What book are you reading atm?? CHAPTER TWO

Nefertiti: Unlocking the Mystery Surrounding Egypt's Most Famous and Beautiful Queen by Joyce Tyldesley

Quite an old book but got this out of interest in all things Ancient Egypt and was a nice light read while on holidays. It is quite fascinating, and the author dispels a number of false theories surrounding one of the most powerful and influential women in Egyptian history.

I'm reading this at the moment and struggling a little to get into it, tbh. I shall persevere, though. I haven't read any of her other stuff.

Finished The Night Ship by Jess Kidd the other day, really enjoyed that.

Murder Most Local: Historic Murders of South Cork by Peter O'Shea

Really enjoyed this actually. Quite fascinating to see how cases were investigated (or in some instances not investigated or even covered up). I think I'll have to pop down to the local bookshop to get another one of these books (he has covered all 4 corners of Cork).

Are you at the Groundskeeper Willie part yet ?

Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay, another classic by him. I had a few of his books on my pile for literally years and never bothered reading them for some reason but everything he puts out is an absolute masterpiece. His Chinese history analogues especially, Under Heaven and River of Stars, he's becoming my favourite author, his stuff is just on another level.

Titanic Thompson: The Man Who Bet on Everything

superb

Between Two Hells: The Irish Civil War by Diarmaid Ferriter

Very well researched and very interesting take on The Irish Civil War and its long term ramifications for country, in particular, politics.

The Dark Tower series definitely has its flaws but it's still an utterly epic piece of storytelling that I will re-read for the rest of my life.

Finally finished The Marriage Portrait the other day. I was underwhelmed, I have to say.

I then started A Town Called Solace, which has literally been lying around the house for months (causing an earworm of The Jam for most of that time), til of course my mother chose that very same day to finally start it herself.

Currently re-reading The Colorado Kid and will have to hit the library then as most of my books are in storage and we have a family embargo on buying books for yourself from November 1st because people invariably buy themselves stuff others had planned to get them for Christmas.

The First Day on The Somme by Martin Middlebrook

This was recommended to me by a historian which lead a WWI Battlefield tour to Flanders and The Somme during the summer. This is a fascinating and very well researched book which was first published in 1971. I was able to recall a lot of the sites that comprised of the high cost of life during The Somme offensive.

The book follows 10 British soldiers of varying ranks and units to tell their story of the attack and their fate. The author does not shy away from criticising the politicians and generals of the day, whom from a safe distance ordered thousands upon thousands of men to their death, with badly thought out battle plans. However, he does include the caveat of benefiting from hindsight.

This is a must read for anyone with an interest in WWI.

Nazi Hunter: The Wiesenthal File by Alan Levy

Simon Wiesenthal was responsible for bringing over 1100 Nazi war criminals to justice over the decades since WWII ended. He is a survivor of multiple concentration camps which claimed the lives of over 80 relatives of his.

One of his most famous snags was the infamous Aldof Eichmann amongst others. In an era where everyone wanted to forget the events of WWII, Wiesenthal ensured that what happened was not forgotten and sought out justice for those murdered.

Alan Levy uses interviews with Wiesenthal supporters and adversaries, as well as with the main man himself to paint a picture of the Nazi hunter, his motives and challenges to his quest and reputation.

Atlas of the Great Irish Famine edited by John Crowley, William J. Smith and Mike Murphy.

A very comprehensive overview of the Irish Famine and it's longlasting effects on both the Irish diaspora and the Irish at home.

Just finished ‘Alone in Berlin’ a very good read and was surprised to read it was written in 1946. The author Hans Fallada had a colourful history to say the least.

I’ll probably read ‘Fingersmith’ by Sarah Waters next the excellent, South Korean film ‘the Handmaiden’ was based on this.

I’ve also got a few discworld novels on my Kindle, Terry Pratchett is ok but I don’t find his novels laugh out loud page turners

Alone in Berlin has been on my "to read list" for a while

Fingersmith is one of the few books that i gave up halfway

An Unsung Hero: Tom Crean - Antarctic Survivor by Michael Smith

Great book about the truly remarkable Irishman and his achievements during the Age of Polar Exploration.