Author Topic: What was the last book you read? (Read 150829 times)

hassinator · « **Reply #4480 on:** November 27, 2011, 09:36:57 PM »

Quote from: gomez on November 27, 2011, 03:58:19 AM

The Black Dahlia by James Ellroy, a fictional story based on a true crime that took place in 1940's Hollywood. A bit slow getting going but overall an enjoyable read.

ah i envy you. there's the rest of the la quartette to finish and then his magnum opus 'american tabloid'

'the cold 6000' is a challenging read but his latest 'blood is a rover' is another mega-banger.

Cragsi · « **Reply #4481 on:** November 28, 2011, 12:20:55 AM »

Anyone recommend a fairly easy read on the Italian Renaissance? I've been playing (too much) Assassins Creed [II and Brotherhood to be exact] and would like to learn more about what happened in Florence, Milan etc.

BigMarcs · « **Reply #4482 on:** November 28, 2011, 12:36:03 AM »

Angels Death - basically all about the Hells Angel Motorcycle Club.

And Could He Play · « **Reply #4483 on:** November 28, 2011, 12:37:32 AM »

Quote from: BigMarcs on November 28, 2011, 12:36:03 AM

Angels Death - basically all about the Hells Angel Motorcycle Club.

cheers for that, came in here to find a book to read, first post i see is one i'd be really interested in reading. Jackpot.

BigMarcs · « **Reply #4484 on:** November 28, 2011, 12:44:28 AM »

Quote from: And Could He Play on November 28, 2011, 12:37:32 AM

cheers for that, came in here to find a book to read, first post i see is one i'd be really interested in reading. Jackpot.

Very interesting read so far mate. Recommend it for anyone.

cissepower · « **Reply #4485 on:** November 28, 2011, 03:19:39 PM »

Just finished reading 'Salems lot, not knowing what it was about before reading it, was a good move I think. I really enjoyed it and would happily read it again.

I've just started reading Shantaram on the back of some glowing recommendations from a couple of people at work. Loving it so far.

JP-65 · « **Reply #4486 on:** November 28, 2011, 03:22:04 PM »

A bit of a slog at times, but some good stuff, "Descent Into Chaos" by Ahmed Rashid - How the War Against Islamic Extremism is Being Lost in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Central Asia

Not funny reecehenebry · « **Reply #4487 on:** November 28, 2011, 08:26:35 PM »

Quote from: Cragsi on November 28, 2011, 12:20:55 AM

Anyone recommend a fairly easy read on the Italian Renaissance? I've been playing (too much) Assassins Creed [II and Brotherhood to be exact] and would like to learn more about what happened in Florence, Milan etc.

The Prince - Machiavelli

http://www.amazon.com/Prince-Bantam-Classics-Niccolo-Machiavelli/dp/0553212788

Cragsi · « **Reply #4488 on:** November 28, 2011, 09:22:08 PM »

Quote from: Not funny reecehenebry on November 28, 2011, 08:26:35 PM

The Prince - Machiavelli

http://www.amazon.com/Prince-Bantam-Classics-Niccolo-Machiavelli/dp/0553212788

Nice one, just ordered that. Different cover but im guessing its the same book.

24/7 · « **Reply #4489 on:** November 28, 2011, 09:24:10 PM »

Max Arthur's latest - "We Will Remember Them: voices from the aftermath of the Great War".

Very sobering reading in places. Well worth a look.

hassinator · « **Reply #4490 on:** November 28, 2011, 11:02:06 PM »

Quote from: JP-65 on November 28, 2011, 03:22:04 PM

A bit of a slog at times, but some good stuff, "Descent Into Chaos" by Ahmed Rashid - How the War Against Islamic Extremism is Being Lost in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Central Asia

jp can i ask what steered you into so much asian related fiction?

i'm firmly of the 'dwm' school of fiction particularly english and american though i will stray around europe.

i find a lot of post-colonial english fiction 'a bit of a slog' but am intrigued by your enthusiasm.

Joseph-Immanuel Queen · « **Reply #4491 on:** November 28, 2011, 11:14:39 PM »

Just finished "Au Bonheur Des Dames" by Zola. Can be a bit of a slog in places but overall enjoyed it.

the oxonian · « **Reply #4492 on:** November 30, 2011, 12:37:05 PM »

Quote from: Cragsi on November 28, 2011, 12:20:55 AM

Anyone recommend a fairly easy read on the Italian Renaissance? I've been playing (too much) Assassins Creed [II and Brotherhood to be exact] and would like to learn more about what happened in Florence, Milan etc.

if your going to read about florence/renaissance.. you cant really avoid these lot...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Medici-Godfathers-Renaissance-Paul-Strathern/dp/0099522977/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322656239&sr=8-1

Pistolero · « **Reply #4493 on:** December 4, 2011, 03:06:22 PM »

Just read 'The History of Helium'.....couldn't put it down

Tepid water · « **Reply #4494 on:** December 4, 2011, 03:59:01 PM »

Quote from: Pistolero on December 4, 2011, 03:06:22 PM

Just read 'The History of Helium'.....couldn't put it down

Is it about the history of helium?

