Books - What are you reading?
Discussion
Nezquick said:
Reading Dean Koontz - Odd Thomas.
Enjoying it so far (first Koontz book i've tried) and think i'll try and few more of his books when i've finished this one.
Dean Koontz books are very good. The first couple of Frankenstein ones are well worth a read but I found it was let down by the last one.Enjoying it so far (first Koontz book i've tried) and think i'll try and few more of his books when i've finished this one.
I still need to read the last few Odd Thomas books but liked the first couple.
Vocal Minority said:
Just finished Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy; which I enjoyed very much
In awe of how Le Carre can hold so many threads together and keep it making sense over 350 odd pages.
You may like the Alec Milius books by Charles Cumming. A very similar style, recommended by someone else above; I've just finished the second and last of them, may well have to try more by the author.In awe of how Le Carre can hold so many threads together and keep it making sense over 350 odd pages.
Back from holiday and impressed by the writings of Alan Furst. I have two of his books, but read Mission to Paris, a spy novel in the style (and about as good as) Le Carré. Set just before the 2nd world war, it is in-depth and informative. For example, did you know what Taittinger, Coty, Michelin and Hennesy all had in common? Nor did I; they all had their own fascist gangs supporting Hitler. Hennesy and Michelin were thought guilty of carrying out bombings in Paris.
Anyway, a worthy read and I am about to start another, Midnight in Europe.
The Siege, by Aeturo Perez-Reverte. So beautifully translated from Spanish to English by Frank Wynne, a superb novel based around the siege of Cadiz in 1811. A good historical book this.
The Bourne Ascendancy. No, I had never read Eric Van Lustbader, and I shan't again. I would compare his writing skills with the acting ability of Van Damme and Seagal combined. On the same lines, while his writing is far better, "Light of the World" by James Lee Burke is so formulaic that you know the plot inside of the first chapter.
For the moment I am trying to get into Port Mungo by Patrick McGrath but am finding it hard going. More anon, since my daughter has another large collection for me.
Anyway, a worthy read and I am about to start another, Midnight in Europe.
The Siege, by Aeturo Perez-Reverte. So beautifully translated from Spanish to English by Frank Wynne, a superb novel based around the siege of Cadiz in 1811. A good historical book this.
The Bourne Ascendancy. No, I had never read Eric Van Lustbader, and I shan't again. I would compare his writing skills with the acting ability of Van Damme and Seagal combined. On the same lines, while his writing is far better, "Light of the World" by James Lee Burke is so formulaic that you know the plot inside of the first chapter.
For the moment I am trying to get into Port Mungo by Patrick McGrath but am finding it hard going. More anon, since my daughter has another large collection for me.
Malx said:
Just started a couple of books.
I'm back on the Wilbur Smith books and am reading "The Burning Shore"
And I've also got "Honey Farming" by R.O.B. Manley.
Wilbur Smith is good, the Courtney/Ballantyne series worth reading even though I usually prefer stuff set more recently. In fact I think these and the original Clive Cussler books were the first proper novels I started reading - stuff my Dad had lying around the house.I'm back on the Wilbur Smith books and am reading "The Burning Shore"
And I've also got "Honey Farming" by R.O.B. Manley.
Not so sure about "Those in Peril" - seemed to be a very different writing style and, although it didn't say so anywhere, I wouldn't have been surprised to find that it was written in conjunction with someone else - that is, with WS providing the storyline and someone else doing the writing. I think he's said since that he intends to do that, and it works for others like James Patterson, Clive Cussler and others, I just thought that one was a lot weaker than his earlier work.
droopsnoot said:
Malx said:
Just started a couple of books.
I'm back on the Wilbur Smith books and am reading "The Burning Shore"
And I've also got "Honey Farming" by R.O.B. Manley.
Wilbur Smith is good, the Courtney/Ballantyne series worth reading even though I usually prefer stuff set more recently. In fact I think these and the original Clive Cussler books were the first proper novels I started reading - stuff my Dad had lying around the house.I'm back on the Wilbur Smith books and am reading "The Burning Shore"
And I've also got "Honey Farming" by R.O.B. Manley.
Not so sure about "Those in Peril" - seemed to be a very different writing style and, although it didn't say so anywhere, I wouldn't have been surprised to find that it was written in conjunction with someone else - that is, with WS providing the storyline and someone else doing the writing. I think he's said since that he intends to do that, and it works for others like James Patterson, Clive Cussler and others, I just thought that one was a lot weaker than his earlier work.
nicanary said:
droopsnoot said:
Malx said:
Just started a couple of books.
I'm back on the Wilbur Smith books and am reading "The Burning Shore"
And I've also got "Honey Farming" by R.O.B. Manley.
Wilbur Smith is good, the Courtney/Ballantyne series worth reading even though I usually prefer stuff set more recently. In fact I think these and the original Clive Cussler books were the first proper novels I started reading - stuff my Dad had lying around the house.I'm back on the Wilbur Smith books and am reading "The Burning Shore"
And I've also got "Honey Farming" by R.O.B. Manley.
Not so sure about "Those in Peril" - seemed to be a very different writing style and, although it didn't say so anywhere, I wouldn't have been surprised to find that it was written in conjunction with someone else - that is, with WS providing the storyline and someone else doing the writing. I think he's said since that he intends to do that, and it works for others like James Patterson, Clive Cussler and others, I just thought that one was a lot weaker than his earlier work.
Malx said:
I'd heard that the newest novels were not a patch on his previous works which is a shame as the books are so good. I really like the Courtney ones but can't say I'm a fan of the characters in the Ballantyne ones so far.
I'll agree, his last three or four novels have not 'stirred my ink', so to speak. As books they are okay, but by the master story teller Wilbur Smith, they are a disappointment. I'm halfway through re-reading a WS oldie, Warlock.
I took my own advice and started on the Mitch Rapp series by Vince Flynn. The first book is called Transfer of Power and was written pre-9/11. It is based around an attempt to capture the White House by Islamic extremists, funded in part by Saddam Hussein (it is a little out of date...).
I thought it would be standard thriller hokum but I was pleasantly surprised by how good it is. Rapp seems a believable character with many flaws. The political aspects of such an event is also handled well - the angles, intentions and in-fighting of the various big-wigs is highly intriguing.
Recommended.
I thought it would be standard thriller hokum but I was pleasantly surprised by how good it is. Rapp seems a believable character with many flaws. The political aspects of such an event is also handled well - the angles, intentions and in-fighting of the various big-wigs is highly intriguing.
Recommended.
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