It isn't very often I come across a book that I would consider a life changing experience. This book is definitely one of those.
Tim Spector's very reaIt isn't very often I come across a book that I would consider a life changing experience. This book is definitely one of those.
Tim Spector's very readable and explains the science behind what we eat, why diets don't always work, and exactly how our digestive system works.
I came away from this book with a deep understanding of why some foods don't sit well in my stomach, a starter's guide to tailoring the way I eat for my body's needs, a deep distrust of refined sugar, and an enormous respect for my own personal microbes.
I have great respect for Tim Spector. He admits he's made mistakes as a scientist. It takes a big man to admit to his mistakes, and an even bigger one to do it in writing!
I cannot recommend this book highly enough to anyone interested in how their body works, in eating well, and staying healthy. A rare 5 stars from me....more
Interesting book, but again, some material was covered in earlier works.
Was interested to learn that the infamous Earl of Sandwich was the great-grandInteresting book, but again, some material was covered in earlier works.
Was interested to learn that the infamous Earl of Sandwich was the great-grandson of the notorious Earl of Rochester. Some things are obviously genetic!
A case of malicious damage at the newly opened National Portrait Gallery leads to an interesting and dangerous case for Holmes and Watson, when they cA case of malicious damage at the newly opened National Portrait Gallery leads to an interesting and dangerous case for Holmes and Watson, when they cross swords with the evil Lord of Strange Deaths, the ruler of Limehouse.
The plot is detailed and absorbing. Nothing facile about this book.
Holmes and Watson are comfortably in character. There is no jarring as there sometimes is with pastiches. The strength of the friendship is shown quite clearly, especially in an horrific scene towards the end of the book. This is the traditional Holmes and Watson, each with their clearly defined roles within the narrative, but doesn't make anything about the book predictable or dull.
There is a nice little BBC Sherlock gag, that fits in smoothly, and won't ruffle the feathers of Sherlockians, but will make "Sherlock" fans chuckle gently.
I have given "The Albino's Treasure" five stars for one reason... this is a first novel, and I have NEVER come across a first novel that was such a readable delight.
Highly recommended for all Sherlock Holmes fans....more
The first of this series of novels that I have read, and I will definitely be seeking out the others.
Set at a time prior to the establishment of the LThe first of this series of novels that I have read, and I will definitely be seeking out the others.
Set at a time prior to the establishment of the London Metropolitan Police the novel really works the rivalries between the various police forces.
An interesting crime with links to the Hellfire Club, and characters with real depth and interest make this a little better than most of the run-of-the-mill Victorian crime novels.
"The Herald of Hell" takes places literally days before the Great Revolt of 1381. So the atmosphere of the book isThe best Paul Doherty novel in ages.
"The Herald of Hell" takes places literally days before the Great Revolt of 1381. So the atmosphere of the book is one of danger and fear.
A clerk from the secret chancery of John of Gaunt is murdered in a brothel. His servant seeks sanctuary at St Erconwalds and is also murdered. All hell is breaking loose and only Sir Jack Cranston and Brother Athelstan stand in its path.
Well written, fast paced, and damn near unputdownable. "The Herald of Hell" had me on the edge of my seat many times.
As always, Paul loves his little inside jokes. He ties the first Hugh Corbett novel, "Satan in St Marys" into the framework of this book. And, as is his wont, his home town gets a mention. I think he's worked it into just about every novel he's written.
The next book in the series is apparently going to be called "The Great Revolt", we know how it ends, but I am sure we will loose many of Athelstan's parishioners before that book ends. But suffice to say that, in this book, we don't loose anyone we have come to love, but there is at least one hell of a shock for long time readers of the series.
Interesting and entertaining book on prostitution in London over the centuries.
Where possible there are potted biographies of some of the main playersInteresting and entertaining book on prostitution in London over the centuries.
Where possible there are potted biographies of some of the main players in the oldest profession in the world. Sometimes only names survive. As in the case of the wonderfully named Clarice de Claterballocks!
