Colleen McCullough

[Gannon]

haha I used to love Dr Who. His sonic screwdriver could do virtually anything. I remember when an episode would finish and my brother would say, how is he going to get out of this, I would always say, "as long as he has got his sonic screwdriver he is ok". When Tom Baker was the doctor he would always offer everybody a jellybaby. I mean seriously who is going to want to eat a jellybaby that has been sitting in a crumpled up paper bag that has been sitting in his pocket for who knows how long.
If you have never watched Doctor Who when it starred Tom Baker, you will have no idea about what I am talking about. Wow Maud you are such a good researcher. After reading your reply I feel like a Scott Westerfeld expert.
The Leviathan series is the series I am interested in, but maybe I should hold off until I have got my TBR list down to a manageable level. I am currently reading "The Reversal" by Michael Connelly. I have always had a soft spot for his "Harry Bosch" novels.
Before that I finished "Empire of Silver" by Conn Iggulden. It is the fourth book in his Conqueror series and supposed to be the last, but the way he has left it, I think he might be planning on another. Don't know if you have read them or not but they are very interesting(if not a little light).
Hope you had a fantastic weekend.

[Maud Fitch]

haha I used to love Dr Who. His sonic screwdriver could do virtually anything.

When Tom Baker was the doctor he would always offer everybody a jellybaby.

"The Reversal" by Michael Connelly. I have always had a soft spot for his "Harry Bosch" novels.

Good old Tom Baker! Doesn't he hold the record for the most well-loved Doctor? Yes, bit of a 'stranger danger' message in those jellybabies! (Saw him in something a few years ago and he'd put on weight). Actually I found the older Dr Who series far more scary than they are now. Admittedly, it hasn't stopped me watching the newer series, if only to poke fun at the CGI - I mean, what's wrong with a cardboard set?!

Haven't read any of the Mickey Haller series by Michael Connelly but did read "City Of Bones" awhile back and was interested to see other authors jump on his bandwagon. Kathy Reichs and Sue Grafton used similar themes. Connelly has another Harry Bosch coming out in October.

Conn Iggulden has a solid reputation. (Don't you just love seeing the gap where another book will follow on). You've got me interested now. My reading is going slow at the moment, need a lift....And there is nothing better than "light" reading to chase the gloom away. I find some friends are apologetic about reading romance novels but, hey, leisure time is leisure time no matter what you are reading.

Had a wonderful weekend, thank you, Gannon. Ended up going out to lunch on both Saturday and Sunday. Monday will be cheese on toast!

[Gannon]

Doctor Who, you had to love it. Some aspects about it were so funny. What about the daleks. If they ever invaded Earth, all we would have to do would be to run around behind them and push them over. You would not even need the army to do it, the boy scouts could do it over a weekend.
Cardboard sets. lol I don't really think the BBC had a big budget, even back in those days. I can't stop laughing remembering this episode in a lighthouse where the main bad alien thingy was slowly coming up the stairs to get them. The alien was like a jellyfish and I think the special effects they used were a plastic bag and some christmas tree lights. They could have all jumped over it, locked the door on the way out bang alien defeated, end of episode(actually they would not even have had to lock the door, because the alien could not reach the handle)

The Conqueror series as you probably know is all about Genghis Khan and his heirs and(in a nutshell) their conquests. With historical fiction being my favourite genre I did find them interesting. They must have been incredible horseman and archers and they must have been a terrifying enemy. The series is good but does not even come close to good old Colleen.
My beautiful late great Grandmother put me on to Harry Bosch. She loved him and was her favourite character. There is something about Connelly's novels that really appeals to me. I think it is because they feel real. They feel as if they could be happening in everyday life as you are reading it.
He mixes some of his characters together much like Jeffery Deaver.
I have never read a Sue Grafton book. Is she not the author who has all the M is for Murder, C is for Cooking, P is for Plenty books. I was always wondering what she was going to do after she finished her Z book. I can just see her throwing her hands up and saying "Well, thats it I'm done." I hope all her many fans don't hammer me for this, I really have nothing against her having never read her books.
You are dead right, nobody should be apologetic about what they read. You read what you enjoy. If you do not enjoy reading classics, don't read them just for the sake of saying "Yes, I have read War and Peace." Life is just too short to not be doing or reading something you enjoy.
Glad to hear you had a wonderful weekend, I have had the worse one for the year, I have the Flu, not just a cold but the real deal Flu. I feel so sick my hands even hurt typing this(I kid you not). So please forgive me my grammer and spelling errors because it all looks a little bit blurry.
Hey nothing wrong with cheese on toast, love it.

