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I keep meaning to post, and not getting around to it. I was going to do a post at the end of August, crowing about how many books I've read recently - it's like I've suddenly remembered how to read fiction. I re-read Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, and that seemed to spark something, and I managed nine books in August! I've read nothing much but non-fiction in ages, as I couldn't seem to concentrate on fiction. I don't suppose it will last (and okay, I started JS&MN back in July, and some of the books were pretty short!). But yay. I even made a little celebratory picture to show off with. But now September's practically over, so it doesn't work quite so well coming now. Nonetheless:
The Robert Muchamore books are children's books, but I don't care. I like children's books. They have all the fun and adventure, but none of the boring romance. Although I seem to have been good at choosing 'grown up' books without that lately too. Michael Crichton filled Jurassic Park with so many rampaging dinosaurs eating people that there wasn't time for making out, which is something that far more people should consider, if you ask me (I quite appreciate that you didn't). I can't think of a single book or film that wouldn't benefit from less romance, and more dinosaurs eating people. Even if they are slightly dodgy dinosaurs. I think everybody knows by now that he got Velociraptor wrong, so I shan't go there, and to be fair most of his other mistakes are fine for the 1990s. Basically we need a new Jurassic Park though. Preferably one without such a blatantly erroneous title. I'm sorry, it's dinosaurs, I can't not nitpick. Anyway, I was advised to read the book as I hate the film so much, and I'm glad I did. It made me hate the film even more though. Not only did they ruin a perfectly good story, but Bob Peck survived the book, damn it! What the bloody hell did they have to go and kill him for?! I'm guessing because they let Jeff Goldblum live, when he died in the book. Grr.
Anyway, yes. More dinosaurs, please and thank you. I might give The Lost World a go now too. What else have I read? Oh yeah. Some historical naval fiction that I nicked from my dad. The Gentleman Captain series is set in Restoration-era England, which is quite rare for naval fiction, which seems to be almost invariably Napoleonic. They're first person, which usually annoys me, but the narrator is telling the stories as a crotchety old man looking back on his life, and they're very enjoyable. I must hunt out book #4.
Books! I forgot that they're fun. So's non-fiction, obviously, but it's a very different sort of reading.
Elsewhere, following on from Beau Geste, I've stayed in the world of eighties BBC historical drama, and am now alternating between The Monocled Mutineer and Fortunes Of War, neither of which I've seen before. The latter is utterly glorious. So immersive. Lingering and leisurely, like proper vintage telly, with an amazing cast. I do so miss the days when Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branagh worked together. The Monocled Mutineer is good too, though in a different way. Short and sharp, and uncompromising. Also has a great cast. So many familiar faces from yesteryear. I've been spotting Grange Hill teachers, and people from The Bill and Soldier Soldier amongst others. But best of all! From episode two, look look look:
Tip Tipping. The mark of good vintage telly. :)
PS: Here, have a dragonfly. They're insane creatures. They basically have net curtains for wings, and I have no idea how they stay in the air, but stay they do. Also they have dinky little crash helmets.
Well, you'd need one, wouldn't you, if you insisted on fluttering about the neighbourhood on demonstratively ridiculous wings. Sorry, this camera has given me a whole new appreciation for little things.
I shall shut up and leave you in peace now. Tally ho.
The Robert Muchamore books are children's books, but I don't care. I like children's books. They have all the fun and adventure, but none of the boring romance. Although I seem to have been good at choosing 'grown up' books without that lately too. Michael Crichton filled Jurassic Park with so many rampaging dinosaurs eating people that there wasn't time for making out, which is something that far more people should consider, if you ask me (I quite appreciate that you didn't). I can't think of a single book or film that wouldn't benefit from less romance, and more dinosaurs eating people. Even if they are slightly dodgy dinosaurs. I think everybody knows by now that he got Velociraptor wrong, so I shan't go there, and to be fair most of his other mistakes are fine for the 1990s. Basically we need a new Jurassic Park though. Preferably one without such a blatantly erroneous title. I'm sorry, it's dinosaurs, I can't not nitpick. Anyway, I was advised to read the book as I hate the film so much, and I'm glad I did. It made me hate the film even more though. Not only did they ruin a perfectly good story, but Bob Peck survived the book, damn it! What the bloody hell did they have to go and kill him for?! I'm guessing because they let Jeff Goldblum live, when he died in the book. Grr.
Anyway, yes. More dinosaurs, please and thank you. I might give The Lost World a go now too. What else have I read? Oh yeah. Some historical naval fiction that I nicked from my dad. The Gentleman Captain series is set in Restoration-era England, which is quite rare for naval fiction, which seems to be almost invariably Napoleonic. They're first person, which usually annoys me, but the narrator is telling the stories as a crotchety old man looking back on his life, and they're very enjoyable. I must hunt out book #4.
Books! I forgot that they're fun. So's non-fiction, obviously, but it's a very different sort of reading.
Elsewhere, following on from Beau Geste, I've stayed in the world of eighties BBC historical drama, and am now alternating between The Monocled Mutineer and Fortunes Of War, neither of which I've seen before. The latter is utterly glorious. So immersive. Lingering and leisurely, like proper vintage telly, with an amazing cast. I do so miss the days when Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branagh worked together. The Monocled Mutineer is good too, though in a different way. Short and sharp, and uncompromising. Also has a great cast. So many familiar faces from yesteryear. I've been spotting Grange Hill teachers, and people from The Bill and Soldier Soldier amongst others. But best of all! From episode two, look look look:
Tip Tipping. The mark of good vintage telly. :)
PS: Here, have a dragonfly. They're insane creatures. They basically have net curtains for wings, and I have no idea how they stay in the air, but stay they do. Also they have dinky little crash helmets.
Well, you'd need one, wouldn't you, if you insisted on fluttering about the neighbourhood on demonstratively ridiculous wings. Sorry, this camera has given me a whole new appreciation for little things.
I shall shut up and leave you in peace now. Tally ho.
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