Anyone read any good books recently ?

**Dapper** · 7th March 2007, 12:05

Atonement by Ian McKewan. A superb novel by a great writer.

**Richie** · 12th April 2007, 06:54

Hi again All,

I just finished " The Best of John Wyndham 1932-1949" an excellent collection of short stories by the acclaimed author of "The Day of the Triffids" and "The Midwich Cuckoos".

Classic "Old Skool" Sci Fi :wink:
Richie

**rickf** · 12th April 2007, 21:52

I'm just finishing "Flyboys" by James Bradley. A fascinating and gruesome account of what happened to a group of downed U.S. naval aviators in the Pacific during WWII (one of the lucky ones was a certain future President Bush). It really struck me how my relatively recent interest in military timepieces has further romanticized my view of that period of history. When I read this book though I'm left with a far greater appreciation of the courage of our soldiers/sailors/pilots and just how ugly the reality of war is and how depraved humans can be when put in such extreme circumstances.

Rick

**rickf** · 22nd April 2007, 04:49

Just returned from a week's vacation in Aruba. Between playing with the kids in the water I managed to squeeze out two books. First the latest Myron Bolitar mystery from Harlan Coben ("Promise Me"). I've enjoyed all the Bolitar series and this was no exception. The second was "The Hard Way". Another Jack Reacher novel by Lee Child. As always, a good read.

Rick

**rfrazier** · 22nd April 2007, 10:08

Reading on the train. I've just finished the third book Sovereign C J Sansom's Shardlake series. It is a murder mystery, of sorts, with the detective a lawyer, Jack Matthew Shardlake, who has acted as an agent for Cromwell, and now for Cranmer. Great stuff.

Reading before bed. Livy's The Early History of Rome. Sure to put you asleep after 5 pages.

Best wishes,
Bob

**Karl** · 1st May 2007, 21:39

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ghost-Force-His ... 54&sr=8-14

http://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Truth-Forb ... 0967323827

**rfrazier** · 18th May 2007, 11:12

I've just read Terry Pratchett's first book in the Discworld series, The Colour of Magic. I was disappointed, after hearing so much praise about the books. I had to push though it, as I found it boring. It was like Theatre of the Absurd, without the wit.

On my view at least, not such a good read.

Best wishes,
Bob

**hogthrob** · 18th May 2007, 11:42

Originally Posted by rfrazier

I've just read Terry Pratchett's first book in the Discworld series, The Colour of Magic. I was disappointed, after hearing so much praise about the books. I had to push though it, as I found it boring. It was like Theatre of the Absurd, without the wit.

On my view at least, not such a good read.

Best wishes,
Bob

The early books in general, and the ones relating to wizards/Rincewind in particular,are pretty poor imo. You might find some of the later books a bit better. I recommend the "Death" or "Watch" series. See http://www.lspace.org/books/reading-...-guide-1-5.jpg

Edit: A short story that might be of particular interest to you: Death and What Comes Next

**Richie** · 28th May 2007, 07:06

.
I just finished "Fatherland" as mentioned by Mr1974 earlier on in the thread, excellent book. On the back of reading that I have just started again "The Man in the High Castle" by Phil K Dick. It is based on the same premise of the Axis powers coming out on top in WW2, but this is based in Con. USA instead of Europe, as in the case of Fatherland.
Cheers, Hope you are all having a smashing bank holiday.
Ritchie :wink:

**GraniteQuarry** · 29th May 2007, 16:56

Dunno if it's been mention but just read THE GOOGLE STORY by David A. Vise.

Very good read - scary how much money and how much power these guys have gained in less than ten years !!!

D.

**cricketer** · 10th June 2007, 10:47

Just finished 'Measuring the World' by Daniel Kehlmann, a fictionalised story of naturalist and explorer Alexander von Humboldt and Carl Friedrich Gauss, the mathematician.
Humboldt explores the world by travelling and measuring everything he finds, Gauss stays at home yet does much the same thing using mathematics.
Against the backdrop of world events in the 18th and 19th centuries, Napoleon, Tsarist Russia etc - the scientific discoveries and political upheavals which gave birth to our modern times...

:)

Alan

**patrick** · 10th June 2007, 23:07

Just read Daniel by Richard Adams.Topical this year re abolishion of slavery. Couldn't put it down.

**cricketer** · 13th July 2007, 20:09

Read in the last few weeks -

Kingdom Come - J.G. Ballard

Tescopoly

Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad

Shane Warne, portrait of a flawed genius - Simon Wilde

Steep Approach to Garbadale - Iain Banks

and reading his ' The Crow Road' at the moment...:)

cheers
Alan

**swanbourne** · 14th July 2007, 03:28

Reading "Strip Jack" by Ian Rankin right now. This is the fourth Rebus novel from 1992 and although I thought I'd read all of them, I either missed this one or have forgotten everything about it.

