Book Club

[djdavejohnson]

I couldn't find a 'books' thread on here, well certainly nothing in the recent search items. So what's everyone reading at the moment?

I'm currently reading The Secret Barrister - Stories of the Law and How It's Broken. Only a couple of chapters in but it has me hooked so far. I've always had a huge interest in the law, I studied it at uni and compliance sits under my remit at work. 

Made some purchases today - The Strange Death of Europe, Tim Marshall's Divided, How Democracies Die & How Britain Really Works.

I read mostly non-fiction these days, but do like a good story every so often. George Orwell's 1984 is my all-time favourite read, which probably isn't a huge surprise given what I read generally. 

[pryce]

my new years resolution this year has been to try and read a book a month, I have been terrible at reading books recently and end up scrolling through youtube wastefully! on track this year though!

book 1 was Stalingrad (started last year) brilliant, morbid and insightful

book 2 'Shift' the 3rd book in the wool trilogy by Hugh Howey, loved this trilogy, I was properly invested in the characters.

book 3 'Legacy of Spies' by John Le Carre, quick easy read but kept me invested and a good cold war era spy book.

my current book - 'Birdsong' by Sebastian Faulks. up their with the best books I have read I am actually invested in a love story which takes some doing and the ww1 part of the book is harrowing and very well depicted.

nearly at the end so need some recommendations!

[djdavejohnson]

5 hours ago, pryce said:

my new years resolution this year has been to try and read a book a month, I have been terrible at reading books recently and end up scrolling through youtube wastefully! on track this year though!

book 1 was Stalingrad (started last year) brilliant, morbid and insightful

book 2 'Shift' the 3rd book in the wool trilogy by Hugh Howey, loved this trilogy, I was properly invested in the characters.

book 3 'Legacy of Spies' by John Le Carre, quick easy read but kept me invested and a good cold war era spy book.

my current book - 'Birdsong' by Sebastian Faulks. up their with the best books I have read I am actually invested in a love story which takes some doing and the ww1 part of the book is harrowing and very well depicted.

nearly at the end so need some recommendations!

Hi Pryce,

That's great to hear and glad you're sticking to your new years resolution!

I haven't read Stalingrad yet but it has been on my to read list for a while, I'll hopefully get around to this soon.

I haven't read the others you have mnetioned however I will take a look at those.

In terms of recommendations, have you read anything by Ken Follett? Jackdaws is a great read and is a spy thriller set in WW2. Also by Ken Follett is Fall of Giants, the first of the Century Trilogy which is set in WW1 for some of it, and the sequel Winter of the World is set in WW2.

[ian the worm]

Nice topic. ? 

I read Ken Follets’ Piilars of the Earth years ago - was absolutely huge and brilliant.

The best book in the world by far is Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts. Again it’s huge but amazing stuff on every page. The sequel Mountain Shadow is almost as good - but don’t read them in the wrong order.

Just finished There There by Tommy Orange which was very great. A modern book about 3 generations of Native American Indians set in the present day. The climax is set at a Powwow.

Literally just started The History of Love by Nicole Krause and am already hooked. It’s looking good. Second chapter in and the lead man tries nude modelling in his 80’s.

[djdavejohnson]

19 hours ago, ian the worm said:

Nice topic. ? 

I read Ken Follets’ Piilars of the Earth years ago - was absolutely huge and brilliant.

The best book in the world by far is Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts. Again it’s huge but amazing stuff on every page. The sequel Mountain Shadow is almost as good - but don’t read them in the wrong order.

Just finished There There by Tommy Orange which was very great. A modern book about 3 generations of Native American Indians set in the present day. The climax is set at a Powwow.

Literally just started The History of Love by Nicole Krause and am already hooked. It’s looking good. Second chapter in and the lead man tries nude modelling in his 80’s.

Thanks Ian, thought it'd be good to kickstart something on the book front, although with this mornings news efesters might not have much time for reading, which is perfectly understandable given the circumstances, of course! 

Ah yes Pillars of the Earth - a fantastic read and glad you enjoyed it too!

I haven't read the others you have listed but will be sure to check them out, thanks for mentioning. The History of Love could be quite, er, interesting! 

[ian the worm]

This Hugh Howey sand wool shift series thing. I was recommended it and got one from the library but not sure of the correct order to read them in. I didn’t get very far through whichever one it was. Can’t remember why.

Where should I start?

Does it matter?

[ian the worm]

On 3/10/2019 at 7:50 PM, djdavejohnson said:

George Orwell's 1984 is my all-time favourite read

Then you MUST read The Circle by Dave Eggars

[djdavejohnson]

1 hour ago, ian the worm said:

This Hugh Howey sand wool shift series thing. I was recommended it and got one from the library but not sure of the correct order to read them in. I didn’t get very far through whichever one it was. Can’t remember why.

Where should I start?

Does it matter?

Wouldn't be able to help on that one I'm afraid as haven't read anything by Hugh Howey.

1 hour ago, ian the worm said:

Then you MUST read The Circle by Dave Eggars

Oooh is that what the film of the same name is based on? I enjoyed the film so will be sure to check this one out, thanks ? 

[ian the worm]

Ive not seen the circlefilm but I understand it the film of the book 

And it’s   @pryce for the Hugh Howey question.

Edited March 15, 2019 by ian the worm

[pryce]

3 hours ago, ian the worm said:

Ive not seen the circlefilm but I understand it the film of the book 

And it’s   @pryce for the Hugh Howey question.

Wool, shift, dust in that order ....shift is not the best but the other two are brilliant... not classics but good reads

[djdavejohnson]

On 3/15/2019 at 8:56 PM, ian the worm said:

Ive not seen the circlefilm but I understand it the film of the book 

And it’s   @pryce for the Hugh Howey question.

 

21 hours ago, pryce said:

Wool, shift, dust in that order ....shift is not the best but the other two are brilliant... not classics but good reads

Ah yes apologies @ian the worm it was a quick reply before jumping off a train! Useful info for me too, thanks @pryce ?

[Homer]

On 3/12/2019 at 10:39 AM, pryce said:

my new years resolution this year has been to try and read a book a month, I have been terrible at reading books recently and end up scrolling through youtube wastefully! on track this year though!

book 1 was Stalingrad (started last year) brilliant, morbid and insightful

book 2 'Shift' the 3rd book in the wool trilogy by Hugh Howey, loved this trilogy, I was properly invested in the characters.

book 3 'Legacy of Spies' by John Le Carre, quick easy read but kept me invested and a good cold war era spy book.

my current book - 'Birdsong' by Sebastian Faulks. up their with the best books I have read I am actually invested in a love story which takes some doing and the ww1 part of the book is harrowing and very well depicted.

nearly at the end so need some recommendations!

I had the same resolution! I used to read a book a week pretty much, but the internet seems to have ruined my attention span. I'm just about to finish number four so all going well. Hoping it's like muscle memory and I'll become a 'reader' again. Beats arguing with strangers about Brexit on the internet.

[Homer]

Non-fiction recommendations - these are two of the best books I've ever read. And I've no personal interest in mountaineering or cycling. It's more about the obsessive lengths people will go to:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-Race-Inside-Cover-ups-Winning/dp/055216917X

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Into-Thin-Air-Jon-Krakauer/dp/1447200187 (this was made into the film Everest)

Am currently reading this, also by Jon Krakauer, who wrote the latter:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Under-Banner-Heaven-Story-Violent/dp/0330419129

All about fanatical Mormons and they crazy shit they get up to (marrying children, killing people, etc). V interesting - especially as I read a few books on Scientology last year (also recommended). I seem to be into 'cult books' at the moment!

Edited March 17, 2019 by Homer

[djdavejohnson]

Thanks for the recommendations @Homer - the latter especially sounds somewhat eye-opening! I'd like to read the first two as I'm into both mountaineering and cycling!

[Rufus Gwertigan]

My son has given me a copy of 12 Rules of Life by Jordan Peterson. I find it mildly annoying for some reason. 

[Homer]

Still ahead on my book a month plan, finished this most recently - more cult reading:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Escape-Carolyn-Jessop/dp/0141031514

Now reading number six., which is a novel apparently based on the Manson murders:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Girls-Emma-Cline/dp/1784740446

Might read something not about cults next!

[pryce]

Same, finished Alchemist and Hare with the Amber eyes, both brilliant books... I am preferring non fiction I am finding. 

 

Started the secret race and hooked, so thanks Homer for the recommendation.. It was right when I started following cycling so knowing all the names helps

[Homer]

15 minutes ago, pryce said:

Same, finished Alchemist and Hare with the Amber eyes, both brilliant books... I am preferring non fiction I am finding. 

 

Started the secret race and hooked, so thanks Homer for the recommendation.. It was right when I started following cycling so knowing all the names helps

 

Ah, glad you're enjoying it. I have no interest in cycling (aside from doing it) an I found it riveting, so you should get even more out of it!

I read this after FYI, but I didn't enjoy it as much.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Seven-Deadly-Sins-Pursuit-Armstrong/dp/1471127559/ref=asc_df_1471127559/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310814132050&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6314588587006696581&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006886&hvtargid=aud-543776533562:pla-563188207386&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

Can anyone recommend any decent novels? 

Edited April 22, 2019 by Homer

[Rufus Gwertigan]

20 minutes ago, Homer said:

 

Ah, glad you're enjoying it. I have no interest in cycling (aside from doing it) an I found it riveting, so you should get even more out of it!

I read this after FYI, but I didn't enjoy it as much.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Seven-Deadly-Sins-Pursuit-Armstrong/dp/1471127559/ref=asc_df_1471127559/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310814132050&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6314588587006696581&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006886&hvtargid=aud-543776533562:pla-563188207386&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

Can anyone recommend any decent novels? 

It's an oldey but a goody. I am rereading this. Four Seasons by Stephen King. Four novellas that form the basis of films like the Shawshank Redemption and Stand by Me.. 

[Homer]

1 hour ago, Rufus Gwertigan said:

It's an oldey but a goody. I am rereading this. Four Seasons by Stephen King. Four novellas that form the basis of films like the Shawshank Redemption and Stand by Me.. 

 

That's really weird. My wife is reading Salem's Lot and we just had a convo before I saw this and I said to her 'the only Stephen King I've read is The Body and the other short stories'! What are the chances?

[The Nal]

Waging Heavy Peace by Neil Young. Very entertaining. 

[Homer]

Almost finished book seven (aim is to do 12 this year). After reading three books in a row about cults, I thought I'd give myself a bit of a break:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Help-Simon-Amstell/dp/1784705691

Basically, Simon Amstell self-depracatingly psychoanalysing himself while digging into his problems with depression, his family, coming out, interspersed with excerpts of stand-up. A lot, lot funnier than that sounds, if you like Simon Amstell (which I do). Also, very short, so a good choice for the other person on here trying to hit 12 books this year!

[pryce]

14 hours ago, Homer said:

Almost finished book seven (aim is to do 12 this year). After reading three books in a row about cults, I thought I'd give myself a bit of a break:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Help-Simon-Amstell/dp/1784705691

Basically, Simon Amstell self-depracatingly psychoanalysing himself while digging into his problems with depression, his family, coming out, interspersed with excerpts of stand-up. A lot, lot funnier than that sounds, if you like Simon Amstell (which I do). Also, very short, so a good choice for the other person on here trying to hit 12 books this year!

same as you, aiming for the 12 and just about to finish my 7th. have got that mormom book you recommended, catch 22 and slaying the badger (another cycling book) all lined up for the next read

 

catch 22 looks like a long read though ...so hopefully does not trip me up

Edited May 7, 2019 by pryce

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

It's almost scandalous,  but I haven't read a book in at least the last seven years. I keep buying them, intending to read them, but never do. Yet again, it's the internet that has done for me on this front.

However, in terms of recommendations, I'll tell you only book that ever made me cry is Bridge Across My Sorrows, which is the story of Christina Noble.

Another enlightening book is Stuart: A Life Backwards, by Alexander Masters.

[Homer]

12 hours ago, pryce said:

same as you, aiming for the 12 and just about to finish my 7th. have got that mormom book you recommended, catch 22 and slaying the badger (another cycling book) all lined up for the next read

 

catch 22 looks like a long read though ...so hopefully does not trip me up

Did you enjoy the rest of the Armstrong book? I was hooked - some of the ridculous stuff they did - crossing borders to get full transfusions and the like. Crazy!

Is the Mormon one Under the Banner of Heaven? Good read - again, crazy!

Let us know how you go with Catch 22.