Reading Quote Number 3 - Benjamin Franklin

"If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write something worth reading or do things worth the writing". Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) And of course he took hos own advice and did both... DK

Reading Quote 2

"I am eternally grateful..for my knack of finding in great books, some of them very funny books, reason enough to feel honored to be alive, no matter what else might be going on" Kurt Vonnegut (1922-2007) I also find reading to be a life affirming occupation. I like to spend some of my life out there doing things and the rest contemplating distilled life contained in the books I read. Keep well and may the force be with you. DK

A Quote on Reading and Books

"It is a great thing to start life with a small number of really good books which are your very own" Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle (1859-1930) Of course the corollary to this is it is a great thing to end life with a large number of really good books that you have read, enjoyed and shared with others!! Have a great week leading up to Xmas DK

Mao - the Unknown Story

I was listening to a Clive James Podcast last week where he interviewed Jun Chang the writer of the best selling book called Wild Swans. It was a great interview where she spoke of the book she has written called Mao: the Unknown story. I was so intrigued that I went out and purchased the book. It is due to snow this weekend, so the book can keep me warm!! Happy reading DK

Body Parts

I am currently engrossed in a book by Hermione Lee titled, "Body Parts - Essays on Life-Writing". This book composed of a number of essays gives a valuable insight into the life and work of a biographer. Biographies are one of my favourite genres so I am hooked and intrigued. Lee wrote the definitive biography on Virginia Woolf. I thoroughly enjoyed that book, so it is a real delight to read Body Parts. Lee covers some of the important relationships in literature such as: the relation of biography to fiction, the exploration of writer's lives in connection with their works and the new and changing ways in which biographies, diaries, autobiographies and memoirs are handled. This is a must read if you have any interest in life writing. DK

I Love Libraries

Three Cheers for the Gosforth Library. I have finally got here and it is great. A new library which also gives you 2 hours a day of free Internet access - is that awesome, or what? So now I'm off to get my 10 books for the month, but something tells me I will be back quicker than that. Keep Well DK

Barchester Towers Rules

I have just finished this excellent book, and it was a very satisfying ending. All the loose ends were tied up well and I will have to go to the library tomorrow and pick up another one of his books. Its raining so reading will certainly be on the cards.