Recommended Reading

[shakermaker1982]

Recently read "The Constant Gardener", very enjoyable, but I didn't like the ending so that spoiled it for me a bit.

Reading "Catch 22" at the moment, interesting so far, unusual style that takes some getting used to.

I'd go through Le Carre's back catalogue if you haven't already. One of my favourite authors. If you like spy novels I'd check out a guy called Charles Cummings.

I've been reading 'Mystery Man' by Bateman. Laugh out loud funny at times and very very strange.

[Den Perry]

I'd go through Le Carre's back catalogue if you haven't already. One of my favourite authors. If you like spy novels I'd check out a guy called Charles Cummings.

I've been reading 'Mystery Man' by Bateman. Laugh out loud funny at times and very very strange.


My bird and my mate say Catch 22 is brilliant. I've always wanted to read it but just couldn't handle the style of writing and the furthest I got was about ten pages. However, I'm not gonna give up that easily and will try again soon

Am currently reading "Shantaram" by Gregory David Robertson...about an aussie armed robber who escapes prison and does a runner to Bombay. It came highly recommended and I am finding it enjoyable if a little too tedious with the detail..its nearly 1,000 pages long!! anybody else here read it?

For pure laughs and entertainment, (and not without a sense of tragedy)Glue and Filth by Irvine Welsh are brilliant

[cheifo]

Yeh DP recently read Shantaram and its a great read.The scene where he escaped from prison is brillantly re-created.
I agree he could have cut a 100 pages from it.

[Den Perry]

Yeh DP recently read Shantaram and its a great read.The scene where he escaped from prison is brillantly re-created.
I agree he could have cut a 100 pages from it.


There is some amount of dope smoking going on in the book isn't there...don't know how he remembered everything

[PaulB]

Re-read John Feinstein's A Good Walk Spoiled recently. Fantastic book, definitely the best I've read in the golf genre. Might get The Match by Mark Frost next, unless I can find Calcio which I managed to misplace:mad:

Just started 'The Match', very good read so far, back in the days when the pros used to scape a living, very well written. One i would definitely recommend is ' Four KIngs' about hagler, hearns, duran and leonard, definitely the best boxing book i have ever read.

[PaulB]

Would love to read some autobiographical accounts of the Vietman war but cant seem to find any, maybe someone could recommend some

A year late, but hey ho.

The 13th Valley
The tunnels of Chu Chi

2 excellent books on Vietnam

[Rovers fan]

One i would definitely recommend is ' Four KIngs' about hagler, hearns, duran and leonard, definitely the best boxing book i have ever read.

I was watching one of his fights against Mugabi on youtube the other day (chico corrales had listed it as his favourite ever fight) and it was an absolute cracker.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_B12kAKonw&feature=related

[bennocelt]

Glad this thread is back from the dead. My computer is acting up, and I have no TV in the house - so took out a library membership, and have a rake of books to read!:)

Just finished an interesting book - "A Blue Eyed Salary Man" by Niall Murtagh , about an Irish man working with Mitubshi (excuse the spelling!)in Japan, who rises to the top in the company and gives a very insightful view of life as a worker in one of Japan's major companys. It is really an exclusive club and very rare for a westerner to get a chance to work so near the top of the ladder in one of these companies. The life they have is virtually handed over to the company; who decides their living accomodation, what they should and shouldnt be doing after hours, and even offers tips on finding a partner, etc.
Its a good read for someone who is interested in japan (and I wonder has Ousaran read it?), but it is also a tad bit boring and dry (def not "Hilarious" as the Daily Mail put it!). Murtagh gives me the impression that he is not exactly a party animal so it was quite easy for him to adjust to the company lifestyles and habits, and he was there for 14 years so he must have had the character to fit in.
I'm saying this as I have lived in Asia for a few years myself (China, Korea, Mongolia) so I have a basic understanding of the Asian mentality - (the group mentality, the love of rules that can never be broken, etc), so I always had great fun breaking as many rules as I could!!!
And funningly enough as well, I worked for NEC when they were in Ballivor all those years ago. So It would have been a little better to get a better insight into more of the culture and a few more amusing anecdotes would have made the book better.
When I was in NEC the irish workers always freaked out the visiting japanese managers - jesus they thought we were a lazy bunch and mad with it (but we were!!). Remember one day a worker dropped a toolbox on one of the head honces from japan - jesus the look on his face!!!!!!!! And the day we accidently broke the machine that cost 100,000 - ha ha no wonder they pulled out of Ireland - amazing they stayed so long!!!!!! Great memories!

