Books - What are you reading?

[lowdrag]

Come on, admit it; you've all found yourselves skipping pages or paragraphs and wishing to get to the end. And so it is at the moment. I'm reading "Before We Met" by Lucie Whitehouse. Perhaps I should have been forewarned when I saw the "Richard and Judy Summer Book Club" sticker on the front. After 107 pages I am still in the "we met, we married, wedded bliss, and now he's gone missing and emptied my bank account and he's having and affair or isn't or what the hell is he doing and where is he" phase. I fear for the author's husband since so much fiction is based on reality and I am dreaming of steamed bunnies or ice picks under the bed should he come home.

So, this turgid novel drones on, but I don't think I'll bother to report on the end of it. I'll probably have died of boredom by then.

[droopsnoot]

It's funny how it gets to you, though, isn't it? Even though you've decided it's awful, you've now invested so much time in getting this far that you won't give up. I've done the same, in fact I think I've only ever given up on one novel, a massive thick thing that I don't remember the name of and subsequently inflicted on the patrons of a local charity shop.

Just finished "The Whole Truth" by David Baldacci, having a bit of a Baldacci-fest at the moment as I found a few in the local WH Smiths clearance section. Also have a couple of Patricia Cornwell Scarpetta books to get through, having dropped her a while ago when they got a bit ridiculous, hoping the new glossy covers indicate a return to earlier form.

[Laurel Green]

blindswelledrat said:

I urge other people on here to read the following, despite the fact that when I describe it, it will sound a bit st and you wont really fancy it.

Do No Harm:
THis is basically a series of anecdotes chartering the life and career of a prominent brain surgeon. Each chapter is different anecdote about various patients/conditions he has encountered. Or to put it another way it is a series of snapshot days from the career of this chap. Largely written in laymans terms it is surprisingly easy to read and even more surprisingly utterly compulsive and a total page-turner. Just buy it and accept it as a promise that you will love this and I will accept untold abuse unchallenged if you don't. Also, just read the critics reviews on the amazon page if you doubt me.


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Do-No-Harm-Stories-Surgery...

No abuse from me; in fact a big Thank You for the recommendation.

A roller-coaster of emotions throughout, leaving me with some very thought provoking, er, thoughts to quietly sit and contemplate.

A remarkable man though, looking at Henry's photo on the back page, one would never guess the profession from seeing his hands.

[coppice]

Having read an extract I agree; and a welcome change from some of the sub Andy McNab garbage recommended so depressingly often.

[leglessAlex]

Laurel Green said:

blindswelledrat said:

I urge other people on here to read the following, despite the fact that when I describe it, it will sound a bit st and you wont really fancy it.

Do No Harm:
THis is basically a series of anecdotes chartering the life and career of a prominent brain surgeon. Each chapter is different anecdote about various patients/conditions he has encountered. Or to put it another way it is a series of snapshot days from the career of this chap. Largely written in laymans terms it is surprisingly easy to read and even more surprisingly utterly compulsive and a total page-turner. Just buy it and accept it as a promise that you will love this and I will accept untold abuse unchallenged if you don't. Also, just read the critics reviews on the amazon page if you doubt me.


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Do-No-Harm-Stories-Surgery...

No abuse from me; in fact a big Thank You for the recommendation.

A roller-coaster of emotions throughout, leaving me with some very thought provoking, er, thoughts to quietly sit and contemplate.

A remarkable man though, looking at Henry's photo on the back page, one would never guess the profession from seeing his hands.

Same for me. Alright, I haven't finished it yet but it's been really, really good so far. Thank you BSR, I haven't enjoyed a book in a long while and I'm really enjoying this.

[marcosgt]

Just finished "Unknown Pleasures" - Peter Hook's book about Joy Division. I really enjoyed it, although I didn't know much about the band, except their music and Curtis' death.

Next real book is Mark Mill's "Savage Garden" - I've enjoyed a couple of other of his books, so hoping I'll like this too.

Meanwhile, my Kindle app is still letting me work my way through "The Pacific" - The Band of Brothers follow up, spin off - Better than I expected after reading some awful reviews - and "The Boy From Reactor 4" - Takes ages to get going and I'm not sure I'll bother with any of the others in series.

M

[Legend83]

Just finished 'Rivers of London' by Ben Aaronovitch - was very entertaining and very funny. His light-hearted ribbing of the Met was very droll.

Now onto:

[King Herald]

droopsnoot said:

droopsnoot said:

Now I've just started "Desert God", the new Wilbur Smith book.

Finished this now, a very good book as usual from Wilbur Smith (with the exception of 'Those in Peril'), easy to read though the lead character does come across as a bit smug from time to time.

Started on "The Escape" by David Baldacci now, good so far though I'm almost at the end of it.

