Not sure if it counts as reading, but I've also recently discovered Podcastle, a podcast of audio versions of fantasy stories. Some classics, some new material previously published in print, and some original to the podcast. The same outfit also has s-f (Escapepod) and horror (Pseudopod) podcasts. Podcastle can be found at http://podcastle.org/ and has links to the other two. I also love their theme music, which is a piece by a band that I'm just starting to investigate further called Shiva in Exile. The following is the piece that Podcastle uses.

 Mendalla

Found a new fav light reading (mystery) author this summer. Louise Penny, writes about Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of Sûreté du Québec. Great characters, wonderful historical notes, feels like 'home' (my sister-in-law lives in Dorval, and I tell her at least bi-yearly that I could live there).

Just about to start 'The Forest Laird'. a version of the life of William Wallace by Jack Whyte.   Also I jut found my hubby's Kobo reader and charged it so who knows...maybe War and Peace?

I'm just finishing up "The Book of Negroes" by Lawrence Hill - wow ... I know, I'm a couple of years behind, but that doesn't matter so much.

Before that I read a mystery - "Three Bags Full:  A Sheep Detective Story" by Leonie Swann - a very quirky & amusing tale where, yes, the sheep are the detectives!  The flock decides the humans will never figure out who killed their shepherd, so they set out to do it themselves - which naturally they do!  Great sheep characters & observations of life - an entertaining read.  

Well Trish, you may have no time for drawing and painting but you do get the books in!

I on the other hand haven't been reading much at all. A paragraph here and there from Graham Hancock's Underworld, and quite spread apart. I've even been on WC less the past few weeks. Lots of stuff going on.

Oh, I did finish Dawkins' Unweaving the Rainbow though.

yeah I know.  But a book I can pick up and put down anytime. Serious drawing  or painting takes setting up and knowing I won't be BOTHERED during.

Ahh, yes. You could try to slip in a sketch for 15 mins though, just a pad of paper and a pencil, if you wanted to. Casual drawing. You can do the face, then come back to the body later... Well, I admire your reading skills anyway.

I haven't read anything new this summer, just some old favourites.

I spent a lazy civic holiday reading on the dock...

The Devil and Miss Prym, by Paulo Coelho

I recommend anything by Coelho.  His books are small but pack a lot; philosophy, faith and exquisite poetic language that at times takes your breath away.  I personally love South American writers, Carlos Fuentes, technically Mexican, is another favourite.

And for a lighter treat yet very similar in philosophy, Alexander McCall Smith's In the Company of Cheerful Ladies, another Mma Ramotswe adventure.

Carolla, I have been slowly reading The Book of Negroes.  I made the mistake of buying the hard cover - which is a massive tome and definitely not lounge chair friendly

LB

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When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not ready. The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back. A week is more than enough time for us to decide whether or not to accept our destiny. 

      Paulo Coelho, The Devil and Miss Prym

Just finished reading Captivity: 118 Days in Iraq and the Struggle for a World without War by James Loney.  Maybe not something you'd take to the beach with you, but imo worth the reading.

Right now I'm finishing off The Phoenix Unchained: Book One of The Enduring Flame by Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory.

It's part one of a fantasy trilogy, so I'm next planning to read The Phoenix Endangered, and then The Phoenix Transformed.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Enduring_Flame_Trilogy

I received a book as a gift from a stranger in the mail today. About several Jewish people who found hapiness. A spiritual book with a nice letter from the author about how money didn't bring him happiness. I wonder how my name was picked. I may just give that a try.

That's very cool Elanorgold!

Yes LB - I can imagine how huge that hardcover must be - I just read the paperback from the library, but a person at work told me she bought a great hardcover version too - and it was a workout just to hold onto it!

Love Mma Ramotswe - read a few of the Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency books a few years ago - maybe that will be next on my agenda ...

Speaking of huge tomes, one of the series that I'm definitely getting on my Kobo rather than in paper is A Song of Ice and Fire by George RR Martin (basis for the TV series A Game of Thrones, which is the title of the first book). Read the first in paperback and even that's a chore (hard to hold a thick pb open without cracking the spine). In hardcover, you'd be risking an RSI if you read all 5 books in print straight through (and there's 2 more to go).

Mendalla

I've put down novels for the time being and am focusing on what I call "learnin' books."

I am about to start Multiple Intelligences: New Horizons by Howard Gardner and as soon I as get my hands on a copy, Out of Our Minds: Learning to be Creative by Sir Ken Robinson.

OMG Tyson - LOL that kitteh looks like me sometimes after I've tried reading a book with print too hard on my eyes. Very nice picture.

The sad part is, I love reading. As a writer I love reading other authors work to see how they weaved the art. But, sadly vision has put a huge damper on that at the moment. Great seeing all the different authors people here are reading and why they like them.

​*Peace - Love - Respect* Unconditionally

Wolfie

Right now, I'm on something of a Robert Charles Wilson kick. He's a science-fiction author from Toronto. Fortunately my new neighbourhood has a great library with a decent sci-fi section. The current book I'm on is "The Chronoliths" which is about these huge columns suddenly appearing throughout Asia commemorating a battle won 20 years from now. 

I've read two others, "Julian Comstock: A Tale of 22 Century America" and "Spin". 

I've also just finished "The Queen and I" by Sue Townsend, a satirical novel in which the Royal Family is deposed and sent to live on a council estate (ie: welfare housing).

Up next is a biography and Baldwin and Lofontaine by John Ralston Saul so I'm a bit all over the map these days.

"The Queen and I" sounds like it might be a very interesting and enjoyable read.

I always wondered what it would be like for someone to be rich and have it all as it were to suddenly be forced to the opposite end of the spectrum. I might have to try to find that book somewhere.

​*Peace - Love - Respect* Unconditionally

Wolfie

Keep in mind it was written 20 years ago you're reading a contemporary social satire with two decades of hindsight. It's still a nice, breezy read that makes a point about the class system. 

The Queen and Queen Mum manage ok. Prince Phillip takes to his bed with depression. And Prince Charles starts an organic garden and grows a pony tail, as he would. ;)

Well, the free book I got in the mail turned out to be religious proselytising, trying to get Jews to turn to Jesus and the christian church. Nothing comes for free does it. Except Wondercafe.

I'd like to see Prince Charles with a pony tail and organic garden! Like I said! Long hair is natural!

This is the book I got. Funny how my name was on a list of Jews. http://njjewishnews.com/article/statewide/messianic-pastors-tome-targets-local-homes