Books - What are you reading?
Discussion
Just finished reading "The Gates of Europe"
A history of Ukraine - fascinating, upsetting, educational, everything. If ever a country deserved a bit of peace and quiet it is Ukraine, a country invaded and ruled by almost every country and people anywhere near it over the centuries.
Originally recommended on this forum by Bongo Fury. Thanks
A history of Ukraine - fascinating, upsetting, educational, everything. If ever a country deserved a bit of peace and quiet it is Ukraine, a country invaded and ruled by almost every country and people anywhere near it over the centuries.
Originally recommended on this forum by Bongo Fury. Thanks
Edited by Skyedriver on Monday 21st November 21:54
Currently listening to Matthew Perry's (Chandler from Friends) autobiography. Read by him, he does not come across well. The majority of the book (I've not yet finished it) is about his addictions and numerous trips to rehab and (and this might just be my ignorance around the subject of addiction) he comes across as a perennial victim of everything - his parents, his circumstances, his friends' success, alchohol, etc, etc.
I feel like I wish I hadn't given him the money by buying the book!
I feel like I wish I hadn't given him the money by buying the book!
Recently finished....
"Surrender" by Bono. Read this on audible and it's a very well produced audiobook. Basically. Bono's autobiography. In a lot of ways a rambling set of stories and thoughts on life, love, religion etc....set in timeline order - but it does jump around a bit. I enjoyed the stuff around his early life but then the later sections on fund raising and AIDS awareness etc...although somewhat interesting were far too long.
I'm really torn by this - for all that he comes across publically as more than a bit pompous and preachy from reading the book it's obvious that's he's more than aware of this. I guess anyone who can namedrop Mandela, Clinton, Princes Di over the course of two chapters has lived in a rather odd bubble. 7/10 (2 extra points for quality of audiobook).
"Surrender" by Bono. Read this on audible and it's a very well produced audiobook. Basically. Bono's autobiography. In a lot of ways a rambling set of stories and thoughts on life, love, religion etc....set in timeline order - but it does jump around a bit. I enjoyed the stuff around his early life but then the later sections on fund raising and AIDS awareness etc...although somewhat interesting were far too long.
I'm really torn by this - for all that he comes across publically as more than a bit pompous and preachy from reading the book it's obvious that's he's more than aware of this. I guess anyone who can namedrop Mandela, Clinton, Princes Di over the course of two chapters has lived in a rather odd bubble. 7/10 (2 extra points for quality of audiobook).
towser said:
Recently finished....
"Surrender" by Bono. Read this on audible and it's a very well produced audiobook. Basically. Bono's autobiography. In a lot of ways a rambling set of stories and thoughts on life, love, religion etc....set in timeline order - but it does jump around a bit. I enjoyed the stuff around his early life but then the later sections on fund raising and AIDS awareness etc...although somewhat interesting were far too long.
I'm really torn by this - for all that he comes across publically as more than a bit pompous and preachy from reading the book it's obvious that's he's more than aware of this. I guess anyone who can namedrop Mandela, Clinton, Princes Di over the course of two chapters has lived in a rather odd bubble. 7/10 (2 extra points for quality of audiobook).
Quite enjoying this so far. You’re right about the production values, it’s excellent. One of those books where you’re missing out with the print version."Surrender" by Bono. Read this on audible and it's a very well produced audiobook. Basically. Bono's autobiography. In a lot of ways a rambling set of stories and thoughts on life, love, religion etc....set in timeline order - but it does jump around a bit. I enjoyed the stuff around his early life but then the later sections on fund raising and AIDS awareness etc...although somewhat interesting were far too long.
I'm really torn by this - for all that he comes across publically as more than a bit pompous and preachy from reading the book it's obvious that's he's more than aware of this. I guess anyone who can namedrop Mandela, Clinton, Princes Di over the course of two chapters has lived in a rather odd bubble. 7/10 (2 extra points for quality of audiobook).
Nick Hornby - Dickens and Prince - A particular kind of genius - unlikely pairing , and what they most have in common is that Nick loves them both. As ever , beautifully written , funny and smart
Lessons - Ian McEwan - a very big book from an author I've always admired . A biography of a baby boomer navigating through life's travails , starting with a sexual relationship with his music teacher as a 14 year old. Funny, moving and ultimately heart breaking
The Age of Combustion - Stephen Bayley . I love his pieces for Octane and this is an anthology of them . His perspective as somebody who is not a car journalist per se adds a huge amount. A classy addition to his wonderful Death Drive.
