. Instead we are treated to rambling pseudo-intellectual nonsense about 19th century French authors and conversations with smug academic types. There is also quite a bit of graphically described gratuitous sex that might not be to many people's taste.

I agree Foinavon . His "Les Partucules Elementaires" was the same ,a disappointment .

I was so impressed by Germinal that I started reading Zola's Rougon-Macquart cycle . I have read the first three books and they are all excellent .

Cider With Rosie - Laurie Lee , magnificent .

One might wonder why he gets rave reviews from literary critics. Pseuds' Corner perhaps?
I read some Zola many years ago (1970s) and liked it at the time but can't remember much of them now. Germinal and L'assommoire were good reads although sad and somewhat depressing.

That could be the case . Strange to say  I don't think I like the author as a person and only know him from reading one of his books .

The Last Sanctuary in Aleppo: A remarkable true story of courage, hope and survival

Eagerly awaiting the release on 7th March, will review when read.

From Diana Darke, the acclaimed author of My House in Damascus and The Merchant of Syria, comes the extraordinary true story of a heroic ambulance driver who created a cat sanctuary in the midst of war-torn Aleppo.

;-)