Question What are you reading?

[Yorkshire Blue]

David Davies' Autobiography, detailing much of what happened at the FA while he was head of communications and then chief executive. Goes into Hoddle, Gazza and Sven at great length, which is interesting to get a behind-the-scenes perspective of an era that promised so much, yet failed to deliver anything substantial.

Much like this book, then.

While it might promise some juicy gossip and a unique take on events, Davies obviously still harbours intentions of a career in football as he's very careful about what he actually reveals, which is nothing that you wouldn't have already picked up from the tabloids. It's an alright read, but fails to deliver what it promises.

Are you saying it is a sophisticated satire of his time at the FA?

 

[Pubey]

Shogun - James Clavell. For such a long book it's paced pretty well, although I'm struggling to find time to read it at the moment.

 

[steveo]

Struggling through Alone in Berlin which was recommended by a couple on here, but it seems to send me to sleep. Shall I bother with the second half?

 

[canveyshrimper]

Shogun - James Clavell. For such a long book it's paced pretty well, although I'm struggling to find time to read it at the moment.

I've read all Clavell's novels and they are excellent.

 

[canveyshrimper]

Struggling through Alone in Berlin which was recommended by a couple on here, but it seems to send me to sleep. Shall I bother with the second half?

Like anything it's all a matter of personal taste, I'd say stay with it.

 

[steveo]

Like anything it's all a matter of personal taste, I'd say stay with it.

I’m trying but I have a paperback copy of Marching Powder on my desk and The Woods By Harlan Coben on the ipad all ready to read.

Ill soldier on for a few more nights.

 

[canveyshrimper]

I’m trying but I have a paperback copy of Marching Powder on my desk and The Woods By Harlan Coben on the ipad all ready to read.

Ill soldier on for a few more nights.

I've only recently discovered Harlen Coben.

 

[steveo]

I've only recently discovered Harlen Coben.

I discovered him when i saw Tesco's selling his books at £2 each or 2 for £3.00. I bought 2, the till rang up £4. So i mentioned to the girl that it should be 3. She directed me to customer services for my refund. They have a policy of refunding double the difference if they make a mistake so they gave me 2 quid back. So I walked out of the shop with 2 books for 2 quid.

 

[canveyshrimper]

I discovered him when i saw Tesco's selling his books at £2 each or 2 for £3.00. I bought 2, the till rang up £4. So i mentioned to the girl that it should be 3. She directed me to customer services for my refund. They have a policy of refunding double the difference if they make a mistake so they gave me 2 quid back. So I walked out of the shop with 2 books for 2 quid.

:D Result, saved a few quid and found a new author.

 

[Bluesmanager]

Now reading Have now finished Dot.Robot from Jason Bradbury (he of the Gadget Show). Chock full of tech, just reaching what appears to be the third act now so will report back when I've finished it in about and hour or two, most likely, assuming I don't forget. Then it's on to Rick Riordan's new series, The Kane Chronicles, book 1: The Red Pyramid. Egyptian gods unleashed to destroy the world. Should be fun.

Edited for accuracy.

Dot.Robot: Seemed a bit sort of... clumsy, really. Nice idea, but the execution could be better. Just seemed to stop at the end, and the end was really rather rushed. Will have to buy the sequel, Do.Robot: Atomic Swarm to see if it's improved.

Kane Chronicles... can't say much, I'm only part-way through, but I do have one complaint - To All American Authors. British children, specifically 12 year olds, do not speak like Sadie does. 12 year old British children are not posh, or prim, or proper. They are, generally speaking, grotty little oiks that deserve to be shot.

Many Thanks,

Me.

PS: I am British. The language is British. Therefore I can use or abuse it in anyway I so choose, as mine is the opinion which matters, colonial heathen(s).

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

Just finished a BFI book on 2001.Interesting read.

 

[Napster]

Edited for accuracy.

Dot.Robot: Seemed a bit sort of... clumsy, really. Nice idea, but the execution could be better. Just seemed to stop at the end, and the end was really rather rushed. Will have to buy the sequel, Do.Robot: Atomic Swarm to see if it's improved.

Kane Chronicles... can't say much, I'm only part-way through, but I do have one complaint - To All American Authors. British children, specifically 12 year olds, do not speak like Sadie does. 12 year old British children are not posh, or prim, or proper. They are, generally speaking, grotty little oiks that deserve to be shot.

Many Thanks,

Me.

PS: I am British. The language is British. Therefore I can use or abuse it in anyway I so choose, as mine is the opinion which matters, colonial heathen(s).

The language is English. :p

 

[Napster]

Just started Marcotti's book on Capello. Interesting.

 

[EastStandBlue]

Just started Marcotti's book on Capello. Interesting.

Been meaning to pick this up actually... I think a few hacks who seem to be making a living off of making his job significantly harder at the moment should be forced to read it.

 

[Jedi Shrimper]

Recently read...

The New American Splendor Anthology by Harvey Pekar (Graphic Novel). For those that don't know (most i would imagine), Harvey wrote comics from the 1970's right up until his death this year, the subject? His own life, from everyday grievances with the world around him to his job as a file clerk in a hospital, to his appearances on the Letterman Show, his battles with cancer & the making of the movie about his life. It's truly wonderful stuff, full of humour & tragedy, and this compilation is a great way into his work. Hope one of you goes and reads some of his stuff.

The President's Last Love by Andrey Kurkov. Typical post cold war ukraine fare from Kurkov, although this book is much longer than his previous books (Death of a Penguin, Penguin Lost, Case of the General's Thumb), it still has plenty of intrigue. Kurkov's books are sort of black humour meets suspense, this story about one man who from humble beginnings becomes Ukrainian President, and the women he becomes involved with along the way. A good read but not as engaging or funny as his other books.

Next up is 'Eating Animals' by Jonathan Safran Foer and 'Ghost World' by Daniel Clowes (the graphic novel).

 

[BLUEBLOOD]

Read the first couple of pages of The Damned Utd by David Peace last night but wasn't really in a reading mood so put it down, going to have an early night tonight so i can be up at half 7 for the start of the golf so will probably give it another go then

 

[Napster]

just read some more - trail of blood by sj rozan which was ok, the swap which was a british comedy which raised a smile, and reheated cabbage by irvine welsh which was hit and miss. now reading a gangster crime novel narrated by a tourettes sufferer which won loads of awards - and is fantastic.

 

[ibwiajwa]

Read the first couple of pages of The Damned Utd by David Peace last night but wasn't really in a reading mood so put it down, going to have an early night tonight so i can be up at half 7 for the start of the golf so will probably give it another go then

It's good, but I have to say that, for me, this is one of those rare instances where the film is better.

I've just finished reading Carter Beats the Devil by Glen David Gold, Alice Sebold's husband. I really enjoyed it, although it goes off the boil a bit in the middle. If you like the Illusionist and the Prestige you'll love it.

 

[Bluesmanager]

Non-academically, I've been reading the 2nd and 3rd in the Skulduggery Pleasant series. Cracking novels, but one small complaint: Less of the cliffhanger endings please Mr Landy! I'm only a student, I haven't got much cash and when I'm already 2 books back on the series when there's another 4 planned and about another billion books on my "To Buy" list, cliffhanger endings do not help!

As for the academic stuff, just a bunch of text books, study guides and the like, although I guess I'd best get round to reading The Collector by John Fowles and First Love, Last Rites by Ian McEwan.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

The Slap.Undoubtedly misogynist but a good read nevertheless.