Question What are you reading?

[Tangled up in Blue]

Just read the introduction as well during a bout of insomnia, but every Bryson I've read I've loved. I'll report back once it's ticked off sir.

OK.Might beat you to it, though.

 

[MK Shrimper]

OK.Might beat you to it, though.

Very definitely will, unless I'm staring at the ceiling wondering why I can't sleep again. :'(

 

[number11]

I've just finished reading 'A Last English Summer', by Duncan Hamilton. I would have thought few on here would be interested in it as it is a look at the 2009 County Cricket season with a nostalgic look back at summers gone by and former Cricket grounds and players. However YB and Canvey, and any other cricket affeciandos / anoraks may quite like it . I would give it a satisfying 4 (out of 6), driven through the covers gracefully.

 

[Jedi Shrimper]

Just finished The Liar by Stephen Fry, draws on his school/uni days with a bit of spy thriller thrown in for good measure. Good throw away fun.

 

[Pubey]

I need a good holiday book... in the vein of On The Road, Shantaram and The Rum Diary. Basically I want it to be set abroad and be a good adventure-style page turner.

Go!

 

[Jedi Shrimper]

I need a good holiday book... in the vein of On The Road, Shantaram and The Rum Diary. Basically I want it to be set abroad and be a good adventure-style page turner.

Go!

How about some Ernest Hemingway?

or if you liked On The Road you could try Dharma Bums (instead of on the road think on the trail)

or by way of some recent non-fiction 'All Gone To Look For America' is a good read by british journo Peter Miller who explored the States by train.

 

[Pubey]

some great suggestions Jon, looks like I'm sorted!

 

[Jedi Shrimper]

some great suggestions Jon, looks like I'm sorted!

Excellent. One day I will get round to reading Shantaram, honest.

 

[Pubey]

Excellent. One day I will get round to reading Shantaram, honest.

It's utterly ridiculous, but great fun.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

I've just finished reading 'A Last English Summer', by Duncan Hamilton. I would have thought few on here would be interested in it as it is a look at the 2009 County Cricket season with a nostalgic look back at summers gone by and former Cricket grounds and players. However YB and Canvey, and any other cricket affeciandos / anoraks may quite like it . I would give it a satisfying 4 (out of 6), driven through the covers gracefully.

I went to a book launch type Q&A session for that. I think he's more suited to the written than the spoken word. It's on my list of books I mean to read, although I think I'll go for his Larwood biography first.

I need a good holiday book... in the vein of On The Road, Shantaram and The Rum Diary. Basically I want it to be set abroad and be a good adventure-style page turner.

Go!

How about some Graham Greene?

I find him very easy reading, but it's actually well written. Many of his novels are set abroad and there's a range from the more straight forward spy novels like Our Man in Havana to the ones with more literary themes (and don't let that put you off because they aren't hard going at all) like The Power and the Glory or the End of the Affair. In fact ones like The Quiet American and the Heart of the Matter are both.

 

[Uncle Leo]

How about some Graham Greene?

I find him very easy reading, but it's actually well written. Many of his novels are set abroad and there's a range from the more straight forward spy novels like Our Man in Havana to the ones with more literary themes (and don't let that put you off because they aren't hard going at all) like The Power and the Glory or the End of the Affair. In fact ones like The Quiet American and the Heart of the Matter are both.

Seconded; I'm a big fan of Grahame Greene. He did plenty of work as well, so if you get in to him, there's lots to discover

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

Seconded; I'm a big fan of Grahame Greene. He did plenty of work as well, so if you get in to him, there's lots to discover

I think I qualify as a GG groupie too.While he was still alive(obviously)I tracked down his flat in Antibes from a description he gave out on on a BBC Radio programme..He was away in South America at the time(still have the picture of me ringing his doorbell).Went to the place in the Old town where he had lunch each day(Chez Felix IIRC)and the Maitre D showed us his unpaid bills).Saw him give a talk at the NFT a few years later.Q.Mr Greene why do your novels keep getting shorter and shorter?A.That's because I keep getting older and older.

 

[number11]

I went to a book launch type Q&A session for that. I think he's more suited to the written than the spoken word. It's on my list of books I mean to read, although I think I'll go for his Larwood biography first.



.

He does mention quite early on (regarding his deaf grandfather taking him to cricket) that he was profoundly shy with a stutter who hated talking (hence making them ideal cricket companions) so I wouldn't let how he comes across in person. There were some faults with the book, and a couple of factual errors (reference to Cork taking a hattrick for England in '93' springs to mind....) but overall it was an enjoyable read for a cricket fan.

 

[Jedi Shrimper]

Just finished Harvey Pekar's graphic novel adaptation of Studs Terkel's "Working". An interesting read of short stories based on interviews Terkel carried out in the early 70's with working people from farmer's to business executives and their attitudes to work.

Just started The Portable Jack Kerouac, edited by his biographer Ann Charters. Kerouac often talked of his novels forming one giant story telling the story of his life, which he called 'The Legend of Duluoz', this book takes sections from each of his books and puts together a version of that, really looking forward to it as Charters has a great knowledge and understanding of him.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

One for Drastic Surgeon (and probably Rusty, although if he hasn't already read it, he'll have seen the film): Bernard Malamud's the Natural.

 

[Jedi Shrimper]

One for Drastic Surgeon (and probably Rusty, although if he hasn't already read it, he'll have seen the film): Bernard Malamud's the Natural.

I have it, picked up from a bookshop in Bath last month. It's next up after the Kerouac book, I take it you approve of it then?

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

One for Drastic Surgeon (and probably Rusty, although if he hasn't already read it, he'll have seen the film): Bernard Malamud's the Natural.

Great film, never read the book. Will give it a tumble after I finish 'The Pregnant Widow' - decent outing from the boy Amis.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

I have it, picked up from a bookshop in Bath last month. It's next up after the Kerouac book, I take it you approve of it then?

Ha ha, great minds think alike.

I read it in an evening, which is usually a good sign. I've just got a reminder through to return it to the library though which is what prompted me to mention it.

 

[Napster]

reading a stephen king - dreamcatcher. utter nonsense but want to see what happens.

 

[Dick Bate's Protege]

James Ellroy - The Black Dahlia
Tom Sharpe - Wilt

I'm after a little help amongst the literary folk on here. Can anyone recommend any decent fiction set in Africa along the same sort of lines as John le Carre's 'The Constant Gardener.' Seemed to have picked up a real interest in the Continent lately. Cheers in advance.