Don Quixote
Well-known member
- Nov 4, 2008
- 8,355
The Steel Remains - Richard Morgan
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[Misc] What Book are you Currently Reading?
- Thread starter Lady Buck
- Start date
I struggle with comedic novels.
I always think they try a little too hard.
Anyhoo after the excellent Alan Davies autobiography I needed a light touch, so have gone with:-
It certainly seems ideal for the job required.
I always think they try a little too hard.
Anyhoo after the excellent Alan Davies autobiography I needed a light touch, so have gone with:-
It certainly seems ideal for the job required.
Just about to tuck into Gorky Park by Martin Cruz Smith. Always liked his work so this classic has been long anticipated. It’s a whopper too.
Beach Hut
Brighton Bhuna Boy
Ripe For Picking - Annie Hawes
Cheeky Monkey
Well-known member
- Jul 17, 2003
- 23,079
Anyone done John Sandford’s Prey series? I’ve done one but am considering going in balls-deep and doing the other 5,362 Prey books.
Also his Virgil Flowers series?
Also his Virgil Flowers series?
Dead Ground by MW Craven. Excellent.
Tom Hark Preston Park
Will Post For Cash
- Jul 6, 2003
- 70,386
Finally got round to reading White Teeth by Zadie Smith. Mildly entertaining in a two-dimensional kind of way, but in no way worth the hyper-hyped review quotes on the sleeve
Dorset Seagull
Once Dolphin, Now Seagull
Whistle Blower by Robert Peston. Cracking thriller
Just about to start A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. 720 pages, small fontAnyone else done it? Booker shortlisted in 2015?
Every now and then I scan through lists of books nominated for awards and choose one at random without reading a review or even the back cover blurb.
A Little Life is one of those.
I'm about two thirds of the way through and some of it is tough going due to the topics covered (self-harm, disability, child abuse, self-loathing...) but the author has me caring about the characters, so even though I find chunks of it make me feel incredibly sad for the characters, I'm getting through it pretty quickly because I'm riveted.
Not a read for anyone wanting a bit of cheery escapism, that's for sure!
How are you getting on with it?
lawros left foot
Glory hunting since 1969
To kill a mockingbird.
Never read it before, better than I thought it would be, but, the frequent use of the n word is very jarring with modern day sensibilities.
Never read it before, better than I thought it would be, but, the frequent use of the n word is very jarring with modern day sensibilities.
JakyBF
Active member
I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell by Tucker Max
Absolutely wild (true?) stories about some yuppie bloke in America drinking and banging brawds.
Absolutely wild (true?) stories about some yuppie bloke in America drinking and banging brawds.
Raleigh Chopper
New member
Not a book as such but I was looking through a 1978 Beano Summer Special.
Does that count.
Does that count.
Cheeky Monkey
Well-known member
- Jul 17, 2003
- 23,079
It’s a phenomenal writing achievement and she is a master at her craft. The first book where I had to write mini character biogs on a piece of paper as she hits you with so many right off the bat (or maybe I’m just too thick to retain the characters in my head)
My thoughts -
While there are abuses in the care etc. system, it’s hard believing so many could befall one person through so many different sets of hands.
Hundreds of pages dedicated to ‘repeat scenarios’ covering the same thing - cutting, Willem and Jude etc.
I found the characters overly sensitive, unrealistically so at times “Oh, Judy” etc. I’m not sure how the book was received by the gay community, seemed a bit like a straight woman’s comic book take on gay or bisexual men interacting.
I couldn’t help feeling Harold and his wife would in real life have ‘binned off’ Jude at some point, their bond, love and patience with him stretched credibility somewhat for me.
All that said, a great read I’ve heartily recommended to many.
pearl
Well-known member
The Little Drummer Girl by John Le Carre
found it outside someone's house
found it outside someone's house
Superb book - go well!
Whole-heartedly recommend Stephen King's new book, Billy Summers. Only 40% through, but it feels like it's reaching it's conclusion, am struggling to put it down!
Yeah, I’m thoroughly getting into it.
I’ve always struggled with King but I will give that a go. Libraries are back open now so I can take a few punts without paying out. Cheers for the recommendation
Always a treat to pick up a book outside a house. I’ve found some of my favourite reads like that.
It’s a phenomenal writing achievement and she is a master at her craft. The first book where I had to write mini character biogs on a piece of paper as she hits you with so many right off the bat (or maybe I’m just too thick to retain the characters in my head)
My thoughts -
While there are abuses in the care etc. system, it’s hard believing so many could befall one person through so many different sets of hands.
Hundreds of pages dedicated to ‘repeat scenarios’ covering the same thing - cutting, Willem and Jude etc.
I found the characters overly sensitive, unrealistically so at times “Oh, Judy” etc. I’m not sure how the book was received by the gay community, seemed a bit like a straight woman’s comic book take on gay or bisexual men interacting.
I couldn’t help feeling Harold and his wife would in real life have ‘binned off’ Jude at some point, their bond, love and patience with him stretched credibility somewhat for me.
All that said, a great read I’ve heartily recommended to many.
I agree that it's OTT in places - it could be dialled down here and there (though the repetition underlines the constancy of self-harm for example). My take on the Harold & Julia 'bond' is that having replaced the son that Harold lost, they could never bin off Jude, who had essentially become Jacob to Harold.
I outlined the plot to my missus and she cannot fathom why I'd carry on with such a depressing, miserable story (she's an advocate for books as a happy escape and loves a Disney film
)