Books - What are you reading?
Discussion
So, a couple of posts back I pointed out I was starting on Iain Dale's "The Prime Ministers" and I have romped through that now.
I was spoiled last year by listening to a podcasts series "Very Presidential" about some of the US presidents and the scandals behind them (very biased and probably quite exaggerated for entertainment value). I suppose I had hoped for a bit of that, but instead 55 very dry essays by a range of commentators, including the odd relative, or the odd relative of the assassin in one case.
I have to say I didn't do much history in school and haven't really, until recent years, been particularly interested in history, so I knew only a limited history of the last 300 years of British politics. This is a good primer, focussed on the people, not necessarily a good history lesson on the events, but fascinating nonetheless.
I was spoiled last year by listening to a podcasts series "Very Presidential" about some of the US presidents and the scandals behind them (very biased and probably quite exaggerated for entertainment value). I suppose I had hoped for a bit of that, but instead 55 very dry essays by a range of commentators, including the odd relative, or the odd relative of the assassin in one case.
I have to say I didn't do much history in school and haven't really, until recent years, been particularly interested in history, so I knew only a limited history of the last 300 years of British politics. This is a good primer, focussed on the people, not necessarily a good history lesson on the events, but fascinating nonetheless.
Re-reading Primo Levi's "The Periodic Table". I read it when I was younger and didn't think much of it, but am enjoying it this time. I think it's because I've got a bit slower and more patient with old age, it seemed that everything was getting dragged out and unnecessarily embellished with irrelevant details when I was younger but now think it's like having a conversation with an interesting old man. Lots of thought provoking stuff if you take the time to listen to what he's saying.
Just finished the third in the Koli trilogy by MR Carey (of Girl with all the gifts fame).
Again hard to easily categorise - not science fiction, not dystopian fiction but elements of both.
Set in a future post apocalypse UK where you can work out some names of places - for example its initially set it Mythen Rood which seems to be Mytholmroyd in Yorkshire, Half-Ax is obviously Halifax etc.
Main premise is that old "tech" items are still around but without the knowledge of how they work so they are treated with a type of mysticism. Interesting juxtaposition between the middle ages style of living with the odd ultra futuristic bits of technology thrown in.
The first half of the last book dragged a little bit but the second half became more interesting, more in line with the first two books, and a very tidy conclusion.
I enjoyed the trilogy and would recommend it.
Again hard to easily categorise - not science fiction, not dystopian fiction but elements of both.
Set in a future post apocalypse UK where you can work out some names of places - for example its initially set it Mythen Rood which seems to be Mytholmroyd in Yorkshire, Half-Ax is obviously Halifax etc.
Main premise is that old "tech" items are still around but without the knowledge of how they work so they are treated with a type of mysticism. Interesting juxtaposition between the middle ages style of living with the odd ultra futuristic bits of technology thrown in.
The first half of the last book dragged a little bit but the second half became more interesting, more in line with the first two books, and a very tidy conclusion.
I enjoyed the trilogy and would recommend it.
i4got said:
Just finished the third in the Koli trilogy by MR Carey (of Girl with all the gifts fame).
Again hard to easily categorise - not science fiction, not dystopian fiction but elements of both.
Set in a future post apocalypse UK where you can work out some names of places - for example its initially set it Mythen Rood which seems to be Mytholmroyd in Yorkshire, Half-Ax is obviously Halifax etc.
Main premise is that old "tech" items are still around but without the knowledge of how they work so they are treated with a type of mysticism. Interesting juxtaposition between the middle ages style of living with the odd ultra futuristic bits of technology thrown in.
The first half of the last book dragged a little bit but the second half became more interesting, more in line with the first two books, and a very tidy conclusion.
I enjoyed the trilogy and would recommend it.
Have you read last light and first light ?Again hard to easily categorise - not science fiction, not dystopian fiction but elements of both.
Set in a future post apocalypse UK where you can work out some names of places - for example its initially set it Mythen Rood which seems to be Mytholmroyd in Yorkshire, Half-Ax is obviously Halifax etc.
Main premise is that old "tech" items are still around but without the knowledge of how they work so they are treated with a type of mysticism. Interesting juxtaposition between the middle ages style of living with the odd ultra futuristic bits of technology thrown in.
The first half of the last book dragged a little bit but the second half became more interesting, more in line with the first two books, and a very tidy conclusion.
I enjoyed the trilogy and would recommend it.
Kind of similar to the above , we run out of oil and the first book covers society in denial then panic then the second book is 5 years on and how we've changed / adapted.
The suez canal makes a appearance at the start which made last week quite interesting.
egor110 said:
Have you read last light and first light ?
Kind of similar to the above , we run out of oil and the first book covers society in denial then panic then the second book is 5 years on and how we've changed / adapted.
The suez canal makes a appearance at the start which made last week quite interesting.
I have and I really enjoyed them. You prompted me to see if there were any other Alex Scarrow books I missed - it looks like he's gone into crime police procedural for his last couple of books which is a shame.Kind of similar to the above , we run out of oil and the first book covers society in denial then panic then the second book is 5 years on and how we've changed / adapted.
The suez canal makes a appearance at the start which made last week quite interesting.
Carrying on with the Jack Aubrey novels, I am pleased to recount that "The Fortune of War" was far more gripping and entertaining than the preceding one in the series "Desolation Island". I have "The Surgeon's Mate" next in the series and then it is on to Amazon to continue the series:-
but a short break from the sea as I attack "Blood Salt Water" by Denise Mina who obviously likes a tipple since she has twice won the Theakston's Novel of the Year.
but a short break from the sea as I attack "Blood Salt Water" by Denise Mina who obviously likes a tipple since she has twice won the Theakston's Novel of the Year.
Edited by lowdrag on Friday 16th April 03:49
I started Edmund de Wahl's "The Hare With Amber Eyes" last night and am enjoying it so far.
No sex, violence, or racy plot, but instead careful and thoughtful description of the life of several generations of his family based round the stories of his ancestors' netsuke collection.
It doesn't sound like a good read, but it is.
No sex, violence, or racy plot, but instead careful and thoughtful description of the life of several generations of his family based round the stories of his ancestors' netsuke collection.
It doesn't sound like a good read, but it is.
Was going into hospital for a few nights, collected up a few books for after for my recovery. Nothing too serious. Decided to bring my Kindle in with me as it would be easier to use. Needed something lightish, but yet good enough to keep my attention. Ah yes Jack Reacher fits the Bill, downloaded Night School. Got out and home, what booked had I picked up amongst the others ? Jack Reacher, Night School 
Anyhow cool story I’m sure.
Anyhow cool story I’m sure.
epom said:
egor110 said:
If your recovering for a while check out Jason Matthews red sparrow trilogy or don winslows power of the dog trilogy.
Cheers, actually I’ve read the first one of the Red Sparrow books, didn’t know there were more.Does anybody else read Darren Humphries and the Man From UNDEAD series?
Anyway, latest one has been released and a semi standard alone Lady Red novel. Working through those two. I had a side jaunt into a cpl of Andrew Maybe novellas during the same time, his “Smith” Chronological Man Steampunk’esque novellas.
Anyway, latest one has been released and a semi standard alone Lady Red novel. Working through those two. I had a side jaunt into a cpl of Andrew Maybe novellas during the same time, his “Smith” Chronological Man Steampunk’esque novellas.
Gassing Station | Books and Literature | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff