How Many Books?

mike_baram · 7 December 2001, 11:04 AM

Wayne,
I remember way back in the days of Hippocrates, when I learned first aid, they said that one sign of a broken clavicle is that the patient can't move his toes.
Go figure.
VBR,
Mike

Barrett · 7 December 2001, 04:59 PM

Mike: that's apparently what's behind acupuncture. I learned from experienc e that just 'cause your neck hurts, the doc may insert a looong sharpie somewhere, ah, completely different...

Stephanie · 8 December 2001, 11:31 PM

The percentages differ from year to year depending on what I'm stuck into and on my budget - history is always on the expensive side and the latest is rarely found in libraries. This year I've averages about 1.2 books a month, and those of you who know me will understand this year's analysis:
55% history and biographies
25% non-fiction, not including reference, including, but not entirely child and toddler books
20% fiction

Michael · 9 December 2001, 04:12 PM

Quote:

1: Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers, then the Berkshires.
2: Battle of Maiwand

The Northumberland Fusiliers are certainly the original of Kipling's Tyneside Tailtwisters in his Soldiers Three stories. The Ould Regiment is probably the Royal Irish Regiment.

It was the 66th Regiment that was at Maiwand. In 1881 they became the Second Battalion, The Berkshire Regiment, with the 49th as First Battalion. The 5th already had two battalions so was unaffected by the Cardwell reforms. It was the 2/5th that was in Afghanistan

Stephanie · 9 December 2001, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Dang! How do you do that? *Mine are 11 and 8, and I've still got no time for reading.

I try not to waste time sleeping or eating....

Ira_Silverman · 9 December 2001, 08:01 PM

I've averaged 60 books a year over the past 15 years with the breakdown being 25% general fiction, 25% mystery fiction, and 50% historical and biographical.

I generally manage to get in at least an hour of serious reading time daily, somewhat more on weekends. Mystery fiction tends to be a quick read - it offsets the longer time needed to digest the content of serious history/biography.

It helps having a wife in the publishing business to support this habit!

VBR,

Ira

Stephanie · 9 December 2001, 10:55 PM

Hello, Ira. it's good to see you on this forum again. I remember you from the campaigns of '98.

You are truly blessed with the resources. I have to admit that there have been many times when I just had to put the books down because of eye fatigue. Until last month I had stubbornly refused to get multifocals, but am glad I did. I blame the damage on all those years of poorly-lit fluoros in libraries and running-text German indicies.

Lufbery · 10 December 2001, 05:06 AM

Quote:

The Northumberland Fusiliers are certainly the original of Kipling's Tyneside Tailtwisters in his Soldiers Three stories. The Ould Regiment is probably the Royal Irish Regiment.

Michael,

So, are the Soldiers Three stories the ones that Kipling wrote about Afghanistan? If so, how are they published (or what are the titles)?

Thanks,

14 December 2001, 02:45 PM

I average about a book a week, and often have two going at the same time - one non-fiction and one fiction.
It's about 60% non-fiction to 40 fiction. The non-fiction is probably 80% history-mostly military, the rest being biography, travel and what I can only describe as 'true crime'.
I'm reading a lot of fantasy at the moment but usually read quite a lot of detective novels, with the odd Steven King thrown in for spice.
I used to subscribe to the magazine Medal News, and may do again - I miss it. As far as magazines go at the moment though I don't read very many. I use internet versions of newspapers these days, but not every day.

Liz