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:) I thought you serendipitous found a used paper copy of the book that had marginalia.

Hi everyone, I'm new to this group and these are the books I've read in January.

Welcome, Hanna ! I hope you enjoyed your January reads.

I did, thank you. I especially loved "Good Omens" (5* � I'm really just discovering Pratchett) and "Junge Hunde" (4*) � the latter is not (yet?) available in English, I'm afraid.

Alias, I actually like Mann's short stories better than his novels. When you get the book (for "Death in Venice") it will contain other stories. I recommend them.

Petra, I've liked most of Bryan Sykes books some more, some less, but must confess Adam's Curse was my least favorite. I thought it was a bit hysterical in terms of the potential loss of the y-chromosome. (Of course, he's as guy, so perhaps it's understandable.) Some of the info in it was pretty interesting, though, like how much of Genghis Khan's DNA is in the European genome.

Gjscollins, I'm glad to hear your comments on MacCullough's The Wright Brothers. I really enjoy reading anything MacCullough writes, and have been eyeing this book for quite a while. When I get to a point to take on a longish book, I may just spring for this one.

Michele, I haven't read SPQR, but depending on what you're looking for there are a number of good overview books on ancient Rome. If you want Cicero specifically, Anthony Everett wrote a readable and interesting biog of him. While older books, Michael Grant has written some of the standard books on Rome. They are readable and organized, although short on the "how we know this" aspect. There is a newer one whose title and author escape me, but madrano may remember it since she read it recently. When she does, my take on it is that it's an interesting read, but the author has a definite slant on the history and takes a minority view of some facts. Other newer books on ancient Rome are more detailed, and that may not be what you're looking for.

Cateline, thanks for the Star Trek title!

:). You're welcome Libyrinths.

I'm about a hundred pages from finishing SPQR, and am conflicted. More when I finish.

In the meantime, I have finished Dictator by Robert Harris. Review later...but very favorable.

Alias Reader wrote: ":) I thought you serendipitous found a used paper copy of the book that had marginalia."

Don't i wish?!

Hanna, i liked Etta and Otto and Russell and James. It was simple and it was not. I hope you enjoy it as much as i did.

Oddly, i cannot recall the Cicero bio Libyrinths mentioned. She's actually better at remember books i've read than i am, which should alarm me but actually lessens my worries. I'm going to try to figure out the title & will reply.

Madrano, I was referring to a popular book about the history of ancient Rome, which I had read a number of years ago, and you got, and I said I had reservations about it, but you and DH read it (last year, I think, or maybe the year before) and liked it. I liked much about it, but put most of my reservations about it in my prior post. I don't actually have the book, having gotten it from the library. The Cicero bio I posted about (the one by Everett) already.

Alias, Libyrinths: I've loved Mann ever since high school � Tonio Kröger and Mario was compulsory reading. I enjoyed Death in Venice, and the Magic Mountain is my all-time favourite.

madrano: I did enjoy it, but it didn't blow me away. I did write a review, in case you're interested!

Libyrinths wrote: "Petra, I've liked most of Bryan Sykes books some more, some less, but must confess Adam's Curse was my least favorite. I thought it was a bit hysterical in terms of the potential loss of the y-chromosome. (Of course, he's as guy, so perhaps it's understandable.) Some of the info in it was pretty interesting, though, like how much of Genghis Khan's DNA is in the European genome. .."

True, it was an interesting theory but not one that I think will occur. I rather liked his speculations, even if I didn't think they were possibilities of occurring. It's part of the "fun" aspect of his writings.
I'd heard of the abundance of Genghis Khan's DNA in modern days before. It's surprising how many people are related to him. :D

Mkfs, don't put off Buddenbrooks because of its length. It reads quickly. That said, I haven't read Magic Mountain yet, partly because of its length.

Libyrinths wrote: "Madrano, I was referring to a popular book about the history of ancient Rome, which I had read a number of years ago, and you got, and I said I had reservations about it, but you and DH read it (la..."

Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic! I think this is the one you mean, Libyrinths. We read it in 2012, though. Oddly, my husband still doesn't remember reading it. It seems more recent than that.

Hanna wrote: "madrano: I did enjoy it, but it didn't blow me away. I did write a review, in case you're interested! ..."

This is about Etta and Otto and Russell and James by Emma Hooper. I liked your review, Hanna. For some reason i decided the reason Otto and Russell seemed less defined was because without Etta they had no definition. They needed to "find themselves" as much as she needed to see the ocean. I'm not sure this was the author's intent but it was what came to me as i saw the two men at a loss, followed by their own explorations.

madrano wrote: "Libyrinths wrote: "Madrano, I was referring to a popular book about the history of ancient Rome, which I had read a number of years ago, and you got, and I said I had reservations about it, but you..."

The sequel. :). Dynasty: The Rise and Fall of the House of Caesar

I did not know about that, Cateline. Thanks.

:). You're welcome. I'm just waiting for the 2nd hand price to go down a bit.

Madrano, yes, that was the book! And, clearly my time sense is out of whack. From now on I'll just say, "some time in this century", LOL!

Cateline, thanks for the info on the subsequent book.

:) You're welcome, Libyrinths.

I'm itching to buy it!

Libyrinths wrote: "Madrano, yes, that was the book! And, clearly my time sense is out of whack. From now on I'll just say, "some time in this century", LOL!...."

You weren't that far off, at least to my mind. I feel as though i can easily tell whether i read a book this century or the last, so naming the century works for me!