full_throttle
Tour Winner
just finished London Bridges by James Patterson, Mary, Mary is next on the list
SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
only a few days ago I stumbled across the fact that Peter May went to the same secondary school as me - albeit a good few years before me - and that in his book 'Runaway' his descriptions of his school and teachers are such that, though not named, the teachers - as well as the school - are recognisable to pupils of my later time..
rudebhoy
Q-School Graduate
Great Uncle Harry by Michael Palin.
Born in the late 19th century, Harry was a bit of a black sheep in Palin’s family. Unlike his father and siblings, he was pretty hopeless academically, and struggled to hold a job down. Palin researches his story, which sees him working on the railways and tea plantations in India, then farming in New Zealand. He volunteers in WW1, seeing action in Gallipoli and Flanders before meeting his death at the Somme (all this is revealed on the back cover, so no spoilers here).
It’s very well written and pretty gripping, given you know how the story ends.
Born in the late 19th century, Harry was a bit of a black sheep in Palin’s family. Unlike his father and siblings, he was pretty hopeless academically, and struggled to hold a job down. Palin researches his story, which sees him working on the railways and tea plantations in India, then farming in New Zealand. He volunteers in WW1, seeing action in Gallipoli and Flanders before meeting his death at the Somme (all this is revealed on the back cover, so no spoilers here).
It’s very well written and pretty gripping, given you know how the story ends.
SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
Interesting…might give it a look as my grandfather was landed at Gallipoli and served on the Bulgarian front (in the Scottish Horse and Black Watch) before serious illness saw him out of there before being deployed to France/Belgium prior to being shot and invalided out.
The Gallipoli and Bulgarian front are thought by many of the time as the ‘forgotten’ front of WW1…and so much less written about from the British soldier aspect…it’s mostly about the Anzacs.
full_throttle
Tour Winner
back to RICHARD OSMN this month, his latest. We Solve Murders
GreiginFife
Money List Winner
Restarting the Discworld “City Watch” saga with Guards Guards.
Nightwatch is still far and away the best of them, but going to read them in sequence.
Nightwatch is still far and away the best of them, but going to read them in sequence.
Just finished the Butchering Art by Lindsay Fitzharris, basically about surgery back in the day, probably not for everyone but I really enjoyed it.
spongebob59
Journeyman Pro
Just finished the John Milton series so looking for something else/similar.
Have read all the Jack Reacher/ Mitch Rapp series.
Cheers
Have read all the Jack Reacher/ Mitch Rapp series.
Cheers
larmen
Head Pro
Milton & Reacher are the only do good drifters I know.
Will Robie is nearest similar but it’s just 5 books.
When you like Rapp CIA stuff I could recommend Scott Harwarth, Pike Logan/ Taskforce, Court Gentry/Gray Man. Started the last Gray Man just now. He kind of started as a standalone, like the Jackal but with a moral compass.
If you like to keep it British then Dan Spider Shepherd switches between undercover police/MI 5&6 as well as SAS stuff.
Just looking through my Kindle and I have read the series if
- Ryan Kealy, can’t remember a thing
- Dewey Andreas, ex Delta and dating the female President while doing black ops stuff
- Ben Hope, ex SAS with a DaVinci code like overlay.
- Agent Zero, also O recollection about anything here
And there is always Nick Stone from Andy McNabb. It’s like Coldplay, no one likes it but sells more than any others.
Doon frae Troon
Ryder Cup Winner
Working my way through the Wilbur Smith [Courtney series]. Up to Rage at the moment.
Easy reading and I also learn quite a bit about South African history.
Easy reading and I also learn quite a bit about South African history.
tdy1958
New member
3rd book in the Black Autumn Series.
rudebhoy
Q-School Graduate
Currently reading England Is Mine by Nicolas Padamsee.
Ever wondered what you’d do if your musical hero got cancelled? This crushing scenario is brought to life in an impressive first novel by Nicolas Padamsee (one of the Observer’s best 2024 debut novelists). A nuanced and remarkably assured exploration of Britishness, toxic masculinity and the pernicious pull of the far right, England Is Mine charts a rapid descent into extremism fuelled by fandom and disillusionment.
Padamsee tempers his depiction of radicalisation taking hold in a novel that is meticulously and sensitively paced.
David, one of two main characters, is a teenager of Iranian heritage living in east London. A social outcast who struggles with his image (bullies at sixth form call him “Makeup Boy”), he finds refuge in the music of Karl Williams, an outspoken solo artist who, during a show in Leeds, makes an Islamophobic comment about Muslim children being withdrawn from a local primary school because of LGBTQ teaching. “Could it be that maybe, maybe, Islam isn’t 100% compatible with western values?” he goads the crowd. “You tell me.” While initially reticent, David feels that the public backlash against Williams is excessive. This position becomes more entrenched after David is assaulted by two young Muslims – one of whom he knows from college – setting him on a dark path that spirals towards catastrophe.
