What are you reading?

I've become very addicted to RJ Robbs aka Nora Roberts, crime/death series, set in the future.

Prior to that I was reading her romance novels under her name: Nora Roberts...

The Golden Ass by Apuleius, the Robert Graves translation, Penguin 1950 edition.

I know, I know, it sounds like a w*nk fest. However, it is one of the earliest complete surviving stories from the Latin era. As an adjunct, I studied Latin at school as a young'un so such books as McCullough's 'First man in Rome' are also favourites because I still have a basic understanding of Latin (which is a great help). The Golden Ass is also quite risque and offers great insights into an earlier culture that is far removed from our own ideas of 'civilisation'.

BTW, a basic knowledge of Latin also stands you in good stead when dealing with either the law or medicine. Both professions are rife with pretentious w@nkers.

Recently re-acquired the Complete Works of Paterson and still seeking the Complete Works of Lawson to replace the originals eaten by white-ants while in storage.

Interested in anything, ranging from archaeology to zoology.

I really enjoyed King's 'Gunslinger' series. A break from his usual horror genre. Ben Elton is a modern Tom Sharpe, love his stuff.

Reading - my favourite non-contact sport. 

Anyone else read the Thomas Covenant series by Stephen Donaldson?

Though dated, one of the better fantasy/other world series I've read.

greggerypeccary wrote on Apr 13^th, 2013 at 6:08pm:


You just gotta love a bloke who buys the van that ran him over - then compacts it and uses it as a coffee-table. 

Lionel Edriess wrote on Apr 13^th, 2013 at 6:17pm:



I hadn't heard that story.

That's cool

I love the story of when he was here in Australia once (he comes often): he went into a book store in Alice Springs and pulled one of his novels off the shelf.  Then, to give a reader a thrill, he signed his name inside the front cover.  The shop assistant saw him doing it and called the cops to report "an old guy damaging our books".

Lionel Edriess wrote on Apr 13^th, 2013 at 6:06pm:


I've read them a couple of times, 1st and 2nd Chronicles, but couldn't get interested in the Last Chronicles.

While interesting, I also had trouble coming to grips with "The One Tree". Book 2, 2nd Chron.

There was no correlation with what was happening in 'The Land'.
Not to me, anyway.

I'm a Fantasy Freak though will read just about anything.

I have recently finished Markus Heitz' Dwarves series.
Translated from German.

I think you would enjoy them, Lionel.

Lobo wrote on Apr 13^th, 2013 at 7:08pm:


Ta, very much! I'll have a look into them.

In the interim - anyone a fan of Terry Pratchett?