*What book are you reading ?

[Badgers]

The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists by Robert Tressell

A good friend posted this to me saying that it was the best book ever written. Only two chapters in so far but it is already really good.

 

[obanite]

The Caged Virgin, Ayaan Hirsi Ali

 

[rollinder]

Peter Robinson - In A Dry Season

 

[D'wards]

About halfway through A Million Little Pieces by James Frey.
I had it personally recommended, and it is covered with glowing reviews - however, i am finding it boring, repetitive, self-rightous and his writing style, though distinctive, is irritating - he overemphasises everything to the point of naseau (which actually writes about constantly - always being sick that lad, and each and every time describing in in lurid detail)

 

[J77]

Just read: I'm not scared by Niccolò Ammaniti.

Which was a nice summer book -- I'd put it in the same league as The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, if anyone's read that.

and...

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- which, once again, had too much waffle, but at least a bit of a plot this time; can't wait for the 8th installment...

Think I'll turn to some classics now... David Copperfield and a History of Western Philosphy have been sitting on the shelf for a while...

 

[Dubversion]

About halfway through A Million Little Pieces by James Frey.
I had it personally recommended, and it is covered with glowing reviews - however, i am finding it boring, repetitive, self-rightous and his writing style, though distinctive, is irritating - he overemphasises everything to the point of naseau (which actually writes about constantly - always being sick that lad, and each and every time describing in in lurid detail)

he also made most of it up

 

[obanite]

About halfway through A Million Little Pieces by James Frey.
I had it personally recommended, and it is covered with glowing reviews - however, i am finding it boring, repetitive, self-rightous and his writing style, though distinctive, is irritating - he overemphasises everything to the point of naseau (which actually writes about constantly - always being sick that lad, and each and every time describing in in lurid detail)

Self-righteous?

I'd say he's anything but - he constantly reaffirms that all of this is of his own doing. As for boring, well, what did you really expect from a story about somebody in rehab?

The fact that he made up parts of it is far worse than what you've said in my opinion

 

[obanite]

he also made most of it up

I don't know about "most". If you read the actual story that 'blew the book out of the water', most of the stuff they go on about is his criminal record, not what actually happened during the telling of the book.

 

[Orang Utan]

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- which, once again, had too much waffle, but at least a bit of a plot this time; can't wait for the 8th installment...

I thought this one was the last Potter book? Oh, and is I'm Not Scared about a kidnapped kid? If so, I've seen the film and it's excellent.

 

[J77]

I thought this one was the last Potter book? Oh, and is I'm Not Scared about a kidnapped kid? If so, I've seen the film and it's excellent.

Yeah -- set in Southern Italy. It's a great book for reading whilst lounging around in the sunshine (when it comes ).

The HP is the 7th from 7, but you know they'll be more...

 

[D'wards]

Self-righteous?

I'd say he's anything but - he constantly reaffirms that all of this is of his own doing. As for boring, well, what did you really expect from a story about somebody in rehab?

The fact that he made up parts of it is far worse than what you've said in my opinion

Its more the fact that he really looks down on the methods of the centre and the other people in there. One bit where some bloke was giving a lecture who had used the 12-step programme and had found God, as was better now, and he describes how he would punch him in the face if he was near enough. I am an athiest, but each to his own - if religion helps someone get over his addictions then fine - no need to be condescending about it...

 

[elevendayempire]

Carter Beats the Devil by Glen David Gold, and, er... a biography of Axl Rose which I'm supposed to be reviewing.

SG

 

[obanite]

Its more the fact that he really looks down on the methods of the centre and the other people in there. One bit where some bloke was giving a lecture who had used the 12-step programme and had found God, as was better now, and he describes how he would punch him in the face if he was near enough. I am an athiest, but each to his own - if religion helps someone get over his addictions then fine - no need to be condescending about it...

Yeah I see what you mean... but to be honest, I saw that more as just another part of his whole "I'm an angry fuck up" personality. I guess the reason I don't see him as self-righteous is because he's just as hard on himself as anything or anyone else...

 

[Dirty Martini]

Europe, Europe by Hans Magnus Enzensberger

I loved this. Written in the mid-80s, independent leftwing German poet's travels through Europe -- specifically, Sweden, Italy, Hungary, Spain, Portugal and Poland. A travel book that looks at the impact of political regimes and history on everyday life. I was expecting it to be dated I guess, but it's remarkably prescient about how these societies would turn out after the end of communism, a strengthened and expanded EU, electronic networks, etc. It would be great if he could go back and take another look at these countries, particularly Poland and Italy for different reasons, but he's getting on a bit.

Recommended, for the things that have changed and for the things that appear to be eternal

 

[rollinder]

Philip K Dick - Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said and A Scanner Darkly,

 

[chooch]

Europe, Europe by Hans Magnus Enzensberger

Sounds interesting.
On a reading spree at the moment. Just finished Bury my Heart at Wounded Knee, a history of the american west, They Would Never Hurt a Fly, about war crimes in the Yugoslavian wars, The Leopard by Guiseppe Tomasi de Lamoudesa, which intermittently annoyed me but which ends in some style. Now reading Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer.

 

[golightly]

The Fabric of the Cosmos by Brian Greene. Bit of a reprise of The Elegant Universe, but I like this kind of stuff even if I have to regularly reread paragraphs about five times to get it.

 

[rollinder]

John Wyndham - Day of The Triffids

 

[marty21]

rachel north - out of the tunnel

 

[unusual_solid]

robin wright sacred rage - the wrath of militant islam

 

[Leica]

The Leopard by Guiseppe Tomasi de Lamoudesa, which intermittently annoyed me but which ends in some style.

di Lampedusa I love the Leopard, also love his short stories, especially the Siren (Lighea).

 

[obanite]

The Caged Virgin, Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Highly recommend this, brave lady.

Reading Renegade Magic by Robin Hobb at the moment, pretty good series Lots of eating...

 

[chooch]

di Lampedusa

whoops. I'm blaming a foreign keyboard...

 

[sojourner]

I finally finished The Crossing. Bit of an epic read to say the least. Just started Cities of the Plain

 

[Daniel-San]

Bob Dylan- Chronicles

 

[Boogie Boy]

I have nearly finished 'American Psycho', which I am finding incredibly dull. And I have just started 'How Non Violence Protects The State' by Peter Gelderloos.

BB

 

[foamy]

Chart Throb - Ben Elton.
Haven't read anything for ages and knew i could read this fast so pinched it off my mum. Not time well spent. Must read something better next time.

 

[Orang Utan]

Bad foamy

 

[foamy]

hangs head in shame

 

[Xanadu]

I'm reading Hanif Kureishi - Love in a Blue Time. Pretty good so far.