Question What are you reading?

[Dick Bate's Protege]

The Rachel Papers - Martin Amis.

One of the funniest books I've ever read. Wasn't a fan of Money, this is much better IMO.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

Oliva Laing's The Trip to Echo Spring (Why Writers Drink).A beautifully written book about some of my favourite (American) authors.

 

[Jedi Shrimper]

Finally finished Michael Chabon's epic 'The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay', a story about two jewish cousins in NY, one of home has escaped the Nazi occupation of Prague, who set about making their fortune creating comic books and set over 16 years. A quite brilliant read, I'll be seeking out the Escapist comic book spin-off. Off on holiday today and I'm taking F Scott Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby' and Kerouac's 'Maggie Cassidy'.

 

[ibwiajwa]

Just finished "The Son' by Philipp Meyer. It's a chunky, but wonderful book about three generations of a Texan family. The great grandfather is kidnapped by the Comanches and brought up as an Indian. Apparently, this was surprisingly common. The other two stories, which run simultaneously, are about relations with the Mexicans and the change from ranching to oil. It's a great read and a real insight into the times.

 

[prawntobewild]

Started "The Kaisho" - Eric Lustbader. - Not read any of his before (I think).

 

[prawntobewild]

I have been catching up on Mr Van Lustbader - who now writes the latest "Bourne " books as Robert Ludlum is no longer with us.
He was also a music journalist who was "instrumental" in promoting Elton John in the US as well as "waxing lyrical" about Jimi Hendrix & others before they broke through.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

Started Roddty Doyle's The Guts last night.Hugely enjoyable.Jimmy Rabbitte is back.

 

[prawntobewild]

Having finished the IMO over written & somewhat open ended "Kaisho" whereby the author although writing a series has failed to make this episode a stand alone story in some respects. I have moved onto somewhat familiar territory in the form of "A Suitable Vengance" by Elizabeth George - This is an Inspector Lyndley novel (the 4th I think). I have read a few of these & generally find them quite good - The Tv show however was a disappointment.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

Just started Henry Buckley's "The Life and Death of the Spanish Republic".

An eye witness account of the Spanish Civil war.

Long out of print and obviously dated but nevertheless a fascinating read.

 

[Swiss Tony]

Congo calling by Margaret Maund,fascinating memoirs of a Welsh nurse in the Congo,can't put it down.

 

[Dick Bate's Protege]

The Master and Margarita - Mikhail Bulgakov.

I'm thinking of learning Russian as a side project over the next few years; getting in the mood with this masterpiece.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

Put aside the HB for Jonathan Coe's Expo 58.Very funny.

 

[steveo]

I am Pilgrim.
Outstanding

 

[Rob Noxious]

I am Pilgrim.
Outstanding

Green Army!

 

[prawntobewild]

Headhunters - Jo Nesbo - this is not a Harry Hole story & oddly in the first 50 or so pages has rather a lot about QPR

 

[Uncle Leo]

Roddy Doyle's Two Pints.Wonderfully funny.

I've only just noticed he had a new book out in August - called 'Guts' and picking up the life of Jimmy Rabbitte again (The Commitments). Anyone read it?

I'm still trawling through that 'Spanish Holocaust' by Paul Preston. Brilliant, but really tough going. It's not much fun reading about so many brutal killings just before bed...

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

I've only just noticed he had a new book out in August - called 'Guts' and picking up the life of Jimmy Rabbitte again (The Commitments). Anyone read it?

I'm still trawling through that 'Spanish Holocaust' by Paul Preston. Brilliant, but really tough going. It's not much fun reading about so many brutal killings just before bed...

Yeah,read Guts (my wife's reading it atm).It's a funny (and moving) updating of the Jimmy Rabbitte story (he has bowel cancer in the new novel).Ending at an Irish pop festival is superb.

Just started the PP (prologue only so far).Hardly a light read as you say.

 

[Uncle Leo]

Yeah,read Guts (my wife's reading it atm).It's a funny (and moving) updating of the Jimmy Rabbitte story (he has bowel cancer in the new novel).Ending at an Irish pop festival is superb.

Just started the PP (prologue only so far).Hardly a light read as you say.

Just unremitting misery. There are some very dry sections in the build up to the war (lots of acronyms relating to various factions) but once the war is underway it's a fascinating if tragic read. Astonishing to read really, the brutality meted out (on both sides, although the Rebels appeared to be far worse) against their own people.

 

[prawntobewild]

"Under Orders" - By Dick Francis featuring ex-jockey turned Private Eye Sid Halley.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

Currently enjoying One Leg Too Few,William Cook's joint biography of Peter Cook and Dudley Moore.Very funny and well researched.