[Maud Fitch]

The Conqueror series as you probably know is all about Genghis Khan and his heirs and(in a nutshell) their conquests. With historical fiction being my favourite genre I did find them interesting. The series is good but does not even come close to good old Colleen.

How awful for you, Gannon. I only know you 'virtually' and yet I'm upset. Horrible thing to get before Easter holidays. Horrible thing to get full-stop. Hate the flu with a passion! With a cold I drink plenty of fluids but with the flu it's a case of sheer discomfort morning, noon and night and nothing helps. Do you know, the only time I had a flu shot was the only time I had the worst flu imaginable. May have been coincidence but I've never had a jab since!

Was at the book store at lunchtime today and instead of checking out Conn Iggulden’s The Conqueror series, I was sidetracked by a Roman centurion on the cover of a hardback entitled “Ship Of Rome” by John Stack. I have no doubt you and Colleen McCullough have read his books but I was interested to see he has a Masters Of The Sea trilogy about Atticus and the fledgling Roman navy. I have never given a Roman navy much thought, sad to say, but the other interesting thing which caught my eye was the cover recommendation by Conn Iggulden.

With regard to Michael Connelly, at the book store I was surprised to see “The Lincoln Lawyer” discounted to a mere AU$7.99. I think it’s got a thread on this website. The only book I purchased was “The Second Woman” by Kenneth Cameron. It’s his third book with two new ones coming out this year. Similar to Steampunk’s Victoriana leanings, I have a thing for his early London era (murder mysteries) and the teaser says “London 1903. Home to anarchists, assassins and spies. And the perfect setting for murder”. Will let you know if it’s a load of old tripe or a ripping yarn.

Actually you are doing well typing as much as you did. And you still managed to make me laugh with your Doctor Who comments. LOL, so true! I do actually remember that lighthouse episode. From memory, Leila was decked out in a heavy woollen rollneck jumper with the obligatory knife tucked into her gumboots (wellies). Might even have the old videos lying around somewhere.

Relax and take it easy.

[Gannon]

Thanks for your concern Maud. This is only the second time I have had the actual flu. I would not wish it on my worst enemy. For the last three days it feels like I have been hit by a bus. Maybe not a bus, because I would probably be long gone, maybe a bus travelling slowly.
You are a wealth of knowledge Maud. I have not heard of John Stack and its a great change writing a series on the Roman navy. If its a fledgling Navy it must be set around their epic sea battles with Carthage. Needless to say these books are definite buys for me. Thank you very much indeed.
"The Second Woman" sounds very good as well. Please let me know what you think of it. "Yarn", I love that word.
Leila, Leila, Leila, I had a massive crush on Leila, my favourite sidekick ever. Although Sarah Jane was good as well but Leila, ahhhhhhhh. She was lethal with that knife.
I will relax and take it easy, mainly because I am not capable of doing anything else. Hold on to those videos they might become collectors items.

[Maud Fitch]

You are a wealth of knowledge Maud. I have not heard of John Stack and its a great change writing a series on the Roman navy. If its a fledgling Navy it must be set around their epic sea battles with Carthage. Needless to say these books are definite buys for me. Thank you very much indeed.

Leila, Leila, Leila, I had a massive crush on Leila, my favourite sidekick ever. Although Sarah Jane was good as well but Leila, ahhhhhhhh. Hold on to those videos they might become collectors items.

Certainly hope you are feeling better today. And you were spot-on with the Carthage sea battles! Stack's trilogy is "Ship Of Rome", "Captain Of Rome" and "Master Of Rome". In 2012 he has a new book coming out called "Armada" so he's probably into rollicking seafaring tales.

Well, you must be feeling a bit better judging by your Leila comment! Yes, I think she was the first women's libber on Dr Who. She was in there with the best of them. Those tanned thighs helped her image, too. (Both Sara Jane and Leila, cannot remember their real names right now, are still lovely ladies). Just to show off a tad, I met Peter Davidson and Janet Fielding (Tegan; an Aussie) when they were here eons ago for a sci-fi convention and had lunch with them. I know, I know, I'm famous, autographs later.....!

Ah, a collector after my own heart. How did you know I'm a hoarder? Everything around me "may be quite valuable one day".....and if I threw out everything my friends do, we would have nothing to archive in our national museums or libraries. We would be devoid of history! Speaking of which, I saw ABCTV "Paper Giants: Birth Of Cleo (Magazine)" and, boy, was I mad I threw out those original old copies of Cleo!

