Books - What are you reading?

[GTIR]

Chris Evans autobiography. It's not what you think.
Very funny and interesting.

Before you slate him, he has kind of reinvented himself now and seems to be very happy in his own skin (what an odd saying).

[aclivity]

Just finished To Kill A Mockingbird, for about the 3rd time (first time in school, second time about 19 years ago). I had forgotten just how much story there is crammed into the pages. It's a relatively short book, about a quarter of the size of a Tom Clancy, but every page is worth more than the entire contents of other books.

Re-reading it, I was shocked to remember that the trial only occupied one day, from memory of 19 years ago it seemed like it was going on for most of the book.

[Don]

JayKaybi said:

Fantastic. Loved the film, this just has even more to it!

Although the book, by making Hakan's paedophilia explicit, made him a much less sympathetic character. There again - that made the friendship of the little boy and "girl" purer - "she" wasn't grooming him as Hakan's replacement - which you might believe from watching the film.

Either is a great experience and heartily recommended to all.

[Famous Graham]

Now on a collection of JG Ballard short stories. Some good stuff in there - shades of Tales of the Unexpected.

Keep meaning to pick up a copy of Pratchett's "Nation" after hearing good things about it (one of his few non-Discworld books).

[st_files]

Just started a biography of Roberto Duran, Hands of Stone by Christian Giudice. Really good read and I'm not a huge boxing nut. A lot of apocryphal stories looked into and his background delved into. Recommended so far.

[ApexJimi]

Don said:

I am now nine chapters into "The Historian". Nicely done so far. Very interesting narrative structure, four levels deep! (So far)

Many authors would probably make a complete mess of such a narrative style, but Kostova really makes it work, and work very well at that

You've still got to be on the ball mind, but it's a fantastic read, a book to be read in a big comfy chair by candlelight!

[Dakkon]

rich1231 said:

ErnestM said:

ApexJimi said:

Don said:

ApexJimi said:

As for the Twilight shyte, jaysus. How any adult can read this angst-ridden pish is beyond me.

Try "Let The Right One In" for an excellent, modern take on a Vampire story.

Actually, this year I have also read Bram Stoker's Dracula & The Historian, by Elizabeth Kostova (which does provide a lot of detail as to the mythology)

Excellent take on the vampire mythos is the Ann Rice stuff. Start with Interview with the Vampire and read them in order...

ErnestM

Dated, cliched and sooo up their own a4se though.

They also get a bit silly when Lestat can wander around in sunlight.

[st_files]

Dakkon said:

They also get a bit silly when Lestat can wander around in sunlight.

Yeah - how unrealistic is that! EVERYONE knows vampires cant be in direct sunlight....!

[Don]

st_files said:

Dakkon said:

They also get a bit silly when Lestat can wander around in sunlight.

Yeah - how unrealistic is that! EVERYONE knows vampires cant be in direct sunlight....!

Chomp!

[funkyrobot]

Currently reading 'Why does E=MC2" by Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw (sp?).

Just finished the 'night's dawn trilogy' by Peter F Hamilton. That was a long slog and the ending was, eerrmm, ok I suppose. Also just finished 'Physics of the Impossible' by Michio Kaku.

Toilet reading is currently 'Sniper One' by Sgt Dan Mills.

Have another book waiting in the wings, 'Moonshot' EricMC I'm finally reading it!!

[Wildsea]

Just finished Matthew Hoggards autobiography. Very funny book, with a fantastically bizarre way of writing and setting the book out. How many times is the introduction written by the pet dogs?

[st_files]

Wildsea said:

Just finished Matthew Hoggards autobiography. Very funny book, with a fantastically bizarre way of writing and setting the book out. How many times is the introduction written by the pet dogs?

I was thinking about reading this but so many cricket bios are just dull recollections of what happened on the field. Is there a lot of behind the scenes inside info in Hoggys book?

[SirClarke]

JayKaybi said:

Fantastic. Loved the film, this just has even more to it!

Didn't actually realise the film was based on a book. Loved the film so will have to track down that book now as it sounds better

I've just finished Saturday by Ian McEwan which was quite enjoyable. His writing style is very involving and descriptive.

About to start The Greatest Show On Earth by Dawkins as I got a free copy of it after going to see him speak last night. Haven't read any Dawkins books for years so hopefully it'll be a good 'un.

[Wildsea]

st_files said:

Wildsea said:

Just finished Matthew Hoggards autobiography. Very funny book, with a fantastically bizarre way of writing and setting the book out. How many times is the introduction written by the pet dogs?

I was thinking about reading this but so many cricket bios are just dull recollections of what happened on the field. Is there a lot of behind the scenes inside info in Hoggys book?

Yeah, it's got some good stories about him playing in South Africa and what happens on tour. How the fitness and nutrition tests work and alot of personal stuff as well. Dosn't put the ECB in a good light towards the end. A realy random read though with puzzles in the middle for when we get bored, and top tens breaking up chapters (top 10 sledges, things to do on tour etc) Like no other cricket biog I have read. I wouldn't hesitate in recomending it, but of course each to their own. I knew he was a real character, but he is as mad of a box of frogs, as Freddie puts it.

[Roman]

Just finished October Skies by Alex Scarrow. Creepy thriller where two documentary makers discover the remains of a wagon train that disappeared in mysterious circumstances on the pilgrim trail in the 1800's. Makes a welcome change from detectives or espionage. Recommend it.

[tonyvid]

I have just finished Tuesday's War by David Fiddimore - Brilliant. I enjoyed that so much I was sorry when it ended. It's all about a Lancaster crew during the war and a real insight into how they all lived(and died). For anyone living in Beds and Cambs it is fascinating as it is all based in the villages and airfields within 10 miles of St Neots and the detail is spot on - I even went to visit Everton Churchyard recently because of this book and its references.

Totally recommend it.

[Mobile Chicane]

Jay Griffiths, 'A Sideways Look at Time'.

A fascinating deconstruction of the world based on the artifice of the clock and the calendar.

[Nightmare]

DrTre said:

Nightmare said:

reminds me i need to award you a prize from my competition.....

A prize?... tell me more!

pm me...you dont have email! You won the comedy prize from my recent 'name my product' thread......

[Nightmare]

an on topic. Jackie Chans autobiography is a very good read.....and recently got some free Richard Layman books too - horror - if you're a horror fan would definitely be worth finding one of his to see if you like the style...i was pleasantly surprised. (and I got them at homebase where they have a 'please take these away' system going which was an even nicer surprise!)

[GekkoRules]

I always have a few on the go.

Just now

1/ Chris Evans Autobiography - excellent so far.

2/ The Great Gatsby (Reread)- brilliant

3/ Buddha Da by Anne Donovan(Reread) - fantastic book