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Benedict Arnold

Recommend a book for me.

I'm about to spend a few days by the beach and my doctor warned me today not to swim for a couple of days. What book would you recommend for me to read while I watch Mrs Didge doing her dolphin imitation in the surf? 

Posted - April 3, 2017
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Responses


  • Birdsong by Sebastian Faulk.  It's about the WWI, I had trouble making it through the first chapter but I'm glad I did it's one of the best books I've ever read.
      April 3, 2017 1:40 AM MDT
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  • Very good suggestion. I'll see if my library has a copy (I can download digital books.) My father fought in WWI (and my brother in WWII) so that would have a lot of interest. Thanks. 
      April 3, 2017 1:50 AM MDT
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  • 5354
    Orson Scott Card: "Hearts Hope". I think you will like it (assuming you havent found it already;-))
      April 3, 2017 2:41 AM MDT
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  • I've read a few of his and liked them. I'll definitely add that to my list. 
      April 3, 2017 3:06 AM MDT
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  • What sort of mood are you likely to be in, Mr D? If you're inclining towards the fantastical I recommend Angela Carter's 'The Magic Toyshop'. Feeling a bit nihilistic? Emile Zola's 'Therese Raquin'. Frivolous social satire, Evelyn Waugh's 'Vile Bodies'. Something biographical, Peter Cook's 'Alas I Was An Only Twin'
    Have a lovely holiday :)
      April 3, 2017 2:55 AM MDT
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  • Love that Peter Cook title. Lots to think about there. Thanks. 

    I'll probably still be on line while I'm away (it's gonna be a wet week) but we'll still enjoy it. 
      April 3, 2017 3:07 AM MDT
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  • 6124
    If you like historical fiction, Caleb Carr's The Alienist is worth a read.  Takes place in New York City in the late 1800's.  The title refers to psychiatry when it was in it's infancy and the study of the "alien" (abnormal) mind.  It is a fictionalized version of the attempt to stop the first serial killer in the city's history.  Teddy Roosevelt makes an appearance as the Police Commissioner, along with the early use of fingerprinting in detective work, and an excellent overall description of the city and it's inhabitants during that time period.
      April 3, 2017 3:23 AM MDT
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  • Sounds excellent, Harry. I'd forgotten that particular use of alienist. Yep, it's stomething I'd enjoy. I'll check my library. 
      April 3, 2017 4:16 AM MDT
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  • Storm Front by Jim Butcher. It's the first in the series of The Dresden Files. I think you'd like it.
      April 3, 2017 3:34 AM MDT
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  • Thanks, Karen. I'll add it to the list. It's getting to be quite an interesting list. 
      April 3, 2017 4:17 AM MDT
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  • Here's a quick review:

    Business is slow. So when the police department, which occasionally calls Harry in to consult on cases that involve the paranormal, asks him to assist with a particularly gruesome double murder that may have been accomplished by magic, he can't afford to say no -- even though it's immediately obvious to him that black magic is involved, and that the mage responsible is very powerful indeed.

    Right away, things start to go wrong. Harry manages to insult a ruthless mob boss who doesn't want Harry nosing around in his business. He makes a lifelong enemy of a vicious vampire madam who doesn't want her secrets pried into. And he gets in trouble with the White Council, a sort of wizards' supervisory board that has kept a close eye on him ever since he violated one of the basic rules of magic years before (in self-defense, but to the White Council, that's just a technicality). But all these life-threatening problems suddenly seem trivial when Harry realizes that his detective efforts have inadvertently revealed his identity to the black mage -- a man with a nasty penchant for ripping the hearts out of his enemies. Now Harry isn't fighting just to solve a case, but to save his life.

      April 3, 2017 4:31 AM MDT
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  • You've taken a lot of trouble. Mrs D and I are always looking for new authors and it sounds as though this is somebody we'll definitely enjoy. I'll pop into the library in a minute and see if I can find it. Otherwise it,s Hey, Google! 
      April 3, 2017 4:35 AM MDT
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  • Found it. My library only had it as an audio book so I downloaded a copy. I'll let you know how it goes.
      April 3, 2017 4:43 AM MDT
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  • Awesome. I know you will enjoy it. SyFy did a TV show of it, it only lasted one season.....they ruined it by not following the book at all. Changed up too many things. :(
      April 3, 2017 4:46 AM MDT
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  • Started listening this morning while I was out walking. It gives a whole new dimension to "suspend your disbelief" but I'm enjoying it. :)
      April 3, 2017 6:37 PM MDT
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  • Dear Didge,
    The fantasy artist Sulamith Wülfing (1901-1989) once did a series of illustrations for Hans Christian Andersen THE LITTLE MERMAID...then in 1996 Wülfing's son published a new translation, the whole effect quite delightful.



      April 3, 2017 7:37 AM MDT
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  • Nice. I know it's only kiddie stuff but I like Anderson. His Ugly Ducklling (in all it's forms and recreations) has always been my favourite story. You don't need to be a psychologist to work out what that says about me. :)
      April 3, 2017 3:07 PM MDT
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  • Fun - "The Zen of Farting" Ripa Gun Wan

    Serious - "The Transcendental Temptation"  Paul Krutz
      April 3, 2017 9:04 AM MDT
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  • The second sounds interesting. I'll keep it on my list. Maybe not so much the first.
      April 3, 2017 3:08 PM MDT
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  • Both are instructive.
      April 3, 2017 3:47 PM MDT
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  • 22891
    a funny one
      April 3, 2017 10:35 AM MDT
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  • I like humour, Pearl. Good suggestion. 
      April 3, 2017 3:08 PM MDT
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  • 2960
    Mastering HTML5 Forms
      April 3, 2017 3:12 PM MDT
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  • HTML5 was only just entering the fray while I was writing web pages. Fortunately I don't need to keep up any more. Original suggestion, though. :)
      April 3, 2017 3:19 PM MDT
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