Books - What are you reading?

[Kenneth001]

I am about to finish the book called "Buried giant"

[Mark Benson]

Skyedriver said:

Desiderata said:

Got4wheels said:

I finished reading Arabian Sands by Wilfred Thesiger earlier this afternoon.

Absolutely wonderful book talking about tribal pre oil Arabia just as it was beginning to move into the petrodollar dynasty we see today. The further you read the more the book felt like a love letter to an era that Thesiger knew was ending as oil companies were sniffing around. It brought a rye smile to my face as he described Abu Dhabi as a small town with a population of 2000.

I'd recommend the book to anyone who's a history buff and wants to know more about an era thats beginning to slip out of living memory.

Next up for me is Jean-Paul Sartre's The Age of Reason.

Michael

I've just picked this out to reread. I read it about twenty years ago then lent it to someone and just got it back recently. Looking forward to it immensely, the guy was an absolute legend, the kind of hero they don't seem to make any more.

Many years ago I read "A life of my choice" by Wilfred Thesiger, still have it, not sure I could read it again, it educated and horrified me in equal measures. It was a different time although I wouldn't be surprised if some of the horrors still go on to this day. (Like the three young boys who'd had their hand chopped off because they'd been circumcised by an unauthorised person). Crazy people.

I'm on holiday next week and among other books (including 'To Kill a Mockingbird', which to my shame I've never read) I'm taking 'A life of my Choice'.

Since we're staying in Northumberland, a visit to Barter Books in Alnwick will be made early on in the stay so I may well stock up on some other thread recommendations.

[MC Bodge]

Mark Benson said:

including 'To Kill a Mockingbird', which to my shame I've never read

My class studied it for GCSE in the early 90s.

When I was 16, it seemed like a children's book.

I know it is a "classic", but I personally wouldn't bother reading it.

[paulguitar]

MC Bodge said:

Mark Benson said:

including 'To Kill a Mockingbird', which to my shame I've never read

My class studied it for GCSE in the early 90s.

When I was 16, it seemed like a children's book.

I know it is a "classic", but I personally wouldn't bother reading it.

Try it again, it's brilliant.

[MC Bodge]

paulguitar said:

MC Bodge said:

Mark Benson said:

including 'To Kill a Mockingbird', which to my shame I've never read

My class studied it for GCSE in the early 90s.

When I was 16, it seemed like a children's book.

I know it is a "classic", but I personally wouldn't bother reading it.

Try it again, it's brilliant.

Maybe when I get to to the bottom of my reading pile, that keeps on growing...

[paulguitar]

MC Bodge said:

Maybe when I get to to the bottom of my reading pile, that keeps on growing...

That is a good situation to be in.

[Desiderata]

Kenneth001 said:

I am about to finish the book called "Buried giant"

I read that not too long ago, and spookily, can't remember very much about it.
I've read other work by Ishiguro and enjoyed it, but that one was a bit of a slog. Seriously, I remember the beginning and the fairly poignant ending, but the middle just seemed to rambling fantasy like a dream you can't quite remember the next morning.

[thismonkeyhere]

paulguitar said:

MC Bodge said:

Mark Benson said:

including 'To Kill a Mockingbird', which to my shame I've never read

My class studied it for GCSE in the early 90s.

When I was 16, it seemed like a children's book.

I know it is a "classic", but I personally wouldn't bother reading it.

Try it again, it's brilliant.

Fantastic book. Recently read it again myself, having also read it at school in the late 80s. So, so good.

[Desiderata]

Just read "Berlin" by Robert Harris on the back of a recommendation by a friend. It's not the sort of book I'd normally read, but I'm always willing to try something different.
It's basically a novelisation of Chamberlain's last gasp attempt to negotiate a peaceful settlement with Hitler in the run up to WW2.
A couple of fictional characters thrown in with a backstory to give it some interest and make it a "thriller", but for personally I think a true factual account would have been more interesting .
Some coincidental parallels between Hitler's rise and Putin's and the current situation in Ukraine and the diplomacy involved in walking the tightrope between war and peace.

[biggbn]

coppice said:

droopsnoot said:

I always wonder how these authors get time to read other people's novels, and how they make sure that they don't end up subconsciously taking ideas from something they read. Because of that, I'm quite cynical about that sort of testimonial. And just because Ian Rankin (or any other author) writes some books that I enjoy doesn't mean he enjoys reading the same type of books that I do.

(I haven't read the book in question, I should add.)

If you write for a living , or just as your passion (as I do ) then you read -constantly . I usually have several books going and I will read a cornflake packet if that 's all that is available! Of course you absorb and can be influenced by other writers but you find your own voice. My early attempts in print were toe curlingly awful Hemingway pastiches and it took many , many thousands of words to evolve my own style . I don't think Ian Rankin expects everyone to share his taste , but as you come to know an author through their work , you begin to recognise patterns and preferences which help you make your own choices.

Writing is a joy for some of us , even though hardly anybody actually makes more than peanuts.

I am the opposite, I write every day, prose, poetry, philosophical enquires but have got out of the habit of reading for pleasure, a shocking admission for an English teacher!! I have made that one of my goals for this year coming, read a book a month.

I see a few recommendations for To Kill a Mockingbird and I would echo those, a wonderful book regardless of one's age. I am currently finishing And the Land Lay Still by James Robertson as part of my read more pledge, a book I last picked up over ten years ago at university! I enjoyed his books 'Joseph Knight' and 'Gideon Mack' very much, the former at uni and the later with an eye on teaching it.

