Books

[minute5072]

having re-read my pratchett books I have, i've now moved onto re-reading christopher brookmyre's books....superb

think i may hit lord of the rings after that

[zion]

What book are you currently reading? "The Communist Manifesto"-Karl Marx

Last book read? "Riddley Walker" by Russell Hoban-about a post-apocalyptic world in which a boy takes a journey around a place which is suggestively the future England (just Kent). All about government propaganda, maturity, science vs nature themes. Just studied it for English Literature A-level think it's a really interesting if sometimes difficult book (it is written in a fractured english language with play on words and phonetics) it would be compared with "A Clockwork Orange" and "1984" type novels.

Favourite author? currently, James Frey

Favourite book? "A Million Little Pieces", "To Kill A Mockingbird", "A Brave New World" and "We Need To Talk About Kevin" at the moment

Cant read? Science fiction and fantasy often bores me stupid

[Superfly1967]

"Fuel Injected Dreams" by James Robert Barker

Good read, but "Boy Wonder" was better.

[llcoolphil]

What book are you currently reading? "The Communist Manifesto"-Karl Marx

Last book read? "Riddley Walker" by Russell Hoban-about a post-apocalyptic world in which a boy takes a journey around a place which is suggestively the future England (just Kent). All about government propaganda, maturity, science vs nature themes. Just studied it for English Literature A-level think it's a really interesting if sometimes difficult book (it is written in a fractured english language with play on words and phonetics) it would be compared with "A Clockwork Orange" and "1984" type novels.

Favourite author? currently, James Frey

Favourite book? "A Million Little Pieces", "To Kill A Mockingbird", "A Brave New World" and "We Need To Talk About Kevin" at the moment

Cant read? Science fiction and fantasy often bores me stupid

[wullie72]

"A Brave New World"

[razz1e]

I realised a while ago that I mainly read books by male authors, so I want to expand my reading of female authors.

Any recommendations?

I've read a few of Margaret Atwood's books and really like them, same with Zoe Heller and Donna Tart (although i think those two have only written a couple each)

[treacle]

Currently reading "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak. Superb!

[philipsteak]

I'm two chapters into 'The God of Small Things' by Arundhati Roy and have to say I'm absolutely in love with it. I've never taken so much time with a book, taking in each and every beautiful sentence. I can understand why it isn't for everyone, I'm two chapters in and supposedly nothing has happened yet, but I've never been so captivated by a book so early on. If you're willing to take you're time with it then I can't recommend this enough.

[worm]

I'm two chapters into 'The God of Small Things' by Arundhati Roy and have to say I'm absolutely in love with it.

[Helzibob]

I absolutely loved a million little pieces and just started on my friend leonard

[worm]

I realised a while ago that I mainly read books by male authors, so I want to expand my reading of female authors.

Any recommendations?

Edited July 2, 2008 by worm

[TheGayTent]

Nearly finished Transfer of Power by Vince Flynn.

Hardly high brow but passes the time on the 6am train

[rachbon]

reading the acid house by irvine welsh the now. i'm about halfway through. some of the stories are good and some are pish. i'm going to read porno next, really looking forward to that.

[Helzibob]

reading the acid house by irvine welsh the now. i'm about halfway through. some of the stories are good and some are pish. i'm going to read porno next, really looking forward to that.

[rachbon]

Your right some of the stories are quite good and some are awful. You seen the film?

[dakyras]

I realised a while ago that I mainly read books by male authors, so I want to expand my reading of female authors.

Any recommendations?

I've read a few of Margaret Atwood's books and really like them, same with Zoe Heller and Donna Tart (although i think those two have only written a couple each)

[philipsteak]

Yes.

Amy Tan - The Joy Luck Club - Excellent novel examining cultural hybridity rather than the usually favoured generation gap. The traditional American novel given a Chinese critique.

Isabell Allende - The House of Spirits - Old school saga. Very nineteenth century European novel-like, but set in Latin America (Peru mainly) and incorporating magical realism ala Salman Rushdie et al.

Sally Morgan - My Place - 'The sort of Australian history which hasn't been written before, and which we desperately need' - Australian publication; I agree. Looks at what it is to be sugjugated in three ways; being female, being colonised and being dark skinned.

Nien Cheng - Life and Death in Shanghai - Details the inhumanity of the Chinese cultural revolution without judgement, polemics or political suasion; and on reading it you'll see exactly what I mean. Very much in the style of post-Holocaust literature and a fine critique of political zealousy. The humble voice is often the most resonant. My favourite novel of the past few years.

[philipsteak]

Can't beat a bit of Anne Rice

[Babybird]

Whilst on holiday I read Paul Gascoignes biography that he did with Hunter Davies, enjoyable read but concluded at the end of it that the man was an idiot.

Also read a Paul O'Grady biography, I like to read about celeberities I dislike to see if my opinion changes, it did, seemed like an alright fella.

[TheGayTent]

Whilst on holiday I read Paul Gascoignes biography that he did with Hunter Davies, enjoyable read but concluded at the end of it that the man was an idiot.

[lost]

Just finishing Headcrusher, its billed as Russia's answer to American Psycho and Fight Club and won the Russian Literary prize in 2003. I've quire enjoyed it, I think a few things are lost in translation but I liked the rejection of the corporate/ consumerist lifestyle storyline similar to fight club but set in a former communist country, I also like the suggestion that the the skills someone needs to thrive in the communist party are exactly the same ones needed in a large corporation.

Just starting Mobs, Messiahs, and Markets: Surviving the Public Spectacle in Finance and Politics by William Bonner. Its supposed to be a study of mob mentality amongst people, not only in financial markets but everyday politics and social life. I may post an update when I’ve finished it.

[worm]

I also like the suggestion that the the skills someone needs to thrive in the communist party are exactly the same ones needed in a large corporation.

Edited July 10, 2008 by worm

[Rufus Gwertigan]

Stephen Donaldson : Fatal Revenant

Oh my god I could go on for hours about the Thomas Covenant Chronicles

[Shinny]

I realised a while ago that I mainly read books by male authors, so I want to expand my reading of female authors.

Any recommendations?

I've read a few of Margaret Atwood's books and really like them, same with Zoe Heller and Donna Tart (although i think those two have only written a couple each)

[t8yman]

Currently reading

Sniper One - about the snipers in iraq, but I've put it down (which doesnt look good for it)

and picked up

Mark Thomas - "as used on the famous Nelson Mandela" and what a read it is. Mark becomes an arms dealer. gripping stuff.