Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction discussion

Ha. Maybe you should start one. :-)
I don't read a lot of animal fiction.
I read a lot of horse fiction as a youth. A favourite would be a series you would know, Bryn The Silver Brumby.
I still have all my horse fiction from when I was a kid, but I never read animal fiction anymore.

Ah Harlequin romance, yes, I do recall how quickly I used to zip through those things a million years ago. Before I changed genre's.

Terri wrote: "I still have all my horse fiction from when I was a kid, but I never read animal fiction anymore."

I still do. But these days (used to have the horse fetish) I like to find - aside from rabbits - moles, ants, owls and other less-written-about species.

Of course I've readThe Incredible Journey
I loved the original movie, the later ones are cute, but cannot compare with the original one set in Canada.

That's where I knew the name from, a movie. :)

I remember watching that as a kid.

I read a lot of books about dogs, anything dog related. Although I like wolves too. I'm open to reading most other animals as well.

At message 365 I mentiones reading DOUBLE TROUBLE FOR RUPERT
I also read TRIPPLE TROUBLE FOR RUBERT! AND IT WAS A WONDERFUL BOOK. Surely I read these in grammar school.Have none of you ever read these books? I cannot tell you what they about, some kind of trouble Rupert has gotten himself into I suppose. For those of you who have elementary aged children, give them RUPERT books and ignite their passions for reading.

Tasha wrote: "I read a lot of books about dogs, anything dog related. Although I like wolves too. I'm open to reading most other animals as well."

have you read . Don't let the title throw you. One of my all time favorite reads!!

Bobby wrote: ".."

This is a wonderful book. Absolutely wonderful. I loved it. I can't recommend it highly enough,.

Yep, read it and loved it. Cried too! :)

Tasha wrote: "Yep, read it and loved it. Cried too! :)"

Girl. ;)

Terri wrote: "Tasha wrote: "Yep, read it and loved it. Cried too! :)"

Girl. ;)"

They can bring me to tears. ;)

And there is the reason I don't read animal books. :) I am too emotional when it comes to animals.

It can be painful, but worth the ride. Although the movies Hatchi and Marley & Me were extremely painful to watch. I'd rather read a sad book than watch a sad movie. I feel more in control.

I can't even watch Free Willy. I am a sensitive creature when it comes to fur and feathers. (And scales and...well..you get the picture)

Yep, I get the picture. ;)

Darn! I can't send you that heartrending book The Trials of Timmy Tarantula ??

Lol! Well hmmmm...is that the one that is a web of deceit and lies and slow moving plot lines? I think I've read it and it made my skin crawl. ;)

I am having reading concentration problems and wondering if anyone else has the same malady and can offer a cure or advice. I am reading Stephen Lawhead's TUCK (Raven King #3). So the book is not the problem. My mind just wanders off, thinking of other things, while I am reading. I would appreciate some help.

I am dreadful at concentrating but I just work around it. I take lots of breaks and sit somewhere quiet. I've found if it's a really bad day then I follow the words with my finger as I'm reading, it helps keep me on track.
I never found anything that keeps my mind from wandering off. :)

My concentration seems to depend on my interest. If it is something I am very interested in, I can go for several hours, but if is something that does not hold my interest much, I have a harder time reading it, and sometimes my mind will wander and I have turned a couple pages and can't remember anything I supposedly read. it is the same with TV-if the show is not what I really like, my thoughts will wander and i will conjure up something exciting in my mind.
The same went for school sbjects, math took forever, but history went very fast.

I am having the same problem right now, Linda. The last few books I have had concentration problems. The result has been some very slow reading.
As a victim of this same problem, I have no advice. :-)

I was thinking of doing this too, Chris. I have really had the urge to reread a few of the Robert Low Oathsworn books as I know I am going to get powerful writing in those books. However, sad to say, I haven't room in my reading list for the next few months to be rereading.

Linda wrote: "I am having reading concentration problems and wondering if anyone else has the same malady and can offer a cure or advice..."

I get fuzzy-brain, when I'm useless, scatter-brained, can't read. Happens on certain days. -This is odd, but for me, I tracked down one cause at least, which is sugar. If I gorge on sugar my brain spends the next couple of days fuzzy and cannot settle. It's a real problem, that seems physical, and I've tried to figure out why I have concentration-days and non-concentration days.

Could be a number of things hey? Everything from menopause (which of course doesn't work for the chappies with concentration problems) to mineral deficiency to sugar. Even being over tired can do it.

For me I think it is he books. I haven't read any really brilliant books for a few months. Boring books or books that have perfectly okay storylines and plot, but the writing is dull, beome a chore more than a pleasure.

Thanks to all of you. Everything said makes sense to me. Bryn, I know exactly what you are saying about the sugar overload. Sugar is like a drug--one hit and its off to the races you go but cannot find the track.
I feel better knowing I am not alone with this concentration problem. For whatever the cause may be, some of us suffer from it from time to time. Bryn, thank you for bringing up the sugar binging.

If I can't concentrate on a book (that I absolutely don't have to read), I put it aside. That happened with John Adams. It's undoubtedly a worthy book with lots of good information on a complex time with fabulous people, but it does not thrill me. So I'm taking it off my 'currently reading' list.

But that's a little different from being off my game. The sugar connection is interesting.