Wish me luck with my goal!!

Edited by biggbn on Wednesday 29th June 18:05

[biggbn]

Derek Smith said:

I was criticised by aunts for 'always having your nose stuck in a book'. It was a fair enough comment - book in one pocket, lump of cheese in the other was my norm - but the criticism amounted to low expectations. Reading lots of books was above my station. I started writing in my 20s, 50 years ago, and got my first cheque when I was 27.

I'm not sure I have a style, so much as a base level of grammar, vocabulary and preferences, and a range of styles to suit the market. I listen to criticism, intently actually, and am only too pleased when people send me their opinions.

I can be confident, excited, world-weary, self-deprecating (although I'm not too good at that), humorous and hilarious. If you want to sell, a personal style is an indulgence only the successful can enjoy.

I read different authors to understand how they 'sound' and I will, without embarrassment, copy them if I reckon the style will sell. There's nothing wrong in that I think. My best original idea was never to come up with an original idea. When I forgot this mantra as a police officer, there was always blame, despite any success. In fact, the more success, the greater the bking. Sort of knocks it out of you.

I enjoy writing. However, I use the sales of articles and books as validation of my ability. It's probably a weakness.

On the other hand, I've posted many thousands of words on PH. It's all part of my hobby of writing.

Derek, one of my literary heroes, Hunter Thompson, used to type out pages of his favourite authors so he could 'feel' the rhythm of their words, and therfore thoughts!! I love writing and don't care if what I do is any good, I enjoy it and find it therapeutic, it works as a primal scream therapy for me and actually tires me out!!

[Finglescave]

Just finished Paddy Mcguiness - My Lifey. Entertaining and funny

Now onto “The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A F**k*

[BryanC]

It's 50 years since Don Corleone made an offer I couldnt refuse, so naturally I had to pick up Mario Puzo's The Godfather and enjoy the lore of the Mafioso once again. It has not lost anything.
Call me sad, but I also read the illustrated movie transcript giving the background to the movie, character selection and the back story notes. An epic still deserving another read.

And now something quite different.
The Virgin and the Gypsy by DH Lawrence.
Written before Lady Chatterley, it's a relatively short story and an absolute joy. The first sentence draws you in - I'm just loving it. The book just oozes sensuality - all in the best possible taste.
Strongly recommended.

[heisthegaffer]

I'm reading Judas Pig by Horace Silver.

A good book with an interesting background.

[wombleh]

Bounce: The Myth of Talent and the Power of Practice

Very interesting, wish I’d had it 30 years ago. About how high level athletes, musicians etc get where they are through lots of practice and the right kind of practice. That natural talent Is not a factor and tends to be an excuse people use to avoid putting the effort in. Some interesting bits if you’ve got kids too like about effort based paise rather than talent based (e.g. you’re so smart) which can have negative effect.

Probably nothing new, my wife knew a lot of it from teacher training, but new to me and always finding it a huge help with playing drums.

[lauda]

heisthegaffer said:

I'm reading Judas Pig by Horace Silver.

A good book with an interesting background.

There’s an interview with the author, Jimmy Holmes, on YouTube. He’s fascinating and terrifying, in equal measure.



Although perhaps not quite as terrifying as David Hunt (Danny in the book).

[heisthegaffer]

lauda said:

heisthegaffer said:

I'm reading Judas Pig by Horace Silver.

A good book with an interesting background.

There’s an interview with the author, Jimmy Holmes, on YouTube. He’s fascinating and terrifying, in equal measure.



Although perhaps not quite as terrifying as David Hunt (Danny in the book).

Cheers - will have a watch!

[slopes]

Finished Exoskeleton and despite the promise and lots of reviews about it making people feel genuinely creeped out or uncomfortable, i have to say it was just another novel that promised so much, yet delivered so little.
The premise is fantastic yet just when you think things are going to kick up a gear and hook you in, the author moves to another part of the story. Maybe i'm just old and jaded but for me, it's like there is this great idea but the author stops from taking the step into creepy or downright horrible.
But, great premise like i mentioned and well written, just stops short for me personally.

Now onto Infinite, part of Jeremy Robinson's Infinity saga and most of them are typical sci fi genre cheesy novels but they are quick to read which is a bonus, lots of different novels all inter connecting to one finale in 2023 apparently.
Infinite is about a guy who wakes up on a space ship on a journey to Kepler 425-b and is promptly stabbed by a crewmate. Only to discover he is immortal and the ship is on a course to explore the entire universe, with his only companions being a woman in cryo sleep and the AI controlling the ship.
Bit more to it than that but that is the gist of it.

[hairykrishna]

lauda said:

There’s an interview with the author, Jimmy Holmes, on YouTube. He’s fascinating and terrifying, in equal measure.



Although perhaps not quite as terrifying as David Hunt (Danny in the book).

Just finished Judas Pig. Thought it was fairly decent. Interesting to ponder which bits were fiction.

[hairykrishna]

slopes said:

Finished Exoskeleton and despite the promise and lots of reviews about it making people feel genuinely creeped out or uncomfortable, i have to say it was just another novel that promised so much, yet delivered so little.
.

It's free on Kindle unlimited at the moment so I'll give it a go I think.