I have only read Hound of the Baskervilles and a few short stories. I have read much more Agatha Christie, but some people feel that Doyle’s works are better written and constructed.
2025: What are you currently reading?
- Thread starter LRK
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- Mar 3, 2015
Gosh! They are such different writers..
But Irina Adler is one of Doyle’s best creations and she outsmarts Holmes!
You’re right, but a lot of people lump them together because they are the most famous and influential mystery writers. I recall that Holmes fell for Adler and she eluded him!Gosh! They are such different writers..
But Irina Adler is one of Doyle’s best creations and she outsmarts Holmes!
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- Nov 13, 2012
I think 'A Scandal in Bohemia' is the very first short story? At any rate, I like that Holmes respects and admires Irene Adler for outwitting him. I've never "bought" the torrid love affair some people imagine as a result - but each to their own...
I really enjoyed "Good Night, Mr Holmes" by Carole Nelson Douglas, which tells the sotry from Irene Adler's perspective - or rather, the perspective of her Watson equivalent. I've got it on my Reading List, and am looking forward to re-reading it some day. It is the first book in a series, but I've not been able to lay my hands on any of the other books, unfortunately.
ETA - And as regards Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie - fortunately we don't actually have to choose, but can like them both. I certainly do.
(I've a re-read of ""4.50 from Paddington" coming up soon, and am really looking forward to that.)
I really enjoyed "Good Night, Mr Holmes" by Carole Nelson Douglas, which tells the sotry from Irene Adler's perspective - or rather, the perspective of her Watson equivalent. I've got it on my Reading List, and am looking forward to re-reading it some day. It is the first book in a series, but I've not been able to lay my hands on any of the other books, unfortunately.
ETA - And as regards Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie - fortunately we don't actually have to choose, but can like them both. I certainly do.
(I've a re-read of ""4.50 from Paddington" coming up soon, and am really looking forward to that.)
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I agree that we don’t have to choose between Doyle and Christie, they are both well worth reading. I especially like the Christie stories that show the inner thoughts of the characters.
I am reading “Les Miserables” now. It is beautifully written but time-consuming at over 1,200 pages! Also F. Scott Fitzgerald, both his novels and short stories.
I am reading “Les Miserables” now. It is beautifully written but time-consuming at over 1,200 pages! Also F. Scott Fitzgerald, both his novels and short stories.
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- Nov 13, 2012
Terry Pratchett: "Interesting Times"
A Discworld novel.
"There is a curse.
They say:
May You Live in Interesting Times"
Me, personally, have never felt a hankering after living in interesting times - in factt, the last few years have definitely been far too interesting for my mild-mannered tastes. Given my preference, I'd like to live in "times so uninteresting they bore you out of your skull."
The only "interesting times" I wish to experience are fictional. I've just begun and am certainly (unsuprisingly) enjoying myself so far. I did not expect to feel sorry for a shark, however..
A Discworld novel.
"There is a curse.
They say:
May You Live in Interesting Times"
Me, personally, have never felt a hankering after living in interesting times - in factt, the last few years have definitely been far too interesting for my mild-mannered tastes. Given my preference, I'd like to live in "times so uninteresting they bore you out of your skull."
The only "interesting times" I wish to experience are fictional. I've just begun and am certainly (unsuprisingly) enjoying myself so far. I did not expect to feel sorry for a shark, however..
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2012
You really are making your way through the classics! (Dickens is my favourite author, as it happens - my favourite books by him are a three-way tie between "Bleak House"/"Little Dorrit"/"Our Mutual Friend".)
By the way, I had thought to mention... Whenever you feel in the mood for more swashbuckling, you mightt want to consider the "Three Musketeers" sequel "Twenty Years After". Myladys son is out for revenge... (The Swedish title of the book is "Myladys son" - and I won't bother to translate that into English.
)
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- Nov 13, 2012
Agatha Christie: "4.50 from Paddington"
This is a re-read and one of my favourite Miss Marple books. I do love Miss Marple, and have, ever since I first started reading the books back in the '80s. Whereas with Hercule Poirot it took me a while - I enjoyed the mysteries, but the character himself used to irritate me no end. I took some solace when I found out that another person he used to annoy was Agatha Christie herself. During the years - well, decades, really - unperceptibly I got used to him and then - someway along the way - really fond of him. But it took time - with Miss Marple, however, it was insta-adoration.
