Books - what are you reading just now?

[Hobbit]

Just finished Trustee from the Toolroom, by Nevil Shute.

As for all his books (that I love) very straightforward reading and not very complex but interesting plot, great characters and great writing - though from the 50s/60s they need to be read accepting the time they were written. No explicit murder, killing, drugs, violence and as far as sex…well the reader knows when it has likely happened but Shute leaves it to our imagination

Others by Shute? Most will have heard of A Town Like Alice…though have you read it? If not do yourself a lovely favour - it’s not at all what I imagined. And as for On the Beach? Written in and about Cold War times, the story chimes doom-fully today (btw Ava Garner stunning in the film alongside Gregory Peck and Anthony Perkins).

You’ve probably read it but one of my favourites is Requiem for a Wren.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

You’ve probably read it but one of my favourites is Requiem for a Wren.

Yes I’ve read it…a really thoughtful and sad story. Another I particularly have enjoyed is Beyond the Black Stump.

 

[louise_a]

I am currently working my way through the "Mark" series by SW Perry, the are set in the late 16th Century and are mystery/crime novels.

 

[Fade and Die]

Re-reading some sci-fi classics, just finished “The stars my Destination” going to start “The Forever War” tonight.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I am currently working my way through the "Mark" series by SW Perry, the are set in the late 16th Century and are mystery/crime novels.

Would you recommend them? Always on the lookout for my next book series.

 

[louise_a]

Would you recommend them? Always on the lookout for my next book series.

I certainly would if you like the subject matter, I do like historical crime novels and there are a lot of good series out there. I enjoy the historical background as well as the crime element.

 

[Vikingman]

Currently working through the Alex Cross novels. Up to "London Bridges".

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Just finished The Satsuma Complex by Bob Mortimer. A bit surreal but amusing enough.

 

[Hoganman1]

THE SPY and THE TRAITOR from Ben Macintyre. Just started it and it's a great look at the Cold War.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell just finished. Superb.

It was sitting there not started when my Mrs announced she’d like to go to cinema to watch the film. “Let me read it first” I asked (always a conundrum for me..to read the book before watching a film/tv adaptation or not).

So engrossing I found it I ‘consumed it voraciously’. And now that I’m done I can’t wait to go see the film to watch unfold what I know will unfold - so beautiful, so descriptive and emotional, are the writing and the story.

Sooo worth reading. You don’t know much about ordinary life in 16th England - and even if you know a bit…you’ll learn a lot more…and you are in for an emotional and educational treat. Read before seeing film is probably best to form your own picture…but whichever order - such a beautiful read.

ETA..having now seen the film I can confirm that it is worth reading the book before seeing the film. The film works superbly in its own right, but the book gives a bit more background and detail.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

The Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. I heard someone talking about it the other day and realised that I'd never read it. There are a few books in the series but book 1 is only 180 pages, so pretty short.

It's a fun book, very irreverent. I can see why it became a cult classic. Book 2 is on order from the library.

 

[BrianM]

Couple of books while traveling, inside HMP Wakefield - Life behind bars and How to talk to anybody, just because I’ve got an interview on Monday, the second one

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

Just finished Bob Rotellas 15th Club. Now I’m about to start Seve’s book, will need to find something to follow those 2 up with.

 

[backwoodsman]

The Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. I heard someone talking about it the other day and realised that I'd never read it. There are a few books in the series but book 1 is only 180 pages, so pretty short.

It's a fun book, very irreverent. I can see why it became a cult classic. Book 2 is on order from the library.

Just bought the Mrs the full set as she decided she wants to read it. (THGTTG is one of my absolute favourites).

But bear in mind, it was originally written as a radio series and the books came later. The radio series is brilliant and should not be missed. (Much superior to the books). Douglas Adams was prescient about an awful lot of stuff.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Just finished Trustee from the Toolroom, by Nevil Shute.

As for all his books (that I love) very straightforward reading and not very complex but interesting plot, great characters and great writing - though from the 50s/60s they need to be read accepting the time they were written. No explicit murder, killing, drugs, violence and as far as sex…well the reader knows when it has likely happened but Shute leaves it to our imagination

Others by Shute? Most will have heard of A Town Like Alice…though have you read it? If not do yourself a lovely favour - it’s not at all what I imagined. And as for On the Beach? Written in and about Cold War times, the story chimes doom-fully today (btw Ava Garner stunning in the film alongside Gregory Peck and Anthony Perkins).

A BBC serialisation of On the Beach is currently on BBC Sounds…and I’d forgotten that the background context of the novel is a nuclear war that had basically wiped out humanity except for what little remained in SE Australia…and that soon to go within a few months..started in the Middle East between two small counties and escalated to global nuclear war and the destruction of humanity. Thought provoking.

Currently reading a collection of short stories by John Wyndham.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

@backwoodsman interesting to hear the radio series came first. I wasn't aware of that. Not often it is that way around.

 

[Hobbit]

A BBC serialisation of On the Beach is currently on BBC Sounds…and I’d forgotten that the background context of the novel is a nuclear war that had basically wiped out humanity except for what little remained in SE Australia…and that soon to go within a few months..started in the Middle East between two small counties and escalated to global nuclear war and the destruction of humanity. Thought provoking.

Currently reading a collection of short stories by John Wyndham.

Nostradamus’s third prophecy suggests a major war in the Middle East involving the west. But to be honest, the guy wrote over 900 prophecies, and the translations are wide ranging & vague.

He also prophesied that two cities in the far east would be decimated by the likes of which have never been seen before - often tenuously linked to Hiroshima & Nagasaki.