[Magicme]

I've been reading 'Mystery Man' by Bateman. Laugh out loud funny at times and very very strange.

Havent read Mystery Man but Bateman is my favourite. Finished reading "Love and Rockets (and a great big fish)" recently and it is just brill.

Hard to bate his sense of humour.

[endabob1]

Just back from Holiday & while away I started re-reading Bill Brysons book A Short History of Nearly Everything, by jove it's an interesting, funny & unputdownable little book.
I really like the section that discusses the number of factors that need to be exactly within certain parameters, at the right time, in the right place, just to allow life to exist and be sustained.
Then he goes on to list a whole list of other circumstances that need to aligned to allow advanced life (i.e. us) to exist. Brings it home very effectively just how fragile our situation is. I'm amazed it hasn't been included on school curriculums as an introduction to science.

[stann]

Some great stories in there too, a succession of genuine nutjobs all through the history of science. :D
Ah it's just a brilliant read. Bill Bryson's style is superb, I love the way he writes. Just found a lovely example in his own description of the fee he recieved for his first book: "a sum of money carefully gauged not to cause embarrassment or feelings of overworth" :D

What I've just finished reading for the second time (before I gave a lend of it to someone) is his book Shakespeare (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shakespeare-World-Stage-Eminent-Lives/dp/000719790X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244646896&sr=1-3).
Very interesting read, about a chap which to be fair I wouldn't have been particularly interested in beforehand, and done with the same delightfully light touch. Hugely recommended!

[willymccann]

I'd recommend Man On Fire by A.J Quinnell - the book where they got the idea for the movie of the same name with Denzel Washington.

If you've seen the movie, the story line is similiar, but set in a different time and place, and as always, the book is always the better story.

[Mayo Red]

I'd highly recommend "The Forgotten Soldier" by Guy Sajer about a Frenchmans experiences in the German Army, mainly on the Russian Front during WWII. There has been some debate about the accuracy of parts of the book but don't let that put you off, it is a fantastic memoir.

Also, I wouldn't be one for reading fiction generally but "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" by Mitch Albom is a great story.

[Newryrep]

I'd highly recommend "The Forgotten Soldier" by Guy Sajer about a Frenchmans experiences in the German Army, mainly on the Russian Front during WWII. There has been some debate about the accuracy of parts of the book but don't let that put you off, it is a fantastic memoir.
Also, I wouldn't be one for reading fiction generally but "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" by Mitch Albom is a great story.

Great read, read it a couple of times, the general consesus of the debate was that he had certainly exprienced the eastern front

Fenain Fire - Christy Campbell - double /triple agents in late 1800s fenian movement, black ops by British intellienge alledged plot to kill Queen Victoria great read

[superfrank]

Currently reading Thug: The Story of India's Murderous Cult by Mike Dash. It's a smashing book. It's a really well-written and fascinating read.

[A N Mouse]

I'd recommend Man On Fire by A.J Quinnell - the book where they got the idea for the movie of the same name with Denzel Washington.

If you've seen the movie, the story line is similiar, but set in a different time and place, and as always, the book is always the better story.

There was a previous movie version (think eighties), much darker and presumably a bit closer to the book.

I enjoied the Denzel Wzshington one, never read the book myself, but know a few people who've the book and prefer the first film.

[SkStu]

last few books ive read come recommended...

Blood River - an account of a journalists attempt to trace the path of Livingstone through the Congo along the Congo River and the dangers and hazards he encounters along the way. Slow in parts but overall a pretty engaging read.

