The books thread

[Oralseeker]

I really like the Strike novels by Robert Galbraith (JK Rowling) it's a private detective series. My favourites are Career of Evil (the story is told partly through the eyes of a killer) and Running Grave (Robin goes undercover in a cult). I have also enjoyed Good Omens by Terry Pratchett

[Oralseeker]

Reading Wilt by Tom Sharpe
A fairly popular book back in the 80s. Mine is on Pan with the rude artwork by the excellent Paul Sample. It was turned into a film starring Smith and Jones which I do think is a decent watch.

The book is about a man in his 30s who is estranged from his wife. He is a tutor at a polytechnic and his wife is a new age type. After a drunken party he gets stripped naked and attached to a blow up sex doll and accused of murder after he tries to bury the doll in a hole.

It's typical British farce, but it's staggeringly well written. People might know Tom Sharpe from Blott on the landscape and Porterhouse Blue

I've read all of his stuff, too notch

[Oralseeker]

Also the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series is fantastic. Catch 22 is an amazing book, sometimes brilliantly funny and sums up the insanity of war

[Sevro]

Reading Lonesome Dove.
Longest book ive ever read. 900 page epic. With great characters.
Really enjoying it. Currently passed the halfway mark.

[standardpostage]

Reading Lonesome Dove.
Longest book ive ever read. 900 page epic. With great characters.
Really enjoying it. Currently passed the halfway mark.

Had a quick google. Sounds good. A prize winner 

[southcoastpunter]

Reading Lonesome Dove.
Longest book ive ever read. 900 page epic. With great characters.
Really enjoying it. Currently passed the halfway mark.

i gather there are 4 books in the series - are they all that long?

[Sevro]

i gather there are 4 books in the series - are they all that long?

They all vary in length but i believe lonsome dove is the longest from the series. I have also heard that the book works as a stand alone aswell. And that you do not need to read the others.

[Malvolio]

I enjoyed reading The Household by Stacey Halls - historical fiction set in the 1840s.  The Household in question is Urania Cottage, which was set up by Charles Dickens and Angela Burdett-Coutts (the richest woman in England at that time) as an attempt to reform women who had been released from prison.  It does include details of the 1840s punting scene as some of the women were former prostitutes.

[standardpostage]

Green Dot. By Madeline Gray. 2023 book. Lesbian falls in love with a man. Humour.

Very good. Set in Australia and UK. Recommended.

[Sevro]

Currently reading East of Eden by John Steinbeck.

100 pages in really beautifully written.

[ulstersubbie]

Currently reading East of Eden by John Steinbeck.

100 pages in really beautifully written.

Steinbeck is one of my favourite American authors. Check out his short story collections, which are well worth reading in my opinion.

[Sevro]

Steinbeck is one of my favourite American authors. Check out his short story collections, which are well worth reading in my opinion.

I remember reading of mice and men back in school. That story had a big impact on me. I aim to read The grapes of wrath aswell.

[PilotMan]

Currently reading East of Eden by John Steinbeck.

100 pages in really beautifully written.

Does anyone have any experience of listening to something like this on Audible?

I listen to lots of books on Audible, but not fiction, they're mostly business books and business biographies. So the beauty of the story and how you perceive it in the voice that exists in your head, isn't as important.

I know that the narrator makes a massive difference also.

[Sevro]

Does anyone have any experience of listening to something like this on Audible?

I listen to lots of books on Audible, but not fiction, they're mostly business books and business biographies. So the beauty of the story and how you perceive it in the voice that exists in your head, isn't as important.

I know that the narrator makes a massive difference also.

I listen to the audiobook with every book that i read. It helps me get through the book quicker. So if i have some downtime at work or driving i usually pop on the audiobook.

Word of advice the narrator they have for east of eden on audible is horrible. I found a much better version of it online.

[PilotMan]

I listen to the audiobook with every book that i read. It helps me get through the book quicker. So if i have some downtime at work or driving i usually pop on the audiobook.

Word of advice the narrator they have for east of eden on audible is horrible. I found a much better version of it online.

