What am I reading now?

I am currently reading "The Dark Tower" by Stephen King - the final book of the 'Dark Tower' series.

At last - the end draws near!

One note - sometimes when you read this book, you can forget that King writes horror fiction. (the same thing happens during 'The Stand'.) Then 'bam!' he reminds you of that fact.......


A truly enjoyable and interesting series.

Review "Imperium" by Robert Harris

"Imperium" is Robert Harris' historical fiction novel about Cicero and life in ancient Rome.

The story focuses on Cicero's career and his political rise to power. Because Rome was a Republic at the time with an elected government, the story is a series of campaigns for various offices on Cicero's way journey up the political ladder. The events seem amazingly familiar to readers in today's America (constant election campaigns, corruption trials of regional governors, attempts to buy votes, etc.)

The real theme of the book is Cicero the person vs Cicero the politician. What is he willing to do to get elected Consul? Is there a deal he won't make? It makes for an interesting and enjoyable read.

I enjoyed this book. I do not think it is as good as Colleen McCollough's series on Julius Caesar but it is very good - and easier to read than McCollough's books. (a lot less Latin).

Thought for the Day

Nescire autem quid ante quam natus sis acciderit, id est semper esse puerum. Quid enim est aetas hominis, nisi ea memoria rerum veterum cum superiorum aetate contexitur?


"Not to know what happened before you were born is to be a child forever. For what is the time of a man, except it be interwoven with that memory of ancient things of a superior age?"

Variant translation: "To be ignorant of the past is to forever be a child."

Cicero

Thought for the Day

Hope is a state of mind, not of the world. Hope, in this deep and powerful sense, is not the same as joy that things are going well, or willingness to invest in enterprises that are obviously heading for success, but rather an ability to work for something because it is good.

~ Vaclav Havel

What am I reading now?

I am currently reading "Imperium" by Robert Harris.

Mr. Harris is an excellent historical fiction author whose works include "Fatherland," "Enigma," and "Pompeii". "Imperium" focuses on ancient Rome and the life of Cicero.

Review "Song of Susannah" by Stephen King

"Song of Susannah" is the sixth book on King's "Dark Tower" series.

This book continues the saga of Roland and company on their quest for the Dark Tower. In this book they re-enter our world.

It is difficult to discuss the plot of this book without giving away some truly interesting plot twists in this series. But the meta-fiction angle that I discussed below only increases in magnitude in this book.

These plot twists make the book thought-provoking and entertaining. While I did not enjoy it as much as "Wizard and Glass" it is still a very good book and a really enjoyable series.

If you are a fan of Stephen King and his other work then I highly recommend this series - there are references to everything he has written at one point or another in the Dark Tower series. But I am not a horror fan so I haven't read any of his stuff outside of "The Stand" (which is great) and this series.

One more book to go! I can't wait to see how it ends.

Thought for the Day

"Creative people probably do run a greater risk of alcoholism and addiction than those in some other jobs, but so what? We all look pretty much the same when we're puking in the gutter. "

Stephen King


from "Wolves of the Calla"

"First come smiles, then comes lies. Last is gunfire. "
~Roland

Future Reading List

So what is on the future reading list?

"The Dark Tower" by Stephen King (of course - the conclusion of the series)

"Imperium" by Robert Harris (who has written some excellent historical fiction - "Fatherland", "Pompeii")

"The Mission Song" by John Le Carre

"A spot of bother" by Mark Haddon