Book thread: what are you reading?

[Futtocks]

As well as reading the first 'Rama' book while commuting, I have also (at home) been re-reading the truly wonderful They're a weird Mob by Nino Culotta. 

 

I'll probably have to start in on the sequels now - that's usually the pattern. No complaints from me, though.

About halfway through The Garden of Rama and I have to open a window to let out the stench. Talk about ruining the memory of a great original - this is basically Yummy Mummy in Space.

[WearyRhino]

You're not allowed to send me books anymore, so it's back to plan A and the cake! Shhhh! ;-|

[my missus]

two brothers, ben elton, comes highly reccomended by my sis.

[Futtocks]

I have recently finished Ruth Reichl's excellent 'Oysters and Pearls', which made me buy her other two books. Very enjoyable and fascinating.

 

Currently reading Jerome K.Jerome - Idle Thoughts of an idle Fellow, A good fun book to dip into, rather than read all the way through. A tidbit to amuse you: I" had a tame rat when I was a boy, and I loved that animal as only a boy would love an old water-rat; and one day it fell into a large dish of gooseberry-fool that was standing to cool in the kitchen, and nobody knew what had become of the poor creature until the second helping." 

[Futtocks]

I have just finished The Pillars of Hercules by Paul Theroux, the tale of his journey round the coast of the Mediterranean sea. Very good, as is usual for his travel writing.

I hit the second-hand shops the other day:
Roderick Cameron - The Golden Haze: travels in the South Sea islands.
Farid ud-Din Attar - The Conference of the Birds (English translation), a tale referenced by Jorge Luis Borges, among others.
Harry Thompson - Penguins Stopped Play: Eleven (very bad) Village Cricketers Take on the World.
Alan Bennett - A Life like other People's.

[Phil]

Cloud Atlas a bit complex in as much as it jumps all over the place chronologically but it has a strangely hypnotic effect, I'm enjoying it.

[longboard]

I have just finished The Pillars of Hercules by Paul Theroux, the tale of his journey round the coast of the Mediterranean sea. Very good, as is usual for his travel writing.

I hit the second-hand shops the other day:

Roderick Cameron - The Golden Haze: travels in the South Sea islands.

Farid ud-Din Attar - The Conference of the Birds (English translation), a tale referenced by Jorge Luis Borges, among others.

Harry Thompson - Penguins Stopped Play: Eleven (very bad) Village Cricketers Take on the World.

Alan Bennett - A Life like other People's.

 

Theroux's travel books are well worth reading. He isn't afraid of portraying himself in a less than positive light on occasions, eg as a grumpy so and so....

[Futtocks]

Theroux's travel books are well worth reading. He isn't afraid of portraying himself in a less than positive light on occasions, eg as a grumpy so and so....

I really don't enjoy his fiction, where the sour side of his nature seems to be more of a factor. I did enjoy The Mosquito Coast, but that's about it.

 

His book about travelling around the coast of Britain in the mid-Eighties, The Kingdom by the Sea, is a great look at us as a nation from an outsider. Not always complimentary, but with interesting insights.

[longboard]

I really don't enjoy his fiction, where the sour side of his nature seems to be more of a factor. I did enjoy The Mosquito Coast, but that's about it.

 

His book about travelling around the coast of Britain in the mid-Eighties, The Kingdom by the Sea, is a great look at us as a nation from an outsider. Not always complimentary, but with interesting insights.

 

It's a long time since I've read any of his fiction. It certainly isn't cheery. I've read all of his travel books.

In Kingdom by the Sea he avoids the most popular, or historic places in Britain that are near the coast. He is both appalled by what he sees as the state of the country and admiring of certain qualities also. I remember his conclusion that the most hospitable people he met were in Northern Ireland, which was the only place where people invited him into their houses; this was at a time when there was a lot of murder and violence there.

Edited April 25, 2014 by longboard

[SouthernRLfan]

I've just finished Stoner by John Williams, supposedly one of the best books you've never heard of. Phenomenal book and one I couldn't put down over the Easter weekend. Recommended to all.

 

Now starting a collection of some of James Ellroy's articles and short stories.