It's a very comfortable thing, re-reading an old favourite. This is a book where I actually do remembeer "whodunnit", which is, by no means, always the case. In fact, I once re-read an Agathat Christie without realising it was a re-read until I checked a list I keep of the books I've read. (My Younger Self would have been mortified - let's not tell her. ) Still, I by no means remember every detail. A re-read like this, I've noticed, really does become more about the "journey" rather than the "destination" - you can pause and admire the scenery, if you will, when you are not so anxious to get to the end, and find out what happens.
This is a re-read and one of my favourite Miss Marple books. I do love Miss Marple, and have, ever since I first started reading the books back in the '80s. Whereas with Hercule Poirot it took me a while - I enjoyed the mysteries, but the character himself used to irritate me no end. I took some solace when I found out that another person he used to annoy was Agatha Christie herself.
During the years - well, decades, really - unperceptibly I got used to him and then - someway along the way - really fond of him. But it took time - with Miss Marple, however, it was insta-adoration.It's a very comfortable thing, re-reading an old favourite. This is a book where I actually do remembeer "whodunnit", which is, by no means, always the case. In fact, I once re-read an Agathat Christie without realising it was a re-read until I checked a list I keep of the books I've read. (My Younger Self would have been mortified - let's not tell her.
) Still, I by no means remember every detail. A re-read like this, I've noticed, really does become more about the "journey" rather than the "destination" - you can pause and admire the scenery, if you will, when you are not so anxious to get to the end, and find out what happens.
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Thanks for the suggestions! I knew that Dumas had written at least one sequel to "The Three Musketeers" and will read it eventually. It's very entertaining, but I have enjoyed some of the other authors more. I preferred "The Count of Monte Cristo".You really are making your way through the classics! (Dickens is my favourite author, as it happens - my favourite books by him are a three-way tie between "Bleak House"/"Little Dorrit"/"Our Mutual Friend".)
By the way, I had thought to mention... Whenever you feel in the mood for more swashbuckling, you mightt want to consider the "Three Musketeers" sequel "Twenty Years After". Myladys son is out for revenge... (The Swedish title of the book is "Myladys son" - and I won't bother to translate that into English.
I have "David Copperfield" already and will read it soon, it's good to know that all of the ones you mentioned are even better than the Dickens I have read so far.
I mainly read the Poirot books growing up and always liked them, but I can see why the Marple ones are preferable to some people and worth reading as well. It is interesting to reread books after many years (or even decades!.) Sometimes I feel the same about them and other times have new or different impressions.Agatha Christie: "4.50 from Paddington"
This is a re-read and one of my favourite Miss Marple books. I do love Miss Marple, and have, ever since I first started reading the books back in the '80s. Whereas with Hercule Poirot it took me a while - I enjoyed the mysteries, but the character himself used to irritate me no end. I took some solace when I found out that another person he used to annoy was Agatha Christie herself.
It's a very comfortable thing, re-reading an old favourite. This is a book where I actually do remembeer "whodunnit", which is, by no means, always the case. In fact, I once re-read an Agathat Christie without realising it was a re-read until I checked a list I keep of the books I've read. (My Younger Self would have been mortified - let's not tell her.
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2012
Terry Jones: "The Knight and the Squire"
Historical fiction set in Medieval Times - the first book in a trilogy. Sadly, I do not own the other two, and they don't seem to be in print at the moment either. I'm only about 30 or so pages in, but am enjoying it very much. It seems it is the right book at the right time - I had no idea that I was in the mood for some Middle Grade Medieval addventure, but it was the next book on my Reading List, so here we are.
"I suppose that the things that people did six hundred years ago were just as real to them when they were doing them as the things you and I were doing two minutes ago are to us now."
I shouldn't be surprised, really, as I've very much enjoyed the history documentaries that Terry Jones made - clearly he had a real interest in history. The Crusades, Barbarians and, of course, Medieval Lives. They ae informative and also, of coure, loads of fun.
Here's a look at the Medieval Lives episode The Knight:
www.youtube.com
Historical fiction set in Medieval Times - the first book in a trilogy. Sadly, I do not own the other two, and they don't seem to be in print at the moment either. I'm only about 30 or so pages in, but am enjoying it very much. It seems it is the right book at the right time - I had no idea that I was in the mood for some Middle Grade Medieval addventure, but it was the next book on my Reading List, so here we are.
