LVSaint Posted 16 September, 2008 Share Posted 16 September, 2008 Just started America Unchained by Dave Gorman. Travel across the States in a classic Ford Torino Stationwagon without visiting any big chain company petrol stations, food outlets or hotels whilst stopping to take a glance at America off the beaten track. So far, very entertaining and funny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint francis Posted 16 September, 2008 Share Posted 16 September, 2008 Catch 22 by Joseph Heller. It was recommended to me by someone off the internet. I'm only one chapter in, but I like it already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiltshire Saint Posted 16 September, 2008 Share Posted 16 September, 2008 I am reading Mark Steel's "What's going on?". I am 4 pages in. It's ok so far. I have another Mark Steel one to do after that and a Charlie Brooker one. I am also awaiting on a friend to lend me a copy of The Kite Runner, which I am meant to read as part of my book club. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St Landrew Posted 17 September, 2008 Share Posted 17 September, 2008 (edited) Just started America Unchained by Dave Gorman. Travel across the States in a classic Ford Torino Stationwagon without visiting any big chain company petrol stations, food outlets or hotels whilst stopping to take a glance at America off the beaten track. So far, very entertaining and funny. Did you get to see the TV programme over there? I found it very good, and quite a little bit of a philosophy on modern life and the ability to escape from the big corporate. It showed that small town America maybe dying with the elder generation, but it's putting up a fight before it's swamped by McDonalds and the brainwashed. Edited 17 September, 2008 by St Landrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the stain Posted 17 September, 2008 Share Posted 17 September, 2008 Well I've just been enjoying a bit of Dickens (does that sound homosexual?). Now I'm reading Nights At The Circus, by Angela Carter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revolution saint Posted 17 September, 2008 Share Posted 17 September, 2008 Did you get to see the TV programme over there? I found it very good, and quite a little bit of a philosophy on modern life and the ability to escape from the big corporate. It showed that small town America maybe dying with the elder generation, but it's putting up a fight before it's swamped by McDonalds and the brainwashed. I saw the documentary and bought my Dad the book on the strength of it. I haven't had the chance to read it yet but he really enjoyed it. I felt that the documentary could probably have been streched out over a series and been better for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LVSaint Posted 18 September, 2008 Share Posted 18 September, 2008 I saw the documentary and bought my Dad the book on the strength of it. I haven't had the chance to read it yet but he really enjoyed it. I felt that the documentary could probably have been streched out over a series and been better for it. I will be trying to get hold of the documentary after finishing the book. It really is a good read. I hope Dave Gorman returns for another spin on a US road trip, he's got a great knack for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian H. Cope Posted 22 September, 2008 Share Posted 22 September, 2008 I am currently enjoying Roger Mellies' Magna Farta.Great whilst you take a satisfying dump. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T.REX Posted 22 September, 2008 Share Posted 22 September, 2008 Raymond Carver - Will you please be quiet, please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff leopard Posted 6 October, 2008 Share Posted 6 October, 2008 If anyone enjoys reading first-rate children's fiction then get yourself some Moomin books. The tv series was aimed squarely at the very young but the books are just a joy for all ages. There's absolutely none of this Disney-esqe 'and everyone was very happy and loved each other' rubbish which gives children a dangerously inaccurate view of life. These books are seriously dark and complex. I've just read, 'Comet in Moominland' which was written in 1946 and is all about coming to terms with WW2 and the brand new fear of nuclear annihilation. Beautifully written and illustarted by Tove Jansson, all the books are well worth a read. I'm half way through 'Trainspotting' at the mo and loving every sick and twisted page of it, ken? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the stain Posted 6 October, 2008 Share Posted 6 October, 2008 If anyone enjoys reading first-rate children's fiction then get yourself some Moomin books. The tv series was aimed squarely at the very young but the books are just a joy for all ages. There's absolutely none of this Disney-esqe 'and everyone was very happy and loved each other' rubbish which gives children a dangerously inaccurate view of life. These books are seriously dark and complex. I've just read, 'Comet in Moominland' which was written in 1946 and is all about coming to terms with WW2 and the brand new fear of nuclear annihilation. Beautifully written and illustarted by Tove Jansson, all the books are well worth a read. I'm half way through 'Trainspotting' at the mo and loving every sick and twisted page of it, ken? Have you had a go on The Summer Book, also by Tove Jansson? Lovely family book about mortality. She really was very good. I'm reading Crime and Punishment. It's bloody long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simo Posted 6 October, 2008 Share Posted 6 October, 2008 I have just read Seven troop by Andy Mc Nabb and now reading Firefight by Chris Ryan! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mao Cap Posted 6 October, 2008 Share Posted 6 October, 2008 I'm half way through 'Trainspotting' at the mo and loving every sick and twisted page of it, ken? I recommend "Filth" after you finish Trainspotting, I read it a couple of weeks back; won't say it's quite as good but it's an excellent read. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheaf Saint Posted 6 October, 2008 Share Posted 6 October, 2008 I recommend "Filth" after you finish Trainspotting, I read it a couple of weeks back; won't say it's quite as good but it's an excellent read. Porno - the follow-up to Trainspotting - is also a very good read. I love Irvine Welsh's work even though his writing style is hard to understand at first. I find myself imagining the characters speaking in that Edinburgh accent and actually hearing it in my mind, and I find it really helps. I'm currently reading Contact by Carl Sagan after it was recommended to me by someone. Really enjoying it so far - it is very well written and researched. I had been meaning to watch the film for many years but I'm glad I didn't get round to it now because it means I can enjoy the book without knowing what happens. I'll probably make a point of watching it after I finish the book though - just to see how the producers interpreted it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian H. Cope Posted 6 October, 2008 Share Posted 6 October, 2008 I am interested if anyone has read any Rupert Thomson books? May I recommend: Dreams of Leaving, The Insult & The Book of Revelation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian H. Cope Posted 7 October, 2008 Share Posted 7 October, 2008 I am currently reading Death of a Murderer by Rupert Thomson. I'll post my thoughts on it later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OLYMPIC Posted 7 October, 2008 Share Posted 7 October, 2008 Currently reading Christine by Stephen King and Michael Palin the Python years. Christine is just one of those books that i can read over and over again. The Michael Palin one is good when you get used to the diary format of it and gives a good insite into the relationships behind Monty Python. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chapello Posted 7 October, 2008 Share Posted 7 October, 2008 I've just finished Imperium by Robert Harris: a really good book, and better than Pompeii. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redbul Posted 12 October, 2008 Share Posted 12 October, 2008 Just tucking into The Steep Approach to Garbadale by Iain Banks. Been a big fan of Iain Banks (and as Iain M Banks when writing SF) ever since the critics slated The Wasp Factory; I couldn't understand why none of them had been chuckling at the very dark humour running through it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LVSaint Posted 13 October, 2008 Share Posted 13 October, 2008 Just tucking into The Steep Approach to Garbadale by Iain Banks. Been a big fan of Iain Banks (and as Iain M Banks when writing SF) ever since the critics slated The Wasp Factory; I couldn't understand why none of them had been chuckling at the very dark humour running through it. Slated by whom? Pussies! :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deppo Posted 27 October, 2008 Author Share Posted 27 October, 2008 Just finished 'The Bedroom Secrets Of The Master Chefs' by Irvine Welsh. Would recommend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miserableoldgit Posted 27 October, 2008 Share Posted 27 October, 2008 Vulcan 607 by Rowland White. True story of the Falkland War. Riveting stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheaf Saint Posted 28 October, 2008 Share Posted 28 October, 2008 Vulcan 607 by Rowland White. True story of the Falkland War. Riveting stuff. That's a great read and I'm sure you won't be disappointed. It almost reads like fiction due to the lengths they had to go to just to get the Vulcans and Victors operational, let alone the planning for that one mission. Truly one of the British Forces' greatest ever achievements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the stain Posted 28 October, 2008 Share Posted 28 October, 2008 House of Leaves, by Mark Z Danielewski. Which is the increasingly paranoid notes written in the margins of an academic evaluation of a (possibly) fictional documentary about a house which contains shifting portals to paranormal depthless underground dimensions. It's massive, complicated, many layered, frightening... part psychological thriller, part critique of literary critique, or something. I think it might be brilliant but I'm not sure yet. I do know it weighs a bloody ton. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deppo Posted 28 October, 2008 Author Share Posted 28 October, 2008 House of Leaves, by Mark Z Danielewski. Which is the increasingly paranoid notes written in the margins of an academic evaluation of a (possibly) fictional documentary about a house which contains shifting portals to paranormal depthless underground dimensions. It's massive, complicated, many layered, frightening... part psychological thriller, part critique of literary critique, or something. I think it might be brilliant but I'm not sure yet. I do know it weighs a bloody ton. I gave up on it. I borrowed it off a friend and got about halfway through, but it became too interminable. The main story did'nt seem worth ploughing through the other stuff for. Still, now I have'nt got a book to read I might dip into it again... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crab Lungs Posted 28 October, 2008 Share Posted 28 October, 2008 Just wondering, but is there any books which have a similar sort of theme/create the same atmospheric tension as the video game "Silent Hill" ??? Just wondered... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperMikey Posted 29 October, 2008 Share Posted 29 October, 2008 Last 3 books I read: The Descent - Jeff Long Good read. Sci-fi/Adventure with a couple of gruesome twists. 7/10 Duma Key - Stephen King Took a long time to build up to an ultimately disappointing climax. Still quite creepy though. 6/10 The Game - Neil Strauss Very funny, frank and explicit memoirs of a geek turned lothario. This was my third time reading the book and it never gets old. 8/10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norwaysaint Posted 29 October, 2008 Share Posted 29 October, 2008 I recommend "Filth" after you finish Trainspotting, I read it a couple of weeks back; won't say it's quite as good but it's an excellent read. I didn't rate Filth. Follow up Trainspotting with Glue and then Porno, as Porno carries on Trainspotting but also has characters from Glue. Both are great books. Interestingly, in the original book, Begbie was written as a big bloke, but Welsh was so impressed with the inspired casting of Robert Carlyle as a smaller psycho in the film that that was the character he had in mind in Porno. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the stain Posted 29 October, 2008 Share Posted 29 October, 2008 I gave up on it. I borrowed it off a friend and got about halfway through, but it became too interminable. The main story did'nt seem worth ploughing through the other stuff for. Still, now I have'nt got a book to read I might dip into it again... I'm just reaching the point where I'm being foot-noted to 2 or 3 appendices for each sentence of actual 'plot'. I'm treating it as a game, kind of like those Choose Your Own Adventure books. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mao Cap Posted 29 October, 2008 Share Posted 29 October, 2008 I didn't rate Filth. Follow up Trainspotting with Glue and then Porno, as Porno carries on Trainspotting but also has characters from Glue. Both are great books. Interestingly, in the original book, Begbie was written as a big bloke, but Welsh was so impressed with the inspired casting of Robert Carlyle as a smaller psycho in the film that that was the character he had in mind in Porno. Glue sounds dead good, it's the next one on the list. I read half of Porno but for some reason I couldn't get into it, years ago I read a pretty scathing review of it in Private Eye and maybe that jaundiced my view of it (ridiculous I know - best not to read reviews of books at all in my experience). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
equalizer Posted 11 November, 2008 Share Posted 11 November, 2008 I'm reading Modern Football is Rubbish, a humourous A to Z of whats wrong with the beautiful game today. If you grew up watching your footy in the 70's and 80's it will appeal to you. Plenty of laugh out loud moments and stuff to reminisce about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the stain Posted 11 November, 2008 Share Posted 11 November, 2008 The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, by Mark Twain. Yes'm. Just read If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things, by Jon McGregor, which I loved. It's like a wonderful poem about change and re-birth. It made me feel all magical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bentley Posted 11 November, 2008 Share Posted 11 November, 2008 I'm reading "The Great Gatsby" by F Scott Fitzgerald. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCholulaKid Posted 11 November, 2008 Share Posted 11 November, 2008 The Earth by Richard Fortey - a love letter to the geological processes that got us where we are today. A pleasure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mao Cap Posted 12 November, 2008 Share Posted 12 November, 2008 Started reading "Goodbye to All That" by Robert Graves. Got inspired by Armistice Day etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ludwig Posted 12 November, 2008 Share Posted 12 November, 2008 I'm reading "The Great Gatsby" by F Scott Fitzgerald. Am studying this at the moment, it's brilliant. I'm starting Crime and Punishment later today. Hope it's what it's made out to be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rory Posted 12 November, 2008 Share Posted 12 November, 2008 You will not be disappointed by Crime and Punishment. It's my favourite book and it is the finest and most important piece of literature ever written. Read The Gambler and the Brothers Karamazov, too. The Great Gatsby is a weird one. I didn't really get into it. In terms of analysing pre-war America, albeit from the opposite scale of society, I must preferred the Jungle by Upton Sinclair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Monkey Posted 12 November, 2008 Share Posted 12 November, 2008 You will not be disappointed by Crime and Punishment. It's my favourite book and it is the finest and most important piece of literature ever written. Read The Gambler and the Brothers Karamazov, too. The Great Gatsby is a weird one. I didn't really get into it. In terms of analysing pre-war America, albeit from the opposite scale of society, I must preferred the Jungle by Upton Sinclair. When did you learn to read? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
equalizer Posted 14 November, 2008 Share Posted 14 November, 2008 Now reading, The Road by Cormac McCarthy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rory Posted 16 November, 2008 Share Posted 16 November, 2008 When did you learn to read? Your mum taught me in return for sexual favours.:smt060 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the stain Posted 2 December, 2008 Share Posted 2 December, 2008 Just read Leaf Storm, a collection of short stories by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Some of his best work in there IMO. I like him when he's being all magical. Now I'm reading The Book of Laughter and Forgetting, by Milan Kundera. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff leopard Posted 2 December, 2008 Share Posted 2 December, 2008 Just started The Handmaid's Tale by Margret Atwood, so far so good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deano6 Posted 2 December, 2008 Share Posted 2 December, 2008 Just started The Handmaid's Tale by Margret Atwood, so far so good. I did a piece for GCSE on this. I wrote an essay comparing the themes of Sex and Sexuality between this and 1984. I'll dig it out for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff leopard Posted 2 December, 2008 Share Posted 2 December, 2008 I did a piece for GCSE on this. I wrote an essay comparing the themes of Sex and Sexuality between this and 1984. I'll dig it out for you. Cool. As soon as I started reading it reminded me of Fahrenheit 451, but yeah, 1984 too. I really need to read that book again. I feel a bit of an Orwell binge coming on (albeit spread over several years knowing me ) I was talking to someone about animal farm the other day and now i really want to read that again. And watch a women being phuqqed by a horse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kadeem Hardison Posted 2 December, 2008 Share Posted 2 December, 2008 The Baader-Meinhof Complex by Stefan Aust. I am now thinking of becoming an urban guerrilla. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rory Posted 2 December, 2008 Share Posted 2 December, 2008 Cool. As soon as I started reading it reminded me of Fahrenheit 451, but yeah, 1984 too. I really need to read that book again. I feel a bit of an Orwell binge coming on (albeit spread over several years knowing me ) I was talking to someone about animal farm the other day and now i really want to read that again. And watch a women being phuqqed by a horse. lol of the week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the stain Posted 3 December, 2008 Share Posted 3 December, 2008 I did a piece for GCSE on this. I wrote an essay comparing the themes of Sex and Sexuality between this and 1984. I'll dig it out for you. 1984 contained the first sex scene I ever read (probably still does unless they've re-written it). The Handmaid's Tale prompted my first use of the word 'f u c k' in an essay. I remember both with fondness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bentley Posted 3 December, 2008 Share Posted 3 December, 2008 Dearly Departed Dexter - Jeff Lindsey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bentley Posted 3 December, 2008 Share Posted 3 December, 2008 Dearly Devoted Dexter - Jeff Lindsey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bentley Posted 3 December, 2008 Share Posted 3 December, 2008 Well, funny to see that I just used up all my 3 posts in this thread trying to make an edit! It is Dearly Devoted Dexter, by the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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