Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 10:19 am Post subject: This week I have been mainly reading...
The Book of Dave by Will Self.
I would recommend it highly. I don't know how it would work for those unfortunates who don't live in the London area (but I'm not sure if they read books anyway).
Now looking forward to From Lance to Landis: Inside the American Doping Controversy at the Tour de France, but it hasn't arrived yet.
hey hey - the long awaited book thread
I read On The Road 25 odd years ago and it made a big impression on me. I started to read it again recently and I'd forgotten how much pure energy pours off every page - it seems to move along on adrenalin (and amphetamines) alone. Anyway, i'm about half way through it, and I think i'm going to have to give it up, because i've suddenly come to the conclusion that it might only be a pretentious heap of garbage.
The moral: don't re-read books that you found impressive in your youth. _________________ This old world keeps spinnin' round, it's a wonder tall trees ain't layin' down
I have it but won't be reading it until I finish In search of Robert Millar, which is very good. I reckon I'll be finished today/tomorrow. I also have Positively false, I just had to buy it!!!!!. I think after reading Walsh' book and being on a forum in love with doping speculation I'll need a break... something to laugh.. at so, The life and times of the thunderbolt kid is lined up. _________________ It could be worse!!!
hey hey - the long awaited book thread
I read On The Road 25 odd years ago and it made a big impression on me. I started to read it again recently and I'd forgotten how much pure energy pours off every page - it seems to move along on adrenalin (and amphetamines) alone. Anyway, i'm about half way through it, and I think i'm going to have to give it up, because i've suddenly come to the conclusion that it might only be a pretentious heap of garbage.
The moral: don't re-read books that you found impressive in your youth.
Interesting, I was thinking about revisiting some of my old favourites but held back on that basis. I'll continue to move forwards rather than backwards.
Has anyone else read Richard Dawkins' The God Delusion? I read it a couple of months back and found it really inspiring.
I love the anecodote of the atheist professor who was challenged by a Christian saying how his life must be bleak and empty without a faith, and replied "Oh, I don't know about that. I'm rather looking forward to a nice lunch."
John Pilger's collection of investigative journalism 'Tell No Lies' - dreadful, terrible, magnificent - reminds you exactly why the truth does and should matter _________________ I'm just looking for one divine hammer
One advantage/drawback of being in the book trade is I have far too many books put aside to read.... someday.... when I get the time..... They are literally piled up everywhere, sometimes blurring into books which are supposed to be for business. Love it really!
On the Road is a great book, I reread it about 3 years back and it has a wonderful description of Slim Gaillard.....
In the middle of 'The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America' - a great read on the events surrounding the 1893 Chicago World's Fair including a serial killer that preyed on the lonely women coming to the Big City in search of a job and a future.
One advantage/drawback of being in the book trade is I have far too many books put aside to read.... someday.... when I get the time..... They are literally piled up everywhere, sometimes blurring into books which are supposed to be for business. Love it really!
On the Road is a great book, I reread it about 3 years back and it has a wonderful description of Slim Gaillard.....
My mother always said: "Start one thing and finish it!". The Chinese say: "Too much information is no information". Oh boy, do I know what you're talking about, Sooty! _________________ END THE MADNESS
I dduw bo'r diolch
"This bike is so pimp it hit your mother and all she could say was 'Thank you, sir!'".
I've been trying to finish off an unabridged version of Les Miserables. I seem to have been reading it for ever...
It had been sitting on one of the bookshelves unread for far too long... _________________ I put the hammer down but it bounced back and smacked me in the teeth.
Marian Pop – Partidul Naţional Român şi Naţional Ţărănesc din Sălaj: Viaţă politcă în nord-vestul României (1869-1948)
The last book I read for pleasure was Graham Greene ‘The Third Man’. I suspect because I read so much for work that I don’t really have time or energy to read for pleasure.
Marian Pop – Partidul Naţional Român şi Naţional Ţărănesc din Sălaj: Viaţă politcă în nord-vestul României (1869-1948)
The last book I read for pleasure was Graham Greene ‘The Third Man’. I suspect because I read so much for work that I don’t really have time or energy to read for pleasure.
To be perfectly honest this week I've mainly been reading two guys arguing over the Internet about the effect of political correctness on modern-day Britain
Books that I have read relatively recently: my first Kurt Vonneghut novel (Cat's Cradle) - worth reading but I don't think I'll be searching out his other books... and David Baltacci's "Split Second" - the kind of CIA presidential assassination thriller I usually stay well clear of - but it kept me on the edge of my sofa throughout (though it's not gonna win the Booker Prize - would be nice to get nominated though*).
One of my favourite books and one of the few that I have re-read is Walter Scott's "Ivanhoe" - learned more about British history through this than during 5 years at school!
As for James Joyce's "Ulysses", I made several spirited attempts at reading it in my younger days, but sadly never got passed page 65...
Dubious claim to fame: I used to go out with Steve Coogan in his 'Spitting Image' days and remember him doing Paul & Pauling Calf for me in the back of a taxi whilst they were still in the formative stage...
'Devil in the White City' was great - didn't he also write a book called 'Isaac's Storm' about the storm that destroyed Galveston? That's worth a read too.
Dipping in and out of the Pilger as it makes me too angry - so have broken it up with some Gore Vidal essays, Jasper Foords Thursday Next books and have just started 'Trawler' which is great. Love reading. _________________ I'm just looking for one divine hammer
Marian Pop – Partidul Naţional Român şi Naţional Ţărănesc din Sălaj: Viaţă politcă în nord-vestul României (1869-1948)
The last book I read for pleasure was Graham Greene ‘The Third Man’. I suspect because I read so much for work that I don’t really have time or energy to read for pleasure.
You should stop reading so much for work, then!
Then I'd get even less done. Actually most of the stuff is pretty interesting so I don't mind.
I suppose reading about cycling etc is more my relaxation reading.
To be perfectly honest this week I've mainly been reading two guys arguing over the Internet about the effect of political correctness on modern-day Britain
Books that I have read relatively recently: my first Kurt Vonneghut novel (Cat's Cradle) - worth reading but I don't think I'll be searching out his other books... and David Baltacci's "Split Second" - the kind of CIA presidential assassination thriller I usually stay well clear of - but it kept me on the edge of my sofa throughout (though it's not gonna win the Booker Prize - would be nice to get nominated though*).
One of my favourite books and one of the few that I have re-read is Walter Scott's "Ivanhoe" - learned more about British history through this than during 5 years at school!
As for James Joyce's "Ulysses", I made several spirited attempts at reading it in my younger days, but sadly never got passed page 65...
* any other Alan Partridge fans on here?
That was going to be my first reply - mainly this blooming forum!
My Dad reads Baldacci - I find Baldacci hard to sell, even the Libraries aren't keen. Dad also likes Lee Child.
I love Kurt Vonnegut - Cat's Cradle isn't typical. You might like Slaughterhouse 5, or Breakfast of Champions.
OK here we go - I do read a bit, I used to read "modern literature" - McEwan, Swift, Fowles etc (all dated now....). But my reading choices are a bit like my music taste nowadays - all over the place. The last year has seen me read Conan Doyle, Simenon, Hardy, Richard Jefferies, Alfred Williams... and I read/look at a lot of Art Photography books, v interested in that, monographs - everyone from Atget to Saudek. Also read music biogs. Trying to read one on Coleman Hawkins at present, well ok I haven't actually started yet.... Keep meaning to read "Treat it Gentle" by Sidney Bechet.
Ahem...... have 21 different Maria Callas books. Have read 3 of them.
* My friend Mark is exactly like Alan Partridge - which is maybe why he doesn't find it funny....
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