Jacky Ickx - Jon Saltinstall - a 680 page 3 kilo race by race biography of one of Belgium's bets ever exports. For enthusiasts only - I get a free review copy but I'd probably have forked out the £95 for the pictures alone
Inside the Machine - David Twohig -my book of the year, from the former Nissan and Renault engineer, the man behind the A110 . if you are interested in cars , this book is a must read . Fascinating
A Race with Infamy - Jack Brewer - the biography of Lance Macklin , the racing driver who will forever be remembered for his involvement in the 1955 Le Mans disaster. A rattling good read about a man who was very hard to like - a bit racey, 'hold the front page ' in style , but worth a look
VANWALL - Jenkinson and Posthumus , revised by Doug Nye . Huge , definitive and fascinating - and I am not even especially interested in 50s F1
My full reviews of the car stuff are on the speedreaders.info website.
Lessons - Ian McEwan - a very big book from an author I've always admired . A biography of a baby boomer navigating through life's travails , starting with a sexual relationship with his music teacher as a 14 year old. Funny, moving and ultimately heart breaking
The Age of Combustion - Stephen Bayley . I love his pieces for Octane and this is an anthology of them . His perspective as somebody who is not a car journalist per se adds a huge amount. A classy addition to his wonderful Death Drive.
Jacky Ickx - Jon Saltinstall - a 680 page 3 kilo race by race biography of one of Belgium's bets ever exports. For enthusiasts only - I get a free review copy but I'd probably have forked out the £95 for the pictures alone
Inside the Machine - David Twohig -my book of the year, from the former Nissan and Renault engineer, the man behind the A110 . if you are interested in cars , this book is a must read . Fascinating
A Race with Infamy - Jack Brewer - the biography of Lance Macklin , the racing driver who will forever be remembered for his involvement in the 1955 Le Mans disaster. A rattling good read about a man who was very hard to like - a bit racey, 'hold the front page ' in style , but worth a look
VANWALL - Jenkinson and Posthumus , revised by Doug Nye . Huge , definitive and fascinating - and I am not even especially interested in 50s F1
My full reviews of the car stuff are on the speedreaders.info website.
Edited by coppice on Monday 5th December 07:11
I read Richard Porter's On That Bombshell, an inside account of his years as script editor on Top Gear this week. I think I've now read every book he's had published as well as being a big fan of the Smith and Sniff podcast. I thoroughly enjoyed both the insight and the wit; we seems to have a very similar sense of humour (I'm quite chuffed that he mentioned on S&S how he'd snorted with laughter at something I'd emailed in).
Now, a few decades late I've finally started reading the Discworld series. I really don't know why it's taken me so long but I'm pleased it has as I'm now enjoying the first book (The Colour of Magic) as if it was brand new and I have a lot more to consume!
Now, a few decades late I've finally started reading the Discworld series. I really don't know why it's taken me so long but I'm pleased it has as I'm now enjoying the first book (The Colour of Magic) as if it was brand new and I have a lot more to consume!
Blown2CV said:
in the last couple of years i've really lost my attention span. Have been reading a couple of books in Tom Wood's 'Victor the assassin' series, which is fairly lightweight man fantasy thriller stuff. Not too challenging and enough to keep me from scrolling bulls
t on the internet.
You'll probably enjoy Stolen Focus by Johann Hari, it explains why our attention spans are getting shorter and what to do about it https://stolenfocusbook.com/t on the internet.Quick article
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/jan/02/at...
MesoForm said:
Blown2CV said:
in the last couple of years i've really lost my attention span. Have been reading a couple of books in Tom Wood's 'Victor the assassin' series, which is fairly lightweight man fantasy thriller stuff. Not too challenging and enough to keep me from scrolling bullst on the internet.
You'll probably enjoy Stolen Focus by Johann Hari, it explains why our attention spans are getting shorter and what to do about it https://stolenfocusbook.com/t on the internet.Quick article
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/jan/02/at...
Got4wheels said:
I'm starting an English and History degree in September and I've started on my reading list for my first semester. I've got a nice mix from Victorian to present day literature:
Charles Dickens - Great Expectations
JD Salinger - Catcher in the Rye
Charlotte Bronte - Jayne Eyre
Robert Louis Stevenson - Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
HG Wells - The Time Machine
Frances Hodgson Burnett - The Secret Garden
EM Forster - Passage to India
Susan Hill - The Woman in Black
Toni Morrison - Beloved
Cormac McCarthy - The Road
Sally Rooney - Normal People
I've started with Great Expectations and compared to some Victorian literature I'm enjoying it. It slow, but it isn't 300 pages of not a lot happening.
