Books - what are you reading just now?

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Finished Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham early in the week. More a nostalgia thing really as it was one of my O-Level books xx years ago. Still enjoy it but it’s not going to blow you away. Similarly, I quite like picking up the odd Neville Shute book now and again. They won’t tax you, and their style is clearly dated now but they’re easy reading.

Finished The Guardians by John Grisham a few days back. Probably closer to being back to his best, published in 2019, after a few lacklustre books.

Now part way through A Sparrow Falls by Wilbur Smith. It’s probably my 6th-ish reading of the trilogy that starts with When the Lion Feeds. Smith has written countless books, many centred on Africa, including prequels to the Courtney family history, some of which you can’t but down till the wee small hours. If you only pick up one Smith book, make it When the Lion feeds.

I too enjoy an occasional Wyndham or Shute book, easy reading and always good. I add to these two Innes and MacLean…for good adventure tales, and Robert Heinlein for sci-fi. And by me just at the moment is When the Lion Feeds…as suggested

 

[Fade and Die]

Just finished my first Iain Banks book “The Wasp Factory” (it was his first book too) I bought it because it was highly rated on Amazon, but tbh I didn’t really get it! It doesn’t have much of a story, just the inner thoughts of the main character, then a small twist at the end. Pretty unsatisfying. Don’t think I’ll bother with any more of his books.

 

[Italian outcast]

Just finished my first Iain Banks book “The Wasp Factory” (it was his first book too) I bought it because it was highly rated on Amazon, but tbh I didn’t really get it! It doesn’t have much of a story, just the inner thoughts of the main character, then a small twist at the end. Pretty unsatisfying. Don’t think I’ll bother with any more of his books.

That was my impression when I read it when it first came out almost 40 years ago - i wont bother with his next
As it happens - he wrote some others that I found very enjoyable - i'd suggest Espedair Street as a completely different (and rather funny/sweet) alternative

 

[rudebhoy]

That was my impression when I read it when it first came out almost 40 years ago - i wont bother with his next
As it happens - he wrote some others that I found very enjoyable - i'd suggest Espedair Street as a completely different (and rather funny/sweet) alternative

I’ve read most of his books, Complicity was my favourite.

I also bought one of his sci-fi books by mistake, that was unreadable.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Revisiting Zen Golf

 

[Reemul]

Just finished my first Iain Banks book “The Wasp Factory” (it was his first book too) I bought it because it was highly rated on Amazon, but tbh I didn’t really get it! It doesn’t have much of a story, just the inner thoughts of the main character, then a small twist at the end. Pretty unsatisfying. Don’t think I’ll bother with any more of his books.

The first is the worst, in fact you can miss that one out and start on ther second

 

[rudebhoy]

Just finished Hotel Avocado by Bob Mortimer. Enjoyable shaggy dog-type of thriller. I actually listened to it on Spotify, read by Bob, Paul Whitehouse and Sally Phillips.

It's a follow up to The Satsuma Complex which I haven't read yet, but will seek out now.

 

[rulefan]

The Secret Hours - Mick Heron
Enthralling so far.

 

[ADB]

Just finished Hotel Avocado by Bob Mortimer. Enjoyable shaggy dog-type of thriller. I actually listened to it on Spotify, read by Bob, Paul Whitehouse and Sally Phillips.

It's a follow up to The Satsuma Complex which I haven't read yet, but will seek out now.

Just read The Satsuma Complex - it was an easy read, pretty enjoyable

 

[Sid Rixon IV]

1/3rd through "The Armour of Light" by Ken Follett. Didnt realise it is 1 of 5 in "The Kingsbridge Series". I read "Pillars of the Earth" years ago after watching the TV serialisation. I'm not religious but I am in awe of Cathedrals and, therefore PotE fascinated me. So this book is 600 years later with vague references to the past.
Its not a "page turner" and there are no bullets, bombs, drugs or stuff from other books I like but you get slowly drawn in to the everyday lives of the characters.
Ken Follett fascinates me. His ouput is prodigious and they border on being tomes, yet he can cover both modern and ancient subjects in immense detail.
I just wonder if he sleeps or even pays attention to anyone talking to him whilst he develops yet another 7/800 page plot

 

[Sid Rixon IV]

A quick heads up.
Just finished the above and today received my copy of "Never" by same author, another 800+ pager!
I got it in hardback for £3.95, free postage, from World of Books.
Preowned but pristine.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Listening (on BBC Sounds) to a reading of War of the Worlds…HG Wells. I’ve read it before - maybe couple of times - but this reading is really bringing it to life…especially given so much of it is set pretty close to where I live (Woking and immediate locality). Resonates in todays international climate.

 

[Slab]

Looking for recommendations for audio books pls

I enjoy Mark Greaney’s Gray Man stuff and working through Tom Wood’s Victor series. What’s similar? But needs to be of decent length, I can’t be doing with sub 10hr books
(stopped part way through Jack Higgins, Sean Dillon series for this reason)

Thanks

Oh and no need to suggest Reacher. I’m not a fan

 

[larmen]

Looking for recommendations for audio books pls

I enjoy Mark Greaney’s Gray Man stuff and working through Tom Wood’s Victor series. What’s similar? But needs to be of decent length, I can’t be doing with sub 10hr books
(stopped part way through Jack Higgins, Sean Dillon series for this reason)

Thanks

Oh and no need to suggest Reacher. I’m not a fan

Mitch Rapp, Scott Harwath, Dewey Andreas, Pike Logan

That’s the ones I remember.


The latest Gray Man, do you think it was a take on Elon?

 

[Sid Rixon IV]

After reading a Ken Follett tome, Armour of Light, I decided to follow with another, Never.
But in a chance conversation with two pals they both recommended and loaned me "Politics on the Edge" by Rory Stewart and I'm on my way throught it. Not a page turner but very interesting. Don't imagine David Cameron thinks so though
On the subject of reading my 9yr grandson is a voracious reader and has suddenly concluded that maybe he should now start reading "grown up" books.
His mum was slightly nonplussed when, out of the blue, he asked "Oliver Twist, is that any good?

He's getting it for Christmas from Gramps!
But I so miss reading Gruffalo and Stick Man with him

 

[Slab]

Mitch Rapp, Scott Harwath, Dewey Andreas, Pike Logan

That’s the ones I remember.


The latest Gray Man, do you think it was a take on Elon?

Thanks I'll give them a look

Yeah not the first time I've read a fiction book and see a close resemblance to real world events (& sometimes the book came first!)

 

[Lord Tyrion]

On the subject of reading my 9yr grandson is a voracious reader and has suddenly concluded that maybe he should now start reading "grown up" books.
His mum was slightly nonplussed when, out of the blue, he asked "Oliver Twist, is that any good?

He's getting it for Christmas from Gramps!
But I so miss reading Gruffalo and Stick Man with him

Might be ready for the Harry Potter series? Grown up writing but great for kids.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Just finished Hotel Avocado by Bob Mortimer. Enjoyable shaggy dog-type of thriller. I actually listened to it on Spotify, read by Bob, Paul Whitehouse and Sally Phillips.

It's a follow up to The Satsuma Complex which I haven't read yet, but will seek out now.

Just finished this. You really needed to read The Satsuma Complex first, lots of Hotel Avocado wouldn't make sense reading them this way.

I thought Satsuma was a better book. I don't think he quite knew how to finish Avocado, it all seemed a bit rushed at the end. Still an easy going read though, very Bob.

 

[rudebhoy]

Just finished this. You really needed to read The Satsuma Complex first, lots of Hotel Avocado wouldn't make sense reading them this way.

I thought Satsuma was a better book. I don't think he quite knew how to finish Avocado, it all seemed a bit rushed at the end. Still an easy going read though, very Bob.

It's obviously the wrong order to read them in (blame Spotify) but it didn't lessen my enjoyment or understanding of Avocado. It did however affect my enjoyment of Satsuma - there are so many references in the second book to the plot of the first book, that you knew what was coming next half of the time.

Very enjoyable books though, and even more so in the right order

 

[rudebhoy]

Currently reading A Heart Full of Headstones, the 24th (out of 25) Rebus book.

It's ok, but it's pretty implausible a knackered old ex-cop still getting heavily involved in current police investigations. I think Rankin has done Rebus to death now, the law of diminishing returns is definitely in play now.