DaveMS Posted August 23, 2011 Posted August 23, 2011 I very much enjoyed both of Alex Ross's books. Took a while to read as I kept running off to play the relevant music. Met him briefly at the ACO tour earlier this year. Nice bloke.
Catostylus Posted August 23, 2011 Posted August 23, 2011 Nice bloke. Not in contention. Love to catch up with him for a chinwag sometime.
NellyJamba Posted August 29, 2011 Posted August 29, 2011 Finished reading Churchill: A Study in Greatness, in a very laboured way; 3 weeks for a 200 over pager. Boy this was so dry......and I had as much fun as reading the history of Gold Coast Suns. I am turned off by a couple of things. The use of very big words in the book. I have to admit that I needed to check the dictionary many times. Churchill was reflected as a dodgy war monger and a proud imperialist, albeit a highly intelligent one blessed with great oratory skills. And of course, how Britain/Churchill totally withdrew from the Pacific was brushed over - something too embarrassed to talk about perhaps? Verdict : I want my 50p back.
Phill451 Posted August 29, 2011 Posted August 29, 2011 I have had the privilige to meet former Justice Kirby through my work on a few occasions. He is a man of awesome intelligence, generosity and inspiration.
hybridfiat Posted October 12, 2011 Posted October 12, 2011 Working my way through all of Ian Rankin's "Rebus" novels on the Kindle. I like reading his because familiar places and sayings crop up all the time.
Orpheus Posted October 12, 2011 Posted October 12, 2011 I'm going for a bit of light reading with the first Rumpole omnibus. A lot of it is delightfully familiar, it really is very entertaining.
hybridfiat Posted October 12, 2011 Posted October 12, 2011 I'm going for a bit of light reading with the first Rumpole omnibus. A lot of it is delightfully familiar, it really is very entertaining. Love that Horace! I have a couple of Rumpoles. I got a complete collection of P.G Wodehouse's Bertie Woster in London and although the storylines are somewhat repetitive it is still very funny reading. I have a picture of Hugh Laurie playing Bertie in my head not Ian Carmichael despite Ian being the first Bertie Ive watched.
Orpheus Posted October 12, 2011 Posted October 12, 2011 Love that Horace! I have a couple of Rumpoles. I got a complete collection of P.G Wodehouse's Bertie Woster in London and although the storylines are somewhat repetitive it is still very funny reading. I have a picture of Hugh Laurie playing Bertie in my head not Ian Carmichael despite Ian being the first Bertie Ive watched. Laurie is a natural Bertie.
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted October 12, 2011 Volunteer Posted October 12, 2011 Laurie is a natural Bertie. He reminds me of Rick Mayall in the role...That snorty fawning upper class twit thing 1
valvelover Posted October 12, 2011 Posted October 12, 2011 Currently reading Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde on my Kindle! Dave
davidsss Posted October 12, 2011 Posted October 12, 2011 Currently reading this: About a South African bloke who rode his bike around all the coastal countries of Africa and, yes, he does go through Liberia, Libya et al. Good book. I'm reading it on paper, it's a book not some sort of electronic device DS
hybridfiat Posted October 14, 2011 Posted October 14, 2011 Currently reading this: About a South African bloke who rode his bike around all the coastal countries of Africa and, yes, he does go through Liberia, Libya et al. Good book. I'm reading it on paper, it's a book not some sort of electronic device DS That is just sooooo passé
peacewise Posted October 16, 2011 Posted October 16, 2011 Finally able to pull my head out of the textbooks and read some fiction. The Runes of the Earth by Stephen Donaldson. Yep I've previously read chronicles 1 and 2 of Thomas Covenant. Enjoying Runes of the Earth, I now see the Last Chronicles is a four book series, bloody nora, didn't want to start reading them until they are all out. I only get peeved off when i finish a book and the next one isn't available. Bloody cliff hangers suck.
progladyte Posted October 31, 2011 Posted October 31, 2011 This was one of THE most graphic books about crime I have ever read. The man featured in this book was responsible for more brutal Mafia hits in USA than you could ever imagine possible. I was glued to this thing right from the get go which I have not been able to do for many books. Highly recommended if you can stomach the gore. One of the best books I have read about the underlying issues about the GFC. If you thought it was only about sub prime mortgages, this will set you straight. A really well researched book full of interesting information. Some more economic mayhem: Just to prove us acounting types aren't all boring old farts, this was some light hearted relief which I often enjoy. Jeff Foxworthy - You Might Be A Redneck If.......... 2
mondie Posted October 31, 2011 Posted October 31, 2011 This is riveting reading, hard going at times and l feel like l need both a dictionary and a book on 60/70's world politics at my side, but its a fun read from an amazing man.