"I suppose that the things that people did six hundred years ago were just as real to them when they were doing them as the things you and I were doing two minutes ago are to us now."
I shouldn't be surprised, really, as I've very much enjoyed the history documentaries that Terry Jones made - clearly he had a real interest in history. The Crusades, Barbarians and, of course, Medieval Lives. They ae informative and also, of coure, loads of fun.
Here's a look at the Medieval Lives episode The Knight:
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Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
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He gave a visiting lecture on "medieval times for real vs in historical fiction and films" when I was a student at the Grad Centre for Medieval Studies in Toronto. The hall was packed, and they had to ask him to repeat it because so many had to be turned away by the fire marshall.Terry Jones: "The Knight and the Squire"
Historical fiction set in Medieval Times - the first book in a trilogy. Sadly, I do not own the other two, and they don't seem to be in print at the moment either. I'm only about 30 or so pages in, but am enjoying it very much. It seems it is the right book at the right time - I had no idea that I was in the mood for some Middle Grade Medieval addventure, but it was the next book on my Reading List, so here we are.
"I suppose that the things that people did six hundred years ago were just as real to them when they were doing them as the things you and I were doing two minutes ago are to us now."
I shouldn't be surprised, really, as I've very much enjoyed the history documentaries that Terry Jones made - clearly he had a real interest in history. The Crusades, Barbarians and, of course, Medieval Lives. They ae informative and also, of coure, loads of fun.
Here's a look at the Medieval Lives episode The Knight:
- YouTube
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
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- Jan 10, 2016
Well since I have some ridiculous ADHD I have.. about 5 books on the go LOL. I like biographies and stuff like that.
I just finished Duhamel/Radfords book Hometown Glory. Was nice to read and have more of an insight of what was going on with them. It wasnt a terribly long book but I enjoyed it.
I have on the go Brittany Spear's book.. its garbage. You can tell this is a book that was pretty much written from someone going through her diary and trying to put it in a novel form. It jumps everywhere and has no rhythm nor can I see her actually writing that book. Im trying to force my self to read it because I paid for it.. but .. its not going well lol.
The Rodchenkov Affair I finished just a little bit ago.. SO GOOD. If you want a tell all book on Russian doping in Olympics and how Sochi went down.. I highly recommend it.
Currently aswell I am reading is
I just finished Duhamel/Radfords book Hometown Glory. Was nice to read and have more of an insight of what was going on with them. It wasnt a terribly long book but I enjoyed it.
I have on the go Brittany Spear's book.. its garbage. You can tell this is a book that was pretty much written from someone going through her diary and trying to put it in a novel form. It jumps everywhere and has no rhythm nor can I see her actually writing that book. Im trying to force my self to read it because I paid for it.. but .. its not going well lol.
The Rodchenkov Affair I finished just a little bit ago.. SO GOOD. If you want a tell all book on Russian doping in Olympics and how Sochi went down.. I highly recommend it.
Currently aswell I am reading is
UFO...Contact from the Pleiades (45th Anniversary Edition)
I am only 1/4 through and I am amazed. The photos, the quotes, the details and most impressive the fact that no professional can debunk any of it. If you are a UFO enthusiast then please pick this one up.
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2012
That's so awesome! I don't wonder at it, though - I would have loved to attend, has I ever had the chance.
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2012
P G Wodehouse: "Love Among the Chickens"
This is also one of Wodehouse's early works - but this one is new to me.
The Introducer to my Penguin copy first waxes enthusiastic about reading an early work by an author before said author has found his style &c - only to turn around, a paragraph or two later, and say that the text we are about to read is not from the original 1906 edition at all - but from a revised and republished edition from 1921! Well, I suppose, considering Wodehouse had 50+ years of books still in front of him, this is still relattively early. Still, I must confess to a certain amount of disappointment - a disappointment I would not have felt, had not the Introducer hyped it up in the first place! Ah, well, that is neither here nor there, I suppose.
This is the first book featuring the character Ukridge - a new acquaintance for me. Though I've never really read Wodehouse in any particular odrer - just whatever books happened to come to hand - I've never come across him before.
The narrator of this novel describes him thusly:
"Ukridge was the sort of man who asks you out to dinner, borrows the money from you to pay the bill, and winds up the evening by embroiling you in a fight with a cabman. I have gone to Covent Garden balls with Ukridge, and found myself legging it down Henrietta Street in the grey dawn, pursued by infuriated costermongers."