I will be sadly let down if it isn't.

Elli · « **Reply #4495 on:** December 4, 2011, 04:45:31 PM »

Quote from: Pistolero on December 4, 2011, 03:06:22 PM

Just read 'The History of Helium'.....couldn't put it down

Hilarious.

tinner777 · « **Reply #4496 on:** December 4, 2011, 08:57:36 PM »

david wong - john dies at the end, average

arthur sarnoff · « **Reply #4497 on:** December 4, 2011, 10:44:37 PM »

Quote from: tinner777 on December 4, 2011, 08:57:36 PM

david wong - john dies at the end, average

I thought it started quite well, but went downhill in the last third or so. I paid sod all for it, so can't really grumble.

gomez · « **Reply #4498 on:** December 4, 2011, 11:12:19 PM »

Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know by Sir Ranulph Fiennes. Don't usually read too many autobiographies but really enjoyed this.

andyrol · « **Reply #4499 on:** December 5, 2011, 06:00:13 PM »

just re-read all the 'shardlake' series by cj sansom. im usually horror or sci fi in my fiction reading but these are brilliantly written. especially 'revelation' and 'heartstone'.

tinner777 · « **Reply #4500 on:** December 5, 2011, 06:11:26 PM »

Quote from: arthur sarnoff on December 4, 2011, 10:44:37 PM

I thought it started quite well, but went downhill in the last third or so. I paid sod all for it, so can't really grumble.

Same here. You read any other stuff like this?

Rusty Oysterburger · « **Reply #4501 on:** December 5, 2011, 06:24:59 PM »

Just read Robopocalypse by David Wilson after a couple of recommendations, not very good at all unfortunately.

He's obviously lifting the structure from World War Z but applying robots to it instead of zombies, but he hasn't got Max Brooks' talent for making short, unconnected stories interesting or distinct. It's not even fun.

No real surprises or interesting takes on AI/Robots either, just bog standard super-smart computers trying to kill all humans

arthur sarnoff · « **Reply #4502 on:** December 5, 2011, 06:53:52 PM »

Quote from: tinner777 on December 5, 2011, 06:11:26 PM

Same here. You read any other stuff like this?

Can't think of anything off the top of my head. I only stumbled across it when a friend gave me a cd with several thousand ebooks on it. I recognised the name from Cracked.com, so gave it a go. It's being made into a movie, I believe.

Mad Max · « **Reply #4503 on:** December 5, 2011, 07:14:06 PM »

Just read Cally on the Ball by John Keith.

Red_Skippy · « **Reply #4504 on:** December 7, 2011, 06:36:41 AM »

I picked up a copy of An Epic Swindle early this year but wanted to wait a while before reading to give myself time to get over what those two bell ends did to our club.

Knocked it over in record time due to it being one of the most bizare reading items I have ever bought. Am still scratching my head over some of the stuff that went on, or should I say was allowed to go on. A must read if you have not already done so.

Veinticinco de Mayo · « **Reply #4505 on:** December 7, 2011, 10:33:57 AM »

The Motel Life by Willy Vlautin.

The stories and characters here should be familiar to anyone familiar with Vlautin in his day job as singer/songwriter for the magnificent Richmond Fontaine. It's a Bukowski-esque take on dysfunctional America, on how low expectations and a moments bad luck can change our lives. It's sparse yet in turns heartbreaking then life affirming. All in all it is rather wonderful, as anyone familiar with the rich storytelling in Richmond Fontaine's songs would expect. I'm off to buy his next one.

afc turkish · « **Reply #4506 on:** December 7, 2011, 12:57:28 PM »

Quote from: Veinticinco de Mayo on December 7, 2011, 10:33:57 AM

The Motel Life by Willy Vlautin.

The stories and characters here should be familiar to anyone familiar with Vlautin in his day job as singer/songwriter for the magnificent Richmond Fontaine. It's a Bukowski-esque take on dysfunctional America, on how low expectations and a moments bad luck can change our lives. It's sparse yet in turns heartbreaking then life affirming. All in all it is rather wonderful, as anyone familiar with the rich storytelling in Richmond Fontaine's songs would expect. I'm off to buy his next one.

Nice, looks good for the Christmas book list. Keep us posted on how well Vlautin develops as an author, VdM...

