Stickied What are you reading right now?

Hooped Wizard · Jul 2, 2015

Just finished Never Let Me Go, very very good. Not what you expect having read the blurb but still very good.

Aber gas · Jul 3, 2015

Hooped Wizard said:
Just finished Never Let Me Go, very very good. Not what you expect having read the blurb but still very good.

Messed up isn't it ?

Techno Natch · Jul 3, 2015

Whose it written by?

Hooped Wizard · Jul 3, 2015

Aber gas said:
Messed up isn't it ?

Yep. Do you like the fact that it only really focuses on the donors and were left for our imaginations to run wild about why their now doing this?

I know we were kind of told when they went to see Miss Emily and Madame but were told very little it focuses on the donors and I like that.

Aber gas · Jul 3, 2015

Techno Natch said:
Whose it written by?

Kazuo Ishiguro ( spelling ? )

Aber gas · Jul 3, 2015

Hooped Wizard said:
Yep. Do you like the fact that it only really focuses on the donors and were left for our imaginations to run wild about why their now doing this?

I know we were kind of told when they went to see Miss Emily and Madame but were told very little it focuses on the donors and I like that.

Yeah. The motives and the politics behind the system are left ambiguous . What I find most chilling is the matter of factness and acceptance of the donors of their role .

Techno Natch · Jul 3, 2015

Ah cool that is in my to read list actually.

I'm 100 pages into "Dust" now. This book seems to be going the slowest out of the three at the moment but it's still good. I am sure it will pick up nicely soon.

silkyman · Jul 3, 2015

Just started the last Long Earth book 'Long Utopia'.

Theast Discworld book is out in September (I think) I may buy it but never start it - because finishing it means it's all over.

Hooped Wizard · Jul 4, 2015

Now about a third of the way through Jo Nesbo's 'Police'. Its the first time I've read a Nesbo book but I have to say I'm massively impressed.

Scrumpy · Jul 5, 2015

Murphy said:
Went through a few books whilst on holiday. Two of which were autobiographies, Chris Hargreaves and Alex Ferguson respectively (Sort of enjoyed the former more than the latter, especially the anecdote about Kevin Nicholson), and one of my favourite books now, Brave New World.

Really like dystopian fiction and I've already read 1984 which I found engrossing, one of those that you can't put down, so Brave New World was the next step. I've seen a few people say that they didn't like it, but like 1984 I found it engrossing, especially towards the end (although not the last chapter), which I really liked, the confrontation between George and the Director. So yeah, up there with 1984 as one of my favourites now.

Anyone got any other Dystopian fiction recommendations?

See my previous post #190 for some recommendations.

Not 100% your request, but "The World Without Us" is very interesting. A sample about the book:

"What if mankind disappeared right now, forever ... what would happen to the Earth in a week, a year, a millennium? Could the planet's climate ever recover from human activity? How would nature destroy our huge cities and our myriad plastics? And what would our final legacy be?"

Techno Natch · Jul 6, 2015

Finished reading Dust now. Not a bad ending to a great series, I think that the first book Wool is the strongest but all three were enjoyable books. It'd be interesting to hear about some
of the other silos.

Murphy I guess these books could be considered Dystopian novels. They are written by Hugh Howey.

mistermagic · Jul 6, 2015

Murphy said:
Went through a few books whilst on holiday. Two of which were autobiographies, Chris Hargreaves and Alex Ferguson respectively (Sort of enjoyed the former more than the latter, especially the anecdote about Kevin Nicholson), and one of my favourite books now, Brave New World.

Really like dystopian fiction and I've already read 1984 which I found engrossing, one of those that you can't put down, so Brave New World was the next step. I've seen a few people say that they didn't like it, but like 1984 I found it engrossing, especially towards the end (although not the last chapter), which I really liked, the confrontation between George and the Director. So yeah, up there with 1984 as one of my favourites now.

Anyone got any other Dystopian fiction recommendations?

I remember Huxley's book as a nice world that he created and quite revolutionary at the time of writing (just like 1984) but the story (and the characters) are quite forgetable. I couldn't really tell you what it was about such was the poverty of a decent storyline or character development.

