You're a man aren't you? What the hell are you doing reading an instruction manual?
It's got to be done in this day and age. Modern cameras have so many facilities that unless you're already an expert photographer, you'll miss out on a load of facilities (that you've paid for) if you don't read the manual. Who'd know what mirror lock up, second curtain flash and servo focus did without reading the manual? That said, if you get a big selling Nikon or Canon there's usually an independently produced user guide thats far less clinical and easier to read than the manual.
I was reading the manual for my new Nikon camera. As I was averaging one page per day, I am almost relieved that the camera is faulty and has had to be returned. GB84 seems like a welcome alternative.
Just finished reading my Nikon manual, took a while. Now need a nice easy read bit of fiction!
I've got "London: The Biography" but don't want to start it till I've "cleared my desk" of the other books I've got on the go. Anyone else read this?
Yes, it's superb ... I've got loads of London books and this one stands out ... Ackroyd is always a good read
I read it recently and wasn't bowled over. Good when he sticks to narrative history (excellent chapter on the Gordon riots for example) but too many loose, speculative, not vey interesting connections. Also far too much focus on the City of London at the expense of elsewhere. And some strange omissions - nothing about sport for example, and barely anything on politics.
You're a man aren't you? What the hell are you doing reading an instruction manual?
I wasn't the last time I looked ;-) But I was very good and I did play by mens rules, I messed about for several days, blamed the EU and the camera for being useless, damaged my toe when kicking the door and then decided to read the manual.
You're a man aren't you? What the hell are you doing reading an instruction manual?
It's got to be done in this day and age. Modern cameras have so many facilities that unless you're already an expert photographer, you'll miss out on a load of facilities (that you've paid for) if you don't read the manual. Who'd know what mirror lock up, second curtain flash and servo focus did without reading the manual? That said, if you get a big selling Nikon or Canon there's usually an independently produced user guide thats far less clinical and easier to read than the manual.
I reckon we need a photographers thread, sounds as though you'd be able to tell me about back door exposure ( or something like that ;-).
Just finished Jon Ronson's The Psychopath Test. Very good. Laugh out loud moments and an intriguing insight into the medical world's definition of madness. Interesting chapters on Colin Stagg, corporate psychopathy and a guy in Broadmoor who only pretended to be mad to avoid jail, but got stuck there full time.
GB84 by David Peace. Based around events at the time of the miners strike.
I would be interested to know what you make of it.
I'm enjoying it. I don't always find it easy to follow what he's writing - I guess he's conveying that his characters are on the edge of insanity. Like all his stuff it's gloomy, but Charlton Life readers relish gloomy.
It references so much stuff since WWII as it jumps about form different people telling different but interlinked stories. A good read if you like Arnott but could have been a stronger thread between all the links.
Hate - my life in the Far Right - Matthew Collins.
Lots of it set in SE London in the 80s and 90s (Lewisham, Eltham, Welling) and even a few mentions of Charlton hoolies and the B-Mob/Nutty Turn Up.
I bought catch 22 a couple of years ago. Have tried unsuccessfully to read it on three occasions now. Most recently was last week, i got about 200 pages in and found to be still struggling.
You did better than me. I've just shelved it 150 pages in. Some of it's really funny; I particularly enjoyed the Yosarian and Major Major chapters, but overall I struggled. I think for me there were too many characters so that I didn't ever get a good grip of who was who.
The daughter of Time by Josephine Tey which Peter Hitchens described as being one of the most important books ever written (way over the top IMO). Basically Alan Grant is a Scotland Yard Inspector & is in hospital with a broken leg and a lot of boredom. He is given several portrait repros but it is a portrait of King Richard III ( National Portrait Gallery) that attracts him. He decides that that the portrait depicts a gentle man and not a murderer and sets about solving the mystery of the murder of the two princes in the tower. The title comes from a quote attrinuted to Sir Francis Bacon: "Truth is the daughter of time, not of authority. The construction of a great historical myth is examined and explains how the Tudor version of history prevailed. I'm about half way through but it hasn't gripped me yet.
Wolf Hall .. a rarity in an historical novel .. so vividly written that it puts you right 'there' .. I'm enjoying it so much that the new Harry Bosch is on hold for a while
Wolf Hall .. a rarity in an historical novel .. so vividly written that it puts you right 'there' .. I'm enjoying it so much that the new Harry Bosch is on hold for a while
The sequel is great as well. As is her novel on the French Revolution.
Comments
Currently reading "A visit from the Good Squad", I read it recently and wasn't bowled over. Good when he sticks to narrative history (excellent chapter on the Gordon riots for example) but too many loose, speculative, not vey interesting connections. Also far too much focus on the City of London at the expense of elsewhere. And some strange omissions - nothing about sport for example, and barely anything on politics.
It references so much stuff since WWII as it jumps about form different people telling different but interlinked stories. A good read if you like Arnott but could have been a stronger thread between all the links.
Hate - my life in the Far Right - Matthew Collins.
Lots of it set in SE London in the 80s and 90s (Lewisham, Eltham, Welling) and even a few mentions of Charlton hoolies and the B-Mob/Nutty Turn Up.
Very interesting stuff.
Secret Life of Bletchley Park next.
Tour do Force by John Deering - Bradley Wiggins biography and story of the TdF win - very up-to-date and well-written
Just starting The Psychopath Test now.
Try the amateurs too, couple of chapters in that one had me in a laughing fit
Just finished reading 'Buffalo Soldiers' by Robert O'Connor again. My favourite book, ever.
Recommended.
Great read especially if you are a Who fan
Was present at a number of the events mentioned (as I am sure you were) such as the Sham gig at the Vortex when Presley's death was announced