Coco Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stewart MacD Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 Halfway through Book 3 of 1Q84. Mindblowing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gigolo-Aunt Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gigolo-Aunt Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrimUpNorth Posted November 26, 2011 Share Posted November 26, 2011 Rubin Carter, the Hurricane. Very good so far Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PsychocAndy Posted November 26, 2011 Share Posted November 26, 2011 http://image03.bizrate-images.com/resize?sq=220&uid=595444342 Picking my ma up from the sally army shop and noticed this. One of the first books I read.Cracking read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2NaFish Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 for whom the bell tolls. can't wait to finish it so I can stop reading it. I just can't seem to read more than 15 pages without needing to stop. I quite enjoyed fiesta but I just can't be doing with this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmfc_steve Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coco Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Most enjoyable book I've read in a while. Chuckle-out-loud stuff from a great writer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creepy Lurker Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Currently on Christopher Brookmyre's Pandaemonium; a book which has been 'on the list' for so long that the author has had time to bring out a new one. Good so far, but I think he's starting to lose his knack for writing in authentic seeming patter. Some of his ned characters are cracking out words more suited to your average university professor. Still entertaining, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallfaces Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micole Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 The Rifleman by Victor Clegg really good read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micole Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Read this some time ago quite dissapointed very disjointed IMO how are you finding it. (I am a HUGE!! SM fan have been since the early sixties) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallfaces Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Read this some time ago quite dissapointed very disjointed IMO how are you finding it. (I am a HUGE!! SM fan have been since the early sixties) TBH I've only just started yesterday. Still on his family background, lots of luvverly kneesup round the old joanna, cor blimey guv'nor etc etc. I'm not Paulo Hewitts biggest fan either, always comes across as a simpering wannabe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rand Paul's Ray Bans Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 The Prince, by Niccolo Machiavelli. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coco Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neave Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 (edited) Just about finished this: A really good, allegorical account of basic economics and trade, which explains and clarifies the decisions that were made that've landed us in the mess we're in. It's centred mostly around US economics (historical and modern) but, as my Geography teacher used to say, 'if America sneezes, the world catches a cold'. A useful book if economics confuses you and the majority of what's talked about in terms of the world's financial climate goes over your head a little; I was definitely in this camp. Edited November 28, 2011 by neave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gigolo-Aunt Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benny Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Is that a new release.Love a good wild west read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coco Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Not really enjoying this (a 30 page misprint repeat print didn't help). Reckon the author was thinking the same as me when he got to halfway - and regretted writing such a boring book! I'm hoping it livens up a bit with the World Wars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gigolo-Aunt Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Is that a new release.Love a good wild west read. Think it's from the early 70's, Benny. Have only read the first 40 pages or so this afternoon - but its good so far, I'm always a bit wary of Stephen Ambrose books after reading the flack he has taken for alleged "nicking" of material of other books. He has also been panned for factual errors. Still, the ones I have read have been enjoyable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Say What Again Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 (edited) Factual, GA? Might check that out. EDIT: Just saw your post above Edited December 4, 2011 by Jack of Hearts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leginten Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 (edited) Had this lying around the house for years and eventually got round to reading it. Astonishing novel: six standalone, self-contained stories, set at different times in the past and the future, in one book. The stories are linked only by the most tenuous of circumstances and by an unusual birthmark shared by their main characters which leads to the suspicion that they are different incarnations of the same person. The structure is interesting - each of the stories apart from the sixth is interrupted and then finished in the second half of the book, so it goes 1-2-3-4-5-6-5-4-3-2-1; all very symmetrical and contrived. The range of settings and contexts is vast - attempted murder against the backdrop of 19th century colonialism in the South Seas, sexual intrigue in post-WW1 Belgium, trashy American 1970s thriller, high 1980s farce in the grandest of English traditions, dystopian future in the style of Orwell or