Books - What are you reading?
Discussion
MelbourneWoody said:
I just finished reading Open by Andre Agassi and really enjoyed it. Interesting insights into the world through his eyes.
Thinking of having a binge on Autobiographies, can anyone recommend a couple of good ones?
over the years read a few sporting onesThinking of having a binge on Autobiographies, can anyone recommend a couple of good ones?
dickie bird
michael vaughan
barry mac (rugby league)
keith senior (RL)
Garry Schofield (RL)
andy gregory (RL)
Others include
Tony Benn
Jim Callaghan
Bruce Dickinson - recent and pretty good
david niven
My last update hinted at a book I was excited to start reading; ‘Bulls
t Jobs: A Theory’ by David Graeber. Anyone who has worked in a mundane job probably can find some appeal in the title, but Graeber is more selective about what constitutes bullst, and what’s just st. Along the way he identifies these types of job, highlighting their soul-sucking nature and arguing for a shorter working week, if not universal basic income for all.
While a worthy read, Graeber waits until the last few pages to let slip that, politically, he considers himself an anarchist, thereby shaking the foundations of his argument for the vast majority of people who do not consider themselves anarchists.
Thoughtful reading out of the way, I bought and read S.E. Hinton’s ‘The Outsiders’. A short, straightforward read popularly assigned in America’s high-school English classes, I am shocked that Hinton began writing it aged 15. Of the numerous young authors I have read (Carson McCullers and Stephen Crane, possibly others) she was, by quite some margin, the youngest, and one could arguably claim her responsible for the popularity of 'young adult' literature today.
I am awaiting an order from Amazon, ordered earlier this week under the (mistaken) belief that it may arrive today. Instead, it is due on Saturday. Not wanting to start anything too long or complex, I have instead bought 2017/18’s meme book of the moment… ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ by Margaret Atwood.
t Jobs: A Theory’ by David Graeber. Anyone who has worked in a mundane job probably can find some appeal in the title, but Graeber is more selective about what constitutes bullst, and what’s just st. Along the way he identifies these types of job, highlighting their soul-sucking nature and arguing for a shorter working week, if not universal basic income for all.While a worthy read, Graeber waits until the last few pages to let slip that, politically, he considers himself an anarchist, thereby shaking the foundations of his argument for the vast majority of people who do not consider themselves anarchists.
Thoughtful reading out of the way, I bought and read S.E. Hinton’s ‘The Outsiders’. A short, straightforward read popularly assigned in America’s high-school English classes, I am shocked that Hinton began writing it aged 15. Of the numerous young authors I have read (Carson McCullers and Stephen Crane, possibly others) she was, by quite some margin, the youngest, and one could arguably claim her responsible for the popularity of 'young adult' literature today.
I am awaiting an order from Amazon, ordered earlier this week under the (mistaken) belief that it may arrive today. Instead, it is due on Saturday. Not wanting to start anything too long or complex, I have instead bought 2017/18’s meme book of the moment… ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ by Margaret Atwood.
Back from a week on holiday in Madeira.
First two are a couple of GCSE set texts for my younger daughter about to start year 11.
The Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde - years since I read this, of its time, but very well explored (within the limits of the age) themes.
An Inspector Calls - still as ghastly as ever Priestley could be (read it 4 years ago for the elder daughter’s GSCE) - I’ll credit him the twist at the end (I will never forgive him for Time And The Conways mind you).
Feersum Endjinn - the only Banks book I had never read which I have avoided for years because of the chapters in pidgin English - surprisingly satisfying, not his best but still well crafted and, as with all his books, made me laugh.
Children Of Time - Oh my, what a read! Loved it, really thought-provoking.
Walking On Glass - early Banks, for about the fourth or fifth time. Even knowing the plot twists and spotting a lot of the signals, there is a density which I am not sure I will be ever able to unravel or Banks never intended it to be.
Artemis - brilliant, but not The Martian. I do, however, suspect that this may be a better film.
Not bad for a week
First two are a couple of GCSE set texts for my younger daughter about to start year 11.
The Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde - years since I read this, of its time, but very well explored (within the limits of the age) themes.
An Inspector Calls - still as ghastly as ever Priestley could be (read it 4 years ago for the elder daughter’s GSCE) - I’ll credit him the twist at the end (I will never forgive him for Time And The Conways mind you).
Feersum Endjinn - the only Banks book I had never read which I have avoided for years because of the chapters in pidgin English - surprisingly satisfying, not his best but still well crafted and, as with all his books, made me laugh.
Children Of Time - Oh my, what a read! Loved it, really thought-provoking.
Walking On Glass - early Banks, for about the fourth or fifth time. Even knowing the plot twists and spotting a lot of the signals, there is a density which I am not sure I will be ever able to unravel or Banks never intended it to be.
Artemis - brilliant, but not The Martian. I do, however, suspect that this may be a better film.
Not bad for a week
I'm currently reading George Monbiot's 'Feral', a non-fiction book about rewilding the land and sea which considers our relationship with 'nature' and the world we live in and turns many existing ideas on their heads.
Years ago as an angry and principled young man, I wrote a dissertation on the nature of environmentalism and who/what purpose the conservation movement really served, whether it genuinely improved the planet or whether it just made things a bit more pleasant for the elite of human kind. This book has reawakened these thoughts and opened new possibilities for the future. For the first time in a while, I feel genuine passion for a cause other than self advancement and fun.
