Books - What are you reading?
Discussion
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.
I read Anthem recently - not quite the epic door stop of a book that is Atlas Shrugged. Ms Rand doesn't do subtle, does she? Why hint when you can labour the point over and over? Still, it was an interesting concept so I'm currently struggling with the opening chapters of Atlas Shrugged. Not sure I'll make it through...
I have just finished "the strange last voyage of Donald Crowhurst", by Tomalin and Hall
I've read quite a lot about it over the last couple of years, found a few PDF's of his final entries into his log etc and watched the documentary.
The book is really very good. A lot of depth about his formative years. He comes across as a man desperately trying to live upto an unrealistic self expectation and it ultimately ends badly.
Very sad but a very worthwhile book.
I've read quite a lot about it over the last couple of years, found a few PDF's of his final entries into his log etc and watched the documentary.
The book is really very good. A lot of depth about his formative years. He comes across as a man desperately trying to live upto an unrealistic self expectation and it ultimately ends badly.
Very sad but a very worthwhile book.
Oh, and the book before that was "I was Dr Mengeles assistant".
Memoirs of Miklos Nyiszli. Jewish medic in Auschwitz who ended up being the trusted aide of Mengele.
It documents the horrors as expected and (obviously) isn't an easy read. Details the autopsies and some of the experiments that Mengele performed on the Jewish prisoners.
Worth reading if it's your sort of thing.
Memoirs of Miklos Nyiszli. Jewish medic in Auschwitz who ended up being the trusted aide of Mengele.
It documents the horrors as expected and (obviously) isn't an easy read. Details the autopsies and some of the experiments that Mengele performed on the Jewish prisoners.
Worth reading if it's your sort of thing.
Currently reading (in large print, from my local library)...
...after reading Peter Swanson's other book...
...which I spotted as a "Fast Back" (14 day loan, no renewal) in the same library.
The wrong order, I know, but I don't think they're linked in plot or timeline so no foul there.
The Kind Worth Killing was absolutely amazing. Twisting, turning, red herrings, and your expectations flipped so many times you won't know which way is up. First fiction I've borrowed from my local library in years, but I need something to tide me over while Lee Child pulls his finger out and gives us another helping of Jack Reacher.
...after reading Peter Swanson's other book...
...which I spotted as a "Fast Back" (14 day loan, no renewal) in the same library.
The wrong order, I know, but I don't think they're linked in plot or timeline so no foul there.
The Kind Worth Killing was absolutely amazing. Twisting, turning, red herrings, and your expectations flipped so many times you won't know which way is up. First fiction I've borrowed from my local library in years, but I need something to tide me over while Lee Child pulls his finger out and gives us another helping of Jack Reacher.
yellowjack said:
Currently reading (in large print, from my local library)...
...after reading Peter Swanson's other book...
...which I spotted as a "Fast Back" (14 day loan, no renewal) in the same library.
The wrong order, I know, but I don't think they're linked in plot or timeline so no foul there.
The Kind Worth Killing was absolutely amazing. Twisting, turning, red herrings, and your expectations flipped so many times you won't know which way is up. First fiction I've borrowed from my local library in years, but I need something to tide me over while Lee Child pulls his finger out and gives us another helping of Jack Reacher.
Try Tim Weaver and the David Raker series really good. ...after reading Peter Swanson's other book...
...which I spotted as a "Fast Back" (14 day loan, no renewal) in the same library.
The wrong order, I know, but I don't think they're linked in plot or timeline so no foul there.
The Kind Worth Killing was absolutely amazing. Twisting, turning, red herrings, and your expectations flipped so many times you won't know which way is up. First fiction I've borrowed from my local library in years, but I need something to tide me over while Lee Child pulls his finger out and gives us another helping of Jack Reacher.
cherie171 said:
The 5th Elephant. Not read any Pratchett for ages.
A pretty damn good Vimes book. 
Though beaten by Night Watch see. 
Just finished two Grishams. Not read any before now. The Firm and The Partner. Won't be reading any more. The Firm, might as well have watched the film (though it is another character TC plays that should be 6ft plus
) and The Partner has a really rubbish ending that smacks of the author getting bored with writing 'ah, f
k it, can't be arsed any more, I will just make him do this and her do that even though it is completely contrary to all that has gone before. Now where's my fking cheque suckers?' 
toasty said:
Currently 3/4 of the way through via Audible. It seems like a good book if only I could understand WTF is going on.
I've had to look at the Wikipedia page to get an explanation which cleared things up a bit. Maybe it's a bit too fast paced for audiobook.
Ace-T said:
A pretty damn good Vimes book. Though beaten by Night Watch see.
Just finished two Grishams. Not read any before now. The Firm and The Partner. Won't be reading any more. The Firm, might as well have watched the film (though it is another character TC plays that should be 6ft plus) and The Partner has a really rubbish ending that smacks of the author getting bored with writing 'ah, fk it, can't be arsed any more, I will just make him do this and her do that even though it is completely contrary to all that has gone before. Now where's my fking cheque suckers?'
I read the Runaway j. But followed it up by the King of torts. Though beaten by Night Watch see. Just finished two Grishams. Not read any before now. The Firm and The Partner. Won't be reading any more. The Firm, might as well have watched the film (though it is another character TC plays that should be 6ft plus
) and The Partner has a really rubbish ending that smacks of the author getting bored with writing 'ah, fk it, can't be arsed any more, I will just make him do this and her do that even though it is completely contrary to all that has gone before. Now where's my fking cheque suckers?' God he is a dull writer. No twists turns multilayered complex characters instead anyone with half a brain knows within the first 100 pages.
Try Jo Nesbo or most of the Nordic Noir those are superb - comparing those to a Lee Child or John G is like an infants book v A level college. I'll leave Uni and doctorship levels for reference books
I've read all the John Grisham books, and I must say that (other than the Painted House) I've enjoyed all of them. Some are better than others, though.
I've recently finished Long Time Coming by Robert Goddard, a good read though I'm never a big fan of flashbacks and this jumps about between 1976 and 1940. Now I've started "Taken" by Niamh O'Connor, reasonable so far. Going down the pile of 12p books at the moment.
I've recently finished Long Time Coming by Robert Goddard, a good read though I'm never a big fan of flashbacks and this jumps about between 1976 and 1940. Now I've started "Taken" by Niamh O'Connor, reasonable so far. Going down the pile of 12p books at the moment.
K12beano said:
Might look out for that, I'm an occasional dabbler in reads such as 1Q84 and The Quantum Thief - so no stranger to fairly unintelligible storylines!!!
Neuromancer's not as difficult as TQF, certainly not as bad as 1Q84.It's a little dated now, but you can see the roots of so many more recent novels in there. Same as HP Lovecraft, IYSWIM...
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