Thanks for the tip.

Where do you search online for an alternative to Audible?

[Sevro]

Thanks for the tip.

Where do you search online for an alternative to Audible?

If you have a subscription than Spotify is an alternative. However, if you dont mind sailing the high seas you can find torrents of the audiobooks.

[PilotMan]

If you have a subscription than Spotify is an alternative. However, if you dont mind sailing the high seas you can find torrents of the audiobooks.

I've had a few books on Spotify. They have a limit of what you can listen to for free each month.

I'm not one for using pirate stuff.

[Malvolio]

Just finished Slow Train to Switzerland by Diccon Bewes.  It's a travelogue where he follows in the footsteps of the first Thomas Cook overseas tour (in 1863) 150 years later.  His style is much like Bill Bryson's, so if you enjoy his travel books you'll like this one. 

[mr.bluesky]

Just finished reading " The ministry of ungentlemanly warfare" by Damien Lewis. This author has wrote a number of books about the SAS. This one tells the story of Anders Lassen a Dane who served in the regiment during WW2 and his exploits in West Africa, the Mediterranean and Italy. It has recently been turned into a film by Guy Ritchie . This also reveals how the SBS ( Special Boat Service) regiment was formed as a sister regiment to the SAS during WW2. Surprisingly Lassen is the only member of the SAS to be awarded the VC for his heroic exploits which is incredible considering the exploits of this regiment. I've not seen the film so I don't know how historically accurate it is compared to the book but the book is well worth reading especially if you enjoyed the recent BBC1 series SAS rogue heroes.  Lassen and Paddy Mayne are very much cut from the same cloth.

[Sevro]

I've had a few books on Spotify. They have a limit of what you can listen to for free each month.

I'm not one for using pirate stuff.

15 hrs a month which is not nearly enough for the amounts of books i want to get through.

[stampjones]

Just finished The Border by Don Winslow. Its the last part of a trilogy (power of the dog and the cartel) about the drug wars in america and mexico. Its a pretty epic series of books. Long, violent but easy to read. The first two books were fantastic. Really top class thrillers. But I must admit I was a little disappointed with this one. He seemed to get stuck in making political points and forgetting to tell a story. And when he did, a lot of it was tell rather than show. I think the main problem was that really there wasnt anything left to tell after book two and this ended up being quite disjointed without any real cohesive story appearing until the end. I still enjoyed it but just not as good as the previous two

[Sevro]

Just finished The Border by Don Winslow. Its the last part of a trilogy (power of the dog and the cartel) about the drug wars in america and mexico. Its a pretty epic series of books. Long, violent but easy to read. The first two books were fantastic. Really top class thrillers. But I must admit I was a little disappointed with this one. He seemed to get stuck in making political points and forgetting to tell a story. And when he did, a lot of it was tell rather than show. I think the main problem was that really there wasnt anything left to tell after book two and this ended up being quite disjointed without any real cohesive story appearing until the end. I still enjoyed it but just not as good as the previous two

I have a copy a  power of the dog. I might bump it up higher on my tbr list.

[Ali Katt]

I can highly recommend the R. Crumb coffee table book. It has some of his cartoons in, but it is mainly an autobiography. Getting rare and pricey these days though, so will be a good investment.

[catweazle]

I came across some books stashed in the garage while looking for something else ,( see the grumpy old men thread). I knew I'd had them at some point, but at the back of my mind thought I'd replaced them with ebook versions and given the actual books to a charity shop.

(Turns out I don't have an ebook version and am thus glad I have the books)

The first "Duncton" trilogy by William Horwood :

Duncton Wood
Duncton Quest
Duncton Found

for high fantasy fans, but with a twist (Watership Down - rabbits, Duncton - moles.)

Read half of the first book this afternoon, in the garden with a cold beer.

[stampjones]

I think william horwood also wrote adult books. There was one about a sculptor which i read years ago which was really good, the stonor eagles (no actual eagles involved, the eagles were his artistic theme)

[standardpostage]

This Time Next Year by David Jason.
2024 book. Lots of humour and emotions.
Good read, enjoyed it.
PS His real name is David John White.

