Lockdown blues?

[mrtintheweb]

Audible is the best. I think my library is about 200 books now. They had a big sale on after Christmas and I got about a dozen so had plenty of listening to get through. I really like it when cycling trails and cycle routes as it is a distraction when fatigue sets in. Helping me stay reasonably fit.
T

[BarryW]

Reading is my main escape at the moment - I have 2 Kindles - one in the living room & one by the side of my bed. A friend of mine has just given me the entire Ed McBain 87th Precinct series for my Kindle. Not the most intellectually challenging books, but something to look forward to - I've already revisited favourites from the past - The Hornblower novels, and most of Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey series. Non fiction has also taken a battering with Alistair Hornes Trilogy, Robert Massie, not to forget Max Hastings. I always was a big reader, but the past few months have really seen a reading boom! Those Kindles ( one bought new when they first came out & one second hand ) have been indispensable - one of the few things that I would immediately replace if broken!
Dave

Have you read the Alexander Kent Bolitho series? To me these are the best of the late 18c early 19c Navy novels.

I have been running my business from home supported only by my pa working from her home with one member of staff on furlough. It has kept me busy early on a month and the early part of the week leaving me with plenty of time to read, currently switching between four book series, re-reading the Bolitho stories, a science fiction series, an archeological thriller series and a ‘lone wanderer’ series similar to Reecher. I have also, of course, been able to double my time at the bench....

All in all I have rather enjoyed lockdown but I really would love a pint in my local.

[Dave Ward]

I've never been able to get on with audible books - I've tried them, but nope. I have background music on for a lot of the day, courtesy of Spotify, or my own mix selection - I've discovered all sorts of new music, some good, some appalling! New Age takes my fancy at the moment.............................
Dave

[Jason Crausby]

I’ve also been re-reading a load of books some of which are better second time around... I strongly recommend the Bernie Gunther series by Phillip Kerr...a cop / private investigator in Germany in the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s!
Hope your feeling better Dave!
Jason

[Neil Merryweather]

I LOVE the Patrick O'Brian books and have read them all at least 3 times! I'm reading The Far Side of the World right now.
If you like these and Sharpe I can thoroughly recommend a series by Allan Mallinson about Matthew Hervey, a cavalry officer in the 6th Light Dragoons. The first book is called A Close Run Thing and is about Waterloo.
I have been furloughed from the start and on 50% salary for all but the first 3 weeks. We have managed financially so far and I've got lots done around the house - and of course lots of bench time, but as lockdown progresses I am bracing myself for the possibility of redundancy or 'early retirement'- if that happens it will get tough.
I love the way the members of this forum are supporting each other :thumb2:

[wotan]

I can add another vote for Allan Mallinson's books. He has also written some non fiction particularly I liked "Too important for the Generals" about the handling of WW I.

John

[grumpa]

No comment, as I'd rather not end up in the "bin"



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[Jim R]

Oddly enough the wife and I have just treated ourselves to a Kindle each. She reads a lot and knows what she likes. Me, I'm a bit of a Philistine and don't read as much as I should/would like to. This thread has given me a lot of ideas - authors/books to try :thumb2:
Thanks. Grateful for all the suggestions.
Jim

Dave - the direction of the thread has changed a bit but still very valid :smiling: Glad to see you're back at the bench.

[Dave Ward]

Along with myself, I wondered if anyone else had had a delayed or not recognised reaction to the lockdown.................
The Kindle has been so much in my hand, that it seems really odd when you pick up a real book!

This has been my constant companion ( needs a good clean! ) since November 2010, when I paid £117 for it. The sleeve is tatty, but the Kindle works as always, keeps it's charge ( recharge every two weeks, whether it needs it or not ) - I never did really work out what the keyboard was intended for, not surprising, it's been missing from all newer editions.
Update: - first time wearing a mask in public! Had to go for blood tests - the bizarre doctors' waiting room, with all the chairs widely spaced. Can't say I enjoyed the mask thing - sweaty & a bit claustrophobic.................
Dave

[Gary MacKenzie]

The keyboard was for web-browsing / annotating , when touchscreens were very expensive.
Some versions also had audio output connectors for headphones, allowing audio books to play from them too.

[stona]

I have background music on for a lot of the day, courtesy of Spotify, or my own mix selection - I've discovered all sorts of new music, some good, some appalling! New Age takes my fancy at the moment.............................
Dave

I like a bit of music while I'm making a model. Thankfully the 'posh' stereo carries through to where I work. Today I've been having a funk day, building the Mustang's undercarriage, propeller assembly and other dangly bits to Betty Davis (she was briefly Miles Davis's wife and retained her married name) and then George Clinton. It certainly gets you going!

I do like reading, but enjoy a real paper and print book, though I do own a kindle for travelling. I've just finished 'Stapme', a biography of Squadron Leader Basil Gerald Stapleton, one of whose Spitfire's is my intended victim in the upcoming BoB group build.

[Dave Ward]

The keyboard was for web-browsing / annotating , when touchscreens were very expensive.
Some versions also had audio output connectors for headphones, allowing audio books to play from them too.

Yep, that's my version, although I used it as a mp3 player, I found that the music ran the battery down really quickly (as did the wi-fi ), so I never used it after the first month or so
Dave

[BarryW]

Oddly enough the wife and I have just treated ourselves to a Kindle each. She reads a lot and knows what she likes. Me, I'm a bit of a Philistine and don't read as much as I should/would like to. This thread has given me a lot of ideas - authors/books to try :thumb2:
Thanks. Grateful for all the suggestions.
Jim

Dave - the direction of the thread has changed a bit but still very valid :smiling: Glad to see you're back at the bench.

Kindles are great. They really come into their own on holiday and right now in lockdown. I have had a Kindle since the clunky first one they brought out also he he app on my iPhone and iPad.