Books - What are you reading?

[MC Bodge]

PomBstard said:

Have now got "The Thursday Murder Club" to look forward to, which from previous posts on this thread is probably not in quite the same league...

It's an ok, amusing in places, easy reading yarn, but fairly forgettable and will probably seem very dated in a couple of years' time.

[MC Bodge]

Desiderata said:

Just found a Bill Bryson one on my bookshelf that I've somehow missed. I'm off for a wee break to the seaside next week so it should do as some light entertainment instead of a telly.

It is an excellent book.

It gives some insight into a period of amazing progress that is often over-shadowed by the World Wars.

[FunkyNige]

MC Bodge said:

PomBstard said:

Have now got "The Thursday Murder Club" to look forward to, which from previous posts on this thread is probably not in quite the same league...

It's an ok, amusing in places, easy reading yarn, but fairly forgettable and will probably seem very dated in a couple of years' time.

My wife says the same thing and doesn't really get what all the fuss was about.

I'm re-reading Dune for the first time since my early 20s, forgot how well written it was! Won't be making the mistake of re-reading the sequels though.

[MC Bodge]

FunkyNige said:

My wife says the same thing and doesn't really get what all the fuss was about.

I'm re-reading Dune for the first time since my early 20s, forgot how well written it was! Won't be making the mistake of re-reading the sequels though.

I read my Dad's copy of Dune when I was 11 (do 11 year old read books like that now?) and remember enjoying it. I've not read it since. It could be worth re-visiting as an adult 30-odd years later, but there are so many more books to read.

Edited by MC Bodge on Thursday 23 September 09:12

[biggbn]

Read S.E Hinton's The Outsiders with my S4 class over last few weeks, a book for young adults written by a young adult in 1967 but they loved it, very accessible, but lots of layers, a good introduction to more complicated literature.

[RC1807]

RC1807 said:

RC1807 said:

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.
I have this on my Kindle for my next book.

Started last night in bed. I'm halfway through!

Finished JLB's "Another Kind of Eden" a few nights ago.
"Spacey, maaaaaan....". Somewhat disappointed in the content, TBH.

[MC Bodge]

MC Bodge said:

akirk said:

Pumps100 said:

I have just finished 'Lonesome Dove' by Larry McMurtry which was first published in 1985 and later in the TV series of 1989 (yes it was that long ago).

I really enjoyed it. In paperback it runs to 830 pages which makes it a tad unwieldy. I managed the first 500 pages in two months and the last 300 pages in two weeks. They say if you only read one Western book this is it. I was sad to finish it.

I am now looking out for the follow up 'Streets of Laredo'.

Ian

just in the process of reading this!

I am currently reading Streets of Laredo.

Lonesome Dove is possibly the greatest novel I've ever read. Like Western Shakespeare in its exploration of human issues.

The others in the series haven't been as good, but still worth reading.

I find the harshness of the lives of the mostly very tough characters, and the sense of wide open spaces, compelling. The Rangers camping out on the freezing Plano and encountering the Comanche was very evocative.

The characters are well written, with a sort of old-modern dialogue, and behaviour that may or may not be accurate, but draws you in.

I have now finished Streets of Laredo. It was a fairly down-beat end to the series. It describes the end of the "old west" that Woodrow Call (and Gus et al) had occupied and the incoming changes.

A really good series of books, but Lonesome Dove stands out as the best.

I would read the prequels:
Dead Man's Walk
Comanche Moon

before Streets of Laredo.

Edited by MC Bodge on Friday 24th September 10:40

[FunkyNige]

MC Bodge said:

FunkyNige said:

My wife says the same thing and doesn't really get what all the fuss was about.

I'm re-reading Dune for the first time since my early 20s, forgot how well written it was! Won't be making the mistake of re-reading the sequels though.

I read my Dad's copy of Dune when I was 11 (do 11 year old read books like that now?) and remember enjoying it. I've not read it since. It could be worth re-visiting as an adult 30-odd years later, but there are so many more books to read.

I imagine I read something like 30 books a year and two or three of them are books I've read before - to me it's like going back to a favourite film or album and I get something more than just the enjoyment of reading from it. Plus I have to justify keeping all the books I've read!

[V1nce Fox]

FunkyNige said:

My wife says the same thing and doesn't really get what all the fuss was about.

I'm re-reading Dune for the first time since my early 20s, forgot how well written it was! Won't be making the mistake of re-reading the sequels though.

Agree about Dune 100%. With the exception of Hayt there’s nothing from the later books i’d miss.