American Subcultures (Louis Theroux) - a written follow up to his tv show from the 90's where he attempts to catch up on all the characters he met while filming the documentary - the male porn star, the racist guys, the prostitute in Nevada, the UFO freaks. Really good fun and his writing style is as witty and humourous as his TV shows.

currently reading Black Hawk Down. Totally addicted, way more shocking, graphic and ultimately a lot better than the (excellent) film.

next up is The Shankill Butchers. Cant wait, have heard great things about it.

[osarusan]

Disgrace, by JM Coetzee. In all seriousness, the best book I've read that was written in the last 20 years.

[Den Perry]

last few books ive read come recommended...

Blood River - an account of a journalists attempt to trace the path of Livingstone through the Congo along the Congo River and the dangers and hazards he encounters along the way. Slow in parts but overall a pretty engaging read.

American Subcultures (Louis Theroux) - a written follow up to his tv show from the 90's where he attempts to catch up on all the characters he met while filming the documentary - the male porn star, the racist guys, the prostitute in Nevada, the UFO freaks. Really good fun and his writing style is as witty and humourous as his TV shows.

currently reading Black Hawk Down. Totally addicted, way more shocking, graphic and ultimately a lot better than the (excellent) film.

next up is The Shankill Butchers. Cant wait, have heard great things about it.

Read Shankill Butchers a number of years ago.Fairly horrifying stuff but well worth reading

[Magicme]

Havent read Mystery Man but Bateman is my favourite. Finished reading "Orpheus Rising - Love and Rockets (and a great big fish)" recently and it is just brill.

Hard to bate his sense of humour.

Sorry just realised had the title wrong!

[bennocelt]

Finished "The Insider" by Piers Morgan.

Had to say I loved it, really interesting to see the murky world of tabloid pressrooms. Dog eat dog, no love lost, etc.
Piers Morgan is one of those guys that I should really hate (he loves Tatcher for example!), but I like him. He is honest and very witty.
Funny to see how he got all those big scoops, and it gives a good account of Blairs reign (or should that be Mandy and Campbell's reign), Diana, and even Sineid O connor gets a mention!

[Dodge]

Does he mention publishing the fake iraq war photos?

[Wangball]

I read Bonfire of the Vanities (by Tom Wolfe) recently and it was excellent, this led me of to his other most famous book The Right Stuff, have to say its very entertaining but it can be a bit odd sometimes, its as if he has a big boy crush on some of the pilots.

I seen earlier someone mentioning Man On Fire by Quinnell as a good read, there is actually a whole series of Creasy novels, he's not CIA (or black!) as in the film but an ex Legionnaire - very similar to the original Bourne trilogy but excellent all the same

For a funny read I'd recommend I love you Beth Cooper by Larry Doyle, its very very good, he wrote a whole rake of Simpsons episodes and the humour is quite apparent...its also going to be a film soon!

[bennocelt]

Does he mention publishing the fake iraq war photos?

yea - thats how he starts the book

actually he goes on about the war a lot, which was a but surprising (but good), and i have to say i admire his stance on it (anti -war)

finished another one yesterday

Will Storr Versus the Supernatural

Brilliant, and def recommend it. A former Loaded writer (when loaded was good back in the day!) sets out to discover the world of the supernatural. It is kind of a spirtual journey. the writer is trying to figure out his meaning in life, and if there really is such a thing as ghosts and the like. Its written like a novel and the humour is very dead pan (loaded style). He starts off as a definite non believer but as the book progresses he begins to wonder if maybe there something to all this paranormal stuff. He meets witches, occultists, spirtualists, clairvoyants, ghost hunters, the catholic church and their excorisms, and revisits the famous Enfield poltergeist case.
Have to say I am reading a lot on the occult at the moment, and am asking a lot of my own questions on what i beleive, etc so this book was definitely something i could tune into.
Despite your viewpoint - its a bloody good read, check it out

[pineapple stu]

Bump.