Well written and surely of interest to anyone with an interest in social history and/or the history of London.
Bill Bryson is back doing what he is absolutely brilliant at, and that is writing travel books with real warmth and charm. You can stick the Lonely PlBill Bryson is back doing what he is absolutely brilliant at, and that is writing travel books with real warmth and charm. You can stick the Lonely Planet, I'd rather travel with one of Bryson's enchanting tomes.
"The Road to Little Dribbling" is Bill Bryson exploring the United Kingdom twenty years after his book "Notes from a Small Island".
His love for his adopted country shines through on every page.
The thing that makes Bryson's travel books so special is his eye for minutiae.
The chapter on London was my favourite. Oh how I would love to see Bill write a book simply about London.
If you love travel and you love the United Kingdom, this book is a must for you.
A poignant read in that Clive James has chosen to spend his last days reading. Something I think we can all understand.
But even with COPD and sufferinA poignant read in that Clive James has chosen to spend his last days reading. Something I think we can all understand.
But even with COPD and suffering from terminal leukemia, Clive James' wit shines as brightly as ever.
I had intended reading this book slowly, one essay at a time. I ended up doing what almost every other reader of the book has done and devoured it in one sitting.
The perfect book for book lovers, and lovers of a well turned, witty phrase....more
This was a 'last chance' book. When I've read a few books from an author and enjoyed them, then stop enjoying their work, I give them three books to eThis was a 'last chance' book. When I've read a few books from an author and enjoyed them, then stop enjoying their work, I give them three books to enthrall me again, before they come off my reading list.
This was Philippa Gregory's last chance to enthrall me. And enthrall me she did! "The Taming of the Queen' is set during Kateryn Parr's time as Henry VIII's queen. It is vibrant, captivating, book that captures the minutiae of the Tudor court perfectly.
Her Henry is a chilling portrayal of psychopathy. Kateryn is probably the least known of Henry's wives, but the one deserving of the most respect. She survived the machinations of his court where her predecessors (with the notable exception of Anne of Cleves) did not.
It does puzzle me when people deride Philippa Gregory's work as inaccurate. A look at the 4 or 5 pages of bibliography at the back shows just how much research goes into her work. Having read a fair chunk of her resource material, I can tell you Ms Gregory's research is impeccable.
In my opinion, this is the best of her books since "The Boelyn Inheritance".
A 3.5 star read that I upgraded to 4 star on the basis of two things. Any book with Esmerelda "Granny" Weatherwax in it, is going to be enjoyable, andA 3.5 star read that I upgraded to 4 star on the basis of two things. Any book with Esmerelda "Granny" Weatherwax in it, is going to be enjoyable, and the little blue buggers that sound like a couple of thousand aggravated Billy Connollys - aka the pixies.
Nearly got 5 stars on the basis of the best description of stealing cattle I've ever read: "snafflin' coobeasties". :D
Not the best Discworld novel I've read, but far from the worst.
Sherlock Holmes and John Watson slightly out of character. Mycroft so badly out of character that it is disgusting that he even CALLED the character MSherlock Holmes and John Watson slightly out of character. Mycroft so badly out of character that it is disgusting that he even CALLED the character Mycroft.
Only thing that makes this a 3 star read is the fast paced plot....more
Four star read scaled back to three due to some serious historical errors. Not in the writer's area of expertise, but in general history. Richard II wFour star read scaled back to three due to some serious historical errors. Not in the writer's area of expertise, but in general history. Richard II was the GRANDSON of Edward III, not the son, as stated in the book.
Besides that, the book is well researched and quite interesting, covering as it does the history of prostitution in Southwark, Bankside, and the Liberty of the Clink.
Originally published in the 1970s, and pretty much the go-to reference work in this field, my copy was a reprint from 2015, so the subject is obviously still one that is of interest.
Worth a read if you are interested in London's social history. Have to admit I am looking forward to getting back to Southwark and tracking down some of the sites mentioned in the book....more
Loading...