[PomBstard]

FunkyNige said:

MC Bodge said:

PomBstard said:

Have now got "The Thursday Murder Club" to look forward to, which from previous posts on this thread is probably not in quite the same league...

It's an ok, amusing in places, easy reading yarn, but fairly forgettable and will probably seem very dated in a couple of years' time.

My wife says the same thing and doesn't really get what all the fuss was about.

About halfway through it now. Not sure what all the praise is for or why you'd choose this over 1000s of other books, just seems like a bit of lightweight fluff to pass the time. With the exception of the diary-type entries by one of the characters - easily the most annoying thing of the book. Will finish it though.

Have got 'American Dirt' by Janine Cummins lined up next courtesy of Mrs PB. And then as I've not found the copy of 'Scar Tissue' I thought I had, I've an itch to re-read Catch 22...

[CopperBolt]

slowly working through "Let the Right one in" by John Lindquist. Bit of a slog to be honest, keep dropping off after a few pages so taking ages to get through.

[g3org3y]

Teddy Lop said:

g3org3y said:

Will check it out thanks.

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

That's fascinating and very informative thanks - reminds me a lot of the book by Majid Nawaz - Radical which I'd highly recommend

Ordered!

Finished Aimen Dean's book yesterday. really good. Like the podcasts but the personal account of them. Defo recommended.

On to this:


Sequel by the Secret Barrister. Loved the first one. About a quarter of the way through this one and it doesn't disappoint.

[DRFC1879]

PomBstard said:

FunkyNige said:

MC Bodge said:

PomBstard said:

Have now got "The Thursday Murder Club" to look forward to, which from previous posts on this thread is probably not in quite the same league...

It's an ok, amusing in places, easy reading yarn, but fairly forgettable and will probably seem very dated in a couple of years' time.

My wife says the same thing and doesn't really get what all the fuss was about.

About halfway through it now. Not sure what all the praise is for or why you'd choose this over 1000s of other books, just seems like a bit of lightweight fluff to pass the time. With the exception of the diary-type entries by one of the characters - easily the most annoying thing of the book. Will finish it though.

Have got 'American Dirt' by Janine Cummins lined up next courtesy of Mrs PB. And then as I've not found the copy of 'Scar Tissue' I thought I had, I've an itch to re-read Catch 22...

Each to their own but the bit I've highlighted in bold was a real strength for me. I like to think I've got a broad taste so it's good to intersperse my reading list with something that's fun, lightweight, a bit daft and easy to flick through at pace. That said there were a few genuinely touching moments in there to which I'm sure most people can relate.

[Pieman68]

Currently reading "Blackout" by Simon Scarrow

Bit of a break from his previous stuff that I've read (The Eagles of the Empire series) but thoroughly enjoying it

Reminds me of Fatherland by Robert Harris, although set in Nazi Germany rather than in London

[DRFC1879]

I'm currently about a third of the way through Europe United by Matt Walker. I know PH isn't exactly teeming with football fans but it's a great socio-political travelogue as much as it is a football book. Very much enjoying it so far.

[towser]

Recent books.

"A Time to KIll" by John Grisham - I've never read a Grisham book before so thought I'd give it a try. Predictable and over long courtroom melodrama.Ham fisted racial commentary and overly gratuitious description of child abuse. Not sure I'll read another of his if they are all like this. 2/5

"And Away" by Bob Mortimer - bought the audiobook for this as it's read by Bob himself. I always enjoyed Reeves and Mortimer and have really liked the fact that Bob has come out from Vic's shadow over the last few years. The book itself is a mixture of Mortimer ramblings on life in general, his lifestory so far and it almost feels like a self-help book for introverts and shy people. If you've followed his career there's probably not a lot in here that's new (although the scorpion hunt in the desert was a new tall tale that was very funny). Regardless, his humour and decency shines through the book and I enjoyed it very much. 5/5

[DRFC1879]

If you haven't already tried it, you should give the Athletico Mince podcast a go, Towser.

[towser]

DRFC1879 said:

If you haven't already tried it, you should give the Athletico Mince podcast a go, Towser.

Thanks, I used to listen to it and then it seemed to stop being published for a while so I forgot about it - will get it back on the listening list.....

[temaxiy960]

I really love to read and spend a lot of time in front of the book. Now I am finishing reading A Tale of Two Cities and for me it was something new and unusual.

Edited by temaxiy960 on Thursday 30th September 13:12

[droopsnoot]

I've just finished "Find you first" by Linwood Barclay, another good read - I usually enjoy his, even though there's often a massive twist early on which didn't really happen in this one. A rich man learns he has a terminal illness and wants to find children he may have through a fertility clinic before it's too late.