Read This is Paradise - My North Korean Childhood (http://www.amazon.com/This-Paradise-North-Korean-Childhood/dp/0316729663) by Hyok Kang there last month. The author was bron in North Korea and lived there till the age of about 13 when the family escaped to China and eventually to South Korea (some of the dates in the book don't tally, but there's a note at the start saying dates and names have been changed to protect others). He talks about everyday growing up - school, family and friends, favourable treatment because a relative had been pictured with Kim Jung Il, public executions, famine, forced labour camps, TV - and then moves on to the family's escape to China and down east Asia to South Korea. I read it in a day; very easy to read book, told with a child's simplicity (although Hyok was around 20 when he wrote the book, in conjunction with a journalist). He ends by basically acknowledging just how brainwashed he was - the family had no intention of going to South Korea initially because they believed everything they'd seen on telly about how it was a nasty place with regular riots. He's also very forthright about how he's found it very hard to fit in in South Korea.

If you've any interest in what's arguably the most fascinating country in the world - for all the wrong reasons admittedly - get a hold of this book. Really excellent.

[Kingdom]

Less related, I recently re-read Papillon & the follow up book Banco, they are now my 2 favourite books, really great reads,!

I agree! Papillion took me in so much that the last few days of my last holiday were quite tense due to my complete lack of interest in doing anything bar read and eat.

[passinginterest]

The Millennium Trilogy has gotten a few mentions on the film review thread and it deserves a mention in here. It took me a while to get into the first book (Girl With the Dragon Tattoo) but once it gets going it fairly rips along and continues all the way through the other two (Girl Who Played With Fire & Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest) which more or less need to be read as one long book. The first novel stands alone quite well, but I don’t think you could finish the second without wanting to jump straight into the third.
The books raise plenty of moral issues regarding sexuality and mental health while managing to stay thoroughly engaging, I have seen a few complaints that they're overly graphic in places, but personally I didn't think there was an issue. The story is probably a little far fetched at times but I think you get dragged in well enough to suspend disbelief and just go with the flow.

[A N Mouse]

Someone mentioned Death and the Penguin, has anyone read any other Kurkov?

Being reading Carl Ruiz Zafón - Shadow of the Wind and Angel's Game. Latest one is a translation of one of his earlier children's books The Prince of Mist - I can only describe it as Bulgakov meets Enid Blyton.

[shakermaker1982]

I'd recommend Acts of violence.

I'm currently reading Stuart Neville's 'Collusion' and am ripping through it. His first novel (the twelve) is worth checking out.

[thischarmingman]

Bump.

Read This is Paradise - My North Korean Childhood (http://www.amazon.com/This-Paradise-North-Korean-Childhood/dp/0316729663) by Hyok Kang there last month. The author was bron in North Korea and lived there till the age of about 13 when the family escaped to China and eventually to South Korea (some of the dates in the book don't tally, but there's a note at the start saying dates and names have been changed to protect others). He talks about everyday growing up - school, family and friends, favourable treatment because a relative had been pictured with Kim Jung Il, public executions, famine, forced labour camps, TV - and then moves on to the family's escape to China and down east Asia to South Korea. I read it in a day; very easy to read book, told with a child's simplicity (although Hyok was around 20 when he wrote the book, in conjunction with a journalist). He ends by basically acknowledging just how brainwashed he was - the family had no intention of going to South Korea initially because they believed everything they'd seen on telly about how it was a nasty place with regular riots. He's also very forthright about how he's found it very hard to fit in in South Korea.

If you've any interest in what's arguably the most fascinating country in the world - for all the wrong reasons admittedly - get a hold of this book. Really excellent.

If you liked it you should get this recently published, highly-acclaimed book: Nothing to Envy. (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nothing-Envy-Lives-North-Korea/dp/184708141X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1283268990&sr=8-1) I saw it in Hodges Figgis the other day, I think it was only E8 or E9.

[Spudulika]

I re-read the book "Stalin's Ghost" by Martin Cruz Smith last week, it's the last(I think) in the Renko novels (the first being Gorky Park). For anyone who saw and enjoyed the movie, you cannot help but hear William Hurt in the books, so good was his portrayal of Arkady Renko. Quite sad in parts but like the rest of the series absolutely rivetting.

