Shandon Par Posted October 24, 2019 Share Posted October 24, 2019 11 minutes ago, welshbairn said: I've been checking airports the last few months for This Storm in the airport only paperbacks sections, no luck, bit surprised. Might give Marlon James a go. Been meaning to read Brief History of Seven Killings for ages but the text is tiny in my copy and it hurts my head. Brief History.. should be on tv before long too. John Crow’s devil is his first book and probably a bit more accessible but still full of sex, violence and repression. His 1950s rural Jamaica reminded me of what 17th century Fife would have been like. Plenty of burnings, rumpy puppy and lynchings. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage Henry Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 Brief History.. should be on tv before long too. John Crow’s devil is his first book and probably a bit more accessible but still full of sex, violence and repression. His 1950s rural Jamaica reminded me of what 17th century Fife would have been like. Plenty of burnings, rumpy puppy and lynchings.17th century you say? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bishopburn boy Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 10 hours ago, Shandon Par said: Brief History.. should be on tv before long too. John Crow’s devil is his first book and probably a bit more accessible but still full of sex, violence and repression. His 1950s rural Jamaica reminded me of what 17th century Fife would have been like. Plenty of burnings, rumpy puppy and lynchings. 17:00 hundreds , possibly ... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tongue_tied_danny Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 17 hours ago, Shandon Par said: Brief History.. should be on tv before long too. There doesn't seem to be a release date for this yet. I only got about halfway through the book a few years ago. I will need to go back and finish it before the series comes out. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shandon Par Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 Just now, tongue_tied_danny said: There doesn't seem to be a release date for this yet. I only got about halfway through the book a few years ago. I will need to go back and finish it before the series comes out. Marlon James was talking about the tv series on a podcast recently and it sounded like it was well under way but doesn't seem to be much about it online. No spoilers but there are a lot more than 7 killings but not everyone in the book gets bumped off and of those who make it (at least to the later chapters) some are very likeable characters. Som 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coprolite Posted October 26, 2019 Share Posted October 26, 2019 Doggerland- once you get past the disappointing lack of lay-bys this is a cracking wee read. It's like the lighthouse keepers in chewin the fat set in the world of soylent green. The cover has quote comparing it to waiting for godot but that's a shit comparison and shouldn't put you off. The Scottish clearances by Tam Devine- A good socio economic analysis of agricultural improvement across Scotland, culminating in the Highland clearances. I felt it was a little unclear on what actually happened in terms of the anti clan measures after culloden but was otherwise fairly comprehensive. It's an accessible history, but I wouldn't say it's a pop history; there is far too much care taken to emphasise how partial records are and to not generalise to be a compelling narrative. The annihilation Score by Charles Stross- I read this because of comparisons with Iain m banks, which I didn't get. Imaginative and original but I'm not sure I enjoyed it so much overall, although it had great bits. I think he's trying to bring fantasy horror stuff into Sci fi. Not sure I approve, but am giving another of his a shot to see if it grows on me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miguel Sanchez Posted October 26, 2019 Share Posted October 26, 2019 Oil! by Upton Sinclair Not necessarily as cheerful as the exclamation mark would have you believe. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silverton End Posted November 24, 2019 Share Posted November 24, 2019 The White Mountains by John Christopher. First in The Tripods trilogy, dystopian old school sci-fi, written in the 1960's. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage Henry Posted November 24, 2019 Share Posted November 24, 2019 Agent Running in the Field by John Le Carré. It’s one of his more accessible books, and it knocks spots off most of his rivals. I preferred A Delicate Truth, but its much better that The Tailor of Panama. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tongue_tied_danny Posted November 25, 2019 Share Posted November 25, 2019 (edited) Heinrich Gerlach - Breakthrough at Stalingrad. No holds barred story about the fate of Axis troops trapped in The Cauldron during the battle of Stalingrad. Pretty grim. An interesting story behind the book. The author was captured at Stalingrad and wrote the book in a POW camp. The Russians confiscated the completed manuscript when he was released. It was found decades later in some archive in Moscow then finally published. Edited November 25, 2019 by tongue_tied_danny 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LondonHMFC Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 James Milner - Ask a footballer Not sure why I was given this as a present, but a decent read nonetheless. Opposed to the usual autobiography footballers tend to do, Milner answers questions put to him from Twitter / Team mates / Co writer. Comes across as a very level headed bloke, never touched a drink and had the same partner from school. A real model professional. Can tell he thinks a lot of Robertson as well, he is mentioned a lot. Oh and Inverness was the first ground he got abuse, playing for England 16s. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coprolite Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 Beyond weird- everything you thought you knew about quantum physics is different--Philip Ball. Still fairly baffled by the whole thing, but at least I think I know what I'm baffled by. Almost no physics needed, very accessible. Relies less on analogy than anything else I've read on the topic. Recommended. Salvation Lost by Peter F Hamilton. Pacy Sci fi action thriller, Part 2 of the trilogy. Not quite up to the heights of the first one but still pretty good. Fairly sure there will be a massive twist in the finale. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saigon Raider Posted January 5, 2020 Share Posted January 5, 2020 Skinny Dip and Star Island by Carl Hiaason + I think he might be my favourite author when I just want a fun blast. The South Florida setting and brilliant characters make his books very enjoyable.All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr - this was superb. Two stories told alongside each other in WW2. It won a pile of awards and easy to see why. Currently on Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer - has started well, the story of a young boy on a quest in Manhatten after his Dad does in 9/11. Again, won a load of book of the year awards - very interesting style of writing.All recommended. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Chief Toffee Teeth Posted January 7, 2020 Share Posted January 7, 2020 I would humbly suggest that you gather your Christmas book tokens and head to Waterstones for at least one of my top five literary gems of 2019 :1. The Witch's Nipple by Sved LarnsfeldtIn his Nordic Noir debut, Larnsfeldt's Northern Swedish landscape becomes a brooding character itself, as D.I. Sangra Hurnsoen is caught in the maelstrom of a murderous Norse cult.2. This Blighted Shore, by Julian OliphantShortlisted for Tunnocks Teacake Dystopian Fiction Award, Oliphant's heavily analagous tale of a young transgender couple's ill- fated romance in 22nd century sectarian Belfast demands readers examine their own fears on a post-Brexit Britain, where laws are unfettered by EU notions of equality.3. A Pair of Ragged Claws by Toni GushingIn what must surely be the final time a quotation from Eliot's " Lovesong of J. Alfred Prufrock " is used for a book or whimsical rock album title, Gushing's semi-autobiograpical study of growing up in an abusive family in Godalming, written in blank verse, cannot but engage.4. Yer Claimt!, by Rab S. TamReformed Wishaw teenage gang leader, and recently released lifer, tells of how his relationship with a Unitarian prison visitor moved him towards sculpture, Veganism and eventual recruitment to MI5.5. Little Tin Soldiers by Jed CuttlefishA sweeping novel in which four naive music fans from London are arrested at the Woodstock festival and, in a farcical administrative bungle, conscripted to the American Forces. The story of how "The Fighting Cockneys" brought British 60s music to the Vietnamese jungle, where only CCR, The Beach Boys and Hendrix had previously been heard, is alternately poignant and hilarious. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Steele Posted January 7, 2020 Share Posted January 7, 2020 7 hours ago, Big Chief Toffee Teeth said: I would humbly suggest that you gather your Christmas book tokens and head to Waterstones for at least one of my top five literary gems of 2019 : 1. The Witch's Nipple by Sved Larnsfeldt In his Nordic Noir debut, Larnsfeldt's Northern Swedish landscape becomes a brooding character itself, as D.I. Sangra Hurnsoen is caught in the maelstrom of a murderous Norse cult. 2. This Blighted Shore, by Julian Oliphant Shortlisted for Tunnocks Teacake Dystopian Fiction Award, Oliphant's heavily analagous tale of a young transgender couple's ill- fated romance in 22nd century sectarian Belfast demands readers examine their own fears on a post-Brexit Britain, where laws are unfettered by EU notions of equality. 3. A Pair of Ragged Claws by Toni Gushing In what must surely be the final time a quotation from Eliot's " Lovesong of J. Alfred Prufrock " is used for a book or whimsical rock album title, Gushing's semi-autobiograpical study of growing up in an abusive family in Godalming, written in blank verse, cannot but engage. 4. Yer Claimt!, by Rab S. Tam Reformed Wishaw teenage gang leader, and recently released lifer, tells of how his relationship with a Unitarian prison visitor moved him towards sculpture, Veganism and eventual recruitment to MI5. 5. Little Tin Soldiers by Jed Cuttlefish A sweeping novel in which four naive music fans from London are arrested at the Woodstock festival and, in a farcical administrative bungle, conscripted to the American Forces. The story of how "The Fighting Cockneys" brought British 60s music to the Vietnamese jungle, where only CCR, The Beach Boys and Hendrix had previously been heard, is alternately poignant and hilarious. Excellent writing, sir! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shandon Par Posted January 7, 2020 Share Posted January 7, 2020 On 05/01/2020 at 05:53, Saigon Raider said: Skinny Dip and Star Island by Carl Hiaason + I think he might be my favourite author when I just want a fun blast. The South Florida setting and brilliant characters make his books very enjoyable. Can never recommend him enough. They’re such good fun. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RH33 Posted January 7, 2020 Share Posted January 7, 2020 Reading the Rebus series. Not sure I get the hype. Detective with drink problem, can’t maintain relationships, usual takes a beating. Rinse and repeat. But I’ve started so I’ll finish! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shandon Par Posted January 7, 2020 Share Posted January 7, 2020 4 minutes ago, RH33 said: Reading the Rebus series. Not sure I get the hype. Detective with drink problem, can’t maintain relationships, usual takes a beating. Rinse and repeat. But I’ve started so I’ll finish! I’ve never gone back and re-read the early books but the ones as Rebus gets close to retirement age are worth sticking around for. It may be because so much of it is set in and around places that are familiar to me that makes me like them more though. Through in your neck of the woods there’s a good hitman trilogy by Malcolm Mackay. A bit more bare bones than Rebus books. It’s like a Rebus tale but told from the perspective of one of the low-lifes. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RH33 Posted January 7, 2020 Share Posted January 7, 2020 2 minutes ago, Shandon Par said: I’ve never gone back and re-read the early books but the ones as Rebus gets close to retirement age are worth sticking around for. It may be because so much of it is set in and around places that are familiar to me that makes me like them more though. Through in your neck of the woods there’s a good hitman trilogy by Malcolm Mackay. A bit more bare bones than Rebus books. It’s like a Rebus tale but told from the perspective of one of the low-lifes. I liked William McIlvaney. I’m not one for re reading boos.. Not much of a reader at all. But my sons dyslexic (me too) and after two years refusing to read a combination of new school having different reading system and a fabulous teacher he started show interest. He’s still couple years behind in terms reading age but he’s doing great. So to encourage him we’ve been sitting on my bed reading our respective books in evenings. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YassinMoutaouakil Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 (edited) Finally got around to reading Catcher In The Rye. Essentially felt like 200 pages of Salinger telling me that I was a c**t when I was a teenager but it's sensationally written, worth all the hype. Edited January 8, 2020 by YassinMoutaouakil 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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