In the same mould, you have Barjavel's Ravage which is supposed to be up there with 1984. It's French. Hopefully there's a good translator who worked on that ages ago. I don't read French books such I'm just going from what friends have told me.

mowgli · Jul 7, 2015

Spartacus - Rebellion by Ben Kane. The last book in the series which i'm lolving. Kane wasn't that good a writer about 5 years ago but has improved so much it's like he's a different person, when i finish this i've got the trilogy of books he's written on Hannibal.

Habbinalan · Jul 7, 2015

Hooped Wizard said:
Now about a third of the way through Jo Nesbo's 'Police'. Its the first time I've read a Nesbo book but I have to say I'm massively impressed.

Hooked on Nesbo - think I must have read all of the Harry Hole novels and since worked through a range of Scandi crime fiction. Overall, I think I like best the pace and quirkiness of Icelandic authors Arnaldur Indridason (Jar City was made into a great film) and Yrsa Sigurdardottir - helped by a November holiday there which helped capture the atmosphere even better.

Although not essential, it sometimes helps to be reading the rest of the Harry Hole novels in the right order (the English releases don't reflect the order they were written in):

Flaggermusmannen (1997) (English: The Bat, 2012)

Kakerlakkene (1998) (English: Cockroaches, 2013)

Rødstrupe (2000) (English: The Redbreast, 2006)

Sorgenfri (2002) (English: Nemesis, 2008)

Marekors (2003) (English: The Devil's Star, 2005)

Frelseren (2005) (English: The Redeemer, 2009)

Snømannen (2007) (English: The Snowman, 2010)

Panserhjerte (2009) (English: The Leopard, 2011)

Gjenferd (2011) (English: Phantom, 2012)

Politi (2013) (English: Police, 2013)

Veggie Legs · Jul 10, 2015

The other day I finished reading The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss, the second in the Kingkiller chronicle (the first being The Name Of The Wind). It is one of the most frustrating books I've ever read, in that it's got so much potential to be brilliant, but it's got too many serious flaws. It's very well-written and engaging, I never found myself wanting to stop reading, but the more I think about it critically, the less I like it.

Fundamentally, it's a 1000 page book in which the main plot barely advances and instead you get a series of tangents, one of which in particular is completely stupid. There's no real tension or drama, because the main character is pointlessly amazing at everything so you know he'll survive and excel, and none of the other characters are interesting enough to care about. I assume it's all just to set up for the final book, which I'm sure I will end up reading; I hope it's worth waiting for.

Despite the things that I don't like about this book, other people seem to love it - of all the books that I've read and rated on Goodreads, this has the second highest average rating.

Storzy · Jul 11, 2015

[QUOTE="Veggie Legs, post: 188632, member: 606"Despite the things that I don't like about this book, other people seem to love it - of all the books that I've read and rated on Goodreads, this has the second highest average rating.

[/QUOTE]

I feel the same way about the first book :bg:

For me it was some of most cringe inducing wish fulfilment I have ever read and the praise of the writing probably annoys me more than anything! It's just melodramatic, nonsensical purple prose.

I haven't read the second book, but why on earth you'd buy the third after reading what I'm told is several chapters of the main character learning special sex moves from the fairy sex Goddess? I'd say do yourself a favour and stay away mate!

Veggie Legs · Jul 12, 2015

That would probably be the sensible option, but surely it must be building up to something? I haven't hated the first two books, I just didn't enjoy them as much I thought I would or other people seem to.

Storzy · Jul 12, 2015

Veggie Legs said:
That would probably be the sensible option, but surely it must be building up to something? I haven't hated the first two books, I just didn't enjoy them as much I thought I would or other people seem to.

You mean the Chandelier (or whatever :blush:

) people? I don't think they're the focus of the story, it's a biography of the main character and how totally rad awesome he is. The whole point of the book as far as I could tell is to live vicariously through the main character, basically Twilight for boys.

This could have been okay, if the main character wasn't an insufferable ginger prick and the author utterly unaware how unlikeable his self insert is.

