Books - What are you reading?
Discussion
g3org3y said:
Teddy Lop said:
g3org3y said:
After watching the author on a Triggernometry episode, decided it was worth buying the book.
It's a very interesting read. Some of the more complex (science) aspects she considers too simplistically but perhaps unrealistic expectations for a non scientist. The general premise of the book is decent. Do the ends justify the means? Time will tell.
Sounds a bit like thisIt's a very interesting read. Some of the more complex (science) aspects she considers too simplistically but perhaps unrealistic expectations for a non scientist. The general premise of the book is decent. Do the ends justify the means? Time will tell.
The older I get, the more you see how little ever changes... BBC was a tad more bold back then perhaps
If you're interested in the War on Terror (and the associated politics), the Conflicted podcast is fascinating (presented by a former jihadist turned British double agent inside Al Qaeda).
https://messageheard.com/podcasts/conflicted
Really eye opening.
PomBstard said:
Just finished reading “Acid for the Children” by Flea - autobiography by the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ bassist.
Despite the occasional overly emotional outburst, I really enjoyed it. Might not have had the easiest of starts and has enjoyed plenty of drugs, but he’s seems honest about his life and how his actions followed their course.
Worth a read if you like this sort of thing, takes his story up to the start of RHCP.
Will give that a go, if it’s anything like Anthony Keidis’ one it should be an entertaining read. Despite the occasional overly emotional outburst, I really enjoyed it. Might not have had the easiest of starts and has enjoyed plenty of drugs, but he’s seems honest about his life and how his actions followed their course.
Worth a read if you like this sort of thing, takes his story up to the start of RHCP.
Harry Bosch is getting old so Michael Connelly has returned to his alter ego Jack McEvoy, the journalist. A rather disturbing and frightening book this, dealing with people doing ancestry research and sending their DNA for analysis, maybe in the hope of finding their birth parents.But the DNA analysis is being sold on for nefarious means. I'll go no further than say that. As usual from Connelly, a well-written and easy read, not for me up to the prose of James Lee Burke, but close enough. Worth reading
epom said:
PomBstard said:
Just finished reading “Acid for the Children” by Flea - autobiography by the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ bassist.
Despite the occasional overly emotional outburst, I really enjoyed it. Might not have had the easiest of starts and has enjoyed plenty of drugs, but he’s seems honest about his life and how his actions followed their course.
Worth a read if you like this sort of thing, takes his story up to the start of RHCP.
Will give that a go, if it’s anything like Anthony Keidis’ one it should be an entertaining read. Despite the occasional overly emotional outburst, I really enjoyed it. Might not have had the easiest of starts and has enjoyed plenty of drugs, but he’s seems honest about his life and how his actions followed their course.
Worth a read if you like this sort of thing, takes his story up to the start of RHCP.
towser said:
"Billy Summers" by Stephen King : when he's on form Stephen King is a master story teller, and he's on form in this book. About an assassin's last job and so much more, in turns funny and very dark. Great character development and as usual he conjures up very Stephen King view of the USA and the people within it. 5/5
I got this on kindle for my trip home but made the mistake of having a quick look and am about 3/4 the way through now...v good.--
Meanwhile I ordered a few for when I get back. My wife is now intercepting and annotating...
Shape: The Hidden Geometry of Information, Biology, Strategy, Democracy, and Everything Else by Jordan Ellenberg
And one I've meant to read for ages, Simulacra and Simulation by Baudrillard.
Postmodern pwned by the post-it...
andy_s said:
towser said:
"Billy Summers" by Stephen King : when he's on form Stephen King is a master story teller, and he's on form in this book. About an assassin's last job and so much more, in turns funny and very dark. Great character development and as usual he conjures up very Stephen King view of the USA and the people within it. 5/5
I got this on kindle for my trip home but made the mistake of having a quick look and am about 3/4 the way through now...v good.This will be the first King book I've read in well over 20 years.
andy_s said:
I got this on kindle for my trip home but made the mistake of having a quick look and am about 3/4 the way through now...v good.
--
Meanwhile I ordered a few for when I get back. My wife is now intercepting and annotating...
Shape: The Hidden Geometry of Information, Biology, Strategy, Democracy, and Everything Else by Jordan Ellenberg
And one I've meant to read for ages, Simulacra and Simulation by Baudrillard.
Postmodern pwned by the post-it...
--
Meanwhile I ordered a few for when I get back. My wife is now intercepting and annotating...
Shape: The Hidden Geometry of Information, Biology, Strategy, Democracy, and Everything Else by Jordan Ellenberg
And one I've meant to read for ages, Simulacra and Simulation by Baudrillard.
Postmodern pwned by the post-it...
Robert Manry Tinkerbelle.
Cracking if short read of how a newspaper copy editor took his families 13foot day-sailing boat out - and fulfilled his dream of crossing the Atlantic in it, in 1965, from Falmouth, Mass. to Falmouth, Cornwall.
Hint of Joshua Slocum, but mostly a charming read that could be enjoyed for the adventure at any age and no small amount of bravery or at least, calculated risk-taking and confidence in his own skills learnt for the task - and in the boat, which he had bought as an old derelict some years before just to take his young family out to simply mess about on the water.
I'd like to see the film some day:
https://www.robertmanryproject.com/
Cracking if short read of how a newspaper copy editor took his families 13foot day-sailing boat out - and fulfilled his dream of crossing the Atlantic in it, in 1965, from Falmouth, Mass. to Falmouth, Cornwall.
