Books - What are you reading?
Discussion
vanordinaire said:
I've just read Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. The 'almost unbelieveable' true story of Louis Zamperini, an American Olympian who survived a plane crash in the Pacific in ww2, survived for 47 days on a raft with no supplies, captured and made a POW and abused by the Japanese, then after beating the personal demons that these experiences caused, went on to spend the rest of his life as an evangelist. It was written in the style that makes me normally hate biographies, plodding through the events chronologically like a primary school kid's story, but somehow this one held me to read all 416 pages in one sitting.
I read it when it was first published. It's an extraordinary tale of a quite extraordinary man. The film that Anjelina Jolie made did not do it justice. Listened to
A spy among friends: Kim Philby
A great story. Unbelievable tale of espionage, double crossing and treason.
It's hard to know what to make of the man in a way. Not sure if I would've been able to finish it as a book as its a bit long and I did get a bit distracted even listening, but overall as an audio book it was great.
A spy among friends: Kim Philby
A great story. Unbelievable tale of espionage, double crossing and treason.
It's hard to know what to make of the man in a way. Not sure if I would've been able to finish it as a book as its a bit long and I did get a bit distracted even listening, but overall as an audio book it was great.
unrepentant said:
Just now reading On The Beach by Nevil Shute. I read most of his books as a teenager but somehow missed this, his most famous.
The 1950's writing style takes a little getting used to but the book is sobering in it's vision of a post apocalyptic world where those left, just a few hundred thousand in Australia, are totally resigned to the death that is moving inexorably towards them. A disturbing but good read.
Just downloaded this on Kindle last night about 9, finished it about 3 this morning, couldn't put it down. Thanks for the recommendation, I'd forgotten about Neville Shute. I used to read his books after my parents when I was a teenager, last one I remember reading was Trustee From the Toolroom, a very thought provoking book too.The 1950's writing style takes a little getting used to but the book is sobering in it's vision of a post apocalyptic world where those left, just a few hundred thousand in Australia, are totally resigned to the death that is moving inexorably towards them. A disturbing but good read.
DoubleTime said:
Chickenhawk - Nam, written by a Huey pilot.
About 50% of the way in and can recommend it.
About 50% of the way in and can recommend it.
Great book.After a recent trip to Cuba, I felt inspired to learn more about Che Guevara and the Cuban revolutionary struggle in general. I really enjoyed the Motorcycle Diaries so I had high hopes for this book but I admit it didn't capture my attention as much as I expected. Worth a read though.
Now on to this:
Vive la Revolution comrades!!
Janluke said:
DoubleTime said:
Chickenhawk - Nam, written by a Huey pilot.
About 50% of the way in and can recommend it.
One of the best Warfare books I've ever read. I read it years ago and then reread it recently. Stands the test of time. There's a follow up that I haven't got round to yetAbout 50% of the way in and can recommend it.
I'm quite an old git and have been reading Neville Shute for years, only missing On The Beach from his lexicon
I read it recently and I think it's fair to say it broke my heart, how to end the world... Wow
To recover I re-read Trustee From The Toolroom which is one of the finest works of 'Ordinary guy' tales ever
Shute is outstanding
I'm about to pick up The Adventures Of Goodnight And Loving after many years, which isn't about cowboys and trail drives
It's a rollicking tale of mid-life angst and one of Leslie Thomas's best IMO
I read it recently and I think it's fair to say it broke my heart, how to end the world... Wow
To recover I re-read Trustee From The Toolroom which is one of the finest works of 'Ordinary guy' tales ever
Shute is outstanding
I'm about to pick up The Adventures Of Goodnight And Loving after many years, which isn't about cowboys and trail drives
It's a rollicking tale of mid-life angst and one of Leslie Thomas's best IMO
perdu said:
I'm quite an old git and have been reading Neville Shute for years, only missing On The Beach from his lexicon
I read it recently and I think it's fair to say it broke my heart, how to end the world... Wow
To recover I re-read Trustee From The Toolroom which is one of the finest works of 'Ordinary guy' tales ever
Shute is outstanding
Nevil Shute is one of my most favourite authors. I like his style approachable, succinct with good yarns. As a teenager On the Beach blew me away both in concept and as a book. Most of NS's books are heartbreaking in one form or another. Very evocative of times most different to ours. Recently I've been catching up on his books that I've not read. Indeed Requiem for a Wren, No Highway, A Town Like Alice, Lonely Road and In the Wet are all outstanding.I read it recently and I think it's fair to say it broke my heart, how to end the world... Wow
To recover I re-read Trustee From The Toolroom which is one of the finest works of 'Ordinary guy' tales ever
Shute is outstanding
Just finished The Vault of Poseidon - Great title and I hoped that it might be the start of an alternative Ben Hope series, but don't bother... At one point the villain says "We meet again, Mr Hawke"... Bloody awful... I groaned out loud on numerous occasions...
Started The Martian - I really enjoyed the film and, from line one, the same 'attitude' is there. I think I'll enjoy this.
M.
PS ETA I really liked Nevil Shute when I read his books. I know what you mean about "On the Beach" being heartbreaking. He really seemed to be able to capture people's feelings in a way few other authors succeed. They were nice and varied too, none of this "churn out a dozen identical stories with the same character in slightly different locations" crap - You know [TheHero] wandered into [smalltown]. There was a [refreshementOutlet] down the block. He walked there dominating the street like [puerilesimarly]. Behind the counter was a [ageband] woman. She looked [emotion], but [facialexpression]ed when he walked in. "[Food/DrinkGreeting]" she said. "Sure." he replied... (I've read a few Reachers and I'm about at saturation point there - I'll admit to liking Ben Hopes though, a bit of a guilty pleasure).
Desmond Bagley was another favourite of mine, I remember being really upset when I'd heard he'd died.
Started The Martian - I really enjoyed the film and, from line one, the same 'attitude' is there. I think I'll enjoy this.
M.
PS ETA I really liked Nevil Shute when I read his books. I know what you mean about "On the Beach" being heartbreaking. He really seemed to be able to capture people's feelings in a way few other authors succeed. They were nice and varied too, none of this "churn out a dozen identical stories with the same character in slightly different locations" crap - You know [TheHero] wandered into [smalltown]. There was a [refreshementOutlet] down the block. He walked there dominating the street like [puerilesimarly]. Behind the counter was a [ageband] woman. She looked [emotion], but [facialexpression]ed when he walked in. "[Food/DrinkGreeting]" she said. "Sure." he replied... (I've read a few Reachers and I'm about at saturation point there - I'll admit to liking Ben Hopes though, a bit of a guilty pleasure).
Desmond Bagley was another favourite of mine, I remember being really upset when I'd heard he'd died.
Edited by marcosgt on Monday 23 May 16:04
Tony Angelino said:
g3org3y said:
Finished this, thought it ok, imo not his best. He does (almost) the entire journey using public transport citing his hate of cars and driving as the reason. Fair enough, however he then spends too much of the book complaining about infrequent trains and buses, waiting at stations, generally rubbish service etc. For me it detracted from what was otherwise a decent book. Even Bryson thought Bradford was a s
thole.
Just started this, Begbie's back!
Just starting this on audiobook. First hour or so and its ok without being brilliant. Sort of on a par with A Decent Ride and glue for me, rather than the lofty heights of skag boys and train spotting. thole.Just started this, Begbie's back!
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