*What book are you reading? (part 2)

[nogojones]

Histories by Tacitus

 

[colbhoy]

The Redeemer by Jo Nesbo.

 

[jeff_leigh]

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas - John Boyne

 

[Orang Utan]

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas - John Boyne

Keep meaning to read that. The film is great.

 

[8115]

Peter James, Dead Man's Time. 13 MILLION COPIES SOLD

 

[maya]

Re-reading 'Q' and 'Manituana' by Luther Blissett, as when I tried to read them first time around during my messy/confusing student years my head(s)pace was a bit too hectic to make sense of stuff like that... If I ever manage to finish those I'll continue with 'Black Holes, Wormholes and Time-machines' by Jim Al-Khalili (for commuting) and 'Future Days: Krautock and the building of modern Germany' by David Stubbs (for chilled out reading on the sofa in the afternoon, trying to spend less time in front of a computer and more reading books/doing stuff IRL)

 

[ringo]

A Room With A View - E. M. Forster.

Had no idea what this was about when I started it. Enjoying it already but can't help picturing herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically across the horizon.

 

[sojourner]

Julian Barnes - A History of the World in 10½ Chapters

Loving it so far

Finished this at lunchtime. Quick look at reviews - horrible one from Jonathan Coe in the Guardian, wittering on about it being too clever. I fucking hate that. YOU go and fucking write it then! So what if it's clever? Since when was being clever and displaying it in writing a sodding crime?! Only in the UK

Anyway, thought it was fucking ace

 

[Orang Utan]

Finished this at lunchtime. Quick look at reviews - horrible one from Jonathan Coe in the Guardian, wittering on about it being too clever. I fucking hate that. YOU go and fucking write it then! So what if it's clever? Since when was being clever and displaying it in writing a sodding crime?! Only in the UK

Anyway, thought it was fucking ace

I love the chapter about heaven. It's been a while since I read it but doesn't he talk about the perfect FEB? I recall bacon rinds served separately on a silver platter.

 

[DotCommunist]

at least its not a ramekin


Done with Ascension Factor.

now on to

Fireworks in the Rain

which is a prelude novella to 'The Incrementalists'

Steven Brust and Skyler White's novel The Incrementalists (September 2013) introduces us to a secret society of two hundred people with an unbroken lineage reaching back forty thousand years. They cheat death, share lives and memories, and communicate with one another across nations and time. They have an epic history, an almost magical memory, and a very modest mission: to make the world better, a little bit at a time.

 

[sojourner]

I love the chapter about heaven. It's been a while since I read it but doesn't he talk about the perfect FEB? I recall bacon rinds served separately on a silver platter.

What's FEB?

Yeh, the heaven one's the last chapter, and as with the rest of the stories, it gives a refreshingly different take on the subject

 

[Orang Utan]

What's FEB? you're clearly not real Urbanz if you have to ask that!

FULL ENGLISH BREAKFAST!

The stuff about Hitler is well funny

 

[sojourner]

What's FEB? you're clearly not real Urbanz if you have to ask that!

FULL ENGLISH BREAKFAST!

The stuff about Hitler is well funny

Ohhh!!! Haha - it's off my radar these days

 

[Mr Retro]

The Dog by Joseph O'Neill. Nearly finished and I've really enjoyed it but it's not as good as Netherland.

 

[Mr Happy Orange]

Re-reading 'Q' and 'Manituana' by Luther Blissett, as when I tried to read them first time around during my messy/confusing student years my head(s)pace was a bit too hectic to make sense of stuff like that... If I ever manage to finish those I'll continue with 'Black Holes, Wormholes and Time-machines' by Jim Al-Khalili (for commuting) and 'Future Days: Krautock and the building of modern Germany' by David Stubbs (for chilled out reading on the sofa in the afternoon, trying to spend less time in front of a computer and more reading books/doing stuff IRL)

In retrospect 'Q' remains a very good novel but it is undoubtedly untidy and in need of editing. Perhaps this is the natural result of a book being written collectively? 'Manituana' is a far superior novel, more circumspect and controlled, and one to which the collective will hopefully agree to return to in the future (as they did with 'Q' through 'Altai').

I loved both so much that I sought out first editions of both (with dust jackets).

 

[weltweit]

Getting a bit frustrated with my current book, it just sends me to sleep! I am determined, over half way through but it isn't the most gripping or pleasurable read I have had.

 

[MrSki]

Getting a bit frustrated with my current book, it just sends me to sleep! I am determined, over half way through but it isn't the most gripping or pleasurable read I have had.

Same here. Read the first 220 pages in a couple of days but the last 50 has taken over a week! Must finish it but don't really have much enthusiasm.

 

[Thimble Queen]

Maggie and Me. The main character is growing up gay in Scotland in the 80s. Some of it's really grim

 

[Orang Utan]

Maggie and Me. The main character is growing up gay in Scotland in the 80s. Some of it's really grim

BY WHO?

 

[Thimble Queen]

Damian Barr. No need to shout

 

[belboid]

BY WHO?

Whom [/pedant]

 

[Orang Utan]

Damian Barr. No need to shout

Pet hate!

 

[Thimble Queen]

Pet hate!

Is that all it takes

 

[Orang Utan]

Think of the poor author!

 

[maya]

In retrospect 'Q' remains a very good novel but it is undoubtedly untidy and in need of editing. Perhaps this is the natural result of a book being written collectively? 'Manituana' is a far superior novel, more circumspect and controlled, and one to which the collective will hopefully agree to return to in the future (as they did with 'Q' through 'Altai').

I loved both so much that I sought out first editions of both (with dust jackets).

Yeah, I love their angle and the whole project really... Have you read '54' by Wu Ming?(a Blissett-related project) I've heard good things about it, looks like a more 1950s noir kind of thing.

 

[sojourner]

Chuck Palahniuk - Lullaby

Almost finished it - brilliant, loving it

 

[rubbershoes]

I've just finished two autobiographies. Toast by Nigel Slater and My booky wook by Russell Brand.

Both books were as you'd expect. Toast is (largely) warming and shows Nigel Slater's obsession with food. My booky wook is irritating and shows Russell Brand's obsession with Russell Brand

I was pleased to note Nigel Slater agrees that the only acceptable Angel Delight flavours were butterscotch and banana.

 

[sojourner]

Toast is an excellent book, I loved that.

I'd rather piss on myself than read RB though. Fucking ginormous cock end.

 

[Mr Retro]

Butchers Crossing by John Williams. One of those you know is going to be a cracking read.

 

[jeff_leigh]

Keep meaning to read that. The film is great.

I've seen the film too and they're both great, Give it a read I finished it 2 nights