Linda wrote: "I am having reading concentration problems and wondering if anyone else has the same malady and can offer a cure or advice. I am reading Stephen Lawhead's TUCK (Raven King #3). So the book is not..."

Maybe your subconscious is telling you something.

Put the books to one side and let your mind free-wheel.

You will either come up with the solution to something thats bugging you but which you have sunk out of sight or you will eventually wool gather yourself out. Then when you turn to a book it will be with anticipation and enjoyment all the way through.Unless the book is the problem, of course,in which case bin it, life's too short.

When I feel the need to look out of the window I either do it or go for a walk.

There are books I reread several times - and with gusto, simply because of the delicious way a phrase is turned. On the other hand, someone gave me a best-selling German author (in German) and I tossed it after the prologue. A pervert murders an unknown girl then goes on a spree. Completely pointless. I'd rather pick up my German version of Hawaii again even with its miniscule, eye-straining print.

When I can identify/empathize/cry and laugh with the protagonists, I read for days (age and rural isolation giving me that luxury) so I haven't had a problem with my concentration.

But thanks for the chocolate theory mentioned above. I just experimented with it! We'll see if its true...

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...
Now this is my idea of a book outlet!!

Bobby wrote: "https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...
Now this is my idea of a book outlet!!"

That is a great idea. :)

I agree-however I would not want to be the person who moves all those heavy shelves filled with books-LOL.

I saw this Bondi book wall photo before. Quite a while back. I think it happened last year?? Unless it s there all the time.

Always good to see my fellow Aussies reading books while they work on their melanomas.

Chris wrote: "Question: Do you utilize a system for keeping track of appealing passages and quotes?..."

Yes. A ball-point pen, generally guided by a straight-edge (I designed some just for this purpose. I have about 500 of them; they're quite pretty, with book covers on them. Another word for them is 'promotional bookmarks') If I really like the passage I'll put a star (four strokes with my pen) beside it in the margin.

Highlighters (those thingies that look like indelible markers but which fade terribly) were once used but dismissed as useless. Ditto stickies. People find them a godsend; they seem to hate me. If I want miscellaneous pieces of sticky paper to adhere to me all unbeknown, I'll walk through The Great Flypaper Jungle.

Hi Chris, sorry I missed your post until now.
As is often the way with your posts I can't tell which questions are rhetorical and which are not. Lol :-)

Lovely scenes out your window, Chris. It has been dumping rain here and I see nothing out my window but a few flying crows in the distancr and some white cloaked mountains.

We often have deer (and fawns) munching through our yard. I saw a mom with triplets yesterday. My one dog almost jumped on the back of a deer last year, chasing it. Another time, a doe made such a weird sound when the same dog was barking at it.

Have a great time, Diana! Sounds like a great getaway.

Sounds like a good weekend, have fun.

P.S. this is the thread you were looking for: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/7...

Thanks, Tasha and Dawn!
How did I miss that thread???

I'm moving my post over there.

Have a great weekend!

ChrisL wrote: "Anne wrote: "I agree-however I would not want to be the person who moves all those heavy shelves filled with books-LOL."

Anne, my arthritic thumbs moved hundreds of thousands of books over 30+ lib..."


Don't feel bad, Chris. I have a Masters Degree and was working as a social worker for the State of florida in West Palm Beach. I was horrified to find out thst garbage collectors salary was above mine. After a while I began to wonder why I had taken the time to get my Masters.

I had a masters (almost a PhD except for the dissertation) in psychology (with almost a degree from a psychoanalytic institute as well) and once I left the field (burnout) i actually made significantly more money working at a title insurance company. The added bonus of never working past 5pm or weekends was priceless as well. Needless to say, I loved my simple, no college degree required, title clerk job! Now, I am a stay-at-home mom. :)

A lot less burden on you emotionally and mentally too. :-)

Yes

ChrisL wrote: "

Smile producing picture
Is that one of Terri's bookstores..."

Lol. No. Would be cool place to have one.
Even the thought of owning a bookstore in this day and age, gives me an ulcer. :-)

I am very excited about the Olympics. Love the Olympics.

Some of the sites for the sporting events are a spin out, such as the Beach Volley Ball Courts on the Horse Guards Parade. looks amazing.
http://www.london2012.com/beach-volle...

Terri wrote: "I am very excited about the Olympics. Love the Olympics.

Some of the sites for the sporting events are a spin out, such as the Beach Volley Ball Courts on the Horse Guards Parade. looks amazin..."

I LOVE the Olympics too, Terri. I thought I had missed the opening ceremony because they showed a picture of Mitt Romney going to London and the next thing I saw was a huge stadium greeting him. But that was the Salt Lake City games-Whew!
My favorite is the winter, but there are things I love in the summer too, gymnastics, equestrian and swimming.

Anne, I don't know what your tv coverage is like over there, but the Team Equestrian Dressage events are on Day 1. :-) I am very excited. Over here we have 8 Olympics dedicated channels on cable and I get to see every minute of the Equestrian.
Just quietly between you and me and these others lurking in the thread, I am practically overwrought with excitement at this. I love watching the Equestrian. :-)

We don't get all of the equestrian :(. They think crap like boxing, and basketball, soccer, tennisand baseball oar more important. I quit watching the team sports when the allowed pros to compete. The TV is full of it. I would so much rather see the college kids doing it.

Oh what a shame. :( I was hoping we might have both watched it and compared notes. :)