I started Desert God, but found it pretty boring and tedious. Same with the last book in that same 'Egypt series', just seems to be a lot of talking, and very little action. Not really what I expect from Wilbur.

[Dr Jekyll]

Just finished 'The Distance' by Helen Giltrow.

Set in the potentially corny world of master criminals, spy agencies and mysterious private agencies that are a bit of both this is nevertheless an excellent and fairly original thriller.

Plenty of tension, plot twists, characters you find yourself rooting for even if you don't really approve of them, and mysteries that keep reading in order to find the resolution. In fact enough of each for three books by most thriller writers.

Just don't start reading it at night if you have to get up early in the morning.

[blindswelledrat]

leglessAlex said:

Laurel Green said:

blindswelledrat said:

I urge other people on here to read the following, despite the fact that when I describe it, it will sound a bit st and you wont really fancy it.

Do No Harm:
THis is basically a series of anecdotes chartering the life and career of a prominent brain surgeon. Each chapter is different anecdote about various patients/conditions he has encountered. Or to put it another way it is a series of snapshot days from the career of this chap. Largely written in laymans terms it is surprisingly easy to read and even more surprisingly utterly compulsive and a total page-turner. Just buy it and accept it as a promise that you will love this and I will accept untold abuse unchallenged if you don't. Also, just read the critics reviews on the amazon page if you doubt me.


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Do-No-Harm-Stories-Surgery...

No abuse from me; in fact a big Thank You for the recommendation.

A roller-coaster of emotions throughout, leaving me with some very thought provoking, er, thoughts to quietly sit and contemplate.

A remarkable man though, looking at Henry's photo on the back page, one would never guess the profession from seeing his hands.

Same for me. Alright, I haven't finished it yet but it's been really, really good so far. Thank you BSR, I haven't enjoyed a book in a long while and I'm really enjoying this.

Glad you both liked it/like it. I absolutely loved it and badly want to re-train as a brain surgeon - although contrary to popular belief I fear I may be a little too much of a softy to endure some of that emotional turmoil. Reading about it was bad enough, let alone having to live that life.

[curlyks2]

Approaching the end of this...



...recommendations welcome for next book

[bint]

@droopsnoot I had forgotten abou Baldacci, not read one for a while so fear an Amazon browse is forthcoming!

I'm currently on the second book in the Paradol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger - proper fluff - werewolves, vampires and Victorian England, what's not to like.

I got bought the first (Soulless) for Christmas from my Amazon wish list and I swear it got there because of one of you lot (but not going back through 54pages to see who!).

I have more blood sucking to read next the latest Charles Stross is on my bedside table.

[DibblyDobbler]

curlyks2 said:

Approaching the end of this...



...recommendations welcome for next book

You could try Hamilton's Commonwealth Saga (a lot easier going than what you are finishing!) - or get over to the Sci-Fi thread for other suggestions

[curlyks2]

DibblyDobbler said:

You could try Hamilton's Commonwealth Saga (a lot easier going than what you are finishing!) - or get over to the Sci-Fi thread for other suggestions

Time for a break from Hamilton I think T'was a bit of a slog in places getting through that trilogy and fancy something a bit different now (while completely acknowledging that his other work might be "easier").

[gregd]

Just finished (and enjoyed) The Martian. Now started RF Delderfield's "To Serve Them All My Days". An oldy but a goody.. I fondly remember the TV series from when I was a kid and the book is enjoyable so far.

[5potTurbo]

28DEC14 I said...

5potTurbo said:

Working my way through Lee Child's' "Jack Reacher" books. Read 2 in the last 10 days, now about to start #3.
(I'm rather behind the curve on these, I fear.)

I've now finished #3 and #4 and started #5 last night. I realise now far behind I am.... #4 has the WTC featured.

[Welshbeef]

Heads up.

Popped into Tesco on a lunchtime stroll today and noticed Jo Nesbo "Son" paperback was on offer £3! Picked up a copy grab it while you can a super deal on what reviews say will be a grat read.

[944fan]

Finished The Count of Monte Cristo. Really good book, would definitley recommend it. One of my favouirtes now.

Feel kind of defalted after it though and not sure what to read next. Kind of disapointed that its finished.

Got The Old Man and the Sea on the go at the moment but not really that into it.

[blindswelledrat]

944fan said:

Got The Old Man and the Sea on the go at the moment but not really that into it.

Surprised at that. One of my favourite books and such an easy read, but very moving.

[TheJimi]

944fan said:

Finished The Count of Monte Cristo. Really good book, would definitley recommend it. One of my favouirtes now.

Feel kind of defalted after it though and not sure what to read next. Kind of disapointed that its finished.

It's my all time fav book

and I felt exactly the same way when I finished it.

Can I recommend The Three Musketeers, also by Dumas? You'll love it