[standardpostage]

The Overnight Kidnapper by Andrea Camilleri (It's a man's name)
An Inspector Montalbano Mystery. 2019 translation.
Crime story set in Sicily. Enjoying it.
I have read a few of these books, all good.
Also a TV series sometimes.
Lots of humour in the story telling.

[catweazle]

I think william horwood also wrote adult books. There was one about a sculptor which i read years ago which was really good, the stonor eagles (no actual eagles involved, the eagles were his artistic theme)

Yes he's done a few other books. Enjoyed the Stonor Eagles.

[standardpostage]

Making It , by Jay Blades. 2022 biography.
9 out of 10. Recommended.
Motivational and emotional.
Famous for The Repair Shop on TV.

[mr.bluesky]

Making It , by Jay Blades. 2022 biography.
9 out of 10. Recommended.
Motivational and emotional.
Famous for The Repair Shop on TV.

Also famous for facing a trial for engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour towards his estranged wife so he comes across as a pleasant likeable chap. 
Trial is scheduled for August  26th.

[PilotMan]

Making It , by Jay Blades. 2022 biography.
9 out of 10. Recommended.
Motivational and emotional.
Famous for The Repair Shop on TV.

Whilst I appreciate some of the struggles he has had, I don't like him because I feel he is trying too hard to be a likeable guy.

What put me off, was when I watched his Documentary East End Through Time. He tells his own stories about growing up in the East End. Some of them may well be true, but I doubt that it is him who has experienced them first hand.

More likely, they are other peoples stories that he is claiming are his own, and he is repeating and embellishing them, trying desperately to endear himself to his audience.

The use of some of the Cockney parlance are just off kilter for someone of his age, it's like he's learnt them from watching listening to other people. He's a faux Cockney in my opinion.

[ulstersubbie]

Plenty of faux cockneys about, the genuine ones moved out to Essex years ago.

[Sevro]

Currently reading Hyperion by  Dan Simmons.
Approaching 100 pages not entirely hooked yet i will carry on as the writing is brilliant.

[fredhiggins]

Just read Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow. So readable and a great energy.

[standardpostage]

Just read Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow. So readable and a great energy.

Just googled. Sounds good.

[standardpostage]

The Sicilian by Mario Puzo. Mafia / mystery / thriller novel set in Sicily. Very good. 2012 book. Set in the 1950 s.

[mr.bluesky]

Just read Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow. So readable and a great energy.

So who wrote it and what's it about 

[mr.bluesky]

I am currently reading Tornado in the eye of the storm by John Nichol about the role of the Tornado aircraft during the 1990/1991 Gulf war .You may remember Nichol was a Tornado navigator who along with his pilot John Peters was shot down and captured by the Iraqis, and paraded on television with bruised and battered faces.
Seven Tornado aircrew members lost their lives during this conflict.

Hidden Image/Members Only

[timsussex]

50 years ago (because I was doing post grad work in the field  and in my spare time read Chance and necessity by Jacques Monod . Monod was a great mind and with Jacob won a Nobel prize for discovering how a gene works - encoding RNA and eventually producing proteins including enzymes
The book was philosophical and a great disappointment and I really would suggest you avoid it but each chapter had a heading of a quote and one was from the French philosopher Albert Camus The myth of Sisyphus which concludes  "The struggle itself towards the heights is enough to fill a man's heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy"

For those that forgot their Greek myths Sisyphus was condemned to forever roll a rock up a hill but just as he reached near the top the rock he would slip and the rock roll back to the bottom 

Which was brought to mind by this cartoon

Hidden Image/Members Only

As I was in my 20s I read every Camus I could lay my hands on but the Myth was by far his best especially that last sentence.

[ulstersubbie]

the French philosopher Albert Camus The myth of Sisyphus which concludes  "The struggle itself towards the heights is enough to fill a man's heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy"

For those that forgot their Greek myths Sisyphus was condemned to forever roll a rock up a hill but just as he reached near the top the rock he would slip and the rock roll back to the bottom 

Which was brought to mind by this cartoon

Hidden Image/Members Only

As I was in my 20s I read every Camus I could lay my hands on but the Myth was by far his best especially that last sentence.