I've done an initial 'skim read' and just started back at the beginning again to work my way through more thoroughly, digesting and carefully considering the points he is making. It's that kind of book. I'm sure it will be one of these 'books which change your life' for me.
Years ago as an angry and principled young man, I wrote a dissertation on the nature of environmentalism and who/what purpose the conservation movement really served, whether it genuinely improved the planet or whether it just made things a bit more pleasant for the elite of human kind. This book has reawakened these thoughts and opened new possibilities for the future. For the first time in a while, I feel genuine passion for a cause other than self advancement and fun.
I've done an initial 'skim read' and just started back at the beginning again to work my way through more thoroughly, digesting and carefully considering the points he is making. It's that kind of book. I'm sure it will be one of these 'books which change your life' for me.
With regret I have just finished "Rain" by Barney Campbell, a novel following the mind and experiences of an army officer in Helmand during the height of the fighting.
Despite it being a novel and not based on any specific true events, knowing that a lot of it likely did happen (Campbell was in the army and did 2 tours) and the impacts on family and friends etc made it a very hard-hitting and moving read.
I liked the fact it was grounded in reality - it's not an all action-fest to keep young boys turning the pages (although the action when it comes is overwhelming and visceral), more a slow burning examination of what goes on in the mind of many a military man / woman.
It won't win any awards for prose but it's highly recommended.
Despite it being a novel and not based on any specific true events, knowing that a lot of it likely did happen (Campbell was in the army and did 2 tours) and the impacts on family and friends etc made it a very hard-hitting and moving read.
I liked the fact it was grounded in reality - it's not an all action-fest to keep young boys turning the pages (although the action when it comes is overwhelming and visceral), more a slow burning examination of what goes on in the mind of many a military man / woman.
It won't win any awards for prose but it's highly recommended.
ElectricSoup said:
TheChampers said:
Children Of Time - Oh my, what a read! Loved it, really thought-provoking.
Thanks for the recommendation, just ordered a copy.
I've just finished "Hour of Darkness" by Quintin Jardine, a Bob Skinner book that I hadn't read before, though it's earlier in sequence than the last couple. A good book, as they always are, but I did notice more than before how he spends a bit of time briefly letting us know the interaction and brief history between each of the lead characters, and unfortunately it's a bit too brief to be much use and probably doesn't add that much. Enjoyable, though.
Under the Dome - Stephen King
A small town finds itself isolated after an invisible dome encases it.
After the rather good 11:22:63, I was in the mood for a bit more of Mr King. This one seemed to drag on a bit, especially in the first half, but picked up a bit in the second. Not one of his better ones, a bit more sci-fi than horror though it does get a bit grisly in places.
A small town finds itself isolated after an invisible dome encases it.
After the rather good 11:22:63, I was in the mood for a bit more of Mr King. This one seemed to drag on a bit, especially in the first half, but picked up a bit in the second. Not one of his better ones, a bit more sci-fi than horror though it does get a bit grisly in places.
I've just finished "Spook Street" by Mick Herron. I think it's a few into a series so I probably didn't help myself by starting with this one, but it was quite enjoyable. At the start it seemed a little bit fussily-written - too much detail packed into long paragraphs - but I got used to that and enjoyed it.
judas said:
toasty said:
Under the Dome - Stephen King
A small town finds itself isolated after an invisible dome encases it.
Isn't that the plot of the Simpson's movie? A small town finds itself isolated after an invisible dome encases it.
Either way, both weren't great.
I'm currently reading Ian Banks - The use of weapons. Finished his two previous books (Consider Phlebas and Player of games), even though they don't have to be read chronologically. Liked them a lot, very sophisticated science fiction. Any recommendations here for something similar? I know Asimovs Foundation series are really good.
Lacrimosa said:
I'm currently reading Ian Banks - The use of weapons. Finished his two previous books (Consider Phlebas and Player of games), even though they don't have to be read chronologically. Liked them a lot, very sophisticated science fiction. Any recommendations here for something similar? I know Asimovs Foundation series are really good.
My one recommendation would be to save Excession til last. With the possible exception of Player of Games, it's my favourite.It's not really similar, but the standalone story Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky.
glazbagun said:
Lacrimosa said:
I'm currently reading Ian Banks - The use of weapons. Finished his two previous books (Consider Phlebas and Player of games), even though they don't have to be read chronologically. Liked them a lot, very sophisticated science fiction. Any recommendations here for something similar? I know Asimovs Foundation series are really good.
My one recommendation would be to save Excession til last. With the possible exception of Player of Games, it's my favourite.It's not really similar, but the standalone story Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky.
Children of Time has been recommended a few times here and is excellent, his Dogs of War is also good.
In the space opera line Alastair Reynolds books are pretty good, I particularly enjoyed Chasm City.
droopsnoot said:
I've just finished "Spook Street" by Mick Herron. I think it's a few into a series so I probably didn't help myself by starting with this one, but it was quite enjoyable. At the start it seemed a little bit fussily-written - too much detail packed into long paragraphs - but I got used to that and enjoyed it.
I've read the whole series and although there are some 'in real life - unlikely' elements I did enjoy the general premise and the insouciant machinations of the chief protagonist. There was some nice wit in it too I thought.Gassing Station | Books and Literature | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff