Anyone ever read anything by Allan Mallinson? I'm trying to figure out where I'm going to get my historical war story fix once I run out of Sharpes (I've been rationing myself to one a month and will finish the series in December), and I happened across his name while looking at my LibraryThing recommendations.
Incidentally, I'd be glad for any other recommendations in the Age of Sail/Flintlock vein. Of the ones I've read so far, here's my scorecard:
O'Brian-Aubrey/Maturin - LOVE
Cornwell - Sharpe - Love, and have read the Starbucks and plan to get around to his other historical series (what's the plural of series--serieses?) in due course
Forrester - Hornblower - Meh. Boring. Didn't like Hornblower.
MacDonald - Flashman - I can see how they're brilliant, but they're not my thing.
And, in newer/more obscure series....
Campbell - Matty Graves - Love
Humphreys - Jack Absolute - Good swashbuckling fun
Susan, I remember hearing that Georgette Heyer's "An Infamous Army" is supposed to have one of the best descriptions of Waterloo ever. If you haven't read it - is that possible? - you should.
I have it on my shelf, but so far I've had trouble getting through the first few chapters to even GET to the Waterloo part. I know it's heresy, but Heyer is hit-or-miss for me. I like her "Spanish Bride," though, which is Peninsular War/Waterloo.
Mary Jo Putney wrote a good romance that took place (partially) during the Peninsular War, Shattered Rainbows.
Read that one, and it is very good.
I first read one of the sequels to that book, One Perfect Rose, and then read Shattered Rainbows afterwards. I thought OPR was a really touching story, even though it could have gone down a very turgid melodramatic road--the key plotpoint was that the hero had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and was running away from both the diagnosis and his ducal responsibilities. Instead, it turned out to be a very poignant book.
So, discussion elsewhere around Banned Books Week reminded me to re-read Pillars of the Earth, and man, I forgot how awesome that book is. Sometimes a good 12th-century architectural epic is just what you need.
A new coworker is having a baby shower. Normally I'd be all "I just started here two weeks ago, I don't feel like donating for this shit already!" but it's a book theme, so I am pro buying books for the baby. Anyone got some suggestions for small-child books? I have many favorites, but generally for the 5 and up crowd--the only one I've got in mind is "Monster at the End of This Book", which I have no idea if it's even in print these days. Suggestions?
Hmm. For wee tiny babies in the board book stage, here are some I like:
Hug, by Jez Alborough
Jamberry, by Bruce Degen
Any Dr. Seuss board book (so fun to read aloud!)
Time For Bed, by Mem Fox
