Books - What are you reading?
Discussion
g3org3y said:
Started Crime. I think it's the only Irvine Welsh book I've yet to read. Seems a much more 'mature' book than most of his others. Only about 50 pages in, will be interesting to see how it pans out.
Decent to be fair. The summary from The Times is accurate:Times said:
Crime is by some distance Welsh's most restrained and thoughtful work
Though I must admit, I prefer full on drug addict from the scheme Welsh. 
DoctorX said:
Finally got round to reading Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. Gutted I've finished it, what a great book.
It's a brilliant book. Good news is you can start World Without End 
I'm currently reading The Revenant which seems ok at present. Hoping the last 30% picks up a bit though.
just read this (on the plane and got funny looks from my neighbour!) and its brilliant (and takes about half hour)
was very surprised at how well written and very sensible it is. and quite funny
"The British dont know how make a decent cup of coffee. You dont know how to make a decent cup of tea. It's a fair swap"
was very surprised at how well written and very sensible it is. and quite funny
"The British dont know how make a decent cup of coffee. You dont know how to make a decent cup of tea. It's a fair swap"
I've read a few books recently, all from the horror genre, as I'm trying to move on from Stephen King having completed all of his books.
Latest reads have been:
The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
Very odd book. It's about a boy who's had a troubled upbringing and carries out some fairly twisted things in his day to day life, with a twist at the end. 6/10.
The Haunting of Hill House - Shirley Jackson
You probably all know the story - Doctor invites people to join him at a haunted house for the summer, weird stuff happens, we're meant to be scared. Except it wasn't that scary and I really couldn't connect with the main character. 6/10
The Exorcist - William Blatty
Just over 40% through this at the moment and it's brilliant. I love the writing style and the story is just horrifying. Much more disturbing and more psychologically provocative than watching the film. 9/10 so far.
Latest reads have been:
The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
Very odd book. It's about a boy who's had a troubled upbringing and carries out some fairly twisted things in his day to day life, with a twist at the end. 6/10.
The Haunting of Hill House - Shirley Jackson
You probably all know the story - Doctor invites people to join him at a haunted house for the summer, weird stuff happens, we're meant to be scared. Except it wasn't that scary and I really couldn't connect with the main character. 6/10
The Exorcist - William Blatty
Just over 40% through this at the moment and it's brilliant. I love the writing style and the story is just horrifying. Much more disturbing and more psychologically provocative than watching the film. 9/10 so far.
Perseverant said:
I've been re reading the Shardlake series by C J Sansom - set during Henry VIII's reign, they are well written thrillers. Sansom's other novels - one in the Spanish Civil War and "Dominion", a dystopia set in post war Britain where the Nazis have won are also worth a go.
My wife bought me 'Dominion' last Christmas, which I enjoyed, so she bought me 'Winter in Madrid' this Christmas which I've just finished, enjoyed both and may well look out some of his Shardlake stuff at the library, he describes places and sets the scene really well which helps when it's something you're not familiar with (like post-war Britain or WWII Spain).Just started 'Gull' by Glenn Patterson, a novel set during DeLorean's disastrous years in Belfast. Haven't read too much yet, his writing style grates a bit and leaves you having to re-read passages to get the meaning but it seems well researched and weaves fictional and real characters together well.
Edited by Mark Benson on Tuesday 19th January 15:09
Finally finished Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand after starting it in August. 65 hours on audiobook. Epic story, interesting concepts but she didn't half prattle on at times. One monologue lasted 3 hours going over and over the same things. Recommended if you've got the time and patience.
The Calling - John Luther (Neil Cross)
Change of tact for me, got his on the go jn paperback. Not particularly light hearted, like the TV show but keeping my interest so far after 100 or so pages.
The Road To Little Dribbling - More Notes From A Small Island (Bill Bryson)
Got this on audiobook from Audible, more of the same from Bryson - entertaining enough so far after a couple of hours.
Change of tact for me, got his on the go jn paperback. Not particularly light hearted, like the TV show but keeping my interest so far after 100 or so pages.
The Road To Little Dribbling - More Notes From A Small Island (Bill Bryson)
Got this on audiobook from Audible, more of the same from Bryson - entertaining enough so far after a couple of hours.
toasty said:
Finally finished Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand after starting it in August. 65 hours on audiobook. Epic story, interesting concepts but she didn't half prattle on at times. One monologue lasted 3 hours going over and over the same things. Recommended if you've got the time and patience.
Time, patience, perseverance, sheer plain stubborn-mindedness are what you need!They started to make the whole thing into a series of films, and I think even the film-makers gave up about 20% through!
I read the whole thing a few years back, then I got sucked in to several people saying "Fountainhead" was a terrific book (Michael Caine on DID, IIRC, among others). Well don't be fooled - that's gruelling too!!!
Meanwhile I like mixing Fiction, Biography and Non-Fiction
I'm making an attempt on War & Peace still, but have found time to sideline off into "Eyes Wide Open" by Andy Powell and co-authored by Colin Harper. That's an easy read, but no doubt hugely controversial with his ex-band mates.
And for some Non-Fiction, "You Are Not So Smart" by David McRaney is an interesting sojourn into debunking what you're brain might tell you is logical. It's subtitle explains all..."Why you have too many friends on Facebook, Why your memory is mostly fiction, and 46 other ways you are deluding yourself". I find it quite entertaining and refreshing.
I'm making an attempt on War & Peace still, but have found time to sideline off into "Eyes Wide Open" by Andy Powell and co-authored by Colin Harper. That's an easy read, but no doubt hugely controversial with his ex-band mates.
And for some Non-Fiction, "You Are Not So Smart" by David McRaney is an interesting sojourn into debunking what you're brain might tell you is logical. It's subtitle explains all..."Why you have too many friends on Facebook, Why your memory is mostly fiction, and 46 other ways you are deluding yourself". I find it quite entertaining and refreshing.
Have just finished "After the Crash" by Michel Bussi. If, as the blurb says, this is "A runaway best-seller with over 700,000 copies sold in the author's native France" it doesn't say much for the French. Clunky translation, slow and turgid, and not recommended. One of those where you skip paragraphs and quickly turn the page.
I mainly buy used and non fiction. I just completed a biog of Sid James - the original copy from 1985, which was interesting (to me, not knowing much about him apart from his tv and Carry On career). Reading Stuart Pearce's autobiography now from 2001. Also made a start on Michael Palin's 3rd set of diaries published last year.
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