Shotgun Posted July 5, 2020 Share Posted July 5, 2020 (edited) On 28/06/2020 at 12:54, Perkin Flump said: Watership Down, read it several times through my life but bloody hell that is one dark book. I first listened to this via a Book on Tape (yeah it was that long ago) while commuting. I remember arriving at work one day but then driving round and round the block to hear the end of a chapter. I was thinking "I can't believe I'm making myself late for work because I need to find out who wins a fight between two rabbits." On 28/06/2020 at 12:16, ThatBoyRonaldo said: American Psycho Can see what Easton Ellis is trying to say, and his depictions of violence etc certainly hold your attention in a very visceral way, but overall not enjoying this massively. All the long descriptions of what everyone is wearing get quite tedious after a while, and the lack of a coherent plot isn't great. I also in general think that repeatedly referencing pop culture and brands etc is in most cases a fairly cheap trick in novels, and this isn't changing my mind. One of relatively few examples where the film is better than the book imo. Have 80-odd pages to go, hoping to finish it tonight. And I listened to this one via Book on CD (moving with the times.) I hadn't seen the film at that point but having heard so much about it, I was looking forward to the book on a long road trip. But then my impression was much the same as yours. If I'd been reading a physical book, I think I would've been skipping quite a few pages. Something I rarely do. Anyway; I just finished "Wild" by Cheryl Strayed, the book on which the Reese Witherspoon film of the same name. is based. Woman sees her life go off the rails following the death of her mother. Grief, heroin, multiple infidelities ending in the break up of her marriage. So, despite having not the slightest experience and with no conditioning, she decides to hike over eleven hundred miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, south to north in the western US. She flips back and forth between her experiences on the trail and flashbacks to tell her earlier story, warts and all. At first she can only manage one mile an hour but despite her numerous mistakes and misfortunes, we get to see her evolution and eventual redemption Not a wumman's book in any sense. Recommended. Edited July 5, 2020 by Shotgun 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miguel Sanchez Posted July 9, 2020 Share Posted July 9, 2020 The Little Sister by Raymond Chandler Is it better than the four Marlowes I'd read before it? I don't think so. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Academically Deficient Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 On 03/07/2020 at 09:28, Monkey Tennis said: I finished Broken Greek by Pete Paphides during the week. By Christ, it was good. A sort of Fever Pitch through music, but more successful. Healthily, for a work by a music critic, this biography arrives, devoid of any snobbery, displaying huge regard for decidedly uncool bands like Abba and even Racey for God's sake, alongside others his older brother would consider acceptable. I heard the serialisation of this on Radio 4. It was read, I think, by the author. Going to buy it after your review. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moomintroll Posted July 12, 2020 Share Posted July 12, 2020 The Aquariums of Pyongyang, should be required reading for some blinkered people. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genuine Hibs Fan Posted July 12, 2020 Share Posted July 12, 2020 3 minutes ago, Perkin Flump said: The Aquariums of Pyongyang, should be required reading for some blinkered people. How so? It's about concentration camps in North Korea is it not? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moomintroll Posted July 12, 2020 Share Posted July 12, 2020 26 minutes ago, Genuine Hibs Fan said: How so? It's about concentration camps in North Korea is it not? It is yes. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genuine Hibs Fan Posted July 12, 2020 Share Posted July 12, 2020 1 minute ago, Perkin Flump said: It is yes. I don't understand who the blinkered people are then? Folk who like North Korea? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moomintroll Posted July 12, 2020 Share Posted July 12, 2020 People who do others harm irrespective of their doctrine. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathematics Posted July 12, 2020 Share Posted July 12, 2020 NO5 4A2 by Joe Hill (Stephen King’s son) Could be a SK book. Good clean fun. Nothing too serious. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genuine Hibs Fan Posted July 12, 2020 Share Posted July 12, 2020 4 minutes ago, Perkin Flump said: People who do others harm irrespective of their doctrine. Is this a don't be rude to tories or we'll end up like North Korea thing? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moomintroll Posted July 12, 2020 Share Posted July 12, 2020 Just now, Genuine Hibs Fan said: Is this a don't be rude to tories or we'll end up like North Korea thing? Nah, be rude to me cos I deserve it for being such a twat, just a general be nice to others thing. I read it years ago but didn't really take it in, it is horrific what people will do to other human beings because of simple beliefs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Lambies Doos Posted July 12, 2020 Share Posted July 12, 2020 Reading Paul McGraths autobiography. Such a talented player with a surfeit of demons 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanburn Dave Posted July 12, 2020 Share Posted July 12, 2020 Blue Moon by Lee Child. Jack Reacher kills about 100 Albanian and Ukrainian baddies in a city over several days and not a single cop turns up. Unbelievable nonsense but very readable and enjoyable. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genuine Hibs Fan Posted July 12, 2020 Share Posted July 12, 2020 58 minutes ago, Perkin Flump said: Nah, be rude to me cos I deserve it for being such a twat, just a general be nice to others thing. I read it years ago but didn't really take it in, it is horrific what people will do to other human beings because of simple beliefs. Not at all man, I've rarely seen you act a twat. I think it's a wee bit of a stretch to compare the two things is all. Book has been on my to read list for a while so will take a look! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moomintroll Posted July 12, 2020 Share Posted July 12, 2020 4 minutes ago, Genuine Hibs Fan said: Not at all man, I've rarely seen you act a twat. I think it's a wee bit of a stretch to compare the two things is all. Book has been on my to read list for a while so will take a look! I'm not precious whatsoever, I have been a twat so pop away. It is a harrowing read, I honestly can't understand how the author can be so ambivelant towards others who have treated him and his family so badly. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotThePars Posted July 12, 2020 Share Posted July 12, 2020 Just finished re-reading The Traitor and The Monster by Seth Dickinson as a refresher for The Tyrant which comes out next month. Basically a fantasy series about a savant trying to bring down an oppressive empire from within after her home is conquered and irrevocably changed. It's really good! The first book has one of the best twists I've read in years which is where I think the Game of Thrones comparisons come from but unlike that series this definitely has an end in sight. The second one is a bit more reflective and sometimes acts as a more blatant vehicle for the author's politics but it works well within the setting that it still remains good. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmic Joe Posted July 12, 2020 Share Posted July 12, 2020 A Chip Shop in Poznan by Ben Aitken. Liking it a lot 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Netan Sansara Posted July 13, 2020 Share Posted July 13, 2020 On 28/06/2020 at 19:16, ThatBoyRonaldo said: American Psycho Can see what Easton Ellis is trying to say, and his depictions of violence etc certainly hold your attention in a very visceral way, but overall not enjoying this massively. All the long descriptions of what everyone is wearing get quite tedious after a while, and the lack of a coherent plot isn't great. I also in general think that repeatedly referencing pop culture and brands etc is in most cases a fairly cheap trick in novels, and this isn't changing my mind. One of relatively few examples where the film is better than the book imo. Have 80-odd pages to go, hoping to finish it tonight. Have to agree with everyone else about this. I ended up not finishing it. Found the violence was over the top and like you say the endless minute detail dragged. Recently read “Night boat to Tangier”, a bit difficult to get into it at first with the writing style however ended up being a thoroughly enjoyable read. The other book I can strongly recommend is “A gentleman in Moscow”. Really enjoyed that for the setting and the story around it, found it very engaging. Does anyone have a good recommendation on an easy reading introduction to Irish history, the Easter rising etc.? It’s a subject I’m quite interested in, however I’ve read nothing about it. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul-r-cfc Posted July 18, 2020 Share Posted July 18, 2020 The Good ImmigrantMade up of a selection of essays from various people of an immigrant background living in the UK. Gives a fascinating insignt into the experiences of a whole range of people (although mostly within acting and journalism, but still good.)Really opens your eyes to a lot of the small acts of discrimination that happen every day without us being aware. It's certainly thought provoking and will make you appreciate the extra challenges non-white actors and journalists faced whenever you see them on TV. A very worthwhile read and the kind of book I'll be passing on rather than leaving on a shelf. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duszek Posted July 23, 2020 Share Posted July 23, 2020 FInally finished Bertrand Russell's History of Western Philosophy, which I've been savouring, reading in chunks since the start of the year. What a guy. Not only a great brain but a sound human being. Can't recommend this highly enough for anyone curious about how philosophy developed from the ancient Greeks to WW2. ↑↑↑ kenned the score Equally enjoyable, in a different genre, was Bel-Ami by Guy de Maupassant, who I knew as a short story writer but not as a novelist. A cracking yarn about a despicable shyster who seduces his way to the top. ↑↑↑ driven mad/deid of syphilis 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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