Michael
Months later, I've finally gotten through all of these. Although given my other deadlines I had to cheat and read the spark notes for Passage to India owing to deadlines. I'll have to read it eventually as it does sound interesting. But for the rest of them:Charles Dickens - Great Expectations
JD Salinger - Catcher in the Rye
Charlotte Bronte - Jayne Eyre
Robert Louis Stevenson - Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
HG Wells - The Time Machine
Frances Hodgson Burnett - The Secret Garden
EM Forster - Passage to India
Susan Hill - The Woman in Black
Toni Morrison - Beloved
Cormac McCarthy - The Road
Sally Rooney - Normal People
I've started with Great Expectations and compared to some Victorian literature I'm enjoying it. It slow, but it isn't 300 pages of not a lot happening.
Michael
Great Expectations - I though I'd have to lower them when I started, although the book rambles on like most Victorian literature, I really enjoyed it. I go from from feeling sorry for Pip, to completely disliking him, to liking him as it finishes. Only Joe, Wemmick and the Aged P come across as honest and likeable characters. So much so I've read it twice as I'll be using it for an essay due at the end of Jan.
Catcher in the Rye - Bit all over the place with this one. Had expected a blustery cross between Great Expectations and Jane Eyre. I was wrong. It was very well written, but it falls into that classical category where the book is just 400 pages where nothing happens. A bit like Huck Finn. It felt like a journal covering a few days, but it lead nowhere. It was an arrogant young man, ranting about how awful everyone is except his brothers and sister. Far easier to follow on an audio book.
Jane Eyre - Holy crap. I almost cheered when I finished this one. I enjoyed the plot, but Bronte's writing style bored the life out of me. Every conversation was an existential crisis.
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde - Loved it, brilliant read. Reeked of duality and the struggles of sticking to the rigid class system. Shame it was so short.
Time Machine - My favourite out all of them. Wish it was a longer book, again as it just sucked me in like a great book does. Aged brilliantly.
Secret Garden - Conflicted with this one. A likeable read, that on the surface had such a good ending. But, it's packed full of snobbery, sneering at India and Yorkshireman. Look at it deeper and its just chocked full of crazy Christian Science that nature solves everything. Aimed at kids, but if I ever had them, I wouldn't want them to read it at all.
Woman in Black - Another gripping read that I wish was longer as I struggled to put it down. Showed what really goes on when you scratch beneath the surface of an uptight village. Found the ending to be absolutely ideal for the book and the plot.
Beloved - Gave a great insight into the life of freed slaves after they were freed. A constant sense of struggle and still being subjected to appalling racism. However, the writing style meant I lost where I was in the book. Was this a flashback, or in the present time? I had absolutely no idea most of the time.
The Road - Everything about this was unlikeable. The almost complete lack of grammar, the odd writing style. Yeah, it could be explained that the writing style represented the new utopia, but thats a load of crap. Seemed to love taking a sly dig at capitalism without really saying what damage it caused. But what bothered me the most was describing the use of binoculars. You don't 'glass' a scene you survey it.
Normal People - Expected to hate this book. But I didn't. I'm only a few years older than the two protagonists, so I could relate to chunks of the plot. It's riddled with class and misogyny, and takes a good look into the dynamics of young relationships and sex without making it it look seedy. I'm using it with GE in my essay.
Michael
A great selection there and several that I've also read. I've added my comments below:
Great Expectations - I though I'd have to lower them when I started, although the book rambles on like most Victorian literature, I really enjoyed it. I go from from feeling sorry for Pip, to completely disliking him, to liking him as it finishes. Only Joe, Wemmick and the Aged P come across as honest and likeable characters. So much so I've read it twice as I'll be using it for an essay due at the end of Jan.
Agreed on most counts there. I sympathised with Magwitch to a degree, seemed to have turned his fortunes around and wanted to do some good but could never truly escape the past.
Catcher in the Rye - Bit all over the place with this one. Had expected a blustery cross between Great Expectations and Jane Eyre. I was wrong. It was very well written, but it falls into that classical category where the book is just 400 pages where nothing happens. A bit like Huck Finn. It felt like a journal covering a few days, but it lead nowhere. It was an arrogant young man, ranting about how awful everyone is except his brothers and sister. Far easier to follow on an audio book.