[pineapple stu]

If you liked it you should get this recently published, highly-acclaimed book: Nothing to Envy. (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nothing-Envy-Lives-North-Korea/dp/184708141X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1283268990&sr=8-1) I saw it in Hodges Figgis the other day, I think it was only E8 or E9.
It's in the pile. :) I bumped the other one up my reading bundle after flicking through it because it was just that fascinating. There's few enough books on North Korea; Aquariums of Pyongyang is another, about a North Korean's ten year stint in the gulags.

[SkStu]

on a slightly off topic note, and prompted by PS's use of the word bundle, has anyone got or heard much about the Kindle? Not sure if i fancy or would be able to concentrate on reading stuff on a screen like that.

[pineapple stu]

I couldn't see myself reading books on screen alright. But it'll probably take off with younger people, and in a couple of generations, you'll have people saying they couldn't see themselves reading books on paper.

[dahamsta]

I have the Kindle app on my Android, with some free books. I haven't had a chance to test it properly yet, but it is surprisingly readable and I am going to try reading something on it properly in the cot. It that works out, I'll probably buy a Kindle for the form factor.

[thischarmingman]

Could never read a book on a screen. I'll be sticking to paper and print.

Plus, you can't trawl second hand ebook stores of an afternoon can you?

[A N Mouse]

Could never read a book on a screen. I'll be sticking to paper and print.

Plus, you can't trawl second hand ebook stores of an afternoon can you?

By the sounds of things you may as well spend your thursday night doing exactly this :D

The proper eInk displays don't need to be constantly refreshed, and as such don't flicker. An full colour eink tablet pc sounds pretty sweet to me. Might even see some announcements, from ifa (http://www1.messe-berlin.de/vip8_1/website/Internet/Internet/www.ifa-berlin/englisch/index.html), this week.

Also lg recently announced plans to start producing two sizes of e-paper display into production

[thischarmingman]

By the sounds of things you may as well spend your thursday night doing exactly this :D


Touche.

I wish people didn't know about my Thursday nights. Thanks John83.

[SkStu]

really enjoyed the books - "3 Cups Of Tea" and the follow up "Stones Into Schools". Thought it was a really good account of selflessness and bravery until i saw this article on bbc this morning. Reading of his statement in response and the documents posted on the ikat website does address some of the issues but still...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-13112799

[Eminence Grise]

Been dipping in and out of Harry Boland's Irish Revolution, by David Fitzpatrick, for work over the last few weeks. Really superb biography, it brings the tragedy of the civil war to life.

Bedtime reading is Heartstone, by CJ Sansom, the fifth in a series of whodunnits set in Tudor England. The first four were very enjoyable - just enough historical detail, and the bodies stacked up at a decent pace! Bit of a sucker for good historical fiction, but I'm up to date with most of the writers I like (Bernard Cornwell, Susanna Gregory, Ellis Peters, Bernard Knight). Any suggestions, anyone?

[SkStu]

Bedtime reading is Heartstone, by CJ Sansom, the fifth in a series of whodunnits set in Tudor England. The first four were very enjoyable - just enough historical detail, and the bodies stacked up at a decent pace! Bit of a sucker for good historical fiction, but I'm up to date with most of the writers I like (Bernard Cornwell, Susanna Gregory, Ellis Peters, Bernard Knight). Any suggestions, anyone?

I bought herself the series, EG, and she demanded that i read them after her. I just about finished the first book and gave up after two pages of the second. I just cant get into the series or characters at all. I dont know why. Maybe I just dont like historical fiction.

Did you read any of the outlander series by Diana Gabbadon (a cross between historical fiction and time travel)? Can be a slog at times but you may enjoy them if you havent already read (seen as though you seem to enjoy that shoite! ;) ). I havent yet finished the series.

[Eminence Grise]

Thanks for that. I’ll look out for Gabbadon and let you know what I think.