My darn computer is going slow so it's a good time to leave.

[Gannon]

Maud, I am so glad that I know you, I have never heard of these naval Rome books, I can't wait to add them to my Rome bookcase. On my internet explorer instead of a "Google" button, mine has a "Maud" button. Sure she may be a bit slower, but she gets the job done. haha thanks for this great find. There are so many books both fiction and non-fiction based on the Punic wars, but they all focus on the land battles especially because of famous generals like Hannibal and Scipio. This is a new twist, there is plenty of material on these naval battles for the author to use. I hope he has Colleen's ability to turn history into a "ripping yarn".
Leila, Leila, Leila, don't get me started on Leila again. "Tanned thighs", Maud this is a PG forum.
It would of been great to meet those two stars. Did you manage to ask them how that the inside of the Tardis is bigger than the outside or was that a secret?
Glad to hear that you are a hoarder as well. I am a hoarder big time. I don't know why but I don't like throwing things out. Important things, I mean I throw the rubbish out. I am mainly talking really old paperback books and magazines and stuff.

Ps - Tegan was one of my favourites as well.

[Maud Fitch]

Gannon, you are such a flatterer! A "Maud" button. What an ego boost. And, wow, what an ingenious thought. Maybe I could rent myself out? Nah, as you rightly said, there is a lag between request and delivery. As John Lennon said "life is what happens while you are busy making plans" so I tend to only concentrate on things which are relevant at the time like those Roman books. Don't get me started on Hannibal, pleeazze.

My friend was involved in the Dr Who fan club (such hightech things like getting videos of the latest episodes flown over from UK and screened in someone's garage) and hence the invitation. Lovely people but very protective about the inside of the Tardis. As you know Peter Davidson and his then wife were in the BBCTV series "Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy", he was a pig and she was Trillion, so we chatted about that, too. She really does have a squeaky high-pitched voice.

OMG, Gannon, must tell you I’ve seen a copy of Paul Di Filippo’s super freaky sci-fi work. He’s also written The Steampunk Trilogy omnibus. Can’t tell you how much you’ve opened my eyes to steampunk. Fiction and non-fiction. Love it! Thank you!

Hope you are feeling better. Now, if you will excuse me, I have to do some hoarding. There's all those Colleen McCullough paperbacks which I could move to another spot to make room for some old Ken Follett paperbacks then I have to find out what CmcC has been up to lately.....

[Gannon]

Hey Maud are you a Ken Follet fan? I have about eight of his books but only really think two are exceptional. "Pillars of the Earth" is one of my favourite books of all time. When I joined Doubleday it was the first book I ever ordered. It is just so good. I have read it twice and really want to read it a thired time, if I ever get the chance. His other book "A Dangerous fortune" is one of his most underrated ones. I love this book as well and have read it three times, it is a lot shorter and has one of the best endings I have read. On the strengh of these two titles I kept getting his new books as they came out, but to be honest imho they are all quite ordinary. I was a little disappointed with the sequel "World without end" but I have recently finished "Fall of Giants" and it is great, getting back to the same sort of quality as "Pillars", and nearly as big.
With regards to the "Maud" button. I say credit where credit is due. Some of your replys are so in depth and detailed I don't need to look anywhere else. Imho Hannibal, was a better general than Caesar. It hurts me to say it but really when you look at it its true. Hannibal fought in Italy for ten years and was never beaten in a battle, he had to hold an army of many different factions and nationalities together miles and miles from home, and some battles he was heavily outnumbered. Why he did not move and take Rome when there were no Roman legions left to oppose him is a question that historians have pondered over forever. However it is hard to compare both of them as they are from different eras wtih different technologies, tactics, weapons etc.
Talking about Dr Who again, remember K9. He probably took the spec effects unit about two hours to make.
Where did you see the copy of Paul Di Filippo's freaky sci-fi work? I would not mind getting the omnibus.
I am feeling a little bit better today thanks Maud, painkillers letting me breath easier and all the cold and flu tablets keep the worst of the achs and pains away. Time for another, you guessed it, chicken-noodle soup.

[Maud Fitch]

Bilby: Endangered Australian marsupial. Bilbies (Macrotis Lagotis) are known as rabbit-eared bandicoots. They are a popular alternative to traditional chocolate Easter bunnies. Profits from the sale of chocolate Easter Bilbies are used to revegetate and preserve Bilby habitat and protect this fragile, shy creature from domestic animals and possible extinction.

