Books - What are you reading?
Discussion
RDMcG said:
Just going through the entire Mick Herron Slough House spy books. For some reason had never some across him.
Bracing stuff with the most politically incorrect central character I have come across in years...drinks at his desk, doesn't wash, is sexist, racist,xenophobic, a glutton, sarcastic but brilliant.
Great dialogue, best to read them in order.
Very polished scenes. I'm on London Rules currently.Bracing stuff with the most politically incorrect central character I have come across in years...drinks at his desk, doesn't wash, is sexist, racist,xenophobic, a glutton, sarcastic but brilliant.
Great dialogue, best to read them in order.
.TheJimi said:
I was one of those who recommended TDF.
The first thing I would say is that in terms of character development, storyline and actual writing quality, the first Dresden Files book makes a bad impression.
Both Butcher and Dresden mature hugely from the third book onwards.
Ah. The first thing I would say is that in terms of character development, storyline and actual writing quality, the first Dresden Files book makes a bad impression.
Both Butcher and Dresden mature hugely from the third book onwards.
Can I skip #2 without missing any long-term plot developments?
Hmm.
Yes, you probably could, but because book 2 does setup a lot of stuff, my advice would be to just read it anyway. Long term, you'll get more out of it, imo.
Having said that, plenty folk suggest starting from "Grave Peril" - book 3.
Yes, you probably could, but because book 2 does setup a lot of stuff, my advice would be to just read it anyway. Long term, you'll get more out of it, imo.
Having said that, plenty folk suggest starting from "Grave Peril" - book 3.
Edited by TheJimi on Tuesday 26th October 20:59
Have got this to read next, also looking forward to it!
And have just finished this…
I do like his books, they’re both irreverent and knowledgeable at the same time, and somehow come together well.
towser said:
epom said:
I’m halfway through the audiobook…..some brilliant stories and a great listen but, and it feels odd to say it, the guy is just too nice and humble - wish he’d take some credit for his own undoubted talents!
I do like his books, they’re both irreverent and knowledgeable at the same time, and somehow come together well.
Just finished Don Winslow’s Mexican Drug trilogy
The Power of the Dog
The Cartel
The Border
There are some immensely bleak bits in some chapters and ye gods they are long winded in places but i managed to get through them all.
Enjoyed them…..mostly…..some bits less than others but okay, anything to do with that subject is never going to be fluffy and nice.
The Power of the Dog
The Cartel
The Border
There are some immensely bleak bits in some chapters and ye gods they are long winded in places but i managed to get through them all.
Enjoyed them…..mostly…..some bits less than others but okay, anything to do with that subject is never going to be fluffy and nice.
towser said:
I’m halfway through the audiobook…..some brilliant stories and a great listen but, and it feels odd to say it, the guy is just too nice and humble - wish he’d take some credit for his own undoubted talents!
We're about the same pace. I'm enjoying it but not gripped. He is too nice. I properly laughed out loud at his first drum lesson, "David your sticks are upside down". And the gig with the broken ankle etc. I think I wanted a 'Kurt was a twit' type stories but didn't take into account that Grohl is incapable of thinking badly of anyone I feel. In other news the new Guy Martin is out today. I'm awaiting reviews before purchase. The last one was very much a diary of stuff he did on the telly and not all that exciting. Cant help but think this might be another of the same, pushed in time for the Christmas market for the 'blokes'. If anyone does read it do give us a review!
I've just finished "Toys" by James Patterson and Neil McMahon. A bit of a departure from the usual JP books I read, this one is set in the future where a superior race has taken over, with humans relegated to the level of scavengers. A plan to wipe out the human species goes a bit wrong. It's not great, some of the description of the advanced race (the "Elites") and their toys / abilities read like an adolescent running through things they wished they could have or do, and the description of a simulated soccer game showed a lack of research unless the end of the World Cup Final really is signalled by gunfire.
I don't share the general view on here that all his stuff is terrible, but if there are somehow more in this style I think I'll steer clear of them.
I don't share the general view on here that all his stuff is terrible, but if there are somehow more in this style I think I'll steer clear of them.
towser said:
epom said:
I’m halfway through the audiobook…..some brilliant stories and a great listen but, and it feels odd to say it, the guy is just too nice and humble - wish he’d take some credit for his own undoubted talents!The Storyteller by Dave Grohl - as I mentioned above, the sheen of the nicest guy in rock permeates the book. At face value Dave Grohl is impossible to dislike and it seems like he can't dislike anyone either, everyone is a hero and a fantastic friend that he's humbled to know. The whole thing just got too sickly sweet for me - even a paragraph to fire a broadside at Courtney Love would have been justified and spiced things up a bit. Sad to say a 2/5.
Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty - I read this because I think it was written by the author of Big Little Lies which, as a TV show, I really enjoyed. Over long story of a dysfunctional Aussie tennis family who's life is disrupted by an even more dysfunctional imposter into their lives - cue "dark secrets" and revenge. It's OK, nothing more, never really gripped me, didn't really care for any of the characters wanted them all to die horribly as I stumbled to the last page. Another 2/5
Just started Windswept and Interesting by Billy Connolly - good so far.
Edited by towser on Monday 1st November 21:02
Give me ten seconds
The autobiography of John Sergeant
A £2.49 bargain from my local Oxfam brought back the years when politicians fell on their swords, resigned in disgrace and JS was there to record it all. An amazing personal history which ends abruptly as he leaves the BBC to join ITV as their political commentator. Obviously space for a sequel.
A superb life lived to the full and I also enjoyed the fact that telling the story, he had few bad words for anybody.
He was there when Martin Luther King '..had a dream...', and witnessed the napalm dropped on the Vietnamese girl when reporting on 'Nam.
A true gentleman who makes no bones about his admiration for the Thatcher years. The Falklands, Miners Strike, The Westland Affair - the lot.
The autobiography of John Sergeant
A £2.49 bargain from my local Oxfam brought back the years when politicians fell on their swords, resigned in disgrace and JS was there to record it all. An amazing personal history which ends abruptly as he leaves the BBC to join ITV as their political commentator. Obviously space for a sequel.
A superb life lived to the full and I also enjoyed the fact that telling the story, he had few bad words for anybody.
He was there when Martin Luther King '..had a dream...', and witnessed the napalm dropped on the Vietnamese girl when reporting on 'Nam.
A true gentleman who makes no bones about his admiration for the Thatcher years. The Falklands, Miners Strike, The Westland Affair - the lot.
towser said:
towser said:
epom said:
I’m halfway through the audiobook…..some brilliant stories and a great listen but, and it feels odd to say it, the guy is just too nice and humble - wish he’d take some credit for his own undoubted talents!The Storyteller by Dave Grohl - as I mentioned above, the sheen of the nicest guy in rock permeates the book. At face value Dave Grohl is impossible to dislike and it seems like he can't dislike anyone either, everyone is a hero and a fantastic friend that he's humbled to know. The whole thing just got too sickly sweet for me - even a paragraph to fire a broadside at Courtney Love would have been justified and spiced things up a bit. Sad to say a 2/5.
]
disappointing. 
Windswept and Interesting by Billy Connolly - read on audiobook. A rambling account of his life, jumps all over the place and is interspersed with various amusing observations (a lot of which I've heard before). His grab life by the balls attitude comes pouring off the page - he's certainly led an interesting and full life despite what seems like a pretty rough childhood of neglect and abuse. Well worth a read. 4/5
Edited by towser on Sunday 7th November 21:41
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