I spent most of the book waiting for something to happen too. I get the point of it being a bit of a coming of age tale and an exploration of teenage angst/cockiness but it fell a bit flat for me.
Jane Eyre - Holy crap. I almost cheered when I finished this one. I enjoyed the plot, but Bronte's writing style bored the life out of me. Every conversation was an existential crisis.
I read this a few years ago and can't really remember much about it which probably sums it up!
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde - Loved it, brilliant read. Reeked of duality and the struggles of sticking to the rigid class system. Shame it was so short.
100% agreed, one of my favourite books and I've read it numerous times. That whole gothic genre is excellent - If you haven't read Dracula, Frankenstein or any Edgar Allen Poe I think you'd enjoy all of them.
Time Machine - My favourite out all of them. Wish it was a longer book, again as it just sucked me in like a great book does. Aged brilliantly.
Could've guessed this from your opinion of Jekyll & Hyde. Also agreed on your opinion.
Woman in Black - Another gripping read that I wish was longer as I struggled to put it down. Showed what really goes on when you scratch beneath the surface of an uptight village. Found the ending to be absolutely ideal for the book and the plot.
I read this having watched the play a couple of times and really enjoyed it. For a longer read in a similar style try Jamaica Inn.
Normal People - Expected to hate this book. But I didn't. I'm only a few years older than the two protagonists, so I could relate to chunks of the plot. It's riddled with class and misogyny, and takes a good look into the dynamics of young relationships and sex without making it it look seedy.
I stumbled across this and was half way through it before I saw all the hype last year. The book is much better than the TV adaptation although I did find some of the characters a bit frustrating. But that's probably because they were well written - I'd find teenage me a bit challenging/frustrating too with the benefit of hindsight!
Great Expectations - I though I'd have to lower them when I started, although the book rambles on like most Victorian literature, I really enjoyed it. I go from from feeling sorry for Pip, to completely disliking him, to liking him as it finishes. Only Joe, Wemmick and the Aged P come across as honest and likeable characters. So much so I've read it twice as I'll be using it for an essay due at the end of Jan.
Agreed on most counts there. I sympathised with Magwitch to a degree, seemed to have turned his fortunes around and wanted to do some good but could never truly escape the past.
Catcher in the Rye - Bit all over the place with this one. Had expected a blustery cross between Great Expectations and Jane Eyre. I was wrong. It was very well written, but it falls into that classical category where the book is just 400 pages where nothing happens. A bit like Huck Finn. It felt like a journal covering a few days, but it lead nowhere. It was an arrogant young man, ranting about how awful everyone is except his brothers and sister. Far easier to follow on an audio book.
I spent most of the book waiting for something to happen too. I get the point of it being a bit of a coming of age tale and an exploration of teenage angst/cockiness but it fell a bit flat for me.
Jane Eyre - Holy crap. I almost cheered when I finished this one. I enjoyed the plot, but Bronte's writing style bored the life out of me. Every conversation was an existential crisis.
I read this a few years ago and can't really remember much about it which probably sums it up!
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde - Loved it, brilliant read. Reeked of duality and the struggles of sticking to the rigid class system. Shame it was so short.
100% agreed, one of my favourite books and I've read it numerous times. That whole gothic genre is excellent - If you haven't read Dracula, Frankenstein or any Edgar Allen Poe I think you'd enjoy all of them.
Time Machine - My favourite out all of them. Wish it was a longer book, again as it just sucked me in like a great book does. Aged brilliantly.
Could've guessed this from your opinion of Jekyll & Hyde. Also agreed on your opinion.
Woman in Black - Another gripping read that I wish was longer as I struggled to put it down. Showed what really goes on when you scratch beneath the surface of an uptight village. Found the ending to be absolutely ideal for the book and the plot.
I read this having watched the play a couple of times and really enjoyed it. For a longer read in a similar style try Jamaica Inn.
Normal People - Expected to hate this book. But I didn't. I'm only a few years older than the two protagonists, so I could relate to chunks of the plot. It's riddled with class and misogyny, and takes a good look into the dynamics of young relationships and sex without making it it look seedy.
I stumbled across this and was half way through it before I saw all the hype last year. The book is much better than the TV adaptation although I did find some of the characters a bit frustrating. But that's probably because they were well written - I'd find teenage me a bit challenging/frustrating too with the benefit of hindsight!