Ken Follett is one of those blokes who you can read and get totally absorbed in and when you look up, it’s like you have to snap back to reality. Think he was in Queensland on a promo tour recently. Enjoyed “Pillars Of The Earth”, don’t know “A Dangerous Fortune” but loved “Fall Of Giants”. Two of my favourites are “On Wings Of Eagles” (with B&W photos in the middle) and “Triple” based on a real uranium disappearance. Oldies but goodies.

Hannibal is someone you can definitely discuss with Colleen McCullough. I bet she’d know every detail and you could match her fact-for-fact! You have given me something to think about, my knowledge is only basic, you know, elephants and stuff. What is your Hannibal theory? A pang of guilt? A touch of Alzheimer’s? Maybe he just got tired.....

To make up for it, I think dear sweet K9 has personality. I believe he was the only cast member of Dr Who to have a spin off series “K9 & Friends”. Did you watch the new Dr Who episodes where he and Sarah Jane make a comeback? Sarah Jane had a teenage son and they were the “key” to saving the universe. What else!

Quote: “Where did you see the copy of Paul Di Filippo's freaky sci-fi work?” Unquote. Well, Gannon, since I’m such a bibliophile (or libraryophile) I was at my local library and saw it in their catalogue. Found it, had a quick read, however, was over my loan limit so had to put it back. I have not as yet investigated further but from memory The Steampunk Trilogy was written in 1998 and his later works seemed to be pure sci-fi. To the MAUD button, Robin.

Suddenly had a craving for chicken noodle soup. Don’t tell me I’m coming down with <aagghh>.....

[Gannon]

Maud, Maud, Maud, you have to read "A Danerous Fortune", I easily rank it as his second best book he has ever written and it is very short compared to his massive epics. Google it, or Maud it and see what you think I am so sure that you will like it that if you don't I will change my online avatar name to Ima Frisbee.
I will have to check out the two titles that you metion because they are two that I have not read.
Hannibal is just one of those men who was born great, one of those men who after he was born they broke the mold, there will never be another Hannibal. How he got his army over the alps in the winter with the elephants (he only had one elephant left after the trip) is stuff of legends and it cetainly took the Romans by surprise. My theory and I think alot of historians take this theory as well is that Hannibal saw no advantage on taking Rome. The Romans had addopted a "scorched earth" policy and Hannibal's supplies were low, he may have thought that he could not have held Rome and still supplied armies in the field. We will never know but he certainly had Rome on the ropes and just had to deliver the knock-out punch.
I had no idea that K9 had his own series. Did it last long. I did like his voice and he did have a good personality.I must say that I have not seen any of the new episodes because I thought they might tarnish my memories of the old series. Do you think I should have a look?
I am so sick of the packet mixes of chicken noodle soup that I am going to attempt to make my own homemade recipe. My recipe is put old chicken in pot add water bring to boil. Serve in bowl. Ha can't go wrong. Maybe I should apply for the next Master chief.
Have to ask you this Maud, I don't know if I have before but have you read "Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell" by Susanna Clarke. If you have please tell me what you thought of it. It is a big book and a slog but it is so worth it, it is a fantastic unique book. I am so sure that you would love it that if you don't I will change my avatar name to Rastus Watermelon.
She also has a collection of short stories out called "The Ladies of Grace Adieu". If you have not read them google or Maud them and see what you think. Fantastic books. I would love to know your opinion.

Suddenly had a craving for chicken noodle soup. Don’t tell me I’m coming down with <aagghh>

Have no fear I will send you some of my home made stuff. Its ready just let me try it............Ah Maud maybe you should get the packet mix.

[Maud Fitch]

Google it, or Maud it, and see what you think I am so sure that you will like it that if you don't I will change my online avatar name to Ima Frisbee.

You’re on!! Although I think you are right and I will love it!!

Hannibal must have been one of those great men who lived and breathed for battle. Focussed, committed, strategist-plus, saw the big picture and nothing else mattered in his life. Wish politicians were more like that!

The K9 television series is for kids and ran on daytime TV for quite some time. Not sure who was in it but I think they made at least two series and I remember a nephew telling me K9 looked all twenty-first-century-electronic but had the same voice.

My recipe is put old chicken in pot add water bring to boil. Serve in bowl. Ha can't go wrong. Maybe I should apply for the next Master chief.

