Books - What are you reading?
Discussion
Nezquick said:
Currently reading Gone Girl.
I heard the film got some good reviews so thought i'd check out the book first. I'm about 1/3 of the way through but it's shaping up to be a decent read.
Just finished this. Very enjoyable indeed, although the ending was a touch anti-climatic.I heard the film got some good reviews so thought i'd check out the book first. I'm about 1/3 of the way through but it's shaping up to be a decent read.
Now to see the film!
I saw a trailer for "A Walk Among the Tombstones" which is a film due out in Feb 2015. Looked quite good so thought I had better read book first. Trouble is it's number 10 in a series of 17, I'm on number 2 at the moment and enjoying it so far. Would recommend if you like a crime / gumshoe stuff.
Matthew Scudder novels:
The Sins of the Fathers (1976)
Time to Murder and Create (1976)
In the Midst of Death (1976)
A Stab in the Dark (1981)
Eight Million Ways to Die (1982)
When the Sacred Ginmill Closes (1986)
Out on the Cutting Edge (1989)
A Ticket to the Boneyard (1990)
A Dance at the Slaughterhouse (1991)
A Walk Among the Tombstones (1992)
The Devil Knows You're Dead (1993)
A Long Line of Dead Men (1994)
Even the Wicked (1997)
Everybody Dies (1998)
Hope to Die (2001)
All the Flowers Are Dying (2005)
A Drop of the Hard Stuff (2011)
Matthew Scudder novels:
The Sins of the Fathers (1976)
Time to Murder and Create (1976)
In the Midst of Death (1976)
A Stab in the Dark (1981)
Eight Million Ways to Die (1982)
When the Sacred Ginmill Closes (1986)
Out on the Cutting Edge (1989)
A Ticket to the Boneyard (1990)
A Dance at the Slaughterhouse (1991)
A Walk Among the Tombstones (1992)
The Devil Knows You're Dead (1993)
A Long Line of Dead Men (1994)
Even the Wicked (1997)
Everybody Dies (1998)
Hope to Die (2001)
All the Flowers Are Dying (2005)
A Drop of the Hard Stuff (2011)
Paddy_N_Murphy said:
mind you - thats a crap load of reading ! 
I've read them all and enjoyed them but I know what LordGrover means, some of them are action packed and well paced, some are hard going with lots of political stuff between the action. You don't really need to read the Jack Ryan series to enjoy Rainbow Six and there are some cracking set pieces.Edited by Paddy_N_Murphy on Thursday 9th October 14:10
The Martian is prgressing nicely, i'm 60% in.
I have to say though the constant references to [spoiler] technical refernces about kilo-watt hours, x-liters, battery life, potatoes (how was he going to eat them btw?) etc is getting a bit tedious although the pirate-ninja was quite funny... [/spolier]
I have to say though the constant references to [spoiler] technical refernces about kilo-watt hours, x-liters, battery life, potatoes (how was he going to eat them btw?) etc is getting a bit tedious although the pirate-ninja was quite funny... [/spolier]
I'm half way through Gone Girl for the second time and I just cannot comprehend why people are liking it so much. It perfectly exemplifies why I don't tend to like books written by women.
The first time I put it down after about 60 pages dismissing it as a women's relationship story.
Then I saw lots of people here (men, in theory) singing its praises so assumed I was being a bit hasty.
This time around I am 230 pages in (more than halfway through) and it is still just a women's relationship book.
180 pages detailing the breakdown of their relationship (both from his point of view and hers - who gives a toss?) and now we've moved on to his relationship with his mistress. Really couldn't give a f
k.
Somewhere among all that female-angst stuff there is the beginnings of a thriller i.e. woman gone missing, suspicion starting to fall on bloke, but not even remotely enough of one to justify the 230 pages of crap I've read so far.
WHat am I missing here?
The first time I put it down after about 60 pages dismissing it as a women's relationship story.
Then I saw lots of people here (men, in theory) singing its praises so assumed I was being a bit hasty.
This time around I am 230 pages in (more than halfway through) and it is still just a women's relationship book.