[Futtocks]

Currently reading Jerome K.Jerome - Idle Thoughts of an idle Fellow, A good fun book to dip into, rather than read all the way through. A tidbit to amuse you: I" had a tame rat when I was a boy, and I loved that animal as only a boy would love an old water-rat; and one day it fell into a large dish of gooseberry-fool that was standing to cool in the kitchen, and nobody knew what had become of the poor creature until the second helping."

I should have mentioned that being out of copyright, all of Jerome K.Jerome's books are free downloads for Kindle, including Three Men in a Boat, his best-known work.

[Maximus Decimus]

Just started reading the Flashman novels. My first reaction was that I don't think they could have been written in this day and age.

[Futtocks]

Just started reading the Flashman novels. My first reaction was that I don't think they could have been written in this day and age.

The author would have been very proud to read that second sentence.  

 

The Flashman books are a treasure trove of fun, filth and thrills, and I have revisited them again and again over the years with great pleasure.

[Futtocks]

I've just finished Stuart Maconie's The People's Songs. Enjoyable and evocative of semi-remembered years gone by.

Of course, Maconie being an ex-NME writer, the name of Morrissey is dropped with a deathly clunk into practically every chapter, but that's a price you have to pay for an otherwise good read.

Edited April 25, 2014 by Futtocks

[Grollo]

Just started reading the Flashman novels. My first reaction was that I don't think they could have been written in this day and age.

Did Flashman play rugger with Webb-Ellis?

[Maximus Decimus]

The author would have been very proud to read that second sentence.

 

The Flashman books are a treasure trove of fun, filth and thrills, and I have revisited them again and again over the years with great pleasure.

 

Must admit, they are an easy read which is quite refreshing. Usually I like books that are believable and the less ridiculous the better but I'm accepting Flashman for what it is!

[Futtocks]

Must admit, they are an easy read which is quite refreshing. Usually I like books that are believable and the less ridiculous the better but I'm accepting Flashman for what it is!

The historical research, also covered in the appendices, is very good in these books.

[Futtocks]

Just finished Martin Kelner's history of broadcast sport Sit down and cheer. Very interesting and quite entertaining, although I missed any real mention of Murray Walker, which is odd.

 

On the upside, Bill McLaren doesn't get much of a mention either.  

[Old Frightful]

Picked up John Grisham's "The Confession" whilst away a few weeks back. Enjoyed it very much so I've been making my way through a few more of his. Currently reading "The Street Lawyer" which is rather good.

 

I have to say though, Grisham's "The Testament" is the first book I've ever read where I thought that I could read it again straight away, as soon as I'd finished it.

 

A superb read.

[Wolford6]

This. It's gripping.

 

[Old Frightful]

This. It's gripping.

 

I wasn't going to bother but you've twist.....

[Futtocks]

The Compleet Molesworth (Penguin Modern Classics edition) - all four books combined for under a fiver on Kindle.

 

I haven't owned a copy of any of these books for far too long, and read the lot in an afternoon. Wonderful writing by Geoffrey Willans, with Ronald Searle's inimitable illustrations matching the text perfectly. Philip Hensher's excellent foreword is just one more bonus in this edition.

[SouthernRLfan]

Currently reading Giant Steps: Bebop and the Creators of Modern Jazz, 1945-65 by Kenny Mathieson. A good read and the first of a series of books he has written on post-WW2 jazz.

[Tiny Tim]

I am currently reading 'The City' by Stella Gemmell which I am really enjoying.

 

Stella was married to the internationally acclaimed and bestselling fantasy novelist David Gemmell and worked with him on his three 'Troy' novels, completing the final book, Troy: Fall of Kings, following his death in 2006 (mid way through the final book). Her writing style has a lot of similarities to the books of her late husband, which is no bad thing as his books were fantastic and I was gutted when I found out he had died.

[longboard]

The Compleet Molesworth (Penguin Modern Classics edition) - all four books combined for under a fiver on Kindle.

 

I haven't owned a copy of any of these books for far too long, and read the lot in an afternoon. Wonderful writing by Geoffrey Willans, with Ronald Searle's inimitable illustrations matching the text perfectly. Philip Hensher's excellent foreword is just one more bonus in this edition.

 

Can you tell us about the private life of a gerund?