Padamsee tempers his depiction of radicalisation taking hold in a novel that is meticulously and sensitively paced. David’s story is interwoven with that of Hassan, a longtime member of a Muslim youth centre who is determined to get into his first-choice university. As David moves from playing Call of Duty online to frequenting neo-Nazi chatrooms, Hassan begins volunteering at his local mosque: “He remembers his career adviser saying that volunteering experience would help his Ucas application stand out.” The parallel lives of these two young men hang in the balance, converging in an act of racial hatred that is unthinkable but inevitable.
England Is Mine offers a searing indictment of the factionalism and marginalisation that grip 21st-century Britain.
Really good read, very relatable to what's going on at the moment, and nowhere near as dry or worthy as the blurb makes it sound. Highly recommended.
Ever wondered what you’d do if your musical hero got cancelled? This crushing scenario is brought to life in an impressive first novel by Nicolas Padamsee (one of the Observer’s best 2024 debut novelists). A nuanced and remarkably assured exploration of Britishness, toxic masculinity and the pernicious pull of the far right, England Is Mine charts a rapid descent into extremism fuelled by fandom and disillusionment.
Padamsee tempers his depiction of radicalisation taking hold in a novel that is meticulously and sensitively paced.
David, one of two main characters, is a teenager of Iranian heritage living in east London. A social outcast who struggles with his image (bullies at sixth form call him “Makeup Boy”), he finds refuge in the music of Karl Williams, an outspoken solo artist who, during a show in Leeds, makes an Islamophobic comment about Muslim children being withdrawn from a local primary school because of LGBTQ teaching. “Could it be that maybe, maybe, Islam isn’t 100% compatible with western values?” he goads the crowd. “You tell me.” While initially reticent, David feels that the public backlash against Williams is excessive. This position becomes more entrenched after David is assaulted by two young Muslims – one of whom he knows from college – setting him on a dark path that spirals towards catastrophe.
Padamsee tempers his depiction of radicalisation taking hold in a novel that is meticulously and sensitively paced. David’s story is interwoven with that of Hassan, a longtime member of a Muslim youth centre who is determined to get into his first-choice university. As David moves from playing Call of Duty online to frequenting neo-Nazi chatrooms, Hassan begins volunteering at his local mosque: “He remembers his career adviser saying that volunteering experience would help his Ucas application stand out.” The parallel lives of these two young men hang in the balance, converging in an act of racial hatred that is unthinkable but inevitable.
England Is Mine offers a searing indictment of the factionalism and marginalisation that grip 21st-century Britain.
Really good read, very relatable to what's going on at the moment, and nowhere near as dry or worthy as the blurb makes it sound. Highly recommended.
SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
Alan Sillitoe’s Saturday Night and Sunday Morning
That it’s set in a Nottingham of the year I was born doesn’t take away from its authentic grittiness. - its description of how life for many in a Nottingham of now distant memory back in the late 50s is beautifully written - utilising the Nottingham dialect to great effect. Loving it.
That it’s set in a Nottingham of the year I was born doesn’t take away from its authentic grittiness. - its description of how life for many in a Nottingham of now distant memory back in the late 50s is beautifully written - utilising the Nottingham dialect to great effect. Loving it.
Currently part way through a series of books by M.J. Lee. The central character is a detective inspector (Ridpath) seconded to the Coroner’s office but still working for a major CID team in Greater Manchester Police. The stories are fast paced, and the characters well put together.
The added bonus for me is the locations used in the book. It’s set in the northwest of England, predominantly southwest Manchester. Many of the streets and buildings I know really well, which adds to the pictures we create in our mind when we’re reading.
The added bonus for me is the locations used in the book. It’s set in the northwest of England, predominantly southwest Manchester. Many of the streets and buildings I know really well, which adds to the pictures we create in our mind when we’re reading.
I've read all of these, they are excellent. The standard doesn't drop off, you can happily look forward to reading the rest of the series
hors limite
Assistant Pro
Just ordered " The Romantic" by William Boyd. I have much enjoyed his other stuff.
rudebhoy
Q-School Graduate
Am currently reading (actually listening) to With A Little Help From Their Friends by Stuart Maconie. It's basically a series of potted biographies of 100 people who came into contact with, and had an influence on The Beatles over the years. Written in his usual sardonic style, it's very enjoyable, perfect for the bath!
Just an aside on the listening to… I got into audio books a few months back. What an absolute revelation! Having someone read a book to you with the emotion and excitement they see in the story has really shocked me. Definitely worth a punt if you’ve never experienced it before.
SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
I listen to audio books on BBC Sounds app. Brilliant variety from classics to new stuff - mostly serialised. A great resource for those who love listening to book readings.
I’m currently listening to Summer by Edith Wharton.
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chico
Club Champion
I'm also a recent convert to audio books. Spend a lot of time driving and they really make the time fly by.
I've done it through my local library it's so simple. It's two apps Borrow Box and Libby, if you get a chance check it out.