A disconcerting individual to know in "real life" perhaps - but hopefully an enjoyable character to read about.
Also, if you ever thought embarking on an enterprise without any knowledge on the subject was a disadvantage, not so - on the contrary! Ukridge assures us that:
"You will bring to the work a mind unclouded by theories."
As these prospective chicken farmers are completely unencumbered by any such harmful baggage - I'm sure this is all going to go off swimmingly!
This is also one of Wodehouse's early works - but this one is new to me.
The Introducer to my Penguin copy first waxes enthusiastic about reading an early work by an author before said author has found his style &c - only to turn around, a paragraph or two later, and say that the text we are about to read is not from the original 1906 edition at all - but from a revised and republished edition from 1921! Well, I suppose, considering Wodehouse had 50+ years of books still in front of him, this is still relattively early. Still, I must confess to a certain amount of disappointment - a disappointment I would not have felt, had not the Introducer hyped it up in the first place! Ah, well, that is neither here nor there, I suppose.
This is the first book featuring the character Ukridge - a new acquaintance for me. Though I've never really read Wodehouse in any particular odrer - just whatever books happened to come to hand - I've never come across him before.
The narrator of this novel describes him thusly:
"Ukridge was the sort of man who asks you out to dinner, borrows the money from you to pay the bill, and winds up the evening by embroiling you in a fight with a cabman. I have gone to Covent Garden balls with Ukridge, and found myself legging it down Henrietta Street in the grey dawn, pursued by infuriated costermongers."
A disconcerting individual to know in "real life" perhaps - but hopefully an enjoyable character to read about.
Also, if you ever thought embarking on an enterprise without any knowledge on the subject was a disadvantage, not so - on the contrary! Ukridge assures us that:
"You will bring to the work a mind unclouded by theories."
As these prospective chicken farmers are completely unencumbered by any such harmful baggage - I'm sure this is all going to go off swimmingly!
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- Joined
- Nov 13, 2012
L M Montgomery: "The Alpine Path"
This is a slim little volume, the subtitle of which is "The Story of my Career". It was first published in 1917 in a magazine. Of course a lot of L M Montgomery's career was in front of her at this point, but this details her early struggles climbing "the Alpine Path". The title is a quote from a poem that nspired her from when she was a young girl, to persevere, and she hoped that, by writing this, she could inspire others in a like situation to do the same.
I'm just a few pages in so far, and it is - unsurprisingly - lovely.
This is a slim little volume, the subtitle of which is "The Story of my Career". It was first published in 1917 in a magazine. Of course a lot of L M Montgomery's career was in front of her at this point, but this details her early struggles climbing "the Alpine Path". The title is a quote from a poem that nspired her from when she was a young girl, to persevere, and she hoped that, by writing this, she could inspire others in a like situation to do the same.
I'm just a few pages in so far, and it is - unsurprisingly - lovely.
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2012
Barbara Metzger: "Valentines" & Margaret Evans Porter: "Road to Ruin"
Regecy. In this omnibus volume Signet - for reasons best known to themselves - chose to combine three stories by Barbara Metzger ("Valentines") and a novel by Margaret Evans Porter ("Road to Ruin").
Thus far I've enjoyed Barbara Metzger's shorter fiction more than her novels - I'vee never read anything by Margaret Evans Porter before - so we'll see. I've begun the first story by Barbara Metzger ('Bald Lies' - this is a pun, by the way), and so far, so good.
Regecy. In this omnibus volume Signet - for reasons best known to themselves - chose to combine three stories by Barbara Metzger ("Valentines") and a novel by Margaret Evans Porter ("Road to Ruin").
Thus far I've enjoyed Barbara Metzger's shorter fiction more than her novels - I'vee never read anything by Margaret Evans Porter before - so we'll see. I've begun the first story by Barbara Metzger ('Bald Lies' - this is a pun, by the way), and so far, so good.
It sounds interesting, I have only read a few of the "Anne of Green Gables" series. I haven't read any Wodehouse or the other authors you mentioned.
I have a lot of Dickens titles still to read. "The Pickwick Papers" was entertaining, even if episodic and less serious than his later works. Also more of Thackeray beyond "Vanity Fair".
