Rod Collins

Are the Old Classic Books Dead ~ Are Many of the classics a thing of the Past ?
I wonder, in a modern world, whether many of what are regarded as the classic book and authors of the past have had their day in the eye of the young or modern reader
If so which will survive and which will die . . .
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Ernest Hemingway’s Book A Farewell to Arms
I’ve always said it feels different to read a first edition book, the text etc is the same of course but somehow it’s better - the reading experience is enhanced.
Sadly, in this case not even that could save this ‘classic novel’
Perhaps I’m missing something . . .

Hope regular readers will give it a read
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Karen Maitland in Lincolnshire !
Best-selling mystery writer Karen Maitland is, very wisely, based in Lincolnshire and you can catch up with her soon at Cleethorpes Library.
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Will Kindle Kill the Book ? ~ Will e-Readers Cause Printed Books to Expire ?
The advent of the book in electronic downloadable form happened a little while ago and responses to it varied from ‘the sky is falling in’ to ‘it’ll never take off’
So, how does it stand now it’s settled a bit ?
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Maureen Ash and the Templar Knight Mysteries ~ A Review and Look at the Historic Locations
I walk into a second-hand bookshop and the owner says “I’ve got a couple of books for you”
Nothing new there - or is there . . .
Do check this out - it’s really quite interesting
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Your host’s duties are many and varied but I still manage to keep one eye on the literary scene and despite my current hectic day trip schedule I thankfully didn’t miss the launch of the new literary opus by Katie Price aka Jordan
I’ve had to fit looking at her promo pics into my heavy and extremely dangerous schedule - why yesterday I risked life and limb for you dear reader !
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What is Good Girl Art or GGA as it has become known ?
Well, quite simply it refers to some of the fabulous artwork featuring beautiful and sexy women used to adorn pulp paperbacks and book covers and dust jackets - I believe it to be genuine art and iconic of it’s period.
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Robert Goddard Sucks !
Not very nice I know, but I’ve been driven to say it !
But why do I hate this best-selling author . . .
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Free Books ~ Free Books and Delivered Free !
It’s no wonder booksellers are going out of business if they’re all like me
The Quantum of Solace competition is over and the results are . . .
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Julian Kestrel is the character in a series of novels written by Kate Ross, I’ve just finished reading the first 3 books and they’re highly recommended
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I was just sorting out a first edition of Four Quartets by TS Eliot when I found a contemporaneous newspaper clipping of a review and in-depth synopsis written on publication by non other than V. Sackville-West.
Given the importance of the book and the standing of both T.S. Eliot and Vita Sackville-West I thought I would preserve it for posterity for any out there who may be interested
Hope you find it interesting and of use.
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Good evening loyal readers, I bid you good tidings and am also pleased too announce that I’m the harbinger of exciting news !
Yes, it’s what you’ve all been waiting for …
Today I started on my first novel !
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Being so closely involved in books and the secondhand and collectable book trade I could be accused of being over sensitive to ripples in the rarefied world of books - that may be so - but it doesn’t mean nothing is happening.
I saw today something which I took to be another nail in the coffin for the traditional book
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I’ve just finished reading The Hidden whisper by JJ Lumsden and thought I’d try expanding my repertoire by becoming a book reviewer !
I read the book with reviewing it in mind and also with an eye, as regular readers will be only too aware, to writing a novel myself
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Who are the best selling writers in Britain ?
An interesting Top Ten has been compiled that includes sales from the past 3 years
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Regular viewers will be well aware that I am a frequent visitor to the Costa Del Cleethorpes and those who regularly comment have sometimes been derisive and facetious.
Well laugh no more, there are only 8 places in the whole of the United Kingdom that are happier !
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The new 007 novel written by Sebastian Faulks to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Ian Fleming seems to have become something of a literary sensation.
New James Bond books, all written under licence by the likes of Kingsley Amis, John Gardner, Raymond Benson, have, up until now, been fairly low-key affairs, this one already seems a huge success with readers, critics and book collectors.
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Esox The Story of a Pike a Book Written By Wolfgang Zeiske and Illustrated By Hans Baltzer
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In an attempt to bring a little culture to the site, for culture: read posts that few people are interested in, we are mentioning a couple of books we’ve just read and can recommend.
It is also World Book Day today !
If you’ve any recommended reading let us know
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Do literary characters such as the 100 year old Billy Bunter still have a place in our politically correct world ?
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George MacDonald Fraser, author of the popular series of Flashman books, has passed away at the age of 82
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Terry Pratchett has Announced he has Alzheimer’s Disease
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Has time been called on the hardcover novel ?
Notable British publishing house Picador has issued a press statement declaring that all their newly released novels next year will be Paperback Originals !
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Translating Books Into English - What Gets Lost in Translation ?
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What defines a great book ? Very difficult to say due to taste and preferences.
One thing I would suggest as a telling factor is …
Once read, would you read it again ? Read the rest of this entry »