Don’t give up on Sansome’s Shardlake series. Dark Fire is much better than Dissolution. For one thing, Dissolution is a typical first novel - it lacks finesse and the character development is clumsy, and, for another, Shardlake’s annoying sidekick is replaced. I did history in college (still doing history in college –trying to finish a PhD before it finishes me) and I studied Tudor Ireland, so that’s possibly why I like the series. And since Sansom is an historian turned lawyer, he keeps to the first rule – write about what you know.

Mrs SkStu certainly likes her whodunnits bloody... she might like to dip into Susanna Gregory’s Matthew Bartholomew Chronicles. Nowt bloodier than a Cambridge doctor-cum-sleuth during the Black Death!

[SkStu]

Thanks for that. I’ll look out for Gabbadon and let you know what I think.

Don’t give up on Sansome’s Shardlake series. Dark Fire is much better than Dissolution. For one thing, Dissolution is a typical first novel - it lacks finesse and the character development is clumsy, and, for another, Shardlake’s annoying sidekick is replaced. I did history in college (still doing history in college –trying to finish a PhD before it finishes me) and I studied Tudor Ireland, so that’s possibly why I like the series. And since Sansom is an historian turned lawyer, he keeps to the first rule – write about what you know.

Mrs SkStu certainly likes her whodunnits bloody... she might like to dip into Susanna Gregory’s Matthew Bartholomew Chronicles. Nowt bloodier than a Cambridge doctor-cum-sleuth during the Black Death!

excellent! Thanks for the recommendation EG - its her birthday coming up soon so thats given me a good pointer. Sounds like her cup of tea alright.

Regarding the Outlander series - its Diane Gabaldon (my mistake in my initial post)

[osarusan]

A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving.

About 200 pages in now - it's the best of his I've read since The World According to Garp.

[Eminence Grise]

To my shame, I've never read much Irving. Bad memories of trying to translate a lengthy passage from Garp into French as an undergrad. Made me appreciate just how complex and tight his prose is. One more to add to the list!

[thischarmingman]

Bit of a sucker for good historical fiction... Any suggestions, anyone?

I think I have a massive (intellectual) crush on Hilary Mantel, I think she's utterly brilliant. You should give Wolf Hall or A Place of Greater Safety a go.

[stann]

Bit of a sucker for good historical fiction, but I'm up to date with most of the writers I like (Bernard Cornwell, Susanna Gregory, Ellis Peters, Bernard Knight). Any suggestions, anyone?
Yes. Robert Harris' Pompeii.
Love this book. Easy storytelling style, but really well researched, with the fiction nicely intertwined with real events and characters. Go visit the place then after you read it, you'll recognise some of the real places from the story! :D
Also, Imperium and Lustrum by the same author, brilliant books both. First two parts of a trilogy based around the career of Cicero, third one is still to come.

[Eminence Grise]

You've got impeccable taste, but I've read 'em all Stann! And Enigma, Archangel, and Fatherland. The Ghost, too. Wikipedia says he has a new one out this year - The Fear Index.

Gonna need new bookshelves very soon.

[Eminence Grise]

I think I have a massive (intellectual) crush on Hilary Mantel, I think she's utterly brilliant. You should give Wolf Hall or A Place of Greater Safety a go.

Just googled Wolf Hall. Will definitely give that a go. A Place... looks good too.

[stann]

You've got impeccable taste, but I've read 'em all Stann! And Enigma, Archangel, and Fatherland. The Ghost, too. Wikipedia says he has a new one out this year - The Fear Index.

Gonna need new bookshelves very soon.
I fear anything I can suggest will draw a similar reply, your Eminence, but I'll try again. And ta! :D
If you've not read any Salman Rushdie stuff, The Enchantress Of Florence is well worth getting hold of. Massively allegorical like all his works, full of all the magic realism malarkey, but for your historical fiction fix this one is set both in Renaissance Italy with the likes of the Medicis, Macciavelli and Amerigo Vespucci as characters, and in the Mughal empire of the same era. It's a brilliant read.