What am I reading now?

I am now reading "The Fort at River's Bend" by Jack Whyte, the fifth book in his Camulod series. In this book, Merlyn takes Arthur away from Camulod to ensure he survives to adult and learns to be the kind he was meant to be.........


What else is on the future reading list besides this series?

"The Gunslinger" by Stephen King (first of the Dark Tower series)

"The Faithful Spy" By Alex Berenson

"Dead Watch" by John Sandford

I also think I need some lighter summer reading too......

Review "The Eagle's Brood" and "The Saxon Shore" by Jack Whyte

These are books three and four in the Camulod series by Mr. Whyte. This is another retelling of the Arthur legend but from a new perspective. Much like Mary Stewart or Bernrard Cornwell it focuses on a semi-historical fiction of Arthur's life and times. The series began with the Roman withdrawal from Britain and continues in these books with Arthur's birth and his being raised by Merlyn.

I enjoy Mr. Whyte's style of historical fiction - his description of the different groups struggling for survival at the time in Britain (Celts, Picts, Angles, Saxons, Danes, Scots, etc.) are very well done. But I do get impatient sometimes for him to move along with the story! After all, the Saxon Shore is book four and at the end of that book, Arthur is about six years old! So if you want a quicker read I would check another version of this legend.

These books are enjoyable reading if you enjoy historical fiction or Arthur legends or both, but the pace is sometimes slow and long sections can be filled with diversions into things like early theological debates or a visit to a leper colony. When I complete the series I think I can make a fair comparison to other series who told the same tale.

Thought for the Day

Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.

Douglas Adams

My Ten Favorite Movies

Since it is summer movie season I thought this would be a fun post to do. I worked on this list years ago when someone asked me the question "What are your favorite movies?".

Note: I do not think these are the best movies of all time, just my favorites. Movies that I love and could watch again and again. Many great movies are sad or disturbing and I just don't want to see them again (ie 'Schindler's List.)

So here we go:

1. The Return of the King (Lord of the Rings)
2. The Two Towers (Lord of the Rings)
3. The Fellowship of the Ring (Lord of the Rings)
4. The Empire Strikes Back
5. The Blues Brothers
6. Star Wars
7. Outlaw Josey Wales (my favorite western)
8. X-Men 2
9. Return of the Jedi
10. Saving Private Ryan (This movie should be required viewing for American high school seniors.)

Honorable Mention:
LA Confidential, The Matrix, Master and Commander, X-Men and X-Men 3, Shawshank Redemption, Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Sting, The Magnificent Seven, Princess Bride

The worst movie I have ever paid money to see?
Eay - Godzilla (1998 version). It was amazingly bad - and I like monster movies.
The fact that this movie ended up grossing $350 million worldwide makes me question the taste of my fellow man. Were they all suckered in like me?

What am I reading now?

Currently I am reading "The Saxon Shore" by Jack Whyte. This is the fourth book of the Camulod Chronicles and I will be writing a combined review with it and the third book "The Eagle's Brood" later this week. This is an enjoyable Arthurian / historical fiction series, but it moves a little slow. (We are on book 4 and Arthur is 2 or 3 years old......)


I will finish this series and find something else interesting to read - suggestions are always welcome!