Huxley. What makes it stand out is the language. The author is a master craftsman and can turn his hand to imitation or pastiche of any style; some of the comic writing is reminiscent of Evelyn Waugh, David Lodge, Sebastian Coe and Martin Amis all rolled into one, while the stories set in the future have their own artificial language in the style of Orwellian Newspeak or Burgess' A Clockwork Orange. It's virtuoso stuff. I didn't like all of it and I suspect not many people would - the contrast in styles as you jump from story to story means you're frequently wishing you were back with the narrative voice you enjoyed best. But it's ultimately very rewarding, if difficult to get into at first and a very considerable read at over 500 pages. A film version of this is due out in 2012. I'm intrigued to see how they manage the plot - it's a massive undertaking. I'll also be trying more of Mitchell's books, starting with number9dream. Edited December 4, 2011 by leginten Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Romanov Saviour of HMFC Posted December 4, 2011 Author Share Posted December 4, 2011 I've read nothing but textbooks and journals for a month now. Can't wait to get stuck into a good book. Going to pick up one of the war efforts recommended on here I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moriarty Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 Had this lying around the house for years and eventually got round to reading it. Astonishing novel: six standalone, self-contained stories, set at different times in the past and the future, in one book. The stories are linked only by the most tenuous of circumstances and by an unusual birthmark shared by their main characters which leads to the suspicion that they are different incarnations of the same person. The structure is interesting - each of the stories apart from the sixth is interrupted and then finished in the second half of the book, so it goes 1-2-3-4-5-6-5-4-3-2-1; all very symmetrical and contrived. The range of settings and contexts is vast - attempted murder against the backdrop of 19th century colonialism in the South Seas, sexual intrigue in post-WW1 Belgium, trashy American 1970s thriller, high 1980s farce in the grandest of English traditions, dystopian future in the style of Orwell or Huxley. What makes it stand out is the language. The author is a master craftsman and can turn his hand to imitation or pastiche of any style; some of the comic writing is reminiscent of Evelyn Waugh, David Lodge, Sebastian Coe and Martin Amis all rolled into one, while the stories set in the future have their own artificial language in the style of Orwellian Newspeak or Burgess' A Clockwork Orange. It's virtuoso stuff. I didn't like all of it and I suspect not many people would - the contrast in styles as you jump from story to story means you're frequently wishing you were back with the narrative voice you enjoyed best. But it's ultimately very rewarding, if difficult to get into at first and a very considerable read at over 500 pages. A film version of this is due out in 2012. I'm intrigued to see how they manage the plot - it's a massive undertaking. I'll also be trying more of Mitchell's books, starting with number9dream. Looks like a reasonable cast http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1371111/fullcredits#cast Tom Hanks, Hugo Weaving, Jim Broadbent, Hugh Grant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leginten Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 Looks like a reasonable cast http://www.imdb.com/...ullcredits#cast Tom Hanks, Hugo Weaving, Jim Broadbent, Hugh Grant I just had a look at that myself - it's a big-budget affair. October 2012 is when it's supposed to be released. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gigolo-Aunt Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 I've read nothing but textbooks and journals for a month now. Can't wait to get stuck into a good book. Going to pick up one of the war efforts recommended on here I think. What war book are you going to go for. Alan? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Romanov Saviour of HMFC Posted December 4, 2011 Author Share Posted December 4, 2011 What war book are you going to go for. Alan? Open to suggestions bud. Preferably something I can get for free on my Kindle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zico Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 Open to suggestions bud. Preferably something I can get for free on my Kindle. Matterhorn (benny posted a pic on this page) is brilliant. I've just finished Imperial Bedrooms by Bret Easton Ellis, which was good. I love that detached, satirical writing style, although I know it's not everyone's cup of tea. With that book and Lunar Park, I like how he's increasingly blurring the lines between his life and his characters. Cocaine Nights by Ballard is up next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leginten Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 Re: Cloud Atlas - when I wrote "Sebastian Coe", I obviously meant Jonathan Coe. Dear oh dear. Old age is a fecker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rupert Pupkin Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 Just finished THE LAST TEMPLAR and TEMPLAR SALVATION by Raymond Khoury. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gigolo-Aunt Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 Open to suggestions bud. Preferably something I can get for free on my Kindle. Not sure if you can get these for your kindle or they are free, but the following are superb. Tend to buy my books second hand on Amazon - pretty cheap and worth a pop, mate. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Forgotten-Highlander-Incredible-Survival-During/dp/1405507659/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323034652&sr=1-1 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chickenhawk-Robert-Mason/dp/0552124192/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323034719&sr=1-1 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sniper-Eastern-Front-Memoirs-Allerberger/dp/1844153177/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323034788&sr=1-1 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Colditz-Story-Cassell-Military-Paperbacks/dp/0304358126/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323034847&sr=1-3 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Somme-Mud-P-F-Lynch/dp/0553819135/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323034907&sr=1-1 Hopefully you find something to your fancy in the above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benny Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 Not sure if you can get these for your kindle or they are free, but the following are superb. Tend to buy my books second hand on Amazon - pretty cheap and worth a pop, mate. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Forgotten-Highlander-Incredible-Survival-During/dp/1405507659/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323034652&sr=1-1 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chickenhawk-Robert-Mason/dp/0552124192/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323034719&sr=1-1 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sniper-Eastern-Front-Memoirs-Allerberger/dp/1844153177/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323034788&sr=1-1 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Colditz-Story-Cassell-Military-Paperbacks/dp/0304358126/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323034847&sr=1-3 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Somme-Mud-P-F-Lynch/dp/0553819135/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323034907&sr=1-1 Hopefully you find something to your fancy in the above. The top 2 are in bolt cd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Say What Again Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 Re: Cloud Atlas - when I wrote "Sebastian Coe", I obviously meant Jonathan Coe. Dear oh dear. Old age is a fecker. Thank God for that! I was a bit WTF? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3fingersreid Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 following on from gigaloAunt`s book on Paddy Main I`ve just finished a SAS book called The Nemesis File by ex SAS man Paul Bruce whilst the story isnt the deepset in terms of detailed info (thankfully) the bases of the story is simply incredible and anyone who has an interset in either the armed forces and/or the political situation in the early to mid days of the N Ireland conflict should have a read at this book. As a staunch supporter of our armed forces it really angers me the way the politions used these men to do one hell of a dirty job more than happy to hand it over at the next home game if anyone wants it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gigolo-Aunt Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 Excellent read so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coco Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 Just finished Have enjoyed everything I've read by Yates. Love the language he uses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coco Posted December 11, 2011 Share Posted December 11, 2011 Now reading this: Have enjoyed the start: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primavera Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 Reading "Glue" by Mr Welsh at night and "The Executor" by Jesse Kellerman in the day (Glue is paperback, Executor on PC Kindle at work during lunch & breaks). Really enjoyed "The Brutal Art" by Kellerman (My Dad thought it was crap though) and thought it worth trying another one. So far appeals to me but its certainly not to everyone's taste going by the Amazon ratings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallfaces Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 The translated version!! It's written like a love letter to an iconic champion. A real fans view but not sycophantic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallfaces Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coco Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Had a quick buzz through a couple of cheap bargain bin picks - nothing too surprising in the Lyle book and the McEnroe one reads like an extended magazine article: Now reading this: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creepy Lurker Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Now on L'Etranger by Camus. Bit of a clich?d choice but I hadn't read it since school, at which point I wasn't old enough to fully appreciate it. Enjoying it so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AWM Posted December 26, 2011 Share Posted December 26, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gigolo-Aunt Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AWM Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PsychocAndy Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coco Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 Obviously different from his usual work. Interesting though, and filled with little touches of Murakami throughout. Intriguing on a lesser scale is how he describes the different people's recollections of the same event. Just like on here where a black incident can be described as grey or white by different posters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leginten Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 Obviously different from his usual work. Interesting though, and filled with little touches of Murakami throughout. Intriguing on a lesser scale is how he describes the different people's recollections of the same event. Just like on here where a black incident can be described as grey or white by different posters. Watched the DVD of Norwegian Wood this afternoon - excellent if even darker in mood than the book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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