I take it you've read L'etranger by Camus, are you a fan?

[timsussex]

I take it you've read L'etranger by Camus, are you a fan?

It was 50 years ago and they all sort of blend into one and none of them stood out apart from Sisyphus

I had a similar disappointment with Heller - I thought Catch 22 was superb but after reading a couple of his other books I gave up

[ulstersubbie]

It was 50 years ago and they all sort of blend into one and none of them stood out apart from Sisyphus

I had a similar disappointment with Heller - I thought Catch 22 was superb but after reading a couple of his other books I gave up

Regarding Heller, most people will only remember Catch 22, great novel that it is.

[Malvolio]

Been a while since I posted in this thread, so I've got a few recommendations

The Skull Beneath The Skin by PD James - her version of an Agatha Christie closed-room whodunnit.  Not a typical PD James novel, but I like her writing style.

Why Nations Fail by Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson.  A look through five hundred years of history to explain why countries like the USA and Australia became wealthy, why Argentina was wealthy and then went downhill, and why others are poor.  Not sure I agree with every point they make, but I found it thought-provoking.

The Big Nowhere by James Ellroy - exactly what you expect from an Ellroy novel; brutal murders, corrupt cops, femme fatales, random historical figures (Howard Hughes in this case) and a plot that speeds along. 

London Belongs To Me by Norman Collins.  Written in 1945, and telling the fictional tale of a group of disparate Londoners between Christmas 1938 and Christmas 1940.  What I really liked about it is how it immerses you in that era, which is something only books can do.
 

[standardpostage]

Intermezzo. 2024 book by Sally Rooney. Novel about family, chess and age gap relationships. Set in Dublin 2022.

Not really my type of book.  I was given it as a gift, so I read it.

Average from me.

[Pillowtalk]

Intermezzo. 2024 book by Sally Rooney. Novel about family, chess and age gap relationships. Set in Dublin 2022.

Not really my type of book.  I was given it as a gift, so I read it.

Average from me.

I tried to read Sally Rooney and couldn't get on with her style. Think I'd rather read Wayne Rooney!

[JRWK]

During my Navy days 40+ or so years ago, I read a few Wilbur Smith books.

After finishing a series by Christopher Mitchell last year, I looked again at WS, and have since read (re-read in some cases)
all the Courtney and Ballantyne books, still as riveting reading as they were back then

[standardpostage]

I tried to read Sally Rooney and couldn't get on with her style. Think I'd rather read Wayne Rooney!

I don't thing they are related 

[Rick2468]

I tried to read Sally Rooney and couldn't get on with her style. Think I'd rather read Wayne Rooney!

I only read Normal People and I really disliked it. I read it shortly after release before everyone was spaffing over it so don't think it was overhyped. I felt the authors views on relationships wasn't particularly interesting unless I missed something. The way she shoehorned pop culture references like The White Lies felt really jarring. It felt like the author loved The White Lies so wanted to wedge it in her book somehow.

I have a friend who tends to like the same books as me and they also disliked Normal People. They say Conversations with Friends is much better, but I am not tempted to read it as I don't want to take the risk.

[ulstersubbie]

During my Navy days 40+ or so years ago, I read a few Wilbur Smith books.

After finishing a series by Christopher Mitchell last year, I looked again at WS, and have since read (re-read in some cases)
all the Courtney and Ballantyne books, still as riveting reading as they were back then

Wilbur Smith was a Zambian by birth (back then it was called Northern Rhodesia before independence from Britain). I spent some of my childhood in neighbouring Malawi, so am very familiar with the man and his novels. A hugely popular writer who sold millions of books, my mother was a huge fan, not my thing personally but thanks for mentioning him.   

[standardpostage]

Killing Time. By Alan Bennett. 2024 book. Darkly humourous story about elderly people in a in a residential home. Very good. Recommended.