180 pages detailing the breakdown of their relationship (both from his point of view and hers - who gives a toss?) and now we've moved on to his relationship with his mistress. Really couldn't give a f
k.Somewhere among all that female-angst stuff there is the beginnings of a thriller i.e. woman gone missing, suspicion starting to fall on bloke, but not even remotely enough of one to justify the 230 pages of crap I've read so far.
WHat am I missing here?
blindswelledrat said:
I'm half way through Gone Girl for the second time and I just cannot comprehend why people are liking it so much. It perfectly exemplifies why I don't tend to like books written by women.
The first time I put it down after about 60 pages dismissing it as a women's relationship story.
Then I saw lots of people here (men, in theory) singing its praises so assumed I was being a bit hasty.
This time around I am 230 pages in (more than halfway through) and it is still just a women's relationship book.
180 pages detailing the breakdown of their relationship (both from his point of view and hers - who gives a toss?) and now we've moved on to his relationship with his mistress. Really couldn't give a fk.
Somewhere among all that female-angst stuff there is the beginnings of a thriller i.e. woman gone missing, suspicion starting to fall on bloke, but not even remotely enough of one to justify the 230 pages of crap I've read so far.
WHat am I missing here?
Keep going.....it all clicks into place. Great book. The first time I put it down after about 60 pages dismissing it as a women's relationship story.
Then I saw lots of people here (men, in theory) singing its praises so assumed I was being a bit hasty.
This time around I am 230 pages in (more than halfway through) and it is still just a women's relationship book.
180 pages detailing the breakdown of their relationship (both from his point of view and hers - who gives a toss?) and now we've moved on to his relationship with his mistress. Really couldn't give a f
k.Somewhere among all that female-angst stuff there is the beginnings of a thriller i.e. woman gone missing, suspicion starting to fall on bloke, but not even remotely enough of one to justify the 230 pages of crap I've read so far.
WHat am I missing here?
blindswelledrat said:
Nezquick said:
Keep going.....it all clicks into place. Great book.
On my train home tonight about 2 pages after the above post it suddenly got good and I'm thoroughly enjoying it.I maintain that 235 pages of s
t to get through is a bit muchI've tried with Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance but unfortunately not got on with it. Over half way and the author is getting into the nitty gritty details as to metaphysics of Quality but it seems rather hard work for little reward. Moreover, it's not the kind of book you can read for 10-15 mins before bed, it requires decent amounts of concentration/attention.
I've read a fair amount of philosophy in the past and my share of 'difficult' books. Given the praise heaped on this book I thought I'd like it but it's a struggle. I'm a scientist by trade and philosophical chat bothers me - cut to the chase and say it clearly (or don't say it at all!).
I'll try again next year.
g3org3y said:
I'll try again next year.
Despite my hypocrisy having re-tried Gone Girl, I maintain that there are too many good books out there to persevere with books you don't like. I learned that with Catch 22. After trying it 4 or 5 times, persevering for just a bit more each time, it suddenly dawned on me that I simply hated everything about it and nothing would change that.blindswelledrat said:
g3org3y said:
I'll try again next year.
Despite my hypocrisy having re-tried Gone Girl, I maintain that there are too many good books out there to persevere with books you don't like. I learned that with Catch 22. After trying it 4 or 5 times, persevering for just a bit more each time, it suddenly dawned on me that I simply hated everything about it and nothing would change that.A lot is down to personal preference as well. Some books you get on with and others you don't. I certainly wouldn't judge someone for not enjoying something I thought was amazing.
Moreover, I've read enough books in my time to know what I like and what (for me) constitutes an enjoyable read. I don't care if it is considered a work of genius in literary circles. If I didn't like it, I didn't like it and I'm happy to say that. I think some readers will follow popular opinion of certain books (especially the classics) even if they disliked them for fear of appearing stupid or not 'getting it'.
FWIW, I really enjoyed Catch 22 from start to finish. I've not read Gone Girl but the idea of having to read 200+ pages just to 'get it' does not appeal.
Just started this:
Story of a drug/alcohol addict and his time in rehab. Only read about 25 pages but already enjoying it.
I hated that book an indescribable amount. Just a.n.other in a series of attention seeking "Oooo, look at me. I was a drug addict and now I'm not" books.Hated him, hated his story, hated the amount of times he repeated the mantra that he didn't expect sympathy (as if anyone might give him any?) and hated anyone I knew who liked it.
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