Someone once told me that if you read the books in the voice of Zap Brannigan it's a much more enjoyable read! Try that for the third mate, but either way I think you'll be left disappointed.

mistermagic · Jul 15, 2015

I'm loving the Kevin book. He is pure evil and is driving his mother insane.

I'm considering reading Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. It was voted 39th best TFF book of all time so the two who voted for it (BCFC Jordan and Cheese & Biscuits, you know who you are), please sell it to me.

Cheese & Biscuits · Jul 15, 2015

Wuthering Heights is a bit of a strange book as it's a love story but very atypical. It does have one of the best literary characters of all time in it in Heathcliffe, a rough, hard and complex character who spends most of the book looking for revenge. He's a but of a brute but you can't help but root for him.

I was sceptical about reading it at first but I really liked it. Given the small cast, it's quite an incestuous setting so it gets a little complex with who is who. The other difficult bit is the Yorkshire dialect of Joseph (although he is a minor character).

In summary, it's probably not what you expect, but give it a go, stick with it and you should like it. As you know, I voted it in my list.

mowgli · Jul 16, 2015

I've just started reading Traitor's Blood by Michael Arnold the first in the series of 10 novels on The English Civil War, i didn't know there were so many before i started reading this.

SALTIRE · Jul 16, 2015

Starting Desolation Island tomorrow, which is book 5 in the Aubrey/Machurin series.

Techno Natch · Jul 18, 2015

I read Half a King by Joe Abercrombie while I was away and it was a decent book. Yavri is an interesting character and it all moves at a good pace. Good bit of fantasy and I might get round to reading the follow up books at some point.

Going to have a break from alternative worlds and read some stuff based a bit closer to home so I bought Hans Fallada - Alone in Berlin. It was originally written in German just after the war and has been translated by Micheal Hofmann.

It follows the story of Otto Quangel whose son dies on the front line during the Nazis push into France. He comes up with a plan to resist Hitler and the Nazis in Berlin but half his neighbours are commited to the cause and he soon comes to the attention of a Gestepo inspector.

Very early on in the book at the moment but it's enjoyable so far.

St Nick · Jul 18, 2015

mistermagic said:
I'm loving the Kevin book. He is pure evil and is driving his mother insane.

I'm considering reading Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. It was voted 39th best TFF book of all time so the two who voted for it (BCFC Jordan and Cheese & Biscuits, you know who you are), please sell it to me.

It inspired this

Eamonn · Jul 20, 2015

Over the last number of months been making my way through the Lee Child Jack Reacher series, think I've only 3 or 4 to go out of the 19. As well as many CPD books like "Flow" "Thanks for the feedback" "Learned Optimism" and " Bounce" all extremely interesting reads.

mistermagic · Jul 20, 2015

I think I read one of those. Didn't think much of it.

Finished the Kevin book. If anyone wants to read a woman's book look no further. I'd post my Goodreads review on here but there are massive spoilers.

I've decided to follow C&B's advice and started reading Wuthering Heights this morning.

SUTSS · Jul 22, 2015

Just finished David Goldblatt's Game of Our Lives. Excellent as usual for Goldblatt. It is about modern English football and the cultural, political and social that led to what we have today. Chapters on finance, racism, gender, national identity and others set up in a sort of series of essay styles.

Norwich get a fair few mentions as well which is always a bonus.

The East Terrace · Jul 22, 2015

Just Finished a book about Champagne Charlie Nicholas, it was a bit brief and really just talked about how great he was. Just started Hammered, by Mark Ward, ex West Ham and Everton, seems to have a bit more substance about it.

mowgli · Jul 22, 2015

Defender Of Rome by Douglas Jackson. The 2nd book ikn a series of 6 written so far.

SALTIRE · Jul 24, 2015

The East Terrace said:
Just Finished a book about Champagne Charlie Nicholas, it was a bit brief and really just talked about how great he was. Just started Hammered, by Mark Ward, ex West Ham and Everton, seems to have a bit more substance about it.

Charlie was a fine player, and he knew it too.

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