Eddie

**cricketer** · 5th August 2007, 09:44

Just finished 'The Crow Road' by Iain Banks - excellent :)

**sundial** · 5th August 2007, 10:35

Just bought and thoroughly enjoying "E.O. Hoppe's Amerika" photo documentary of 1920's America ... and has wetted my appetite to seek out his other books on India and Australia ... Hoppe was one of the most successful early to mid 20thC photographers.

http://www2.wwnorton.com/catalog/spring07/006544.htm

Dunk

**GeoffD** · 5th August 2007, 22:45

A few I've recently read and enjoyed.........

Thomas Harris - "Hannibal". You can see why it took him so long to write. One of the best crafted books I've ever read.

Wilbur Smith's "The River God" & "The "Seventh Scroll". Not usually a fan of his but after a recommendation I found these two linked stories excellent.

As another Terry Pratchet fan, I've also just finished reading the "Truckers", "Diggers" and "Wings" trilogy to my son and have to admit to enjoying them even more than he did!

Currently re-reading Eric Bernes "Games People Play" & Thomas Harris' "I'm OK, You're OK". Standard textbooks on Transactional Analysis for many years, but still give fascinating insights into human behaviour.

**swanbourne** · 9th August 2007, 09:03

Just finished "The Walking Dead" by Gerald Seymour. Several threads all combining at the end of a single story and a great read.

Eddie

**Richie** · 7th September 2007, 12:56

Just Finished
"A Wild Sheep Chase" by Haruki Murakami, an excellent read and on a par with his other stuff. Hopefully I'll be able to get my hands on a copy of WG's "Spook Country" pretty soon, but am re reading Virtual Light / Pattern Recognition to get me in the right frame of mind :)
Cheers,
Richie :wink:

**seadog1408** · 8th September 2007, 10:06

i usually get through 18 ish books in my month at work,as lots of time in my bunk doing bugger all, the one that stood out was a book called shantaram, its about a kiwi who breaks out of prison and goes on the run in bombay, helps the poor, works for the indian mafia, and ends up fighting in afghanistan!!!
it was one of those cant put me down til finished books
heared a rumour its being made into a movie next year as its so good.

mike :wink:

**Qatar-wol** · 10th September 2007, 08:04

I'm about half way through Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA, and I've very impressed. It's a fantastic read, and a fascinating story. I highly recommend it!

Not really a detailed discussion of operations, more a history of an incompetent and out of control agency in love with its own legend.

**Griff** · 11th September 2007, 09:11

Last Light................... by Alex Scarrow.
A novel about what would happen if there was a crisis in the middle east and the oil supply dried up.

**swanbourne** · 24th September 2007, 07:58

After reading the "teaser" in the Sunday Times this morning, I definitely want to read "The Ghost" by Robert Harris, due for release on 4 October. It's about an ex-Prime Minister and the man employed to ghost-write his memoirs.

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/h/rob ... /ghost.htm

Eddie

**Rinaldo1711** · 24th September 2007, 09:01

I've just finished Andrew Marr's History of Modern Britain (I had enjoyed the TV series). An interesting book, but a little disjointed - he does write well at least.

**dashiel** · 24th September 2007, 20:14

Qatar-wol, just finished that book myself. The CIA is such an entrenched bureaucracy that it's only going to get worse not better. It appears that they haven't got much right in their entire history.

Ted

**Luso** · 24th September 2007, 21:07

I finished reading this one last week. For those who like the theme do not miss it. Impressive, to say the least.

Now I´m Reading "The Road to Serfdom" by Hayek.

**Neil.C** · 25th September 2007, 15:10

I'm halfway through Johnny Walkers autobiography.

A great read about pirate radio and west coast (weird) American life in the late 1960's so far.

**Richie** · 27th September 2007, 19:42

Hi Luso,
If you like the Allerberger Text you may like the following two also

Quite hard to get hold of but both good reads :wink:
Richie

**Neil.C** · 29th September 2007, 15:03

"Bernie Rhodes knows don't argue"

I like your sig Richie which I know you realise came from the Clash. :D

A piss take on their manager rearranged from "Al Capone" by Prince Buster :lol:

**Luso** · 29th September 2007, 15:26

Hi Richie!
I also have Prichard´s work too, although a diferent edition. GREAT book, indeed. The chapter about the training of my countrymen was invaluable and a nice way to get in touch with my great-grandfather that was badly wounded by gas 1918.

**cricketer** · 14th October 2007, 15:48

Just finished 'Black Mass...apocalyptic religion and the death of Utopia' by John Gray.

This book explained an awful lot to me about what is happening in the world and the world view it proposes makes a lot of sense....but it made my brain hurt :wink:

Next up - something lighter - 'The Howling Miller' by Arto Paasilinna....our Finnish friends may know this guy....

:)

Alan

**swanbourne** · 14th October 2007, 16:24

I can strongly recommend Stuart MacBride. Scottish police thrillers with black humour.

Eddie

**Richie** · 22nd October 2007, 19:52

o
Hi All,
Jusy finished Haruki Murakamis' newest translation, "After Dark". I must say it is a pretty strange read, I think maybe not up to his usual standard.
I'm still waiting for a copy of WG's "Spook Country" to appear in the local charity shops :wink: , if one doesn't turn up soon I may have to go, god forbid, and pay the full price in a proper bookshop :)

Richie

PS, Should god have a capital G ?