Danyaals Kop · « **Reply #4507 on:** December 7, 2011, 01:16:06 PM »

Which 007 book is worth a read ?

Will buy 3 of them so your top 3...

Tepid water · « **Reply #4508 on:** December 7, 2011, 06:51:42 PM »

Quote from: Danyaals Kop on December 7, 2011, 01:16:06 PM

Which 007 book is worth a read ?

Will buy 3 of them so your top 3...

The new Sebastian Faulks one (devil may care)

Dr No

From Russia with love

John_P · « **Reply #4509 on:** December 8, 2011, 10:20:21 PM »

Recently read The Good The Bad And The Multiplex by Mark Kermode and Moneyball by Michael Lewis.

Next up I'll be reading A Life Too Short: The Tragedy of Robert Enke by Ronald Reng;

blah · « **Reply #4510 on:** December 8, 2011, 10:21:51 PM »

Choke by Chuck Palahniuk (writer of Fight Club)

Meh. It had its moments.

corkboy · « **Reply #4511 on:** December 8, 2011, 11:04:20 PM »

Quote from: blah on December 8, 2011, 10:21:51 PM

Choke by Chuck Palahniuk (writer of Fight Club)

Meh. It had its moments.

I went through a phase of him some time ago. I read Survivor, which was a fantastic story, literally, and also one of his non fiction collections, Fugitives and Refugees: A Walk in Portland, Oregon, which was lovely in places.

I read some stuff about him one time, the critics class him as outsider fiction, in a Bukowski vein. He is certainly not short of ideas, some of them mildly disturbing, and he writes well enough. Having said all that (getting eventually to the point) Choke has been sitting on the shelf beside my bed for months and I'm only about 40 pages in. Just haven't picked it up again, and have gone through many books since.

gomez · « **Reply #4512 on:** December 9, 2011, 03:28:03 PM »

The White Guard by Mikhail Bulgakov. Beautiful book about a middle class family from Kiev during the Russian revolution. Had to check Wiki a couple of times to get up to speed with Ukrainian history but really enjoyed this.

Andy @ Allerton · « **Reply #4513 on:** December 9, 2011, 04:29:32 PM »

Quote from: Danyaals Kop on December 7, 2011, 01:16:06 PM

Which 007 book is worth a read ?

Will buy 3 of them so your top 3...

Amazon sell a box set with them all in off Amazon. My sister bought me them for last Christmas.

۩ Imperator ۩ · « **Reply #4514 on:** December 9, 2011, 04:43:51 PM »

Been reading The Ice Man by Philip Carlo, a book about the notorious mafia hit man Richard Kuklinski. The content is fascinating, but the prose is so clumsy and clunking, the style so dull, and the structure so linear and unimaginative, I have given up on it halfway through.

Andy @ Allerton · « **Reply #4515 on:** December 9, 2011, 04:47:21 PM »

Went on holiday and forgot my current book - have no time for anything at the moment - but it's by Stephen Baxter and is called Journey - quite hard going - the main character is well annoying.

tinner777 · « **Reply #4516 on:** December 9, 2011, 05:27:06 PM »

Quote from: ۩ Imperator ۩ on December 9, 2011, 04:43:51 PM

Been reading The Ice Man by Philip Carlo, a book about the notorious mafia hit man Richard Kuklinski. The content is fascinating, but the prose is so clumsy and clunking, the style so dull, and the structure so linear and unimaginative, I have given up on it halfway through.

what a fucker he was though..

On another note anyone read anything funny recently, just finished satan burger, and need some light relief.

۩ Imperator ۩ · « **Reply #4517 on:** December 9, 2011, 06:37:12 PM »

Quote from: tinner777 on December 9, 2011, 05:27:06 PM

what a fucker he was though...

Unbelievably sadistic bastard, did some absolutely crazy things. How you can make it into a boring book, I'll never know. Really disappointing.

rob1408 · « **Reply #4518 on:** December 9, 2011, 06:52:57 PM »

Quote from: ۩ Imperator ۩ on December 9, 2011, 06:37:12 PM

Unbelievably sadistic bastard, did some absolutely crazy things. How you can make it into a boring book, I'll never know. Really disappointing.

I managed to finish it, but I found it extremely repetitive, not just his actions but like you wrote, his prose. I was disappointed as a lot of people recommended the book to me.

arthur sarnoff · « **Reply #4519 on:** December 9, 2011, 07:33:03 PM »

Quote from: Andy@Allerton on December 9, 2011, 04:47:21 PM

Went on holiday and forgot my current book - have no time for anything at the moment - but it's by Stephen Baxter and is called Journey - quite hard going - the main character is well annoying.

Is that the same guy who did 'Flood' and 'Ark', amongst others? If so I agree he can be quite hard going.