DoctorX said:
BoRED S2upid said:
Bob Mortimers new novel - the satsuma complex.
Nice light hearted novel.
Listening to this at the moment. Do not recommend.Nice light hearted novel.
Though the inside of Bob's head must be a weird and wonderful place.
"The only thing that reminds me of James Corden is a folded pizza."
Got4wheels said:
Got4wheels said:
I'm starting an English and History degree in September and I've started on my reading list for my first semester. I've got a nice mix from Victorian to present day literature:
Charles Dickens - Great Expectations
JD Salinger - Catcher in the Rye
Charlotte Bronte - Jayne Eyre
Robert Louis Stevenson - Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
HG Wells - The Time Machine
Frances Hodgson Burnett - The Secret Garden
EM Forster - Passage to India
Susan Hill - The Woman in Black
Toni Morrison - Beloved
Cormac McCarthy - The Road
Sally Rooney - Normal People
I've started with Great Expectations and compared to some Victorian literature I'm enjoying it. It slow, but it isn't 300 pages of not a lot happening.
Michael
Months later, I've finally gotten through all of these. Although given my other deadlines I had to cheat and read the spark notes for Passage to India owing to deadlines. I'll have to read it eventually as it does sound interesting. But for the rest of them:Charles Dickens - Great Expectations
JD Salinger - Catcher in the Rye
Charlotte Bronte - Jayne Eyre
Robert Louis Stevenson - Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
HG Wells - The Time Machine
Frances Hodgson Burnett - The Secret Garden
EM Forster - Passage to India
Susan Hill - The Woman in Black
Toni Morrison - Beloved
Cormac McCarthy - The Road
Sally Rooney - Normal People
I've started with Great Expectations and compared to some Victorian literature I'm enjoying it. It slow, but it isn't 300 pages of not a lot happening.
Michael
Catcher in the Rye - Bit all over the place with this one. Had expected a blustery cross between Great Expectations and Jane Eyre. I was wrong. It was very well written, but it falls into that classical category where the book is just 400 pages where nothing happens. A bit like Huck Finn. It felt like a journal covering a few days, but it lead nowhere. It was an arrogant young man, ranting about how awful everyone is except his brothers and sister. Far easier to follow on an audio book.
Jane Eyre - Holy crap. I almost cheered when I finished this one. I enjoyed the plot, but Bronte's writing style bored the life out of me. Every conversation was an existential crisis.
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde - Loved it, brilliant read. Reeked of duality and the struggles of sticking to the rigid class system. Shame it was so short.
Time Machine - My favourite out all of them. Wish it was a longer book, again as it just sucked me in like a great book does. Aged brilliantly.
The Road - Everything about this was unlikeable. The almost complete lack of grammar, the odd writing style. Yeah, it could be explained that the writing style represented the new utopia, but thats a load of crap. Seemed to love taking a sly dig at capitalism without really saying what damage it caused. But what bothered me the most was describing the use of binoculars. You don't 'glass' a scene you survey it.
Michael
Jane Eyre - little interest but my son is doing his advanced highers in English (& History) and this is one of the books, not being enjoyed at the moment
Jekyll & Hyde - he read this for his highers IIRC passed me the electronic book but I've yet to read it
Time Machine - enjoyed this about 40 years ago, should revisit.
The Road - been on my list of reads, maybe I just put it down the list a bit
Skyedriver said:
Jane Eyre - little interest but my son is doing his advanced highers in English (& History) and this is one of the books, not being enjoyed at the moment
I also had to read this for GCSE English, quite why anyone thought 16 year old boys would enjoy it is beyond me.I've recently finished Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein after it was recommended on here and the sci-fi thread, I had a mixed reaction to it. The bits where he's talking about his time at the training camp, the war, the battles and his life in general are really good, well written and kept me reading too late into the night. Then you get several pages of what it means to be a citizen, or why ex-soldiers are the best at running the country, etc. which I found very dry and essay like, completely took me out of the book.
I've just finished "No plan B", the latest Jack Reacher novel by Lee and Andrew Child. I enjoyed it, the story's a bit similar to most of his recent ones, but it was good enough for me. Someone else pointed out the annoying use of short sentences and I did notice that, but it didn't really distract me that much.
I've just read "Starter for ten" by David Nicholls. A lad goes to university, joins the team that's going on University Challenge, falls in love and tries not to lose touch with his mates from back home. A decent enough book, though not a major action story. I have an idea I've seen a film of it.
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