**Ron Jr** · 22nd October 2007, 20:32

Just finished Pratchetts newest Making Money. It wasn't bad typical Discworld.

**rfrazier** · 22nd October 2007, 20:44

For work related reasons, I've just reread Karl Popper's Poverty of Historicism. It is more accessible, and much more interesting than I remembered.

Best wishes,
Bob

**Griff** · 23rd October 2007, 12:58

Earth Abides

George R Stewart..................written in 1949

**Mrcrowley** · 23rd October 2007, 13:01

Reading Richard Branson's autobiography at mo. Very good.

**Richie** · 23rd October 2007, 13:29

o

Cor, "Earth Abides" I think I read that as a nipper ? Is it about everybody on earth dying or something and a guy surviving ?

**Ron Jr** · 23rd October 2007, 17:54

Originally Posted by Richie

o

Cor, "Earth Abides" I think I read that as a nipper ? Is it about everybody on earth dying or something and a guy surviving ?

I also read it ages ago.

**rfrazier** · 23rd October 2007, 18:52

Originally Posted by Ron Jr

Originally Posted by Richie

o

Cor, "Earth Abides" I think I read that as a nipper ? Is it about everybody on earth dying or something and a guy surviving ?

I also read it ages ago.

There is a great Charlton Heston movie, called "The Omega Man", about something like this.

Best wishes,
Bob

**Ron Jr** · 23rd October 2007, 20:44

Originally Posted by rfrazier

Originally Posted by Ron Jr

Originally Posted by Richie

o

Cor, "Earth Abides" I think I read that as a nipper ? Is it about everybody on earth dying or something and a guy surviving ?

I also read it ages ago.

There is a great Charlton Heston movie, called "The Omega Man", about something like this.

Best wishes,
Bob

That was based on "I Am Legend" by Richard Matheson read that decades ago also. It is being done with Will Smith in the lead and Vincent Price did a version a long time ago I think it was a Hammer film though not certain.

**mattjg01** · 29th October 2007, 14:26

Big fan of the Nelson DeMille books. I've read and enjoyed all but particularly recommend:

Charm School
Plum Island
Nightfall

Also enjoyed the Janet Evanovich books about Stephanie Plum, if you're looking for a lighter read.

**Griff** · 29th October 2007, 14:47

Originally Posted by rfrazier

Originally Posted by Ron Jr

Originally Posted by Richie

o

Cor, "Earth Abides" I think I read that as a nipper ? Is it about everybody on earth dying or something and a guy surviving ?

I also read it ages ago.

There is a great Charlton Heston movie, called "The Omega Man", about something like this.

Best wishes,
Bob

The Omega Man was based on the book, I Am Legend

**Qatar-wol** · 30th October 2007, 04:56

Originally Posted by Griff

The Omega Man was based on the book, I Am Legend

By someone like Richard Matherson. Bought it a couple of summers ago, while in a Sci-Fi, horror mood, and really enjoyed it. It's always interesting to see an author or director sweep away all civilization and imagine what comes after - Stephen King's "The Stand", or "28 Days Later".

**Dapper** · 30th October 2007, 11:32

Originally Posted by Qatar-wol

It's always interesting to see an author or director sweep away all civilization and imagine what comes after

I've always liked the 'end of the world' genre.
An old favourite is John Christopher's 1956 'No Blade of Grass'
(aka 'The Death of Grass').

Cheers :)

**J.Wayne** · 30th October 2007, 12:18

Anyone read any good books recently ?

When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading.

Henny Youngman

**Qatar-wol** · 30th October 2007, 12:41

Originally Posted by Dapper

An old favourite is John Christopher's 1956 'No Blade of Grass'
(aka 'The Death of Grass').

Cheers :)

Don't know that - I'll have a look on Amazon now!

Edit - Oh, snap! Out of print, and GBP40 for a used one! Wow. Time to try abebooks.com , I think!

**Seabadger** · 30th October 2007, 18:08

"Occupational Hazards" by Rory Stewart, who at the age of 30 was made governor of a province of Iraq. In some circumstances it could be easy to be a little annoyed at someone so precocious, but it's an excellent (if somewhat depressing at times) read, written by a modest man with clearly a great deal of talent.

**cricketer** · 10th November 2007, 13:21

'What was lost' by Katherine O'Flynn .........excellent book which reminds you what freakin idiots we are in falling for the whole 'consumerism is the path to happiness' lie and what we have given up to live that life.

:?

Alan

**Griff** · 16th November 2007, 12:32

Originally Posted by Qatar-wol

Originally Posted by Dapper

An old favourite is John Christopher's 1956 'No Blade of Grass'
(aka 'The Death of Grass').

Cheers :)

Don't know that - I'll have a look on Amazon now!

Edit - Oh, snap! Out of print, and GBP40 for a used one! Wow. Time to try abebooks.com , I think!

I have just got a copy from Abebooks cost £15.
In the uk the title was called The Death of Grass.
Here is some interesting info on the author via this link:-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Christopher

Thread: Anyone read any good books recently ?

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