Books - What are you reading?
Discussion
Legend83 said:
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around an attempt to capture the White House by Islamic extremists, funded in part by Saddam Hussein (it is a little out of date...).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.
Yes, the Mitch Rapp series are a good read. Wont be any more as Vince Flynn has recently died.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.
downloaded the Swimmer last night by Joakim Sander - early stages, seems ok thus far and would be better if the sentences didn't feel so deliberatly short and punchy. The punctuation - possibly a minor loss in transaltion? seems overtly stop start, beyond trying to prove the writer can make the story flow fast it feels unneccesary.
I'll stick with it, it was 99p and recomended.
I'll stick with it, it was 99p and recomended.
Just back from holiday where I rattled through the following:
Tom Wolfe - Back to Blood.. Enjoyed it.. a fairly authentic portrayal of Miami, if not quite as compelling a story as some of his earlier stuff.
Bill Bryson - One Summer - 1927... Absolutely brilliant.. Full of fascinating stuff in the usual Bryson conversational style.
Stephen King - Salem's Lot... Realised this was one of the few King books I'd not read yet.. Really enjoyed it and it lead me to pick up the DVD of the old TV miniseries which I haven't seen in years.
William Boyd - The New Confessions.. In a similar vein to his Any Human Heart (if not quite as good). A terrific read and the WW1 sections made very poignant reading.
Duncan Hamilton - Provided You Don't Kiss Me.. Great book about Cloughie from the local sports journalist who covered him and Forest for years.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic - I am Zlatan.. Surprisingly well written autobiography from the supremely talented if one sandwich short of a picnic footballer.
Tom Wolfe - Back to Blood.. Enjoyed it.. a fairly authentic portrayal of Miami, if not quite as compelling a story as some of his earlier stuff.
Bill Bryson - One Summer - 1927... Absolutely brilliant.. Full of fascinating stuff in the usual Bryson conversational style.
Stephen King - Salem's Lot... Realised this was one of the few King books I'd not read yet.. Really enjoyed it and it lead me to pick up the DVD of the old TV miniseries which I haven't seen in years.
William Boyd - The New Confessions.. In a similar vein to his Any Human Heart (if not quite as good). A terrific read and the WW1 sections made very poignant reading.
Duncan Hamilton - Provided You Don't Kiss Me.. Great book about Cloughie from the local sports journalist who covered him and Forest for years.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic - I am Zlatan.. Surprisingly well written autobiography from the supremely talented if one sandwich short of a picnic footballer.
joshcowin said:
Need to know what to read next!!
Recently read the game of thrones books, just finished reading a Bernard Cornwell series 'the warrior chronicles'.
Anyone got any suggestions? I have enjoyed the history in the Cornwell series!
If you like an historical context and a well written book try:Recently read the game of thrones books, just finished reading a Bernard Cornwell series 'the warrior chronicles'.
Anyone got any suggestions? I have enjoyed the history in the Cornwell series!
Hilary Mantel - Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies
CJ Samsom - excellent trilogy set in Cromwell era but I also enjoyed one set in civil war Spain called Winter in Madrid (more of a relaxed thriller)
Edited by Adam B on Wednesday 20th August 09:20
Some recent reads:
The Cuckoo's Calling - Robert Galbraith actually JK Rowling, not sure what to expect, never read HP books as I am over 16 but this was a pretty decent private detective yarn, set in London (which always helps for me), the reveal is all at the end with the reader not told as the protagonist solves pieces of the puzzle, he is quite a good character though apart from a ridiculous sex scene it is light but good fun 7/10
Slash's autobiography - again I have minimal interest in GNR but overall this was mildly interesting and readable if a bit repetitive. Some interesting insights into drug addiction and overall he comes across as a decent guy. Bit annoying when he hides the identity of some of the presumably famous characters 6/10
The Cuckoo's Calling - Robert Galbraith actually JK Rowling, not sure what to expect, never read HP books as I am over 16 but this was a pretty decent private detective yarn, set in London (which always helps for me), the reveal is all at the end with the reader not told as the protagonist solves pieces of the puzzle, he is quite a good character though apart from a ridiculous sex scene it is light but good fun 7/10
Slash's autobiography - again I have minimal interest in GNR but overall this was mildly interesting and readable if a bit repetitive. Some interesting insights into drug addiction and overall he comes across as a decent guy. Bit annoying when he hides the identity of some of the presumably famous characters 6/10
king excellent, ta to whoever posted about it 
Just finished Guy Pratt's My bass & other animals. I bought it on a whim. He toured with Pink Floyd for years & played on dozens of famous records. I was hoping for a few insights into 80's rock giants, which you do get, but the overall tone of the book is of a self indulgent immature man constantly pissed, high or both, barrelling through life without a very great degree of self awareness.
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