Have no fear I will send you some of my home made stuff. Its ready just let me try it............Ah Maud maybe you should get the packet mix.

It’s okay, add a few herbs and Bob’s your uncle. Nice typo, Gannon. It made me laugh because I imagined you with a Covenant Carbine blasting away at the chicken. Or a Spartan Laser, my weapon of choice. Bye, bye kitchen.....

Saved! You don’t have to change your avatar to Rastus Watermelon! Gannon, I hope the flu hasn’t effected your memory. Don’t you remember way back when I joined the forum, I mentioned “Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell” by Susanna Clarke? I said something along the lines of “...epic read in more ways than one...” because it is a heavy tome and you said no-one else has ever mentioned it. It is superb, the story, the narrative, the beautiful illustrations, binding, the works. I had to wait a long time to secure a copy from the library but it was worth every second. It took me ages to read! I believe no other author comes close to what she has achieved in a truly original piece. Do you have a signed, first edition? If not, why not?! What bothers me is she has not published anything since 2006 and that’s a long time for an author unless she is working on another epic volume.

“The Second Woman” by Kenneth Cameron is shaping up nicely. Oddly enough it is not explicit with the murder details but I actually had a bad dream after reading a chapter before bedtime. I think it was based on the dream the character had himself. Weird.

May go away for the Easter/Anzac holidays so if my response is tardy you know I’m outback out of range. Hope you have a very pleasant break. Also, happy Easter, Colleen.

[Fran]

May I intrude again as you refer to Ken Follett - another one of my favourite storytellers:

The Pillars of the Earth
The Hammer of Eden
Code of Zero
The Third Twin
Hornet Flight
World Without End
A Dangerous Fortune
Whiteout
Fall of Giants

.... all brilliant reads IMO. Jackdaws I liked but not quiet as much as the others.

[Gannon]

hahaha I always get chief and chef mixed up.
Thats right, it is all coming back to me now. With regards to "Jonathan Strange" I am so glad that someone else appreciates this wonderful book. I actually do not have a signed first edition but it is one that I am definitely going to get regardless of cost. If I have to save for ages I will. The flu is affecting my memory I think.....but you know what, the flu is affecting my memory.
You are dead right about Clarke's lack of work. "The Ladies of Grace Adieu" was published in 2006 and she has not written or published anything since then. Hmm, might be time to do a bit of research and find out where she has gone.
Spartan laser, Oh Maud, you poor poor woman, the Spartan laser is for chumps.
Glad you are enjoying "The Second Woman". Its not really weird that you had that dream. If you were reading that chapter just before you went to sleep then your brain was probably focused on that chapter and character.

Hope you have a very merry Christmas err...Easter(I think the flu is affecting my memory) and a happy new year err...Easter.(I think the flu is.....forgot what I was going to say).
Stay safe, out in the outback and I will await your posting.

Howdy there Fran, nice to hear from you. I have all of the books you have listed apart from Whiteout. Please please let me know what you think of "A Dangerous Fortune". I love it and would rate it as Follett's second best work after "Pillars of the Earth". The story is so good and the ending is just sensational. Won't talk about it, because I think Maud is going to read it. Follett for me is a bit of an enigma. Sometimes I wonder if it is the same author who has written "Pillars" and lets say "Hammer of Eden". I must admit that I think "Hammer of Eden" is very ordinary and many of his books between "Pillars" and "Fall of Giants" are a little bit so so. I was so happy when "Fall of Giants" turned out so good. Truly a return to form for Follett.

[Fran]

Hi Gannon .... As you’d expect I’m in agreement with you on ‘A Dangerous Fortune’. We’re in the midst of a banking crisis here now and bankers are about as popular as syphilis! Just a pity more Irish people hadn’t read ‘A Dangerous Fortune’ & they might not be in the midst of negative equity etc .... and they say reading isn’t relevant to ‘real’ life!

I think Pillars will always be my favourite Follett but that’s just because it was the first of his books I read & it blew me away but you are right he does seem to be able to pull off very different styles of book. I am amazed that someone can write so brilliantly about subjects as diverse as middle ages cathedrals, genetic engineering, terrorist plots, spies and resistance fighters etc

I would recommend ‘Whiteout’ ... although if you didn’t like ‘Hammer of Eden’ you might not be in agreement with me (sob, sob).
I’m almost finished my rereading of ‘1984’ & all I can think of is Fox News (God help us!).

Happy Easter & Hope you get a BIG Chocolate Egg