Hint of Joshua Slocum, but mostly a charming read that could be enjoyed for the adventure at any age and no small amount of bravery or at least, calculated risk-taking and confidence in his own skills learnt for the task - and in the boat, which he had bought as an old derelict some years before just to take his young family out to simply mess about on the water.
I'd like to see the film some day:
https://www.robertmanryproject.com/
Edited by Huff on Tuesday 24th August 19:16
Blue62 said:
I’m a few chapters into ‘New Finnish Grammar’ by Diego Marani, don’t be out off by the title it’s shaping up to be one of the best novels I’ve read in years.
If anyone looks this up on Goodreads, the top review (2* by Jim Elkin) has some spoilers in it but they aren't marked!Very sad news which I’ve only just seen - Mo Hayden (59) who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease Dec20 died end of July 2021.
There is one book of here under Theo Claire that will be released next year.
Such a sad loss a superb writer of dark complex thrillers - I’ve read them all and enjoyed each one, eagerly awaiting each new book.
There is one book of here under Theo Claire that will be released next year.
Such a sad loss a superb writer of dark complex thrillers - I’ve read them all and enjoyed each one, eagerly awaiting each new book.
Prolex-UK said:
Another kind of eden by james lee burke
Prequel to the Holland novels.
Much more like the JLB of old after the last effort
Half way through and wishing it was a longer book...
I love JLB's writing. I've read everything he's written. Prequel to the Holland novels.
Much more like the JLB of old after the last effort
Half way through and wishing it was a longer book...
I have this on my Kindle for my next book.
Welshbeef said:
Very sad news which I’ve only just seen - Mo Hayden (59) who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease Dec20 died end of July 2021.
There is one book of here under Theo Claire that will be released next year.
Such a sad loss a superb writer of dark complex thrillers - I’ve read them all and enjoyed each one, eagerly awaiting each new book.
I must say I'm quite shocked to hear this. No age at all, and like you have read all of her books. There is one book of here under Theo Claire that will be released next year.
Such a sad loss a superb writer of dark complex thrillers - I’ve read them all and enjoyed each one, eagerly awaiting each new book.
Trophy Husband said:
Humankind.
Rutger Bregman.
A fascinating book about the goodness within us all.
Both individually and collectively.
I recommend it to all cynics.
I read that quite recently and remember enjoying it at the time.Rutger Bregman.
A fascinating book about the goodness within us all.
Both individually and collectively.
I recommend it to all cynics.
I can now barely remember anything about it. Not sure what that says about the book, or me.
Very different, but just finished Eat Like the Animals: What Nature Teaches Us about the Science of Healthy Eating - click.
Very interesting and well written scientific study of what is eaten by many animals; from locusts to slime moulds, mice to orangutans and how this knowledge may be applied to the human diet. I don't think there's anything surprising in the conclusion, but the journey is worth it.
towser said:
Read quite a few lately.
"Project Hail Mary" by Andy Weir : from the author of the Martian, similar castaway in space theme. Very enjoyable, good good! - 4/5
"The Cold, Cold Ground" by Adrian McKinty : detective story set in Belfast during the Troubles with some good old 80's values thrown in - think Gene Hunt in Northern Ireland, decent enough story but not that memorable. 3/5
"The Bones Beneath My Skin" by TJ Klune : sci-fi based chase story across the US, some funny moments, but nothing that new or imaginative. 2/5
"The Marches: A Borderland Journey Between England and Scotland" by Rory Stewart : part eulogy to his father, part history lesson of the border between Scotland and England and part autobiography. Very enjoyable, relaxing book. 4/5
"The Black Echo" and "The Burning Room" : Michael Connolly : started reading Bosch books after conclusion of the TV series. Black Echo is an excellent crime novel, the other feels a little tired and uninspired and doesn't match up to the first novel.
"Billy Summers" by Stephen King : when he's on form Stephen King is a master story teller, and he's on form in this book. About an assassin's last job and so much more, in turns funny and very dark. Great character development and as usual he conjures up very Stephen King view of the USA and the people within it. 5/5
About a quarter of the way through the Andy Weir book---great so far."Project Hail Mary" by Andy Weir : from the author of the Martian, similar castaway in space theme. Very enjoyable, good good! - 4/5
"The Cold, Cold Ground" by Adrian McKinty : detective story set in Belfast during the Troubles with some good old 80's values thrown in - think Gene Hunt in Northern Ireland, decent enough story but not that memorable. 3/5
"The Bones Beneath My Skin" by TJ Klune : sci-fi based chase story across the US, some funny moments, but nothing that new or imaginative. 2/5
"The Marches: A Borderland Journey Between England and Scotland" by Rory Stewart : part eulogy to his father, part history lesson of the border between Scotland and England and part autobiography. Very enjoyable, relaxing book. 4/5
"The Black Echo" and "The Burning Room" : Michael Connolly : started reading Bosch books after conclusion of the TV series. Black Echo is an excellent crime novel, the other feels a little tired and uninspired and doesn't match up to the first novel.
"Billy Summers" by Stephen King : when he's on form Stephen King is a master story teller, and he's on form in this book. About an assassin's last job and so much more, in turns funny and very dark. Great character development and as usual he conjures up very Stephen King view of the USA and the people within it. 5/5
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