Probbo Posted October 31, 2011 Posted October 31, 2011 Just finished this.........very enjoyable. [ATTACH=CONFIG]37503[/ATTACH] It may be a common occurance today, but in 1953-4 John Landy (Australia), Wes Santee (US) and Roger Bannister (GB) were in a three way fight to be the first man to break the 4 minute mile......the "Everest" of middle distance running.
Bunyip Posted October 31, 2011 Posted October 31, 2011 Great collection of interviews over the years with everyone from spending a long nigt with Chuck Berry to going nappy shopping with Snoop. He wrote for Rolling Stones for decades and this is the stuff that wasn't what the mag wanted in the article, where Strauss argues that these bits are what give you a real insight into who the person really is.
biologist Posted November 1, 2011 Posted November 1, 2011 Was Neil Strauss the journo, yet to be to picked up by Rolling Stone, supposedly represented in the movie "Almost Famous"?
soundfan Posted November 14, 2011 Posted November 14, 2011 I just finished reading James Lee Burke: Feast Day Of Fools on my Kindle. An absolutely outstanding read IMO, and I think that it is close to his best yet, and that's saying something. He has a great way with words, and although James Lee is getting on in years, I hope he has a few more books in him. 1
4heckssake Posted January 2, 2012 Posted January 2, 2012 For a bit of light holiday reading I was given a copy of ManSpace magazine. It's new and worth a look.
Luc Posted January 3, 2012 Posted January 3, 2012 I'm reading Pope and the Syntax of Satire along with Proper nouns in The Dunciad. It's extremely heavy going and is probably not as much fun as the mancave book :/ But I'm getting to know The Dunciad and how many people can say that these days?(without telling a fib) Also re reading The Hobbit just to refresh my memory before Jackson's take on it comes out and completely screws it. 1
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted January 3, 2012 Volunteer Posted January 3, 2012 A bit more lowbrow here. Just finished 'flowers for algernon' and also 'the eyre affair' 1
rantan Posted January 3, 2012 Posted January 3, 2012 I couldn't agree more. I have read almost every JLB book and he is a wordsmith par excellence.In all of his books, from the opening paragraphs one is transpoprted to Bayou with vivid and compelling images. Burke is not only a great writer, but a great storyteller as well. if people here have not read these books, put aside your crime novel prejudices and read the work of a master writer. I had the same prejudices prior to reading his first book and since then I have been utterly addicted. The central characters are people you can understand and feel for despite their obvious flaws and it is like they become your friends. Quite often I stop and wonder what Dave is doing and then laugh at myself, but I miss not hearing about him and it is almost like he is a friend. Please buy these books. Authors like JLB don't come around very often and you will not regret it. An honourable mention should also go the R J Ellory for his wonderful book "A Quiet Belief In Angels". Rarely have I read a book which brought about such a range of emotions. It ranges tragedy, cruelty, humour, sadness, helplessness,injustice,redemption etc etc and the climax will leave you shaken. It is a slow starter but please stick with it, as incredible rewards await the patient reader. I just finished reading James Lee Burke: Feast Day Of Fools on my Kindle. An absolutely outstanding read IMO, and I think that it is close to his best yet, and that's saying something. He has a great way with words, and although James Lee is getting on in years, I hope he has a few more books in him.
soundfan Posted January 3, 2012 Posted January 3, 2012 Patti Smith: Just Kids I'm really enjoying this at the moment, it traces Patti's early career and her relationship with Robert Mapplethrope in the late sixties and seventies. I knew nought about Mapplethorpe before starting this book, but he went on to be a well regarded photographer. He is responsible for the front cover of Patti's "Horses" album. I particulary enjoy reading of her chance meetings with Hendrix, Janis Joplin and other greats while she lived in the famous Chelsea Hotel. I'm half way through the book, she has just met Lenny Kaye who forms a large part of her musical journey in years to come. 1
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